Wedding Checklist: Complete Planning List
Key Takeaways
- Start with the Big Three: budget, guest list, venue — everything else follows
- Book suppliers in order of how quickly they sell out: venue, photographer, caterer, DJ
- Set calendar reminders for key deadlines: notice of marriage, invitation send date, RSVP deadline
- The final month is about confirming, not booking — if you're still booking suppliers a month out, something went wrong
- Save this checklist and tick items off as you go — it's designed to be used, not just read
This is the checklist. Not a summary, not an overview — the actual task-by-task list that takes you from engagement to wedding day. Every task links to a detailed guide where you need one.
Bookmark this page. Come back to it every week. Tick things off as you go.
12-18 months before
Budget & big decisions
- Set total wedding budget — How to Budget
- Have the money conversation with contributing parents
- Draft guest list (day and evening) — aim for a number, not perfection
- Decide on wedding style and priorities (formal/relaxed, what matters most)
- Buy wedding insurance — Insurance Guide
Venue
- Research venues that fit your budget, guest count, and style
- Visit 3-5 venues — Questions to Ask
- Book the venue and pay deposit
- Confirm the date
Key suppliers
- Research photographers — Cost Guide
- Book photographer — Questions to Ask
- Research caterers (if external) — Cost Guide
9-12 months before
Suppliers
- Book caterer (if not included with venue) — Questions to Ask
- Book DJ or band — DJ Cost Guide
- Book florist — Flowers Cost Guide | Questions to Ask
- Book videographer (if having one) — Do You Need One?
- Book wedding planner (if using) — Questions to Ask
- Start dress shopping — Dress Cost Guide
Planning
- Send save-the-dates
- Start a wedding planning spreadsheet or use an app
- Research honeymoon destinations
- Choose wedding party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, best man, maid of honour)
6-9 months before
Suppliers
- Order wedding dress (most need 4-6 months for delivery)
- Book cake maker — Cake Prices Guide
- Book stationer or design invitations — Invitation Wording
- Book transport (if needed)
- Book hair stylist and makeup artist
- Groom’s outfit: buy or book hire — Father/Groom Outfit Guide
Planning
- Finalise guest list
- Choose colour scheme and overall style
- Plan ceremony: readings, music, vows — Wedding Day Timeline
- Research accommodation for guests
- Start planning hen do and stag do
4-6 months before
Legal
- Give notice of marriage — both partners, at local register office, minimum 29 days before (do it now to be safe)
Invitations
- Send invitations (8-12 weeks before) — How to Address
- Include RSVP cards or online RSVP link — RSVP Wording
- Include evening invitations — Evening Invitation Wording
Suppliers
- First dress fitting
- Confirm menu and book tasting with caterer
- Confirm flowers and cake design
- Buy wedding rings
- Organise guest book — Guest Book Ideas
- Order favours — Favour Ideas
Planning
- Book honeymoon
- Plan speeches: brief speakers on timing — Speech Writing Guide
- Choose first dance song
- Create a wedding website (if using)
2-4 months before
Details
- Chase RSVP non-responders
- Start the seating plan — Seating Plan Guide
- Create the day timeline and share with all suppliers — Day Timeline
- Prepare photo shot list — Photo Checklist
- Second dress fitting
- Bridesmaids’ dresses fitted
- Hair and makeup trial
- Write vows (if personal)
- Plan decorations — DIY Decorations | Centrepiece Ideas
- Confirm accommodation for wedding night
1 month before
Confirmations
- Confirm every supplier: time, location, contact number, what they’re delivering
- Finalise seating plan — send to venue and caterer
- Collect marriage licence documents
- Final dress fitting
- Break in wedding shoes
- Prepare place cards and table numbers
- Prepare speeches — Speech Examples
- Create a playlist or song requests for the DJ
- Confirm rehearsal time with venue and wedding party
1 week before
- Confirm every supplier one final time (a quick email is enough)
- Prepare cash tips and thank-you cards for suppliers
- Pack an emergency kit: safety pins, plasters, paracetamol, stain remover, needle and thread, phone charger, tissues, mints, deodorant
- Steam or press the dress
- Lay out the full outfit (including underwear, shoes, jewellery, cufflinks)
- Prepare a bag for the wedding night (change of clothes, toiletries, phone charger)
- Give final payment to any suppliers who need it
- Hand the timeline to the best man/maid of honour/coordinator
The day before
- Rehearsal (if having one)
- Drop off decorations, favours, and guest book at the venue
- Confirm buttonhole and bouquet delivery time with florist
- Set an alarm for the morning
- Eat a proper dinner
- Get an early night (or try to)
Wedding day morning
- Eat breakfast (you’ll forget otherwise)
- Hair and makeup start time: ____
- Photographer arrives at: ____
- Leave for venue at: ____
- Ceremony at: ____
Then: stop checking lists. Trust the plan. Enjoy every moment.
Further reading
- How to Plan a Wedding — the full step-by-step guide
- 12-Month Planning Timeline — month-by-month details
- How to Budget for a Wedding — the financial framework
- Wedding Day Timeline — hour by hour on the day
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start planning a wedding?
12-18 months is ideal for most UK weddings. This gives you time to book popular venues and suppliers, especially for summer Saturdays. A well-organised couple can plan in 6-9 months. Register office ceremonies can be arranged in as little as 6-8 weeks (legal minimum: 29 days notice).
What is the most important thing to book first?
The venue. It determines your date, guest capacity, catering options, style, and budget allocation. Every other decision — photographer, caterer, florist, entertainment — follows from the venue. Book it before anything else.
What do most couples forget when planning a wedding?
The most commonly forgotten items: giving notice of marriage (legal requirement, 29 days minimum), wedding insurance, postage costs for invitations and thank you cards, alterations budget for the dress, supplier meals, emergency kit for the day, and a plan for transporting gifts home from the venue.
Is there a free wedding checklist I can download?
This checklist is free to use online. You can bookmark this page on your phone for easy access. For a spreadsheet version, use the budget and checklist templates in Google Sheets or the free planning tools on Weddings Hub.