So you're engaged, Congratulations! But where to begin when you start planning a wedding? Well we are here to help you plan the different elements of your wedding day with a simple check list. It might seem daunting but some details listed below may not have even crossed your mind! From when to send out your wedding invitations, to when you need to book caterers for your chosen wedding date, this list will be the best place to start building the plan of your big day.
18 months before your wedding day
Decide if you are having a civil or religious ceremony
Decide whether you want a wedding planner or want to plan the entire day yourself
Agree a budget, be realistic! If you need to add an 10%+ allowance do it!
Meet the Priest/Vicar to set a date & book the church (for a religious ceremony)
Draft the guest list
Begin viewing venues and book the one that suits you both best
Buy wedding insurance (shop around for the best tailored deals for your requirments)
Research wedding photographers and or/videographers, try and meet as many as possible.
Book your photographer and/or videographer when you have found the best fit.
Research & book engagement session for any time between now and your wedding day, this is a great way to get comfortable with your photographer, and creates the most beautiful prints for friends and families, even for your wedding invitations.
Arrange a marquee if you need one
12 months to go
Choose witnesses (for a civil ceremony)
Choose bridesmaids/best man/ushers
Have an engagement party
Book registrar (for a civil ceremony)
Book wedding transport
Book entertainment – DJ/Band/Singers/Harpist/Fireworks
Book caterers
Decide on your wedding theme/colours
Start wedding dress shopping (essential to do this now if it’s a bespoke dress)
Start bridesmaid dress shopping
Book hair and make up artist (the hair and make up trials take place 3 months before)
Contact rental companies to hire furniture/linen
Book Toastmaster/Master of Ceremonies
9 months to go
Book florist
Book cake maker
Order your wedding dress
Buy your veil/shoes/underwear/tiara
Buy wedding favours
8 months to go
Send out Save the Dates
6 months to go
Give notice of marriage (for civil ceremony)
Book time off work for your honeymoon
Book your honeymoon & travel insurance
Order your wedding cake
Buy your wedding rings (do not leave this too late if you want a bespoke shaped wedding ring)
Sort out your wedding night accommodation
Agree the Order of Service with your Vicar/Registrar
Choose music/readings/hymns/songs/poems for your ceremony
Write your own vows
Set up your wedding gift list, some lovely ideas are: Charity Donations, Wine gift list, honeymoon contributions.
Design or choose your wedding invitations (but don’t send them yet)
4 months to go
Buy your going away outfit
Arrange suit fittings for groomsmen
Agree and finalise all wedding flowers
Decide whether you’re having a first dance & decide/book dance lessons/a choreographer
3 months to go
Have your initial wedding dress fitting (take your shoes/veil/tiara/underwear)
Attend the reading of your Banns (you don’t have to attend but it’s a special public occasion where the congregation may be invited to pray for your happiness so you might want to hear this). Your Banns must, legally, be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as the church in which you are to be married (if that is somewhere else). Your Banns will be read out in church for 3 Sundays during the 3 months before your wedding (usually over 3 consecutive Sundays).
Have a hair and make-up trial
Have your hen/stag do’s
Break in your wedding shoes (wear socks on carpeted flooring)
Start writing speeches
Buy thank you gifts for your bridal party
Have a menu tasting with your caterers
Start the table plan
Order venue and table decorations
Arrange any vaccinations
Check your passport & renew if it will expire before you travel. If it’s still valid, you don’t need to renew your passport but ensure that the name on your travel docs matches your passport.
2 months to go
Decide whether to have an unplugged wedding and then :
Send out your invitations (include your wish for an unplugged wedding here)
Fill out your photographer’s questionnaire detailing everything about your day
Work out a timeline for the day with your photographer (unless you have a planner)
Buy clothes for your honeymoon
1 month to go
Chase up RSVP’s
Have your final dress fitting/bridesmaids fittings
Print your Order of Service
Buy a Guest Book
Decide who to choose as your 2 witnesses (for a civil ceremony)
Confirm bookings and timings with all suppliers
Go through the day plan/duties with all suppliers
Settle all final balances
1 week to go
Confirm guest numbers/dietary requirements with your venue & caterers
Finalise seating plan
Write place cards
Have a wedding rehearsal
Give your DJ a song list
Collect any hired items
Pick up your wedding dress
Hand over the supplier list/emergency contacts to a designated person
Have a manicure/pedicure/massage (but not a facial)
Order foreign currency for your honeymoon
Wrap any gifts
1 Day to go
Give your rings to the best man
Make sure you have some cash for any payments on the day
Pack for your honeymoon including tickets and passport
Put together an emergency kit for the day (make-up & whatever else you might need) and give it to one of your attendants
On the day
Allow plenty of time to get ready – begin dressing 2 hours before the ceremony
Put your engagement ring on your right hand
After your wedding/honeymoon
Send thank you cards
Have your wedding dress cleaned
Receive your photos/video
Arrange to change the surname on your driving licence, bank etc,.