Wedding Planning Checklist
Planning a wedding can be stressful so it’s best to be organised and this checklist below is a great starting point if you need that extra bit of help. Once you have set the date and your countdown begins. You can plan a wedding in just a few weeks but for most people with day jobs, it’s easier to spend a year or more on wedding planning the event of a lifetime. I have plenty of couples who do only give themselves 3 months or more to plan their wedding but most book a year or more in advance.
12 months +
• Set the date
Start your wedding planning twelve months or more in advance to ensure you get to book the venues and suppliers of your choice at best prices. You could save money by booking a mid-week wedding instead of a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
• Decide whether to plan your own wedding
You could enlist the help of a professional wedding planner if you prefer by calling on the expertise of a wedding planner or stylist their experience is often worth its weight in gold. Allot of my couples have a wedding planner as part of their package with certain venues but for the venues that don’t offer this you can hire your own independent wedding planner who also runs the wedding on the day with caterers etc.
• Send save-the-date cards
To make sure your guests don’t book their summer holiday and miss your special day.
• Set your budget
Make it realistic without going into debt whilst wedding planning and add in a contingency just in case. Allot of couples don’t realise how expensive a wedding can be until they start planning one.
• Draw up your guest list(s)
Try to make it equal and keep both families happy. Have a separate evening reception guest list if you want some work colleagues or friends of the family to come but you don’t know them well enough to invite them to the ceremony and the wedding breakfast.
• Book your venue(s)
The sooner you book your venues, the easier everything else will be to plan. You’ll need to book a venue for your ceremony (either a church, registry office or other licensed civil wedding venue) and a venue for your reception, for your wedding breakfast and disco or other after-dinner entertainment. Some venues offer the option to have both the ceremony and the reception at the same location (if you want a civil ceremony). You could save thousands of pounds by booking out of season – many venues have fantastic winter wedding offers too.
• Appoint bridesmaids, a best man and ushers
Choose from close friends and family who are nearby ideally and, ahem, thoroughly trustworthy!
• Take out wedding insurance
It’s not costly and could save you thousands if a supplier suddenly lets you down. It’s worth it just for peace of mind when wedding planning!
• Book your photographer and videographer
Find a wedding photographer who offers the style of photos you are looking for (traditional, contemporary, reportage style or a combination), as every wedding photographer offers something a little bit different. A professional wedding photographers pricing will start at around £1,000+ (8 hours) and pricing will vary on if you have 1 photographer or 2 photographers, a photobook or an album so research is essential. Have a telephone call with them, Face-Time or meet them personally (face-face), ask to see their portfolio which is normally available on blogs and if a meeting in person photobooks or albums from individual weddings.
• Meet your vicar/registrar
They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the ceremony, and help you find suitable readings and music.
• Book a DJ/band/entertainers
You might want to book a DJ to dance the night away, or hire a live band or classical musicians for your reception, every couple is different and has their reception unique to them. Some couples like to have a singer perform a live solo piece or a string quartet at their ceremony, others may book magicians for their evening reception just to add a sense of fun!
• Book caterers if needed
If the reception venue you have booked is not doing your catering then you’ll need to consider hiring outside caterers or, if your budget is tight, catering the wedding with buffet party platters from your local supermarket.
• Book your cars
You may need to book one bridal car for you and your father if your ceremony isn’t at the same location of your preparations (if all at one venue), or you may also want to book a second or third car for your mother and bridesmaids. If you want to make it easier and fun for all your family and friends – book a bus! You could get some amazing wedding photos of you and your guests atop a vintage double decker bus!
• Book your florist
Decide how many flowers you would like and where, or if you’re on a tight budget, invest in everlasting silk flowers that can be sold on after the wedding. A combination of real and silk flowers can also work. Ask your local florist for advice.
• Book your honeymoon
Whether you’re planning just a honeymoon or a whole wedding abroad, book it in your maiden name and use your existing passport, then change all your documents to your married name when you return.
• Decide what kind of wedding dress you want
If you’re having a couture wedding dress made for you then you’ll need to start this process now. If you’re ordering a designer dress then allow 4-6 months and if you’re buying off-the-peg or second-hand, 4-6 weeks before should be fine for alterations if needed.
6 months +
• Order/make your wedding invitations
Don’t forget all the other wedding stationery including: orders of service, place cards and thank you cards
• Order the wedding cake
Or cupcakes or ‘cheese cake’, or have your wedding cake home made.
• Buy your wedding shoes and accessories
Get your shoes in good time for your first dress fitting, and your tiara and veil in time for your make up and hair trial. Choose what jewellery and any other bridal accessories you will wear.
• Book your make up artist and hairdresser
Speak to several to find the one that’s right for you, then book a hair and make up trial complete with your tiara and veil if possible.
• Buy your bridesmaid’s dresses and suits for the groom, best man, ushers and any flower girls or page boys.
• Book the honeymoon suite
And ask for some rose petals to be scattered on the bed…
3 months +
• Have your wedding dress altered
And then don’t lose any more weight!
• Buy your wedding rings
Make sure they are both the right size and that your wedding ring will sit comfortably alongside your engagement ring if you plan to wear them together.
• Send your wedding invitations
Traditionally they are sent out 6-12 weeks before the wedding but you can send them sooner if you prefer. Include information for your guests on overnight accommodation, transport, parking and any dress code if appropriate. Include reply cards to ensure they all RSVP and ask your guests if they have any specific dietary requirements.
• Order your venue décor and table decorations
Including table centrepieces and traditional wedding favours thought to bring good luck.
• Decide on a gift list
Make it available to all your wedding guests (through your invitations) and your wedding website if you have one.
• Choose wedding music and readings
Your minister/registrar will be able to advise further.
• Buy gifts for the best man, ushers and bridesmaids
And bouquets of flowers for the mothers of the bride and groom. Personalised gifts with your own message engraved make very special keepsakes.
• Arrange to have any vaccinations done
If required for your honeymoon.
• Start to plan your hen and stag parties
With the help of your best man and chief bridesmaid respectively.
1 month before
• Arrange for a final fitting of your wedding dress
And bring along your mum, sister or best friend too!
• Reconfirm the wedding arrangements with all your suppliers
Speak to them personally and make sure you have confirmation of dates, places and times in writing from them.
• Finalise the seating plan
And make your table planner for the reception so guests know where to sit.
• Arrange the wedding rehearsal
A few days before is ideal and you could make an evening of it by inviting all your bridal party along to dinner afterwards too. It’s a good opportunity for them to all get together just before the big day.
• Contact any guests who have not replied to your invitation
The venue and the caterers will need to know final numbers at least 1-2 weeks before.
• Arrange a date to pick up any hired suits
And make a note of when they need to be returned – give that honour to your best man.
• Write the wedding speeches
Either have it written by a professional speech writer or write from the heart, and then practice, practice, practice…
1 week before
• Have the wedding rehearsal
This will help you know where to stand and when to speak and will prepare you so you don’t feel nervous on the day.
• Pack for your honeymoon
You’re going on the holiday of a lifetime!
• Wear-in your wedding shoes
Don’t wear bridal shoes outside, but do wear them around the house to make sure they’re comfy on the day.
• Create a wedding emergency kit
Include make up, a compact mirror and powder, lipstick, tissues etc – anything you think you might need on the day. Ask your chief bridesmaid to carry your bridal kit for you.
• Order your foreign currency for your honeymoon
And make any other last minute arrangements.
• Find your ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’
Ask your mother or grandmother for something old, the rest is easy and a silver sixpence is meant to bring good luck.
• Hand over the supplier list of contacts to a designated person
Give the list of all the wedding suppliers involved in your wedding day with their contact details and times they are meant to arrive, in case they need to be contacted, to your best man and/or chief bridesmaid and then do not give it all another thought!
The day before
• Have the day off to relax
Don’t go to work, spend the day with friends or family and don’t do anything too exhausting.
• Try to get an early night
You’re getting married in the morning!
And, just one final word of advice…
On your wedding day, the one thing you should try to keep in mind is that it’s not the end of your wedding planning, it’s the beginning of your marriage. So whatever may happen on the day, your marriage is what really matters most, and that’s why it will be a wonderful day you’ll remember for the rest of your life.