Wedding checklist: a 12 month UK timeline

By Wedding Offshore Team

This timeline is a suggested order, not a set of rules. Every wedding is different, and you may have more or less than 12 months, a shorter list of guests or a ceremony with its own requirements. Use it as a starting point, move things around to suit your date and check the details that vary with your venue, your suppliers and the relevant authorities.

Start with the month you have, not the month in the list. If you have less than a year, fit the early items in as soon as you can, and do the rest in order. Keep one list, tick things off and keep every quote and agreement in one place. Where something depends on a venue or a supplier, ask them directly, because their terms and deadlines vary.

12 to 10 months to go

This stage is about the big decisions that shape everything else.

Agree your total budget, who contributes and your three top priorities. Our guide to how to plan a wedding on a budget in the UK goes through this in detail.
Draft a first guest list, and an estimate of numbers.
Choose a possible season or date, and a few alternatives.
Shortlist venues and visit them, asking each the same questions.
Find out what you need for a legal ceremony in the type of venue you are considering. Requirements vary, so ask your register office, officiant or the relevant authority what you need and how far ahead.
Book your venue and ceremony once you are sure.

9 to 7 months to go

Now you can book the people who make the day work.

Book the key suppliers you want, such as photographer, caterer, music and officiant, if they are not provided by the venue. Popular dates can book up, so ask early.
Ask each supplier for a written quote that lists what is included, the deposit and the cancellation terms.
Choose your wedding party and ask them to take part.
Think about accommodation and travel for you and your guests.
Consider sending a save-the-date to guests who will need to travel or take time off.
Start looking at outfits, so you have time to try and choose.

6 to 4 months to go

This is the time for design and detail.

Order or buy your outfits, and ask the supplier how long they need and when you should book fittings.
Book hair and beauty, and plan trials if you want them.
Choose your colour scheme and decoration. Our ceremony and venue pieces can help with the look of your ceremony space.
Plan your ceremony: readings, music, vows and who takes part.
Choose favours and plan how you will make or buy them. Browse our wedding favours for ideas.
If you are travelling for a honeymoon, check that your passports are valid for your travel dates, and check the entry requirements with the relevant authority.

3 to 2 months to go

Now the practical detail begins to take shape.

Order and send your invitations in good time. Allow for guests who will travel or need to book time off. Our invitations may help you choose a style.
Keep a list of replies, and chase guests who have not answered.
Start your table plan once numbers become clear. Read our guide to wedding table plan ideas when you do.
Confirm your suppliers in writing, including dates, times and what is included.
Plan speeches, readings and the running order for the day.
Book transport if you need it.

The final month

Check the details and give final numbers.

Ask your venue and caterer when they need final numbers, dietary details and the table plan, and give them in good time.
Finalise the table plan and print place cards, table numbers and signs.
Attend final fittings and collect your outfits when they are ready.
Check that delivered items, such as decoration, have arrived, and that nothing is damaged.
Write a simple timeline for the day, and send it to your suppliers and to your wedding party.
Choose who will set up, who will tidy and who will look after anything left behind.
Order decoration for your tables if you have not already. Our table decorations cover runners, centrepieces and table numbers.

The final week

Keep it calm and well organised.

Confirm times and contact numbers with every supplier.
Pay any final balances, as agreed.
Pack anything you need for the day and for any travel afterwards, including documents.
Prepare a small emergency kit with the sort of things you may need, such as spare pins, plasters, tissues and a sewing kit.
Hand out any final jobs, and write down who is doing what.
Rest, eat well and try to sleep.

After the wedding

There are a few things to do afterwards.

Send thank-you messages to guests and suppliers.
Return any hired items, and collect anything left at the venue.
Ask your register office or officiant how and when you will receive your marriage certificate.
If you plan to change your name, find out which documents and organisations need updating, and ask each what they require.
Keep all your paperwork and receipts for a while, in case you need them.

Mistakes to avoid

Leaving the legal details until late, when the requirements and timings may be hard to meet
Booking suppliers without written quotes
Forgetting to ask venues and suppliers for their deadlines
Letting the guest list grow after the budget is set
Trying to do everything in the last month

Next steps

Look at how much time you have, pick the stage you are in and start ticking things off. If your budget is still unclear, start with the budget guide linked above, and write down your priorities before you do anything else.

Asked and answered

When should we start planning a wedding?

As soon as you can. The more time you have, the more choice you will have, especially of venues and dates. If you have less time, start with the venue and the legal requirements.

What should we book first?

Start with the venue and the date, because they affect everything else. Check what the venue includes, and ask about the legal requirements for your type of ceremony.

Is there a legal timetable we need to follow?

Requirements vary depending on where you marry and the type of ceremony, so ask your register office, officiant or the relevant authority what you need and how far ahead.

What if we have less than 12 months?

Use the checklist in the same order, and do the early items as soon as possible. Be ready to make quick decisions about the venue and date, and keep the guest list manageable.