Ultimate UK Wedding Planner Checklist | 18-Month Planning Guide

Planning your big day can seem like a muddled mess of a to-do list at first. Here’s a checklist to help you stay calm in the chaos of wedding planning.

Wedding Planner Checklist

Planning your wedding can sometimes feel like a lot of hard work. There are so many things to think about when it comes to planning your special day.

After planning my own wedding (well, helping Emily), I decided to put together a wedding planner checklist to make sure that everything has been considered, including the things you may not have thought about.

Work through my 18-month checklist below. You might also find my other planning guides useful, like who to invite to your wedding.

18 months to go

• Set a provisional date for your wedding
• Agree on a budget
• Draft a rough guest list, so you know what size of venue to look for for the ceremony, day and evening reception
• Decide whether you would prefer a civil or religious wedding ceremony and what type of venue you want
• View and book your venue (to secure the date)
• If getting married in a church, visit the minister and provisionally book the wedding date
• If it is a civil ceremony at a licensed venue, provisionally book the registrar to attend
• Finalise your guest list
• Invest in wedding insurance
• Book your photographer and videographer

12 months to go

• Choose your bridesmaids, best man and ushers
• Send out your save the dates
• Book transport, if you need it
• Book your entertainment
• If you need to book caterers, book them and discuss the menu options
• Start dress shopping
• Start bridesmaid dress shopping
• Book your hair and make-up artist, if you’re having one

9 months to go

• Book your florist
• Book your cake maker
• Order the dress, if you haven’t already
• Buy your bridal accessories, such as shoes, jewellery and underwear
• Sort out your wedding favours

6 months to go

• Start shopping for groomswear
• Buy the bridesmaid dresses if you haven’t already
• Book your honeymoon
• If travelling abroad on your honeymoon, check your passport is valid and consult your doctor about any vaccinations needed
• Buy your wedding rings
• Sort out your first-night accommodation
• Discuss the order of service with the vicar or registrar
• Choose the readings, hymns, songs or poems you want at your ceremony
• If you are writing your own vows, start now
• Set up your gift list

3 months to go

• Send out your invitations
• Have dress and suit fittings
• Have a hair and make-up trial
• Go on your hen and stag dos
• Break in your shoes
• Start writing your speeches
• Buy thank-you gifts for key members of the bridal party
• Have a menu tasting with your caterers
• Start the table plan
• Confirm guest numbers and any dietary requirements with your venue and caterers four to six weeks before the day
• Order any stationery required, e.g. order of service, menus, place cards, thank-you cards
• Put together a list of telephone numbers in case of an emergency, such as a local cab firm, doctor’s surgery and all the suppliers that will be attending or delivering items on your special day

1 week to go

• Have a wedding rehearsal (if required)
• Confirm bookings and timings with your suppliers
• Go through the day plan and duties with the wedding party
• Settle all final balances
• Collect any hired items
• Pick up your wedding dress