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.
Things you may not have thought about, after planning our own wedding (well, helping Emily) I decided to include a wedding planner checklist to make sure that everything has been considered.
Read through our 18 month wedding planner checklist and download your own copy. Don’t forget to check out our other planning guides in our series 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 both 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 wedding (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 licenced venue provisionally book the registrar to attend the licensed venue.
- 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 grooms wear
- Buy the bridesmaid dresses if you haven’t already
- Book your honeymoon
- If travelling abroad on your honeymoon check passport for validity. 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 vowels, start now
- Set up your gift list
3 Months to go
- Send out your invitations
- Have dress/suit fittings
- Have a hair and makeup 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
- Pickup your wedding dress