Wedding Checklist and Planning Timeline: 18 Month Step-by-step

An easy wedding to do list you say? Oh goodie! Now, you’ll probably have already worked out that there are quite a few things you need for your wedding and that when planning it, there are a fair few more you’ll need to have a good handle on. Catering, flowers, the outfits, the venue, the food… and that’s before you’ve even thought about the honeymoon (p.s it’s the best bit…). To help, we’ve put together the ultimate wedding checklist and planning timeline. We should preface, this checklist is meant to support your wedding planning, to ease and simplify and not add stress to it. So, If you’re planning your wedding in less than 18 months (we’ve seen it done in 3), don’t fret, this is just a guide. Let’s do this!

• First thing’s first, sort your wedding insurance, just in case of any unexpected issues

• Decide upon your wedding budget, there’s no point getting carried away with your plans if your budget doesn’t stretch to a chateaux in Provence!

• Write your guest list, it may seem premature, but you’ll want to make sure that your venue is the appropriate size for your guests. Decide if you’ll be offering your guests a plus one or implementing a ‘no ring, no bring’ rule.

• Now for the fun bit! Visit and book your ceremony and reception venue(s), don’t forget to make sure a registrar is available on your chosen wedding date before putting down your deposit!

• Start thinking about suppliers - make up and hair, photographers, florists, and stationary, DJ or band etc…

• Once you’re happy, lock in your photographer and videographer

• Have a think about ceremony decor- Book wedding caterers (if they’re not already included in your venue booking)

• Start researching wedding outfits, whether that’s a dress or a beautifully tailored suit, start early so you know what’s right for you and have plenty of time

• Order and send your save the dates

• Research honeymoon options (yay!)

• Research floristry options

• Arrange a cake tasting

• Register your intention to marry, this is a legal requirement - so it’s not one to miss!

• Book a few bridal boutique appointments

• Appoint your wedding party, whether it’s a grand gesture or a simple phone call

• Book your band and or DJ

• Have a look into accommodation options for guests travelling from afar (you’ll want to include this on your wedding website, because you’re nice like that)

• Book your honeymoon flights and accommodation

• Order your wedding cake

• Book any necessary pre-marriage courses - if you’re having a religious ceremony this may be required

• Create your wedding website, you’ll want to have your website details ready so that you can add it to your invitations

• Order your wedding outfits, especially if you’re having a traditional bridal dress, lead times can be lengthy!

• Going abroad for your honeymoon? Check whether you need to renew your passports. Don’t forget that if you’ve booked your honeymoon in your old name your passport must match

• Get a date in the diary for hen and or stag parties (woop!)

• Take your bridesmaids and bridesmen shopping… buy or order their outfits. This is best done once you have chosen your own wedding outfits, so that everything works together

• Order your wedding stationary, including wedding invitations, etc

• Chat all things floral with your florist

• Rent men’s suits if required

• Book to give notice at your local registry office

• Have a think about and book wedding cars

• Sign up for your wedding gift registry and honeymoon fund - that’s where we come in…! Start adding lovely gifts to your list so that you have plenty of time to build the most epic wedding registry.

• Check whether you need any vaccinations for your chosen honeymoon destination

• Research and decide on readings, prayers (if it’s a religious ceremony) and music choices

• Pad out your wedding website with all the handy information your lovely guests may need

• Arrange a hair and makeup trial, and if you’re doing your own then start perfecting your look

• Try on wedding rings, it’s surprisingly tricky to find the perfect fit if you’re pairing a wedding band with an engagement ring

• If you haven’t hired a venue with rooms, book accommodation for you and your party for the night before and night of the wedding

• Send your invitations. Consider doing this earlier if you’re getting married in the peak summer season or if you have guests who will need to book flights or time off work

• Publish your wedding gift list and share details of your registry with your guests, you can do this within your invitations and or add details to your wedding website so guests can easily click through to buy you a present

• Meet with your photographer

• Order wedding rings

• Buy your wedding shoes

• Select your menu with the caterers

• Order any accessories to go with your outfits- veils, headbands, ties and pocket squares

• Finalise details of your ceremony with your registrar, don’t worry- they’ll send you a form to fill in with vital things like how you want to be introduced once you’ve said ‘I do’

• Buy gifts for your wedding party and immediate family to say thanks

• Order any signage for your wedding, fancy an un-plugged ceremony? Make sure to make it clear to your guests

• Shop for your wedding fragrances

• Buy a wedding gift for your soon to be spouse

• Chase up any guests who have not yet RSVP’d

• Work on any DIY projects you may have

• Finalise numbers with your venue

• Order any additional stationary such as orders of service, menus and place names

• Start wearing in your wedding shoes, both brides and grooms!

• Practise your first dance to avoid any on the day disasters

• Have your final dress fittings

• Finalise your table plan

• Keep an eye on your wedding gift list, guests may have started to buy you presents already (yay!). Make sure you top up your list so that they have lots of different gifts to choose from with a variety of price points

• Finalise any must-have shots with your photographer

• Confirm all details with your suppliers

• Create an ‘on the day’ wedding timetable together with contact details of your suppliers, print and pass it on to the best man and maid of honour

• Provide all suppliers with alternative emergency contact details for any on the day issues that you won’t want to be bothered with

• Get a massage, because you’ll probably need a bit of downtime

• Have any pampering that could cause redness such as waxing or eyebrow shaping, so that there’s time for it to settle down

• Do an outfit dry run, put everything on that you’ll be wearing on the day just to make sure it’s all looking and feeling like it should

• Time for chaps to get a haircut and beard trim

• Get a manicure and pedicure

• Pack an overnight bag for the wedding night

• If you have little time between your wedding and heading off on honeymoon or minimoon, get cracking with honeymoon packing too

• Pick up any hired suits

• Be sure you’re paid up with your suppliers

• Drop off decorations, printed stationery, table plans and favours at the reception venue

• Prep yourself for a restful night’s sleep, try not to have too many in the hotel bar the night before!

Ahh! It’s here, the BIG DAY. Let’s do this!

• If you can stomach it, have a good breakfast maybe even with a sneaky glass of bubbles, because who are we to say no?

• Give your wedding party gifts

• Meet with your registrar, this will happen about 15 minutes before your wedding ceremony and they’ll just confirm a few details

• Pop your wedding certificate somewhere safe

• Most importantly, have an AWESOME day. Congratulations, love birds.

So, that’s it! Your wedding checklist! For more inspiration check out our planning blogs, from choosing the best wedding cake to the all important tunes. We’ve got you- now go forth and plan the BEST. DAY. EVER.