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The Whole Works
By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
This is the only wedding checklist you will ever need. This planning timeline with free printable is here to help you every step of the way. Just perfect for UK-based couples and beyond looking for a simple to-do list to save.
No matter the timeline you are working to, you can still utilise these top wedding planning tips. Bookmark this page right now and make wedding planning made a breeze. Yes!
Image: Kazooieloki Photography
Wedding planning is best tackled in sections. Breaking down what can feel overwhelming at times into smaller chunks will help you to nail your wedding admin. Below you will find a comprehensive and detailed wedding checklist, with links to advice articles to assist you along the way.
Plus you can come back, again and again, to help you along your whole wedding journey.
Be sure to download the wedding planning checklist PDF to keep you on track too. We’ve been inspiring couples to DO THEM since 2010, so we know a thing or two about weddings. Ultimately we think that wedding planning should be super fun and not a stressful experience.
Image: Fiona Kelly Photography Rings: Nikki Stark Jewellery
If you have been waiting to buy your engagement ring, it’s time to go ring shopping. Yay! But first, check out how much an engagement ring costs on average.
Your proposal has taken place, you are newly engaged so be sure to enjoy the special moment by sharing your engagement announcement.
It’s the only time you’ll ever be able to host one, so go for it. It doesn’t need to be a huge extravagant affair (of course if that’s your thing then go wild).
You could have drinks at the pub, have a BBQ or even a picnic in the park. An engagement party is the perfect way to celebrate with your closest loved ones and really mark the occasion. Especially if you are choosing to have a long engagement.
It’s time to set a wedding date! Think about setting a rough time guide if you are flexible on the exact date. For example, choosing a season and year to work towards. It’s often a good idea to decide too if you’d like a mid-week or weekend date. Then you can give your nearest and dearest a guideline now to ensure they don’t double book.
I’d really recommend Pinterest to collate your virtual wedding mood board. You can start with an overall fun wedding board with styling and colour ideas. Before going further in-depth later down the line (more on this later!). It’s a great way of nailing down what you both love (and don’t love) before moving on to more serious wedding planning.
Our newsletter will keep you up to date with all of our latest wedding advice. You will get freebies sent straight to your inbox and all the newest inspiration on our pages. The first step in your wedding checklist is officially done.
Image: Thyme Lane Photography
Setting your wedding budget is the very first key step to your planning. Try to be as accurate as you can to ensure you are realistic with your costs and avoid any budget shortfalls. Discover if any of your family are looking to contribute too so you can get a final, maximum figure.
We can help you work out your budget with our free downloadable wedding budget planner spreadsheet. Check out the average UK wedding cost to gauge prices as well as our guide on how to have a budget wedding or how much wedding flowers cost.
To get totally organised consider downloading our free wedding planning spreadsheets, keeping all of your lists online is a great way to stay organised. It means you can access them via any device and you can add contributors too. If you fancy a more traditional method then a folder or file is a great option too. If you are looking to hire a wedding planner, now is the time to book one!
If you are hoping to keep your wedding admin and your usual online activities separate. Then you could think about setting up a dedicated wedding email address and wedding social media account. It means that everything stays together in one place. If you ever want to switch off from the planning to-dos you simply don’t log in.
Wedding blogs, just like this one (hello!) are a great way to find lots of wedding ideas. Wedding blogs feature real weddings, inspirational editorials and wedding planning advice. It means you can discover the latest trends, real-life wedding stories and beautiful images to inspire you.
Following wedding social media accounts is a great way to stay up to date. Instagram and Facebook are both great ways to stay in the loop. As mentioned earlier, Pinterest is a really visual way to find wedding ideas too.
The next logical step is to find your perfect venue. Your venue will then dictate your wedding date and the number of guests you can invite. If you are looking at more than one venue, perhaps you are hosting your ceremony and reception in different locations. Then you will need to coordinate your dates with both settings.
If you are thinking of a humanist ceremony, look to book your wedding celebrant now. Don’t forget your wedding marquee or tent too.
Wedding insurance is a really important element of planning that can easily be overlooked. Ensure you are covered for peace of mind, but make sure to carefully check the policy to ensure it covers all your needs.
Image: Marianne Chua
Choosing your wedding guest list can be one of the trickiest parts of wedding planning. But it’s an important step and one to try to tick off of your wedding checklist early on. This avoids any unnecessary expectations and means you can go ahead and send those save the dates.
One of the very best investments you can make into your wedding has to be your wedding photos and film. Choosing your wedding photographer is super important and finding the right one will ensure you love your photos forever.
Booking your photographer and your filmmaker early will ensure you don’t miss out as they can be booked very far in advance. Especially talented professionals if you are looking at peak dates. Find out how much a wedding photographer costs and don’t forget to book your wedding photo booth too!
That’s right, it’s time to choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen, best man and maid of honour. Or of course your best woman, groomsmaids or bridesmen. Don’t feel that you have to stick to convention or tradition when it comes to wedding party roles. It could be you prefer not to have a wedding party at all.
Choosing those roles now will ensure that those who’d like to be involved can help with your wedding planning. Plus it won’t be long until you will be on the hunt for attire too! Find out who does wedding speeches too before you allocate those roles.
Wedding fairs are a right of passage when it comes to the wedding experience. It always makes for an exciting expedition and you will end up armed with ideas and fun memories to boot.
Image: Frame Of Love
Shopping for your wedding outfits is a very exciting step in your wedding checklist planning process. Wedding dress and suit shopping 12 months in advance will ensure that your outfits are able to be made and altered with plenty of time. If you are buying custom or bespoke options you do need to leave yourself as much time as possible for the process. Don’t forget to find out the average cost of wedding dresses in the UK!
You can find hundreds of groom suit ideas on the blog by the way.
Your wedding entertainment can really make your day, setting the atmosphere and creating lifelong memories. Whether you are looking for a live band or a string quartet, now is the time to start your search! Why not check out our wedding music checklist to help you along?
It’s a good idea to think about wedding games too.
They’ve said yes and now it’s time to find those all-important wedding party outfits. It could be that you ask your wedding party to rock their own attire. You could rent clothes, give them a budget to choose their own or go out shopping together to find them.
Find out my picks for where to buy bridesmaid dresses online in the UK as well as outfits for mothers of the bride/groom.
Booking your wedding food and drink suppliers now will mean you will have enough time to then decide on your menu. It will also allow time for tastings! Yum. Check out this wedding breakfast guide to answer your FAQs too!
Image: Holly Collings Photography
A wedding website is a great way to share all the up-to-date info with your guests. Simply share the link on your invitations for all the extra details they may need in the run-up and post-wedding. There are lots of UK wedding website builders to choose from, many of which are free!
Find your wedding cake designer, and start thinking about your wedding cake ideas and cake flavours. There are so many amazing wedding cake ideas, such as buttercream wedding cakes, wedding dessert tables or naked wedding cakes.
Perhaps you are looking to make a DIY naked wedding cake? No matter your plans there is one thing for certain, you should definitely check out our wedding cake guide and how much wedding cakes cost.
Think about sending your save the dates now, just to make sure those important to you keep your wedding date free. Your checklist is certainly getting smaller now.
If you are hoping to hire a pro wedding florist start searching now. The best of the business can get booked up and you can start working together to achieve your perfect wedding day flowers.
It’s also a good time to start looking for wedding flower inspiration. Such as summer wedding flower ideas, autumn wedding flowers, spring wedding flowers, winter wedding flower ideas, dried wedding flowers, flower crown ideas and church wedding flowers.
Image: Matt Penberthy
If you have a Pinterest account set up, now think about creating boards for different aspects of your day. Such as a board for flowers or a board for wedding decorations. If you have a wedding theme or a colour scheme in mind you can now start to refine it.
Look to book wedding décor hire or a stylist to help things along, especially for large decor such as wedding backdrops. Place settings can be DIY or certain elements such as crockery could be hired in.
Another idea to sensitively add to your day is a wedding memory table if you’d like to honour a lost loved one.
Alternatively, begin the process of crafting if you are having a DIY wedding. Check out our DIY wedding tutorials too if you are set to craft up a storm! As well as our how to plan A DIY wedding guide, the wedding decor checklist and these wedding centrepiece ideas.
Arranging your gift list now will ensure you can include the details on your stationery. You will be sure to have a lot of fun window shopping to your heart’s content!
Your honeymoon can be taken straight after your wedding day or you could delay. If you are looking to adventure straight off though book it now. If you are hoping to have a honeymoon fund gift list, look into organising this now instead.
You have your date, so now it’s time to order your stationery! Find a stationery designer to create your dream wedding invitations and your on-the-day stationery or begin designing your own. Don’t forget to work out your wedding invitation wording too.
Your wedding rings are one of the most important elements of your day. They are the one tangible thing from your day that will be by your side forever. It’s an important decision and if you are going bespoke, you will need to allow enough time for them to be made. Another important part of your checklist is complete.
It’s a good idea to start booking your guests into their overnight accommodation now. It means there is enough time to organise and arrange everyone. Not to mention availability for all of your guests at their location of choice.
You have the perfect dress or suit, but now it’s time to purchase the accessories. Whether you are looking for bridal accessories such as shoes, jewellery or hair pieces or groom accessories such as ties, pocket squares and cufflinks. It’s a good idea to find these in advance of any final fittings and beauty/grooming trials.
Whether you are looking to have an epic night out or a luxe weekend away. It’s a good idea to get planning your hen and stag dos (or ask your wedding party to). Don’t forget you could also have a hag do (a party for everyone), a family get-together or even a bridal shower. Don’t feel you have to stick with tradition.
Book your transport, whether it’s just for you, your immediate wedding party, or all of your guests. This will help you to plan timings and prepare for guests’ needs on the day.
Image: Kristian Leven Photography
Send off your invitations to allow enough time for RSVPs, requests, guest list changes and final number counts with your wedding venue. Find out more about when wedding invitations are sent.
Purchase gifts for your wedding party to say thank you. Don’t forget your husband/wife too; something special to say I love you on the wedding morning.
From the wedding favours to the table plan, guest book and table names. Get all of those smaller details organised. This is possibly the most fun element of your checklist.
But first, do think about what wedding favours are and if they are right for your day. And how about those wedding napkin folds?
Find your dream wedding hairstyles, hair stylist and make-up artist, then book those all-important trial runs!
Don’t forget to bring along your hair accessories and any ‘look’ ideas you have to try out. Also, think about whether you’d like a wedding day perfume.
Book your engagement shoot with your photographer. It’s a wonderful opportunity to capture this precious moment in time. It’s also a great way to gain confidence in front of the camera and get to know your photographer on a more personal level.
If you are thinking about changing your name, some preparations before your wedding mean you will be able to use it sooner. Get that admin out of the way now to ensure you can enjoy your newly-wed status on your honeymoon.
Arrange to give notice at your register office. You have to give notice 29 days before your wedding ceremony and hold your wedding within 12 months. If you are having a Church of England or Wales wedding, organise for your banns to be read. Your officiant can guide you with the legalities.
Choosing your wedding music is super fun. Make sure you choose wedding songs that mean something to you. Don’t forget that first dance song too!
Now is also the time to choose and finalise your wedding readings and arrange your ceremony details with your officiant. It allows time to organise the order of service, rehearsals and any changes that may need to happen too.
Make sure you begin to alter all the outfits, whether that’s the dress, suits or wedding party outfits. This will allow time for the final fittings later on!
It’s a good idea to begin thinking about the speech and wedding vow writing now to save any last-minute panic. It will also give you time to find inspiration and practice reading them too. Why not grab my free groom’s speech template download or my best man’s speech template?
One of the most fun parts of wedding planning has to be testing out your menu. The perfect excuse for a pre-wedding date too!
Photo: Amber Louise Photography via Minimalist Barn Wedding
Sit down and work out your wedding day timeline. By now you should have most of your suppliers booked, the legalities organised and all of your outfits and décor arranged. So it’s important to work out your timings. Be sure to hand it around to those who need to know it all too.
Get in touch with all of your suppliers to confirm your bookings and tie up any loose ends. It’s also a good idea to give the suppliers a contact person for the day itself.
Make sure you book in beauty or grooming treatments in the final week before the wedding.
It’s a good idea to start thinking about checking all the RSVPs as your venue will be looking for final numbers confirmation.
Buy your fluttery beautiful confetti now. It will leave you with enough time to find the perfect petal or paper and allow you to store it safely before the big day.
If you are having a wedding rehearsal confirm this and invite the appropriate guests. Don’t forget you could head off for drinks or dinner after to make the most of it too!
Image: Jonny MP
Check in with your suppliers to see if you need to pay off any final balances. Some suppliers may ask for payment on the day, so be sure to be prepared for this.
Now you have your final numbers it’s a good time to organise your wedding tables. Use our handy free downloadable wedding table planner to help.
Start breaking in your wedding shoes and remind your wedding party to do so too! Sore feet equals zero dance floor action, a no-no for fun party weddings.
Formally give out wedding party roles to your wedding party. Think about giving out a contact sheet with your supplier’s details (paper or virtual). Assign confetti distributors, someone to help with on the day timings and group photo organisers too.
It’s time for those final outfit fittings. Then more often than not you will be given a date for outfit pick up. Be sure to make a note in your calendar. It’s getting very exciting now.
Your wedding week has arrived, woohoo!
Time to be pampered. Get your hair cut, have treatments and relax.
Collect all of your wedding outfits and distribute them to your wedding party. Then resist wearing them for the whole week!
Have a chilled-out date night or laid-back drinks with your loved ones.
Arrange to drop off your wedding décor at your venue or get decorating yourself if you are DIYing your day.
If you are heading off on your honeymoon or mini-moon pack your bags now. You will be tired post-wedding and trust me, you will be relieved when you remember this has been done already.
Pack a wedding day emergency kit bag with helpful things for the day; medicine, plasters, tissues, lip balm, needle and thread and so forth. Plus your overnight wedding bag.
Don’t forget something old, new, borrowed and blue.
Photo: Fairclough Studios via Tipi Garden Wedding
It’s going to be a busy day, so take time to relax. Do some exercise, have a soak in the bath and do whatever makes you feel chilled.
Easier said than done, but you will feel bright-eyed thanks to a good night’s sleep. Whether you choose to spend the night before with your bride/groom or your besties, plan something lovely. Wedding films, fave drinks or a special meal are nice ways to spend the evening.
Why not write your soul mate a letter or write in your journal all that you are feeling at this very special moment?
It’s time to enjoy the newlywed bubble! Have fun and enjoy this special adventure.
Announce your wedding news far and wide! Update your social channels, show off your ring and most importantly; be happy.
Be sure to send wedding thank you cards to those who gave you a gift. Perhaps to suppliers you feel went above and beyond too.
It won’t be long until you receive your wedding photos and film. Be sure to share your gallery links with your guests to enjoy and add the link to your wedding website. Then think about ordering your wedding album and prints!
Give back to your wedding suppliers by leaving glowing testimonials on their review pages.
Want to keep your wedding flowers? Within a week of your wedding, you should begin preserving your wedding bouquet. Any later and you may miss out on keeping your flowers at their best.
Post-wedding, you may wish to think about whether you’d like to keep or do something special with your outfits. There are lots of special things you can do with your wedding dress after the day. You could alter, donate, sell, keep and plan a photo shoot with your gown!
It’s good to be prepared for possible post-wedding blues. Some brides and grooms can feel a little down when all the excitement has subdued. So be sure to plan something fun to look forward to. PS. Don’t forget your wedding anniversary!
Print, pin, download or screenshot our wedding checklist to keep you on track throughout your wedding planning journey. No need to thank us, we just want to help! You can grab it below. Happy wedding planning guys.
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