12 Months+

Set the date of your wedding.
Set a budget and allocate responsibilities for organising elements of your wedding.
Begin drawing up your guest list - ceremony, day and evening.
Decide on the type of ceremony you would like.

If you are having a Civil Wedding, start the search for the Service venue and make a provisional reservation (if possible, if not make a firm booking).
If a religious service is the favoured option, approach the ceremony venue for booking timescale.

Select the overall theme of your wedding.
Choose the colour scheme for your Wedding.
Gather Ideas
Attend wedding fairs, read Cosmo Bride etc. Clip out anything of interest and put it in a box keep doing this for a few weeks – My best advice is not too get too hung up on the finer details too soon. You might have your heart set on red roses one week then tulips the next. It’s also a great excuse to have a nice meal and a few drinks with your nearest and dearest - you can start filtering the contents of the box
Start the search for your Reception Venue

If you are having a Civil Wedding or Partnership, go and give notice at all the necessary Register Offices -discuss your plans/options for readings, music and songs.

If the case of religious Wedding, arrange a meeting with the person who will deliver the ceremony (e.g. minister, priest, rabbi etc.) and discuss your plans/options for music, hymns and readings. Book the Church (or other religious building).

Arrange wedding insurance. Optional, but highly recommended
Choose your attendants - Best Man, Bridesmaids, Ushers, Page Boys & Flower Girls.
Start the search for your wedding dress.
Book a photographer.
Book a videographer if required.
Review your guest list and provisionally decide on numbers of guests for both day and evening.
Start looking for ideas for Bridesmaid dresses.

6-12 Months

Book the honeymoon and any pre-departure accommodation and activities.
Choose and order the wedding dress.

6 Months

Choose and order the Bridesmaid dresses.
Choose and order your wedding invitations.
Book music and entertainment for day and evening Reception as required.
Reserve a cake-maker and discuss provisional ideas for your cake.
Make some firm decisions on the readings, music and songs/hymns and double check with the minister, registrar etc. that these are OK. It may be necessary to meet with them face to face rather than do it over the phone.


3-6 Months

For those of you getting married in the Church of England, attend Church on three consecutive Sundays (the vicar will inform you of the dates) for the reading of the Banns.
Finalise your guest list. (max 3 months before the day).
Choose menus and drinks packages for your Reception.
Book a hairstylist and make-up artist.
Choose your florist and discuss options.
Book Wedding transport.
Order your Wedding cake.
Organise your Wedding gift list. optional
Send out your day invitations.
Organise other decorations for venues. optional
Book time of work for preparation before the day and the honeymoon
Check your passports are valid
Book Honeymoon (traditionally the Grooms responsibility)
Arrange Vaccines, Visas and Travel Insurance
Double check your ticket details for your honeymoon.

If the marriage will result in a name change (eyes on the Bride at this point), send off for your new passport (max 3 months before the day).

Choose your Wedding rings.
Order any other Wedding stationery (e.g. order of service, place cards and table plans).
Arrange fittings for the Wedding dress, Bridesmaid dresses, Groom’s attire and other attendants.
Post evening invitations.


2 Months

Double check all of your bookings.
Try out some hairstyles and make-up options for your Big Day.
Wedding day speeches should start to be written around now.
Finalise flowers and decorations.
Organise favours for the guests and gifts for your parents and Wedding party.
Organise Stag & Hen Dos (Best Man & Chief Bridesmaid should organise these)
Buy presents for Ushers and Bridesmaids (this is traditionally the Grooms responsibility)


1 Month

If you are having a Civil Ceremony, arrange a second meeting (or simply a phonecall) with the person who will deliver the Service to finalise music, songs, readings and timings.
If required, buy your wedding licence from the registrar.
Final trial of hair and make-up.
Set out a timetable for the morning of your wedding.
Chase up any non-responses from guests.
Final Fitting of wedding dress.
Seating plans – who’s going to sit with who – I suggest putting each guest name on a piece of paper and laying them out on the kitchen table
Order drinks – If you are bringing your own wines etc then it’s a good time to get the order placed.
Buy your going away outfit – a great excuse for a frivolous shopping trip
Finalise with florist decorations, buttonholes etc

2 Weeks

Confirm final numbers with the venue.
Try on whole of wedding outfit.
Final dress and suit fittings
Wear in your shoes – you don’t want blisters on the Big Day
Start packing for the honeymoon
Give a list of required photos to your photographer
Checklist to Best Man, MC & helpers

1 Week

For those of you getting married in Church, attend a rehearsal for the ceremony.
Confirm all bookings and finalise outstanding arrangements.
Confirm that Bridesmaids and attendants know the timetable for the morning of the wedding.
Collect travellers cheques & currency for honeymoon
Write a timetable of who needs to do what on the days
Check bouquets, buttonholes have arrived
Make up Bag to Bridesmaid or Friend
Best man has rings, speeches, vows, readings and any messages
Change engagement ring to your right hand


Day before

Help to decorate the Church and Reception venue.
Lay out out the Wedding dress and accessories.
Massage
Have a manicure and pedicure. optional
Drop off your honeymoon luggage at the Reception venue or the hotel/venue where you will be spending the first night.
Rings to Best Man
Money to Best Man for entertainment etc if not already paid
Early Night
Set your alarm

On The Day
Plenty of time to get ready

At the Airport
Tell them you’re newly weds – the best way to get an upgrade
When you return
Send thank you notes
Give / Post cake to those who couldn’t make it on the day
Change drivers licence etc to married name