The Month-by-Month UK Wedding Planning Checklist

The secret to a calm wedding plan is doing things in the right order: venue and date first, then the suppliers who can only be in one place each Saturday, then the details. Below is a month-by-month UK wedding planning checklist that runs from 18 months out to the morning itself, with a note at each stage of who to book and why.

If your engagement is shorter, don't panic. Start at the top, work through everything you've "missed" in the first few weeks, then carry on from your current point. The free Wedding UK planner does this for you: enter your wedding date and it builds the checklist around it, with every task already dated.

18 months or more: the big decisions

Long engagements are normal. Bridebook's 2026 UK Wedding Report puts the average engagement at 23.8 months, so many couples reading this in late 2026 will be marrying in 2028. Use the extra time to make the decisions everything else depends on.

• Agree a rough budget and who is contributing. For context, Bridebook's 2026 report puts the average UK wedding at £20,604, while Hitched's survey of couples married in 2025 found £21,990, with London higher in both.
• Draft a guest list with two numbers: day guests and evening guests. Bridebook's average is around 74 at the ceremony plus about 21 more in the evening.
• Decide on the season, the day of the week and the region. Only 47% of weddings now take place on a Saturday, according to Bridebook, and midweek and Friday dates are usually cheaper.
• Start viewing wedding venues. Popular summer Saturdays at sought-after venues go first, so if you have your heart set on August (the most popular month, with 17% of weddings), this is the stage to book.

12 months to go: book the venue and the key suppliers

Once the venue is confirmed and the date is fixed, move quickly on the suppliers who can only do one wedding a day. They are the ones most likely to be booked already for peak dates.

• Pay the venue deposit and read the contract before you sign, especially the cancellation terms.
• Take out wedding insurance as soon as you've paid that first deposit. Bridebook says most policies cost about £50 to £150 for an average wedding.
• Book your registrar or celebrant. In England and Wales a venue ceremony needs a registrar from the local council, so reserve them as soon as the venue is confirmed.
• Book your wedding photographer and, if you want one, a videographer.
• Book your evening entertainment. Good wedding bands and DJs get booked early for summer Saturdays.
• If your venue doesn't do its own food, book a caterer now.
• Send save the dates, especially to guests who will need to travel or take leave.

As you compare suppliers, save the ones you like to your shortlist with the heart icon and send a single enquiry to several at once. Most listings also let you check availability for your date before you get in touch.

9 months to go: outfits, flowers and the look of the day

This is when the wedding starts to take visual shape. Made-to-order outfits need time to be ordered and altered, and creative suppliers like to know your colours and style early.

• Shop for wedding outfits. Many bridal shops recommend ordering a gown six to nine months ahead to leave room for alterations, so start appointments now.
• Book your florist and agree a rough colour palette and budget. Bridebook puts average florist spend at £1,187.
• Book wedding hair and make-up, ideally with a trial included. Artists only do a set number of people each morning, so peak dates go early.
• Decide on a wedding party and ask them.
• Book a block of rooms near the venue for guests if there is no on-site accommodation.

6 months to go: the finishing suppliers

• Order your cake and book a tasting. The average cake in Bridebook's report cost £360.
• Book wedding cars or other transport.
• Order your wedding stationery: invitations, plus on-the-day items such as the order of service, table plan and place cards.
• Plan the honeymoon and check passports have plenty of time left on them.
• Book extras such as a photo booth, mobile bar or lawn games if you want them.
• Choose wedding rings. Bespoke rings take longer, so allow three to six months.

4 months to go: invitations and the legal side

Invitations usually go out around now, giving guests time to reply, plan travel and buy outfits.

• Send invitations with a clear reply-by date and a request for dietary needs.
• Give notice of marriage. In England and Wales you must give notice at your local register office at least 29 days before the ceremony (notice given on 1 May means you can marry from 30 May), and the ceremony has to take place within 12 months of giving notice. Notice costs £46.50 per person at the councils we checked. Full details are on GOV.UK.
• In Scotland, National Records of Scotland asks for marriage notices at least 29 days before the wedding but recommends 10 to 12 weeks. The statutory notice fee is £45 per person.
• In Northern Ireland, nidirect advises giving notice about eight weeks ahead (ten if either of you has been married before), with 28 days the legal minimum. Notice costs £22 per person.
• Have hair and make-up trials and first outfit fittings.

3 months to 1 month: details, timings and confirmations

3 months

• Plan the ceremony: readings, music and vows. Meet your registrar or celebrant if they offer a meeting.
• Finalise the menu and drinks with your venue or caterer.
• Buy accessories, gifts for the wedding party and favours.

2 months

• Chase late RSVPs and start the table plan.
• Write a running order for the day and share it with your photographer, band or DJ and venue coordinator.
• Send your photographer a list of must-have group shots.
• Confirm the first dance song and any "do not play" requests.

1 month

• Give final numbers to the venue and caterer, and pay any balances due.
• Have final outfit fittings and break in your shoes.
• Print on-the-day stationery and confirm transport times and pick-up addresses.
• Get a pre-wedding haircut or colour, leaving a couple of weeks before the day.

The final week

• Ring or message every supplier to confirm arrival times, contact numbers and the final schedule.
• Prepare cash or envelopes for any final payments and tips.
• Pack an emergency kit: plasters, safety pins, painkillers, phone charger, tissues.
• Drop off decorations, favours and signage at the venue if they allow it.
• Pick up outfits and rings.
• Hand over to a trusted friend: someone else should be the contact for suppliers on the day.
• Rest. Try to have the night before free of jobs.

On the day

By now, almost everything should be in other people's hands. Eat a proper breakfast, drink water, and keep the running order with your nominated point of contact rather than on your phone. Give the rings and any supplier payments to the people responsible for them first thing.

Above all, build in a little slack. Hair and make-up often runs over, and photographers would rather have ten spare minutes than ten missing ones. Take a moment after the ceremony to stand together and look at the room. It goes quickly.

Questions couples ask

How far in advance should we start planning a wedding?

Most couples plan for 12 to 24 months, and Bridebook's 2026 report puts the average engagement at 23.8 months. If you want a summer Saturday at a popular venue, start looking at least 18 months out. Weddings can be planned in six months or less, especially for midweek or off-peak dates.

What should we book first?

Book the venue first, because it fixes your date, capacity and location. Next come the suppliers who can only work one wedding a day: registrar or celebrant, photographer, videographer, band or DJ, and caterer if the venue doesn't provide one.

When should we give notice of marriage?

In England and Wales you can give notice up to 12 months before the ceremony and no later than 29 days before it. Scotland also has a 29-day minimum, with 10 to 12 weeks recommended. Check rules and fees with your local register office, because appointments can book up.

When should wedding invitations go out?

About three to four months before the wedding is typical, with save the dates sent 12 months or more ahead. For a wedding abroad or over a bank holiday weekend, send both earlier.

Is there an easy way to keep track of all this?

Yes. The free Wedding UK planner builds a checklist from your wedding date, so every task above appears at the right time, along with a budget planner and countdown. You can tick things off as you go and share it with your partner.