Your Essential Wedding Checklist

Planning your wedding without a good wedding checklist would be madness. The eighteen months leading up to your big day should be an enjoyable time and not too stressful.

You could try to organise your big day without my UK wedding checklist, but believe me it'll be so much easier with one.That's why I have prepared this free wedding planner. Follow my step by step guide through the whole wedding planning process in easy to follow sections.

When you're starting out, a wedding planning checklist will give you an idea of what you need to do and when, and it provides some much needed guidance.

18 Months to go:

• Decide what you both want from the day.
• Choose the type of ceremony you want (civil or religious)
• Look at the various venues available.
• Set a budget .
• Open a wedding account (consider a wedding credit card).
• Start your fitness routine.

12 Months to go:

• Set the date.
• Choose the wedding party.
• Take out wedding insurance.
• Compile the guest list.
• Arrange the wedding licence.
• Book the registrar.
• Book the church or ceremony venue.
• Begin your wedding scrapbook.
• Book the videographer.
• Book the photographer.
• Book the entertainment.
• Contact several caterers for quotes.
• Contact several cake makers for quotes.
• Start searching for the wedding dress.

9 Months to go:

• Book your favourite reception venue.
• Book your favourite caterer or decide how you will do your wedding food.
• Order the wedding dress.
• Order the wedding cake.
• Book the florist.
• Choose and buy the stationery.
• Start a skin and haircare regime.

6 Months to go:

• Book the transport.
• Get the bridesmaids outfits.
• Choose the men’s outfits.
• Book your honeymoon.
• Have a dress fitting.
• Reserve accommodation for guests.
• Choose a make-up artist.
• Choose a hairdresser.
• Decide on any readings you want.

3 Months to go:

• Buy the wedding rings .
• Choose your gift list.
• Send out the invitations.
• Choose wedding favours.
• Have your hair and make-up trial.
• Try out your fake tan.
• Buy your wedding lingerie.
• Book the first night's accommodation.
• Buy your going away outfit.
• Make up the seating plan.
• Try out the table decorations.

2 Months to go:

• Check both your passports are in date.
• Choose the music for the ceremony and the reception.
• Confirm the menu with the reception venue.
• Confirm with your registrar/celebrant.
• Finalise the seating plan.
• Remind the appropriate people about the speeches.
• Ask people to do readings.
• Buy a guest book.

1 Month to go:

• Write your vows.
• Give contact details for the suppliers to the venue.
• Final dress fitting.
• Run through duties with ushers and best man.
• Prepare the place setting cards.
• Have hen and stag parties.

2 Weeks to go:

• Break in wedding shoes by wearing them around the house.
• Pack clothes for the honeymoon.
• Order travellers cheques and currency.
• Meet with photographer to arrange "must have" photos.
• Final hair and make up trial.
• Buy gifts for the wedding party.
• Make sure the best man has arranged to have the hired outfits returned.
• Get groom to have a haircut.

Final Week:

• Apply fake tan (several days before the big day).
• Final check on honeymoon details.
• Confirm time and place with suppliers (florist, caterer, photographer, cars and entertainment).
• Reconfirm final numbers with caterer.
• Have wedding rehearsal.
• Arrange for cake to be delivered to the reception venue.

The Day Before:

• Get manicure & pedicure.
• Decorate the venue.
• Get luggage sent to the hotel.
• Relax and get an early night.

I know it seems like a lot but if you stick with my wedding checklist above everything should fall into place and your stress levels will be kept to a minimum. Besides, the hardest part of a wedding checklist is preparing it and I've already done that for you. So relax and enjoy the process.

Return from Wedding Checklist to Getting Started.

Return to the home page