Wedding Planning Checklist UK
Planning a wedding in the UK involves dozens of moving parts across 12 months or more. This checklist breaks down what to do and when — so nothing gets left until the last minute.
12 months before
- Agree a total budget and track all spending from day one
- Set your preferred date and a backup date
- Agree your approximate guest list size
- Choose your venue and confirm availability
- Book your registrar or celebrant (registrars in England and Wales book up early)
- Start researching photographers — they are often the first to go
- Book your photographer once you have visited and reviewed portfolios
9–12 months before
- Book your caterer if the venue does not provide in-house catering
- Book your DJ or live band
- Start researching wedding dresses or suits — allow time for alterations
- Book hair and make-up artists
- Research florists and request quotes
- Start a wedding website to share key information with guests
6–9 months before
- Send save-the-date cards to all guests
- Book the wedding cake
- Choose your wedding party and ask them officially
- Arrange accommodation for out-of-town guests
- Research and book a videographer if required
- Book transport for the day
- Start planning your honeymoon and check passport validity
3–6 months before
- Send formal invitations with RSVP deadlines
- Book any additional entertainment — photo booth, magician, caricaturist
- Confirm all vendor bookings and contracts
- Research wedding insurance — it is worth the investment
- Plan the ceremony order of service
- Arrange wedding favours
- Confirm dietary requirements with your caterer
1–3 months before
- Confirm final guest numbers with all vendors
- Create a detailed day timeline and share it with all vendors
- Arrange all licences required (bar licence, entertainment licence)
- Confirm the order of first dance, speeches, and cutting of cake
- Book a final dress fitting
- Arrange a rehearsal if you have a complex ceremony
Week of the wedding
- Confirm arrival times with all vendors
- Prepare a contact sheet with every vendor's phone number
- Prepare an emergency kit (safety pins, stain remover, spare stockings)
- Delegate the vendor contact role to a trusted person on the day
- Prepare payment for any vendors paid on the day
- Get a good night's sleep
Frequently asked questions
What should I book first for a UK wedding?
Book your venue and registrar first — they fill up earliest, especially for Saturday dates. Your photographer and caterer should follow immediately after.
How much does a wedding cost in the UK?
The average UK wedding costs £20,000–£30,000, though this varies enormously based on location, guest numbers, and choices. Weddings in London tend to cost more than those in the East of England or Midlands.
Should I get wedding insurance?
Yes. Wedding insurance typically costs £100–£300 and covers you if a key supplier becomes insolvent, a venue closes unexpectedly, or extreme weather forces postponement. It is money well spent.
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