Wedding planning timeline

Most of wedding planning is knowing what to do when. Book things too early and plans still in flux; too late and your favourites are gone. This is the order that works for most UK weddings - use it alongside our interactive wedding checklist to tick items off as you go, or read the full planning guide for the reasoning behind each stage.

12+ months before

This is the foundation stage - the decisions everything else depends on.

• Set a realistic budget and agree who is contributing what
• Draft a rough guest count - it drives almost every other decision
• Choose a date (or a shortlist of dates) and a season
• Research and book your venue, or venues if ceremony and reception are separate
• Start a moodboard for style, colours and overall tone
• Consider a wedding planner or coordinator if you want one

10–12 months

Legal paperwork and the vendors who book up furthest in advance both belong here.

• If marrying in a register office in England or Wales, give notice at your local register office - this is possible up to 12 months ahead and must be done at least 29 days before the wedding
• Book your photographer and videographer
• Book your caterer, or confirm catering if it comes with the venue
• Book a band or DJ
• Start researching outfits and set aside time for fittings later
• Open a budget calculator and track deposits as they go out

8–10 months

The guest list firms up and outfits move from browsing to buying.

• Finalise the guest list and collect addresses
• Order or begin fittings for the wedding dress and suits
• Book a celebrant or officiant if not using the register office directly
• Book a florist
• Research and book your wedding rings
• Consider a wedding website for guest information

6–8 months

Save-the-dates go out and the remaining vendors get locked in.

• Send save-the-dates, especially for destination or peak-season weddings
• Book hair and make-up trials
• Book transport for the wedding party
• Book a cake maker
• Arrange accommodation blocks for out-of-town guests
• Buy or book honeymoon travel if prices are best now

4–6 months

Attention turns from booking to designing the day itself.

• Plan the ceremony structure - readings, music, vows
• Design and order invitations and stationery
• Plan the reception timeline - speeches, first dance, cake cutting
• Choose the menu and confirm dietary options with your caterer
• Book the officiant meeting or rehearsal if required
• Arrange gift list or registry details

2–4 months

Invitations go out and the details start converging into one plan.

• Send invitations with an RSVP date around six to eight weeks before the wedding
• Finalise seating plan drafts as RSVPs arrive
• Confirm the day-of running order with every vendor
• Have final dress and suit fittings
• Write speeches, vows and any readings
• Arrange the marriage licence collection if applicable

1 month before

This is confirmation month - no new bookings, just checking everything already arranged.

• Confirm final guest numbers with the venue and caterer
• Finalise and print the seating plan
• Confirm timings and delivery details with every vendor in writing
• Collect the marriage licence or certificate of no impediment
• Have a final dress fitting and collect outfits
• Prepare final payments so nothing is due on the day itself

The final week

Planning stops and handover begins.

• Give the final schedule to a wedding party member or coordinator, not yourselves
• Delegate a point of contact for vendor questions on the day
• Pack for the wedding night and honeymoon
• Confirm delivery windows for flowers, cake and hire items
• Rehearse the ceremony if you are having one

The wedding day

Everything from here should already be decided - the day is for following the plan, not making it.

• Hand the schedule to your point of contact and step back from logistics
• Eat breakfast and stay hydrated before the ceremony
• Build in a few unscheduled minutes to actually notice the day
• Let vendors and your wedding party run the timings

Keeping a timeline like this current by hand is where most plans slip. ForeverYours builds this schedule for you from your date, venue and vendors, and adjusts it automatically as things change - it drafts and suggests, never books or spends on your behalf.