Getting married and don’t know where to start? This will help.
Struggling with your wedding planning timeline? Whether you’re a natural forward-planner or prefer a last-minute approach, Debrett’s Associate Director, Lucy Hume gives some useful deadlines to work towards (allowing for a year-long engagement)…
The Best Wedding Planners, Florists, Photographers & More
The Wedding Planning Timeline
9-12 Months Before
- Set the wedding date and a budget.
- Choose your wedding team and organise responsibilities for family members.
- Choose and book venues for wedding and reception.
- Purchase wedding insurance.
6-9 Months Before
- Obtain a licence or marriage certificate
- Decide on music and readings
- Choose the caterers and see a wine merchant about wine and champagne.
- Order the wedding cake.
- Register for a wedding list.
- Choose flowers.
- Finalise the guestlist.
- Design and order the invitations.
- Book transport.
- Book accommodation.
- Book the honeymoon and time off work.
- Buy the wedding dress.
3-6 Months Before
- Send out save the date cards (if you’re using them).
- Hire or buy outfits for the wedding party.
- Choose, buy and insure wedding rings.
- Design and print orders of service.
1-3 Months Before
- Send out the wedding invitations.
- Meet hair and make-up stylists to decide on a style for the bride and bridesmaids.
- Have final dress fittings for the bride and bridesmaids.
- Pick up wedding rings and have engagement ring cleaned or polished.
- Make a note of favourite songs for the DJ or band and choose a first dance song
- Hold the hen and stag parties.
1 Week Before
- Practise putting on the wedding dress.
- Reconfirm all details with suppliers and staff involved on the day, including cakes, flowers, photographs, hair and make-up stylists.
- Make a list of telephone numbers in case of any emergencies on the day.
- Chase last-minute RSVPs.
- Draw up the final seating plan, making extra copies for the caterer, photographer and best man.
- Make place cards and give them to the caterers laying the tables
- Confirm final numbers, dietary requirements and special requests with the caterers.
- Reconfirm all transport arrangements.
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast; make provision for extreme conditions, for example extra umbrellas or bottles of water.
- Pack and organise luggage for the honeymoon.
- Draw up a list of important family and friends for the photographer, with a copy for the best man.
- Brief the best man and chief bridesmaid on any final logistics and last minute duties.
On the Day
Relax, take a deep breath – and enjoy!
Find out absolutely everything you need to know about planning a wedding with the Debrett’s Wedding Handbook new edition, £35.
READ MORE: Best Wedding Dress Designers / Debrett’s Guide to a Modern Wedding
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