Step by Step Guide to Planning Your Wedding

Don't know where to start, what needs to be booked first or how soon is too soon? Worried you might forget something, or pay more than you should? Using our many years of experience we have put together the ultimate step by step guide taking you from your engagement right through to the wedding day.

Your first step? Set up your free online wedding planner or download our App. It is free, easy to use and will make wedding planning far more fun. To get started, click here

• Discuss who is paying for the wedding
• Research costs in your area
• Discuss what is important to you both
• Set a budget per category
• Note: Allow 10% extra for unexpected extras.

• Discuss the ideal time of year
• Check for important events that might clash
• Check for clashes with key family members
• Shortlist a few possible dates
• Finalise the date once you have chosen your venue
• Note: Check if your intended date clashes with major sporting events.

• Decide on an ideal number of guests
• Discuss with your parents who they would like to invite
• Consider how many guests your budget or venue will permit
• Write out your ideal lists
• Add all your lists together and start deleting! 

• Discuss the options with each other
• Check if there are any legal restrictions
• Note: You can marry in any venue with a licence for Civil Ceremony, or a church with which you have a strong connection.

• Draw up a shortlist
• Contact them for availability, capacity and costs
• Visit those that seem suitable
• Discuss any issues that are important to you
• Pay a deposit to confirm your booking
• Note: If you want to get married at a venue they must be licenced for civil ceremonies.

• Contact your local Registrar or Vicar
• Check their usual procedure
• Provisionally book them to reserve the date
• Confirm the booking as soon as applicable

• Discuss the pros and cons of marquees and venues
• Find and measure a suitable space Contact marquee companies for an estimate
• Arrange a site visit for a firm quote
• Confirm the booking with a deposit
• Note: The size of marquee will be dictated by the number of guests you are inviting.

• Set up a wedding planner
• Start a mood board for colour schemes
• Put together a ring binder for quotes and ideas
• Set up a wedding email address you can both access

• Estimate the total costs
• Get a couple of quotes
• Book online for immediate cover
• Note: Insurance covers you from the moment you take it out, so choose a policy now for the best value for money.

• Discuss with each other who would be appropriate
• Approach them individually
• Speak to anyone who may feel offended that they were't asked

Use this as a trial run of stationery companies

• Draw up a short list
• Check their availability and prices
• Arrange to meet them and see their work
• Confirm your booking with a deposit
• Note: As photographers can only be at one wedding per day, popular dates get booked up very early.

• Draw up a short list
• Check their availability and prices
• Ask to see a sample DVD
• Confirm your booking with a deposit

• Discuss the sort of transport you would like
• Work out logistics and timings
• Go to see some different options
• Confirm the journeys required
• Book with a deposit
• Note: Remember to arrange transport for bridesmaids too.

• Decide on the style of music you want
• Check with the venue in case of noise limitations
• Listen to a sample CD
• If possible, see them perform
• Confirm your booking
• Note: Most live bands will play recorded music during their breaks.

• Look at all the entertainment options
• Check with your venue for any noise or space restrictions
• Check references if possible before booking

• Make a list of the bouquets and arrangements needed
• Have an idea of the style you are aiming for
• Check what flowers are in season
• Get a rough quote
• Book with a deposit

• Shortlist companies specialising in the styles you like
• Arrange a tasting to check the quality
• Book with a deposit
• Note: You can decide on the style and size nearer the time.

• Check facilities with your venue
• Estimate the age range and number of children
• Book with a deposit

• Decide on a theme or colour scheme
• Compare quotes
• Book with a deposit
• Note: Consider chair covers, balloons and lighting.

• Check if your venue supplies a Master of Ceremonies
• Chat to Toastmasters on the phone, to assess their suitability
• Book with a deposit
• Note: Check if your venue offers a toastmaster or Master of Ceremonies as part of their package.

• Visit bridal shows or browse magazines for ideas
• Make appointments at three different boutiques
• Try on a number of dresses in different price ranges
• Allow plenty of time to be carefully measured for ordering
• Double check ALL the details on the order form
• Note: Allow plenty of time, remembering that most gowns take 8-12 weeks to make.

• Take a photo with you of the dress you have ordered
• Buy now and keep them safe for the dress fittings
• Note: Decide on your shoes, underwear and accessories after choosing your dress, but before your final fittings.

Top Tip - Wear your shoes in at home and cover them in tights to stop them getting damaged before the big day.

• Discuss colours and styles before going to a boutique
• Take just one bridesmaids to choose a suitable range from a boutique
• Take all your bridesmaids to your chosen boutique
• Note: Your choice of bridesmaids dress may dictate the rest of the colour scheme.

• Give him a sample of the bridesmaids fabric
• Decide what various members of the bridal party will wear
• Look into buying and hiring before committing to either
• Note: The choice of bridesmaids dress may dictate the colour of waistcoats or cravats.

• Decide on designs if being made
• Get quotes
• Note: Allow additional time if you are getting them made for you.

• Discuss ideas and read reviews together
•  Check passports are up to date
• Check if injections or visas are needed
• Arrange transport for honeymoon
• Book time off from work
• Note: Traditionally the groom's role, but he may want some pointers first!

Book early as most venues only have one bridal suite.

• Discuss ideas with the vicar or registrar
• Decide which pieces you would like and at what stage
• Book with a deposit

• Check availability and suitability of the church's own organist
• Listen to a service to check you are happy with their standard
• Check prices, if appropriate, for a professional organist
• Check they are happy with your pieces, and have the music

• Decide who is doing the readings
• Print out a copy of the chosen pieces
• Note: Poems and readings for civil ceremonies can't include any religious reference.

• Arrange a tasting with your venue or caterer

• Draw up a rough list
• Check which stores will cover most of your list
• Set up an additional or charity list if required
• Note: You may want lists with more than one company.

• Make a list of all the different items you need 
• Double check the proofs when they arrive 
• Note: Order in plenty of time if you are planning to make or personalise them yourself.

• Decide on designs
• Get quotes
• Note: Order in plenty of time to check and correct proofs.

Remember that Saturdays are usually the busiest day for the beauty industry.

• Get your address book up to date
• Have them ready to send them all on the same day to avoid misunderstandings
• Set-up document to record replies
• Note: It is traditional to send invites 8 weeks before the wedding, but you may prefer to send them earlier. Include details of your gift list, local taxis and accommodation.

• Contact local gyms/personal trainers
• Note: Start too early and you will not have the motivation you need!

• Ensure you have your shoes and bridal underwear ready
• Note: Leave final fittings until a month or two before the wedding in case of any change in your weight or shape.

• Take a photo of your dress to show the florist
• Make a note of exactly what you need

• Decide on flavours and number of tiers
• Choose your design
• Confirm delivery timings
• Check if you need a stand and knife
• Note: Fruit cake tiers need at least 3 months to mature

It is the Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid's responsibility to arrange, but you may want to check they have remembered!
 

• Arrange for gifts to be personalised or engraved
• Wrap and label them now while you have time
• Note: At this time it's a good idea to get the other little extras for the day itself - like cake boxes, confetti and cameras for the tables

• Speak to friends for inspiration
• Make notes on small cards
• Make a spare copy of your notes just in case
• Note: Traditionally the groom, best man and father of the bride each give a speech

• Take your veil / tiara with you
• Note: Don't leave this until the final week as you need time for the colour and cut to settle

• Take a photo to check the effect
• Note: Time how long it takes to do your hair and make up so you know how long to allow on the day.

• Confirm numbers with venue and caterers
• Confirm timings for transport
• Confirm timings for photographer
• Email all other suppliers to confirm plans
• Make sure all balance are paid

• Collect hired menswear
• Make sure outfits are ready
• Arrange someone to return hired items
• Pack a going away" bag"
• Manicure and Pedicure
• Rehearsal for church wedding
• Brief best man, bridesmaids and ushers