We’ve created the ultimate wedding to-do list to help you prepare for your big day. Read the whole thing on the blog or download the guide for easy referencing in the lead up to your wedding.
Download the 12 Months to ‘I Do’ wedding timeline.
12 months before your wedding day
- Decide on the type of wedding you want – a huge celebration with hundreds of guests? An intimate affair with just your closest friends and family? Or something in between?
- Decide who you want to include in your wedding party and choose your maid of honour and best man – their help in the run up to the wedding will be invaluable.
- This is also a good time to set a budget.
Take a look at our wedding brochure for an idea of our packages and prices.
- Once you know how many people you want to celebrate with draft a guest list to give you an idea of numbers for the ceremony and reception. These numbers will come in handy when you contact venues.
- Select a theme or aesthetic, choosing this early will make all your other decisions easier.
Find inspiration on our Pinterest boards.
- Pick a date and start contacting venues.
Enquire about Leigh Court wedding dates.
- Give notice of your marriage at your local register office and book a registrar in the area you intend to get married. The earliest you can do this is 12 months before your wedding day.
9 months before your wedding day
- Start looking for your wedding idea and researching suppliers. This can be one of the most fun stages of wedding planning: try on dresses and suits, ask friends for recommendations, start stalking wedding photographers on Instagram, and meet with your favourite vendors.
- Design your wedding stationery and send the save the date cards. You can commission a designer to create the cards for you or use free online tools such as Canva or Fotor.
6 months before your wedding day
- Confirm your wedding suppliers, especially the ones you think are likely to be snapped up far in advance. Photographers and musicians should certainly be booked by the 6 month mark.
- You should order your wedding dress by now so there is enough time for alterations, along with the outfits for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. If you’re ordering the outfits online or if they’re being made abroad you should leave plenty of time for delivery and returns.
- Create a wedding website and register for gifts so that you can…
- …send your invitations containing all of the details your guests will need to help you celebrate your special day!
3 months before your wedding day
- Confirm wedding transport (you might consider doing this sooner if you want unusual transport).
- Confirm the wedding cake with the supplier if you haven’t already done so. If you’re making your own wedding cake start practicing now (we guarantee your friends and colleagues will be happy to do taste tests).
- Source decorations and flowers, your wedding venue coordinator should have connections with local suppliers if you’re not sure where to start.
- Confirm menu with the caterers.
- If you’re buying wedding favours and gifts for the wedding party, order these now.
- Choose and order your wedding bands. If you’re designing custom bands you may need to order these further in advance.
- Book your honeymoon!
- Choose, or start writing, your wedding vows now and formally invite people to make speeches so they have time to think of the perfect words for your wedding day.
1 month before your wedding day
- Have a trial run of your hair and makeup and your final wedding dress and suit fittings.
- Party with your favourite people, it’s time for hen do’s and stag do’s!
- Confirm last minute RSVPs.
1 week before your wedding day
- Try on everything to make sure it fits, including shoes and underwear!
- Finalise details and any last-minute changes with suppliers.
- Write a list of wedding day tasks for the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
- Send a ‘must-have’ shot list to your photographer, include formal shots of friends and family and any special details you want the photographer to capture.
- Send the final head-count to your venue and caterers.
- Pay any final balances.
- Pack an overnight bag for your reception.
- Pack for your honeymoon.
The day before your wedding
- Take place cards, table decorations, the seating plan, favours, etc. to the venue.
- Wrap presents and write thank you cards for your partner, parents, and members of the wedding party.
- Run through any speeches you’re giving.
- Rehearse the ceremony.
- Get a good night’s sleep!