Wedding planning timeline: a month-by-month checklist
Most of wedding planning is sequencing: doing the right things in the right order, so the big bookings are locked before the small decisions pile up.
Here is a UK timeline you can lean on. If you are planning several events, start earlier, the venues and the suppliers who can do more than one day get booked up fastest.
12 to 9 months out
This is the booking window for anything in demand.
- Set your overall budget and rough guest count
- Lock your date, or a short window
- Book your venue or venues
- Book the suppliers who take one wedding a day: photographer, caterer, key entertainment
9 to 4 months out
The middle stretch, where the day takes shape.
- Finalise your guest list and send save-the-dates
- Book attire, flowers, cake and transport
- Build your wedding website and share the link
- Plan the order of the day for each event
The final weeks
Confirm, count and hand over.
- Collect RSVPs and chase the stragglers
- Give caterers and venues final numbers and dietary needs
- Finish your seating plan
- Share a running order with your suppliers and wedding party
Common questions
How long does it take to plan a wedding?
Most UK couples plan over 9 to 18 months. If you are having several events, aim for the longer end, because the best venues and suppliers book up early.
What should I book first?
Your venue and the suppliers who only take one wedding a day, like your photographer and caterer. Everything else can follow once those are locked.
When should RSVPs come back?
Aim to have final numbers about three to four weeks before each event, so caterers and your seating plan have accurate counts.
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