Planning Your Wedding UK

This is a flexible suggested order, not a legal timetable. Work backwards from your date and check each supplier’s availability; ceremony paperwork has its own nation-specific requirements.

1. First plans: agree your budget, guest numbers, possible date, ceremony and venue. Check ceremony requirements before paying deposits.
2. Key bookings: book priority suppliers and accommodation once arrangements are agreed in writing.
3. Details: arrange outfits, fittings, rings, invitations and transport. Record delivery and payment dates.
4. Nearer the day: confirm dietary and access needs, seating, supplier timings and final balances.
5. Final week: reconfirm suppliers, assign a trusted contact and prepare your essentials.

On the day — essentials

• Rings, outfits, shoes and ceremony documents requested by your registrar or faith organisation.
• Supplier contact list, agreed schedule and a charged phone for your nominated contact.
• Travel details, water, snacks, personal medicines and any agreed access equipment.
• Confirm who handles gifts, hired items and the cake; leave time to eat and enjoy the day.

Compare register offices, hotels, country houses, restaurants, community halls and smaller venues. Ask about capacity, exclusive use, indoor wet-weather arrangements, accessible toilets, steps, parking, catering restrictions, setup and finishing times. Get an itemised written quote.

Visit where possible. Check which rooms and outdoor areas you are booking, what furniture is included, who clears up and whether another event will share the premises.

Allow time for fittings and alterations. Compare buying, hiring and pre-loved outfits. Include shoes, jewellery, bags and clothing for attendants only where you choose to provide it.

Ask who carries out alterations, their separate cost and how the outfit will be collected or delivered. Check hire return dates and charges for damage. Designer purchases are optional, not essential to a special day.

Agree a budget, check sizing, materials, resizing options, delivery times and returns before ordering personalised items.

Get engraving details and the agreed specification in writing. Ask about care, any ongoing servicing and what happens if the fit needs adjusting.

List the bouquets, buttonholes, ceremony flowers and table flowers you want before asking for quotes. Discuss seasonal options, colour preferences and what happens if a flower is unavailable.

Confirm delivery, setup, movement between rooms and collection of hire items. Check venue rules for candles, fixings, confetti and decorations, and who removes everything afterwards.

Choose portions, flavours and design to suit your guest numbers and budget. Tell the baker about allergies and dietary needs. Confirm delivery, storage, stand hire, knife and cake-cutting arrangements with the venue.

Ask for written ingredient and allergen information and agree how staff will identify any separate portions. Confirm when the cake will be served and who will pack any leftovers.

Discuss menus and any tasting arrangements, children’s meals, dietary requirements and allergies. Confirm written arrangements with your caterer rather than relying only on requests sent with invitations.

Check drinks packages, corkage for your own drinks, evening food and drinking water. Ask which staff, tableware, equipment and service charges are included, and when final guest numbers are needed.

Look at full wedding galleries as well as selected portfolio images. Agree the coverage hours, total price, who attends and what you will receive.

Confirm delivery times, image-use permission, any album or editing charges and backup arrangements if the photographer is unavailable. Discuss important moments and guests’ wishes about being photographed or appearing online.

Compare bands, DJs and playlists around your budget and the atmosphere you want. Agree performance times, breaks, song requests and who manages announcements.

Check sound limits, power supplies, setup access and wet-weather arrangements with the venue and entertainer. Confirm whether sound equipment and any required permissions are included.

Allow realistic travel time between venues. Confirm vehicle accessibility, passenger numbers, pickup points and return journeys, including travel for guests who cannot drive.

Get the vehicle, timings, total charge and cancellation terms in writing. Ask what happens if a vehicle breaks down or the schedule changes.

Choose digital or paper invitations and set an RSVP date that leaves time to confirm suppliers’ guest-number deadlines. Include clear ceremony and reception locations, timings and travel details.

Ask privately about dietary and access needs. Plan seating with guests’ comfort in mind and check whether children need suitable seats. Protect guest contact details; do not circulate everyone’s information without permission.

Check room costs, accessible rooms, booking deadlines and cancellation conditions. If you reserve a block of rooms, establish who pays for rooms that are not taken.

Offer choices where possible and make clear whether breakfast, parking and transport are included. Ask guests to confirm their room requirements directly with the accommodation provider.

Clarify the services, hours, fees and responsibility for suppliers before appointing someone. Ask who your emergency contact is and what the venue coordinator already provides.

Agree who signs supplier contracts, approves spending and handles changes. Check whether recommendations involve a commission and whether you can choose your own suppliers.

Agree budgets with everyone taking part, without pressure to spend. Offer a smaller or local option and make clear which activities and costs are optional.

Consider access, dietary needs and safe travel home. Check booking and cancellation terms before collecting money from a group.

Make sure booking names match the passports you will travel with. Check entry requirements, current travel advice and insurance before committing to arrangements.

For a wedding abroad, check local ceremony and document requirements with the relevant authorities. Do not assume a UK planning checklist covers another country’s legal requirements.

Confirm certificate arrangements with the registrar or relevant authority. Return hired items on time, check remaining supplier balances and send thank-you messages when you are ready.

A name change is optional. If you choose one, check what evidence each organisation needs and keep travel bookings consistent with the documents you will use.