The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist | Ernest Jones | Ernest Jones

The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

The sparkle of the ring. The look in their eyes. The moment your heart skips a beat as you take a breath to say the most important ‘yes’ you’ll ever say. What a moment. And if you thought the proposal was magical, wait until the big day. But first: wedding planning.

19 SEPTEMBER 2023 | ERNEST JONES WRITER

Whether you’re the ultra-organised planner that the whole family turns to for help with their parties and events, or you’re affectionately known as the ‘disorganised, last minute one’, planning a wedding is a whole new ball game that takes organisation, great communication, and the ability to let go and delegate to friends and family. Above all else, try to stay calm and enjoy the process of organising your big day.

How to Plan a Wedding

Planning any large-scale event can seem daunting, and when it’s one of the biggest days of your life, the pressure really is on. So where to start when planning a wedding? Well, organisation is key, and with a comprehensive wedding countdown checklist, a wedding diary and a supportive partner who takes their share of the tasks, wedding planning can be fun and exciting.

And we’re here to make it easier with our free wedding planning checklist that you can print off and keep handy from ‘yes’ to ‘I do’.

How Long Does It Take to Plan a Wedding?

You can plan a wedding in as little as 6 months with the right organisation skills and time during the week to get everything done. But if you’re having a big wedding or planning a wedding abroad, or you’re having a dress specially designed, you may need to push the date and give yourself at least a year to plan your big day.

Planning a Wedding Checklist

From 18 months to ‘I do’, our comprehensive wedding checklist has got you covered, so let’s take a look at the things you need to start thinking about from the off:

18 Months Before the Wedding

  1. Set a budget for your wedding including a specific amount for the big-ticket items: the venue, the dress and the wedding rings.
  2. Attend wedding expos or bridal shows to get ideas and meet vendors.
  3. Choose your wedding party (best man, bridesmaids, ushers, groomsmen, flower girls/boys etc) and think of a special way to ask them to be part of your big day – perhaps personalised watches for the men or bangles for the ladies, depending on your budget.
  4. Create a guest list and only include people you really want. Remember, this special day is about you and your other half, and no one else.
  5. Research wedding reception venues. Consider guest numbers, all weather possibilities and reviews from previous brides and grooms.

12-18 Months Before the Wedding

  1. Book your officiant or church
  2. Book your hair and makeup artist
  3. Begin researching and booking vendors. These include:
  • Caterer
  • Wedding cars
  • Photographer
  • Florist
  • DJ/band
  1. Start looking for a wedding dress. Consider your personal style and the style of your engagement ring. Perhaps you’ve got a 3-stone engagement ring that lends itself to art-deco style dresses, or maybe you’ve got a solitaire engagement ring which is considered modern and timeless and matches a range of styles. When you find the one, you’ll know. Don’t delay, say yes to the dress and get it on order.
  2. Send your save the dates. For out-of-town guests, include details of suitable accommodation
  3. Consider a store for your wedding list and choose a gift registry that suits all budgets. Alternatively, you might prefer money towards your honeymoon or purchasing a home together, this allows people to give what they can afford.
  4. Choose your theme/décor requirements and book anything you need to hire such as centrepieces.

6-12 Months Before the Wedding

  1. Send your final wedding invites including information about hotels nearby and transportation options for out-of-town guests. Also include details on gifting.
  2. Book any coaches you might need to transfer guests from their hotel to your venue
  3. Choose the bridesmaids' dresses. Think about the size and shape of your bridesmaids and don’t be afraid to choose different styles in the same colour so all your bridesmaids feel special. At the same time, consider your bridesmaids’ jewellery. It’s tradition to buy your chosen few a beautiful bracelet or necklace to wear on the big day.
  4. Finalise catering requirements with your chosen vendor once you’ve confirmed guest numbers and dietary requirements.
  5. Buy or rent the outfits for the groom and groomsmen.
  6. Order your wedding cake. And remember, go for something you’ll enjoy. More of a savoury tooth? Why not choose a cheese cake (layers of cheddar, blue, brie, camembert etc) rather than the traditional sponge?
  7. Start shopping for wedding rings. Consider the metals you want, will you opt for classic, timeless yellow gold wedding rings or sleek and modern platinum rings? 

3-6 Months Before the Wedding

  1. Finalise details with your florist and confirm your desired arrangements.
  2. Start looking for wedding favours and gifts for your wedding party. These are traditionally just small gifts placed at their spot on the table (sugared almonds, anyone?)
  3. Give intent to marry to your local authority (you can find all the information you need on citizens advice).
  4. Schedule your final dress fitting and choose the jewellery you’ll wear on your big day. Will you opt for the elegance of pearls? Perhaps some stunning sapphire jewellery will be your something blue? Whatever you choose, it should make you feel amazing.
  5. Confirm any coach bookings you’ve made for guests to transport them to your venue on the wedding day.
  6. Liaise with your DJ or band and confirm music choices and of course, the very important first dance song.
  7. Plan a hair and makeup rehearsal.

0-3 Months Before the Wedding

  1. Create a wedding day timeline and share it with vendors, bridal party, and other key individuals.
  2. Finalise your wedding vows and readings.
  3. Do the seating plan for the wedding breakfast and have place cards made (or make them yourself if you prefer – it’ll save you money and there are loads of creative ideas out there).
  4. Make your final payments to vendors and the venue if you haven’t already had to do so.
  5. Get your engagement ring professionally cleaned and polished ready to dazzle in your wedding pictures.
  6. Confirm all arrangements with your vendors to make sure you sleep well the night before your big day.

The Day Before the Wedding

  1. Relax and enjoy a spa day, spray tan, pedicure and manicure or whatever else makes you feel good after all this organising.
  2. Get a good night's sleep so you feel every bit as special as you are when you wake up on your big day.

When your big day comes around all the planning and hard work will be so worth it.