How to plan a wedding

Set the foundations

Before you book anything, get the three numbers that drive every other decision: your budget, your rough guest count and your ideal season or date.

• Agree a realistic total budget together — and be clear on who is contributing what. A category-by-category wedding budget calculator gives you a realistic UK figure by county, guest count and style.
• Draft a rough guest list. It sounds early, but guest numbers set your venue size, your catering bill and a big chunk of the cost.
• Decide on a style and season, and shortlist a few possible dates so you have flexibility when you approach venues.
• Start a shortlist of venues and priority suppliers. Browse the UK supplier directory and save your favourites to your planner.

Tip: book your venue and any must-have suppliers as early as you can — the most popular ones are reserved 12–18 months out.

Lock in the big bookings

This is the stage that makes or breaks your timeline. The suppliers in highest demand book up first, so confirm them now.

• Book your venue, photographer or videographer, caterer (if separate), band or DJ, and florist.
• Send save-the-dates — especially important for destination or peak-season weddings.
• Set up your free wedding website so guests have one place for the date, location and details from the very start.
• Keep every quote, contract and deposit date in one organised place using your wedding planner.

Tip: read recent reviews and, where you can, see a supplier work in person or view a full gallery before you commit.

The details take shape

With the big pieces in place, turn to the details that need lead time.

• Order outfits early — wedding dresses in particular can take six months or more to arrive and be altered.
• Book your remaining suppliers: cake, transport, hair and makeup, stationery and your celebrant or officiant.
• Plan your ceremony and start sketching the order of the day.
• Open a gift registry and add it to your wedding website so guests can find it easily.

Invitations & final numbers

Now it is time to firm up exactly who is coming and what they will eat.

• Send your invitations and start collecting replies. Digital invitations with online RSVP let you gather attendance, meal choices and plus-ones automatically — no paper, no postage and no chasing.
• Finalise your menu, arrange a tasting and capture dietary requirements through your RSVP form.
• Sort wedding rings, plan the hen and stag celebrations, and confirm accommodation for guests who need it.

Tip: set an RSVP deadline a couple of weeks before you actually need numbers — someone always replies late.

Confirm everything

The home straight is about turning plans into firm logistics.

• Chase any outstanding RSVPs and build your seating plan.
• Confirm final guest numbers with your venue and caterer, and settle outstanding balances.
• Have your final dress fitting, and write your speeches and vows.
• Build your day-of timeline and share it with your suppliers and wedding party so everyone knows where to be.

Hand over & relax

• Confirm timings with every supplier, and give them a point of contact for the day who is not you.
• Prepare any final payments or tips in labelled envelopes, and pack for the night before and your honeymoon.
• Delegate the small jobs so that on the day itself you can simply be present.

Enjoy it

Eat a proper breakfast, trust the timeline you built but stay flexible if things run a little late, and take a quiet moment together to soak it all in. The planning is done — this part is yours.