The Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline

There’s a lot of work that goes into planning the perfect engagement. But that’s just the beginning! After you’ve proposed to the love of your life, it’s time to start outlining your wedding day. With so much to consider and organise, planning your dream day can quickly turn into a complete nightmare.

To give you an idea of what you can expect, we’ve put together a timeline to help you plan your perfect wedding.

How to plan the perfect wedding

The most important step to planning the wedding of your dreams is to give yourself enough time to do it right. It might be hard to imagine, but you need at least 12 months to plan a wedding. Your wedding will be one of the most magical days of your life and you don’t want to rush it!

12 months to go

• Set a Budget — It’s tempting to splurge on your big day, but it’s also important to set a realistic budget that you can afford and stick to it.
• Decide on Dates — Pick several dates that you’d like to get married on. Your ideal venue might not be available for your first choice, so it’s important to have options.
• Choose a Venue — Put together a shortlist of venues before visiting them in person and booking your favourite one.
• Tell Guests — Create a guest list and send out informal save-the-dates so no one is double-booked on your big day.

8 months to go

• Book a Photographer and Entertainment — Getting in early means you’re more likely to choose the best before someone else does.
• Reserve a Hotel Room — If you’re staying overnight, booking 8 months in advance means you’ll be able to pick practically any room you want.
• Start Cake Tasting — Choosing the perfect wedding cake can be surprisingly tricky, so start your tastings now to give you plenty of time.
• Choose a Honeymoon Destination — Begin looking at dream honeymoon destinations so you’ve got plenty of time to snap up deals.

6 months to go

• Decide on a Theme — Settle on a wedding theme and begin to buy the décor you’ll need to decorate the venue.
• Buy Outfits — Find and buy all the dresses and suits needed for everyone in the wedding party. Hold off on alterations until around 2 months before the big day.
• Plan Parties — Talk to your friends about what you’d like for your stag/hen parties and ask them to start organising them.
• Book a Caterer — Talk to some caterers about your requirements before choosing the one that’s the best fit. Don’t forget your guests’ allergies, intolerances, and preferences!

4 months to go

• Book Transport — Make sure there’s enough room for all the important people to attend your wedding.
• Create a Gift List — Put together a suggested gift list so your guests know what to buy.
• Send Invitations — Create and send the official invitations with all the information guests need.
• Make Beauty Appointments — Book hair and makeup appointments for everyone in the wedding party who needs them.
• Select Flowers — Meet with a florist and decide on the flowers for your wedding.

2 months to go

• Make Outfit Alterations — Have all the suits and dresses altered so they fit perfectly and pick shoes and accessories to go with them.
• Buy Wedding Rings — Choose the perfect wedding rings to wear on your big day.
• Try Wedding Food — Taste the menu that your wedding caterer has put together and request any changes necessary.

After all that, it’s time to get excited — your wedding day is only around the corner! If you need any help choosing the perfect wedding rings or complimentary wedding jewellery, we’re here for you. Get in touch and we’ll help make your big day even more magical than you’ve been dreaming about.