Planning a wedding in the UK
Wedding Planning Timeline: What to Do and When
7 November 2026
A wedding planning timeline tells you what to do and when, so the big decisions come first and nothing important is left to the last month. Start with your budget, guest numbers and venue, because almost every other choice depends on them. This wedding planning timeline shows what to do and when, with the legal deadlines you can't move marked clearly.
Quick answer: Set your budget and rough guest numbers first, then book the venue and the suppliers you care most about. Give notice at the register office at least 29 days before the ceremony (and within 12 months of it), send invitations once the details are fixed, and confirm everything with suppliers in the final weeks.
Key Takeaways
Budget, guest numbers and venue come first, because they shape everything else.
The legal deadline is fixed: give notice at least 29 days before the ceremony, and marry within 12 months of giving notice.
Book the suppliers you care most about as soon as the venue and date are confirmed.
Get every booking, deposit and cancellation term in writing.
Leave the final weeks for confirming details, not making new decisions.
Why a timeline helps
Wedding planning is a long list of small decisions that depend on each other. You can't send invitations without a venue, and you can't confirm numbers with the caterer until people have replied.
A timeline puts those decisions in order. It also shows where the fixed legal deadlines fall, so you can plan around them rather than discover them late.
The fixed dates you can't move
Most of a wedding timeline is up to you, but a few dates are set by law. In England and Wales you must give notice at the register office at least 29 days before the ceremony, and the ceremony must take place within 12 months of giving notice.
Your notice must include the final venue, so the venue has to be booked first. Our guide to giving notice of marriage explains the appointment and the documents in full.
A suggested wedding planning timeline
Every wedding is different, and a small registry office ceremony needs far less lead time than a large venue wedding. Use this as a checklist and stretch or shrink it to suit your date.
As soon as you're engaged
Agree a total budget and who is contributing.
Draft a rough guest list, because numbers decide which venues will fit.
Choose the type of ceremony you want, civil or religious.
Pick a few possible dates or seasons rather than one fixed day.
Our guide to civil and religious ceremonies explains the legal difference before you choose.
When you're choosing the venue
Visit venues and ask the same questions at each one, so you can compare them fairly.
Check the venue is approved for civil ceremonies, if you want to marry there.
Read the contract, the payment schedule and the cancellation terms before you pay a deposit.
Book the registrar, or check whether the venue books one for you.
Take our list of questions to ask a wedding venue with you, so nothing is missed on the day of the visit.
Once the venue and date are confirmed
Book the suppliers that matter most to you, such as the photographer, caterer or band.
Send save the dates if guests need to travel or book time off.
Decide whether you want wedding insurance, and read what a policy covers before you buy.
Start thinking about outfits, because some take time to make or alter.
In the months before the wedding
Give notice at your local register office, at least 29 days before the ceremony.
Send invitations with a clear reply-by date and a way to tell you about dietary needs.
Book any trials, such as hair and make-up, and arrange fittings.
Plan the order of the day with your venue: ceremony, drinks, meal, speeches and evening.
In the final month
Chase any replies you're still waiting for and give final numbers to the venue and caterer.
Confirm arrival times, contacts and final payments with every supplier, in writing.
Share the order of the day with your wedding party and suppliers.
Put your documents, rings and any payments due on the day somewhere safe.
Keeping track of it all
A shared spreadsheet or notebook works well for most couples. List each supplier with the date booked, the deposit paid, the balance due and the cancellation terms, so nothing is missed when the balances fall due.
Try to keep decisions with one or two people. Fewer cooks in the kitchen usually means fewer last-minute changes.
Thinking past the day
If one of you is taking a new surname, it's worth planning that now, especially if you're travelling abroad soon after. Our guide to changing your name after marriage explains the passport rules.
Frequently asked questions
When should we give notice of marriage?
At least 29 days before the ceremony and no more than 12 months before it, because the ceremony must take place within 12 months of giving notice. Book the venue first, since your notice must include it.
What should we book first?
The venue, once you know your budget and roughly how many guests you'll invite. The date, the registrar and most suppliers depend on it.
Do we need a wedding planner?
No, many couples plan everything themselves. A planner can help if you're short of time or planning a complicated day, so ask what's included and get the terms in writing.
How do we stop the budget running away?
Agree a total at the start, decide which two or three things matter most to you, and record every quote, deposit and balance as you go.
Your next step
Write down your budget, rough guest numbers and three possible dates, then start visiting venues. When you're ready for the legal side, our legal steps to getting married sets out the whole process.
For the official rules on notice and ceremonies, see GOV.UK's marriage and civil partnership guide.