The Ultimate Wedding Checklist

When the Covid pandemic disrupted my wedding plans, leading to four cancellations and eventually an elopement followed by a vow renewal two years later, I found myself inadvertently experiencing the journey of planning more than one wedding in many different conditions.

From this whirlwind experience emerged the ultimate wedding checklist. It’s been a companion to countless brides, continuously refined and updated year after year. Now, it’s yours, free of charge, to guide you on your own wedding journey. 

Remember this list is only a guide. Think of this list as a place for inspiration. It’s filled with ideas and suggestions, but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything! Your wedding should be a reflection of you and your partner, so feel free to mix and match, skip what doesn’t resonate, and add your own twist. Whether you want to skip the traditional save-the-dates or would prefer a joint “sten” celebration in favour of separate hen and stag celebrations, it’s all about making your wedding journey and wedding day authentically yours. So, let your personalities shine, and enjoy the process. 

Happy Planning!

Love, 

Maisie xx 

The List: 

This list is not chronological, it shows all the elements you may wish to consider. If you would like to see our 12 month wedding planning timeline, you can check out our post about this.

Pre-Wedding Elements 

• Save the dates

• Bridesmaids ‘will you be’ Invitations

• Groomsmen ‘will you be’ Invitations 

• Flower Girl ‘will you be’ Invitations 

• Page Boy ‘will you be’ Invitations 

• Invitations

• Main Invite 

• Map/Directions

• Hotels/Accommodation 

• Menu 

• RSVP 

• Wedding website information 

• Hen Plans 

• Stag Plans

• Decide if you would like to do pre-wedding drinks and/or post-wedding breakfast

Wedding Elements

General 

• Set a wedding budget 

• Think about your wedding style (some people call this a theme)

• Pick your Venue(s) 

• Ceremony 

• Wedding Breakfast (the meal after your wedding)

• Reception 

• Marriage Licence/Booking Your Registrar

• Booking your celebrant if you prefer a personalised ceremony

 

Guests 

• Ceremony + Wedding Breakfast 

• Evening 

 

Bridal Party 

• Bridesmaids  

• Dresses 

• Shoes 

• Hair 

• Jewellery 

• Flower Girls

• Dresses 

• Shoes 

• Hair 

• Jewellery 

• Groomsmen 

• Suits 

• Shoes 

• Cufflinks

• Ties 

• Page Boys 

• Suits 

• Shoes 

• Ties 

• Groom

• Suit

• Tie 

• Cufflinks 

• Waistcoat

• Shoes

• Wedding day undies! 

• Bride

• Dress

• Shoes 

• Veil 

• Headpiece 

• Jewellery 

• Lingerie 

• Garter 

• Something borrowed

• Something new 

• Something old

• Something blue

• Bridal Hair 

• Bridal Make Up 

• List Bridal party duties 

• Budget with your wedding party (if you are asking them to contribute/pay for accommodation etc. it’s best to be open and honest so they can commit effectively) 

 

Ceremony 

• Rehearsal arrangements 

• Order of service 

• Rings

• Vows

• Readings

• Music

• Decorations/Style 

• Confetti 

 

Post-Ceremony 

• After ceremony drinks 

• Canapés 

 

Wedding Breakfast 

• Food

• Drinks

• Wedding Cake 

• Seating Plan

• Place names 

• Toastmaster 

• Children’s Activity Books

• Favours

• Table Layout (e.g. Round Tables, Trestle Tables etc.) 

• Speeches

• Gifts for helpers 

• Bridesmaids

• Groomsmen

• Mother of the Groom

• Mother of the Bride

• Father of the Groom

• Father of the Bride

• Anyone else you may wish to add 

 

Reception

• Evening Food 

• Drinks (e.g. Open Bar or Signature Drinks) 

• Entertainment 

• Interactive Games (e.g. Lawn Games) 

• Music 

• Band

• DJ

• Photo Booth 

• First Dance Plans

• Bouquet Toss

 

Flowers/Decorations

• Bouquets 

• Bouquet to throw

• Buttonholes & Corsages 

• Ceremony Flowers & Decor 

• Reception – Table/other, flowers and decor 

• Favours 

• Signage 

• Cake Knife  

• Guest book (you could also use an audio guestbook) 

• Card box 

• Other personal items – perhaps you would like to do a memory area for those who cannot be there. 

 

Photography/Videography 

• Pick a Photograper 

• Create a shot list for your Photographer 

• Pick a Videographer 

• Consider a Content Creator 

• Discuss important moments you would like captured with your videographer (and content creator if you have one). 

 

Other

• Wedding Insurance 

• Transport

Post – Wedding Elements

• First Night Arrangements 

• Honeymoon Arrangements 

• Thank yous 

• Changing name  

• Passport 

• Driving Licence 

• Bank Accounts