Wedding Planning Checklist UK
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From Finding A Venue > To Your Wedding Day!
Welcome to Shoreditch London’s comprehensive wedding planning checklist. Planning a wedding requires careful planning. To make your wedding planning easier, we have created a step-by-step 12-month wedding planning checklist which highlights a timeline of things-to-do in the lead up to your wedding day. There is also a helpful list of questions to ask your wedding venue and practical tips for essential items to pack on your wedding day.
While this wedding planning checklist covers a 12-month timeframe, realistically, as long as the venue is available on your ideal date, a wedding can be planned in 4-6 months or less with a wedding planner or if you are organised. If you need to plan your wedding in a shorter time frame, try changing the time frame for each step from a month to a week.
Would you like a download of this checklist as a Spreadsheet or PDF? Email travis@shoreditch.com.
Use these shortcuts to jump to a section.
Setting a date
Choose your season or ideal month and pencil a few ideal wedding dates on your calendar. August and September are our busiest months so if you are planning a wedding during these months, get in touch asap.
Make sure your wedding date doesn’t clash with any major family or friend events like birthdays, anniversaries, friends weddings etc.
Try to avoid having your wedding on major public holidays or sporting events. Have you ever been to a wedding during the World Cup finals? Try to find a date when most of your important guests and family are available to come.
Draft a rough guest list of who you would like to invite to your wedding. You can’t choose a venue until you have a date set and an estimate of your guest numbers.
Agree on a budget
Not being able to afford your dream wedding can cause a lot of stress for couples. Think about how much you can afford to spend on your wedding and set a budget that you both agree on.
Download and complete our helpful Wedding Budget Spreadsheet. Once downloaded, upload the xlsx file to Google Sheets so you can update and access it anytime on any computer or the Google Sheets mobile App.
If you don’t have enough savings to pay for the wedding, are you planning to get a loan or ask for financial help from your family?
Or ask for cash gifts from your wedding guests to help cover some of your wedding expenses.
Have any of your friends or family hosted a similar size London wedding in the past few years? It may be helpful to ask them about their wedding budget and see if they have a spreadsheet with all their wedding expenses broken down. We also speak to couples after their wedding, discuss their planning challenges and incorporate it into our blog articles so you can learn from their collected experience of getting married in our venues in this wedding blog.
While every wedding in our Shoreditch wedding venues is bespoke, we have hosted 100’s of weddings over the years and can offer plenty of advice on how to make your wedding budget work in our venues. We don’t want you to book your wedding venue then not be able to afford everything else so we are happy to go through your budget and breakdown all venue related expenses before you book with us. We are happy to share other couples budget saving tips with you as well.
Finding the right wedding venue
Think about what type of wedding you would like, indoor, outdoor, city, local or a destination wedding?
Are you looking for a fully customisable dry hire venue like Shoreditch Studios or Kachette or a set package venue with a set menu? We can provide both.
Are you happy with the location of the venue?
Does the venue fit with your budget?
Can you host your ceremony and reception in the same venue?
Is the venue easy to get to for your guests? Attending a regional or destination wedding can cost guests between £350 to £1000 each to attend!
If you are booking a different venue for the ceremony, are the venues close? Will you provide transport between the venues for guests?
Is the venue layout suited to your preferred style of service? eg buffet/seated dining/relaxed bowl food service.
Make sure your maximum guest number does not exceed the venue capacity.
Think about how much you are willing to pay for food and drink per guest.
Questions to ask wedding venues
What does an average wedding in the venue cost?
What is included in the venue hire?
Full venue and catering package or just dry hire?
What’s not included with the venue hire? Security, waste collection, wedding insurance, furniture, staff, catering?
What suppliers are mandatory?
What is the seated and standing capacity for the venue?
Can the venue accommodate your seating or standing guest numbers?
Does the venue have any sound restrictions?
Are there any other restrictions in the venue?
Can we hire any caterer?
Does the venue charge a buyout to work with external suppliers like catering or bar suppliers ?
Does the venue charge for corkage or allow BYO alcohol?
Does the venue have a late licence?
Is the venue licensed for civil ceremonies?
Are pets welcome?
12 months from wedding day
When you have a shortlist of suitable venues, enquire with availability on your ideal wedding date/s and book site visits. Its recommended you contact venues directly rather than through a third party. If you find and contact the venue via a venue finding service, wedding blog or other external website, you will be paying more as these platforms charge venues a commission.
Enquire with a local registrar (Hackney Council for our venues) to ensure they are available on your ideal wedding date/s.
Make sure your max guest numbers do not exceed the venue capacity.
Work out how many guests you want to invite and how many you would like to feed. You can always invite more guests after the wedding breakfast.
Think carefully about your guest numbers for your wedding breakfast. Feeding 10 less people can save you £800 to £1000!
Set your total budget.
Book wedding insurance.
Book you wedding venue. Read our Wedding FAQ’s for more information.
The sooner you book your venue, the sooner you can start planning everything else!
Book local registrar. Read our Wedding FAQ’s for more information on booking a Hackney registrar.
If you need help with your wedding planning, or would like to book a wedding planner. We can make some recommendations.
Our full list of recommended wedding suppliers is available here.
If you do decide to book a wedding planner or use a wedding planning app to plan your wedding, it’s still advisable to also use a wedding planning spreadsheet to plan and lock in your total wedding budget.
If you would like a link to this checklist as an Excel Spreadsheet or PDF please email travis@shoreditch.com. Save it to Google Docs so it’s backed up online. Back up a copy of the spreadsheet to a hard drive or computer after every big planning session. Don’t risk losing all that hard work!
For more wedding planning ideas, read our Tips To Manage Your Dry Hire Wedding blog post!
Book hotel or local accommodation. A list of local hotels can be downloaded here. There are many other local hotels or Airbnb accomodation in close proximity to the venues. Ace Hotel is a popular choice for couples getting married in our venues. If you mention you are getting married locally, you may be able to get 20% off your room hire at Ace.
Do some tastings and book a caterer.
Hire furniture for your wedding venue. Venue can help with quotes or suppliers. Some caterers offer full service so they can also hire and setup your furniture.
Hire lighting for your wedding venue. Venue can help with quotes or suppliers. Ask us about our lighting packages.
Hire AV equipment (projectors, microphones, DJ equipment etc) for your wedding venue. This equipment can be hired in-house at Shoreditch Studios or Kachette.
Start delegating wedding planning tasks.
9 months from wedding day
Review your total budget.
Update and backup your wedding planning spreadsheet.
Send your invites.
Invite friends and family to be part of your wedding. You may have already done this after booking your venue )
Follow up with any guests who haven’t RSVPd.
Review your guest numbers and confirm them with your caterer.
Buy wedding rings.
Taste and order wedding cake or desserts.
Book a photographer. We can recommend many great wedding photographers. Email travis@shoreditch.com
Book a videographer (if required). We can recommend great videographers too. Email travis@shoreditch.com
Find and book a florist. We recommend Halcyon Halcyon.
Buy or hire your wedding attire, dresses, bridal party, suits, shoes and accessories.
Review your budget again to make sure you are on track and that the most expensive items are booked and paid for.
Book DJ or band and any other entertainment you would like to have at your ceremony and reception. Our weddings manager Travis is also an experienced club and wedding DJ. Email him or listen to some of his wedding party playlists here.
Plan and book honeymoon and any pre wedding parties like a stag, hens or engagement party.
Buy, make or book someone to help with wedding decor.
Book a wedding venue day manager to make sure all suppliers are managed and your wedding goes smoothly. Venue can make recommendations.
6 months from wedding day
Update and backup your wedding planning spreadsheet.
Book wedding transport.
Review your budget and make sure you have money left for any last minute expenses.
Set up gift registry.
Book hair & make up for your wedding morning or day before.
Give ‘must have’ wedding photo list to photographer / videographer.
Review your final guest numbers and confirm it with caterer, wedding planner and venue.
Send guest invitations.
3 months from wedding day
Confirm reception table and seating plans.
Make a wedding day schedule to coordinate suppliers, deliveries and pick up for any items going to the venue.
Send playlist of essential songs to DJ or band.
Confirm ceremony playlist. You may have already booked live entertainment.
Make a reception meal playlist or book reception entertainment (if you haven’t already).
Prepare any ceremony readings.
Start writing your wedding vows and speeches.
Buy wedding favours or gifts for bridal party or any guests travelling for the wedding.
If you are having hen or stag parties, have them soon so it is out of the way and you can recover well before the wedding.
Review your to do list and backup your wedding planning spreadsheet.
Book anything else on your list that is not already dealt with!
1 month from wedding day
Check with the venue, wedding planner and all wedding suppliers to make sure all is ready for the wedding day.
Share wedding day plan with suppliers, staff and everyone involved in the wedding.
Confirm honeymoon reservation and pack a bag for it.
Finish writing your wedding vows and speeches and print draft.
Retry wedding outfits to make sure you have everything and make any alterations if necessary.
If you bought new shoes for the wedding, wear them in.
Book couple manicures for 1-2 days before.
Make one day each week or weekend a ‘no wedding planning day’ and relax.
1 week before wedding day
Pack your bags. See the wedding packing list below.
Wear in your wedding day shoes or heels.
Review and print out all vows and speeches.
Review your wedding day plans. If required, do a rehearsal of the wedding ceremony.
Confirm pick-up times with your wedding transport.
Call photographer to make sure they are ready, have reviewed your ‘must-have wedding shots’ and have the wedding day itinerary.
Packing your wedding bags
When packing for your wedding, it is worth thinking about all the essential items you take with you every time you travel.
For me a portable speaker, deodorant, nail clippers and chocolate snacks are essential - I’m a man.
As well as the obvious travel items, phone, cash and keys, there are many other items that you or your guests may need throughout the day. Packing a couple of separate bags with these items will save your guests from constantly having to run to the closest shop. I have tried to keep the list general, as to not exclude any couple, but if you feel there is anything missing from the list or if you would like a copy of it, please email travis@shoreditch.com and I will add any suggestions.
Wedding day bag
A bag full of all the essential personal items needed for your wedding day. Don’t forget any of these!
House keys wallets / purses / handbags
Cash
Paperwork or Id’s for the legal ceremony if required
Mobile phones
Phone charger (make sure phone is fully charged)
Mobile battery charger (make sure it is fully charged)
Tissues / pocket tissues / wet-wipes
Glasses / Sunglasses
Toothbrush / toothpaste / mints / mouthwash / floss
Nail clippers / nail polish / nail file / tweezers
Lipbalm / lipstick
Hand lotion/moisturiser
Deodorant
Hairbrush / hair care products
Makeup bag
Makeup remover
Eye drops
Travel mirror
Cotton pads
Jewellery / watch / accessories
Dancing shoes
Change of clothes
Pen / notepad
Portable speaker
Printed speeches
Printed contact list of all family, guests, wedding venue and suppliers
Printed address list for venues, your hotel and the addresses of all important guests hotels
Polaroid camera with film
Medicine bag with essential daily medicines, contraceptive pill, painkillers, feminine hygiene products etc.
Wedding rings!
Food & Snacks bag
Always keep liquids and foods packed separately to avoid leaks and stains. It is also important to have that emergency Mars bar available during the photoshoot or before your ceremony/reception. You are not allowed to be ‘hangry’ on your wedding day!
Healthy snacks
Treats
Breakfast
Breakfast champagne
Disposable cutlery / plates / cups
Water bottle
Straws
Coffee flask
Extra toothbrushes / toothpaste / mints / mouthwash
First Aid & Medicine bag
Give this bag to a bridesmaid, best man, a family member or first aid trained guest to manage until they are at the venue where it can be placed in the cloakroom.
First aid kit
Band-aids
Feminine hygiene products
Headache tablets
Indigestion tablets
Imodium / stomach tablets
Allergy tablets
Sunscreen / after sun cream
Insect repellent
Overnight bag
Change of clothes
Change of underwear
Second-day clothes
Wedding nightwear / lingerie / pajamas (optional)
Comfy socks, comfy shoes, books, reading material or headphones (for chill time)
Extra jacket / scarf / beanie
Wet weather gear
Umbrellas
Spare phone chargers
Emergency cash
Soap / shampoo
Towel
Clothing repair kit
Sewing kit
Safety pins
Lint roller
Scissors
Masking tape / sticky tape / double sided tape
Stain remover
Wedding venue essentials bag
This can be managed by your wedding duty manager or any staff members helping to set up your wedding.
Supplier contact list
Wedding day schedule
Tissues
Decorations
Thank-you’s / wedding favours / gifts
Masking tape / sticky tape / double-sided tape / blu-tack
Stationary / pens and paper
Lighter / matches
USB charging dock with inputs for multiple phones
Seating plan sign
Guest book
Gift box / bag
Ipad (Shoreditch Studios has Ipads setup in both Studios)
Ceremony & reception music playlists downloaded
The day before your wedding
Make sure everything is laid out and packed for your wedding day, clothes, rings, honeymoon or overnight bag and any items missing from the wedding bag essentials lists that you will need.
Couple manicures, haircut, exercise or anything else you need to get yourself ready and feeling good on your wedding day
Don’t stress about anything you may have forgotten. It is likely to be too late to sort now and is unlikely to have an impact on your wedding day
Eat well, relax and get good sleep
Wedding day!
Eat a healthy, hearty breakfast
Exercise, SING or do some self meditation and breathing exercises before you get too busy or on the way to the venue to alleviate any stress
Stay hydrated and pace your alcohol consumption
Get ready, give rings to whoever is responsible for them during the ceremony
If something doesn’t go to plan, roll with it and enjoy the day!
Make sure you take some time out as a couple on your wedding day. The day can fly by so share some take some time for private moments of reflection and joy too.
Are you ready to plan your wedding?
Visit our wedding venues page or read through our wedding couple FAQ's to find out more information on booking our East London wedding venues. We also have other great wedding planning tips on our wedding blog.
You can also download venue floor-plans and a comprehensive event manual on each venue which includes a full suppliers list and venue specifications.
Ready to book a site visit or have any other questions? Get in touch with the Shoreditch London team on 020 7033 9006 or enquire now to find out more about hosting your wedding in one of our popular Shoreditch wedding venues.
We look forward to hearing from you!
More from the Shoreditch Wedding Blog:
Would you like a download of this checklist as a Spreadsheet or PDF? Email travis@shoreditch.com.
Anything missing from the list ? Please leave a comment.