Here is a 12 month wedding planning schedule, to which you can adapt and expand upon, I hope you find it useful.

The Wedding Calendar

12 months to go

• Set a wedding date, perhaps an annivesary date, a particular season, a particular day.
• Draw up a guest list
• Decide upon your budget.
• Book the ceremony and reception venue.
• Start trying on wedding dresses.

11 months to go

• Book a photographer or videographer. Check that photos can be taken during the ceremony.
• Order your wedding cake.
• Choose your bridesmaids, best man, pageboys and ushers.

10 months to go

• Choose your wedding dress – allow at least four months for a made-to-measure dress.
• Choose your bridesmaids’ dresses.
• Confirm food and drink with the caterers.
• Organise flowers, including buttonholes, bouquets and flowers for the ceremony and reception.

9 months to go

• Organise a wedding gift list.
• Choose the wedding rings.
• Confirm food and drink with the caterers.
• Start looking at honeymoon brochures. Book early if you’re going at peak season.

8 months to go

• Confirm arrangements for the ceremony and discuss the service, readings and music. If you’re getting married in a church, talk to the minister about the music and see the organist. If you’re getting married in a civil venue, decide if you want music for the ceremony. Discuss the form of service and choose your readings.

7 months to go

• Order invitations and envelopes – you’ll only need one invitation per married couple or family – plus stationery for the reception, such as place cards, favours and a table plan.
• Order your order-of-service sheets for the ceremony.
• If you plan to send out wedding cake after the day, order boxes from a stationer.

6 months to go

• Order your wedding transport.
• Buy going-away and honeymoon clothes.
• Make sure outfits are organised for the groom, best man and ushers.
• Choose wedding jewellery for you and your bridesmaids.
• Choose thank-you gifts for your bridesmaids, best man, both sets of parents and other members of your wedding party.

5 months to go

• If you are changing your name, allow at least six weeks for a new passport. Notify your bank, building, doctor, dentist, etc.
• Book your first-night hotel.
• Choose your first dance.

4 months to go

• Let the caterers know of the final number of guests.
• Work out a seating plan.
• Visit the hairdresser with your headdress or veil.
• Practise your wedding make-up.

3 months to go

• Send out invitations at least six weeks before the day.
• Make a list of acceptances and refusals.
• As wedding presents arrive, send out thank you notes.
• Finalise guest numbers with caterers.
• Work out seating plan.
• Finalise your honeymoon plans.
• Start to plan your hen and stag parties.

2 months to go

• Make sure that your fiance has organised the rings, his wedding clothes and accessories, the first night hotel and honeymoon. Check whether you need visas or inoculations and order foreign currency.
• Check your wedding clothes and try on the whole outfit, including headdress, shoes, underwear and jewellery.

1 month to go

• Hold a ceremony rehearsal.
• Check if traffic delays are expected on the day en route to your place of marriage.
• Send your honeymoon luggage to the reception or first-night hotel.
• Make sure your outfit is complete. Wear-in shoes at home.
• Have a final hair/make-up practice. Remind your groom to have a trim.
• Remind your fiancé to write his speech.

The big day!

• Check the best man has the wedding rings.