Ceremony checklist

Checklist before your ceremony

Up to 3 years

• choose your venue
• book your venue
• as soon as you have provisionally booked the venue, book your registrars
• type of ceremony, do you want enhancements or bespoke ceremony?

18 months to 1 year

• dresses and shoes
• decide on colour scheme
• hairdresser and make-up artist
• research and book: music, disco, bands, photo booths, outdoor games, children's entertainment, evening food providers
• research and book florist
• research and speak to photographer and, or videographer
• hire wedding cars
• consider taking out wedding insurance
• send out save the date cards
• wedding cake booking

1 year

• decide on suits and talk to suit companies
• plan hen and stag celebrations
• check passports are valid for honeymoon and stag and hen parties
• plan your honeymoon

9 months

• check driving licences are valid and show correct address for legal marriage notices

6 to 9 months

• Give legal notices of marriage in the district where you live
• choose your wedding rings
• decide on gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen

6 months

• plan your gift list

3 months

• pay any outstanding fees due to the registration service
• if you chose bespoke ceremony, the registrar will talk to you about ceremony options
• choose the readings
• send out invitations
• choose who your witnesses will be on the day
• plan and write speeches and wedding vows

2 to 1 months

• hen and stag parties
• complete the ceremony checklist and email it to register office
• chase late responses and plan seating arrangements for the wedding breakfast

1 month

• buy a guest book
• break your shoes in

2 to 1 weeks

• collect suit and dress

4 days

• prepare envelopes for cash payment services
• copies prepared for readers

Big day

• check marriage schedule very carefully before you sign
• enjoy and have fun!

Following your ceremony

Apply for your marriage or civil partnership certificates via our online ordering service.