What to Do 18 Months Before Your Wedding – and Every Month After!
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting things you'll ever do—but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. With so many moving parts, decisions to make, and timelines to juggle, it’s easy to wonder if you’re missing something important.
Whether you’re just engaged or already knee-deep in planning, having a clear outline of what to do and when can take a huge weight off your shoulders. That’s where an 18-month checklist comes in handy.
Giving yourself plenty of time to plan allows you to:
- Secure your ideal venue and suppliers before they get booked up
- Spread out your budget over time
- Make thoughtful decisions without rushing
- Actually enjoy the process!
Even if you don’t have the full 18 months, you can still use this timeline as a guide to see where you’re at and what to prioritise.
While every wedding is unique, here’s a general idea of what you might want to focus on during each stage of the planning journey:
18–12 Months Before
Start with the big decisions: budget, guest list, venue research, and booking your ceremony and reception spaces. This is also a great time to start thinking about suppliers like photographers, caterers, and entertainment.
12–9 Months Before
Lock in your key suppliers, go dress shopping, and start designing your wedding theme or mood board. Send out your save-the-dates and consider booking engagement photos if you’d like them.
9–6 Months Before
Sort bridesmaid and groomswear, book hair and makeup trials, order your cake, and plan your hen/stag dos. Finalise decor choices and start thinking about invites.
6–3 Months Before
Send your invitations, confirm menu choices, attend tastings, and prepare your ceremony details. Try on your full outfit and break in your shoes!
Final 3 Months
Confirm RSVP numbers, seating plans, timings, speeches, and your final checklist of things to bring. Take time for self-care too—massages, facials, a break from wedding talk—it’s all part of the prep.
I know there are apps and spreadsheets galore, but there’s something so grounding about a printed checklist you can tick off, scribble on, and keep in your folder. I made a version of this checklist to keep myself sane while planning, and found it so helpful I wanted to share it with others.
If you like having things laid out clearly, month by month, and enjoy a good paper-and-pen moment, a printable might be just the thing for you.
👉 Click here to view the checklist in my shop
There’s no "right" way to plan a wedding—only what works for you. Whether you’re doing it all yourself or getting support, having a simple timeline can make the process feel less daunting and a lot more enjoyable.
If you’d like a ready-made version of this 18-month planning timeline, you can find it on my website. But even if you make your own version from this post, I hope it helps you feel more in control and excited for what’s to come.
You’ve got this ❤️
Louise x
Longlake Creations UK