December is the most popular month in the UK to get engaged, and Bridebook estimates around 40% of engagements happen between late November and February. Which means January is when a lot of couples open a blank spreadsheet at the same time. Here's the order we'd book things in, based on which suppliers run out of dates first.
First: budget, guest count and rough date
Before you visit a single venue, agree three things: roughly how many guests, roughly how much you want to spend, and which season or year. Everything else depends on them.
Our guide to how much a wedding costs in the UK is a good starting point for the budget conversation.
Second: venue (and the legal ceremony)
The venue fixes your date, so it comes first. Popular venues book 12–18 months ahead for peak Saturdays.
If you're dreaming of a garden or field, read the wedding law reform explained before you commit.
Third: the suppliers who can only do one wedding a day
Photographers, videographers, bars and DJs can only be in one place on a Saturday. Peak weekends between May and September book 6–12 months ahead.
If your venue is dry hire, you'll need a bar, sound and lighting — see our dry-hire venue checklist. Booking them together through our packages means one crew and one point of contact.
For the bar specifically, see wedding bar hire.
Fourth: save the dates
Send save-the-dates once the date and venue are confirmed — typically 8–12 months ahead, or earlier for a destination or bank-holiday wedding. Our stationery timeline covers what comes after.
What can wait
Cocktail menus, lighting colours, table plans and favours can all wait until the last few months. The important thing early on is securing the date with the people who can only be in one place.
A fifth of couples now marry within 12 months of getting engaged, according to Bridebook — so if your timeline is short, simply book in the same order, faster.
More wedding planning: weddings by Lunar Events Group