Simple Wedding Planning Checklist: The Essentials for a Small or Short-Notice Wedding
Most wedding checklists run to hundreds of items, which makes planning feel bigger than it is. If you are planning a small wedding, a quick wedding or simply do not want the fuss, you can work from a much shorter list.
This is a simple checklist of the essentials, in order. For the full version with extra detail and timings, see our wedding planning checklist.
The simple checklist
1. Agree your budget and who is paying
Decide the total you will spend and who is contributing. Add a small buffer. See how to set a wedding planning budget.
2. Decide the type of wedding
Small and informal, a register office wedding with a celebration afterwards, a venue wedding or a wedding abroad. This decision shapes everything else.
3. Give legal notice
In England and Wales you both need to give notice at your local register office, and wait the required period. Book this appointment as soon as you know roughly when you want to marry. Read how to get married in the UK and how to get married quickly.
4. Choose a date and book the venue or register office
Hold the date before you tell people. If you want a venue, compare total costs. See wedding venues on a budget.
5. Set the guest list
Write everyone down, then rank them A, B and C. Keep to what your venue and budget allow. Use our guest list spreadsheet guide if you want a layout.
6. Sort the essentials
- Witnesses: you need two. See how many witnesses you need.
- Food and drink: a caterer, a restaurant or a simple buffet.
- Outfits: buy or hire in good time, allowing for alterations.
- Rings: order with enough time to size and engrave.
- Photographer: book for the hours you need, or ask a friend.
- Transport: check how you and your guests will get there.
7. Tell your guests
Send invitations or messages with the date, time, place and reply deadline. Collect dietary needs. See wedding invitations on a budget.
8. Plan the day
Write a short timeline: arrival, ceremony, photographs, meal, speeches, cake, evening. Share it with the people involved, and appoint someone to coordinate on the day.
What you can skip
If the budget or timing is tight, these are optional:
- A wedding website
- Printed stationery beyond the invitation
- Favours
- A formal seating plan
- A band or DJ, if a playlist works
- A wedding planner, if you have an organised helper. See budget wedding planners.
A simple timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| As soon as you can | Budget, type of wedding, date, legal notice |
| Soon after | Venue or register office, guest list |
| A few months before | Food, outfits, rings, photographer |
| About 6 to 8 weeks before | Send invitations, collect replies |
| 1 to 2 weeks before | Confirm all suppliers and timings |
| The day before | Pack, rehearse if needed, check documents |
If you have less time, compress the order but keep the sequence: legal notice, then venue, then everything else.
The day-before checklist
- Marriage documents, ID and witness details
- Rings
- Outfits, shoes and accessories
- Payment for any final balances
- The timeline and supplier phone numbers
- A phone charger and a small emergency kit
Frequently asked questions
What are the essentials of a wedding?
A legal ceremony with two witnesses and a registered marriage. Everything else, such as the venue, food and photographs, is optional.
How long does it take to plan a simple wedding?
It depends on the type. In England and Wales, the legal notice period is 28 days, so allow at least that, and longer for a venue wedding.
What should I do first when planning a wedding?
Agree a budget and the type of wedding, then book the legal notice appointment and choose a date.
Do I need a wedding planner for a small wedding?
Not necessarily. An organised helper and a simple timeline are often enough.
What can I leave out of a wedding to save time and money?
Stationery beyond invitations, favours, a formal seating plan and a wedding website are common cuts.