Free Scottish Wedding Planning Checklist
A month-by-month checklist covering the practical side of planning a Scottish wedding. Free to use — print it, tick it off, or save it as a PDF from your browser's print dialog.
12+ months to go
- Set a rough budget and agree who's contributing what
- Draft a guest list (even a rough headcount shapes everything else)
- Choose a season and a shortlist of possible dates
- Start viewing venues and check availability for your shortlisted dates
- Book your venue and pay any deposit
- Give notice of intention to marry once you have a firm date (form M10, no earlier than 3 months before)
9–12 months to go
- Book your celebrant/registrar or officiant
- Book a photographer and, if wanted, a videographer
- Start looking at wedding dresses/suits and book fittings
- Book accommodation for yourselves and out-of-town guests
- Send save-the-dates, especially for a remote venue or peak season
6–9 months to go
- Book catering (if not included in your venue) and arrange a tasting
- Book florist
- Book entertainment — band, ceilidh caller, DJ, or piper
- Book wedding cars or guest transport
- Choose and order wedding rings
- Book hair and makeup trials
3–6 months to go
- Order invitations and order-of-service stationery
- Finalise the guest list and get addresses for invitations
- Plan the ceremony structure with your celebrant
- Arrange hen/stag activities if wanted
- Book a cake maker and arrange a tasting
- Buy or finalise wedding-party outfits
1–3 months to go
- Send invitations
- Finalise your notice-of-marriage paperwork and documents
- Confirm final numbers with your venue and caterer
- Write vows/speeches, or start planning them
- Arrange final dress/suit fittings
- Confirm timings with every supplier in writing
Final month
- Confirm the running order and timings with the venue
- Prepare a table plan and place names
- Collect the marriage schedule from your registrar
- Give final headcount and dietary requirements to caterer
- Pack an emergency kit (pins, plasters, stain remover, painkillers)
- Delegate someone to return hired items and collect gifts
The week of
- Confirm arrival times with every supplier
- Give the marriage schedule to your celebrant
- Pack for the night/honeymoon
- Get a manicure/haircut if wanted
- Take a breath — the planning is done
This is general guidance, not a substitute for checking current requirements with your registrar, venue and suppliers directly — see our legal requirements guide for the marriage-notice deadline specifically.