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Newly engaged? Start planning your wedding for 2026

Congratulations on your recent engagement! This is such an exciting time, and after sharing your amazing news with everyone, you might be wondering – what comes next?

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Wedding planning
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Many couples wonder how early to begin planning a wedding after their engagement. We highly recommend giving yourself at least 12 to 18 months to plan your dream wedding. Tying the knot can be stressful, but step-by-step planning can help make the wedding planning process much easier. So, without further ado, here’s our comprehensive guide to help you begin wedding planning for 2026:
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Our 2026 wedding planning checklist

Step 1: Set Your Wedding Budget

One of the most challenging aspects of planning any wedding is setting a budget that takes into account the venue, catering, drinks and more. To decide on a budget, you should first consider what type of venue you are looking for (barn, church, country manor house or orangery), when you are planning to get married, a rough guest count, and what features are important to you. Make sure your budget is realistic and that you stick to it wherever possible. 

Step 2: Book Your Venue

Once you have a clear idea of your guest numbers, you can then begin to research wedding venues and packages that match your criteria and fit your budget. Online directories such as Hitched and Bridebook are great places to start. Ensure that you book viewings of your favourite wedding venues well in advance, as popular venues and key dates fill up fast – and don’t forget to write a list of questions to ask each wedding venue. We recommend visiting at least 3 venues before making a decision, and then hopefully you’ll be ready to book the one!

Step 3: Apply for Your Marriage License

This essential step for securing the date and time for your legal ceremony should ideally be completed as soon as you confirm your wedding venue. At Solton Manor, we recommend scheduling your ceremony at 12:00pm during British Summer Time, or at 1:00pm over the winter months, to make the most of the natural light for your photos. If a venue is licensed for holding ceremonies, they will book the date and time for you with the local authority.

Step 4: Book Your Suppliers

Once you’ve confirmed your venue, we highly recommend booking any external suppliers as soon as possible. Wedding photographers, videographers, DJs, musicians, caterers, florists, and cake makers are often booked up many months in advance, so making these decisions early will save you from disappointment later down the line. Your venue can usually provide you with a list of trusted suppliers that are local to the area and familiar with the setup, and never let couples down.

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Step 5: Go Wedding Dress/Suit Shopping

Now the fun really begins – it’s time to go wedding outfit shopping! Wedding dresses typically take much longer to produce and alter than suits, especially if you’re looking for something specific, so we recommend completing this task between 6-12 months prior to the wedding. Gather your girlfriends and book appointments at bridal boutiques until you’re ready to say yes to the dress. 

Step 6: Send Save the Dates/Invites

After the suppliers have been booked and the outfits have been ordered, it’s time to send out save the dates to your wedding guests. Many couples choose to complete this process around 12 months before the wedding date, but it’s a good idea to send out your save the dates early if you’re getting married during peak wedding season. That way, you can maximise attendance, as your nearest and dearest will be more likely to join you in celebrating on your big day.

Invitations are traditionally sent at around 6-9 months before your wedding. If you have chosen a traditional three-course meal, be sure to include menu options so that your guests can make their selection and let you know of any dietary requirements in their RSVP. 

Step 7: Wedding Menu Tasting

One of the best parts of a wedding is arguably the food, so it’s important to taste the menu and make sure it’s just right for you and your guests. If your wedding venue has catering included (like Solton Manor), they’ll usually invite you to a menu tasting around 6-9 months before your wedding day; but if you’re opting for external caterers, you may need to request this yourself. Now is also the perfect time to discuss any allergies or intolerances with the caterers, and understand what the options are for guests that may require alternative dishes. 

A menu stands on a beautifully laid table within Salton Manor near Dover
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Step 8: Organise the Little Details

 6-9 months before your wedding date is the ideal opportunity to start planning all the finer details of the day. However, some couples like to start this earlier, so that they can add the details to their invitations. Draft a list of all the timings of your day that takes all the preparations, ceremony, reception drinks, wedding breakfast, speeches, and reception into account, and sign off your ‘order of the day’ following your Final Details Meeting (FDM). 

You’ll want to order those last minute decorations and complete your table/menu plan, and coordinate all the key timings with your wedding vendors. All these steps will make sure you are well prepared and help to minimise stress in the lead up to your big day. 

Step 9: Last Minute Touches

The final couple of weeks before the wedding should be dedicated to completing those last minute touches. If your venue has overnight accommodation, begin packing for your overnight stay, and attend any final beauty and grooming appointments i.e. nails, hair, spray tan, waxing etc. Make sure you take the time to enjoy looking and feeling your best in preparation for your dream day. Collect your suits and bridesmaid dresses, and remind everyone of their specific parts to play on your wedding day.

Step 10: Relax & Enjoy!

The big day is finally here! Now it’s time to relax and savour every moment of the day you’ve worked so hard to create. Be sure to carve out some quality time with your partner and focus on making the day as special as possible. Read our dedicated blog post on how to make your wedding day feel more intimate for our top tips on making your day more meaningful.

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  • The ornate bridge and solton manor house
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Say yes to the most magical wedding venue in 2026

Seeking a one-of-a-kind wedding venue on the Kent coast for your 2025 or 2026 wedding? Solton Manor provides the perfect blank canvas to help you create the wedding day of your dreams. Boasting 9 acres of idyllic gardens, a rustic reception space, and on-site accommodation for up to 28 wedding guests, we can transport you into a world full of romance and enchantment, where every detail is carefully crafted to reflect your unique love story.

Take the first step on your wedding planning journey and book your viewing of our exclusive-use venue near Deal today.