The complete wedding shopping list

Use this list to plan every purchase for your big day. It covers outfits, stationery, décor, the ceremony, the reception and the day after. Tick what you need and cross out what you do not. You can download your own list and keep it with you while you shop.

Start early for the things that take time to order. Some items, like outfits and printed stationery, need weeks or months. Others, like day-after supplies, can wait until the week before.

• Check your venue rules before buying décor or candles.
• Confirm whether your ceremony allows religious readings or music.
• Keep receipts for anything you might return or exchange.

Here is a simple way to think about what to buy. Outfits include your main outfit, shoes, jewellery and anything for your wedding party. Stationery covers invitations, addresses, order of service booklets and thank-you cards.

Décor spans flowers, table centrepieces, signs and backdrops. The ceremony needs your rings, any vows and your witnesses. The reception covers the cake, favours, table plan and music. The day after includes leftovers, a repair kit and anything you need to pack away.

You do not need every item on this list. Pick what fits your venue, your faith and your budget.

Keep your list up to date as you make decisions. It is easy to forget a small thing, like a hairpin or a spare tie, when you are busy. Add notes next to each item so you remember sizes, colours or who is paying.

Share the list with anyone helping you shop. This avoids two people buying the same thing and stops important items from being missed.

• Tick items off as you buy them.
• Set reminders for things that need ordering early.
• Review the day-after section the morning of the wedding.