Simply Married

Working backwards from your wedding date

Start with your ceremony date, then subtract the notice period (28 or 70 days), then subtract the time it takes to get a notice appointment, then subtract time to gather any documents you don't already have. What's left is roughly when you need to start.

Step 1: fix the ceremony date and district

You need a firm date and venue, since these details go on your notice and any material change afterwards can require you to give notice again.

Step 2: subtract the notice period

Subtract at least 28 days. If either of you is subject to immigration control, subtract 70 days instead to be safe, since you will not know for certain whether your notice is referred until you attend the appointment.

Step 3: subtract the appointment wait

Contact your register office to check how far ahead you need to book a notice appointment, and subtract that too — this is on top of, not part of, the notice period itself.

Step 4: subtract document lead time

If you need a replacement passport, final order, dissolution order or death certificate, subtract the time it will take to obtain it, since you need these in hand before your notice appointment.

What this means for you

  • The date you need to 'start' is usually much earlier than the 28-day figure suggests once appointments and documents are counted.
  • Recalculate from scratch if your ceremony date moves — the margins can disappear quickly.

Official sources

Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026

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A 3-month marriage timelineA workable order of tasks for getting legally married within three months, from documents to notice to ceremony.How long is the wait for a notice appointment?Notice appointment availability varies by register office and season — why it can take longer to book than to wait out the notice period itself.Getting married step by stepA practical order of events for a legal marriage in England and Wales, from first date check to signing the marriage schedule.

Simply Married is an independent planning service, not a register office or government department. Confirm current requirements and fees with your own register office and on GOV.UK.