The moment has happened, your dreams have come true and you’re engaged to be married to your true love. Now comes the fun part - planning your dream day. There’s just one slight problem… where on earth do you start?? It can be quite overwhelming thinking about all the decisions to be made to plan a day of celebrations, the choices are endless. So, I’m here to help! Here is a succinct guide to the most important details to bring your perfect day to life.
Venue - This is probably the most fun part, but also the most overwhelming. First of all, decide what type of venue most suits you and your vision of the day. Would you prefer a country house? A barn in the countryside? A city do in a town hall? Maybe a marquee in the garden? Or maybe your dream would be to elope with a small group of family and friends. Whatever your desire, this is the place to start.
Date - There are a few things to consider when choosing your wedding date. First of all, the season. A marquee in the garden probably isn’t best in the winter.. A castle or country house may seem too expensive but a weekday wedding out of season could be more manageable on a budget. Bank holidays are very popular and get booked fast, so you may be looking at planning a wedding for a couple of years time if it’s a bank holiday weekend that you’d prefer.
Vicar/registrar - As soon as you’ve booked your venue and chosen your date, you should register your intention to marry and book a meeting with your local registrar. Alternatively, if getting married in a church, meet with the vicar.
Budget - This part is vital. Weddings can be expensive and soon spiral into £££’s but there are so many ways to cut back and save in certain areas (that’s a whole new blog post for later). Working out what you can afford and a timeline for saving is crucial.
Wedding insurance - Not the first thing you think of when you hear the words “Wedding planning” - it’s certainly not the most exciting aspect. But it is probably one of the most important. Although you don’t want to dwell on the worst-case scenario, this is probably the most money you’ve spent on anything up to this point in your life. Taking out wedding insurance would be a good idea before you spend too much money. Prices vary depending on the level of cover.
Guest list - Often your choice of venue depends on how many people you plan to invite to your wedding day. Think about who is most important to you and who you can’t get through the day without.
Photographer - the most important detail in my humble opinion (should be number one on the list!) Seriously though, if you have your sights set on a particular person, book them soon so that you’re not disappointed that they are already booked on your chosen date.
Flowers - Its a good idea to book your florist as soon as you know your theme and venue. Lots of florists will work on more than one wedding per day so if it’s something elaborate you’re after, let them know early.
Caterers - If your chosen venue is not going to be doing your catering, you’ll need to consider how to feed your guests. Think about the type of food you’d like and go from there. Would it be a 3 course sit down meal, a slightly more budget friendly buffet, or maybe you’d like something less traditional and call in some catering vans. The possibilities are endless and a great way to make your day more unique and memorable.
Entertainment - DJ, live band, magician, Photo Booth, singing waiters, what have you enjoyed as a guest at weddings? What would add that special something to your day? This is where you can really put your own stamp on the day and give your guests a day they’ll never forget!
I hope these hints and tips are useful. It’s not an exhaustive list but a great place to start. As daunting as it may be to plan a wedding day, remember to have fun along the way and enjoy the experience.
Happy wedding planning! Remember to save, share and like my page!