Your Guide To Planning A Wedding
If you’ve just got engaged and now face the challenge of organising the happiest day of your life but don’t know where to start, fear not. We have launched a new section on our website dedicated to planning your wedding. To start, here’s our guide covering the key features…
Image Photo by Victoria Priessnitz on Unsplash
You’re engaged! But now the hard work starts – organising the biggest party of your life!
With so much to think of – venues, flowers, transport and of course what to wear – it may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t panic, if you start thinking in a methodical order it will all come together perfectly.
The first thing to think about is your budget – and once you have set this try to stick to it. It will also help you prioritise what are the more important and key factors of the day you want to spend more on – and what you are willing to cut back on. And if money allows, do you want to hire a wedding planner to take some of the pressure off?
Then the next most important thing is to decide when you want to get married. Summer is the most popular time, especially weekends of course, so you may be looking at having to choose a date further down the line if you have a specific venue in mind, but of course that will give you more time for planning! It is also worth thinking about what type of honeymoon you would like (if you are having one) and if you want to take it straight after the wedding. Certain destinations may only enjoy the right climate at certain times of year, so if you have the dream destination in mind this may effect when you decide to hold your ceremony.
Next up on the decision list is what size wedding you are planning on having. This will also narrow down the options for the venue. The size of your event may be dependent on financial factors. Alternatively it may be that you have decided it’s your BIG day and you want to invite everyone you know and make it one to remember. Whereas others may opt to hold an intimate affair with just those closest to share in the nuptials.
Once you know how many guests you want to invite it’s time to start looking at venues. Do you want to hold the ceremony in one venue (such as a church) and then move on to another for the reception? Or would you prefer to be based in one location throughout? The options for where you can tie the knot have substantially increased over the years so they may feel endless, but each venue on your list will have a minimum and maximum number, so this will help narrow down your options.
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Also, do you want to hold some of the day outdoors? If so, how much space does each venue have and do they offer facilities such as marquees to keep everyone dry should the weather be unfavourable?
Something else to bear in minding when choosing the location is the transport and accommodation available nearby if you have any guests travelling from further afield.
A lot of venues can also organise all the finer details of the day such as flowers, table settings, entertainment etc, so decide if you want to go with a package or whether you want to organise something more bespoke yourself – however remember the extra work this will include for you. Some venues may say certain features, for example catering, are part of their package, so check what you can and cannot arrange yourself and if this is a deal breaker. Also find out if they will be decorating the venue or if you can bring your own and when you will be able to get in there to set it all up.
Once you have got the date and venue locked in it’s time to send out save the dates to give your guests plenty of time to secure the date in their diaries.
Now’s the time to start compiling a list of all of the finer details for your big day, then you can check them off one by one as you go to ensure you don’t miss anything.
What you are going to wear needs to be put near the top as if you are getting a bespoke dress made this can take six months plus, especially if you are ordering at a busy time of year. You will also want to get any suits ordered or reserved with a hire company – if you have a big bridal party which you want all in matching suits this is even more important as you will be needing to reserve a large number in a variety of sizes, so you may be limited in style and design if you leave it too late.
Bridesmaid dresses may also have a wait time and the colour you choose may have an impact on the theme of the day as a whole, so it is good to get this organised early too.
Hair and make-up stylists will need to be booked in advance as well to ensure you get the stylists you want. You may opt for heading to a salon on the day to be pampered, or you could book someone to come to your home or venue.
Your wedding bands will be a symbolic part of the day, but bear in mind they also need to be practical as you will be wearing them for the rest of your life! Choose metals that will sit next to any engagement ring you may already wear or that suit the type of wear and tear they may face due to your day to day work. While matching rings are lovely in theory, make sure you both have a style that suits your personal taste and is also going to be comfortable, especially if you are not used to wearing one.
Catering is another area with a lot of options for you to consider. Depending on the time of day of your ceremony you may be looking to give your guests a lunch as well as evening food.
Do you want to have a sit down affair with several courses, or opt for a more casual buffet style affair? If your budget is tight, then a buffet may be the way to go, but if you do want a sit down meal you could go for a set menu rather than offering guests a choice of dishes to save a bit of money. But whatever you choose, ensure you have some tastings to check you are happy with the food being provided – and let’s face it that’s one of the many fun parts of the planning!
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For the evening you could opt for buffet again, or see if there are options for barbeques, hog roasts or something similar. If you have evening guests that have not been there for the ceremony these numbers will need to be factored in too.
Also do you want to provide any refreshments to keep guests refuelled throughout the day, such as an ice cream van or canapes?
Another consideration is what you want to do regarding drinks. It may be cheaper to bring your own bubbly and wine, but check if the venue charges corkage – in which case it may not prove so cost effective.
Another way to save some budget is to have your wedding cake double up as the dessert course of the meal. Rather than serving a third course and then giving guests a slice of cake to take home, you could cut the cake after the main course and then have it served to guests while they are there.
And though we say cut the cake, these days there are so many options, from cupcakes and donuts to macaron towers and even roundels of cheese. Even if you opt for a traditional tiered cake, the sponges and fillings are endless, and the beauty of multiple tiers is that you can have a variety of flavours to cater for all tastes! And once again having a tasting session is another perk of the wedding planning job!
That’s your guests fed, but how to entertain them? The evening is obviously the main focus, with a wide selection of bands and DJs to choose from.
But do you also want to have entertainment during the day such as while the photos are being taken and while people are eating? Magicians prove popular for keeping the conversations going between courses during a sit down meal, while harpists, pianists and small bands add to the ambience while guests arrive and mingle. If the weather allows, games in the garden such as croquet or giant Jenga could help keep guests entertained while you are off doing the official photo shoots.
And speaking of photos, choosing your photographer is another important decision. First up, decide what style of photography you would like – is it important to get a set photos of specific family and friend groups in a formal style, or do you prefer more of a reportage feel, where you capture the atmosphere and the guests unaware?
Also how much of the day do you want immortalised? Does your budget cover having them with you from the time you start getting ready so you can capture the preparations, as well as arrival at the venue, ceremony, meal, evening’s entertainment and right through to your heading off for your first night as a married couple? Or do you just want the key features captured such as the moment you say “I do”, the cake cutting and the first dance?
Also do you want a videographer for the key parts of the day, so you can watch them in the years to come, transporting you back to the special day? And for a bit of fun, maybe consider hiring a photobooth!
Next on to the more finer details. Flowers can prove a big focal point for the day, especially the bouquet. First bear in mind any theme or colour way you have in mind for the day as this may restrict the types of flowers available, as will the time of year. You may also want floral displays for the tables as well as throughout the venue to decorate it. If you have two venues, do you need to decorate both, or can the flowers be transported with you from the ceremony and be displayed at your second venue in time? Bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids will need to match the chosen dresses and their style may be dependent on the look of the dresses. For example, dresses with lots of detail may call for a more simple bouquet, while simple classic, long trailed gowns may suit a larger detailed teardrop bouquet. Plus don’t forget any button holes you may want for those in suits.
Transport is one of the more functional things to think about for the big day. Not only do you need to work out how the bridal party will get to (and between) the venues, but do any of your guests need transportation too?
If you are holding the big day all in one place the venue may offer the opportunity to stay there the night before, alternatively you may want to make an entrance in a classic car or via horse and carriage. If you guests need help getting from the ceremony to the reception, consider hiring minibuses or put on a vintage bus for a quirky addition to the day’s events!
And finally, to say thank you to your guests for sharing such a special day with you don’t forget the favours. This could be as simple as a slice of your cake, or the traditional sugared almonds, to more personal keepsakes that reflect you as a couple.
So with all that in mind it’s time to get planning, so what are you waiting for!
For more great tips and advice, visit our Planning Your Wedding section.
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