HOW TO START PLANNING A WEDDING
Hurrah! You’re engaged! All the congratulations to you and your future partner in crime for life! So you’ve had your moment and you’ve decided that this person is your one and only forever and ever. Now you need to know how to start planning a wedding! I’ve compiled some ideas to help you on your way and break things down a bit. Weddings can seem a bit overwhelming sometimes but I promise, if you take note, you’ll be on your way to planning the most epic day ever!
GIVE YOURSELVES TIME TO DREAM!
HOW TO START PLANNING A WEDDING
It can be so tempting to rush into the planning stages as soon as they put a ring on it, but hold up! Give yourselves time to be excited, crack open the champagne (or Prosecco), and chat about all the amazing things you’d love to do or have on the best day ever. Think outside the box – do you want to go down a traditional route, or do you want a day that’s totally and utterly you from start to finish? There are so many options out there, I recommend doing a bit of research on ways to celebrate your wedding. Here are some things you might want to consider when you’re thinking about how to start planning a wedding:
- Do you want a registrar or something a little more personal like a celebrant? They get to know you and create your whole ceremony around who you are as individuals and a couple. No more ‘I do’ing to the same vows as everyone else!
- Do you want to get married outside? Or at somewhere a bit different? At the moment, a location must be licensed for weddings, however celebrant-led ceremonies can actually take place at any time or location as they aren’t technically doing the legal bit.
- What do you want the vibe for the day to be? Fun? Chilled out and relaxed? Festival? Extravagant? Start having a look for some inspiration by typing in your adjective, followed by ‘wedding’ – you’ll be surprised at how many ideas are already out there!
- How big do you dream your day will be? Small and intimate surrounded by your nearest and dearest? A full on knees-up with everyone there to celebrate your love? Or something in between? What you decide with this one might have an impact on the type of venue you can go for.
- Check out Unconventional Wedding for some inspiration. There are also so many amazing vendors over on Instagram for your viewing pleasure!
INVEST! Set your budget (and try to stick to it!)
Before you put any monetary value to it, write up a priority list. Think about what is important to you as a couple and plan to invest more money to the things that you really value.
Obviously I’m biased when I say that I really, really suggest putting a decent amount of your budget into your photographer. Looking back on the photography from my own wedding, I honestly wish we had invested more. We have no ‘wow’ photos and they’re all just a bit ‘meh’ – which is totally not how I remember the day! Unfortunately, I was one of the first in my friendship groups to get married and I really didn’t have a clue – it was before I discovered my love of photography and I just thought it was about someone rocking up to snap a few pics. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Try to keep in mind that after the food has been consumed, your outfits are stored securely in the attic never to be seen again, and the flowers have seen better days, you are left with the photographic evidence of the best day ever! Countless hours and expense on the photographer’s part goes into the photography side, both before and after the wedding to ensure you have images that are beautifully styled and a true reflection of your day. These are the images that will become your legacy, long after ’til death do you part.
Here are just a few things to think about for your priority list (it’s a bit of a pick n mix!):
- Venue
- Food
- Photographer
- Wedding Planner
- Evening Entertainment
- Daytime Entertainment
- Cake (Doesn’t have to be cake!)
- Outfits
- Hair and Make Up
- Venue Styling/Decorations
LOOK FOR A VENUE
It’s all well and good knowing you want to tie the knot with your chosen person, but without a venue, there’s no date and it just ain’t gonna happen! If you’re wondering how to start planning a wedding, the venue is a great place to start. Give yourselves time to think about exactly what you want – think about the vibe, the guest list and the photos! If you love wedding photos that have a certain look or setting, try to find something similar. For example if you love images of couples with epic scenery behind them, you’re just not going to recreate it in the middle of a busy city. Likewise, if you love an urban, edgy look, then a country house is probably not going to cut it. Take your time with this one – and if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed/venued out, leave it for a week or so before even thinking of looking again. Once you’ve nailed down your venue and date, the fun can really begin!
ANNOUNCE YOUR ENGAGEMENT!
BOOK YOUR VENDORS
Some vendors only have the capacity to take on one wedding per day. Get them booked up as soon as you can! Photographers, bands, celebrants, wedding planners and caterers can only have one wedding booked in per day as they have to physically be there. As soon as you’ve got your ultimate vendor list, start getting in touch with these people asap to ensure you have your dream team on your side! My advice is to always book the people who need to actually be there on your day as soon as you know your date.
HAVE FUN WITH IT
Throughout the whole wedding planning process, try to keep in mind what is important to you both and remember who the day is about. Try not to let others interfere or dictate what should and shouldn’t be – you only get one chance to have your day your way! If at any point it all becomes a bit too much, take a break! Walk away from the planning folder and try to focus on other things. It’s so easy to get swept up in the wedding planning and have a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to the planning side. Don’t forget, there are wedding planners out there whose actual job is to plan your wedding and guide you through the whole process – if in doubt, give them a shout! I always let my couples know that I’m always here for them and super happy to give any advice along the way. Remember you are not alone… and you’re about to plan the best day of your lives!
Starting to plan your wedding? GET IN TOUCH Let’s get your date in my diary!!
