Planning A Wedding: What To Do And When

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but creating a comprehensive checklist can make the process much more manageable and enjoyable. The first step is to determine your budget and who will be contributing, as this will impact all other aspects of the wedding. From there, you can start to think about the guest list, venue, theme, colour scheme, and other important details. Breaking down the planning process into monthly chunks can help to ensure you stay on track and don't become overwhelmed. While the ideal engagement length is considered to be 12-14 months, every couple is different, and it's important to create a timeline that works for you.

Planning a wedding budget

Planning a wedding can be a stressful process, but it doesn't have to be. The first step is to figure out your budget and how much you can afford to spend. This will be vital in determining what your wedding will look like and where you want to exchange your vows.

To start, discuss with your partner who will be contributing to the wedding and how much they can afford to spend. It is also worth considering alternative funds, such as family contributions. Once you have a figure in mind, you can begin allocating funds to different aspects of the wedding. It is recommended to start with the more expensive items that will affect all guests, such as food, photography, and music.

Market research will be your friend here. Research and compare prices for venues, catering, entertainment, etc. This will give you a good idea of what you can afford and what styles of wedding work within your budget. It is also a good idea to create a detailed spreadsheet to keep track of your spending and make adjustments as you go.

Remember, your wedding planning journey is unique to you, so make adjustments to any guidelines as you see fit.

Creating a wedding checklist

Once you have decided on a timeline, you can start to break down your wedding planning checklist into manageable monthly chunks. Begin with the larger, more expensive items that affect all guests, such as the venue, food, and photography, and work your way down to the smaller details. It is also a good idea to start a detailed spreadsheet to keep track of your spending and make adjustments as you go along.

In the early stages of planning, it is important to confirm who is paying for what and decide on a budget. You can then start to research venues, themes, and colour schemes, and create a vision for your wedding. This is also a good time to purchase insurance for your engagement ring.

As you get closer to the wedding, you will need to finalize the guest list, send out invitations, and plan the menu and music for the reception. You will also need to purchase any remaining items, such as wedding rings, and confirm all the details with your vendors.

In the final weeks leading up to the wedding, it is important to take time to relax and appreciate your engagement. Run through the ceremony, confirm the seating arrangements, and finalize any last-minute details. On the day before the wedding, give gifts to the wedding party members and parents, and try to get a good night's sleep!

Choosing a theme and colour scheme

Choosing a Theme:

Start by considering the overall style and mood you want to create for your wedding. Are you aiming for a romantic, fun, formal, or chic atmosphere? This will help guide your theme and colour choices. For example, a nautical theme for a boathouse wedding could feature colours like coral, fuchsia, and navy blue. A vintage theme might include colours such as brown, rose gold, turquoise, and dusty rose. If you're having a garden wedding, you can incorporate the colours of the flowers that will be in bloom at that time of year.

Selecting a Colour Scheme:

The colour scheme is a critical element that will help create a cohesive aesthetic for your wedding. It's one of the first décor-related decisions you should make, as it will influence other choices such as flowers, linens, and rentals. Here are some tips for choosing your colours:

• Consider the Season: The season of your wedding can inspire your colour choices. For example, soft pink and pastel colours are perfect for spring, while summer weddings might feature bright colours or beachy combinations like navy blue, pale yellow, and white. Warm reds, oranges, and yellows suit autumn, and rich burgundy is ideal for winter.
• Venue Inspiration: Your wedding venue may also provide inspiration for your colour scheme. Consider the existing colours, features, or architectural accents of the space. For instance, a venue with terracotta tiles might suit a warm palette of burnt orange and cranberry.
• Personal Preference: Ultimately, your wedding should reflect your personality and tastes. Choose colours that you enjoy and that have personal significance. Don't feel pressured to follow trends unless they resonate with you.
• Create a Mood Board: Use platforms like Pinterest or a physical mood board to gather colour inspiration. Step away from the screen and take note of colour combinations you come across in your daily life, such as in nature or your surroundings.
• Colour Wheel: Utilise a colour wheel to experiment with classic colour schemes. Complementary colours (opposites on the wheel) tend to work well together. You can also choose analogous colours (neighbours on the wheel) or triads (three evenly spaced colours).
• Number of Colours: Aim for a combination of 3-5 colours that coordinate well. It's a good idea to have at least one colour that is neutral and timeless, such as white, ivory, or beige.
• Consult with Vendors: Once you've narrowed down your choices, consult with your florist and other vendors to ensure that your desired colours are available and can be incorporated into your bouquet, decorations, and other details.

Remember, choosing a theme and colour scheme should be enjoyable. Let your creativity flow, and don't stress too much about perfection. Focus on selecting colours and themes that speak to you and your partner, and that will help create a memorable and personalised wedding celebration.

Finalising the guest list

When deciding who to include on your guest list, focus on your immediate family, very close relatives, close friends, and their partners—people you couldn't imagine celebrating without. Consider offering plus ones only to guests who won't know anyone else at the wedding, so they have a familiar face to enjoy the day with.

Apply the 1-year rule to guests you are unsure about: if you haven't seen them or caught up with them in the last year, and don't foresee doing so in the next year, it's best to leave them off the guest list. This rule also applies to your parents' friends; ensure they are people you know and have shared memories with.

Once your guest list is truly finalised, send it to your venue and caterers so they can prepare accordingly. Avoid sending a list that is not fully confirmed, as you risk having to send revised versions, which can cause confusion for you and your suppliers.

Selecting a venue

Begin by researching venues online, and getting quotes from different locations to understand what styles of wedding venues work within your budget. When researching, consider the following:

• How many guests do you want to invite?
• Do you want an outdoor or indoor ceremony?
• Do you want to provide your own catering, or are you happy to use in-house options?
• What is included in the venue hire?

Create a spreadsheet to track this information, and to help you identify your top choices. You can then visit these venues in person to confirm they are suitable.

When selecting your venue, it is also important to consider the time of year you want to get married. If you have your heart set on a particular date, you will need to check the venue's availability.

Finally, before signing any contracts, be sure to read them thoroughly and ask for any amendments you wish to be made.

Frequently asked questions