Planning A Wedding: Where And How To Start

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and attitude, you can make the process enjoyable and efficient. The first step is to define your budget and determine who will be contributing to the wedding funds. This will help you make informed decisions about the venue, catering, entertainment, and other important aspects of your big day. Once you have a budget in place, it's time to start researching venues and vendors, prioritizing the must-haves, and creating a timeline for the planning process. It's also important to remember that your wedding should reflect your unique style and personality, so don't be afraid to add personal touches that showcase who you are as a couple.

Budgeting

Firstly, you need to know who will be contributing to the wedding funds. If family members are helping out, chat with them about what they are comfortable spending. If you are paying for the wedding yourself, take a good look at your finances and prepare for any life changes you may need to make. Be realistic about what you can afford without going broke or into debt. It's a good idea to have a 10-15% cushion for unforeseen fees and last-minute changes.

Once you have a budget, make a list of all the things you will need to spend money on. This might include the venue, food, photos, dress, music, flowers, and décor. Reorganise the list in order of priority, with the three most important aspects at the top. This will help you to stay within your budget and focus your efforts on what really counts.

When you have a clear idea of your budget and priorities, it's time to start meeting with wedding venues and vendors. Take inventory of their different packages and pick the ones that best fit your needs and budget. You can also use online tools and apps to help with budgeting and planning.

Venue and date

Deciding on a venue and date for your wedding is a crucial step in the planning process. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to help you tackle this important task:

Define Your Priorities

Before you start touring venues, it's essential to sit down with your partner and discuss what you both value most for your wedding day. Is it the venue, a specific date, securing a particular photographer, or having a live band? Prioritising these details will guide your decision-making and help you stay within your budget.

Determine Your Budget

Before finalising your venue and date, it's crucial to establish a realistic wedding budget. Discuss with your partner and family members who are contributing to the wedding funds. Be transparent about your finances and decide on a comfortable spending limit. Don't forget to include a cushion of 10-15% for unforeseen fees and last-minute changes.

Research and Tour Venues

With your budget in mind, start researching and touring potential venues. Consider the style of wedding you envision, such as a chic ballroom, a rustic barn, or a beach ceremony. Visit venues that match your criteria and ask questions about their packages, catering options, and what they include, such as tables, chairs, and an on-site coordinator.

Finalise the Date

When deciding on a date, consider the availability of your chosen venue and the season you prefer. If you have a flexible date, you may be able to take advantage of off-peak rates or avoid busy wedding seasons, which can impact pricing and availability.

Book Your Venue

Once you've found the perfect venue that fits within your budget and desired style, it's time to book it. Locking in your venue will give you a concrete wedding date and allow you to start booking other vendors, such as caterers and photographers, who may only be able to work one wedding at a time.

Consider a Wedding Planner

If the process feels overwhelming, consider hiring a wedding planner or coordinator. They can provide valuable guidance, save you time and money, and help bring your vision to life. A full-service wedding planner can oversee every aspect of the planning process, while a day-of coordinator can handle the final details and logistics closer to your wedding day.

Remember, choosing your venue and setting a date are significant steps in making your wedding plans concrete. These decisions will impact many other aspects of your planning process, so take your time, prioritise what's important to you, and don't be afraid to ask for help if needed.

Guest list

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, but creating a guest list is a good place to start. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Determine Your Budget

Before you begin creating your guest list, it's important to have a clear understanding of your wedding budget. The size of your guest list will directly impact the cost of your wedding, as it will influence the venue, catering, drinks, and more. Determine how much you can realistically afford to spend and stick to it. This will help you narrow down your guest list and ensure you don't overspend.

Create a Wish List

Sit down with your partner and key family members to create a wish list of wedding guests. This is where you can brainstorm and include everyone you could possibly imagine inviting. Consider whether you will be inviting children and who will be allotted a plus-one. This wish list will be a starting point that you can refine and narrow down later.

Prioritize and Refine

Once you have your wish list, it's time to prioritize and refine it. Go through the list and categorize guests into different groups, such as "must-invite," "would like to invite," and "optional." Start with close family members and friends, and then move on to extended family, coworkers, and acquaintances. Be prepared to make tough decisions and cuts if necessary, especially if you're working with a limited budget or venue capacity.

Consider Your Venue

The size and type of your venue will also impact your guest list. If you already have a venue in mind, check its capacity and any restrictions. This will help you further refine your guest list to ensure it aligns with the venue's capabilities. Consider whether the venue can accommodate all your desired guests comfortably, including any accessibility requirements they may have.

Send Save-the-Dates and Invitations

Once you have a finalized guest list, it's time to send out save-the-date cards and formal invitations. This will give your guests advance notice to plan and ensure they can attend. It's important to send these out early enough, especially if you have a large number of out-of-town guests who may need to make travel arrangements. Remember to include RSVP cards with your invitations to get a final headcount for catering and seating arrangements.

Manage Your Guest List

Throughout the planning process, actively manage your guest list. Keep track of RSVPs and updates, and be prepared for changes and adjustments. It's common for guest lists to evolve, as people's circumstances change, and you may need to account for last-minute additions or cancellations. Stay organized and communicate any changes to your venue and vendors to ensure a seamless experience.

Creating a guest list for your wedding involves careful consideration and planning. By following these steps, you can ensure you create a guest list that aligns with your vision, budget, and venue, resulting in a memorable celebration with your loved ones.

Wedding style

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, but deciding on a wedding style or theme can help guide your decision-making process and ensure your wedding is memorable. A defined wedding aesthetic will help you decide on the colour palette, decorations, attire, and overall vibe of your wedding.

Popular Wedding Styles

There are many different wedding styles to choose from, and you can add unique touches to make the day feel special and personal. Here are some popular wedding styles to consider:

• Romantic/Elegant: This style embraces an outdoor event with a refined ambiance, such as a garden party or vineyard wedding. It typically includes flowers, table design, mirrors, gold, velvet, and satin.
• Modern: This style embraces exquisite simplicity and a minimalist mindset with a few carefully curated details to make a maximum impact. It often includes interesting surfaces and textures like marble and rich, matted metallics.
• Rustic: This style is inspired by the simplicity of country life and nature. It typically includes natural, pared-back elements like twine, lace, wood, string lights, and mason jars. Rustic weddings usually take place in barns, sheds, vineyards, or outdoors.
• Vintage: This style is reminiscent of a bygone era, often the Victorian era, the 1920s, or the 1940s. It is expressed through garments, hair, and makeup, as well as venue styling, florals, and decorations. Jazz music, vintage photo booths, and vintage cars are popular additions.
• DIY: This style is perfect for budget-conscious couples who want to hand-make many of the decorations, styling elements, and even favours. It is typically a smart-casual occasion and may include a sit-down dinner or a cocktail party-style approach.
• Great Gatsby: This style is inspired by the book and movie, with elements of art deco, vintage, and glam. It includes strong aesthetic guidance for style choices, website design, colours, decorations, entertainment, and food.
• Cottagecore: This aesthetic combines slow-living with a prairie setting and fine linens and china. It is humble and sweet, creating a comfortable and intimate atmosphere.
• Minimalist: This style embraces the less-is-more concept, prioritising a no-frills look with neutral hues and clean lines, often with a hint of greenery.
• Tropical: This theme is ideal for destination weddings in locations like Hawaii or Jamaica. It includes exotic foliage and vibrant hues, such as hibiscus, anthurium, monstera, and palm leaves.
• Literary: This style highlights the couple's love of reading, with hardback books and passages from classic novels incorporated into the invitations, decor, and signage.

Vendors and caterers

Selecting Vendors and Caterers:

First, it is essential to determine your wedding style and vision. Before meeting with vendors, have a clear sense of the type of wedding you want, be it a glamorous ceremony, a beach wedding, or a rustic barn reception. Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, and bridal sites are great sources of inspiration to help you define your style.

Next, create a list of potential vendors, including caterers, photographers, musicians, and any other services you may require. Ask for recommendations from friends and family, and don't be afraid to reach out to your existing contacts, such as your engagement photographer, who may have valuable insights and suggestions.

Touring Venues and Tasting Sessions:

When it comes to selecting a venue, consider both "on-site" and "off-site" options. "On-site" venues, like hotels or restaurants, often have catering options, a designated space, chairs, and tables, and sometimes even an on-site coordinator. "Off-site" venues, such as parks or beaches, require you to bring in external caterers and may involve more planning.

When touring venues, ask questions and be thorough. Some venues offer packages that include coordinators or other services, so be sure to take inventory of what they offer. Consider the guest experience and any specific requirements they may have. For instance, is the venue easily accessible for elderly guests or those with disabilities?

Booking and Finalizing Details:

Once you have selected your vendors and caterers, it's time to sign contracts and iron out the finer details. Meet with each professional to discuss specifics, such as reception layout, catering tastings, attire, hair and makeup trials, and music playlists.

Remember, your budget will play a significant role in these decisions, so be sure to prioritize the aspects that are most important to you and your partner. Be transparent with your vendors about your budget to find ways to make your vision work within your financial constraints.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. Wedding planning can be overwhelming, and a professional wedding planner or coordinator can provide invaluable guidance and support, ensuring that your special day is everything you've ever dreamed of.

Frequently asked questions