Planning A Wedding In The Uk: Where To Begin?

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but with the right tools, it needn't be stressful. The first step is to determine your budget and guest list, as these will be driving factors in many of your decisions. It's important to give yourself some wiggle room in your budget for unexpected costs and last-minute changes. Next, you'll want to start thinking about your vision for the day, including the style, theme, and colour scheme. This will help guide your choice of venue and vendors. Speaking of venues, this is likely to be the biggest chunk of your budget, so it's important to start researching and enquiring about availability early on. You'll also want to consider other key bookings and decisions, such as the wedding date, vendors, entertainment, and wedding party gifts. To stay organised, create a comprehensive wedding checklist and timeline to ensure you don't forget any important tasks.

Setting a budget

Before setting a budget, it's a good idea to have a rough headcount of how many guests you'd like to invite, as this will impact the cost per head. You should also consider what aspects of the wedding are most important to you, such as the venue, the date, the photographer, or the band, and be willing to compromise on other aspects. It's also a good idea to give yourself some wiggle room in your budget for unexpected costs, must-have upgrades, or last-minute changes. A good rule of thumb is to plan to have a 10 to 15% cushion for unforeseen fees.

Next, you should determine how much money you're prepared to spend per head and overall. You may also want to consider whether any family members will be contributing to the wedding and, if so, how much they are comfortable spending. It's also worth looking into wedding insurance, which can help protect you from damage and liabilities on the big day and give you peace of mind.

Once you have a budget in mind, you can start researching venues and vendors that align with your vision and budget. It's a good idea to start making enquiries and getting quotes from different locations to get a sense of what styles of venues work within your budget. The venue will likely be the biggest chunk of your budget, so it's important to choose wisely.

Finally, it's a good idea to keep track of your spending by creating a detailed spreadsheet. This will help you stay organised and ensure you don't overspend.

Choosing a venue

The first step is to work out your guest list. The number of guests you plan to invite will dictate the size of the venue you need, and therefore the price. You may not be able to invite everyone you know, so think about who you couldn't get through the day without.

Next, you'll need to consider your budget. Planning your wedding budget and figuring out how much you can afford to spend is vital. You can't start planning a wedding until you know your budget, and the venue will be a big part of that. Wedding venues can be expensive, and they often get booked up over a year in advance, so it's important to act quickly. You'll want to try and book your venue at least a year before your ideal wedding date, although some venues will have late availability or special offers for dates closer to the time.

Start by making enquiries at venues that pique your interest. View them online and in person, and get quotes from different locations to give you an idea of what you like and what works with your budget. It's also a good idea to get a sense of the type of wedding style you want before you begin meeting with potential vendors. This will help you make sure that everything matches and works together.

You should also consider purchasing wedding insurance. This will give you peace of mind and reduce stress throughout the planning process. You can apply for coverage as soon as you start planning or once you have a venue secured, and it will protect you from damage and liabilities on the big day.

Deciding on a theme and colour scheme

Firstly, it is a good idea to create a Pinterest board or another type of mood board to collect images of wedding colour combinations and themes that appeal to you. This will help you to identify a colour story with depth, nuance, and personal resonance. You can also draw inspiration from real weddings, both in the UK and abroad, to see what other couples have done. Consider the season and location of your wedding, as well as your personalities and the type of wedding you are having. For example, a beach wedding theme might incorporate blues and yellows, while a garden wedding might feature blues, greens, and soft yellow accents.

When it comes to the colour scheme, a good rule of thumb is to choose one to two primary colours and one accent colour, or two secondary colours and one to two accent colours. You can play with tonality and texture to create a monochromatic look if you wish. The colours you choose will likely be opposite each other on the colour wheel, providing contrast and balance. It is important to note that not all colour combinations work well together, so keep basic design rules in mind when curating your palette. Try to avoid choosing a colour scheme that is too similar to your home decor or that will clash with your venue's decor.

Finally, don't feel pressured to stick to one specific colour scheme. It is becoming increasingly popular to incorporate several different colours into your wedding palette, especially if you are going for a rustic or natural look.

Creating a timeline

12-18 months before the wedding

• Discuss and decide on your wedding budget. This includes finding out about family contributions and other alternative funds.
• Start saving for the wedding and consider purchasing wedding insurance for peace of mind.
• Research and decide on your wedding style and colour scheme. Look for inspiration on Pinterest, Instagram, and bridal websites.
• Begin making enquiries and viewing wedding venues. This is a crucial decision and will impact your budget significantly.
• If you plan to hire a wedding planner, do it early on to get the most value.

6-12 months before the wedding

• Finalise your wedding venue and book it.
• Decide on your wedding date and create a wedding website to share updates with your guests.
• Start researching and hiring vendors, such as caterers, photographers, and florists.
• Begin dress shopping for your wedding dress and those of your bridesmaids.

3-6 months before the wedding

• Send out save-the-dates to your guests and start working on a more detailed guest list.
• Plan and book any auxiliary events, such as a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower.
• Start planning the smaller details, such as wedding favours, decorations, and music.

1-3 months before the wedding

• Finalise your guest list and send out invitations.
• Confirm all the vendors and suppliers, ensuring they have clear instructions and timelines.
• If you are writing your own vows, start drafting them and tweaking them until you are happy.

Remember, this timeline can be adjusted to suit your unique circumstances and preferences. The key is to start early, giving yourself enough time to make decisions and tackle any unexpected challenges.

Purchasing insurance

Wedding insurance may not be the most exciting part of planning your wedding, but it is one of the most important. It's there to protect you from the unexpected and give you peace of mind throughout the planning process and on your big day. The average UK wedding costs over £20,000, and wedding insurance will help you cover the costs if you need to rearrange due to unforeseen circumstances.

The cost of wedding insurance in the UK depends on your wedding budget and the type of cover you want. The first step is to write down all of your expenses and come up with an approximate wedding cost figure. You should also note any extras you may need, such as outdoor wedding cover or pre-existing medical condition cover. You can then start looking at appropriate policies and comparing deals on the market. The price of wedding insurance will also vary depending on your wedding location.

Most wedding insurance policies in the UK cover venue cancellation due to floods, fire, or financial problems, as well as cancellation cover for key members of the wedding party or close family members due to illness, accident, death, jury service, or military posting. Some policies also cover the cost of counselling if either the bride or groom gets cold feet. If more than 50% of your guests cannot attend due to severe weather conditions, you may also be covered, although this can vary between policies.

Wedding insurance can also cover the cost of wedding vendors, such as caterers, photographers, or car hire companies, and protect your wedding dress and rings.

Frequently asked questions