How to Plan Your Wedding
How to Plan Your Wedding
A GUEST BLOG BY GEORGINA ALEXANDER
Planning a wedding is one of the biggest and most stressful things you’ll do in your life, and whilst it’s a time of excitement and joyful decision-making, it can also be a stressful and overwhelming experience.
You’ll feel many different emotions during the wedding planning process, from excitement for what lies ahead, to feeling anxious about the day itself. With seemingly endless to-do lists and a fear of not knowing where to begin, breaking down the process into smaller steps can make the planning process more manageable.
Here is my advice on how to start planning a wedding:
SET YOUR BUDGET
Before you do anything else, it’s important to decide on a budget for your wedding. Think carefully about how much you can afford and are willing to spend, but be realistic.
Make a list of your priorities – what are the most/least important elements for you as a couple for your wedding.
Typically, the majority of your wedding budget will be spent on venue hire and catering, with the rest of your budget spent on flowers, photographer, stationery and so on. You may also want to have a separate honeymoon budget.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PLANNER
Weddings are complex events with a lot of moving parts, and working with someone who understands who can relieve you of some of the wedding planning pressure, makes a huge difference to your well-being and the overall experience you’ll have.
While you might not think your budget will stretch to hiring a professional, it is always worth asking the question. Your wedding shouldn’t be stressful, it should be an enjoyable experience (for you and your guests) and if the planning is causing you stress and worry, it’s worth the investment to hire a Wedding Planner.
Working with a Wedding Planner may also save you money in the long run. We’ll help you allocate your budget to the different areas of your wedding, spending your money wisely. We’ll also be able to help source venues and suppliers that best match your requirements as well as your budget, and keep you on track so you know how much you are spending, avoiding any nasty surprises.
CHOOSE YOUR DATE
The next key decision you need to make is choosing your wedding date, or at least the time of year you want to get married. Choose a date that suits you both, you may want to take into consideration any significant dates that involve your family or close friends, major sporting events and bank holidays.
Making this decision early isn’t just for practical reasons – it will impact all the other areas of your wedding planning and once you’ve made that decision, you’ll be able to go ahead and secure your venue and suppliers for your wedding day.
Once you’ve decided on your wedding date, start creating a timeline of tasks that need to be completed leading up to the wedding day. This will include booking suppliers, sending out invitations, and scheduling dress fittings. If you work with a Wedding Planner, they will normally do this for you.
Choose Your Venue
Think about the style of venue you’d like for your wedding, there are lots of options out there so spend some time researching venues and the style of wedding you’d like – this will set the tone for your entire wedding. Look for venues that fit your budget, style, estimated guest numbers and ensure they have availability on your chosen date.
Working with a Wedding Planner can really help you to picture how you would like your day to be and narrow down all the endless venue possibilities. They’ll be able to source venues that suit your requirements and budget and may have a few hidden gems up their sleeve too.
Draft Your Guest List
Start working on your guest list, bearing in mind your budget and venue capacity. Be mindful that whilst it would be wonderful to have every person you know attend your wedding, each guest costs you money so be sensible.
The more guests you have, the more expensive your wedding will be – adding on 5 or 10 guests might not seem a lot, but the costs add up quickly once you’ve added in additional costs for tables and chairs, crockery and glassware, stationery and floral arrangements.
CHOOSE YOUR SUPPLIER TEAM
Once you have confirmed your date and venue, start researching suppliers to make up your supplier team. Begin with researching photographers, florists and caterers (if your venue doesn’t provide), as these are your core suppliers.
Social media is a great tool for following and engaging with your favourites; read reviews and ask for referrals from friends and family. Your venue might have a recommended supplier list which is always a great place to start.
CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PARTY
Decide on who you want to stand with you by your side on your wedding day, and ask them to be in your wedding party.
CHOOSE & SEND YOUR INVITATIONS
Choose your wedding invitation design, and send out invitations to your guests. Ensure to include a RSVP date so guests know when they need to come back to you.
If you have lots of guests who live abroad/outside the area, and who will be travelling to the wedding, sending Save The Dates is a good idea also.
START SHOPPING
Start shopping for your wedding outfits, as well as accessories such as jewellery, shoes and wedding rings. Book in for dress fittings and suit alterations too.
FINALISE THE DETAILS
In the weeks leading up to the wedding, finalise all your plans and details and share them with your venue and supplier team. Create a wedding day timeline and share it with your wedding party and family.
Your wedding is about the two of you, and the beginning of your lives together; it’s a special day to celebrate your love for each other and your relationship. Make sure planning your wedding doesn’t take over your life, or your relationship – having a Wedding Planner on board to support you both is really worth their weight in gold.
More information about the different wedding planning services I offer can be found on my website www.georginaalexanderweddings.co.uk.
