- The first thing to do is set a budget.
Your perfect day will not necessarily be dictated by
your spending parameters. However, as you start
planning, you may discover expenses that you had not
considered. Create a spreadsheet of all your 'items'
and their estimated costs - this will help you to
create a more realistic budget.
- Look at the season. The time of
year can inspire many ideas for your wedding, from
what you wear to your table decorations. Your wedding
month will also offer a variety of seasonal flowers,
which can inspire your colour scheme.
- Be realistic with your expectations.
If you are set on an outdoor ceremony, choose a
reliable month for fine weather but have a wet weather
contingency plan.
- Decide on a theme. Flowers,
stationery, table linen and even the wedding cake can
all be designed to complement one another and
co-ordinate your wedding look. Take inspiration from
your venue's décor, your favourite flowers or the
colours you would like your wedding party to wear.
- Decide who will do the organising.
This can be a crucial and political decision! In the
event of a possible permanent family rift, a wedding
co-ordinator is an essential option!
- Do your research. Prices and
quality of service can vary hugely and the selection
can be overwhelming. Go on referrals or friends'
experiences - these provide the safest choices.
- Think about the pace of the day.
Although you would like it to last as long as
possible, this does not work in practice. A successful
wedding is one that flows and where your guests never
get bored, hungry or thirsty.
- Consider different venues. If
your chosen reception venue is a long drive through
narrow country lanes, your guests may struggle to find
it and arrive late. Review reception venues within a
sensible proximity to the ceremony location before you
confirm your booking.
- Give yourself time. A wedding
takes time to organise, a dress can take up to nine
months to be made, venues often have to be booked a
year in advance and invitations should ideally go out
six to eight weeks prior to the big day.
- Enjoy yourself. It's important
that you relish the preparation of this big day, as
well as the end result