Planning For Your Big Day

When two people decide to spend the rest of their lives together, tradition may dictate that one of them pops the question to the other as the start of the process. This is, of course, a time for great celebration for all involved, but it also heralds a lot of work ahead, in order to plan the wedding properly. If you are just setting out on this journey you may be scratching your head as you think about all the elements involved, but it pays to have a plan. This will help you to take everything in your stride so that you don’t miss anything out.

Making a List — and Checking It Twice!

To begin with, you should have a heart-to-heart discussion with your better half so that you are both on the same page and understand what your ideal wedding should look like. You may need to go through a number of different iterations before you arrive at a consensus, but once you have done that, itemise all the major points on a clean sheet of paper.

Budgeting

Next, draw up a budget plan and don’t worry if some of this is guesswork at this stage, as it represents a starting point.

Attendees

Before you think about venues, draw up a list of potential guests. This may need some detailed work, but it is crucial as everything else will flow from this number. While you’re doing this, highlight VIP guests and those who absolutely have to be at your ceremony, as this will help you with your next task, which is to pick date options. Only now will you be able to brainstorm venues for the ceremony and reception, as you will have the all-important criteria to give to the venue owner.

Venues

Once you have received details from each venue together with a proposal, you should visit each property before you make your choice. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you like to the wedding services manager as remember, the venue will be a critical part of your wedding day success.

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Deep Breath!

Now you will need to look into service suppliers and there are many.

Photographer

While you will be able to carry away many fantastic memories from the day, these will naturally fade with time and you should have a photographic record of every moment. Choose the best photographer you can find and ask to see some of their portfolio, just to make sure.

Floral

Once you have decided on any theme for the day, this will help you to narrow down your colour scheme and decorations. You will then be able to reach out to a florist so that you can choose the right flowers for static displays and bouquets.

Invitations

Make sure that you continue your theme all the way through. For example, you will need to get some invitations printed up so that people can RSVP and these need to be high quality and well-designed, so that they provide an exciting insight into the big day ahead.

Decor

You will also need to choose tablecloths, chair coverings, centre displays, decorated archways and other elements, to add the icing to the cake.

Wedding Cake

Talking of cakes, this can be quite an elaborate production in itself. Remember, it does need to be front and centre and has to be a work of art in its own right.

Entertainment

Soon, it will be time for everybody to let their hair down and you will want to book your evening entertainment well in advance to make sure they are available. You may choose to get a small musical group like a string quartet for the more formal parts of the affair, or the latest hip DJ for later on.

Hair and Make-Up

You will want to look your best on the day and you should talk to hair and make-up artists who can help you to do so.

Wedding Dress

Talking about appearance, now is the time to start looking into the wedding dress. You can buy one of these off-the-shelf in many high street locations, but it’s a good idea to get one tailor-made so that you have your own stylist on hand to help with any last-minute arrangements as well.

Little Elves

This is not something that you can do by yourselves and you should enlist the help of as many talented friends and family as you can find. You want to enjoy the actual day itself without worrying about logistics and all the minor details, so you should outsource this well in advance.

Don’t forget to ask some of the other support actors in this production. Choose and invite your bridesmaids and groomsmen to make sure that they have nothing else in their diary and can attend.

Celebrants

This is also the time to reserve some of the key individuals who will make your wedding a legal affair. You have to give plenty of notice to a registrar or to whoever is going to be your religious celebrant. This is a good time to decide what format your ceremony is going to take and whether you need to choose specific readings, prayers or music.

Accommodation

You may need to reserve accommodation for important guests and those who will be travelling from afar. If you’re holding your reception in a winery, hotel or resort, then you may be able to strike a deal with the property or affiliated accommodation to get a good rate. However, don’t forget to reserve well in advance and not leave this as an afterthought.

Transport

You’ll also need to reserve your transportation and may need to consider several vehicles. You’d like something elaborate to move you and the whole wedding party from your home to the church and onto the reception. You may also need a minibus of some kind for other guests, who might not have their own travel arrangements.

Honeymoon

While you are focusing so much on the day itself, remember what happens immediately after. You need to book your flights and accommodation if you’re travelling to a far-flung, exotic locale in order to enjoy the perfect honeymoon.

Over to You

As you can see, there is a lot involved, but don’t be overwhelmed and remember that it is all part of the fun. To help you get your inspiration, you may find it advantageous to go along to a wedding expo, as you may be able to tick off many of these boxes by talking to suppliers at that event.