First of all, congratulations on your engagement! Whether it happened next to the Christmas tree, or with fireworks lighting up the New Year sky, this is a very exciting time for you both! But now that the dust has settled a bit, are you wondering what happens next? How do you even begin to plan a wedding?! Don’t worry – we’ve been working in the wedding industry for years and have some tips to help you get started. Here’s our step-by-step guide to help you plan your dream day without too much overwhelm.
1. Celebrate Your Engagement
Firstly, take a moment to enjoy your engagement! Throw a party, share the news with friends and family, or take the time to revel in the excitement of this new chapter. Don’t rush through it to the next thing!
2. Set a Budget
Your budget will shape many aspects of your wedding, so it’s crucial to determine it early. Sit down together and have an honest discussion about how much you can realistically afford, and what parts of your wedding are the most important to you, so you know where to allocate your available funds. Remember that you may have friends and family who can help you to save some money if they have some great talents. Do you have an aunt who bakes cakes and would love to be asked to be involved? Or maybe a cousin who is very crafty and wants to help you to make your stationery?
3. Create a Guest List
Start a rough guest list to get an idea of how many people you’d like to invite. Your guest count will impact your choice of venue and budget, so it’s helpful to have an estimate early on. It can be useful to create two lists: one for “definites” and one for “maybes.”
4. Choose a Date
Think about when you’d like to get married. Do you love the idea of a summer wedding, or would you prefer or a cosy winter celebration? It’s best for you to be flexible on a specific date, especially if you have your heart set on a particular venue, or you want to make sure that we are available for your photography and videography!
5. Book Your Venue
For most couples, The venue sets the tone for your wedding day, so this is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Whether you choose a rustic barn, a manor house, or a destination wedding abroad, book your venue as soon as possible to secure your preferred date.
6. Hire Your Important Vendors
Now that your venue and date are decided, it’s time to secure your important wedding suppliers. Photographers and videographers, in particular, tend to book up quickly, especially for peak dates in the summer months. If you’re looking for a Hull-based photographer who travels across the UK and abroad, now’s the time to reach out for availability and discuss your vision.
Others to contact as soon as possible include:
Caterers
Florists
Entertainment (band, DJ, magician etc.)
- Insurance! No-one wants to think about things going wrong, but just in case, insurance is a must have in the unlikely event of disaster!
7. Say Yes to the Dress (and Suits!)
Start shopping for your wedding outfits early, especially if you are having your clothes made or want to allow lots of time for alterations. If you are having a big wedding party, you’ll need to think about bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls and page boys too!
8. Plan Your Ceremony
Whether you’re opting for a religious service, a civil ceremony, or something else, it’s time to think about what you want to include in the service. Choose a celebrant – they will set the tone for the service and it’s important that you get along. They will help you to choose any readings and select your music. They will also guide you in the legal bits – a marriage license, having your bans read if you are having a church wedding, and anything else you may need.
9. Send Out Invitations
Once the major details are set, it’s time to send out your wedding invitations. Aim to send them 6-8 months before the wedding date (or earlier for destination weddings) so guests have plenty of time to RSVP and make travel plans.
You can go with traditional invites through the post, or an e-invite. There are plenty of websites that you can use to co-ordinate your guest list that are easy and fun to use!
10. Focus on the Details
With the biggest decisions made, you can now plan the details that make your day unique. How about:
- Décor and styling
- The menu
- Wedding favors and gifts
- Your wedding cake
- A timeline for the day
- Personal touches to make your wedding truly yours
11. Plan Your Honeymoon
Don’t forget to plan your post-wedding getaway! Whether you’re looking forward to a relaxing holiday on a tropical beach, or an adventure in a city, make sure you’ve booked your honeymoon and any travel arrangements.
12. Enjoy Your Wedding Day!
After months of planning, it’s finally time to enjoy your day together. Take a deep breath, soak in every moment, and trust that all your hard work has paid off.
Most importantly, remember that it’s okay if not everything goes perfectly — the day is about celebrating your love, and the details really don’t matter!
This is your day, so relax and enjoy the beginning of your lives together.
