1. Start wedding planning early
You may have Summer of 2022 in mind as the ideal time to get married, but don’t think for one moment that its Ok you have two years to plan, WRONG, the earlier you start the better and less stressful it will be. Having a clear mapped out plan from the start will make the whole process easier and help ensure you don’t miss something.
2. Sort your budget.
Try to book anything until you have 100% sorted your budget. It’s very easy to get carried away with booking everything and loosing complete track of what you are spending and then finding out you have missed all the little things. Like dress alterations and Bridal party gifts its surprising how these add up.
3. Getting help.
It may be your big day, something you have planned for ages and you want it to go smoothly. Your family and friends will want to help out, not only on the day but in the planning as well. Some of them may have already been down this path, and although it is your day, any help and advice may prove invaluable.
4. Sorting your Guest list
Sorting this early will be top priority as once you have a rough idea on the amount of people you can start looking at venues that can accommodate the amount of people you are looking at. Of course you may have to trim the amount several times as cost per head will vary dramatically which will not play good on your budget. You may have to be harsh at times when removing names from the list but it has to be done and should be for you and your H2B alone to decide, don’t be persuaded by others. They are not paying.
5. Suitable venues
There may be none you like where you live. You may live miles from where you were born. It is of course your choice but be aware of the distance your venue is from the location where most of your guest list live. Booking a venue the other side of the county or country will limit your guests attending due to travel.
6. Plan B
You have planned for this day for so long. It’s not something you want to think about BUT things may and do sometimes go wrong. There could be an issue with a caterer or it may rain at an impromptu moment. Having a backup plan for certain scenario’s will help with the stress levels on the day. Looking at this year alone with the COVID pandemic and the thousands of weddings having to be postponed last minute. Wedding Insurance should be a priority and please check what you are covered for under your policy.
7. Photographer
A subject close to my heart. Long after you day has ended and the guests have gone home and the cake has been eaten. Your photos are all you have left, your wedding album will be the most important thing for your memories. So don’t underestimate the importance of having a good photographer. You should research carefully and get the best photographer you can afford. You need to get on with him/her like a friend as you will spend a considerable amount of your day with them. Many offer an Engagement shoot. Take this opportunity to get to know them and to work on your poses and smile.
8. Picking your Bridal Party
Your Bridesmaids, Best man and Ushers should be your support bubble not only on the day but through the panning process as well. Someone you met recently down the pub or cousins you seldom see are a no no. Brothers, Sisters and long time best friends are ideal. They need to know you, your good and bad points and how you react in times of good and bad to help you through it all.
9. Good Food
One of the biggest talking points of the wedding, is the food. Whether it’s a full sit down 3 course, a buffet, a hog roast or even fish & chips your guests will remember the menu. Avoid skimping in this area hungry guests are not a good thing and they will remember.
10. Feel great, but not over the top.
The main culprits are too much fake tan and heavy make-up. Yes you will need to wear slightly heavier than normal to make your features stand out in the photos but remember he is marrying you not a china doll. So don’t go crazy.
11. Give your man his own responsibilities
Your groom may not have been planning his ideal wedding since he could walk but it is his day as well, so give him the chance to be involved. Some things he has to sort himself like picking his Best man and his suits but also let him get involved with other things such as menu, music budget and styling.
12. Little things count
Its your day and all about the two of you, so everything you plan for your day should be part of you..your personalities, your traits, your ‘you’ things
13. Lists, spreadsheets and budget planners
With hundreds of things to do, suppliers to sort, payments to make, guests to sort it is not possible to keep track of everything by yourself and your brain will explode if you try to. Sit down with your H2B draw up a spreadsheet of what you need and what you budget for each is against what they actually cost, what’s left to pay and when to pay it.
14. Remember…
Wedding planning is stressful if you feel like everything is not going as you planned. Take a step back from it all, breath, chill and relax and remember your wedding is all about, marrying your true love.
IF YOUR STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER POP OVER AND SEE WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY