The question has been popped. And, now those heady days of revelling in your newly engaged status have passed, a long road of wedding planning lies ahead. But where do you start? Let us give you a few pointers.
MONEY MATTERS
Settling on a budget will determine the outcome of all the key decisions. "It might be difficult to do but it makes a difference when choosing between a reception at a castle or a village hall," comments planner Sarah Vaux (sarahvaux.co.uk). "It will also affect the number of people you can invite, so it's best to know where you stand from the start." Once you've nailed down the budget, it's time to prioritise. "Ask yourself: what are the must-haves? What can I do without?" advises planner Tracy Edwards of Blue Fizz Events (bluefizzevents.co.uk). Decide which aspects are most important to you - whether it's a designer gown, top-notch photographer or live band - and allocate your budget accordingly.
HOT DATE
Once you've decided how you're going to foot the bill, it's time to consider the question of when. Decide on a rough date or month and prepare to be flexible. "The date won't be set in stone until you've confirmed a venue and/or church, but set yourselves a month or season in which you'd like to get married," advises planner Ali Berry. "This will help when checking the availability of suppliers and deciding on the overall style of your wedding."
BE OUR GUEST!
Now comes the guest list - traditionally the most hotly debated issue of the planning process. "Sit down and write a list of everybody you would like to invite. Having an idea of numbers will help when searching for a venue," advises Sarah. The guest list has a direct impact on every budgetary decision, from the cost of food and drink to the size of your venue. Do you want a huge party for everyone you know? Or do you prefer the idea of an intimate celebration? When you've decided on numbers, draw up a database of names, addresses and contact details, which you can refer to when sending out save the dates, invitations and thank you cards, as well as recording the RSVP responses.
WISH LIST
Now comes the fun bit! Immerse yourself in wedding inspiration from magazines, blogs, fairs and the addictive realms of Pinterest. The amount of choice can be bewildering, so pore over the options and consider ideas that complement your personalities and style. Use the inspiration to build a clear idea of the theme, colour scheme or general vibe of the wedding. "Visualising your day and collecting images really helps you focus on the day as a whole and helps you make decisions ahead of booking suppliers," comments Tracy.
WEDMIN SURVIVAL
Throwing the biggest party of your life can be a daunting task. An organised approach is key for minimising stress levels. "File all your emails, invoices and quotes in one place," suggests Ali. Utilise the wedding planning tools now at your disposal; use phone and web wedding planning apps for storing ideas and build inspiration boards on Pinterest.
AND BREATHE...
Relax. Remember to enjoy being engaged. This is a precious chapter in your life story to be savoured. Go on regular dates where wedding talk is banned and retain a sense of perspective on what this whole wedding lark is really about.
PLANNING POINTERS
Breeze your way to the aisle with these can't-miss tips...
DREAM TEAM
"The success of a wedding relies on good suppliers. If you find a supplier difficult to get hold of or disorganised, trust your instinct and don't book them. You need to rely on them to deliver on the services requested," says Ali.
SAVVY SPENDING
"Before paying deposits and booking suppliers, make sure that you understand their terms and conditions. Most deposits are non-refundable so don't part with your hard-earned cash before you are comfortable with the contract," advises Ali.
INSURANCE ESSENTIALS
"Always take out wedding insurance," advises Elle Winsor-Grime of Inspire Hire (inspire-hire.co.uk). "For a relatively small cost, it will insure you against any problems that may arise."
INVITE IN HASTE, REPENT AT LEISURE
"Avoid telling people that they can expect an invitation to your wedding too soon; you might feel compelled to invite more guests than you can afford or cause disappointment," advises Ali.
FINANCE FRICTION
"Avoid asking for money and putting pressure on family members to finance a lavish wedding if you can't afford it on your own. This may stir conflict and resentment," says Ali.
INSPIRATION SATURATION
"There's a lot of ideas out there, but avoid becoming so enthralled by everyone else's weddings that you lose sight of a wedding which reflects your own personality and style," advises Ali.
BE WEATHER-WISE
"Always have a wet-weather contingency plan. Organising a plan B and hiring umbrellas will ease stress levels," says Sarah.
words Rebecca Matthews
Copyright Wed magazine 2014
