Just engaged? Where to start when planning your wedding…
Firstly, congratulations! Getting engaged is fabulously exciting, and no doubt you’re feeling over the moon about spending the rest of your days with the love of you life. The prospect of marriage and all that it will bring should be full of joy, and foremost on your mind may be that you now have a wedding to plan! For some of you this will be something you have dreamed of for half your life, for others the idea of throwing a big party and being the centre of attention may be a little daunting. But please don’t worry ~ here at The Ridgeway Barns we have a fabulous team of event managers who have helped pull together this guide, the first in a series to support you through your wedding planning journey.
Celebrate your engagement first…
Before you dive into the deep end of wedding planning, take a moment to revel in the excitement of this special time ~ both as a couple and with your loved ones. Whether it’s an intimate dinner with close family or an engagement party with all your friends, it’s important to enjoy the moment before things get busy.
Work out your budget…
Once you’re ready to start planning, one of the first things you need to do is work out your budget, or at least what funds you have available. Think about how much you can realistically afford to spend and where that money will come from. Sit down with your partner, and maybe any family members who might be contributing. More on budgeting later, but as a rough rule of thumb, you’ll spend about a third of your budget on venue, a third on catering, and have a third left for everything else.
Draft your guest list…
Another early job is to work out is roughly who you want to invite to your wedding, as this could have a significant impact on your choice of venue, possibly your date, and how much your wedding might cost. Consider who are your must-haves like close family, the people who you want to include in your whole day, and maybe those who will just come to the evening. Don’t worry ~ you don’t have to start inviting everyone yet, but it will give you a good idea of numbers. Keep an eye out for our guestlist advice blog, coming soon!
Identify some possible dates…
You may already have an idea of when you want to marry ~ perhaps it’s around a holiday, an anniversary, or during your favourite season. You may be set on a weekend date or be flexible on the day of the week. You don’t necessarily need to set a date just yet, and the more flexible you can be then the greater the choice you will have when it comes to choosing a venue and other suppliers. However, it’s helpful to have an idea! Be aware that Saturdays in the summer months are generally the most popular dates and do tend to book up a year or two in advance, as well as being a little pricier than midweek or winter weddings.
Choosing the style or vibe of your wedding…
If you have a creative streak, then this is probably the most fun part of planning your wedding! These days there are so many options for your wedding venue and style ~ you may already have your heart set on a grand wedding in a castle, a formal affair in a hotel, or a laid-back country barn wedding, but if not then have a think and chat with your partner about what feels right to you. Getting an idea of what you both want will help you narrow down the types of venue, caterer and other suppliers you shortlist.
Finding your venue…
Probably the biggest decision you will make in your wedding planning journey is selecting your venue. Your choice of venue will help set the vibe for your entire day and is likely to be a significant investment. It may also impact on other decisions such as your date and choice of suppliers so getting this right is important. You can find venues on bridal directories like Bridebook, Coco Weddings and hitched, in magazines, or with a good old Google search. Take your time, check out venues online, and try to see 3 or 4 in person.
Start booking suppliers…
Once you’ve secured your venue, you will want to start booking other suppliers. Your church/registrar/celebrant and caterer are probably the next most important two, but also think about your photographer, florist and band or DJ. We’ll cover these in more detail in our next few blogs…
Finally…
Wedding planning may be daunting, but it can be so much FUN! Try to take time to enjoy the process together, whether it’s brainstorming your vibe, tasting cakes or picking out flowers. Remember, the most important thing is not the perfect day, but celebrating your love with those who matter most to you.
Special thanks to @jodiehurdphotography and @kianaandsimonphoto for these images.