You’re engaged! Congratulations! You wedding planning beings today! Like it or not, people will ask when you have set the big day for and who will be your bridesmaid, who’s invited. It’s inevitable, so we have devised a list for you so you can be prepared for these questions and stop you from having the early stages of Bridezillaritis!
Weddings on Female First
Now some super organised brides can knock up a wedding in only a matter of months or dare I say it; weeks. If you are anything like me you will need at least year and half to get your head around things and have enough time to save up for your big day. So I am basing it on the generous 18 month time frame I was granted.
Eighteen months before
The Wedding Book
Buy a wedding folder and separate it into your main sections: venue, florist, photographer, guest list, cake, rings, registrar, etc. As the documents come in you can file them away safely and keep everything in one place. I also wrote on the dividers for quick reference when the deposit was paid and if they were booked!
Talk budgets
If you are paying for it all yourself or getting some help like we have from both sets of parents, work out how much it will cost and split it between the relevant people. We overestimated ours and it came to a massive £25,000, which was ridiculous, so we then looked at ways to cost cut.
Choose your wedding party
If you want bridesmaids, best men ushers and or flowers girls then you need to get them on board quickly. I you are anything like my partner you will find ways to ask inventively (like at the top of the Oblivion ride at Alton Towers) and of course they couldn’t say no!
The Guest List
I am not going to lie, if the bride and groom don’t take charge of this it can get way out of hand. It’s your wedding, so have who you want there and don’t be forced in inviting anyone you don’t know/ see that often. If you are having a reception and then an evening do, give each of you an equal amount of people to ask so it’s fair.
Wedding Venues
Start and pay a visit to your potential venues- don’t rely on pictures on websites. The one I had my heart set on from the website was nothing like we wanted in the flesh. The one we came to pick looked extraordinary when we visited, but in the pictures looked very much like any other venue on their website.
Registrar
You need this booked before you put your deposit down on your venue so make sure that is top on the list of your priorities- you can’t do it without them!
Catering
If you are fortunate as we are to be getting married in a hotel- you don’t need to worry too much about outside catering- only numbers near the time. If not then you need to decide if it’s a finger buffet or a hog roast for your evening guests.
The Wedding Photographer
The photographer is one of the most important people on your big day; they are responsible for capturing the biggest day of your life. Visit their shop or website and look at their work first before committing. They are flexible about how you want your album to look at the end, but the pictures, once they are taken- are forever.
Florist
Pick flowers to compliment your colour scheme and visit the florist before ordering. We knew which flowers we wanted but not a great deal about how we wanted them to be arranged on the tables and end pieces. Get their advice on what looks best- they will have done dozens of wedding before and know what they are talking about!
Music
Decide if you want a DJ, a quartet, or a band, or more than one. The music sets the tone for the day. Do you want classy, fun, or a touch of personality? All of these factors are important. I would say, if a DJ comes recommended and you get a good vibe form them- book them asap- they are hard to come by nearer the date!
Engagement Party
Gather all of the family and friends to meet each other, show off your ring, talk weddings freely! Your friends will probably lose interest after a few times of you talking about it so let the conversation flow before you become like a broken record! If everyone gets to know each other before the big day it makes it easier on them down the line and a much more relaxed atmosphere for you on the day!
Pay us a visit tomorrow and read what you should be doing nine months before your wedding!