20 Steps to Planning the Perfect Wedding

Its the start of summer and the perfect time for weddings and engagements so take a look at this guest post to help you plan your perfect wedding!

You’re engaged! That’s fantastic. But what do you do now? Making plans for your wedding can be stressful so we have put together some steps to make life a little easier.

1. Budget

Now you know that you are getting married the best thing to do is think about a budget. How much do you realistically have to spend? Think about all the details; venue, band, dress, rings, honeymoon, decorations, invitations…and set a realistic cost for each so you know how far your money can go.

2. Venue

Once you have made those decisions it will make it easier to choose certain aspects of your day. For example, at least 12 months in advance you should be considering your venue. If you are going for somewhere extremely popular you may even have to book 2 or 3 years in advance. Have a date in mind when you book or at least a time of year so you are prepared for what is available.

3. Theme

Once you have chosen a venue and a date you should consider a theme; colours, winter wonderland, summer festival. Your options are only as limited as your imagination.

4. Guest List

Then comes the difficult part. The dreaded guest list. Start this early on in your planning because it is very much dependent on venue and budget. If your venue can only hold 50 for the ceremony, but can hold 250 for a reception that might give you a lot to consider.

5. Dress

Now you’ve got the date and venue booked and you know who you want to invite it’s time to get that all important dress. I’m sure you have an idea of exactly what you want in mind but remember it is fun to try on a variety of dresses and you might find something totally different from your original idea that you completely fall in love with.

Honeymooning

6. Honeymoon Ideas

Although you may think you don’t have to worry about booking your honeymoon too far in advance, it is always good to shop around for good holiday deals in plenty of time. Especially when you have a budget to consider. Sometimes holiday companies have great deals in the autumn and winter for the following summer. Take advantage of this.

7. Rings

It may not take some jewellers that long to produce the exact rings that you are looking for, but think about the fact that some are custom made and some, when they come back are not quite the right fit. Sending them back if they are not the right size takes time you may not have considered.

8. Caterer

If you are lucky enough to have caterers at your venue, brilliant. But you will still need to discuss a menu with them before your invites go out. If not then you will have to find one within budget, who can work on your date and who will cater (pun!) to your needs.

9. Wedding Stationery

It’s invitation time. You’ve picked a theme, you’ve got your guest list and you’ve chosen your dress, now it’s time to get those invitations out. Whether you are making them yourselves or are having them made for you, consider the time it may take to make them and also again take into account any errors that might occur in production.

10. Music and Entertainment

Important to think about, entertaining your guests. You may decide you want a magician, a photo booth, DJ, Band or just an iPod in a dock. Whichever you choose, some entertainment companies get booked up months and even years in advance, so get in there early to avoid disappointment. If you are providing the music yourself you could consider taking suggestions from your guests on RSVP slips on your invitations, that way everyone who is coming gets a song just for them. If not take a look at this article about planning your music for some great ideas.

11. Wedding Photographer

Always best to go with a professional, that way you get a great variety of shots from a person who doesn’t have a familial attachment to your day. With a professional you get the shots that no one would think to take and someone, family or friend, doesn’t feel like they missed out on the partying because they were so busy taking loads of pictures.

12. The Cake

Unless you have a family member or friend who is great with confectionary, get your cake professionally made. That way you get to experience a lot of cake tasting days, yummy and a beautiful cake to share with your guests.

13. Flowers

Of course you don’t have to have flowers at all, but if you are, believe it or not, you have to procure a florist a few months before the wedding. They need to be able to order the flowers and have the time to put them altogether into the bouquet you want. You may also look to the florist to provide button holes, bridal party bouquets and table decorations.

14. Book Officiant

Did you know you have to register your marriage with an officiant well in advance? You can’t just decide to get engaged one day and marry the next. Both parties need to meet with the officiant before the wedding and it’s usually best to book as early as you can within a 12 month period.

15. The Wedding Gift List

Although it’s nice to get surprise gifts from guests, creating a gift registry means that you will definitely get at least some of the things you want or need, plus you are less likely to get three of the same things!

16. Hair and Make-Up

If you are getting your hair and make-up done by a professional on your special day, don’t forget to book in some practice sessions so you know and they know exactly what you’re looking for. Also, get them booked well in advance to make sure they are available on the wedding day.

17. The Stag / Hen Do

Got big plans? Going away for a long weekend with your friends? Let them know as soon as you can, people have to save up for these things. And you may want to think about booking it early too so that you can find a date that suits everyone.

18. Schedule Your Day

Discuss how you want the day to do with your Officiant, Venue, Photographer and Entertainment. You need to consider how long the wedding ceremony will last, how long you will have to take photographs, when the wedding breakfast will take place and then when the evening entertainment will begin. Clarify these details more than one on the build-up just to make sure everyone is certain what is happening when. On the day it’s best to make sure the wedding party (best man, maid of honour) knows what’s supposed to happen, so you don’t have to worry about it yourself.

19. Table Plans

As the wedding day draws near you should have all your RSVP’s back from your guests. With these to hand you can start setting out your table plans. Although it is nice to think that people can sit where they like, on the day you don’t want the chaos of trying to fit fourteen people at one table, with only five at another. Plus you can do some really cool things with seating charts.

20. Favours/Table Decorations

Last, but certainly not least start getting your favours and table decorations ready about a week or two before the wedding. It’s these little touches that can make all the difference.

There are of course many other aspects you will no doubt consider leading up to your wedding, but we hope that these steps will give you an idea what to aim for so that you don’t forget something important. Just remember you can never be too prepared.