So, you’re engaged…. What now?
Many couples find wedding planning stressful and chaotic, but I am here to tell you it doesn’t have to be! Your wedding planning can be a magical experience if you do it right. There is no right or wrong way, really, but you want it to be as stress free and enjoyable as possible.
You are recently engaged, and you are wondering where to start with your wedding plans. There are many blogs and articles all over the internet and in bridal magazines that give you heaps of conflicting tips and advice on where exactly to start planning. I have browsed many of them and come up with a list of things that should definitely come first on your planning list.
- Sit down with your partner and discuss what type of wedding you both want. Just because you are getting married doesn’t mean that your ideas will all be the same. Make a list of what is most important to you both – the venue, transport, flowers etc.
- Talk budget. Before making any sort of plans, discuss your budget. Most couples pay for their wedding themselves nowadays and it can be a costly adventure. Around half of couples ask for financial help from parents to cover some of their costs.
Your budget + any parental contributions = TOTAL BUDGET
Do not include any credit card limits. You definitely do not want to start married life in debt. Almost all couples go over their budget too by at least 10% – 20% because of unexpected costs, such as postage for invitations, dress alterations and taxes (destination weddings), so be aware that you may need to have a buffer amount ready for those unexpected costs.
- Find a wedding planning site. Trust me, this will be your best friend in organisation. There are many free sites out there that you can join and keep all your wedding details in one place. When I got married (several years ago now!) There were only a few available to choose from but through my hours of research I have come up with a shortlist. Top of my list is Bridebook.co.uk. They have everything you need, from keeping track of your guest list to amazing listings of suppliers around the UK. My favourite part of their site is that you can input your total budget and it will calculate the amount you should be spending on each supplier! I love this feature and think it would have been amazing to have when I got married. Weddingwire.co.uk is another great site to use. In addition to the usual planning tools, they allow you to create your own wedding website that you can share with your guests. You can also create a table plan on this site, which is definitely a handy tool in my book! My final recommendation for wedding planning sites is Hitched.co.uk which have all of the above but also have mood boards for your ideas and even show special offers for venues. The amazing thing about all of these sites is that they have apps too, so you can keep track of everything on the go.
- Make a checklist if you choose not to use a wedding site. You will need some way of keeping track of what you need to do and when. Having a handy checklist either in your phone or your handy daily planner will help you keep your plans together and up-to-date. For myself, being a lover of stationary, decided to do both. But you do what you feel is better and easier for you to keep track.
- Choose your date and book your venue. After deciding where you want to get married, book your chosen date. Once you have done that, you will officially be on countdown for your big day! Congratulations, you have started your preparation for your wedding. Next step: Know the legal side of getting married.
Have any questions and/or additional information? Feel free to get in touch.
#weddingplanning #startplanning
