You've just got engaged! WOOHOO!
You're still at the ‘taking selfies with your ring’ stage and suddenly everyone wants to know when the wedding is, where it's happening and what colour your bridesmaids are wearing.
You've been engaged for about five minutes and you’re feeling overwhelmed already.
So, where do you actually start?
First things first, work out your budget.
I know, not the most exciting part. But before you fall in love with a venue that costs half your budget before you've even fed anyone, you need a rough idea of what you're working with.
You don't need every penny allocated just yet. You just need a realistic starting point.
Next, think about the kind of wedding you want.
Are you picturing a summer garden party, a candlelit room full of flowers, a big stately home wedding or something abroad with your favourite people?
You don't need to know your exact colour scheme or have every detail figured out. Just start thinking about the overall feel. It'll help you when it comes to choosing your venue.
Then comes the venue hunt.
Decide whether you're getting married in the UK or abroad, and roughly when you'd like to get married. Then start looking at venues that fit your budget, guest numbers and the kind of day you're imagining.
Instagram is great for seeing what a venue can look like on a wedding day, but look beyond the styled shoots. Check out real weddings, visit the venue more than once, read reviews and find out what's actually included in the price. Things like catering, accommodation and exclusive use can make a big difference. If you’re looking for exclusive use or accommodation on site, narrow those venues down before you commit to visiting them.
Once you've booked your venue and date, take a breath. You've made one of the biggest decisions, and you don't need to plan the entire wedding by next week.
Now, book the suppliers that matter most to you.
If you've followed a photographer for three years and already know you want them, get in touch early. The same goes for your wedding stylist, florist, videographer or any supplier who will be there with you on the day.
Some suppliers book up well in advance, especially for popular summer dates, but don't panic that everyone will be booked if you don't get in there first. There will be options. And please, don't book someone just because you're worried about missing out. Choose people who get your vision, do a great job and you can actually imagine being part of your wedding day.
Think about your priorities early on. If you're dreaming of a venue that tells your love story, with candles everywhere, beautiful florals and dramatic draping, a wedding stylist should probably be pretty high up your list.
And if you've got 600 Pinterest screenshots saved but no idea how to make them all work together in your venue, take a look at our styling portfolio. You might find exactly what you've been trying to picture, and we can help you bring it all together.
Everything else follows around 1 year to 6 months before.
Dresses, suits, cake, hair and makeup, stationery, music, transport, rings, entertainment, shoes, alterations, table plans. There is a lot, but you don't need to tackle it all at once.
Some things need booking early. Others can wait. Keep a list and work through it in a sensible order!
And remember, your ideas will probably change. You might start off wanting an all-white wedding and end up obsessed with burgundy flowers six months later. That's fine. You're allowed to change your mind.
Feeling overwhelmed at this stage is completely normal. Most of my couples feel like this before we sit down and start working through their vision together. But once we've talked through their ideas and I’ve taken the design off their hands, they feel so much calmer and excited about how their day is going to look.
So, for now, put the spreadsheet away for an evening. You're getting married, and that’s SO exciting!!!
If you would like to receive our full free checklist with a list of jobs to tackle and in the right order, email us here ❤️