So you said ‘yes’- congratulations! If you’ve just been engaged and are soaring in a bubble of love and well wishes, welcome to a stage in your life that you’ll cherish forever. Between the excitement and anticipation there can be some trepidation, as you wonder where to start and how to make your Pinterest vision board a reality – if that’s the case, you’re not alone.
If you’ve just gotten engaged and are in need of a little holding hands as you begin your wedding planning journey, look no further. With advice from professional wedding planners, florists and party experts, make this your one stop stop for everything that starts with saying ‘I do’!
First, it’s important to remember to enjoy This stage – there are so many exciting aspects of a wedding to prepare and get ready! This is yours special day and no one else’s own, so give your opinion with a pinch of salt and keep in mind what you’re aiming for. Deep breath!
Now down to business.
Wedding type and budget
“First you need to decide what type of wedding you want, such as a church, registry or a celebrant wedding,” says Kate Beavis, Founder of Contemporary Wedding Blog. as this will define your venue,” says Kate Beavis, Founder of Contemporary Wedding Blog Magpie’s Wedding and The ECO Wedding Shows.
“Location is the biggest part of your budget (about 48% including food) and needs to be booked in advance. You and your spouse should also consider how you will plan – what is the budget and who will do what in the process, make sure you plan as a team.
“Before the pandemic, the average wedding cost was more than 30,000, but because of Covid’s success, it is predicted that the average for 2022 will be much lower. This is partly because many people’s budgets are tight, but there are also many people who choose to have smaller weddings or choose less “things” for the day. Food and place is the biggest part accounting for about 48%. Then the next biggest spend is on your photography and outfits (about 8% each). You can actually get married for £35 each if you choose to have your wedding at the registry office and nothing else!
Location
The venue is a big one, so what do you need to know before deciding on your choice?
- What days are there?
- What do you get for your budget – some have their own caterers, some don’t.
- Can you include your own providers as some prefer to use theirs?
- How many guests can it serve?
- How to access it in case any of your guests need better accessibility?
- Also, don’t forget to try the food!
Speaking of budgets, when is the most expensive time to tie the knot? “Traditionally, summer is considered high season and therefore more expensive but this is really a thing of the past,” Kate said. “What you need to consider is the weather (do you want a greater risk of snow, heatwaves, etc) and what to expect during the season, especially if you want to choose local vendors to generate. a more sustainable day. For example, peonies bloom in late spring, so if your heart is on them, keep this in mind by the Blair Waldorf of the world! Christmas, New Year’s Eve and bank holidays aren’t necessarily more lucrative but more sought-after, so book fast if winter Haven located on your vision board.
Photography
One thing you won’t regret splurging on? Photography!
“It’s easy for your friends to do it, but the photos will stay with you forever. Pick a photographer you know and create images you love rather than just picking the cheapest one. Also think about hair and makeup – you might think you can do it yourself but you want to look great all day, in all light, so I recommend using a professional,” says Kate.
The flowers
Next, flowers. UK Bride It is estimated that you should allocate about 15% of your total spending to sustainable wedding florists and florists Imogen Stucks here to explain why…
“Wedding flowers are often created entirely to the individual requirements of the couple, you don’t just buy a pre-prepared bouquet from the store and as a result, it takes a lot of time to design, organize consultations, visit website, create proposals, source flowers, organize logistics for the day. As well as the time and creative expertise required, weddings require a lot of actual flowers to create the designs. Even the bridal bouquet has loads of different flowers to make them as varied and beautiful as possible, once you start the installation as an arch can use over 300 flower spikes.
“Weddings often last a whole weekend, even weeks with the preparation (and the month before that is the design and organization), as well as going back and doing it all the next day and thus the cost Waste of time for all of that must also be considered. I would say most florists have a minimum spend of £500 on a weekend wedding, as it takes a lot of time to create something truly personal. This will get you a bridal bouquet, a few bridesmaids bouquets, a few buttons, some minimalist table decorations for the reception venue. I recommend saving a minimum of £1000-2000 if you are also looking for installations like flowerpots, flower clouds or arches.
“Ideally having a venue arranged is great if you want a lot of reception flowers, as then your florist can design/quote the flowers according to the venue’s requirements. The main thing I would suggest is to contact your florist as soon as possible once they have booked! Having a Pinterest board or something similar is a lifesaver for florists to get an accurate idea of what you’re after. Also, make sure you check out their website/Instagram so you know their style and make sure it matches what you want before you contact them. Florists don’t tend to deviate from their style, so don’t head to a sustainable wild garden style florist if you want a bouquet of blue-dyed roses and orchids!
Time
Finally, and most importantly at the beginning of your planning process. Regarding the schedule, give yourself a realistic time frame, such as Fizzbox– Brighton-based online marketplace for group experiences from bottomless brunch to Cabaret- perfect for lovers and readers! There will be a lot of weddings planned for next year, so don’t rush ahead and add unnecessary stress if you don’t need to. You should start planning about 18 months in advance if you want to have a big wedding, especially when wedding venues are booked two years in advance and wedding dress may take 6-8 months to make! Smaller and simpler days can be rolled back a lot quicker, but to avoid disappointment, it’s best to spend less time.
Fast ring of fire!
Rituals when the bride buys bridesmaid dresses?
There are no rules, it’s your wedding! Many couples ask their bridesmaids to buy a dress for them but this is really up to you. What’s more important is talking to them to see what they’d like to wear, what they’ll wear again (more eco!) and what’s right for their shape.
…. and others!
Plus – again this depends on the couple and the budget. You may feel that a certain guest you really want to be there will only come if they can bring someone along and so choose to let them go. As long as you have a budget.
How do you trim the guest list if needed?
Start with you HAVE come and work from there. Can reduce plus and children if needed
Planning tips!
Many couples these days don’t have a top table or a seating plan. My advice is if people don’t move on, let people sit where they want. Think about who knows each other and who will continue – and bring couples together. I hate having to break up with my husband and leave with people I don’t know!
Children or no children? What should be considered…
Totally up to you! If you have kids there, think of ways to entertain them as it can get boring for them. What about hiring someone to take care of them or creating an area for the kids with activities for them to have fun? Remember that many parents will enjoy a free kids day and it can be more comfortable for them!
What is the typical running order of the day?
Ceremony, then drinking wine. Photo then food, then photo, then party! There are really no rules for this – do what you want!
After the pandemic, is it still covered by wedding insurance?
Yes and you should! You won’t get one that covers Covid but you still need insurance in case any of the vendors go out of business or let you down.
How to avoid burnout when planning?
Work together – you are a team! Delegate everything to close the family. Remember that you are getting married and this is important – so focus on the two of you. Plan your day and take a break from planning.
Can family help with expenses?
This completely depends on your family and well-being. Some parents still pay for the wedding, but many can’t afford it so don’t expect.
Are wedding hashtags still a thing?
They’re a great way to search for photos on Instagram after the event – so it is! But many couples are trying to hold a wedding without a charger without a phone, making # weddings a thing of the past!
And enjoy! “It’s important to make sure you immerse yourself in every moment of your big day,” says the Fizzbox team. “Make sure you are surrounded by all your favorite people, especially during the preparation time for the ceremony. They’ll be your last-minute nerve relaxers, handing you a glass of something crunchy and bubbly and ironing out any last-minute wrinkles (be it in your outfit or just for fun). metaphor!)
“Don’t be afraid to give everyone a to-do for the day to minimize your stress as much as possible – that’s what your bridesmaids and groomsmen are there for! As we mentioned earlier, the two most important people in the day are you and your partner. Everyone else will want to help you both have the best and smoothest running day possible.
“Finally – take a breather! You are there at last. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of choosing flowers and dresses, deciding on the menu choice and the song you should dance to first, it can be easy to lose sight of the whole reason why people get together. today: to celebrate love and precious.”
