What to consider before diving into planning process
If you are recently engaged, congratulations!!
Before you start any actual planning and organising logistics, I would firstly recommend to celebrate, and, secondly, take time to discuss the wedding you would both like to have.
Here’s a list of things to consider:
Season and Date
Do you have a priority for a season? Or is there a date that’s important and significant, like an anniversary or first date? Or, frankly, just convenient if you lead busy lives?
You might be able to get a better deal from your venue and vendors if you’re considering to get married off-season.
Does it have to be a weekend wedding, are you open to a weekday wedding? Maybe you have your mind set on a bank holiday weekend for extended celebrations?
A midweek wedding might get you a better deal and more availability.
Location
Are you open to a venue located anywhere or are you tied to a particular location?
Is there a location that’s significant to you? Would you like to get married locally or maybe go abroad and bring everyone to a whole new destination? The more open you are, the most choices there will be. Consider what logistics will be involved and if this might create obstacles to some of your key guests being able to attend.
Style
What’s your style?
Relaxed, elegant black tie, traditional or eclectic, this is your party and you should do whatever you love and feel comfortable with and ditch anything that feels too much, too little or gives you anxiety. There is no particular template or just one thing that works, the trick is to figure out what works for you and how you want yourself and your guests to feel on the day.
Size
How big would you like your wedding to be?
Small weddings have been on the raise even before all the restrictions hit, and if that’s your vibe, go for it! If you’d like to throw a party for everyone you like or ever have liked, that’s perfect, too! It will depend on your personalities, the size of your families and friends circle.
Planning timeline
How soon would you like to get married?
The longer you take to enjoy your engagement, the more you can save up for it, the more options you will have in choosing a date you like in a venue you love, with suppliers you like most.
But maybe you want to just go for it and celebrate, and move on with the next big life decisions without having on for too long. Absolutely perfect, go for it, it’s totally doable! 3 months is a minimum you need to apply for your Marriage License.
6. Priorities
What are things that truly matter to you and what are you happy to leave out?
Being able to invite absolutely everyone, food, music, flowers, entertainment, venue, dress, location, speeches, first dance, cake, etc etc - think what are the things that are the most important and what doesn’t matter as much or at all? Pick your non-negotiables, and think about elements you’d be happy to go without if you had to compromise.
It’s important to day-dream a little and consider all that matters to YOU. This will give you so much more clarity once you start diving into the planning process.