Planning A Wedding: The First Steps

AD. Planning a wedding is likely to be one of the biggest things that you will do and that you will get involved with. There is so much excitement though, so it isn’t something to be scared of. One of the key things to think about when planning your wedding is making sure that you get the help that you need.

It can be hard to relinquish any kind of control when it comes to organising your wedding. However, it is really important to make sure that you get as much help as you need. You might find it easier to be specific with your help, such as stating what help is needed exactly, rather than leave things open-ended. You could get a guide for the mother of the bride for your mum, so you’re on the same page and can manage expectations, as well as potential relationships with in-laws. 

_{[Photo by Eliza Szablinska on Unsplash]}

First Steps For Planning A Wedding

When it comes to planning your wedding, here are some of the initial steps to get you started. Once you’ve got everyone on board and you all know what is expected.

1. Set The Date

There is a very important choice to make as you start planning a wedding, and that is when the date will be. You might want to think about any days that won’t work for you, such as other important family events, as well as birthdays, or dates that you just dislike or find unlucky. Of course, there will be some elements that will determine the date, such as the venue being booked up already. But having a rough idea of when you want the date to be can make a big difference in your planning.

• Do you have a particular season in mind, or are you open to any time of year?
• Are there family members or close friends whose availability you need to consider?
• Would you prefer a weekday or weekend wedding?
• Are you hoping for an outdoor ceremony that might be affected by weather?
• Does the time of year impact your budget, such as peak vs off-peak pricing?
• Are there any sentimental dates that would make the day feel even more meaningful?

2. Set The Tone

When you start planning a wedding you need to think about what kind of wedding you want to have. Do you want a very traditional wedding or perhaps more of a casual and modern day? Have you ever considered having a themed wedding? Will you want to have a secular wedding ceremony or how about a religious ceremony? With your partner, discuss your options as you may be both opinionated on the subject, or may not be very particular about what you want. 

• Do you picture something formal and elegant, or relaxed and intimate?
• Will your venue choice influence the style of your wedding?
• Are there cultural or family traditions you’d like to include?
• How important is music, décor, and entertainment to the overall feel?
• Do you want your guests to dress up, or keep things more casual?
• Is there a shared vision between you and your partner, or do compromises need to be made?

3. Set The Budget

You won’t get far with your wedding planning if you don’t know what kind of budget you are looking at. That is why quite early on, you need to think about your finances and what kind of budget there is for the wedding. It might feel awkward, but you could also speak to parents to find out if they were planning on contributing to the wedding or if there was something specific that they wanted to pay for. It's really not worth getting into debt for, so think carefully about what you want to do and what you want your wedding to look like, along with your realistic finances, and then you can go from there. 

• What is the maximum amount you’re both comfortable spending?
• Are there any non-negotiables you’re happy to allocate more budget to?
• Which areas could you cut back on if needed?
• Are you planning to DIY any elements to save money?
• Have you factored in hidden costs such as alterations, tips, or last-minute extras?
• Would a longer engagement allow you to save more comfortably?

4. Consider Your Priorities

If you've not planned a wedding before, it can be so easy to get carried away with all the bells and whistles (so to speak). Once you've set your budget it's handy do divide costs up. Sit down and have a think about the wedding elements that are important to you both. And what you'd prioritise spending your hard earned money on. One tip I'd give as a 2018 bride is that once everything is said and done, all you have to look back on your special day is photos and videos. Finding a local wedding photographer, someone who you gel with, and who's style you like is crucial for capturing those sacred memories. If you’re getting married in a scenic location such as the hunter valley, investing in experienced wedding photography hunter valley services can help ensure the natural beauty and atmosphere of the day are reflected beautifully in your images.

• What are the top three most important elements of the day for each of you?
• Are you more focused on the guest experience or the overall aesthetic?
• Would you rather invest in fewer high-quality suppliers than lots of extras?
• How important are memories and keepsakes, such as photography and videography?
• Are there traditions you’d be happy to skip if they don’t feel “you”?
• Will your choices still feel right when you look back in five or ten years?