Choose your Wedding Style and Set the Date
If you don’t already know wedding planning is the process by which you plan your wedding! Simple, huh? However, many brides fail to realize just how much is involved in planning the biggest event of their lives. As a friend of mine recently commented on Facebook – ‘I never realized there was so much involved in planning a wedding!’ A sentiment shared by many brides-to-be across the country and probably across the world.
Planning a wedding can be intensive, extensive and exhaustive, but if you are organized, focused on what you want and armed with the best sources of information available (such as our articles base!) you can make your wedding planning a whole lot easier.
Here is our 3 part guide to wedding planning to help you get started, with checklists and a budget planner also available. So arm yourself with a notebook, a pen, a calculator, a calendar and a stiff drink!
Decide on your Wedding Style
By this we mean do you want a religious or civil ceremony? Do you want a formal, traditional wedding or something more casual and laidback?
Set the Date
Strange as it may sound but you cannot achieve anything without knowing the date of your wedding. Nothing can be booked or reserved without it. On average couples will spend around 18 months planning their wedding although some will do it in 12 and others in less time. The amount of time you take to plan your wedding will depend on how big a wedding you want and what style of wedding you want. Small intimate weddings by their nature will take less time to plan than a big formal wedding with all the bells and whistles!
Check out your calendar, if you think your wedding planning will take 12 months or more then you are likely to need one for the following year. If you don’t have one handy then go online and find one. Next you will need to think about what season you would like to have your wedding in. Summer months are the most popular but if you think your budget will be tight you might want to consider having your wedding in late spring or early autumn when prices may be cheaper.
Take out any dates that you know will not be suitable such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduation etc. You wouldn’t want your wedding to crowd someone else’s special day. Find out if there are any special events happening during your preferred dates and any public holidays as you could find accommodation and potential venues fully booked during these dates.
Finally, if you know your budget will be tight, then consider having your wedding midweek when prices will be cheaper. Saturday’s are the most popular day for weddings and vendors will have higher prices as a result, no matter whether it is in the high season (May to October) or not. When you think you have a firm date in mind run it past your parents and anyone else who is important to you to make sure that they are available then and that it doesn’t conflict with anything else.
As you haven’t chosen a venue yet it is a good idea to give yourselves two or three date choices in case your first choice is not available. Remember the earlier you start looking for your wedding venue(s) the better the chance of getting your preferred wedding date.
Weddimg Style
