You’re engaged! Woohoo, congratulations!
If you’re anything like me, it’s been approximately 3 days and you’ve already told your new fiancé when you plan to get married, who your bridesmaids are and have already booked a venue viewing.
But let’s be real, it can be SO MUCH FUN planning a wedding but it can also be super overwhelming. There are so many options for literally EVERYTHING and you want to make sure you get it right.
I feel you. That’s why I’ve put together a checklist of everything you need to consider. If you’re a list lady like me, print this off and tick them off as you go, otherwise keep this on your desktop and edit as you go.
Top tip: Book the people you need with you on the day first. This includes photographer, videographer, stylist, florist, registrar etc. Vendors can be booked up 2-3 years before depending on their demand so to save yourself the stress, get them booked in early. It’s worth pointing out that you don’t need to make a final decision to book your suppliers, we understand that you may change your mind within a 2-year window and that’s absolutely fine.
Ok, here we go!
1-2 years prior to wedding:
1. Start getting excited! Create a Pinterest board, pin literally everything you like to it. Start to get an idea of colours, styles, flowers. If you want to be super organised, you can create separate boards for each category. E.g. Dress, Cake, Styling, Flowers, Bridesmaid gifts. You get the idea! Think about what you want from your wedding, Do you want an intimate wedding or a big wedding? What are your priorities? Does one of you desperately want to marry in a barn? A stately home? Church? Do you want a singer? Do you want to marry abroad? Try to make sure you agree on the majority of these things.
2. Set a budget. A rough idea. You might stick to it, you might not, but you’re not likely to go way over if you had an idea in mind. FYI, the average wedding is costing around £20k but that isn’t including a honeymoon or hen/stag parties. I think it’s best to decide, do you want to spend more on your venue and have less money to spend on everything else or do you want to spend less on your venue and have more disposable money for the other things you need? This will be easier to decide when you have completed step 3.
3. Start the venue search and book one.
4. Send your save the dates. If you want to save costs, send an online one!
Now for the suppliers you need to consider booking.
– Wedding planner, you may not need one. If you’re planning a wedding abroad you most probably do. If you’re planning a huge wedding and you need someone to take the load, it would also be a good idea.
– Registrar/Celebrant
– Photographer/Videographer
– Stylist (hello, it’s me)
– Florist
– Caterers
– Cake designer
– Make up artist
– Hair stylist
– Entertainment: DJ, band, singer, magician, singing waiters
– Stationery designer
– Transport
– Photobooth
– Any other extras that you might want especially on your day. E.g. Sweet cart, Champagne wall etc.
1 year – 6 months before:
Now, the next bits are in no particular order. You can do these as you please.
1. Think about the wedding party. Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Maid of honour, Best men, Flower girls etc. Consider how you’re going to ask them. Are you keeping it simple or are you purchasing a gift for them?
2. Write a guest list
3. Get wedding insurance, you never know if COVID is going to make a return
4. Buy your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses and veil
5. Buy all suits and accessories
6. Purchase rings
7. Send your wedding invitations
6 months before:
1. Purchase wedding gifts. Are you buying for each other? For your wedding party? Will the bridal party be in matching pyjamas?
2. Create a table plan
3. Consider the order of the day and check in with the venue to confirm
4. Check in with all suppliers. If you have changed your mind on anything, let them know. If you have any questions, ask them!
5. If there’s anything you are arranging yourself such as flip flops, sparklers etc., make sure you’ve ordered them all
6. Purchase shoes and any final accessories such as cuff links or jewellery
7. Begin writing speeches/toast and write vows
8. Book your honeymoon
9. Enjoy your hen party/stag party
10. Arrange final dress and suit fittings
So, there you have it. Was this helpful? I hope so!
I will have a free downloadable checklist coming in my next blog post so make sure to check back in.
As always, if you require any styling for your wedding or other events you can contact me on [email protected]. If you are getting married this year, pop over to https://twinkleeventscompany.co.uk/weddings/ to find out how I can help you!
Rebecca xo