You've said yes! Now the real fun begins. This is the start of one of the most exciting times of your life and right now you're probably wondering how to start making your wedding Pinterest board a reality. With lots to consider and some important choices to make, we'll help you tackle the four top decisions that will set the style and tone of your special day.
1) Define your wedding style
Gone are the days of simply choosing the colour of your bridesmaids' dresses and matching them to your groomsmen's ties. Your wedding style oozes across every aspect of your day – from invitations, photographer and place settings to one of the biggest decisions; your venue.
Romantic, bohemian, whimsical, modern? Your wedding day should be an expression of your personalities and who you are as a couple. Your wedding style will set the tone for your day and influence your vendor choices.
Not sure of your style? There are many online quizzes to define your vision. But don't forget, your wedding day is all about you and your partner so who says you can't have celestial with a touch of rustic?
2) Set your budget
We're sorry to bring you back down to earth from your cloud of engagement bliss, but one of the most important decisions to make (and to make early on) is your budget.
As well as your overall budget, it's a good idea to set mini-budgets for different aspects of your day - for example flowers, food, entertainment - to make sure you don't overspend on one thing at the expense of another. Budgeting can help you prioritise the aspects that are most important to you.
Most often, costs are spread across the months leading up to your big day which gives you time to save up. Consider this when deciding on your date – the closer the date, the less time to save.
Now, let's get back onto that cloud.
3) Determine your non-negotiables
When you start your venue and vendor hunting, it's likely you'll be overwhelmed by the choice that is out there. To narrow down the options, it helps to define your non-negotiables.
Perhaps you have a sentimental date that you want to get married on; large families that you need your venue to accommodate; a bridal suite for getting ready the morning of; or even wanting views of the sea.
Use these as a checklist when doing your research and making your decisions.
4) Find your perfect venue
Just like when finding your partner, you want to find your perfect match in a venue. Does it suit your wedding style? Does it fit within your budget? Does it meet all your non-negotiables? If the answer is yes to all of these then get in touch to arrange a visit.
When visiting, ask lots of questions and get a real feel for what your day would be like if the venue hosted your big day. Where would your ceremony take place? Is there a separate suite for your wedding breakfast? Where are the best spots to capture your photos? Do they have an extended license so you can party into the early hours?
This is also a chance to get to know the wedding team better. Planning your wedding can take months and even years so having a dedicated wedding planner that you trust and understands your vision is one of our non-negotiables. An excellent planner will be on top of the latest trends and save you hours of time, stress and Pinterest browsing – ensuring you can enjoy your day knowing everything is taken care of.
Once you've decided on your venue, booked your date and paid your deposit, the wedding world is your oyster! We recommend turning your focus next to the bigger items that tend to get booked up quickly - your photographer, videographer and band/DJ; all of which your venue can offer expert guidance on.