With the average wedding costing around £24,737 this year, according to data from CompareWeddingInsurance.org.uk, it is one of the biggest events of our lives, so effective planning is key
Where to begin
With the best venues getting booked up well over a year in advance, starting early is key. Determining your budget before almost anything else will help you achieve your dream wedding. It will determine which venue you can afford, how many guests you can invite and how much you need to arrange yourself or with help from your close family.
Wedding planning professionals
If you have very little free time, the wedding is large and complex AND you have the available cash, hiring a professional wedding planner might be the way forward for you. They have stablished relationships with venues, and suppliers. Their engagement can take a lot of stress out of the wedding organising process, giving you more time to enjoy the whole experience.
Over 12 months in advance
Once you have determined your budget and have reserved your venue well in advance, other wedding professionals such as photographers, cake makers, florists, and entertainers should be booked. Again, if these are popular and in high demand, early booking is vital.
12 to 6 months before
Wedding outfits can be chosen now, and hair and makeup professionals should be contacted and booked. You might consider setting up a wedding website and getting in touch with guests with ‘save the date’ messages, or possibly even sending invitations. If people are informed well in advance, they can make any arrangements required to be part of your big day. You can also liaise with your venue on menus and details for the day.
6 – 1 month before
As the big day draws closer there are the legal requirements of a wedding to be sorted and these must be done three months before a marriage. It is important at this point to be in regular contact with your venue to discuss and arrange seating plans and finalise the ceremony.
The final month will require all final payments to be made, final fittings to be attended and any loose ends tied up. With thorough planning your wedding should be a day to remember for the rest of your lives, and for all the right reasons!
