Setting the Stage for Your Dream Wedding

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and to make it truly special, you need to plan meticulously. To help you navigate this exciting journey, I’ve compiled a list of 21 essential considerations for brides as they prepare for their big day.

1. Budget:

(With weddings of an average 12-24 months before the set date).

Determine your budget early on, as it sets the foundation for all your planning. Allocate funds to different aspects of your wedding, such as the venue, catering, vendors, attire, and decor. Consider creating a spreadsheet to track expenses and stay within your budget. It’s worth doing using services like Bridebook or Hitched to help with seeing each service you require, and their average costs.

2. Wedding Date & REGISTRARs:

(18-24 months before) Selecting the perfect date is crucial. Consider factors like the weather, availability of your preferred venue, and the convenience of your guests. Be flexible, as some venues may have limited availability during peak wedding seasons. You can always find amazing deals, and even ask vendors if they do out-of-season discounts (If you don’t ask, you don’t get).

If you have done your research on vendors you may love, it’s crucial you contact them as early as possible to get your date reserved, and consider this section may be expensive as you’ll need to complete wedding contracts and pay deposits. However, getting professionals booked in early is essential to having a more relaxed, enjoyable experience throughout your planning process.

Be sure to contact your Local Registry Office Prior to confirming the time of your ceremony. Your Venue can be MORE flexible with your ceremony time than Registrars can be, and they’re usually booked years in advance.

Example: Confirm two available dates with your preferred wedding venue, then contact the local registration services with the dates you prefer, and see what times they have, confirm them then go back to your venue with this information.

3. Guest List:

(12-18 months before) Create a preliminary guest list that includes family and friends you want to share your special day with. This will help you estimate your guest count, will help with your budget when catering is concerned, which is essential for choosing the right venue.

We would recommend being strict at the beginning process, and don’t share your guest list with family at this time. Your wedding is YOUR WEDDING, you should not feel pressured to invite family friends if they’re not friends of your, or members of social groups if they’re not actually friends.
This sounds harsh, but having the people you love share your wedding and ceremony is what matters, you can consider always inviting people later on to your wedding reception.

Additionally, People cost money, and for example, the average wedding guest costs you £100 per head. 100 Guests x £100 per head = £10,000. (Often costing more than the wedding venue hire).

4. Venue: (18-24 months before)

Choose a ceremony and reception venue that aligns with your wedding theme and can accommodate your guest count. Ensure you book well in advance to secure your desired location, as popular venues can get booked quickly.

5. Wedding Planner:

(12-18 months before) Decide whether you want to hire a wedding planner. A professional can alleviate stress and ensure your vision becomes a reality. They should be involved in every aspect of your planning.
A Wedding Planner is not your wedding coordinator. A Wedding planner books, sorts and plans all of your suppliers, and takes a massive weight off of your shoulders when it comes down to your vision, your budget, and coordinating your day according to your timeline preferences.

A wedding coordinator does infact help with many of these aspects, but with wedding coordinators having hundreds of guests to work with, it’s sometimes a great idea to invest in a designated wedding planner.

6. Theme and Style:

(12-18 months before) Define the theme and style you want for your wedding. This will influence everything from decorations and attire to the overall atmosphere. Share your vision with your vendors to ensure they understand and can execute it.

Creating a Pinterest Board for your inspiration is a great start to finding the vibe you love!

7. Wedding Party:

(12 months before) Select your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other attendants who will stand by your side on your special day. Their support is invaluable, and they may need time to plan and budget for their roles. You will also have to consider your parties personal lives, work schedules and family commitments. Your Wedding Party also tend to plan your Hen & Stag Do’s, so plan wisely!

8. Wedding Attire:

(10-12 months before) Find the perfect wedding dress, accessories, and attire for your wedding party. Start shopping early to allow time for alterations, and consider ordering bridesmaids' dresses at this time as well.
We recommend The Groom & Groomsmen to shop 8-9 months prior, if you’re hiring you can find the perfect suits to match the theme of the wedding, if purchasing, you have a little more flexibility but would recommend the same time lines as this is typically a joke that’s left until a month prior, to save the brides mental health, get it done early!

9. Vendors:

(12-18 months before or earlier) Research and hire vendors such as photographers, Videographers, caterers, and florists, make up artists, hair stylists and more. Choose professionals whose work aligns with your vision, and be sure to sign contracts to secure their services.

10. Invitations:

(6-12 months before) Design and send out save-the-date cards and wedding invitations. This is your opportunity to set the tone for your wedding and provide essential information to your guests. Request RSVPs to finalise your guest list.

For an additional classy touch, we would recommend having a LOGO designed for your wedding, This can simply be your initials, but attaching this to all your invited, save the dates, and wedding signage can add so much class to your wedding.
We would even recommend using FIVERR for a quick turnaround.
https://www.fiverr.com/pe/0kPKDA

11. Wedding Photographer & Videography Services:

(18-24 months before) Choose your wedding photographer carefully, as their work will capture the memories of your special day. Research photographers whose style aligns with your vision, check their availability and book their services early. The same goes with Videography, you can either have a Hollywood styled video, or a company specialising more on capturing documentary moments. Discuss your photography & video preferences and create a shot list to ensure all important moments are captured.

Save 10% your Photography Quoting Blog10 - www.photographerliamgillan.com/contact

Executing the Perfect Wedding

12. Catering:

(18 months before) Plan your menu and catering arrangements, taking into account any dietary restrictions or special requests from your guests. Conduct tastings and make final selections. We would recommend talking with your venue at the time of booking to see what caters they use, whether in house or external, they may help with menus, tastings and pricing.

13. Music and Entertainment:

(9-12 months before) Book your preferred entertainment, whether it's a DJ, band, or other performers who will keep your guests dancing all night. Discuss playlists and special requests.

14. Transportation:

(6 months before) Arrange transportation for you and your guests, ensuring everyone arrives at the right place and on time. Book transportation services and communicate the schedule to your guests. It’s very helpful if your venue is slightly remote, to gather a list of nearby Hotels and/or taxi services that your guests can easily contact.

15. Accommodation:

(9 months before) List with our previous mark, Reserve lodging for out-of-town guests or providing them with options that suit various budgets. If your venue has accommodation, negotiate room blocks with hotels for better rates and group accommodations. There is no pressure for you to have to provide these financially, you can ask what guests you invite who would like to stay at the venue and provide these costs.

16. Wedding Registry:

(6-12 months before) Create a wedding registry with items that reflect your needs and tastes. A fantastic way of doing this is creating a Free Website with everything you desire, Share this with your guests to guide their gift choices. Update your registry as needed.

Website examples such as: Prezola, The Wedding Shop, Patchword, The Wedding Present Company, and John Lewis.

Additionally, Amazon have fantastic features that are FREE if you’re an amazon prime user, feel free to click the link below for more details.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/wedding?tag=liamgillan-21

Final Preparations for the Big Day

17. Marriage License:

(1-3 months before) Obtain the necessary marriage license well before your wedding date, ensuring that all legal requirements are met. Check the expiration date of the license to ensure it's valid on your wedding day.

18. Timeline:

(3-6 months before) Create a detailed wedding day timeline and schedule, so everyone involved knows when and where they need to be. Share this schedule with your vendors and wedding party. Feel free to ask your wedding vendors for their recommendations as professionals, they’ll be able to give you advise on how much time should be allocated to each section.

19. Hair and Makeup:

(3-9 months before) Schedule hair and makeup trials and appointments for yourself and your bridal party to look your best on the big day. Finalise the look you want to achieve.

20. Rehearsal Dinner:

(1-2 weeks before) Plan a rehearsal dinner for the night before the wedding. It's a chance for everyone to relax, practice any ceremony elements, and get to know each other better.

21. Emergency Kit:

(1-2week before) Assemble an emergency kit with essentials like safety pins, makeup, snacks, mints, plasters, and any last-minute necessities that could come in handy on your wedding day. Appoint a trusted person to carry the kit or have these available in the toilets for your guests to enjoy.

With these 21 considerations and timelines in mind, you can confidently embark on your wedding planning journey, ensuring that your special day reflects your vision and creates lasting memories. Happy planning!

Please feel free to leave a comment if this list is helpful, and if you have any personal recommendations for yourself!