Firstly congratulations!! What an exciting time for you. But now you’re engaged, the fun starts. How to start wedding planning is probably all that’s on your mind right now. Although knowing where to start is often a confusing time.
You feel there is so much to be done, but not many of us have planned a wedding before so it can feel a little overwhelming. I am no expert, but my wedding was planned and ready to go for December 2020. You can take a guess what happened though right? Yep, We had to postpone our wedding.
This mean’s I am sitting here, In January with a new date for December and my wedding is all planned. It’s a great feeling, but I’ll be honest, the edge has been taking off a little. So I’m throwing myself in creating wedding related blog posts. This is in a bid to help others but also get super excited for my own wedding.
So you’re engaged?
Firstly enjoy every moment of it. I know for a lot of people, an engagement party is the first step. As it stands right now though, not many of us are throwing parties (rightly so)
Maybe instead of seeing this as a negative, do a quick estimation of how much this might cost you. Realistically, even if you threw a small party at home, you’re looking at a few hundred pounds. This would be much more if you hired a venue.
This money could be put towards the wedding. It would be a great stepping stone towards the wedding of your dreams.
This doesn’t mean don’t celebrate, of course you deserve to celebrate. Low-key is something we are all getting used to. Why not pick a date and make time together, a proper date day/night/weekend! It is, after all, all about you and your love.
Now to start wedding planning
Set a budget
This might not seem like the most obvious thing to do first, but deciding on a realistic budget straight away, means the rest will follow.
A budget is a very personal thing, only you together can figure this out. I have seen many people do it for a few grand with ease. Others may choose to spend much much more. It’s important to say that either end of the scale is fine. What is important is that it is manageable for you and your situation.
Picking a time of year
Rather than going for the obvious date, instead decide on a season. By choosing a season over a date, you’ll be able to plan the wedding with that in mind.
For us, we had to pick a school holiday. I can’t get time off any other time of the year. This did reduce our options, but allowed us to work across all seasons. It will help then deciding on what your wedding may look like.
Decide on the type of wedding you want
With your budget and time of year selected, you can now focus on the sort of wedding you want.
Small and intimate or maybe a huge wedding is more your thing. Outdoor, abroad or all in one location. Because you’ve got a budget in mind, you will know which of these is more feasible for you. In with this, you can think about a theme for your wedding depending on the time of year. You might even decide that a theme of any kind is not what you want, you’re more happy going with the flow.
Pick a venue
This is a big decision to make, and probably the most costly. If you’ve done all of the above though, you’ll have a much better idea what you are looking for.
Make sure to arrange visits to potential venue choices. Even during Covid, a lot of places are able to offer tours in some capacity. I will say that I have seen many in my time and when you know its right for you, you just know.
Where will the official service be held?
This one is for those choosing to get married in another venue. For example we knew a Church wedding was important to us. For others, a registry office, outdoor service or a hotel that offers it all is more suitable.
It’s important to consider this as with some venues, the wedding is part of the package.
Pin down a date
Once you’ve chosen a venue, now is the time to pick a date. Of course some people will have had a date in mind when they visit venues.
We found it best to be open minded about the exact date. Some venues run great offers on less popular days or are willing to negotiate. We actually came up with several dates before approaching the venue for availability.
I didn’t want to be disappointed if ‘my date’ wasn’t available. My advice would be to come up with a few potential dates that work for you before sitting down with your venue to formalise the date.
Remember if you are having a service and reception in separate places, you will need to factor in both venues availability.
Save the Date!
Depending on how long it is until your wedding, now could be the time to send save the dates to guests.
Most people, if they choose to send them, do so about a year before. We did ours 18 months before because we’d picked Christmas time. We all know how busy that time of year is, but given it was a Wednesday as well, we felt the more notice people had the better.
It is worth factoring that in when you plan your date, the more notice people have the better.
We chose to create our save the dates on Vistaprint. They were inexpensive and easy to personalise. Of course, you could create them yourself if you have the skills. As we postponed, This time I will send save the dates electronically instead.
How to start planning your wedding
To save this from being the longest blog post on record, I am going to break this series down. It is an overwhelming time and I certainly don’t want to over face anyone.
For those newly engaged, this is certainly plenty to keep you going for now anyway. Why not come back next month and find out what’s next on the Wedding planning to do list!
Have you recently got engaged and have no idea how to start wedding planning? Or are you already married, what was the most important part of the planning process for you?
I’m so sorry to hear that you have had to postpone your wedding. Its great that you are able to share some of the tips you have picked up along the way though. I feel like so many people got engaged over Christmas and New Year, so there will be a lot of people who will benefit from reading this post.
There was a crazy amount across all social media, probably the most I’ve ever seen. I think thats a lovely way to end a year that was really make or break for a lot of couples x
I have been married forever but I still love wedding posts. I also love to help my clients to pick their wedding guest outfits and I have even helped a few brides who didn’t want a traditional wedding gown. In 2020 few were my wedding styling gigs but I did a few online shopping clients for smaller weddings. Hope yours will be amazing Claire xx
Thank you so much. I can imagine selecting wedding wear in any format is a lot of fun and really satisfying x
Planning a wedding is hard work, and this post really will help anyone planning a wedding. Just remember you can’t please everyone and it is your day
Really great points there. I think i will include those in a later post because I know so many people feel pressure to do things a certain way, invite certain people etc x
Really great post here! I can imagine planning a wedding is really hard work but also fun too. This post will be so helpful to newly engaged couples xx
It is so much fun, although would be a lot more fun if Covid went away.. quickly please covid!
I’m so sorry to read that you’ve had to postpone your wedding, that really is awful!
These are some fab tips and all sound super helpful x
Thank you Kayleigh, It has been a really difficult time and not looking much more hopeful for this year either x x
Claire, I WISH I was engaged xD Hopefully soon… although I do feel so much for everyone who’s had to postpone weddings this last year. What a complete downer and it’s not like a wedding is easy to plan in the first place. I can’t wait to plan a wedding. You know me and my organization!
You will literally love every minute!! Do you want me to start sending some hints to the man for you? We can be planning buddies if he gets his arse in gear!
I am now in a bit of a head-spin about this year as well. Just hearing more and more that things will be implemented to prevent this happening next winter so I can’t see us having 120 guests at our wedding!
We got married in November during lockdown. It was a very simple wedding with 5 witnesses at out town hall
I think that is the way we will go if this year looks like a non starter tbh x
Some great advice for those who are about to start planning their wedding Claire! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you Lucy x
Great information. We remember planning our wedding. If you are stuck on a venue, then you kind of have to make the date and budget work sometimes.
Yes its all about being adaptable and keeping an open mind I think x
This information is amazing, I wish I knew lots of these things when I was planning my wedding, as I felt so stressed planning my wedding!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Thank you Amie x x
I feel like wedding planning is the best bit! Wish I’d done more of that bit.
I always like the build up to things, I am the same with Christmas. I much prefer the build up to Christmas day than the day itself x
Wedding planning was so stressful for me! Honestly I am glad to be done with that phase and be old and married now lol
Thankfully the only stress we have had has been the actual covid situation. We were so on it with the planning. But I suspect the closer we get the more stressful it would have become x
We’ve been married for almost 35 years now. When we were planning our two most important things were budget and if my family could be there.
The budget really does effect the whole thing. Family not being able to attend was the big reason we postponed x
Great tips! I really loved planning our wedding. I hope that things get back to normal soon so you can really enjoy your day.
Thank you so much Ali. I really hope we can make it happen this year x
Great post, I loved that bit just after I got engaged where I could get organised. I really hope my wedding can go ahead this year!
Rosie
Me too Rosie. Whats your date? I have to say I am already worried x
This is a great list.
Having been married (and divorced) I know exactly how much that pops up when planning a wedding, so starting in good time is key.
it also gives you time for discussing little things like colors of the napkins, because small stuff might turn out to blow up if all involved are feeling stressed.
Oh it really can feel overwhelming, especially all the small bits. My partner doesn’t see the need for them but I argue that he would notice them if they were not there x
I’m sorry you have had to postpone your wedding. I remember the excitement of planning my own wedding. Great advice.
Thank you. It has been a tricky time for all couples planning their weddings x
Great ideas here. We got married as close as we could to the date we got engaged a year later, but I do wish we waited two years now, to save more money up and have a bigger wedding.
I never wanted to get married but once I was engaged I knew that I wanted a big wedding. We both have such large families and thankfully the same friendship group near enough so small just wouldn’t work for us x
This is one of the best posts I have seen. Thanks for sharing this much detail, sorry to hear that you have postponed your wedding.
Thank you so much, that really means a lot x x
We got engaged last January and although we started saving a little money with COVID it left us unable to view venues and look into it further. So I need to do some research and planning over the next few months to work out exactly what we actually want to do x
It is definitely a hard time to plan a wedding right now. In fact so much so I wasn’t even sure if I should have shared this post. But hopefully it is helpful to those who are planning for the next few years x
I’m sorry to hear that your wedding had to be postponed. I really feel for everyone who is in the same boat.
I got married over 11 years ago, but I can still remember so much about the day itself and all the planning. Setting a budget is definitely one of the first things a couple should do. It’s so easy to get carried away! Going in with a realistic budget will stop you falling in love with something that is beyond your means. I remember seeing a beautiful wedding dress in a magazine and ringing the shop to ask the price. Turns out it was ridiculously expensive, so well out my price range! That saved me going, trying it on, loving it and then not being able to afford it x
Thank you Jaclyn. It is definitely a heartbreaking time for couples.
Yes I know exactly what you mean, a budget will keep you on the right path from the very beginning x
Hope you can have your wedding soon and don’t have to postpone it again. These are good tips for those planning a wedding.
Thank you. It is looking less and less likely for this year already but I am trying to remain positive x
Post saved for later! I am so excited to get married…just need the engagement first! I didn’t realise how much planning went into the wedding, but thank you for the helpful tips!
Em x
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that you had to postpone your wedding plans. It is nice to see that you are looking on the brighter side of things and just using the additional year to plan the perfect wedding. All the best! 🙂
I remember reading your post on postponing your wedding for last year, it was so heartbreaking! But I’m happy to hear you have a date for this year and the planning out of the way, that’s lovely! Great post too, love the tips 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
This is such a fab post, Claire! Again, I’m so sorry you’ve had to postpone your wedding but these tips are going to be so helpful for lots of people. When we got married we couldn’t face all the hassle so we eloped and got married in Key West, Florida. Then had a dinner party for 40 in our favourite restaurant on our return – maybe if I’d had a list like this we might not have gone the easy route! x
Sorry to hear you have had to postpone your wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic, you must have had so many mixed feelings about it, upset and gutted but also realistic with your plans. I was seeing and hearing about weddings going ahead with like 10-20 people, postponing would for me be the right choice as well as I would want everyone there that I had invited and be able to enjoy their company. I hope that this year is a safer and happier for one us all, hopefully your wedding can go ahead safely. The silver lining like you say is it is all organised so that takes the stress and faff out of it. I want to propose to my partner within the next year, which is exciting and terrifying all at the same time. These are some great tips to break down organising the important aspects of a wedding into manageable chunks. Thank you for sharing your experience and tips!
Lauren http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
When things go well hopefully, I’ll get married in 5-6 years! I want my father to see his grandchildren before he’s too lazy to get out of bed haha. These are great tips! Choose a season, not a date. And of course, be strict on your budget! I don’t think I’m the kind of person who wants a grand wedding, but this article is really helpful for those that do! Thanks for sharing xx
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com