Having time of your life planning your own wedding
It’s wedding season again: a time for flowers, beautiful dresses, and elaborate cakes. But there’s also the potential for massive stress. If you’re a bride-to-be, here are 14 top tips to ensure the most magical day stress free.
1. Start early. ‘Late planning will drastically reduce the options you have,’ experts say. This could result in ‘missed suppliers, second best, rushed service, and far from a dream wedding planning experience.’ I suggest starting well before the three-month mark.
2. Make the planning fun. ‘With so much to think of, planning a wedding can be really stressful. It’s easy to forget to enjoy the journey,’ I encourage my clients to make a celebration out of as many planning events as possible. ‘For instance, if you’re having a dress fitting, meet with your girlfriends for afternoon tea or bubbly afterwards.’
3. Get organised. To do this, create a working blueprint with dream suppliers, their details and other important details to you. ‘Not only will you feel in complete control during the planning stages, you can print it and hand it to one of your trusted bridesmaids or friends on the day!’
4. With venues, ask four questions. How do you picture your wedding day? What kind of wedding venue does that mean? And how many guests do you want to invite? What is your ceremony and reception budget? ‘Only once you know the answers to these questions should you start researching possible venues.’
5. Take notes. It may feel a bit like being back in school, but take tons and tons of notes when visiting venues or other suppliers. ‘You’re bound to forget the detail by the time you get home,’With venues specifically, I recommend giving marks out of ten on things like style, charm, and budget.
6. Don’t forget the groom. ‘The bride must not forget her groom and the males in the bridal party, and leave them as an afterthought!’ I know that might sound silly as some grooms choose to stay out of the planning process but try to get him involved even if it is just choosing music. After all it is a reflection of both of you and your dream wedding together. Talk together when considering what the males will be wearing, how they will complement you and your bridesmaids, and the overall aesthetic.
7. Make a menu you would enjoy. ‘Many future brides and grooms worry about the wedding menu, and get caught up in the details of others’ preferences and dietary requirements,’ ‘I always advise couples to choose a menu they would like to eat and pick out their own favourite dishes.’
8. Choose your dress and suit in advance. ‘Dress or suit, it is vital they are chosen in advance, in plenty of time before the wedding… and not a month out from the big day, when it’s too late to rectify anything,’ For children this is particularly important, as their size might have changed from when they were originally measured.
9. Avoid cake collapse. ‘We have heard some real horror stories about the cake collapsing just before or during a wedding!’ To avoid this, I suggest having your cake supplier oversee the set-up of the wedding cake. Then try not to move the cake after it’s been arranged.
10. Be smart with your budget. ‘If budgets are tight, I would always advise clients to spend a bit less on elements such as wedding cars or favours, but to get the reception looking right. Speak to me and I can help narrow what is essential and what is nice to have.
11. Think about the lighting. This is crucial to creating the right mood. ‘Uplighters and candles are relatively low-cost effective ways of introducing lighting. Don’t forget to think of outside lighting too – outdoor lanterns are really cheap and look amazing.’
12. Relax before the big day. It’s easy to get swept up in stress surrounding a wedding. The solution? ‘Treat yourself to a little luxury,’ I say. If you’re in a hotel with a spa, getting a massage or your nails done with your girlfriends. ‘It will leave you feeling refreshed and will help you get a good night’s sleep.’
13. Consider flip flops as a favour. This is a favourite of all. ‘Women can kick off their shoes and dance the night away without the agony of high heels,’ she says. Plus they last for years after the wedding, meaning they’ll ‘bring back fond memories’.
14. Make the little details personal. Your wedding is all about the two of you, so try to incorporate as much of your personalities into the day as you can. From the stationary and favours to the outfits and first dance, guests should say ‘that’s so them!’
