So, you’ve just got engaged and you’re both riding high. Of course you should enjoy the excitement, but don’t forget you’ve still got a wedding to plan.
Planning a wedding can seem a pretty daunting prospect if you think of it as a whole. We know it’s a lot less stressful if you break your plans down into manageable stages, so here’s our ComparetheDiamond.com (formerly diamondgeezer.com) step-by-step guide to planning a wedding to help you arrange your big day.
Step 1 – 11-12 months before your wedding
- First things first, you need a date for the wedding. Start with the time of year (spring, summer, autumn or winter). Watch out for any dates that might not suit you or your families and any large national events or religious holidays that might scupper your plans.
- You need to decide on your budget. Financial considerations early on will help you decide on what you want to do and what you can afford to do.
- Once you have an idea of your budget you can discuss the location of your wedding ceremony. Have you got your hearts set on a traditional church wedding or is a registry office more your thing? Will you be marrying at home, further afield or abroad?
- After location of the ceremony, there’s the reception venue to think about. This can be difficult, so we suggest brainstorming ideas of what is important to you and what you?d like for each other and your special day. Make some calls, visit some venues, explore the deals and try the food. Try not to let what you want be compromised too much by what you imagine your guests would like.
- While we’re on the subject of guests, you should begin to compile a possible guest list. Make a list of everyone on both sides, including close family, friends and even your most distant relatives you haven’t seen for ten years. Now begin to prune it back. Do you really want to invite all thirty children of your second cousins twice removed?
- It’s time to start booking your wedding. Book the most vital part first – the ceremony venue. After the ceremony you should book the reception. before doing this you should be clear on and drinks etc.
- The next bookings to make are with photographers, entertainment and transport. Are you having a DJ or a live band? Will you photographer be with you all day or just at the ceremony? Are you having a classic car, a horse and carriage or borrowing Uncle John’s Ford Granada like in the good old days.
- Now you’re getting to the fun part: what are you going to wear? It’s time for the bride to begin looking for that perfect dress and beautiful shoes. The groom should begin sourcing the sharp suit or formal wedding hire. Don’t forget the best man and the bridesmaids, if you’re having them.
- Decide on the look and feel of you wedding, colours and decorations. Once you have this you can book a florist and organise the invitations and get them out to your guests.
- You’re on you way. The biggest jobs are done and you can concentrate on tweaking the finer details. between now and the big day you will need to cover the following:
Step 2 - 10 months before your wedding
Step 3 - 8 months before you wedding
- Honeymoon
- Floor Plan and Seating
- Hair and Make-Up
- Favours and Gifts
- Wedding Cake
- Accommodation Contacts and Maps For Guests
Stick to our simple guide and take the stress out of your wedding plans.
Wait! Haven’t we forgotten something really important… of course, the wedding rings. At ComparetheDiamond.com (formerly diamondgeezer.com) we suggest you find and order you wedding rings at least six months before you walk down the aisle.