Your Vision
You’ve probably been picturing your dream wedding ever since you were a child and now it’s finally time to make it a reality. Sure, you may not have the budget to stretch to the fairytale wedding that you’ve envisaged but you can certainly take inspiration from it. And, perhaps the best way of making your dream fit with reality is by planning your budget.
The Budget
Working out a budget is a great way to start as this will enable you to get a real sense of how you can create the wedding you want with the money you have available to spend.
With an overall budget in place, you’ll then be able to decide on what aspects of the wedding are most important to you and allocate funds accordingly.
Of course, the number of guests you have in attendance will hugely affect the cost and so it’s a good idea to establish whether you’re looking for an intimate gathering or a wedding on a much larger scale right from the start.
The Venue
The backdrop to your big day really sets the tone for your nuptials and you’ll need to decide early on if you’ll be getting married in the UK or abroad. The venue often accounts for the biggest spend when it comes to the budget, so it’s worth making it a priority.
You’ve probably always known what season you want to get married in, maybe a winter wedding is your idea of perfection or perhaps you’ve always longed to say ‘I do’ on a beautiful white sandy beach, whatever your dream, once you’ve found your perfect location there are plenty of practical considerations to address.
Be sure to look at photos of the venue in the season you want to get married in, so that you can get a good idea of how your pictures will look both inside and outside.
If you’re opting for a quirky venue, consider accessibility for guests and if it’s going to be a large party, check out the parking – the car park may look ample when it’s empty, but will it accommodate all of your guests on the big day?
Find out if catering is carried out in-house by the venue’s own staff or if outside caterers are used. See if you can get a taste of the kind of food that’s on offer. Also, ask if the waiters are employed by the venue or if they’re from an agency.
You’ll need to establish if there is more than one wedding co-ordinator – do you get to meet and discuss your day with that person directly before your wedding?
Don’t feel pressured to book or sign the contract if you’re presented with a special offer or cut rate – any good venue will give you time to go away and think before you make your final decision.
We’re lucky to have some amazing venues nearby, make sure that you check out South Staffordshire Golf Club and Shrewsbury’s premier venue, Hencote.
The Flowers
Gorgeous flowers are essential for creating a stunning look but you’ll need to consider your budget before you buy as wedding flowers can prove to be surprisingly costly. Contact a florist and explain the look you want to achieve, and ask what centrepieces, arches and decorative additions can be included for the budget you have available.
Obviously having an idea of the blooms you’d like and the colour scheme you’re working too will help the florist present you with the most suitable options. It’s worth remembering that using flowers that are in season at the time of your big day is far more cost effectively than opting for out of season blooms that must be specially sourced.
Make sure that you consider your venue when planning the flowers, if you’re marrying outside there’s less need for opulent floral displays as you’ll already have the backdrop of natural scenery. Although, if you’re saying ‘I do’ at a large indoor venue, bigger and more plentiful floral displays are often required to get the romantic look you’ll want to achieve.
Making Plans for Amazing Skin, Hair and Make-Up
It’s always best to start early when you’re planning any part of your wedding day, and, your hair and make-up is no exception. Initiating a dedicated skincare routine is essential and that means making time each day to cleanse and moisturize your skin morning and evening. Don’t forget to exfoliate regularly and make sure to treat yourself to regular facials. Investing in quality skin care products is a must too.
Your skin’s requirements and your complexion change with the seasons, so plan according to the time of year you’re getting married. Summer weddings will require very different products and make-up when compared with winter events.
It’s important to find a fabulous stylist and colourist well before your big day, so that they can get used to working with your hair – especially if it’s unruly! – and understand the look you want to achieve early on. They’ll also be able to advise on the products and haircare routine you need to invest in to get your hair in great condition for the big day.
The Photographer
It’s an occasion that you’ll want to remember forever, so it’s essential to find a photographer who can capture the magic of your wedding day and provide you with a series of beautiful photographs that’ll keep your memories alive.
Research is key when looking for the right photographer, take a look at their previous wedding work to see if they can capture the kind of look you’re hoping to achieve. If you love relaxed and informal shots, choosing someone whose portfolio is dominated by staged shots isn’t going to be right for you.
Your Dream Dress
And now for the most exciting part: finding your dream dress. Although you probably think you know exactly the sort of style you want, it’s always worth trying something completely different as sometimes it can have amazing results.
Make sure you consider the overall look you want to achieve on your big day when you’re shopping. If you’re going for a golden glow, make sure you’ve got tanned skin when you’re dress shopping, because pale skin looks very different compared to bronzed skin when set against white, cream and ivory hues.
If you plan on wearing heels when you get married don’t forget to bring a pair to wear whilst you try on gowns. Not only do heels elevate your height, they’re also a great way to achieve a more elegant look.
Similarly, you’ve got a tiara or a special piece of jewellery you want to wear on your big day, bring that along too so that you can try it on with every gown you’re considering.
Working out whether you’ll be wearing your hair up or down is useful too when you’re dress shopping, as some looks will work great with flowing locks, whereas other designs are much better suited to an updo.
Whatever you do though, don’t be rushed into making a purchase, you’ll know when you’ve found the one that’s perfect for you!
Making Plans for Your Honeymoon
After the excitement of your wedding is over you can look forward to spending a magical holiday together in your dream destination. Wherever you’re heading, you’ll want everything to be perfect, which means your honeymoon needs to be planned with the same care and attention as every other aspect of your big day.
Start by finding out what your partner envisages your honeymoon to look like and work together to plan how you’ll spend your time when you’re away. Once you’ve established the type of honeymoon you want and where the destination will be, you’ll need to employ the help of a travel agent you can trust to make the arrangements.
Personal Travel Agent, Sally O’Hara loves working with couples to plan their honeymoon and can offer help, advice and inspiration every step of the way.
Haven’t popped the question yet?
An engagement ring is the most important purchase you’ll ever make so, it’s crucial to get it right. Here are our top tips:
Has she already dropped a hint about what her dream ring would look like? If so, you’ll be well-placed to head to the jewellers to look for the perfect one.
If she hasn’t, you’ll need to look closely at the jewellery she wears. Is it yellow, white or rose gold? Small in size or a statement design? Vintage styled, classic, modern or quirky? Coloured stones or diamonds?
Ask her friends and family to gain more information about the styles she likes – maybe she’s discussed it at length with them already! And, of course, check her ring size – if you can’t find a ring to borrow to get sized simply trace the inside of her ring and check it against a size guide.
