by cath3982 » Tue May 08, 2012 3:50 pm
Hi Catherine, and congratulations! There's a lot to think about when it comes to planning, but trying to be organised will make a big difference!
To start, sit down and talk through the basics with your fiancé. What sort of ceremony do you want, what sort of wedding would you like (a traditional country house, or a marquee, or something a bit different), and roughly when do you want to have it.
Next thing to consider is your budget. It can feel like an awkward thing to bring up with your/your fiancé's parents but find out if they'd like/are able to contribute towards your day, and add that to what you and your fiancé can afford to spend.
Another good thing to think about early on is who you want to ask. Draw up a rough guest list so you have an idea of numbers – this will make it a lot easier to rule out venues that can't cater for your size of wedding.
A good next step is to look at venues (try our directory on the website, or take a look at Perfect Wedding's sister magazine, Wedding Day Venues). Think about where in the country you want to get married, and concentrate your search in that area. If you want to marry in a specific church it's a good idea to look for places within half an hour's drive of it.
Once you've found a couple of venues that suit the type of day you have in mind and can cater for the size of wedding you have in mind, give them a ring or email to see if they have any availability around your date – it saves wasting time looking at places that can't accommodate you when you want!
Once you have your venue, a lot will slide into place and seem more manageable. You'll have a date and a location, and the venue will probably be able to suggest lots of suppliers so you've got somewhere to start with getting quotes and comparing prices.
The big thing to remember though is to have fun doing it – it can seem stressful at times, but remember the main thing is that you're marrying the love of your life! Hope this helps! Cath (Web Ed)