The Wedding Planner

Venues and menus, dresses and tresses, bridesmaids and bands, flowers and favours, rings and readings… the list is never ending.

Careful forward planning will make your great day (and each day inbetween) a dream, not a nightmare.

Budget

The most important first step in this exciting journey is to establish a budget; not the most glamorous or easy start but essential. There is no point in starting your married life up to your ears in debt when there are many ways to create your dream day without having to rob the bank!

Venue

Your next step is to decide on the venue – do you want a fairy-tale castle in the Scottish Highlands or a chic urban hotspot? You will need to consider logistics and availability as some venues get booked up to two years in advance.

The Dress

The venue establishes the style of the day and from here you can really start looking at dresses… Make appointments four or five boutiques that stock different styles. Bridal expert Angela McCartney of bridal boutique She… by Angie Mac explains: ‘It’s really important to put all pre-conceived ideas to the back of your mind when you go wedding dress shopping. Of course keep in mind your budget and overall theme, but try on a number of styles and don’t be afraid to push your boundaries, as wedding dresses always look better on you than on the hanger!’

The Invitation

If your wedding is over a year away consider sending ‘save the date’ cards out in advance of your formal invitations to provide as much advance warning as you can. The invitation will set the tone of the  day for your guests so it is important to go for the best quality that you can afford in a look and feel that reflects your overall Theme. Don’t be afraid to explore bespoke stationery if you can’t see anything you like.

‘If you have a particular idea in mind that you can’t find on the website, ask your stationer if it’s possible. It often is and may not cost you any more to have a totally bespoke set of wedding stationery that’s unique to you,’ says Pennie Cooper, White Satin Wedding Stationery.

The Flowers

It’s important to book your florist well in advance as good ones are often in high demand. The Flowers and Plants Association recommends allocating between 15-20% of your overall budget to flowers, and be sure to get written and final estimates before you sign on the dotted line.

There are of course many other elements that will all require a magic touch to bring your big day to life but get the basics right and the rest will follow.

Diary date: Designer Wedding Fair, 12-14 February, Battersea Park