That is a very good question and one which I’m sure a LOT of excited, newly-engaged couples end up pondering over. Planning a wedding can very easily feel overwhelming – you’ve got the announcement to make and endless questions to answer, and that’s even before the actual planning has begun!
Fear not, everything can and will fall into place, promise. Luckily we’ve enlisted the brilliant team from BMA House to share their tips on wedding planning priorities with us today. Located within the heart of Bloomsbury, London, BMA House is a popular Grade II listed wedding venue who are well versed when it comes to weddings and always go the extra mile for their couples. Over to team BMA to impart their expert planning advice…
We have all heard the famous question about whether the chicken or the egg came first – the same though can be true of venues and dates when trying to book a wedding. As much as that might sound like a dreadful thought, it isn’t actually far from the truth. Planning a wedding is all about priorities. That might not sound particularly romantic and creative, but it is a cold hard fact that all newly engaged couple need to be aware of.
Arguably the first things to identify should be the venue and the date. Once those are in place there are a host of other things you can then move onto. However, once you have seen a couple of venues, read a few wedding magazines/blogs and talked to some of your shortlisted suppliers you will realise that (unless you are exceptionally lucky) your first priority is your budget.
Look realistically at how much you have to spend and where you will be sourcing the funds, then start to break it down into the different areas. Your venue and catering are likely to be the biggest costs but there are plenty of other areas you might want to splash out on that can take you by surprise. It’s also worth thinking about a contingency – or at the very least withholding a percentage of your budget for ‘sundries’ and ‘creative touches’.
Once you have your budget confirmed, you can start looking at venues and their catering partners. Get that nailed down, along with your date and you can settle back a little, relaxed in the knowledge that the biggest choices have been made.
Finding a photographer should probably be next on your list – they book up fast, especially on peak weekends so if you have your heart set on someone in particular, you need to make sure they have availability and get yourself booked in.
The rest is then down to you and what you think matters the most. For some this might be a beautiful, bespoke handmade dress so you will need to give yourself six-months to allow for appointments, fittings etc – for others it might be a trunk show bargain or a pre-loved beauty from eBay. The right entertainment and live music are imperative in some cases, whereas others are happy with a Spotify playlist recommended by friends.
Whatever choices you make though, remember to take your time. It’s a truly special day and needs to be right for you – not driven by whatever other people say your priorities should be.
If you are unsure about where to start but have chosen BMA House as your venue, then you can feel reassured by the fact you will have a dedicated wedding planner throughout the process, able to offer support and guidance across all elements of the day.
Venue + Words BMA House
Photography Lucie Watson Photography
With thanks to Steph & Alex for sharing their day
Based on a weekend wedding in July.