First things first, it’s time to figure out your style. Spend time chatting about what’s important, where you see your priorities, and what kind of overall atmosphere you want your wedding to have before you rush ahead and start contacting suppliers.
Some simple ‘this or that’ questions to help if the overwhelm is kicking in:
- City or countryside?
- Classic or quirky?
- True to tradition or go your own way?
- Elegant soirée or all-out party vibes?
Getting clear on your overall vision at this early stage will ensure that your wedding is a personal reflection of you as a couple and ultimately make your decision-making process easier in the long run. Hell yeah, to that!
I know it’s so tempting to start booking venue visits and hit Pinterest HARD, but a crucial step before you do is to get a rough idea of your guest numbers. Capacity has arguably the biggest impact on the way a wedding day will feel and the way it will flow. If you’re looking for an intimate ceremony for ten people, you don’t want to rattle around in a hall fit for 100. Similarly, if you have your heart set on a big, lavish wedding, you can safely rule out venues that can’t accommodate your guest list. You don’t need exact figures right now, but give yourself a ballpark to work with.
Most of your plans will take their lead from your wedding venue, but before you can commit to booking somewhere, you need to know how much you can realistically spend.
Start by listing your incomings and outgoings and work out how much you can (and want to) save. If anyone has offered to contribute to your wedding, now is the time to nail down the details! Calculate your total projected savings plus any gifts from family, and you have your big-day budget.
It will be tempting at many points during your planning to go over budget on various items of gorgeousness. Try your best to be ruthless and stay within your means. This means figuring out which elements of the day mean the most to you and where you want to splurge or save.
When you’re ready to start venue hunting, we’re here to help you do it in a considered, creative, and detail-focused way. Our directory of hand-picked venues is waiting for you. Browse by location, by style, by capacity and more. Or let us inspire you with our curated collections. Need in-depth venue scouting tips? We’ve got you covered there too.