Wedding Planning
Tips for planning your wedding
A wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and planning for it can be an overwhelming experience. With so many things to consider and arrange, it's easy to get lost in the details.
One of the best ways to plan your wedding is to be super organised from the get go and this post will give a brief structure on how to approach your planning process and how to avoid some pit falls.
Credit: Matt Horan Photography
Plan Early for Success and a Stress-Free Leadup
Planning a wedding can be a time-consuming and stressful process, so it's important to start early. Begin by setting a budget and creating a timeline for your wedding planning (press here to view an example). This will help you stay organized and on track throughout the planning process.
Suppliers and venues get booked by other eager couples planning their functions, so it is a good idea to get the ball rolling earlier rather than later so you don’t miss out. Don’t panic, it is a long process and some bits don’t get discussed or decided until the very last days before the wedding, but you have to start somewhere!
Get Creative
Make a mood board on Pinterest.com or on a software of your choice. If you are old-school you can use a physical note book and cut outs from magazines! This is the stage where you should allow yourself to go with the flow and dream up your ‘fairy-tale wedding’. Get inspired and delve into Instagram, etsy, wedding magazines or anywhere else you like. Make notes, and screen snippets of any features you like and make sure that if it costs money, it should be added to your budget list. Make a detailed description of the style of wedding you want, for example; relaxed, formal or quirky. It is helpful sometimes to try and either give your event a theme or subject you want to feature as a way to reflect your style and characters as a couple.
Now stop dreaming! - it is time to make these dreams a reality!
Set a Date – Book a Venue
Find a suitable date and this will dictate what suppliers you can have. You might find you want a certain supplier so much that you would change a date for them. So do your research and pin a date down as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
Book Your Suppliers
Make a shortlist for each supplier you want and make sure they are available on your date. It is best to start off focusing on the bigger, more expensive parts of your wedding such as catering and musical entertainment and production.
As a rule of thumb it is always easier to deal with less moving parts and therefore having less suppliers can be a good idea for simplifying the process. For example many function bands offer sound and production services as well as live musical entertainment and so it is worth asking the question.
Time Table
The sooner you start planning your wedding schedule the easier it will be later on and the calmer the process will feel. Planning a timetable helps you get down to detail and engage with the finer aspects of your wedding day. This stage is crucial for efficient event planning.
You want to consider the flow of your day to create the most exciting atmosphere for your guests. Put yourselves in their shoes and imagine how you would feel at different points of the schedule. We recommend a dynamic approach, that keeps the mood on a high throughout the event.
Toast Master or Master of Ceremonies
Many people these days consider this role old fashioned and dated and it is true you can have it done in an old fashioned manner but this doesn’t have to be the case.
A good toast master helps pull the wedding together on the day. Making announcements in many ways is one of the smallest jobs a toast master performs.
Our recommendation is that you do hire one especially if you are planning on a more elaborate time table with multiple rooms or spaces.
At the Londoner Hotel
Wedding Music
We couldn’t write a blog without mentioning musical entertainment as this is a subject close to our hearts.
When it comes to music, nothing beats a live wedding band. Live musical entertainment lifts the mood to majestic heights and really gives that special sense of occasion. There are many options to choose from, including DJ live acts, solo performers, and complete function bands. If you want to create a memorable and energetic atmosphere throughout your event, you may want to hire a band that can play a variety of music genres and get your guests up and dancing. Don’t forget there are other people other than yourselves and the more people are dancing the better the mood will be.
When choosing a band, consider their experience, reputation, and references. You may also want to see them perform live before you make a decision. We have profiles on multiple social media platforms and would love to invite you to check out our videos if you haven’t done so yet.
Most Importantly- Keep it Fun!
Don’t forget to have fun with the planning process. It is easy to get caught up in family dramas, so keep your eye on the ball and make the wedding planning fun. A day out to the florist is a great excuse for a family or couples lunch. A site visit can be great chance for a country walk if it is out in the sticks.
Try to be patient with each other and focus on the big day. It always pays off so make the most of your time leading up to your wedding!
Too much!? Consider Hiring an Event Planner or Organiser
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the wedding planning process, consider hiring an event planner or organiser. These professionals can help you with everything from finding the perfect venue to selecting the right live musical entertainment. They have the experience and expertise to help you create a wedding that reflects your personality and style, while also ensuring that all of the details are taken care of. If you want to discuss event planning packages with us press here.