Planning your wedding should be a lovely, collaborative experience for both you and your partner, but stress is inevitable. In fact, you often need to make a wedding planning checklist on your initial agenda.
To further complicate the matter, you may be thinking about late-wedding criteria at the beginning. Understanding where to start when planning a wedding is crucial to avoid unnecessary stress.
How to Start Wedding Planning:
Wondering how to start planning a wedding? Many of us have struggled with where to start when planning a wedding, and the abundance of start-to-finish wedding checklists out there doesn’t help. Keep it simple with these essential wedding planning tips.
1. Find a Wedding Coordinator
Even if you are determined to plan your entire wedding alone, researching local coordinators is never a bad idea. They can give you as little or as much support as you need, be it simply creating a checklist and finding popular vendors, or planning the whole event.
With years of experience, a wedding coordinator has seen and done it all—they can easily mediate small quarrels and compromise on ideas.
2. Set an Official Budget
The average cost of a wedding, including rings and a honeymoon, costs £25,952. That’s ⅔ of the average yearly income in the UK. With the cost of living crisis, this average cost rises by £1,500 every year.
Here’s a breakdown of what you should expect to pay:
- Honeymoon: £4,329
- Venue: £9,877
- Decor and Hire: £1,449
- Wedding Planner: £2,436
- Celebrant/Toastmaster: £515
- Florist: £1,182
- Videographer: £1,439
- Photographer: £1,464
- Music and Entertainment: £2,495
- Printed Stationery: £384
- Transport: £705
- Professional Catering: £5,732
- Cakemaker: £405
- Menswear: £764
- Wedding Dress: £1,424
- Hair and Makeup: £686
- Accessories and Jewellery: £3,395
However, just because these are the average prices does not mean you need to pay this much. Your budget should be comfortable and relevant to how you envision your big day. For example, an opulent wedding will cost more, but having an intimate celebration will be less.
In addition, organising a wedding is typically cheaper during weekdays and more expensive at the weekend. Similarly, weddings are more affordable at the beginning and end of the year, and more costly during the middle. When planning your wedding, consider what aspects are most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly.
3. Think About the Date
There is no most popular wedding date of all time, as it largely changes year-by-year. In 2024, couples preferred 23rd (September). In 2023, 27th May. In 2022, 20th August. And in 2021, 4th September.
While the date you choose should reflect when your guests are likely to be free, it should also be a special date for you. That doesn’t have to mean your anniversary, though a popular choice, but could simply be your favourite weather.
4. Create Your Guest List
On average, most couples invite 75 to 150 people to their wedding. Knowing things to consider when planning a wedding, such as the size of your guest list, helps in making other decisions more manageable.
Simply put, decide whether you want a large, medium or small gathering. Or, base the size of your wedding on how many people you want to invite. Will it be just immediate family or distant relatives too? Are you inviting close friends or acquaintances? What about plus ones? You may also need to factor in professionals hired to make your big day happen.
5. Research Different Themes
When organising a wedding, choosing a theme that resonates with you will make the event feel more personal and memorable.
There are so many themes you can choose from, be it tropical to beachy, boho chic to traditional or cultural. Your wedding should be unique to you, whether you choose to have it indoors or outdoors, and regardless of what your family and friends may suggest.
We won’t tell you the many different wedding themes, as this is a sure way to get overwhelmed. However, we recommend looking into your hobbies, interests and personality traits to build the perfect wedding.
6. Start Looking for Venues
Understanding where to start when planning a wedding often begins with selecting a venue that matches your vision. Are you having your wedding in the UK or in another country? While Italy remains the top destination for a location wedding, there are many hidden wonders right on your doorstep.
Your venue obviously needs to accommodate the amount of guests you have. However, that may mean a larger venue, more luxurious at a bigger cost, or a quaint and quiet area outdoors. For example, do you want to say your vows in an elegant castle or be one with nature in the woods?
Plan Your Wedding with the National Conference Centre
At the National Conference Centre, we specialise in creating unforgettable weddings tailored to your unique cultural traditions and preferences. With our dedicated team of chefs, planners and AV specialists, every detail of your big day will be perfectly executed.
Whether you’re planning a large Asian affair, an intimate Greek wedding or a traditional celebration, our experience ensures a smooth and memorable event. Explore our rooms with our interactive virtual tour to find the ideal space for your guests.
Located in an accessible area with nearby hotels, we make it convenient for your loved ones to celebrate with you. What are you waiting for? Plan your wedding with the National Conference Centre.
