Wedding Planning 101

Planning a wedding can be a monumental task, with many different aspects that will require a great deal of your time and energy to organise. When you begin to plan your wedding it is best if you draw an outline of the things you will need to do, and there are many wedding books and website that can advise you on this.

Firstly, before you start your plan you will need to think about your budget. Be realistic, both in terms of what you can afford and what you will need to spend to make your wedding a special day. Weddings are expensive, even the very minimal ones, so don’t budget too low. If you set yourself a realistic target now, you will be able to save up accordingly, or if you are borrowing money for this event it will save you having to borrow anymore if this amount runs out. Once you have set a sensible budget, don’t get carried away in the romance of the moment, and stick to it ruthlessly. Bargain over ever last detail, and take time to shop around for deals.
Here are a few steps that you will need to cover, to begin your wedding plan:
Step 1: Ceremony
Once you have decided to get married, think about whether you would like a civil or religious ceremony. If you decide on a civil ceremony think about where you would like it to take place, either the registrars office or a licensed venue. Once you have decided all these details phone the relevant place and provisionally book the service (you can only normally book these services 12 months in advance). Ask what legal requirements you will need to organise before the wedding, such as residency issues and documents (birth certificate etc). Now you have the provisional date you can start organising other the aspects.
Step 2: Guest List
Consider your budget carefully, and make a draft guest list. Remember the more people you invite, the more you will need to spend on the food and venue.
Step 3: Wedding Planner
Be realistic about how much time you can devote to planning your wedding, and think about booking a professional wedding planner, who will be able to oversee the whole wedding process on your behalf. A good wedding planner will pay for themselves, as they will be able to maximise your budget for you, and stop you from spending more than you intended.
Step 4: Venue
If you want the ceremony in a licensed venue, book this in conjunction with the registrar, as there is no point booking one if the other is not available! If you are just selecting a reception venue you can take a bit more time to look around, but as these places will be limited on how many weddings they can cater for each day, book at least 6 months in advance so that you will not be disappointed. Keep in mind the guest list when you are selecting a venue, so that you can comfortable accommodated everyone.
Step 5: Catering
The venue you choose may provide catering, but if you are having the wedding in a hall or marquee you may need to organise this yourself. Ask around for recommendations, or if you are booking a caterer out of the telephone directory ask them to provide references, or at least samples of their menus for you to try. You will need to confirm your chosen catering booking at least 6 months before the wedding to avoid disappointment.
Step 6: Photography
If you are on a very tight budget ask around your friends or relatives to see if any of them are interested in photography, and would have the skills and equipment to provide the photographs for your big day. As these will be the main keepsakes from your wedding, you may want to splash out on a professional photographer, so as with the catering ask around for recommendations, or request references and portfolios before you book someone. Also make sure you sort this out as soon as possible and get a booking confirmation in writing.

~courtesy of The Wedding Expert