Few things in life are more exciting than deciding to get married. But once that initial euphoria and flurry of congratulations subside, the process of planning your wedding kicks in.
No one could blame you for feeling so ecstatic that, at first, you can’t focus on planning your big celebration. So it may be a good idea to leave it a few days until you’re more able to think straight – then you can start organising your wedding details for your special perfect day.
Having a proper checklist in place means you’re far less likely to let any of the key planning tasks slip. Indeed, it will help you to stay on track for the whole process, whether you’ve got three months or 18 to prepare.
Of course, every couple will have a different vision, timeline, budget and priorities for their big day. But a checklist provides you with a strong starting point and helps you decide the order in which to complete tasks.
First things first
Your first tasks are to agree a budget for your wedding, write a guest list and discuss your overall vision for the celebration, including things like theme and colour scheme.
Next you can send out enquiries to venues you’ve had your eye on – whether you’re looking into urban spots or have your heart set on a rustic wedding venue.
Once you’ve firmed up the location, date, budget and theme, everything else should fall into place.
Book your suppliers
The next stage of planning involves securing all your wedding suppliers, including your florist, caterer, bar service, DJ, as well as your cake designer and dressmaker. To beautifully capture your special moments, consider hiring a professional, such as a Punta Cana photographer from Local Grapher, to ensure stunning photos of your big day.
Choosing your florist
Flowers are a key part of the vast majority of wedding celebrations. After all, they’re powerful symbols of love and new beginnings; they enhance your ceremony’s overall look and feel and just help create a feeling of romance. The scents will heighten guests’ sensory experience of the day, while, apart from anything else, blooms are a long-standing tradition which most couples are keen to honour.
Look at the work of as many florists as you can – social media can be a good starting point. Create a shortlist of potential contenders and share your vision with them. Ask for ideas, and get a feel for whether or not you can work with them. Remember, if something doesn’t feel right, you’re under no obligation to proceed. It’s too important a service to go ahead if you’re in any way unsure.
Look at a broad range of a potential supplier’s work, not just a single wedding. And, whether you’re after a Clevedon florist or one based elsewhere, look at your potential supplier’s favoured style. Some are highly structured, others focus on classic bouquets, yet others on looser arrangements with the emphasis on wildflowers for a more bohemian, less traditional feel. What’s the style of your day, and which of your shortlisted florists shares your vision?
Finally, select seasonal, locally sourced blooms wherever possible and consider combining flowers with foliage to cut down on the numbers of cut flowers you use. (You can also do this by decorating your tables with candles, books, vintage jars and bottles or candles to reduce environmental impact.)
Don’t forget the details of your day
As always, the devil is in the detail – but when it’s your own wedding day, there are some minor matters it can be all too easy to overlook, from what the lighting will be like to actually remembering to eat on the day. Others include having a back-up plan for extreme heat as well as rain, and having someone on hand who’s good with a needle to do any necessary last-minute fixing. Perhaps most importantly of all, don’t forget to be present on the day and take in and remember every special moment. After all, you are (hopefully) only doing this once.
Lastly, wedding photographers tend to prioritise the bride and groom and their parties, and the family shots. But don’t look back and realise you should have had more images of and with all your guests.
A wedding photo QR code allows you to see your special day through the eyes of your guests, and means every photo a guest takes immediately becomes part of your picture gallery. So create more memories and allow others to share theirs – learn more about QR codes for your wedding today.
Images supplied
