If your partner recently popped the question and you said yes – congratulations on getting engaged! You have no doubt already announced your good news to friends and family and are now considering what you need to do next. Weddings take lots of planning and organisation, so preparing for your big day well in advance is a must. There are some things which are a bit more important than others so we’ve put together a list of the first 3 things every couple should organise for their big day.
Find Your Venue
As soon as you can, speak to your partner and agree on a rough timescale for your wedding. Perhaps you have always dreamed of an Autumnal wedding, or may you prefer the idea of celebrating in the height of Summer. Whichever you decide, the availability of your venue of choice will ultimately dictate your exact wedding date, so you should book as soon as you can. From more intimate venues such as Kippilaw House in Melrose to Buxted Park, one of the many grand Sussex wedding venues available, your main issue may be narrowing down your choice! Once you have booked your ideal location and know your wedding date, you can plan the other elements of your big day.
Wedding Stationery
There are several things you need to plan in terms of wedding stationery. Save the Date cards give your guests advanced notice of your wedding date and will ensure that your nearest and dearest can attend. When sending full wedding invitations, it’s a good idea to include details of nearby accommodation, directions to the venue, dietary requirements, and RSVP details. The date and time of the wedding, as well as details of where the ceremony and reception will be hosted, should also be noted.
Table plans, place settings, menus, and the cost of all other wedding stationery can add up, so if you want to save a bit of cash, you could try and make them yourself. If that’s beyond your crafting capabilities, there are loads of wedding stationery companies that can make bespoke stationery to your exacting requirements.
The Dress
If you have been dreaming of getting married since you were very little, your choice of dress is probably quite high on your priority list. There are some truly amazing dresses to suit all budgets, so it’s worthwhile spending as much time as you can finding the one that is perfect for you.
Find out if there are any local bridal shops nearby and make an appointment to try on a few different styles. It’s a good idea to take your mum and a few friends with you so you can get some honest feedback. If your wedding budget doesn’t allow you to buy the dress of your dreams, many boutiques have a wide range of rental dresses available. It’s a great way to get the dress you have always wanted but for a fraction of the cost.
