wedding checklist guide
your wedding checklist guide
You're Engaged, yay! But now what?
When it comes to wedding planning, there are a lot of things to think about and keep track of. It can be tough to know where to start, or what the most important things are. As you start to list all of the things to do before you book your wedding in your head, it's easy to feel overwhelmed! Being engaged should come with an instruction manual but since it doesn’t, I’m here to help you with the important things to do before your wedding.
HAVE A CHAT ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU
At the top of your wedding checklist should be making some time for your and your partner to sit down, privately, and discuss the bigger picture of the wedding. How do you actually want to feel on your wedding day? This is the most important thing and itis often overlooked by all the planning, you forget how you actually want to feel on the day.
So with that in mind how do you want to wake up and feel on the day of your wedding? Is this calm, relaxed? Are you a morning person? Would you prefer to wake up a little later? Or are you an early riser? Would you prefer waking up knowing your ceremony has 30 guests or 200. Knowing how you want to feel can determine a whole multitude of things. From ceremony times, to how many guests you invite, to how big your bridal/groomsmen party is.
Take it in turns to each write down 3 feelings you want to feel on your wedding day and then share these with each other. Store these feelings as the most important thing and when making further planning decisions, refer back to them to make sure you're staying true to how you both want to feel on your special day.
CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING DATE
The next thing on your wedding checklist you need to do is carve out some dedicated time to sit down together to talk about your wedding. So pick a time and place that you can both be present for this and pop it in the diary.
Start by looking at the season – is there a time of year that you've always wanted to get married in? Or is there a specific date that has personal significance to you and your partner? Once you've narrowed down the time of year, start thinking about how long you'll need to plan. If you're working with a shorter timeline, you'll need to be more organized and focused to get everything done.
SET A WEDDING BUDGET
Your wedding budget is another important factor to consider when planning your big day. Knowing how much you have to spend will help you narrow down your choices for things like your venue, catering, and décor. It's also helpful to set aside some money for things like unforeseen expenses or last-minute changes.
The average wedding budget in the UK is £27,161, according to a recent survey. However, this number can vary depending on things like where you live, how many people you're inviting, and the type of wedding you want. Be sure to consider where you want to prioritise your spending. If having exceptional wedding photography is important to you then make sure to factor a sufficient budget to be able to book a luxury wedding photographer.
PICK A WEDDING VENUE
Now you have an idea of budget, picking your wedding venue is the next step on the wedding planning list, discussing and researching it is definitely one of things to do before you book your wedding. The first thing we need to do is to get a better understanding of what you both want in terms of location. Where is your dream day? Is it abroad, is it in the countryside, or on a beach? What’s the weather like? Is it warm, is it snowing? How does it feel to be in that moment?
Just take a moment to go through this together, each taking it in turns to talk about where their dream place would be.
Psst, If you're looking for a little inspiration, I've got you covered - here are some of the best places to get married in the UK.
PICK AN AMAZING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
I might be a bit biased, but we've now reached the most important part of your wedding checklist. Wedding photographers are important because they capture the memories of your big day. They provide a way for you to look back on your wedding and relive all of the special moments. As a wedding photographer, it is an honour for me to be the person to capture those special moments.
There are a few things to consider when picking your wedding photographer. First, take a look at their portfolio to get an idea of their style. Then, set up a consultation to speak with them and discuss your vision for the big day. Make sure you feel really comfortable with this person, as they will be spending a lot of time with you on your wedding day. Finally, make sure you're happy with their pricing and package options.
Many wedding photographers will be highly sought after and may get booked up as much as 2-3 years in advance, so don't leave this decision until the last minute. If you'd like to speak with me regarding me potentially being your wedding photographer for your day, get in touch and book in a consultation, I'd absolutely love to speak with you!
CREATE YOUR WEDDING GUEST LIST
There's no right or wrong way to create your guest list – it's entirely up to you! However, there are a few things you might want to take into consideration. First, think about how many people you want in your wedding party. It's traditionally made up of four people (two maids of honour and two best men), but you can have more or fewer depending on your preference.
Second, consider who you want in your wedding party. These are the people who will be by your side on one of the most important days of your life, so it's important to choose wisely. Think about who you're closest to and who you know you can rely on.
And finally, don't forget to ask your chosen ones if they're available and willing to be a part of your big day! I always encourage my couples to be selective with your guest list; invite people you actually know and speak to regularly. Do you really need to invite that second cousin once removed who you saw at a family get together when you were 5? Probably, not.
destination wedding photographer
HAMPSHIRE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
My name is Leah and I love travelling the world with my couples to capture once in a lifetime moments on their special day. I also love being a Hampshire Wedding Photographer, with so many amazing venues nearby.
I'd love to be a part of your special day and would love help you plan your wedding, wherever that may be! Get in touch and see if I have your date free...
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Leah@Leahmariephotography.co.uk
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