| Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting | | | | aware however that some designers have waiting lists |
| times of you life, however the thought of it can also be | | | | of over twelve months so as a minimum try to order |
| one of the most daunting. Knowing where to start and | | | | your dress twelve months in advance. If you see a |
| what you should aim to do by when will ease you | | | | dress that you love in a magazine then Google the |
| through the process and keep you feeling in control | | | | bridal gown designer and then simply search for your |
| each step of the way. | | | | local stockist. Again some wedding planning websites |
| When it comes to a wedding, everyone is different | | | | will have already done this for you so check out those |
| and every bride wants to make her day unique. It is | | | | with a wedding dress directory. |
| therefore advisable to ensure that you get the | | | | Photographers, Rings & Cars |
| essential items under control in order to leave yourself | | | | At around the same time, consider the wedding cars, |
| time for the finishing touches that really do make your | | | | the photographer and the rings. These are all important |
| day. Here we explain how and when to go about | | | | and in most cases essential items that can take some |
| taking some of the all important steps that lead to a | | | | time to find. For this reason, you should start looking |
| fabulous day! | | | | early, if possible aim to have the wedding rings, |
| Set a Budget | | | | photographer and cars chosen with around eighteen |
| Firstly plan your wedding budget making a pact with | | | | months to go. If you are struggling for ideas or not sure |
| your other half that you won't exceed it. Do your | | | | who comes recommended in your area, ask around |
| homework beforehand so that you know what some | | | | and check the wedding forums, these are a great |
| of the more costly items are likely to be and agree | | | | place to share ideas and experiences with other brides |
| that if you want to go over budget on one item, you | | | | to be. Take care when booking your photographer, |
| need to save money or another. Many wedding | | | | wedding photographs are with you forever and aside |
| websites have handy budget calculators and hints and | | | | from the dress have been described as the single |
| tips on how to save money on your big day. Some | | | | most important factor so make sure you are happy |
| even offer discounts with wedding suppliers local to | | | | with your chosen supplier! |
| you, be sure to google wedding planning and see what | | | | Colour Co-ordination |
| you can find! Once the budget is set, this is where the | | | | You can now start thinking about the bridesmaids |
| fun really begins as the next vital step is to find your | | | | dresses, the Groom his Best man and the Ushers and |
| venue. | | | | the venue decoration as these items tend to go hand |
| Choose Your Venue | | | | in hand in order that the colours chosen compliment |
| Choosing the right venue can sometimes be easy, | | | | each other and the bridesmaid dress colour usually |
| however if there's nowhere that immediately springs to | | | | sets the colour scheme. Once you have decided on |
| mind, this can take a little time and often a little | | | | this colour, it is handy if you are able to take a swatch |
| patience from both parties! Decide what it is that is | | | | of the bridesmaid fabric colour as this can be used to |
| important about the venue, is it a fantastic view, the | | | | co-ordinate venue decoration such as seat covers or |
| bridal suite, the customer service, the food or a | | | | even flowers. If you are set on your flowers |
| combination of many factors? Start visiting venues | | | | co-ordinating and don't want to compromise on shade, |
| with a notebook to hand and make sure that you ask | | | | it is worth knowing that florists are now able to spray |
| as many questions as you need to. If you are getting | | | | flowers in almost any colour under the sun and fairly |
| married outside of your local area or simply need | | | | cheaply as well! At this time you should also get your |
| some help in finding venues, again use wedding | | | | invitations ordered as again, these are often chosen to |
| websites with venue directories or magazines to direct | | | | compliment the colour scheme of the bridal party. |
| you to some fabulous local venues. | | | | The Guest List |
| Word of mouth can be of great help here, so be sure | | | | With the invitations in progress, you can now move on |
| to ask around friends, family and anyone else you can | | | | to the guest list! You will have an idea of your |
| get your hands on! Remember to also check out | | | | approximate ideal number of guests, so now all you |
| websites where guests can review and rate hotels as | | | | have to do is get to this number! Compromise is |
| this will sometimes uncover valuable information both | | | | important here but after all, this is your day and your |
| good and bad. Aim to secure your venue with at least | | | | day alone so don't be swayed by the opposing |
| 18 - 24 months to go as you will find that venues are | | | | opinions of other family members if possible. Aim to |
| often booked up years in advance so some flexibility | | | | have your guest list finalised and be ready to send |
| with your dates will help here. If you are having a | | | | invitations with around nine months to go. If you have |
| church wedding, be sure to check the dates with the | | | | chosen to get married on a day other than a Saturday |
| church before paying a deposit at the venue and vice | | | | it is worth sending out Save The Date cards or |
| versa. | | | | magnets 12 months or more in advance. |
| Wedding Insurance | | | | Now that you know roughly how many guests you will |
| Before you start spending on the essentials for your | | | | have on the big day, and have ordered your invites, |
| day, consider wedding insurance. For a relatively small | | | | you can look at finalising any numbers for the venue |
| cost of around on average thirty pounds this usually | | | | dresser for items such as seat covers and favors and |
| covers you for eventualities such as illness or injury or | | | | arranging items such as chocolate or drinks fountains |
| one of your suppliers letting you down or worse, going | | | | and the all important wedding entertainment. Don't |
| bust. Unfortunately, in the current credit crunch climate, | | | | forget to actually send your invites at this point as well |
| the latter is something to think about. You are sure to | | | | and to ensure that your RSVP date fits in with the |
| have researched your suppliers before you book | | | | deadline for finalising numbers with your venue or any |
| them, however you won't have had the opportunity to | | | | deadline that you have been given by suppliers. |
| see their bank account so it makes sense to consider | | | | Just Six Months To Go |
| your options. If insurance is for you then many | | | | The last 6 months or so before the wedding tends to |
| websites offer price comparisons so check these out | | | | be a time for dealing with the nice to have extras or |
| and find the best deal. | | | | less urgent items such as table plans and place |
| The Wedding Dress | | | | settings, final decisions about the food and the wine |
| Now that you have your venue and you have | | | | and of course the dress and suit fittings. Remember to |
| considered insurance, you will no doubt be itching to | | | | set aside time to get together an emergency box for |
| finalise other arrangements. The wedding dress needs | | | | the bride to be on the morning of the wedding and to |
| to be chosen well in advance and something that the | | | | include both fun items such as champagne as well as |
| bride to be certainly will need no reminders about! Be | | | | practical things such as spare hair pins and tissues! |