| Congratulations, you have fallen in love, got to know | | | | or day and evening? |
| each other's quirks, and now decided to GET | | | | Step Five |
| MARRIED -eeeek! This is the stage when panic sets | | | | Start your venue search - take your top three priorities |
| in. Big ideas of romantic wedding venues, designer | | | | into account when making your choice. It's a good idea |
| bridal gowns, live music, and big dreams, until you | | | | to shortlist 3 or 4 venues and visit each one to get a |
| realise that, actually, your budget just isn't going to | | | | real feel of the different venues available. |
| stretch that far and what is it exactly that you can | | | | Step Six |
| afford? | | | | Now the most important bit - The Dress! Some |
| Knowing where to start is the most difficult step to | | | | designers require at least 6 months lead time to create |
| take. Once the foundations are in place, the next | | | | your dress, so start the search early. |
| months of wedding planning will start to flow - I am not | | | | Step Seven |
| going to say it's easy and there will be dramas along | | | | Hire a wedding planner. Mention the word wedding |
| the way, but if you stick to your first ten steps you | | | | planner and £ signs flash before your eyes, but |
| should keep on track. | | | | actually a wedding planner can save you money. They |
| Step One | | | | have very good relationships with wedding suppliers |
| List your top three priorities. What will you absolutely | | | | and are able to negotiate a good price on their |
| NOT compromise on. The easiest way to get to your | | | | services, which is then passed on to you. It takes the |
| top three is to make a list: | | | | stress out of your busy life and keeps your wedding |
| | | | budget on track. |
| 1. what you absolutely will not compromise on, | | | | Step Eight |
| 2. what you absolutely would not like, | | | | Wedding photographers, particularly the most popular |
| 3. and what you would be prepared to compromise | | | | ones, are really busy. Begin your research for a |
| on. It will help, really, to get to a top three 'must-haves'. | | | | photographer. Wedding Fairs are a good resource for |
| Step Two | | | | photographers where you can see their work |
| Set a date - be careful not to set a date that clashes | | | | first-hand. |
| with important family events that may be taking place, | | | | Step Nine |
| or sporting events that may upset your plans - big | | | | Finalise your choice of Venue, Dress, and |
| time. eg. Football final day, Wimbledon, Big birthdays or | | | | Photographer and pay deposits to secure. |
| anniversaries. | | | | Step Ten |
| Step Three | | | | The fun bit of planning your wedding theme can begin. |
| Set a budget - of what you can reasonably afford. It is | | | | Start a scrapbook and buy a wedding planner folder |
| reasonable to add 10-15% for contingency. | | | | where you can gather all your material swatches, |
| Step Four | | | | samples and ideas. |
| Make a rough guest list, to get an idea of how large or | | | | These ten steps are the building blocks of planning |
| small your wedding is going to be. Split the list into three | | | | your wedding. Always keep your top three priorities in |
| - absolutely must have (A list) - nice to have (B) - and | | | | mind when making any decisions (does it agree with |
| everyone else (C). Is it going to be an all-day invitation, | | | | those?), and mindful of your wedding budget. |