Where to start!

Congrats on getting started! It can be daunting but the main think is to set your budget and research options you can afford, you don't want to look at things you can't afford only to be disappointed later. Look at a few different types of venues and also consider the logistics for your guests in terms of travel to venue and hotels nearby. Once you have your venue selected book your registrar first to make sure they have someone available on your date most venues will give you a week or so to be able to check that first before having to sign a contract and then you won't be left with venue and no registrar. Once the Venue is booked you should really try and book things like photographers, hair and make-up, cars and caterers if needed, at the same time to ensure you secure your date. Just remember that all of these will want deposits upfront so you need to make sure you do have some cash in the bank ready as a lot of them won't take credit cards. Hope that helps, if you need advice them message me anytime x

View quoted message Thankyou so much this was really helpful xxx

View quoted message You are welcome, good lick and have fun planning!

Congratulations! We started with a vague guest list so we had an idea of numbers and then sorted the venue (which includes catering). Next we sorted all the things that need a person to actually be there - registrar, photographer, band etc. Stuff like decoration, clothes, flowers etc came later.


It helps to have an idea of what is important to each of you so you can prioritise - especially if budget is tight. Eg do you want a £2k-£3k dress or a more expensive photographer/videographer.
Sounds like you’ve got plenty of time - take your time to book things you want and have fun with the planning!

We have just booked ours for March 2024 so we have plenty of time to book and save. Look at a few different styles of venues eg. Stately homes, barns so you know what you want for your day. And don’t overspend on the venue as it will eat into your budget and most of the time the finer littler details are the most noticed x

First things first, set a budget and make sure you know your top requirements.


We decided our non-negotiables, and our budget before looking; it’s set a good outline for planning.
The budget we set (& I set for any events I plan corporately) is as itemised and broken down as possible to avoided increase/decreases, we’ve not altered by more than a couple of hundred or so and it’s made it so much easier as a planning tool.
Enjoy planning and congratulations xx