Where to start ?

Congratulations on getting engaged.

I think the first thing you really need to do is sort your budget out. Have a think about how much you can realistically spend on your wedding. Once you have this it will help you make decisions going forward. For example my budget is just over £20,000, so we had this in mind when looking at venues. In the end we booked a £12,000 venue which includes our DJ, catering all our silverware, linen etc.

You should also prioritise things that you want at your wedding. As you may find you have to choose between certain things due to budget. So I would sit down with your other half and make a list of things you must have, things you ideally want and then things that are last priority. This will help guide your decisions later down the line and you can focus on the top priorities first.

For an idea of costs if it helps you I have put some of my costs below.

* Photographer £650 for the day (family friend)

*Videographer £1250

*Venue £12,000

*Decor (chair covers, bows and table runners) £180

* Photobooth £425

* Cars £525

* Cake £350

* Pianist £338

* Make up for myself and 4 bridesmaids £400

Also when you decide on what things you want to book, make sure you shop around. There are so many suppliers and quotes can massively vary. For example I was quoted over £2000 for a videographer but I kept searching and was actually recommended someone who did a friends wedding and he was almost £800 cheaper.

Try not to let it overwhelm you, it is a lot of fun to plan, just take it step by step and have fun putting your day together

View quoted message Many thanks for this it feels very overwhelming! We've recently brought a new house soo the budget is tight i think venue with food and drinks etc will have to be around 7k . Top end. I think we will also have to donit out of season as well. I had no idea how expensive things were !

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Yes out of season and on a weekday will reduce the cost alot. We are getting married on a Thursday and its £8k cheaper than if we had gone with a Saturday.

Do lots of research and you will find what you want. I spent so much time researching when I first started planning. Also get a wedding planning book because they have so many tips in them, which really helped me.

I bought this one and can highly recommend it: https://busyb.co.uk/wedding-planner-book

I live in a similar area and only been engaged about 3 months myself. I looked (didn’t view in person) Langstone Quays I thought that looked lovely too

Congratulations! One thing that helped us at the beginning was for each of us to choose our top priorities so we could focus on these (and spend more on them/less on other stuff). Eg for both of us, a good photographer was an essential. We also wanted to prioritise venue but weren’t so bothered about matching outfits for the bridal party (saved a fortune by only providing outfits for the kids!).
Also, don’t forget to budget for the real essentials - like the ceremony itself (just paid for ours and it was almost £500 (varies on your area and is cheaper if you dont want the registrar to come to you) but cant get married without it!!).
Good luck - and dont forget the importance of some non wedding time 🥳

Hi Katie, congratulations on your engagement! 🎉

It’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at the beginning. A good way to start is by setting a rough guest number and overall budget, because that will help narrow down venues quickly. For the festival/woodland vibe you mentioned, you might want to look at places that allow outdoor ceremonies, tipi or marquee setups, or countryside barns. Hampshire and West Sussex actually have quite a few venues that cater to that relaxed style, so it’s definitely possible without going too formal.

Old Thorns can be a good option if the package deal works for your budget, because packages sometimes include catering, coordination, and basic décor, which can reduce stress later on.

For photographers, prices can vary quite a lot depending on experience and how many hours you book. In many areas of the UK, you might see anything from £800 to £2,000+ for a full-day package. Since you’re not a fan of having photos taken, it might help to choose a photographer who focuses on natural, candid shots rather than posed ones. Many couples find that style much more comfortable.

Also, when you start thinking about invitations, signage, or décor details, small creative touches can make the wedding feel more personal. Some couples even experiment with stylish text styles for invitations or welcome signs. Tools like https://schriften-generator.de can help generate decorative text styles you can copy into designs or digital invites if you want something a bit different.

Try not to stress too much at the start. Once you secure a venue and photographer, everything else usually starts to fall into place.

Good luck with the planning! 😊

Hi Katie, congratulations! 😊

Honestly, the way you’re feeling right now is completely normal, it can feel like *a lot* at the beginning.

You’ve already got a great idea of the vibe you want (festival/woodland), which is actually a big step. I’d say the next easiest way to move forward is:

* Rough guest list (even a ballpark number helps a lot)

* Set a realistic max budget (even if it’s flexible)

That will instantly narrow down venues.

For your style, definitely look into:

* Barn venues

* Woodland / outdoor licensed venues

* Tipi or marquee weddings (sometimes more flexible on budget)

Old Thorns is worth viewing if the package suits you, but also check what’s included carefully, sometimes DIY-style venues *look* cheaper but end up costing more once you add everything.

For photographers, since you don’t like being photographed, look for someone who does:

* candid / documentary style

* minimal posing

That makes a huge difference and feels much more natural on the day.

And one thing people don’t always mention: don’t try to plan everything at once. Focus on venue first, then photographer, then everything else will fall into place much easier.

You’ve got this, just take it step by step 😊