Get Ready To Say I Do! Here Are Some Wedding Planning Must-Haves

If you want to ensure that your wedding day is enjoyable, memorable and stress-free, it’s essential that you consider the basic wedding planning must-haves, when you’re busy writing a VIP guest list for your evening wedding invitations.

There’s no need to break your budget to secure the services of a professional wedding planner, when you have insider knowledge of everything that you need to help you to get ready to say “I do”.

Get Organised

To accomplish effortless wedding planning, it’s important to think like a pro. Get organised by collating all of your vital wedding related information in an easy to use wedding planner. A practical three-ring binder is perfect for keeping track of your guest list, correspondences with vendors, and other key elements that you need to consider when getting ready to embark on married life. You can also store magazine tear sheets of your fairytale wedding dress or wedding décor inspiration, in the pages of your wedding planner.

If you prefer, you can use a wedding planner app or keep a digital record on a computer.

To get the most out of the wedding planning checklist, it should ideally feature sections for 12+ months, 9+ months, 3+ months, 1 month and the week/day before planning stages. Listing all the individual tasks that need to be completed on time will help you identify what needs your urgent attention, at a glance. Remember to tick off each item when completed.

Be Budget Savvy

Your wedding budget should realistically reflect what you can afford to spend. Typically, around 50 percent of the total budget is spent on reception costs. Wedding attire, floral arrangements and venue decor, photography/videography, and entertainment come in around the 10 percent mark.

The remainder of your budget should be reserved for miscellaneous items such as wedding stationery, last minute wedding dress alternations, and little extras that help to enhance the romance of your big day.

If you’re planning to get married after 7pm, your budget may need to stretch to cover a premium price for wedding venue and vendor services. The higher rate reflects competitive late night crew fees and expenses.

It’s definitely worth taking advantage of a credit card that offers a rewards programme. Consolidating all wedding-related purchases to this card can help you accumulate thousands of rewards points that you can spend on honeymoon treats.

Ask For Extras

When booking the services of wedding vendors, it pays to politely ask for free extras. Most vendors will be happy to throw in something extra, if your signature on the service contract is guaranteed. It’s always best to ask upfront, as a later request is less likely to be considered once an agreement has been made and the deposit has been paid.

Create A VIP Guest List

Before you can send out your luxurious evening wedding invitations, you’ll need to create the all-important VIP guest list.

Many couples choose to celebrate their nuptials with family and close friends in attendance, and invite work colleagues and acquaintances to the evening reception only. When composing your guest list with your beloved, aim to invite an equal amount of your and their family and friends. Your budget should help you to determine how many guests you can afford to include on the VIP list.

Book The Venue

The venue of your wedding plays an integral part in influencing the theme and vibe of your special day. The sooner you book your ceremony and reception venues, the easier it will be to plan everything else.

You will need to consider the venue hire costs, seating capacity, catering options and décor details. The indoor and outdoor settings also need to be to your liking, if you want to ensure that you’re pleased with your wedding photographs.

If your budget is limited, you could potentially secure the expensive venue of your dreams by booking your wedding out of season.

Book The Wedding Vendors

To ensure your wedding is an occasion to remember, you’ll need to book the professional services of a number of vendors/suppliers. Shop around to find a caterer, florist, photographer, DJ, band/entertainers, and a hair and makeup artist that offer what you want at a price you can afford.

If you love the idea of having a photographic and video memory of your wedding day, look for a wedding photographer who offers reportage style photography along with videography. Request to see their portfolio, and check the testimonials of couples that previously booked the services.

Take Out A Wedding Insurance Policy

No matter how carefully planned your wedding is on paper, you can never predict what will happen on the big day. Wedding insurance isn’t overly costly, and could save you a great deal of money if a supplier lets you down at the last minute, or something happens to prevent your wedding from going ahead as planned. Having the unpredictable covered will put your mind at ease, and help you relax and enjoy the experience of getting hitched.

Write And Send The Wedding Invitations

Traditionally, evening wedding invitations that follow on from save-the-dates are sent out 6-12 weeks before the wedding day. If you’re solely sending the invites, it’s perfectly acceptable to pop them in the post at an earlier date.

Your elegant and beautiful wedding invitations should include all of the important information that guests need to know. Make sure the wedding ceremony and reception venue details are easy to understand, and provide additional overnight accommodation, transport, parking information. If you have a specific dress code, don’t forget to mention that too.