9 Essential Tips for Planning the Perfect Wedding

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming process for many soon-to-be-wed couples. From balancing the books to coordinating every little detail, it’s a task that requires patience, creativity, and a lot of organisation.

But fear not! The path to your perfect ‘I do’ moment can be as joyful and memorable as the day itself.

These tips promise to simplify your planning process and inject the fun back into every step. So, take a deep breath, and let’s get the wedding planning underway.

1. Agree on a Theme

Picking a theme for your wedding can be one of the most daunting parts of the process because where do you even start? There’s no ‘one size fits all’ here. It ultimately comes down to what you and your partner like and dislike – it’s as simple as that.

Begin by picking a colour theme, whether it’s emerald greens and light greys or pastel colours for the bridesmaid dresses; deciding on the colours you like will help other elements fall into place, i.e. wedding venues, table decorations, wedding invites, etc.

Another tact is considering popular themes other couples have chosen for their wedding day; you can always alter them as you please to make them personal to you both. Here are some popular wedding themes to think about:

• Rustic barn 
• Traditional
• Retro/vintage
• Bohemian/chic
• Fairytale
• Spiritual
• Minimalist
• Garden
• Beach, forest or tropical
• Natural
• Art deco
• Winter wonderland

These are just a selection of what’s currently on trend – why not follow hashtags on Instagram or TikTok for inspiration? Try #weddingtheme & #weddingthemes to see the latest trends.

Once the theme is decided upon, the rest of your suppliers should complement this, whether it’s the florist, wedding cake or wedding band.

2. Sticking to Budget

Nothing is more deflating than overspending, so being realistic with your budget is vital. Gathering quotes from suppliers to build a clear picture of the costs involved is a great start, and keeping track of these costs via a spreadsheet in Excel, a mobile app, or even in your iPhone notes is worth the effort.

Factoring in the less obvious points, such as wedding insurance, will help give a more realistic view of your expenditures. If you need to cut costs, having a spreadsheet can help you make those difficult decisions more efficiently, as you can visually assign what’s most important to you.

If you’re struggling to get the numbers to line up, then take a look at some of our cost-savings tips here:

Book Off-Season

You can reduce the price of your wedding day drastically if you consider booking off-peak. Weddings booked for mid-week dates (Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs) and for dates in January, February, March & November can see savings of up to £10,000, according to wedding experts.

DIY Decor

If you and your partner have a skill, then now’s the time to put it to use! Whether creating personalised place cards from wood, designing and painting your table planner, or asking guests to pick flowers to make up your bouquet, there are a whole bunch of great wedding hacks and ideas to consider that will save you a pretty penny!

Modern Tech

From sending out digital invitations to creating a wedding page to donate to, there are numerous apps designed to help you manage your budget. Check out sites like Wix & Squarespace to build a website for your special day; you can include a section about your story as a couple, RSVPs, a digital guestbook and a place to upload images/videos.

Remember, the day itself will reflect the people you invite and the personal touches you add to the day, so think carefully about where your money goes.

3. Ask for Recommendations

A recommendation by a venue or supplier is the best form of referral. If you find yourself stuck for a stationer, ask one of your other suppliers if they know of someone. They’ll likely recommend someone who works the same way as them, making your wedding planning flow even better.

Remember to call upon friends who’ve already tied the knot and gone through this before. They’ll have first-hand knowledge and experience with genuine suppliers and the difficulties they faced on and before the day, so hopefully, with their insight, you can avoid these altogether!

Finally, you’ll find helpful forums on websites like Hitched and Mumsnet where a host of willing individuals are waiting to pass on their tips and advice for planning the perfect wedding – so don’t be afraid to get stuck in!

4. Create a Schedule

The proposed schedule should include the months in the lead-up to the wedding, appointments and timings on the day itself. Setting deadlines should help focus your mind and ensure you get things ticked off your list – and we all love doing that!

You’ll be surprised to know there are many helpful apps to help with planning your wedding. Hitched, Bridebook, and Appy Couple Wedding App are among the most popular. Why not take a look at some of the following features you can expect to find:

• Welcome guests
• Tell your story
• RSVP Manager
• Collect Guest Photos
• Digital ‘Save the dates’
• Registries & Gift Lists
• Guestbook
• Countdown

If being organised is your kryptonite, then using one of these colourful, interactive and helpful apps is the best solution to your planning needs!

5. Work out Who’s Paying for What

It’s traditional for the father of the bride to pay for the whole wedding, but this needs to be updated. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for the cost to be split between the families and the happy couple, so be clear about what everyone’s expectations are.

Assigning tasks or items to tick off the checklist to individuals is easily the best way to avoid any confusion or ill feelings between family members. Speak openly and honestly about what you can afford and what you do and don’t need help with; this way, you can sincerely invite others to offer their help and get a clearer understanding of how you’ll be able to pay for the wedding.

Remember, you can revisit your budget at any point, so if you feel the cost burdens a family member or loved one, there’s no harm in trying a different tactic; drafting in friends to try ‘do it yourself’ is always a good place to start!

6. Stress Management

There’s a good reason couples pay wedding planners a lot of money to organise their big day – because it’s stressful!

However, if you are (like many) planning on organising the whole thing, it’s essential to be mindful of the workload involved. It will get stressful; there’s no avoiding this, so remember to do the following:

• Regularly check in with your partner
• Schedule days off during the week/weekend for no ‘wedmin’
• Plan a spa retreat or full body massage to release some tension
• Practice yoga or meditation for 15-30 minutes a day
• Create a ‘to-do list’ so you can visually check off wedding tasks
• If you’re struggling, ask for help from family or friends
• Remind yourselves of the reason why you’re getting married; create a mantra, something positive you can say out loud to push through the difficult days
• Be kind to yourself; remember, it should be an enjoyable & exciting process as well

7. Eco-friendly Wedding Venues

With growing environmental concerns, consider being eco-friendly with the suppliers you choose and how you approach the big day.

Using local suppliers to cut down on transit is a good start. Then, find out if your suppliers are using sustainable products, whether this be your caterers or florists. Using locally sourced ingredients or materials is a great wait to be more eco-friendly. Using locally sourced dried flowers instead of confetti is an excellent swap, and it still provides the same effect for that iconic post-ceremony photo.

Digital invitations will help reduce the use of paper, and instead of providing goodie bags for guests on your table, consider planting a tree for each guest attending. You could even ask guests to donate to a charity instead of buying presents that aren’t necessarily needed.

Encourage guests to car share and use local transport where possible to reduce carbon emissions. Some places specialise in being eco-friendly; check out these 20 fantastic sustainable venues!

• Old Oak Farm, Somerset
• fforest, Pembrokeshire
• Tree Top Escape, North Devon
• Stockton House, Shropshire
• The Wellbeing Farm, Lancashire
• Folly Farm Centre, Somerset
• Millbrook Estate, Devon
• Dewsall Court, Herefordshire
• Nancarrow Farm, Cornwall
• Casterley Farm, Wiltshire
• Middle Coombe Farm, Devon
• Elmore Court, Gloucestershire
• Borthwick Castle, Lothian & Borders
• Cornish Tipi Weddings, Cornwall
• West Lexham, Norfolk
• Silverholme Manor, Cumbria
• Bore Place, Kent
• Nantwen, Pembrokeshire
• Abbey Home Farm, Gloucestershire
• Pines Calyx, Kent

8. Remember to have Fun!

You are a couple in love who are deciding to make the ultimate commitment to each other. While you must dedicate some weekends to ‘wedmin’, there’s still time for fun in the lead-up to the big day. Events like tastings, dress fittings and cake sampling are perfect times to let your hair down and enjoy what will be the best day of your life!

When the day finally comes around, remind yourself why you’re getting married and that today is a celebration of your love with all your family and close friends. Strive for the experience rather than the expectation. Be in the moment, switch off your ‘planning head’, and try to relax into the day and enjoy each moment.

If there is one comment every couple makes about their wedding day, it is that it goes by in a flash. Try to laugh off any mishaps or imperfections of the day, and remind yourself of the real reason why you’re all gathered here together.

9. Post-Wedding Tips

The honeymoon is on the horizon, and the sandy beaches are calling your name, but before we take a dip, here are a few things to remember to do post-wedding.

Writing thank you notes to all your guests who attended and contributed towards your wedding is very important. A personalised note goes a long way, especially if they’ve made a long journey or helped towards your special day.

Return any items you’ve rented, whether this be equipment for a silent disco or a cake stand. If you’re leaving for your honemoney straight after the wedding, ensure you have assigned friends or family to take care of these post-wedding tasks – you don’t want to return to an angry supplier or, worse, a late fee!

Preserving the wedding dress for return is essential, and gathering all the suits from the best man and groomsmen before they leave the venue the next day is a smart move. Perhaps arrange to meet for breakfast the next day so you can tick this off your list without hassle.

We hope you’ll find the following tips helpful in planning the perfect wedding!