Wedding Tips For Your Perfect Day!
1. Be flexible with dates
You may have a particular date in mind for your wedding but
bear in mind your dream venue may not be available on that
date. Dont discount the perfect place just for that reason.
Remember that whatever date you pick will become special one
that you and your partner will celebrate for the rest of your
lives.
2. Set a budget
Whether you have £1,000 or £100,000 to spend, its
vital that you set a budget. The average cost of a wedding in
the UK is £20,248 and overspending by just 10% means youd
need to find an additional £2,024! Allocate an
approximate sum for each item from our checklist (at the back
of this guide) to keep you on track and on budget. These
figures dont have to be set in stone, however. If your dream
dress comes in over budget, see where you can make savings
elsewhere. Instead of buying jewellery, for example, perhaps
you could borrow something from a family member. Rather than
hiring a car, you might be able to ask a friend with a flashy
car to chauffeur the Groom on the day. (Belle Vue provide
executive cars at the best prices.)
3. Choosing your bridal party
Choose your attendants carefully. Pick people who you can rely
on to help and support you through the planning stage and on
the Wedding Day itself. A particularly organised Best Man or
Chief Bridesmaid could make the ideal contact for your
suppliers and your venues Wedding Co-ordinator, which would
leave you free to enjoy your wedding.
4. How to balance the guest list
Begin by looking at both the number of people your venue can
comfortably accommodate and how their price per head fits with
your budget. Then start your list with close family and friends
before moving on to more distant relatives and work colleagues.
Youll probably find you have more people on your list than
expected. Dont worry, there are ways to reduce the number and
keep everyone happy. Most venues can accommodate more people
for an evening buffet with dancing than they can do for a
sit-down wedding breakfast so a good option could be to have
only family members at the wedding breakfast and invite your
friends to join you later.
Alternatively, you could limit the number of children who
attend or avoid giving friends plus one invitations (providing
they know someone else attending).
5. Choosing your venue
Whatever your perfect venue, there are some practical
considerations to think about. Do you have guests travelling a
long way who will need to stay locally? A venue with its own
accommodation will allow your guests to enjoy the day without
the worry of driving home. Always ask if there is a discount on
room rates for wedding guests.
If youre planning a civil ceremony, consider a venue that can
cater for both the ceremony and reception. This will allow your
day to run smoothly, and you will have the venues Wedding
Co-ordinator on hand from start to finish. If youre having a
church wedding, make sure your reception venue is not more than
half an hours drive away. Any further and it can slow down the
day and increase the chances of guests getting lost.
Always ask what is included in a venues price does the room
hire or price per person include linen hire, menu cards or
table decorations? Are there any discounts available if your
wedding is not on the traditional Saturday or if youre planning
your wedding at short notice? It never does any harm to
ask.
6. Giving notice or Calling of Banns
Before you can marry you need to notify the relevant authority
depending on the type of wedding youre planning. For a civil
ceremony, you need to give notice of your intention to marry to
the Superintendent Registrar in the district in which you live.
This notice will be displayed for 15 days at the register
office and providing there is no objection your marriage will
be authorised. This notice is then valid for 12 months.
If your wedding is to take place in a different district to the
one you live in, you will need to speak to the relevant office
to ensure a registrar is available to conduct your
wedding. The Calling of Banns is required by the Church
of England before a wedding can take place. Details of the
couple and their intention to marry must be read out on three
consecutive Sundays in the three months before the wedding.
Banns must be called in the parish church of both the Bride and
Groom as well as in the church the marriage is to take place
in.
7. Use recommended suppliers
Once youve chosen your venue, ask them if they have a list
of recommended suppliers. They work with other wedding
suppliers all the time and may be able to save you a lot of
time by suggesting some local companies whose standards they
can vouch for.
8. Plan your transport
You, your bridal party and your Groom all need transport on
the day. If you have a large party, a limousine or a more
traditional convoy of Rolls Royces may be the best options. See
point 50 regarding transportation for guests.
9. Make a weekend of it
Weddings are a great reason for families to travel long
distances to get together but your wedding will go so fast you
may feel youve hardly had time to speak to everyone so why not
make a weekend of the festivities? Perhaps you could have an
informal dinner the night before with the friends you havent
seen for a while. How about having a brunch for the immediate
family the day after your wedding? This means youll have plenty
of time to speak with everyone, and it will allow the families
to make the most of their time together. Depending on your
venue
choice you may be able to accommodate all of this under the one
roof.
10. Make your out of town guests feel special
When your wedding guests are travelling from afar, show that
you appreciate the effort and expense theyve gone to. Before
the wedding, send them information about events and attractions
in the area, in case they want to extended their stay.
You may want to leave a small welcome present in their hotel
room. Arrange a block booking rate from a hotel close to your
wedding venue.
11. Plan your menu according to the season
When you choose your menu, take the time of the year into
consideration. A nice warming soup would be a welcome start to
a winter meal while in the heat of summer, a refreshing fruit
Pavlov a could finish off your menu perfectly. The same
principle applies to your drink choices: nothing like mulled
wine around a roaring fire for a Christmas wedding. Have soft
drinks available for children and other
non-drinkers. If you have something particular in mind that
isnt on your
venues suggested menus dont be afraid to ask. Most chefs are
happy to create a dish to suit your needs. Remember to select a
vegetarian option and to make the venue aware if any of your
guests have food allergies or special dietary requirements;
most venues will be happy to adapt your menu choices to make
them suitable.
12. Dont let your guests go hungry during the
photographs
The main photography session usually takes place after the
ceremony and can take over an hour and a half to complete so
consider having canapés served with your reception
drinks to tide your guests over until the Wedding Breakfast.
This is especially welcome if your ceremony is between midday
and 2 pm.
13. Find the right photographer for you
The photographer and videographer will provide the permanent
reminders of your special day so make sure their work is what
you want. Consider whether you would rather have a traditional
album or a more contemporary art book and choose suppliers who
specialise in your preferred style. Make sure you look at a
completed example of their work from the last six months, not
just a sample album or video, to check the quality. If possible
select a photographer and videographer who have worked together
before: it will help the day flow if they can work together
rather than getting in each others way!
14. Remember to feed the photographer and videographer
Unlike your other suppliers, your photographer and videographer
will be with you all day without a break so if possible arrange
for a plate of sandwiches and a soft drink to be available for
them at the reception.
15. Prepare a list of must take photographs and images
If there are special details to your day, a choreographed first
dance for instance, make sure you let the photographer and
videographer know before the Big Day so theyll be
prepared to capture the moment.
16. Keep younger guests entertained
If young children are coming, perhaps you could have an
activity pack for each one. Include a colouring book and
crayons, a small puzzle or toy to help keep them entertained.
Perhaps include a one-use camera and set a photo challenge for
them during the day. Alternatively, provide a child-minder or
crèche so the parents can relax and enjoy your wedding
without worrying about their little ones.
17. Make sure you say hello to everyone
A receiving line leading into the Wedding Breakfast is a great
way to make sure youve spoken to all your guests. The line
usually consists of the Bride and Groom, their parents, the
Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid, but if you have a large number
of guests this can take a long time. You could speed this
process up by limiting the line-up to yourselves and your
parents.
18. Think about the best time for the speeches
Traditionally, the speeches follow the Wedding Breakfast
however there is no reason why you cant change this. If you
have a particularly nervous Groom or Best Man you could have
the speeches before the meal so everyone can then relax knowing
the formal obligations are complete. If youre planning an
intimate Wedding Breakfast with a lot more people joining you
in the evening you could save your speeches so everyone gets to
hear them (if the speechmakers are willing, of course!).
19. Get recommendations for a band or DJ
Your DJ or band will be responsible for getting everyone up
and dancing the night away; you may find a DJ a more fitting
choice as they will be more able to alter their set to fit the
mood and requests of your guests. Always ask your venue if they
have an in-house or recommended DJ or band. They will have a
proven track record or your venue wouldnt use them! Plus if
they know your venue, theyll be able to set up and start
playing much quicker thus not interrupting the flow of your
day.
20. If youre staying all night, let people know.
Traditionally, the Bride and Groom leave the celebrations first
to head off on honeymoon but with more and more venues offering
bridal suites this is becoming less common. If you plan on
partying to the end of the night, ask your DJ or band to let
your guests know so that they dont feel embarrassed about
leaving before you do.
21. Try lots of wedding dresses before you make your
choice
Your wedding dress is the most important (and probably the most
expensive) dress youll ever own so getting it right is
essential. You may have an idea of your perfect dress but try
on a range of styles - you might find your opinion changes when
you look in the mirror.
22. Make sure you can move comfortably in your wedding
dress
Before you make a final decision about your wedding dress,
practise walking, turning and sitting down so you know it will
be comfortable on the day.
23. Pick a dress to suit the weather
When choosing your wedding dress, take the time of the year
into consideration: for example, a long train may not be best
suited to a winter wedding when the ground is likely to be wet.
If youre planning a summer wedding, materials such as chiffon
and organza are lighter and will help keep you cool.
24. If the back of your dress is ornate, dont cover it with
a veil
Since brides spend a lot of the wedding ceremony with their
backs to their guests, designers now make the backs of their
dresses as detailed as the fronts. If this is the case with
your dress, rather than covering it up with a long veil,
consider wearing a shoulder or elbow-length veil or a tiara or
fascinator.
25. Only buy accessories after youve bought your wedding
dress
Save choosing your accessories until youve decided on your
dress as they need to complement each other. If youve chosen a
dress with a lot of detail, such as embroidery or diamantes,
keep your jewellery simple and understated; for a particularly
ornate dress, you may prefer to forgo jewellery altogether.
26. Make sure your dress fits into the wedding car or
carriage
Whether you dream of a horse and carriage or a slick
Limousine, there are some practicalities to consider when
choosing your transport. If your dress has a full skirt and a
long train make sure you have enough space inside the car or
carriage and check how easy it is to get in and out. Ask your
dress supplier to show you how to fold your dress to minimise
creasing on the journey.
27. Avoid a mud-splattered wedding dress
If youre having a winter wedding and want to avoid getting mud
splatters on your dress, ask the chauffeur to wipe down the
side of the vehicle before you get out.
28. Find shoes that are comfortable
Although they will likely be hidden under your dress, do take
time choosing the right bridal shoes. If youre a flip-flops or
trainers kind of girl, dont feel pressured into choosing 4-inch
stilettos: youll only feel uncomfortable on the day. Choose
something that you feel comfortable in and practise walking
around the shop to ensure theyre a good fit.
29. Take your wedding shoes to your dress fittings
You will need to have your shoes with you for your dress
fittings so the length can be altered to fit perfectly.
30. Walk-in your shoes
On your Wedding Day, youll be wearing your shoes for
potentially 10 hours or more so make sure you walk them in
around the house beforehand to avoid blisters. Protect
your shoes from scuff marks by wearing a large pair of white
socks over them.
31. Make sure childrens outfits are comfortable
If youre going to have flower girls or pageboys in your
ceremony, ensure their clothes are comfortable (collars are
non-itchy, sleeves are loose, and labels dont scratch). The
more comfortable they are, the less likely they are to
fidget.
32. Ensure all the male members of the bridal party try on
their outfits
If youre hiring co-ordinating menswear for your party make sure
they all visit the shop and get measured correctly. If your
ushers are not all local consider using one of the bigger hire
shops, so they can visit a shop local to them to be measured.
When they collect their outfits ensure that they check that all
items are in the suit bag, they dont want to be hunting for
cravats on the Wedding Day!
33. Take your florist to the ceremony and reception
venues
Take your florist to visit your ceremony and reception venues,
so they can suggest suitable arrangements for the space. If
youre having your ceremony and reception in the same venue you
may be able to move your ceremony arrangements through to the
reception room. This will not only save money it will also mean
your flowers are on show for the whole day, not just the
ceremony.
34. Choose the cake you want
Dont feel as if you must order the traditional tiered wedding
cake, there are more contemporary options available such as
curled chocolate towers, individual cupcakes and French style
croquembouche (a tower of profiteroles). A 10 round cake
will provide 60 portions so if you have a smaller number of
guests but have your heart set on a four-tier cake consider
using dummy tiers. They are iced and decorated to match the
real cake tiers so no-one will ever know and you wont be left
with a mountain of uneaten cake to take home. If you have a
very large number of guests dont feel you must have an enormous
cake. Talk to your cake maker about providing an extra sheet
cake that your venue can use to supplement your display cake;
these cakes have plain icing so cost less than decorated tiers
but once portioned no-one will know the difference.
35. Shop around for rings
Take your time and shop around when it comes to your wedding
rings: youll be wearing them for the rest of your lives so make
sure theyre the right ones! When looking at rings make sure you
try them on with your engagement ring so you know they sit well
next to each other. If your engagement ring is 18-carat gold
your wedding ring needs to be too otherwise the higher carat
ring will wear away the lower. When choosing the size of your
ring, be aware that your fingers will shrink slightly when its
cold. If this is the case, when you order your rings select a
half size bigger to ensure a good fit whatever the
temperature.
36. Ignore superstition and try the rings before you
buy
Some people feel its bad luck to try your ring on before the
wedding and so try them on their right hand instead; ignore the
superstition and make sure they fit correctly on your left
hand. This is important because most people find that the
fingers on their less dominant hand are slightly thinner than
those on their dominant hand, and you dont want to have to get
your rings resized afterwards.
37. Send invitations that reflect the style of your
wedding
The first indication your guests will have as to the style of
your wedding will come from the invitation you send them so
make sure it gives the right impression. Choose a design, font
and colour that ties in with the themes of your day. Consider
including RSVP cards to encourage a swift reply from your
guests.
38. Send a guest information card too
A guest information card is a useful way to let everyone know
the details you wouldnt normally find on the invitation itself.
Include information such as the dress code, whether confetti is
allowed at your venues, maps and directions, a list of local
hotels and details of where your gift list is registered. This
will make things easier and answer most small queries your
guests may have.
39. Chase up people who havent responded to the RSVP
Have a close friend or family member call or email the people
who havent responded to your invitation to find out if they
intend to attend. Dont assume theyre not coming: people forget
to post the response card, and you dont want to be surprised
when they show up on the Big Day.
40. Give your hairstylist and make-up artist the information
they need
Provide your hairdresser and make-up artist with pictures of
your dress so they can help you find a complementary style. If
you have a veil, fascinator or other headpiece take it with you
together with some ideas of what style youd like.
41. Have a hair and make-up practise session
Whether youre booking a professional, having a trusted friend
do the honours or doing it yourself, schedule a practise
session for your hair and make-up so you can see how you will
look on your Wedding Day and decide whether you like the
results.
42. Dont be too adventurous with your wedding make-up
When it comes to your make-up, dont go for something that is
very different from your usual style (you want your Groom to
recognise you as you come down the aisle!). A soft natural look
will enhance your features, give you flawless photographs and
still allow you to be yourself. Make sure you use waterproof
mascara and a kiss-proof lipstick!
43. Ask your Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid to help out
Introduce your Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid to the key members
of both families before the wedding and ask that they make
themselves known to your photographer on the day. They can then
help round up the relevant people for photographs to speed
things along. Make a list of contact names and numbers for all
your suppliers. Give a copy to the Best Man, Chief Bridesmaid
and your venues Wedding Co-ordinator. They can then chase up
any late deliveries and answer any last-minute questions
without worrying you.
44. Before you book an overseas wedding or honeymoon&
organise your passport
If youre planning a honeymoon abroad and want to travel in your
new married name, you will need to get a new passport
organised; if your passport and ticket do not bear the same
name you may be refused travel, even if you show your marriage
certificate.
You and your vicar or registrar will need to complete a PD2
form which can be downloaded from the Direct Gov website. This
form is the confirmation of your wedding date and change of
name and you will need to send this along with the regular
passport application form. You can apply for your new passport
up to three months before your wedding. However, the passport
will be post-dated meaning you cannot use it until youre
legally married. Some countries will not issue visas on
post-dated passports so do check with the relevant consulate
before applying for a new passport.
45. Consider relaxing alternatives to the traditional hen
and stag nights
If a night on the town isnt your thing, there are more relaxing
alternatives. What about a nice pampering weekend at a local
spa or hotel? This will give you a chance to catch up, relax
and spend some quality girl-time with your friends. Many
brides-to-be worry about what their future husband will get up
to on his stag do. If you dont trust the Best Mans taste in
activities why not suggest they try their hand at
paintballing or rock climbing? Outdoor pursuits provide plenty
of excuses to be macho and to get a bit muddy along the
way!
46. Make arrangements for after the wedding
Arrange for someone to collect your wedding dress and any
presents from your wedding night hotel and keep them somewhere
safe until you return from honeymoon. Ask one of the ushers or
the Best Man to return the menswear to the
Hire shop.
47. Pack an emergency wedding kit
Before the Big Day, put together an emergency kit and ask your
venue co-ordinator to keep it safe for you until you need it.
You should include plasters, spare stockings, a travel sewing
kit, your Wedding Day perfume, painkillers, tissues, baby
powder (which hides stains on white dresses), mints and a nail
file. With a kit like this, youll be prepared for any small
glitches on the day.
48. Stave off hunger pangs on the Big Day
After all the planning, your Wedding Day is finally here. Make
sure you eat a good breakfast so that you have enough energy to
keep you going throughout the day. Scrambled eggs on wholemeal
toast or porridge are good slow energy release options and ones
that will keep tummy rumbles at bay.
49. Plan your wedding morning
Whatever time your wedding is make sure you plan your morning
so you dont feel rushed. Ask your stylists how long your hair
and make-up will take, and that of the bridesmaids and work
back from your ceremony time to establish what time you need to
start your preparations. Make sure you leave time for
photographs before leaving for the ceremony.
50. Plan transportation for your guests
In this day and age it is customary to plan transport for your
guests leaving the church or registrar to the reception venue.
Decide how many guests are to be catered for by asking who is
travelling by car and who would like to be transported. Close
family and friends like to have a drink and make a big
celebration of your wedding and knowing you have cared for
their welfare will go down really well.
51. And finally -
Relax and enjoy your Wedding Day!
Your Wedding Countdown Checklist
12 18 months before your wedding
-
Set your wedding date
-
Set your budget
-
Discuss the style and theme of your wedding
-
Choose your attendants
-
Write your guest list
-
Book your ceremony venue
-
Book your reception venue
-
Book your wedding night hotel room
-
Book your photographer
-
Book your videographer
-
Book your entertainment
-
Take out wedding insurance
9-12 months before your wedding
-
Choose and order your wedding dress
-
Choose and order bridesmaids dresses
-
Book your florist
-
Book wedding transport
-
Order your cake
-
Give notice to the Registrar for a civil ceremony or
arrange the Calling of Banns for a church ceremony.
-
Arrange your gift list
-
Book your honeymoon
6-9 months before your wedding
3-6 months before your wedding
-
Send out your invitations
-
Arrange fittings for your bridal gown and the
bridesmaids dresses
-
Choose your bridal shoes and accessories
-
Book hair stylist and make-up artist and arrange trials
with both
-
Order any other table decorations (balloons, favours,
confetti)
2-3 months before your wedding
-
Apply for your new passport if you wish to travel in
your married name
-
Select wedding music and readings for the ceremony
-
" Order your Order of Service sheets
-
" Select thank you gifts for your parents, Best
Man, ushers and bridesmaids
1-2 months before your wedding
-
Chase any outstanding RSVPs
-
Organise your seating plan and write place cards
-
Write a list of must take photographs for your
photographer
-
Arrange a ceremony rehearsal if required
-
Call or visit all your suppliers to finalise details and
delivery timings
-
Confirm final numbers with your venue
-
Wear-in your bridal shoes around the house
-
Arrange collection of your bridal gown, bridesmaids
dresses and menswear
1-2 weeks before your wedding
-
Check all your travel documentation
-
Pack for your honeymoon
-
Have your ceremony rehearsal
-
Have your hen and stag parties
-
Put together an emergency kit for the wedding
-
Write a list of all suppliers and their contact numbers
for the Best Man/Venue Coordinator
-
Make arrangements for someone to collect your dress and
presents from your wedding night hotel and for menswear to
be returned
1 day before your wedding
-
Have a manicure, massage or other beauty treatments
-
Lay out your outfits and accessories and check you have
everything
-
Give the rings to the Best Man
Your Wedding Day