The First 5 Steps to Plan Your Perfect Wedding
So you’ve just got engaged? Congratulations – it’s now time to start planning your dream Wedding in Dumfries & Galloway! For many couples, this can be a scary thought. There is so much to think about – from the DJ, to the photographer, to the dress, to the venue, to the cake, to the favours – it really is so difficult to know where to begin.
Whilst it may all seem very stressful just now, planning your Wedding should be fun and exciting. We want to help you make the most of the planning experience, so here are our first 5 steps to planning your perfect Wedding.
1 – Wedding Style & Tone
Big or small? Formal or casual? Outdoor Summer or cosy Winter? Traditional or modern?
Every Wedding is different and your Wedding should be unique to you. It should celebrate the things you love and reflect who you are as a couple. Don’t feel pressured into following traditions just because that’s how it’s always been done. Break the mould and make your Wedding all about you!
It’s worth thinking about the style and tone of your Wedding early on in the planning process as the decisions you make here, often influence decisions that come later on.
Sit down with your partner and discuss your ideal Wedding. What adjectives keep coming up? Try to think about the big picture at this stage and don’t worry too much about all the little details. Remember to keep a note as this will be really helpful when it comes to choosing your suppliers.
2 – What’s Your Budget?
Once you have decided on the type of Wedding you want, it’s important to think about the budget. With so many awesome options for venues, entertainment, cakes and more, it is very easy to overspend. You should set your budget as soon as possible and constantly refer back to it throughout the planning process. If several people are contributing to your special day (e.g. parents, grandparents, etc.) then you should find out how much as soon as you can. This allows you to get a much clearer idea of your budget and how much you have got to work with.
If you like to be really organised, there are a number of Wedding budget planning websites and apps available, such as Bridebook – https://bridebook.co.uk/
3 – Get Inspired
Finding inspiration is often a favourite part of the planning process. Start by thinking about all the Weddings you have been to in the past – What did you like? What would you change? Remember it is your day and it can be anything you want it to be.
Once you have some ideas, use websites like Pinterest and Instagram to see all the amazing things you could have at your Wedding. You will see so many things you like (and dislike) throughout the planning process so make sure you keep a note of things. You can make boards on Pinterest, keep notes on your phone or create a scrapbook, so you’ve got all your favourite ideas in one place and easy to find.
Wedding Shows are great places to find inspiration and meet the fantastic range of Wedding suppliers that are out there. These usually take place at the beginning of the year in January/February and then again later in the year, around September/October. Keep an eye out on social media for upcoming shows like the Easterbrook Wedding Show on Sunday 5th March 2023. If you can’t make it to a Wedding Show, suppliers are still always keen to discuss the plans for your big day. Don’t be afraid to send a message, email or phone any supplier if you need more information or inspiration – they will be more than happy to help.
4 – Where and When?
Before you can book any suppliers, you need to have a date set and a venue booked.
One of the best bits of planning your Wedding is looking round some fantastic venues, so make the most of it – try the food, take plenty of photos and start imagining how it could look on your big day. Most venues now offer virtual tours either live or as a recorded video. Whilst nothing beats the real thing, a virtual tour does give you the opportunity to see the venue and is particularly useful if you are considering venues that are a bit further afield. If you are viewing venues via live video, remember to ask lots of questions to help you understand exactly how your ideas will work in that particular venue.
It’s always a good idea to have a rough date in mind when looking at venues but prepare to be flexible if you have your heart set on one particular venue. Remember if you are having a Church Ceremony then you will need to coordinate the availability of both venues – and don’t forget to factor in travel time between the venues.
If you are planning your Wedding in Dumfries & Galloway, you can find out more about some of our favourite venues here: https://www.rkdjmobiledisco.co.uk/about/venues-and-recommendations/
5 – Book Your Wedding Suppliers
Now you have got your venue booked, it’s time to choose the team of people who will make your dream Wedding a reality – the Wedding suppliers! The average couple uses 13 Weddings suppliers so it’s important to start booking these as early as you can.
2022 was one of the busiest years ever for Wedding suppliers and this is continuing into 2023. We always recommend booking your entertainment and photographer first as both of these often get booked up well in advance. You should then start organising your minister or celebrant, florist, cake maker, hair & makeup, and of course, the dress!
If you are planning a Dumfries & Galloway Wedding, you can find out more about just some of the region’s fantastic Wedding Suppliers here: https://www.rkdjmobiledisco.co.uk/about/venues-and-recommendations/
Planning a Wedding is no easy task, but just keep reminding yourself that you are putting the pieces together to create the best day of your life – that makes it all worthwhile.
If you have any questions or we can do anything to help with the planning, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Enjoy the planning!
