How to Plan Your Wedding Planning!

Every couple who has hired a wedding planner has found them incredibly valuable to form ideas, communicate effectively with suppliers, run the logistics of the day and help them stay on top of things throughout their wedding planning journey. In fact, hiring a wedding planner could be one of the best investments you make when planning a wedding, but of course, this is not possible for all couples. So, we spoke to Jenny at JS Events to find out the best way to tackle planning your perfect day!

We all know that getting engaged is one of the best days of a couple's lives, filled with excitement. However I am sure that everyone can also agree, that it comes with a fair amount of stress, pressure and a lot of decisions that need to be made as couples try to navigate planning a wedding and possibly holding down full-time jobs. If I could give one piece of advice to couples, it would be that it is your day, so enjoy it! 

In order to ensure that your day is stress-free, I suggest that you plan, plan, plan, and plan some more! Also, remember that you are a team, discuss what you both want, and plan based on those ideas. 

So when and what do you need to think about? 

12 – 18 months prior: Start with the big things!

• What: What theme/style wedding do you want? Do you want an elegant manor house wedding or a rustic marquee wedding? Think about the type of ceremony you want within this. Remember it’s your choice!
• Where: Where do you want to get married and at what venue? Do you want a wedding in your home town or do you want a destination wedding?
• When: When do you want to get married? Do you want a summer or winter wedding?
• How: What is your budget? This is key, decide it with your partner and stick to it! Easier said than done, I know! 
• Who: Who do you want to invite and how many people do you want to attend? Remember each invite comes at a cost so think carefully. Don’t invite people because you feel like you ‘have to’!

Once you have these big details and ideas down, you can start to book those bigger elements of your wedding. From the wedding venue to the wedding photographer, you'll need to start securing each of these suppliers in good time to avoid missing out on your first choice.

6 - 12 months prior: Get into the detail!

• Suppliers: If you haven't done so already, now is the time to secure your final suppliers; wedding planners, caterers, photographers, videographer, florists, entertainment etc. Remember, good suppliers will get booked up fast. So, in order to get your first choice, you need to get in there early!
• Insurance: Make sure you secure wedding insurance. It may seem like an unnecessary expense but if the worst were to happen it may be your saviour!
• Save the Dates: Ideally, these should be sent out 12 months prior to the wedding (but can be sent out sooner if you'd like). You want your guest to be free!
• The Dress: Possibly one of the most exciting times for the bride! Lead times for wedding dresses to be made can be up to 6 months and alterations can take 6 – 8 weeks, so start looking early. 

At this stage in the process, you still have a good amount of time to plan. Try not to get too bogged down in the details here and start gathering inspiration for the suppliers you've booked to give them an idea of what you'd want. For example, when you book your wedding florist, send them a few photos of inspiration or even a Pinterest board of things that you like. This will help them to identify the kinds of flowers you'd like without getting too detailed on the design as your mind may still change.

1 – 6 months prior: It’s all in the detail!

• Wedding Party & Bridesmaids: Start shopping, get their outfits sorted and wedding ready!
• Rings: Enjoy a couples day and buy or make your rings.
• Ceremony: Finalise your order of service.
• Details: Start having detail meetings with your suppliers and making decisions on design and style.
• Table Plan: Create your table plan – remember it's your day and only for a few hours, so try not to stress about it. It will likely change several times before you finalise!
• Wedding Dress: Final fitting! Avoid a last-minute crash diet. Your dress is fitted perfectly to the size you are on your final fitting, so this is how it will look best. Rather than a crash diet, try and maintain the same weight, however tempted you are!
• Invitations: Traditionally, invites are sent out 3 months prior to the day.

We are getting into the details now. All of those ideas you generated in the earlier stages will now need final decisions, Be lead by your suppliers and ensure you meet with them to discuss any changes to your original ideas.

0 – 1 month prior: The Final Countdown!

• Confirm: Confirm final timings and movements with each supplier. The best way to do this is to create an itinerary of the day with everyone’s movements which can be sent to each supplier easily. 
• Sit Back and Relax: Once you have sent over the final details, enjoy the build-up to your wedding - get your beauty treatments booked in and breathe. You're going to have an amazing day!

More About JS Events

Jennifer Staniforth at JS Events is a fabulous wedding planner who loves to help couples plan their dream day. Whether you need a second pair of hands to help keep everything under control on the day or someone who can help you plan your entire wedding, JS Events is a perfect choice. 

JS Events helps couples all over the UK to plan their weddings and offers the following services:

• Full Wedding Planning: planning support from a professional wedding planner from the very start of your wedding planning journey.
• Partial Wedding Planning: planning support from a part-time basis; simply reach out whenever you need assistance.
• On-The-Day Coordination: an expert to help you coordinate the run-up to your wedding and the day itself, so you can sit back, relax and take it all in.
• Destination Wedding Planning: wedding planning help and support for those wanting to get married abroad.

Want a more detailed list to work off? Check out our ultimate wedding planning checklist for an easy to follow, step by step guide of everything you need to consider, arrange and book for your wedding.