Your Move! Wedding Planning SOS: Where On Earth To Begin?!

Posted on: 25/01/2012

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Good morning Brides Up North!  Can you believe that it’s half way to the weekend already?  Actually, yeah, me too. 

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I’ve been back on tour recently at exhibitions all over the better half of the country and I know lots of you lovelies are rather recently affianced (I am happy to announce a sharp hike in visitors to this wedding blog since the turn of the year).  If you’re feeling anything like I was, you’ll be happy, excited and, er, a bit overwhelmed. 

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As a professional wedding blogger, I know better than most just how much inspiration and ideas are out there (just have a good old browse of these swirly silver pages for a start), but with a wealth of choice comes a side order of confusion.  Sometimes you can be left wondering simply where to begin.

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I hear ya!

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Which is why I have called in the professionals.  In the first of a recurring series, my newest guest blogger, Helen Davies of Bash Wedding Planners, is here to help you on your journey.  So, lets start at the start, shall we?

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Over to Helen: If you’re recently engaged, CONGRATULATIONS! What’s about to happen next as you embark upon the preparations for what will undoubtedly be the most amazing day of your lives is going to fill you with a sense of excitement and anticipation. Before you know it, you’ll be inspired by the most interesting, creative ideas and your nearest and dearest will find it difficult to talk about anything that isn’t directly wedding related. All of a sudden, your dream day is the topic du jour and everyone close to you wants a piece of the action. The excitement is infectious!

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Then it hits you. What began as a result of a romantic proposal amidst a very private moment involving just the two of you is now a family affair. Your boyfriend’s sister wants to be a Bridesmaid, your Mum’s set her sights on an elaborate marquee in the grounds of a stately home, your Father in law wants fireworks and everyone’s having their say.

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Frustrating? You bet!

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It’s extremely important to remember that this is YOUR day and it’s vital that every aspect of it is exactly as you would want it to be. You might need to take a deep breath and politely explain how important this is to you but such potentially awkward conversations can be avoided, providing you prioritise and are clear from the outset about the way you envisage your day and what you’re absolutely not prepared to compromise on.

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First things first…

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Prioritise early. Set aside some time to sit down with your other half specifically to discuss your dream day. Make a point of listening to each other and draw up a list of all your likes and dislikes, the things you especially want and any definite no nos. Great communication is a factor in any strong relationship, so make sure you take the time to talk things through. You may find that you need to compromise on a couple of things but at least you’ll be confident in the knowledge that you’ve made the big decisions together. You’ll be glad you did and will feel far more comfortable for it, come the big day.

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Once you’ve identified your priorities, write them down.

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This list will become the basis upon which so many other decisions are made, such as;

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Who?

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Who do you absolutely, definitely want to invite to your wedding? Who would you like to appoint as your attendants? Who can you trust to delegate some of the important tasks to?

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What?

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What are you not prepared to compromise on? Is his heart set on a helicopter flight? Do you have to have that wedding cake?

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Where?

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Where do you want to get married? Do you want a church wedding or a civil ceremony? Are you thinking of an urban backdrop or a rural retreat?

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When?

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When do you want to get married? Do you have a special date in mind? What time would you like the ceremony to take place?

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How?

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How are you going to plan and co-ordinate it? Can you do it without professional help?

How much will it cost and how will you pay for it all?

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As well as staying true to yourselves and avoiding the temptation to get carried away, it’s advisable to prioritise early in order to ensure you don’t end up spending far more money than you intended. Being up to your eye balls in debt is no fun and is certainly no way to start married life.

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By identifying your priorities and how much you’re prepared to spend on the things which are most important to you, it’s more likely that you’ll feel happier reducing or eradicating completely the amount of money you might otherwise spend on things that don’t matter as much. By setting up a simple budget spread sheet and updating it regularly, you’re more likely to stay on track throughout the planning process. In a nutshell, prioritising early means you’re far less likely to break the bank!

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By all means add to or edit your list of priorities as you go along, but ALWAYS keep it close at hand. Maintaining your vision for your perfect day is essential if you’re going to enjoy the planning process. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey that will ultimately lead you – joyfully – into happily married life.

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Whatever happens and whoever attempts to influence you, PLEASE don’t lose sight of that!

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Helen is owner and wedding planner at Bash.  Click here to read an interview with Helen. 

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 via Pinterest: weheartit.com, society6.com, Shannon Blue Photography, RetroLove Photography

Bash is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier, but this is not a sponsored post

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