So - you're engaged, Congratulations!
Now begins the task of choosing all your wedding suppliers. and let's be frank, there's loads of us! So, the question remains, how do you wade through all the different options to find the perfect choice for you? Fear not - I have a few tips!
I've scribbled down (well typed.. ) a few things below which should help you begin to navigate the beautiful world of wedding planning. I love being part of it, but I know as an engaged couple it can be hard to know where to start in finding the perfect people to help create your wedding dreams!
1.Find your "you"
I think every piece of wedding planning advice you read will tell you this one fact about planning your wedding - and that is to do what is true to you. Plan your wedding around the things you love and the things that tell your story. Find your vibe. When thinking about your suppliers, you have to first know what type of wedding you want. When you know how you want your wedding to feel and look, and your vision for the day, you can find suppliers that match the same values.
Do you want a dramatic, big & bold wedding, with magazine style film and images? Or is your style a more intimate, romantic affair ? How do you want to feel when you look back on your day?
Once you know exactly how you want your wedding to look, you can start to narrow down suppliers who fit your picture of the day. There are so many incredible suppliers out there, but it makes it easier to know which ones you are looking for.
2.Chat to your potential suppliers!
Pretty much everyone in the wedding industry is up for a chat! Every supplier I know wants to make their couples day an incredible one, and that means making sure we are the right fit for your wedding. I offer consultation calls as standard as do lots of us, and its a great way to get to know each other, talk about your day a wee bit, as well as a chance to ask all those juicy questions!
Wedding Fayres are a great way to meet with lots of suppliers at once and see who you love. These come in big and small affairs and are jam packed with businesses big and small too. We live in a world where you can access an overwhelming amount of suppliers to pick from, simply through a screen - Wedding Exhibitions can let you really get to know what you are booking.
It is so important to love the work your suppliers do, but I'd argue even more so for them to feel like someone you would want at your wedding!
3. Don't panic book
Take your time, but make sure you give yourself the time to plan and find your people. Great suppliers do book out, sometimes as much years in advance so when you see all those 'fully booked - book fast' post, it can induce a degree of panic. However - don't stress and panic book suppliers! There are plenty of amazing professionals in all categories, and you will find one you love and who gets your vision completely.
4.Prioritise your Budget
The reality of planning a wedding, and absolutely the least fun part, is paying for it. There are all different types of budget, every wedding is unique, and every couple has different priorities for what is important to them. So, decide your budget, and then prioritise where you want the money to go.
Do you want to splurge more on the venue and go all in on the meal, or would you rather spend that money on your outfits and entertainment?
Allocate your budget and this will help you find the right suppliers quicker and make it feel that wee bit less overwhelming.
Hopefully this gives you a wee bit to think about when you begin to look for the perfect people for your day!
My last tip (and maybe the best one) - is to just enjoy the process! Treat wedding exhibitions as days out with your wedding party, do dates days to food tasting sessions with your future hubby/wife to be - have loads of fun with it and enjoy each step of the process!
