Newly engaged couples put a huge amount of pressure on themselves to plan their dream wedding day at lightning speed. Whether you plan to enjoy a short or long engagement, defining what you should do (and when) is vital if you’re keen to get on with wedding planning yet keep associated planning stress to a minimum.
Whilst we’d always recommend giving yourself a few weeks to enjoy that just engaged feeling without any talk of wedding planning, getting started sooner – rather than later with some wedding planning tasks can have its advantages.
We take you through the things that you should and shouldn’t plan early so you can enjoy your engagement, look forward to your big day, and stay organised when planning your wedding.
Hiring your vendors
Some wedding venues (including ours) have a legion of trusted wedding vendors that they recommend. This is why your vendors should never be hired before your venue. Ensuring you have a clear idea of what your wedding day will look like is also important. Your choice of vendors will be dictated by your wedding theme and style.
Choosing your photographer
How to capture the big day is a huge consideration for every marrying couple. Your choice of photographer and/or videographer will have a lasting impact, with your children or even future grandchildren certain to look upon their handy work when you share your wedding album with them years after your big day.
Here the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) explains more about why booking a wedding photographer should be done well in advance:
“Unlike some other wedding vendors such as florists, tux rentals, caterers, etc., photographers can typically only book one wedding per day. So when the photographer books a popular date, that date is taken and becomes unavailable for other couples.
And as you can imagine, the photographers with more experience and a better reputation get booked earlier than others, so if you have a preference for a photographer, don’t wait!”
If you intend to tie the knot during peak wedding season (from May to October) – or the holidays, we’d suggest booking your favourite photographer extra early.
Picking your wedding party
Selecting your wedding VIPs is an easy way to get those who are special to you involved in wedding planning. But beware, picking your wedding party too early can be a disaster.
Take your time when picking your wedding party because once you’ve made your choice, it’s very difficult to go back on it. The friends you’re close to now may not necessarily be your best buddies in two years when your wedding date finally arrives.
The size of your wedding, the opinions of your partner, and your choice of wedding venue can all influence your wedding party. We’d recommend selecting your wedding A-team 8 months before the big day to ensure the perfect picks.
Booking your wedding venue
Booking your wedding venue is one of the first wedding planning tasks engaged couples should take on. Wedding venues can get booked up to two years in advance, which means getting the wedding date you desire requires some planning.
Your choice of venue influences every aspect of your wedding, from your ceremony type and reception décor to the vendors you use throughout the day.
Your wedding venue can have a major impact on your wedding theme and atmosphere. Booking your wedding venue early is therefore essential to keeping control of your budget, creating the wedding you’ve always dreamed of, and ensuring a theme that’s personal to you both.
You don’t have to search very far to find the wedding venue of your dreams. Holmewood Hall – complete with its beautiful Tudor Gothic style mansion, manicured grounds and picturesque parkland – is the perfect place to say “I do”.
Contact us today to discuss your big day plans, book a viewing or request a brochure. You can also explore our stunning wedding venue virtually here.
