Congratulations, you’re engaged! As you prepare for this exciting new chapter, we’re here to help guide you through the process. At The Willows, we believe wedding planning should be fun, meaningful and personal. We’re here to make sure it’s as stress-free as possible.
From celebrating your engagement to finding the perfect wedding venue and choosing the wedding dress of your dreams, you’ll be able to enjoy every moment.
Enjoy the celebrations of your engagement and planning the next chapter. There’s no rush to start booking a venue or suppliers just yet! Whether you’re choosing to savour the moment just the two of you or throwing a party to share the news with your nearest and dearest, make the most of this milestone before diving into planning mode!
Many couples have dreamt of the day they get married. However, that doesn’t always mean they’ve had conversations about what they’d like their wedding to look like. That may be surprising to those of you who have been building your Pinterest board since you were 15!
We’d recommend you start by seeing where your ideas align. Discuss your budget, wedding venue options, approximate guest numbers, wedding entertainment and be prepared for the answer to change a few times. It’s best to make sure you’re on the same page before visiting numerous venues that are out of the budget or mentioning your wedding to people who may not make the final guest list!
Be patient with the beginning stages - save yourself precious time and money by giving yourselves space to talk about more than just the wedding. You’re not only getting married, but you’re also starting a new chapter so there will be plenty of other things that will need your focus.
For some newly engaged couples, having a wedding mood board can be useful to help them see their vision. Whether it’s a physical compilation of photos, fabrics, music, magazine cuttings or a digital mood board, having a visual display of your ideas can help make sure your dream wedding becomes a reality.
Personal to all couples, a wedding budget can vary greatly. Start with an overall figure and outline where the money will come from. Creating a spreadsheet with each item and an associated price is perfect for some people. Others might have a list of ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ with more of a ‘see as we go’ type of outlook. Whatever works for you and your finances. Try not to spend too much of your budget on one area! Research will help you to decide what’s realistic for your timeframe and budget.
Keep a contingency fund for unexpected costs that may come up.
Some couples love the idea of planning their wedding together, while others can’t wait to hand it over to a professional. There’s no right answer, just what works for you! If you are choosing the wedding planner route, have a search online or ask around for recommendations.
Before contacting a planner, make sure you and your fiancé have agreed on a budget and an approximate guest list. Your first time meeting them is the opportunity to decide if they’re the right fit for you; be sure to ask about their experience and give them a rough idea of what you’d like your wedding celebrations to look like.
Some wedding venues may have an in-house wedding planner to help with every step.
While some couples like to base their wedding on a venue they’ve been eyeing for years, other couples are more flexible with the venue than they can be with the date. Depending on your personal circumstances, choosing a wedding date that fits into your life may be more important than having a dream wedding venue.
If you have children, you may be looking at school holidays. If you have family members who work away, you may wish to plan around the times they return home. For loved ones abroad, you may want to consider flight costs. And if you’re thinking, “it’s my wedding, they can make it work!”, then start by thinking about a season you would like to get married in and whittle it down from there. An outdoor summer wedding could be perfect for you. Or perhaps a cosy winter wonderland wedding celebration.
A word that can often lead to a puzzled face when wedding talk arises or pure joy! Themed weddings don’t always have to be niche – although they certainly can be! From whimsical to boho, rustic or tropical, this could be one of the first decisions you make before venue searching commences. There is no limit to how featured the theme can be. If you wish for the venue, décor and clothing to be fitting, that can be arranged. However, a rustic wedding venue doesn’t always mean a rustic wedding dress.
A wedding planner will likely tell you just how important wedding venue tours are, but it can’t be emphasised enough. Arrange a viewing before committing to ensure it suits your vision and is suitable for your celebration.
The number of guests could be a decision influenced by your venue. Alternatively, your venue may be influenced by your guest list. Consider the size of the venue and whether you need wheelchair access. It could also be a catered venue, an uncatered venue, accommodation may be offered or not. Is there outside space? On-site parking? Plenty of photo opportunities? Does the décor suit your vision? Is your chosen date available? Don’t be afraid to ask every question you have before making that all important decision.
The 18 questions we think you should be asking your potential wedding venues.
Once your venue is booked, it’s time to start securing your suppliers. Some venues provide catering, tableware, an officiant, linens and more, while others might just be providing you with a beautiful space.
Essential wedding suppliers you may need:
Some wedding venues may have an in-house wedding planner to help with every step.
We recommend sending your save the dates approximately 10-12 months in advance for a midweek wedding. All you need is your date, venue booked and a finalised guest list before sending them out. Anyone sent a save the date will expect a fully detailed formal invitation closer to the day.
Sending Save the Dates early, especially when planning a weekday wedding, helps guests arrange time off work, travel and accommodation.
To ensure there is a wedding at the end of all this planning, check in with your partner and make sure you’re still on the same page and prioritising your relationship over your wedding.
Newly engaged and not sure where to start. Our team are more than happy to help guide you through the wedding planning process for your wedding at The Willows.
Simply sign up to our Willows VIP’s mailing list and we’ll send over a link to view and download our online brochure.
