Words: Anna Kibbey Illustration: Jacqueline Bissett
PICKING A DATE & TIME
Right from the outset, wedding planning is all about picking what’s important to you. This begins with your date. Largely, this depends on your personal preference as a couple: spring, summer, autumn or winter?
Just make sure you give yourself time, because organising a wedding against the clock feels a bit like Total Wipeout – the odds are stacked against you from the start. Even with the widely touted minimum lead time of six months, you’ll have to cast around for available suppliers and, though you can get around this with canny booking (weekdays and off season), planning a year in advance will make things easier.
Once you’ve decided on the time of year, don’t nail down a specific date until you’ve identified a venue and caterer – those key elements will be the final deciders.
TIMING YOUR DAY
The most common mistake couples make when putting together the schedule for the wedding day itself is starting too early. A sensible (post-lunch) 3pm start divides the day neatly into three three-hour sections: ceremony and drinks reception; dinner and speeches; dancing. If the ceremony kicks off at 1pm, the extra time is pooled in two areas: drinks before dinner (leading to early casualties) and dancing after dinner (leading to tired guests and early taxis). You want to leave guests wanting more, not feeling like they’re being held hostage.
THE BUDGET
No matter how deep your pockets, you’ll always have to prioritise some bits of your wedding over others. The worst thing you can do to your carefully constructed budget is keep adding to it.
Food and drink (including the after-dinner bar) and venue hire are among the most expensive components of the big day. See if you can negotiate the use of furniture, tableware and decor to be included in the venue hire fee, to keep the costs down.
One thing that you shouldn’t scrimp on is the photography. Remember, this is the one thing that you’ll be able to look back on for the rest of your life, so it’s worth investing in a photographer that you like.
Entertainment, flowers, transport and stationery (the order of service as well as the invitations) are all necessary expenses, while your dress, the bridesmaids’ dresses, bridal accessories, shoes, hair, makeup, his suit, plus those of the ushers’ (and breathe) will all add up. Work out which items are priorities that you can afford to splash out on.
A good place to save cash is on the cake. A lovingly homemade or a shop-bought one will cost a lot less than a bespoke creation from a bakery. Do you really need a toastmaster or wedding favours? They’re a nice touch, but if you’re just going to plump for sugared almonds, you might as well not bother. Concentrate on getting thoughtful presents for the top table instead.
Remember to factor in the honeymoon, too. It might not be part of the day itself, but you’ll still need to save those pennies. Lastly, don’t forget to add the rings and bridal suite to your list. They’re kind of important.
This article was first published in Square Meal Weddings, 2015