When it comes to wedding planning, there are a lot of decisions to be made. You’ll no doubt know this already, but it’s easy to get caught up in a fantasy world where nothing will get in the way of you and your dream wedding.
Setting some short-term goals will help to turn your wedding fantasy into a wedding reality.
If you really want to kick off your wedding planning with a bang, it’s good to get the big stuff out of the way as early as possible.
Here’s our guide on planning your wedding that we think will help, especially in the early days.
First step in planning your wedding… set your budget
If there’s one event where it’s way too easy to blow the budget, it’s a wedding.
Sit down with your fiance and create a breakdown of your wedding day to the best of your knowledge. Start with the basics – food, beverages, venue, dress, suits – and establish what else you’d both like and add them to the list.
It’s important to consider your guest numbers here, so draft a list that can help you work out an estimated cost-per-head.
Once you have an estimate of what each element will cost, you can add or remove items according to your budget.
Remember that weddings are typically planned over the course of the year, so having the bulk funds available is not always necessary. You will just need to make sure that you have a good timeline in place that will account for each cost when it arises.
You will know what you are realistically able to spend, so keep to this as tightly as possible to avoid any financial panic closer to the time.
Choose your venue
With that shiny new accessory now donning your fourth finger, you’ll be thinking ahead to the wonderful day when you’ll tie the knot. Sun shining, birds tweeting, your favourite people to witness – sounds like a dream come true.
But where will this all take place?
Your venue is a real deal-breaker when it comes to creating the wedding you’ve always wanted. You’ll know in your heart when you’ve found the right place.
Consider a location that will match whatever style you decide to go with. This means you’ll be able to chop and change ideas (it happens!) without having to worry whether the venue will be suitable.
Here at Markovina Vineyard Estate, we know what it’s like for couples planning a wedding.
We know that many couples experience a change in ‘wedding taste’ many times throughout their planning process. That’s why we offer five ceremony locations and we only host one wedding on any given day. The venue is your oyster. If you had planned to have a garden wedding early into your planning but change your mind two days before the event, it’s really no big deal at all.
Hire your major vendors
No wedding day would be complete without good music, food and a professional photographer. Booking these early on in the planning process not only locks them in place, but ticks off some of the major wedding costs.
Many of the major vendors don’t expect you to pay the full amount for their services from the get-go. You’re more likely to pay a deposit at booking and the balance closer to the time. The point of getting onto it early is simply so you don’t miss out!
Booking an array of wedding vendors can be somewhat stressful, especially when trying to get them to all work together in a timely fashion. If you’d like to make this part of the process a whole lot easier, choose a venue that has an onsite DJ and catering service.
Markovina Vineyard Estate can take care of some of your major wedding elements. Get a fantastic venue, a great DJ and some of the most delicious food and wine in one tidy package. You can still add your personal touch on the day by tailoring the package to suit your wedding wishes.
Choose your wedding party
Perhaps you’ve always known who will be in your wedding party, or perhaps you’re still trying to decide. Whoever you choose, consider your history and try to envisage your relationship in five or ten years time.
What have you been through together? Will you always be close?
Your wedding party are, without a doubt, your most precious friends and family.
Don’t feel like you owe it to anyone to offer them a space in your bridal party. Reciprocating offers and inviting siblings shouldn’t be done by default here. This is your day, you choose who you’d like.
Keep in mind that these people will be willing to give up their own time and money to share the day with you, so make sure you have a good idea of where and when the wedding will be when you give them that special invitation.
Take the advice of experts for a perfect day
As a future bride and groom-to-be, you’re heading into one of the most exciting times in your life. Have fun and embrace the planning process, but don’t forget to keep a few things in check while you’re at it.
Expert wedding advice never goes astray, so if you’re looking to have a chat with someone who really knows what they’re talking about, give the friendly team at Markovina a call today. They have many years of experience with every type of wedding you can imagine and nothing is too much trouble.
Offering some of the more major wedding elements in one place, Markovina Vineyard Estate might have you ticking off those wedding tasks earlier than you think.
