This comprehensive list covers everything from food and photography, to guests lists and honeymoons. It’s all here in the A to Z guide to wedding planning – check it out.
A is for attendants
Your wedding guests play a major role in how you wedding day pans out. How many you choose to invite is up to you, but don’t feel obligated to invite every man and his dog. Your wedding is about sharing the moment with those closest to you, and those who will still be in your life for years to come.
B is for budget
Decide on your budget as early as possible so you know how much you have to play with. Weddings are expensive, we all know that, keep a running spreadsheet of costs so you don’t veer off course.
C is for ceremony
Are you planning a traditional ceremony or one out of the box? Sit down with your fiancée and decide who will play a role in your wedding ceremony. From readings to music, there is room for little extras within the ceremony that may make it more memorable.
D is for delegating
As much as you’d like to, it’s not ideal to do everything yourself. You’ll end up strung out before you’ve even reached the wedding day. It’s not necessary to put all the pressure on yourself. Your friends, family and bridal party will be itching to help so be sure to pass some jobs onto them.
E is for entertainment
One of the greatest things about weddings is the chance to let your hair down once all the formalities are out of the way. Whether it’s great music to dance to or crazy acts from fire breathers, finding some great entertainment for the reception will add an exciting touch to your wedding.
F is for food
Let’s face it, we all look forward to the food at weddings. But don’t make your guests wait until you sit down for dinner, ensure there are plenty of nibbles to see them through, especially if they are drinking. Organise a picnic for you and your bridal party to pick at while on the post-ceremony photoshoot.
G is for guidance
You’ll have people putting in their two cents worth from the minute you announce your engagement. There’s only one thing to do about this: embrace it. For those who have done it before (mainly the ones who have done it recently) they will have oodles of what-not-to-do advice and valid reasons for it.
H is for honeymoon
As wonderful and exciting as weddings are, they can also be exhausting. Where do you plan to go to relax once it’s all over? Plan your honeymoon as early as possible to ensure it fits in with your budget.
I is for invitations
Design your wedding invitations six to eight months before your wedding in case any changes need to be made before you plan to send them. Wedding invitations are usually sent out three months prior to the wedding day to leave enough time for RSVPs.
J is for jewellery
For brides, jewellery can be a big deal. Understated or bold, your jewellery will add to the wedding style you are hoping to achieve. Family heirlooms are a great way to connect with the past and they’re also perfect as your “something old”.
K is for kids
Will there be kids attending your wedding? If so, where do you plan to sit them and who will keep an eye on them. If you plan to have kids at your wedding, they should be treated the same as any other guest on your list. They will need their own form of entertainment to keep them occupied, and hiring a babysitter (or two) will ensure they are safe at all times.
L is for legalities
Sometimes amidst the hype, we forget the boring stuff. Paying bills and sorting formalities such as your marriage license should always take priority.
M is for MC
If you have that one person in your life who is always the life of the party, consider using them as your MC. A confident MC will not only take control of the mic, they will direct your guests and ensure you are sticking to your wedding timeline.
N is for night plans
When all is said and done, you’ll be glad you’d sorted a cosy spot to relax in on your wedding night. Booking a night in a hotel will give you all the peace and quiet you need to wind down after the biggest event of your life.
O is for opportunities
We all have talented friends. The beauty of this is that they might be willing to share those talents on your wedding day. Take the opportunity! If it were the other way around, you’d do it for them. Photography, graphic design, music – if your friend offers their services, gratefully accept. It will do wonders for your wedding budget.
P is for photographer
It’s important to research photographers before finally deciding on who to go with. Photographers all have their own style so make sure this reflects you as a couple. Your wedding photography will become a cherished keepsake so you want to be 100% sure of your choice.
Q is for questions
You can never ask too many questions when it comes to planning for your wedding. This is a big part of crossing your T’s and dotting your I’s. Whether they’re questions for your vendors, venue, or you just want to ask for some more advice. If you don’t ask, you don’t get!
R is for reception
The reception is where you and your guests will be spending the majority of the wedding day. Here you will enjoy speeches, food and entertainment so planning it down to the wire is one of the most important steps in the process. Create a checklist for the reception itself to ensure you have everything covered.
S is for seating plan
As one of the final jobs on your wedding checklist, the seating plan is a tricky one to organise. Once you have agreed on the perfect seating arrangement, go through it over and over again. There would be nothing more awkward than leaving someone out!
T is for timeline
Your wedding timeline is what your venue, MC and caterers will use as a way of keeping on track. Try to keep your time frames reasonable and don’t panic too much if things aren’t adhered to minute-by-minute. More than anything, your timeline is a guide and a way of ensuring everything happens in a particular order.
U is for umbrellas
Rain or shine, umbrellas are a necessity, especially if you are planning an outdoor wedding. Keep a stash of umbrellas in a basket at your ceremony to protect your guests from the elements. If you are using umbrellas as a shade tool, buy paper parasols and have them double as wedding favours.
V is for venue
This is generally the first thing couples book when they begin their wedding planning. Often they already have something in mind, or at least they know what style of venue they’re after. When it comes to venue, it’s important to find something that ticks more than one box – do they provide food, indoor and outdoor options, entertainment?
Markovina Vineyard Estate ticks many boxes. You’ll be surprised at how little is left to do just by booking a wedding package. Sure lightens the load, doesn’t it?
W is for website
Wedding websites are becoming the easiest way for guests to keep track of details. For those travelling to the location, finding accommodation will be essential. Wedding websites have all sorts of features that let guests know where they can stay, what they can do in the area, how to get to the venue, and how many days until the wedding.
X is for eXpectations
You have a right to have high expectations for your wedding. After all, we spend months planning the event and hope to only do it once in our life. But there comes a point where logic needs to intervene and keep expectations in check. If your expectations become too high, you can kiss your budget goodbye, so try to keep your feet on the ground.
Y is for you
Wedding planning can become overwhelming so make sure there is plenty of time to focus on yourself in the process. Taking a break from planning once in a while is not going to affect the day going ahead.
Z is for zen
Breathe. Everything is under control. Find your zen and have faith that you have ticked off everything you needed to. Your day will be beautiful so please, relax.
Are you about to begin your wedding planning journey?
By simply booking a wedding package with Markvoina Vineyard Estate, this list will become significantly shorter. Our experienced team will also help you through the process, providing guidance where ever needed.
Call today and visit the beautiful venue.
