The love of your life has proposed, you’ve got the ring on your finger and all your friends and family have given their congratulations. Now it’s time to starting planning the wedding. But what's the first step?
There are so many things to think about when planning a wedding and it can be overwhelming when you realise just how much there is to do.
In this "How to Plan a Wedding" series we’re going to go through all facets of wedding planning, from the day you say “Yes” to the day you say “I do”. We will cover finding The Dress, to decorations, venues, suits, bridal showers, engagement parties and the day itself.
But for now let’s put all of that aside and start, as the great Julie Andrews says, at the very beginning.
THE BIG THREE
When planning for the big day there are THREE key elements that will set the tone for the whole event:
Budget
Date
Venue
As each of these elements typically inform the other, it’s difficult to just focus on one. The budget will influence the venue, the venue will influence the date, or the date will influence the venue, or if the venue’s a must-have, it will influence the budget.
Before you start on any of these factors, take the time to sit down with your partner and work out what’s the most important thing for both of you for the wedding day, i.e. what’s the most important thing that you’re willing to splurge money on, what do you want to remember the most on the day, what’s going to make you both the happiest?
These things could involve going all out on purchasing the perfect photographer and videographer to capture every second of the day, or making sure that as many friends and family as possible can be invited, or designing everything yourself, or having your faith as the focus of the entire day.
Whatever you decide, it will come down to the both of you. Sit down, work it out and let your decisions from then on focus on these factors.
THE WEDDING BUDGET
Now that you’ve come to a mutual decision on the most imporant aspects of the day, it’s time to get into the nitty gritty of actually planning the wedding, starting with the biggest factor of them all: the wedding budget.
There is no rule to how much or how little you can spend on your big day. Every couple is different and every wedding is different, so don’t be intimidated by your cousin Bianca who had a $200K wedding in a castle, and don’t feel like you have to be extremely minimalist like your hippie college friend Joel who spend $200 on his beach getaway wedding.
How much should you spend on your wedding budget?
In the end, it's up to your dream and the means to achieve that dream.
To give you a starting foundation, the average Australian wedding costs $53,168, according to Wedded Wonderland. If that seems a bit steep for you and you're willing to cut back, then a good base to start with is $30,000. This number will give you a standard beautiful but not over-the-top wedding, and will comfortably carry you through every location, supplier and accessory you need to purchase, usually with a bit of money left over.
Before you make your final decision on the amount, work out where this money is coming from. Will you both be paying for it or will your family chip in? From there, decide if your budget is FIXED or if there's some leeway, and if there is, how you will pay for it.
This conversation with your partner and your family will be one of the most important you have throughout the wedding process, so it's imperative that you take the time to discuss your vision and your means calmly and rationally, and recognise that there may need to be some allowances on the cost from both parties.
THE WEDDING DATE
Now that your budget’s all sorted, it’s time to work out when you will get married.
Keep in mind that spring and autumn are the most popular wedding seasons, and thus prices will tend to be higher and it may be more difficult to secure your ideal venue and suppliers. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but keep it in mind when making your decision.
If you’re on a tight budget, it may be worth looking into winter or summer weddings, or even having it on a weekday, as each of these factors can significantly reduce the price of the day by the thousands. Most venues will have special packages for these options with prices often being $20-$50pp less if you choose these off-peak times.
As you're making this decision, ask yourself what's more important: the date or the venue? Are you willing to change the date if it means securing the perfect venue, or is it set in stone?
THE WEDDING VENUE
Finally, it’s time to start searching for the wedding venue.
You might already have the perfect location in mind that's been your dream since you were five, in which case, lucky you. Or, if you’re like me when I got engaged, you will have no idea where to start.
This is the time to begin thinking about the overall theme of your wedding.
Are you going for a rustic country vibe, an intimate but classic vineyard experience, a wedding that shouts glamour from every angle, or a modern and elegant atmosphere?
If you still have absolutely no idea what you want at this stage, that’s OK.
Your theme will grow with you as you gradually build your wedding and it doesn’t need to be fixed from the get-go. If you’re really not sure, find a venue that’s easily malleable to your preferences. For example, if you’re tossing up between a rustic or elegant wedding, maybe don’t book that charming old barn in the outback, as it will be very hard to suddenly make it modern and glamorous if you change your mind later.
Begin in the easiest, most millennial fashion. Type into google “Wedding venues [location]” and see what comes up.
Click on everything and anything that catches your eye and start trolling through the websites to find out everything you can. Grab some quotes, read reviews, check out the menu and see what decorating options they have available.
Make sure you visit your venue before you agree to anything. You might love how it looks on the website and they may have stellar reviews, but this could all change the moment you actually see it in person.
For my full guide on how to find and secure the perfect wedding venue, click here.
Once you’ve found a venue that fits your vision, coincides with your ideal date and sits comfortably in your budget, congratulations! you’ve officially started planning your wedding!
The three hardest steps are done and dusted. From here on out there's only a couple of hundred more things to think of.
CLICK HERE for Step Two: Capturing the Day