Planning a Wedding 1 Year Ahead

Planning 1 Year Ahead

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming process with so much to organize and oversee. The average time for planning between the engagement and the wedding is 12-18 months. It is highly advisable to plan and book well in advance.

Know Your Wedding Budget

The expenses for a wedding can grow to be astronomical, so it is important to set a budget based on how much you can afford. This will indicate what type of wedding can be afforded and the planning can then begin. It is vital to talk about the type of ceremony wanted by the groom as well as the bride, and list the expenses for your wedding so the budget can be allocated accordingly. Be prepared to compromise, like inviting fewer guests for a more classy ceremony so you do not end up in substantial debt.
Leave a portion of the budget unspent to cover any unforeseen expenses. It is advisable to open a separate bank account for the wedding, so any contributions can be input and all expenses can be paid out of this account.
If family members are willing to contribute, it is important to communicate clearly about how much they are willing to provide. Do not make unrealistic demands on how much you want from people. Remember it takes good communication and a level of tact when dealing with money. There are a number of budgeting and planning software available which may facilitate planning the wedding.

Wedding Insurance

It is wise to insure against accidental and unanticipated events. There are a number of packages from many insurance companies which can be chosen from.

Set The Wedding Date

Begin by setting the date for the wedding so time off from work can be booked well in advance.
Have a plan of all the events such as pre-wedding dinners, the honeymoon, stag/hen parties etc.
The availability and costs of the date need to be considered. You may wish to set a provisional date to ensure certain guests can attend. Birthdays, holidays and family events may coincide with provisional dates and prevent key people from attending.

Booking a wedding at certain times of the year has premium costs for services such as photographers, venue hire and transportation. If booking during these premium months of May to August be aware of availability issues and book well in advance. Saturdays are the most prevalent day to book a wedding and therefore the most expensive, followed by Fridays and Sundays. Booking a wedding at the weekend is convenient for guests, but at a higher cost.
Booking during the slower months can help to keep costs down and make it easier to find good services as there is higher competition for your business. Costs can be cut further by having a buffet and buying alcohol separately.

Create the Wedding Guest List

The guest list is influenced by the location, dates, budget and family members. By this point the type of the wedding celebration should be decided upon so the size of the guest list is known. There may be a cap of no more than 100 guests.
When writing the guest list be sure to again communicate with both sides of the family, as one side may want to invite more guests than the other. There may be clashes concerning financial contributions and the guest list. One party may feel they want to invite more family as they are contributing more towards the wedding. The wishes of both families need to be valued.

‘Save the Date’ cards are an option that has increased in popularity in recent years. These are little cards which are typically sent out about a year before the wedding so guests can mark the date in their dairies.
‘Set the Date’ cards work particularly well if invites are going to be sent out to people living abroad so they can plan and book flights and accommodation in advance.

Search for a Venue

Once the guest list has been decided upon the search for the reception venue can begin. The right venue can make the reception a memorable event for all the right reasons, so start searching for the venue well in advance so the perfect one can be found.
Be sure that the venue can accommodate the number of guests you wish to invite, with enough seating space and large enough dance area. Some guests may require disabled facilities, so be sure these are available. Car parking space is also an issue which needs to be taken in to consideration.

When looking at wedding venues ask about any rules or regulations which need to be adhered to such as noise levels and closing times. Some venues have their own suppliers and may not be happy with other companies.

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