IN FOR A PENNY IN FOR A POUND Even before you start surfing the internet for venues and suppliers, before you start seeking out pins of your dream dress, sit down together with a cuppa and discuss what you want your wedding day to be. Whatever you decide will have an impact on everything else you do from here on in. Crucial to this part of the process is the budget and guest numbers, as one will very much dictate the other. You may want to invite 300 people, but are you willing and able to fund 300 wedding breakfasts? Be realistic about what you want to spend, settle on a budget and above all, stick to it. Work together to devise a preliminary guest list as this will give you a guide as to the size of venue you’ll be looking for. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION When people ask us what to book first our answer is always: the venue. Without securing the where, you won’t have the when, and without a date you won’t be able to book the rest of your suppliers. Hit the internet as soon as you’re ready to start planning and check out all of the incredible locations in this glorious region. From historical to quirky and everything in between, Bristol and Somerset have it all. Pop over to www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/venue-inspiration-headlines, a great place to start. FINE TUNE THE THEME “I feel couples have a dream of how they want their wedding to look and feel. The realisation of this begins when they choose their wedding venue,” says florist Aizel Finch from Yalham Hayes. On the other hand, it’s not uncommon for couples to have such a strong vision of their big day’s vibe that they’ll pick a venue accordingly, which is a wise move if style is the the stronger pull for you. Aizel explains, “It is possible to have a rustic style in a grand English manor for example, but this theme is much easier to achieve in a barn venue.” To that end, consider whether you want to enlist the help of a venue stylist. “There’s so much gorgeous styling inspiration available that it can be a bit overwhelming to narrow down exactly what you want. A stylist can take all of your ideas and create a beautifully cohesive plan for your day that gives you everything you want, including the elements that make your heart sing,” says Vickie Elliot at Sage and Belle Styling. The most important thing to remember is that this is your big day and it should be done your way. Vickie continues, “Don’t be constrained by tradition or do something just because you think you have to. Stick with your vision as much as you possibly can, budget permitting. You may find yourself receiving a lot of input and ideas from well-meaning friends and family members, but this can make you second guess what you’ve planned and making compromises to please others. But, try not to. The wedding might still look lovely, but it won’t be yours. “So, another benefit to having a stylist on board is that they’ll use their wealth of experience and expertise to help you keep your vision on track, guiding you and showing you various ways of making your ideas a reality, within budget.” Put your best foot forward with our stress-free guide to planning your wedding a time ONE STEP AT Congratulations – you’re engaged! Now what? Find out with our planning timeline compiled with the help of those who know it best, the region’s incredible wedding suppliers. www.whitneylloydphotography.com for Sage & Belle WEDDING PLANNING 55
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=