Congratulations you’re getting married! So what comes next?
Don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed every newly-engaged couple is in the same boat.
At Welbeck Manor and Golf we have years of experience in putting together the perfect Wedding so we’re here to help.
We thought we’d put together a little guide on how to plan a wedding which will help keep you organized and on track. Whether you’re planning something small and intimate or the party of the year, next year or next month, for 50 guests or 200, it’s important to remember that every wedding is different.
Look at our little guide which will help you with the main aspects of wedding planning, it may not fit your wedding — and all of the little details that come with it — to a T. And that’s okay! Simply adjust and adapt accordingly, and you’ll be well on your way to the big day of your dreams.
So lets get started!
Daydream about your day.
You and your partner have probably already discussed the kind of weddings you like. You attended a friend’s formal wedding together and agreed it’s not your style. Or you both went to a ceremony followed by a laid-back reception and absolutely loved it.
Now’s the time to ask yourself what you want your wedding to look like. Do you want it to be large or small? Perhaps you want to incorporate vintage elements into your attire and the decor. (you’ve certainly picked the right venue for that!) Maybe you want a traditional wedding with a classic design. What about a themed wedding with extravagant accessories and props?
Take a deep breath. You don’t have to decide right now. This is simply about brainstorming. Most couples change their vision multiple times throughout the planning process. But you have to start somewhere, so explore your options and let your imaginations run wild over a lunch date with us at the Manor.
Set your budget.
This is where you need to get realistic and take a close look at the funding for your wedding. Budgeting can be stressful, but try to look at it as an exercise in making wise financial decisions as a team. Here’s what to do:
Get clear on contributions from others. Are your parents helping with the wedding? A favorite aunt? Has a generous friend offered to pay for your photographer as their wedding gift? Get clear on how much everyone plans to contribute so you can factor that into your overall budget. We know this might not be the easiest topic to bring up with others, so prepare before having “the talk.”
Look at your savings. How much money do you each have in savings? Start saving! How much you can set aside will vary depending on the date of your wedding. Add it all up. Put the above numbers together and you should have a rough estimate of your wedding budget.
Remember you don’t HAVE to spend that final figure. You can opt for a lower-cost wedding, and put that money towards your honeymoon or something else important to you. Also, don’t fret if your budget is tight. There are plenty of creative and affordable ways to design a beautiful low-cost wedding — and in the end, you’ll be glad you didn’t break the bank.
Take advantage of the backup.
When it comes to learning how to plan a wedding, the most important step realizing that you and your partner can’t do it alone. There are simply too many details and intricacies. So don’t be afraid to use our amazing team. It’s what we’re here for! We’ll be by your side every step of the way until you say those two little words! (and then after that for the reception etc!!)
Choose a wedding date.
Select your wedding date as soon as you can. There may be some back and forth as you reach out to must-attend family and friends to hash out dates that work for everyone. But weekends fill up fast, so decide as early as possible. If you’re planning a weekday wedding we offer some amazing deals and you’ll have more choice of dates.
Sort out your guest list.
First things first, commit to keeping this process as stress-free as possible. Pick a relaxed time on a weekend when you don’t have other demands and sit down with your partner. Keep your approximate wedding size in mind — building a guest list for a small wedding is going to be different than choosing who to invite to a large one. Here are some top tips.
Both of you write down all of the names of people you’d like to attend — even if they live across the world or your partner doesn’t know them that well.
Manage guest requests from family. It’s okay to invite some people your parents would love to share your wedding day with, but try to keep the number reasonable.
Create two categories (A and B) for your guest list. A is for the names of family and friends who you absolutely want and/or need to have at your wedding. B is for the extended family, friends, and work colleagues you’d like to share your day with, but it wouldn’t devastate you if they couldn’t attend. Take a break and come back to list B. Narrow it down together until the list fits wedding size.
Decide on the wedding’s theme, decor, and details.
Many couples like to dream up a theme that adds to the magic and fun for you and your guests. Here are a idea of popular themes, with decor and color ideas to match:
Romantic. Oversized floral arrangements, satin ribbons, soft lighting, and pink, white, and pastels
Formal. Black tie and a traditional wedding gown. Formal weddings usually include the whole nine-yards: Paper invites, multi-course sit-down feast, harpist and a sumptuous setting.
Winter/holiday. A winter wedding with indoor pines, fairy lights, and red ribbons adds a sprinkle of seasonal magic to an already special day.
Rustic. Add country-chic elements to your wedding for a traditional wedding style with a laid-back vibe.
Nature-inspired. This overlaps with rustic, but goes further with the botanical elements. Many couples with a nature-inspired theme also make sure every aspect of their wedding is eco-friendly.
That’s just scratching the surface. There’s truly an endless amount of wedding themes out there. A pets-welcome outdoor wedding. A fall, pumpkin patch wedding. A seaside or tropics-inspired wedding. Choose one that puts a smile on both of your faces and fits your personality, and you can’t go wrong.
Choose your wedding invitations.
Consider picking out your formal invitations while your save-the-dates are top of mind. You don’t have to send them until about 6-12 weeks before the wedding, but there’s no harm in getting them ordered early. Or you might choose not to send a formal invite and save money (and the environment) by sending electronic invites!
Either way select invites that reflect your wedding style and theme. The words you select will also set the tone for your wedding. For example, use traditional language for a classic wedding and opt for laid-back wording for casual, rustic, themed weddings.
What are you going to wear?
It’s your wedding, so there’s no right or wrong option. Perhaps you’ll keep things traditional with the big dress and forml dinner jackets or maybe you’re going to honor your cultural heritage with a traditional look — colorfully-patterned clothes, a kilt? Just make your selection early so you have time to get everything altered if you need to. We work closely with some fabulous local suppliers and are happy to recommend if you require some help.
Make a list of all the ‘other stuff’ you might like.
Flowers, entertainment, accessories, transport the list is endless!! If you’d like some help or inspiration we have a huge list of people we’ve been fortunate enough to work with so just ask.
Choose the food and beverages for your wedding reception.
Whether you’re going traditional or casual you’ll have plenty of decisions to make around food and drink. When creating your menu, pick a wide variety of options so every guest has something they’ll enjoy (include vegan and vegetarian choices), and ask guests to share their dietary restrictions on the RSVP. Once you have some options narrowed down, schedule a wedding tasting so you can pick your favorite.
Create your gift list.
Now this is exciting! Don’t just start addingany old rubbish like toasters and crystal vases to your wedding registry. Look around every room in your home and think about what you alreadyhave and what you want. If neither of you enjoys baking, do you really need an electric mixer? Probably not.
Honeymoon funds are growing in popularity, so that’s always an option, too. Or you might buck this trend and decide you don’t need presents from your loved ones. If this is the case then now is the time to let them know that the pleasure of their company is all you’d like from them.
Plan the before and after events.
There’s often much more to a wedding than the big day itself, though you won’t necessarily do them all. As usual, the particulars depend on the size of your wedding, the logistics, and the complexity of the ceremony. These are the events you may prepare or need time for beyond the wedding:
- Stag and Hen parties.
- Rehearsal dinner.
- Honeymoon.
- Wedding after-party.
- Next-morning brunch.
Help out of area guests with accommodation
For weddings where many guests are traveling from further afield we can accomadate them in one of our beautiful rooms. Likewise we often find the happy couples closest family and friends like to stay over to enjoy the whole experience and join them for dinner the night before the wedding and brunch the morning after.
Choose your wedding rings.
It’s possible you picked your wedding rings shortly after getting engaged. But if you didn’t, we recommend that you start looking a few months before the big day. We can recommned some local specialists if you need.
Select matching bands, or two distinct styles — they don’t have to be made with the same precious metal. Choose the one each of you prefers. The rings can be simple bands with a polished, hammered, or matte finish. Or, you may choose ornate bands with faceted gems and a combination of precious metals. Or you might decide that a formal symbol isn’t your style as many of our happy couples have. There are many other options including a tattoo!
Touch base with those involved in your special day
Check-in with all of the key people in your wedding. Talk to our wedding coordinator to see if there are any final details she needs from you. Reach out to everyone else including florists etc so you know they’re all set. Give a call to family members and the wedding party to make sure everyone feels comfortable with the itinerary. And finally, prioritize a few relaxed evenings with each other before the wedding.
Start the celebrations and enjoy!
You know what to do from here. Congratulations!
Remember this day is all about you guys and we want to help make it as special as possible.