THIS IS WHY I’VE PUT TOGETHER
HOW TO PLAN A WEDDING
How to plan an amazing wedding without going insane
Welcome to the madness that is planning a wedding.
But let’s be real: it can also feel like trying to herd cats. Blindfolded. In a thunderstorm. Don’t worry, though. I’ve got your back with a few practical tips to keep you sane and on track while planning the most amazing day of your life.
Let’s be honest, wedding planning can feel like a full-time job. But that’s where my guide comes in. It’s straight-talking advice to help you cut through the noise, focus on what really matters, and plan a wedding that feels like you. From locking down your style to figuring out what to spend your budget on (and what you can skip), I’m here to make things simpler, less stressful, and way more enjoyable. Whether you’re eyeing up a stately home, a relaxed barn vibe, or an urban warehouse for your big day, I’ll help you tackle the planning like a pro. With insider tips to avoid the usual headaches, you’ll save time, energy, and a lot of second-guessing.
START WITH YOUR VISION
Before you dive headfirst into the Pinterest rabbit hole, take a moment to sit down together and figure out what you both want. Are you dreaming of a big bash in a stately home or a low-key celebration in a woodland glade? Do you want black-tie elegance or a festival vibe with fairy lights and fire pits?
Your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple. Love a weekend road trip with your mates? Maybe a barn or marquee is your vibe. Are you foodies who live for fancy tasting menus? A chic boutique hotel might suit you better. Once you’ve nailed your vision, everything else will fall into place.
Organisation is key
COS SPREADSHEETS ARE SEXY YEAH?
Trust me, spreadsheets your new best friend. Create one for your guest list, one for your budget, and one for your timeline. It’ll help you keep track of everything and avoid last-minute panic.
GET A FOLDER
Create yourself a wedding folder – whether that’s a digital thing or a fancy physical folder, but make sure you can stick all your important documents in there including your wedding insurance, booking forms, RSVPs, catering details and all the little notes you need.
STICK TO THE BUDGET
Or at least try to. Costs can get out of hand so ensure you’re tracking the pennies.
TIMELINE
Always give yourself way more time than you need. Trust me on this one.
PRIORITISE
Here’s the thing: you can’t have everything. (Well, unless you’ve won the lottery, in which case – congrats!) So decide what matters most. Is it having a killer band? Stunning flowers? An epic photographer (ahem, hi!)? Whatever it is, focus your budget on the things that mean the most to you and let go of the rest.
OVERWHELM
Don’t forget to take a step back if it’s all getting too much…
When it comes to planning the wedding, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the little things. The best thing to do is focus on your main priorities (venue, food, photographer, outfits, rings) and then once those bad boys are sorted, you can then focus on one thing at a time. It’s easy to get carried away once you start hunting down wedding ideas on Instagram and Pinterest, but remember that it’s just one day. No-one will die if you don’t have hand made wedding signs, cake toppers from etsy or the best looking seating plan in the world. Just remember why you’re getting married in the first place.
WEDDING PLANNERS
If it’s all getting far too much, get yourself a wedding planner. A good planner is worth their weight in gold. They know all the good suppliers, can sometimes get you discounts, and will take over as much or a little as you would like. They can do on the day co-ordination too so should anything go awry (such as the catering team running behind schedule, or the band turning up late) they will be the go-to team. After all, you should be enjoying the wedding, not worrying about problems.
Finding the perfect wedding planner in the UK is all about finding someone who just gets you. Start by doing your research – check out their portfolio, read reviews, and stalk their Instagram to see if their vibe matches what you’re looking for. Are you after someone who’s all about glamorous, high-end celebrations? Or maybe you need a planner who specialises in relaxed, outdoor weddings? Have an honest chat with potential planners about your style, budget, and priorities to see if you click. A great wedding planner will not only bring your vision to life but also keep you sane through the process, handling all the details while you sit back and enjoy the fun stuff.
MONEY MONEY MONEY
LET’S TALK BUDGETS
Eww… no-one wants to talk about budgets! But they are a necessary evil. Start by figuring out your top three priorities – whether it’s killer photography, amazing food, or a live band. Once you’ve nailed those, allocate the bulk of your budget to them and scale back on the less important bits. Be realistic about what things cost (Google is your friend here), and always leave a little wiggle room for unexpected expenses. Need to save cash? Trim your guest list – fewer people means fewer plates and drinks – I mean, do you really need to invite your 12 distant cousins you’ve not seen in 20 years? Also ditch the wedding favours and get your best mate to make you a wedding cake instead.
DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Here’s a secret: your guests won’t remember what shade of blush your napkins were or whether your cake had three tiers or five. What they’ll remember is how they felt. So focus on creating a relaxed, joyful atmosphere instead of stressing over every tiny detail.
Oh, and something will go wrong. It might rain, the best man might forget his speech, or the flowers might not match the Pinterest board perfectly. But trust me, those little hiccups often make the best memories. I’ve had weddings where the venue flooded and the bride has donned wellies and helped sweep out the water whilst guests mucked in and moved tables. Everyone loved the wedding and how involved they all felt. Embrace every moment, even the disasters!
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
That old adage, you get what you pay for, is pretty much true when it comes to weddings. Great venues are expensive. Great food isn’t cheap. Amazing photographers do not cost £800 for a full day. What you will get in return for a decent investment, is their expertise, their experience, and the knowledge that you don’t have to worry about any of them. You can get on with having an amazing time, safe in the knowledge that your venue is on top of timings, your caterer will have great food on time and great service to boot, whilst your photographer will have shot everything before you’ve even thought of it.
HELLO? IS THIS THING EVEN ON?
Once you’ve chosen and booked all your fave suppliers, its a good idea to find out what they need from you and when. Invoices usually arrive in advance of a wedding, not after! Caterers will invite you for food and wine tastings (win!) whilst photographers will generally send you the odd email but will require either a secondary call before the big day, or like me, will send you a questionnaire to fill in with all the details they need.
Feel free to follow them all on social and send them lovely comments so we get to know you a bit before the big day.
EVERYTHING WILL BE JUST FINE
It definitely will, but it pays to have a back up plan. This is especially important for couples who really want an outdoor wedding. In the UK it rains quite a bit, so make sure that you’ve thought of everything. A back-up plan for the ceremony in case its tipping it down even if it means your guests get wet, at least you two will be dry. If youre having a tipi or marquee wedding, ensure you have a back up generator in case of emergencies.
And when it comes to outfits, if you’re buying thin dainty little bridesmaid dresses in summer despite your wedding being in the depths of winter, remember to make sure your bridesmaids have something to keep them warm such as lovely shrugs, cardigans or faux fur wraps. And yep, don’t forget your umbrella! Possibly wellies… There is nothing better than natural light for photos especially group shots so warn your guests to wrap up in their best coats.
HOW TO PLAN A WEDDING
DRESS TO IMPRESS
If you want the dress of your dreams, you need to buy in advance. Same with the guys. If you want a bespoke made to measure suit, you need to start thinking about the process up to a year in advance. Wedding gowns pretty much always require some alterations, so make sure you don’t leave it til the last minute if you want the perfect fit. And remember to buy the right outfit for the time of year. Tweed in the height of summer can be a little stifling, and girls if youve opted for a sheer gown, make sure you bring a fur shrug or jacket for nipping outside.
RELAX
Finally, the most important way to have a stress free wedding, is to remember to relax. It’s just one day. It doesn’t matter if you don’t get the vintage motor, the Jimmy Choos or wear diamond earrings. No-one will know if the flowers on the table aren’t the right shade of pink, or that your cousin was supposed to do a reading during the ceremony… Take a deep breath, smile and remember that soon you will be marrying your best friend and having the best party ever!
WHY NOT CHECK OUT ALL MY FAVE WEDDING SUPPLIERS BELOW
MY FAV
CATERERS
My insider guide to all my favourite wedding suppliers.
READY TO MEET YOUR
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
Whether you’re getting hitched at the Town Hall, on the slopes of Austria, in a romantic castle or having a hand-fasting in a secluded woodland, why not get in touch to talk about your plans?
I create editorial, fun, down to earth, informal photography for people who want their kind of wedding, their kind of way. To discover more about my photography packages click the link below.
For more stress free wedding planning tips, why not book a consultation and we can talk about all your exciting wedding plans. Stress Free wedding photographer, Leeds photography by Shelly Mantovani at Toast of Leeds. If you’re having a wedding in the future in Leeds or elsewhere in Yorkshire, get in touch by visiting my photography website at www.toastofleeds.co.uk or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. I photograph weddings across the UK in tipis, barns, country houses , iconic hotels, town halls and cool city boozers . For more information and to check availability, contact me now.
