hi girlies, ive been engaged for 2 years and we have only just decided to start planning things. but where do i start? do i start with setting my budget and saving like mad or start planning everything. we have picked a venue we both like but nothing is booked yet. there is loads to think about. any help would be great xxxxxxx
CommentAuthorFitchMcCombe
I started off with a guest list of everyone id want in an ideal world with no financial restrictions, then I worked out how much they would cost to feed and water (usually the most expensive part!) based on an average figure taken from 5 venues that I really liked. Then I stripped down my guest list to the absolute minimum people I could think of having there and worked out the cost to feed and water them, and that became the scale for the central part of my budget. I haven't finished my budget yet because we're only just graduating and looking for full time work but that is pretty crucial before you book anything I'd guess. I'm sure there are tons of threads on here that could help you, try the search section! Good luck and don't forget to enjoy it :) x
CommentAuthorkrissy905
hi Claire and welcome to the site its a really useful tool when planning a wedding and we are all happy to give any hint, tips and advice when its asked for xx
i would first set your budget and work out whats the most important part of the day for you what you want to spend your money on and how your going to save and how much.
you can then get any idea of what money you have and when and start to plan your big day you have the venue so i would start with your theme/colours and overall style you like then look there is a good tread on here that should help you and all us lady upload pictures of things we like or are having so looking through the different posts will give you ideas to.
do you have any ideas on what sort of wedding you want?
the way i did mine was i picked my venue and dress and and then start with booking the bigger things that are more likely to get booked quick photographer,cake maker my wedding style as just sort of fallen in love and picked up. its a vintage/garden theme lots of bibutterflies arounds aroung my vintage birdcages and cake with a vintage styles sweet buffet and my colours are rose pink and sage green.
hope i helped x
CommentAuthoriluvcakes
and congratulations!!!
I would agree with the other ladies, start with the big things first like budget, guest list and venue, not forgetting photographer etc. Then think about themes/colours, your dress, attendants, flowers, shoes ..... This forum is always full of fab ideas and finds so trawl through it regularly - although if you are like the rest of us you will soon be hooked and won't deviate from this site!! Ask questions, look through other ladies photo albums and google images for inspiration. Above all, have fun! xx
Became Mrs Robinson 4th October 2012 xxx
Can't wait to do it all over again on the 4th October 2017!!
Welcome to the site Claire :) I worked out a budget first. I then made a rough list of those people I know I'd want to def be there and looked for venues around that number keeping a ote of how much per head it was. after that it was get lots of quotes for suppliers. from you budget after working out how much you'd be spending on food etc, then taking a ig chunk out for the dress I portioned the rest out with suppliers, making photography number 1 as I love looking at piccies (although don't like being in them myself lol). I've learnt that venues and suppliers have offers at certain times of the year, or if you book at wedding fayres etc so I'd have a good hunt around for them :) Try not to stress too much, as although we say it's the bride and grooms day, we spend so much time worrying about other people hoping they have a good day! x
CommentAuthorClaire Bear-85
thank you all so much for the imput, we have a rough budget so far and kinda know what i want, its realy a load to think about, you dont realise how mny different little things you need until you start planning lol xxx
CommentAuthorFitchMcCombe
I know its crazy I just made a simple word document listing all of the things i could think of (loads of websites help with this) my list consisted of; numbers, venues, caterers (for if its not a package wedding), dress shops, underwear stores, bridesmaids dress shops, suit shops/hire, photographers&/videographers, florists, cake makers, transportation, entertainment, stationary, decorators (chair covers etc) and legalities - and then under those headings I just started listing websites, names of businesses and quotes. My favourite tip has been if you're on a budget and wanting a big wedding but are able to be flexible on the date go for sun-thur weddings oct-mar (roughly) because it can be so much cheaper, and like ClareE said look for deals and remember every quote is a negotiation, many places are happy to negotiate the food and drinks packages to fit smaller budgets because they want your business!
CommentAuthorcford20
This discussion is so useful :), the only thing I'm struggling to decide is where?!
CommentAuthorFitchMcCombe
i think that all depends on what kind of wedding you want. i started off assuming that we'd get married in a posh hotel, a manor house or a castle since thats what I had always pictured, but when my partner started talking about a diy wedding that totally went out the window, I didn't want a package anymore, just didnt seem to suit us! So many brides dont seem to ask their partner's opinions, its nice to see that a lot of the brides on here arent like that! I think once you start talking about what you both want from the day the vibe becomes apparent, then you figure out how far you're willing to travel and start looking for the right kind of places in that vacinity!
CommentAuthorHa_x3
edited
Welcome to ukbride, I would start with a rough idea of your budget and number of guests xx
Mrs Lunn
08/05/12 was the best day of my life
& I love my husband with all my heart xxxx
CommentAuthorEmily jane
Iam also new here too.....I agree with the lady's above....I all ready know where I want to get married and what my colour theam is going to be....iam half way through the wedding guest list.....iam not sure if I should have children at my wedding or not....my boys are going to be Paige boys....so I don't really want them to be alone if you know what I mean.......I haven't got anything booked yet as we are stil trying to get an idea of the cost of everything
Our anniversary is 10th June 2006
Love my H2B and my beautiful boys with all my heart
CommentAuthorClaireH15
Hi, I am in your position too at the moment but we are lucky that we had a helping hand with the venue (head office where I works operates from a castle in Wales that are a wedding venue as well and do a really good deal - can't say more without it being classed as advertising though!) We have saved about half to two thirds of the budget and the wedding is set now for in 16 months time - if worst comes to the worse I think our parents will help out but we are planning on paying for the majority of it ourselves.
I think the important things to start with are budget rough idea of number of guests to help with the budget an idea of venue and their availability
then take it from there
xx
CommentAuthorNishaVyas88
Most bridal magazines include a checklist- I used one of those and then added extras that I thought I'd need to do (e.g. I choreographed our first dance, so that was added to the list).
The best thing to do is to get a notebook and make a note of everything wedding related, whether it be ideas, things you need to do, things you have done, contact numbers etc. Makes an interesting keepsake afterwards as well :D
and congratulations!!! 
