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How-to & Tutorials,  Tips & Tricks

Planning Your Wedding: Start with These Steps


The idea of getting married is so super exciting, and planning your wedding brings in an extra layer of excitement. But it can also bring a whole load of stress with it if you don’t know where to start.

A photo of a newly married couple holding their hands

Let’s break down the essential first steps in planning your wedding, so that you can stay on the right track throughout the process and enjoy it to the fullest.

Planning Your Wedding: First Step… Find the Date(s)


First, you’ll need to think about a range of dates you want to get married. It’s a good idea to have a couple of dates you’re happy with, so that this gives you a little bit of flexibility when it comes to the wedding venue. However, if there is a specific date that, maybe, has a special meaning to your story, then don’t settle for anything else.

What you want to avoid is jumping straight ahead and sending out your Save the Date cards until you’ve confirmed with your chosen venue. As soon as this is confirmed, you’re good to let everyone know.

Save the Date cards are a popular way to spread the news and build some anticipation for your special day. However, from personal experience, if these cards aren’t a tradition in your country, send out paper invitations. You’ll save money and time, and save yourself from disappointments.


A newly bride sipping a milkshake in Hong Kong cinematic pre-wedding style picture
Planning your wedding can be nearly stress-free…

Find the Perfect Venue for You and Your Guests


Speaking of venues, this is another hugely important part of your wedding day. If you already have a venue in mind, call them, go to view it, and try to lock it in as fast as you can, as some venues book up a long time in advance.

Think also about the kind of venues you’d prefer, what you want from them and so on. For example, if having a dog friendly wedding venue is important to you, then this will narrow down your search.


A bride to be trying her wedding gown in a dressing room

Find Your Wedding Outfit 


When planning your wedding day, what you and your partner are going to wear is as important as the venue. Let’s bring a level of fun to this task: going shopping for a gown can be one of the funnest things to do as a bride. Get your friends together and visit some bridal shops. Make an appointment first, so they know what type of dresses you are interested in, and build a memorable day around it with brunch and bubbles.


A couple by the Maldive sea during sunset.

Find Your Honeymoon Destination 


Finally, where do you want to head for your honeymoon? This might be soon after the wedding or years into the future; however, you need to have a rough idea of the itinerary based on your budget.

If you’re going to start saving now, then knowing how much to put away each month can really help you. If you’re friends with any travel agents, then speak to them about deals you might be able to get.

Planning your honeymoon can be a fun (and dreamy) activity for the couple. Speak with your partner about specific destinations that you’d like to visit together, or that hold a special meaning to both of you. Some couples have tropical destinations on their lists; others opt for on-the-road adventures like the Route 66 or a European tour. The options are endless.


With these 4 wedding essentials to explore, you’ll have a better idea of how to plan the day. However, if you’re not sure… don’t panic! You can always consult a wedding planner and enjoy your time as a bride-to-be more.


Pinnable image with a calendar and a wedding card
Image credits:
Ph. Leeloo The First via Pexels
Ph. Jeremy Wong via Pexels
Ph. Jonathan Borba via Pexels
Ph. Asad Photo Maldives via Pexels

Valentina Chirico: a past as an archaeologist, a present as an editor between London and Bedfordshire. An expat born in Southern Italy from an expat family. She holds an MA in Egyptology from the University of Birmingham and contributed as a co-author and postgraduate ambassador to the UoB PG Recruitment Blog before fully embarking on online editing. Besides archaeology, beauty and arts, this alumna loves travelling and shares an uncommon sense of humour. Online since 2009 with ValentinaChirico.com and later with ItalianMemories, Valentina is a storyteller and wants to inspire you a good laugh or to aim higher, for the stars.

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