PLANNING YOUR BIG DAY!
So you’ve recently got engaged (congrats!).
Now with only one thing on your mind its time to plan plan plan!
To start with this can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, that’s why we have made this handy step by step guide to help you through the planning of your perfect wedding day.
This will break it down into more manageable chunks and make your wedding planning something that you love doing as much as we do!
Its time to get organised and suppress that inner Bridezilla!
Below is a generic check list to make things a little easier to manage.
As outside caterers we can help to guide you through all these stages, we will have an initial consultation with yourselves where we can discuss your catering dreams.
We have had couples bring their mood boards, favourite celeb wedding inspiration and even secret family recipes in the past which we welcome with open arms this is all about the vision of your perfect day.
We are extremely flexible so although our brochure offers so much choice we can always look at creating bespoke menus with you to make your day truly personal.
After the initial meeting we will invite you to a taster where you can sit back and relax while we serve your delicious wedding breakfast in a private taster session at one of our taster rooms either in Bristol or Cardiff this will give you a real insight into how the food will be on your big day and you can start counting down the days until you get to eat it again!
First things first- get some inspiration.
Pintrest and Instagram are perfect for this.
Either set up an inspiration page online or start a scrapbook with cut outs of your ideas, It's always makes it much easier to be inspired once you have decided which season you would prefer to get married in.
When you have decided think of colour pallets and go from there. Wedding Fayres are a great place to find inspiration and a fun day out for you and your partner or hens.
The first stages
Choose a date and time
Agree on a budget
Draft a rough guest list so you know what size of a venue to look for
Decide if you would prefer a civil or religious wedding ceremony
Start booking viewings at venues
Research suppliers (photographer, florist, entertainment and the all-important caterer!)
12+ months before the big day
Book your venue
Pick your bridesmaids and groomsmen
Start booking in your suppliers- venues normally have a great supplier list so this is always a good place to start
Start thinking of the menu you would like on the day (think of seasonality, your personal favourite dishes are______________________
Invest in wedding insurance
Start thinking of your dream honeymoon location
12-9 months before
Buy your wedding dress!
Decide on the type of entertainment you would like throughout the day and the evening entertainment
Book the church or give notice to your local registrar
Start deciding on your dream floral/ decorations
9-6 months before
Purchase your invitations
Send out your save-the-dates
Order your bridesmaids dresses
Book your honeymoon
Draft your wedding day timings
6-4 months before
Have a dress fitting
Purchase your wedding rings
Set up your guest list
Get the groomsmens outfits ordered/brought
Double check your passports are in date- if not renew!
Book your hair and makeup for the day and any trial runs if needed
3 months before
Finalise your wedding menu
Finalise details with other suppliers such as the florist, cake maker and entertainment
Finalise your guest list
Order additional stationary- order of the day, menu cards, name cards
Finalise your table plan
Order favours
Finalise your wedding day timings and send this to your suppliers
Send out your invitations
2 months before
Meet with your photographer- it is nice to do this at your venue so you can walk around together to show them ideal shots
Do a hair and makeup trial run
Write your vows
Purchase gifts for parents, wedding party and each-other
1 month before
Check in with all suppliers to confirm details
Purchase/ collect your something old, something new and something borrowed
Pass on any guest dietary requirements to your caterer
Settle all final balances
1 week before
Delegate any small wedding day jobs to family and friends
Break in your shoes!
Pack for your honeymoon
Get your hair cut and coloured
Give your wedding manager a schedule of your suppliers set up times. Include a contact name and number
Pick up your dress and the groomsmen’s suits
The day before
Rehearse the ceremony
Drop off anything you need to at the venue
Relax and get an early night!
This step by step guide will make planning your wedding a breeze!
However if you do need any help on any of the stages above do remember we are experts at this and our fantastic event managers would take pleasure in helping with anything you may need. Please contact us at feedme@cleverchefs.co.uk with any questions.
