Church or Civil Ceremony?
Setting the date - Styles & Themes
BUDGETING - Key players.
In England and Wales you have three choices: a religious ceremony, a civil wedding in a licensed building or a civil wedding in a register office.
Your wedding date may be determined by the availability of your church, register office or reception venue so you will need to make enquiries before making a final decision on your date.
Of course the majority of weddings take place on a Saturday and in the summer. However, weekday and Sunday weddings are now more common, as are winter weddings.
(On days other than Saturday, many hotels, photographers, videographers and transport companies offer special discounted rates).
Will it be a formal white wedding incorporating all the traditions, followed by a huge party for everyone you know? Or, will it be a relaxed intimate occasion at a country house hotel sharing your day with close family and friends?
Either way, it will be the personal touches that will make your wedding a unique and memorable occasion.
Your theme could be determined by a favourite colour, a fragrant flower, a shared interest or hobby, old movies, an heirloom veil, a love of everything Victorian - in fact anything that is special to you.
Your chosen theme may then help you decide on the suitability of venues for your ceremony and reception. Maybe you’d like a simple register office ceremony followed by a “Vegas” style reception complete with blackjack and roulette table! Having chosen your style and theme, the other important decisions will be made easier.
Most couples, apart from a lucky few, have to limit their spending. Determine your budget at the outset and stick to it. Open a special wedding account and set up a regular savings scheme. Dream your dreams, then decide what aspects are most important to you and plan your budget accordingly. For example, if you simply “must have” that designer dress you may have to economise on something else. With careful planning your wedding will be perfect no matter what your budget.
Choose your best man and chief bridesmaid carefully. They will play major roles in helping you organise events beforehand and be especially important to you on the day. (Don’t be offended if the first person you ask  declines your invitation. Some people dislike being in the limelight.)
Of course your wedding is a very special occasion for your loved ones, so it’s important to involve them as much as possible plus, it will lighten the load for you. Learn to delegate without losing overall control.
Take time to choose the right professional help. Use the checklists in our wedding planning tools to make sure you have thought about everything before making final decisions. Then, book as much as you can, as soon as you can, especially if it’s to be a summer wedding - your favourite florist may already be taking bookings eighteen months in advance. Importantly, having the wedding specialists on your side early on will provide you with an abundance of help and advice.
With so much to look forward to, make organising your special day part of the fun. Don’t be overwhelmed by it all. Keep it simple. “Plan your work, then work your plan”. Enjoy the whole experience and keep reminding yourselves that your wedding is a celebration of the fact that you “found” each other - the rest is easy!
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