1.The 3 big starting points
Where the hell to start! Well let’s split tip number one into 3 parts… There are 3 big decisions before you step into the planning pool, how many guests? Date options? Which venue?
How many guests?
Establishing a rough number of how many guests you’re going to invite helps to determine your location and budget, whether that be 200+ guests or an elopement! To help with your budget and try to cut it down you could move some day guests to your evening guest list instead. But remember family might add to your guests list too…
Date options?
Think about work when can you get time off, or does someone in your bridal party struggle for time off, does it need to be outside of term time or a midweek wedding? (You can get great midweek deals!). What about your honeymoon? What’s the weather like for the dates you’re looking at?
Which venue?
Now you know your date options, guests numbers and an idea of your budget, the fun can really start! There are so many amazing venues with different styles/offerings and support. Get emailing, gather prices and inspirations, it’s time to arrange viewings!

2.Budget
We’ve already touched on establishing a budget. Decide on a budget and make it a goal to stay under that line. If you start with your venue and it’s more than expected, ask them to help you with finding other suppliers such as caterers or decor ideas to help you get back on track with your budget. There are lots of money saving hacks out there so stay savvy.
3.Timeline
One of your first jobs once you have your date and venue booked is your timeline. You need to picture your day before you think about booking your registration or church and certainly before you start inviting your guests. Once you have a timeline it will help you book suppliers as you will know what times they will be needed.
4.Choosing your Bridal party
It’s time to choose your Bridal party!… When choosing your bridal party, think about choosing people who are going to help not hinder, for example your closest friends, people who are all going to get along with each other!! You want the very best atmosphere across your weekend and day. Your girls will be a big part of this.
Who to choose as best man and chief bridesmaid?
When choosing these people they should be someone you completely trust! They will be planning the hen do/ stag dos for you. They are going to be helping you throughout your wedding journey especially with emotions running high so choose these people very wisely.

5.Picking your guests
Your guests can literally male or break your day, they will set the energy so choose carefully and make sure its a good bunch that will have a lot of fun and laughs. Dull guests with a negative attitude or low energy can bring the wedding down so be wary of who is in your room and mix the tables up and spread the high energy around the room to lift others.
6.Atmosphere
What type of atmosphere do you want throughout your wedding day? Think music (band or DJ?), food (formal or informal), entertainment, decorations; there’s so many factors on how to create the atmosphere you desire, think about what it is your trying to achieve, it all makes a difference.
7.Table plan
It might seem too early in the planning process to start a table plan, you might have only just booked your venue! But really this is the perfect time to do your first table plan draft, why? Because without a table plan how will you have any ideas on centrepieces or alcohol per table which both factor into your budget. Also suppliers will need a table plan at some point especially caterers so why not be prepared and have it ready.

8.Accommodation
Does your venue have accommodation? Make sure you have the guests you want on site that will support you on your day. A good idea would be to add a booking site like booking.com onto your invites for guests to find their own accommodation with free cancellation in case of any changes nearer the time.
9.Taxis
This might seem way too far in advance to be thinking about this in the planning process but it’s something that can often get forgotten about until it’s too late and taxis are all booked up! It’s a good thing to include on your invites especially if your venue is in a rural location! Maybe even contact taxi firms to say they are going to be on your invites.
10.What’s next!
Your initial planning stage is all complete! So what’s next? Now the real planning starts… it’s time to look at what suppliers you want to book and go into a more in depth timeline.
It’s such exciting times! Remember to have lots of fun throughout this process and always check in with your venue and coordinators if you’re ever stuck and need any help, that’s what they are there for! Keep your eyes peeled on our instagram page for Daily SOS wedding tips if you would like more tips like the ones in this blog!