How to Plan a Wedding: A Step-by-Step Guide
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting journeys you and your partner will embark on. From choosing your venue to selecting the perfect attire, every detail matters on one of the most important days of your life.
With so much to plan, our helpful guide will walk you through the essential steps to plan a beautiful and stress-free wedding day.
The foundation of every wedding is a realistic, well-planned budget. Before you start dreaming about venues and dresses, sit down with your partner and determine a reasonable spending plan. Research current wedding costs and prioritise your expenses based on what matters most to you both.
Did you know that 71% of couples in 2024 cited venue costs as the most crucial factor in their budget? Factor in expenses like catering, attire, entertainment, and décor to ensure you stay on track.
Establishing your budget early on will be key to preventing financial stress later down the line and will enable you to make informed decisions as a team.
With so many moving parts, wedding planning can quickly become overwhelming without proper organisation. A detailed checklist will act as your roadmap, keeping you organised and focused.
Benefits of a Wedding Checklist:
- Effective Budget Management: By adopting this structured approach, you can allocate funds wisely and avoid unnecessary expenses.
- Reduced Stress: Breaking down the planning process into manageable chunks makes it feel manageable and importantly, achievable.
- Better Communication: Ensures you and your partner are on the same page, reducing any last-minute surprises.
How to Create an Effective Checklist
A detailed checklist should outline every task leading up to the wedding. Our rough guide will help you to break this down through your wedding planning before your big day:
12+ Months Before
Set your budget, book your venue, and create a guest list.
9-12 Months Before
Choose a theme, book key vendors and find your wedding attire.
6-9 Months Before
Send save-the-dates, finalise décor and plan your ceremony details.
3-6 Months Before
Order invitations, schedule dress fittings and organise accommodation.
1-3 Months Before
Finalise seating arrangements, confirm with vendors and write vows.
Final Weeks
Conduct a venue walkthrough, get excited, and enjoy the moment!
Every couple has unique visions for their wedding day. It’s important to sit down with your partner and discuss what truly matters to both of you. Establishing the essentials, versus the ‘nice to haves’ will help you truly focus on what’s most meaningful, and that your budget and energy go further.
How to Set Your Priorities:
- Discuss Your Shared Vision: Do you dream of a cosy gathering or a grand celebration? Understanding each other’s expectations will help to shape your plans.
- Identify Your Top Five Must-Haves: While some couples will prioritise the venue, others may place greater emphasis on catering options, entertainment, or photography. Knowing your non-negotiables will further help with decision-making.
- Be Flexible: Keep an open mind and ensure that both your voices are heard to come to a solution you are both happy with.
- Factor in the Guest Experience: While it’s your big day, considering how your guests will experience the event can help to make key decisions. A survey by Hitched revealed that 80% of couples prioritise the guest experience and how they are taken care of, highlighting its significance.
Selecting a date and venue is one of the biggest decisions in your wedding planning process. Consider:
- Your chosen date: Do you have a set date in mind, or are you more flexible and open to last-minute options?
- Indoor versus an outdoor setting
- Guest capacity
- Catering options
- Accessibility and accommodation
Your wedding should reflect your style, personality, and vision. Whether you dream of saying "I do" beneath shimmering lights or dancing the night away in style, we have the perfect setting to bring your dream wedding to life.
For couples opting for an outdoor ceremony, our tipi weddings offer a magical blend of elegance and fun. Exchange your vows under a canopy of fairy lights, surrounded by the great outdoors, with the warm glow of decorative outdoor lighting setting the scene for an extraordinary evening celebration. Accommodating up to 100 guests, our dog-friendly venue is perfect for those who want a festival-inspired celebration. Ample parking is also available for your guests. You can focus on making memories while we handle all the details.
If you envision a breathtaking autumnal day or a snowy winter wedding, we offer stunning function rooms designed to make your special day extraordinary on those cooler days. For up to 250 guests, our spectacular Devora Suite provides a magnificent setting for an elegant wedding breakfast and an additional 50 guests for your evening reception. Its sophisticated ambience and spacious, versatile layout make it the perfect place for those looking for flexibility and style.
However, for those seeking a more intimate atmosphere, The Constable Rooms can seat up to 200 guests for your ceremony, creating a warm and inviting setting for your big day.
No matter what you envision, start your journey by researching venues that align with your goals and secure your date.
From Pinterest boards to wedding magazines, finding inspiration is key to curating your dream wedding. This will include:
- Wedding themes and colour schemes.
- Seasonal preferences
- Personalised touches: have a plethora of ideas and your wedding coordinator will work with you to create your dream wedding.
Did you know that 44% of couples spend close to two years planning their wedding? Taking time to explore your options ensures a wedding that feels uniquely yours.
Here are some of our top tips for decorating your venue.
Upon choosing your selected venue to say, ‘I Do’, it will be important to establish a great rapport with your wedding team, who can be a game-changer in keeping everything running smoothly.
Your wedding team will have extensive experience and expertise in guiding couples through the myriad of planning challenges, as well as providing professional advice and guidance. They should be able to articulate their ideas clearly, communicate with you regularly, have solid problem-solving skills and stay calm under pressure, to ensure all planning stays on track.
Your guest list should include your nearest and dearest but remain reflective of your chosen type of wedding, budget and venue accommodation. Consider your budget and venue capacity when finalising your list – but importantly, ensure you and your partner are aligned on the priority guests. You can always have additional guests for the reception, and your loved ones for the nuptials – it’s your wedding day, so make it yours!
Once you have agreed on your budget, venue and optional extras, send your invitations to your chosen guests, with a deadline to RSVP.
Many couples are also creating their own wedding websites to share details, with 61% opting for digital communication.
Once you have decided on your venue, whether you want an indoor or outdoor wedding or even a mixture of both, it will be important to confirm the important details, such as colour scheme and theme, any personalised or sentimental décor, wedding vows and music, as well as catering and entertainment. 65% of couples in 2024 prioritised bespoke elements that enabled them to reflect their unique taste and style on their big day.
You and your partner should also start working on key details, such as your wedding vows, aisle music, groomsmen and bridesmaids, as well as your order of events. Start ordering your wedding stationery, and your wedding coordinator should streamline the rest.
It will be important to agree on the layout and space for you to have your tables. Round, square, oval, banquet style – the choice is yours. However, for less abled guests, it will be important to seat them close to amenities such as the restroom and away from loud music or the bar, while more lively guests may prefer to be seated closer to the dancefloor.
You will also need to decide whether you wish to opt for a head table, or whether you would prefer a sweetheart table just for the two of you. Family dynamics will also play a part in where guests are seated. Seat together mixed groups that have common interests, while a kids’ table can also be provided to keep young children entertained throughout the day, with garden games and fun activities to enjoy.
When your guests arrive at your reception, do you also want to have a board with a table plan, or wish for a more creative theme? Discuss this with your wedding coordinator who will do their best to accommodate any ideas you may have.
However, it will be important to note that there are always last-minute changes, so remain flexible with your seating plan and consider a backup for unexpected guests or no-shows.
Choosing the right wedding vendors is crucial to bringing your wedding vision to life. When choosing your vendors, make sure to look at their previous work to see if their style aligns with what you are looking for, whether this is a theme, a certain style, or whether they can even meet your expectations. Check online reviews and testimonials, and ask for recommendations from friends and loved ones, as the best reviews are word-of-mouth recommendations.
Any potential vendor will be responsive and open to discussing your requirements with you and be flexible in looking for creative solutions if issues arise to ensure a positive, professional relationship. While all business is good business, one bad experience can cause serious harm, so it’s in everyone’s interest to make your wedding planning less stressful and more enjoyable.
In 2024, some of the most sought-after vendors were photographers, hair and makeup artists, florists, and entertainment, including DJs and videographers.
Content creators and videographers are growing in popularity due to the rise of social media, TikTok and reels, creating heartfelt, short-form content, alongside traditional photography, to capture candid moments of your special day.
Key vendors include photographers, caterers, florists, musicians, and officiants. Do your research and book reputable vendors who align with your wedding style and budget. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations can also help ensure quality service.
In addition to a stunning setting, the rise in creative catering services has also seen significant growth, with many couples seeking new and exciting culinary options that will wow their guests. At Stoke by Nayland Resort, our award-winning Lakes Restaurant delivers exceptional fine dining, with seasonal dishes and exquisite menus crafted with the finest ingredients. Paired with sweeping panoramic views, your wedding breakfast will be an extraordinary experience for all.
This is the most exciting time for couples – choosing their wedding attire and that of their groomsman and bridesmaids. Get creative with styles, colours and florals, and ensure enough time is outlined for required fittings and alterations.
Once all guests have RSVP’d, you have your wedding attire and all venue décor and dining elements are sorted, it will be important to provide a timeline to your attendees for the big day. The time they should arrive, the main ceremony, where your bridal party should be and when, and any other important details, so that your wedding coordinator can keep everything going smoothly.
To reduce stress and make your loved ones feel part of the process, designate key roles, such as maid of honour, ring bearer and best man, as well as who will be responsible for certain parts of your day, such as menu selection, a playlist or DJ, toasts and readings, and most importantly, write your personalised vows to one another!
Many couples are also now utilising wedding apps to streamline this process further, which can help keep guests in the loop throughout the wedding planning.
Once everything is arranged, sort out the legal requirements for marriage in your chosen location. This will include arranging your marriage license and any necessary documentation to ensure a legally binding ceremony. Additionally, invest in wedding insurance, so if there are any mishaps on the day, you are safely covered.
Your wedding is one of the most special moments of your life—why not make the days leading up to it just as memorable? Whether you're looking to relax, celebrate, or simply spend quality time with your loved ones, our hotel offers the perfect setting for a stress-free and joy-filled stay.
Set the tone for your wedding with a beautiful rehearsal dinner, surrounded by your closest family and friends. Enjoy a relaxed evening of delicious food and great company as you soak in the excitement of the big day ahead.
Planning to arrive a couple of days early? Treat yourself and your bridal party to a day of indulgence at Peake Spa. Unwind in our relaxation areas, choose a soothing treatment, experience the rejuvenating Rasul Mud Therapy, or simply enjoy a glass of bubbly together - this is your time to relax before walking down the aisle. Prefer something more social? Our Afternoon Tea experience or sunny alfresco dining at the Orchard Lounge Bar & Terrace are perfect choices to get together and catch up with friends.
Grooms, it’s your wedding too! Spend the day with your groomsmen on one of our two championship golf courses, perfect your swing with expert coaching or just enjoy a laid-back round with your mates with a golf day or golf break package. Cap off the day at our Sports Bar, where you can savour a refreshing brew, indulge mouthwatering food, and live sports on our big screens.
After a day of celebration and relaxation, settle into our stylish, modern bedrooms or opt for one of our spacious lodges with stunning views.
The day has finally arrived! Take a deep breath, trust in all the planning you’ve done, and focus on cherishing every moment.
Surround yourself with loved ones, laugh, dance, and create memories to treasure forever.
This is your day - savour every second!