Ideally, wedding planning is not something you start to think about in the two months before the big day. While there are plenty of things you can sort out later down the line, you will save yourself a great deal of trouble and stress if you sort most things out now.
If you are set to marry in summer 2018, here's five things you ought to be thinking about finalising now, if you haven't already done so.
1. Your Wedding Budget
You want to know your wedding budget before you do anything. Having a wedding budget in place will help you focus your wedding planning and stop you visiting venues that are going to be far out of your price range.
2. Your Wedding Venue
The most popular wedding venues in the country are booked around 12 months in advance. Some might be booked even further in advance. You want this sorted out as quickly as possible.
Booking a wedding venue now for summer 2018 isn't just about getting exactly what you want either. Having your venue booked will make rest of your wedding planning easier.
•You have an idea on the catering, and will know whether the venue is taking care of this or whether you need to book a caterer.
•You know what the venue looks like so you can plan any additional decorations for inside
•You'll be able to plan your entertainment better and start making enquiries.
Booking the venue will go hand-in-hand in choosing the date you'll get married. To some, having a specific date is more important than the venue and vice versa. You can finalise this first aspect depending on which matters to you most - you can either just go after a venue and find a free date, or decide on a specific wedding date then make a decision based on availability.
3. Your Maid of Honour and Best Man
Sorting this out early will be a massive help in the months leading up to the wedding. You have someone to help you with the planning and things like your hen party and the stag parties won't be left to the final minute.
4. Your Wedding Theme
When you know your wedding theme, it makes planning your wedding much easier. The key is to have a broad idea in your mind of what the wedding should look and feel like - do you want it to be a big, lavish party, or an intimate gathering in the countryside?
Your wedding venue might influence your decision as well. If the theme is less important to you than the wedding venue, then see what sort of vibes the venue gives you.
Perhaps you can pick up a theme by just walking around the venue. If you have something in mind, like a Star Wars themed wedding, for example, then check whether you'll be able to 100% have the wedding you want when you're enquiring with different venues.
5. Your Wedding Entertainment
Once you have made some decisions around the first three points, you'll have a better idea of the kind of entertainment you want. Booking your wedding entertainment early is a great idea, especially when it comes to music. At Freak Music our most popular acts are often booked 12 - 18 months in advance, so it definitely pays to be early with discovering what you want at your wedding party.
Knowing the entertainment is sorted gives you months to focus on finding the dress of your dreams, designing wedding invitations, picking the flowers, and booking your honeymoon.
Of course, plenty of things can happen down the line and you can change almost any of the above elements if you want. However, setting them ready for your summer wedding will give you more focus, reduce stress and guarantees you get to have the wedding of your dreams!