Do you have time to plan a wedding?

According to various reports and well publicised statistics, the average couple spends somewhere between 12 and 18 months planning their wedding.

The actual amount of time invested – within that time frame – obviously varies greatly depending on how many individual suppliers are involved and of course, the extent to which each couple actually cares about the finer details.

 

If you prefer to take the path of least resistance…

Perhaps you don’t mind inviting your guests via Whatsapp and are intending to pull strings or call in favours from friends to help with some of the nice-to-haves such as Bridal hair and make-up, the venue styling and wedding cake? If so, you’ll probably be able to shortcut the process somewhat.

 

On the other hand…

If you intend to make the special people who are invited to your wedding feel loved and appreciated for the role they play in your lives, you’ll no doubt be keen to identify ways in which to personalise many aspects of your perfect day in order to create an unforgettable experience for them. But of course, all of this takes time. Lots and lots of valuable time… and time is one thing so many of the couples I speak to tell me they are short of.

If the figures quoted in so many reports and well publicised statistics are true, an ‘average’ modern wedding takes around 528 hours to plan – that equates to 75 average working days!

In reality, the majority of people only have around 25 days annual leave.  Most prefer to reserve that precious time for hobbies and interests, aside from all of the obvious pursuits referred to as ‘life’ such as housework, cooking, gardening and socialising.  Add creating an unforgettable experience for any number of guests into the mix and then ask yourself if there is any wonder why wedding planning is regarded as such an overwhelming and stressful task?

 

It’s a question of priorities

It’s vital that you invest both your TIME and MONEY wisely.

Here are my top tips to help you get started;

• The number of decisions you are going to have to make can be overwhelming, but you do not need to make them all at once. Set yourselves some realistic goals with deadlines based on what you know you need to achieve and by when. Create a step by step plan. Group some of the tasks into manageable chunks and begin to work through them one at a time. Then, set aside time each week or perhaps once a fortnight specifically to work on your wedding plans and review progress regularly.

 

• By far the most important decision you will need to make is where to hold your perfect day. Don’t waste time researching or viewing wedding venues which simply don’t meet your criteria.  Consider the number of guests you would ideally like to invite and the overall amount of money you are happy to spend on your wedding before searching for the perfect venue.

 

• Do your homework and know your numbers before researching venue options or suppliers. By understanding the likely amount of money you will need to spend on each individual element of your wedding, you are far more likely to pin point your priorities. By recording and updating your expenditure regularly, you are way more likely to keep your budget on track throughout the planning process.

 

• Avoid the temptation to over-think and don’t second guess your instincts. Trust them. Over thinking is by far the biggest source of (unnecessary) stress associated with wedding planning. And seriously, the only person it spoils it all for… is you!

 

With over a decade of experience in planning weddings and events, I’m incredibly proud to be regarded as one of the most sought after Wedding Planners in the U.K.  If you are about to embark on planning your wedding and are even just a tiny bit concerned or anxious about any of the points referred to in this article, an Inspiration Hour with me could be ALL the help you need;

In just one hour with me, I’ll ensure you fully understand all the things you need to consider, helping you to avoid some of the pitfalls you may otherwise encounter.

You will receive a comprehensive wedding planning checklist – a step by step guide to planning your own perfect day.

Also, based on my knowledge of how much things truly cost and what represents exceptional value for money, I will guide you to ensure you are able to optimise your budget and reduce the risk of making any costly mistakes which you may otherwise later regret.

To arrange your Inspiration Hour, simply call me on 07561 107888 or 01482 871053. I am here to help.