2020 definitely didn’t go as planned – in any way, shape or form. But if you’re a blushing bride or groom-to-be, it’s important to enter 2021 with the right mindset so that you can kickstart the process of planning the wedding of your dreams.
Planning a wedding can be stressful; having a mental declutter and reorganising your life can help you take back control and focus on the things that really matter. Discover the art of organisation and enjoy planning your perfect wedding in 2021 with our top tips for wedding planning success.
Eliminate Stress & Reduce Anxiety
Prior to beginning a stressful process such as wedding planning, it is vital to have a mental detox and rid yourself of any negative thoughts and / or energy. This will help to improve your mood, reduce stress, and increase your concentration levels; allowing you to enjoy the wedding planning process as well as the actual day itself.
Take some time out to recharge and shift your attention to the most important things in life. Cut through any unnecessary mental “noise” and tune into the thoughts that matter the most. Focus on all the reasons why you love your future spouse, and what your wedding day really means to you; this will allow you to enjoy the wedding process and look forward to the day you say, “I do”.
Plan Your Wedding with Ease
Try breaking down your wedding planning tasks into bitesize chunks. Complete these tasks over the course of approximately 12-18 months for a much less stressful experience. Input the below steps into a spreadsheet and make notes as you progress – and before you know it, the big day will be here!
No more money worries! Have an open discussion with your fiancé about your finances, including how much you can both currently afford, how much you can save and whether anybody else will be contributing. Use this information to set your budget – and make sure you stick to it no matter what…
Inspire & create. This is where the fun begins! Research and begin to collate together lots of wedding ideas and inspiration. This will help you figure out what you like and don’t like, and then decide on your favourite theme.
Location, location, location. It is vitally important to choose your wedding venue early as this will determine the date, location and guest numbers. Choose a venue which fits your budget and theme and will please both parties.
Insure & protect. Purchase wedding insurance to cover you if anything goes wrong at all. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
The bridal party. Now is the time to choose your maid of honour, bridesmaids, ushers, best man and anybody else in your wedding party. Asking your nearest and dearest loved ones to be part of your special day is always one of the most fun parts of wedding planning!
The guest list. After you have selected your bridal party, you can now begin to create your guest list. Decide who you would like to invite to the day and to the evening party. The number of guests that you invite may be determined by how much you wish to spend per head.
Something borrowed, something blue. Begin to research and contact suppliers, such as photographers, caterers, florists, entertainment, hair & makeup artists, celebrants and wedding planners. Some venues provide a list of recommended suppliers – but it’s always best to do your own research too.
Say yes to the dress. Now for the most exciting part of the entire wedding planning process: choosing your dress. Again, research is key, and you can never try on too many wedding dresses! Once you have selected your dress, you can then go shopping for bridesmaid dresses and suits which will complement your gown.
Save the date. If you’re worried about people not being able to attend due to other commitments, you can send out ‘save the date’ cards as soon as your book the venue to make sure guests keep that date free. You should then send out your official invitations 3-6 months prior to the big day.
The honeymoon suite. Plan your dream holiday for after the big day. You can choose to book this either before or after the wedding, depending upon your funds. If you want to save for a big honeymoon later down the line, you could always book a mini moon for a few days’ break after your wedding.
Stags & hens. Hopefully your bridesmaids and best man will have this covered, but it’s always good to be in the loop with what’s happening on your stag and hen dos. Make sure you know which dates you need to be available for, and factor this into your planning.
The finishing touches. Now that all of the big tasks are out of the way, you can begin to think about the little details such as wedding songs and décor. If you have any additional funds left over, you could always buy some last-minute bits and pieces to decorate your venue.
Choose Exe Valley Weddings as Your DIY Wedding Venue
Pitt Farm is an attractive working farm run by me, Tahi, and my husband Patrick. Travel down the enchanted, meandering driveway and escape to our beautiful wedding site; boasting a traditional 18th Century farmhouse, authentic lovingly restored barns and a pristine, well-groomed lawn. Situated amongst the rolling green hills of the Exe Valley, the grounds offer sprawling, panoramic views of the Devon countryside.
Here at Exe Valley Weddings, we provide you with ultimate flexibility to tailor your own experience. We offer a unique self-catering venue, free corkage and a comprehensive list of recommended suppliers, as well as a magical 2-night stay in our luxury converted-barn bridal suites. Click here to discover more about our beautiful wedding venue in mid Devon.