When it comes to wedding planning, there are so many things one needs to remember, so much so that it can be easy to forget about some of the little details, which may end up being key features on the wedding day! Below we list some of these details we recommend our couples to think about and finalise in a timely fashion, to ensure the smooth running of their wedding celebrations!
Giving Notice – this is the statement you and your partner will need to provide in advance of the wedding day to declare your intentions to marry. This is typically arranged with your chosen Registrar/Registry office where they will advise of a timeframe in which you will need to visit them in person to provide this official declaration – without it, you will not be able to get married legally!
Backup Budget – it is always a good idea to put some extra monies aside as a backup plan for your wedding day in the event of any unforeseen circumstances or last minutes ideas you may wish to incorporate into your wedding, in order to make it the most magical experience.
Bring an ‘emergency’/first aid kit – you never know when clothing may rip, or makeup is a little too much or needs a re-fresh, so it is always best to have a vanity box or bag of useful accessories and toiletries in case they are needed. Here at Love Lydia Weddings & Events, we always like to carry an emergency kit so our couples can be reassured that they do not need to panic – we have it all covered!
Accommodating meals for your suppliers – often referred to as ‘outmess’ meals –which is usually one or two-course, smaller meals than the Wedding Breakfast meal; these are typically for suppliers who are contracted for several hours support on your wedding day. It goes without saying, that after several hours of work, they are likely to be hungry! Make sure to keep this budgeted for them.
Allocate a person of the wedding party for your photographer/group photos – whilst most photographers will request this in advance of the day, it is always a good idea to nominate a friend who knows your family or a close family member who can be responsible for helping the photographer to get the right people ready for photos should this be required, especially if you have an in-depth photo guest list, as this will help to keep everything on track for you and allow your designated photographer(s) to have the best chance to get all those group photo images within the time allocated for these on your timeline.
Venue restrictions – it is a wonderful feeling finding your ideal wedding venue, but if you know you’re going to want certain entertainment within the venue grounds or extravagant outdoor displays, i.e., fireworks, for example, remember to first check if the venue will allow it! If they have already booked the venue themselves, we find many couples ask these questions much later in the wedding planning process which often means that these requests are not always achievable due to venue restrictions, so it is best to check this prior to securing your dream venue.
Stationery – when it comes to wedding invitations or menus for the table and guests, always remember to order a few extras. This will help eliminate any stress if any go missing or if you write on personalised ones and make a mistake, you know there is always a spare! You may even wish to order a few extras in any event, to keep a few copies in your memory keep-sake box.
Choosing people to witness your ceremony – usually, a couple will select a witness either jointly for the bride and groom, or a separate witness for each – this can be anyone you feel is suitable to formally witness this special moment. These witnesses may not necessarily be the Maid of Honour or Best Man, but can be a dear friend or family member who is selected in advance of the ceremony day.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all elements to remember but are key details we find are commonly overlooked and worth noting by all couples!
Love Lydia Weddings and Events strive to deliver the most magical and flawless experiences for all couples and we pride ourselves on our exquisite attention to detail, ensuring that these elements are carefully thought out in advance and in the lead up to the wedding day, enabling our couples to experience a smooth and stress-free planning experience.
If you would like to find out more information on hiring a wedding planner and how we can help make your dream wedding a reality, please contact Lydia at info@lovelydia.co.uk.
