Wedding Planning: Simple Guide

Planning a wedding can be very hard work and one of the first things to do is to sit down with your partner to discuss the kind of wedding you would like and can afford.

Start researching suppliers within your price range.  You can do this by visiting wedding fairs, reading magazines and searching online wedding directories. 

Create a list of things that need to be done and delegate tasks to friends and family so you won’t be overwhelmed or stressed.

Since the average cost of a wedding is now more than £20,000 remember to track your spend carefully.  This can be done by creating a detailed spreadsheet of all your wedding costs.  Allow for contingencies just in case there are extras that you haven’t thought about.

Here is a 12 month timeline to help you plan for your wedding:

12 months

• Set your wedding date and create a budget
• Hire a wedding planner (optional)
• Decide on the style/theme
• If you are having a religious or civil wedding – arrange asap
• Create your guest list
• Book your reception venue and entertainment
• Choose your bridesmaids, best man and ushers
• Look for wedding outfits for yourself plus wedding party – allow time for alternations and fittings
• Book your photographer and/or videographer
• Decide on your honeymoon destination and book airline tickets and hotel
• Check your passports and renew if necessary.  Research if visas etc are required
• Choose your cake maker and cake design
• Look for accessories
• Look and choose wedding rings
• Book florist, hair and make-up stylist
• Organise your gift list
• Send out “Save the Date” cards (optional)

6 months

• Finalise your guest list
• Order your wedding invitations. Other items you may wish to order include order of service booklets, place cards, menu cards, favours, table numbers, table plan and thank you cards
• Book transportation for wedding day
• Buy gifts for best man, bridesmaids etc

4 months

• Send out the invitations – include a list of local hotels for guests who require overnight accommodation
• Confirm your honeymoon booking

3 months

• Give caterers your estimated number of guests
• Make final alterations and fittings for wedding outfits
• Buy or order a guest book for the wedding reception
• Organise a hair and make-up trial appointment

2 months

• Sort out your seating plan for the reception
• Delegate organisation of hen and stag parties to your bridesmaids and best man

1 month

• Finalise details with wedding suppliers
• Make necessary arrangements for name / address change, if required
• Write speech
• Discuss final details of the day with wedding party

Wedding Stationery Options

Here is a simple guide to some of the wedding stationery options that are available to you:

Save the Date Cards
Save the Date cards are sent to guests up to one year in advance of the wedding so they know to keep that day free.  These cards are ideal if you are planning to get married during the summer or over the Christmas season, as many of your guests may be planning holidays or celebrations of their own.

Day Invitations
Traditionally invitations are sent to guests eight weeks before the wedding.  Ideally send out your invitations three months before to ensure that guests have plenty of time to respond.

Evening Invitations
Evening Invitations should be sent to guests that are not coming to the wedding ceremony.

Order of Service / Order of the Day
Order of Service is a programme of the ceremony that is traditionally given out to your guests as they arrive at the church. It normally includes hymns, music and readings.

If you are planning to have a civil ceremony then Order of the Day works in a similar way to the Order of Service.

RSVP Cards These are sent out with the invitations and are very convenient for the guests and useful to you as guests are likely to respond more quickly.

Table Plans               
Help your guests find their seats by displaying a table plan at the entrance to your reception.

Table Names
Table names help to direct guests to the table where they will be seated at your wedding reception. They also complement table plans perfectly.

Place Cards
Co-ordinate your tables with your stationery theme by using matching place cards.

Menus
Menu cards inform your guests of the delights to come and are a lovely addition to your tables.  Two – three menus per table should suffice.

Wedding Favours
Wedding favours are a small token given to your guests at the wedding reception.  Favour boxes are available to match your stationery theme.

Thank You Cards
Thank you cards are a great way of thanking your guests for their wedding gifts, wishes or even just for joining you on your big day. 

Welcome!!!

Welcome to our first blog! Based in Swanmore, Southampton (Hampshire) we specialise in creating and designing handmade wedding stationery to clients throughout the UK and Ireland. We offer a comprehensive range of handmade wedding stationery, including wedding invitations, save the date cards, order of service, menu cards, place cards, thank you cards, table plans and more.  Please visit our website to view our portfolio and special offers.

We set up this blog to provide useful wedding related information to help you plan for your special day.

Please get in touch if you have any questions or suggestions.