5 months to go:
Pick out your venue
Ready? Start the clock! Before you deep-dive into the details (those hand-painted shell table decorations can wait), you’ll want to start thinking about location. Choosing and booking a venue should be your number one priority. The space you select is more than just a backdrop – it impacts everything else from guest numbers to theming, catering to accessibility, and more.
You probably already have an idea of the style of venue you’re looking for. It could be a beach villa, country house, rustic barn, or a sophisticated city townhouse; whatever your vision, stick to it! Draw up a shortlist, and then start narrowing your choices down. Is ease of access important for you? If you’ve got guests travelling cross-country – or indeed, flying in – does your venue have strong transport links? London is the obvious choice, insofar as you’ll benefit from the capital’s excellent tube, rail, and airport connections.
If you’re unsure about numbers, it can also help to look for a venue with a variety of room sizes available. For example, at 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, we offer 7 elegant rooms to choose from, with capacities ranging from 18 to 125 guests. It’s important to us that couples can tailor the space to the occasion – and if you don’t have the luxury of time, selecting a venue with this in-built flexibility could be a lifesaver in the long run.Whatever you do, make sure you love the venue, at the end of the day it is the place where the magical day happens and will be the main piece of your wedding puzzle. If you’re one of those people that loves the idea of a simple planning process, our hand selected supplier list may also be of use to you.Our suppliersoffer a diverse range of budgets and styles to suit your wedding. From Music and entertainment to furniture, you can make your planning process less stressful with their help.
Save the dates
Once you’ve firmed up the guest list, it’s time to search for original save the date ideas, which can be a bit of a task, we know. Your save the date cards give your guests a first look into what they could expect from your big day, so whether you’re thinking of a classic rustic card or a modern acrylic tag, make sure it fits with your theme and colour palette from the off.
Book a planner
You absolutely do not have to book a wedding planner. You may be the most organised person in the world, know your excel spreadsheets and be able to arrange everything yourself, even down to the tiny fine details. If this is you, you can skip this step.
However, if you’re looking for a wedding planner - whether you’re feeling completely overwhelmed, want additional support or are just looking to ease the process – this is the time to start your search.
A planner can make all the difference in helping you realise the big day that you’ve pictured for many years. If you do decide to enlist the help of a planner and need a little help sourcing one, we work withthree planners who can help take care of every detail, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your day.
Whether you use one of our planners or outsource your own, the most important thing is that you align well, have the same visions and they understand your needs so that you can work together to create the ultimate wedding of dreams.
Start by researching their online presence. Look for reviews, social media accounts, websites, all of this online content could very much show you their style and reputation before narrowing it down. Once you’ve selected a few planners, meet in person as this will see if your personalities mesh, because if they don’t, you’re asking for a potential disaster. Don’t forget to prepare some important questions that matter to you and your partner - going to meet with a wedding planner without any questions could leave you flustered.
Choose your caterers
Once you’ve booked your venue, catering should be next on your agenda. With so many decisions to make – drinks, canapés, cake, the wedding breakfast itself – organising food and drink can be a particularly overwhelming part of the process.
Fortunately, many venues boast in-house catering teams to help make things a little easier.
When you’re strapped for time, check whether a venue offers catering deals or packages. Whilst the details will vary from one location to the next, these inclusive bundles oftenfeature set menus designed to dazzle guests from the very firsthors d'oeuvre, and can encompass everything from drinks to seated dinners.
We’re particularly proud of our wedding catering.Searcys are our renowned catering partners and work with the finest seasonal and local ingredients to deliver exceptional menus packed with flavour. From champagne receptions to canapés, bento boxes to spectacular seated dinners: our four wedding offers provide options to suit every occasion. Alternatively, our expert in-house chefs are happy to work with you to create an entirely bespoke menu. Whether you opt for vol-au-vents or a full three-course dinner, rest assured the food will be a talking point amongst guests for all the right reasons.
4 months to go:
Dress and suit shopping begins
What can feel like the most exciting part of the wedding planning process for some, can also be the most daunting and overwhelming for others. There are so many options out there, from price points, styles, fabrics and much more. Start by looking online at different silhouettes and fabrics to get an idea of what you think you may be looking for, after all you want to look and feel your best.
Scope out popular boutiques in your area, or further afield - as it is worth traveling for - and book some appointments. Gather your wedding party or just one close friend to join you on your search and start trying on. After all, you’re never going to know how you feel until you put a dress on, and you may surprise yourself and choose something completely the opposite to what you first imagined. You’ll know when you get that special feeling and when you do, say yes to the dress!
Book registrar
Wedmin begins. We know, it's so easy to get lost in venues, dresses and food that you often forget about the paperwork and admin that comes with wedding planning. But you actually need someone to marry you both. Start by searching your local registration office, you will find the registrar's details on their website, remember you need someone local to your venue if you aren’t getting married locally.
But what fees are involved? For a civil ceremony you can expect to pay around £500, plus some additional fees when you notice and register your marriage. Quite often this can be around £4 for the certificate on the day, or £10 to purchase it at a later date.
Book florists
Flowers are a vital part of every wedding and starting to research florists is the next step in the process. You most likely have an idea of what style you are looking for, so get on Instagram. Yes, social media is your best friend for this part of the planning process. By looking on local florists’ Instagram accounts, you’ll see their most recent work and get a feel for their style if it could align with your vision. Some florists may use large luxury flowers and others more foliage, so be sure to find one with a style that suits you. Have your colour scheme prepared and focus on this rather than the types of flowers you want to avoid limiting you or your florist on flower choices. Remember to have fun and get creative.
Order your Cake
Get ready to start taste testing. When else are you going to get to eat lots of cake, with a very reasonable excuse? The cake can be crucial for some couples and if you’re one of them, now’s the time to order. Look at local bakers online, on social media and get an insight into their recent work. Do they create minimalistic, rustic or luxury cakes? Do they provide specific allergen options? Have they got a big variety of flavours? All of these are important questions to ask yourselves before deciding on a baker.
