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Firstly, congratulations on your engagement! With Navarra Venues having been part of the wedding industry for over 50 years, we understand that planning a wedding can be, and often is, overwhelming.
Whilst there is a lot to get done, putting together a comprehensive wedding plan and timeline can break it down into manageable chunks. This is why we have put together this guide to help you get started on this exciting journey.
Why Planning Your Wedding is Important
Your wedding will be one of the most significant events of your life, so it is worth the time and effort to make sure you have a structured, step-by-step plan. From venues to vows, there are so many elements to organise and some need to be made far in advance. But where to begin?
How to Start Planning a Wedding
The first three things to decide are straightforward, but not necessarily easy. You and your partner need to agree on the following:
- Your wedding date or season
- A rough idea of your wedding budget
- The size wedding or number of guests
1. Creating Your Wedding Budget
Set an agreed time for all contributing parties to meet, making sure there is enough time for discussion to not rush the process.
First agree on maximum spend and aim to work within 90-95% of the total budget. This buffer will allow for unforeseen costs or last-minute changes.
Communicating clearly and respectfully, select your top three priorities – this is where you are willing to spend a little more. Then select your bottom three priorities where you are willing to spend less if needed.
Categorise your budget by allocating funds to venue hire, catering & drinks, photography & videography, attire and beauty, styling, entertainment, stationery, transport, gifts and favours, licenses and legal fees, and emergency fund.
2. Choosing the Perfect Venue
When choosing a venue, asking the following questions can help:
- Is this venue the right size for my wedding?
- Is the location suitable?
- Does it align with my wedding vision and style?
- Does it fit my budget?
Remember to check if your venue offers catering, packages, additional services and styling options.
Navarra Venues offers fully customisable packages with expert wedding co-ordination and NV signature inclusions. Select from premium complimentary additions such as entertainment, chef selection of canapés, dry ice for the bridal waltz and chauffeured getaway car.
3. Building Your Wedding Guest List
The guests you should definitely invite are immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents), your closest friends and anyone you absolutely cannot imagine the day without. If your parents are contributing, you will need to consider their opinions.
When it comes to the rest of your guestlist, be realistic and keep budget and venue size in mind. You are under no obligation to invite your entire extended family. Limit co-workers, casual acquaintances and people you have not spoken to in a long time, and be mindful of plus-ones.
Use a system to keep track of RSVPs, dietary requirements and special requests.
4. Choosing Your Wedding Vendors
Choosing your wedding vendors carefully will save a lot of stress and time. Always ask for references, check reviews and pay attention to details such as how you are being treated before you hire a supplier. Trust your instincts and keep your vision, top three priorities, and budget in mind
5. Choosing an Officiant
This is a personal choice depending on the couple’s beliefs and preferences. When possible, meet your officiant in person before your wedding to make sure you connect with them. Plan the order of service, personal vows, readings and any rituals or cultural elements before the day to ensure that you are comfortable, and always check that your officiant meets the state or territory requirements to perform marriage ceremonies.
6. Selecting the Perfect Wedding Rings
Wedding bands signify a couple’s love and commitment to each other. Traditionally wedding and engagement rings were made of gold, but modern couples may opt for other metals such as platinum or titanium. When selecting wedding rings, keep in mind that you and your partner will wear them daily and strike a balance between comfort, simplicity and personal style.
7. Wedding Attire
On average, the bridal gown alone makes up half of the cost of wedding attire which is a good place to start. Wedding attire should match your overall wedding theme and style and remember to keep budget and comfort in mind. It may take months to find your perfect dress and other wedding attire, so start shopping early to account for things like production, shipping and fitting.
With your bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s attire, classic styles work best. Aim to avoid trends which may look dated in a couple of years and keep the season in mind when choosing fabrics.
8. Creating Your Wedding Ceremony
Your wedding ceremony is the start of a new life together with your partner and should reflect your beliefs, values and relationship. Many couples like to incorporate meaningful rituals into their ceremony such as unity candles or sand ceremonies. If you and your partner decide to write your own vows, reflect on your relationship, make it personal and try to keep it between 1-2 minutes. Practice your wedding vows aloud to make sure they flow naturally.
9. Post-Wedding: Thank You Notes and the Honeymoon
Sending thank you notes to your guests and suppliers is simply good wedding etiquette. It is more meaningful to thank your guests for the specific gift they gave you, so keep track as you open them. Thank yous to suppliers can be via email, and good reviews are always highly appreciated.
Traditionally couples would leave on honeymoon immediately after the wedding, however it may be wise to plan the honeymoon for a little after and have a mini-moon instead. For international honeymoons, book tickets 6 – 12 months in advance for the best prices. Also, try and pay in advance for accommodation, tours and transport and make sure you have enough spending money.
10. Final Preparations: Ensuring Everything Runs Smoothly
As you go through the steps of planning your wedding, keep a list of final details to check in the last week before your wedding. This can include:
- Double checking bookings and confirming timing with vendors and transport
- Final dress and attire fittings and breaking in your shoes
- Reviewing your wedding day timeline and itinerary
- Arranging on the day details such as placing table numbers
- Arranging your cake cutting set, toasting glasses and guestbook
- Preparing payments or tips for on the day, and gifts for parents and the wedding party
- Packing for your honeymoon
- Preparing your emergency kit with tissues, a sewing kit, stain remover, lip balm, phone charger with power bank, and umbrella or shawls depending on the season
- Ensuring there are snacks and drinks for the wedding party while getting ready.
- Practising your vows, and making sure you have a backup
- Confirming guest numbers and dietary requirements with the caterer
- Sending song request list to the DJ and confirming audio visual equipment
Navarra Venues’ wedding packages include on-the-day coordinators to make sure your big day runs smoothly along with services such as serving canapés and refreshments to the bridal suite and smaller details like placing table numbers and favours on the tables. Check out the NV signature inclusions and premium additions on our wedding packages for more.
Who Should Pay for What in a Wedding?
Previously in Western culture, the bride’s parents would foot the bill for the wedding ceremony and reception, the bride’s dress, wedding invitations and photography. The groom’s parents would pay for the groom’s attire, bridal bouquet and corsages, the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon. Today, the costs are often shared, and financially independent couples may cover most or all of the expenses themselves.
How Long Does it Take to Plan a Wedding?
The average time needed to plan a wedding is 12 – 18 months but can vary depending on factors such as venue availability, number of guests, custom attire and cultural beliefs. Smaller and more casual weddings can be planned in 6 – 9 months, and very intimate weddings, elopements or weekday weddings could even be planned in a shorter amount of time.
During peak season and for larger weddings, it is advisable to start sooner rather than later to get the essentials booked and get your invitations out.
Wedding Planning Checklist
A well thought-out and comprehensive checklist is an absolute must have, especially if you are looking to avoid the cost of a wedding planner. It should cover every aspect of your wedding, including essential timelines to help with deadlines, smaller details which are often forgotten and checkboxes to tick items off. Download our ultimate wedding planning checklist here
Begin Your Wedding Planning Journey Today
While planning your own wedding can be a huge task and is often overwhelming, remember that it is a journey which you and your partner have chosen together. Make the time to relax and connect with your partner, reach out to friends and family for support and remember to be kind to yourself.
At Navarra Venues we are experts at all things wedding, and our highly skilled, experienced wedding co-ordinators can advise on finer details. Browse our weddings page to explore our exquisite venues.
