February 26, 2024
LGBTQ Weddings
· Uncategorized
· Weddings
Yay! It’s happening. What a blooming wonderful feeling. Some of you reading this may have been planning your wedding since you were a little child whilst others might never have thought this would happen to you. Either way, there is always room for some advice and guidance following that perfect proposal. Read on for my top tips for newly engaged couples.
DO NOTHING
The moment you get engaged is such a joyous one. Whilst inevitably you’ll want to talk ideas, search for inspiration, and start wedding planning, first do one thing. Nothing.
That’s right.
Pause, live in the moment, and remember this occasion. Soak in all the feelings. Where you are, what was said, all the emotions you both felt. It’s a special day in its own right, so don’t leap forward into the future just yet, however exciting that future is. Make a mental note of just how happy you’re feeling to know that you’ve met the one you want to be with forever. Not everyone has that moment. Some people wait their whole lives and don’t get engaged, others aren’t fortunate enough to live long enough to see plan or receive a proposal.
Please don’t take it for granted. Be grateful and thankful.
2. Discuss priorities and 'must haves'
Your wedding venue has a huge impact on how your wedding day pans out. It will dictate how far your guests must travel, whether you can stay onsite overnight and much scop you have for adding your own style to the setting. It will also impact how your wedding photos look, how long you can party for and what food you get to enjoy.
Therefore, consider all these things before deciding on your perfect venue. Make sure you know what factors you absolutely will not compromise on. Does it need to be accessible? Do you want to bring your own alcohol or for there to be a fully stocked bar? Does it need to have facilities for rainy day photos?
When you do start to plan your day, have an open and honest discussion about your values and priorities – not just in terms the wedding day but your life going forward. What’s important to you in life, will impact decision you make about your wedding. Is your mental health something you have to watch closely at times? If so, some of your decisions may be based on looking after your mind and reducing anxiety and stress. Are you both really into family? If so, your venue may need to be large enough to accommodate everyone and be accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
The more you set out your priorities, the more your wedding day will be a reflection of you.
3. Set the budget
Money is always a tricky subject, but budget is important. Having a budget doesn’t necessarily mean you are cutting costs or having a cheap wedding. It simply means you can financially plan and allocate funds to elements of your day that matter most.
It is always a good idea to have an extra 10% set aside in case you fall in love with a certain aspect of supplier whose services may be a little but more than anticipated but you feel is totally worth the expense.
4. Set aside time for other things
Wedding planning is exciting, full-on and can be all consuming. So much so that after the wedding, couples forget what they used to do and talk together about. Set aside times especially for wedding planning and wedding chat, and times when you enjoy all the other aspects of being together. Don’t let supplier consultations take over film night or spend so much time visiting venues you forget to make times for friends and family.
Your wedding day will be fabulous but make sure you control the planning, and it doesn’t start taking over you. Wedding planners are great for ensuring this doesn’t happen.
5. Plan goals for after the wedding
Your wedding will be a wonderful day, filled with happiness joy and a million marvellous memories, but despite how amazing it will be, it is just one day. It is just the beginning. You have a whole marriage to look forward to and enjoy. Too many couples become so focussed on the wedding day and forget that it is the start of a lifetime of memories. Therefore, take some time to think about what memories you would like to make together and write these down. Holidays, career goals, family, pets, a new home. What does your future look like after you say “I do”?
The journey, the adventure, the fun starts now! Enjoy.
Essex Wedding venues: Your Guide
To help you find the perfect Essex wedding venue, I’ve put together this free guide to some of the most picturesque venues in Essex. From Leez Priory to Hylands House, click below to find out about this county’s wonderful wedding spaces. As one of the busiest wedding photographers in Essex, I’ve been fortunate to photograph weddings across this fabulous county and further afield in London and across the UK, and Essex really does provide a huge choice of locations for wedding photographs