Once you’ve come down from the high of a proposal, the ‘wedmin’ can begin – yes, you’re planning your wedding! Your wedding has the potential to be one of the more complex parties you’ve organised to say the least, but it should definitely be the best, and providing you’ve got some structure to the planning stage, it should all come together without a hitch!
If you’re planning a UK wedding, there are a few main things to consider:
The right budget
Wedding planning resource Hitched reported that the average cost of a wedding in the UK is now £18,400, which is a fair chunk to budget for when the price of just about everything else seems to be going up too.
That being said, affording your dream wedding is still possible. Working out how much you’re willing to spend on your big day (and what you can actually afford) and shopping around for the best price on the venue and suppliers will enable you to stay bang on budget, whilst still having the very best day. Break down the different costs, stay realistic, and compromise where possible.
The right venue
Everyone with a desire to get married has an idea of their dream venue, and the variety of wedding locations in the UK offer plenty of choice for couples. From popular, easily accessible wedding venues in Essex to remote Scottish castles, there’s a place for everyone to create the day they’ve always imagined.
The right suppliers
The magic of a wedding resides in the details, from the significance of the bouquet to the favours included for guests, and even the names of tables. Therefore, you’ll want to engage with the right suppliers to ensure that every part of the day reflects your personalities as a couple, provides a fun day full of love for your guests, and provides lasting memories that you can treasure forever.
Whilst there’s seemingly endless supplier options for your weddings, there are a few main areas to cover off; these include:
- Flowers
- Music
- Catering
- Photography and videography
If you’re feeling particularly extravagant, you could also consider some popular extras, such as photobooths, pick n mix, or even a mobile cocktail bar!
The right time of year
A big consideration for your UK wedding but one that’s pretty much impossible to predict until it’s too late is the weather. However, you can hedge your bets by going for the season you’d prefer. The warmer and (hopefully) sunnier days of spring and summer are of course popular choices, but there is a certain charm about the backdrop of autumn leaves, or even a chilly winter’s day; think faux fur stoles and frosted decorations!
The right legalities
Knowing what the procedures are for getting married in the eyes of the law is essential to avoid last-minute stress. In England and Wales, you must give your local Register Office at least 28 days’ notice of your big day (regardless of whether you’re getting married locally), paying a fee to do so and stating the place in which you will marry. You can then marry within 12 months of registering.
If you and your partner currently live in different places, you’ll each have to give notice at your local register office, and you must both have been a resident of England or Wales for at least 7 days before giving notice.
Scottish marriage rules state that you must give notice to marry still, though the timeframes are slightly different; notice must be given ‘no earlier than 3 months and no later than 29 days before the date of the marriage’.
In Northern Ireland, the recommendation is that you give notice to your local registrar around 10 weeks before you intend to marry, but you can do it anywhere between 12 months to 28 days before your wedding date.
