Back to Basics – Wedding Planning Made Easy

Newly engaged and still buzzing with excitement? At some stage you’ll need to come down off cloud nine and crack into the wedding planning. It’s scary thought and you’ve probably got a million questions – the biggest of which issue to be: where to begin? The steps below will help you get started

Budget – who’s paying

Money is the linchpin for everything else. How much are you able/willing to spend? Establishing an upper figure from the start will help keep you on track, but you’ll need to build in some flexibility, as unexpected items could push your costs up by 10-15%. Work out whether you can afford to pay for the entire wedding. If not, who will you approach for help, and how much financial assistance do you nee? If involving others, you’ll have to be open to their preferences and suggestions, so think carefully.

Numbers – the guest list

Sit down separately and each make a preliminary list. Start with family and close friends, working through to those you’d like to be there, if possible. Remember to include your wedding party in the numbers. If your parents are paying, they’ll probably want a say in who attends, so be prepared to compromise. Discuss whether you want to invite children, and if you’re prepared to make any exceptions. Are you going to split the numbers 50-50 or is it okay for one person to invite more guests than the other?

Timing
The time of year and day you choose to marry will greatly affect your wedding bill. Reception venues and wedding specialists are busier and more expensive during the January-to-March peak season. The dearest option is a Saturday night reception; so if you need to cut costs, consider a different day of the week or a lunchtime reception.

Reception

Feeding and entertaining your guests makes up the biggest chunk of your wedding budget – most New Zealand receptions cost between $10,000 and $15,000 – so research your options thoroughly. Check the following: how many guests the venue can accommodate; available dates; parking facilities; catering options; exactly what’s included in the price and what’s extra; the deposit required; the BYO alcohol policy; and cancellation fees. Consider the venue’s proximity to your ceremony venue. Always get written quotes and don’t leave your decision too late – many couples book their venue one year in advance.

Theme

This will tie your whole wedding together, reflecting your style and personalities, and setting the mood for the day. You might choose a colour, motif, symbol, location or hobby, and weave it through all aspects of your wedding, from the invitations to the cake. Keep it simple, ensure it is practical and achievable, and limit yourselves to one or two key ideas. Avoid anything too wacky – you’re likely to cringe in years to come.

Church or civil ceremony

Discuss your preferences, and the possible expectations of your families. Even if they’re not religious, many couples like the romance and tradition associated with a church wedding. Investigate whether there are any prerequisities/restrictions on marrying in your chosen church or civil ceremony location, such as the beach, park or other public space.

Formality & Style

You can do what you want, within reason, but there are certain unwritten rules. For example, it’s inappropriate to wear tails to a beach wedding, or bare feet in a church. When planning each element of your wedding – the ceremony and reception locations, time of day, menu, attire, size and theme – make sure they all reflect your chosen style and level of formality.

Key players

You may already know who you’d like in your wedding party. Check that your partner has no major objections to your choice. Consider how reliable, responsible, organized and otherwise committed each of these people are. How many attendants do you want? An equal number of male and female attendants usually works best. Ensure the size of your wedding party is appropriate for the size and formality of the wedding.