Recently engaged? Congratulations! Although are you now wondering where to start with your wedding planning? You’ve come to the right place! With years of wedding stationery experience behind me, I have plenty of tips to get you started!
1. Set your wedding date and choose your venue
Consider the style of wedding style you would like and the venues that would work, such as a barn venue for a rustic boho style wedding. You may have an initial date in mind, but if you fall in love with a venue you may need to negotiate the date as popular venues get booked up quickly. Aim to have your wedding date as far enough in advance to allow you to plan your dream day! Consider the location and if any restrictions are in place before signing anything too!
Sally Forder
Work out your budget
Determine the budget you have available to spend. This needs to cover the large items such as your venue and catering and then all the items which quickly add up- wedding insurance, bridal make up, stationery postage and so on! It will help shape your budget once you know how much the venue and catering is.
Select your suppliers
Once you have your wedding date and wedding venue determined, start researching and booking in your suppliers. Many wedding venues will have a recommended supplier list which is very useful! But I always recommend doing your own research too by reading the supplier’s website/social media to see if they are the style you’re looking for and whether they have availability. All suppliers will depend on the style you are looking for. Think about a photographer, videographer, florist and catering options, the catering may be determined by the venue.
Finalise your guest list
Work on your guest list based on your budget and catering. You may want to edit your guest list across a few days. Some guests may be better suited to evening! Try to not be too influenced by different people- your wedding day is for you as a couple.
Send your save the dates
Send your save the dates approx. 9-12 months before your big day to get the date in your guests’ diaries. Browse the curated collection of designs on the LouPaper website, each collection contains a save the date, invitation through to on the day items.
Katherine and her camera
Choose wedding outfits
Its shopping time! Start booking in appointments for your dress and the groom’s outfit. Allow plenty of time to decide on bridesmaid dresses and to allow for alterations for the bride and groom’s outfits.
Finalise your wedding style and colours
Decide on your style and whether you are hiring suppliers to help. Your florist is a key supplier to have decided on and they’ll have lots of ideas of how to dress your wedding venue and will help bring your colour palette to life!
Work with your suppliers
Decide and book your evening music or entertainment, choose the wedding arrangements and bouquets for your florist. Decide on the layout for the wedding ceremony and wedding breakfast with your venue. Just a few examples of the decisions you’ll soon be making!
Send your wedding invitations
Ideally 4- 6 months in advance with all of the details of the wedding day. I can add a QR code to direct guests to your wedding website, should you choose to have the RSVP’s this way.
Holly Booth Studio
Create a wedding day timeline
Start planning the order of the day so everyone is clear on what is needed and when. If you are working with a wedding planner, they will structure this for you. Your venue will also be a great source of help also.
Brief your on the day stationery
For larger items such as welcome signs, order of the day signs, a table plan and smaller stationery items such as table names/numbers, guest place names and any smaller bespoke signs. I design all the wedding on the day items to be the same cohesive design as your wedding invitations. I work on the on the day items around 2-3 months before the big day.
Siobhan Amy Photo
Confirm the details
In the weeks leading to the wedding, double-check all your arrangements with suppliers to avoid last-minute surprises on the day. Think about an emergency bridal kit! Confirm your guest list numbers with the venue and enjoy those last few days just before the wedding day, it’s such a wonderful time!
Modern Wedding Signage and Stationery
I hope this checklist helps give you some structure around planning your big day! For anything wedding stationery related, have a browse through the LouPaper collection of curated designs or find inspiration on my Instagram account too. There’s lots of real weddings featured on the LouPaper blog if you’d like to see examples of different wedding day styles and colours.
Please get in touch with me here to discuss your wedding signage and stationery requirements for your wedding day. I can’t wait to hear from you!
留言