Wedding Planning in 2023
Congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time with everyone around you being so happy and excited to see you two tie the knot. But here is something that you may have not expected… Planning a wedding can be very stressful if you don’t know what you’re doing (who does? for most people this is the first time you are getting married). But don’t stress, with the right information and guidance, wedding planning can be an enjoyable and stress-free experience.
That’s why we’re here to help! Being an experienced South Wales Wedding Photographer, we have seen so many different weddings, and with that experience we though we would put together the ultimate month-by-month wedding planning checklist for 2023, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. Whether you’re just starting to plan or you’re a few months in, this guide will provide you with a step-by-step roadmap to ensure that your big day is everything you’ve dreamed of and more. So, grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let’s get started on planning your dream wedding together!
Read until the end to see our Top Tips for planning your wedding in 2023
Immediate wedding planning tips
Create a wedding email address
Before any communication with wedding venues, suppliers etc., you need to minimise any miss communication between not only you and your suppliers but also between the two of you on your wedding planning journey.
Don’t let discount codes for Dominos Pizza to miss any emails with your suppliers.
9-12 Months Before
Set a wedding budget
One of the most important yet potentially equally boring things to do at the start of your wedding planning journey is setting a wedding budget. Sit down with your partner and think about how much you can afford to spend on your wedding day.
Consider if you are going to have any family contributions towards your wedding day and what type of wedding you are dreaming of. Do you want a barn wedding? a Manor House wedding? etc., From there take a look at the average cost for that type of wedding in your area and see if its within your budget.
Book Your wedding venue
Choosing your wedding venue is a big and one of the first decisions you will make with your partner. There are several factors you need to consider when looking for a wedding venue which go far beyond the aesthetics and popularity.
Click below to take a look at our blog discussing how to choose your wedding venue in 2023.
Book the following suppliers: Photographer, Videographer, DJ/Band, Hair/Makeup
Begin communicating with guests
There are several ways to begin digitally communicating with your wedding guests, take a look at a select few that we find effective below.
Communicating with your guests early on is very important to ensure that 1. they will be attending your wedding and 2.That they actually can attend your wedding (remember it isn’t just you guys who have to book annual leave).
- Gathering emails
- Facebook Group
- Wedding Website
- Wedding WhatsApp groups
Hire a wedding organiser
If you are thinking of having a wedding organiser for your wedding day then now is the time to do it. Booking at this time will allow you to get to know them prior to your wedding day so that you feel totally confident that you are safe in their hands on your special day.
6-8 months Before
Choose your wedding dress
A very important decision to make and one which can definitely take some time to get right. There are a few things to consider when choosing the perfect wedding dress. Too many in fact to go into detail with in this blog. So when you’ve got to the end make sure to scroll backup and click the button below to look at some trending wedding dresses in 2023.
Send out save the dates
Now you have heard back from your digital enquiry for who is able to attend your wedding. Make it official by sending out the official RSVP. Keep one back for your wedding photographer though! We love using these wedding invites whilst photographing your wedding details during the morning preparations of your wedding day.
Book your honeymoon
Who doesn’t love a holiday? Make sure you book your honeymoon as far in advance as possible to ensure you don’t get left disappointed when you find your dream honeymoon. (PS. I will quite happily be taken in your luggage)
3-6 months Before
Book in your tasting session
Most wedding venues offer a wedding food tasting option where you can book in to decide on what kind of food you think you would like on your wedding day.
Also take into consideration any food allergies/intolerances that your wedding guests may have. Send out a post to your wedding Facebook page or via email to each individual guest to make sure all of this is covered.
Catchup with your wedding planner
Now is the perfect time to catchup with your wedding organiser and discuss with them all the details you have booked in so far and they can then provide you with suggestions on what else you need to consider, in conjunction with helping you finalise all the “Big Stuff” for you wedding day..
Review your budget
Now that the majority of your wedding suppliers have been booked and all the major details finalised, it would be a good idea to review your wedding budget and see how much you have left to play with.
From here you can consider anything else you may want to include on your wedding day but alternatively look at what you have already purchased and see if their are any beneficial upgrades including second shooters, extra albums, more champagne! etc.
Organise your song list for the dj/band
No one likes a disjointed playlist and we definitely don’t want to be skipping from Ed Sheeran to Tom Jones during your wedding party. So make sure to go through your song choices for the evening and maybe even book in for a catchup with your DJ/Band to ensure your wedding disco will be one to remember.
Book in a pre-wedding photoshoot with your wedding photographer
Having a pre-wedding photoshoot with your wedding photographer will be one of the biggest highlights during your wedding planning journey. It’s a moment you get to share with your partner that involves no timelines, stress or worry. Just a load of fun and some stunning photos to use on your wedding day!
1 month Before
Pay your wedding suppliers
Typically wedding suppliers will ask for a final payment one month before your wedding day. So make sure your funds are ready to pay them for their service or make sure to contact them if there’s a chance of a delay.
Try on your wedding shoes
One if not the most important tip for Brides is to begin wearing your wedding shoes around the house. Yes they are stunning and yes we know you don’t want to get them dirty but trust us when we say that Brand New Wedding Shoes are not comfortable!
Wear them in advance of your wedding day so we have no unwanted blisters.
Organise all legal documentation for your registrar
A boring one we know! But make sure that you get all that important documentation across to the registrars ahead of your wedding day so that they can ensure a legal marriage takes place.
1 Week before the wedding
Things to do 1 week before your wedding
In the words of Europe.. Its the final countdown!!! 7-days to go until the big day. Things are beginning to feel very real and you may even feel slightly anxious. So here are a few things to do the week of your wedding.
- Get cash out for any suppliers who need paying on the day of your wedding this typically includes bands, hair stylists and makeup artists.
- Pack your suitcase because don’t forget you need to have clothes to wear the day after your wedding
- Passports! If you are going straight from the wedding venue to the airport, make sure you have your passports and flight tickets ready
- Touch base with your wedding guests to ensure they are all ready and that no one is going to drop out last minute.
Things not to do 1 week before your wedding
- Get drunk the night before your wedding. Nerves maybe kicking in but after all of this preparation and excitement you don’t want to spend the day nursing a hangover.
- Don’t panic and start making drastic changes last minute
- Don’t take over – We. know its your wedding day and you want it to be perfect but don’t stress over every detail. Your wedding suppliers will be there to deal with any hiccups. Just spend the day having the time of your life with your family and friends.
That’s it!
We hope you found this blog useful in helping you strategise your ultimate wedding day in 2023! If you have enjoyed looking at the photos throughout and are still looking for a wedding photographer then please feel free to get in touch. We would love to chat with you
