Expert wedding planning tips
Your wedding day is one of the most important and exciting events of your life, so naturally you want to ensure everything goes to plan. But getting started on the planning can be a daunting prospect. Here, we’ve put together some tips for getting the ball rolling in a manageable way.
Choose a venue
There’s a good reason for putting the venue at the top of your list. Viewing wedding venues in Kent or further afield can be time consuming, and the date of the big day may depend on the availability of your dream venue. So browse online, grab some brochures and visit those on your shortlist. If you’re hoping for an outdoor summer wedding, look for venues with beautiful grounds and perhaps a marquee offering should it rain. If you’re planning a ceremony in autumn or winter, try to visit the venue at that time of year to get a feel for how it will be on the day. Is it well heated? Is there somewhere for guests to put coats and umbrellas?
Set the date
Once you know the wedding availability of your chosen venue you can set your date. Doing this means you have a deadline to work to, and you can plan the rest of the preparations accordingly. You’ll also be able to get accurate quotes from suppliers – and get them booked in if you’re getting married in a popular season when they’re likely to be busy.
When setting a date, bear in mind that high season will be pricier than less popular times of the year, and factor in any travel that family and friends may have to do to attend. Booking on a weekday may be cheaper, but if many of your guests have to travel, they could be unable to take a mid-week break to attend.
Embrace the spread sheet
Staying organised is a key part of planning a successful wedding within the budget you’ve allocated. Start by determining what the budget actually is, and how much you can save towards it each month. As you look for suppliers and contacts, a spread sheet is a great way to keep track of them, compare costs and ensure you don’t overspend in a particular area.
You may want to allocate specific amounts for each part of the day. Things to consider are: venue costs, for which you’ll have to place a deposit when you book, photography, bride and groom’s outfits, bridesmaids’ and ushers’ outfits, rings, catering, cake, flowers and entertainment.
Of course, this is just a snapshot – and you may choose a wedding package that includes a three course wedding breakfast, evening buffet, welcome drinks and wine for the meal, for example, such as our Hythe Wedding package.
Here at Hythe Imperial Hotel, we offer a range of options for Kent weddings throughout the year, which can be tailored to suit your particular requirements. Contact us today to find out more about our wedding packages in Kent and the services we provide.