Congratulations - you are engaged! It's exciting, as it should be. If you've dreamed of your wedding all your life, you may already be organised with what you want to do.
But suddenly, the time has come, and it's all now very real.
The reality of getting married is very simple.
The Budget, theme and tone of the wedding is the first thing, as it will set the scene for everything else.
Your budget is very important. Honestly, spending heaps of money does not ensure premium service or quality, so stick to your budget and ask questions of your supplier before you sign the contract.
Don't haggle. Often a supplier who has been haggled with over a few dollars will find a way to limit their service in other ways. If their costs are too high for you, look at other suppliers. You will find one that suits you.
When I say theme, I mean - is it simple or elaborate, casual or formal, large or intimate, elopement, destination or venue specific? Whatever you both decide on, keep that theme in mind and let it help to guide you to the right vendors and setting. Vendors specifically will be flexible to accommodating your needs to the best of their ability.
1. Decide where.
- location.
2. Decide when.
- date, year and time.
3. Decide Who.
- who to invite.
- whose professional services are you going to hire.
1. Where
Have you been out looking at venues, or do you want to have a casual backyard wedding? Your wedding should always reflect the 2 of you, so choose according to what will give you both a wonderful memorable day with your loved ones.
Weddings are about love - celebrate that.
Depending on your budget, there are some wonderful options available.
Here in Melbourne, Australia - there are some amazing venues for both ceremony and reception.
In no particular order of preference, here's a list of some as a guide:
click on the names to go to their pages.
This is only 20 examples of venues, however I have a much larger list available. Some venues I have worked at, others I haven't. I have my favourites, but it's up to you to choose the venue and environment that best suits you.
2. When
It's up to you. But here are a few things to consider.
Most weddings are held on weekends, and some suppliers may have different pricing for mid week or weekday weddings, so it's worth asking. Family and friends may have to take time off to attend, but given enough notice, most people are happy to take a day off from work.
Eloping during the week is a great way to save money, and eloping doesn't mean no guests - just a limited amount and a smaller venue and reception. There are some great Popup Weddings and Elopement packages on offer, well worth checking out if you want to keep it intimate and simple. From personal experience, they can be just as beautiful and meaningful.
Morning or afternoon weddings are the most popular. However there is nothing to stop you from having a dawn or evening ceremony with reception, especially if you plan on having a ceremony in a park or destination site.
Seasons generally do play a part in the decision, but not always. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter - everyone has their preference. Generally, as a celebrant, winter is my quiet time. However this year I was busier than ever, so what do I know.
Most venues have starting times and finishing times and it is (or should be) all outlined in the package. Check and see if they can cater for different times, and if there is a cost increase for it.
Remember it's not just about the ceremony and reception - there is set up, preparation, makeup, photography, people travelling from place to place. If you choose to work with professionals, we will understand and guide you - so listen when we explain why something needs to be done. It's not (always) about our ego, sometimes we have seen it go bad, and we are trying to avoid that happening to you.
3. Who
This is not just about the friends and family you want to attend, but the vendors you want to hire.
This is important, as a bad vendor can really make an negative impact on your experience, not just the wedding day itself.
Most of 'us' (and I mean wedding vendors) are passionate about weddings and customer service. But not all. Some will do it for the money, or other reasons. For the most part, they won't have a long career in the wedding industry, however 1 bad experience is more than the rest of us want.
Go by word of mouth, ask to see a celebrant on video as well as meet them - I have also had potential couples attend a wedding I am officiating at to see for themselves. Ask to taste food, see photography and never book sight unseen.
When signing a contract, READ IT! If the vendor hasn't read though it with you, do it before signing. And be sure of what you have agreed to.
Make sure your Celebrant is Authorised to do the ceremony. This is important in Australia and don't feel bad about doing a check. Click here and you can put in your potential celebrants name and make sure.
Trust your vendors to do their jobs. They won't mind questions and will often encourage ideas and creative thinking. This is usually a thrill and an honour for them, and they will work with you to bring your dream into reality. Show the respect you expect to receive, often we have done a lot of work to build our reputations, and it is important to us that we make your day a success.
This is an exciting time. And it is a great day. But it is really only one day. Your marriage is more than one day, so don't go beyond your means.
Weddings aren't really about impressing others. They aren't about gaining followers or getting likes.
It's about two people, who fell in love and who want to take some time out of the reality of the mundane and celebrate it in the way that best suits them.
Otherwise, you are doing it wrong.
xx