I’ve been totally ignoring my wedding planning. Not because I’m scared or nervous, or overwhelmed. It’s because I’m impatient. Really impatient. If I let myself start planning properly, it would have all been finished with months to spare, and then i’d have time to go over everything. Again, and again, and again. Then most likely change my mind. Again, and again, and again.

We booked the venue about 15 months before the wedding. That bit was easy. I knew exactly where I wanted to get married. We went to a wedding reception there years ago, and even though we were not planning an engagement any time soon, we both agreed it would be the perfect venue. 

Initially we were going to sneak off to Vegas and get it over and done with. We’ve been together 8 years, have a baby, a mortgage. We don’t need a big wedding. Everyone knows we are in it for the long haul. That was until my Nan found out. There was confrontation, and well, a bit of a telling off. So here we are planning our intimate (ish) wedding at the most beautiful venue, Prested Hall.

We are now at the 6 month countdown and I am allowing myself to get planning. Hold on, don’t panic, there’s not that much to do (I think). I sorted a few things last year and early this year. I then put a stop to the planning so I didn’t get everything done too early. That would really annoy me.

Prested Hall offer an amazing wedding package, everything you need is included, everything in one place. Easy. Exactly what I wanted. My advice for anyone who are close to booking their wedding. Consider a package deal. It takes so much pressure off the planning and organising. With my package there’s loads included. Drinks and canapes on arrival (while they are waiting for me to be fashionably late), 3 course wedding breakfast, with tea and coffee and wine for everyone, and what sold it to me, we get 12 bedrooms which can sleep up to 31 guests. This is so useful for Joe and I. My family all live in South Yorkshire, so have to travel 4 hours to Essex, and Joes family live scattered around the M25. It’s so great to be able to offer everyone a room for the night in our beautiful venue.

 So what have I already done?

I am very lucky to have a very talented younger brother. He’s one of the best graphic designers I know. So that’s the stationary sorted. We have already sent out the Save The Date cards, which were a-ma-zing, and he is now designing the main invites, menus, RSVPs etc, ready to send out in the next couple of months. If you need someone to design you your wedding stationary, consider my brother.

I have booked our photographer. My top tips when booking your photographer are:

• Meet them first. It is so important you get on with them. They will be following you around all day, pestering you and your family to make sure they do their job, and do it well. So you need to be comfortable around each other.
• Book 2 photographers. When you are walking down the isle the look on the grooms face will be priceless, but so will yours. Hence the 2 photographers.
• Do not book a cheap photographer. Seriously, you may think the prices are ridiculous. Our photography package is £1200. A lot of money. But there’s a reason they cost that much. They are talented and know how to capture the best moments of your special day. As we were told when considering our photography budget ‘you can get anyone to bake a cake’.

The DJ is booked. My friends boyfriend. Amazing DJ and lovely guy. Simple.

I have booked a photobooth. Last year we went to a wedding reception and spent most of the time wearing fancy dress and pulling faces in the photobooth. So. Much. Fun.

I have bought the bridesmaid dresses and shoes. I’m a bargain hunter, and these were a serious bargain. We popped along to the Karen Millen sale and found the most beautiful dresses and matching shoes. The dresses were reduced from £240 to £70, and the shoes we reduced from £120 to £40! I also have a dress for my niece, who will be a flowergirl.

Oh, and not forgetting the most important thing, I have my dress!!! Yep another bargain (ish). Off I went to the bridal shop to try on the dress I had chosen (full price), and they happened to be having their winter sale. I’m a sucker for a sale rail, so had a peek and found something that I couldn’t resist. The most stunning and glamourous wedding dress – half price! (My lips are sealed until after the wedding, so come back to the blog in December if you are intrigued!)

So that’s the list of what I have done, now to think about what still needs doing.

Flowers – one of my closest friends is very good at throwing a bunch of flowers together. I’ll be asking her to help.

Cake – I have a couple of people who I could ask to make our cake (one being Grandma Bear). Professional cakes are so expensive. I was quoted £450 for 3 tiers! If that doesn’t work there’s always M&S. As long as it tastes nice, i’m not fussed about it being overly fancy.

Suits – I have been nagging Joe for months. I want him to find some in the sale. There aren’t many sales before we get married! We did actually find one in Next last week, which we both love. I think we will hold out for the summer sale and hope. If not pick an alternative (hopefully). Although, at full price they are really reasonable.

Table Decorations – Not really thought about this. But we have a theme. Hollywood/Oscars/1920s. So it will be something sparkly but subtle I imagine. I’ll keep you posted as I start designing.

Honeymoon – No plans yet as Lamb will be almost 2 when we go. Enough said.

So now I have a list of what needs doing (roughly). Now to get organising. If you have read my other blog posts you will know I’m a fashion designer, so I’m a very creative person. I’m also a virgo, so a perfectionist. These two don’t always go well together. This planning could get interesting.

If you are keen on seeing how the organising goes, follow us on Bloglovin as I will be posting about the wedding regularly from now one 🙂

Alex x