Wedding Essentials: Our Top Ten Things You Need To Host The Perfect Big Day
Have you been dreaming of a white wedding since you were little? With such a momentous occasion, it’s important that your big day is exactly what you’d hope it would be. Planning the perfect wedding can be difficult, from the flower arrangements to an ever-growing guestlist, there is so much to think about.
To make things a little easier, here at Allens Catering Equipment and Furniture Hire we’ve come up with a list of our top ten things you should remember when hosting your perfect big day.
1. Set a Budget
Before making any decisions regarding your dream wedding day, it’s important that you nail down how much you have to spend and what will cost the most. Prioritising what want most at your wedding is the first thing, will it be the venue, the dress, or the DJ your fiancée is obsessed with? Listing and costing everything out so you know exactly what you can afford will make the planning process much easier.
2. Book your Venue
The perfect venue can be snapped up quickly, so booking far in advance is important if you want to land the dream location for your big day. Key things to remember include the number of guests, access to facilities, whether or not you want outdoor space, and accommodation nearby for anyone staying the night. This is probably going to be one of the most expensive things in your budget so make sure that you have room to accommodate for the cost of hiring out your preferred venue.
3. Find the Perfect Dress
Ultimately, maybe the most important part of any wedding is the bridal gown. Will you go for traditional ivory or a bold colourful statement? Will you choose a traditional silhouette or a more modern style? How much money do you have to spend? Or are you wearing a family dress that has been passed down? These are all things to consider when finding the perfect dress for your wedding day.
4. Table Plan
How many guests are you planning to have? If you are intending on having a sit-down meal then it’s important that you have a table plan already decided before your big day. This is something that is good to have prepared, as you want to make sure people are sat next to those they like and kept far away from those they don’t balanced with opportunities for seating people together who maybe haven’t met but you know could get along!
5. The Wedding Party
As planning a wedding can be a stressful time for most, it’s important that you have people who care about you by your side throughout the whole process. That’s why you should carefully select your wedding party members, deciding on groomsmen, bridesmaids, as well as a Maid of Honour and Best Man. These are the people who will be there to help make decisions and get you through the more difficult parts of wedding planning, so it’s vital you choose those you can trust and who will support you no matter what.
6. Planning a Menu
If you choose to serve food at your wedding there are a number of options to pick from, whether you would prefer an informal buffet or a formal banquet dinner. Whatever you decide to go for, it’s important that you make sure you know what will be on the and that it caters for any dietary requirements your guests may have. For example, you may have to provide a vegetarian or vegan offering for those that can’t eat meat or fish. It’s also crucial that this is planned in advance so that you know how many guests will need feeding and your caterers can prepare for the evening ahead.
7. Book a Photographer/ Videographer
What’s the point of hosting a big white wedding if you don’t have any photos or footage to remember it by? That’s why you must remember to book a photographer or videographer or both for your special day, finding a style that you like and capturing every wonderful moment from start to finish. From the wedding morning to the ceremony, and of course the reception, hiring the right photographer/videographer for you means you’ll have so many beautiful photos to look back on when the day is over.
8. The Infamous Stag and Hen nights
Weddings are all about tradition, so once you’ve decided on your wedding party it’s time for the bride and groom to have a little fun of their own. Whilst it’s typical for the Maid of Honour and Best Man to organise the infamous Stag and Hen nights, you still might want to think about what you would like to do and who you want to invite. This is an opportunity for you to go wild, so why not make the most of it!
9. The Ceremony
When the big day has finally begun, the wedding ceremony can be the most romantic and important part of this very special occasion. This is when you and your partner have the chance to profess your love in front of those you love and care about, so writing vows that embody this is something you shouldn’t forget and with so much to organise it could easily be left to the last minute. Nowadays, you don’t have to get married in a church or registry office but it can be in any approved premises whether outside or inside and it could be the same place as the reception afterwards. Not only this, but you’ve also got to decide who will officiate, whether you want it to be your brother or your priest – just make sure that you know what to do to make it legally binding. This is why you’re all here, so making sure it runs smoothly should be a priority when planning.
10. The Honeymoon
Once the night is over, it’s time for the happy couple to say goodbye and head off for a romantic honeymoon. You can decide whether you want a small mini break in the picturesque countryside or an exotic beach holiday over a couple of weeks, the choice really is yours. Everybody has different priorities when it comes to how they spend their money and what they decide to spend more on, there really is no one way to do it.
How can we help?
Here at Allens Catering Equipment and Furniture Hire, we’ve helped people to create many happy memories and put on wonderful events thanks to our fantastic range of products. When planning your wedding, why not consider browsing our lovely selection of table linen, furniture , bar supplies , kitchen appliances , and more. We have so much to choose from to help with the stress that wedding planning can bring, simply browse our catalogue today and find everything you could possibly need to put on a fantastic celebration your guests are sure to remember.
Over the years, we have built a reputation for excellent customer service and advice, so why not contact our team at today and they will be on hand to help you with whatever you might need. We can answer any questions you might have about your order, as well as provide you with quotes and recommendations for other products we think could add that extra special touch you’re looking for. So, to plan your dream fairy tale wedding, reach out to us here at Allens Catering Equipment and Furniture Hire!
