IN FOR A PENNY IN FOR A POUND Before you start surfing the internet for venues and suppliers, sit down together with a cuppa and discuss what you want your wedding day to be. Whatever you decide will have an impact on everything else you do from here on in. Think about your overall vision. Is rustic bliss your vibe, or are you more the modern chic kind of couple? Perhaps you want to keep it classic and traditional. You may even want to go completely your own way and host a festival-style wedding in a field with a temporary structure such as a marquee or tipi for cover. Then there’s the ceremony. What do you want the most important part of the day to look and feel like? Do you have your hearts set on saying “I do” al fresco, or were you hoping for autumn or winter nuptials and therefore comfy and cosy vows under cover? All of these aspects will guide you towards the style of venue you should be researching. Crucial to this process is the budget and guest numbers, as one will very much dictate the other. You may want to invite 300 people, but are you willing and able to fund 300 wedding breakfasts? Be realistic about what you want to spend, settle on a budget and above all, stick to it. Work together to devise a preliminary guest list as this will guide you towards the size of venue you’ll be looking for. Jennifer Daniels at Powder Mill Productions says, “Make a wedding planning checklist. This will help you to stay on track and to budget.” And as Becky Rasmus from Waves Weddings and Events says, “If the whole idea of planning your wedding is giving you nightmares, hire a planner. We can help with so many different elements from ensuring you get the perfect venue, to budgeting, supplier selection and overall management. We can save you time, money and stress.” LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION When people ask us what to book first our answer is always: the venue. Without having your venue secured, you won’t have a date and without a date you won’t be able to book the rest of your suppliers. Hit the internet as soon as you’re ready to start planning and check out all of the incredible locations in this glorious county. From historical to quirky and everything in between, Kent has it all. Pop over to the Find a Service section over at www.yourkent.wedding as well as www.yourkent.wedding/venue-inspiration-headlines, both great places to start. We start the new year with a stress-free guide to planning your wedding a time ONE STEP AT Congratulations – you’re engaged! Now what? Find out with our planning timeline compiled with the help of those who know it best, Kent’s incredible wedding suppliers. Getty Images Bradbourne House © www.alanharbordweddingphotography.com WEDDING PLANNING 57
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