1. Number of Guests

Begin by making a list of people you absolutely must have at your wedding, as well as who you would prefer to have there and other guests who would contribute to the party atmosphere. It’s surprising how quickly a guest list of over 100 people can be compiled when you believed a maximum of 50 would suffice. One of the most stressful aspects of wedding planning is narrowing down the guest list. There are certain guests you’ll have to invite, others you’ll want to avoid, and some who may or may not qualify, based on the size of your location. When it comes to deciding who to invite to a wedding, a couple shouldn’t feel forced to include someone they’ve never met. Work through your lists together until you’re happy with who and how many.

2. Location/Venue

It’s not easy to find the perfect wedding venue. There are a wide range of options available. The venue you choose will influence a number of factors and have a significant impact on your wedding budget, so choose wisely. Before you sign a contract, make sure to compare rates, packages, and any constraints, such as a minimum budget or guest capacity, across numerous different venues. Even if you find a venue and a package deal that you like, keep exploring for more alternatives and plan B’s. Before agreeing on a price, browse around and check the rates of other venues. Consider some of the most important factors to consider while picking your wedding location.

3. Photographer

Because your wedding photos will be something you treasure forever, you must try hire the best photographer possible. You can’t afford to miss out on any crucial moments of your special day since this is a once in a lifetime occasion for you and your partner. You want the photos to showcase the events throughout the day so the quality and appearance of each shot must be consistent. It’s a common unfortunate blow when a couple didn’t manage to capture moments they desired or didn’t like the photographer’s work. To avoid this, seeing a portfolio of a photographer’s work beforehand would be necessary to get an idea of their shooting style. Keep researching and don’t settle too fast, you want the photos to come out perfect. Write down a list of your favourite photographer’s you found and to start narrowing them down, make a pros and cons list for each one. Once you’ve made your decision is would be wise to contact the photographer to have an initial meeting with them to discuss the photos you’d like taken on the big day. Consider taking some test shots too.

4. Food

Whatever menu you settle for, make sure you and your partner are both pleased with it. Many venues and caterers limit their menus to only two or three options. Finding a caterer who offers more variety is typically more challenging and can be more expensive, but it will most certainly be more appreciated by your guests. You don’t want to serve the same old menu that everyone else does at their weddings; instead, you want to create a memorable wedding meal, and one way to achieve so is to personalise it. If at all possible, schedule a tasting session to help you decide on your menu. Before finalising, try a few dishes from the caterer to determine your favourites. Some venues include menu sampling as part of their packages, while others may demand an additional fee.

5. Decorations

All of the small details and specially picked decor pieces will have a significant effect on the whole aesthetic of your wedding day, as well as help make it unique and personal. If you’re a first-time bride, you’ve probably started collecting inspiration for how you want your big day to look. It can be intimidating at first, especially if you have chosen a location which won’t provide the decoration and you will be sourcing it yourself, so starting with a checklist will ease the process.