Something a bit different on the blog today. A lot of couples who are having their weddings this year are probably in the final stages of planning but for those with 2025/26 weddings I thought I'd share some advice on planning your day.
These days there are no such things as a "typical" wedding and my advice is always it's YOUR day and there are no rights and wrongs. Do things the way you want to do them. So here's a list of things to think about and it's very much a "pick and mix" as to what you want to get from your day.
Typically your day will depend on the venue you pick for the ceremony, be that a church, registry office or licensed wedding venue. If you want to "do your own thing" and have your own tailor made ceremony then you may need to get "legally married" maybe a couple of days beforehand and then have a celebrant conduct your marriage ceremony at an unlicensed venue. It's up to you!
TIMELINE OF THE DAY.
For a typical civil ceremony the running order would be as follows:-
1.00p.m. Ceremony
1.30p.m. Welcome drinks and Canapes
2.00p.m. Formal photos of guest, bridal party and socialising
3.00p.m. Some photos with just the couple
4.00p.m. Call to Dinner
4.15p.m. Wedding Breakfast
5.30p.m.Speeches - traditionally Father of the Bride,Groom and Best Man (in that order)
7.00p.m. Evening Reception
7.45p.m. Cake Cutting and First Dance as husband and wife.
For a church ceremony you would need to allow for a longer ceremony typically 45miutes, photos at the Church and travel time to the reception. My recommendation has always been to allow 2 to 2.5 hours from the ceremony start time to the wedding breakfast and if you are doing speeches before the meal, which some people prefer, the venue will normally sit your guests down half an hour before the meal is served which eats into the photography time so plan the day accordingly.
Professionals/Items you could consider booking (or allocate the jobs to one of your close family/friends):-
- Venue for Ceremony
- Venue for Reception
- Marquee or Tipi hire
- Registrar and/or Celebrant
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Content Creator
- DJ and/or Evening Entertainment such as Live Band/Singer, Saxophonist etc...
- Make up artist
- Hairdresser
- Wedding car(s)/Transport
- Photo Booth
- Sweet Cart
- Magician
- Caricaturist
- Toastmaster/Master of Ceremonies
- Wedding cake
- Flowers
- Wedding breakfast
- Evening Food
- Venue decorations
- Favours
- Welcome drinks & canapes
- Sparklers
- Fireworks/smoke bombs
- Garden games
- Singing waiters
- Creche/baby sitters
- If pets involved - pet sitters
- Chimney sweep
This list isn't exhaustive and you might want some other services. It's YOUR day remember so book what YOU want. If you've had or thought of something diferret for your day why not get in touch and let us know so we can add to the list and help other couples in their planning.
It goes without saying you will need to organise Brides and Bridesmaids' dresses, suits for the gentlemen, flowers girls dresses, page boy suits and shoes, jewellery, robes etc...
So some photos from the many weddings we've shot which we hope will inspire or at least get you thinking:-
