We start the new year with a stress-free guide to planning your wedding BEST FOOT forward Congratulations – you’re engaged! Now what? Find out with our planning timeline compiled with the help of those who know it best, Yorkshire’s incredible wedding suppliers. “Celebrate your engagement together before diving into planning. Take time to enjoy this special phase. Plan a date night or a weekend getaway, just for the two of you to celebrate.” – Oliver Jackson, Delta Hotels by Marriott York 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. “Discuss your vision and priorities,” Oliver from Delta Hotels by Marriott York (www.marriott.com/LBAYD) says. “Sit down and talk about your dream day. Talk about things like the style of celebration you picture and the different venue options that can provide this.” Indeed, 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 to guide you towards the size of venue you’ll be looking for. 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, Yorkshire has it all. Pop over to the Find a Service section over at www.youryorkshire.wedding as well as the venue section, both great places to start. When you’ve put together your short list, head out to visit them for a tour. Most importantly, before you leave and make any decisions, “make sure the venue you choose can accommodate all your needs and has the flexibility to suit your vision,” Oliver says. Delta Hotels by Marriott York Empty Quarter Events © samandlouise.co.uk FLOWERS 47 PLANNING SOS
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