It’s official, today is the most romantic day of the year – so what better time to ask your other half to spend the rest of their lives with you?
But the real question is – how will you do it? On bent knee in the middle of a bustling restaurant? With a glass of champagne in your favourite bar? Or in front of friends and family, at a surprise engagement party? Whatever your plans, we’re here to help…
What to do first?
Well, before all else, you’ve got to tell friends and love ones. If you haven’t already got permission from the father of the bride, now’s the time to do it – and believe us when we say, your friends will be thinking about who the best man, maid of honour and bridesmaids will be, even before you do.
And they’re not the only ones. Suddenly your mum will be name-dropping distant relatives, suggesting that you send them an invite to the big day, even though you’ve never even met them. So it’s time to decide who will and won’t make it down the aisle, you don’t need exact numbers, but an estimate is essential for the next stage…
Picking your venue! Will it be an intimate wedding at Kirkstall Abbey or are you planning a grand affair at the Town Hall, whatever your taste and budget, your dream wedding venue is just waiting to be found. Once you’ve found it, you can set a date – and that’s when the fun really starts.
Hit the web. Browse the top wedding blogs, read up on the latest trends, and bit by bit your theme will come together. It might be rustic and quaint, set in the countryside with invites tied with straw. Or sleek and modern, in a city centre venue, minimalist wedding stationery.
Which leads us neatly onto your save the dates – because isn’t the most important thing at your wedding the guests? So make sure they’ve got the date burned in their memory by sending out save the dates, well in advance of your big day. By doing it early, you can save stress later, because your invites, table decorations and order of service will all follow the same style.
Then it’s a case of organising the details. The cake, the gift list, the flowers, the photographer and the seating plan – oh, can you really put Aunty Mavis next to Uncle Bob? It might seem like a lot, but when it’s all done, you’ll have your perfect day.