Starting to plan your wedding and wondering where to begin? It's a thrilling journey, and we're here to make it a breeze for you! This straightforward three-step guide is your go-to resource for beginning your wedding planning. Whether you're envisioning an elaborate celebration or a quaint, intimate gathering, our guide offers clear, practical steps to steer you in the right direction. We're all about making your planning process enjoyable, light-hearted, and most importantly, effective.
We've carefully crafted this guide to be succinct yet impactful, ensuring you're not swamped with information overload. It's all about taking those first meaningful steps in your wedding planning without feeling overwhelmed. Let's get started on how to start planning a wedding with joy and ease!
Step 1: Immerse Yourself in All Things Wedding
In your three-step guide to wedding planning, this first stage is all about immersing yourself in the wedding universe. It’s time to surround yourself with ideas, inspirations, and tools that will shape your big day. Bridekit, our free one page guide to the best online wedding tools & resources, plays a crucial role here, acting as your compass in the vast sea of wedding planning.
This stage is vital because it’s where you connect with the resources that align with your vision. Bridekit introduces you to an array of handpicked choices – from top-notch online boutiques, best sites to find a venue, inspiring podcasts and enlightening YouTube channels. It’s not just about gathering ideas; it’s about discovering resources that resonate with your personal style and preferences.
Step 2: Envisioning Your Wedding: Aesthetic & Inspiration Gathering
Creating a mood board is an exciting step in the wedding planning process, the idea is to work towards finalising your aesthetic & inspiration gathering that fits it. It's where you begin to translate your dreams and ideas into something visual and tangible. Here's how you can gather inspiration and build a mood board that truly reflects your vision:
- Pinterest: An endless source of ideas. Create a dedicated wedding board and start pinning everything that catches your eye – from wedding dresses to table settings. You could also use Pinterest purely for inspiration gathering and use a tool like Cosmos or MyMind to collect ideas.
- Instagram Hashtags and Profiles: Follow wedding-related hashtags (like #WeddingInspiration, #BridalGown, etc.) and profiles of wedding blogs, wedding planners, dress designers, and wedding venues for daily doses of inspiration.
- Wedding Blogs and Websites: Websites like Bridal Musings, The Knot and Style Me Pretty offer a plethora of ideas for themes, décor, and more. Subscribe to their newsletters for updates and follow them on the socials.
- Real Wedding Stories: Reading about or watching real wedding stories can provide unique ideas. Pay attention to the details like the color schemes, floral arrangements, and personal touches the couples added.
- Bridal Magazines: Flip through pages of bridal magazines for inspiration on everything from fashion to floristry. Tear out pages that speak to you and add them to your mood board.
- Wedding Shows and Expos: Attend these events to see a variety of themes and trends in action. You can also meet suppliers and collect brochures or samples.
- Fabric Swatches and Color Palettes: Visit fabric stores to get swatches that match your color scheme. Paint stores can also provide color palette ideas.
- Cultural and Artistic Inspiration: Look to your own cultural heritage or favorite art pieces for unique inspiration. This can be especially meaningful if it reflects your personal story.
- Nature and Seasonal Elements: Draw inspiration from the natural world and the season in which you’re getting married. This can influence your choice of flowers, colors, and outdoor settings.
- Friends and Family: Sometimes, a simple conversation with loved ones can spark a brilliant idea. Discussing your wedding plans can lead to suggestions you might not have considered.
Step 3: Wedding Planning Checklist: Your Roadmap from Start to Finish
A thorough wedding planning checklist is your roadmap through the entire process. It helps you keep track of every important detail, from setting a realistic budget to finding your dream venue. Start with the big picture items like determining your budget and selecting a venue, then move on to finer details like choosing your vendors, finalizing guest lists, and sorting out logistics. Our free checklist (available in pdf, spreadsheet or just to read on our site) ensures you won't miss any critical steps and keeps you on track towards your special day.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Journey
As you embark on this exciting journey, remember to take a moment to enjoy the experience. Wedding planning is not just about the end result; it's about creating memories along the way. With these three steps, you're well-equipped to navigate the path to your wedding day with confidence and joy. Happy planning!
