Wedding Planning: A Relaxed Guide to Your Perfect Day

So, you’re engaged! Huge congratulations! After the initial excitement fades, has the thought of actually planning the day started to feel a little… overwhelming? If you’re staring at a blank page, worried about where to even begin, you’re not alone. The pressure to create a perfect day, manage a budget, and find the right suppliers can quickly turn joy into anxiety. This is where your stress-free wedding planning journey begins.

Forget the endless, confusing checklists. This guide is designed to put the fun and excitement back into the process. We believe your wedding should be a true, honest reflection of your story, and planning it should feel just as personal and joyful. We’ll walk you through everything in simple, manageable steps, from creating a budget that actually works to finding those amazing vendors who just get you.

Let’s cut through the noise together. Our goal is to leave you feeling confident, in control, and genuinely excited to create a day that feels as incredible as it looks, allowing you to actually enjoy this amazing chapter in your lives.

First Steps: Building the Foundation of Your Dream Wedding

Before you jump onto Pinterest or start booking venue tours, take a moment. The most important first step in your wedding planning journey is to simply sit down together and dream. Forget the trends and expectations for a minute. The real magic begins when you decide not just what your day will look like, but how you want it to feel. This core vision will become your anchor, guiding every decision and helping you navigate the choices ahead with confidence and ease. Once you have that feeling locked in, you can build a realistic framework with two key elements: your budget and your guest list.

Crafting Your Wedding Vision (And Ignoring the Trends)

This is the fun part! Ask yourselves: if we had to describe our ideal wedding in just three words, what would they be? Maybe it’s “relaxed, intimate, and fun” or “elegant, romantic, and classic.” Discuss what truly matters to you both. Is it incredible food, a packed dance floor, or heartfelt moments with your closest people? Create a private Pinterest board to gather inspiration, but treat it as a creative spark, not a rulebook. This shared vision is your true north when things get overwhelming.

Setting a Realistic Budget You Can Both Live With

Let’s talk numbers. It’s not the most glamorous topic, but being open and honest about your budget now will save you so much stress later. Start by outlining the major cost areas:

• Venue, food, and drink
• Photography and videography
• Attire and rings
• Entertainment (DJ or band)
• Flowers and decor

Decide on your top three priorities-the areas where you’re happy to invest more to get exactly what you want. Researching average wedding costs in the UK can also provide a helpful baseline. Tackling the numbers can feel daunting, and it’s often where couples wonder What is a Wedding Planner? and how they might help. Remember, while some costs are for one day, things like photography are an investment in memories you will treasure forever.

The Great Guest List Debate: Who to Invite?

Your guest count is the single biggest factor that will influence your budget. Start by creating your ‘A-list’-these are your non-negotiables, like immediate family and your absolute closest friends. From there, you can build a ‘B-list’ if your budget and venue allow. This can be a tough process filled with delicate conversations, but it’s essential. And remember, it is completely okay to have a small, intimate wedding if that feels more like you. Your day, your rules.

Assembling Your Dream Team: Choosing Your Wedding Vendors

Think of your wedding vendors as your creative partners-the amazing people who will take your ideas and turn them into a real, beautiful story. A crucial step in your wedding planning journey is finding suppliers whose work you absolutely love, but it’s just as important to find people you genuinely connect with. You’re building a team you can trust completely, a group of experts who will have your back, leaving you free to relax and soak in every moment of your day.

Finding Your Key Players: Venue & Photographer

Your venue and photographer are often the first two pieces of the puzzle. They set the date, the location, and the whole visual style of your wedding. When looking for a photographer, go beyond just pretty pictures. Find someone whose style captures not just how a day looks, but how it feels. Ask to see a few full wedding galleries to check for consistency. Remember, they’ll be with you all day, so a great, relaxed connection is everything.

Beyond the Big Two: Catering, Music, and Florals

These are the vendors who shape the atmosphere and create an unforgettable experience for your guests. Food is all about emotion and connection, so always ask for a tasting with potential caterers. If you’re dreaming of a packed dance floor, try to hear a band play live. For your florist and other creative suppliers, share your vision board to give them a clear picture of your story. Don’t be afraid to ask your venue or photographer for recommendations-they’ve worked with the best in the business!

Reading the Fine Print: What to Look For in Contracts

This part can feel a bit daunting, but it’s all about making sure everyone is on the same page. It’s your peace of mind! Before you sign anything, take a deep breath and check for a few key details. Don’t ever feel silly for asking questions; a true professional will be happy to clarify everything for you.

• The Details: Ensure all agreed-upon services, dates, locations, and timings are listed correctly.
• Payment Plan: Understand the deposit amount, the final balance due date, and how to pay.
• Cancellation Policy: Know what happens if you or the vendor has to cancel.
• The ‘What Ifs’: Check for clauses about unforeseen circumstances (like illness or extreme weather) and what the backup plan is.

Your Wedding Timeline: A Simple, Stress-Free Guide

Okay, let’s talk about the timeline. Seeing the entire list of jobs for your wedding planning can feel huge, but a timeline isn’t meant to overwhelm you. It’s here to do the opposite! It breaks one enormous task into small, manageable steps so you can focus on one thing at a time.

Think of this as a friendly guide, not a strict set of rules. Your wedding story is unique, so feel free to adjust this to fit your needs. The goal here is progress, not perfection. Ready? Let’s dive in.

12+ Months Out: The Big Picture

This is all about laying the foundations and getting the big, exciting things locked in. With these sorted, everything else can begin to fall into place. It’s the framework for your entire day.

• Set your budget & draft a guest list: Knowing your numbers first helps guide every other decision you’ll make.
• Book your venue & secure the date: Once you have your place and your date, it all starts to feel real!
• Hire priority suppliers: Think about anyone who can only be in one place at one time. This means your venue and, of course, your photographer.
• Engagement photos: This is a beautiful, relaxed way to celebrate and get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day.

6-11 Months Out: Booking and Styling

Now that the core elements are in place, you can start bringing your personal style to life. This is where you get to share the good news and begin choosing the details that reflect you as a couple.

• Send save-the-dates: Let your guests know to keep the date free!
• Find your wedding attire: The search for the dress or suit begins. Give yourself plenty of time for ordering and alterations.
• Book remaining key vendors: Now’s the time to secure your florist, band or DJ, and cake maker.
• Plan your ceremony: Start thinking about who you’d like to officiate and what readings or music you might want.

2-5 Months Out: The Finer Details

It’s all in the details! This period is about finalising choices, confirming logistics, and taking care of the important legal steps. Things are really coming together now.

• Send your official invitations: Aim to post these around 8-12 weeks before the wedding.
• Purchase your wedding rings: Choose the rings you’ll treasure forever.
• Finalise the food and flowers: Attend your menu tastings and confirm your final floral designs.
• Give notice: In the UK, you must give notice at your local register office at least 29 days before your ceremony.

A Photographer’s Insider Tips for a Relaxed, Beautiful Day

Hey! After photographing over 400 weddings, I’ve learned that the most beautiful, emotional photos don’t come from perfect schedules. They come from relaxed, happy couples who are truly present in the moment. A huge part of successful wedding planning is creating a day that flows, giving you space to breathe and simply enjoy it. A well-planned day is a relaxed day, and that’s when the real magic happens.

These are my insider tips to help you focus less on the timeline and more on marrying your best friend. Because my job isn’t just to capture how your day looks, but how it feels.

The Magic of Light: Timing Your Day for Gorgeous Photos

Amazing light is the secret ingredient for stunning photos. When you’re setting your timeline, take a look at the sunset time and work backwards. I always recommend scheduling just 15-20 minutes for ‘golden hour’ portraits. This is the soft, warm light just before sunset that makes everything look beautiful, emotive, and incredibly flattering. Chat with your photographer-we live for this stuff and can advise on the best light at your specific venue.

Consider a ‘First Look’ Before the Ceremony

A ‘first look’ is a private moment for you to see each other before the ceremony begins. It’s an incredible way to calm any nerves and have a quiet, intimate moment together. It also means you can get most of your couple and family photos done early, freeing you up to join your drinks reception and spend more time with your guests. The photos from these moments are always so honest and full of genuine emotion.

Why an ‘Unplugged’ Ceremony is Worth It

Asking your guests to put away their phones and cameras during the ceremony is one of the best decisions you can make. It allows them to be fully present with you, sharing in the emotion of the moment instead of watching it through a screen. For me, it means I can capture clean, beautiful shots of your guests’ happy tears and joyful faces, without a sea of phones in the way. You’ve hired a professional to tell your story; let us do our best work.

Trust Your Team and Be Present

You’ve hired a team of amazing wedding professionals for a reason-so let them handle the details! Smart wedding planning includes building a little buffer time into your schedule so you never feel rushed. On the day, your only job is to soak it all in and marry your favourite person. The most natural, relaxed, and beautiful photos happen when you forget the camera is even there and just enjoy the story of your day as it unfolds.

If you’re looking for a photographer who values these real moments, I’d love to hear about your plans.

Bringing Your Relaxed Wedding Plans to Life

Remember, the heart of your wedding day isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about celebrating your unique story. The key takeaways from this guide are simple: build a strong foundation based on what truly matters to you, and assemble a dream team of vendors who share your relaxed vision. This approach transforms wedding planning from a stressful checklist into the exciting, joyful journey it’s meant to be.

Your photographer is a huge part of that team-the person trusted to capture not just how your incredible day looks, but exactly how it feels. With over 14 years of experience and more than 400 beautiful weddings captured, my entire approach is built around telling your story in a natural and relaxed way. Think honest emotion and real moments you’ll treasure forever, with absolutely no cheesy or awkward poses.

I’d love to hear your plans and talk about capturing your story. Get in touch!

Whatever you decide, enjoy every moment of this incredible chapter. Your perfect day is just around the corner.

Your Wedding Planning Questions Answered

What is the very first step in wedding planning?

Before you dive into spreadsheets and venue tours, take a moment. The very first step is to sit down together and dream about how you want your day to feel. Is it a huge, energetic party or a relaxed, intimate gathering with your closest few? Deciding on the overall vibe and a rough guest count will guide every other decision, from your budget to your venue. It’s all about starting your story on the right page.

How can we create a realistic wedding budget?

Creating a budget can feel daunting, but it’s about being honest and open. Start by working out what you can realistically save and whether family might be contributing. Then, list your top three priorities-maybe it’s incredible photography, amazing food, and a live band. Allocate more of your budget there. A typical UK venue might cost between £5,000-£10,000, so research average costs to keep things grounded. A simple spreadsheet will be your best friend!

How far in advance should we book our wedding photographer and venue?

Honestly, for the most sought-after venues and photographers, I’d recommend booking 12 to 18 months in advance, especially for a peak season Saturday. These are two of the biggest pieces of your day, and they get snapped up incredibly fast! Securing them early means you get your first choice and can relax, knowing the core elements of your day are locked in. It sets a wonderfully relaxed tone for the rest of your planning.

Do we really need a wedding planner?

That’s a great question, and it really depends on you! If you’re short on time or feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices in your wedding planning, a planner can be a lifesaver. They have incredible contacts and can handle all the logistics, letting you focus on the fun parts. But if you love organising and have a clear vision, you can absolutely do it yourselves. The most important thing is choosing the path that feels most relaxed for you.

How can we make our wedding feel personal and unique to us?

This is my favourite part! The best weddings are the ones that tell your story. Think about what makes you, you. Did you meet in a bookshop? Name your tables after your favourite authors. Love a certain film score? Walk down the aisle to it. From custom cocktails to handwritten notes for guests, these small, honest touches are what everyone will remember. It’s about creating a day that truly feels like you, not a template.

What’s the best way to deal with wedding planning stress?

It’s completely normal to feel the pressure, so be kind to yourselves. The key is to communicate and remember you’re a team. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to your wedding party-they want to help! Most importantly, schedule regular “no-wedding-talk” date nights. Step away from the plans and just enjoy being engaged. Always remember the big picture: you’re marrying your best friend, and that’s what truly matters.