Firstly, pat yourself on the back for finding your person to be with! It’s no small feat.
What next? As a Byron Bay celebrant, I can tell you that planning a wedding is all about getting your ducks lined up.
For most couples, getting married is a new experience. It’s something you don’t do every day, and hopefully something you’ll only do once! New things can be a little daunting at first, and it’s easy to feel frazzled from the pressure of making the right decisions. My advice is to take a few deep breaths and relax.
Finding a venue and setting a date is a great place to begin. March and October are the most popular months for weddings and marriage celebrants in Byron Bay tend to fill bookings quickly. Start your investigations early, especially if you’re planning to get married in peak season. Even if your wedding is still more than a year out, be prepared to be flexible with dates if you have a particular venue in mind.
Once the venue is locked in you’ll need to research and book the key vendors for your big day. The main ones might include your Byron Bay celebrant, photographer, florist and wedding planner (if you’re using one). You might also need to enlist a caterer, driver, hairstylist, makeup artist, dress maker/tailor, DJ or band, and cake decorator.
Take some time to imagine how you want your day to look and feel. Think about what you’d like you and your guests to remember. What are you must-haves, and what is most important to you? For some couples, the most important thing will be serving delicious food and free-flowing wine! For others, the wedding décor and flowers deserve extra attention. For many, a certain style of photography and/or videography are not to be skimped on.
Once you’ve worked out your priorities you can look at your budget and research different vendors’ availability and fees. Lots of couples (okay, brides) find having a special book is handy for compiling your initial wedding ideas (and makes a great keepsake, too). A trusty Excel spreadsheet is useful for setting your budget and comparing costs of different vendors. This will help you to allocate your spending, make your decisions and stick to your budget.
When it comes to booking vendors it’s important to get in early as the most sought-after wedding professionals are usually booked well in advance. Plus, being organised as you approach your wedding day will make the whole experience easier and really enjoyable.
Happy planning, and remember to breathe!