Simplified steps for planning a memorable wedding Getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments of any woman’s life and once butterflies have subsided a little it’s time to start planning a wedding! Organising a ceremony and a reception can be daunting, so a simplified guide has been created to help you enjoy every moment leading up to your big day. Find a wedding gown designer Depending on your location and the time of year finding a suitable venue is one of the most important aspects of any wedding. A venue will set the tone of your special day and once you have settled on a location, the decor and colour scheme will be far easier to choose. Finding a venue that is available for the date you want is the first step and once you have confirmed the booking you can begin with the real planning! Creating a guest list Your venue will dictate the amount of people your wedding party can accommodate and many people rely on the venue limit to dictate their guest list. Start by inviting family and close friends, then move on to business associates and acquaintances and ensure that everyone receives their invitation and RSVPs within the request time. Flowers and décor Deciding on a theme and a colour scheme for your wedding is vital and the earlier this is done the better. Choose seasonal flowers wherever possible and decide whether you will appoint a wedding coordinator to supervise decor, rely on the venue for set up, or wish to make or source items yourself. Sometimes it is easier to rely on someone who has experience in this area and how to arrange a wedding to avoid added stress and complications. Catering and cake Many venues offer on-site catering and if you can find one that offers this, it’s often the best option. If you wish to bring in outside caterers ensure you conduct a trial tasting of the full menu and stipulate exactly what you desire for your special day. Choosing a cake can be great fun and cake tastings are a popular trend for brides who wish to serve their guests delicious confectionary. Dressing for the day A bride’s dress is one of the most important parts of any wedding and for peace of mind it is suggested you find a dress well in advance, and to ensure an excellent fit have a final fitting 2 weeks before the wedding. Bridesmaid’s designer bridal dresses and groomsmen’s suits should also be organised as early as possible and a checklist for each person is a great way of keeping track of who requires what. Once you have all these basics in check the trick is to delegate as much as possible and to keep lists to track everything related to your big day. A wedding planner will help with this and many venues create their own itineraries that they will happily share. Use these tips to plan a memorable wedding and enjoy a relaxing and romantic day that will never be forgotten.