Planning a wedding like moving home, starting a new job or having a baby is up there with being one of the biggest and most stressful things you’ll ever do in your life. One way to make it even more hair-raising is to start planning the wedding before you’ve made some major decisions. At V agency events we teach our clients to literally plan the wedding planning process. Yes we know it’s a lot of planning but it can mean the difference between a perfect dream come true and just another wedding. We’ve put together a list of reasons why you might need to go back to the Pinterest board with those best laid plans…

1. You don’t have a defined vision

Wedding planning is like film production, this is your movie you are the main character and your story needs to flow from start to finish. As the director of your big day the worst thing you can do is start making decisions without being laser clear on exactly what you want and why you want it. Are you boho-chic, super glam, old Hollywood, modern rustic…you get the drift. Nail your wedding identity first then get a big spreadsheet and get busy!

2. You don’t have a budget

This is one we here a lot, whilst you’re welcome to take some time to figure out what you want to spend on your wedding, you shouldn’t even start making decisions until you have this figured out. A conversation with your partner, family members and a consultation with your personal finances is the best way to avoid disappointment during the planning process and will save you money in the long run.

3. You’re letting a family member do all the work

Communication is everything when it comes to planning picture perfect weddings and if this falls down so does everything else. Friends and family are fantastic resources to have in your corner but who is in charge of what? How will things be approved? The last thing you want to do is duplicate work or have someone misinterpret your vision and have no time to rectify or make changes. Regardless of who is helping you pull things together you need to stay in the driving seat because ultimately -it’s you who has to look at that wedding album for years to come!

4. You haven’t agreed on guest count

If you don’t know how many people are coming to the wedding, put the brakes on fast! Choosing venues, catering, decor etc without knowing exactly who’s on the list is the quickest way to play yourself! The number of people at your wedding will affect what you need and how much of it you need.

5. You don’t have a wedding planner

The bigger your wedding is, the more information, things and people you’ll need to manage. It’s not unusual for a ‘small gathering’ to turn into the ‘Met Gala’ of weddings as you get closer to your big day but if you envision a luxury/high end wedding experience then it might be useful to hire a wedding planner or consult a wedding coach. Even the most organized person could use some assistance. Investing in your event planning skills might also come in handy so you don’t miss important little details.

We know you have some fabulous ideas but before you blaze ahead make sure you have these five things down to a tee. Happy wedding planning!