The Hall Barns Guide to Wedding Planning
If you’re newly engaged, a huge congratulations from the team at The Hall Barns! Embarking on your wedding planning journey will without a doubt be one of the most exciting experiences you’ll ever have, but it might come with its stressful moments too! It’s no secret there’s a huge amount to consider, from suppliers and seating plans to the dreaded budget…luckily, at the Hall Barns our wedding team has seen hundreds of weddings over the years. If you’re feeling like you don’t know where to start, here is our simple guide to wedding planning.
Choose your venue & book your wedding date
These two items generally go hand in hand – it’s hard to choose your wedding date without checking availability at your desired venue. Whether you want to tie the knot in a few months or a few years, it’s best to do this as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. You’ll also find that wedding professionals are booked up well in advance, so try to be as organised as possible. Once you’ve picked out your perfect venue and you’ve set a date, you can start booking your suppliers and of course, begin imagining your dream day!
Picking the perfect wedding professionals
Choosing the perfect suppliers to bring your day together is key. Whether you’re looking for laid back rustic charm, modern elegance or classic romance, the Hall Barns can be transformed for your style. Start by reading our tips for defining your wedding day style here to narrow down the vibe you’re trying to create, then find the people who can deliver just that! If you’re stuck, we have a list of recommended suppliers who we know will ensure your wedding is nothing short of spectacular.
Set a wedding budget
Let’s talk about your wedding budget – probably the least exciting aspect in our guide to wedding planning but arguably the most important. This is something you need to face early on in the planning process to avoid stress in the long run. Sit down together and create a spreadsheet listing your income, outgoings, priorities and how much you ideally want to allocate to each element of your wedding day. If you want to splurge on your catering but save on your styling, make a note of this! You’ll find a helpful guide to break this down further here.
The seating plan saga
The seating plan can be a source of dread for many couples – once you’ve had your RSVPs back, it’s traditional to sit down and work out who’s going to sit next to who! If you do decide to take this on, our advice is to organise it as soon as possible and be prepared that you’re going to make quite a few changes throughout as people cancel or change plans. Of course, at the Hall Barns we’re all about you doing your wedding YOUR way, and some couples now choose not to have a seating plan and let their guests have free rein! If this sounds interesting to you, you might like our blog on some other wedding traditions you can skip.
Keeping it FUN
Last but not least in our wedding planning guide is a reminder that this SHOULD be an enjoyable experience. If you want to ensure it stays fun and exciting, make sure you take days off wedding planning! Enjoy the experience of reflecting on your love story and planning your happily ever after – the memories start here!
We hope you found this guide to wedding planning helpful. We regularly post tips and advice for planning on our Wedding Ideas blog, so check back regularly for more!
Images in this blog from R&J’s Hall Barns wedding, by Adam Hudson.
