You’re engaged… now what?
Congratulations! The excitement of being engaged is wonderful, but once the celebrations settle, the reality of planning a wedding begins.
Where do you start? How much should you spend? Which venue is right for you? And how do you make sure your wedding feels personal rather than simply looking like every other wedding you’ve seen online? At Weddings by Marius, we believe that a beautiful wedding isn’t about spending the most money. It’s about making thoughtful decisions, prioritising what matters to you, and creating an experience that feels effortless for your guests.
Here are some of our top tips to help you get started.
1. Set your date — and your budget
Before you start booking suppliers or falling in love with Pinterest inspiration, establish two things: your date and your budget.
Your budget should be realistic and agreed upon early. If family members are contributing, have those conversations at the beginning rather than halfway through the planning process.
Most importantly, understand what your budget actually needs to cover. Venue hire, catering, bar, décor, flowers, entertainment, stationery, transport, accommodation, staffing and all the little extras can quickly add up.
A smaller budget doesn’t mean you can’t have an incredible wedding. It simply means you need to spend strategically and decide where your money will have the greatest impact.
2. Choose your venue carefully
Your venue is more than just the backdrop for your photographs. It determines how your wedding will flow and can have a significant impact on your overall budget.
When viewing venues, don’t only consider whether they can accommodate your guest numbers. Think about the entire experience.
Where will your guests arrive? Where will pre-drinks take place? Is there enough space for your band or DJ? Where will the dance floor go? Can your caterer work efficiently? Where will suppliers load in and set up? What happens if the weather changes?
Ask questions — lots of them.
A venue may look perfect on paper, but the logistics behind it are just as important as the view.
3. Plan your wedding in stages
One of my favourite ways to approach a wedding is to think of it as a series of experiences.
The ceremony is Act One.
The drinks reception is Act Two.
Dinner is Act Three.
And the party is the grand finale.
For each stage, consider what your guests will see, hear, eat and experience. Think about the flowers, décor, music, lighting, food and entertainment — and how one part of the celebration transitions into the next.
This approach also makes the planning process much easier because you can build your ideas and mood boards around each individual part of the day.
4. Let your venue and location inspire the style
You may already have a very clear idea of what you want your wedding to look like — or perhaps you have saved hundreds of completely different images!
Either way, start by looking at your venue and surroundings.
A wedding should feel connected to its location. The architecture, landscape, season and atmosphere can all influence the colour palette, flowers, décor and overall mood.
Rather than simply copying a trend, ask yourself:
“What will feel beautiful here?”
The best weddings feel intentional, rather than as though a particular style has simply been placed into a venue.
5. Create your “wow” moment
Every wedding needs something guests remember.
I call this the theatre.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be extravagant or expensive. It could be a dramatic entrance, an incredible floral installation, unique entertainment, a beautiful food experience, unexpected transport, a spectacular lighting moment or simply the way guests are welcomed into the reception.
Sometimes the most memorable moments are incredibly simple.
The important thing is to create something that feels uniquely yours.
6. Choose your suppliers wisely
Your wedding suppliers can make a huge difference to your experience — not only on the wedding day, but throughout the planning process.
Look for people who understand weddings, communicate well and have the experience to deal with the unexpected.
A wedding is a live event with many moving parts. Timing changes, weather happens, suppliers arrive early or late, guests have special requirements and plans occasionally need to change.
Experienced wedding professionals know how to manage those situations calmly and discreetly.
You’re not simply paying for a product or service. You’re also paying for experience, reliability and peace of mind.
7. Understand the hidden costs
Always ask what is included — and, just as importantly, what isn’t.
Overtime is one of the most common additional costs. Your venue, DJ, band, waitrons, bar staff, rental company or other suppliers may charge extra if the agreed times are exceeded.
There can also be delivery fees, collection fees, setup charges, additional staffing, generator costs, accommodation, transport and last-minute changes.
Before signing contracts, make sure you understand the full picture.
A good question to ask every supplier is: “Is there anything else I could potentially be charged for?”
It’s much better to know the answer before your wedding day.
8. Reconfirm everything
As your wedding approaches, communication becomes incredibly important.
At least a week or two before the wedding, make sure all suppliers have the final information they need — including timings, addresses, contact details, setup requirements and the programme for the day.
Your suppliers should know:
Where they need to be
What time they need to arrive
What they are responsible for
Who their contact person is
What time setup needs to be completed
When guests arrive
When each part of the celebration takes place
The more organised the behind-the-scenes operation, the more relaxed you can be on the day.
And finally… remember what the wedding is really about
Planning a wedding can sometimes become overwhelming because there are so many decisions to make.
But at the end of it all, your wedding is about celebrating your marriage and creating an incredible experience with the people you love.
Don’t get so caught up in making everything perfect that you forget to enjoy the process.
The most beautiful weddings aren’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive.
They are the ones that feel authentic, considered and completely personal to the couple.
That is what we believe a wedding should be.
