Envision your wedding and draw up a budget. Decide what theme you want, and budget realistically. Doing this will give you a clear indication of which venues will best suit both your vibe and your budget.
Decide on a date and time. It’s best to have three to five possible dates in mind. Once you’ve established these, check with your different venue options and see which ones can accommodate you and which venue appeals to you most.
Assemble your planning team. Also ask friends and relatives to be in your wedding party and for those who have the budget, hire a wedding consultant. Most venues also offer this as part of the package – so keep that in mind when selecting a venue too.
Start planning the guest-list. You can also research and reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests.
About eight months before the big day, the bride should establish exactly what her gown should look like. If the gown needs to be bought or ordered, reserve it now. If it needs to be made, organise a meeting with a reliable seamstress and discuss your vision and time-lines etc.
Research and book your wedding professionals. Once you’ve decided who’s best for the job, begin interviewing your vendors, for instance, the photographer, videographer, reception band or DJ, and florist.
