We asked newlyweds for their top wedding planning tips

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It’s meant to be the happiest day of your life, but we all know that planning a wedding can be one of the most stressful things to go through – enter The Wedding Shop.

The vow may be ’till death do us part’ but after months of panicking over first dances, centerpieces and whether the kitchen could whip up bangers and mash because your great-aunt Betty ‘doesn’t do garlic’, you may wonder if you’ll make it to the end of the honeymoon.

Luckily, there’s so many resources to make planning easier. The Wedding Shop has a bunch of welcome resources we fancy and to go with those we’ve also sought the help of newlyweds for their top tips and advice for planning your big day.

All the dos and don’ts for ensuring that things run smoothly and you’re not tempted to make like Julia Roberts and hotfoot it from the church in a pair of trainers.

Stay Organised With A Wed Sheet

That’s right, you need to attack this planning with precision and care. Create a spreadsheet and make sure each cost is outlined, so you can see the total budget at every step. That’ll make it easier to know what you can cut back on.

Get A Second-Hand Dress

All eyes are on the bride but you don’t have to spend thousands on a dress you’ll only wear once. Why not opt for a vintage find? Something classic and elegant that will be timeless? If it doesn’t fit exactly how you’d desire, you can always take it to a tailor to get it fitted perfectly.

Hit The High Street For A Bargain

You don’t have to go second-hand for your dress, bridesmaids’ frocks or even the groom’s tux. High street retailers have an impressive range of bridal wear. Asos has some incredible designs, as does Monsoon and Whistles.

Create A Shared Calendar To Divide Up Tasks

It shouldn’t be left to one person to plan your special day. Make sure it’s a joint effort by creating a shared calendar so you can keep track of what you’re both working on. Divide and conquer.

Have Wedmin Wednesdays

Planning a wedding is a huge task but you still have a life to live. So keep planning to one day a week. One newlywed told us they’d do ‘Wedmin Wednesdays’ and work on everything wedding-related then. And only then.

Assign An On The Day Coordinator

Select a good friend or family member who can keep a note of the running order for the day. Select multiple if you are having a large wedding. Put them in charge of making sure everyone gets from a to b so you can stay stress-free on the day.

No One Cares About Flowers

Maybe you’re very green fingered but for most people, flowers are mere props at a wedding. And they can be a very pricey prop. Instead, buy a bulk of flowers from a wholesaler and get your bridal party to help tie them into bouquets.

A Photographer Is Worth The Cash

Memories are important and you’ll want to ensure you have a record of your special day. You don’t have to go down the traditional wedding photographer route either. Many of our newlyweds said they looked into fashion photographers who knew how to capture magical moments in time, as opposed to stiff and staged shots.

Ask A Friend To Bake The Cake And Serve It For Dessert

If you have a friend or family member who is a keen baker, consider asking them to make your cake. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Create three to four sponge layers and cover in buttercream. You can buy cute and personalised cake toppers from Etsy to add some personality.

Forget Paper Invitations

It’s 2023 and we’re living in a digital age. E-invites are not only significantly cheaper but it’s so much easier to keep a record of who is coming and what they want to eat.

Swap The Three Course Meal For Food Trucks

The catering can often be the most expensive part of a wedding. And the most stressful. Offering options for three courses that will satisfy every guest, plus managing allergens and diet preferences. Opt for a late afternoon ceremony and hire a food truck to serve yummy street food. Let’s face it, nothing soaks up booze at a wedding better than a greasy plate of nachos.

Provide a Place for Guests To Share Your Wedding Photos

Organise a place where guests can easily share their photos and videos of your wedding day with you (like an Instagram hashtag, dropbox or google photos album). The pictures and videos our guests took really captured the day and the moment.

Don’t Forget Your Wedding Lighting

Along with booking your wedding venue as soon as possible, look into venue lighting. We didn’t think about this or factor it into our budget! Investing in lighting, either by doing it on your own or hiring a production/lighting company, will bring all those beautiful details you’ve spent time and money on to life! It makes such a massive difference to the overall design and ambience of the day.

Check out more tips here.

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