'Big 5' Checklist for the newly engaged

Congratulations on your engagement! We know that as well as being an exciting time, when you actually start to look at the planning of your big day the prospect can be quite daunting and you might be wondering where to start. I've planned more weddings than I can count and know from experience that it is crucial not to get too carried away with the detail of your day until a few key options have been explored.

First up for the recently engaged is our 'Big 5' of wedding planning: these are the five key elements that need to be considered before you can get down to the detail of planning your wedding. Crucial is that everyone who is involved in planning and eventually paying for the celebration should ideally be consulted when considering these key Big 5 elements (this will save arguments later on).

1. HOW will you get married? Will it be in a civil or a religious ceremony?     

2. WHERE would you like to be married? Have a rough geographic area in mind - narrow it down to county/state.

3. WHEN will you get married?  The more flexible you can be, the more options you'll have. So spring, summer, autumn winter: this year, next year - just approximately and ideally when.    

4. WHO? That's whom you'll invite. This could be dictated by budget or how many guests a must-have reception venue can accommodate. But sit down and compile a considered guest list so you can accurately assess guest numbers. Do this with everyone who reasonably needs to have a say in it.

5. BUDGET - the million-dollar question: how much can you AFFORD to spend?

You might want to defer some 'Big 5' decisions until other key elements have been put in place and you will need to take a flexible approach.  But the 'Big 5' are your wedding road map, and until they have been agreed upon you can't get down to the nitty-gritty details of planning your day. If you do you'll in all likelihood tie yourselves into things and services you don't want, are inappropriate or are outside the budget.

So complete the 'Big 5' checklist together and know you're agreed upon it. And do check out my 10 Top Wedding Planning Tips on the blog too.

For more help with your big day don't forget our range of wedding plannning smartphone apps and books (and the gorgeous image above is by the hugley talented Edoardo Agresti).

© Sarah Haywood