With indoor weddings and civil partnerships allowed to resume, Northern Ireland hotels are facing a nuptials nightmare thanks to a backlog of more than 3,700 weddings this summer!
A lot of weddings have been postponed, not to mention those who have had the ceremony already and are planning the wedding reception for a later date, creating an unprecedented situation for the country’s wedding industry.
Due to this reason, we are seeing an increased number of couples choosing to fast-forward their wedding plans so they don't have a long wait for their chosen venue. We have came up with a schedule for how you can plan your wedding in up to three months for those couples whose love simply can't wait!
The Countdown Begins
3 Months To Go
We advise getting the legalities in order first and foremost. This is the most boring part of the process but it can take a few months to formalise so we recommend getting the ball rolling early. Everything from the wedding date, applying for your marriage registration form, if you intend on using a minister, priest or registered celebrant, ensure they are available.
It's a good idea to make a rough guest list of those who will be invited to the ceremony and those invited to the reception. Especially with COVID restrictions, this will give you a rough idea of who you comfortably have room for and will allow you to budget more accurately.
With that in mind, you should go ahead and book your venue. Whether you want an indoor or outdoor reception, you should be able to give an indication on the number of guests and how many to cater for. It's a good idea to arrange your wedding night accommodation whether that is in the hotel, a staycation or even in your own home.
We also suggest hiring the other main elements of your big day such as your floral arrangements, photographer, videographer, your wedding cake and transport as these often take time source and book.
Lastly, the dress! At Elody Bride we try to get our brides in as early as possible before the big day to find the dress of your dreams! Grab one or two friends to accompany you and help you feel relaxed and enjoy the process. This gives you plenty of time to find the right dress and have it hand tailored by us for the perfect fit.
2 Months To Go
Time to send out the wedding invites! Gather up the RSVPs and from here you can start arranging your table plan and organising decorations and party favours for your guests. Now is the perfect time to start shopping for a suit for the groom, bridesmaids dresses and groomsmen suits. Around this time of year there are often amazing summer sales which you can make the most of! Have a look at our True Bride Set, on sale for only £280 for a complete set of three baby blue bridesmaid dresses for your bride Tribe, each in different sizes.
1 Month To Go
One month gives you plenty of time to pick up the final touches for your wedding outfit. Think about what will suit your dress and your style, after all, comfort is key on your Big Day! A pair of kitten heels with plenty of support will be your best friend, we also recommend bringing a change of comfier shoes for the reception so you can dance the night away. Also consider a small clutch bag to hold a few essentials like your phone and a nice lippie. Check out our gorgeous bride Zara who looks absolutely stunning in our Enzoani Dress, finally tying the knot after having to reschedule due to Covid. Well worth the wait!
Photography
@karengrattanphotography
Dress
Enzoani @elodybride
Veil & Back Necklace
@deborahkdesign
Location
Darver Castle
Two Weeks To Go
To avoid any wedding day drama, we always recommend having a hair and makeup trial before the big day. Arrange for a stylist to come out to you if possible so you can see how your hair and makeup will suit your dress. Have a clear image of what you want, be precise and provide plenty of pictures so your stylist knows exactly what look you have in mind.
In addition to this, we also suggest spending this time contacting your suppliers to ensure any loose ends are squared away, all payments are made and leave an emergency contact number with all of your suppliers in case of emergencies.
One More Sleep
The day before the wedding, we suggest getting up early and getting the final to do list out of the way! Drop off any decorations, menus and place cards to your venue. Check in to make sure your cake is on track to be delivered on time tomorrow and call your transport to confirm pickup and drop off times.
Now is time to relax! We suggest booking in for a nice afternoon high tea or dinner at a restaurant with a few friends or family. Get rid of those pre wedding jitters with a glass of bubbly with your bridal party!
Love Isn't Cancelled!
For any dress related enquiries, please get in touch with us at info@elodybride.co.uk