The basic rule of thumb is to send save the dates 6 months before the wedding. For a destination wedding, it is customary to mail save the dates 8 to 12 months in advance. For a local affair, send save the dates 4 months in advance. Follow your save the dates with your formal invitations about 8 weeks before the wedding.

The ring is on your finger and the planning is underway, let’s get your guests in the loop. Number one is to send a save-the-date card (aka the pre-invitation that officially announces your date and lets your guests know that they should schedule it in). But you have to do it right. I have written below, go and find out what mistakes not to make while giving your guests the heads up.

Not Sending Them at all

Yes, this counts as a mistake in my opinion. I know you don't have to send save-the-dates (if you're having a very short engagement, I understand it might make more sense to simply send out invitations), you're typically doing yourself a disservice by not sending them. Most definitely if you're having a destination wedding or a three day weekend affair, you want to give guests enough time to clear their schedules and arrange and generally increase their chances of being able to make it to your big day. That's the goal, right?

Sending Them Too Late

As a general rule of thumb, I recommend to start sending them out around 6 to 8 months prior to the ceremony (send them earlier for a faraway destination or holiday weekend). This gives wedding guests plenty of time to book their travel, save money and ask for days off work. Any later than that and they won't have enough lead time to do those things. After all, the only pieces of information you need on them are your names, wedding date (or dates, if it's a weekend) and location—just the city is fine, so you don't even need to have your venue booked yet. Including your wedding website is ideal, but not necessary.

Sending them too early

On the contrary, if you send them any earlier than that,say, a whole year in advance, they may toss the notice aside and forget about it. Also, you should never send out formal wedding information before setting things in stone just in case plans change or something falls through. In the event of an unexpected switcheroo, your best bet is to update your wedding website, pick up the phone and start spreading the word. You do have the option of sending out another mailing that explains the dilemma, but a personal, verbal notice is the best way to avoid confusion. (If your wedding guest list is a bit overwhelming, enlist the help of your bridal party.)

Sending them to people you're not sure about

When the save the dates are sent off, there's no turning back. So make sure to only send them to those guests you definitely want to attend. (Even the ones you've received verbal confirmations from, like your bridesmaids and family members.)

Overthinking the design

Save-the-dates are much less formal than your wedding invitations and definitely don't have to match them or your theme. This is your opportunity to let your style as a couple really shine, or try out a theme you love but are hesitant to commit to just yet. Play with colors, motifs or fonts to create something that will get guests excited for the occasion.

Only Sending Electronic Ones

Email invitations for informal events like bachelorette parties and postwedding brunches are becoming more popular, and as a result, rewriting the rules of snail mail etiquette. We stand by old-school stationery for the big stuff like formal invitations, but the use of digital is up to your discretion. If you do decide on digital, consider doubling up: Send out an electronic save-the-date to everyone, and send paper correspondence just in case the email goes to spam. Also, odds are, you have older relatives or friends who may want to keep the physical one as a keepsake.

Being unclear about who's actually invited

It's best to be as clear as possible about who's invited to the wedding, even this far in advance. By including the actual names of every intended guest on the envelope, you're less likely to have any assumed invitees (like your second cousin's new boyfriend), or general confusion (is your 7-year-old niece invited?). Being up front about who's invited also gives families with uninvited kids ample time to plan for child care, and out-of-towners time to figure out hotel room shares.

Including Registry Information

While your guests will likely want to know where you're registered, it's in bad taste to include this information on your save-the-dates. Gifts, of course, are not required. You can wait to include a link to your wedding website (where your registry information should live) on an invitation insert, and guests will know to ask bridal party attendants or your parents for the scoop if they need to do so. 

Check these Free website themes out click here.

Your reception tables will play a big role in the overall atmosphere of your wedding day. There are various shapes and sizes for you to choose from, each option adding a unique touch to your reception area. The shape and size that you choose will depend on your specific wedding style and the space that you’ve chosen to have your reception in. 

Here are the options that you have available to you. 

Square or Rectangle TablesThese shapes are best for events that are taking place in unconventional areas such as under a tent or on a lawn and are a great way to create borders in your reception area. This doesn’t mean that you need to line them up perfectly either. Square or rectangle tables can be placed at different angles to create a unique look and feel. If you will be using this table shape, be sure to use an even number of chairs and quality linens to soften any edges. 

Round TablesRound tables are used most often for events because they work in just about any space. If you do want to make things more interesting though, try using a few tables of different sizes. Beautiful chairs, cutlery, linens, and flowers can really bring these classic tables to life. 

Banquet Tables. Since banquet tables are longer, they generally work well in larger reception areas. Banquet tables work well when organized in U or L shapes but you could also place them in rows.  Using décor of different heights and sizes helps break these larger tables up; candle holders and vases being some examples. Use runners of different textures or square plates to add some character to the tables. 

Remember that while you need to choose the right table for your unique space, the tables act as a base for your reception area and can be used to create any style and atmosphere you want on your wedding day. 

Choosing your bridesmaid dresses doesn’t have to be stressful, in fact, if you know exactly what to be aware of, it can be a fun and relaxing part of planning your wedding.

Here are a few tips that will help you during the process:

1.    Take your wedding gown style into consideration.Even though you will be the one to stand out, it still looks great when your look coordinates with your girls. If you have a lot of details on your dress, keep your bridesmaid dresses simple.  The same thing applies to necklines – make sure that they aren’t exactly the same.

2.    Consider skin tones and body type.You want your bridesmaids to look and fell beautiful on the day too, so choose a color that works well with their skin tones and body shapes.  You may even want to throw hair color into the mix when deciding on a color. 

3.    Keep the season in mind.Before you decide on a look, take the season that you will be getting married into consideration.  It’s fine to choose long dresses in summer or short-sleeve dresses in fall, but make sure that your ladies are comfortable.

4.    Start shopping early.You never know how long it will take you to find the perfect bridesmaid dresses so don’t start shopping too late.  Plus, you may need to order your dresses and delivery could take a while, so keep this in mind.

5.    Price matters.If you will not be buying your bridesmaid dresses, it’s really important to keep price in mind.  Your bridesmaids are investing quite a bit of time and money in your big day so make sure that the dresses you choose are actually affordable.

6.    Get their opinions.Your bridesmaids will really appreciate having a say in their dresses so ask them if they had any ideas about what they would like to wear. You should, of course, still have the final say, but it’s great to include them in the process too.

7.    Speaking of roping your bridesmaids in.  If you want to reduce some of your wedding planning responsibilities and stress, get your maid of honor to research dresses and prices for you. 

Now that the engagement excitement has settled down it's time to start planning your big day! While this can be an exciting time many couples become overwhelmed by everything they need and all the costs involved. You don't have to sacrifice your dream of a fairytale wedding just because you have a smaller budget. There are plenty of ways you can save money and still have the wedding of your dreams.

5 Ways to Save Money Planning Your Wedding

1. Budget and prioritize

Sit down and create a realistic budget. How much do you want to spend on your wedding and where will you spend that money? Prioritize your list of wedding day must-haves into categories where you don't mind spending extra on and where you don't mind spending a little less. This will give you a starting point to begin planning.

2. Flowers

There are many ways you can save when it comes to the flowers on your wedding day and these can be an expensive part of your wedding day. Consider what flowers will be in season around your wedding date. Choosing seasonal flowers can help you cut cost. Consider opting for a single stem flower instead of a full bouquet for the bridesmaids. Going with less can often have a bigger “wow” factor on your big day and in your wedding images. If you are a creative person think about doing the centerpieces and décor yourself and buying the flowers in bulk. Don't underestimate the power of negotiating. Many florists are willing to work with the bride to be to help her create her fairytale wedding.

3. Dress

The dress may be one area you don't want to skimp on. Although very important and sentimental, you might want to reconsider spending thousands of dollars on it. While you try on the perfect dress from a wedding boutique, don't overlook discount dress shops. Many of these shops carry the same dresses for half the price. Also, if you have already tried on and found the dress, look for it online before you buy it. You can often find the same dress for thousands less.

4. Go online

Invitations, save the dates, engagement announcements all can add up quickly. The printing costs and the cost to send out all these wedding papers can get expensive. You can save thousands simply by setting up your own wedding website. You can still use your beautiful professional engagement photos, but you won't have to spend the extra money on printing.

5. Ceremony/reception.

Booking a venue for your wedding is one place you will tend to spend the most money. If the season is right, planning for an outdoor ceremony or reception can be a great way to make your fairytale come to life. Outdoor weddings at a local park or even a friend or family member’s backyard can be perfect and it will provide the ideal lighting for your photographer to capture those breathtaking images in natural lighting.

Also consider a small ceremony, an earlier reception time, or plan for a weekday wedding. These small changes that aren't so traditional can save you hundreds or even thousands when it comes to booking your ceremony and reception venue.

Where you shouldn't cut cost:

Photography

You might think getting a friend or family member to shoot your wedding photos will help you save. While it may save you in dollars, it could cost you in quality. You want your wedding day images to be beautiful and ones that will bring back the joyful emotions and memories from that day. A professional photographer will be able to capture all these moments that your friend or relative will be not be able to with a point and shoot or even a fancy DSLR camera. You'll regret and be disappointed that you don't have clear stunning images from your wedding in the future if you decided to try and skimp n this area of your wedding budget.

I think out of all the planning with a wedding I think the say Yes I do to the dress is one of the most exciting parts of the whole planning. When you are in that bridal shop and trying on dresses it really becomes real at that moment, this is it. It is soon happening and all you can do is smile.

I am very excited to be sharing a very special bridal designer with you, Katya Katya designer. They are two strong women Katya and Marina who met at school and became close friends. As the years went on and life took them in different directions, their friendship never faded. Built on love, loyalty and happy memories shared, their passion was to create something truly beautiful which reflected them as individuals.

KATYA KATYA became their creation together that they founded, specialising in divinely modern feminine made to order French & Italian laced gowns. One important part of it is to Only us the finest materials Katya’s gowns ooze romance, versatility and comfort, with interchangeable elements to suit every woman.

Katy Shehurina is originally from Latvia, she graduated from the prestigious top ESMOD fashion design school studying the craft of couture. She then went into a period with renowned French designers Nicolas Fafiotte and David Purves, I am sure it gave her a good knowledge and confidence to go ahead and decided to launch her own business in 2007. Katy is focusing on her unique design style which reflects modern vintage inspired aesthetic, impeccable craftsmanship and a lightweight ethereal finish, to melt for. It’s perfect and timeless.

Since then, her distinctive style has gained international recognition. As Katya’s first flagship boutique opened in London in 2011, the brand has continuously attracted the attention of the UK press as well as international buyers.

Our gowns are made to order to your size and take about 7 months to make. However due to the unprcedented circumstances our time frames are flexible and we do cater to all brides with all time frames. We also offer off-the-rack dresses for brides who decided to celebrate sooner or have weddings coming up very soon. For further information please do get in touch with us on +44 2073514359 or on info@katyakatya.co.uk or click here

I think this one is one of the more trickier things to plan, timing how long everything will take to make sure everything will go smooth for your wedding day.

Part one

What time you start your bridal prep and amount of time you allow for this will for sure depend on several things:

• The size of your bridal party.

• The complexity of your hair and makeup.

• How much you prepare in advance.

• The time of your ceremony.

• The distance between where you are getting ready and your ceremony location.

• Whether you plan on having any photos with your bridal party prior to your ceremony.

Where do we start the best starting point when it comes to working out how much time to allow is to ask the expert! If you are having your hair and makeup done professionally then ask your hair and make-up artist how long they think they will take (as a general rule, I would allow a couple of hours for bridal hair and make-up and an additional 45 to 60 minutes for each member of your wedding party).

Work back from the start of your ceremony and factor in travel, putting on your dress (this takes longer than you think so give yourself at least 30 mins!) and timings from your hair and make-up artist. This will give you a rough idea of your starting time!

Expert Tip!

Don’t forget to count in the breakfast and lunch (and of course a glass of bubbles!) into your bridal prep!

If your bridal party are doing their own hair and make-up then ask them how long they think it will take them to get ready and then double it! Overexcited bridesmaids will always take longer to get ready than they think!

Last but not least leave a margin of error of around 1 hour. This will ensure that you’re ready in plenty of time and can enjoy the morning.

Part Two Ceremony!

There are two elements to consider:
Firstly, what time should everyone arrive at the ceremony?

As a basic guide I advise the following:

• Groom, Best Man / Men and Ushers – 45 minutes before the ceremony.

• Guests – 30 minutes before the ceremony.

• Groom’s parents – 15 minutes before the ceremony.

• Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaids – 10 minutes before the ceremony.

• Bride and Father of the Bride – 5 minutes before the ceremony.

Secondly, how long should you allow for your ceremony?

This will ultimately depend on whether you are having a Religious Ceremony, a Non-Religious Ceremony, or a Civil Wedding / Partnership…

• Non-Religious Ceremony – 20 to 45 minutes.

• Civil Wedding / Partnership – 30 to 45 minutes.

• Religious Ceremony – 60 to 90 minutes.

Expert Tip!

If you want to use your ceremony location for some group pictures and the confetti shot, if you do then remember to count this into your timings.

Part Three

The drink reception I recommend to allow 1 ½ to 2 hours for your drinks reception as this will give your photographer and videographer plenty of time for your group and personal portrait shots. It will also give you enough time to mingle with your guests and enjoy your canapés and bubbles.

Expert Tip!

If you want a longer drinks reception then it is essential to your keep your guests entertained, with games or shows of any kind and provide plenty of drinks and canapés!

GROUP AND PORTRAIT PHOTOS

The number of group photos you want will ultimately determine how long your photographer will need. However, as a general rule of thumb allow 5 minutes per group photo and at least 30 minutes for your personal portrait shots.

Expert Tips!

Make sure everything runs like clockwork by asking your photographer to scope out some potential backgrounds in advance.

Make a list of different photos and combinations of your family and wedding party that you don’t want the photographer to miss. Then arrange for the relevant people to gather at a designated spot right after your ceremony so that nobody goes AWOL when they’re needed for group shots!

Give somebody trustworthy (and someone who knows the difference between your dad and your distant uncle) the job of rounding everyone up for group photos and chasing any stragglers!

Part Four

For your guests to move from the drinks reception I recommend to allow up to 30 minutes for your guests to move to the location of your Wedding Breakfast and for them to then find their seats. If you are planning on having a receiving line then allow an additional 40 minutes on top of this.

Expert Tip!

Designate at least a couple of your Bridesmaids or Ushers to direct guests, assist with the receiving line and speed up any loitering guests!

This is a perfect opportunity for you and your beau to steel some time together, whether that’s using the time for a little one-on-one time or indeed to capture those couple’s shots.

Part Five

This one is important allow no more than 30 to 40 minutes for your speeches. With each speaker allocated up to 10 minutes. It is important to try and stick to these timings as speeches that take any longer normally result in fidgety guests and your evening may lose momentum.

Expert Tips!

Don’t forget to ask your speakers how long they think they’ll take always double it. From experience I have never known a speech to run to time, it just doesn’t happen.

Part Six

How much time of you need for your wedding breakfast you may ask? The best starting point is to once again ask the expert for advice.
Your caterers will be able to give you a guide on how long they think their service will take depending on the number of guests, choice of food, number of courses, number of catering staff and type of venue. General guide allow up to 2 hours for a 3 course meal.

Part Seven

When the evening reception has begun timings can often go out the window. There are some key elements that need to be factored into your schedule as otherwise they can easily be forgotten in the excitement of the evenings festivities, you don’t want that to happen, right.

That’s why I advise my couples to plan in their first dance, cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet no later than 45 minutes after the end of their wedding breakfast (this will also ensure that their photographer manages to capture everything before they leave).

Expert Tip!

If you have invited evening guests ask them to turn up at least 30 minutes after your wedding breakfast. If your wedding breakfast overruns the last thing you want is to have evening guests turning up whilst people are still eating.

Don’t forget that each wedding is unique and different and timings will vary between different weddings. Use the above as a loose guide, but no need to feel like you’re doing it wrong if you want to skip it or do only some parts of it, remember it’s your day after all! Last thing this covers lot’s of the traditional elements of a wedding and you may want to skip parts of these to suit you the best.

Before you jump away into contacting and booking, I seriously recommend making at least one mood board of what style you want. When you made the mood board and are happy to start your contacting and booking keep that mood board close to you and stick to the style you set, I know it can be easy to side track but that’s the time you need to bring your mood board out. It’s also a great way to show your suppliers what type of wedding you want and see if they are a good fit for it.

You can’t beat Pinterest – it’s the best way to gather ideas and create boards for each aspect of your wedding. You can collect all of the cake ideas you fancy and wedding dresses that takes your dream into reality. Check my colour scheme mood board out.

Please share your mood boards with me or why not book a zoom call with me and show me live what you have planned so far and who knows I might be able to add some more ideas or good information towards your wedding. If you want to book a call in with me over a coffee click here.