Planning Notes
The things we find ourselves saying twice.
Short, practical notes from the questions couples ask us most. No fluff, no upsell — just what we would tell a friend planning their own day.
The budget
Five numbers to agree on before you book anything.
Most planning stress traces back to a budget that was never really agreed. Sit down together before the first deposit and settle these five things — everything else gets easier.
- 1
Agree the total you can spend without borrowing.
- 2
Decide who is contributing, and how much, out loud.
- 3
Rank your top three priorities and fund those first.
- 4
Keep ten percent aside for the things nobody predicts.
- 5
Track every deposit in one place from day one.
The venue
Five things to check before you sign for a venue.
The venue sets your date, your guest count, and half your budget in one signature. Ask these five questions on the ocular visit — not after the contract is printed.
- 1
Confirm what the rate actually includes, in writing.
- 2
Ask for the real capacity with tables, not standing.
- 3
Check the wet-weather plan before you fall in love.
- 4
Ask about corkage, overtime, and supplier restrictions.
- 5
Visit at the same hour your event will happen.
The guest list
Five rules for a guest list you won't regret.
Every seat is a line in the budget and a face in your photos. These five rules are how we help couples land on a list they feel good about — without a single family feud.
- 1
Start from your budget's headcount, not from names.
- 2
Draft the list together before parents add theirs.
- 3
Apply the same plus-one rule to everyone.
- 4
If you haven't spoken in two years, they're a maybe.
- 5
Keep a short B-list ready for early regrets.
The timeline
Five habits that keep the big day on schedule.
Nobody remembers a wedding that ran on time — they only remember one that didn't. This is how we build timelines that survive contact with real life.
- 1
Build the day backwards from the ceremony time.
- 2
Pad every transition with fifteen quiet minutes.
- 3
Schedule hair and makeup earlier than feels necessary.
- 4
Give one person the timeline — and it isn't you.
- 5
Lock supplier call times a week before the day.
The suppliers
Five questions to ask before booking any supplier.
A wedding is a dozen small businesses working in sync for one day. The right questions at the first meeting tell you who will still be calm at hour ten.
- 1
Ask who exactly will be there on the day itself.
- 2
Get the full price, including travel and overtime.
- 3
Ask what happens if they fall ill or cancel.
- 4
Read the contract's refund terms before paying.
- 5
Trust how they communicate now — it won't improve later.
The dress
Five tips for choosing the perfect dress.
The gown is usually the first thing a couple shops for and the thing they agonise over longest. These are the five questions we ask every bride before she books a single fitting.
- 1
Know your budget and set a clear spending limit.
- 2
Choose a style that flatters your shape.
- 3
Ensure the dress feels comfortable.
- 4
Consider the event's formality and theme.
- 5
Choose what you love and feel confident in.
Still stuck on a decision?
Bring it to the first call. We have talked more couples through this than we can count, and the conversation costs nothing.
Ask Us Anything