Start Planning Your Dream Wedding in February
February is A Great time to Start The planning! Some Helpful Pointers To Get You Going!
As a SUSSEX BASED WEDDING FLORIST, I’ve met couples and lovers the day after they’ve gotten engaged, three weeks before they get married and even some of my lovely brides have been in touch with me years before they’re partner got down on one knee as said ‘Will you marry me?’ At every stage of the process, I believe there are 5 keys points that you need to prioritize/ discuss/ iron out at the very beginning in order for the process to become and visions and then to bring that vision to life.
GUEST COUNT
Genuinely, the most important thing to agree on and understand is the size of your wedding. If you’re imagining an intimate ceremony and restaurant reception, you’re going to have to know how many guests you are allowed in the ceremony room, and how many guests you can afford to pay for at the reception at a restaurant. Private dining areas are slightly more dear, because of that intimate and luxury element, as well as the personal waiting staff ensuring you have the best time. Usually between 6-20 people for a private dining area, or slightly more if you want to rent the whole restaurant.
If you are like me, and your mam would be livid if you eloped and left the whole of the Irish side out of the wedding (we spoke, I would be throttled) you’ll be looking at guest numbers of between 80-120. And even more for those who have larger families, and want to invite everyone they know! Any option is so fab, it’s your special day! As long as you genuinely want to invite them… then you have to take on board the amount of guests that will be there and what venue and spaces can cater for the amount. Some town halls can’t cater for over 100 guests, but some can. But please, only if YOU want to invite everyone, don’t be pressured into it.
You’ll be wanting to know tough guest count before booking your ceremony and reception venue. I suggest sending a preliminary save the date, and ask for an rsvp within a month to gauge rough numbers. You can do this through whatsapp or email, to help keep costs down.
VENUE
So, you’ve agreed on the guest capacity (even if it’s rough)! Now the best thing to do is look at your venues. .
You’ll looking at what kind of venue suits your style, BUT don’t let the style of the spaces sway you completely. Remember even if you didn’t want an english country feel wedding but you’ve decided on a marquee in a vineyard, you can STILL create a modern and contemporary feel with styling. The most important part of this, is what does the venue offer you that you love- is it space, ease for guests to get to, hosting the wedding party throughout the evening/ weekend? If you’re looking for LGBTQI+ venues, does the venue show allyship? Sometimes venues offer discounts for the queer community, and those with disabilities- this is something to enquire when visiting the spaces.
Venues offer discounted rates during weekdays, and off peak season. Make sure to ask about that! Also, venues can get booked up years in advance on the peak dates. So make sure in enquire as soon as possible, like.. today!
Looking at venues can be overwhelming and time consuming. A Lot of venues have 3D tours online and brochures that will help you visualise. Then whittle it down to your favourite 3-5 and book in a time to visit, or ask them when their open days are. Open days usually mean a free glass of fizz, and you meet local suppliers showcasing their work.
PLANNER
I used to think WEDDING PLANNERS weren’t necessary, oh how wrong I was. I think if you are having a wedding that is more than 20 people… it’s more than likely a planner will be the best money you’ve spent.
Planners now offer hybrid arrangements. You can have them throughout the entire journey of your planning, form day one- helping you with budget, guest count, venues, catering, suppliers.. they know it all. If you already have your favourite cake maker or florist in mind, that’s no problem- they will work with what you have in mind. A planner takes the stress out of meetings, time sheets, paying suppliers in time, designing the day/ weekend, designing the menu- they do it all. And if you need just an on the day coordinator, to help organise the guests from ceremony to reception, then trust me, it’s a big fat yes from me. You don’t realise how much pressure they take off of you and your guests.
Choosing your wedding planner is incredibly important. Yu want one that resonates with you. Make sure you look at their portfolio, their testimonials and their ethos- then you’ll be fireworks!
BUDGET
As a WEDDING FLORIST, most of the time budget is discussed right at the beginning. So for this to be fourth on my list of what to look at when PLANNING A WEDDING is wild.
Budget should always be discussed with your fiancé and also those in your family who may be contributing. Sometimes talking about money can feel awkward, but as soon as there is transparency it takes the awkwardness out of it and you realise how important it is to actually keep it in mind with everyone who is helping to organise know where they are. Budget dictates everything.
The size of your wedding/ guest count does not mean you’ll have a ‘cheap’ wedding. Sometimes the largest amounts of guests have the smallest budgets, and you have to then consider how to navigate your day around this. Your experience of the day becomes priority over the guests. However if you have a healthier budget, your day becomes a little bit more about telling your story and ultimately you prioritise the most important things to you.
Budget usually scares couples. I only want to spend £x amount- this is a great start. Your suppliers and planners will help you understand the average costs, and where you should save your money or spend it.
YOUR STORY
My ethos is telling your story through flowers. The design should speak to you, and about you. When you and your guests look at your bouquet, or the table flowers or the ceremony design, we want them to say, ‘Oh yeah that is SO them, she has always loved Sweet peas’, or ‘He bought her roses on their first date, so of course, she has an all yellow rose bouquet’.
The whole of your wedding should be the same. Incorporating things you love, together. What food do you both enjoy, what drinks are your favourite, what’s your favourite things to do together, do you like the same artwork? Once you design around YOUR STORY, you start to really create a unique, special and bespoke day(s) that reflect you. This is your time, this whole experience is about you, your love and the union you are embarking on, with either a few or a lot, of your friends and family around to witness that.
Think about your favourite dates, your favourite holidays, what you do together often. Then I suggest creating moodboards and Pinterest pages- this really helps solidify your main themes, styles and feel for your WEDDING DAY.
All photos in this page by the divine @batesandbates taken at The ASYLUM CHAPEL (MAVERICK PROJECTS) in September 2025.