If you've recently got engaged, congratulations!
You've probably already discovered that wedding planning comes with a lot of advice. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what you should do, when you should do it, and what you absolutely can't forget.
The truth is, every wedding is different.
I've photographed weddings where couples had two years to plan everything, and I've photographed weddings where it all came together in less than six months.
That said, there are a few suppliers that are definitely worth booking early if you've got your heart set on specific people. The first thing I'd always suggest is booking your venue. Once you've got your date secured, everything else becomes much easier.
After that, think about the suppliers who can only be in one place at a time. Your photographer, videographer, band, DJ, hair stylist and makeup artist can only take one wedding booking per day, so their availability tends to disappear quickly.
One thing I've noticed over the years is that couples often worry about the smaller details too early. I've seen people stressing about table decorations before they've booked their photographer.
Don't overcomplicate it.
Get the big things booked first, then work your way down the list.
The good news is that most weddings don't need military level planning. As long as you've got your key suppliers secured, everything else tends to fall into place naturally.
To make life easier, I've put together a simple wedding planning checklist below. It's not a rulebook, and every wedding will be slightly different, but it should give you a good idea of what to book and when. I've seen weddings planned in all sorts of ways.
Sarah & Aaron booked plenty in advance for their wedding at New Craven Hall in Leeds, while other couples have pulled together incredible days in much shorter timeframes. The truth is, there isn't one "right" way to do it. What matters most is securing the suppliers that are important to you and giving yourself enough breathing room to actually enjoy being engaged.
I've photographed weddings at venues including New Craven Hall, The Bridge Hotel & Spa, Chevin Country Park, Rivermills Ballroom, Hackness Grange and Clifton Park Museum, and one thing they all had in common wasn't the flowers, décor or timelines.
It was the couples.
The weddings that people remember are the ones where the couple were present, relaxed and enjoying themselves, rather than worrying about whether every tiny detail was perfect. That's why I always recommend getting the big bookings sorted first. Once your venue, photographer and key suppliers are secured, everything else becomes a lot less stressful.
To get my free checklist, click on the link below:
One final thing.
Don't feel like you need to tick every box you see on Instagram, Pinterest or wedding blogs. Some of my favourite weddings have been the simplest ones. Great people, lots of laughs, a packed dance floor and a couple who spent more time enjoying the day than worrying about it.
Use this checklist as a guide, not a rulebook.
And if you're currently planning your wedding in Yorkshire and looking for relaxed, natural photography that tells the story of your day without turning it into a photoshoot, I'd love to hear about your plans.