Planning your wedding
If you’ve recently become engaged, no doubt your head will be fizzing with ideas and plans for your big day. Whilst your wedding will undoubtedly be one of the most special days of your life, there’s so many different things to think about it, it’s worth getting organised early on!
We’ve put together a few factors you might want to consider when planning your dream day.
What time of year you want to get married – a good place to start is to think about whether you want a spring, summer, autumn or winter wedding, as this can affect your budget, as well as have an impact on everything from outfits, to flowers, or even your menu choice.
Your budget – it’s a good idea to discuss and agree on your budget with your partner before you start planning your wedding. There are a number of costs to factor in, and whilst it’s completely possible to plan a wedding that fits most budgets, it does make sense to have an idea of what you’re willing – and able – to spend, and stick to it.
How big you want your wedding to be – this will be partly dictated by your budget of course, but also by your personal preferences. Some couples love the idea of sharing their day with all the people they know and love, whilst others prefer a more intimate affair with just their nearest and dearest. Either way, agreeing a rough headcount early on will be essential when it comes to visiting wedding venues, or picking out invitations.
What kind of theme you’d like – for example, some couples like to pick a colour scheme, and as this can impact everything from the outfits to the centrepieces, it’s a good idea to think about this early on.
Do you have any special requirements? It’s worth checking to see if any of your guests have any allergies or special dietary requirements in advance, as well as if anyone requires disabled access.
Your ultimate wedding checklist
There’s so many things to think about, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. We’ve put together a checklist of all the things to remember when planning your wedding, so you can tick them off as you go.
DOWNLOAD CHECKLISTCrondon Park can take care of your entire wedding experience
The thing that sets us apart more than anything is our service; our care and attentiveness, our attention to detail. We go above and beyond to make your entire experience perfect, from the moment you enquire, to your wedding day and beyond. It’s one of the reasons we have over 1,000 positive reviews from happy couples.
We’re so much more than just a wedding venue – we provide the catering, the ceremony, location, front of house managers to oversee your day, the accommodation for both you and your immediate guests, even the post-function breakfast. In fact, many couples come back again and again for Birthdays, Anniversaries or even just a Pizza on the Green.
Frequently Asked Questions
Naturally we get asked all sorts of questions about weddings every day, so we’ve shared some of the most common queries with you!
When are weddings usually held?
Whilst June is often thought of as the most requested month for weddings historically, August actually saw the most weddings in the UK last year. July was a very close second, followed by September then June. However, autumn and winter weddings are also rising in popularity too. In short, there’s no right or wrong time of year to get married, it’s what best suits you.
Can weddings be held on a weekday?
Whilst Saturday is still the most requested day of the year for weddings, more and more people are choosing to have their wedding on a Friday, or in fact any other day of the week. Holding your wedding on a weekday is often cheaper. If you do opt for a mid-week wedding, just be sure to give your guests plenty of notice, so they can book time off work.
Who should pay for a wedding?
Traditionally, the bride’s family usually paid for the big day, however more and more couples are throwing the rule book out the window when it comes to wedding etiquette. With so many different areas to cover, sometimes both sides of the family will pitch in to cover different costs, and sometimes the couple themselves will pay a fair portion or even cover the entirety of it. Another idea that’s becoming increasingly popular is for the couple to ask for contributions towards a honeymoon in lieu of wedding gifts.
Who does speeches at a wedding?
Traditionally, wedding speeches are given by the father of the bride, the groom and the best man, however a number of brides now choose to give speeches themselves, and some have their bridesmaids speak. Put simply, it’s your day so it’s your choice – go with whatever you feel comfortable with.
How many bridesmaids should I have?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the number of bridesmaids you have at your wedding. Some brides may have half a dozen or even more, whilst some choose just 1 or 2 – others opt not to have bridesmaids at all. The same goes for who you choose. Many will select their sister, best friend, or niece for example, but you should feel free to choose whoever you feel closest to and most comfortable to share your day with.
Do I have to invite children to my wedding?
One of the biggest debates when it comes to modern-day weddings is over whether to invite children. Some people worry about offending relatives, some people get annoyed at having to book a babysitter, while others relish the chance at a night off. It’s difficult to please everyone, but if you do choose not to invite children to your wedding, make sure you give your guests plenty of notice so they can arrange alternative childcare.
Who should sit on the top table?
The seating plan can be the part of planning a wedding that some brides and grooms dread but it doesn’t have to be stressful.
Traditionally, the top table seats 8 people, made up of the bride and groom, both sets of parents, the maid of honour and the best man. But don’t feel pressured; an increasing number of couples are ignoring the “rules” and making their own plans when it comes to the head table.
Some couples have started a table just to themselves, to allow them to enjoy a moment to themselves, whilst others opt not to have a top table at all.
What our guests say…
“We had the perfect day. Lindsey and the team were brilliant and were there to make our day run as seamlessly as possible, preventing us from any stress or drama at all. We love Crondon Park - it has a special place in our heart and we would highly recommend it to anyone considering booking their wedding there. Thank you.”
“We got married at Crondon last Friday and we cannot find the words to express how truly amazing our day was. We did the booking and planning through Fiona who was lovely and on the day we had Deborah who was just incredible - nothing was too much trouble and she really put us both at ease. The food was amazing and all of our guests commented on this as well as the beautiful venue. Wish we could do it all again. Thanks so much to everyone for really making this the best day of our lives.”
“Amazing venue and we had the best day. Maitre d’ was incredible and really helped to make the day as easy and smooth as possible. She is a real asset to your team.”
