How to plan your dream wedding
(with tips from a Norfolk wedding photographer)

Congratulations on getting engaged!

Now the fun begins – There’s nothing new or groundbreaking here, just some good info to help you plan your dream wedding. Whether you’re just starting to look for venues, suppliers, or even your wedding photographer in Norfolk, these tips will help you enjoy the process and keep things on track.

Plan a party, not a wedding.

Weddings are a celebration after all! Think of the day as a huge party with all your favourite people, with a beautiful wedding at the beginning. Have this mindset from the start — even your Norfolk wedding photographer will tell you the most memorable images come when you’re relaxed and having fun.

Time to get organised.

You’ll need a diary and you’ll need to be prepared — there’s plenty to do when planning a wedding. If organisation isn’t your thing, consider delegating or hiring a wedding planner. The more organised you are, the more time you’ll have to enjoy the day (and get those amazing photos captured!).

When?

Time to decide when you want to get married. Don’t panic, we’re only talking about the year at this stage! This helps you plan and budget. Specific timing will come down to venues and availability — especially if you’ve got your eye on a popular Norfolk wedding venue or a top wedding photographer in Norfolk (we do get booked up early!).

You must (MUST!) set a budget. 

Everything will be down to your budget, and I do mean everything! According to The National Wedding Survey in Hitched (https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/organising-and-planning/the-average-wedding-cost-in-the-uk-revealed/), the average cost for a wedding was £18,400 in 2022. 

The top 5 wedding costs were broken down to:

• Wedding Venue 💒

• Honeymoon 🏖

• Wedding Food / Catering 🍽

• Engagement Ring 💍

• Wedding Drinks 🍾

You don’t have to spend nearly £20k, but at least now you know the average. Plan carefully, set limits, and consider opening a separate account for wedding expenses — it’s a game changer.

💡 Pro tip: Include supplier deposits (mine is 20%) early in your budget to avoid last-minute surprises.

The guest list.

Wedding guest lists can be tricky. Don’t go overboard — keep things under wraps until you’ve confirmed your budget and venue. If you’re unsure who to invite, remember: “Would you take them out to dinner?” If not, maybe invite them to the evening only.

Where to get married?

Near or far? Big or small? There are so many beautiful wedding venues in Norfolk and Suffolk, from rustic barns to modern hotels. Start with friends’ recommendations, wedding fairs, or online searches — especially local directories that often feature real weddings photographed by wedding photographers like me, which can be super helpful for inspiration. (See my blog for more!)

Wedding ceremony.

What’s best for you both — church, civil, or humanist ceremony? Time to decide. Once you’ve chosen, you can start looking at how your ceremony space will photograph — your wedding photographer can help you visualise this beautifully.

Wedding venues.

Now that you’ve narrowed it down, book some viewings. Your main goal is to get a feel for the venue, the staff, the light, and the vibe. Take notes, ask questions, and don’t rush. A relaxed couple makes for relaxed, stunning photos.

Get the basics booked.

Lock in dates and times with your registrar or minister, and confirm with your venue. Once done, you can officially start planning the fun parts — including booking me as your wedding photographer to capture it all. 😃

Spread the word!

Now it’s time to shout the date from the rooftops!! Once you have secured your date at your venue(s), consider sending out ‘Save the date’ cards to your wedding guests that you are definitely inviting. You can get these printed at places like PhotoBox or you could send e-invites or even a video message. If you are sending printed cards, you can add in information about local accommodation, parking advice, local shops and any important info that your guest may need to know.

Wedding Insurance.

A no-brainer. Protects you from the unexpected — and gives you peace of mind that everything’s covered, from your dress to your photographer. There are loads of options and it keeps you covered in case something bad happens. 

Wedding suppliers.

I’m a wedding supplier myself (hopefully you like my work 🤞). Social media is great for researching suppliers — and Norfolk wedding photographers like me often share behind-the-scenes moments, so you can see how we capture the atmosphere of your day.

Be cautious when asking for recommendations online though — Facebook groups can unleash a flood of replies! Take your time, look for styles that fit your vibe, and secure your dates early.

The wedding dress.

Finding your dream dress can be stressful. Chances are you have never tried one on before and it could be one of the most expensive items of clothing you’ve ever bought.

Know your budget and do your research, but keep an open mind and try on different styles. Chances are you might fall in love with a dress that you might of not considered! Stick to your budget, and if someone else is paying, find out the upper limit. That way you can stay in this, or can budget for paying the difference. Also, don’t forget to factor in the accessories too, such as shoes and veil, as well as tailoring. It’s worth bringing heels to the appointment - The dress will look very different if you are wearing flats or flip-flops!

You’ll look amazing, and your partner will cry when they see you on the day, but if you can't walk in that dress, you're going to have problems! Make sure when you try dresses on that you can walk in them. If they have pockets, even better!

Make sure you are 100% sure before you say yes. If you are unsure, sleep on it.

Bridesmaids.

Not the film - (You must watch it if you haven’t, It’s gold!) Anyway, best choose them and get them on board! 

The best man.

Time to get your groom to choose a best man. He’ll need to organise a stag do and help keep your groom in check and organised.

Passport.

Big one! Check it’s in date for when you plan to go on honeymoon (Six months minimum). If it expires, sort the new one in your new name. Be aware that if you do decide to do that, it’ll only be valid from your wedding day onwards. More info here.

Book time off work!

Once dates are sorted, make sure you have the time booked off work! (Kinda important!)

Final note.

I really hope this info helps you planning your special day. Finding the venue is going to be the most time consuming part of your planning, but once you have this sorted, everything else will start to fall into place.