Your dream wedding.
How to plan your dream wedding from scratch
Congratulations on your engagement!
We have a hunch you’re feeling all the feelings. Excited? Yes. Nervous? Absolutely. Overwhelmed? Just a little. And that’s so normal!
Your wedding will be one of the most significant and memorable days of your life so of course you want to get it right.
Here are some expert tips from our Creative Director, Jamie Lea, to help you plan your dream wedding with more ease.
Start with the basics
Before you lock in a venue or start thinking about styling, it helps to nail down the basics with your partner.
Start by getting on the same page about these key things:
Your wedding date (or at least the season)
A rough idea of your budget
How many guests you’d like to invite
The overall theme or feel of the day (a vintage wedding in a farmhouse, or something fancy in a winery?)
These will shape almost everything that follows.
Stuck on a wedding theme? Find your perfect match here.
Next: Choose your venue
The next most important step is locking in your venue.
This is a big one, because it not only sets the scene for the day, but because sought-after venues often book out 12 to 18 months in advance.
If you already have a dream location in mind, it pays to move quickly.
When weighing up your options, ask:
Is this venue the right size for our wedding?
Is the location convenient and suitable for our guests?
Does it align with our wedding vision and overall style?
Does it fit within our budget?
If you’re planning a wedding in a blank-canvas space or on a private property, this is where experienced event support can be especially valuable.
For example, helping you work out what needs to be brought in, sourcing hire items and making sure everything comes together smoothly on the day (which is exactly the kind of thing we love helping with!)
Book in a 30-minute free consult with JLP for support
Plan your wedding guest list
Once you’ve sorted your venue, it’s time to get realistic about your guest list.
Start with the people who matter most to you. For some couples, that might mean keeping things very intimate, for others it might mean a much bigger celebration.
There’s no right or wrong, but it’s important to be honest about what feels right for you.
When it comes to your guest list, keep in mind:
Your venue capacity
Your budget
The overall feel and size of the day you want to create
Whether plus-ones are necessary
Whether there’s enough nearby accommodation or transport for guests, especially if your wedding is regional or on private property.
And remember: you’re under no obligation to invite every distant relative or old co-worker. It’s your day, after all ♡
Choose your vendors carefully
Trust us when we say this: a vendor can make or break your day. So, choosing the right one is crucial.
When it comes to hiring photographers, transport, entertainment, flowers, and even power, it’s important to do your research. Especially when it feels like you’re forking out an arm and a leg.
Our advice? Check reviews, ask for recommendations and pay attention to how you’re treated before you book.
When choosing a vendor, keep the following in mind:
Do they understand your vision and priorities?
Do they fit with your budget?
Are they professional, responsive and easy to deal with?
Do they come recommended or have strong reviews?
Do you trust them to deliver on the day?
This is also where having the right support can make things much easier.
At JLP, we work with a trusted network of vendors we know and love. If you’d like to take some of the guesswork out of the process, you can book a complimentary consult with our team, and we’ll walk you through your options.
Wedding ceremony and reception
At the centre of every wedding are two things: the ceremony itself, and the celebration that follows.
These elements should feel like a reflection of your as a couple – your relationship, your values and the atmosphere you want to create on the day.
That might be simple and heartfelt, or it might mean weaving in personal touches or meaningful rituals.
When planning your ceremony and reception, think about:
What kind of atmosphere you want to create
Whether there are any rituals or traditions you’d like to include
How your ceremony will flow into the reception
What furniture, styling and hire items you might need to bring the space to life
This is also where the visual side of your wedding comes together.
Thoughtfully chosen furniture, ceremony seating, signing tables, and styling pieces can completely shape the feel of the day. If you’re feeling bougie, a set-up bar like Grandpa Charlie’s can really take your experience to the next level.
Get the right support around you
Planning a wedding from scratch is no small feat, and if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by it all, know that you’re not alone.
With so many moving parts to consider, sometimes it’s worth hiring the right support to make the process feel more manageable (and a lot more enjoyable).
If you’d like a hand along the way, JLP can help with:
Wedding and event planning support
On-the-day coordination
Hire items, furniture and styling pieces (ask us for our LookBook!)
Vendor recommendations and coordination
Practical advice for bringing your day to life
Book your complimentary consult here.
If you’d prefer to start exploring things in your own time, we’ve also put together an exhaustive wedding planning checklist covering all the moving parts involved.
Download the checklist here.
This is going to be one of the most special days of your life, and you deserve to enjoy it.
