It may surprise you but, those of us in the Wedding Industry know there is a season for Engagements – although of course, that is a generalisation.

It is not as simple as, summer is for weddings and winter is for engagements. Generally though, we, as wedding professionals, have been working hard to bake cakes, provide amazing back drops and take wonderful photo’s over a glorious summer of weddings.

Now, is the time when we start to concentrate on Wedding Fayre’s and Showcases and looking forward to chatting with all you newly engaged couples.

Here are some top tips for newly engaged couples planning a wedding:

Start planning early. The sooner you start planning, the less stressed you will be later on. This is especially important if you are getting married during a popular time of year, such as the summer.

Set a budget and stick to it. Weddings can be expensive, so it is important to set a budget early on and stick to it. This will help you to make informed decisions about what to include in your wedding.

Choose what type of ceremony you want. Will it reflect your religion? Do you want to have a Civil Ceremony with a registrar?, in that case you will need a licensed venue. Do you want a wedding party and the legality is second to that? In which case you need to consider a Celebrant, which means you can use unlicensed venues as well but will need a very simple registrar’s appointment to complete the legal marriage on a different day

Choose a date and venue. Once you have a budget, you can start looking for a date and venue. Be sure to book your venue well in advance, especially if you are getting married during a popular time of year.

Create a guest list. Once you have a date and venue, you can start creating your guest list. Be sure to factor in the cost of food and drinks when creating your guest list.

Choose your wedding party. Your wedding party will play an important role in your wedding day, so be sure to choose people who are close to you and who you can rely on.

Delegate tasks. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to your wedding party, family, and friends. This will help to make the planning process less stressful.

Take breaks. Wedding planning can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks. Schedule some time for yourselves each week to relax and enjoy your engagement.

Here are some additional tips:

Communicate with your partner. It is important to communicate with your partner throughout the planning process. This will help to ensure that you are both on the same page and that you are both happy with the decisions that you are making.

Don’t be afraid to compromise. It is unlikely that you and your partner will agree on everything, so be prepared to compromise. This will help to make the planning process more enjoyable for both of you.

Don’t stress the small stuff. It is easy to get caught up in the details of wedding planning. However, remember, the most important thing is that you are marrying the person you love. Don’t sweat the small stuff and focus on enjoying your special day.

Remember, your wedding is your day. Plan a wedding that reflects your unique relationship and that you and your guests will enjoy.