The Bingham wedding and events manager Amy Braund says that this year’s royal celebration has inspired many couples to tie the knot. Planning a whirlwind wedding is romantic and can be easier than you think if you follow a few golden rules
Photographs: Timeless Pictures
This year, the world witnessed the ultimate wedding. Millions of us across the globe tuned in to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot. That momentous and occasion has seen many swept up in the romance of these celebrations, with more couples than ever opting to say their ‘I do’ sooner rather than later. At the Bingham, we have seen a noticeable increase in the number of couples choosing to book and plan their wedding on a whirlwind.
Planning a wedding within a short time frame is not easy. From the venue to the catering, there’s a lot to think about. But it can be done. Here at the Bingham, we’ve seen couples plan their wedding in just 30 days! Here’s how …
Stay calm
While planning a wedding in a very short timeframe is not easy, planning a wedding within a year isn’t either. If it’s a whirlwind wedding, you just need to be that little bit more organised and decisive. There’s less time to shop around and you won’t be able to spend a few days or weeks pondering over which flower arrangements you prefer. Decisions need to be made, and quickly. This shouldn’t fill you with fear or dread. You will love planning your wedding in a hurry just as much as you would if you had another 12 months to go.
Check availability straight away
If you have a venue in mind, check its availability straight away. While you are at it, make sure you check the availability of the registrar. Once you know you have both secured for your chosen date, book them without delay. At the Bingham, we are firm believers that once the date is set and the venue is booked, everything else will fall into place.
Firm up your plan
For most couples, narrowing down to what they like and don’t like can be difficult. When you only have a few months to plan a wedding, you need to outline your ideas as soon as you can so that the plan can be turned around in enough time. Brief your venue on what kind of food and drink you prefer, what style of flowers you like and what your ideal entertainment would be. Doing this right away gives them enough time to liaise with their suppliers to check availability and get quotes.
Send out the invitations
Once you have a venue and a date, there is no reason to stall on sending out your invitations. The sooner these are sent, the sooner people can start pencilling the date into their diaries. This is especially important for those of your guests who may be travelling from afar. They will want to book time off work or organise accommodation as soon as possible.
Get help with big and small decisions
While the venue is seamlessly organising the ‘ins and outs’ of your big day, it’s vital that you get moving on the other key elements that make your wedding special. Crucially, you need to search for that perfect outfits. Doing this early on will reduce your stress and allow time for alterations. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed (and don’t worry, it is natural) then lean on friends and family for help. Delegate tasks, seek advice and ask for a second opinion from a trusted friend, family member or your wedding planner whenever you need it. Getting more people involved in some of the planning details helps take the stress off you and ensures that this celebration remains fun and exciting for all involved.
Enjoy the journey
Organising one of the biggest days of your life will always have its stressful moments, no matter how much time you have to plan, so it’s important to maintain focus on why you are doing this. Your wedding is a chance for you to celebrate your love for each other – it’s also a day that many will look forward to celebrating with you. So remember, whether you are getting married in a year or in two months’ time, relax and enjoy the process!
About the Bingham
The Bingham is a boutique hotel and restaurant overlooking the Thames at Richmond. Its ‘Whirlwind Wedding’ package is priced at £99 per person. This includes the use of Garden Rooms, terrace and garden, Prosecco on arrival, three course wedding breakfast with sommelier-selected wine, place cards, menus and a table plan. It also includes support from The Bingham’s in-house wedding planner and a Master of Ceremonies. Dates are available until November 2018. Contact wedding and events manager Amy Braund on 020 8940 0902 or visit thebingham.co.uk
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