Nice day... right wedding

Arranging your ceremony is an enormous project to take on. Thankfully, Adele Cardani has consulted industry specialists to bring you the essential advice every couple should know

- Adele Cardani

The wedding planning tips every couple should know

According to Bridebook’s latest wedding report, the average engagement now lasts 20 months – meaning this winter is the ideal time to begin planning a spring-summer 2026 wedding.

Suddenly, you’re faced with endless decisions to make and details to arrange. From managing budgets and creating the guest list to choosing your venue and saying “yes” to the dress, the process can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. Here, a handful of the industry’s top experts share their sage advice for stress-free big-day planning.

Set the budget

“Establishing and sticking to a realistic budget is essential,” begins wedding planner, Ann Nicholas. “Start by doing your homework – researching key suppliers that align with your style and deciding your priorities. For example, if having lots of flowers is important, consider areas where you’re happier to scale back, such as having a DJ rather than a live band.”

Your venue, food, and beverage will eat up the biggest chunk of your budget. A good rule of thumb is to spend no more than 40 to 50 percent of the overall budget on these elements – as “overspending here will limit what you can spend on everything else,” says Nicholas.

“Most often, there is a price-per-head for catering services, so consider how the size of your guest list will greatly influence the overall celebration cost.”

Location, location, location

Nothing defines your wedding’s aesthetic and experience more than its setting. Laura Bradbury, weddings manager at award-winning historic venue, Ashridge House, advises: “Start your venue search early, aiming to begin at least a year out to avoid availability issues or settling for a less-than-ideal spot."