Don’t be offended if the first person you ask declines your invitation, it’s a lot to ask of someone, especially if that person dislikes being in the limelight.

How much you involve people in your wedding planning is up to you, not them!

The extent to which you involve family and loved ones in your wedding planning depends on your relationship with them. Generally people love to help, but if you are worried that they will interfere or take over, think hard before you ask them to do something.

On the other hand, giving particular tasks to those eager to join in can take the pressure off you, but be sure to give clear instructions if it’s something you care a great deal about. If you don’t already have it, the lead up to the wedding will hone your ability to delegate!

Choosing the right wedding professionals

Choosing the right professionals is even more important. The Wedding Organizer e-book has been created to help you ensure you have thought about everything before making final decisions. Don’t be afraid to take a little time after meeting a supplier to make your choice if you need to, but when you are certain, book as soon as you can, especially if it’s to be a summer wedding – your favourite florist may already be taking bookings eighteen months in advance.

The more you tell your wedding suppliers, the more they know about what you want, and they will have all kinds of advice from their extensive experience.

Dear Emma,

We are getting married in a fabulous venue but it is a long way from where we live and any family or friends. I am getting into a panic about which services to arrange locally and which to get from closer to home. Help!

Beth, Manchester

Dear Beth,

Make a cup of tea, sit down and make a list of all the people you need to employ to make your wedding go smoothly. When you see them in front of you, it will soon be clear which will have to be local companies. For example, your transport will need to be local, as will the catering and anything else that is fresh on the day such a flowers and most probably catering. The wedding dress and all trappings can be bought ahead of the day, so you can do that close to home, and the male wedding party clothes should be hired from place convenient to return to after the wedding, so that may be near your home too.

You need to be very well organised so that on days when you are visiting the venue to make arrangements, you have booked appointments with the other local suppliers on the same day too, eliminating the need for lots of separate trips. To find the wedding suppliers in an area you are unfamiliar with needn't be a chore if you use the directory on this site, or if it is being held in a venue covered by the Wedding Organizer e-books you can download here.