Congratulations! Engagement season is in full swing, and if you’ve just said yes, the first thing everyone will ask is “have you set a date yet?” Here are the first ten things to do, in the order that genuinely saves you stress and money.
1. Enjoy it before you plan anything
There’s no prize for booking a venue in the first week. Take a few weeks to tell people in person, celebrate, and let the news sink in. Rushing is how couples end up second-guessing their venue for months.
The only practical job at this stage: get the ring sized and added to your home insurance.
2. Have the money conversation early
It shapes every other decision. Work out three numbers together: what you’ve already saved, what you can realistically put aside each month until the wedding, and whether family are contributing (and whether that comes with any expectations attached).
Once you have a total, you can see what kind of wedding it buys. Get real figures rather than guesses: our photo booth price guide is the kind of breakdown worth finding for every supplier.
3. Sketch a rough guest list
Just a ballpark: 40 people or 140? Guest numbers drive venue size, catering cost and the whole feel of the day, so you need a range before you start viewing venues.
Use two columns: day guests and evening guests. Many couples find the evening list is where they can be generous, because evening guests don’t need a seat at the wedding breakfast.
4. Choose a season, and hold the exact date loosely
Decide whether you’re picturing a summer garden party, a cosy winter wedding or something in between. Then stay flexible on the exact day. Peak-season Saturdays go first at most venues, and being open to a Friday, a Sunday or a different month opens up far more choice. Many venues price different days differently, so it’s always worth asking.
5. Agree on your top three priorities
Each of you writes down the three things you care about most. Food? Music and dancing? Photography? A particular style of venue? Where your lists overlap is where the budget should lean. Where they don’t, you’ve found your easy savings.
6. Build a venue shortlist
Now you can search with purpose: right size, right area, right style, roughly right price. Aim for three to five venues and book viewings. Take notes; they all blur together afterwards.
At each viewing, ask about the evening as well as the ceremony and meal: where the DJ sets up, where a photo booth could go, what time the music has to stop. Our list of questions to ask your venue about evening entertainment is handy to have on your phone.
7. Book the venue
Read the contract, check the payment schedule and confirm exactly what’s included: tables, chairs, linen, staff, finish time, and whether outside suppliers are welcome. Once the venue is booked, your date is real and everything else can follow.
8. Book the suppliers who get snapped up first
Anyone who can only be in one place per day will have their popular dates taken early. Once the venue is secured, start with:
- Photographer and videographer – usually the first calls couples make.
- DJ or band – the evening lives or dies on the music. Our sister company EventsDJ covers weddings across Yorkshire and the North.
- Photo booth – couples typically book us 12 to 24 months ahead, especially for summer Saturdays.
If you’d like a DJ and a booth, booking them together as our Wedding DJ & Photo Booth package saves you money and means one team looks after both.
9. Set up a simple planning system
A shared spreadsheet with three tabs is plenty: budget, guest list and suppliers. For each supplier, note contact details, what you’ve paid and when the rest is due.
Most suppliers take a booking fee to secure your date, with the balance due nearer the day. With us, the balance is due 14 days before your wedding. Put every due date into a shared calendar now and nothing will catch you out later.
10. Send save the dates once the big pieces are booked
With the venue and date confirmed, save the dates give guests time to book leave, sort childcare and find somewhere to stay.
Where does a photo booth fit in?
Our staffed booths include three hours as standard, a friendly attendant, unlimited photo capture with prints every time, an online gallery and a gift box of prints for you at the end of the night.
The Glam Booth (black and white with beauty lighting) starts from £650, the hand-crafted oak Vintage Booth from £625, and our self-service Party Pod from £425.
FAQs
How soon after getting engaged should we book a venue?
Whenever you’ve done the budget and guest list groundwork and found one you love. Booking before you know your numbers risks a room that’s the wrong size.
When should we book a photo booth for our wedding?
As soon as your venue and date are confirmed. Couples typically book 12 to 24 months ahead, and popular summer Saturdays go first.
Do we need exact guest numbers before booking suppliers?
No. A rough range is enough for most suppliers. Your venue and caterer will need final numbers much closer to the day.
Once you’ve got your date, we’d love to hear about your plans. Request a quote or pop your details into the form below and we’ll check availability for you.
