Wedding Planning

Yay, we’re engaged! Um, now what?!

You said I do, congratulations! Has the champagne-filled engagement bubble already burst now you have a wedding to plan…?

Stop right there! Yes, the checklist may seem huge and you may have already fallen down the Pinterest rabbit hole for wedding plan inspiration, but don’t let the worry set in before the engagement ring has even made a mark on your finger. Wedding planning can be nerve-wracking and you might find yourselves frantically Googling “how to plan a wedding”, “best wedding venues in Kent” and “trusted wedding planners in Kent”, only to begin feeling overwhelmed.

Let us ease that headache.

This month, there is only one essential checklist you need. It has four key items on it and it doesn’t involve any planning – at least, not yet.

1. Do you share the same wedding vision?

As a couple, you may share so many interests and have countless things in common. Yet while you’ll likely be on the same page for most things, you’ll undoubtedly have a few different ideas for the wedding. Trust us, you need to talk these through; iron out the creases and share the same vision before you start. If you don’t, prepare for some stress further down the line.

This sounds like a serious conversation but it really doesn’t have to be. Have some fun and when you don’t agree, talk it through until you reach a compromise. If necessary, take some time away from wedding planning and return when you’ve both had a chance to think a little further about the dispute at hand.

We’ve said it before and will say it again: be a guest at your own wedding. How do you want to feel, what do you want to eat, and what will make your experience incredible? Do you want a wedding that is just one day or do you want to create a wonderful weekend that brings your loved ones together for an extended celebration? Goodnestone’s Wedding Weekend offering is a real hit with couples intending to marry and our connected team of experienced Kent wedding planners, The Wedding Dolls, have everything you need to help plan to entertain your guests for two to three days.

2. Money talks

When it comes to talking budgets for the wedding day, no one knows where to start; it’s awkward and can cause stress. As most couples won’t have planned a wedding before, it can be difficult to know which aspects of wedding planning require more of your wedding budget than others.

Before you talk figures, look at your priorities. What aspects of your wedding day or Wedding Weekend mean the most to you? Once you have a list of agreed priorities, you can start to break down your overall budget and delegate in proportion to what is the most important to you both. Each couple will have a different list of priorities so stop Googling for a moment and figure out your priorities together.

4. Pause before planning

It may sound silly, but don’t lose sight of why you want to get married. Make time to be in each other’s company and have fun together. So many couples get caught up in wedding planning and feel tense and stressed. Instead, enjoy your engagement for a little longer and make plans for romance and date nights – where wedding planning is off the dinner table!

We’re ready – let’s go!

When you’re ready to plan your wedding, you’ll need to decide on a venue. Goodnestone is one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Kent and our bespoke Wedding Weekend offering is not one to be missed. As soon as you book your Big Day in our stunning Kentish House and Gardens, you’ll work with The Wedding Dolls, the experienced wedding planners in Kent. Joanne and her team have been making wedding dreams a reality for over 10 years and you really couldn’t be in more capable hands. Learn more about the wedding planning process with The Dolls here.

One way Goodnestone and The Dolls can create a personalised wedding plan for you is by designing your colour palette. Setting a colour palette can define the mood and tone of your Wedding Weekend and help the weekend feel cohesive. At The Wedding Dolls, we passionately believe that soon-to-be-wed couples should put themselves in the shoes of their guests and experience the Wedding Weekend as a friend or family member. Your guests will experience your wedding via your colour palette, so one of the first decor-related decisions you should make is the colour theme.

If settling on a colour palette fills you with dread, look for inspiration from Pantone Color Institute. Internationally recognised as the leading, global source of colour expertise, Pantone picks a colour of the year. Not a bad place to start…

Who might suit Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta as their wedding colour?

We heard it directly from Eiseman: Viva Magenta 18-1750 is for the bold. Fitting for brave and fearless couples with a lust for life, who are looking to write their own narrative (how perfect for a house steeped in literary history). Why fit the mould when you can break barriers, experiment and create a stand-out statement at your wedding?!

How can Goodnestone accommodate this colour palette for our wedding?

When you book the gorgeous Kent wedding venue Goodnestone House and Gardens, you’ll have access to The Orangery. The first of its kind at Goodnestone Park, this magnificent new events venue pays homage to the estate’s rich history. Marquee specialists, LPM Bohemia, custom-made the large, timber-framed marquee in 2022, adjacent to the Queen Anne-style mansion. It can seat up to 140 guests with plenty of room for tables, chairs, a dance floor and your chosen band.

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2023 can be found in the lining of the bespoke Orangery walls. You’ll find that the Orangery needs minimal decoration; the lining is a stand-out statement in itself and our top wedding venue in Kent leads the way in creating a backdrop inspired by nature.