Wedding planning is fun AF… until you forget about the boring admin tasks and it suddenly becomes more like an exam you forgot to study for. This is the stuff most couples forget. Not because it’s hard, but because nobody really talks about it. So hopefully this will save your sanity and any last minute panics!

Wedding Insurance

Wedding insurance is one of the least exciting purchases you’ll make, which is exactly why it matters. Policies can cost as little as £25 and cover things like supplier or venue cancellations, damage to your outfits, personal accident and public liability. Without it, any unexpected issues would otherwise come straight out of your pocket.

If you’re buying an engagement ring or wedding rings, add them to your home insurance. It takes minutes and removes a huge amount of stress.

Giving Notice

If you’re having a civil ceremony, you’ll need to give notice through your local council. If you’re having a religious ceremony, your place of worship can usually guide you through what’s required.

The appointment usually takes less than an hour and costs around £85. You can do this from up to 12 months before your wedding. Do not leave it late because without it, your ceremony cannot legally happen!

Check Venue Restrictions

Read your venue contract carefully. Then read it again. Check whether they allow confetti, candles, a anything stuck to walls, live music and volume levels. You should also ask about curfews, corkage, and if you need to use their recommended or in-house suppliers (or if there is an additional charge if you don’t).

Also look for additional charges. Lighting, chairs, cutlery, glassware, cleaning, early access, late finishes, VAT… some venues will sneak these extra costs into your contract without saying anything.

Supplier Payment Terms

Many suppliers take a deposit upfront with the balance due close to the wedding. When several final payments land at the same time, it can be overwhelming!

Ask early whether payment plans are available or if costs can be spread out. Most suppliers are open to this if you communicate in advance.

Read Contracts Very Carefully

OMG so boring but so so important. If not included, also be sure to ask any supplier the following:

📝 How many hours are included
📝 What counts as overtime and how much it costs
📝 Whether meals are required
📝 Whether transport between venues is needed
📝 For photographers/ videographers, what their turnaround time is for delivering the final photos/ video
📝 What happens if the supplier falls ill or can not show up on the day

If something isn’t written down, its totally OK ask for it to be clarified before you sign anything.

Changing Your Name

If you are planning to change your name, be sure to book any travel the name that currently appears on your passport – NOT the name you plan to use later.

Our advice is to sort out legally changing your name after the honeymoon because your flights (and some hotel) bookings must match your passport exactly.

You can update your name manually with banks, mortgage providers, utilities, and employers, or use a name change service that can do it all for you. It can cost are from as little as £50 depending on the company you use.

Put Someone in Charge on the Day

If you don’t have a planner or coordinator, you need a clear plan for logistics. Décor, cakes and signs do not teleport themselves and you’ll need to figure out who is setting everything up, clearing everything out and taking things home at the end of the night.

If your plan is “we’ll figure it out,” you will hate yourself at midnight!

None of this is glamorous, and none of it will make it onto Instagram, but these are the things that protect your money, your time, and your energy. So among the fun dress shopping and décor sourcing don’t forget about the boring stuff!