You just said yes! Now what do you do?

With so many details to consider, booking your key vendors in the right order will make the process smoother and stress-free. Here’s your ultimate step-by-step guide to securing the perfect team for your wedding day in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire or surrounding areas. These are some of the vendors I have worked with or know of, if you are outside this area it does not matter the principles are the same, just find someone local.

1. Set Your Budget & Pick a Date Before making any bookings, decide on a budget and a potential wedding date (or at least a season). This will help you make informed choices as you move forward.

2. Book Your Venue Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire are home to stunning wedding venues, from grand stately homes to charming barns. Popular venues like The Farmhouse at Redcoats, The Barns at Redcoats, The Barn at Brookend Green Farm, The Priory Hitchin, Lodge Farm, The Priory Little Wymondley, The Barn at Alswick, Shortmead, Flitwick Manor, London Shenley Club, Luton Hoo, Offley Place, The Grove, The Farmhouse at Polehanger or a Luxury Glamping Cabin stay at The Meadows at Polehanger or how about a festivel theme wedding at Mill Farm Gamlingay to mention just a few, they all book up fast, so securing your location should be your first priority.

It is also at this stage you should be checking if you need a Registar or Celebrant and their availability. If choosing the latter why not check Ceremonies with Suzanne, sallieann weddings celebrant or Simply Bee Celebrant.

3. Hire a Wedding Planner (If Needed) If you’re feeling overwhelmed or want expert help, hiring a local wedding planner can be a game-changer. They’ll help you stay organised, negotiate with vendors, and bring your vision to life. Consider planners with experience in venues around these regions such as: Weddings with Pinky

4. Choose Your Photographer & Videographer If capturing your special moments beautifully is a top priority, secure Liberty Photo Photography as your photographer as soon as possible. Covering Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire weddings, I will ensure your memories are captured perfectly.

5. Book Your Caterer If your venue doesn’t provide in-house catering, find a caterer that fits your style and budget early. Local caterers such as Anna’s Kitchen, Kingfisher Caterers, Inside Out Eventz or Just One Cook offer delicious menus to suit all tastes.

Alternatively things like street food Pizza Vans, Mexican food, Fish & Chip, Dessert bars Indian or Asian food Vans, hog roast or BBQ caterers can be great also.

Don’t forget to look into getting your cake booked well in advance to, I can say from experience Cakes To Pick make beautiful tasty cakes Indeed.

6. Secure Your Dress & Bridal Attire / Suit Finding the perfect dress or suit takes time, including fittings and alterations. Begin shopping at least 8–12 months before your big day. Check out bridal boutiques like The White Wardrobe in Hitchin, Morgan Davies, Lumi or for plus size wedding dresses check out Confetti & Curves Bridal in Barton Le Clay. For the Men, there are lots of options for either purchasing or for renting, maybe have a look at Mr Mackys Mens Hire HRH Holmes in Hitchin, The Suit Rail

7. Hire Your Hair & Makeup Artist Top beauty professionals get booked quickly, so securing your glam squad in advance is essential.

Local artists like Lemel Bridal Boutique, Peghe Studio Couture, Lisa Alger or the talented team at NW Makeup can create a flawless bridal look.

8. Book Your Entertainment Whether you want a DJ, a live band, or both, book early to guarantee availability. Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire have some fantastic entertainment options, including Five Alive Events, The Function Band or DJ Knight.

Also consider entertainment via indie or outdoor games, a magician, or other fun things like selfie pods or magic mirrors such as wonderstruckmagicmirror.

9. Find Your Florist Florists can only take on a certain number of weddings per weekend, so secure yours early, especially if your wedding falls during peak season. Consider floral experts like Darling Buds Florists, Be Spoke Petals, or The Flower Box in St Albans

10. Organize Invitations & Stationery Once your venue and date are set, sending out a save the date is always a good idea if the wedding is a long time away, then order your invitations and send them out about 3–4 months before the wedding. Local designers such as Lilac & White or Louise Rowles Design can create beautiful, bespoke wedding stationery, or to save money design your own on Canva.

11. Book Rentals & Décor If your venue doesn’t include furniture, linens, or décor, work with a rental company to bring your wedding vision to life. Check out Elegance china hire, Academy Furniture Hire or Rustic Rentals UK for beautiful setups.

12. Arrange Transportation If you need transport for you, your bridal party, or guests, book early to ensure smooth logistics on your big day. Consider hiring classic cars from Lucky Penny Weddings, MC Wedding Cars or Gold Wedding Cars.

13. Plan Your Honeymoon After all the excitement, you’ll need a relaxing getaway! Book your flights, accommodations, and activities in advance for the best deals.

Oh and don’t forget the rings!

Planning your wedding should be an exciting journey, not a stressful one! By booking your vendors in the right order, you’ll create a seamless and unforgettable wedding day.

The above is just some suggestions to give you some ideas. A lot can be done yourself depending upon your budget and capability to handle stress if doing it yourself.

Which step are you tackling first?