Wedding Planner

In Brighton we think laid back is best, so we've put together a handy wedding planner guide to help you get organised in good time for the big day.

We can't guarantee it will make everything go without a hitch, but we hope it helps!

Ok, before you do anything else, have a think about:

• Budget - How much do you want to spend?
• How? - Do you want a church, civil or partnership ceremony?
• When? - Do you have a date for your day? Think about venue availability, the seasons, when will family and friends be available?
• Where? - Think about a venue for the wedding and the reception.
• Who? - Who do you want to invite? Remember, keep your budget in mind. Is cousin Gladys 3 times removed on your Mum's side, who ran away with Big Ron to Ulan Bator, really expecting an invite?

Once you've thought about the above, it's then time to get down to business and start organising the big day. Try and be firm with yourself and stick with what you've decided or you could find your guests growing and your budget breaking...

Weddings

If you're planning a church wedding, make sure you book well ahead - especially if you plan to get married on a Saturday.

Civil ceremonies and civil partnerships

For civil ceremonies and civil partnerships you first need to give notice - then you can shout 'I do' from the rooftops just 15 days later!

Choose a venue

Best to book early to make sure you get the venue you want. There are loads of great venues to choose from in Brighton - from extravagant at the Royal Pavilion to historic at Stanmer House. Or for smaller weddings why not check out one of the hotels - Hotel Seattle, Lansdowne Place Boutique & Spa and Sea Spray are all licensed for weddings.

Send out the invitations

It's best to let guests know at least 6 months in advance of the wedding if you can. Sending a list of hotels close to the venue and a map of the area is helpful too.

Book the caterers

Make sure you try before you buy! Sample menus should always be provided to help you make the right choice and many of the venues in Brighton, such as the Royal Pavilion, provide their own catering. And don't forget to make sure you have all your guests dietary requirements covered too.

Photography

No wedding is complete without photos of the big day! Again, try and book early - the better the photographer the more they'll be booked up. Think about whether you want colour, black and white, traditional or more reportagey shots and before picking a photographer, always ask to see a portfolio of a previous wedding.

Arrange flowers

Well, we're not suggesting you should literally arrange the flowers! But you should look for a florist who can. Good florists should have a portfolio for budding bride and grooms to browse through and you should also look for a florist who suggests flowers in season.

Entertainment

To top your day off you'll probably want a band or DJ set - unless juggling acts or wise-cracking Drag Queens are more your thing? The choice is yours - but again, try and book as far ahead as possible and, for music, make sure you agree the play list. You don't want The Birdie Song popping up when you least expect it!

Honeymoon

Last, but certainly not least, don't forget to book your honeymoon 2-3 months before the wedding.

Have you thought about Brighton!?