How to plan the perfect Whitby wedding

Overlooking the shimmering North Sea, Whitby is the epitome of a traditional seaside town. However, this Yorkshire gem also happens to be a fantastic place to have a wedding. With its gorgeous undulating countryside and beautiful Blue Flag beaches, the planning process of your special day may unearth this place as a fantastic setting and it certainly shouldn’t be left unnoticed!

Organising a wedding can be painstaking at times, especially in the quest for the perfect day. Despite this, once all the details have been finalised and the last flower arranged in your bouquet, it will all be worth it, and your dream day made a reality. Until then, there are a number of things for you to consider, from the location and the catering to the colour scheme and the guest list, and our helpful tips and tricks are here to ensure that every inch of your wedding goes according to plan!

THE GUEST LIST

Whether you dream of a large wedding with hundreds of your friends and family gathered to celebrate or maybe something smaller, finalising the guest list is one of the first things that you need to think about. Sit down with your significant other and draft out a list of people that you would both like to come. Be realistic about your budget and make an informed decision about how much you can realistically spend per head. One of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to creating your guest list is to stick to it. Wedding venues can sometimes be strict on numbers, so don’t feel pressured into inviting people who didn’t make the original cut.

THE VENUE

“The most important thing is to have a good chat to your partner and discuss what’s most important for you both. How do you want your wedding to look and feel? What’s the most important thing for you, is it the venue, the food, the entertainment, the decor etc?  Do you want it fun, sophisticated, a big party, glamorous etc.? Remember it’s your day, do it your way” shares Debbie from Qube Events.

As the backdrop for your big day, your wedding venue needs to be exactly what you and your future partner-to-be has visualised. There is a wide variety of venues on the market, from blank canvas barns, perfect for DIY interior design, to beautiful stately homes like our Scarborough hotel wedding venue. Your venue should be comfortable for you both as a couple, but also should be able to cater for the size of the guest list and any plans you may have for additional extras.

THE COLOUR SCHEME

When selecting your venue, a colour scheme may naturally present itself. If you’re drawing inspiration from the outdoors, earthy tones and deep hues match nicely, creating a rustic, bohemian theme. However, sometimes a colour scheme takes a little longer to settle on. The palette for your wedding is important as it is responsible for tying several elements together. From the flowers in your bouquet and the bridesmaid’s dresses to the invitations and the table pieces, the colour scheme is prevalent throughout. However, settling on a couple of colours can sometimes be a tricky task.

For some, investing in a wedding planner can help you with this decision. Abie from Westcountry Wedding Planner says her favourite part of being a wedding planner is “getting to know the couples and their different ideas and visions throughout the planning process”. Through this, they can help you to select things that you may be pondering over, as well as offer insightful information.

THE DÉCOR

Until you begin to plan your big day, you may have never paid too close attention to things such as napkins and tablecloths. However, elements like this can make a huge difference to your big day. Some venues will have a list of recommended suppliers who will help you in the decoration of your venue. As they have experience dressing the rooms, they may be able to offer advice, which could really help you out if you are struggling. Alternatively, there are venues where the world is your oyster, with endless possibilities for transforming the space.

When it comes to décor, Debbie believes that one of the most important things she recommends a couple to do is to create a wedding that is personal to them. “We hate it when we see people having the same cookie cutter wedding as everyone else. For us, at Qube Events & Productions it’s so important that we ensure that you have your own stamp on your special day and it reflects exactly what you want. This is exactly why we invite all our brides and grooms in for a free styling consultation where we design their special day together with them.”

With this in mind, Abie states that it is imperative “not to lose sight of the budget. Make a plan for how much money you have to spend at the beginning of your planning and stick to it”.

THE BUDGET

The budget is something that you need to figure out during the first stages of the planning process. This will allow you to think realistically about what it is that you want at your wedding and how you’d like your big day to be. At this point, you also need to figure out who is going to pay for what -are you going to use joint savings or ask family and friends for contributions? Figure this out early to save disappointment when you can’t afford that dress you’ve been lusting after or local car hire you have been dreaming of.

For more tips, guides, and advice on all things Yorkshire, make sure to visit our blog.