Wedding Planning Tips Your Guide to a Magical Day
Wedding Planning Tips:
Planning a wedding is an exciting yet daunting task, with countless details to organise to ensure your big day is nothing short of spectacular. As Paul Roberts, a professional magician with years of experience entertaining at weddings across the UK, I’ve seen firsthand what makes a wedding unforgettable. This guide offers a comprehensive timeline starting 12 months before your wedding, tailored for the British wedding market, with a special focus on entertainment—because, as many brides reflect post-wedding, they wish they’d allocated more of their budget to it. Let’s dive into the planning process to help you create a day filled with love, laughter, and magic.
12 months Before, Setting the Foundation for your Wedding.
Key Tasks: Set Your Wedding Budget: Decide on your overall budget and prioritise key elements like venue, catering, and entertainment. Many couples underestimate the impact of entertainment, but it’s what keeps guests engaged and talking about your wedding for years.
Choose a Date and Venue: Select a season and date that suits you, then book your dream venue. Popular venues in the UK, especially in popular areas, they tend to book up quickly, so act fast.
: Create a Guest List
Draft an initial guest list to estimate numbers for catering and seating.
Book Key Suppliers: Start researching and booking essential suppliers, including your photographer, videographer, and, crucially, entertainment.
Entertainment Tip:
At this stage, consider booking a professional wedding entertainer, such as a magician. A skilled magician like myself can mingle with guests during the drinks reception, the turn around time, or between courses, creating a buzz and keeping everyone entertained during quieter moments. Many brides I’ve spoken to after their weddings say they wish they’d invested more in entertainment to enhance the guest experience. Check what entertainment can be used, at your chosen venue, sone have noise level restrictions so don’t allow large bands, but may allow, a solo singer, and DJ. Booking early ensures you secure top talent—magicians, DJ, solo artists and bands often get booked 12–18 months in advance for peak wedding seasons (May–September).
9–10 Months Before: Building the Vision.
Key Tasks: Choose Your Wedding Party: Select your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other key roles.
Shop for Your Dress: Start trying on dresses to find “the one.” Allow time for fittings and alterations.
Book Caterers and Florists: Secure your caterer and discuss menu options. Book a florist to bring your vision to life with bouquets and decorations.
Research Entertainment Options: Explore additional entertainment like live bands, DJs, or unique acts like a magician to complement your day.
Entertainment Tip:
A magician can be a versatile addition, performing close-up magic during the drinks reception, table magic during the meal, or even a short cabaret-style show for evening guests. My performances, for example, blend sleight of hand with humour, ensuring guests of all ages are captivated. Couples often regret skimping on entertainment, as it’s the energy and interaction that guests remember most. Allocate a portion of your budget (around 10–20%) for all your entertainment to avoid this common regret.
6–8 Months Before: Adding Personal Touches.
Key Tasks: Send Save-the-Dates: Notify guests of your wedding date, especially if it’s during peak holiday periods like summer or Christmas.
Book Your Officiant: Secure a registrar or celebrant for your ceremony.
Order Invitations: Design and order your wedding stationery, reflecting your theme.
Confirm Entertainment Details: Finalise your entertainment bookings, discussing specifics like performance times and setup requirements.
Entertainment Tip:
When booking a magician, discuss how they’ll integrate into your day. For instance, I often perform during the drinks reception to break the ice between guests or during the meal to keep energy high between speeches. Many brides later share that entertainment was the highlight for guests, wishing they’d invested more to extend the performance or add a second act, like a live band for the evening.
4–5 Months Before: Fine-Tuning the Details.
Key Tasks: Plan Your Honeymoon: Book travel and accommodations for your post-wedding getaway.
Order Wedding Rings: Choose rings that complement your style and arrange for engravings if desired.
Cake and Desserts: Meet with bakers to design your wedding cake and any additional treats. Meet with Entertainers: Confirm logistics with your entertainment providers, including arrival times and any special requests.
Entertainment Tip:
An experienced magician’s performance can be tailored to your wedding’s theme or style. For example, I can incorporate personalised tricks, to make the experience unique. Brides often reflect that moments of surprise and delight from entertainment were what guests talked about most, regretting if they’d opted for cheaper, less engaging options.
2–3 Months Before: Finalising Plans.
Key Tasks: Send Invitations: Mail your invitations, including RSVP details and any accommodation information for out-of-town guests.
Plan the Ceremony: Work with your officiant to finalise vows and ceremony details.
Book Hair and Makeup: Schedule trials and book artists for the day.
Check in with Entertainers: Ensure your magician, band, or DJ is fully briefed on the schedule and venue layout.
Entertainment Tip:
At this stage, confirm how your magician will coordinate with other suppliers, like the photographer, to capture reactions to their tricks. Many couples I’ve worked with say their only regret was not prioritising entertainment more, as it transformed potentially dull moments (like photo sessions) into lively, memorable ones.
1 Month Before: Dotting the I’s.
Key Tasks: Final Fittings: Ensure your dress, suit, and wedding party outfits are perfect.
Confirm Supplier Details: Contact all suppliers, including your entertainer, to confirm timings and payments.
Create a Seating Plan: Finalise your guest list and seating arrangements.
Write Speeches: Prepare speeches for the reception, coordinating with your entertainment to ensure smooth transitions.
Entertainment Tip:
A magician can fill gaps in the day, like when guests are waiting for the couple during photos. My close-up magic keeps guests engaged, creating a seamless flow. Post-wedding, brides often say they wish they’d spent more on entertainment to maintain that high-energy vibe throughout the day.
1 Week Before: The Final Countdown.
Key Tasks: Final Confirmations: Double-check with all suppliers, including your venue and entertainers.
Pack for the Day: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like plasters, safety pins, and makeup.
Rehearse the Ceremony: Run through the ceremony with your wedding party and officiant.
Relax and Delegate: Hand over last-minute tasks to your wedding planner or a trusted friend.
Entertainment Tip:
Ensure your magician knows the final timeline. For example, I coordinate with the venue to set up discreetly and perform at optimal times, like during the drinks reception or between courses.
The Big Day: Let the Magic Happen.
On the day, trust your suppliers to deliver. Your magician will work the room, delighting guests with tricks and creating a joyful atmosphere. My performances, for instance, are designed to complement the flow of the day, ensuring guests are entertained without overshadowing key moments like speeches or the first dance.
Why Entertainment Matters: Time and again, brides share that their biggest regret was not investing more in entertainment. While flowers and décor create a beautiful setting, it’s the entertainment—whether a magician, band, or DJ—that brings the day to life. Guests remember the laughter, gasps, and shared moments of wonder. A experienced magician, in particular, offers a unique, interactive experience that bridges generations and keeps the energy high.
Final Thoughts
Planning a wedding in the UK requires careful organisation, but with this 12-month timeline, you’re well-equipped to create a day that reflects your love story. By prioritising entertainment, like booking a professional magician, you’ll ensure your guests are engaged and your wedding is unforgettable. As Paul Roberts, I’ve seen the transformative power of magic at weddings—creating moments that linger in memories long after the confetti settles. Don’t make the mistake many brides regret; allocate a generous portion of your budget to entertainment, and your wedding will be a magical celebration that everyone talks about for years to come.
For more information or to book my services as a wedding magician, contact me directly. Let’s make your big day truly enchanting!
https://www.paulrobertsmagic.com/contact
