1. Find the perfect partner. Check.
2. Discuss what sort of wedding day you want. One groom asked his fiancee what sort of marriage she wanted. She talked about respect, humour, fidelity...all of the things that we all want in a loving forever relationship. He listened and then simply said 'I meant the wedding day'. Probably a good idea to ensure that we're speaking the same language but here's one couple who took the time to discuss not just the celebration but their long term wishes too.
3. Date: Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. Spring suggests an awakening, a new beginning. In the summer you might get perfect weather. The colours of autumn look wonderful in the photos, or how about a venue with a lovely blazing log fire and a Christmas tree. Or perhaps the chosen date will be exactly when you know that your very special friends can be there.
4. Venue: You will be thinking about how far your guests can travel, can they stay over, should you invite the kids, good facilities for those with mobility problems? But wait. It's your day. Of course you want it to be right for your guests but this is one of the most important days of your life. So, let's get it right. For you. Big and expensive or small and intimate. Small and expensive? Big yet intimate. You can have any of those, and more. Just be sure that you two agree before you tell others. Decision made. Don't be swayed.
5. Take care of the legalities. If a church wedding is your dream, contact the church. Do it now. For a civil wedding you need to give notice at your local register office. Give them a call. Your wedding can be a simple affair at the register office with just 2 witnesses or a much grander day at a hotel, licensed for marriages, attended by two registrars. Or I recommend that after your simple legal ceremony, you work with a celebrant to have exactly the wedding you want just where you want. The beach, grand hotel, on the forest, at home. Wherever you choose doesn't have to be licensed for marriages and the ceremony and reception will be in one place. Wherever you like. When a celebrant conducts your wedding, it will be just as you want it. Your day - your way.