First of all – congratulations!
Getting engaged can be one of the most exciting experiences in someone’s life. From all the celebrations, phone calls, photographs taken, to talking about how it happened, there will certainly be no time for anything else for a while. But once the dust has settled, you and your fiancé will most likely wonder:
“What should we do next?”
Planning a wedding does seem like an intimidating process at first – venues to narrow down, budgets to talk about, guests to consider, timelines to decide on and much more. However, the good news is that you won’t have to make all these plans instantly.
At UNO Hotels, we regularly welcome couples celebrating engagements, wedding weekends, guest stays, and special occasions across Berkshire and Sussex. Whether you’re planning a countryside celebration or simply starting your venue search, here are some practical and realistic first steps after getting engaged.
Take a Moment to Enjoy It
Before opening fifty tabs about wedding venues and colour palettes, pause for a moment and enjoy being engaged.
It sounds simple, but many couples immediately jump into planning mode without actually celebrating the occasion itself. Go out for dinner, plan a small weekend away, spend time with close friends and family, or simply enjoy the excitement together before the logistics begin.
This stage goes by quickly, and you’ll never get these first few days back.
Start With an Honest Conversation
Before booking venues or discussing budgets with family, sit down together and talk honestly about the type of wedding you both want.
You don’t need every detail planned immediately, but discussing the basics early helps avoid confusion later.
Here are a few useful things to talk about:
| Wedding Planning Topic | Questions to Ask |
| Guest List | Do you want something intimate or a large celebration? |
| Wedding Style | Traditional, modern, countryside, black tie, relaxed? |
| Time of Year | Summer wedding, winter celebration, spring garden setting? |
| Location | Countryside venue, elegant hotel wedding, outdoor ceremony? |
| Budget | What feels realistic and comfortable for both of you? |
| Priorities | What matters most venue, food, entertainment, décor, photography? |
Having these conversations early makes future decisions much easier.
Set a Realistic Budget Early
Budget discussions may not be the most exciting part of wedding planning, but they are one of the most important.
Weddings involve many smaller expenses that quickly add up:
- Venue hire
- Accommodation
- Catering
- Photography
- Flowers
- Entertainment
- Transport
- Wedding outfits
- Décor
It’s also important to decide whether you’ll be covering the wedding yourselves or receiving support from family members.
The earlier you understand your budget range, the easier it becomes to shortlist suitable venues and suppliers without unnecessary stress later on.
Start Shortlisting Venues
For most couples, the venue becomes the first major decision.
Once you know your approximate guest numbers, preferred atmosphere, and budget range, you can start exploring venues that fit your vision.
Some couples love countryside hotels and gardens, while others prefer elegant indoor spaces with accommodation for guests.
Couples planning weddings around Berkshire and Sussex often look near:
- Windsor Castle
- Cliveden House
- South Downs National Park
- Ascot Racecourse
At Grovefield House Hotel and The Hickstead Hotel, couples and wedding guests can enjoy comfortable stays, elegant surroundings, and convenient access to popular wedding destinations.
Don’t Forget Guest Accommodation
One thing many couples underestimate early on is guest accommodation.
If guests are travelling from outside the area, having nearby hotel options makes a huge difference to the overall wedding experience. Easy parking, transport access, comfortable rooms, and nearby attractions all help guests enjoy the celebration without added stress.
Both UNO Hotels properties offer:
- Comfortable guest accommodation
- Convenient parking
- Easy motorway access
- Countryside surroundings
- Relaxed hospitality for wedding guests
This becomes especially important for weddings where family and friends are travelling from different cities or countries.
Create a Wedding Email Address
This small step will save you a lot of stress later.
Wedding planning involves countless emails from venues, photographers, florists, caterers, DJs, and guests. Creating a separate wedding email account helps keep everything organised in one place.
It also allows both partners to access important information, contracts, confirmations, and schedules easily throughout the planning process.
Wedding Style Will Naturally Develop
A lot of couples worry about choosing a wedding “theme” immediately, but in reality, your style usually develops naturally over time.
As you visit venues, save inspiration, and speak with suppliers, you’ll quickly start noticing what you both like.
Some couples lean towards:
- Elegant black-tie celebrations
- Classic hotel weddings
- Rustic countryside ceremonies
- Intimate garden parties
- Relaxed modern receptions
There’s no right or wrong style; the most important thing is creating a day that feels personal to you both.
Visit Wedding Fairs & Venue Showcases
Wedding fairs can actually be much more useful than people expect.
They’re a great opportunity to:
- Meet local suppliers
- Explore venue spaces
- Compare ideas
- Discover décor inspiration
- Ask questions face-to-face
- Understand realistic wedding costs
Even if you don’t book anything immediately, visiting a few showcases often helps couples feel far more confident and organised.
Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself
Social media can sometimes make wedding planning feel more stressful than it needs to be.
It’s easy to compare your wedding plans to perfectly curated Pinterest boards or Instagram reels, but the reality is that every wedding is completely different.
Some couples plan for two years. Others organise everything within a few months. Some want huge celebrations, while others prefer intimate gatherings with close family only.
The most important thing is planning a wedding that reflects you as a couple not what social media expects it to look like.
Celebrate the Journey Together
Wedding planning should feel exciting, not exhausting.
Yes, there will be spreadsheets, supplier calls, and moments of stress, but there will also be food tastings, venue visits, celebrations with family, and memories you’ll remember long after the wedding day itself.
Taking things step by step makes the entire experience far more enjoyable.
Celebrate with UNO Hotels
Whether you’re planning a wedding nearby, organising guest accommodation, or simply celebrating your engagement with a countryside getaway, Grovefield House Hotel and The Hickstead Hotel offer comfortable and welcoming stays for couples, families, and wedding guests.
From elegant countryside settings to relaxed hospitality, UNO Hotels provides the perfect place to celebrate every stage of your wedding journey.