Life Hack: Five things newly engaged couples should do, according to an expert
It is likely that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding will influence global wedding trends for years to come. Picture: Instagram
Have you heard the news? At this stage I'd be surprised if you hadn’t. I’m talking, of course, about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, or the Instagram post that echoed around the world.
The couple announced their engagement last week on social media and the post immediately went more than viral, clocking up millions of likes in no time. Although newly engaged, Swift and Kelce are likely already in the midst of wedding planning — after all, their nuptials will be America’s version of a royal wedding and the world will be watching to see how they choreograph their big day.
It is also likely that elements of the Swift-Kelce wedding will influence global wedding trends for years to come, with Swift’s yellow gold and old mine diamond engagement ring alone already triggering read pieces on how brides-to-be will be influenced to choose more traditional, vintage-style rings.
Wedding planning is a daunting task and it’s something that attracts unwarranted advice from all quarters. For Irish couples wondering where to start when planning their own nuptials, we have five expert tips from Ellie Quinn, the wedding coordinator at Fernhill House Hotel in West Cork.
After working with hundreds of couples to plan their big day, Quinn knows how overwhelming those first few steps can feel. She has some great advice on what to prioritise early on, how to stay organised, and ways to cut through the noise of social media to focus on what actually feels right for you as a couple.
Here are her top tips:
“Popular venues and suppliers get snapped up fast. The four things you should lock in early are your venue, celebrant, band, and photographer. These tend to book out a year or more in advance, especially for popular dates. Once you’ve those sorted, you can take a breath and enjoy planning the rest without that pressure hanging over you.”
“TikTok and Pinterest are full of brilliant ideas, but they can also make you feel like your wedding needs everything – fireworks, photo booths, champagne towers, outfit changes… the lot. But you don’t need all the extras to host an amazing event. Focus on what feels right for the two of you. If that’s a laid-back day with great food and your favourite people, that’s more than enough.”
“I always tell couples to agree on the three things that matter most to them – whether that’s amazing food, great music or just time with their guests. Focus your energy (and budget) on those things, and the rest will follow. Other people may have an opinion on what your wedding should be and look like, but once you are both on the same page, everything will feel much easier.”
“Once you start visiting venues, chatting to suppliers and gathering ideas, things can start to blur. Keep a simple spreadsheet or notebook where you can jot down what you liked (and didn’t), who you spoke to, and any prices or dates you need to remember. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something to keep track of it all. Planning a wedding has lots of moving parts, and being even a little bit organised early on makes everything much easier down the line.”
“The ceremony is often the bit couples put off planning, but it really sets the tone for the whole day. There are so many lovely ways to make it your own – we’ve seen different approaches from handfastings to tree plantings. At Fernhill, couples now have the option of getting married in The Fernery, our beautiful new space surrounded by greenery – it’s private, peaceful, and full of character. Whatever you choose, take a bit of time to talk about what feels right for you both. It’s the moment that starts everything.”
