How to plan your wedding during lockdown

Planning a wedding around busy work and social lives can be a struggle for many couples, so now is the perfect opportunity to spend time together in lockdown to organise your dream day. Here Ruth Mundy, wedding coordinator at the four-star Balmer Lawn Hotel in the New Forest, shares some ideas to keep you busy and excited for your wedding to come.

Build a wedding website
More and more couples are creating their own website for their wedding to keep guests informed about details of the day, the menu, venue and accommodation. It also provides the perfect opportunity to provide a little introduction about yourselves such as how you met, the proposal etc.

Practise your first dance
While we're all in lockdown practising your first dance is not only great exercise but an ideal way to inject some fun into your wedding planning. Dance like no one's watching!

Compile your playlist
Not only will your DJ appreciate your ideas in order to tailor the music to suit your guests and keep the dancefloor busy, there are other parts of the day that can benefit from the perfect soundtrack too.

• Getting-ready playlist 
• For the ceremony, if you haven't already hired a musician:Two to three tracks for while your guests are waiting, one for making your grand entrance and walking up the aisle, two to play while you're signing the paperwork and an exit track to accompany you as you walk back down the aisle as a married couple
• Reception drinks
• Wedding breakfast

Write your speeches
This is the perfect time not only for you to start writing your speeches, but also for other members of the wedding party in the line-up to put pen to paper. No excuses for leaving it to the day before!

Virtual planning sessions
During this difficult time its more than likely that your wedding planner and suppliers will be all working from home and have more time for 'wedmin'! Make the most of their availability to get any niggling queries you have sorted out. Also, check in on your bridesmaids and parents to keep them in the loop with how your plans are going and if they can help in any way as everyone needs something to focus on and look forward to.

Wedding DIY
It's never too soon to get your wedding crafting out of the way! Use your time positively to assemble your favour boxes, get your glue gun out, write those place cards and sew that bunting!

Research 'Real Weddings' at your venue
There's no better source of inspiration for the details of your day than looking through previous weddings to see how other couples have dressed and decorated the rooms and spaces. Check out venues' Instagram accounts and local wedding magazines to see which areas of the venue couples have used for their photos, reception drinks, garden games etc.

Write a wedding morning letter to your partner
Sending your other half a love letter as a surprise on the wedding morning is such a romantic idea. Write about your excitement for the day ahead and your future together and ask your best man or maid-of-honour to deliver it!

Pinterest board on point!
Spending time on Pinterest is a favourite pastime for many brides planning their big day. Finalise some important decisions while you have the time. Flowers, dresses, stationery, hair, create a vision for your day and why not share your wedding board with your planner and suppliers so they can see your vision and maybe add some ideas themselves.