Issuu

BY COCO WEDDING VENUES

THE ANNUAL 2019/2020

Your Kind of Wedding Planning

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C O N TAC T U S

The content for this magazine is curated and published annually, therefore if you would like to be considered for the next issue, have feedback to share with us, or just fancy saying hello you can contact the editor at emma@cocoweddingvenues.co.uk. www.cocoweddingvenues.co.uk Instagram @cocoweddingvenues

BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS

Front Cover by Rebecca Goddard Photography ‘A Curated Collection’ - Gyan Gurung Photography at One Marylebone

I would like to thank Hannah Duffy Photography, Rebecca Goddard Photography and Heart Full of Tea for their beautiful brand photography used throughout this magazine.

All other imagery used has been credited in situ. Magazine curated, edited and designed by Emma Hla.

T H E D E S T I N AT I O N V E N U E

A Curated Collection...

WELCOME I guess my first words to you should be congratulations -you’re only blinking engaged! Too. Much. Excitement. My second sentiment is one of thanks. Thank you so much for putting your trust in us to guide you through this crazy adventure of planning your wedding. I may be biased, but I think you’re absolutely in the right place so give yourselves a pat on the back – you’ve already nailed step #1. Now, there’s a lot to consider when you first get engaged and there may also be a few opinions thrown into the mix, not to mention everyone asking you “when’s the big day?” but I’m telling you to take a deep breath and remain in that gorgeous just-engaged bubble for as long as you want. You’ll no doubt be feeling a mixture of emotions – if you’re a bit giddy and a whole lot daunted then that’s perfectly normal! But, when you feel ready to pick up that first magazine or sit down in front of the laptop to start your research, the first point on that to-do-list is without doubt the wedding venue. Your venue choice and style of wedding will influence your whole day – from the fashion and the food, right through to the entertainment. It’s at this very first step that www.cocoweddingvenues.co.uk can help. But what about everything that comes after that? Well fear not, this book-come-magazine hybrid is your lifeline, designed to be your trusted companion all the way to honeymoon. Inside you’ll discover tons of honest and real advice from our favourite wedding pros alongside beautiful inspiration to get those creative ideas flowing. It’s my heartfelt hope that by walking you through what to expect at each stage we’ll make your planning experience a little less daunting and inspire you to forge your own path to your wedding. It’s honestly thrilling to think that we get to hold your hand during this precious time in your life. So come, turn the page and start your magical journey…

Emma Hla Founder & Curator

Chapter One - First Steps 12 - 12 Month Wedding Timeline 16 - 10 Things to Do When You Get Engaged 18 - Wedding Day Timings 22 - Your Ceremony 26 - Planning Your Wedding Budget 28 - The Venue Budget 32 - How Much Do Flowers Cost? 36 - Defining Your Style 40 - Starting Your Research 42 - To Hire a Wedding Planner or Not? 46 - Wedding Fairs and Open Days

Chapter Two - The Venue 68 - Starting the Venue Search 70 - A Venue for All Seasons 78 - Planning a Marquee Wedding 80 - 10 Tips for a Tipi Wedding 84 - Sustainable and Stylish 88 - The Destination Venue 92 - Pets at Weddings 94 - Questions to Ask Your Venue 98 - 10 Things to Tell Your Wedding Venue

Chapter Three - Your Suppliers 136 - Choosing Your Wedding Suppliers 142 - Questions to Ask Potential Suppliers 148 - Photography - Finding Your Style 150 - The Engagement Shoot 154 - Questions to Ask Your Photographer 158 - Questions to Ask Your Videographer 162 - Questions to Ask Your Caterer 164 - The Wedding Cake Glossary 168 - Styling Your Wedding 172 - Hiring Props and Décor 176 - A Guide to Wedding Stationery 180 - Your Floral Glossary 190 - Wedding Gift Lists 200 - Contracts, T&Cs, Deposits & Insurance

CONTENTS

Chapter Four - Fashion & Beauty 208 - Starting the Search for the Dress 210 - Your Bridal Boutique Experience 212 - The Hair and Makeup Trial 214 - The Accessories Glossary 218 - Going Bespoke 224 - The Wedding Veil Guide 228 - Thoughts on Lingerie 230 - Dressing Your Bridesmaids 232 - The Groom’s Attire

Chapter Five - Before the Big Day 252 - Wedding Day Schedules 254 - Wedding Party Roles & Responsibilities 256 - Self-care During Wedding Planning 260 - When Someone is Missing 262 - Tales From the Other Side

Chapter Six - On the Day 282 - Morning Rituals 286 - Your Emergency Wedding Day Kit 288 - 10 Things to Do on Your Wedding Day 292 - Being Present 296 - Family Matters

Chapter Seven - What Now? 304 - What to Do When Your Wedding is Over 306 - The Getaway 308 - Special Thanks 314 - Suppliers We Love

T I R E E DAW S O N P H OTO G R A P H Y

PA R T O N E

First Steps

PLANNING TIMELINE You’re engaged, you have that incredible bit of bling, you’ve celebrated with your family and friends, and then the realisation sets in... It’s time to start planning your Big Day! Here’s a little timeline to get you thinking about all the important aspects that lie ahead…

NOW Have a chat with your partner about the kind of wedding you both want – what’s important and what’s not. Set your budget and start a spreadsheet to keep track of spending. Get on Pinterest – It’s a smorgasbord of wedding ideas, but be careful not to fall down the rabbit hole and into wonderland. Keep expectations realistic. Start a folder where you can collate ideas from magazines - it will help you to keep all brochures, invoices and receipts in one place. Think about the seasons and which one you’re drawn to the most – this will help with the wedding date choice! Start browsing venues with your season/budget in mind and make a shortlist!

PLANNING TIMELINE

9 MONTHS TO GO

Start researching stationery styles and stationers. Confirm your choice of florist.

MONTHS TO GO

Order your wedding dress.

Hit the road and start visiting venues – some venues do book up 12-18 months in advance so this is a pretty big tick on the to-do list.

Send out save the dates to your confirmed guest list.

Choose your wedding party! People will want to know if they’ve got a role in your big day. With your budget in mind, write a first draft of the guest list. Book your officiant/celebrant or church and apply for your wedding license. Once your venue is booked, it’s a good idea to get that wedding insurance in place.

Register for a gift list – you can then provide details in your invitations to be sent out closer to the date. Book your hair & makeup artists. Think about what your groom will be wearing – high street, bespoke or hire? Book your honeymoon and/or mini-moon.

If you would like a planner, now is the time to get one. Start researching suppliers. Have an engagement party if you fancy!

MONTHS TO GO

Book your photographer/videographer – the next important supplier(s) to nail! Just like the venue, photographers can book up a year in advance.

MONTHS TO GO

Shop for bridesmaids dresses – if bespoke then you will need time to have these made and then altered. If high street, then think about when the seasons land instore and ask when the shops will have suitable options in stock. Confirm your catering.

Start the dress search - visiting boutiques around this time will allow you a good lead time. Most boutiques need at least 6 months to order your dress in.

Book entertainment.

Book your wedding accommodation for friends & family.

Transport (for either the bridal party or the wedding party, depending on your venue’s logistics).

Start researching honeymoons and mini-moons. You could defer your big honeymoon until a later date, but I recommend getting away for a night or two after the wedding! Mini-moons are your best friend post-wedding.

PLANNING TIMELINE

MONTHS TO GO

8 WEEKS TO GO

Buy underwear and shoes, ready for your first fitting. Confirm groom/groomsmen attire.

Attend first dress fitting (take your underwear, shoes and any accessories you have).

Send out your invitations – set up a spreadsheet to record RSVPs and meal options.

Finalise your music choices.

Order your wedding rings.

Confirm readings/order of service and send these to your officiant/celebrant or vicar.

Schedule your first dress fitting. Schedule your hair & makeup trial – remember to take a white t-shirt to wear if your dress is white/ivory. Have a menu tasting with your caterer.

Book an engagement shoot with your photographer! There’s nothing like a little practice in front of the camera ahead of the big day. It’s also an idea to book in a venue recce with your photographer if they’ve not worked there before. Chase any outstanding RSVPs. Reconfirm all suppliers who will be assisting you on the day. Book a haircut for the groom.

3 WEEKS TO GO Arrange a seating plan. Write your vows. Luxuriate in spa treatments (I recommend a body scrub, a facial and a massage to relax). Book your manicure & pedicure. Complete any DIY elements now – you don’t want to be having a Blue Peter style meltdown the night before the wedding.

PLANNING TIMELINE

If you will be changing your surname, now is the time to start looking into the necessary paperwork. Especially if you want to travel with your new name in your passport! Buy gifts for the best man, ushers, bridesmaids and any family members. Should you want one, then now is the time to have your hen & stag parties – gives you plenty of time to recover!

WEEK TO GO

Have your cut & colour (but remember - now is not the time to experiment). Enjoy the last of the beauty treatments – lash tints, threading, waxing etc. Have your manicure & pedicure – remember gel based polish will last and you won’t need to worry about any chips. Pick up your dress. Send out your on-the-day schedule to your venue, suppliers and bridal party. Ensure all items for the day of the wedding are packed up for delivery. Break in your wedding shoes! Get your engagement ring cleaned! Create your wedding emergency kit.

THE NIGHT BEFORE Enjoy a supper with your friends & family (but remember not to drink too much!). Set out everything you need for the morning. Make sure everyone knows their call time if they are having hair & makeup. Get an early night (and try to sleep!).

THE MORNING OF THE WEDDING Breathe. Hand over the supplier list of contacts and the on-theday schedule to your designated person.

Print out your on-the-day information (supplier/wedding party contact information and on-the-day schedule).

Relax and enjoy!

Confirm pick-up times with your wedding transport.

AFTER THE WEDDING Pre-arrange for someone to collect/return any props and décor items. If you’re leaving straight for your honeymoon or minimoon then plan for someone to look after your wedding dress or return any hire suits. Ensure you have your marriage certificate. Write thank you emails to your suppliers and, at a later date, you can write thank you cards to your guests.

PLANNING TIMELINE

10 THINGS TO DO When You Start Planning Your Wedding W O R D S BY K AT R I N A OT T E R

E N J OY B E I N G E NGAGE D This is, without a doubt, the first and most important place to start. Getting engaged is a huge and momentous occasion. It should be celebrated and enjoyed to the full before you get stuck into the endless hours of wedmin. There’s no rush to book and buy, so please, please, please take your time. You’ll only be newly engaged for a short time so make the most of it whilst you can!

SET YOUR BUDGET For most people, talking finances is one of the most unenjoyable parts of wedding planning but, my goodness, it’s one of the most important. My advice here is to rip off the bandaid and have a full and frank conversation with your partner (and your parents if they’re going to be contributing in any way) about money. How much can you afford and how much do you want to be able to afford? There’s no right or wrong amount but make sure that the headline figure for your wedding is realistic and achievable. Nothing takes the fun out of wedding planning quite like worrying about money.

DECIDE ON YOUR PRIORITIES Once you have a better understanding of your total spend, it’s time to start discussing the details, including your priorities. Is it important that you invite lots of people or serve great food? Do you want a stunning and impressive venue or would you prefer an all bells and whistles live band? Again, this is an area where only you can make the decisions and your wedding will start to come together from this moment onwards.

C H O O S E YO U R W E D D I N G PA R T Y I have no doubt that from the moment you announce your engagement, close friends and family will start angling for the top jobs! Whilst it’s super flattering that so many people want to be a part of your day, it’s crucial that you make the right decisions now to save yourself headaches further down the line. Look at exactly what you need and then decide who’ll be the best person for the job. Someone shy and nervous about public speaking might not want a role that includes standing up in front of everyone, so choose the right person or tweak those ‘traditional’ job descriptions to suit you. Remember, this is YOUR wedding!

H AV E F U N ! Right, it’s all getting a bit serious now so STOP! Take a step back from the wedding plans and have some fun as a couple. The entirety of the time from engagement to ‘I do’ can’t just be about wedding planning. Make sure that you take time to do all those things that make you happy, as individuals and as a couple. Trust me when I say that this point is one of the most important on the list!

1 0 T H I N G S TO D O W H E N YO U S TA R T P L A N N I N G YO U R W E D D I N G

Getting engaged and starting out on your wedding planning journey is such an amazing experience filled with bubbles, love and excitement. It can also seem a little bit overwhelming and even scary in places. There are big decisions to be made and so many people expect you to have answers to questions you’ve never even thought about. With this in mind, here are my top ten things to do when you start planning your wedding.

S E A R C H O U T YO U R I N S P I R AT I O N This is the time that it starts to get really exciting (unless the design and details really aren’t your thing… and if they’re not then this is where you might want to enlist the help of a planner and/or stylist). Hit the wedding blogs, stock up on magazines and lose yourself in Pinterest. It’s time to get inspired!

DEFINE YOUR ST YLE Now that you’re inspired, you’re probably starting to visualise your wedding and you’ll be well on the way to defining your wedding style. Which of the fantastic Coco venue style categories attracts you? Which seem to most closely match all those images you’ve pinned? Every wedding supplier has their own style too, so knowing yours before you start searching for your A-Team of suppliers will help you find your perfect planning partners.

BOOK YOUR VIPS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA GODDARD PHOTOGRAPHY

With your wedding style nailed, you can move on to booking your wedding VIPs. Start with your venue and secure your date, before moving on to the suppliers who can only work on one wedding a day such as photographers, planners, entertainers etc. Other ‘day of’ suppliers such as florists and cake makers come next and then move on to those who’ll have a deadline but don’t need to attend on the day, such as stationers.

GET EVERYTHING IN ORDER Once you’ve started making bookings, you really need to get everything in order and then keep it that way! Copies of contracts, terms and conditions and receipts all need to be filed safely, details of upcoming payments need to be recorded, money that you’ve spent HAS to be recorded against your budget and emails from suppliers have to be replied to in good time. Admin is never going to be as exciting as tasting cake or trying on dresses but knowing everything is in order will keep you calm right up until the big day.

A N D B R E AT H E … Throughout the planning process, remember to breathe. Be kind to yourself and keep your sense of perspective. Once you’ve made a decision, move on. Try not to keep going over details and second-guessing yourself. Remember that you’re marrying the person that you love and everything else is optional.

1 0 T H I N G S TO D O W H E N YO U S TA R T P L A N N I N G YO U R W E D D I N G

W E D D I N G D AY T I M I N G S W O R D S BY K AT R I N A OT T E R

BRIDAL PREP The time you choose to start your bridal prep and the amount of time you allow for this will ultimately depend on several factors including: ■■ The size of your bridal party ■■ The complexity of your hair and makeup ■■ How much you prepare in advance ■■ The time of your ceremony ■■ The distance between where you are getting ready and your ceremony location ■■ Whether you plan on having any photos with your bridal party prior to your ceremony The best starting point when it comes to working out how much time to allow is to ask the expert! If you’re having your hair and makeup done professionally then ask your hair and makeup artist how long they think they will take (as a general rule, I’d advise allowing at least a couple of hours for bridal hair and makeup and an additional 45 to 60 minutes for each member of your wedding party). Work back from the start of your ceremony and factor in travel, putting on your dress (this takes longer than you think so give yourself at least 30 minutes) and timings from your hair and makeup artist. This will give you a rough idea of your starting time.

TOP TIPS! Remember to factor in breakfast and lunch (and of course a glass of bubbles!) into your bridal prep. If your bridal party are doing their own hair and makeup, then ask them how long they think it’ll take them to get ready and then double it! Overexcited bridesmaids will always take longer to get ready than they think! Leave a margin of error of around 1 hour… This will ensure that you are ready in plenty of time and can enjoy the morning.

THE CEREMONY When it comes to your ceremony and timings, there are two elements to consider: Firstly, what time should everyone arrive at the ceremony? As a general guide I usually advise the following: ■■ Groom, best man/men and ushers - at least 45 minutes before the ceremony ■■ Guests - 30 minutes before the ceremony ■■ Groom’s parents - 15 minutes before the ceremony ■■ Bride’s parents and bridesmaids - 10 minutes before the ceremony ■■ Bride (and your chosen aisle buddy!) - 5 minutes before the ceremony Secondly, how long should you allow for your ceremony? This will ultimately depend on whether you’re having a religious ceremony, a non-religious ceremony, or a civil wedding/partnership… ■■ Non-religious ceremony - 20 to 45 minutes ■■ Civil wedding/partnership - 30 to 45 minutes ■■ Religious ceremony - 60 to 90 minutes

W E D D I N G D AY T I M I N G S

TOP TIP! You may want to use your ceremony location for some group pictures and the confetti shot – if you do then remember to factor this into your timings.

Wedding day timings are possibly one of the hardest things to gauge, particularly if your wedding is the first large-scale event you’ve ever organised. Whilst there’s no one-size-fits-all template, here’s a rough guide of how long to allow for each part of your Big Day with some top tips sprinkled throughout!

TOP TIP! If you want a longer drinks reception, then you’ll need to keep your guests entertained and provide plenty of drinks and canapés.

DRINKS RECEPTION Allow 1 ½ to 2 hours for your drinks reception as this will give your photographer plenty of time for group and personal portrait shots. It’ll also give you enough time to mingle with your guests and enjoy your canapés and bubbles.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y R E B E C C A G O D D A R D P H O T O G R A P H Y AT H O LY W E L L H A L L

TOP TIPS! Make sure everything runs like clockwork by asking your photographer to scope out some potential backgrounds in advance. GROUP AND PORTRAIT PHOTOS The number of group photos you want will ultimately determine how long your photographer will need. However, as a general rule of thumb allow 5 minutes per group photo and at least 30 minutes for your personal portrait shots.

Make a list of different photos and combinations of your family and wedding party that you don’t want the photographer to miss. Then arrange for the relevant people to gather at a designated spot right after your ceremony so that nobody goes AWOL when they’re needed. Give somebody trustworthy (and someone who knows the difference between your dad and your distant uncle) the job of rounding everyone up for group photos and chasing any stragglers. 19

W E D D I N G D AY T I M I N G S

S E AT I N G G U E S T S Allow up to 30 minutes for guests to move from the drinks reception to the location of your wedding breakfast and for them to then find their seats.

TOP TIPS! Designate at least a couple of your bridesmaids or ushers to direct guests and speed up any loitering guests! This is also a perfect opportunity for you and your partner to steel some time together, whether that’s using the time for a little one-on-one time or indeed to capture those couple’s shots.

SPEECHES Allow no more than 30 to 45 minutes for your speeches with each speaker allocated up to 10 / max 15 minutes. It’s important to try and stick to these timings as speeches that take any longer normally result in fidgety guests and your evening may lose momentum as a result.

TOP TIP! If you ask your speakers how long they think they’ll take always double it! From experience I have never known a speech to run to time!

W E D D I N G D AY T I M I N G S

W E D D I N G B R E A K FA S T The best starting point when it comes to working out how much time to allocate for your wedding breakfast is to once again ask the expert.

As a general guide, allow around 2 hours for a 3-course meal.

EVENING RECEPTION Once the evening reception has begun, timings often go out the window! However, there are some key elements that need to be factored into your schedule as otherwise they can easily be forgotten in the excitement of the evening festivities! I therefore normally advise my couples to factor in their first dance, cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet no later than 45 minutes after the end of their wedding breakfast (this will also ensure that their photographer manages to capture everything before they leave).

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y R E B E C C A G O D D A R D P H O T O G R A P H Y AT H O LY W E L L H A L L

Your caterers will be able to give you a guide on how long they think their service will take depending on the number of guests, choice of food, number of courses, number of catering staff and type of venue.

TOP TIPS!

If you’ve invited evening guests, ask them to turn up at least 30 minutes after your wedding breakfast – if for any reason your wedding breakfast overruns the last thing you want is to have evening guests turning up whilst people are still eating! Each wedding is unique, so timings will vary drastically between different celebrations. Please use these timings as a loose guide and don’t feel like you’re doing it wrong if you want to deviate – it’s your day after all!

W E D D I N G D AY T I M I N G S

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DUFF Y PHOTOGRAPHY

THE CEREMONY WORDS BY EMMA HL A

The ceremony part of your wedding, albeit the whole reason for the celebration, is going to be a little like Marmite. For some it will be your favourite part of the day and for others it will feel a little awkward and a whole lot of nerve-wracking having all eyes on you! For my own wedding, I sat somewhere in the middle. Without doubt, the butterflies will well and truly kick in just before you walk down the aisle (cherish this moment – it goes too fast!). The first time you catch a glimpse of your husband or wife-to-be will make you melt and the moment you say your vows to each other really is something special. There are several ceremony options for you to choose from, so it’s important to know what feels right for you. Civil ceremonies can happen pretty much anywhere that has a marriage license. You can even legally marry outdoors if your venue has a licensed pagoda, terrace or summer house. If you wish to marry somewhere that doesn’t have a license, such as a woodland, then a blessing or humanist ceremony is your best option. However, this isn’t a legal ceremony in England and Wales so you will need to have a ceremony at your registry office to make everything official. This can either happen before or after your blessing/humanist wedding. Another option of course are religious ceremonies in a place of worship. You will be guided through the particular steps required for your chosen location as some religions require meetings and counselling prior to the ceremony. If you fancy exploring the ceremony in more detail, turn the page to find some extra notes…

THE CEREMONY

CIVIL CEREMONIES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DUFF Y PHOTOGRAPHY

To legally marry you need to give notice at your local registry office at least 28 days prior to the wedding date. You will also need to go through a little interview where they will ask you a few questions about your partner. You can go online and find out further information about what documents you will need to take with you to give notice. You will be guided by the venue regarding which county council you must contact to book your officiant with. Apart from a few specific words that you must say to make the ceremony legal, there are no rules when it comes to the order of service at a civil ceremony. So, you can really tailor the vows, readings and any music you choose. Although it’s important to note that any readings or songs you opt for can’t contain anything religious (for example; excerpts from the bible or religious hymns). You will also need to choose two witnesses at the ceremony for when you sign the register.

BLESSINGS & HUMANIST CEREMONIES With a ceremony of this nature, you have the opportunity to create the entire service yourselves, ensuring the focus is on nothing but you as a couple, your love, and your uniqueness. This option also enables you to get married in any location you desire, indoors, or out, however as mentioned you will need to have a legal service at a local registry office.

ELOPEMENTS Fancy eloping? We don’t blame you! This type of ceremony and wedding has become increasingly popular in the last couple of years. Whilst some couples embrace this intimate option and choose a small wedding, others will marry in a cool destination-style ceremony for two and then throw a large celebratory party with friends and family after the wedding. An elopement will usually follow the same rules as a civil ceremony, but just because you don’t have the large entourage it doesn’t mean you need to scrimp on style or details. There are several savvy venues now offering specific elopement packages where you can still have the fabulous florals, awesome photographer and decadent wedding breakfast. Just on a smaller scale!

SCOTL AND

READINGS & MUSIC

Scotland is the only country in the UK which legally recognises humanist weddings. If that’s not your bag, and you would like something more traditional or religious, it is good to be aware that The Church of Scotland is happy to marry couples outside, welcomes divorcées and also couples from other churches.

A little note about choosing your readings and music.

For couples wishing to marry in Scotland, you do not have to be a resident. Therefore, citizens of any country can marry in any district they choose, provided there is no legal impediment to the marriage. All weddings in Scotland require some legal paperwork. You must post the completed forms to arrive 10 – 12 weeks before the date of the proposed marriage and certainly no later than 29 days before. Your venue will advise you on which registration office to send this to. If you’re travelling to Scotland from abroad then a marriage visa is not required to give notice of marriage, however it may be required to enter the UK. You can contact the UK Border Agency for advice about entry requirements to the UK under the immigration rules for marriage.

First of all, there are no rules saying you must have either, it’s a completely personal choice. Secondly, if you’re wondering about when and where to have them, then your officiant can send you an example order of service which you can then tailor. For our readings, we chose love letters written by two of our favourite writers and had a couple of (willing) friends stand up and read them out. Readings can be anything, from your favourite poem, to song lyrics, to a significant extract from a book. If you’re really stuck then you can find plenty of inspiration online. If readings aren’t your thing then perhaps a sing-along? Provide song sheets to your guests and belt out one of your favourite tunes! You will have a seriously energised and happy wedding party! The choice of music for our ceremony was probably more important than the first dance. There are plenty of options you can choose from here including live musicians such as a string quartet, a pianist or a guitarist. Some couples even choose a big brass marching band to escort them from ceremony to reception! If you want to save the live music for the reception the easiest thing to do is plug in an iPod and create a list of your favourite songs. Put one of the groomsmen in charge of this! You might want to consider music for these elements of the ceremony: ■■ When guests enter the ceremony room and take their seats ■■ When you walk down the aisle (processional) ■■ When you are signing the register ■■ When you leave the ceremony room (recessional) If you’re going down the playlist route just check your venue’s set-up and whether you’ll need additional speakers.

Photography Hannah Duffy Photography Creative Direction Emma Hla, Coco Wedding Venues Shoot Management Katrina Otter, Katrina Otter Weddings Creative Consultancy Coco & Kat Venue GreenAcres Woodland Weddings Florist Verity & Thyme Jewellery Zoe & Morgan Stationery & Signage Merrie & Bright Furniture Hire Hire Love Velvet Vows Book elmo PAPERSTORIES Bespoke Vows Tamryn Lawrence at Wild & Oak 25

THE CEREMONY

PL ANNING YOUR WEDDING BUDGET W O R D S BY K AT R I N A OT T E R

All too often couples shy away from sitting down and budgeting because they find it stressful or they’re not sure where to start. But once you know how to do it, it can be easy and then, even exciting to decide where your money goes. So, to help you out, here’s a step-by-step guide on budgeting for your Big Day...

MAKE A SPREADSHEET

W O R K O U T H O W M U C H YO U C A N S AV E

If the thought of opening up Excel fills you with dread, then rip off that bandaid and whatever you do, DON’T put it off! It’s the quickest and easiest way to keep all your information together in an easy-to-scan format, as well as calculating and staying on top of your budget as you go.

Whether you have a date in mind or you’re waiting to see how long it will take you to save, you need to know how much you can put aside every month without compromising your quality of life.

W H O ’ S PAY I N G F O R T H E W E D D I N G ? The next step is to establish exactly who’s paying for your wedding. If your parents and/or relatives are contributing, now’s the time to find out so that you can include any contributions in your budget. Before you accept any money make sure you have an open and honest chat about what’s expected of you. While some parents are happy to consider the money as a gift, others might think of it as a stake in your wedding and may have some requests of their own. It’s essential at this stage to make sure that everyone is on the same page from day one to avoid any misunderstandings later on.

Write down how much you both earn every month and then make a note of all your bills, regular payments and any extras. Then see how much is left over and add in any parental contributions. Once you have that all-important figure, have a look at your outgoings and decide where you can reasonably cut back without having to live off baked beans until the wedding!

S E T A D AT E If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to set a rough date for your wedding so that you can work out how much you’d like to spend vs. how much you can reasonably save.

A L L O C AT E YO U R B U D G E T This is one of the hardest parts of budgeting for your wedding because most couples who are getting married for the first time don’t know how much things cost. This will mean sitting down as a couple and making some tough calls – what aspects of your wedding are most important? The food, the location, the venue, the music, the décor, the details? What’s essential and what’s nice to have?

This may involve some compromise, but once you have your priorities in order, allocating your budget will be that little bit easier. PL ANNING YOUR WEDDING BUDGET

GET QUOTES Before you book suppliers, sign contracts or buy anything at all, make sure you get at least a couple of quotes from each type of supplier (and check whether or not they’ve included VAT in the quote, or if there are any hidden extras that can drastically alter the price). That way you can see if the day you’ve planned is within reach, or if your numbers are off and you need to rethink.

GIVE YOURSELF A CONTINGENCY Adding a contingency fund to your budget will ensure that if your wedding costs more than you thought it would, you have sufficient funds to cover this.

DOUBLE CHECK Now is the time to double check your budget… Have you forgotten the essentials? Are there any extra elements, suppliers etc. you’ve excluded that you think you’ll worry about later down the line? Have you underestimated how much the suppliers you really want might cost? Things can, and do add up! So, make sure that you’re not left short by double checking all of your figures.

PL ANNING YOUR WEDDING BUDGET

THE VENUE BUDGET WORDS BY EMMA HL A

Venue costs can be a bit of a minefield and here’s why: Venues come in all shapes and sizes, from a woodland to a grand luxury manor, a tipi to a town hall. Then you have the additional variances in seasonal pricing and the small matter of which day you choose to marry. On top of this, you also have dry hire venues where they only charge for the four walls (or less), versus venues where they include everything! From accommodation for the happy couple, through to catering and all that goes with that (chairs, tableware, welcome drinks etc.), you also have the staffing on top and any additional extras such as marquees in the grounds and hell, some even throw in their vintage car as a fancy getaway! With the above in mind, I wanted to give you some advice about what to expect when it comes to navigating the wedding venue and the associated budget. When you shortlist those faves and you send them a message requesting their pricing and details, just keep in mind the following tips...

T H E S TAT I S T I C S Couples can spend approx 10-15% of their total budget on the wedding venue and yes, because this decision is usually at the beginning of the process it’s certainly the one to make that heart flutter (and not always in a good way!). If the average cost of a wedding is £32,000 then that means some couples will spend around £4,800 on a venue. Indeed, my own breakdown of costs put our venue at 11% of our total. BUT, remember folks, this is all “average” and most certainly doesn’t reflect how much you will actually be spending! To take our costs into consideration again, our original budget went up by 30% by the end of the planning, so think of all of these stats as a rough guide to assist with your initial planning.

You’ve got the ring, you’ve celebrated with loved ones, you might have even bought that first wedding magazine (*hello*) – now what? The panic sets in, that’s what. I totally get it. I was exactly the same and it’s only now with hindsight that I can try to offer some comfort by saying it will all be ok. Because folks, it really will be. However, initially this panic is brought on because there will be a resounding pressure to book a date and ultimately with this, a venue. But please stop, think and breathe. This is not the time for rushing ahead, signing contracts without consideration and becoming constricted by the very thing that should be the foundations of your joyous day! Take your time and keep reading…

THE VENUE BUDGET

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DUFF Y PHOTOGRAPHY

Stage One

S AV E T H E D AT E Peak season in the wedding world can differ from venue to venue, but as a rule of thumb you’re probably looking at any dates from April through to late September. Typically these months will command a higher charge versus the autumn/winter options. Wedding venues can be booked up a year in advance, so when searching for your venue please do keep this in mind as a certain level of flexibility may be required if you have your heart set on getting married next August! Also, do enquire about weekday weddings. If you’re happy to host your party mid-week, then you could save a considerable amount and get that summer wedding date you’re after!

VAT V I S I B I L I T Y Whether you’re requesting some information over email or you find yourself sitting in a grand country manor sipping bubbles with the owners, it’s always a good idea to have a handle on the costs being put in front of you. When discussing numbers with your venue (or any wedding supplier for that matter!) ensure the figures are inclusive of VAT. Inputting the correct figures into your trusty spreadsheet means there won’t be any nasty surprises a little later down the line. Before you’ve set your heart on anything, make sure you understand the real cost behind it. Once you’re emotionally sold, it’s very hard to back track.

C AT E R I N G C O S T S Catering costs are usually on top of any ceremony and reception hire fees, especially for those venues who have outside/preferred catering companies. If this is the case, once you’ve agreed your venue hire fee, you will then liaise with your chosen caterer regarding costs for your reception. Venues who have in-house catering will talk you through their packages which may have varying degrees of yummy extravagance. To help with your initial decision making, have a rough idea of how many guests you are considering inviting to your wedding; firstly, to gauge whether the venue is big (or small) enough to accommodate your party and secondly to start to get a rough cost per head. When requesting venue hire information, also ask about their catering options and whether they have a preferred/recommended list you can choose from. You can then do some research into these caterers to see who fits into your budget and style of wedding prior to booking the venue. There are many exciting catering options available to couples these days, just make sure that if you like the idea of street food vendors or pop-up style catering your venue allows this on site.

THE VENUE BUDGET

CORK AGE & BAR COSTS Ok, let’s talk about the hard stuff - alcohol. We all want our reception to be a hit with our guests and for some this will equate to fuelling your loved ones with enough wine, beer and bubbles! However, this is another area to consider when booking your venue so do ask for a bar list or prices alongside these specifics; ■■ Do they charge a corkage fee or are they a no corkage venue? ■■ If they do charge a corkage fee, how much per bottle of wine and how much per bottle of Prosecco or Champagne? ■■ If some alcohol is included, how much per head is offered? (Note: this may be one for the caterers!) ■■ What are the options for your evening reception and bar? ■■ Is there a bar in-house or will you need to provide this service yourselves? ■■ If in-house, are they happy for you to have another mixologist/ supplier onsite? ■■ Is there a minimum spend or do they offer a cash bar option?

Your venue’s in-house bar or caterers can offer advice on amounts per person required, so add this to the cost per head on your spreadsheet!

ST YLING YOUR VENUE Depending on the type of venue you hire, you will need to take into consideration a certain level of decoration. If you’re opting for a grand stately home then you may only need beautiful florals to compliment the surroundings. If however you prefer a dry hire barn or creative space where you need to customise and bring in everything from tables, chairs, crockery, lighting etc. then you’ll need considerably more help (and budget!) to create the wedding scene of your dreams. Always book a venue that you love and work with the décor, rather than against it to disguise any areas that niggle. Ask your venue what’s included when you visit. If you do want to style, then ask your venue what is and isn’t allowed, and ask to see images from previous weddings so you can see what other couples did with the spaces!

THE VENUE BUDGET

When you enquire with a venue or visit in person, ask if they have a supplier list. Some venues are super flexible and allow the couple free reign, but others may have a list in place. This could be a preferred list where couples must choose from the suppliers listed, or a recommended list where the venue is suggesting incredible suppliers that have previously worked at the venue. I really valued a suppliers list because I was the first of my friends to get married, the world of weddings was very new, and it was the perfect place to start! For busy brides and grooms looking to tick those planning boxes, the suppliers list may also be the perfect time-saving solution. However, it’s not for everyone and it’s a really important deciding factor when it comes to your venue as too strict a list and the venue may not be able to accommodate your bigday designs. If this is the case, discuss it with the team and be open about your plans. If the venue’s terms & conditions are too restrictive for you, then simply move on. You want this journey to be as smooth as possible, the venue decision really has to be made with both head and heart. So bringing this topic back to the budget, a cost to watch out for here is if a venue has a preferred supplier list but does allow couples to bring in their own suppliers for a fee. Just make sure you’re asking the questions and fully understand the ins and outs. Also, if you’re intrigued about a preferred suppliers list (the one where you must choose) do ask the venue questions about how they curated their list. A fabulous venue will be all too happy to tell you the whys and whats and will exude passion about their preferred suppliers!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DUFF Y PHOTOGRAPHY

With regards to the latter, don’t be worried about having a cash bar in the evening, your guests won’t reel in horror and consider you poor hosts for making them buy their own G&T! But, if it does make you feel slightly uncomfortable and you still need to keep a tight grip of costs, then you can agree a set limit or specific drinks which you’re happy to pay for.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS

AC C O M M O D AT I O N When considering a venue it’s always best to have an idea of logistics for your guests coming from afar. It’s also good to know if they have a bridal suite for your first night and if any of this is included within the venue hire price. Some questions to have up your sleeve are: ■■ Is there accommodation onsite, if so how many can the venue sleep? ■■ If there’s no accommodation, who can they recommend in the local area and is there an affiliated discount? ■■ Is there a bridal suite or honeymoon cottage onsite and is this included in the venue hire? ■■ If you take the venue exclusively, will you need to book a minimum number of rooms? With regards to the last question, some venues will say that you can sell rooms back to your guests. Now this is all fine in theory if you think this is helpful for your guests, but if you are covering an initial room outlay then ensure this is all within budget and doesn’t rely on your guests ‘paying you back’ so to speak! This could make for some awkward conversations later down the line if guests don’t want to take the accommodation. VENUE FIRST A whopping 89% of couples have the wedding venue search top of the planning list and folks, I couldn’t agree more!

OTHER COSTS Some other costs to consider when booking your venue… ■■ Exclusivity - is there a premium for taking the venue exclusively? ■■ Late License - a late license can be requested at certain venues, however this may come at an additional cost so check out what this entails if you fancy partying into the night! ■■ Insurance - always take out wedding insurance. A cost that you hope will never come into play, but if it does then you’ll be so pleased you thought of this little expense. ■■ Pets at Weddings - is there a room charge for having your furry ones stay in the venue’s accommodation? ■■ Service - are staff included in the venue hire fee? If not, is this covered by the caterers or will this be an additional cost. ■■ Land - you might not think hiring some land could amount to much right? If you’re considering a marquee or tipi and want to place it in a field or within an estate, it’s probably best to look for the tent supplier first and then see where they usually pitch or if they can recommend venues and locations they work with. ■■ Marquee & Tipi - when hiring this type of venue do ask what’s included - consider toilets, generators, catering equipment, heating, tables, chairs, flooring, lighting and staff. ■■ Not required thank you! - make sure you are only paying for the items you want or need. For example, if chair covers aren’t your thing then do you need to be paying for them or are they an optional extra?

If you’re currently negotiating with a specific venue or there’s a possible sticking point, then ensure you have all of the terms & conditions ironed out, have agreed and signed contracts and are happy with all costs involved before you book any other supplier - particularly if they depend on your location and of course the date.

GUT INSTINCT Choosing a wedding venue is a very subjective process and it will be different for each couple. What one couple will love, another might not love. Therefore, if you’ve viewed a venue it’s really important to go with your gut. If you’ve fallen in love with the location but there’s something that doesn’t feel quite right, then delve a little further into what the issue might be, but don’t be frightened of walking away if it starts to feel too difficult. You take an important journey with your wedding venue and and it’s such a key relationship to a smooth planning process. Fall in love with the team as much as the venue.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA GODDARD PHOTOGRAPHY

HOW MUCH DO FLOWERS COST? W O R D S BY J AY A R C H E R

The flower budget… ‘’do we even have one?!’’ As a wedding florist, I meet couples every day who come to me for advice on their wedding flowers – what to have, what’s in season and, more importantly, what it will all cost? I try to be as helpful as I can but the thing is - and here’s the bit where people think I am being evasive - there really isn’t an average. People often think that if you say the word ‘wedding’ then the price doubles and this is especially true with the flowers. A groom recently said to me ‘’why does the bridal bouquet cost triple what a bouquet would in a shop?’’. The answer is that it’s made using a different method, with more select ingredients, with due care and is sometimes finished with trailing ribbon – I often use silk – instead of cheap cellophane wrapping! Layer on top of this that most people choose to marry on a Saturday, of which there are only 52 in the year, and it takes approximately 5 days of work to complete your wedding flowers; probably 2–3 prep days with additional staff, the day itself and the day after collecting, clearing and cleaning. For me, any one wedding from absolute start to finish takes 17 full days of work. You’re paying for all of that, not just the wedding day. Using ‘seasonal flowers’ doesn’t always mean cheaper either, for example; English-grown roses are bang-in-season in June, but they’re often double the price of cheaper imported counterparts. So why pay more? Because they’re scented, aesthetically very different and they’re British. To me it’s a no-brainer, but more on seasonality later. There are florists out there to suit every taste, budget and wedding style. When writing this I am certainly not speaking for us all, but rather sharing my experience of working on over 500 weddings and also the experiences of florists who have shared their thoughts with me when attending my Flower School.

HOW MUCH DO FLOWERS COST?

PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA GODDARD PHOTOGRAPHY

FINDING YOUR FLORIST Before you even enquire or look at suppliers in your area, make a list of your absolute essentials and wish-list items. Your essentials may include your personal flowers (bridal bouquet, buttonholes etc.), front of ceremony flowers, table centres and thank you gift bouquets. Your wish-list items may include *that* flower arch, marquee ceiling décor or cake flowers. As a general rule, the flower spend is usually around 10% of the final figure of the wedding. Some couples will spend less, some will spend more if the florals are a big deal to them. Many may choose to DIY their own wedding flowers, and there are artisan growers out there who can supply you with a ‘Buckets and Bouquets’ service. On that point, I strongly believe you get what you pay for - floristry is definitely a skill. I’ve had many a panicked client call me the day before, or on the day asking for help with wilted blooms. So perhaps think carefully about this DIY option if flowers are a new area to you. So, you have your lists and you’ve spoken to your partner about your joint ideas, expectations and must-haves; you can now start the search for your florist! I would recommend starting on social media platforms and use hashtags to identify suppliers in your area or those who will travel to you - Instagram is a great place for this! Your wedding venue may also be able to recommend people who you can follow for a little while on social media and get a vibe for their style. Many florists will work to all briefs and styles, but some are more specific. Once you’ve found a few florists you like the look of, take a good look at their websites - is there any pricing information on there? It’s not a negative if there isn’t, but it could help save some time if you have a big list of ‘liked’ suppliers! The next steps are to contact these florists. If you have an idea by now of your spend, and you really should, simply tell them. Many people think ‘oh if I tell them my budget they’ll spend it all’. Well, ummm, yes, is that not the point? There is no point wasting anyone’s time - yours or theirs - so be upfront!

HOW MUCH DO FLOWERS COST?

THE COST OF FLOWERS W H AT N E X T ? Ok, so you’ve found the florist(s) you want to see and you all have a rough idea of budget, you’re now at the stage of meeting them! Following this initial consultation, the florist should be able to present you with a quote. Do bear in mind that at this early stage of planning, your table numbers, buttonhole requirements, bridesmaid flowers are probably not all confirmed so in the quote labour costs will not be 100% accurate as the full extent of work is still a little unknown. It’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation at this point, but an experienced florist will be able to give you a good indication of where you’re at money wise. Remember your essential and wish-list items - don’t penalise a florist for not being able to get your wish-list into your budget. It may be a case of compromising on certain elements if the budget cannot move.

Now you’re clued up and know what to expect outside of individual arrangements, but what do the flowers actually cost? I’ve done a lot of research on different flower prices around the UK. A bridal bouquet usually sits around £120 - £150 for a trailing design, or £75 - £90 for something handtied. Buttonholes are from £5 each and something simple such as a jam jar table centerpiece comes in at around £15 per table. If you’ve dreamed of an arch, whether it’s your ceremony focal point or to dress the church entrance you can expect to spend between £250 - £450. So that’s it… hopefully you feel a little more prepared with a few general pointers on what to ask your florist. Essentially, this article is about ensuring both you and your florist are working together, but I also hope it’s given a little more insight into what wedding florists do and the value behind their professional skills.

Similarly, if a florist comes back and their quote is too high, give them a chance to rework it for you when you’ve decided what you want to omit. If the quote is very low, it doesn’t always mean it’s the best value! A good business person will send a full break down of costs, as well as the individual flower arrangement costs. Here’s a little check list for your quotation: ■■ Consultation fees ■■ Set up fees ■■ Break down/clear down fees ■■ Labour ■■ Travel (a pre-wedding venue visit may also be needed) ■■ Midnight clear charges - Some venues insist we go back after the party has finished between 12 – 1am to clear down. Others will have an early morning deadline of 6 or 7am. To de-flower your venue, so to speak, does take time and sometimes we don’t get home until 4am. So a little cost to cover this time is required and hopefully understood ■■ VAT - some florists will include this, some will add it on at the end and some businesses will not charge it at all, just ensure you understand which one is relevant for you and your quote! ■■ Cleaning/preparation fees If your florist’s quote does not include these items, simply ask them why - many will build the above costs into individual arrangement fees so there will not be a separate section for them. Essentially, you want to ensure and confirm the figures they’re giving you before you book include ALL expected costs.

HOW MUCH DO FLOWERS COST?

DEFINING YOUR ST YLE W O R D S B Y M I C H E L L E K E L LY, P O C K E T F U L O F D R E A M S

One of the biggest milestones for a couple is to create their dream wedding together. One that feels authentic and meaningful, whilst being full of stylish flair and personality. But it can also be a daunting task to combine the tastes and loves of two very individual people, so that the result feels truly personal to both. Your own wedding style is so personal to you. It’s all about creating an atmosphere and evoking specific emotions amongst your guests and your wedding party. Your style should reflect your individuality and tell your story, and most importantly, it should 100% feel like it belongs to the two of you and not just a mish-mash of Pinterest ideas. So how do you go about defining your own unique wedding style? Read on for my tried and tested formula.

WEDDING STYLE There are three main components that come together to make up your overall wedding style, these are:

AESTHETICS

YOU VIBE

SOUL

Aesthetics

This is the most obvious aspect of your day, and often the only element people think about when designing a wedding. The aesthetics are typically the elements people can see, touch and feel. They are the beautiful details that create your overall look.

Vibe

This is more about the emotive feelings your day evokes. It’s when everything flows beautifully and there’s a great energy throughout.

Soul

This is your why. It is the passion and meaning behind your commitment to each other, it is who you are as people and how this is reflected throughout your wedding.

DEFINING YOUR ST YLE

DEFINING YOUR OWN ST YLE Defining your style and ultimately unlocking your vision is the most VITAL step in the wedding planning process. Yet I see so many people skip this part or focus solely on the aesthetics alone. You’ve got to dive in deep to find the true heart and soul of your wedding vision before you engage suppliers or start building those pretty mood boards.

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY D AV I D J E N K I N S AT I S C OY D PA R K

Why? I hear you ask. Well the reason is simple, if you don’t know what you really want, or what’s important to the two of you, then you won’t know where you are headed with the design of your day. You won’t be able to articulate your vision to your suppliers and making decisions will be much harder as there is no focus. Think of it this way: would you set off in your car and just start driving without knowing the end destination first? Start with who you are The first step in this process is to go within to really define who you are, so start by thinking about your own personal style. Ask yourself what’s important to you in life? What’s your unique personality? What are your passions or hobbies? What do you do for fun? What do you enjoy doing together? How would your friends describe you? There are no right or wrong answers here, this is about you starting to delve deep into the heart and soul of the two of YOU and getting those creative cogs turning, so you can work through this process of creating a really personal and meaningful day.

Start at the very beginning moving onto getting ready, imagining your ceremony and then the party. Visualise your entire day until you reach the end, thinking about where you are, what you see, who is with you, how you feel, what people say to you and so on. Really immerse yourself in this visualisation exercise then write down the things you remember the most, including the specific actions and your feelings. It may feel a little silly at first, but spending time playing out the scenarios in your head, from morning to night, may give you a few surprising insights into what’s really important to you and what you are noticing as key moments. I bet it wasn’t the colour of the tablecloths that was most on your mind was it? Sure those finer details can help you create a really beautiful day, full of stylish touches, but they’re not the most important aspects. It’s crucial that you start with those that are core to your happiness as these will help you focus on everything else. What’s MOST important to the two of you? Having gone through these steps above it’s now much easier to focus in on what’s really important to you both. So, jot down your top 3-5 must-haves that have been uncovered through this process. The reason I limit this to 3-5 is because there will be a list of elements that would be ‘nice-to-have’ at your wedding and if you can make those happen then great. But your ‘must-haves’ are your absolutes, they are the no compromise elements that will make this wedding truly yours and special for you both.

What resonates with you? The next thing to do is to think about what’s important to you both for your wedding day and how you want to feel on the day? Do you want it to be fun, heartfelt, romantic, full of surprises, respectful of traditions or one-hell-of-a-party?

Let’s daydream

As your planning progresses you may come up against challenges, be that input from family, influence from friends, budget restrictions, or even just feeling swayed by all the choice and inspiration out there. This is when having a note of these top priorities is so important, it’s your guide throughout the planning, it’s your ultimate core purpose and reason, so if anything you are doing doesn’t feel aligned with that, then you know it’s time to revisit this process.

A good exercise is to sit back and play out your wedding experience in your head - and really allow yourself to daydream for a moment.

DEFINING YOUR ST YLE

BE GENTLE AND TRUST THE PROCESS Keep communicating with your partner throughout, it’s not only essential to creating a well-designed wedding day but as we all know, it’s the key to a healthy and happy relationship too. So make sure each party in this relationship has their chance to be heard. Remember this is a gentle process and one that should be entered into with curiosity and an open-mind. Although you love each other dearly, this process may not be all hearts and romance. We’re all individual people, we like what we like and we’re pretty vocal about the things we don’t. You may discover something new about your partner; like they have very strong feelings about a particular aspect of weddings that you never expected, or there’s something that they really loathe that you didn’t know about. So just be open to discovering and exploring. It’s not about getting what you want or even starting to question how compatible you both are because you have different priorities for your day (seriously don’t go down that road!). This process is about finding the common ground between your priorities to create a day that suits you both. It may be some compromise is needed or you have to tweak things slightly, so have that open and honest, from the heart discussion without expectations as soon as you can. Then once you’ve done that, sleep on it. It may be you’ll think differently once you’ve had that discussion, I know I personally have to ruminate on something for a few days until I reach my conclusion, so give yourself the same time and space. There’s no rush here.

DEFINING YOUR ST YLE

“Compromising doesn’t mean that you are wrong and someone else is right. It means that you value your relationship more than your ego” 39

DEFINING YOUR ST YLE

S TA R T I N G YO U R R E S E A R C H

Starting

YOUR RESEARCH

If you’ve taken the time to read through this first chapter then you’re probably in a really good place to start your research because a) you will have discussed and got a handle on your budget and b) decided on the style of wedding that suits you as a couple! This is the time that it starts to get really exciting because you can buy up ALL of the wedding magazines, hit the dreamy blogs, lose yourself in Pinterest and start getting out to wedding fairs & open days. A little later on we’ll guide you through the realities of approaching and choosing suppliers, but right now it’s all about soaking up as much inspiration as you want. On the other hand, if the thought of design and details are making you panic, then this might not be your thing and actually this is where you could think about enlisting the help of a planner and/or stylist.

S TA R T I N G YO U R R E S E A R C H

The five W’s to HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER W O R D S BY K AT R I N A OT T E R

01.

To keep this advice as simple as possible I’ve created a breakdown of the Who, What, Why, When and Where to hiring a wedding planner...

W H AT

In a nutshell, a wedding planner is a professional who can assist and support you with the overall design, planning and management of your wedding. However, I don’t think this nutshell really does the profession justice because a wedding planner is SO MUCH MORE… A wedding planner is also: ■■ An expert, confidant and mentor ■■ Someone who will listen to you, support you and take away some of the burden and stress of planning a wedding ■■ Someone who will work with you to understand your dreams and then deliver them ■■ Someone who will create one of the most memorable experiences of your life ■■ Someone who will work tirelessly throughout to ensure that every last detail is carefully considered and flawlessly executed A wedding planner can take on as little or as much of the organisation of your wedding as you want (for example, depending on how much you want to plan yourself, the areas where you require an extra helping hand or your budget for this service) and as such, most planners offer a range of tailored services to suit. As a wedding planner, my most popular planning services are full wedding planning and wedding day management, whereas other planner’s areas of expertise are slightly different, and so too are their services as a result. For example, some wedding planners will specialise in destination weddings or will have a particular emphasis on wedding design and styling, whilst others will be all about the logistics. Before I round up the WHAT I just want to touch upon the difference between a wedding planner and wedding coordinator because they’re often seen as the same role whereas in actual fact there’s a huge difference between the two. It ultimately boils down to the level of service - a planner will usually be for full or partial wedding planning, helping you throughout the planning process from start to finish; sourcing your venue and suppliers, budget and RSVP management etc. A coordinator on the other hand will generally come in towards the end to help you in the final few weeks; pulling together the time-line for the day, confirming the suppliers, tying up loose ends and being there on the day itself.

THE FIVE W’S TO HIRING A WEDDING PL ANNER

02. WHY Every couple is different and so too are their reasons for hiring a wedding planner; whether it’s because they’ve got demanding jobs, a young family, live overseas, want to marry in an area they don’t necessarily know, lack the creative confidence to deliver their vision or simply have no interest in weddings or wedding planning! The commonality amongst them all is that each and every couple will benefit from hiring a wedding planner as a result of the following: ■■ A wedding planner will save you a considerable amount of time ■■ They’ll take away some of the stress and shoulder the burden of planning your wedding ■■ They know the who’s who in the industry so will be able to recommend the suppliers that are the right fit for you, your wedding and budget ■■ They may (with particular emphasis on the word may) be able to save you money as a result of existing supplier relationships, by thoroughly checking contracts or booking the right suppliers for the correct timings and service ■■ They’ll help you bring your vision to life and if you don’t have one, they’ll be able to create one for you! ■■ They’re there to set-up and pack-up on the day, oversee suppliers, manage your timeline etc. if you’ve hired them for this service (if you’re having a marquee wedding then they’ll also be there to oversee the set-up and de-rig) ■■ They’ll work tirelessly to ensure that every last detail is carefully planned and considered ■■ They’re expert behind-the-scenes firefighters! ■■ They’ll allow you to let go, relax and enjoy your engagement ■■ They’re dedicated to YOUR needs and are on YOUR team!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DUFF Y PHOTOGRAPHY

THE FIVE W’S TO HIRING A WEDDING PL ANNER

03. WHO Thankfully, there are as many styles of wedding planner as there are styles of wedding! With planners coming from a whole range of backgrounds, you’ll be able to find just the right planner for you. So, where do all these wedding planners come from? Well, some of us have honed our planning skills in corporate events, worked as PAs or in other organisational roles. Others come from more creative and artistic backgrounds such as costume or stage design. Some have worked overseas and others have had high-flying city jobs. As every planner comes into the industry with a totally different skill set, each one will have different experiences and even different levels of training. You’ll find that some planners have taken one or more training courses before they launched their business and others won’t have. There’s no ‘right’ option here though, so qualifications or training courses should probably reinforce your feelings that someone’s right for you rather than being the only thing you look for. And what should you be looking for? How will you know WHO the right planner is for you? Well, here’s my take on things: ■■ Does their website and social media speak your language? Can you imagine yourself having a conversation with them? ■■ Do the images on their website correspond with the style or quality of wedding that you’re hoping for? ■■ Are you excited by their portfolio? ■■ Do you get a sense, from your first contact with them, that they’re on your wavelength? ■■ Are their communications with you timely and appropriate? Everyone has different expectations here so only you know what’s right for you. ■■ Do you like them? I know that last point might sound a bit OTT but it’s crucial that you like your wedding planner. You’re going to be trusting them and relying on them to plan and execute one of the most important events in your life AND you’ll probably get to a point where you’re communicating with them more than your friends and family.

THE FIVE W’S TO HIRING A WEDDING PL ANNER

Rounding off the WHO is pricing! Of course, your WHO will be, in some ways, governed by your budget but let me just say two things here… Firstly, when you’re comparing proposals and quotations from planners, don’t simply look at the bottom line figure. Go through the quote to see exactly how much of your wedding planner’s time you’ll have before, during and even after the wedding day itself. Meetings, site visits, travel, calls and all that admin add up so consider the level of support that you’re getting for your money to work out whether your quote is good value for you. Secondly, I’m well aware that wedding planners are sometimes accused of being expensive but if you can, imagine us as a timesaving safety net. We’ve got the know-how, the contacts, the time and the experience to make sure that your wedding is everything you want it to be. We’ve got your back throughout the planning process and on the day, we’re totally on your side. We’ll save you time, stress and organisational headaches and we’ll rustle up ideas and suppliers that you’ll love. You’ll still get all the best bits of wedding planning without any of the worry and we’ll give you a day that you’ll remember forever.

04. WHEN So, WHEN should you hire a wedding planner? The honest and simple answer is as soon as you know you need one! If you know from the outset that you don’t have the time to plan your wedding and you’d like to hire a planner for a full planning service, then the WHEN is NOW, especially as wedding planners on average only take on 8 - 10 weddings a year and can, as a result, get booked up quite quickly, especially during peak summer months. Likewise, if you’re looking for someone to provide on-the-day support, then it’s best to get them booked in ASAP as it’s another item you can cross off your to-do list and once again, ensure availability. If you’re managing most of the wedmin yourself but need a little expert guidance, venue research or supplier advice on an ad-hoc basis, then the WHEN is much more flexible and can be tailored around you and your requirements.

05. WHERE And Finally, WHERE do you start when it comes to researching and finding the planner that’s right for you? There are a few official bodies for wedding planners in the UK and they will each have a directory of affiliated wedding planners. You can also look around online by googling planners according to their style or location. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are also great places to start and you can get a really good feel for a planner’s personality through their social media feeds. If someone makes you smile and regularly posts content that interests you then you’re off to a good start already! Wedding platforms like Coco Wedding Venues are also invaluable. When you see a real wedding or styled shoot feature that fills you with excitement and you end up on a Pinterest pinning frenzy, check out the credits to see if a wedding planner was involved and then take a look at their website. The same goes for wedding magazines and even regional lifestyle publications if you think you’d prefer someone based near you or your venue. You might also find a wedding planner as a recommendation from a friend or even your venue or another supplier. Recommendations from suppliers you’ve already chosen can be really helpful as suppliers tend to build up networks of like-minded contacts who share a similar style or aesthetic. Friends will hopefully have as much insight about you and what makes you tick to be able to give you a good steer too.

THE FIVE W’S TO HIRING A WEDDING PL ANNER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ECLECTION PHOTOGRAPHY

TO P T I P S F O R AT T E N D I N G W E D D I N G FA I R S & O P E N D AY S

TO P T I P S F O R AT T E N D I N G W E D D I N G FA I R S & O P E N D AY S W O R D S BY K AT R I N A OT T E R

Wedding fairs and open days occur throughout the year, but there’s certainly a couple of key times for venues to throw open their doors - January in particular is a fab month to venue search and there will be venue showcases galore for you to attend! As for wedding fairs, spring and autumn weekends tend to be the most popular. With so many wedding fairs and open days now taking place in the UK it’s important to make sure you’re attending the wedding fair(s) that are right for you, so you can enjoy yourself and get the most from the experience So, here’s a step-by-step guide to attending wedding fairs and open days…

DO YOUR RESEARCH! How do you work out which wedding fairs and venue open days are right for you and are therefore worth attending? Well firstly, you need to know what’s going on and where! The Coco Wedding Venues’ Event Diary is a fantastic place to start; alternatively look online, in wedding magazines or start following wedding venues and suppliers on social media. Once you know what’s going on and where, look to see who’s exhibiting, whether there are any practical classes, demos and/or catwalks and whether there is a champagne bar (obviously essential!).

NARROW DOWN YOUR OPTIONS Now you know what’s going on and where, it’s time to choose the wedding fairs that are right for you and your wedding. In order to narrow down your list of options think about the following: ■■ Where are you getting married? ■■ What time of year? ■■ Your wedding style/design? ■■ What suppliers/inspiration you’re looking for? Armed with all this information you then need to ask yourself the following question – What can the event offer you that makes it essential to attend? Hopefully, if you take steps 1 & 2 into consideration you’ll now have a list of wedding fairs/open days to attend. So what next?

BUY A TICKET For larger national wedding fairs, buy your tickets beforehand. The last thing you (and your wedding party) want to do is queue to get into a wedding fair. You may also have to pay more for tickets on the door.

PRIORITISE! At some of the larger wedding fairs it’s difficult to get around all the stands. Before you attend, try to get a floor plan or list of exhibitors and prioritise who you want to see and take note of where they’re situated within the fair. The same also applies to any seminars or masterclasses that may be taking place. You don’t have the time to attend them all, so work out beforehand which ones are most relevant to you and ensure that you’re there at least 15 minutes before they start to guarantee that you and your wedding party get a seat.

MAKE A PLAN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ECLECTION PHOTOGRAPHY

Decide on a manageable and realistic number of aims and then set out to achieve them. For example, you might want to find a photographer and decide on a style of wedding cake. That way you’ll come out of the wedding fair feeling a greater sense of achievement and are less likely to become distracted, overwhelmed or run out of time!

THINK ABOUT WHO’LL BE JOINING YOU Think about who’ll be joining you. If possible, try to limit the number of people you take with you. If you take too many people, you’ll spend most of the time worrying about how they’re finding the experience rather than concentrating on what you went there for. Too many people and too many opinions may also end up confusing you and blurring your ideas of what you actually want. Once you’ve decided who you’d like to join you don’t then force them to go, after all you want to spend the day surrounded by people who are just as excited as you are!

P L A N W H AT TO W E A R / TA K E W I T H YO U ■■ Remember to take the following items with you (especially if you’re attending a national wedding fair): ■■ Flat shoes! ■■ Blister plasters (for anyone that forgets to wear flats!) ■■ Suitable clothing and a pair of heels if you’re trying on any dresses ■■ Swatches of your colour scheme and fabrics ■■ Refreshments (a wedding fair headache is a common occurrence) ■■ A bag (to carry all of the leaflets, samples etc. you’ll be picking up) ■■ Cash and a credit / debit card ■■ Your calendar (if you need to you can schedule appointments there and then)

H AV E A G L A S S O F B U B B L E S ! You’ve bought your ticket, made a plan, prioritised and you’re rocking the flat shoes. Now it’s time to visit your chosen wedding fair/open day! If the show is big enough to have a bar, then towards the end of your visit make sure you take time out to have a glass of bubbles! This is the point at which you can sit back, reflect on the day, decide if you need to see anyone else or go back and see an exhibitor for a second time AND get excited about your wedding.

TO P T I P S F O R AT T E N D I N G W E D D I N G FA I R S & O P E N D AY S

Unrivalled wedding decadence, pure indulgence, glamour and opulence, attentive service and nothing but the best for the pleasure-loving couple. A weekend long celebration at Pynes House was the perfect setting for this shoot. Not only does it have a grand faĂ§ade to rival any country house, but the interiors are a wonderful mix of old and new that any style-savvy couple will adore.

We opted for an unexpected spring palette of black, biscuit, kale and pale dogwood. We wanted to show couples that spring doesnâ€™t have to mean the obvious pastels and indeed when the darker shades of the season are mixed with the right paler shades and texture, it can unlock a more sophisticated palette.

EDITORIAL

Halfpenny London provided us with the most glorious bridal fashion alongside luxe details from Tilly Thomas Lux and Gianvitto Rossiâ€™s modern-day version of the glass slipper.

EDITORIAL

REBECCA GODDARD PHOTOGRAPHY

EDITORIAL

For this edgy vibe we wanted a bouquet that added something a little different whilst still maintaining maximum romance; Jay Archer says, ”The all rose bouquet was a modern take on the classic rose knot handtie” Jay continues, “With a modern shape, and the rose petals manipulated to look like a completely different flower, it’s a fresh approach for contemporary brides yet remains romantic and elegant”.

Jay Archer Floral Design created an all British flower ombre bouquet for this bridal look. The double tulips create a striking focal point but because theyâ€™re multi-coloured, they blend with the other, smaller flowers without looking too blocky. Scent was important here too - all flowers but especially wedding flowers should smell - it creates another layer of memory for guests and the happy couple.

Creative Director Emma Hla, Coco Wedding Venues Shoot Manager Katrina Otter, Katrina Otter Weddings Creative Consultancy Coco & Kat Venue Pynes House Photography Rebecca Goddard Photography Florist Jay Archer Floral Design Hair & Makeup Makeup by Jodie Bridal Dresses Halfpenny London via The Bridal Edit Jewellery London Rocks Yellow Sapphire Engagement Ring Cellini Jewellers Headpiece & Back Necklace Tilly Thomas Lux Loungewear Violet & Wren Stationery Bureau Design Lifestyle Pieces Prezola Cake Table Edible Essence Couture Cake Co. Table & Chairs Wedhead Model Agency Heloise at M+P Models

EDITORIAL