'Lets talk Weddings' Part 2 - an insight into wedding planning......

This week I want to talk about the benefits of using a wedding planner and in particular about choosing the right venue for your reception.....

We have a variety of packages to assist couples from sourcing venues, suppliers, handing over package (6 weeks prior to the wedding), on the day co-ordination and full bespoke planning.

Any of the planning packages are flexible to suit what you require, you might need full planning or just need a little support with sourcing or 'on the day coordination.  Some couples also request planning 1 week prior to the wedding as well as the on the day
co-ordination especially if the wedding is an outdoor wedding which needs much more support and attention.

When choosing a venue it is all about:

• What kind of wedding/theme you want
• What kind of budget you have to spend on your wedding
• How big is the venue will it accommodate all your guests
• Does there have to be accommodation on site for your guests
• Are their restrictions that would conflict with your wedding ideas

Location and size of venues for weddings are key questions you need to ask as this will dictate your small or big your guest list can be. Remember that venues do come in all different varieties form stately country houses, private mansion houses, hotels, country village halls, farms, outdoor weddings, historic locations to give you an idea. You may have an area and venue already in mind however, what you have to bear in mind is that many venues do not allow external caterers or have their own in house or prefered approved caterers.  With that in mind if you have a particular caterer that you want or you want a more relaxed feel than the two meal traditional like in many hotels and venues for your reception; then you might have to go back to the drawing board (or get your wedding planner to source a venue that fits your exact requirements) Having the correct size venue is imperative as a half empty room because you have oversized means there will not be a good atmosphere.

 

The cost of the venue and caterers is probably one of your largest wedding costs so this may influence your decision on where, when and how many guests you invite. You can reduce the costs at some venues by marrying in the 'Off Peak' season or mid week when some venues reduce their costs to attract more weddings.

I would always advise couples to look at a few different venues to get a feel for what you want and also in some cases what you dont want! This is one of the biggest days in your life make sure you are happy with the venue where your celebrations will take place. You need to feel comfortable that it fits your requirements and that staff will go that extra mile to ensure your needs are met and your special day will be in safe hands....

I have sourced a number of venues and it always amazes me why some co-ordinators in venues are not always that welcoming to an independent Wedding Planner .... which I think if they sat back and thought logically they would see it in their best interest. as the Wedding Planner wants a venue for their clients with friendly staff who go that extra mile to help and provide impeccible service for their special day. A 'Can do' approach always gets my vote..

Outdoor weddings take much more planning and this is were a Wedding Planner would definately come in to their own especially with all the jobs to do the week prior to the wedding and on the day when as a Bride and Groom you will want to relax and enjoy your day not get involved in dealing with suppliers who are all on site. These kind of weddings have lots of tasks to take care of in relation to getting all the suppliers on site at the right time so that when the happy couple arrive everything looks perfect., food is prepared and there are things on site like water, power, toilets etc.....

One of our favourite weddings was a festival style wedding we did last summer, using Peak Tipis for Leanne & Tom who we did full Bespoke Planning for. This wedding took a lot of planning but the outcome and overall feedback was immense it started on friday and finished on Sunday after all the overnight guests and campers tucked into  a hearty breakfast cooked by the brides family......

Your wedding day should be exactly what you want and what you can realistacally afford to achieve your perfect day......

We have all ways of reducing costs by working with a number of suppliers but also some quircky DIY skills to still look great but be half the original cost.....

Give us a call if you want a free consultation for your special day....


Julie

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Festival Wedding in the Peak District

After a year and half of planning the wedding of Leanne and Tom finally arrived on the 31 August 2013.  This was always going to be one of our favourite weddings and it certainly did not disappoint anyone. The nice thing about the wedding was the fact that a lot of their family and friends pitched in to be involved in their big day,  with supplying tents, cars, cakes for the tent, making signs and bringing over wine from France.  The long days prior to the wedding setting up the site were worth it to see the fantastic result created. I think for me a special mention has to go to Leanne's good friend Kayleigh and her mum Sue who worked tirelessly to dress the venue, church and Leanne and her entourage (10 bridesmaids) with the most amazing flowers.

Leanne and Tom always wanted something Unique and a wedding that represented them and they wanted a day that their family and friends could relax, enjoy the surroundings, food, music and ambience of a festival.  Of course they wanted some quirky things throwing in as well like a vintage tea and cake tent, their own local pub 'The Barley Mow' from Bonsall, in a marquee with it's own pool table and hay bale seats outside. The 'Bonsall Red Barrow display'  and not forgetting the fabulous Tipis that their guests certainly did not expect.

Planning a large wedding with lots of suppliers to meet the brief of the bride and groom is always a challenge but one that we enjoyed immensely and keeping Leanne away from the site on the lead up to the wedding was difficult but when she was so emotional on her arrival we knew we had nailed the brief.  Leanne and Tom wanted a true festival so they had bands that had both performed at Glastonbury and Y Not festival this year to the delight of the dancing guests.

It goes without saying this day would not have been possible without the fantastic suppliers who made it all possible and these were:

• Derbyshire Wedding Planners - Bespoke Planning
• Sycamore Farm
• Vintage Tea Belles
• Creative Chef
• Simon Revill Photography
• Peak Tipis
• C & J Fisher Marquees
• Love Candy Cakes
• Lola Berries - Flowers by Kayleigh
• VR Postbox - Postbox for my wedding
• Barley Mow
• Bonsall Red Barrows
• Seven Little Sisters
• Most Ugly Child
• Festival flags - P Rowley
• Dizzy Dreams
• Luxury Loos
• Solar Shack
• Yurt - David Hoyle
• Willow Sculptures - Carol Beavis

Festival Wedding in the Peak District

For 15 months we have been planning the wedding for Leanne & Tom who from the very start knew exactly what they wanted, a church ceremony in their local Derbyshire village of Bonsall and a festival themed reception in Ashleyhay, Wirksworth.

So with wellies on we visited the site to start the full Bespoke planning process.

Choosing local suppliers was very important even down to the neighbouring village pub who have their own bakery section for home made bread The Fishpond at Matlock bath.

This wedding was very much about friends and family and being surrounded by those closest to them.

Leanne and Tom are part of a small community village and everyone supports each other, so it was no surprise that everyone wanted to help pull this very special day together for this fabulous couple.

Their local pub the Barley Mow at Bonsall have been amazing and used their connections to get the best line up for the evening entertainment ' Seven Little Sisters' and 'Most Ugly Child' Even the Bonsall Red Barrows did a display for everyone....

Using all local suppliers the day was planned:

• Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners
• Sycamore Farm Barns - Venue
• Peak Tipis - Tipi Hire
• Creative Chef - Caterers
• Barley Mow - Entertainment & Bar
• Vintage Tea Belles - Vintage Tea Tent
• Lola Berries - Flowers by Kayleigh - Close friend of the Bride
• Simon Revill - Photographer
• Love Candy Cakes - Wedding Cake
• Equipment Hire - Fishers Marquees
• Festival Flags, bunting and Vintage accessories - P.Rowley
• Luxury Loos - Ashbourne
• Postbox for my wedding - VR Post box
• Kay Hobson - Bridesmaid dress designer based in Belper
• Cars - courtesy of family and friends
• Yurt - Bride and Groom accommodation - David Hoyle
• Solar Shack - Craig
• Willow Structures - Carol Beavis
• Dizzy Dreams - Chair Covers 

Many family and friends made home made cakes for the Vintage tea tent which gave the personal touch as well as providing a surprise Yurt for their first night accommodation as Husband and Wife.

This really has been a wedding to remember for many reasons but the main one is that this couple are so meant to be together their love for each other is overwhelmingly apparent and makes us glad to plan weddings, when you have special days like this.

All professional photos will be loaded on the website shortly.....

 

 

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Pre Wedding Shoot pics with Leanne & Tom

With the wedding only a few weeks away it is always good to meet with the photographer and go through how to pose, stance etc. that is exactly what Leanne and Tom have been doing today with the talented Simon Revill.

Some of the pictures capture this couple so well and having worked with Simon on a number of weddings now we just know the 'On the Day' photos are going to be outstanding.

 

Photos Courtesy of Simon Revill Photography.

 

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Serena & Richard a sneaky peek.......

Main photo courtesy of Simon Revill Photography

Yesterday was the wedding of Serena and Richard at Peak Edge Hotel Red Lion and 15 months or so ago when this was all planned seemed a long time ago. 

When suggesting suppliers to our couples we always give a choice but were very pleased when Serena and Richard decided on some of our favourite suppliers:

• Simon Revill Photography
• Love Candy Cakes
• Peak Edge at Red Lion

Simon makes his photography stand out from the rest and when all the official ones are done  it gives you a flavour of his excellence in his field. The main photo to everyone else was a mound of grass.. to Simon it was a photo opportunity

Likewise Candy creates cakes that you can only dream of as she takes ideas from the couple then turns their ideas into a creative masterpiece that tastes sensational.........

The evenings guests were entertained by:

• The Natterjacks
• Tenacious DJ

The jewel in the crown at Peak Edge is Carly who goes the extra mile when dealing with couples and ensures their wedding is exclusive to them her professionalism, organisation and customer service is a credit to the venue.....

The day was perfect even the no show of the sun didn't spoil it and everyone partied on into the early hours.

A big thank you to Dizzy Dreams for their chair covers to complete the look that Serena and Richard planned ....

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Wedding Updates and Welcomes.

This week we welcome Elizabeth and Hilton who we will be doing 'On the day Co-ordination for their bespoke wedding celebrations at the traditional English Country house in Derbyshire Yeldersley Hall.

Elizabeth originates from Derbyshire and now lives in Sydney, Australia.
We are delighted to be able to support their big day in June and looking forward to meeting up with them when then fly into the UK next month.

Next week off to finalise all the stationery requirements for Leanne and Tom's August wedding which will be upon us before we know it... This wedding is going to be very unique, quirky and eventful to say the least. Guests are going to enjoy an awesome wedding...... we can't wait!

And in a little under a month Serena and Richard tie the knot at Peak Edge Hotel, Red Lion at Stanedge, this seems to have come around so quickly but weddings do tend to do that I suppose. Countdown is on now and everything in place.... These have some of my favourite suppliers like Simon Revill Photography and Love Candy Cakes their attention to detail is inspirational and you recieve nothing but the best.

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Serena & Richard Pre Wedding Shoot

A small selection of Serena & Richards pre wedding photos with the fantastic Simon Revill (all photos courtesy of Simon Revill Photography)

This wonderful couple decided the perfect location- the grounds of the majestic Hardwick Hall the spot where they regularly go walking their dogs. More importantly the place where Richard proposed to Serena.

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Vintage cream tea in the mix

We are on the search for tea sets and cake stands for one of our weddings who instead of coffee and mints is doing tea and home made cakes.

Our collection has begun and we already have some stunning sets and cake stands. The nice thing is talking to the people who some of these have belonged to and the memories the hold..... Priceless

One of our brides is having her pre wedding shoot today on her birthday with the fabulous photographer Simon Revill just know they are going to be brilliant.

Next week we meet up with bridal dress designer Kay Hobson to discuss designs for our bride who has 11 bridesmaids for her big day...

Derbyshire event and wedding planners

Nancy & James Wedding 28.4.12

The day started with no rain after a shocking week of bad weather and we had fingers crossed that the sun might come out for this fabulous couple on their big day.

Nancy and James had made sure everything that had been thought of to create a special day for everyone who was at the ceremony at Bolsover Castle followed by their reception at Fox & Goose, Old Brampton.

Having Simon Revill as their Photographer we knew straight away come rain or shine they would have some stunning pictures and he did not disappoint providing some amazing shots at the Castle and at the Reception.

By mid afternoon there was a gale blowing it was overcast and a sky full of rain, this did not dampen the spirits of all the guests who tucked into cocktail flavoured sorbet from the ice cream cart, had great fun with the DIY photobooth and then enjoyed the delights of the Candy Buffet after the meal before they partied the night away to the sounds of AS Party DJ.

Suppliers for the wedding included:

* Simon Revill Photography
* Black Eyed Susan-flowers
* AS Party - DJ
* Truly Scrumptious Gelato - Ice Cream Cart
* Precious Memories - Rolls Royce/Vintage Mini Bus
* Emily Sharrat - Solo Violinist


Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners
Covering: Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, High Peak and Cheshire, Notts, Lincs and Leicester

Spring Weddings 2012

Garry & Sharon


Nancy & James - Engagement Photo Courtesy of Simon Revill Photography

We are so looking forward to our Spring Weddings and the first 2 in the coming weeks, Garry and Sharon getting married at Sitwell Arms, Renishaw and using some of our favourite suppliers. Candy of Love Candy Cakes and Kerry of Tineke Floral Designs.

In April we have Nancy and James getting married at Bolsover Castle and then their reception at the Fox and Goose, Brampton and we are pleased to be working alongside the fantastic Simon Revill who produces some amazing shots come rain or shine.

2 fantastic weddings both very different but both very special.

Further photos to follow....

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Liz & Rich - Hodsock Priory

Sunday 28 August was the wedding of Liz and Rich at Hodsock Priory a magnificent venue for a wedding.

Rich proposed to Liz in New York, so it was inevitable that this would be the theme including Tiffany blue invites, table names, and hand made favours with the New York landscape on the labels all designed by Rich.

We have been working with Liz and Rich since January when they won our competition in White Weddings magazine, this included full planning and on the day co-ordination as well as:

• On the day treatments and bridal make up - Carly @ the Therapy Lounge
  


• Cake by Sharon's Cakes
  


• Flowers - Tineke Floral Designs



• Pre shoot wedding photographs - Simon Revill Photography



• Life coaching sessions - D. Yates

This couple have been an absoloute pleasure to work with and they have both been very hands on throughout the whole planning and lead up to the big day.

A small collection of photographs until the official one's are completed courtesy of Ryan Browne Photography

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners
Covering: Derbyshire, Notts, Lancs, Sth Yorkshire, Leics, Cheshire & High Peak