'Let's talk weddings' part 3 Suppliers - an inside into wedding planning

This week I wanted to talk about chosing the right suppliers and how a wedding planner can help with this task on your 'To do' list especially when it comes to choosing good wedding suppliers that will exceed your expectations and go that extra mile so your day is perfect.

Alot of couples just love going to wedding fayres and checking out the suppliers it is a very exciting time wether you are with you respective other or just family and friends.

Trying all the delicious cakes, looking through all the photographs, trying on the gorgeous wedding dresses and so on ( I am talking brides with the dresses of course)

There are some amazing wedding suppliers out there and there are also some not so amazing!..... in the business you soon get to find out who are the best to work with quite quickly. We have been very fortunate to work with some terrific people who go that extra mile to help wedding couples, it is all about standards and making sure everything is perfect. However, we have worked with and know of some suppliers that we would never recommend to couples it is as simple as that......

All couples will have a list of things they need to tick off as the wedding draws near, and some suppliers you can have from friends or family recommendations. You might just have seen something they have done and you like it.  We would always recommend that you go with tried and tested suppliers that have established a good reputation.

When chosing your suppliers particularly the ones that are going to be with you most of your special day like a :

• Wedding Planner and photographer

Then you must have a connection with them so that your exact requirements are going to be met and your dreams of your big day are realised as you imagined.  In particular the photos should be a reflection of what you experienced on the day and capture exactly this for you to look back with fondness over the years. A good photographer will make an ordinary shot look sensational.........

Likewise getting your wedding dress and especially finding 'The one' can be a task in itself dependent on who goes along with you and of course where you go to find your dress.

As a wedding planner I love the bridal boutiques where brides go in and are welcomed and put at ease immediately. I have accompanied brides to a few where they are made to feel like they shouldnt be there if they are not a perfect size 10.... yes there are still some of those around....crazy I know as they are particularly the ones' we would never recommend..

It all depends on the style of wedding you are having when you start looking at everything else like:

• Flowers
• Cake
• Invites
• Venue accessories
• Favours
• Entertainment
• Transport

Some couples have plenty of help and support from family and friends when it comes to cakes and flowers etc and some couples like to do their own DIY invites and favours to add the personal touch. Where as some couples want to hand everything over to the professionals for their day it is all about personal preference and in most cases budget has a key part to play.

Personally with any wedding day it is about what is important to you as a couple, the theme of your wedding, the venue and suppliers you chose or are recommended will bring the day together. Some couples want all the glitz and glamour and spotlight as the day has taken a lot of preparation, time and money. Others want something very relaxed and low key either way getting the right planner and suppliers to provide you with a service that is fitting of a wedding is the key to a very successful and unforgettable day.

A DIY photo booth which was very popular especially later in the evening.. The guest used instamatic camera and then inserted their photos into a guest book with their own words for the bride and groom.

 

Ross Walker Photography really had me scared when he had one of our brides on the edge of a cliff for a few minutes away from the reception but the result was spectacular.

 More insights next week on the planning stages and timelines for what to do when....


Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

'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

Tineke and everything Wedding at Gracie Bleu

I took one of our guests to the fabulous Gracie Bleu in Matlock last week for a ball gown for our Cinderella Ball after trying on a couple of dresses and both looked stunning the choice was too much so she bought both.....

One of our 2012 brides has tried on 'the dress' at Gracie Bleu and is in absolute raptures I think she is in love not just with her partner but with the dress it is gorgeous.......

Met with Kerry tonight of Tineke Floral Design knee deep in flowers as she was creating pedastal displays for a ceremony tomorrow. Kerry has some fabulous ideas and she is one of our sponsors for Our Cinderella ball check out the floor standing candleabras she is loaning us along with her other designs to make this event one to remember.

Kerry is based in Gracie Bleu so the minute you walk in you are welcomed into the world of 'everything wedding' and with this wealth of experience and professional approach you can be assured of a perfect day.

Contact Kerry on Tel: 01629 629371 or http://www.tinekefloraldesigns.co.uk/

Contact Gracie Bleu on Tel: 01629 580011 or http://www.graciebleubridal.co.uk/

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Covering: Derbyshire,Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Sth Yorks, East Midlands, Cheshire & High peak, Lincs

Tineke Floral Designs

We are pleased to be working with the delightful Kerry Wilkinson from Tineke Floral Designs based at 22 The Green, Matlock, Derbyshire.

Kerry is one of our preferred suppliers and already working in conjunction with us for one of our venues.

We are looking forward to an excellent working relationship with Kerry and her amazing creativity.....and unique twist to make floral displays truly special and stand out from the rest....

Please check out her designs and displays on her facebook page and on her website http://www.tinekefloraldesigns.co.uk/

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Covering: Derbyshire, Notts, Sth Yorks, Lincs, Leics, Cheshire & High Peak

Updates & Stuff

We met some lovely Brides and Grooms at Sitwell Arms on Sunday and linked up with other suppliers, Great being next to Mandi and Rob from Formal and Fabulous who doing us some great deals for Wedding packages and our Cinderella Ball. Visit her shop all you Brides you will get some amazing dresses and she will definatley look after you, you can even design your own dress.

A big well done to Lesley and the crew at Sitwell for a well organised very busy day..

Some of our favourite flowers and of course our favourtie cake by Candy at Love Candy Cakes have took centre stage on our stands recently so expertly put together by Dawn (me keeping well out of the way)

You can now find all our current information on events we are hosting and offers we have available on our blog on everything you need wedding - theweddinginbox

Don't delay look and book our offers today!!!!

Derbyshire Event & Wedding Planners

Covering: Derbyshire, Notts, Sth Yorks, Lancs, Cheshire 7 High Peak