NOTES ON A WEDDING

Plan a so-you celebration with these top tips from the wedding gurus. This issue, we look at ideas for personalising your wedding reception

Edible cocktail toppers from The BakingRoom at Charlwood Live watercolour painting from Charlotte Atkinson Art

Thomas Frost Photography

Personalised neon lights Monogrammed napkin from Linoroom Tequila shots

Dancefloor decal sticker from FuseFloGraphics, Etsy Live watercolour painting from Charlotte Atkinson Art

Personalised wedding transport Nova Wedding Photography

Personalised wedding transport

Asian street food

Cocktail hour. Add a bespoke twist to your reception drinks by serving a menu of your favourite cocktails. Phoebe

Floor filler. Personalise your dance floor for a fabulous focal point at your reception. You could have a large monogram of your initials or extend any venue décor onto the floor so you have a bespoke and harmonious aesthetic. Jessica

Love story. Tell a story with your seating plan, it might be the story of your adventure together; a timeline of when you met your guests; different years and an anecdote of each year for each table, or the story of where you’ve travelled with images from each holiday and a map as your table plan. Sophie

In the detail. Embrace your heritage or background by adding personal touches to reflect it. In my years of planning, I’ve seen ceilidh bands, military drumming, tequila shot bars and even tiny details like mini Welsh cakes as petit fours. Phoebe

Wedding wheels. Make sure your wedding car reflects your personalities. If you love all things vintage, choose a classic Rolls-Royce or Morris Minor; if sleek and modern is more your style, consider an Aston Martin or Bentley. Jessica Ditch the guest book. Switch up your guestbook for something fun, personal and interactive. Do you love board games? Get your friends and family to sign a board game. Do you love going on dates? Get your friends and family to suggest dates for you. Sophie

Creative keepsake. Hiring a live event artist adds an interactive and personal element to your day. Your artist could paint or draw illustrations of your guests for fun keepsakes or paint a portrait of the two of you or the reception scene, creating a treasured memento for your home.

Jessica

Happy meal. Serve evening food that relates to a special time in your relationship. Maybe you got engaged while travelling in Asia and fancy serving Asian street food, or perhaps you met in Cornwall and would like to offer your guests platters of Cornish pasties. Phoebe

Paper pretty. Do you have a family member who is particularly artistic? If so, you could include their artwork on your wedding stationery, perhaps on the name cards, the reverse of your menu or as a backdrop for your seating plan. Jessica

Name it. Have your names on display, whether it’s in neon lights, cocktail toppers or personalised linen. Sophie The sound of music. Music lifts the energy at a wedding and, to add to the atmosphere when it’s time for the speeches, choose some carefully chosen songs to introduce those delivering a speech. Perfect for setting the mood, it’s also a great opportunity to choose a funny or meaningful song. Jessica

Let’s dance. Ask your guests to add their favourite song that they would like played during the evening party to the RSVP to ensure that everyone gets up and dances. Phoebe

Best dressed. Is there a themed element to your wedding? If so, consider asking your serving and venue staff to dress for the occasion – perhaps it’s a 1920s’ theme or a destination wedding and you want to reflect the surroundings. Jessica

Sweet art. Make your cake table a centrepiece, perhaps by filling it with images of your favourite people. Show it off and make it unique! Sophie

Phoebe Taylor, Clover & Fern cloverandfern.co.uk Jessica Kearney, Ardour & Bow Weddings & Events ardourandbow.co.uk

Sophie Walker-Sunderhauf, The Little Details by Sophie thelittledetailsbysophie.com