PLANNING SOS

Planning We get unmissable wed-min advice from local experts PLANNING SOS SOS

We know that planning a wedding can be stressful at times – even more so during a pandemic. Wouldn’t it be great if you had a team of talented wedding suppliers to give you their top tips? Well, that’s where we come in! We’ve pulled together a whole host of advice from some of Bristol and Somerset’s best wedding companies to help you get that to-do list ticked off…

Round one

www.evokepictures.com

BARLEY WOOD

What are your top tips for booking a venue? Always follow your heart and don’t be scared to be different! Focus on your ideas and find a venue that reflects your personalities and vision.

How can you help couples adapt their day to different restrictions? Our hire is for a whole weekend, which enables flexibility and the option of having two smaller celebrations. How about a wedding on the Saturday and a small barbecue with friends on the Sunday to fit with restrictions on guest numbers? It’s your weekend and your chance to plan it your way.

BATH’S HISTORIC VENUES

What are your top tips for booking a venue? Venues and suppliers often have reduced fees for midweek weddings, and it’s likely there will be a bigger selection of suppliers and venues available. Midweek dates mean you get more choice and more of your budget to spend on the aspects that are most important to you.

What’s your advice to those getting married during the pandemic? With frequently changing restrictions, couples may have to change their plans at short notice. The Roman Baths accommodates more than 100 guests, but it’s timeless ambience also makes it perfect for elopements. If you choose a venue you really love, and it’s flexible on numbers, it will be magical irrespective of the amount of guests attending.

Gemma Reynolds | www.bathvenues.co.uk

www.emma-janephotography.co.uk Holly Piper | www.barleywood.org

THE BARN AT COTT FARM

What are your top tips for hosting a sustainable wedding? Where possible, have your ceremony and reception at the same venue, or within walking distance, to avoid guests needing to make two journeys by car. You can further reduce the carbon footprint of your day by encouraging guests to travel together.

You can reuse decor throughout your day. For example, by moving your ceremony elements into your reception space. Permanent venues are usually fully furnished, which reduces unnecessary deliveries of equipment. Try to avoid any single-use plastic by hiring crockery and cutlery.

If you can have an outdoor ceremony, you’ll not only be surrounded by the beauty of nature, meaning less decor is needed, but you’ll be in natural sunlight, which reduces energy consumption and provides gorgeous photos.

Lastly, we’re lucky enough to be based in Somerset, where there’s no excuse not to choose delicious locally sourced food and drink for your wedding!

14 & SIXPENCE

What are your top tips for finding the perfect wedding dress? We suggest allowing six to 12 months prior to your big day to start looking for your dress. Bring a couple of people who love you the most – perhaps your mum and best friend.

You may already have some ideas on Pinterest, some favourite designers or images of dresses you think will work. These are a great starting point, but we’ll encourage you to try a selection of styles so you’ve tried enough, but importantly not too many, so you can find the one.

How can you help brides who have had to move their wedding date and haven’t been able to shop for their dress? If your wedding is within six months, don’t worry! You still have options and we can find you a beautiful dress quickly. Most of our designers have gowns in stock, so we can have access to lots of styles in two to four weeks. We also have an amazing selection of off-the-peg gowns, as well as our One & Only department, which stocks previous season dresses at purse-friendly prices.

Cathy Keen | www.14andsixpence.co.uk

https://janebeadnellphotography.co.uk

BARNY LEE MARQUEES

What are your top tips for booking a marquee? In the early stages of planning you may have an idea of where you want to position your marquee. At our site visit, we will take into consideration the access, position of the marquee and weather scenarios. It’s always helpful to have a secondary site for us to view as this may be a better spot in terms of logistics.

How can you help couples adapt their day to different restrictions? Our marquees come in various sizes so we can accommodate any size of wedding. It’s just as important at an intimate wedding, whether it’s in a field or your back garden, to pay attention to detail. It’s a great opportunity to offer a personal touch to your decorations as you celebrate with close family and friends.

Barny Lee | https://barnyleemarquees.co.uk

AMBIENCE VENUE STYLING BRISTOL

What are your top tips for finding your wedding style? The first thing to consider is the look and feel of your day. Think about possible colour palettes and how they lend themselves to your ceremony and reception room. There are lots of tools you can use for inspiration, such as Pinterest and magazines. These will help draw out your style and you can then work with a stylist who can represent this and help you achieve your dream look.

Some stylists offer packages that can be limiting, leaving you with items you don’t really need. We work with our clients to create something bespoke, so you get the most out of your budget.

How can you help couples scale back their day under restrictions? While it may be hard cutting down your guest list, the plus side is that you can use the spare budget on the items you may have been longing for, such as an extravagant floral display. A smaller celebration means you can spend quality time with those that are closest to you. You can also speak to your venue about live-streaming your ceremony for those who can’t be there.

Why should couples book a venue stylist? Booking a stylist takes away so much stress. You should be relaxing with your bridal party and enjoying getting ready on your wedding morning, not worrying about putting favours out on the tabes! Find a stylist that you trust and understands your vision, that way you’ll be confident that they will set everything up how you imagined it.

An expert will help you realise your budget, and can show where to cut corners if money is tight. They have a lot of insider knowledge and can offer the best advice for your needs.

How can you help couples downsize their day under restrictions? Stylists can come up with amazing ways to help create an intimate wedding. Find a supplier who is sympathetic and understanding; they’ll do their utmost to make sure your day is as special as you want it to be. Small weddings don’t have to be small on style.

Alison Hieron | www.creativecollections.uk

Round three

ANGEL’S KITCHEN

What are your top tips for getting your dream wedding cake? Secure your chosen suppliers early. When booking a cake with me, a deposit of £50 secures your spot in my diary. You’ll also receive a delicious box of samples and we can start creating images of your perfect cake. It’s good to have an idea of what you want your day to look like; you can take this vision to all of your suppliers and the day will flow beautifully.

Be realistic about budgets, particularly with cake, as couples are often surprised by the price tag. Remember, many hours of planning and creating are involved before your cake even gets baked. We love what we do and want to create something truly special for you.

How can you help couples adapt and downscale their day under restrictions? If you still want a showstopping cake, secret dummy tiers can be used. Alternatively, two-tier cakes can still be very elegant – just ask your cake maker to make the tiers tall. Sugar flowers and sparkle will add instant glamour.

TOPIKKI

What are your top tips for choosing wedding stationery? Firstly, think about the style of your venue. A modern setting would fit with a simple, clean look, while a manor house suits crystal embellishment and lace. Also, look at your own personalities and interests, and combine this with the colour scheme you have in mind.

How can you help couples who have had to downscale their wedding? If your stationery has already been sent, there’s no need to remake everything. If downsizing, a nice note card or letter to match your previous stationery to apologise and inform those who can no longer come will work well. Then a change-of-date card (if the venue has remained the same) can be sent to your smaller guest list.

Gaynor Page | https://topikki.co.uk

BOOTH NINETEEN

What are your top tips for booking a photo booth? Plan logistics for when your suppliers will arrive. If they know where and when to unload their equipment, you may be able to avoid your guests seeing the unsightly setting up process by using a separate room. If you’re limited on space, find out if your supplier offers idle time; this means they set up in advance ready for activation.

Photo booths come in all shapes and sizes, with many different features. Make sure your package has the most appropriate elements for you, whether that’s a great style to suit your venue or ensuring you have a guest book full of prints and an online gallery to look back on.

Craig Cheber | https://booth19.co.uk

SIONA STOCKEL – HARPIST & SOPRANO

What are your top tips for booking a live musician? Many couples have a clear idea about the music they want for their evening party – but don’t forget the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. Live music can make an emotional and visual impact, and it’s far more personal than recorded music. It will set the scene beautifully and provide entertainment for those lull times between key moments.

People often assume that I only play classical music. In fact, I specialise in contemporary covers and film scores, which is a wonderful surprise for your guests.

What’s your advice for those couples having to downscale their day? Some of the best weddings I have performed at in the last 25 years were small, intimate ones. You might now have the extra budget for those luxury touches like live music, which you might not have been able to include otherwise, and will make your wedding one to remember.

Siona Stockel | www.serenesounds.co.uk

www.amytiphotographyblog.com

CELEBRATION ROADSHOW

What are your top tips for booking wedding entertainment with ever-changing restrictions? Look for entertainers that think outside the box. How will they ensure your guests have a good time? Our trained wedding hosts are brimming with great ideas. Invest in the wedding breakfast if you’re not able to go ahead with an evening party because of government restrictions. By hiring a DJ who is also trained as a host or master of ceremonies, you can really bring the wedding breakfast to life. Think quizzes, sweepstakes for the speeches or a Mr & Mrs spoof game. Our selfie picture system has also been a great success, with photos being streamed to those who can’t attend the celebration.