HOT TOPIC Wedding worries

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CHOICES, CHOICES

My partner and I are overwhelmed by wedding planning; how long before the big day do we need to have our suppliers and guest numbers finalised?

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by wedding planning. It might be something that you have been thinking about since you were little, and so the pressures and expectations feel high, or you may not have even thought about it before the question was popped, and so it seems like a lot to take in. It’s important to take your time and make decisions that are right for you and your partner.

All venues are different, but we like to finalise guest numbers a month before the wedding here at Venue Wales. Draft a schedule of the day, from supplier arrivals to photograph timings, this will ensure the venue can co-ordinate everything perfectly.

It’s worth allocating a member of the wedding party, such as a bridesmaid or best man as a point of contact between the bride/groom and the venue on the wedding day. The last thing you need is to be bombarded with questions, so let someone else do this for you. The most important thing is communication and remember, no question is too large

We Love To Boogie

My hubby-to-be and I want to hire a DJ for our upcoming wedding, but we’re on a tight budget. Do you have any suggestions on how we can save money?

One of the first things you should ask yourself is, are there any other ways you could save money? I recently had a big birthday and planned a party. We held it in our garden and had bunting from a previous event and banners we were going to use. We were so busy we forgot the bunting and the banner. Did our guests care? I don’t think anyone noticed. However, did everyone have a great time? Yes! We had a singer and a DJ and the music made a big difference. Now I know a wedding is far bigger than a birthday, so my recommendation is to pare back on other expenses where possible, as music will help you make special memories.

A DJ can read the room as well as play your favourite tunes. If you have a venue that doesn’t provide any sound, a DJ will often help you save on the hire of a sound system – a one stop shop, so to speak. A DJ can often provide a master of ceremonies service and help co-ordinate the day. Others will bundle a couple of services together, like lighting for the dancefloor and up lighting.

Remember, music can make the soundtrack to your day and represent you both as well as entertain your guests.

June Gould (DJ June Cecilia) www.sgdjweddings.com

or too small. Relax and let your venue work with you to ensure you have a day to remember.

The wedding team at Venue Wales https://venuewales.co.uk/wedding-2

Seasonal Romance

We’re trying to decide what time of year to get married but can’t make a decision. What flowers are available each season and are there any ways of saving money?

Firstly, there is never a bad time to get married when you love each other! If you have set your heart on wild meadow flowers, then June through to August would be best, or if you love ranunculus and anemones, then it needs to be spring. Seasonality is so important with flowers and getting the best for your money. If you set your heart on a specific flower, it may be out of season and therefore difficult to source, which will make it more expensive. For example, peonies out of season would cost a florist £3.40 a stem, but in season it would be half that. Flowers are always healthier, stronger, and more beautiful in season, so go with nature. Trust the advice that your florist gives you. Set a colour palette and a style of flowers that you love but be willing to accept alternatives that work with your design. Sometimes specific flowers are just not available, and your florist will know the most cost effective and suitable flower to choose instead.

Shine Like A Diamond

I’m looking for sentimental gifts to give my wedding party on the morning of the wedding. Do you have any suggestions?

Firstly, a huge congratulations from all of our team here at Carrie Elspeth! Here are some suggestions for gifts for your wedding party: www.carrieelspeth.co.uk

Matching sets: Matching jewellery that you can give to your wedding party typically includes coordinating necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. By gifting matching jewellery, you can create a sense of unity and cohesion among your wedding party, symbolising your shared bond and the special role that they play on your wedding day.

Symbolic designs: Look for items that feature symbols such as hearts, knots, or other motifs associated with love, unity, or friendship. These symbolic pieces can serve as a beautiful reminder of the meaningful connection you share with your wedding party.

Sentiments bracelets: Carrie Elspeth offers a range of bracelets that are perfect for conveying heartfelt sentiments. Each bracelet features a meaningful word or phrase, such as ‘love’, ‘friendship’, or ‘gratitude’. Choose a specific mantra that resonates with each member of your wedding party, reflecting your appreciation for their presence on your special day.

Gemstone bracelets: Select bracelets featuring gemstones like amethyst for peace and protection, rose quartz for love and harmony, or angelite for compassion and communication. The chosen gemstone can represent a specific quality or wish you have for your wedding party members, making it a thoughtful and sentimental gift.

Colourful designs: Look for pieces that feature colours that hold significance to your wedding party or that complement your wedding theme.

Hearts for love: Carrie Elspeth offer a range of heartshaped products, including keyrings and jewellery, that make sentimental gifts for your wedding party, symbolising love, and gratitude in a meaningful and elegant way.

Rhian Rees www.wildandfabulousflowers.com

Creature Comforts

What are your top tips for planning an outdoor wedding?

Probably the biggest challenge you’ll face when planning an al fresco wedding is – all together now – the weather! But if you plan, plan, and plan some more, you’ll find ways around it, while still having the best open-air celebration you could wish for.

Make sure everyone’s adequately informed. When you send out your invitations make sure you’re clear which parts of your day will be celebrated outside, so that guests know to make their own arrangements, in terms of attire and protection. Keep an open line of communication with your suppliers too and collaborate with them on wet-weather backup plans. For example, at which point will you be prepared to make the decision to take it all inside? Who is going to be responsible for moving the whole shebang?

Check on the access to your venue. If you’re tying the knot in a field, is there parking nearby? Are there accessible roads and paths to get to you? If not, have a think about how you can overcome these challenges. Perhaps you need to lay on extra transport from a local car park for example. Also, think about accessibility from a point of view about any less able-bodied guests you may have coming.

Sound tends to drift away in the open air, so make sure you have all the tech in place to ensure everyone can hear you as you say, “I do.” You’ll also need to check with the venue whether there are any restrictions on late-night music, as you don’t want to be disturbing the local wildlife or residents! Also on the tech front, do you have all of the creature comforts in place such as loos and generators?

Have a think about what cover you want to provide for you and your guests. This is, of course, crucial for the comfort of all, not only in terms of wet weather protection, but also from the sun – we’ve had some scorchers in recent years. Once you’ve settled on a vibe for your nuptials, this should all become clear. An elegant, lined marquee is ideal for a classic wedding, whereas a tipi is the perfect choice for a boho or rustic vibe.

When it comes to styling, really take a look at your setting and plan ways in which you can complement it with your theme. Nature can do an incredible amount of heavy lifting on this front if you strive to work with it, rather than against it.

Melissa Cullen – Editor of Your South Wales Wedding www.yoursouthwales.wedding