A HELPING HAND

A HAND

helpingLocal pros share their planning top tips

A HELPING HAND

How do I know if a wedding planner is for me? Hiring a planner can allow you to hand over any time-consuming responsibilities to a professional. We aim to free up your time so you can focus on all the fun elements and enjoy your day as a happy host rather than a hassled project manager.

What’s the first step? I start with a laid-back chat to understand your style, preferences, and wedding day goals. I’ll then write a tailored, fully costed proposal. We can work on the entire event or just the parts you choose.

How early should I start planning my wedding? Whilst professionals can plan a wedding in almost no time at all, the whole process generally takes a year or two. Even if you don’t have the budget for a full-service wedding planner, don’t stress. We can help couples to put together a schedule, so tasks can be carried out in a logical order.

Phase 1: Planning It’s vital to have a clear plan on how much your wedding might cost and how you’ll pay for it, as it will be the primary driver for your decisions. Avoid hiring any suppliers before you’ve established your guest numbers and confirmed your venue and date. Make a note of any blackout dates. It’s a good idea to know ahead of time if your preferred date clashes with another event.

Phase 2: Design An inspiration board is one of the best ways to gather your thoughts and create a clear game plan. Whether you’re a DIY couple or working with a professional planner, it’s important to have visuals of what you like. Phase 3: Coordination This is where you see your ideas come to fruition. As a wedding planner, my role is to facilitate all the moving parts of your day and coordination helps do just that!

Phase 4: Execution In the weeks leading up to your wedding, I’d send out final timelines and handle emails and logistics for you. My goal as your planner is to ask you the least amount of questions and be the liaison between your wedding day dream team and your guests.

Meet your celebrant before the day… If you choose to book a celebrant, be sure to meet in person before the wedding so you feel comfortable with them. For me, it’s all part of the service and the bit that really counts. I like to meet couples for a drink or a meal, on video calls, via social media or chats on the phone. The end result is that on your big day it’s not a stranger that you’ll meet 20 minutes before the ceremony, it’s a friend who’ll put you at ease.

Don’t forget the legal part… It’s important to remember that the legal formalities must be carried out within a year of ‘giving notice to marry’ with a two plus two ceremony - the couple and two witnesses - at the Register Office.

Give your celebrant all the details… Talk to them about where you want to get married. There are no restrictions here but a good celebrant will advise on what will and won’t work as well.

Writing your own vows… Start thinking about your vows organically and make notes. Think about your relationship and all that you’ve shared together and when you’re ready, sit down in your favourite place, with your favourite drink and let the words come naturally.

Restrictions… Nothing is a problem so you can have as many guests as you like (venue permitting), singing, dancing, religion or not - the choice is completely yours! It’s your day so do it your way.

Jennifer Patrice | Jennifer Patrice Celebrant www.jenniferpatrice.com

FINDING YOUR DREAM DRESS

Finding the one is occasionally an extensive process that takes a lot of research, champagne, and time! So here, Tala Daniel Bridal Couture, share their advice.

Finding your boutique… When researching for your dream dress, we recommend paying close attention to which boutiques carry the designer you’re keen on and also which stock the specific designs that you like. More times than not, if you can’t find a certain dress on the bridal boutique’s website, they don’t stock the style you’re looking for in their store. In this case we’d recommend you asking if a ‘loan sample’ can be sourced from the designer. This is where you pay a small fee to borrow a dress from the designer for your bridal appointment. Alternatively, call or email the boutique you hope to visit for guidance.

Do your homework… In addition to finding the boutique that stocks your preferred designs, we’d also recommend using one of the greatest wedding planning tools out there – Pinterest! Have a few styles picked out that you like and have these ready to share with your stylist at your appointment.

Have an open mind… Be open to trying on all styles but still be clear on your likes and dislikes as each dress you try on could be the one and you don’t want to rule it out simply because it was your first dress you put on.

Shopping for wedding attire can be a minefield. Is there a theme to the event? Will the weather impact your choice of outfit? How big is too big when it comes to hats? A headpiece is the finishing touch to any outfit. Not just that but that everyone can pull a hat off – you just need to choose one that suits your face shape.

How to work out your face shape… Knowing your face shape gives you the best chance of selecting your perfect hat - one that enhances your features, bringing total balance to your face. Spend some time simply looking in the mirror and getting to know the contours and shape of your face. • Round – You should try experimenting with a fedora, trilby, or a tall, decorative fascinator. These types of hats are fun, on-trend and add a certain height to your face. And, don’t forget a beanie set to the back of your head will give you that wow-factor! • Square – Why not experiment with cloche, bucket and bowler hats as well as a beanie or beret? In fact, you can wear any type of hat.

Vintage or contemporary that adds a little roundness to your face shape. • Oval – Lucky you! You can spend hours experimenting with almost any type of hat - from floppy to bowler, cloche to beret, the hat world is truly your oyster! • Heart – You can also try out most hat types. It may be an idea to avoid wide brims and focus on cloche and bucket hats as they balance your features with striking effect! You’ll also be amazed at how good you look in a casual baseball cap or super thin beanie. • Rectangular – Check out cowboy and trapper hats. You’ll also look great in a sun or straw hat or any with a wide brim.

My main tip is that picking a hat should be fun. After all, in the words of Philip Treacy, “how a hat makes you feel is what a hat is all about”.

Katherine Elizabeth | Katherine Elizabeth Hats www.katherineelizabethhats.com

WHAT TO ASK WHEN SEARCHING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER…

Do you have insurance? When hiring a wedding photographer ensure they have public liability insurance for the un-expected – from the photographer bumping into a guest with their lens or someone tripping over their tripod.

What style/s do you specialise in? Work out the style of photography that you want and be sure that the photographer is a good fit. Do you want styled couple portraits or natural reportage images throughout your day.

How many weddings have you shot? Don’t be embarrassed to ask. You’re placing your trust and faith into someone to capture every special moment. Make sure they have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

How many hours are included in a full day’s coverage? Most weddings over-run! How much would it cost for an additional hour? I’ve seen photographers leave before the first dance when their time was up. Don’t let this happen to you.

Do you bring a second photographer? Consider a second photographer to shoot from interesting angles and capture emotions that just the one couldn’t.

What do you love about what you do? This may sound like an odd question, but it’s a crucial one. You want to make sure the person who shoots your wedding is as excited about your day as you are, and this isn’t just a job to them.

Can I view some previous weddings? I’d suggest viewing two or three full weddings, not just their signature images on their website. You want to make sure they can capture every part of a wedding day from bride and groom preparation to the very last dance.

Questions to ask yourself: • Do I feel a positive connection with this photographer? • Am I comfortable and confident with this person’s work? • Has this photographer listened well and addressed all my concerns? • Do I trust this person to capture the biggest day of my life?