READY, SET, PLAN

READY, SET, plan!Our guide to creating the perfect wedding

Although planning a wedding is a fun experience, it can also be very stressful. There’s so much you need to take into consideration, from budgets and themes to trying to please everyone. To help, we’ve asked local suppliers for some of their top tips.

BOOKING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

From the outset, it’s important to build a relationship with your photographer. Consultations and an engagement or pre-wedding shoot will help build trust between you. Find a supplier that’s on your wavelength, puts you at ease and understands what you want from your images.

Good wedding photographers will want to give you precious pictures that you will treasure for a lifetime and will do their best to help you enjoy the day as, after all, it’s all about you. Keep in mind, if they’re a member of a trade association, that’s usually a good indication that they take their work seriously.

How to find the perfect style for you? A good starting point would be to look at the photographer’s portfolio. If you like what you see, then arrange a free no-obligation consultation. It’s important to choose a supplier that won’t impose their style on you. Good companies will listen and produce quality images to suit your preferences. That said, he/she should be experienced enough to make suggestions to suit your needs, make you feel comfortable and supply great images.

How long before the wedding day should you get in touch? Most wedding photographers fill their diaries well in advance, so I would say at least 12 months ahead of the big day, and if possible, maybe 18 months to two years before. However, if you’re working on a tighter time scale, it’s always worth asking if your preferred supplier is available on your date.

Staying within your budget. This should be fairly straightforward! Do some research and start with a budget in mind. On average, the price of your photographer should be around 15 per cent of the overall cost of the wedding. It’s worth remembering that most decent wedding photographers will over-deliver anyway.

What are the latest trends? In recent years, I’ve noticed more candid and documentary preferences. However, I do think it’s important to capture at least some portrait and group shots. You have to remember that wedding photographs are lifetime memories and a record of your special day.

I’m not exactly a fashion guru, I, therefore, consulted my good friend and collaborative associate Sarah Meyrick (www.facebook.com/ sarahmeyrickhairbeauty) on the latest trends. Sarah reliably informs me that current trends include pastel tones, blues and pinks, warm, earthy tones and Bridgerton vibes.

Anthony Crothers | Photographer www.anthonycrothers.com

CHOOSING YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

Music is key to generating a great atmosphere for your party. Customising the songs to suit everyone’s tastes is important, so look at the age range attending and consider what would please everyone.

A band will usually play for one to three hours, so there will be time between sets when your friends and family may still want to be entertained. Therefore, having a DJ is a good idea, given most weddings last five or more hours.

Alternatively, a DJ can entertain you for the whole evening and play a wide range of music. If you’re using the same room for the afternoon and evening, you may want to hire your DJ for the whole day to help everything run smoothly. ♥ Meet them in person or have a virtual meeting. ♥ Ensure they have PAT tested equipment and Public Liability Insurance.

This is a safety practice, and most venues will insist on it. ♥ See what your suppliers can provide. Some DJs don’t have bright lighting, for instance. ♥ Check what additional services you need that the DJ can provide. For example, if you hire a marquee and a PA system for your speeches, then you may have a smaller budget left for your entertainment.

However, if you book a DJ with lighting and a PA, then it may work out cheaper than doing it separately. Make sure you talk to your supplier before the day to discuss your options.

How do I find a suitable supplier? ♥ Check reviews from past events and clients. June Gould – DJ June Cecilia | DJ www.sgdjweddings.com

HOW TO CHOOSE A CELEBRANT

Choosing a celebrant to officiate at your wedding blessing, renewal of vows, or any other commitment ceremony will not disappoint you. Celebrants have the luxury of being able to conduct bespoke ceremonies wherever and whenever they like. We are an awardwinning company here in Wales that help couples from all walks of life to achieve their dream day their way. Here are some of my top tips for finding the perfect celebrant: ♥ Are they trained, and if so, who was their training provider? You can ask for proof of a diploma from the NOCN, which is the only nationally recognised qualification. ♥ Is your celebrant associated with the Association of Independent

Celebrants (AOIC)? This association regulates, monitors and encourages celebrants to continue with the CPD training. ♥ Is your supplier insured? All celebrants should have not only public liability insurance of over five million but also public indemnity of five million. ♥ Does your venue know your chosen celebrant, or could they recommend one they have worked with before that does a good job? ♥ Do they have a website, where you can view feedback from other clients? ♥ Always meet and speak with a celebrant free of charge before you book their service. Once you have chosen someone who you feel fits the bill, make sure there is a contract in place between you. A good celebrant will never ask you for more than a booking fee upfront.

Here at Mountain Celebrations, we only invoice for the ceremony 28 days before the actual date. ♥ After you’ve booked, make sure that they have sent you a full draft of the ceremony, this way should the unthinkable happen, you have a full copy of what was going to be said, and a friend or a member of

staff from the venue can step in. ♥ The beauty of using a celebrant is they can officiate your ceremony at any venue, licenced or not, so go bold and chose something outside in this beautiful country of ours. Alternatively, have a second venue that you can use, such as someone’s garden, park, beach, or any indoor venue such as hotels, restaurants, or even a public house. ♥ Any good celebrant will have your vows printed out on a separate sheet to hand to you should you forget your words on the day.

You have managed to put together a plan – congratulations, the hardest part is done! You want to look beautiful and feel special on your big day, which can easily be achieved with the assistance of a professional.

First, decide on your budget. Set your minimum and your maximum. At this stage, it does not matter the exact numbers of people in your party, but it’s good to know what your limits are.

This next step is very important. There are hundreds of suppliers who offer hair styling and having to contact them all for prices is almost impossible and can be tiring, so don’t try to contact them one by one. Instead, view their gallery first, and if you like what you see, then enquire.

They should be able to send you packages to choose from. If they don’t, or something is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Once you’ve booked, you can send them your favourite looks and together you should be able to find the right hairstyle for your trial. For the trial, try to choose a maximum of two looks if you feel indecisive. This can be hair all up or hair half up and half down. The best time to arrange a trial is between nine and six months before the wedding. This is when most of the other important things are already in place, like the dress, theme, colour scheme, venue, flowers etc.

Let’s not forget about hair accessories. The trial is the perfect time to bring or discuss your accessories, whether this is a head crown, a tiara, fresh flowers, a hair vine or jewelled pins. Once you have your hairstyle chosen, you will feel more confident and assured on the day of your wedding.

www.kateizakphotography.com

www.scoularfish.com www.kateizakphotography.com

Maya Jasinska | Hair and make-up artist www.loxushairandmakeup.com

OUR TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE PERFECT CAKE

Do some research before setting a budget as some embellishments and flavours will cost more than others. Once you’ve found a supplier, work with them to create a bespoke design for your big day. Tell them about your likes and dislikes and show them photos of other creations that have caught your attention. Remember, a bespoke option will cost more than a standard design, so factor this into your budget.

Here are some of our top tips. ♥ Flowers are a wonderful way of decorating your bake.

Blooms can be carefully painted to look like a watercolour masterpiece, made using sugar or even sculpted out of icing. ♥ Chocolate can be used to decorate your bake. Whether you choose a modern drip effect or a quirky half-and-half creation, your guests are sure to be delighted. ♥ If you’ve decided against a traditional white bake, then ruffles are a fun alternative. Not only will it make the cake stand out, but it’s also a great way of incorporating your colour scheme. ♥ Cake freezes perfectly, so if you have any leftover and it wasn’t frozen previously (check with your supplier), freeze it and enjoy it for months to come. You could even keep some for your first anniversary. ♥ Cake-toppers are an opportunity for you and your partner to show off your personalities – have some fun with it, and don’t be afraid to go against tradition!