INSIDER KNOWLEDGE

PLANNING

Some of Yorkshire’s most sought-after suppliers give us the lowdown on how to be prepared ahead of your big day! SOS

Congratulations, you’re engaged! So, what next? You just need to plan the biggest day of your life, no biggie! Don’t panic, we’re here to help. We’ve asked some of our favourite wedding companies to give us their top tips on what to consider before booking your suppliers. We’ve even split the suppliers up into three handy rounds, as a guide to when you should be contacting each type of business. Starting with…

ROUND ONE – THE VENUE AND PHOTOGRAPHER

THE VENUE

What questions should you be asking when viewing the venue? We think couples should be asking the following questions: How much is the deposit and any future payment dates? What’s the maximum capacity of the room? What are the minimum catering numbers required for the room chosen? Do couples get a dedicated wedding coordinator to assist in the planning of the wedding? Does the venue have a toastmaster to ensure the smooth running of the day? What time can vendors access the room to set up?

How will a couple know a venue is right for them? You’ve found the perfect venue when it matches your vision for the day, it fits into your budget and is available on the day you’re wanting. We think that the couple should get a really good feeling and just know when they’ve found the perfect venue!

What else should the couple consider? You should consider location, accessibility, parking, layout, services and ambiance. The Bridge Hotel & Spa | www.bridgewetherby.co.uk

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

What should the happy couple consider when choosing their photographer? The most important thing is to find a photographer that delivers the style of images that matter to you. With the abundance of choices available to you, this may feel easier said than done. Look at photographer accounts on Instagram, pull together a Pinterest board of images that make your heart sing and find a photographer with a portfolio that fits your vision. It’s also important to find a photographer that you feel comfortable with – the last thing you want is a photographer who you don’t gel with or worse still, irritates you! To avoid this, try to find a time to grab a coffee and talk through your wedding plans with your photographer – find someone you get on with and is as excited about your wedding as you are.

What questions should the soonlyweds ask their potential photographer? There are hundreds of wedding planning guides that’ll provide you with all the right questions to ask regarding issues such as contracts and legalities. But at the end of the day, the most important questions to ask are those that confirm the aspects that are most important to you. Would you be heartbroken not to have coverage of both you and your partner getting ready? If so, you may want to make sure your photographer brings a second shooter. Is it a deal breaker if you don’t have coverage up until the point when the last guest goes home? Are you planning an adventurous elopement and need a photographer to hike to the mountain top with you – or maybe it’s vital that your images will translate into wall art that look like a Vogue cover? Make a list of all the aspects of your photography matter most and make sure your photographer can deliver. Ask your photographer to show you their portfolio, full wedding galleries and to describe the favourite weddings they’ve shot!

What are your top tips to feel comfortable posing on the big day? There aren’t many people who naturally feel confident in front of the camera. My best advice is to book an engagement session with your chosen wedding photographer (many photographers offer this as part of their wedding package). This gives both you and your photographer a chance to get to know each other better and for you to get a taste of what it feels like to be the centre of attention. A good photographer will know how to work light, angles and locations to make you look your absolute best. Most important of all though is to relax, breathe and enjoy your day. After all, you’re marrying the love of your life and happiness shines through on a photograph! Clare Coleman Photography | https://clarecoleman.com

ROUND TWO – PUTTING YOUR STAMP ON IT

THE CAKE

What should the bride and groom consider when deciding the style of their cake? The style of your wedding cake should reflect you as a couple. The style may be influenced by many aspects of your day, the venue, the colour scheme, the feel of the wedding, maybe a bride’s dress, or the wedding invites. All of these parts come together to form the perfect cake, that reflects your day and you. Don’t limit yourselves to a certain style, just because it’s traditional or what’s expected. My only other piece of advice is, consider the venue and the temperature the cake will be kept at on the day. Buttercream cakes in a tent in the middle of summer, may not be the best idea!

What are new trends in wedding cakes? Two new trends I’ve seen developing over this year and into next season are cakes as separates and coloured cakes. More couples are opting for individual tiers on different stands, in place of the traditional tiered cake. I think this is an excellent option, especially when displayed as part of a dessert table. Each cake can match or be completely different. It definitely allows more room to make the cakes personalised. Coloured cakes are also big right now. Whether that be bright or pastel colours, or even neutral tones like beiges and stone colours. They look even more amazing when paired with a ribbon of the same colour.

What flavour is always a good choice? My most chosen flavour is raspberry and white chocolate. Everyone loves the combination of the sweet and tart flavour. Most of my couples choose different flavours for each tier, this means you can pick a combination of flavours you think everyone will like and ones that you love the most. You can’t go wrong with the classics like vanilla and lemon, but why not combine them with something different like Cherry Bakewell?

Katrina Armitage | www.katrinasbespokecakes.com

THE FLOWERS

When should you think about ordering your florist for your big day? We’d say try and think about getting your florist booked in as soon as possible, particularly if you have a specific one in mind.

Like all suppliers, florists do get booked up really quickly, we specifically like to only take one or two weddings per weekend, particularly in peak season, so that means dates become limited quite quickly. Each florist is different, but we want to make sure we spend optimum time with our couples, chatting through ideas and making sure the initial consultation process is thorough so we can really get a proposal together that can help couples visualise their day.

What should you bring to your appointment and what questions should you ask your florist? Anything and everything! The more information the better that helps you explain your vision about the whole of your day. Images of your dress (if you have it yet), the venue, stationery, suit ideas. This all helps us get an overall vision of what you’re looking for to help design your bespoke day. Any other suppliers you’ve also booked in already are good to know in case we can work with them, like a stylist.

We advise you keep a Pinterest board or send us any images of the things you like too and ask us questions about what colours and textures you think might work with your ideas and inspirations. We’ll use these to spark our creative thoughts during your consultation to really highlight your original style. Sometimes it can also help to know what you really don’t want − as funny as it sounds − as that can then help us to design what you do like!

It’s always good to ask questions around budget and be realistic, we have a minimum spend so that our couples are aware from the beginning where the starting range begins. It’s always good to have an open discussion around costs, your florist can really then tailor designs to your budget and let you know if things are out of season so might cost a little more or aren’t achievable.

The most important takeaway is do your research on the florists you want to work with. Using platforms like Instagram is really helpful as you can instantly see what that florist’s style is like and if you love it. Check out their website, Facebook and Pinterest − if they have it. This will really give you a feel for them before you meet. I’d really advise you to choose a florist where you love their work. Every florist is slightly different and will interpret your brief differently working with their style. There’s a florist out there for everyone and it should feel easy and put you at ease.

What trends will be big for floral arrangements and bouquets in 2022? Non-traditional floristry has been really popular for us and we think it’s due to continue − so things like using more dried florals or using a mix of fresh and dried together, it adds different textures and we’ve definitely found that our couples want more keepsakes from their day, particularly after the pandemic – with died florals they get to keep them forever!

Asymmetrical-shaped bridal bouquets have also been popular, which we love – they are full of texture with beautiful design at the heart of them.

Focal Installations: we’ve also found couples are wanting to spend more time thinking about certain areas within the venue they want to make a real statement feature of. Fireplaces, walkways, doorway arches. This means they are offering experiences for their guests too thinking about entrances and exits to really play with senses – using fragrant flowers can really add to this as well as bold colours. Nicola Robson | https://dittanyentwined.co.uk

https://emmaryanphotography.co.uk

ROUND THREE – FOOD, DRINK & FUN!

WINING & DINING

What should the couple consider when planning the food for their big day? You should consider whether you are wanting a sit-down wedding breakfast or a more of a relaxed day with a BBQ or buffet. If you’re opting for a sit-down meal then you’ll need to decide if you’d like to offer your guests a choice or if you’ll choose one option for each course. Always remember to check with your venue to make sure they can cater for all dietary requirements.

Do guests expect to pay for drinks during the wedding? Yes, guests do expect to pay for their own drinks. We think it’s nice to offer your guests a couple of drinks throughout the day by either offering an arrival drink, toast drink and maybe a glass of wine with the meal. Guests can then purchase their own drinks from the bar.

What choices are currently popular in food during the day? We find that a carvery option is very popular, especially in the winter. Our carvery menu comes with the full choice there on the day for the guests to choose so the bride and groom don’t have to take all orders. We find that for more of a relaxed wedding in the summer then a nice outdoor BBQ is very popular. What choices are currently popular in food during the evening? We offer a full hog roast for the evening and find that this is one of the firm favourites for brides and grooms. The Bridge Hotel & Spa | www.bridgewetherby.co.uk

LET THE MUSIC PLAY

What should the happy couple think about when planning the music on their big day? It’s helpful to think about where to put your musicians on the day and communicate this with your venue. You want to be able to hear them playing, especially if it has to be timed well for walking up the aisle, for example. Some spaces are ideal for a performance, whereas others are more appropriate for musicians providing background ambiance. Also check with your musicians what space and facilities they need to set up in terms of power outlets, access, lighting etc.

Other considerations may crop up as you share your ideas and themes for your special day. For example, do you want your musicians to be formally dressed or is the day more casual? Is there a colour scheme? And of course, what are your favourite songs, and will your musician(s) perform them on the day for you!

What parts of the day does music always work? Times when guests are ‘unoccupied’ are always helped by some background music. It creates a talking point for friends and family and helps to ease any jitters or awkward silences as people settle into different parts of the day’s events such as being seated for the ceremony, the drinks reception whilst photos are being taken and of course, for partying afterwards!

What songs work whatever the style of wedding? It’s hard to land on one genre that suits every wedding, but if your musician is enjoying themselves, that comes across and therefore everyone else in the room has a good time too, so pick your musicians to match your personal style! Hannah the Harp | www.hannahtheharp.co.uk