PACKAGE WEDDING

Less stress with a wedding package

The decision to get married is nothing to the decisions you will need to make it happen

When the thrill of announcing your engagement gives way toplanning the actual wedding a mild frisson of panic may well set in. Where do you begin? This is supposed to the most fun you could have, but how will you fulfill all the ideal wedding dreams you’ve always had for what is supposed to be one of the best and most important days of your life?

The next question is how to make it all as easy as possible. Can you have everything, or almost everything on your wish list without running yourself ragged coordinating, cakes and dresses with cars and perlini? The answer is yes.

Go for a wedding package. There arewonderful venues that will tailor your requirements specifically.

With a wedding package you cancreate your dream wedding with helpfrom people who are used to dealing with requestsfor the most stunning locations, uniquecatering, whatever makes your dream wedding.

And it’s invaluable for couples who need everything to be in one place, orwho both work 24/7, and want to make everything as simple as possible for themselves and their guests, without being worn to a frazzle in the process.

In fact, so many wedding venues are offeringthis service. Your best start is to list your priorities and find one that can live up to them, depending on how realistic they are.

DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT

You’re bound to have very high expectations based on weddings you have been to or images you found online. But, instead of remembering what you liked about them, use your own ideas, inspired by your interests and sentiments and even,in some ways,your work, to createyour perfect setting.

Keep these in mind and make them clear to the package provider. Thenconfirm exactly how they can provide the reception, décor, food and drinks; in short everything as you visualise it.

CHOOSE WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU

Make time to visit as many wedding package providers as possible. And always read all the small print. Some pre-set packages, may include things you don’t need or want.Or you may find some extra additions are necessary when you finally consider all your options.

Venues will very likely have a choice of packages, and the top ones will be happy to draw one up for you. It is important to make what you are looking for perfectly clear. For,

example, you may have guests from overseas who need accommodation; or maybe you would like to stay at the venue for a couple of days after the wedding. Most hotel venues will welcome such requests.

Try to visit your prospective venues at the same time of year and day that your wedding will held. By actually being in that time and space, you’ll get the best sense of how your choice of decorations, flowers and colours, plus any lighting you may need, will look.

CONTROLLING THE COST

Never lose sight of your budget. Be on the alert for ‘attractive extras at only a small additional cost’. They may be standard in other places. Remember to factor in gratuities and check whether VAT is included. Are there any discounts for a wedding date in low season? Are drinks and winepriced at a flat rate or on sale or return? Is corkage charged if you bring in your own wine?Add up a rough estimate of the cost of hiring or providing everything yourselves,compared with the cost of certain packages.

Whenever you include any extras these should be clearly itemized. And it must be stated in the contract whether you or the package providers are responsible for sourcing them, and how they are covered in the final expenses.

GETTING THE BEST FROM YOUR PACKAGE

If you’re deciding between a wedding package and one where yousource everything separately it really does pay to cost the two options carefully. Compare the ratesforall inclusive with those forhiring or providing items like tables, chairs, linens, flatware, silver, glasses, lighting and so on.

Will arrangements be made for unexpected extras, and will no-shows be charged for?

Can get on with the representative/s you will be dealing with? Do they listen to your wishes and suggest the best ways to fulfil them; or tryto persuade you to choose unnecessary extras? Are they able to keep appointments and be readily available? If you feel there is something missing, don’t be afraid to go elsewhere.

Ask for detailed descriptions ofall the services included. They vary enormously from one provider to another. With all the figures, balance the pros and cons of each one.

Remember that however organised, reasonable and in control you think you will be while planning your wedding, it is a monumental undertaking,so to tweak a well-known saying: The best things come often come in big packages.

Be sure to trust your instinct. The best overall deal will be the one where you feel you’ll have all it takes to make your perfect day.

VILLA ARRIGO

Organising your wedding is one of the most special and personal events of your life. At Villa Arrigo, we understand this and limit the number of weddings we style and cater for each year. This allows important time for us to really get to know the couple and understand their dreams and importantly their budget. With over a quarter of a century of tailoring unique weddings for local and foreign couples alike, we craft each wedding to the slightest of detail. Classily chic and contemporary, Villa Arrigo remains the most trusted, most value for money wedding venue on the islands. Meet us and let us exceed your wedding expectations.

At Villa Arrigo we are not just a venue. The imposing entranceand welcoming indoors is delectably decorated to have the warm feeling of a ‘home away from home’. The venue has its own catering with a fully equipped kitchen that can tailor and craft each wedding to the couple’s desires. The venue also has a grand marquee,which is totally sound proof, with its own audio visual equipment. Weddings can be held indoors, or in the luscious outdoors. From seated banquets to standing events, our culinary team will ensure that every couple has their wedding their way.

Our team will meet up with clients, offer to show them around the venue, and discuss with the couple the type of wedding they would like to have. We also discuss the food options available and show them the recent trends on food, beverage arrangements, décor and even further discuss all other options that form part of the event, such as music, flowers, photographers and other designs and requests they have. We then create a plan for their big day. This is normally done one year in advance.

During that year, and prior to the wedding, several other meetings are held, and as the day gets closer we start to finalise the number of guests, menu, the beverages, the final design of the wedding cake, and organisea chronologicalorder of the event, with time lines, and confirm the time-lines.

Clients may also opt for our all-inclusive menus, which are set prices for the food, sweets, beverages, venue, staff, security and wedding cake.

Therefore, Villa Arrigo can be considered as a one stop shop, providing you with food, bars and waiting staff, as well as marquees, tables, chairs, linen, cutlery, crockery, décor, flower arrangements and all that you may need to make your function an outstanding success!

You are most welcome to tour our facility at any time convenient to you! Meet with us and let us exceed your wedding expectations.