AL FRESCO ASPIRATIONS If your discussions have led you to opt for an outdoor celebration, it’s ideal to start considering the season immediately. “Winter weddings aren’t unheard of in this context,” says Abbey Michelle Urabnski from Empty Quarter Events (www.emptyquarterevents.co.uk), “but the beauty of an outdoor wedding is the balmy warmth of spring and summer, mixed with the extended daylight to keep the celebrations going. “Like most hardstanding venues, you’ll want to consider locking in your tent company at least nine to 12 months in advance. Essential to this is choosing your location. Whether hired land or private garden or field, your tent supplier will need to know the location, access, terrain and space available. Having this information on hand as you start enquiries is super-helpful and can really speed up the booking process. “Next, think about the size of venue you’ll need and how you’ll use it,” Abbey says, “Do you want your guests seated for a formal wedding breakfast, or have them placed informally with a food truck offering? Do you want a band and a dancefloor? Where will your bar be housed? These elements can hugely impact the size of the tent or tents required, along with extra elements such as furniture hire and catering options. “Once booked, the refinement process can begin. Stretch tent weddings are incredibly flexible, providing a blank canvas that’s yours for the making with the help of all the fantastic suppliers involved.” THE “I DOS” “One of your first big decisions is how you want to get married,” says Claire Vieira from North Yorkshire Ceremonies (www.northyorks.gov. uk/ceremonies). “Civil ceremonies remain a popular choice for many. Registrars are experienced professionals who’ll guide you through the legal requirements when planning your ceremony and ensure everything runs smoothly and according to plan. “We recommend getting in touch with your venue’s local registrars as soon as possible to secure your perfect date and time. Many venues will hold your date for you to give you a chance to book your registrar. The most popular weekend lunchtime slots tend to get booked well in advance, so the sooner you can book the better. “In England and Wales, giving notice of marriage is a legal requirement that must be completed at least 29 days before the wedding. Both partners attend an appointment at their local register office to declare their intention to marry. This involves signing a legal statement and showing documents, such as proof of identity and address. If either partner is from outside the UK, additional documentation may be required. The notice is then publicly displayed for 28 days to allow for any objections. The marriage must then take place within 12 months. “It’s a good idea to think about the feel of the day you’re looking to create. We can personalise your legally binding ceremony to suit you and your guests with opportunities such as your choice of music, wording and more, also allowing your nearest and dearest to be involved. This needs to be done no later than four weeks before your ceremony date.” FIND YOUR SUPPLIERS With the all-important wedding date in your diary and vision firmly in your mind, you can start assembling the rest of your W-day team. Begin your search as soon as you can. The worst thing you can do is leave booking your suppliers to the last minute, as the very best can get booked up a year or more in advance leaving you disappointed if you’re not on the ball. Not to mention the fact that booking early leads to a much calmer run-up the closer you get to the big day. Whoever you decide to bring on board, make sure you’re booking quality. The last thing you want is to be let down on the most important day of your life. Check out the company’s reviews online. Great suppliers will be proud to share what other couples have said about them. Also, Empty Quarter Events © www.nataliehamiltonphotography.com North Yorkshire Ceremonies 48
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