Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding - July/August 2020 (Issue 26)

Our regional experts share their top tips HOT TOPIC SAY ‘YES’ TO THE DRESS Meet the expert: Caroline Griffiths is the owner of Bridal Gossip, a wedding boutique based in Wadebridge, Cornwall, stocking bridal dresses, bridesmaids’ styles and occasion wear. She is also an experienced wedding planner specialising in marquee celebrations and dry hire venues. What wedding dress trends do you see emerging from the bridal designers that you stock for those planning their wedding next year? Caroline says: Wedding designers always surprise me with their new collections. Just when you think that bridal couture couldn’t get any more flamboyant then designs arrive that do! I envisage even larger, bolder patterns and statement sleeves for next year, with show-stopping florals and even bigger ballgowns! However, I do think there’ll be some more subtle, classic styles that will still be very on-trend, too. We’re planning a large wedding and considering hiring a wedding planner. Can you tell us a little more about this? Caroline says: Wedding planners have always been regarded as a status symbol for the rich and famous! But now savvy couples are realising the benefits of hiring a good one who will help without taking over. Experienced wedding planners can assist with creating realistic wedding budgets and deal with the logistics and finer details about how the big day will run. From photography and catering to the flowers and playlist, wedding planners keep everything organized, lessening the stress on the couple and relieving their time. Most importantly, they know how to avoid the mistakes of planning a wedding and can manage any risks. Hiring a professional planner is a little bit like having a personal assistant on hand throughout your engagement. Reading contracts, completing booking forms, chasing guests that haven’t RSVP’d, creating schedules and assisting with the set-up and clearing away afterwards are just a few things they can carry out. Most importantly, they’ll be there every step of the way to ensure that everything goes to plan. Some couples depend on the best man, chief bridesmaid or a family member but they aren’t professional organisers and invariably find the task significantly more demanding than they had imagined. They also want to enjoy the day and celebrate - they are close friends and family after all. Marquee weddings and those taking place in venues where you simply hire the space – known as dry hire – take more organising than those at a venue that is already fully equipped. Often, planners can negotiate supplier discounts for booking through them that couples wouldn’t be able to secure by going directly. I only recommend suppliers because they are awesome, not because I’m getting a cash incentive to put them forward - that goes straight to the couple. Planners also have an extensive recommended supplier list for different budgets. Many of these vendors prefer to meet mid-week because the weekends are their busiest time which the planner can do. Pulling off a perfectly planned and beautifully styled wedding can be quite stressful, especially if you haven’t got any experience of it. It isn’t as straightforward as deciding what you want and booking it because there are so many details, logistics and timings to consider. Planners will know what will and won’t work and be able to solve any problems. Whether we like it or not, weddings can highlight family dynamics that often cause heightened emotions. Sometimes it becomes my job to work on finding compromises and hold sensitive conversations. Having someone impartial to the situation always helps. Bridal Gossip | 07476 786 731 | www.bridalgossip.co.uk Caroline Griffiths Wedding Planner | 07476 786 731 | www.carolinegriffiths.co.uk 62