PLANNING SOS What upcoming wedding trends should we look out for? A trend we’re seeing more and more of is the hotel buyout; couples are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It’s no longer enough to take a few rooms or event spaces for the day or the weekend. Guests are taking over entire hotels going forward, allowing guests to spend quality downtime together too. From a logistical perspective, it’s hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place and time. AI-generated wedding speeches have been around for some time, and we’re now seeing couples use them to help with guest lists and table planning. By entering some key references, AI can generate a plan within moments. Refining the seating plan and the couples’ input is still essential. Guests are truly interested in what we do to protect the planet while we party. This may be from something as small as having biodegradable confetti. Our couples are looking at how they can make changes to improve the sustainability of their celebrations. We are often tasked to use local, seasonal plants and flowers indigenous to our area. It extends from environment to social, with many couples not requesting gifts but donations to favourite charities. As we know, food is a huge part of celebrations for many. For our clients, it can be one of the most integral parts or a minor focus, but one requirement never changes – the quality of the ingredients. Guests are asking for hyper-local, provenancetraceable ingredients that speak for themselves. Emma Gold | GSP Events | https://gsp-uk.com NOW THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! We’re booking our entertainment online but we’re worried about hiring someone we’ve never met, what would you suggest? Booking someone online can be daunting when you haven’t met them in person. SpinSisters is all about ensuring you feel confident and secure in your decision when booking a DJ with us. So, our advice is to explore the supplier’s online presence. Visit their Instagram, Facebook and YouTube accounts to get a feel for their style, personality and the events they’ve participated in for a powerful visual insight into their performance and how they connect with their audiences. Take a sonic journey through the DJ’s mixes. These are a testament to their musical range, mixing skills and ability to create seamless transitions. Pay attention to the vibe they bring and whether it aligns with the atmosphere you envision for your wedding day. Gather insights from others who have experienced the magic of the DJ’s artistry. Online reviews provide an honest vibe about their professionalism, ability to read the crowd and overall performance. A Zoom call can bridge the gap in the absence of face-to-face meetings. Schedule a virtual meeting with your potential DJ to gauge their personality, energy and how well you connect. A good vibe during the call is a promising sign that they’ll bring the right energy, We’re confident these tips will help you feel assured in choosing the perfect musical partner for your special day. Laura Harvey | SpinSisters LTD | www.spin-sisters.co.uk https://julietlemon.com https://hollyclarkphotography.co.uk EXCHANGING VOWS We’re after a memorable celebrant-led wedding; what advice can you share? The most important thing when planning your celebrant-led wedding is choosing the right supplier who fits with you. Your ceremony should be the most fun and rewarding part of your wedding, and the work you’ll do with your celebrant in the lead-up will last long after the day itself. Ensure you find a person you connect with, laugh with and trust. Then, you can enjoy the special day yourselves! Your celebrant will want to get to know you to create a unique ceremony filled with what is important to you both, so let them. Go out for a drink with the supplier, but don’t be self-editorial in what you share with them. Let them into your lives so they can learn your idiosyncrasies, stories, as well as who and what is important to you. In return, you’ll get an unforgettable ceremony for you and guests. The joy will spill out into the rest of your day and make everything seem slightly more important, heightened and filled with magic. Zena Birch | Zena Birch weddings www.zenabirch.com © Damir Plavotic 72
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