46 READY, SET, PLAN! Emily from Yorkshire Rose Events (www.yorkshireroseevents.co.uk) shares her top tips for planning your big day. You’ve just got engaged; revel in that warm, fuzzy feeling for as long as you possibly can. Your family and friends’ next questions after saying congratulations will be: so when’s the big day? I’m sorry, what?! Stop right there. There’s no need to rush into deciding on a date the moment you’re engaged. Take your time and think about the season that you’d like to get married in. This is always a good starting point and will help you navigate the next steps in the planning process. Weddings are all-season affairs now, so don’t assume that autumn, winter, or early spring weddings will have guaranteed availability. Generally speaking, one year in advance is ok to book most venues; however, if you’re wanting to secure a spot at a popular one, we’d always say two years, as this is an ample amount of time to source your suppliers too. As a sustainability-focused wedding planner, I’d always suggest asking your suppliers about eco-friendly elements. Upcycling old furniture for a dessert table or photo booth area, favours that are edible or keepsakes – a favourite of ours is hanging decorations for Christmas weddings. Supporting a charity close to your heart, either through donations instead of wedding gifts or pin badges as favours, is also a popular choice. Lastly, if none of these ideas are your thing, having certain colours or themes running through your stationery or décor that tie everything together and reflect you as a couple is a great way to make it your own. Be methodical. If you have the time and are able to plan your own wedding without the support of a planner or coordinator on the day, keep track of everything. As soon as you have an idea, file it. Organise your ideas into a moodboard or spreadsheet, then take it one step at a time. Start with the larger elements, like securing your venue, caterers, or band if you plan on having one. Keep track of online receipts, booking forms and meeting dates to make sure you’ve accounted for everything as the weeks and months pass. Most of all, enjoy this magical process. Don’t worry if it all becomes too much though. There are lots of planners and coordinators out there to rescue you and support you through your special day, should you need it. OUR PERFECT DAY Camilla from Amelia Ray Events (www.amelia-ray-events.com) shares her top tips for planning your dream wedding. At Amelia Ray Events, we love to plan weddings, but we do realise that for a lot of couples, it can be a high-pressure, stressful time. So, here are our top tips for any couples who are looking to plan their perfect day: From the beginning, set and agree on a budget! Be sure to sit together and think about a realistic, achievable budget that will not leave you struggling in your everyday life. It does not have to be a lot; it can be as little as £3,000 if that’s what you want to spend. Be sure to research ideas for your wedding that you love (we adore a Pinterest board), then you can look at which suppliers suit your style and who can bring your vision to life. If you feel too much pressure or would like to save time and potentially money, consider hiring a wedding planner. Planners are not as expensive as people think! They can also help save money in the long run; they have good working relationships with suppliers; they know all the best venues; and they can help organise the whole day so you don’t have to worry. Next, create a timeline and follow it to reduce stress. Make sure your suppliers are paid on time and deposits are paid to ensure you have a good relationship with them before your big day. Chat with suppliers about what you want; it is your day, and nine times out of ten, they are happy to accommodate your needs. Personalise your wedding to match both your styles, but be sure to be yourselves. It is so important to be sure your wedding is what you love; that way, all your guests will relax and enjoy the day. They love you and want to see you happy! Delegate tasks! It is so important to get all your family and friends involved to help you both, even for simple tasks such as sorting a goodfilling breakfast for all the wedding guests in the morning, so you’re not thinking about this when you wake up. Finally, enjoy your day! It’s your wedding; it’s one day of your life where you get to marry your soul mate, and you will remember this day forever. You will only do this once, so have your perfect day. www.facebook.com/hollywphotographyy www.facebook.com/hollywphotographyy www.danielgablephotography.com www.danielgablephotography.com www.danielgablephotography.com
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