FOOD FOR THOUGHT Another area that should be top of the agenda is the catering. Let’s face it who wouldn’t want to prioritise food? “It’s never too early to begin discussions,” says Henny Robinson at Paxton & Brown Caterers. “Even if you haven’t confirmed your venue, it’s still worth contacting local caterers. You might find they have helpful insider knowledge about your shortlist to help with the decision making. Bear in mind that the summer months especially can get booked up more than a year in advance, so don’t put it off.” Choosing the supplier to provide the all-important food can be a daunting one. Not least since it’s likely to be one of the bigger expenses in your wedding budget, so it’s imperative to choose the right one. Henny continues, “It’s advisable to contact more than one company rather than putting all of your eggs in one basket. So do your research, speak to your venue and search the internet. Look for reviews, testimonials and check out their socials. Then, get in touch. We’re a friendly bunch at Paxton & Brown and love to talk food, so there’s never any question we’d deem silly – we’d much prefer you to ask than not.” SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR TO GO Now’s the time to tighten up that guest list and send out save-the-dates, if you wish to do so. This might be a particularly good idea if your date falls during school holidays or a bank holiday for example, as your guests are likely to fill their diaries much sooner at these times. As the RSVPs start rolling in and a clearer picture of how your day will unfold begins to emerge, your caterer will need to know as much detail about the day as possible as they start to plan your menu including the all-important canapés. “As well as obvious things like the date, venue, guest numbers, and budget, we also need to know about timings for speeches and cake cutting, plus dietary requirements, seating plans, who’ll be our contact on the day, suppliers who need feeding and so on,” Henny explains. “Most importantly, we need to know what your dream menu would be, what flavours you love and style of service you envisage. Don’t forget, it’s your day so your food should reflect who you are. We can then create a menu and service plan tailored to you.” You’ll also be getting down to the nitty gritty conversations with your suppliers, not least your florist. Around a year in advance is when you want to solidify the decisions you made at time of booking, in terms of flowers, colours and look. Aizel says, “Discuss your wishes exhaustively during a meeting with your florist and listen to how your stylist plans to execute your dream look. It’s a good idea to talk bouquets once you’ve chosen your dress as its style, as well as your personality, height and shape will all have an influence.” Aizel continues, “What normally happens during the process is that some details in the flower plan might change months before the wedding with add-ons or maybe cutting down, but just bear in mind that there are varying terms and conditions as to how much change your florist can accommodate. What we all want though, above all, is for the planning process to be a lovely experience for you. We encourage Zoom calls if meeting in person isn’t possible, as well as visits to our flower farm if it’s relevant to your chosen style.” THREE TO SIX MONTHS TO GO “Now’s the time to start working with your celebrant in earnest,” says Jen. “A good one will want to get to know you and hear about your ideas. If you want to include different elements in your ceremony, or you want to write your own wedding promises, let them know. They’ll factor in the time to help you write these and guide you as to where and how to incorporate the aspects you desire.” While tying up loose ends and putting together your final brief for the venue and relevant suppliers, consider where you’re going to place various elements such as your cake and photo booth. Craig from Booth Nineteen says, “Make sure there’s enough room for guests to line up and take photos without causing a bottleneck in the flow of the reception. You’ll also want to ensure that the photo booth is placed in a well-lit area, away from any loudspeakers or other sources of noise. “What’s more, don’t forget to discuss making personal touches to your photo booth props. Consider creating custom props that reflect your personalities or the theme of your wedding. You could also add some fun elements that tie into your love story, such as some quirky signs.” What else? Head to our Find a Service Directory at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding and make yourself a checklist. Image courtesy of Paxton & Brown WEDDING PLANNING 57
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