A DISCERNING APPROACH Craig Cheber from Booth Nineteen (https://booth19.co.uk) says: As you embark on your wedding planning journey, it’s paramount to approach it with a discerning eye. Establishing a budget is fundamental, yet flexibility is key for those who prefer the finer things. Opt for a selective guest list to ensure an atmosphere of exclusivity and intimacy. Prioritise elements that enhance your event’s grandeur, such as premium entertainment like a vintage photo booth, which blends nostalgia with luxury. We cater to a vintage style, appreciating your desire for distinction and refinement. Before you reach the wedding planning stage, why not make the most of every step and embrace your engagement? Perhaps by throwing a lavish party or having a custom photo shoot. After all, these moments are as precious as your wedding day itself. Effective communication with your partner is crucial to harmonise aspirations. Employing a wedding planner is advisable to seamlessly integrate each element, ensuring your big day isn’t just an event but a milestone. Remember, while meticulous planning is essential, the celebration of love remains central. Maintain a balance, indulging in experiences that strengthen your bond during this extraordinary period. This isn’t just a wedding, it’s an expression of your unique journey together. TAKE NOTE Gaynor Page from Topikki Stationery (www.topikki.co.uk) says: Three things are paramount. The first is: don’t dive straight in, you’ll probably end up spending good money after bad, and subsequently breaking the budget. The second is: know your numbers. You can’t budget without doing so. And lastly: be organised. Relating each of these three points to your stationery, it’s important to gather ideas, samples and to decide whether you’ll want to follow a theme or particular palette. Creating a scrapbook or Pinterest board will help you stay focused and you’ll be able to see a common theme emerging. Asking for samples, even if buying off-the-shelf, will give you a taste of the quality of the product you’re spending your hard-earned cash on, and whether the design looks as good in reality as it does in a photo. It’s just as important to get to know your stationery designer. Are they on your wavelength, are they listening to you? You’ll probably have a rough idea of numbers but it helps to be a little more accurate right from the start. It’ll dictate your venue size, your day versus evening guest list ratio, and can significantly reduce costs when it comes to ordering your stationery. Add-ons can prove to be costly with small quantity purchases, and changes to seating plans even more so. Consider signage and other onthe-day stationery too. Remember, it’s not just about save-the-dates and invitations! Being organised gives you time and space to make the right decisions, helping you to keep track, plan, create a realistic budget and stick to it. LOVE STORY Deb Stodgell and Jackie Aldrich from Just Ceremonies (https://justceremonies.co.uk) say: A good place to start your planning is to decide the sort of location you want to tie the knot. You get to choose the venue, but you also have a say in who conducts the heart of your day, the wedding ceremony. The time when you commit to each other, in front of those you love, for the rest of your days. If you want something personal and meaningful, not just the legal words, you might want to consider using a professional celebrant. You’ll meet them, discuss all your visions, and end up with the most personal and unique ceremony. Even better, there are no restrictions on where it takes place. We’ve conducted ceremonies in orchards with the blossom falling, in home gardens, by beautiful lakes, on farms, in a pub and very many rooms in beautiful hotels and houses. It’s your choice. Just get the legal bit done first, and then the world’s your oyster! What’s more, we never conduct multiple ceremonies a day, just you, so you’ll be our only priority. © Jeremy Wong Weddings, Unsplash 52
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