MUSIC TO YOUR EARS Vocalist Vanessa Sergeant (https://vanessasergeantvocals.co.uk) says: Your wedding will be one of the most important days in your life so it needs to be perfect in every way! The music you choose will include songs close to your heart and ones that when listening back in years to come, will remind you of the day you said “I do.” So, have a think about the melodies most meaningful to you both and at what point of the day you want each one to be played to elevate the atmosphere. Having a singer to deliver these just makes the experience that much better and more personal to you. THE A-TEAM Jacquie Keeley from Fab Food For You (https://fabfoodforyou.co.uk) says: Once you’ve chosen a date and place, you’ll have the foundation to start with the all-important details. This will take many people to deliver to perfection within a seamless, flowing process on the day, so you’ll need a timetable and a collective co-operation of your suppliers. But who are they and how do you find them? Enlist the help of local businesses. Weddings are their livelihood, they understand the processes and problems like no one else. They know how to get licences, can arrange safe delivery for such things as flowers and untold other issues. This is their job and they’re passionate about the detail and the timing knowing just how important this very special day is. Using a local business means you’re getting a local expert. A recent piece of research showed that 95 per cent of couples planning a wedding found it stressful and the majority related experiencing real stress-related symptoms. You have to remember that you’re not just planning a wedding, you’re also planning for your life together and blending two families. You don’t need to spend your engagement in a stressful manner. But with a curated team of local professionals in your corner you’ll have time to relax and enjoy the nicer things in the planning process (food tasting, trial days with hair and makeup artists, dress fittings). Enjoy and treasure the good memories of this entire period. There are many suppliers out there to choose from, whether you decide on one firm to handle it all or talk to several providers, it’s your choice and you call the shots. The aim is to find people you can trust and work well with, there’s no right or wrong approach. Find out what works for you. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED... Florrie de Havilland from de Havilland Memories (www.dehavillandmemories.com) says: As someone who has recently planned their own big day, I have to say that the most important first step to attaining your dream wedding is finding a venue and getting a date locked in. As soon as you have a date, you can relax a little and find the suppliers you can relate to and would like to work with. I recommend your next supplier to be your stationer as you can’t have a wedding without inviting any guests! Then, you should think about what you’d like and what your priorities are so that you can allocate your budget accordingly. From here, you can decide if you’d like to go down the bespoke route and have a tailored experience, or to use templates for your invitations. Your wedding stationery is the first impression that your guests will have of your big day, so that’s the time to make a statement. I recommend using a personal stationer and creating bespoke invitations if you want to wow your loved ones and have a beautiful memento of your wedding day. Usually, they’ll work with you from your invitations, all the way through to W-day and later, your thank-you letters, meaning you can create something really special and cohesive throughout. © Leigh Tarrant 56
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