TOP 10 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER | THE WEDDING EDITION
There’s so much that’s important when it comes to planning a wedding and often the things in the list you’re about to read can be a surprise, they don't seem important, but trust us when we say they are. From planners with decades of experience under our belts, this is what we think are the top 10 most important things to remember for your wedding.
1. It’s all about you
This sounds simple but when it comes to weddings there are a lot of opinions. Your family, your friends, the venue – everyone has an idea of how it should be done but at the end of the day it’s your celebration, go with what you want. People forget as time goes on and so you need to block out the noise and focus on what is most important to you.
2. Detail
We have noticed over the years that guests love that initial wow as they enter a room but also that layers and layers of detail is what creates the little wow moments that people remember and mention for years to come. From a fun escort card wall to personalised embroidered napkins or a really cool personal sweet stall – it’s all in the tiny (often inexpensive) details.
3. Enough food
One of our biggest tips. Where this tends to be an issue is a long reception, sometimes two hours long, with 3-4 canapés pp. It’s just not enough. Aim for 6-8 minimum. Then look at your timings – what time do people eat the main meal and what time does everything end? If it’s more than 3-4 hours after that main meal, add in a late night snack. Keeping people well fed is really key.
4. The importance of a great band
Never underestimate the power of a really great band. A good band are worth their absolute weight in gold and well worth the investment. One of the most frequent comments we get about the weddings and events we run is how great the band were. It brings an energy that really makes a difference.
5. Speeches
We never trust people who say their speech will be 5 minutes, it is never, ever true! The real consequence of this is that your catering times may be planned around those estimates and therefore your next course cooked to be served at a certain time. Leaving it to stand for an extra 20 minutes when that speech over runs is not good. Allow minimum of 15 minutes per speech in your schedule. And 15 minutes for a wedding speech really is the sweet spot.
6. Remember everything
There is so much to remember on the day even when it comes to just outfits and there are so many lovely details, whether it’s your grandmothers ring or your dancing shoes for later. Write a list as these items are so easy to forget and discovering as you go to find it, that it’s still in your closet at home, is not what you want!
7. Take a moment
This is so important and probably our favourite tip. Take little 10 minute moments together through your day just to stop, look around at all your favourite people in one room, to each other and the commitment you’ve just made, and to soak it all up. Weddings are magical – embrace the core memory making.
8. Photos
We find a lot of people are not huge fans of having their photos taken but trust us when we say you’ll wish you had more photos! Making time to have these taken is really important and a good planner will ensure there’s time in your schedule for these. You’ll cherish them forever so invest the time in them on the day (and a good photographer who you need to book as soon as you start your planning as the good ones get booked up quickly).
9. Timings
Planning the day so that the momentum is always kept up – avoiding too long in one space, creating moments to indicate a move to the next part of the day and keeping guests informed all makes for a good flow.
10. Walk slowly down the aisle.
Take it slow, so slow you feel a bit odd, as in actual fact it will be the perfect pace. Even though you’re nervous, a slow walk, with the chance to digest all those smiling faces as you pass, is something you’ll never forget. Pure wedding magic.
We know this is meant to be a list of ten however....
11. Appoint a planner
Seriously, the above is a long list and a lot to consider so by having a planner you wont have to give any of these areas a second thought on the day as they have a full team on site working on every tiny detail. We'll genuinely save you money, ensure everything is considered and take all the stress off your plate. Trust us - we have a job for a reason! Email us!
IMAGE CREDITS:
Flo Brooks Photography
