In a previous blog post I talked about how brilliant Wedding Planners are. But why take my word for it? Rather than trying to give you advice about planning your wedding I decided it would be much more fun to have a chat with some wedding planners who have made a very good name for themselves by being quite brilliant at what they do, planning weddings!
So what do you need to think about in order to get your wedding day perfect? Here’s what the experts had to say:
When you first meet a new couple what is the first question you ask them, and why do you consider this question to be so important?
Dominique Douglas - Stylish Events
My first question is always “What’s your dream?”
Why? Well as corny as it may sound, we are in the business of making couples’ wedding dreams come true. Basically, as wedding planners, we take all our client’s ideas, hopes and aspirations for their wedding and turn them into the wedding day they want.
Marie Haverly - Isabella Weddings
Apart from asking them how they are etc I always ask them how their planning is going so far? This tells me as a planner where they are, what worries they have and possibly why they have asked to meet me. The second question is - what's the most important thing about your wedding?!
Susanna Young - Knot & Pop
A question we always ask is to describe their ideal wedding day in three words – adjectives that best describe the day they want to have. These days people all too often turn to Pinterest before stopping to think and discuss their day and what they both want it to be and represent. We love hearing these key adjectives as it gives us a great initial guide as to what we need to ensure their day is rooted in.
What's the most common issue couples overlook when planning their own wedding?
Dominique Douglas - Stylish Events
Time.
Many couples hire a wedding planner after they’ve begun to plan the wedding themselves. Once they realise how time consuming it is to research venues, suppliers and the styling options, it hits them that perhaps a wedding planner could make the process much easier and much more fun.
Marie Haverly - Isabella Weddings
Thinking they can do it all and cheaply. Cheap usually means corners cut or lower quality, so when some couples feel they have 'bagged a bargain' what they have possibly done is waste their budget on something that won't be the standard they are expecting. This is true when booking suppliers; couples feel they don't need to spend a lot on decent suppliers - this might be true if the supplier isn't high on the couples priority list (if a cake means nothing to them then a family friend could bake one without any concerns of it not being up to standard for example) however if you want a professional standard you have to pay the correct fee I feel.
What's your secret for staying calm under pressure on a wedding day? Can this method also help your brides and grooms?
Dominique Douglas - Stylish Events
I am always working on this part of my personality; not only staying calming, but “appearing” to stay calm is an essential part of our job on the wedding day. People generally prefer to follow calm, assertive energy, so when someone is acting erratically and looks stressed there can be a perception that they are not in control. I tend to deal with one issue at a time, worry about the things I can do something about, solve problems as they come up rather than laying blame on anyone and always remember that we are here for the couple and their wishes are priority.
Marie Haverly - Isabella Weddings
Trusting myself, following my gut and knowing I can find a solution to most things - I've done this before so it will be fine! :), I tell me couples that they can of course rely on me fully so they don't have to feel pressure however if they don't have a planner to support them then they could follow the same principles, trust that they have done everything in advance of today and if anything goes wrong it won't be down to bad planning, it will be down to luck. I also tell my couples to keep perspective, nothing is that important on your day as long and you are marrying the one you love with your loved ones near you. A broken wine glass, rain outside the church or a delayed DJ really won't ruin anything unless you let it.
What tips do you have for couples who want to ensure their wedding comes in under budget?
Dominique Douglas - Stylish Events
To budget properly and love your spreadsheets! Choose your venue first before booking anything else. In my experience, the venue costs may take about 60% of your overall budget (when you combine venue hire, food and drinks), so make sure you only visit venues you can afford. This means doing a lot of research before you visit anywhere. It’s a little like house hunting. You wouldn’t visit a million pound property with a half million pound budget, would you? So ensure you only visit venues that fit your budget and style, otherwise, your budget will very quickly spiral out of control.
Marie Haverly - Isabella Weddings
Do your research and know the approx. prices of things before setting your budget. There's nothing worse than having high expectations of thinking you can have a 4 course meal with wine for £20 per person then finding out you can't. Know what things cost, match this to the type of wedding you want then for the budget you have then negotiate and do your homework before committing. Oh and then when you've committed or booked something don't change your mind, just move to the next item on your list!
If you could give our readers one piece of advice what would it be and why?
Dominique Douglas - Stylish Events
Focus on what’s really important for you as a couple and remember to enjoy the process. If the planning is getting too stressful, take a breath, and remember why you are doing all of this; because you want to spend the rest of your lives together.
Toni Giles - Absolute Perfection Wedding Consultancy
The best bit of advice to give to anyone who is about to start planning their own wedding is simply to get someone who knows what they are doing – ie a wedding planner – to do the job for them! Planning a wedding is not an easy task to do and nor is it particularly fun at times. In fact it can be damn tough, especially if you also have to hold down demanding jobs and a hectic social life. Instead of spending 200+ hours planning a stressful wedding during your engagement, shouldn’t you be having fun?
Zoe McKeown - UK Academy of Wedding Event Planning
For me the most important bit of advice is to enjoy the planning as much as the day itself. The planning takes much longer os why not make it fun! Having a friendly PA (wedding planner) along the way definitely helps with this.
Marie Haverly - Isabella Weddings
Remember what it is you are doing - marrying your loved one, it is not a performance it is a ceremony. Surround yourself by people who enrich your life and have the day you want, not what everyone thinks you want. Also be sure to understand the value a professional team of wedding suppliers can give to your day, don't cut corners but know your stuff. - Ask a wedding planner to help (!)
So wow, thank you SO much to everyone who got involved in helping create this article. Now more than ever I really appreciate the difference a wedding planner can make to a having a kickass wedding!
If you like the cut of these Wedding Planners jibs (whatever a ‘jib’ might be) then find out more by clicking the links below:
Dominique Douglas - Stylish Events
Dominique Douglas has been a wedding planner for the past 14 years. Her company, Stylish Events, specialises in weddings in London and the South East and arrange destination weddings in Italy. Dominique is the co-author, with Bernadette Chapman of Dream Occasions and a Director of the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners, of “Wedding Planning for Dummies, UK”. Stylish Events is a member of the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (www.ukawp.com) and Dominique is delighted to be their London and South East Ambassador.
Toni Giles - Absolute Perfection Wedding Consultancy
http://www.absoluteperfection.co.uk/
Absolute Perfection are a small team of innovative London wedding planners creating beautiful weddings worldwide. We deliver our bespoke wedding planning services, a stress-free engagement and a wedding day that is… Absolute Perfection!
Zoe McKeown - UK Academy of Wedding Event Planning
https://www.weddingplanningacademy.co.uk/
We are the only training institution in the UK to offer specialised courses in Wedding Styling and Event Design. Along with our flagship Certificates in Wedding Planning and Event Planning we also offer a Certificate in Event Design, Diploma in Wedding Planning, Styling and Design and Advanced Diploma in Special Event Planning and Design.
Marie Haverly - Isabella Weddings
http://www.isabellaweddings.co.uk/
Since qualifying in 2003, We have supported so many couples with their wedding plans, helping with event organisation and training new wedding planners in this wonderful industry.
We also offer a support service to venues and wedding industry professionals that can help increase bookings, improve services and ensure that every wedding is the best it can be for all the right reasons. Whether you are looking for a simple wedding checklist, a 90 minute professional and private consultation with an experienced wedding planner at any stage of your wedding plans or hoping to become a wedding or events planner, we can help.
Susanna Young - Knot & Pop
We are award-winning, London-based luxury wedding planners and creative events producers who plan, style and manage weddings, parties and events for clients throughout the UK and Europe. Whether tying the knot or celebrating with the pop of a cork, we mix flair and style to create events and weddings that feel personal, unique and above all fun and memorable.