Yay,I'm getting married!

If you have recently got engaged or are currently planning your wedding for this year or next, congratulations!

Make sure you both revel in this joy and take time to get used to the idea, as now the hard work begins... you will start out by choosing a date, closely followed by a search for the perfect venue

SUPPLIERS...

Once that is in place, i suggest you then find a photographer - they can only do one wedding a day (sometimes one per weekend) so don't delay on this, the best photographers get booked up a year or two in advance and rarely have cancellations. Seek out the best person to give you the images you desire - a search on Instagram for example can be a brilliant starting point, since you can quickly ascertain their style and aesthetic, how and what they shoot and if they may be able to cover your location/venue. Then look through their website for examples of venues like yours, look at how they shoot the ceremony and reception and decide if you want group family shots or not

Once you've found a few that you like, reach out to them for their pricing/packages and hone it down to those that you really gel with. A relationship with your photographer is key as you will be spending the most important day of your life with them and you need them to get your best side!

As with all suppliers, try not to get too many options/quotes as this can be a little overwhelming for you when it comes to making a decision. It also leads to disappointment for more suppliers than is really necessary, you only need one photographer, one florist, one caterer etc but they will all have to do a tailored quote for you which takes time, energy and sometimes money... and please do go back to the unlucky ones and tell them you have made a decision and gone elsewhere

Once you have secured your visual memory maker, it's time to move on to creating the physical wedding of your dreams - dress, decor, flowers, caterers, styling, music and so on...and deciding whether you may need help along the way from a wedding planner or on the day co-ordinator

Many of these suppliers can also only do one wedding per day/weekend depending on the size of their teams and your/their location

Cake designers usually need to travel to your venue and set up the cake in situ - they may be able to a couple of setups in London for example but London and Bath probably wouldn't be possible!

IDEA...Why not make your cake the centrepiece of your empty dance floor, then once it is cut and wheeled away, go into your first dance... or maybe have it out on the terrace so it can be seen during the drinks reception (not recommended for a super hot day!)

IDEA ... If you have decided on long tables for the reception, make sure the flowers aren't too big to obstruct the view across the table which can make conversation tricky... also bear in mind how your food will be served. Plated is fine but family style or sharing platters need space for bowls etc to be put down so consider tall designs will a smaller tabel footprint or groups of bud vases that the bowls/plates can sit around

CANDLES...

Also make sure you check with the venue that naked flames are allowed or whether they have to be enclosed.

Sometimes faux candles are required due to their insurance but trust me these can actually look really good - check with your florist if they can supply real or faux options and the candlesticks, tea lights etc

REPURPOSING...

If you are getting married and having your reception in the same venue, talk to your florist about the possibility of reusing some of the ceremony designs around the reception

IDEA...Floral aisle designs can also be used to dress the floor around a stage, bar or be placed at the ends of long tables... again check with your florist about the timing on the day and what is best

Even church urns can be repositioned at the entrance to a marquee if time allows or behind the top table

WEDDING PLANNERS...

Some venues have wedding co-ordinators in house who can help on the day with moving guests around and making sure that catering have everything they need for example, but they probably won't be able to help you if you need it with your dress or the glassware you hired direct hasn't turned up

This is where a dedicated wedding planner can be invaluable... I speak to many couples who say they had no idea of any problems arising on their wedding day as the planner sorted it all out without telling them!

HELP...

I recommend many different suppliers to my couples as I am committed to making sure their day goes as beautifully and smoothly as possible... if you look through my Instagram account and weddings featured on my blog posts you will see a lot of suppliers tagged/mentioned and I wouldn't include them if I didn't rate them, so this could be a good place to start

Good luck!! x

THESE IMAGES...

Working with Emma Joy, wedding planner and stylist supremo was a complete joy (pun totally intended!)... and I can't wait for our next wedding together! Emma's eye for detail, colour, texture is really wonderful and the team of suppliers she brought together for these images was just perfect

The amazing Camilla Arnhold took these images and boy did she do well! Stunningly atmospheric and evocative, they really capture the beauty of the flowers and table settings, designed to give you some creative ideas for your own wedding planning journey

Dresses from Alon Livne White and Jesus Piero from Morgan Davies Bridal - an amazing wedding dress shop in NW London for when you are looking for that special something and need real, honest guidance on what is right for you

Shoes from Tom Ford... where else... and jewellery from Georgina Boyce

Tableware, linen and furniture from Top Table Hire

Stationery designed by Spinazzi

Candles from Ester & Erik

Cake from Karen Anna Cakes

Our lovely model was Nina Lisa and she was beautifully made up and coiffed by Sanni

Featured over on Coco Wedding Venues and Amber & Muse

Take a read and see the full story x