I said in a previous blog (linked here), your Wedding Day should be a time to relax and enjoy all the hard work you’ve put into its planning. As a massive control freak myself, I know how hard it can be to hand the reins over for someone else to do things for you but from my many years of supporting couples to create their dream day, I know that this HAS to be done if you’re to have and enjoy your dream wedding day, without the stress and the overwhelm.

I spend a lot of time talking to Coordinators at the venues we work at, it’s a great way to pass the time and to get their take on where couples can do to make their day run as smoothly as possible.

I did write about this subject recently, but I’m still noticing things that seem to be missed in couple’s last minute plans, so I’ve asked more of the lovely Coordinators we work with what tips I need to  pass on to couples, to give them the smoothest day possible, along with what other advice they can give from watching so many other couples say ‘I Do’

.This is part two (read part one here), so here goes…

On the day stationery

 

Help those who are helping you!

This tip is the biggest one I want to pass on to you. It was mid way down the first part of this blog, so I’ve elevated it to the top…because it is a bigger

Please, please sort your place cards into table AND seating order

Pop them into little bags once you’ve got them in order, so they don’t slip and get mixed up. This is a HUGE part of your day and it needs to be spot on. Whoever is putting your place cards out doesn’t know your guests, or who can or can’t sit next to who… so pop them in the order you want them and save loads of time

I recently witnessed a coordinator having to sort 120 place cards into table and seating order.

I did offer to help, but she was adamant it wasn’t going to get the better of her, but 90 minutes later, she had to admit defeat. That’s a good hour that could have been spent sorting other things out.

It’s a small thing, but it helps a lot and it will also help to feel confident that the seating arrangements are just as you want them to be. 

Still on the subject of place cards… let your Coordinator know if you’re using proper names on your table plan and nicknames on the cards themselves.

Again, they don’t know your guests, so giving them both titles will stop them from going mad. This relates to your parents as well… let your Coordinator know the names of your parents, so they can put the place card at the right setting.  If you’re having a long top table arrangement

I’ll admit, it’s entertaining to watch, but they could be doing other things for you, without having to wait for one of you to arrive to check who ‘dimwit’ is, or if Mick is the Groom’s Dad, Bride’s Dad or Best man.

3 tier buttercream cake at Hazel Gap

Keep everyone in the loop

This part relates to suppliers working for you as a team.

From a wedding cake point of view, ALWAYS share the image you’ve given to your cake designer with your Florist, if they’re supplying fresh flowers for your wedding cakes decorations. There is nothing worse than having an image to work to, with oodles of flowers needed to create it, only for the Florist to hand you a wrap containing 3 blooms.

It’s a good idea to pass on supplier names and information to all your suppliers, so they know who to tap up for photographs (if they’re willing to give any that is), who needs to speak to whom about arrival times, styles, etc from a cake or venue styling point of view.

Another thing that is really important if you are having table runners. It is really frustrating when we arrive to put runners on to tables, only to find that the florist or venue have set the table centres up, thrown table confetti around the place like snow. This then means that everything has to either be gathered up again, or the Bride has to be told that the runners can’t happening. That’s a call I don’t want to have to make, but if the centre pieces are massive flower towers or vases, I can’t move them for fear of breakage

This one is from a Florist… let them know if you’re having more or less tables.

Even if it’s the night before the wedding, send them a message.. Social media works best here, to let them know things have changed and that they need to make more, or can use any excess in other parts of the venue. Panic sets in, I’ve witnessed this a few times and it causes unnecessary stress. 

Elanor & Bonnie

Sometimes people just aren’t helpful

It may seem a good idea to get some of your entourage out of the room while you’re having your hair and  makeup done, but give them a specific job to do. Something like setting out any garden games you’ve bought or making sure the guest book, cake topper, or photos for a memory table you’ve decided to include are in the right places…or even in the building.. People do forget to pack all sorts of bits into their cars

Asking your Bride Squad to check that things are ‘happening’ or that suppliers have arrived can be a huge hindrance. They don’t know how your venue, or how things work through your day, so having them asking questions and second guessing your conversations with your coordinator just adds stress to a situation.

If you want them out of the way so you can breathe deeply & calm your nerves, get creative and give them something they can actually do that won’t get them under the feet of people doing their jobs for you.

Plan B’s are a bonus

Wet weather didn’t dampen this couple’s day

If your venue gives you the opportunity for an outdoor ceremony, ALWAYS have a Plan B!

 

Mother Nature is known for throwing a spanner in a lot of English Summer outdoor plans, so ask suppliers how their items can be set up in an indoor location if the worst happens and your ceremony location has to move on the day.

Pack umbrellas & wellies in one of the cars. They’re handy to have available is the weather does a job on you. Make the most of it. There’s nothing any of us can do about the weather, so embrace the moment & get a little wet for your photos… they make some of the most stunning memories

Have fun!

Try to be as organised as you can in the lead up to the big day, but have fun on your wedding day itself. Once the formalities are over, you can relax and enjoy all the hours of pinterest surfing, shopping & list making. You’re married… it’s time to eat, drink and be merry.

If you feel you need a little help with this last part… the organising… I’m here to help

It’s what I do and what I love.  We’re booking dates in 2024 & 2025 pretty quickly, so if you’d like to know more about what we do and how we can help you create your dream wedding, then get in touch and let’s get planning together.

With love

Jo x

Buttercream & semi naked wedding cake with fresh flower cascade