Planning your wedding leads to lots of questions, some that you may not even have really considered but just drop in when you are getting stuck into the planning. I thought it would be useful to share some of the questions that I get asked a lot in consultations with clients as the conversation normally goes wider than just talking cakes, cars and decor. I have been in the industry a long time (I will let you guess) so can answer most things with confidence!
So, here are some useful answers to some often asked questions!
1. Which suppliers do we need to feed?
I was asked during a chat with one of our couples what time I ate. It took a couple of seconds for that penny to drop to be honest, as it’s the first time in 25 years that anyone has asked if I would like them to order a meal for me too.
I think I actually blushed… but quickly explained that although it was a lovely gesture, I wouldn’t be on site when they sat down for their wedding breakfast.
There is a particular set of suppliers who you would expect to cater for… your Photography team. There can be a main and second shooter these days, which means they eat when you do. You don’t want them snapping away while you’re trying not to spill tomato soup down your gown or tie..lol. This gives them a break and a chance to review some shots and keeps them fueled during the long hours that they’re with you.
Some Photographers have a food clause in their contracts, but it’s nice to ask if they have any intolerances or dietary requirements first. You could include your Videographer too. Happy people give a brilliant service.
2. How many wedding invitations do I actually need to order?
I’m nosey by nature, but my honest interest in your wedding is all about me getting right down to the core of the vision you have in your head for your perfect day.. I often ask my clients about ‘on the day’ stationery and if it will match their invitations.
A number of times the reply is that the couple found bespoke invitations expensive, as they need 80 or so. As I’d have already touched on their daytime guest numbers, I know they wouldn’t actually need that many. It’s a common mistake, as everything else is based on exact numbers, like bums on seats for meals, but your invitations can be reduced, as you’d need one per couple or family group, so more often than not, the number of invitations that need to be ordered can be at least halved.
On the Day stationery, with Runner & Charger Plates at Shottle Hall, Derbyshire
On the day stationery relates to table numbers signs, place cards, seating plans, welcome signage and order of the day information. This all creates a lovely paper trail through your entire wedding and the design you choose can also help guide the style of the decor and the cake on your wedding day.
3. When do we get the welcome drink?
As the options of where and how you can marry have changed over the years, lots of things are still referred to by their old names. Welcome drinks were served to guests on their arrival at the reception venue after the church service. However, with so many couples opting to marry and celebrate in the same place, some couples think the welcome drinks are served to guests before the ceremony but this is not the case.
No alcohol in the ceremony room at all, so it’s a dry bar before the ceremony but nce you’ve tied the knot, it’s a different story.
Enjoying the wedding celebrations at Carriage Hall, Nottinghamshire
Guests are served for the drinks reception that follows the marriage ceremony but some venues may call them “welcome drinks” so it can be easily confusing! If you are not sure what the plan is for your day, ask your venue, there are no silly questions!
Bonnie from I Do Wedding Cars ready to whisk her happy couple
4. Will we get to eat any of our own Wedding Cake?
Obviously wedding cake is something close to my heart, and I have lots of tips for you when it comes to how to deal with any leftover morsels. What I wanted to concentrate on here is the number of times I hear that couples don’t get to have any of their own wedding cake. I have a solution, which helps to cut down on leftovers, but also helps you to continue your celebrations in the days after your wedding day.
2 tier wedding cake with ruffles & sugar roses
During your chat with your cake designer, why not request that your top tier is kept intact?
Have it boxed up when the other tiers are cut and served, so that you can take the complete top tier home with you the day after your wedding.
Having the top tier of your wedding cake to share with your parents and close family, while you open gifts and record what was given and by whom, extends the wedding fun and makes sure that everyone gets a piece of your wedding cake.
I’m still hearing it from my Mum that she didn’t get a piece of ours… 26 years on
Lots of couples choose their favourite flavour as the top tier, just so they know they’ll be able to have some and thoroughly enjoy it too.
Love Letters on the dance floor at Shottle Hall, Derbyshire
If you’d like more tips on how to best deal with wedding cake leftovers, or any other parts of the day that you’re having trouble getting to grips with, drop me an email or a message through our social media feeds and I can help you over any speed humps on your wedding planning journey.
There are no silly questions!
It is hugely important to us that our couples feel really comfortable with me so that they can ask those slightly random niggly questions that can pop up in consultations. There is honestly no silly question – you have not done this before so you are not supposed to know all the answers! Lean on me – I have many many years of experience in this industry and will have come across something the same or similar I am sure! If you are still to decide who to use for your wedding cake, decor or car then get in touch and let’s have a chat. I would love to hear your love story,
Love Jo x
