It’s my last blog of 2023 so I thought I’d collaborate with some other wedding industry professionals to create a round-up of things we’ve learnt throughout the 2023 wedding season! I offer guidance on 3 elements I’ve witnessed this wedding season and you’ll also hear from Rachel Reeve Photography, Amy from Stour Valley Catering, Steph from Hire My Decor and Charmaine from C Taylors Floristry.
With photos captured by the wonderful Rachel Reeve Photography.
1. The adhesive film which covers your marquee floor or aisle runner is INVALUABLE – Lorna Marie Events
From a wedding coordinator’s perspective, we know how much it means to have your marquee flooring as pristine as possible for when you or your guests walk in for the first time. It’s just one of those things… aesthetic wins; we all know it’s not all that practical but we love it anyway. So with that in mind, the adhesive film which covers your marquee floor is invaluable! We can cut around it which means spilt drinks behind the bar are not a problem and neither is the band wheeling in their equipment. If you’re having a marquee wedding, ask your marquee company if this is included in your quote and if not, invest in a roll of sticky back plastic for during the set up.
2. You always need a dust pan and brush – Lorna Marie Events
Whether you’re hosting your special event in your family home or hiring a venue, I’ve learnt that you always need a dustpan and brush. It could be to sweep excess foliage off the tables that may have fallen from your floral centrepieces or to remove broken glass from the dance floor. This is a piece of equipment that is always in my emergency event kit as when I’m coordinating weddings not being held at an actual venue, it’s not something people think about having handy (the not-so glamourous side of events!)
3. Confetti cones are not the one – Lorna Marie Events
This is my personal opinion and in no way shape or form am I saying that if you’re planning a wedding, you should not have confetti cones. However, my experience in coordinating numerous weddings has brought me to this conclusion. Here’s why: as much as we (photographers and coordinators) tell your guests to empty the confetti into their hands, they don’t always listen. Whether they didn’t hear, already have a glass of fizz in their hand or haven’t yet put down your wedding card or their handbag, it’s unlikely they’ll follow this instruction. And so, as a result of that, my recommendation when working with couples hoping to incorporate a confetti throw is to just have it loose in a basket with enough to go round. Sure, have a bag or box for replenishing, but offer it to your guests solely in a way that encourages them to grab a handful ahead of them throwing it up in the air. Cones are not convenient when it comes to throwing the confetti and the pictures of people’s faces trying to get the confetti out of the cones is not always as smiley as you imagine either.
4. You bring the ‘vibe’ – Rachel Reeve Photography
It really makes all the difference when couples listen to me when I say that they bring the vibe to their day and if they’re not natural extroverts then hire someone like a musician, who is. Alternatively, hire something that encourages your vibe e.g. casino tables to break the ice and create natural interactions.
5. Trust the professionals – Stour Valley Catering
The professionals you hire on your event day are there to guide and help you wherever they can, so utilise their knowledge and experience to your advantage.
6. When it comes to decor, start with the basics and reuse, reuse, reuse! – Hire My Decor
The basics include centre pieces, place cards, table plan and your top table flowers. Once you know how much all these elements cost, you’ll be able to budget more successfully for the rest! On the topic of budgeting, a good way to get all the value you can out of the items you hire is to reuse them throughout your celebrations. For example, use a moongate for the backdrop of your ceremony as well as behind your top table and even as a photo opportunity with a neon sign later in the evening for guests to pose against.
7. Don’t worry about the weather! – C Taylors Floristry
From a florist’s perspective, we know how to adapt and problem-solve so if your ceremony has been planned to take place outside and you had floral arrangements planned for this too, we can always work to bring the outside in. We appreciate there is a plan A that incorporates a set design but worry not – there’s also always a plan B! With the UK weather throwing curve balls throughout 2023 wedding season, if we could offer any reassurance it’s that we know how unpredictable weather can be so don’t be disheartened, your florals can still make a statement
