stilclassics.com QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR VENUE The whole planning process of any wedding, big or small, can feel very intimidating. To help guide you through, David Leathem, CEO of The Weddings Group, has some stellar advice on questions to ask your venue. Guestlist logistics: Venues have different capacity limits for daytime and evening guests, so clarify these numbers early on. Some places also have multiple ceremony spaces, so check how many people each one can hold to make sure it aligns with your plans. Knowing the available layout options can also help you plan how to create an intimate or grand feel, depending on your wedding vision. Don’t forget about overnight stays! If your venue offers accommodation, find out how many guests can be hosted onsite – especially if it’s in a remote location where finding hotels nearby might be tricky. Getting ready in style: Check out the getting-ready rooms and consider the lighting, décor and overall space – these will all affect your photos and the comfort of your wedding party. Make sure there are enough mirrors, power outlets and seating to accommodate your bridal party, hair stylists and make-up artists without feeling overcrowded. Also, find out whether another wedding is happening at the venue the day before or after. This could impact the time you have in the prep space, so knowing in advance will help you plan accordingly. If the venue isn’t exclusive and has multiple events happening together, ensure that there’s sufficient privacy and no risk of overlaps affecting your experience. The wedding feast: Most venues offer classic wedding menus, but some might have more unique culinary options. Ask if you can arrange a tasting (and whether there’s a cost for this) to ensure the menu is exactly what you want. Also, consider asking if the chef can accommodate special requests, such as cultural dishes or a specific signature cocktail that reflects your personal tastes. Ask about table shapes, top table arrangements and seating configurations. You might also want to consider décor options and whether the venue provides centrepieces, tableware and linens, or if these need to be hired separately. Party time! Ask about sound limiters, curfews and space for DJs or live bands. Experienced entertainers understand these things and can work around restrictions, but knowing in advance will help you plan the perfect night. Be sure to check if there are any noise regulations in place that might affect outdoor receptions or late-night festivities. Also, check whether fun extras like fireworks or confetti cannons are allowed – some venues have restrictions, so it’s best to ask before making grand plans! NEXT STEPS When doing anything wedding related, being organised is a key ingredient; you need to be on top of everything from budget to floral arrangements and glassware. Moodboards are a fabulous way to envision your theme and to stick to it. It’s all well and good setting one in your head, but without visual cues, it can be hard to picture it all together. Before anything gets purchased, make a moodboard to ensure your vision works. This will also encourage a cohesive look on the day; free from random objects thrown in that you found while shopping. High organisation also helps to combat any last-minute changes; you can’t prepare for everything, but if everything else is organised, one thing changing won’t bring the whole event down. Being organised will not only help you, but your suppliers as well! Sharing with them the vision for the day, and a timeline, will help them keep on track and understand what they are working towards. Your suppliers want to get it right just as much as you do! Now that you’ve hopefully decided on a style and theme, all you need to do is plan the rest... sounds easy! Some of your next steps include deciding on a guestlist (size of venue dependent), the time of year to get married, and the date! Once these are out of the way, you can think about details like who’s in your bridal party, the honeymoon and the hen/stag/sten (will these be separate events or will you combine forces and have a big blowout?). Despite all the stress, this is a very exciting time in your life – don’t forget to soak it all in and relish in the celebration. www.comelitonmx.com FLOWERS 17 PLANNING SOS
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