PLAN! PLAN! PLAN!
Congratulations to you both! You’re engaged! Now for the fun bit, and yes it should be fun! Having good suppliers that you can trust makes the whole planning process so much easier.
By now I’m sure you will have bought at least one wedding magazine or been given some by an already married friend. You will now be bombarded by so much loveliness it can become a bit daunting. You will see lots of guides telling you how to plan your wedding. What I hope to do now is break this down into bite size pieces. Bear in mind that good venues and suppliers often get booked well in advance so let’s go!
- Set your budget – it’s really easy to overspend – why not think about opening a wedding savings account so you can keep track of your spending?
- Decide on a date, it may be handy to have a few dates in case your preferred date is already taken, Saturdays in the Summer are always popular so maybe consider a weekday wedding which is often cheaper.
- Start making a guest list so you have an idea of how many people you’d like to share your special day.
- Choose a venue, maybe visit a few and get the feel for the place and the people that work there, sample menus if you can, once you decide on a venue you can then speak to registrar if you are also planning to get married there too.
- What’s your style, are you going elegant, wanting a rustic wedding, keeping it simple – just remember it’s your day so you choose your style!
- Choose your wedding gang (Bridesmaids/Groomsmen) – they aren’t just there to look pretty or handsome, they are there to support you on your special day – talk about how they can help with logistics before, during and after the wedding – it really is ok to delegate!
- Insurance – things have changed a little recently so it’s worth taking your time and doing your research – many insurance providers are not taking on new policies at the moment but there are some out there – just make sure you read the small print really carefully.
- Choose your suppliers…..here at Timeless we have some wonderful recommended suppliers in our…..yup you’ve guessed it…’Suppliers’ section! From dresses to rings, decor to transport you’ll find some of the best in the business right here!
- On the day Planning – think about how you’d like your day to go, what time you want to do what, what time is your wedding breakfast, when is your first dance….where do you want people to sit? (This is often one of the most difficult things so take your time, maybe make up some tables from card and put your guest names around them).
- Check and double check. Make sure you know when your suppliers are going to do what and get this is writing so you can make a timeline – a member of your bridal party can often help with this.
- If you’re not sure of anything ask! Speak to your venue, speak to your suppliers! This is your day and you are the most important people!
- Now relax and marry your love – and sometime during your special day, take a 10 minute stroll together for a breather and maybe a glass of bubbles!
Suppliers
These are the people who help to make your day go smoothly and turn your dreams into reality. I’ve asked some of our recommended suppliers to tell you what they do and why they do it and give you some hints and tips to help you with your planning.
Let’s start with a venue and let’s face it – it doesn’t get any more stunning than The Boathouse.
The Boathouse
The Boathouse is a truly stunning wedding venue which rests beside the magical Ormesby broad. This idyllic venue provides a combination of contemporary and rustic charm with a subtle flair of New England style to it.
The broad can be seen from the large decked terrace area with wonderful panoramic views of the water, giving you perfect photo opportunities.
The bridal party can even arrive by boat with the ceremony held on the terrace alongside the water (your guests will be more than wowed).
It also provides onsite accommodation for your guests with 6 bedrooms and 6 lodges and apartments.
The bedrooms are 5-star boutique style and the lodges classy with an accent of country rustic living.
The Newlyweds are offered the opportunity to stay in the beautiful Bridal Lodge overlooking the water.
With bespoke packages available to ensure your individual needs are looked after by our lovely wedding team to make your special day perfect.
Oooooo lets go dress shopping now! Once you’ve chosen your dress everything else will fall into place! The wonderful Louise from Fairytale Gowns will now talk you through one of the most important wedding decisions you’ll make!
FAIRYTALE GOWNS
Fairytale Gowns. We’re open!!!
Brides want to lose themselves in the positivity of wedding planning – they are longing to celebrate their engagement and still want to find their dream dress…….in steps Fairytale Gowns where all this and more is possible.
Fairytale Gowns opened its doors to their first bride back in 2006 and having secured our first sale just two days later we have neither caught our breath or looked back since.
We are officially addicted to Love, Romance and all that it entails.
You’ve browsed through magazines cover to cover, you’ve spent endless hours trawling Pinterest in the hope that your perfect dress will be staring right back at you! Truth be told, dresses cannot be sourced from websites, we need to try on styles, fabrics, necklines etc etc. This cannot be done from the comfort of our sofas, this requires fully loaded over Indulgent shopping.
It’s true the internet dress which caught your eye will be nothing like what you end up choosing. Be open minded and take full advantage of our expertise, we’ve got this, we know what we’re doing.
First rule is be open to styles and ideas don’t put pressure on yourself but instead embrace the moment.
Second rule, try not to go dress blind by visiting too many boutiques and once’s you’ve found ‘The One’ stop looking!
Third and most important, bring someone with you to your appointment whose opinion you trust and value. Too many shopping companions can cause unnecessary bridal stress…..But remember, choosing s dress is like choosing her man, The bride must pick it herself.
I always recommend shopping at least one year before the wedding date. Designers can take anywhere from 3 – 9 months to make and deliver your dress so shopping early allows more choice but will also set the styling theme to future purchases such as bridesmaids, shoes, underwear, jewellery, the list is endless.
We believe 2021/22 bridal gowns will be pretty and luxurious from shimmering organza, luxurious satins and soft tulle to structured makado.
Form fitting crepe will also be huge this year. Look out to stylish shoulders, lace appliqués and 3D glitter fabrics.
Love Louise
X
Let’s have a look at photography now…your photographer is one of the most important suppliers of your day as not only do you spend practically the whole day with them but they will capture all those wonderful memories too! Jim and Karl at Just Big Smiles are two of my faves!
JUST BIG SMILES
As a wedding day can be such a stressful day for both the Bride and Groom, at Just Big Smiles, it is our goal to alleviate it. With so much excitement leading up to your wedding day, when it comes to the big day it is so common to have had very little sleep, and to be just running on adrenalin and excitement. On your day you should not have to worry about anything, you have your besties around you, a great family and because Just Big Smiles offer a complimentary pre-wedding shoot, you have already built up a rapport with Jim and Karl and you know you are going to get some stunning pictures of your wedding day.
Just Big Smiles provide all their couples with online access to their photographs, a slideshow of around 80 pictures to the music of their first dance, a print of their fav picture, and all photographs are processed in both colour and black and white within 4 weeks of your wedding day.
At Just Big Smiles we love working as a pair! Karl and Jim have been friends for more than 17 years and this shows in our work as we both have the same passion and the ability to work as one. We put on our suits, shine our shoes, and dust off our bowler hats, (yes, we do look like Laurel and Hardy) and spend an entire day with awesome people having fun and taking photographs of the guests enjoying themselves.
You have meticulously planned your wedding day and Just Big Smiles knows how important your day is hence we to the ‘5 P’s’ (Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance). Whatever the weather, whatever curve-balls are thrown in, we always have a main plan, a backup plan and the disaster plan prior to turning up on your wedding day.
In our arsenal of equipment we have an ’emergency kit’ bag which includes a sewing kit, heel savers, cuff links, antihistamine tablets, plasters, aspirin, bug spray, suntan lotion, and boy, do guests take advantage of that! Specifically, for you, Just Big Smiles carry two bottles of chilled water which we give to the happy couple after the ceremony as their mouths are normally dry from all the nerves. In our Platinum Package we include wedding insurance to give you peace of mind should something ever happen.
Just Big Smiles try to plan for everything but we are still learning and adapting what we take to every weddings that we can provide you with an amazing experience, we often receive the comment “so you are more than just wedding photographers” which tells me what we do is appreciated.
During the planning of your wedding, if you do not have a photographer organised then give Just Big Smiles a call, they offer a free no obligation meeting with you either in your own home, at your wedding venue or at their studio. You can look at pictures and albums of their past weddings and they will provide you with advice on which package will best suit your dreams and budget. Just Big Smiles don’t just turn up on the day, they are part of your wedding journey to help however they can, so on your wedding day you never have to worry about what your wedding pictures. Just Big Smiles will provide you with amazing pictures so that when you are old and toothless you can look back at your wedding day and go “that was the best day of our lives!”
It’s entertainment now! The gorgeous Emily at Face ‘N’ Glitz is here to explain why glitter and sparkle is an absolute must at your wedding!!
FACE ‘N’ GLITZ GLITTER BAR
What does a glitter bar bring to a wedding?
It goes without saying photographers, florists etc are integral parts of a wedding but I really think entertainment is just as important – this is what people will remember! Whether it is a live band, magician, or a glitter bar…. there are so many great forms of entertainment available these days.
I may be biased, but a glitter bar is the perfect addition to any wedding – they’re fun, they’re sparkly, they allow guests to mingle and everyone looks better covered in glitter, right?
I own Face ‘n’ Glitz Glitter Bar, and we offer everything from face and body glitter to festival eye designs, face-painting to glitter beards. We bring the fun and laughter and really get the party started!
With some weddings it can take a little while for people to get involved but once word spreads around everyone joins in. It’s a great talking point and a fun element that allows guests to come together. I mean, anything that your grandparents, your boss, and your young niece and nephews can all join in with has to be a winner?
We offer bespoke Glitter Bars that have been designed to blend in with any venue – whether it’s a beautiful barn, woodland setting or manor house, we can adapt this set-up to suit any style and occasion.
Some people are worried their guests won’t come over to the glitter bar for glitz which is why we introduced our ‘walk around glitz’ where we bring the glitz to you and mingle with the guests instead.
Being eco- friendly is also a big thing for us. We think it is so important to be able to bring our glitz and sparkles to events without harming the environment. Being based in Norfolk, we’re surrounded by wildlife and nature, and it’s inspired us to think more about the world we live in and to be as eco-friendly as possible. We have therefore made it our mission to source as many biodegradable, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly products as possible.
A glitter bar in my view is a must have at any wedding, we absolutely love what we do and bringing our glitz to an abundance of weddings throughout East Anglia (and further afield too)!
And last, but by no means least Cake! Louise from Brodies Buns will talk about the all important wedding cake. I have obviously sampled her cakes, research is a tough job but somone’s got to do it! The tasting verdict….YUM!
BRODIES BUNS
Planning a wedding can be an expensive and stressful time for a couple but it doesn’t have to be if you take the time to gather lots of information on what is available to you out there and then sit down together and talk about the type of wedding you both would like and probably, most importantly, your budget.
You do not need to have a large budget to have a beautiful day. Just careful planning and this is where I can help you with your wedding cake. Some of you may have already seen Brodie’s Buns at local wedding fairs and had the opportunity to see some of my work and possibly had a chat with me about your wedding cake, others may have found me on Instagram, Facebook or by word of mouth. After these initial conversations you can contact me to arrange a consultation at my home to discuss in more detail your wedding cake.
Brodie’s Buns aim is to always work with your ideas and budget to make your dream wedding cake become a reality. So, therefore at the consultation, while trying your choice of cake flavours, I will discuss with you your design ideas and themes, colours, flavours in each tier of cake, how big the cake needs to be to feed your guests, and your budget. I will also discuss and show you the different styles and effects you can have on your cakes, all of course within your budget.
How fabulous were they? Here at Timeless Florals we are extremely lucky to work alongside such amazing wedding suppliers! I hope you’ve found this useful but please remember if you need anything just ask! We are all here to make your day go beautifully – Happy Planning!
Much Love
Amanda xx
