Venue Visuals

Ok so I'm engaged, how on earth do I pick a venue!?


(Old Alresford House, Hampshire)

When you are newly engaged you want to get out and visit some venues as soon as possible, but there are a few ground rules you should try and stick to so that your trips are not wasted or disappointing ones.

Before you step into the lobby of any gorgeous building offering to make your day perfect, have a think about the type of wedding you would like, the type if venue you see it being held in and how many people you wish to invite. Of course you must also try and think of a budget before making those viewing appointments too. After all, if you are looking at a low cost, small celebration then that wonderful stately home offering a grand ballroom housing 250 guests may not be suitable (even if it is fairytale worthy!).

So the trick is, do your research. Once you have decided on your budget allocation then try to aim for those venues offering packages within your price range. Think also about style and the feel for your day, do you want to have an afternoon tea or a modern jazz buffet, the style of venue can really set your theme for you so always have this in mind when you look around the venues you have chosen to view.

You may not have an ideal venue however, nor are you decided on a theme, in that case why not visit a few different areas and places so that you can begin to see what ticks your boxes for your day. Ask friends and family if they love a particular hotel or restaurant, maybe they know a good marquee company or caterer which may sway you toward a marquee venue.


(Cowdary ruins with a marquee by Alresford Marquees)

Of course when you fall in love with a venue (and you will!) take time to chat through your requirements with the event organiser. Can you see a wedding set up to help you visualise how your day will look, what suggestions do they have for your theme and style. We quite often visit venues with couples to help them ask all the questions they need to in order to go home with a clear understanding of what they can expect of their venue on their big day. An example of some suitable topics to cover might be:

* Food & Drink

* Room capacity and minimum numbers

* Minimum spend and requirements for any packages

* Booking terms and cancellation policy

* Bedrooms and if you are obliged to book any

* Event planner input, when can you see them to discuss and who runs the day of your wedding

* Can they breakdown the costs and what else do you need to pay for or provide

* What do they include in their packages and how flexible are they



(Hampton Court Palace with one of our gorgeous couples from 2010)

There are so many questions and we quite often supply a list of potential questions to ask you venue to ensure nothing is forgotten, however as you move through the months of planning, don't be afraid to ask those questions that pop up or write them down so that you are prepared when you next visit the venue.

So if you are thinking of a garden party in a marquee, a stately home for a country retreat, a hotel for that 'all-in-one' feel or something totally different, enjoy the search and if it gets too much then call someone to help get you on the right road.

Isabella Weddings offer a venue search from just £99 and we can stay with you until you find that perfect setting for your day. We can also spend a few hours with you helping you to find out what you really want for your day.

www.isabellaweddings.co.uk




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It's all in the detail

Venue dressing. ...


(photo from one of this weekend's weddings)

Today I had the pleasure of realising a creative dream that our lovely Bride had put together over a year or more. Boxes behind sofas and bags of items just sat patiently waiting to be centre of attention.

Our Bride had planned her entire wedding herself, (no need for a Wedding Planner here!) and had everything detailed well in advance so that she was able to check and double check that everything she truly wanted for her perfect day was accounted for.

As the day drew nearer she began to think about who might set up her tables at her venue, who would nip over to put the centre pieces together? Who could set up her candy bar just as she had imagined? Who was best to spend the morning dressing tables instead of enjoying this important part of the day - the preparation!



(photo from sweet celebrations)

This is when she saw an advert for Isabella Weddings, venue dressing. We offer a service where you provide the items and we set everything up for you. There is no need for our involvement at any stage of your actual planning journey but think of it more as a last minute helping hand.

This service costs from just £50 and we really are your eyes and ears, leaving you with a venue just as you imagined it to be, only without you or your family having to lift a finger!

Do bear it in mind and maybe mention us to those engaged couples you have on your radar! After all every wedding deserves to be enjoyed to the full.

Isabella Weddings - here to take away the stress, not the control.



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How do I choose a photographer?

Photographers are one of the many over-populated supplier groups in the wedding world today. Together with florists and cup cake makers you will find yourself very quickly being inundated by many websites and leaflets of the 'best local photographer'. So below I have listed a few questions that I believe you could ask or things to look for maybe, to help you decide on who will fit you and your wedding. These are some thoughts I have picked up along the way, you will have more questions and some won't be relevant but I hope they offer a little guidance to the new bride to be.

1) When you first call them, are they happy to chat to you about your plans, how open are they about their work and how soon do they mention fees. First impressions start on this first call so listen carefully and make sure you put the phone down smiling.

2) Speak to colleagues and friends and when you call their recommended photographers ask them what they liked most about your friends/colleagues wedding and what, if anything, would they do differently.

3) Do they know your church/venue? If not will they do a recce before your wedding to get a feel for the day and meet the venue representative.

4) Can they offer you a choice of packages, are these flexible and do they fit your budget. Can you upgrade and will this cost different depending on when you upgrade (some will need to charge extra after your wedding as they will be tied to set requirements from their album suppliers etc)

5). Do they send the albums away to put together, if so where to and how long will this process take.

6) Will they offer a high resolution disc so that you can reproduce your images at a later stage, what costs will this entail.

7) Do the images they have on show suit your taste, are they more traditional or a little more 'creative'. Think about the type of images you want to see in your album or on your walls, do they have images in their studio to suit just this.

8) Do you like them?! It seems a little personal but it is vital to actually like the photographer you choose, and they you. You have to have a good, relaxed friendship where you are very comfortable to say how you feel and they in return understand your needs (good and bad). Not every bride is happy showing her garter!

9) Consult other suppliers, especially your wedding planner ( be aware some venues may promote suppliers without keeping in touch with them fully ) A recommendation from a trusted wedding provider is a home-run for a bride-to-be!

10) If you can ask to speak to (or email) a previous client, or current one. You will be able to voice any questions or concerns and maybe share the same thoughts and ideas. Plus the photographer will be able to share thoughts with you all, of course permission must be gained for this.

11) Do they have set hours for your wedding package, can they extend these and for what fee.

12) Will they meet you for an engagement shoot and is this included in the package fee you have chosen, can you have an album from this.

It may seem like a big list and more like an interview, but I truly believe that if you spend the time to research this vital supplier well you will have a wonderful experience during your engagement shoot, planning and on the actual day.

Remember we at Isabella Weddings offer a supplier finding service, having worked with many excellent photographers (and some not so!) we can help guide you through the maze and find you the perfect match and maybe save you some money in the process.

www.isabellaweddings.co.uk

Next week .... How to pick a great venue!

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Vintage Girl

Ok so it's official, I am a big vintage fan ...



(image from Manolobrides.com)

Since becoming a wedding planner over 8 years ago I have followed many creative paths, not least during the times of being pregnant and being a new mum when my love of being different wavered somewhat.

I like to stand out and be creative, of course I do, I'm a wedding planner. The one thing I have found tricky though is to identify with a 'theme' as such that I adore. I love a country garden, traditional English garden party, natural and rustic, but then I also love the sharp bright colours of a modern wedding. So do I need a style or a preference?


(image from Not on the High Street)

I love using natural materials to create a theme that is rural and country gentleman, lately however I have noticed the rustic feel has become more lace and pearl. I have begun to wear my hair differently and have craved the essence of a tea party. I've even started to buy mismatched china to feed my desperation to hold a Mad Hatters tea party!


(image from Passion for Flowers, Solihull)

I find myself adoring the pastels, the candy stripes and the relaxed summer feel that vintage tea party brings. So is it here to stay? Some people have been known to comment that Vintage is 'so 2010' but I think it is evolving, you can now buy dresses which range from genuine vintage dresses that have been adapted to fit the modern woman or you can go for a cheaper option which uses the style of vintage but with modern, forgiving material.



(image from Not on the High Street)

You can add colours to vintage, you can cover a range of eras and make it as vibrant as you wish. With so many suppliers and collections out there I truly believe there is so much more choice now.

This week I am going to a Fashion Show dedicated to just Vintage, this is for Frances Farmer and it should prove to be an indulgent time to enjoy all that the era offers, I might even have my hair done to celebrate!


So I am well and truly staying on this train, it's moving fast still and there is so much more to explore. Who's with me??


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Silver lined

So you're getting married, you have set the budget the best man and bridesmaids have accepted their new roles, what's next? Maybe it's time to think about the theme and style of your wedding, after all your venue may be chosen to suit a particular era or style?

One of my favourite styles is silver, this can be a soft, snowy Christmas type of silver or it can be a modern, crisp sharp silver, below I have listed some ideas of incorporating some silver slivers into your theme. Don't forget if you have a wedding planner, she can help you source some great, cost effective ideas and may even know if some unique, hidden gems!

Silver tree guest book, spray or paint a small tree or branch silver and offer your guests paper snowflakes on which to write a short wish, these are sometimes called wishing trees and can be used for christenings and blessings as well as wedding receptions.

Candelabras are a must, silver hand held candle sticks for your tables and floor standing silver candelabras for placing around your reception, fill them with gorgeous flowers and greenery (remember the more green you have the lower the florist cost may be) and fill the room with candle light come dinner time.

Silver Christmas trees are a must for seasonal weddings, as are fairy lights around any outside trees or bushes, walkways or marquee entrances.

Why not go for a starlight drape to hang behind the dance floor or a silver disco ball!

Small silver coins in a jar as favours are a nice touch, go for chocolate ones to save money or choose some old sixpences in a rustic mini bag.

Silver ribbon around your cake, silver sashes on your chairs, snowy dusting on your desserts, small silver love hearts for favours or place settings.

There are lots of options, have fun!


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