Searching and looking for the perfect venue can be both hard and exciting. My number one advice is to not book a supplier only because somone recommended them and the worst if you haven’t done the research and feeling super good about it.

I would say the number one most important thing is for you and your fiancé to be a team. Let’s face it, as you plan your perfect wedding, there are most likely going to be areas that one of you is more passionate about than the other and we all have our strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to choosing your perfect wedding venue, this should absolutely be a joint task a team work. As planning goes, it’s the biggest commitment you’ll make this early on in your planning and you should both feel excited and connected about the place you choose.

Go and get organised - With so many details to consider, organisation is your best friend. Start by creating a spreadsheet of venues to visit - I would think 4 in one day is the max as it can become very overwhelming. And don’t be tempted to take an entourage on visits, this is about the two of you, and too many opinions can be really confusing. After you’ve got a shortlist, then it’s a great idea to talk to the people who really get you, to help sort through your own thoughts about each delicious venue you’ve seen!

What I want to bring up in this post is for you to not make a mistake like a lot of other brides and grooms do. Don’t walk into a venue and just see how pretty and how wonderful the place is, ok ok you can do that for a few minutes but if you like the place and feel like this could be it. I want you to look at these questions and have them with you or at least a few of them. There are loads of stuff that can be missed in the planning that can be an expense in the end.

• 1. Can the venue hold both the ceremony and reception?

  2. Which local authority does the venue come under?

  3. What is the venue capacity for both the ceremony and dinner?

  4. Does the venue have a specific supplier list they would prefer you to work with?

  5. How many guests can you accommodate?

  6. Is there a policy about children attending and does the venue need to be child-free at any time?

  7. Is there enough car parking for all guests?

  8. What is included in the hire price? (Hint: catering, coordinator, accommodation etc)

  9. If the venue has its own caterers does the price include a tasting?

  10. How flexible is the catering to suit your wedding style? (E.g.: Meze boards, sharing platters, hog roasts, BBQ, formal dining, street food)

  11. (If they do in-house catering) Is there an extra cost for example cutting and serving the cake? Is there a corkage fee?

  12. Will your wedding be the only wedding at the venue on the day? If not, how many weddings do they hold in one day?

  13. Can you hire the venue exclusively? What is the difference in cost and what extras are included?

  14. What are the bar prices and can guests pay using card or is it cash only?

  15. Do you have a guest book or customer reviews that I can read?

  16. What time will our reception need to finish?

  17. Are your prices plus or inclusive of VAT? 

  18. What are your deposit and payment terms?

  19. Are there any other additional fees or costs we need to be aware of?

  20. What information does the venue need from your suppliers who will be working on site? (Public Liability/PAT testing etc)

  21. When can you come back for a second visit?

Your reception tables will play a big role in the overall atmosphere of your wedding day. There are various shapes and sizes for you to choose from, each option adding a unique touch to your reception area. The shape and size that you choose will depend on your specific wedding style and the space that you’ve chosen to have your reception in. 

Here are the options that you have available to you. 

Square or Rectangle TablesThese shapes are best for events that are taking place in unconventional areas such as under a tent or on a lawn and are a great way to create borders in your reception area. This doesn’t mean that you need to line them up perfectly either. Square or rectangle tables can be placed at different angles to create a unique look and feel. If you will be using this table shape, be sure to use an even number of chairs and quality linens to soften any edges. 

Round TablesRound tables are used most often for events because they work in just about any space. If you do want to make things more interesting though, try using a few tables of different sizes. Beautiful chairs, cutlery, linens, and flowers can really bring these classic tables to life. 

Banquet Tables. Since banquet tables are longer, they generally work well in larger reception areas. Banquet tables work well when organized in U or L shapes but you could also place them in rows.  Using décor of different heights and sizes helps break these larger tables up; candle holders and vases being some examples. Use runners of different textures or square plates to add some character to the tables. 

Remember that while you need to choose the right table for your unique space, the tables act as a base for your reception area and can be used to create any style and atmosphere you want on your wedding day. 

Choosing your bridesmaid dresses doesn’t have to be stressful, in fact, if you know exactly what to be aware of, it can be a fun and relaxing part of planning your wedding.

Here are a few tips that will help you during the process:

1.    Take your wedding gown style into consideration.Even though you will be the one to stand out, it still looks great when your look coordinates with your girls. If you have a lot of details on your dress, keep your bridesmaid dresses simple.  The same thing applies to necklines – make sure that they aren’t exactly the same.

2.    Consider skin tones and body type.You want your bridesmaids to look and fell beautiful on the day too, so choose a color that works well with their skin tones and body shapes.  You may even want to throw hair color into the mix when deciding on a color. 

3.    Keep the season in mind.Before you decide on a look, take the season that you will be getting married into consideration.  It’s fine to choose long dresses in summer or short-sleeve dresses in fall, but make sure that your ladies are comfortable.

4.    Start shopping early.You never know how long it will take you to find the perfect bridesmaid dresses so don’t start shopping too late.  Plus, you may need to order your dresses and delivery could take a while, so keep this in mind.

5.    Price matters.If you will not be buying your bridesmaid dresses, it’s really important to keep price in mind.  Your bridesmaids are investing quite a bit of time and money in your big day so make sure that the dresses you choose are actually affordable.

6.    Get their opinions.Your bridesmaids will really appreciate having a say in their dresses so ask them if they had any ideas about what they would like to wear. You should, of course, still have the final say, but it’s great to include them in the process too.

7.    Speaking of roping your bridesmaids in.  If you want to reduce some of your wedding planning responsibilities and stress, get your maid of honor to research dresses and prices for you. 

Decision-fatigue is completely real.

When you are planning your perfect wedding, you have to make loads of decisions, from small to big once. I am sure that sometimes, it can feel as if you’ve got decision-fatigue and at this point, it can be a very easy to worrying that you’ve made the wrong decision. Have you booked the right suppliers? Did you choose the right dress? Might your guests have a better time if you’d booked that live band instead of the DJ? Should you have ordered more flowers?

The only way to avoid this feeling, once you’ve made a decision, you need to LET IT GO AND MOVE ON, DON’T LOOK BACK!

I know that’s easier said than done but really, it’s not that tough to do, trust me. Firstly, take your time, thoroughly research your suppliers and be confident with the style of wedding that you’re planning. So before you book anything make sure you have that clear. Stick to the things that you like, don’t be swayed by others thoughts or ideas and try to avoid friends and family giving you ‘helpful’ advice because more often than not, that will be enough to bring on the panic. Make as many decisions as you can with your partner so that you can draw strength from each other and whatever you do, please stop looking around once a decision has been made. If you continuing to look at dresses, floral arrangements etc. once you’ve made a decision will only confuse you or make you feel that you’ve somehow done the wrong thin or leave you in doubt. Thick the box on your planner and move on and do that with everything.

Planning your day

Creating a wedding day that looks perfect is usually the top of every couple’s list of wedding must-haves. You really want to create a day that looks perfect, reflects your style and you and impresses your guests (yes, it’s ok to admit that!). However, it’s just as natural to worry about how things will look and whether or not they will come together/work in quite the way you imagine they would. Planning a wedding doesn’t come naturally to many people and it can also be incredibly daunting and again, to cut down on your worry, work with suppliers you trust, suppliers whose portfolios and style are aligned to you and your fiancé’s own tastes and preferences. Knowing that the professionals have it all under control should give you the confidence you need. Of course, the great unknown can be the things that you have arranged yourself and here, if you’re worrying about anything, use ‘less is more’ mantra. That means keep everything as simple as possible, make sure that everything you add on to your wedding works with your vision and if you’re in any doubt about it, I would say don’t do it!

Paperwork & checklists!

If there’s one thing that keeps couples awake closer to their wedding day, it’s the thought that something’s been forgotten. You might be worried that you’ve forgotten to book something or to do something or arrange something or confirm something and if this is your worry, you can immediately reassure yourself that you’re actually a planning genius by either checking your paperwork or emails.

A quick double check will put those fears to sleep and that’s definitely the best thing to do. This is why it’s so vitally important that you have a plan and that you make sure to stick to/stay on top of your plan and that you keep good records as you plan. if you have all the information to hand and you know exactly where you are in the planning process then all the reassurance that you need is to hand. If you do find out that something is actually missing then you got two options you either need to do something about it or let it go. Missing a small item in the day is unlikely to be noticed by anyone, apart from yourself of course, so finding out that you’ve not ordered something doesn’t have to be a big issue. you could either correct things with a quick order or decide to live without that item or element and move on. Especially small things are absolutely not big enough to derail your day or your happiness.

I think out of all the planning with a wedding I think the say Yes I do to the dress is one of the most exciting parts of the whole planning. When you are in that bridal shop and trying on dresses it really becomes real at that moment, this is it. It is soon happening and all you can do is smile.

I am very excited to be sharing a very special bridal designer with you, Katya Katya designer. They are two strong women Katya and Marina who met at school and became close friends. As the years went on and life took them in different directions, their friendship never faded. Built on love, loyalty and happy memories shared, their passion was to create something truly beautiful which reflected them as individuals.

KATYA KATYA became their creation together that they founded, specialising in divinely modern feminine made to order French & Italian laced gowns. One important part of it is to Only us the finest materials Katya’s gowns ooze romance, versatility and comfort, with interchangeable elements to suit every woman.

Katy Shehurina is originally from Latvia, she graduated from the prestigious top ESMOD fashion design school studying the craft of couture. She then went into a period with renowned French designers Nicolas Fafiotte and David Purves, I am sure it gave her a good knowledge and confidence to go ahead and decided to launch her own business in 2007. Katy is focusing on her unique design style which reflects modern vintage inspired aesthetic, impeccable craftsmanship and a lightweight ethereal finish, to melt for. It’s perfect and timeless.

Since then, her distinctive style has gained international recognition. As Katya’s first flagship boutique opened in London in 2011, the brand has continuously attracted the attention of the UK press as well as international buyers.

Our gowns are made to order to your size and take about 7 months to make. However due to the unprcedented circumstances our time frames are flexible and we do cater to all brides with all time frames. We also offer off-the-rack dresses for brides who decided to celebrate sooner or have weddings coming up very soon. For further information please do get in touch with us on +44 2073514359 or on info@katyakatya.co.uk or click here

Before you jump away into contacting and booking, I seriously recommend making at least one mood board of what style you want. When you made the mood board and are happy to start your contacting and booking keep that mood board close to you and stick to the style you set, I know it can be easy to side track but that’s the time you need to bring your mood board out. It’s also a great way to show your suppliers what type of wedding you want and see if they are a good fit for it.

You can’t beat Pinterest – it’s the best way to gather ideas and create boards for each aspect of your wedding. You can collect all of the cake ideas you fancy and wedding dresses that takes your dream into reality. Check my colour scheme mood board out.

Please share your mood boards with me or why not book a zoom call with me and show me live what you have planned so far and who knows I might be able to add some more ideas or good information towards your wedding. If you want to book a call in with me over a coffee click here.

Planning your wedding and getting married is one of the biggest plans and events in anybody’s life. All you want it to go so smoothly in every way even the planning. 90% of brides and grooms have a professional photographer booked in, but what should you look for in your wedding photographer? Good question right, do you agree with me?
 

Let me say to remember that your wedding photographs, video and your rings are the only aspect from the big day that you will be left with to remember that special day and so its important to get it right!
The cake will be eaten, the flowers will fade away and be discarded the dress will be carefully stored away or sold.
 

Let me share some things to consider as you search for your photographer, to ensure you get it right.

My Aunty or a good friend will take the photographs!

There is A few people that will depend on a family member or friend to take the shots on the wedding day to save money. I can understand the thought of it as some photographers can be expensive. The risk of choosing a family member or friend typically has several big issues.

• They don’t really know exactly what they are doing, or do they?!

• If they are being the photographer, remember that they will not be enjoying the wedding – they will be working, do you want that?

• They probably don’t have good enough camera equipment.

• They most likely don’t have the post processing skills like a professional photographer.

• After reading this does it sound like a good plan?

Oh great, you have decided to hire a professional photographer

But what should you do to help make sure you get this right?
 

Number one is what style of wedding photography do you like and want, its an very essential decision you need to make.
 

1. Formal style – posed shots

2. Reportage - candid documentary style

3. Informal – shots that don’t look posed

4. Colour

5. Black & White

6. Retro style – a vintage look

7. Country - rural style – flowers fields warm light

8. Street style – urban little bit of grunge and contrast

9. Something of all these
    

Typically, the formula most people end up with is:

Mainly 2 & 3 with some 1 and a Mix of 4 & 5
The general theme and the style of the couple dictates which of 6,7 and 8 will dominate.

Typically, people want some formal shots of the couple and family groups but mainly  reportage style photographs that are just taken as the day goes with no formal shots.

Are there any alternatives to consider?

Yes, here are somethings to look for and what the implications are of these alternatives
 

1. Digital copies of the images
   Some photographer will offer you the images digitally in colour and in black and white

   1. They will normally retain copyright but that’s not an issue for you

   2. You get all the images - why would you not want all the images?

   3. In colour and in black & white

   4. You can use them on social media as you wish

   5. You can send them to friends and family electronically and they can get their own printed

   6. You can get them printed at a professional lab
      - as many as you want
      - any size you want
      - you will pay surprisingly little compared to buying them via a photographer, but do not get them printed at a “cheap” outlet. You photographer will advise you.

   7. You cant get a canvas done and you can control the size and the quality

   8. You can control the process, what you get and what you pay.

   9. This option gives you the most control over what you get and what you pay. However the packages that the high end photographers offer are often all you could want with a high customer focus.
       

2. Photobooks
   These are coffee table style books, they look great and are very accessible, but some things to consider

   1. These look easy to do but get you photographer to do them as they understand how to put these things together to create the right style and story

   2. They are cheaper than albums and more accessible and so you will keep them out and use them as opposed to storing them away as people do with albums

   3. Get two, a colour and a black and white one - it makes sense!
      The two styles of images look much better when separated from one another

   4. Once a book is “built” its relatively cheap to get multiple copies and so you can get a copy for the parents as well

What other aspects should you be aware of?
 

1. Contracts
   You photographer should ask you to sign a contract detailing

   1. What will pay and when?

   2. How much deposit is required?

   3. Cancellation or change requirements

   4. What they will provide

   5. What you will receive at the end
       

2. Food
   I would suggest you plan to provide the photographer with a meal. They will be working a long day up to 12 hrs depending on the shoot requirements. Plan to give them the main course from the wedding breakfast. They will have their food in the bar area or somewhere away from the wedding reception.  If you keep them well fed they will work well and be flexible.
    

3. Shoot list
   Expect the photographer to generate a shoot list detailing the shots that will be taken.
   This typically breaks down into several phases.

   1. Bridal prep and arrival.

   2. Groom prep and arrival.

   3. Guests arriving at church

   4. Inside and outside of church pre ceremony

   5. Ceremony

   6. Exit from Church

   7. Confetti shot - needs to be carefully planned

   8. Everybody shot - Do this as soon as possible before people rush off for a drink

   9. Group shots

   10. Bride and groom will go off for a personal shoot at a pre-defined location

   11. Reception venue shots inside and out

   12. Arrival at reception and pre meal shots

   13. Meal - no shots as people don’t photograph well when eating
       (except young children who look great covered in food)

   14. Speeches and post meal

   15. Wedding rings

   16. Early evening

   17. Bride and groom will go off for a personal shoot at a pre-defined location

   18. Throwing bouquet

   19. Cutting the cake

   20. First dance
       (don’t stand still – rotate as you dance it means the photographers will get a range of shots)

   21. Disco (don’t go on too late as the shots will diminish in quality as the night goes on)
        

4. Elderly or disabled guests
   Plan the shoot around these people if you can speed things up and make things as easy as possible for them.
    

5. Walk DON’T run
   Remember during the day to walk don’t run and to stop take a breath and look around primarily

   1. Bride arrival at church

   2. Walking down the aisle

   3. Walking back up the aisle

   4. Confetti shot
      At all of these points walk don’t rush, stop take a breath and enjoy it. You will enjoy the day more and they will get batter shots.
       

6. Group Caller
   Identify a person who knows both families who will work with the photographers to get relevant people for the next group shot. As the photographers are shooting one group this person is getting all the people for the next group shot. This is essential as the group shot can consume so much time.
    

7. Strange Things
   Tell the photographer if any thing strange or unusual is happening or if anything has a particularly significant value to you during the day. 
    

8. Remember it’s your wedding you can do what you want outside of the legal bits
    

9. Invite them along when you go to the practice and to the venue so they can discuss with the ceremony and the reception what they can and can do, can give you a feel for how it will work on the day and get some shot ideas as well as understanding the lighting
    

10. Processing takes time
    Ask that they get you a few shots (3 – 5) through to you in 24hrs so you have something fast and then expect the others to take a couple of weeks.
     

11. Rain
    What is the plan for the photographs if it rains ?
     

12. Shots you forgot
    There will be shots on the day that you realise you forgot to mention. So simply ask if they can take these shots for you, as long as it does not increase the duration of the shoot they will be fine and not add any cost. If it does add to the duration of the shoot it may result in small additional cost or it may mean that another shot is lost.
     

13. Role of the photographers - It is a strange part they play in the wedding!

    1. They see lots of weddings so ask them for advice 

    2. Pre wedding shoot with bride and groom

       1. Settling nerves

       2. Advising on what will or should be done

    3. Post meal and in the space ahead of the evening celebrations they tend to mill around taking shots and have a significant interaction with the guests and help move the mood along at this point

    4. To be invisible at all of the key moments

    5. The should facilitate the proceedings not take control or be the focus.
        

14. Have fun

If you are stuck with the wedding planning during the lock down I would recommend you to start writing your own wedding vows? It's a tremendous undertaking, as attempt to sum up all your love, dreams, and promises to your partner in a few short minutes. Overwhelming as it can be, it's well worth it and please take your time with it, It's a chance to tell your own story, give guests a look into what makes your relationship tick and to share meaningful, wonderful words with the person you love.

It's also intimate—you're really baring your heart to the love of your life, and you're about to be doing it in front of your loved family and closest friends. If you're up for the challenge, I am here to help you out. From examples and advice to sources of inspiration, here is I believe everything you need to know to write your own wonderful wedding vows.

1. Make sure to say "I love you." This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s so often forgotten or left out.

2. Share your personal stories. It's definitely so much more interesting for your family and friends to hear about your odd quirks and personal little moments and don't be afraid to talk about both the highs and the lows. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that vows are only about the highs in your relationship, remember that your guests want to hear vows that are truly real. If you've been through bumpy spots, don’t be afraid to express that.

3. Please don't wait until the last minute. Make sure to plan in to have your vows written at least three weeks before your big day. You'll be very much thankful for having it done in time and be able to have time to rehearsal so you are prepared.

4. Make a list of all your thoughts. There is no need to put everything into sentences right away. Take a peace of paper and write down all the things you can come up with that you love about your soon-to-be spouse, ask yourself what you're looking forward to most in your marriage? and what promises you want to make to your future husband or wife? and now answer them. Take a day or two and look through these notes and highlight your favourites. The once you highlighted use them for your starting point for your vows.

5. Don't try to include everything, it will be to much. I understand that you would want to fit everything you're feeling into your vows, but in reality, you can't include everything.

During my years as a wedding photographer I’ve seen loads of things go wrong at the last minute. And it’s usually the smallest little details which can turn a bride into a bridezilla. That’s why I advise to prepare a Wedding Emergency Kit in advance. It’s so easy to forget about the little things on a wedding day. So preparing a kit in advance for all those small happenings could save you a lot of headache (literally!). I make sure to carry one with me with the basic necessities but I always advise a bride (and groom) to prepare a personal one for their big day. Here are some items I recommend keeping in your kit - but remember it’s YOUR day so keep whatever YOU need. Here we go: 

• Sewing kit with safety pins and scissors. ( in case any dress or garment needs a little tailoring or emergency fix.)

• Clear nail polish (if you are wearing tights and to be able to stop ladders getting bigger.)

• Lint roller

• Chewing gum/Breath mints

• Plasters (Normal and for blisters.)

• Painkillers (in case that headache kicks in you can tackle it.)

• Toothpaste and toothbrush

• Hand sanitiser/Hand lotion

• Deodorant/Perfume (There will be sweaty moments either walking up the aisle or on the dance floor, make sure to be ready for it.)

• Nail file/Nail clipper/ Nail polish remover

• Hair spray/Hair brush

• Baby wipes

• Makeup remover

• Tissues

• Cotton pads

• Tampons/pads

• Phone charger

• White chalk, if the dress or anything else white gets stained it can be covered with chalk.

• Super glue

• A snack (It can be a long time in between and having a snack to keep your mood and energy up is the way to go.)

• Straw (This is the trick to keep the lipstick glowing just after it has been done, it’s perfect until the ceremony.)

Because it’s so tempting to skip a pro shooter or to ask a friend to take photos—but trust us, not hiring a professional photographer is one of the biggest, most common wedding regrets for couples who didn’t. If you're on a budget, missing out on gorgeous images isn’t the answer.

Unlike your wedding dress or flowers, your wedding photos will last forever, so you obviously want them to be amazing. Hiring a professional wedding photographer is truly the one and only way to get those crisp, high-quality images that capture every moment from your special day. Realistically, you should plan to allot 10–12 percent of your overall wedding budget to photography.

Before hiring a photographer make a list of the style you want and what you want in your package. Is it digital photo files or prints or wall frames and albums. That way, you'll go into the hiring process knowing what your package should look like. This allows you to pay only for exactly what you need, whether that’s a certain number of hours of coverage, extra sessions, multiple shooters or access to digital photo files, prints, wall frames and so on. Some photographers have some fantastic packages that will meet your needs and have good amount of variations but if not ask for to build your own package.

To know what to prioritize, don't underestimate the value of your recently married friends, but also potential pros you interview. Ask them to walk you through the ins and outs of the services they offer, like whether you can realistically fit all your must-have shots in the minimum amount of coverage they offer or how many assistants make the most sense for the size of your guest list.