Archive
Questions to ask you wedding suppliers: Catering
Our final instalment for this week looks at questions to ask your caterer. Visit several, ask for sample menus, get a feel for what they do and their quality and value for money. Don’t forget to ask some of these vital questions too;
Catering
- Have you catered at my chosen venue before?
- Do you have set menus?
- Would you be happy to create a bespoke menu for me?
- Do you provide waiting staff?
- Do you charge for menu tasting?
- What different styles of food do you offer?
Asking about dietary requirements, the supply of furniture and linens are all things that should also be covered.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this weeks series on vital questions. Next week we are asking for help in planning the ideal virtual wedding so don’t forget to follow the blog and join us over on Face book.
Questions to ask your wedding suppliers: Entertainment
Check with the venue that there are no restrictions on live bands or a limit to the time they are allowed to play until. Once you’re cleared those two points, you’re ready to seek out a live band, disco, comedian, magician – there’s a whole plethora of suppliers available. Our questions relate to live music, we’ll cover other entertainers in a separate blog.
Entertainment
- Where can we see you performing before our wedding day?
- What style of music do you play?
- What happens in between sets? Is there a DJ or recorded music?
- Do you have our chosen first dance music?
- What do you need in terms of power and technical equipment?
- Can we see your play list?
There’s so many questions that you could ask but this is personal to you and will have a huge bearing on creating the atmosphere for the evening reception. Research, research, research would be our advice.
The final part of our check list tomorrow will be looking at catering.
Join us over on Face book or share your thoughts below.
Questions to ask your wedding suppliers: Florist
It is recommended to book your florist 6 – 12 months in advance of your wedding and once you have decided it might be that you don’t need to speak to them again until closer to the day itself. So how do you know that you’ve asked all the right questions? Do you feel reassured that you have covered every angle?
Continuing in our series of vital questions, we look at the questions you should ask when booking.
Florist
- Do you have testimonials from satisfied Brides that I can read?
- Will it be you doing the flowers or will you delegate to your team?
- Have you worked with this venue before? Will you visit before the day?
- I’d like seasonal flowers, what will be in flower on my chosen date?
- On the day, how long will you need to set up?
- I have a budget in mind of £x, are you happy to work to that?
Tomorrow we will be asking about outsourcing entertainment and what you need to know before booking.
Join us over on Face book http://ow.ly/1pfrw or share your thoughts below.
Questions to ask your wedding suppliers: Photographer
Continuing from our vital questions for wedding suppliers, today we look at photographers. The idea of the check list is to give you enough guidance to be able to negotiate with your chosen supplier by being clear in your own mind of what you should ask.
Photographer.
If you have met a potential photographer at a wedding fayre then you should have been able to samples of their work. But if you have just taken some details and seen a few photographers it’s always worth refreshing your mind with the quality of their work.
- Can I see examples of your work?
- What packages so you offer? Is it possible to have a bespoke package?
- Are you familiar with my chosen venue?
- What is your style of photography?
- How are you fee’s structured?
It may be salient also to fins out if they shoot digitally or with film. If possible, ask if they are happy to share details of another wedding where they were the photographer.
Our next instalment looks at your Florist.
Join us over on Face book http://ow.ly/1peMn or share your thoughts below.
Questions to ask your wedding suppliers: Venue and Dress
With so much to remember when you’re planning your wedding it’s to forget some vital questions. We’ve created a handy check list to use when negotiating with your suppliers. Over the course of this week we’ll be looking at each supplier you need to deal with and giving you useful questions to ask. Though some may seem obvious, it could just be a case of putting your mind at rest by asking, and there’s no harm in being thorough.
Venue
- I have a date in mind, are you available on this date?
- The ceremony will take place x distance away, how long will it take to drive here?
- Can I see your recommended supplier list?
- Are there any restrictions on candles, live bands, fireworks or live bands?
- Is overnight accommodation provided?
- If so, is there a reduced rate?
Wedding dress designer
- How long in advance of the wedding should I be making my first appointment?
- Is there a restriction to the amount of dresses I can try on?
- Is it necessary to make an appointment?
- How many fittings will I need?
- Do you deliver the dress or can I can collect?
- Do you offer a cleaning and storage facility?
Tomorrow we’ll be looking at questions for your photographer. Join us over on Face book http://ow.ly/1peut or share your thoughts below.
Wedding Speech
How many times have read ‘tweets’ or blog posts related to the wedding industry that have abbreviated words and initials? We’ve compiled a list of some of the ones we know about, but feel free to add any that you know.
B2B – Bride-to-be
H2B – Husband-to-be
OH – Other half
MIL / FIL / SIL / BIL – Mother/Father/Son/Daughter – in – law
BM – Best Man
MOH – Maid of Honour
Leave yours in the comments below, and don’t forget to join us over on Face book http://bit.ly/7Vcu6b
Wedding Favours and added extra’s
The cost of a wedding can spiral out of control but sometimes there are those ‘must-haves’ that are essential to making your day complete.
Which is why we were left a little speechless to come across some of the more ‘outlandish’ products that are available. Here’s a few to start off with;
1. Personalised Rock
Great if you live by the sea, have a seaside theme or a hubby to be in the Navy. Not so great for Grandma and her teeth!
2. Pixpod
A portable photo booth, as featured in the Daily Mail (must be good then!).
3. Handbag Hook
As the name suggests, it’s a hook for your handbag? Yes, that’s what we thought.
We’ll add to the list I’m sure. We’d love to hear of more if you know of any?
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Stress-busting tips!
Everyone knows that planning your wedding can lead to stressful clashes, preoccupied by so many things and you often end up chasing your tail! Here’s a few tips to get past the worst of it;
- Give relatives a time-consuming task to make them feel helpful and stop them interfering
- Make time to spend alone time with your finace
- As part of your pre-wedding beauty routine, book a regular massage or gym workout
- Eat well – look after yourself, eat regular meal and stop your sugar levels from dropping
- Keep smiling!
Above all else – Enjoy the experience.
Congratulations, You’re Engaged!
Getting engaged is certainly one of the most amazing moments you’ll ever experience. For the following few weeks, you’ll be full of excitement and champagne! Showing off your gorgeous ring and talking to everyone. Then there’s the task ahead – organising the most important day of your life.
Here’s the first of our ‘must-do now’ checklists.
- Speak with both sets of parents, talk about who’s paying for what. Get this out of the way then you avoid any awkward conversations further down the line.
- Set a budget and open a bank account specifically for paying related bills.
- Buy wedding insurance
- Choose your wedding party; best man, bridesmaids etc
- Decide which kind of ceremony you would like and contact the relevant minister / civil ceremony
- Start compiling a list of ideas, from your wedding dress to your flowers
You are about to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime – being prepared will make it all the more enjoyable.
In our next blog we look at stress-busting tips to help everyone through the preparations.
Finding your ideal reception venue
Finding the perfect wedding venue can seem a daunting task, but it’s not as difficult as you think. The venue will set the tone and the atmosphere so think about the theme that will capture this. For example if you’re looking for a traditional feel this would work well in a country house hotel; a contemporary wedding would be better suited to a boutique hotel.
Next draw up a list of considerations, ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’. Below is a list we’ve put together to get you started:
Proximity to church, ceremony venue, home etc (classic cars / horse drawn carriage won’t travel long distances)
Budget – flexibility of rates/deals, Sunday weddings, out of season weddings, special wedding package prices.
Seating capacity
On-site overnight accommodation (plus further availability locally if needed)
Exclusive use
Marquee use
Food quality
Friendliness of venue / flexibility of choice, (drop in un-announced to check)
Ability to use candles
Recommendations (ask friends, check forums)
Disabled access
Special dietary requirements
Maximise setting for time of year (e.g. summer – croquet on the lawn, winter – grand hall with log fires)
Photo opportunities – gardens, grounds, lake, unique surroundings e.g. botanical gardens, zoos, beaches, stunning architecture
Unique features, e.g. flower decorated boat for Lake Cruise
Once you have identified all the things you want from your wedding venue the next thing to do is research. Look up your chosen wedding venue online and narrow down to a list of favourites. Then, call in – unannounced. See how their hospitality and service hold up. Ask to make an appointment to view the venue and to meet the venue’s wedding co-ordinator, they may be willing to show you round there and then but it is always wise to get a full guided tour and to talk through your options. Take a list with you of all the questions that you want to ask and all of your initial requirements.
After you have drawn up your shortlist of your proposed venues, visit again with a friend or relative to give an impartial view, take time out at each venue to briefly discuss pros and cons.
If at first you don’t succeed, review your requirements to see if you would be happy to sacrifice a few less important things that don’t quite measure up, without compromising your dream day.
Analysis Paralysis when you just can’t find that perfect venue……..?
Take some time out, then re-gather your thoughts to take the desperation out of your search, otherwise this will leave you unable to make a decision you are 100% happy with. If necessary look with fresh eyes and try another round of venues. Take with you someone who’s got a good eye for detail and whose judgement you trust.
With a little thought, effort and patience you will find your perfect wedding venue. You’ll know it’s the one when you can picture you and your partner there, enjoying the idyllic, stress free day of your dreams.
TheWeddingVine.com 