Winter Weddings

Although the weather hasn't been as inspiring as I would love, it has definitely got me feeling all the feels that come with winter. Winter is such an extraordinary time of the year and despite the nights being darker, the sparkles are definitely brighter and the atmosphere is bursting with a lot of love and gratitude.

Images from Pinterest

With that being said… I have to admit that I have never been too fond of actually getting married in winter, primarily because of the weather. But lately, it seems like my attitude has definitely changed. For instance the AMAZING blogger and vlogger Lydia Millen had her wedding during the winter and yet, it was able to embrace the season without being completely centered on Christmas, whereas Noelle Downing, another FANTASTIC blogger and influencer, completely embraced the festive season in her choice of Wedding decor. Both weddings made me realise that a winter wedding doesn’t have to be defined by the season, but it is what you make it to be. So, today I thought it would be fun to encourage you and give some inspiration to create the perfect Winter wedding.

Lydia Millen’s Wedding

Yes, I could not believe this was in December either!

Noelle Downing’s Wedding

This, truly is extraordinary!

So don’t be afraid to consider the winter season, although the weather can be unbearable at times. Also, do not be bound by a colour scheme as you saw with Lydia Millen’s winter wedding, you will be surprised about what you can do with the right vision and decor.

Anything is possible! especially if you plan to have your wedding and reception in doors.

Enjoy the planning process and see you next month.

Mannuela x

Wedding Planner vs. Wedding Coordinator: Which Do You Need? Part 2

Happy new month, I hope my last last post was insightful and gave you some useful tips on how to find the perfect planner.

Today we will look at the role of a wedding coordinator.

A wedding coordinator, also known as a day of wedding coordinator, can really assist wedding couples in so many wonderful ways on the actual day of their wedding.

Their sole responsibility is to manage and oversee the running of your wedding day. They usually begin helping you prepare a month before the wedding, creating the timeline for the actual wedding day.

It is their job to ensure that everything goes according to plan as well as fixing any issues that may arise on the day.

They will confirm vendor contracts and create a timeline for the day, they will also make sure things like payments and guest counts are in order, but they won't be involved in the earlier planning phases or keep track of your budget.

A wedding coordinator will be logistically focused and be in charge of the following tasks:

1. Meet with you four to eight weeks before the wedding to get a handle on what you've planned thus far (work through any details and follow up on any loose ends).

2. Checks in with your vendors to review the signed contracts and confirm logistics.

3. Creates detailed timelines and floor plans.

4. Completes a final walk-through of the ceremony and reception sites.

5. Addresses any overlooked details (such as forgetting to hire a coat check attendant).

6. Manages the rehearsal.

7. Oversees everything on the wedding day.

Making decisions like these are quite important as you are trusting and relying on these professionals to plan and execute one of the most important events in your life. Although this can be quite overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. My advice would be to pick someone you genuinely like, someone who understands your vision, who is efficient in their ability to respond. This is because you are going to be communicating with them and seeing them very frequently.

So, with all that has been said… Don’t worry too much, trust your instincts and enjoy this process!

Happy Reading

Mannuela x

Sources:

Brides Magazine

Wedding Planner vs. Wedding Coordinator: Which Do You Need?

It’s no secret that planning a wedding is no small task, which begs the question; Should I get a wedding planner or a wedding coordinator?

How do I know which one I need?

In this blog series, we will be discussing the key differences you should be aware of to help you find the best fit for your special day.

Wedding Planners: Fundamentally, their role is to manage and execute all of the logistics involved in planning your day. From sourcing and booking suppliers to managing contracts and developing timelines, while keeping track of your budget.

1. Provides vendor referrals and negotiates contracts; schedules and attends all vendor meetings.

2. Creates detailed timelines and floor plans.

3. Helps determine and manage your budget.

4. Attends site tours and menu tastings.

5. Brainstorms style ideas and coordinates design details.

6. Coordinates hotel room blocks and transportation.

As every planner comes into the industry with a totally different skill set, experiences and training. Planners with a creative background are more passionate about the creative aspects of the day, while those who have worked in more organisational roles may be more spreadsheet and timeline driven. So, the right planner for you, will be the planner whose skills compliment your overall vision and needs for your special day.

If you’re managing most of the wedding preparation yourself, you can be more flexible when it comes to when to choose to hire your wedding planner. On the other hand, if you require full planning services, it is best to hire a wedding planner ASAP as most wedding planners on average take on 8-10 weddings a year, so bookings aren’t readily available especially during the peak summer months.

A Wedding Planner can take on as little or as much of the organisation of your wedding as you want, giving you the option to tailor their involvements in planning to meet your requirements. Hence why most planners offer a range of services to suit multiple needs.

In terms of where to find a wedding planner we suggest you try the UK alliance of Wedding Planners website as this will provide you with planners across the UK. You can also use social media - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get a good idea about the planners personality and specialisation, especially if you find yourself constantly looking and liking their posts.

Bonus Tip: When you’re comparing proposals and quotations from planners, don’t simply look at the figure alone. When looking at the amount consider the level of support and service you will be getting for the amount you are paying to determine whether your quote is good value for you, i.e. site visits, travel, calls, admin etc.

So before you dismiss using the services of a Wedding Planner, either to plan the whole event or just part of it, look at the big picture and see the benefit they can add to your big day.

Stay tune for our next post as we will be looking at the role of a wedding coordinator.

Until then, stay safe

Mannuela x