(Its Easy as) A..B..C - Wedding planning tips from Chouette Events

 

Planning your wedding is the most exciting thing to do – but it can also be very daunting! For many people it will be the biggest project they have ever undertaken - possibly even the first – with a large budget and a cast of hundreds!

Whilst you will want to do as much of the wedding planning yourself, it is a good idea to look for help and advice, especially from experts who have a lot of experience in special events – and a passion for weddings!

One such expert is Lindsay who owns Chouette Events.  I met Lindsay when we were working together on a big event at one of Birmingham’s most prestigious venues, which Lindsay was helping to run at the time.  Since then Lindsay has developed her passion for events, food and networking with superb suppliers, and launched her ABC service – so when I asked her for her top tips for wedding planning, they followed her ABC system…

 

1 - The best piece of advice I can give would be to source the right suppliers. This will be your team, and they will be in charge of delivering all the elements that make up your big day! You want it to be right, so look for people who will offer the right style and who think along the same lines as you. For example, when it comes to flowers some florists might specialise in the more traditional and some will go for bold, bright, wild vibes. Pick the one that most suits your style. It should be someone you feel is approachable, and who understands where you’re coming from. It needs to be someone you feel you can call if you have a crisis or who will be open to any changes that need to be made. You should just click!

2 - Once you’ve secured the venue and the suppliers, there can be months or even years before the wedding but there is still so much to do. It can be daunting, so get organised! Manage your money, draft up your guestlist, draw up the table plan. If you need help with these things, your suppliers are there to support you. And there are always people you can hire if you feel you need a helping hand. It’s a juggling act, so keeping on top of things is key.

3 - Most importantly, you want to be able to enjoy your special day! Work hard at the planning so that you can relax and enjoy your wedding. Communicate with your venue, let your suppliers know what you need from them, delegate to your bridesmaids and your best men! Just make sure you and your partner soak up every minute of the day, and make sure you get to spend at least some of it together! Getting a wedding co-ordinator can really help take the pressure off. Do what you need to do to make the day yours!

Top tips from Lindsay!  Lindsay offers a wedding and events planning service, and also virtual parties!

If you would like to follow her (and you should!) she can be found on Facebook, Instagram and on her website

Sharp Dressed (Best) Man

 

PhotographybyJessica.ie

Wedding planning traditionally includes the hunt for the perfect dress, on the day everyone will strain to see what the bride is wearing as she walks down the aisle…but what about the men?  The Groom, best man, ushers, groomsmen and the fathers?

Have you thought about what you will be wearing on the day?

As ever, there are options, and the choice you make will be right for you.

Traditionally – its morning suit.  Top hat and tails.  For many this will be the one chance to dress up (although I wear it as every day work clothes!)  There is no question that a wedding party in morning suit looks stylish, classy and rather dashing!  You can personalise it by choosing colours – tailcoats don’t just come in grey! – colouring matching ties and cravats and wearing fancy waistcoats.  It is nice to distinguish the groom – perhaps cravat instead of tie, different colour or a different colour waistcoat.  Budget wise – you can hire a full suit for around £100-£200, many suppliers will dress the groom for free.  You may wish to consider buying instead – you won’t get the very best quality for much under £300, but you can find cheaper or even ex-hire if you think it will be something you will wear again.  You will see weddings with non-matching morning suits because they belong to the individuals wearing them (personally I have two!) This is perfectly acceptable!

Lounge suits are becoming more widely worn – they are comfortable, mainstream, easy to source and, crucially, they are budget friendly as they can be worn again and again.  You can personalise by simply choosing a colour or fabric to match/complement the colour scheme or overall theme for your wedding.

Tweed is becoming quite a popular choice for wedding attire.  Like a lounge suit they are budget friendly – albeit normally a little more expensive than a regular suit and with different colours and pattern you can personalise and set the groom/best man apart.  Tweed is ideal if you are planning a rustic or barn style wedding

The American tradition is the Tuxedo (which is the original name for a Dinner Jacket). Smart, classic and quite often something that your wedding party will already own.  It is surely something that everyone should have in their wardrobe, so if you need to buy this is a factor in your budgeting – most men won’t mind buying a suit that they will use again.  Tuxedos don’t need to exactly match if you are all wearing your own – you can however buy a set of matching shirts to get that balanced look – and personalise with a different bow tie for the groom, or perhaps a fancy Tuxedo.  The jacket (and whole suit) needn’t be black – especially for the groom!

Now, I’m not saying that you should scrabble about trying to research your family tree, but Scottish Wear is very popular for weddings!  If you do have an ancestral “right” to wear a kilt (or you just want to) then why not?  If it is likely to be a one off then renting is probably the best option for your budget, and you can personalise if you have wedding party or guests who have their own tartan.  My own is Cameron of Lochiel, but anyone can wear Royal Stewart or Black Watch among others.  There is also Cornish, Northumberland and the saffron kilt of Northern Ireland.

 

Whatever you choose, you can personalise it with accessories.  You can wear matching shirts, coloured ties.  There are some fabulous men’s brooches for suits and of course cufflinks. Pocket watches look fab and make a great gift. Why not play around with buttonholes – or as one wedding did, have action figures (Star Wars) in the top pocket instead!

 

Remember that it is the Groom’s day as well, so choose style, elegance, a bit of bling – but most of all, something that you will be comfortable in.