So you are planning your wedding and investing weekends in visiting venues, sampling cakes (hard work) and meeting other vendors. If I may be so bold as to offer some ideas to optimise your time invested in planning, particularly if you are considering attending a Wedding Expo or taking part in a Wedding Trail. Here are 3 things to ask yourselves before you plan your Wedding Trail route or walk through the doors of the Expo. The priority here is to be thoughtful in how you invest your precious time to get to the day you both are looking forward to.
Consider what you want your day to feel like.
What is the vibe or the feelings you want to have on the day? Seems like a simple question, but when given consideration it will help you narrow down the types of venues and vendors you will want to consider working with to make your day happen.
Another way to ask yourself this question is to consider what your aesthetic is? Is there an aesthetic you are drawn to - rustic, modern, minimalist, alternative, whimsical, boho, fairytale, gothic - this will help you narrow down venues and ceremony settings faster. Not sure? Then be clear on what you don't like, it is also a helpful way to narrow down the choices.
For example, if you want a classic wedding (think formality and tradition) - a sit down dinner would be more in fitting versus a food truck, and for that a venue that has per person catering packages with choices of event spaces (such as ballroom or private dining area) will probably be a good starting point.
2. Consider what your priorities are.
What are your must haves? When you get clear on what you absolutely want to have happen or included on the day it will help you narrow down the kinds of vendors you want to research and speak to. A little bit of pre-planning can help you avoid being distracted by the plethora of options available for weddings. It will also help you preserve your time and sanity!
Some questions to consider are:
Is there a reception? Yes? Consider transport after the ceremony, and how you want it to be catered i.e is it cocktails and floating canapes, food truck, BBQ or sit down dinner?
If your priority is to have a wonderful party with your nearest and dearest - consider how this can impact other parts of your day. For example you won't want to spend an hour plus having photos done after the ceremony so consider a shorter photography contract to capture the ceremony and critical group shots that are your priority then leave the rest up to your guests with a QR code to capture candid moments and your family/friends perspective of the day or have a photo booth with a guest album for guests to post their candid photos in as a keep sake for you. And, if the party is critical focus on the entertainment to help you narrow down the options you want to consider i.e DJ, Live Band, Soloist, Jukebox, Karaoke.
If it is a no for reception make a note on the invite to manage expectations in advance.
Do you want to keep your bouquet? No? Consider silk or ask your celebrant if they have a bouquet to use for the ceremony and photos. Yes? Consider starting an inspiration board on Pintrest - it will help you with the conversations you have with florists about cost and timings. It is worth looking into how you want to preserve it too so you can discuss that with the florist if needed.
3. Consider how involved you want to be.
Are you happy to DIY and spend a day or the afternoon setting it up before welcoming your guests or would you prefer to outsource it and have someone organise it all for you? Maybe it is somewhere in between?
Knowing this will help you narrow down venues as well as supplier options (i.e deliver v pick up services, hire v available on site) and also look at support services if relevant such as wedding planner or on the day planner.
With this starting knowledge you can narrow down the venues to visit on the trail or at an expo and start researching the vendors you want to speak to on the day. A little IG scrolling and snooping is always helpful - start at the vendor listings for any events you are attending and then leap down the rabbit hole of options knowing you have a bit of a map in mind.
I attend various wedding expos and trails throughout the year. So, if you are after a celebrant that is understanding, kind, calm - someone who can capture you as a couple in a relaxed, informal way as part of a heartfelt and elegant ceremony come say hi.
Next, I will be attending #GoldCoastWeddingTrail next, which is a free wedding planning event Sunday August 11th 2024. To register go to www.wedme.com.au/gcweddingtrail
#GCWeddingTrail #GoldCoastWeddingExpo #GoldCoastWeddingOpenDay #weddingplanningtips #weddingtrail #weddingexpo #goldcoastcelebrant #brisbanecelebrant #scenicrimcelebrant
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