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Wedding checklist
1. Begin with the end in mind
You should begin with some idea of the size and style of the wedding you would like. Do you want a grand moment with all the trimmings, a fun, frantic party or maybe an intimate garden reception with only your very closest family and friends? All of these considerations will influence, and in turn be influenced by, things like your budget, your guest list and the location you have chosen and of course your personal style.
2. Choosing the Site
There are two main ways to approach the selection of a site for a marquee. Either you decide on the site first and then look for ways to fit in your pavilion. Or you establish what you need in the way of a space and then set out to find the right site. Either way a professional hire consultant will be able to give you reliable independent advice that will help you make the most of the location. When you are choosing a location you should consider issues such as the size and slope of the pavilion area, where any view is, how it will look at the time of the year your have chosen, where will your guests park and where any service such as toilets and generators can be placed. Keep in mind that pavilion can be erected more quickly and cost effectively on level ground and truck access to the site will really help to keep labour costs to a minimum.
3. Can't buy me love
Sorry to be so unromantic already but your budget is usually the most significant influence on the size and style of your wedding reception. Our tip is to establish a budget early and do your best to stick to it. There are many ways to have a pavilion wedding and they do not all involve spending your entire savings. Remember that the most important thing is to be able to celebrate your day with people who are important to you in a way that suits you and your budget. Be open with your hire consultant about your budget and they will then be able to work within the framework to produce a beautiful result.
4. Find a reputable hire company
You need to know that you can trust who ever you engage to build your wedding venue. You need to be able to trust their advice and judgement and you need to know that what you ordered will arrive on site on time and in the condition you expected. Good hire companies will have a strong reputation in their area. Caterers will recommend them, florists will mention them and function venues will know who they are. A good hire company will have plenty of printed material with photos of their work to send you. They should also invite you into their showroom to look closely at their equipment and have a detailed conversation about your vision for the day. A good hire company will definitely want to visit your site to conduct an obligation free site inspection before doing a detailed quote. This is a great chance to get a feel for their ability to deliver.
You must be happy with the way they listen to what you want and what they suggest for your event. Remember that just like hotels & resorts are all slightly different, all hire companies are tuned to slightly different markets. You should, if you can seek out one that specialises in weddings. These firms will have the best understanding of your needs and expectations and also tend to have a range of products much more focused on what you will be looking for.
5. Get a good caterer
The meal is one thing that your guests are really going to remember and something that you will put a huge effort into getting right. It goes without saying that a good caterer is a real key to the success of your wedding. Just like choosing your hire company you will need a caterer that you can trust absolutely. You need to know that everything you want will arrive on time and hopefully be even better than you wished for. A good caterer will have no hesitation in giving you a list of past clients to talk to and they will also be well known in the "bridal trade" in their area so ask for recommendations. If they also operate a restaurant, take the opportunity to "try before you buy" by having a meal with them before you make your final decision. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of what will be provided and what won't. Will your caterer bring his or her own staff or should you also talk to a staffing agency? Will their staff also look after the drinks service and is the cost of setting the tables covered in their quote? These are just a few of the questions that you should ask.
6. Book good weather
Well, it would be nice if you could! However by choosing certain times of the year you will improve your chances of a fine day. Don't discount late autumn or early winter as this is a spectacular time of the year and the weather is more often than not clear and dry (and a heater or two will easily take any chill off the air).
7. Have fall back plan
If you can't book fine weather have a fall back plan in case of rain. This is especially important if you are planning a garden ceremony. Have a venue, even if your guests have to squash in a bit, where the ceremony can be held if the weather turns. Often this is as simple as allowing for a slightly larger dance floor inside the marquee than you would otherwise have.
8. And we'll have fun, fun, fun
Last but not least, don't forget to enjoy yourself! This may sound like stating the obvious but you may be surprised how easy it is to fall into the trap of becoming so stressed and worried about the smallest of details that the fun factor goes out the window. This is one of the most important days of your life and you will want to make it perfect, however good planning and a relaxed outlook will go a long way to making the day even more enjoyable.
To assist us in planning the next stage of your event, please contact us for easy guide form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
Weddings
