VISIT SITE
Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Midlands Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yourmidlands.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Dream Wedding Venue Hunting
| Q | What is your advice on wedding dilemmas? |
| A | Rebecca Barron says: Starting your big-day journey is exciting, but choosing the right venue can feel overwhelming. First, sit down as a couple and identify what matters most. For many, the venue's aesthetic is crucial! Beautiful spots for photographs, indoors and outdoors, will create lasting memories you'll treasure. Imagine walking through your wedding album years from now and reliving those moments captured in a stunning setting. Next, consider the connection you have with the venue's wedding team. The relationship you build with them is key, as they'll guide you through many decisions. You'll likely have countless questions and ideas, so finding a team that's responsive, friendly and genuinely interested in your vision will make the planning process smoother. A quick email or call should provide clarity and comfort, ensuring your dream day comes together seamlessly. Ultimately, trust your instincts; choose the right venue and a team that truly supports you. |
Rebecca Barron, New Hall Hotel
Dream Wedding Venue Hunting
| Q | What is your advice on wedding dilemmas? |
| A | Eleanor Carter-Smith says: When looking around a wedding venue, ensure in advance that the setting works for your guest list. There's no point looking at a venue that can only seat 50 for a wedding breakfast if your numbers currently sits at 100! Equally, if you want an intimate ceremony but the only option is a large barn that can seat 150, you may feel obligated to increase the numbers to fill the space. It's best to find settings initially that work for your numbers. Write down your non-negotiables. If you want fireworks, amplified music until midnight and somewhere for your guests to stay on-site, this can drastically reduce your list of prospective venues, saving you time and effort in the long run. Quite often, the timings for music or bars being open aren't open for discussion with venues as they'll be legally obligated to comply with their licensing limitations. Remember, this is your big day! Compromises needn't be made if the venues you view have the potential to be the right fit in the first place. |
Eleanor Carter-Smith, Lamport Hall
Exchanging Vows
| Q | What should we consider when planning our ceremony at a register office? |
| A | Claire Healy says: When planning a registry office wedding, you need to be aware that you must give legal notice of marriage in the district where you reside a minimum of 28 days before the wedding takes place and ensure that you have at least two witnesses available to witness your declaratory and contractual vows being spoken. The Register Office room, also known as The Statutory Marriage or Civil Partnership Room, is designed for those wishing to say the legal vows or sign the paperwork to complete their legal union. This is done in the presence of just two witnesses in a small interview room, without readings, music, personal vows, floral arrangements or any fanfare. Nowadays, a register office also offers other rooms, and it does not always have to be simple. Cheylesmore Manor House offers three other settings and bespoke ceremonies with enhancements, including personal vows, personal script, readings, handfasting, candle ceremonies and more. An experienced ceremony coordinator will meet and talk you through the finer details. |
Claire Healy, Cheylesmore Manor House
A grand setting
| Q | What questions should we be asking a venue before booking? |
| A | The team at Safari Venues says: There is a lot to think about when booking a wedding venue. These are some of the questions that we recommend you ask prospective properties: Do you allow outdoor ceremonies? Getting married outside is a great option and can often offer a fantastic backdrop for the ceremony and great photo opportunities. Couples can get married with us in the gardens of Spring Grove House, which look spectacular. Do you have accommodation? It's worth finding out if they have any rooms for guests and if there is the option to stay the night before the wedding. For example, we have the option for couples to stay in our fantastic Safari Lodges. Is there a minimum/maximum number of guests required? A venue may only be able to cater for a certain number of guests, or may have different options for the ceremony, wedding breakfast and reception. Do you allow external suppliers? Some venues prefer to do everything in house, whereas others might completely rely on external suppliers, or a mix of in-house and external. For example, we cater in house for food, but we do allow external caterers on occasion. What are the photo opportunities within the venue? Many photographers may know the venue, especially if they are local, but it might be worth noting some stand-out locations, which will save time on the big day. Do you offer exclusive hire of the venue? Some properties may be open to the public, so it's worth finding out if you will be sharing your day with another pre-planned event, or whether members of the public will have access to the grounds. |
The team at Safari Venues, Safari Venues
