MEET MY INTERVIEW TOP-SECRET GUEST SPEAKER
MEET MY INTERVIEW TOP-SECRET GUEST SPEAKER
Have you missed my LIVE interview on 14th January? Nothing is lost! Why not watch it on #repeat?
Feel free to share your comments or questions in the comment boxes below and don’t forget to give us ❤️
HOW TO BEST CUT DOWN YOUR GUEST LIST
I have recently been asked my opinion by Tie the Knot Scotland on how wedding couples can cut down on their numbers to ensure their celebrations meet the latest Scottish restrictions.
You can check out the full article on the subject in the link above and my full response in the next few paragraphs.
P.S. If you are also looking for a collaboration on a wedding-related project or a piece of editorial, contact me today at oskar@theweddingguruoskar.co.uk
P.P.S. If you’re a wedding planning couple looking for help or advice on how to best manage your wedding, book your informal 15 minutes consultation today.
Where should couples start with slimming down their guest list to fit Covid restrictions?
A lot of couples often come to me with a wedding guest list to rival a royal wedding!
During these times my advice is to prepare List A & List B irrespective of Covid.
LIST A should include all those guests that are a must at your wedding.
LIST B on the other hand, is for those guests that you might really want to invite to the wedding, but due to restrictions and limitation you physically cannot.
Additionally, if you planned for children to attend your wedding or more distant relatives, you might want to delay these invitations to ensure you can have the allowed number including those MOST important guests. Under the circumstances, they will understand, and it also means you can have a second party- the big reception when they are permitted again. Why not consider this and make it your commitment to remove those guests in order to meet the current regulations?
What are the restrictions and who do/don’t they include?
The current restrictions are broken down into Levels in accordance with the latest Scottish Governmental Guidelines on Covid lockdown. Here are some details for you to consider:
Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions should only take place at a venue, where Covid regulations and guidance are complied with. This includes hotels, restaurants and purpose-built event venues in indoor or outdoor spaces.
Exclusive use venues and outdoor marquees can still be used as long as the premises are managed by venue staff and not the couples or their guests.
Venues otherwise closed for day-to-day operation due to Level 4 restrictions can still provide the wedding ceremony service.
Wedding ceremonies can only take place in private dwelling where one or both parties are unable to leave their home, for instance due to terminal illness and the numbers attending such ceremony must be kept to a bare minimum. Those ceremonies also must observe and comply with Covid rules and protection.
Guests attending the ceremony do not have to be the same guests who get to attend your reception and this is another way of how to best manage your numbers if you don’t want to upset anyone. The following numbers apply to the levelled approach to weddings by the Scottish Government:
Level 0 = up to 50 guests ceremony and reception
Level 1-3 = up to 20 guests ceremony and reception
Level 4 = 20 guests ceremony ONLY
*These numbers include children, photographer and all your suppliers present on the day, except your ceremony officiant
Guests can travel between levels and from England as well as internationally (following relevant international travel restrictions such as 14 days quarantine upon arrival) for wedding purposes.
Face coverings must be worn at all times by guests during the wedding ceremony, only the ceremony officiant and the couples can take their face coverings off during the official ceremony while observing social distancing rules.
Music is now permitted for ceremony purposes only and speeches can only be performed through an amplified PA system. Music is still currently not permitted in the receptions.
Finally, alcohol can be served at receptions only within levels 0-3 and levels 2-3 must observe 10pm curfew.
Source: My Scotland Wedding
How can brides and grooms decide who should make the cut? Should they change their bridesmaid/groomsmen line-up for example? Should it be based on who’s closest to them, or who’s most at risk, health-wise? Or maybe on who lives furthest away? What strategy should they adopt?
In my opinion the relationship, vulnerability to Covid and travel should be taken into consideration when reducing your wedding day guest list in line with the current regulations. If I was to be in wedding planning couple’s shoes now, I would identify who from my guest list is the closest to me and who I ‘must have’ at my wedding.
I would then identify those guests that are vulnerable to Covid because of their relative age or underlying health conditions – why not organise a virtually streamed ceremony viewing for them?
Finally, I would want to understand who is potentially facing travel restrictions and quarantines if travelling internationally, would the quarantine mean them missing the celebration?
I get it, it’s super tough to have to do this and I can’t even begin to imagine what couples must be going through right now, but at the same time, I don’t think anyone would want to put their family and friends at risk.
If vulnerable guests are non-negotiables for the couple (like parents, for example), what can they do to minimise risk and accommodate them? Should an element of the day be kept to immediate family, to be as safe as possible?
I’m not sure I would risk vulnerable guests, but a socially distanced ceremony kept to a bare minimum would be an option. Additionally, thanks to today’s technology, those guests at risk and staying home can still join in through live streamed events.
I had the pleasure of organising this for a couple, their guests dressed up in the safety of their own homes, did readings during the ceremony, and afterwards they got 15 minutes to speak to the couple once the ceremony completed. The entire ceremony stream was recorded and then shared with the family. How do you like this solution for keeping everyone safe?
How and when should they deliver the news to people who won’t be able to come in a sensitive and tactful way? In what ways can they soften the blow: i.e. you’ll host a live stream, you’re planning on having a bigger reception later when restrictions allow etc?
I think that under the current circumstances and ever-changing environment, couples shouldn’t put too much pressure on themselves on when to communicate these changes to their guests. I planned a wedding that needed to change things three days before their special day and I helped them make it happen.
It is probably easier to get everyone in front of a screen at the same time to announce this change to everyone at the same time, so nobody feels singled out – it also allows for all guest questions to be answered during this one live stream.
Alternatives can be suggested such as live streaming of ceremony as mentioned above, or if the couples are planning for a reception when these are possible, why not share this news with the guests – that’d be a lovely silver lining for them too.
Image: Daria Makiela Photography (https://wedding-artwork.co.uk/)
If someone is really important to the couple but absolutely cannot attend (like a grandparent maybe) what can the couple do to make them feel included over and above a live stream?
If this very important person cannot attend in person and online, why not call them and ask them to read a poem during the ceremony. I am currently working with a Bride who asked her family and friends from abroad to post buttons to her, so that she can sew them to her dress and know that they are there with them in spirit – I think this is such a wonderful idea, don’t you think?
What if restrictions change during the planning process? Should you make lists for various scenarios? Is it acceptable to re-invite guests when the outlook changes again? What’s the etiquette?
This is me coming back to my List A & List B scenario – if you’ve still got time to make those changes and you can manage these, why not invite your List B guests – trust me they won’t mind, everyone understands that this is not your choice to be constantly chopping and changing things, you’ve simply been given no other choice. Why not arrange for a live stream call again and break it to them- even raise a glass to them, in joy they can now join you – that would make them feel so special.
Any other tips and advice?
My biggest tip is, DON’T feel pressured or guilty – it’s none of your doing and I’m sure everyone that you mean so much to understands why you’re having to make these unprecedented choices. Be transparent and open and speak to your guests openly, they’ll be by your side no matter what!
Wishing all current wedding planning couples, the patience and persistence during this challenging time! May your special day be the most wonderful because of the fact that you get to marry your biggest friend and soulmate, no matter the circumstances!
12 Things Wedding Planners Can Do For You
Working with a diverse portfolio of clients from around the world including Myanmar, Peru, USA, Germany and Australia this year allowed me to create unique and personalised wedding visions for my wedding planning couples. Although some of these plans have now moved to 2021 and 2022, my wedding planning service is all about producing tailored joyful and inspirational celebrations.
If you’re considering getting help with your wedding planning and you’re unsure whether to get professional support, in the next few paragraphs I will be revealing to you the 12 Things a Professional Wedding Planner could do for you, so stayed tuned in…
1. SAVING TIME
If project planning isn’t one of your strengths, a Wedding Planner can save you between 200-300 hours of wedding planning.
Very often the misconception about Wedding Planners is that we’re an extravagant expense, where in fact by using a Professional Wedding Planner you get your time back to concentrate on the things you enjoy the most – have I mentioned that we can take a lot of the stress away with our service too?
How much value do you put on your spare time? Can you afford giving up 200-300 hours for wedding planning? Let me know in the comment box below.
2. CREATING A PLAN
Wedding Planning involves juggling both smaller and bigger projects as part of the overall wedding plan.
Wedding Planners create personalised timelines for your wedding and ensure everything happens seamlessly. All the while arranging all those necessary appointments, fittings and consultations on your behalf and keeping your wedmin on track. That way you enjoy the fun part only.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to have all those appointments organised for you and taken care of? Give me ❤️ in the comment box below if you agree.
3. CREATING AND MANAGING A BUDGET
It is often part of our service to create a realistic wedding budget and ensuring it is met – having worked in the wedding industry for years and with hundreds of vendors and suppliers, we understand the market that we’re in daily and we can easily navigate through estimates for you.
We can also easily understand what it takes to turn your dream wedding day vision into reality, while providing your accurate guidance.
Do you know how many couples stick to their wedding budget? Up to 20% of couples struggle to keep their wedding budget on track. Does this surprise you? Give me a YES or NO in the comment box below.
4. SAVING MONEY AND MAXIMISING YOUR BUDGET
Reverting to the previous point about wedding budgets, we can truly maximise your budget and save where you might not have anticipated. This is where we can guide you and make recommendations in allocating resources based on your priorities.
Imagine sourcing your decorations for your ceremony and a separate set for your reception – is this the best way to use your resources? Maybe it is, but it is our job to understand your budget and help you make clever decisions on what’s truly important to you.
Are you maximising your budget and making the best decisions?
5. SOURCING YOUR VENUE
Having worked for clusters of venues in my career including city center hotels, mansion houses, country estates and marquee venues, in addition to having a vast network of venue contacts from my time working for an international wedding venue directory in Scotland, I can easily identify venues that are best suited to your requirements.
Additionally, there are so many ways in which you can maximise your wedding budget when considering wedding venues. I’ve recently saved one of my couples the cost of my part-wedding planning package by choosing their venue based on their set criteria, while having my support along their exciting wedding planning journey.
What is / was the most important aspect to you when considering wedding venues? Let me know in the comment box below.
6. SOURCING AND NEGOTIATING WITH SUPPLIERS
Wedding Planners have got a very unique ability to source and negotiate with vendors and suppliers based on the fact that we’re well connected and work with suppliers we know will provide you with the best products and services.
You could almost say that booking suppliers through your Wedding Planner gives you a guarantee of quality, as we don’t easily give our personal recommendations. Because of this loyal relationship with our industry partners we’ve got the bargaining power for you.
Can you believe that a Wedding Planner can save you on average up to 20% of your wedding budget spend using trade deals? Give me 🌟 in the comments below if you’d be happy with this saving?
7. LIAISING WITH ALL SUPPLIERS AND VENUE ON YOUR BEHALF
When you choose to work on your wedding plans with a Professional Wedding Planner, we will liaise with your venue and suppliers on the smallest of details by becoming your one and only point of contact for the entire wedding planning journey and be the main person who takes care of all wedmin for you.
Doesn’t that sound amazing? Give me YES in the comment box below if you’d love to have wedmin all taken care of for you.
8. CONDUCTING THE BACKGROUND RESEARCH
Your Wedding Planner could be your ‘fixer’ and as previously mentioned we draw from an extensive network of connections and years of experience and research.
The chances are that when we recommend a supplier or venue to you, we’ve worked with them before on a wedding or a project, and if we haven’t, they always come with the highest recommendation from those partners we already work with. Either way, we ensure we vet all suppliers before making our recommendations and provide you with our own set of pointers and observations, making decision making a lot easier.
How much time on average does it take to plan your wedding including all the research?
A. 100 hours?
B. 200-300 hours?
C. 500 hours?
Let me know in the comment box below.
9. HELPING YOU STYLE
Many couples often have a few ideas aided by our experience we put these ideas into a cohesive and stylish vision for your special day.
Working with the best of the best in the industry we come up with moodboards that will perfectly highlight your personal and unique aspirations for your desired wedding day.
Would it be easier for you to have your wedding vision drawn out for you?
10. ORGANISING YOUR GUESTLIST
Guestlist management is often part of the full wedding planning package and this is the element which probably takes the most of your wedding planning admin time.
As wedding planners we can take care of all your RSVPs, organizing them cohesively into tables with all requirements clearly noted.
Additionally, we can be that one point of contact that can take the stress of responding to all FAQs on your behalf and updating your wedding day website.
Anyone who finds this part most challenging give me YES in the comment box below.
11. RUNNING THE SHOW
With On The Day Coordination Package we can ensure that all those months of wedding planning come together – call us Master of Ceremonies, Conductors or On the Day Coordinators, our job is make sure that the entire focus is on the two of you and that we make it happen for you.
This includes managing suppliers, setup, organising the flow of the day, handling any on-the-day emergencies all the while soothing nerves and providing a helping hand.
This service is particularly popular with our full and part wedding planning packages or with couples booking dry hire venues or venues.
Would it not be amazing to have a professional making your dream wedding vision happen behind the scenes for you? Let me know your thoughts in the comment box below.
12. GIVING YOU SUPPORT AND ADVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST
Finally, the most important element of working with a wedding planner is relying on a person who is available at a time that works for you, for us this is not a regular 9-5 job, this is passion and this is commitment to you and your guests.
We are there to advocate for you, while offering sound and objective advice, and we never get bored talking about weddings… has this given you a better idea on the benefits of working with a Professional Wedding Planner for your most important day?
Feel free to share your worries, concerns or questions in the comment box below or privately email them to me. I’d love to help with things small and big – I’d love to make things easier for you!
PLANNING AN OUTDOOR WEDDING
BLOG POST SPONSORED BY SAINSBURY’S BANK*
PLANNING AN OUTDOOR WEDDING
With the current restrictions, we’ve seen increasing numbers of couples opting to say ‘I do’ in an outdoor wedding ceremony. Whether you’re dreaming of a micro wedding with your closest loved ones around you or planning a grand event, we share some useful tips for planning an alfresco ceremony to remember.
Check out this Guide to Planning an Outdoor Wedding by Sainsbury’s Bank Blog.
THE LEGAL BITS
First up, check the legalities and official rules for the country you are marrying in. If you’re getting married in Scotland, you can get married anywhere you choose. If your wedding is to be held in Wales or England, you need to have the ceremony in a fixed, permanent structure such as verandah, beach hut or bandstand. Some couples choose to hold an outdoor ceremony and legalise the marriage the next day. Chat with your wedding planner, celebrant or local authority if you’re unsure.
SEASONAL BACKDROPS
The beauty of an outdoor wedding is that you can embrace what nature has to offer and opt for a wedding inspired by the season it will be held in. Think of a gorgeous autumnal wedding with impressive colours and folliage creating a stunning backdrop to your ceremony (hello gorgeous wedding photos); or if you’re a sun-seeker, a summer wedding on the beach could be a perfect choice.
If you’re opting for a wedding in the warmer months, think about providing your guests with parasols, paper fans and cold refreshments to keep them comfortable in the heat.
Let’s not forget the beauty of a wedding in winter or early spring. Think warm faux fur cover-ups and sunlight highlighting a crisp icy backdrop - just stunning. Keep your guests cosy with blankets, outdoor heaters and, of course, a yummy hot chocolate station with hot toddy options for the adults.
BRING THE OUTDOORS, IN!
Love the idea of hosting your wedding outdoors, but not sure about the practicalities? Why not have the best of both worlds and hire an open-air tipi or marquee? This will allow you to make use of both the outside and inside space, and create an outdoorsy vibe with all the extra comforts. Use natural foliage and plants to decorate the inside of the tent for a rustic feel, and make sure your centerpieces are brimming with natural textures. Consider incorporating pinecones and ivy for a touch of greenery that won't wilt in the wee hours. The best part is there are no rules. You can stick to simple decor or be as creative as you like!
ARE THOSE WEDDING BELLS RINGING?
From grand weddings on the grounds of luxury country houses to intimate woodland weddings with a few special guests, at The Wedding Guru - Oskar, we’ve planned them all. Let us help you make your dreams a reality with our bespoke planning services.
HOW TO PLAN A LAST MINUTE WEDDING - 7 step guide by The Wedding Guru Oskar
HOW TO PLAN A LAST MINUTE WEDDING
Lately the majority of my wedding enquiries are based on short timelines and micro weddings, which is completely understandable under the current regulations.
This is why I have decided to give you some quick wins on how to plan your last-minute weddings effectively.
Check out my full blog below as I reveal to you my 7 steps guide.
If you’re currently considering a micro wedding that you would like to take place within the next 2-3 months and don’t know where to start, contact me today. I’m sure we can come up with a great plan together.
LEGALITIES
In my opinion your number one objective for a last-minute wedding should be your paperwork.
You want to make sure that you have all the required paperwork completed within the allocated timeline for your destination – in Scotland you need to lodge your notices with the intention of marriage, otherwise known as M10 form, no later than 29 days prior to your intended date of marriage.
This only applies if you want to make sure your wedding ceremony is legally binding – for symbolic ceremonies, this will be down to the availability of your desired celebrant.
How are you all finding the legalities and paperwork related to filing for a legally binding ceremony? Let me know in the comments below.
IDENTIFY WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU
When you’re planning for a wedding with a limited timeline, it is important for you to decide on the MUST HAVEs and things that you can forgo which won’t upset your overall vision.
The reason why this is so important is that you as much as you would want to consider everything for the most important day of your life, you don’t want to left disappointed or frustrated if it doesn’t happen due to the limited timescale.
Take one evening together and work out what’s important to you – I can promise you, this will ensure that even when planning last minute you can enjoy the process just as much.
Would you agree with this advice? Give me YES in the comments below if you do!
BUDGET
Now, that you’ve identified what’s important to you, set your budget – how much can you spend on this wedding celebration and how much are you prepared to invest into it?
You’ll need to consider your venue, legal fees (if you’re wanting a legally binding ceremony), any transport, outfits, photographer, flowers, accommodation, accessories and the list might go on and on…
What I am trying to say is that no matter the timeline or size of you wedding, you will still need to consider a lot of integral parts of this very special occasion and you don’t want to feel like you need to always compromise because of the limited timescale – setting a budget will help you achieve what you’ve planned for.
What budget would you estimate for an elopement or micro-wedding?
A – up to £1,000.00
B - £1,000 to £5,000.00
C - £5,000+
VENUE
Choosing a venue for a last-minute wedding might have its disadvantages such as availability, but also benefits such as ‘late availability deals’ which will help you to maximise the budget you have set.
Availability is of course important, so would you consider off-peak dates such as Fridays, Sundays or even Thursdays?
Is it a unique reception hall that you want for your wedding or would you rather hold your ceremony at the Registrar’s Office and host your meal in a private room at a hotel or restaurant?
Remember that no matter what you decide on – charges might apply for the hire of your venues even if it is just a Registrar’s Office.
What venues would you consider for a last minute or micro-wedding? Share your ideas in the comment box below.
SUPPLIERS
This one is an interesting matter – because normally, you would see many suppliers fully booked for years in advance.
Nowadays, you might find a lot more flexibility, however, if you’re struggling to find available suppliers – check out online wedding directories and place your enquiries through these sites with as much detail as possible - remember you don’t want to be wasting your time on follow up email asking for more details!
On the other hand, if time is precious for you and you would like to focus on other things that matter to you more, delegate this task to someone else - Wedding Planners like myself can organise a list of availability, negotiate rates and put together proposals for you within a few hours.
Would you consider sourcing suppliers though a Professional Wedding Planner? Give me YES in the comments below if you would due to limited timeline.
INVITATIONS
This one I think shouldn’t come as a surprise – designing, printing and then posting hard copy invitations might not be an option if you’ve got limited time to organise your wedding. Additionally, you wouldn’t want to wait for RSVPs in the post either – your time is precious here!
Why not use one of the web-based services widely available to send your invitations and collect your RSVPs automatically?
You can still have a say in how they will look like and what they will read, but this method simply ensures you can shorten the process and send your invitations in a matter of minutes to your entire guest list.
Have you heard of PaperlessPost.com? It gives you the first 50 online invites free and helps you collect your RSVPs. Check it out today!
DELEGATE
If you can, delegate some of the tasks so that other can help you. People like your Bridemaids, parents, siblings and friends.
You don’t want to feel overwhelmed and all those that are there to support you will be more than happy to contribute their time too.
Additionally, while looking for venues, you might want to consider those that already include or are willing to include all those important MUST HAVEs – all-inclusive packages are a great solution for your last minute wedding, so take advantage of this!
If you would like to discuss your elopement or micro-wedding with me, enquire with me today.
Useful things to consider when planning for a wedding in the Autumn!
In this blog, I decided to focus on Autumn weddings and the things you might find useful when planning for a wedding in this colourful season.
In the next few paragraphs, I would like to bring to you some of my ideas and suggestions which can add to the magical feel of this beautiful wedding season.
Are there any Brides following an Autumn theme for their wedding? Let me know in the comments where you find your inspiration for your gorgeous celebration.
COLOURS
Autumn is a beautiful, mystical and very vibrant season for weddings, especially when we consider its colours.
From late September to November we are spoilt for rich and colourful notes to the natural outdoors as well as seasonal accents to our indoors celebrations.
Why not take advantage of these vibrant colours in your décor, flowers and even outfit accents – there’s an abundance of choice for you to pick from.
Are you infusing seasonal colours in your wedding design?
WEATHER
Many couples worry about the weather conditions in the Autumn, well you’d be surprised! I’ve got brilliant news to share with you on this!
Although the temperatures drop slightly, statistically according to Met Office - Autumn in Scotland is one of the driest seasons of the year from mid-September to November, there’s less rainfall than between July and August – does that statistic surprise you?
You might want to prepare yourself for more wind on occasions though and have a contingency Plan B should things turn to the worse on the morning of your wedding if you’ve planned for outdoor elements.
Remember, autumn photos look absolutely stunning too – so plan to make the most of this opportunity!
OUTDOORS CEREMONIES
Another element of weddings that can be absolutely stunning is outdoor ceremonies if you do them correctly.
A) DON’T plan for an hour+ long ceremony outdoors in the Autumn and although it might be dry and fairly warm, it might also be windy, so you don’t want to be keeping your guests outside for too long unnecessarily
B) Always have a Plan B for wet weather contingency
C) Make the most of what nature gives you in this beautiful and colourful season
D) You might want to consider providing little blankets, rugs or shawls for your wedding guests on the ceremony chairs outdoors
Would you consider an outdoor wedding ceremony in the Autumn?
COUNTRY VENUES
Venue consideration can also add to the design of your beautiful Autumn themed wedding – many Castles, Mansion Houses and private estates are surrounded by beautiful country grounds, woodlands and parklands.
Imagine all those impressive and mature trees beaming with colours creating the stunning backdrop to your ceremony, drinks receptions and photos – you can let nature do the work of design for you 😊
If you’re going for a rustic look, you can’t pick a better season for a country estate wedding.
AUTUMN DEALS
Summer months are statistically and historically the most popular for weddings, although I’m not sure why if the forecast in the UK isn’t as promising in the summer as it might be at overseas destinations.
This means that some vendors and venues might be offering special seasonal deals and Autumn might allow you to maximise your wedding budget.
If you aren’t set on a fixed date or haven’t made a decision yet, why not ask your desired suppliers and venues about seasonal deals?
How are you finding my Autumnal wedding suggestions so far? Is there any you’ve found particularly handy?
FLOWERS
Interestingly, I come across this quite a lot lately… Couples often set their heart on certain flowers or certain #Pinterest looks and then there comes the disappointment of finding out that the flowers or the look they want to go for cannot be replicated in the season they chose for their wedding.
Some out of season flowers you want might be still sourced out of season, however, these might come with a hefty price tag for being so limited!
Therefore, I highly recommend for you to discuss seasonal flowers with your florist before looking things up online, to avoid disappointment or opt-in for artificial flowers altogether.
Interestingly, there are some very beautiful and in keeping with the colourful theme of autumn flowers for you to choose from – here’s just a short list of some of the choices you have: alstromeria, gerbera, iris, orchid polymin, chrysanthemum, sunflower, delphinium, freesia and many more.
Is it a surprise for you to know that you might not be able to replicate all floral looks all year round?
MENU
It doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone that with days becoming darker quicker in Autumn, colder, we may feel cosier on the inside with some seasonally tailored wedding menus.
Autumn is an incredible season for food and can tickle many taste buds.
In the Autumn your guests are likely to enjoy a delicious hearty meal and a full-bodied glass of red wine or cranberry vodka – what do you think of this combination?
Autumn food is all about variety, rich colours and flavours on your plate.
Imagine quail with figs and walnuts, wild mushroom and truffle arancini, venison loin in a red currant jus or spiced parsnip and red onion shepherds pie – I’m getting hungry myself!
Additionally, autumnal desserts are to die for with choices such as blackberry crumble with vanilla custard, dark chocolate orange tart or an apple pavlova 😊
Anyone hungry at the thought of these dishes?
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
It would be very optimistic for me not to touch upon the subject to dressing for the season.
If you’re considering a country estate, a farmhouse or a barn for your wedding in the Autumn, you might want to keep those gorgeous heels safe until you are in your Wedding Breakfast and Reception venue.
You might also want to equip yourself with a pair of bridal wellies for your outdoors ceremonies and photography, and although you might come across a dry day, underfoot conditions might be very different from morning frost and wet ground.
Additionally, advice especially important for our Brides, why not rock a nice chic jacket accessory to your wedding dress, which will definitely come in handy for your outdoors photos.
What other elements of the Autumn wedding wardrobe have you considered? Let us know in the comments below.
LIGHTING
Finally, there is another element you might want to think about when planning for a wedding in Autumn and this one is a very romantic element in my opinion – it’s lighting!
With days getting darker quicker, you’ll have a lot more opportunities to work with romantic and atmospheric mood lighting to set the perfect scene for your wedding breakfast and especially your evening reception.
Additionally, later in autumn, you might want to consider some fairy light, outdoor photos with sparklers or even early evening firework displays to give a clear start to your evening reception.
Imagine performing your first dance in the backdrop of fireworks or cake cutting while all your guests hold flashing sparklers in their hands – this of course is our good weather plan for the outdoors.
Are there any other elements you would consider for your autumn wedding? Let us know in the comments below.
Your ceremony reading recommendations by The Wedding Guru Oskar
YOUR CEREMONY READING RECOMMENDATIONS
by The Wedding Guru Oskar
Before we get started with my ceremony readings recommendations, I wanted to let you know about my weekly Facebook Lives Interviews with my expert guest speakers on Thursdays at 6pm.
If you’ve missed my previous sessions - you can access them all on my YouTube channel by clicking on the image above.
All my Facebook Live Interviews are streamed live on Thursdays at 6pm on my Facebook Page and in my Facebook Group - follow the links to subscribe.
As it stands, in majority of cases, only small marriage registrations and ceremonies are permitted at the moment and there’s quite a few couples I’ve been working with recently on their intimate ceremony arrangements.
This is why, I thought to share with you some of my ceremony reading recommendation in the following paragraphs.
Have you picked your ceremony readings already? Or have you got a favourite reading in mind?
Feel free to share your ideas in the comments below to help other couples with inspiration.
The first recommendation that I would like to propose is a reading from Stephen Curtis Chapman – “I will be here”.
What do you think about this reading option?
Let me know in the comments below.
The second recommendation that I would like to share with you is “Maybe” by an Unknown author.
It is a lovely tale about how varied ways love can be found.
Have you found your favourite reading yet? Comment YES in the comment box below.
In this paragraph, I would like to bring to you a reading from Jim Reeves – “I love you because”.
It’s almost an ode to the reasons why we love - it can help you voice your gratitude for the one you love in your ceremony.
Have you considered this type of reading for your ceremony?
Are you a fan of books, films and music/song lyrics?
Well… I’m not sure if you knew already, but you can also incorporate them into your ceremonies.
How about “Les Miserable” by Victor Hugo?
I find this reading having so much depth to why we love – what do you think?
You might have also noticed that I am sucker for an inspirational quote and if you can’t decide on a full reading, why not research your favourite quotes on love?
When I was younger, I used to hold a journal of my favourite quote which still sit proudly in my Mum’s book cabinets.
One quote from this journal remains my favourite to this day and it is from AA Milne – “Winnie the Pooh”.
Don’t you just love it?
Another reading I would like to propose to you is “Love” by Roy Croft.
It is such a beautiful reading – don’t you think?
It almost an ode of gratitude to the one we love – it could make a beautiful start or end to the wedding ceremony in my opinion – what do you think?
Finally, I would like to go down the memory lane to my own wedding in 2018 and this is a yet another proof that you don’t need to stick to poetry if it doesn’t feel right for your special day.
We’ve decided to start our ceremony with an extract from “Nightmare before Christmas” – it just felt like us and made the perfect entrance to the vows we were about to exchange.
What do you think of this choice? If you would like some help with the choice of readings for your ceremony, speak to your celebrant or wedding planner – we’ve got plenty suggestions at the ready for you!
Lastly, I would also like to share one more piece for your reading list – “Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns.
Our wedding overall was rich in our two cultures and infused into all areas of our wedding day. This is why the reading from Robert Burn felt right again and allowed us to pay respects to the Scottish heritage of our friends and family.
Once again, this piece has a very ode like feeling to it, don’t you think?
If there’s any other readings you’ve used or like to recommend to the couples following my page – pop them in the comments below or send me a message in the forms below.
Effective ways to plan your wedding guest list - by The Wedding Guru Oskar!
EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PLAN YOUR WEDDING GUEST LIST
In response to one of the most recent requests on how to plan your guest list, I decided to come up with my own outlook on how you can best tackle this daunting for many task.
In the following paragraphs I am sharing with you my top tips on planning a guest list.
As always, feel free to share your own opinions in the comments below as we all might have different and just as useful approaches.
START EARLY
For those of you that already know me and follow me for a while – you might be right – it’s to START it EARLY!
I don’t believe any of you would want to start wedding planning without knowing who your wedding guests are.
Additionally, having this list started before you’ve even approached any suppliers or venues can become very useful for many reasons including budgeting, venue and supplier’s suitability, catering etc., etc.
The reality is with most things in wedding planning that the more work you do early, the easier things will get closer to your wedding day and ultimately, knowing your guest list inside out, will help you design your wedding day better.
Have you started your wedding planning with a guest list first?
THE SPLIT
The next thing I would focus on in planning your guest list is to divvy up the split between yourselves and your family, especially if your parents or family are supporting your wedding efforts financially.
It might also be important to discuss this element early, so that you understand the scale of your wedding, set the expectations of numbers each person can invite and only consider those venues, suppliers and caterers that can accommodate for your numbers.
I’ve been there! Many families want to invite all those important to them guests, however, the reality of budgets, venue capacities and catering can be a lot different, this is why, it is important to ensure you’ve all agreed on your split early on, in order to avoid disappointment further down the line.
Do you find conversations with the family about your wedding a little overwhelming? I’ve been there too! Everyone has their opinion, right? But, is everyone right? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
LIST A & LIST B
My next tip for managing your guest list is to have two wedding guests lists… and you might think – why do I need two guest lists? Allow me to explain the logic behind this for you…
LIST A will include all those guests that are a must at your wedding, and therefore you might want to send those invitations early.
LIST B on the other hand, is for those guests that you might really want to invite to the wedding, but due to budget constraints or venue capacity limitation you physically cannot. This is also why, you might want to send your LIST A invitations early, so that should you receive any declined RSVPs from this list, you might want to start inviting your guests in the order of importance from your LIST B without upsetting anyone.
What do you think of this idea? Let me know in the comments below.
POLITE RESPONSE
This next tip might come in very handy as you are meeting people who you haven’t invited to your wedding and they have “expected” an invitation.
This might come up in conversations as you attend other family, work or friend’s events in the lead up to your special day – after all, everyone will know you’re getting married.
It is important to have a polite response why you’ve been unable to invite them, and you don’t want to upset them.
Should they challenge you with this question, make them feel like you really wanted to invite them, but you simply couldn’t. Making them feel like you were cutting them out, might not go down as well…
How about: “We really wanted to celebrate with absolutely everyone – wouldn’t that be fun? It is because of our venue limitations; we’ve had to keep things smaller than we initially wanted and we’ve just fallen in love with the place!”
Would you have any other suggestions? Share them in the comments below.
CHILDREN
Including or not including children to your wedding is always a hot topic and I can understand why you might be having this dilemma.
The reality is that you don’t have to have children at your wedding, but you must make this decision very early on and make it crystal clear if you’ve decided not to have children at your wedding.
Some couples advise of this in Save the Date cards, meaning that families can make early arrangements for childcare and this does not come to them as a surprise if your invitations are only sent out a few months before your wedding date.
If you decide to invite children to attend your wedding, your next task will be to figure out how you’re going to keep them amazed, entertained and occupied – simply catering for them will not do the trick I’m afraid!
EVENING GUESTS
Guest list planning might also involve considering evening reception guests for some couples.
Once again, this will very much depend on your budgets and venue capacities, so you might want to make this decision quite early on.
Most of the time those invitations are reserved for your work collages or plus ones if you’re limited in capacity for your daytime celebrations.
Would you consider inviting evening guests to your wedding? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
TABLE PLANNING
The next step you would like to make in planning your guest list is to arrange it into tables.
To help you with that, you might want to ask for a sample room layout from your venue, so that you know where the tables go and in what order you want to seat your guests from your top table – if you are having one.
There are many table planning services out there, including My Scotland Wedding who can help you with that, easily and effectively.
The reasons behind doing it earlier rather than at the point of RSVPs deadline is that within the last month prior to your wedding, you’ll have many confirmations to make and your pre-organised table plan which will only need small adjustments at that point, will be one less thing you’ll need to worry about.
Statistically, your numbers will only change by up to 10% at the point of your RSVPs, so it makes sense to get yourself organised early.
More importantly, I’ve heard many couples saying that table planning is a time-consuming task and you don’t want to leave it to the last minute. It’s not about physically adding guests to tables (because that’d be easy) and more about making sure that your tables work in terms of capacity, table dynamics, family politics, etc.
Would you rather plan your tables early, or would you choose to wait until you get your RSVPs? Let me know in the comments below.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
When planning your guest list you will also need to consider your guests dietary and special requirements.
The reason why I haven’t only used dietary requirements is that your guests might have other requirements that it is important to 1) acknowledge and 2) accommodate for within your venue or setup.
All caterers nowadays can cater for all dietary requirements, so don’t worry about communicating those to them and they will ensure you guests are well looked after.
RSVP SUBMISSIONS
My next tip on planning for your guest list relates mostly to online RSVP software, although can also relate to paper RSVPs too.
There are many RSVP management software providers out there these days, however, what is often forgotten about (and I’ve seen this many times), they are not always set to one response per submission, meaning that you might end up with a one submission for the entire family and then you’re left which checking who that “vegetarian guest” is in this and many other submissions… make sure you check the setting in advance of sending out the link to your guests.
This can also apply to paper RSVPs and the best way to avoid this happening, is to send out individually named RSVPs. This also reinstates exactly who has been invited to the wedding – remember the tip about not inviting children or not, this could work as a reminder.
Have you heard of multiple RSVP submissions per form before? Let me know in the comments below.
MENU
Another thing you might want to consider adding to your guest list plan is to send out your menu or the link to it in your invitation.
This will avoid guests changing their mind on the day of the wedding if you have opted for a set menu and will allow them to select the alternative option suitable for dietary requirements – this makes things a lot more organised in advance of your special day.
Additionally, this is particularly important if you’re planning for a choice menu – again one submission per form is critical here too!
Would you add anything else to your invitations to ensure everyone is catered and accommodated for? Let me know in the comments below.
DEADLINE
Setting a deadline for your invitations for 2-1 months before your wedding, will give you more time to organise them clearly.
This deadline will also give you the time for chasing late responses and organising your table plan before you need to focus on the final confirmations for your wedding in the last few weeks before the big date.
Would you agree with this deadline?
UPDATES
Your next step after receiving your RSVPs would be to update your tables plan.
If you have been organised as previously advised in my latest posts, you should have your guests provisionally added to tables already.
This should mean small alterations rather than starting from scratch and from a long large list of guests and taking into consideration all other aspects of good table planning.
If you would like to find out more about how to manage your wedding planning time more effectively, follow this link for my FREE 3 step guide.
CHANGES
Finally, if you have followed my guest list planning tips lately, you will already know that I like a no-hassle approach for my couples and therefore my last tip for you is not to discuss or share your final table plan with anyone in the lead up to your big day!
This will prevent from last minute headaches caused by guests “politely requesting” to be seated elsewhere because of XYZ reasons.
These last-minute changes are the last thing you need when you’re finalising everything else for your special day and you’ve already worked so hard in making sure you’ve considered everyone by this point.
Now, it’s time for you to enjoy your special day and see your guests having a great time! You’ve done a cracking job! Well done! Now, go and enjoy it all!
Bridal Preparation Advice by The Wedding Guru Oskar
BRIDAL PREPARATION ADVICE BY THE WEDDING GURU OSKAR
Many Brides often wonder how the morning of their wedding could look like and although it might often seem like an organised chaos, there’s a few things you can consider in preparation to your special day.
Over the next few paragraphs, I will be bringing to you a list of things that will make this process easier and more relaxed, so that you can enjoy this moment of pampering before your all-important marriage ceremony.
Is there any part of the morning of the wedding you’re most concerned about or looking forward to?
Let me know your thoughts on this subject in the comments below – the more the merrier and many Brides might find your personal opinion useful!
LIST OF JOBS
My number one advice is to create a list of jobs which you can delegate to your Maid of Honour, Bridesmaids, your Groom-to-be, Best Man, Ushers, Parents, etc.
You won’t be able to do it all by yourself and you don’t have to! There’s a reason why you’ve selected these important people to give you a helping hand on the most important day of your life!
Trust me, they’ll also love having the responsibility and being involved.
It might also be a good idea to have these lists printed for them and given out on the morning of the wedding.
GOOD NIGHT SLEEP
This applies to Brides or Grooms, having stag dos or hen dos on the night prior to your wedding is definitely not a good idea, nor is it staying up late, and although you might have a lot going through your head, try and relax and put your head to rest at a reasonable time.
Your wedding day goes fast but it is also a long day with most preparations starting around 8am.
There are many solutions that might help you relax on the night prior to your wedding such as essential oils, relaxing music or ambient lighting.
Have you got any suggestions on how best to relax before your sleep? Remember sharing is caring and all advice can be found helpful!
BREAKFAST
Don’t underestimate a good base and start to your day!
This is particularly important and although you might not feel like eating much, make sure you have what you enjoy for breakfast and that is also fairly filling, as your first meal after that will be your Wedding Breakfast, normally served around 5pm.
You simply don’t want to be feeling faintly, hungry or dehydrated on the day of your wedding, so please make sure you take this part seriously!
If you’re planning to nibble on things throughout the day – it might be useful to purchase the same lipstick your make up artist will be using on the morning of your wedding, for touch ups.
THE SPACE
It is very important to consider the space you’ll be getting ready in too!
Does it have plenty daylight? Does it have easy access to the bathroom? Is it large enough for your group? Is it equipped with enough of and correct furnishings for hair and make up?
If you’ve decided to get ready at your venue – has it got a dedicated room which is setup for this purpose?
Have you decided if you’ll be getting ready at home or at your venue?
TIMINGS
It is imperative to get your timings right, because you do not want to feel rushed on the morning of your wedding. You want to create as much of a relaxing atmosphere as possible, right?
Good idea is to put your hair and make up teams in touch with each other and listen to their advice – they’ll know exactly how much time will be needed to make sure you’ve also got some spare time for breaks and any emergencies.
There are also businesses out there that provide a full service in one place for you – if you’re not sure of how to “marry” the two together, you might want to consider that option too.
DRESSES
It is advisable to keep your dresses out of the bags and hang as high as possible to let the fabric breath.
If your dresses need to be transported on the morning of your wedding, you might need to place them in a steamy shower room to get rid of the creases from transport.
On the other hand, if you will need to arrange for steaming service for the morning of your wedding, make sure you arrange this well in advance as a lot of dry-cleaning businesses will be closed at the weekends.
Additionally, you might want to keep your dress as far away from any make up and bring in a specialist to help you get in your dress when you’re ready. Remember, your Bridesmaids might have never done this before and they will also be wearing make up already.
Is there anything else you’d add to the care necessary to look after your wedding dress on the morning of your wedding? Comment below!
GATEKEEPER & PEACEMAKERS
Having a dedicated person or a Wedding Planner on the morning of your wedding can save you many unnecessary conversations or “helpful” visits. The less people helping, the better too!
Nobody will question if your Mum or Wedding Planner opens the doors and says you’re busy with the photographer 😊
A few years ago, when I was assisting a Bride, all was going to plan until the zip on one of the bridesmaid dresses broke off completely! The only option was to sew her in. I took on this challenge, having stocked my pockets with a sewing kit. My skills must have been rather good as the thread wasn’t visible and lasted well until the night. The bride and I still giggle over this.
MARRIAGE SCHEDULE
I’ve seen this forgotten about so many times especially when the ceremony is held at a venue.
Somebody must be made responsible to bring your marriage schedule on the morning of your wedding to the venue.
Without it, legal marriage cannot take place, and this is another reason why delegating jobs in advance is so important.
Would you add anything else to my list of preparations to the morning of your wedding day?
Finally, ENJOY IT!
It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have this experience!
If you’ve taken care of all previously mentioned steps, you should have a fabulous morning, filled with heartfelt words, beautiful emotions, improvised toasts and plenty chat, giggles, fizz and nibbles.
As mentioned previously, the day goes within a blink of an eye, so take the time to capture mental snapshots of it all.
Now, go on, put that gorgeous dress on and meet your guests and most importantly, nervously awaiting your arrival other half!
Useful things to be aware of when planning for a wedding in Scotland!
Useful things to be aware of when planning for a wedding in Scotland!
Scottish weddings in particular, might be slightly different to other traditions you might be aware of, especially when you’re planning a destination wedding in Scotland – this might also be useful for our English friends beyond Hadrian’s wall who plan to get married in Scotland.
Wedding Day Schedule
Unlike in some other parts of the world, it is considered unlucky in Scotland for the couple to see one another before the official wedding ceremony so if you’re used to first look photos, this might come to you as a surprise that here, we start with separately taken preparations photos and official couple photos post-ceremony. This is why, traditionally ceremonies in Scotland start between 12 noon and 2pm, although a professional wedding planner can tailor a wedding day schedule specifically to your desired outcomes.
Ceremonies
You might be surprised that neither civil nor religious ceremonies are the most popular forms of legal marriage registration here… that’s right! Scotland, unlike England (although we’re all in the UK) is one of those very few places in the world where Humanist and Independent ceremonies take over the traditional forms of legal marriage registration, the reason for that is that couples have a lot more freedom and can personalise their ceremony a lot more when choosing a Humanist or Independent Celebrant to conduct their legal ceremony. And, it is the celebrant that carries the license, that is why in Scotland you can marry at the top of a hill, outdoors, indoors or in a family backyard – how could you not love this level of flexibility and freedom, right?
Gratuity
It is not as popularly considered at weddings as it is in other parts of the world and if you do decide to offer gratuity to your suppliers or venue in the UK, it is considered a very generous thank you gesture for an excellent service you’ve received. Remember that in the UK, minimum wages and unit prices are regulated that is why some services or products might seem more expensive than in other parts of the world.
Wedding world language
WOW, this is indeed a very exciting topic! For us in the UK, phrases such as Wedding Breakfast, Drinks Reception, Canapes, etc. are so obvious nowadays, however, they might not be as obvious for those couples who are starting to learn about our traditions, so let me bring to you a few of those phrases and their alternatives:
Wedding Breakfast - named as this for it is the first meal for a married couple, it is in fact - a Wedding Meal
Drinks Reception – otherwise known as the Cocktail Hour, this one take place post-ceremony when guests are entertained with canapes and drinks, giving the couple time for professional photography and venue the time to turn things round or complete the final setup touches
Buttonhole – otherwise known as Boutonniere, often floral decorative piece worn by men on their left lapel
Canapes – also known as Hors d’oeuvres, often taster sized savory or sweet refreshments served during the Drinks Reception
Starter / Main Course – might be also referred to as Appetisers / Entree
Chief Bridesmaid – often referred to as Maid (single) or Matron (married) of Honor, the most important person in Bride’s line of Wedding Party, normally assisting the Bride and standing right beside her during the ceremony
Open Bar – term a lot more popular in the Americas, as alcohol sales in the UK are a lot more restricted and regulated with venue licenses, minimum unit pricing and alcohol measures. In the UK, this might be referred to as an Account Bar, where couple pre-pays or pre-orders additional drinks for the guests to enjoy through the wedding day in accordance with the above-mentioned regulations
Additional charges
Some venues and vendors in the UK might charge an additional security deposit which is to cover any damages, normally refundable, but it is important you are aware of this so you’re not surprised last minute that you’ve got to have this amount put aside in addition to your final payments
Additionally, some venues and vendors might or might not include taxes such as VAT in their quotes – so make sure you always ask the question as standard VAT in the UK is 20%, which again could affect your wedding budget especially if this relates to venue hire or catering
Seasonality
In the UK, we’re both, blessed and coursed by the weather conditions, but you would always want to have a bad weather Plan B in place, no matter if your wedding takes place in June, July or December, January – I in fact got married in January and had a lot nicer day for my wedding then that of the first two weeks of June this year.
Additionally, you might want to consider the benefits of daylight – once again we’re blessed with it in the summer and cursed with it in the winter. Because of the far north location of Scotland (similar to that of Norway) we can enjoy up to 18 hours of sun in the summer months and as little as 6 hours of sun light in the middle of the winter, so this is particularly important when considering venues and locations for your wedding photography – also important to consider this in your wedding day schedule.
Suggested Wedding Planning Timelines
Suggested Wedding Planning Timelines
Couples often ask me about suggested wedding planning timelines and although these may vary dependent on your personalised requirements and preferences, I’d like to share with you some of my recommended steps you should take in the lead up to your special day.
12 MONTHS OR MORE…
- Determine your budget
- Make an initial guest list
- Setup a wedding email address
- Book a venue (and caterers)
- Send SAVE THE DATES
- Start considering your overall theme and design preferences
- Contact those important suppliers about availability – i.e. Photographer / Videographer; Band / DJ / Entertainment and Music supplier; Ceremony Officiant…
Can you say you agree with my first tasks for your wedding planning timeline shared above? Let me know in the comments below.
Now, you will be wondering what’s next in my suggested wedding planning timeline! Well…
12 TO 10 MONTHS BEFORE…
- Start shopping for your dress
- Consider accommodation options for your guests
- Create a wedding website with an FAQ section which you can update regularly (Trust me! It’ll save you plenty time by not having to answer the same questions over and over again)
- Book your important suppliers
- Start looking up invitations’ ideas
- Choose and assign immediate Wedding Party
Would you add anything to this list?
We’ve now explored two big steps in your wedding planning timeline and now we’ll be looking at tasks you should consider -
10 TO 8 MONTHS BEFORE…
- Purchase your wedding dress – remember it takes time to make your dream dress and there’ll be more fittings and alterations along the way
- Register for a Gift List so it is ready to send along with your invitations
- Meet with potential florists and discuss floral options
Does that sound like a fair list of tasks for 10 to 8 months before your special day? Let me know in the comments below.
Now, we’ll be looking as tasks and projects you should consider around the six months mark.
Here are some ideas, I’ve prepared for you:
8 TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE…
- Consider if you’d like a rehearsal dinner and who you’ll invite to it; what venue you want for it and caterer
- Start booking hire items such as linens, chairs, draping, bespoke dance floor, lounge furniture and any other décor pieces
- Choose and order your Bridesmaids dresses
- Book your hair and make up
- Start considering your wedding day music choices and ceremony readings
- Discuss your ceremony script, vows and ask for advice on requirements for marriage license with your Officiant
Would you add anything else to this list?
The last six months is when your wedding plans will start shaping up and picking up speed and I’m sure you’ll be proud of the efforts you’ve already put to your plan!
The next vital steps in your exciting wedding planning journey will be taking place in
6 TO 4 MONTHS BEFORE…
- Book your menu tasting
- Book yours and guests’ transportation (if required)
- Book and confirm your honeymoon arrangements
- Order Menswear and book final fittings for all the outfits
- Order your cake and wedding favours
- Post your invitations
- Review and update your ceremony script and vows
- Choose and order your wedding rings
How are you finding this wedding plan so far? Would you find it easy to follow and execute or would you consider hiring a Wedding Planner to help and guide you through it?
It must feel good to have achieved so much in the last two months of your wedding planning, right?
For many couples wedding planning is the first and only project of this volume they’ll be responsible for, but it can be exciting and fun when it is broken down into more manageable plan.
What do you think you should be doing
4 TO 2 MONTHS BEFORE?...
- Attend your menu tasting
- Attend Hair and Make Up Trail
- Start crafting any DIY pieces you’ve planned for
- Start practicing your speeches and vows
- Update your guest list
- Ensure you’ve fulfilled all the legal requirements for your marriage license
- Start shopping for your wedding party gifts
Don’t you feel the excitement building in the air by this point? Let me know in the comments below if you’ve arrived here already?
Now, the time has come to start finalising things for your very important and special day – don’t forget, this doesn’t need to be stressful, because you’ve already achieved so much! Can you see it?
2 MONTHS BEFORE…
In the second last month before your special day you should focus on:
- Type up a list of must-take wedding photo shots
- Attend a dress fitting and try on those gorgeous wedding shoes to start breaking them in
- Finalise arrangements with your florist and event designer
- Supply your song selection to ceremony musicians, DJ and/or Band
- Purchase final wedding day bits and bobs
How would you feel at this stage in your wedding planning? Very excited, right?
1 MONTH BEFORE…
In the final month prior to your wedding there will be a lot of final details admin, but worry not, you’ve got it!
Your final months before wedding will likely consist of:
- Assembling favours, activity packs and little bits and bobs into organised and clearly labeled boxes or bags
- Arranging final payments with your suppliers, venue and caterers
- Finalising guest list, orders of service, speeches and ceremony script
- Having a final run through with your Wedding Planner and venue
- Confirming a final run through of your special day and sharing all important contact details with your suppliers
YAY! You did it! Now, it’s a matter of days to your most amazing wedding day! You must be proud of yourself!
1 WEEK BEFORE…
Finally, there might be a few final tings you’ll need to do in the week leading up to your celebrations, so why not plan for these too:
- Pick up your marriage schedule (if required)
- Arrange a drop off time for your wedding DIY items, favours, activity packs, table stationary etc.
- Pack your bags for the honeymoon
- Attend final dress fitting and collect your dress
- Treat yourself to final cosmetic treatments
- Practice your vows and speeches
and… drumroll… GET MARRIED AND BE JOLLY!
Now, it’s the time to enjoy all the hard work you’ve put into your wedding plan!
Is there anything else I could explore for you in my next projects? Email me at oskar@theweddingguruoskar.co.uk or let me know in the comments below.
Things NOT to miss for your wedding ceremony!
Did you like the post-lockdown trends I have explored for you in my last blog?
I have now decided to focus on something more practical and share with you my advice about the most important element of your wedding - your ceremony.
There'd be no wedding without it, so I'd like to give it some much deserved attention in the coming days, so stay tuned in and watch out for my tips rolling in day by day for you.
LOCATION
Firstly, let's focus on the location...
You might think that this is a personal choice and an obvious element to consider first, but why?
Venue ceremony licences believe it or not vary across the UK and for instance, in England your desired and dreamt about venue might not be licensed to host your legal ceremony.
Some venues might also charge you an additional ceremony fee and in some cases holding ceremony and reception in the same or different venue might offer you some benefits, such as an option to re-purpose your decorations or reallocate your budget towards other elements of your wedding.
Finally, if you're dreaming of an outdoors ceremony - have you considered what your contingency is on a wet day? Have you given much in-depth thought to your ceremony location?
CEREMONY OFFICIANT
Ceremony officiant is another area of your wedding ceremony you will need to focus on.
Dependent on your wedding destination you might be able to consider an independent or religious ceremony which are legally binding, however, there are destination in which you might need to do marriage registration separate from your religious or independent ceremony.
Moreover, civil ceremonies are traditionally a lot shorter and less personalised, so you might need to think if this option is for you. Normally, you will also not get to choose your civil Registrar and will only meet him/her on the day of your wedding.
If you choose to have an independent, humanist or religious ceremony, you'll have a lot more choice and say in the format of your ceremony, however, you must remember that their availability might be limited so I highly recommend aligning your plans with their availability and booking them as one of the first ones.
Did you expect to have to give so much consideration to your ceremony?
MARRIAGE LEGALITIES AND REQUIREMENTS
Legal parts of your ceremony are particularly important if you're planning for a destination wedding.
There might be certain local regulations that you will need to fulfil in order to carry out a legally binding ceremony registration, so it is worth contacting your designated Registration Office at your destination to find out more details.
Some couples choose to obtain legal registration on their home ground before travelling for their symbolic ceremony at a foreign destination to avoid any legal complications.
Remember that no matter the destination or location of your ceremony, you will be required to give notice of your intend to marry, this notice period vary dependent on local laws and regulations.
All in all, you want to ensure that you do everything required of you to have a legally binding marriage.
How do you feel about the rules and regulations on marriage? Let me know in the comments below.
CEREMONY MUSIC
Ceremony music is incredibly important to consider early on, especially if you'd like your ceremony to be accompanied by a live music from a harpist, string quarter, pianist, Piper... you name it - they get booked up years in advance too.
Music at ceremonies is often used to fill those important gaps, such as marriage schedule signing, group photographs or simply accompanying hymns or readings.
This is why you might want to consider what music pieces you'd like for your ceremony, when they are to be played and how they will be played, from the beginning of your wedding planning journey.
If you're choosing pre-recorded music for your ceremony, ensure you've got the appropriate equipment for this and that you've got a reliable person briefed on how to work your device and your playlists.
Have you given much through to your ceremony music? Let me know in the comments below.
CEREMONY READINGS
What are your thoughts on readings and hymns at wedding ceremonies?
With humanist ceremonies becoming the most popular in Scotland, personalised readings and hymns are highly encouraged.
Couples aren't only limited to a small selection of readings at it happens with civil or religious ceremonies, they can in fact pick and choose their preferred items for this.
Two years ago at our wedding, we've incorporated "A Red, Red Rose" by the Scottish poet Robert Burn.
What poem or reading comes to your mind first when thinking of your wedding ceremony? Have you got any favourites?
CEREMONY SCRIPT AND VOWS
Ceremony script and wedding vows writing has become a lot more popular in recent years and with more independent and humanist ceremonies taking place around the world, you can now not only personalise your vows, but also write your entire ceremony script with the help of your celebrant - something that Tim Maguire - Humanist Celebrant shared with you on a few occasions now in my online wedding fayres and instagram take overs.
Would you like your ceremony script and vows to be personal and written by you and about you?
This is definitely something you could now consider in humanist and independent ceremonies.
CEREMONY DECORATING
Ceremony decorating is another topic I wanted to touch upon with you, especially from a logistical stand point.
Some venues might offer early setup and some might not be able to do so. This is why it is important to ensure you check your venues' setup capabilities in advance of committing to logistically challenging setup arrangements.
Additionally, it is important to check with your venue about any other limitations such as height, wall decorating, fixtures etc. to avoid disappointment.
Finally, you can definitely see you wedding budget stretch further if you decide to re-purpose your ceremony decorations - you will also need to consider the logistics of that. Will your venue be able to do so or will you need your florist to stay longer for the turnaround?
CEREMONY SEATING AND PROCESSION ORDER
Have you considered your ceremony seating and processional arrangements?
Will you be offering your guests formal or informal seating and if it is formal who will be responsible to ensure this happens correctly?
The same questions relates to Bridal processions:
- will you be going in first or last?
- will your Bridesmaids be entering with ushers or alone?
- will your Mum be seated by Best Man?
- will you be having flower girls and page boys?
- what will be the order of procession?
Have you given much thought to this and did you know there was so much choice? Let me know in the comments below.
TRANSPORTATION
I often ask couples how their guests are arriving to the ceremony, because, there's so much to consider for it.
If your ceremony and reception take place across two different venues - how will your guests move between them? .
If your venue is in the city centre, the question falls on distance from the nearest airport, train station and supply of car parking spaces.
You would also want to ensure that your guests don't arrive to the venue too early or two late and vice versa that you don't arrive to the venue too early or too late.
I remember once in my career having Bride and her entourage 30 minutes in advance of the ceremony - I sent them on "a city sightseeing tour" until all the guests were seated 😁
Finally, always consider your travel arrangements, timings and distance if you're arriving to the venue in a car from a longer distance on the day of your wedding.
WEDDING GIFTS AND CARDS
One element of the ceremony is often forgotten about by wedding couples - gifts and cards.
Although wedding lists are particularly popular for weddings these days, your guests might still decide to bring along a symbolic congratulations card or a personalised gift along to the wedding.
The question is - what happens with these? Who will look after them and how will they be safely stored?
I highly recommend a safe deposit space or facility and to allocate one responsible Usher or wedding party member to help you look after these on the day of your wedding.
How did you find my ceremony tips in this blog post? Have you found them useful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or simply comment YES!
Curious about post-lockdown / 2021 wedding trends? Check out this blog!
Recently, there’s been quite a lot of discussion about when the lockdown will really end for group gatherings and events such as weddings. The signals we’re currently being sent is that larger gatherings won’t take place before the end of 2020, so realistically, we’ll now be considering new trends for weddings for 2021.
Below, I present to you some of the ideas I think will be particularly popular for 2021 considering the increase in “wedding” related searches on Google and in social media in the past few weeks.
Before I start, have you heard of my 2nd Online Wedding Fayre going LIVE at 11am on Sunday 17th May 2020?
This event is a must see Facebook Live for those couples that are continuously wedding planning during lockdown. The last time, this virtual and LIVE alternative wedding exhibition/open day was seen over 1,500 times and attracted couples from as far away as Hong Kong, Canada, Australia and other locations around the world to watch our expert guest speakers giving their advice answering live questions in Q&As.
CLICK the button below to sign up now:
2021 - THE BUSIEST YEAR IN HISTORY
With 2/3 of 2020 weddings already postponed to 2021 in addition to the existing bookings for that year, we will observe a wedding boom next year like never before. This also means that you can be expecting the highest number of mid-week invitations in history.
LIVE STREAMING
LIVE streaming has become a bit of an everyday reality for us now and with some potential travel restrictions carrying on into 2021, we might see a lot more remote families and elderly guests tuning in to LIVE streamed wedding ceremonies, speeches and first dances - have you considered this option for your wedding?
CREATIVE AND DIY DECOR
Inevitably, we’ve all found ourselves having a lot more time to dig deeper into wedding planning including creative and new designs that are intended to impress our wedding guests - so we can be expecting a lot of surprises and a lot more couples will use their time in lockdown to challenge themselves to do some additional wedding DIY. We can already see increase in tutorials on YouTube, Pinterest and IGTV on how to prepare wedding related decorations and surprises, so expect the unexpected!
LOCALLY INSPIRED AND PERSONALISED MENUS
Change to supply is already very clear with disruption to international transport and deliveries, in addition to growing concerns for the British home-grown produce. In 2021, we will be observing couples turning to and requesting locally sourced menus once again. ‘Local’ and ‘Seasonal’ will be the buzzwords of 2021.
A lot more couples will also opt for family favourites, especially with desserts once again complemented by seasonal British fruit. How do you like the sound of this British infusion in your wedding menu?
ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCES
The words that come to my mind when thinking of the conversations with wedding couples about their wedding day - is to provide an unforgettable experience to their guests in a relaxed and fun setup.
I think that in the age of social media - we’re more inclined to focus on these once in a life time experiences that will remain in our memories forever.
SUSTAINABILITY AND MEANINGFUL RITUALS
We will be observing a lot more couples wanting to reduce on the carbon footprint with wedding websites instead of invitations, set menus instead of buffet to reduce wastage and a complete ban on plastic.
Additionally, couples will move towards the meaningful rituals including choosing local churches for their ceremonies, hosting weddings on family grounds or tree planting and using flowers and plants that can be replanted post-ceremony or wedding reception.
I personally really like this consideration for how your wedding will affect the world around you and what it will stand for over time - wouldn’t it be lovely to look at that tree you planted on your special day in the years to come?
TIK TOK ANYONE?
How many of you have joined the heat of Tik Tok during lockdown? With more time on our hands than ever before, we can be expecting a lot more fun and creative Tik Tok inspired first dances. Do you dare join the challenge of choreographing your first dance and impressing your guests with it?
P.S. Looking for tips on how to save your time while wedding planning? Check out my latest 3 steps guide today!
Creative ideas for your lockdown wedding anniversary!
I have recently talked about what you could do if your wedding got postponed and since then one of my former couples approached me asking what I recommend they do for their anniversary, as their plans also got cancelled and they still want to celebrate, but before I go into more details…
Have you heard about my brand new FREE guide - “3 Mistakes to Avoid while Wedding Planning - Expert Advice for Busy Couples”?
CLICK the button below to download your FREE copy today:
I thought the subject of creative ideas for lockdown wedding anniversaries could be interesting for many reasons to you too and this is why I wanted share them with you, so I am starting with something I might also do during this quarantine with my hubby - create a wedding memorabilia scrapbook!
I got married over two years ago now and I still have boxes from our wedding in cupboards. I think it happens to us all, whether we go on honeymoon right away or not, when we return to work, we all get busy and these little memories wait for some free time to arrange them all.
There's simply no better time than now to go through it all and create these beautiful scrapbooks, photo albums, picture frames and other things we've been planning to organise for so long!
Imagine how romantic it would be to read out your vows once again to one another on your wedding anniversary 😍
What do you think of this ideas? I always wonder how many couples would remember or save the wording of their ceremony vows.
Who doesn't like a nice spa treatment?
I think we all know the answer to this question! So, why not treat one another with an at-home spa treatment! Brilliant idea, right?
How many of you will give this idea a LIKE?
I think that this - 1) gives couples an opportunity to spend time pampering one another and who doesn't like that? and 2) a brilliant opportunity to unwind and relax.
Why not pop open that bottle of bubbly you've been saving for a special occasion?
Or maybe you've not had that signature cocktail from your wedding day since your special day? Treat yourself!
There's no rule against raising a glass and toast to spending the rest of your lives together again!
Simply, celebrate in style your at-home anniversary this year!
Finally, how about dressing up in your wedding outfits once again and in the comfort of your own house, dance your first dance once more?
How romantic would that be, right?
Most importantly, would you still remember all the steps?
Hit the LIKE button if you liked my ideas on how you could celebrate your anniversary during the current lockdown.
Fell free to also share your ideas, photos and stories in the comments below - I LOVE A LOVE STORY!
P.S. If you would like to learn brand new ideas daily, simply follow me on Instagram today - @theweddingguru_oskar
THANK YOU for attending our Online Wedding Fayre!
A massive thank you to all of you that have attended our ONLINE WEDDING FAYRE yesterday lunch time!
We had a great day filled with a line up of award winning wedding experts sharing their wedding tips and hints in Facebook Lives, giving couples the opportunity to ask questions and interact with our speakers just like you would have at a wedding exhibition.
If you have missed this one-off event, worry not!
THERE'S STILL TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN OUR GROUP AND WATCH ALL THE VIDEO ON #REPEAT
Are you still planning for wedding day photography, ceremony scripts, what to consider when buying your wedding dress or how to impress your guests with breath-taking florals and your first dance?
The feedback below speaks for itself so weather you're feeling confident with your wedding plans or not, you'll want to grab a pen and notebook as these experts share some of their biggest secrets in these video sessions.
Should you have any questions, comment #REPEAT + your question and our experts will come back to you with the answer.
With warmest regards,
Oskar.
With Oskar, you know you're in the most capable hands! He's professional, warm, super organised and diligent - nothing was too much trouble for him and he knows the wedding industry inside out!
Michelle, The Bride
