{"id":6957,"date":"2013-07-14T14:53:28","date_gmt":"2013-07-14T19:53:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/?p=6957"},"modified":"2014-04-17T16:27:34","modified_gmt":"2014-04-17T20:27:34","slug":"wedding-planning-useful-tips-from-a-professional-event-planner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-planning\/wedding-planning-useful-tips-from-a-professional-event-planner","title":{"rendered":"Wedding Planning: – Useful tips from a professional event planner"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Most of us can\u2019t afford to employ Jennifer Lopez-esque character from \u201cThe Wedding Planner\u201d to help us plan our big day. No most of us make lots of lists, spend far too much time on Pinterest and if we\u2019re lucky, we manage to rope in a married friend who has been through it before. However, even with all the planning and all the good intentions \u2013 unless you organise events\/ weddings professionally – there are bound to be things\/tips you won\u2019t know.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

So to get some insider knowledge, I decided to ask Sian Nannan for her best hints and tips. Who is Sian and why ask her? Well, Sian has a degree in event management from Greenwich and in order to gain more experience in event management, she volunteered to help wedding planners whenever she had free time between Uni. Now she works a professional products coordinator for eventa.co.uk<\/a> \u2013 a Brighton based events agency that organises spectacular corporate events for companies all over the UK.<\/p>\n

So without further ado here are Sian’s top tips for anyone planning a wedding…<\/p>\n

Barter BEFORE you sign the deal \u2013 people are less willing to give into you after you sign<\/h3>\n

When hiring vendors make sure you barter them before singing\/shaking on anything. For example, see if you can get that extra hour for free from the band or get the venue to throw in the chair covers, table napkins for free, etc. Because once you sign a deal with them, they are less likely to bend to your requests. Trust me; most vendors would rather accommodate you in the beginning in order to get the deal, rather than disappointing you by refusing extra requests later on.<\/p>\n

Ask vendors who they recommend \u2013 they know the best people<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve hired some vendors, ask them for their professional recommendations. After all, these are the best people to ask seeing as they are in the wedding business and they have (probably) worked with other several wedding vendors before. Wedding photographers are usually the best people to ask as they tend to travel around quite a lot so they\u2019ll know a wide variety of vendors from all different industries.<\/p>\n

Have back up funds \u2013 check credit cards which give rewards<\/h3>\n

This is just common sense really but something many people forget. Have a wedding budget but also have some \u201cSOS funds\u201d on the side. Now if this is going to work you\u2019re going to have to be disciplined: you can\u2019t spend this money willy nilly! It\u2019s for emergencies only. Same thing goes for a credit card (if you are putting everything in card!) Apply for one with added rewards such as air miles etc. That way, anything you spend on it will go towards something useful in the future.<\/p>\n

Remember the small things \u2013 tampons, nice hanger for dress, fit flops for guests<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s always the small things that get forgotten. Things like emergency tampons, fit flops for guests with high heel suffering feet and a nice hanger for the dress (just in case the photographer wants to take a photo of it on the hanger.) Other things worth remembering are painkillers, deodorant and a mini sewing kit.<\/p>\n

Remember the help \u2013 feed them, tip envelopes<\/h3>\n

If you are in charge of feeding people like the DJ, photographer etc., then maybe consider paying for a separate\/cheaper meal. That way you won\u2019t be forking out a lot of money for people who aren\u2019t technically your guests. Also, if you plan to tip anyone then pre-prepare envelopes, put money inside and write their names on the front.<\/p>\n

Marriage certificate \u2013 check online<\/h3>\n

You\u2019d be surprised how many people actually forget to do this. For more information go to: – https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/marriages-civil-partnerships<\/a><\/p>\n

Have a \u201cPlan B\u201d \u2013 in case it rains<\/h3>\n

For those who are having an outdoor wedding it\u2019s always a good idea to have a \u201cPlan B\u201d or an indoor plan. Chances are you\u2019ll be checking the weather religiously but if you\u2019re getting married in the UK then you\u2019ll know how unpredictable it can be. So have a back-up plan in case you need to move the wedding indoors.<\/p>\n

Insurance \u2013 not fun but you should get it<\/h3>\n

Ah no one likes to think about this but life… happens. So best be prepared for it and get some wedding insurance. They are very expensive after all, and if (heaven forbid) it does get cancelled you\u2019ll be covered.<\/p>\n

Right hand person \u2013 to bring an overnight bag for the bride and act as a gift care taker<\/h3>\n

This person could be the mother of the bride, best man, head bridesmaid\u2026 It doesn\u2019t really matter who it is so long as they are sober enough to be able to drive and remember their duties. This includes bringing emergency bag\/clothes\/things for the bride and storing & transporting anything that gets left behind at the wedding. It may seem like simple job but this person should always be pre-designated before the wedding for peace of mind.<\/p>\n

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