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International Award-winner, Association of Bridal Consultants WEDDING SPECIALISTS FOR THE NORTH WEST OF ENGLAND ALL SITE CONTENTS ARE COPYRIGHT

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There are many opportunities to personalise your venue and these are discussed below,
including some professional insight into the hotel and catering trade to advise
you on things you may not have considered.

After reading this you can visit the venue again with a greater ability
to assess their standards of presentation.

Chair covers and linen hire

By far the most dramatic way to change the look of your venue and to personalise it, is to use chair covers and table dressing to complement your theme.

If your venue has lovely new chairs which match your colours, then chair covers may not be required, but if like many venues, the chair covers are gaudy colours, often dirty, damaged or mis-matched, then chair covers can make the transformation from tired-looking, drab or ‘conference-like’ to simply stunning!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMBefore and after
Photo of ceremony room without chair covers

Fully dressed with chair covers & table decor

If chair covers are not required, or are not an option due to budget, then another prominent feature at the venue is the dressing of focal tables.

Many venues use table cloths straight from the linen store… usually heavily creased.
If these are used on your focal tables – top table, cake table, ceremony table, drinks table, then your guests will be looking at unsightly creases!

Consider asking the venue if they can provide skirts for these tables – in neutral colours (many venues use corporate colours for conference table skirts so these may not suit your colours).
Alternatively ask if they can press the cloths for these tables.

Unfortunately many venues are unlikely to assist in this way, but a good venue dresser will deal with these creases for you!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Before and after
Creased top table cloths iiI

Many venues use square cloths on round tables, but round cloths look much nicer…. Ask if your venue can provide these for you, also ask the venue what colours of linen are available in your wedding package.
(White table cloths don’t look great with ivory chair covers)

Some venues provide coloured overlays or napkins, but if not, and you’d like coloured linens on your tables, then we can assist with hired tablecloths, overlays or table runners.

If you are hiring chair covers then table runners or overlays are available to exactly match the chair bows.

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...mm......Square cloth on round tables ............mmmmmm.mm.Table runners or overlays add a splash of colour mm
mmmimi (Standard at most venues) mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm (shown with round cloths)

Flowers & Table Centres

The choices for table centres are considerable, from traditional floral arrangements, to candelabras, mirrors and bowls to contemporary minimalist vase arrangements or balloons.

How on earth do you decide?
Here we’ll give you some ideas...

The venue itself may give clues as to the type of table centre…

A listed building with dark paneled interior may look wonderful with candelabras – elaborately dressed with flowers, or simply dressed with trailing ivy.
A modern interior may look best with modern, minimal arrangements
An ornate room may need very little decor and simple bowls with floating flowers and floating candles may be lovely, or traditional posy style arrangements to match a period-style setting.
Small tables need small arrangements to allow room for all the cutlery, glassware, wine bottles, water & condiments required, whereas a large table requires a large centrepiece to avoid it seeming lost in the middle.
A room with high ceilings may benefit from tall arrangements
A long narrow room may benefit from a mixture of tall and low arrangements to draw the eye down the room.

Bridal Flowers

If you have a favourite flower, or have selected a certain bloom for your bridal bouquet it is nice to continue this amongst your reception flowers

Budget

Fabulous displays of fresh flowers may be called for if budget permits, but there really is no need to have masses of flowers… we have done some beautiful weddings with no flowers at all!

Think about how much you have to spend per table and then ask your florist or venue dresser for ideas to suit your available funds and theme.

If budget is tight there are various ways to make the most of it…

Flowers in season will cost less than specially imported blooms.
Depending on the time of year, consider using cheaper flowers massed together… tulips and carnations are beautiful flowers which look lovely and are low cost.
Consider using less expensive flowers or more foliage as filler amongst your ‘focal’ flowers to increase size of arrangements.
Accessories can also fill space – such as ribbon or large candles
Simple arrangements can be very striking… a single stem of Singapore Orchid, or a single rose or gerbera in a suitable container can be just as striking as masses of flowers.
A tight budget can be well utilised by using a mixture of tall and low centrepieces – spend more on the tall ones to get ‘WOW’ and alternate with cheaper low arrangements to reduce the average price.
A large bowl with floating candles, rose petals, or a couple of flower heads such as orchid or gerbera makes a lovely centre-piece.
Look for unusual containers for table centres – assorted floral vases from car boot sales, even gift bags or gift boxes or tin cans (labels removed of course) can make interesting containers. Or possibly old, mismatched vases can be wrapped in fabrics.
These could be grouped together to form an impressive table centre and then given to guests at the end of the day.
Silk flowers often cost less than fresh ones… look around for good quality, realistic flowers. Often the foliage is not so convincing with silk flowers, but why not add some fresh leaves?
Make a small arrangement appear larger by surrounding it with tea lights and / or petals. Or stand it on a mirror to make it more impressive.
Fewer, larger, strategically placed arrangements may have more impact than lots of smaller arrangements. Identify focal points around the room – top table, ceremony table & aisle, doorway, fireplace etc.
If you are having a church ceremony – it may be possible to re-use the church flowers by having them moved to the reception venue. However, it is important to ask the church if this is acceptable, as they may be unhappy if the church is left bare for their next service.
The church may have a flower club or group of ladies who like to do flowers. This may be a lower cost option for ceremony flowers – but it is advisable to see their work first to be sure you are happy with the style.
If you are creative you might consider making simple arrangements yourself… however, a short course of evening classes at college or a beginners floristry workshop before the big day is strongly advised, to learn the appropriate methods of flower care and preparation, when to order, how to store flowers, how to wire them etc. to avoid disaster on the day.
- We can assist with classes too!
Also a practice run is well recommended, to be sure they turn out as planned. Simple arrangements are often harder to achieve than they appear!

These are just a few ways to make the most of your budget… but we can show you many more ideas to stretch your budget.

We are good listeners... you need someone who is on your wavelength regarding ideas…. the final production should be a team effort incorporating your ideas or personalities - unless you are happy to give creative licence to your supplier.

Above all – be honest about how much you have to spend so that the suggestions are tailored to your requirements.

Ceremony table with lilac swag & silver skirt

Balloons

Not everyone likes balloons, but there are some very talented balloon artists offering many options for balloon decorations – from arches over doorways or behind focal tables, clouds of balloons linked by floating fabrics or ribbons, or an exploding balloons to shower you with confetti for your first dance… you may be amazed by the design possibilities.

Novel ideas

If you are having a themed event you might consider using ‘props’ as table centres –
Think about any hobbies you share, favourite places, favourite films etc to give you inspiration… a shoe lover might use glittery shoes as a table centre, or you might use souvenirs from places you have visited…

Use your imagination - No-one says you have to follow tradition!

Candles

Candlelight can add a wonderful ambience to your room and they look lovely in daylight as well as evening.

Tall candelabras to simple tea lights, chunky church candles to elegant tapers… there are many options available

N.B. Candle Safety - some important tips here...

Check that your venue will allow candles before you incorporate them into arrangements.
Be sure to check the burn time of candles you intend to use.
Good quality candles may be more expensive, but are usually far better value for money….
You don’t want the candles to disappear half an hour into the wedding breakfast!
Use appropriate containers for candles.
Candle plates must be used if placing candles on furniture.
Tea lights should have sides high enough to prevent napkins being dropped directly into a flame.
Votive candles tend to melt completely as they burn – be sure that your holder will contain the melted wax and check that as wax spreads out it still gives adequate burn time.
Candelabras should only be used on even surfaces and where they can’t be knocked over.
Do not use candles in a draught – this significantly reduces the burn time, and increases the risk of wax spillage.
Candles should be extinguished before then burn out completely – it would be wise nominate a responsible member of your bridal party to keep an eye on them throughout the day/evening to prevent damage to linens and carpets.
Needless to say,
Candles should not be placed near to flammable materials such as curtains
Children must be supervised at all times.

Lighting

If budget permits then specialist lighting is the ultimate way to add drama to a room.

Spot lighting can highlight floral arrangements and features around the room and lighting can completely transform the mood and atmosphere… especially if coloured lights are utilized… It can change a room from calmness and serenity to lively party – all at the flick of a switch… a great way to make the transition from day to evening.

For the majority though specialist lighting is not feasible… however, you can still explore the lighting settings possible in the room and instruct the venue on your preferences in advance of the day.

You can also use lights in decorations, ranging from fairy lights under table swags, in bay trees, topiary trees or willow twigs, tiny lights in floral arrangements or even light bases for table centres to uplight them... to wall drapes or star cloths with twinkly lights.

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Lights under table swags and lights in trees

Venue Stationery

Other opportunities for co-ordination and embellishment are items such as Menus, Table name or number cards, Place cards, Seating plan, Gift scrolls (thank you messages or poems for the guests), Guest book and Wedding card post-box

Table Decoration

Small details can make a big impression… Such as petals (fresh, silk or freeze dried), Table confetti, Feathers, Crystals or diamantes can make lovely finishing touches and are another opportunity to add co-ordinating colours to your room.

Place Settings & Accessories

Favours

Favours are a tradition… but again there’s no rule that says what your favour must be… this is another opportunity to delight your guests.
There are boxes and bags of all shapes and sizes available, which can be filled as you choose and decorated to match your theme.

However, there are many other possibilities for favours instead of the ‘edible’ variety – mini photo frames, mini vases with a single flower, packets of seeds, lottery tickets, fridge magnets, keepsakes or items that can be used at home to remind guests of the day.
They can also be used as place cards by adding a label or tag.

Napkins

Napkins can be dressed or folded in various ways. Ask your venue what options they provide. Or ask if the napkins can be ‘borrowed’ before the day to be decorated with ribbons, have a coloured insert placed inside or folded in a certain way.

Napkins can be used as a backing for place cards or message cards, or decorated with carefully placed flower heads or favours.

Spring flower arrangement and place setting

The big picture

Remember that it can be very time consuming to set out these things for the day, so it’s advisable to check that venue staff will provide the level of attention you require. Remember that many banqueting staff are minimum wage and often have too much to do, so check in advance that you are happy with standards of presentation… you only get one chance to get this right!

If you are planning to do this yourself leave PLENTY of time and remember you’ll have a lot to do on the day.

For complete peace of mind – we can set out the details for you.
It may be the best money you ever spent - giving you minimum stress, maximum value for money and maximum WOW factor!

Venue decoration can make the room your own, reflecting your unique style or
chosen theme and making the occasion truly memorable for you and your guests.

The possibilities are endless!

No matter what your style or budget, we'll help you add the "WOW!"
Create maximum impact and leave your guests with a lasting impression.

Please arrange a visit to browse through all our images,
or we're happy to work with your ideas!

No need to worry about everything separately - chair covers from one supplier,
flowers from a florist, favours from one company, stationery from somewhere else...
We can sort everything for you - giving you piece of mind that everything works together!

If you think you'd like us to help - Don't Hesitate...
We limit the amount of work we accept to give great customer service
so CALL US NOW to avoid disappointment!

Tel: 01706 642984