HURRAH! IT’S ENGAGEMENT SEASON…

The proposal has been made and it’s a big ‘Yes’ from you! Now all you need to do is start plotting your big day. We consulted top wedding planner Katrina Otter to show you how…

What makes “engagement season” such a magical time for couples, and why is it often the best moment to start planning a wedding?

Engagement season is, as the name implies, the season when the highest percentage of engagements happen – it’s a time filled with joy, love, celebrations and of course a huge amount of excitement.  Whilst I’m a firm believer in taking time to enjoy and savour that newly engaged feeling (for at least a couple of weeks), this is also the time when questions from friends and family begin to arise – especially of the “when” and “where” are you getting married variety.  So, whilst you’re running high on excitement (post that couple of weeks note I mentioned above!) and, dare I say it, enthusiasm for wedding planning, this is also the perfect time to start thinking about the foundations of your wedding – your budget, priorities, guest list / numbers, wedding party, style / vibe, location, ideal date(s) and year.

Once you have these foundations in place, your venue / location and date are key, as once you have these in place, you can relax knowing what you’re planning towards AND you have an answer to those “when” and “where” questions! 

Location, location, location! What should you consider when choosing a wedding venue, or location for a destination wedding?

Location is understandably a key consideration when it comes to choosing a wedding venue, not only from an emotive perspective (i.e. do you have your heart set on a specific venue / location / area due to a personal connection, memory or experience) but especially from a logistical one.  Where are your guests travelling from?  Do you have any international guests?  Are you inviting guests to the full day or do you have evening only guests as well?  If any / all of the above are relevant then you’ll need to consider proximity to airports and train stations, distances from nearby towns / cities, accommodation options onsite and nearby, and travel arrangements on the day itself (i.e. parking, availability of taxis / uber, access for minibuses or coaches etc.).

What advice would you give newly engaged couples who feel overwhelmed by the thought of planning their special day?

If you feel overwhelmed, then please remember that you’re not alone.  Firstly, EVERY couple feels overwhelmed at some stage of the planning process (especially in the early stages of securing a venue and key suppliers), and secondly, there’s always someone on hand should you ever need any additional support or guidance, you just need to ask.  Whether that’s a partner, friend or family member, your venue or team of suppliers, and of course there are also professional wedding planners who provide a variety of levels of support services.  

The best advice I can give you here is to take time out, to (try) not to plan everything all at once (if you haven’t already, create a wedding planning timeline broken down into manageable tasks on a month-by-month basis), to prioritise what’s important, to communicate how you’re feeling, to delegate where / if you can and to be kind to yourself.

When choosing a venue, what are the top three things couples should look out for to ensure that it aligns with their vision?

The most important consideration is to be absolutely clear on what you want. Once this has been established, you need to think about your priorities and any compromises you are willing to make.

Everyone’s priorities are different, as are their visions, but for starters you need to know and understand what your vision actually is.  Once you have this firmly in mind, what are your priorities, and what are you willing / not willing to compromise on.

When choosing a venue that aligns with your vision, no matter what your vision or priorities are, then:

1. Be thorough with your research and ask as many questions as possible, ideally in advance of any viewings but especially prior to any contracts being signed or deposits being paid! 
2. Ask to see as many photos / real weddings as possible and go on an Instagram deep dive, especially if you’re visiting outside of the month or season that you plan on getting married
3. Carefully consider each venue and the spaces / areas it has to offer, including capacities, layouts, aesthetics, amenities, plan a and plan b locations, accessibility, and flexibility for personalisation  

Cornwell Manor is known for its timeless charm and stunning setting. What other unique features can you think of from similar venues that help to make the Big Day particularly dreamy?

The stone steps down through the topiary and the Italianate water garden fountain… it’s what Cornwell Manor ceremony dreams are made of!

Water (whether that be a lake, fountains or a pool!) features highly in most of our clients aesthetical venue search criteria, as does an iconic backdrop or setting, proximity to wildflower meadows and woodlands, an onsite walled, rose or formal garden, spaces and settings for multi-day events, sweeping views, photographic opportunities, considered interiors, character and an abundance of charm.

For those looking for a religious ceremony or blessing, having a church on site is a huge bonus as it saves you the hassle of ferrying your guests from A to B. Proximity to a wildflower meadow, woodland or a pretty walled garden are all fabulous for those magical golden-hour photos, while venues with space for multi-day events, sweeping views, beautiful interiors (great for getting-ready pics) and an abundance of charm are also highly sought after.  

Finally, what practical questions should couples ask during a venue tour to ensure that a space can meet their needs?

It’s incredibly easy to become distracted when visiting a venue for the first time and to forget to ask those all-important questions like capacities, accommodation options, accessibility etc.

With this in mind, ask as many questions as you can in advance so that you know that you have the basics covered, and on the day of your viewing you can then immerse yourself in the scenery and setting… just remember to have someone on hand to take photos and notes!

The key / practical questions to ask are:

• Availability
• Capacities / spaces / plan a’s and plan b’s (ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast, evening reception and pre / post events, if applicable)
• Costings (what’s included in the venue hire and what’s not) and payment schedules 
• Options and costs for extended venue hire, if applicable
• Exclusivity
• Whether marquees are permitted (if applicable / necessary) including preferred suppliers, timings for set-up / de-rig, power, toilet hire etc.
• Accessibility (for guests, parking, taxis / transportation etc.)
• Ceremony licenses and spaces
• Venue timings, including access and departures (for both suppliers and guests), music to finish and bar to close, and options for a late / extended license
• Are there any restrictions you need to be aware of i.e. fireworks, confetti and sound limits
• Food and drink options (including corkage) 
• Recommend and preferred supplier lists (and whether or not you need to use these)
• Accommodation options onsite and nearby
• Whether any changes are planned between now and your potential wedding day i.e. new additions to the venue, building works etc.
• Spaces, locations and suitability for children
• Spaces and locations for suppliers i.e. a green room  

Thank you to Katrina Otter for her collaboration on this blog.

Cornwell Manor is delighted to recommend Katrina Otter Weddings as a planning service. Katrina’s professionalism and attention to detail is outstanding, with a clear passion and determination to achieve the very best for her clients.

Katrina says: “Since 2013 we have been curating quintessentially English and luxuriously distinctive weddings throughout the UK for couples from around the world. At the foundation of every wedding, we embed our clients’ personalities, aesthetics, and priorities. Our approach is both collaborative and evolutionary – we offer honest advice, bespoke recommendations and flawless delivery in order to give all our clients a unique and memorable celebration.”

www.katrinaotterweddings.co.uk

www.instagram.com/katrinaotterwed/