Cont.

HOW TO SECURE THE RIGHT VENUE
"Choosing the perfect venue is extremely important for brides to be, but sometimes their first, second or even third choices are already booked up, which can be disappointing. So we would suggest that brides consider getting married on another day of the week, instead of on a Saturday, as this immediately increases the likelihood of getting a venue that they've set their heart on." Helen Hitchcock from Milestone Weddings.

CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS
"Your wedding flowers should create an ambience that reflects the individuality of your day. The bridal bouquet will be largely determined by the style of your dress - for instance, full skirts and long trains will suit longer and larger bouquets, whereas hand-tied posy bouquets are better for simple gowns. A good point to be aware of with regard to the floral displays and centrepieces is that some of the stronger smelling flowers could potentially aggravate people's allergies. A wedding planner will be able to recommend a good florist, and their combined expertise and experience will be key in helping you choose exactly the right flowers for your wedding." Kim Alldis, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator

HOW TO GET MARRIED ABROAD
"The arrangements for getting married abroad can be very different from getting married here. In some countries there can be a vast amount of paperwork involved, some of it required months in advance and dealing with embassies can be time consuming and frustrating, especially if you don't speak the language. This is where the advice and assistance of a wedding planner, particularly one which specialises in weddings abroad, can be hugely helpful. For example, we organise a lot of weddings in Spain and one of our staff speaks fluent Spanish, which makes a big difference." Stuart Stanley from Dream Day Events.

HOW TO SERVE UP A TREAT
"When it comes to catering for the big day, it's crucial to make sure you taste the dishes on the menu beforehand. Some menus can look absolutely amazing on paper, but donÕt quite fulfil their promise in reality. It's a good idea anyway to get to know the caterer in advance of the day, so that they can get a better picture of your likes and dislikes. Of course, it's also a must to get the right caterer in the first place, and a wedding planner's input and guidance can be invaluable in helping you choose both the supplier and the menu." James Melville from The Rouge Partnership.