Honestly, it’s one of those things couples don’t always realise they need… until they do. And then afterwards, it’s the thing they say they couldn’t have done without. Seriously, ask anyone who’s been there, they’ll probably tell you it’s worth every penny and then some.

Hiring a wedding coordinator isn’t about going over the top or handing over control. It’s about feeling supported, looked after, and actually being able to enjoy your wedding. Properly. From the planning right through to the last dance.

“they were absolutely brilliant… Hannah and Chloe went above and beyond to make sure we were as comfortable and happy as possible”

What’s the difference between a wedding planner and a coordinator?

A wedding planner and a wedding coordinator play very different roles, and understanding the difference can really help when deciding what support you need.

A wedding planner is involved from the very beginning, guiding you through the entire planning journey. They help shape your vision, manage your budget, source and liaise with your suppliers, and support you with decisions along the way.

A wedding coordinator steps in much closer to the wedding day, usually around one month beforehand. Their focus is on taking everything you’ve planned and making sure it runs exactly as it should. They manage the timings, liaise with and greet suppliers, oversee the day’s logistics, and handle anything that pops up on the day, so you’re not answering questions or problem-solving while you should be enjoying every moment.

Planning a wedding is exciting… but it can also feel like a lot

Like, a lot, a lot! Let’s be honest, wedding planning can quite literally take over your life. One minute you’re buzzing about colour schemes, favours, and ceremony ideas, and the next you’re juggling emails, contracts, timings, and a never-ending to-do list. Cue panic!

A wedding coordinator helps bring it all back to calm. We help you organise your plans in a way that feels manageable, not overwhelming. You still make all the decisions, still choose everything you love, but you’re not doing it alone. There’s someone there to support you, keep you on track, and gently remind you it’s all going to be okay.

Your wedding day should feel calm, not rushed

One of the biggest worries couples share is that the day will fly by, or that they’ll feel stressed and pulled in a million directions, answering calls, sorting last-minute things, or even getting ready in a whirl of chaos. And it’s a totally valid worry.

With a wedding coordinator, you don’t need to watch the clock, think about what’s next, or dash around trying to make everything happen yourself. We’re quietly running the day in the background, making sure it all flows naturally. If something needs tweaking, we handle it. If someone has a question, they come to us.

You get to stay exactly where you should be, present, relaxed, and soaking up every moment. And honestly? That feeling alone is worth every penny.

Your friends and family get to relax too

We hear it all the time: “Oh my mum is going to do that,” or “My bridesmaids will handle this.” And while it’s offered with the best intentions, it often leaves your loved ones juggling jobs instead of actually enjoying the day. Even the most reliable people can find it tricky once the excitement and emotion really kick in.

With a coordinator, your family and friends can just be themselves. Your mum isn’t worrying about timings, your best friend isn’t fielding questions, and no one is scrambling to fix last-minute hiccups. Everyone gets to celebrate with you, exactly as it should be.

We’re thinking about the things you don’t even see

Weddings rarely run exactly to plan, and that’s completely normal. The difference is having someone who knows how to deal with it calmly and quietly. A wedding coordinator is always thinking a few steps ahead. If something needs adjusting, we do it without fuss. Most of the time, couples don’t even notice anything needed sorting, and honestly, that’s the goal. You stay relaxed, your guests stay happy, and the day keeps flowing. (Pro tip: this is the stuff that makes your wedding actually feel effortless in photos and memories.)

Your ideas deserve to be brought to life properly

You’ve spent so much time imagining how your wedding will look and feel, not just the pretty details, but the atmosphere, the timing, and those little moments you’ve been dreaming about.

A coordinator makes sure your plans are understood and carried out exactly as you hoped. Everyone involved knows what’s happening and when, so your vision doesn’t get lost. It’s not about taking over, it’s about protecting what matters to you.

The final weeks feel so much easier

Having a wedding coordinator during this time is such a relief. You know someone experienced has looked over everything, and nothing important has been missed. You’re not second-guessing yourself or lying awake at night worrying. Instead, you can start getting excited, which is exactly how it should feel.

“We worked with Chloe for day of coordination who was the best decision we made for our wedding.”

How much does a wedding coordinator cost?

Having a wedding coordinator is an investment in how your day feels. When couples look back on their wedding, they rarely remember every tiny detail. They remember how they felt, calm, happy, excited, and fully present. A wedding coordinator protects that feeling.

We take care of the logistics so you can focus on the moments that matter, the hugs, the laughs, the happy tears, and the celebration. That’s why so many couples say it was the best investment they made.

For most weddings with us, on the day coordination usually sits between £1,750 and £2,500. In the context of an overall wedding budget, it’s a relatively small part, but the impact is felt throughout the entire day. It’s not just about someone running the schedule, it’s about having the space to enjoy your wedding without worrying about what’s happening next.

Because you only get to experience it once. Your wedding day isn’t a practice run. You don’t get a do-over. It deserves your full attention, not your stress.

Having a wedding coordinator means you can let go, trust the plan, and truly enjoy your day. You can be present, knowing someone is taking care of everything behind the scenes. And that, more than anything else, is what makes it all so special.

What is the role of a wedding coordinator?

We manage the logistics and the details behind the scenes. We make sure the day runs smoothly, acting as the main point of contact for your suppliers and ensuring everything runs to schedule. A wedding coordinator also helps pre-empt the little things that can happen on the day, often before you even realise there was ever a potential hiccup. Most couples only plan one wedding in their lifetime, so everything is new. Even if you’re an event planner or project manager in everyday life, weddings are a whole different world.

Managing weddings is what we do day in, day out. It’s in our DNA. We know where things can wobble, what questions might pop up, and what needs thinking about in advance. So rather than risking it or trying to handle it all yourself, it just makes sense to trust someone who truly knows what they’re doing. That way, you can let go, relax, and properly enjoy your wedding day, exactly as it was meant to be enjoyed.

(Seriously, it’s the difference between enjoying a glass of champagne with your girls in the morning and running around fixing things in your rollers.)

If you want your wedding to feel relaxed, well looked after, and full of joy from start to finish, hiring a wedding coordinator really is one of the kindest things you can do for yourselves.

If you’re now sold on all the reasons you need a wedding coordinator, book in a consultation with Chloe, here to chat through your plans, ask all your questions, and see exactly how we can make your wedding day feel calm, joyful, and completely yours.

Still looking for planning tips? Or Hannah’s opinion on wedding trends, what we might see in 2026, or to hear about some of our 2025 weddings, have a listen to her podcast here.

The post Why Hiring A Wedding Co-Ordinator Is The Best Investment appeared first on Wedding Planner and Event Manager, London and UK.

Tom Holland & Zendaya

The year kicked off with Zendaya and Tom Holland, who announced their engagement back in January! Their announcement felt like one of those moments when the whole world collectively gasped and then melted a little. They’ve always had that calm, grounded, quietly obsessed-with-each-other energy, and seeing them take this next step just felt so right. No dramatic reveal, no big performance, just two people who adore each other choosing to make it official in the sweetest, most natural way. It set the tone for the entire year, and honestly, the glow these two give off is incredible. We cannot wait for this wedding.

Jake Paul & Jutta Leerdam

Jake proposed to Olympic medalist Jutta Leerdam, apparently spending £1 million on the ring! These two have been such a surprising but genuinely lovely pairing, and their news felt like one of those “oh wow, good for them” moments that instantly brightens your scroll. Jutta has brought out this softer, more grounded side of him, and you can really see how happy they make each other. The announcement itself wasn’t wild or dramatic, just confident and full of that loved-up energy they’ve shown from day one. It added a fun little spark to March and definitely kept the 2025 engagement streak feeling strong.

Melanie Hamrick & Mick Jagger

To keep us all on our toes, Melanie Hamrick finally confirmed her engagement to Mick Jagger. Not exactly new, but news that had been under wraps for years. Melanie told Paris Match that they’ve been engaged for two or three years, and honestly, we love how she said that while marriage may not be on the cards, they are perfectly happy as they are. A lovely reminder that love doesn’t have to follow a timeline!

Simu Liu & Allison Hsu

Simu Liu and Allison Hsu announced their engagement on the 11th of May, it was just such a gorgeous little moment. These two always give off the loveliest energy, fun, supportive, and a bit silly in the best way. So when the news dropped, it felt so natural, like of course they’re taking this next step. Nothing over the top, nothing staged within an inch of its life, just a really genuine “this is us, and we’re happy” kind of announcement. It added such a sweet vibe to May and slotted perfectly into this wave of feel-good, heart-melting celebrity love stories we’ve had this year.

Dua lipa & callum turner

In June, the fashion industry started to predict the wedding look for Dua Lipa, after announcing her engagement to Callum Turner on the 12th of June. From the early days, they had that look of two people who genuinely enjoy each other’s company, not just the events and the cameras. So when the engagement news dropped, it didn’t feel like a big celebrity “announcement” at all. It felt like watching two people who have found the right rhythm together choosing to keep building on something that already works. It’s sweet, grounded, and honestly one of the loveliest relationship progressions we’ve seen this year.

JASON SEGAL & Kayla Radomski

Jason Segel getting engaged honestly feels like one of those surprisingly lovely celebrity moments you don’t see coming. He proposed to Kayla Radomski back in the summer. They’ve only been together a couple of years, but there’s something about them that feels really settled, like they actually make each other’s lives calmer rather than louder. And yes, while we’ll always love him as the lovable, awkwardly charming Marshall from How I Met Your Mother, it’s honestly wonderful to see him finding that same kind of devotion in real life. It’s one of those celeb stories that makes you smile because it feels like an actual relationship, not a headline.

victoria pedretti & ethan delorenzo

Victoria Pedretti and Ethan DeLorenzo announced their engagement on the 21st of July, and honestly, it felt like such a quietly perfect moment. They’ve been together for a few years now, first sparking up when they met through mutual friends in the acting world, and fans have loved watching their relationship grow from low-key appearances and sweet social media hints into this next big step.

Tyrese Haliburton & Jade Jones

Tyrese Haliburton and Jade Jones have one of those really sweet, all-American love stories that just make you smile. They first met back at Iowa State University when he was a rising basketball star, and she was the cheerleader lighting up the sidelines, and they’ve been inseparable since 2019. So obviously, when Tyrese got down on one knee in July 2025, it had to be right in the middle of their old college arena, what a perfect full-circle moment. Jade has been by his side through every high, every game, every cross-country move, and seeing them take this next step somewhere so meaningful to both of them is honestly just lovely. It’s wholesome and romantic.

Cristiano Ronaldo & Georgina Rodríguez

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez sent fans around the world into a frenzy, back on August 11th. And can we talk about that ring for a second? Sparkly, dramatic, and totally Ronaldo-like, it basically has its own fan club. As for the wedding? Well, if their past events are anything to go by, we expect something ultra glamorous, whilst remaining intimate, maybe a stunning European villa, all-white florals, possibly a Ferrari, because let’s face it, you can’t do Ronaldo without a touch of speed and luxury. Georgina has always had impeccable taste, and Cristiano knows how to pull off the dramatic and romantic in equal measure, so whatever they choose will be elegant, star-studded, and absolutely jaw-dropping. Honestly, we can’t wait to see what they do.

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

And then of course, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on August 26th! This stopped everything, it had everyone pausing mid-scroll, celebrating and grinning like a Cheshire cat! After months of Swiftie speculation, seeing them take the next step felt so right. And can we talk about that engagement shoot? Perfectly Taylor and Travis, romantic, full of personality, and giving us all the heart eyes.

It’s moments like these that remind us why celebrity engagements never get old, each one bringing its own kind of magic.

Have a read of Hannah’s blog on her predictions for the wedding here: What Taylor Swift’s Engagement Means For The Wedding Industry

Liam hemsworth & Gabriella brooks

Liam Hemsworth and Gabriella Brooks announced their engagement on September 11th. They first got together after his split from Miley Cyrus, and ever since, they’ve kept things beautifully low-key, quietly building this calm, steady relationship that just works. Fans couldn’t help but smile at the idea that the Hunger Games love triangle has finally found its peaceful, real-life ending, and it seems like these two are more than ready for their next chapter. Rumour has it they’re planning an Australia wedding, relaxed, sun-soaked, and surrounded by the people who’ve watched their love story grow away from the spotlight. We can’t wait!

camila mendes & rudy mancuso

How adorable was Camila Mendes’ engagement to Rudy Mancuso? Honestly, it was one of those moments that just made everyone collectively melt. They’ve got this really natural, grounded chemistry, and seeing them take that next step felt so genuinely them. Their engagement announcement on October 25th had that cosy, soft energy that made you want to replay the video twice, and fans absolutely loved how romantic and personal it all felt. After meeting while filming Música and going from colleagues to this incredibly sweet partnership, it’s been so lovely watching them evolve.

charles leclerc & alexandra saint mluex

Formula One fans, brace yourselves! Charles Leclerc and Alexandra Saint Mleux announced their engagement on Instagram. They were first spotted together back in 2023. Fans saw them together during F1 weekends, and although they kept things low-key, it was clear pretty quickly that they were really well matched. Alexandra is an art history student, often seen travelling with him or cheering him on from the paddock without ever making it about herself. Their engagement in November 2025 felt lovely. Nothing overly flashy, no big performance, just a sweet, sincere moment between two people who are very obviously in their own little world together. It’s the kind of relationship that feels genuinely grounded, even with all the noise of the F1 lifestyle surrounding them.

Tom Rosenthal & Gabrielle Sky

Getting to the end of 2025, one of the latest additions to the list, Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal and Gabrielle Sky, shared their news on November 9th, with the cutest photobooth snaps. Gabrielle looked fab, showing off a gorgeous ring, and the photos are the kind of sweet, low-key moment that makes your heart melt. They also welcomed their first child a few months ago, so this feels like a perfect next chapter.

miley cyrus & Maxx morando

Ok, pause for a second, because the surprise of this month goes to Miley Cyrus. She and musician Maxx Morando have reportedly just gotten engaged after four years together. She stepped out onto the red carpet on December the 2nd, with a chunky, cushion‑cut diamond ring on her left hand. We love that this doesn’t feel like a dramatic headline grab, but all very grown-up.

All in all, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of the celebrity engagements. Big reveals, little reveals, rings caught in candid moments, carefully curated photos, and even long-kept private announcements.

Whether it’s a huge public announcement or a quiet, private moment, each celebrity engagement is a little reminder that love comes in all shapes and sizes. From celebrity to celebrity, from couple to couple, it is fun, exciting and just so beautiful to watch. And as this year keeps giving us more glittering rings and joyful smiles, we can’t wait to see who else will be stepping into this next chapter.

2025 is proving that love really is in the air, and celebrity engagements have been one of the most joyful things to watch unfold. It has been an absolute dream of a year. Will there be any more celebrity engagements squeezed in before the end of the year?

Did you get engaged in 2025? Still stuck with where to start on planning, book in for a free consultation with Hannah, here, to see how we can help with YOUR wedding plans.

The post Celebrity Engagements of 2025! appeared first on Wedding Planner and Event Manager, London and UK.

Anant & Radhika

Let’s start with the sensational Ambani wedding! It has been quoted as the “wedding of the year” and you can guarantee we enjoyed every element. 

When it comes to grandeur, the Ambanis never disappoint! Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding was a real experience, blending tradition and extravagance. Held over several days at the Ambani family’s Mumbai residence, Antilia, the celebrations featured breathtaking floral installations, live performances, and rituals steeped in Indian culture.

Radhika looked radiant in a red Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga, adorned with intricate embroidery and jewels, while Anant wore a cream sherwani embellished with gold. Highlights? A stunning Baraat procession, fireworks, live dhol players,  topped with a star-studded guest list, and a reception dinner featuring an exclusive menu by Michelin-starred chefs.

Vicky & Ercan 

My Big Fat Geordie wedding indeed! Vicky Pattison and Ercan Ramadan tied the knot in a very chic ceremony at  London’s Marylebone town hall known for its classic intimate setting for the legal part of their marriage before flying to the Amalfi Coast for their main ceremony at Castello Monaci, nothing short of a Mediterranean dream! Vicky went for more than one dress for her wedding day. Suzanne Neville and The Wedding Club worked to ensure she looked stunning in every single part of the celebration!

Millie & Jake

Another Bride in gorgeous dresses in Italy, Millie Bobby Brown married Jake Bongiovi at the stunning Villa Cetinale. Millie wore four dresses across the occasion, for the wedding ceremony, she wore a custom Galia Lahav gown, working with designers to create her customisations. Later changing into a vintage-style Valentino dress for their couples photos, an Oscar de la Renta short dress for the reception and another Oscar de la Renta full gown to cut the cake! Millie’s four-dress approach not only showed her love for fashion but also ensured each element of the day had it’s own unique vibe.  

The flowers, oh wow! A huge white flower arch was absolutely stunning and they also had one of our favourite bands, Sensation Band, performing for their guests!

Rebel & Ramona

Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma married on the Italian island of Sardinia, a truly romantic spot where they had holidayed before. They organised the wedding in 3 months and an important part of the wedding for Rebel was obviously the music, flying in a 20-piece band led and produced by Alessandro De Angelis

Rebel and Ramona stunned in a duet of Pronovias dresses in a Mikado fabric, classic elegance, styled individually. Rebels corseted princess gown looked stunning next to Ramona’s A-line silhouette, matching perfectly. 

Josh & Jordan

“In a *light* blizzard” Josh Radnor and Dr Jordan Jacobs married at the Cedar Lakes Estate in Hudson Valley, in upstate New York, in a heartwarming moment, outdoors, during a major snowstorm! 

Guests and suppliers had to stay the night as they were unable to travel due to the snow and ice! 

Guests received welcome bags on arrival, including incense sticks, an incense dish, CBD tincture and an ‘intention kit’ with paper a pen and a note reading “‘We find that setting an intention can be a helpful way to drop in and calibrate your internal compass to true north”

Lana Del Ray & Jeremy

The Lovely Lana announced her romance with Jeremy Dufrene, jut one month before they wed in an intimate ‘relaxed, family-focused’ ceremony by the water in Louisiana, where Jeremy operates his popular swamp boat tours and where they first met. 

We haven’t seen any official photos other than those released here, and no information about the dress, sad face!

Zoe & Danny 

Influencer and sister to Molly-Mae, Zoe Hague married her military fiance Danny Rae at the gorgeous Inn on the Lake at Ullswater, in the Lake District National Park. They had a beautiful outdoor ceremony, with the British weather on their side, with the clouds parting and blue skies and majestic mountains – Hannah’s idea of a perfect backdrop! 

The night before the wedding, the wedding party enjoyed a scenic lake cruise aboard the Ullswater steamer to start the celebrations. For the wedding itself, Zoe wore a fitted strapless dress from The White Closet, florals from the talented Amelia Rose Florals featured a white floral arch, flower meadows for the ceremony and stunning hand bouquets for the bridal party. Following the ever-popular trend of an outfit change, Zoe’s second dress was a beautiful shorter-style ivory dress and Danny changed into a different suit, after a shower first!

Adele & Rich

Adele has been keeping us on our toes, she has been dropping cryptic hints about her wedding to Rich Paul. If you try to find out information about Adele’s wedding online, you won’t find it! She keeps teasing us all, referring to Rich as her husband and responding to Alan Carr’s asking his audience if anyone has got married recently with an “I did” but she did confirm in August they are not married, yet! So 2025, Adele,  we want to see your wedding!

Hannah & Martyn

Okay, not necessarily celebrity weddings, but one I couldn’t miss out on! Our Hannah Rose married her very own Mr Right, Martyn. Hannah and Martyn met through a friend on a night out, and as she says “The rest is history”! 

The wedding celebrations started with the legal bit taking place in the registry office, afterwards, Hannah swapped her pink wedding shoes for her climbing boots, and they along with 2 photographers, a videographer and 2 friends climbed Snowdon to read their vows to one another! 

Hannah and Martyn continued to celebrate their wedding with Friends and Family a couple of weeks later at home in Northamptonshire, with an outdoor ceremony, in true British style the rain only started 1 minute before the end of the ceremony! They celebrated the rest of the day with a gorgeous BBQ station from Portfolio Events and amazing live music throughout their drinks reception and the Josie Soden band for the reception. You can read more about Hannah’s wedding planning in her wedding blog or listen on the “Let’s Get You Wed” Podcast.

From grand celebrations to intimate ceremonies, celebrity weddings in 2024 have been inspiring and we are excited for 2025! 

Are you newly engaged or planning your big day? Let us help you make it just as magical as you imagine. Book a consultation to learn more about how we can bring your vision to life, from full planning services to on-the-day management. 

The post Celebrity Weddings of 2024! appeared first on Wedding Planner and Event Manager, London and UK.

Wedding planning isn’t always easy! I have had so many questions about planning my own wedding while I am a wedding planner myself, working in the wedding industry, so the lovely Chloe who works alongside me has decided to put together some FAQs we have been getting from you all to talk all about my own wedding!

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Hey! It’s Chloe! I have had the opportunity and pleasure to chat to Hannah all about her own wedding planning and wedding day! She is known for her attention to detail, great taste and “will do anything!” attitude, she has built her career out of making other people’s dreams come true. 

Now as she steps into the role of a Bride, we have the rare opportunity to flip the narrative and see how she has brought her own wedding to life, learn what she has learnt, and follow the emotions of a Bride planning her own wedding, as a wedding planner.

How did you and Martyn meet? We met through friends on a night out! It was a bit of a whirlwind as he lived in Bedfordshire and I was in Norfolk, so we were travelling to see each other. Martyn then moved to Birmingham, which was even further, so he asked me to move with him! After just 3 months….and the rest is history!

How did the proposal go? It was amazing and completely unexpected! We are both into hiking, so we hiked Snowdon and then took the trail up to Y Lliwedd, which was a really quiet mountain peak, so it was super private! I didn’t have a clue that it was happening!! Martyn is very much into photography and videography, so it was very normal that he would put a drone up into the sky and ask me to stand somewhere so he could video the landscape. This is what he did before he proposed and so we have it all on film! You can see it over on Instagram!

What did you do for your Hen and Stag? Martyn went to Wales for the weekend and camped, did some activities etc and we rented a house in Cambridgeshire for the weekend! We both kept it very much ‘us’. We didn’t want the typical hen/stag parties focused around drinking!

Why did you decide on an elopement and a separate wedding day? Being in the industry for so many years, I have seen MANY civil ceremonies, and I just don’t feel they are completely personal to the couple. I wanted to get the legal part done separately, and then have a really personal service on the wedding day. The elopement then turned into more of a celebration, which was completely different and very much us, which we LOVED! There is no way we could have had that wedding with family and friends there, so we are really glad we made that decision and had the experience of the elopement!

What bits of the wedding were the easiest to plan? Finding suppliers as I know so many amazing ones. It was in ways, also difficult, as I then had to choose from them all! Also, the elopement, as we kept it so stripped back.

What did Martyn plan? He was very much involved in final decisions. He also sorted the suits for himself and his best man, along with his elopement suit, shoes etc. We both made all the final decisions on music, flow of the day, etc. He also very much wanted a pianist. As Martyn is really into his photography, he did the research on local photographers.

Let’s talk elopement quickly first! 

How did you come up with the decision to climb Snowdon for an elopement, why was it so important to you? The first time we climbed Snowdon was one of our stand-out experiences together, and it really got us into hiking. We also got engaged there, so it had to be done! It was also really important for us to have a very personal day!

How did it work, how did you make it a legal wedding ceremony? We got married at the registry office first, then drove 20 minutes to start the climb with our 2 photographers, videographer and 2 friends who carried our bags with food, water etc.

How was climbing Snowdon in your wedding outfits? Everybody kept saying ‘Wow you will struggle in a dress’, but I chose a dress which was a beautiful material and had a slit, so I was fine! Martyn did slightly struggle in tight trousers though…

What did you do after the climb to celebrate? Due to a group of us climbing, the time of the ceremony and stopping for photos etc, we didn’t actually get back down until 8pm, so we went and got pizza which we ate in our van in a beautiful park up. We were knackered so it was an early night!!

What is your biggest takeaway from that experience? Always follow your heart and do what YOU want to do! So many people thought we were crazy and didn’t really understand the idea, but this didn’t deter us! The elopement was literally perfect, there wasn’t a single thing I would change. The weather was amazing to us, and it will forever be the best day of my life.

Let’s talk about your wedding day!

How did you feel moments before your wedding? Excited! I just wanted to get going! The emotions kicked in literally as I was about to walk down the aisle! I was absolutely fine all morning, just excited.

What was the most special part of your wedding? A stand-out moment for me was during our drinks reception. We hired an acoustic guitarist who was amazing, and we danced together with our friends and family – anyone would have thought it was the evening reception at that point! Also, absolutely loved Martyn’s speech. The morning was also really special for me, everyone was so excited and so happy with their hair and makeup. It was a lovely chilled morning.

We want to know about the planning! What was the number 1 most stressful thing about your wedding planning? People’s input. People who wanted to get involved in a negative way. It’s very stressful trying to manage other people’s emotions and what they think you should do.

You must get asked this as a planner quite a bit, there is always a debate on how long you need to plan for a wedding! How long were you actively planning for? We got engaged in August 2022 and started thinking about what we wanted to do. We knew straight away what we wanted to do for the elopement, but we didn’t actually book our venue for the wedding day until Jan 2023, so planning started then really, so around a year and a half. We would have loved to have had the wedding in 2023 but the diary didn’t allow it! And I am so glad now that we didn’t go for 2023 as that would have been busy!!

How did you decide on 2 wedding dresses? Originally, did you want them to be similar or different to one another? I got my elopement dress pretty quickly! It was one of the first things I did. I knew I had to be able to climb in it, and I really wanted a long-sleeved dress. For the wedding day, I wanted a different vibe, and something more fitted. I actually bought this dress on the 1st outing! I only tried it on because my sister-in-law liked it and wanted me to try it on! I knew in my head the kind of thing I wanted, although I did end up with something quite different! Just with elements such as spaghetti straps and a plunge front.

How did you decide on your Bridesmaids dresses? And how was organising dresses with your Bridesmaid’s not living local? They made their own decision on dresses! I gave them the colour scheme and they chose what they wanted, so they could go off and shop for themselves. I ordered swatches for the colours so they knew what colour to get.

We are only halfway through our interview, so stay tuned for part two of stepping into the mind of a wedding planner, planning her own wedding(s)! In Part Two Hannah will be letting us in on food choices, honeymoon and planning as a planner with her own reflections and advice for all of you lovely couples!

If you’re planning your wedding and need some assistance, perhaps you’re struggling to find time, or are not sure where to start, you can get in touch for a complimentary consultation to discuss how we can work together here!

Want to hear more about my elopement and full wedding day? You can listen here and here!

The post From Wedding Planning To “I Do”, The Planner Edition! appeared first on Wedding Planner and Event Manager, London and UK.

Not sure where to get married? WEDDING CEREMONY OPTIONS IN THE UK

What even is a notice of marriage?

The notice of marriage appointment is intended for you to confirm that you are legally getting married (not already married etc) and that you are willingly marrying. The information of your marriage, names, ages, jobs etc is then posted to your local registry offices register for any public to see, in case anyone may object and say that you aren’t actually legally getting married, that your information is incorrect, or that you are underage without parental consent. This is legal in England and Wales and you cannot legally marry without giving your notice of marriage.

How to book your notice of marriage?

You need to book your notice of marriage at the local registry office to your home, regardless of where you are getting married in England or Wales. Our ceremony was being held in Wales, but we did our notice of marriage in the local registry office to us – you don’t need to travel to the location that you are getting married in. Some couples may think this is the case, but no travel is required! If you are getting married in Scotland, you won’t need to give your notice of marriage. When you book your ceremony (which you will do before booking notice of marriage) they will send you a confirmation with information of how to book your ceremony. The best way to find your local registry office is via the link here. You can then go directly to your local council website and generally, they will have an automated online service where you can easily schedule in a time.

Do we need to go together?

When you book your notice of marriage, you can either book to do this together or separately, depending on both of your locations and your schedules. Most couples will tend to do this together. We opted to do ours together.

When do I need to give notice of marriage?

You will need to give your notice of marriage a minimum of 28 days prior to the wedding day. You can book appointments up to 12 months in advance. Some registry offices will only allow you to book a certain number of months before, ie. 4 months if they are a busy registry office and have minimal appointments. Generally, the appointments are only available during office hours, Monday – Friday. Some will offer Saturday sessions; it just depends on your area. I always advise to just get it booked and out of the way as soon as possible. It is something you can easily forget around the stresses closer to the wedding, and you won’t be able to get married without it!

What documentation do I need to take?

When you book your notice of marriage with your local registry office, they will send a confirmation of the exact documentation you will personally need. We took our passports, driving license, a bill with confirmation of address and I also needed to take a deed poll certificate as my name changed when I was younger, but because I no longer use my old name on my passport etc, I didn’t actually need it. Always best to take it just in case though if you have changed your name previously.

How long does giving your notice of marriage take?

The question I searched for but couldn’t find anything! When we booked, we booked a double appointment and it put in 45 minutes each – so 1.5 hours in total which I was surprised about! It actually only took a total of 25 minutes for both of us in total.

What happens at the appointment?

To begin with, you will go into a room with one registrar. They will ask the information of where you are getting married, when etc. You will need the exact address of your venue or registry office, so make sure you have that to hand (I didn’t and was then searching around in my emails to make sure I had the correct address as you can’t change it afterwards and have to rebook and pay for another notice of marriage!) You will then be split up, one of you will go back into the waiting area, and one will stay. They will ask you what is the name, date of birth and address of yourself and the person you are marrying. They will also ask if you want your parents or guardians’ names on your marriage certificate – if you do, they will then ask for their details, including occupation. They will then swap you over and do the same with your partner. You will then come back together at the end, where you will both sign to say that the information you have given is correct. They will explain that this is then added to the register for 28 days.

Did you know – until 2021 when the marriage act changed, only your father’s name would be shown on the marriage certificate! This changed recently so both parents names are able to be shown if you wish!

What about information for music and witnesses etc?

You don’t need to confirm any of this information at the appointment. This is purely to give your intentions to marry. The registry office holding your ceremony, or the registry office who is providing your registrar will contact you with a form to complete with this information.

What happens if I am late or have the wrong documentation?

If you know you are going to be running late, call the registry office and see what can be done. If you miss your appointment, or you don’t have the correct documentation, you will need to book and pay for another appointment.

What if I am getting married in a church?

If the person marrying you, is able to legally marry you within their church, instead of giving your notice of marriage, they will read the banns before church service for 4 weeks in case anybody objects. If the person marrying you does not have a license, then you will need to also hire a registrar from the local registry office and you will need to give notice of marriage. You can discuss this directly with your place of worship.

Can wedding witnesses be family?

You can have anybody as your witness! As long as they are witnessing you legally marrying, it can be anybody who signs to say that the marriage happened. There may be clauses from your registry office on what age your witness needs to be, although there is no law on the minimum age, just that they need to be of age to understand what is happening, but your registrar may have their own rules which you need to abide by on this matter.

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The cost to hire a UK wedding planner

Now first up, it’s a bit like much of the wedding industry – how long is a piece of string! What we would say is that planners tend to charge 10-15% of your estimated wedding budget. It is so important to have a wedding budget and you can download our PDF guide on how to set a budget here. Once you have an idea of what you want to spend overall, you can then start approaching wedding planners with a budget and your ideas and they will then create a quote from there, taking into consideration the time they will need to plan, location, the size of the team they will need on the day and the length of the wedding.

But not every planner works in this way. For us, we work on a set fee basis as opposed to a percentage of your budget. Our fee is based on your style of wedding, the size of the guest list and what kind of wedding you would like. For example, if you wanted a hotel wedding which has inhouse caterers and accommodation on site, this would be a lower cost than if you wanted a marquee in a field as the logistics are far more time consuming. We generally need a bigger team for a marquee wedding and can be onsite for up to 5 days for the set up etc, so planning fees would be higher to accommodate for this. You can see a rough guide of what we charge here which can give you an indication of the cost to hire a wedding planner.

What services do UK weddings planners offer?

The services planners generally offer are full planning, where we plan your UK wedding from the very beginning, right up until the day, covering every part of the planning process to give you the day you want. Many, including myself, offer a partial planning service where you have already started booking the key things such as venue, catering, photography, and now need somebody to step in and take over. It could even be that all of your suppliers are booked but you need someone for the communication with the suppliers and the logistical planning, as that can be a lot!

There are other services some planners also offer, such as styling and décor planning, and we also offer an on the day management/co-ordination service which is perfect for you if you want to go ahead and plan your own day, but want to relax on the day and know that it’s handed over to someone else to handle the logistics in the background and to put any fires which inevitably crop up!

How much does it cost to hire a day of wedding coordinator?

Our 12 hour wedding co-ordination services are a set fee of £1500. There other extras you an add, such as final month planning, day prior set up, post wedding set down and an extension to have an event manager until the very end of the night, to manage the set down if it needs to be done on the same day, and also to manage any taxis/buses etc. But this is entirely up to you!

Every planner charges differently for this service but I would say £1000 – £2000 is the general rule of thumb. Some planners charge more and take over the planning 4-6 weeks prior to the day. I decided not to factor this into the base cost as some couples don’t feel like they need this service and would rather just have someone there on the day. With a background in event management, I have confidence to do this whereas I understand some planners would rather been more involved with supplier communication etc.

You can find out more about what our base co-ordination service includes here. This service is essential if you have a dry hire venue where you don’t have a venue co-ordinator onsite, or if you are getting married on your own land, or land you have hired.

How will I know if I need a wedding planner?

There are many reasons people hire a wedding planner, and as already discussed, in different capacities. Many of our couples (and parent!) afterwards are thrilled that they decided to hire a wedding planner, regardless of the cost to do so. For full planning and partial planning, most couples come to us because they have busy lives, careers etc so the cost of a wedding planner is the best many they spend in their budget! A wedding planner can’t take away all of the stress, such as family situations, but we can take away the stress of the supplier searching, the consistent emails, and the worries of whether the suppliers they are booking are legit and an appropriate cost.

If you’re not able to take the time out to focus on your wedding plans, if you are already feeling busy in your lives, or if you just don’t feel like you have the experience to know what to book, hiring a wedding planner will be essential for you and a great investment.

I truly believe everyone needs a wedding planner in the corner in some aspect, even if you just hire someone to manage your day, but you then have that relief in the back of your mind that you have a professional involved in some aspect that you can go to when you need to, even just to book a one off session to unload your stresses.

Many couples also book a planner if they aren’t in the same country, for example if you live in America, but would like a wedding in the UK or England, you will find a wedding planner is essential for you.

What is the disadvantage of a wedding planner?

I mean, after reading this, are there any? I think finding the right planner for you is essential. I don’t believe a wedding planner takes any control for you, you are ultimately in control, you make the final decisions, but this could depend on the planner you hire. You also need to ensure the planner you hire has experience. There have been many wedding planners popping up who may just think it is a nice job to do, but experience is essential.

There is a cost attached to a hire a wedding planner. Always check if your planner works on commission from their suppliers. This is something we do not do, as we want to hire the suppliers who are right for you, and now ones that we will earn an incentive from. A planner who works on commission may charge you less, but in the long run, will cost you more as your suppliers will then add that commission on top of your price. A wedding planner can most certainly save you money as we work with a budget planner, to make sure we are sticking to the overall budget you wanted to commit to, whereas when planning on your own, you are more likely to go over on the cost you wanted to spend.

Are you convinced that a wedding planner is the right route for you? Get in touch here and let’s get a consultation booked so we can chat further about your plans and how we can help you!

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how much does a wedding planner cost?

This can be like asking how long is a piece of string….many planners work on a % basis and you can expect to spend around 10-15% of your budget, with many planners having a minimum budget they work with.

Many planners also offer different services at different costs, for example, for the planning side, I offer a full planning service, which covers everything from finding your venue and suppliers, to guest management, wedding management and all the other things in-between!

I also offer a partial planning service for couples who have already booked their venue and a couple of key suppliers such as caterer and photographer, have then realised it’s actually ridiculously time consuming to find suppliers, and then decide to hire a planner! I then jump in and take over.

For couples who want to plan themselves but need a co-ordinator as they have a dry hire venue or hosting their celebrations from their own land, I also offer an on the day management service. All of my services work on a set fee basis, so the price on the website is what you can expect to pay, depending on your requirements, ie. If your celebrations are multiple days, the cost will be higher. You can see my pricing here.

What does a wedding planner do?

It’s a planners job, basically, for you as a couple to enjoy the planning journey more than you would without a planner….of course you are going to still face potential stresses of any family related problems that we cannot control, and of course the stresses of guest list and table plan, so I am not going to say we make the process completely stress free. But what we do do is take a lot of stress away that isn’t necessary, such as endless Google searches for suppliers, stressing over not having the time for searching for suppliers, the endless communication between suppliers and many other time-consuming tasks!

As you can see from my answer to the question above, there are various services that many planners offer, so depending on the level of service you opt for depends on how much the planner will be involved with planning tasks.

What I will say is that what a wedding planner doesn’t do is take away your control. I hear this a lot from couples who say that they can be control freaks and don’t want to loose the control. Ultimately, you don’t loose the control. You make the final decision on your suppliers, you just save the masses of time searching for them, finding our if they are available on your date, are within your budget and fit your style and vibe. You also make decision on details such as colour schemes, what flowers you want and your menu. We just do the background work to make this information far more accessible to you with the right suppliers who are the best for you!

Do i need a wedding planner?

In short, yes. Everyone needs a planner is some way. I have hired a planner to manage my own wedding day, and that is what I do for a living. Whether it’s just a few one off 1-1’s along the way to put your mind at ease and help unload some stress, or a full planning service to completely take the time-consuming task of planning a wedding off tour shoulders, every couple will benefit from a planner.

Venue co-ordinator vs wedding planner?

A venue co-ordinator is there to manage the venue. Yes, they can give recommendation for suppliers, but those suppliers may not work for you. Let’s put it this way, a co-ordinator manages anything from 30 – 150 weddings a year, depending on the venue, compared to a planner who generally take on 5-8 full plans a year. This shows how involved a planner is.

I was a venue co-ordinator myself for 10 years and can wholeheartedly tell you that the roles are completely different. A planner works directly for you. You may also find that your co-ordinator may leave the venue during your planning process, so although you could have a great relationship with them, they don’t work directly work for you so have free will to get a new job elsewhere! You may also find that your venue co-ordinator isn’t there for your full wedding day and passes over to an operational team, as a venue co-ordinator role is full on and doesn’t always leave time for wedding day management!

do wedding planners help find venues?

Yes! If you hire a planner for full planning or even just for a venue search which many planners offer, we can of course find you the perfect venue to fit your requirements such as date, location, accommodation etc and of course your budget. As planners, we have a directory full of perfect wedding venues, including some hidden ones you would probably struggle to find yourself – those private, family-owned venues who don’t have the budgets to get themselves to the top of Google or maybe aren’t the best on social media!

when to hire a wedding planner?

You can hire a planner at any point, depending on when you decide you need one! Only thing I would say is that with busy diaries, and with many planners only taking on a certain amount of couples each year to make sure they can give each and every one the time they deserve, if you have a particular planner in mind, you may want to get in quick!

Do wedding planners get commission from vendors and suppliers?

Ok so this is a controversial conversation across the wedding industry and is one that you may want to ask your planner during the consultation stage when you are deciding on which wedding plan you are hiring, although they may not want to answer the question! For me, my answer is simply – NO! I would never choose a supplier based on who will give me commission. If they want to pass on a payment or a gift to say thank you for booking, then that is up to them and I will always happily take a gift, but I would never choose a supplier based on this factor. I base my choice on the suppliers who will work for my couple.

is hiring a planner a luxury?

It could be, it all depends on your wedding budget, but what I will say is that many of my couple’s feedback after their wedding that they would never have kept to the budget they had in their heads if they hadn’t hired a wedding planner.

When we first start working together, we discuss what you want to spend, and saying ‘we don’t have a budget’ doesn’t wash with me (unless you literally have unlimited money to spend, then fine!) as everyone has a certain budget to spend. My answer to that is, if I put a 1 million pound wedding in front of you, would you be happy to spend that? No? You have a budget in mind then….

We then split your budget down to each area of the wedding, so when I am supplier searching, I can make sure they don’t go over what you want to spend.

Many couples make the mistake of not thinking about budget, as we all, as humans, hate talking about money! They then go off, find a lovely venue and book it without thinking of all the other costs that come with it, then stress because the wedding ends up costing far more than they actually want to spend. Hire a wedding planner and avoid this – in fact, I can guarantee the cost of a planner will actually what you overspend by (and more!) without having a planner.

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Yes, you may get the odd comment from a friend – “you have a planner?! What are you, Beyonce?!” but this thought process needs to change. In America, when you get engaged, you get a planner, it’s pretty standard. No one thinks you are being a diva by getting a planner, they just think you are clever. They have the right mentality. So many of my couple’s friends and family say afterwards, wow, I will definitely hire a wedding planner now I’ve seen what you’ve done for them and how incredible their wedding was. In fact, many of my bookings are referrals from previous couples. So, ignore the stigma of having a planner and get in touch here!

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