Supplier Spot – Wedding Planners, Eden Events

Tracy and I worked together on Gill and Gavins lovely Wedding last March in Kinkell Byre. It wasn’t a planned “working together” but we were both booked independently and worked together on the day. I was impressed by Tracys attention to detail, hard work and the fact that everything possible was done to give the client exactly what they wanted on the day.

If you are looking for a Wedding Planner then I can whole heartedly recommend Eden Events.

The question is popped, the answer is “yes” – you are both on cloud nine! You are so excited that you want to tell everyone and do everything…. now, if not sooner! You search the web, you buy all the magazines, you talk about little else. That is great but the thrill only lasts until reality hits….

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……You do actually have to pick a date (which suits you both and as many of your potential guests as possible), visit a load of venues (to ensure you find your dream location, with the facilities you require for the type of wedding you think you want), choose catering (making sure that the style of food is to your liking and they can supply your favourite wine), check out photographers (have you even thought about what style of pictures you want? Formal, informal, reportage? Do you want albums, do you want images on disc?), choose outfits (you thought you would really enjoy trying on wedding dresses, but this is the 14^th shop and you still don’t seem to be able to find THAT dress), book transport (bride, groom, guests….), music (band or DJ or both….oh and what about the drinks reception…string quartet, wind trio? A piper – you have always wanted a piper….), flowers (how can I even think about flowers when I can’t even find THAT dress?), rings (we want matching rings, but where to start looking for something individual to us?) guest list (our parents want every family member invited, even those who we have never met – we want all our friends!), stationery (save the dates, invitations, place cards, table names, thank-you cards…), favours (just ladies or everyone? Charity donations or beautiful hand-made delights?), table plans (who is going to sit with whom? Who likes/hates each other?), cake (traditional or modern?), decoration (you do want your venue to have the WOW factor but how on earth to you bring your visions into reality?), honeymoon (leave that to him!), finances (HELP!!)…. Yes, it all gets a bit overwhelming!

In my years planning weddings, I have learned that although things seem overwhelming and something even insurmountable, there is always a solution. The key is to be organised. Start by looking online and in magazines, but with a clear purpose. Collect images and ideas and talk to suppliers about what they have to offer – don’t rush into things.

There are distinct trends in wedding planning at present, not least of all the fact that all couples are trying even harder to maximise the value they achieve from their budgets. There are always ways to do this with some clear prioritising and thinking "outside the box". Whether it's simply looking at having silk or artificial bouquets and table centres rather than fresh flowers or hiring/borrowing instead of buying, significant savings can be achieved. Because of this, weddings are definitely becoming more individual and unique. Retro and Vintage Chic are big news at the moment, so there are great opportunities to have an "on-trend" wedding, whilst staying on budget! Taking time to research the best deals, without compromising the vision too much, is key and with so many ways to save money, couples should not feel guilty when they decide to splash out on a few extra-special items - it's all about getting the priorities right!

TRACY PATTINSON

Eden Events

Planning, Co-ordination, Sourcing & Styling