Ask the Expert: Planning Advice with Charlotte Ricard-Quesada from La Fête

USE THIS AS A GUIDE AND BUILD ON IT TO CATER TO YOUR EXACT NEEDS:

1. Confirm the ceremony type that suits you both, what kind of reception you want and choose a date and time. Do you want a religious ceremony or a civil ceremony? Do you want a day or evening wedding? Do you want a local or destination wedding?

2. Do you need a wedding planner? Now is the time to research one and make your pick. Do not hesitate to research, make your preferred selection, have calls, meetings or video calls and make your pick. You need to make sure that you get on well, as you will be working closely together for the foreseeable future. You’re engaged! Congratulations, and welcome to the crazy world that is wedding planning! It will have incredible highs and let’s be honest, some difficulties along the way. With the insane number of lists, find a simple guide expertly curated by one of the world’s leading wedding planners, Charlotte Ricard-Quesada from La Fête.

3. Book the ceremony venue and reception venue. Make sure it has a good plan B in case of bad weather. Adding a marquee is often very expensive, and you need to pay to reserve it, even if you don’t end up using it.

4. Set your wedding budget. Make sure you have an honest decision with whoever is paying for your big day, and be prepared to go over by 20%.

5. Start thinking about your wedding stationery, and if you want to send out physical save the dates or electronic ones - this needs to be done ASAP.

6. Make the first draft of your guest list and decide who will be in your wedding party, and pop the question. Children or no children? Whatever you decide – stick to it.

7. Keep images of inspiration in one place (Pinterest, for example) these will be super important for all suppliers to send quotes and understand your vision.

8. Book your photographer and videographer – these are super important to book in fast! Make sure you like their styles, and have a call with them. They will be shadowing you all day, so you need to like them and trust them.

9. Research accommodation for yourself, your guests and if you need to plan transport for everyone. This is especially important if your ceremony and reception venue are in two different places.

10. Select other suppliers that are important for you both: caterer, DJ, entertainment, wedding car, etc. And because the planning doesn’t end until after your wedding day, here are the top 5 things to think about on the day of your wedding:

DAY OF WEDDING CHECKLIST:

• If you don’t have a wedding planner, have one person in charge of your big day.

• Pack your own little emergency kit.

• Who is taking what to the venue? Accessories, stationery, etc.

• Make sure all suppliers have the timeline and save all their contacts in one place.

• Make sure you have transport back to where you are sleeping - you don’t want to be booking and waiting for a taxi at the end of your own wedding day!

For more advice, visit: la-fete.com