![Careful planning ensures your wedding runs smoothly / Photo: The Manor House Hotel, Moreton [Credit: Jenny Aston Photography] <i>(Image: credit with use; © Jenny Aston Photography 2015)</i>](/resources/images/15770789.jpg?type=mds-article-962)
Promotional feature: Wedding photographer Jenny Aston asks wedding co-ordinators from across the Cotswolds for their top tips on planning your big day
“When creating the table plan, make sure that the important people – such as the grandparents – face the top table and don’t have to twist around. Plan for the bride to stay in the venue before the wedding. That way she starts to relax immediately the night before.”
Michael Eastick, Charingworth Manor
“You need to feel comfortable and happy; connect with all aspects of your wedding; with the people involved and the hotel. Your wedding is an investment into your future, don’t forget the importance of capturing the memories.”
Tess Chisholm, Lower Slaughter Manor
“Book your registrar first – before paying the deposit at the venue. Once you have secured the registrar’s date, then go ahead and book the venue.”
Maz Aspillaga, Cotswold House
“Hold on to what is important and remember to ring-fence time together.”
Mica Wilkes, The Montpellier Chapter Hotel
“Give yourselves plenty of time to look around – and when you find your perfect suppliers – book them immediately.”
Katharine Gardner, Dumbleton Hall
“Don’t feel like you have to do everything on the “wedding checklist”, nobody needs favours – do it your own way.”
Natalie Reynolds, Hotel du Vin, Cheltenham
“There can be a lot of pressure from other people – plan it for you. Choose your favourite food, for example, and don’t get tied up in tradition.”
Charlotte Bullock at The Greenway Hotel
“Organising a wedding can be a stressful time, so it’s best to focus on the elements that make up the day one at a time rather than looking at the whole day and becoming daunted by the work that is involved. Use one week to look at photographers, another for Florists and then cakes etc.. By ticking them off one at a time, you’ll find the whole day comes together easier than you thought!”
Tom Gibbons at The Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh
“Take 5 minutes to step back from the planning to reflect on what it is all about, and then take 5 more minutes in the day to talk with each other. Book a photographer and also a videographer – don’t let your friends do it. Plan your suppliers and make sure you are happy with them; they spend a lot of the day with you.”
Amy Hay, Wyck Hill House Hotel
“Get married as early as you can – it is the most expensive day of your life so enjoy it all.”
Ed Duley, manager of Hotel du Vin, Cheltenham
“Ensure everything is planned and finalised as early as possible to minimise the additional stress that silly details can add.”
Dominic Bishop at The Feathers Hotel, Woodstock
--------------------------------
Jenny Aston Photography
www.jennyastonphotography.co.ukt; 01608 645404 m; 07908 816421
