Emma Eccleston from Inskip, Lancashire has been planning weddings and events for over six years but now it’s her turn to say ‘I do’.
Emma Eccleston from Inskip, Lancashire has been planning weddings and events for over six years but now it’s her turn to say ‘I do’.
The bride-to-be forms part of the renowned wedding team at Stanley House Hotel and Spa situated in Mellor, which helps brides from across the country bring together their big day.
Newly engaged, Emma, believes there is now a lot of pressure on her shoulders as she takes on the monumental task of planning her own wedding.
She said: “As soon as I announced that my partner Iain had proposed people assumed I would already have every last detail planned. With all my industry knowledge, family and friends already have the opinion that my wedding will be the wedding of the century.
Emma’s role at Stanley House entails guiding couples around the venue, listening to their wishes, mapping out what would work and of course liaising with hundreds of chosen suppliers to make the day picture perfect. She has helped well over 550 brides tie the knot in style at the venue.
She commented: “In my position there’s a huge degree of hand holding brides, from striking a bond the very moment we meet to ensuring every last little detail is run with military precision on the day.
“It’s therefore strange to think that even my wealth of experience, I feel exactly the same as every bride I have ever met when they first come to meet the team at Stanley House. We haven’t even set a date but I’m already starting to feel the butterflies as people notice the new sparkling diamond ring on my finger.”
Conforming to other peoples’ views on the perfect wedding can be really daunting for brides when they take their first planning steps. That’s why the team at Stanley House come highly commended.
Emma continued: “We tend not to steer couples, instead we listen to what they want and explore how we can help them achieve their wedding dream.
“Our guidance is key as many engaged couples don’t know where to start or how to source a package to suit their budget.
“I have been lucky enough to see an array of weddings at Stanley House take shape, from large traditional ones to alternative intimate ceremonies.
“Sometimes action packed weddings can blur the vision and can result in putting guests’ wishes ahead of your own. We will definitely be one couple opting for a wedding with the two of us at the heart of everything we do.”
Stanley House is a hit with couples due to its beautiful setting, opulent facilities, and choice of wedding package. As a result of its popularity, the volume of weddings has increased by more than 40 percent from 2011 to those booked in 2013.
Emma is yet to decide on her wedding venue and is enjoying being newly engaged, intent upon making the day individual, she certainly feels that Stanley House ticks all the boxes, as a home away from home.
Emma commented: “I do know that getting married at a place which is extremely personal to me would really help to stamp our personalities on our special day.
“I am so excited to set a date so I can start the wheels in motion and it will give me an even deeper understanding of how it feels to be a bride.”
Emma has designed a new checklist to ensure brides are planning things the right way at the right time, for more details visit www.stanleyhouse.co.uk/wedding-venue/wedding-checklist or click the link in the tp right hand corner
When it comes to planning a wedding, Emma’s tips from the top include;
1. It may not sound very romantic but when you first start planning, sit down together and work out your budget before you book anything so you can be realistic when progressing with your plans.
2. As a couple, jot down what’s most important to you and remember the reason you are doing this is to demonstrate your love and commitment to each other in front of your family and friends.
3. Sometimes it’s far too easy to fall in love with the first photographer you see at a wedding fayre or the videographer most visible online but I’d advise every bride and groom to do their research first. If your chosen venue doesn’t have a list of trusted suppliers, make sure you gain recommendations and set up meetings to really get to know them. Remember you will be spending a lot of time with photographers and caterers both on the day and in the run up to your wedding so it’s important that you get on with them.
4. Don’t set your heart on an outdoor wedding if you are celebrating the day in the UK. If you are hoping to make the most of outdoor space, speak with your wedding co ordinator about a plan B so it is easy to put in place if the weather isn’t how you planned on the day.
5. Don’t give yourself too much to do, instead write yourself a ‘to do list’ by month prioritising the main aspects such as ceremony, venue, catering and the dress. Other activity can be scheduled later from bridesmaid and groom attire to your chosen first dance song. A good tip as you approach your wedding day is to re-confirm everything with your wedding co ordinator or list of suppliers, attaching a timetable for the day. This will ensure your requirements are front of mind.
