First time planning a wedding? Yep – pretty much everyone’s working all this out as they go along, so you’re absolutely not alone! Diving into a world of catering and styling, planning and logistics can be insane – but keeping on top of your plans will stop the overwhelm. Having a great relationship with your suppliers is really important, and communication is everything. Here’s how to talk to your wedding suppliers – from jargon to problem-solving, budgets and more.
Honesty, transparency and openness
Don’t be nervous to talk to your wedding suppliers as you want them to talk to you! I can feel a bit nervous sometimes when I’m asking an expert about their work – whether they’re a floral stylist, wedding photographer or planner. Having conversations on an equal footing means you can talk honestly – as if to a friend. Having that balance, and an equal relationship with your suppliers, will make your wedding planning so much smoother. So sound out your suppliers before you book! If you feel comfortable, they’ll be a great part of your team.
Top tip: don’t book suppliers at a wedding show. The overwhelm and adrenalin of the day is real. Everyone feels under pressure, including vendors! Choose your suppliers or shortlist on the day, but have a conversation after the event where you’ll both be more relaxed, and more yourselves. You can book after that!
All images in this blog are from Jemma Khan Studio, captured by Jono Symonds Photography
Share your wedding priorities with suppliers
Be open about your priorities – what’s important to the two of you as a couple, and what you’re really not bothered about! For example, if you want natural and candid wedding photography, or if you need a venue where your guests can relax, rather than a formal wedding vibe – be up front. If you have awkward questions (or questions you’re nervous to ask) get them out in the open. Chances are, your suppliers have heard them before and can reassure you.
The biggie: let’s talk wedding budgets
I reached out to luxury destination wedding planner Michelle Jacobs for advice on this one. She told me, “Trust and transparency go hand in hand during wedding planning, from the stage before booking all the way up to the big day. One area this is particularly important is around budget – we know it can be an awkward topic for some couples.”
“Whenever I ask about budget it’s not to be provocative. I like to have a frank conversation with every couple before they book, surrounding what their expected budget is and what we can create for that budget. I’ve been planning weddings in the UK and Europe for many years, and so can give couples a good idea of what their money will get them in different places. This 2-way communication ensures that my couples get the best experience and that we can exceed expectations – and this all starts with honesty, expertise and clear communication.”
All images in this blog are from Jemma Khan Studio, captured by Jono Symonds Photography
Choose your wedding suppliers wisely
I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to choose your suppliers well. Always make a joint decision on who you want to book for your day – especially those who’ll be around all day (photographers, videographers, caterers, entertainment etc.) Never pick wedding suppliers based on how their service looks. Choose for communication, professionalism, experience, reputation and GENUINE reviews.
Here’s an example: you might find the most amazing tailored suit or bespoke dress on social media, but when you reach out to the designer or boutique, they’re a bit ‘off’. You adore the look so much you book an appointment anyway, and go along – even though you’re a bit nervous. When you’re trying outfits on, you feel you have to be on best behaviour, or perhaps things feel rushed – but you adore the suit and it feels really high end. Should you book?
Talking’s important for wedding vendors too.
Before you contact any wedding supplier, remember they want to talk to you. They want to go through details, they want to hear your story and they want you to be as honest and open as you can be. It goes both ways. Great wedding suppliers will welcome your questions, encourage you to ask things you think are silly, and make you feel ok about asking whatever it is you need to. Things like wedding industry jargon can be confusing – things like candid vs natural photography styles, corkage (a classic!) and dry hire are baffling at first. Find suppliers who make you feel at ease so you can ask them to explain anything!
Two-way communication is everything!
Back in April I was talking to the UK’s number one wedding planner, Mark Niemierko. His down to earth advice is always a breath of fresh air.
“The single best thing a wedding planner can do for couples is to alleviate stress with amazing communication. Of course, as a planner I will always deliver an amazing wedding – logistically and creatively – but the most important thing which I learnt early on is to communicate. It’s really important to give couples peace of mind – even if something isn’t yet done, knowing you’re on it is everything.”
Where to talk to your wedding suppliers
As a wedding stationery designer and calligrapher, I’m used to hearing from couples by email, on instagram, by phone and text. I’m pretty sure this is the bare minimum, and other suppliers are also contactable on TikTok, Pinterest and even Facebook.
Before you lose track of who’s said what and where, focus on making it manageable. Talk to your wedding suppliers wherever is best for you! Having all your chats in one place will help. Having them scattered across the cloud is a one-way ticket to chaos. (And if you lose an important chat which isn’t backed up – nightmare!) Wedding Wire has some good advice about methods of contacting wedding suppliers – and how soon to expect a reply.
Top tip: write things down. Any special requests, preferences – anything. If you both have a written record, you can check back on your notes any time.
What if there’s a problem with one of your wedding suppliers?
So this can happen – it’s less likely if you’ve chosen your suppliers well, but the secret to resolving misunderstanding or conflict is to be open and honest. More advice on talking to wedding suppliers in tricky situations here: https://www.keptweddings.co.uk/difficult-wedding-suppliers-and-how-to-manage-them/
Don’t just take it from me – the best wedding suppliers want to prioritise communication.
Jemma Khan is a luxury florist for private estate weddings and marquees: “From our first conversation, I try to tune into what you really want, even if you don’t quite have the words for it yet. I’ll ask questions, listen to your story and quietly gather the pieces of your vision until it feels just right…Service is everything. My couples trust me not only to create beautiful flowers but to guide them through the process with care, clarity, and calm.”
Erika Tanith is a wedding photographer from Newcastle: “Communication is absolutely key, it’s the foundation for trust, comfort, and a truly tailored experience. The better I understand my couples and what matters most to them, the better I can capture their day in a way that feels uniquely theirs. From the very beginning, I aim to create an open, easy-going dialogue. I’m friendly, transparent, and always happy to share a bit of myself too, because I don’t believe in one-sided conversations. I want my couples to feel completely comfortable coming to me with their ideas, questions, and even last-minute changes. That connection is what helps me do my best work, and what turns a great service into something genuinely meaningful.”
Manchester wedding photographer Priti Shikotra told me: “Communication is so important – I can’t emphasise it enough. It really helps to build that rapport & relationship with couples when communication is on point. I take a step back & listen to couples tell me in detail about how they met, details for their wedding day & how are they feeling about it up until now. Often couples will follow on social media so I’ll follow back. It’s nice to have a glance into their lives even if it’s via Instagram stories for example as you can interact that way too. I let couples know they can expect a response within a time frame & for anything urgent they can of course ring or text me.”
Mel, luxury wedding planner at Your Story Events explains that for her, communication is part of building a relationship: “As a wedding planner we are in constant contact throughout, I guide and advise couples through the whole process. We have regular calls and meetings, a wedding planning whats app group and a wedding planning portal we use to keep everything in one place. I genuinely build such a lovely relationship with my couples, I miss them when the day is over! And for the majority we still send occasional messages and comments or DMs on instagram which I love.”
One of my shining stars in the wedding industry is lovely Ross Willsher Photography from Essex. He says, “Trust comes from open communication where everyone can be themselves and express themselves freely – as a photographer I want my couples to share their insecurities and fears as I have lots of techniques – both photographic and psychological – to improve confidence on camera. I think it’s important for suppliers to be explicit about how open they are to supporting their couples and to actively encourage and enable couples to approach and collaborate with them throughout the planning process. Of course there are limits, and during busy seasons suppliers cannot be on hand to answer calls and emails 24/7, but by building mutual trust and respect, couples and suppliers can work closely to create and incredible experiences.”
The loveliest advice from Lake District wedding photographer Mark Battista: “For me, communication is everything, especially when it comes to building trust. From the moment a couple gets in touch, I keep things relaxed and open — no pressure, no jargon. I’m always happy to chat things through, whether it’s about timings, nerves, or the best light for portraits.
It’s about being present, checking in when it matters, and making sure each couple feels genuinely looked after — not like just another date in the diary. That kind of care grows with experience, and in my view, it’s one of the biggest differences between someone who’s been doing this for years and someone who’s just finding their feet.”
Today’s gorgeous spring wedding was sent in by English Wedding members and luxury UK wedding planners Your Story Events. It’s a beautiful, elegant celebration in Buckinghamshire’s wonderful Wormsley Estate. And it’s bringing a little sunshine and warmth which I think we all need on this January day! The wedding was in May, and the couple’s choice of a luxury marquee set the tone for the wedding celebrations.
The styling is exquisite, with light dusty blues and lots of white in the cake, flowers and table settings. It’s truly lovely and I’ve been so excited to share this wedding with you. Thanks to Mel at Your Story Events for kindly sharing her write up of the day, and to talented wedding photographer Kate Victoria for the fabulous images.
Charlotte and Josh tied the knot in a stunning Spring wedding with their elegant marquee celebration in the grand countryside location of Wormsley Estate in Buckinghamshire.
The bride wore a chic and elegant off-the-shoulder A-line satin dress from Hera Couture which she purchased from Halo and Wren Bridal.
The couple exchanged vows in a deeply moving ceremony at St. Michael and All Angels Church were a few tears were shed by the couple and their guests. The ceremony was marked by heartfelt tributes to loved ones who had passed and featured a selection of meaningful readings. They had a fun and colourful confetti line exit from the church and a group photo, the couple headed to their reception venue in a classic Rolls Royce Silver cloud.
The reception took place at the prestigious Wormsley Estate in their beautiful Walled Garden. With a live sax playing music throughout their drinks reception, guests enjoyed Champagne, entertainment and exploring the stunning walled gardens and grounds.
Every detail of this wedding was embedded with personal touches reflecting Charlotte and Josh’s journey together, from the meticulously designed stationery with a hare drawn on to reflect their surname to the thoughtfully decorated marquee.
The aesthetic and vibe for their marquee reception was elegant and chic, with lots of white and pastel blue, complemented by green leafy foliage.
Charlotte & Josh chose to have a small wedding day with 40 guests for their ceremony and wedding breakfast, which was a wonderful three course meal by Sojo catering.
80 more friends joined in the evening to celebrate the newlyweds. With a live saxophonist playing alongside a DJ for the evening party, the couple and their guests danced the night away and had the best day spending time with their friends and family.
Wedding Planner and Designer – Your Story Events – @your.story.events – https://www.yourstoryevents.co.uk/
Photographer – Kate Victoria Photography – @katevictoriaphotgrapher – https://www.katevictoriaphotography.co.uk
Church – St Michaels and All Angels Church – @Hughendenchurch – https://www.hughendenparishchurch.org.uk/
Reception Venue – Wormsley Estate, Walled Garden – @wormsleyestate – https://wormsley.com/
Marquee – Holmsted Events – @holmstedevents – https://holmstedevents.co.uk/
Dress – Hera Couture from Halo and Wren – @haloandwrenbridal – https://www.haloandwrenbridal.co.uk/
Bridesmaids Dresses – Six Stories – @sixstories – https://www.sixstories.co.uk/
Cake – The Willow Tree Bakery – @thewillowtreebakery – https://thewillowtreebakery.co.uk/
Caterers – Sojo Kitchen – @sojokitchen – https://sojokitchen.com/
Entertainment – Girls That Mix – @girlsthatmix – https://girlsthatmix.co.uk/
Florist – Foxgloves and Roses – @foxglovesandroses – https://www.foxglovesandroses.co.uk/
Furniture – Wedhead – @wedhead_london – https://www.wedhead.co.uk/
Hair – Holly Edmonds – @hollyedmondshair
Makeup – Emma Ludlow via Laura Carroll Makeup Artistry – @lauracarrollmakeupartistry – http://www.lauracarroll.co.uk
Stationery – Sweet Ophelia – @sweetopheliadesigns – https://www.sweetophelia.co.uk/
The UK has some stunning destinations for a wedding weekend away from home. The Lakes, the Highlands and the Cotswolds are personal favourites for me. Having a destination wedding will make your wedding an unforgettable occasion for you and your guests, while a holiday on home soil saves on air miles and the carbon footprint of your wedding. Today on English Wedding, talented wedding planner Mel from Your Story Events shares her very best tips to help you find the perfect Cotswold wedding venue for you.
Finding the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important steps in planning your special day. The Cotswolds, with its picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and historic architecture, offers a stunning backdrop if you envision a romantic countryside wedding.
As an experienced wedding planner in the UK, I’m here to share with you my advice on how you can find your dream Cotswold wedding venue. Read my top tips to help you discover the perfect location for your celebration.
Photographer credit: Tanya Flanagan Photography
Why choose the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is renowned for its natural beauty, endless picturesque landscapes and timeless charm. Choosing a Cotswold wedding venue means you’ll be surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery, and quaint stone architecture. The area is also home to some of the most luxurious and sought-after wedding venues, ensuring that your special day is both beautiful and memorable.
Consider the Venue Style
When looking for a Cotswold wedding venue, it’s essential to consider the style and atmosphere you want for your wedding. Are you dreaming of a grand manor house or a rustic barn? For a luxurious and elegant setting, consider venues like Wiltshire’s Kin House and beautiful Euridge Manor. These locations offer breathtaking views, historic architecture, and exquisite gardens that will make your wedding day truly special.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed and intimate setting, there are plenty of charming barns and countryside venues to choose from like Kingscote Barn and Cripps barn. The Cotswolds cater to a variety of tastes and styles, so take your time to explore different options.
Location and Accessibility
The location of your Cotswold wedding venue is crucial. Consider how easy it will be for your guests to travel to and from the venue. Some popular venues, like Elmore Court, are conveniently located near major motorways, making it easier for guests coming from different parts of the country or abroad.
Additionally, think about the surrounding area. Do you want a venue that’s close to a particular village or town that you love? Or perhaps you want a more secluded location with uninterrupted views of the countryside? The Cotswolds offer both options, so decide what’s most important for you and your guests.
Capacity and Facilities
Before you fall in love with a venue, make sure it can accommodate your guest list comfortably. Each Cotswold wedding venue will have different capacity limits, so ensure that the venue you choose can host the number of guests you’re planning to invite.
Additionally, consider the facilities available at the venue. Does it have accommodation for guests who might want to stay overnight? Are there separate areas for the ceremony, reception, and dancing? Venues like Hyde House offer extensive facilities and stunning settings for both the ceremony and the reception, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable celebration.
Budget and Availability
Your budget is another critical factor when choosing a Cotswold wedding venue. Luxury venues like Kirtlington Park and Sudeley Castle offer incredible experiences, but it’s essential to ensure they fit within your budget. Don’t forget to ask about what’s included in the venue hire fee and any additional costs that might arise.
Availability is also key. Popular Cotswold wedding venues can get booked up well in advance, so start your search at least a year in advance and be prepared to be flexible with your dates. Booking early ensures you have the best chance of securing your dream venue on your preferred date.
Ready to find your perfect Cotswold wedding venue?
Finding the perfect wedding venue is an exciting journey that requires careful consideration of your style, location, guest list, and budget. By taking the time to explore different venues, attending venue open days and dedicating time to research each venue, you will get a clearer idea of what the perfect venue for you looks like.
I hope these tips help you find your dream Cotswold wedding venue. If you want my expert advice, recommendations or want to work with me to help plan, book and coordinate your special day, get in touch with me here. 
https://www.yourstoryevents.co.uk
Discover more:
- Why these 5 Cotswolds Manor Houses make the perfect wedding venue
- 8 Questions to ask your wedding venue
- Different types of wedding venues: everything you need to know
A guest blog by lovely Mel, wedding planner at Your Story Events
With so many options, styles and combinations to choose from, picking your wedding colour palette can take time, and that’s okay! This decision will ultimately guide the rest of your wedding design decisions, so keep reading if you need some advice and top tips for how to choose your wedding colour palette.
Photographer: D&J Wedding Photography
As an expert wedding planner, I’ve seen how the right combination of colours can transform a venue and create the perfect atmosphere for your special day.
The Importance of colour at your wedding
Your wedding colour palette sets the tone for the entire event. It influences everything from your invitations and flowers to your bridesmaids’ dresses and table settings. A well-chosen colour scheme will create a cohesive and visually stunning wedding, that is personal and memorable. If you want every detail to feel intentional and harmonious for a picture-perfect wedding, then it all starts with the vibe and aesthetic you choose.
Photographer: D&J Wedding Photography
Photographer: Jessica Piazza Photography
Draw inspiration from the season
You don’t have to mirror your wedding to the season you are getting married in, but it is a popular design choice when it comes to weddings. Lots of couples want to reflect the floral colours that are in bloom at their venue or match the colours of the trees in their floral arrangements. For example the summer is a season bursting with colour, so you might opt for vibrant hues, lush greenery, and lots of different colours to reflect the energy and vibe of summer. For an autumn wedding you can choose more golden warm tones to reflect the weather and orange leaves on the trees.
Photographer: Jessica Piazza Photography
Consider your venue
Your venue plays a significant role in determining your wedding colour palette. If you’re getting married on the beach, you might opt for soft blues, sandy neutrals, and touches of gold to mimic the seaside. For a countryside wedding, pastel pinks and lavender or cornflower blue with pops of natural greens can highlight the natural surroundings.
If your wedding venue already has vibrant interior design or historic designs, then you might want to choose a colour palette that reflects the colours already present at your wedding venue.
Photographer: Jessica Hopwood Photography
Reflect your personal style
Your wedding is a reflection of you as a couple, so your wedding colour palette should be too! Think about the colours that resonate with you both. If you love bold, dramatic hues, don’t shy away from incorporating these fun colours into your flowers, bridesmaid dresses and tablescape. If you prefer wearing outfits that are minimalist and chic, then choosing a more elegant and understated pastel and neutral colour palette might be more in your style.
Photographer: Jessica Piazza Photography
Balancing your colour palette
When choosing your wedding colour palette, it’s essential to balance the colours to avoid overwhelming the senses or creating a cluttered look. A good rule of thumb is to choose one or two dominant colours and then add in one or two accent colours. For example, you could have a base of soft pinks and whites, accented with gold and greenery for a sophisticated summer wedding.
Photographer: Jessica Piazza Photography
Wedding trends or a timeless option
While it’s great to consider current trends, it’s also important to choose a wedding colour palette that you love rather than opting to just join a trend. Trends come and go, but your wedding photos will last forever so choose an aesthetic that you both love. Classic combinations like navy and blush or pink and lavender are timeless choices if you want an elegant and sophisticated design.
Enjoy the design process
Choosing your wedding colour palette is a fun and creative journey that allows you to infuse your personal style into your big day and have fun choosing decor and floral details that will transform your venue.
If you want style, design or planning advice to ensure your wedding is exactly how you envisioned it, get in touch with me today to see how I can help curate your dream wedding.
Let’s make Friday amazing with a beautiful editorial feature from lovely Mel at Your Story Events. I’ve been so excited to share this with you – it’s dreamy and beautiful, with French vibes and the most adorable couple!
With Valentine’s and Christmas just behind us, I feel it’s a nice opportunity to explain styled shoots and why we feature them. This isn’t a real wedding, it’s a creative project from a (super talented!) group of wedding suppliers who’ve taken time out to inspire you. I LOVE styled shoots because they show folks like you and me the very BEST ideas for wedding styling – and this is the loveliest example!
I will hand over to lovely Mel from Your Story Events, who’s done a little write up on behalf of the team. Do check them out – there’s a supplier list for you just below. And have a wonderful Friday!
This dreamy, rustic-luxe wedding editorial shoot offers charming, French vibes set in the beautiful English countryside.
The shoot took place in the gorgeous Barn Wedding Venue at Caswell House and was captured by Tanya Flanagan Photography in her romantic, fine art style. The day was planned by me, Mel, from Your Story Events, along with Lauren Daisy, our Stationery Designer.
We wanted to illustrate how luxe-styled weddings can absolutely work in rustic venues. Achieving our vision by using soft palettes of neutral, pastel blues and soft lilacs, styled with elegant tableware, textured linen and padded Louis-style chairs. For the stationery, Lauren created a bespoke Caswell House Collection with a unique venue drawing to capture the location’s essence. The tableware was supplied by Wren Ark, while Northfields provided the linen.
The flowers by Blue & Boheme were stunning; overflowing meadow arrangements were used for both the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and tied in beautifully with the look of the shoot; adding to the authentic rustic, farmhouse vibe. The table centrepieces consisted of pretty bud vases with tall dining candles to create a romantic glow. Whilst the Barn provided a wonderful backdrop of light stone, which meant the colour palette complemented perfectly. A magnificent cake was designed by the Pretty Cake Company, with beautiful colour and textures for an elegant finish.
Our real-life model couple, Beki and George, looked flawless. Our elegant bride wore a strapless dress from Butterfly Bridal Boutique, while delicate jewellery and shoes completed Beki’s look – provided by Fiona Lucy and Harriet Wilde. Danielle from Pinned with love Hair styled Beki’s romantic updo and the bridal make-up by Beth Sell Make-up Artist.
George dressed in a blue tweed jacket and suit from Dragonfly Menswear to complement the rest of the shoot. The wedding celebrant, Meg Senior Ceremonies, conducted the ceremony in a coordinating outfit and brought her fun energy to the day. Finally, the shoot included Dita Bowen capturing the gorgeous day on video for us all to enjoy.
Your Caswell House wedding supplier list
Planning/ Design: https://www.yourstoryevents.co.uk/
Planning/ Stationer: https://www.laurendaisy.co.uk/
Venue: https://www.caswellhouse.co.uk/
Photographer: https://www.tanyaflannagan.com/
Florist: https://blueandbohemeflorist.co.uk/
Celebrant: https://www.megsenior.com/
Make-up Artist: https://www.hairandmakeupbybeth.com/
Hair Stylist: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079544943383
Cake maker: https://www.theprettycakecompany.com/
Dress: https://butterflybridalboutique.co.uk/
Suit: https://dragonflygroomswear.co.uk/
Hair Accessories and Jewellery: https://fionalucy.co.uk/
Video: https://ditabowenphotography.co.uk/
Bride footwear: https://www.harrietwilde.com/
Tableware: https://wrenark.com/
Table Linen: https://www.linenforhire.co.uk/
