Having helped couples achieve their perfect wedding day for over 30 years, Paul Deacon is acutely aware of the highs and lows that accompany the planning process. Fortunately, he has a wealth of tips to help ease the stress and ensure that couples feel nothing but excitement as they approach their big day. Here are just a few of them:
1. START EARLY
Beginning to plan a wedding can feel overwhelming. It can seem as though there’s simply too much to think about, too many things to take care of, and (of course) too many cake flavours to try! But it doesn’t have be this way. Start small, building up the elements of the wedding piece-by-piece. Couples should stay focussed on what they want from their day while considering the needs of their guests. Setting a goal for each month can help to ease stress that surrounds the preparation process and give confidence that everything will get done in time.
2. MAKE YOUR OWN TRADITIONS
Paul always suggests his clients individualise their wedding with a unique touch. It might be a family or traditional dance, curating handmade name places for every guest, or simply choosing a personal playlist. Personalised elements make the day more special. Instead of trying to craft the stereotypical ‘perfect’ wedding, which doesn’t exist, think about what is most important as a couple and work out how to put this at the forefront of the wedding. As a Celebrant, Paul specialises in helping couples tailor their wedding to reflect their own unique love story.
3. REHEARSE THE SPEECHES
Whether eagerly anticipating giving a speech or dreading it, Paul has a few key tricks to help prepare. Start writing the script at least 3 to 4 weeks before the big day, noting down headings of various topics to cover and then expanding on them. Sincere expressions of love are always well-received. To learn the speech, Paul suggests reading it aloud each night before bed. In this way, it will soon become familiar, and large parts of it will be naturally remembered. If full-blown memorisation isn’t feasible, committing the first three sentences to memory will ensure a strong start and help to quell any nerves.
4. LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE
Having looked after more than 1,500 events, Paul knows how to make a wedding day run smoothly. These suggestions might help to make guests feel special while gaining some time: Use personalised name cards for family, Best Man, ushers, and bridesmaids on the first two rows of ceremony seats Note the list of group photos on the back of those cards so that guests know when they will be needed Put the seating plan in the drinks reception area and then move it to outside the banqueting suite just before guests enter.
5. ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Ultimately, having personalised the wedding, the only addition needed is love. Meeting the florist, caterers, camera and AV teams, MUA, and DJ or musicians beforehand ensures trust in them. (But, just in case the venue doesn’t have it, bringing their mobile contact details is advisable.) Trusting the suppliers to deliver allows relaxation. Letting love for each other and for family and guests shine through will make the perfect celebration.
“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller