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Here is a selection of Q&A's from Your Manchester Wedding magazine. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yourmanchesterwedding.com.
To view more Q&A's on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
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 Hot topic: Timings of the day |
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| Whatever worries you have, our experts are here to guide you through |
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Planning the day
Q. We are having our wedding breakfast at 3pm and want a classical band to set the scene. However, we are unsure when to ask our upbeat evening entertainment to start their set. What would you advise when it comes to the timings of our afternoon and evening entertainment?
A. Jon Baker says: If you are having quieter or classical live music during your wedding meal it's usually best for the musicians to start playing just before your guests are seated. This creates a lovely relaxed atmosphere to start the proceedings - as long as the volume is low and unobtrusive.
The music can continue until the speeches and then, if you wish, afterwards as the guests leave the tables. For the lively evening entertainment it is always best to start with quieter recorded music as guests arrive and settle down. You will probably find all your evening guests won't have arrived until about 8.30 to 8.45pm and this is when things should liven up with the band's live set - starting with the first dance of the happy couple. A shorter first set leading up to the evening buffet will work well, followed by a much longer set after everyone has eaten. |
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Too much to ask?
Q. We are getting married at 10am, which means my bridesmaids and I will be getting ready from around half seven in the morning. I would love to have pre-wedding preparation shots, but is this too early to ask our photographer to arrive?
A. Paul Cooper says: Absolutely not. The bridal preparations are an important part of the story of your day, and it's not unreasonable to expect to have it documented. The interaction between the bridesmaids and often the mother-of-the-bride make for some great photos so it would be a shame to miss them due to time constraints. |
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Catering conundrum
Q. We are having our ceremony at 2pm and are unsure how to proceed with the catering. Will we have time for a wedding breakfast before the evening guests arrive and would this mean the evening buffet would come out later?
A. Liz Taylor says: Modern wedding catering comes in a variety of exciting formats. You could choose to have a drinks reception after the ceremony, while your photographs are taken, followed by the traditional wedding breakfast meal late afternoon. Then an evening buffet would be served around 9pm or 10pm.
The options are endless and determined by budget and format of the wedding day. For example you could opt for a vintage afternoon tea for the wedding party and then a fabulous, more formal meal in the evening. That way the afternoon catering is simple and inexpensive yet elegant. It also gives you the chance to chat to your guests informally and enjoy the day. This could be a private event and dressed in the eclectic yet stylish vintage fashion, or you could choose one of Manchester's fabulous hotels who serve great afternoon teas; The Midland and The Lowry hotels come to mind. Follow this later with a lavish meal and a wonderful party that you can focus most of your energies and budget on.
Or for a more relaxed but unusual evening reception, try a sushi belt or small food stations dotted around the room serving traditional fish and chips or popular Asian foods. If the main wedding breakfast is served early evening, you may prefer to miss the evening buffet all together and opt for canapés throughout the evening or hot bacon rolls served around midnight. |
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Decor decision
Q. As I am decorating the venue myself what is the usual procedure when it comes to allowing me to go to the venue to setup. Should I do it the day before, or is it something that is done on the morning of the wedding?
A. Natalee Goas says: If you are dressing the venue yourself I would always suggest to do it the day before your wedding, to avoid any last minute stress on the day. Ask the venue if they can allocate a time for you to set-up and work with them to ensure it is ready prior to your arrival. Make a note of everything you need to take with you and run through the final details of your day to make sure you haven't missed anything.
When you arrive to dress the venue enjoy doing it your way, and be satisfied everything is absolutely perfect before you leave. You can then relax, knowing the venue will look wonderful ready for your big day! |
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Contact our experts... |
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Jon Baker, Musician
www.funtimefrankies.co.uk |
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Liz Taylor, Wedding Planner
www.tlc-ltd.co.uk |
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Natalee Goas, Venue events manager
www.thetalkingpoint.com |
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Paul Cooper, Photography
www.paulcooperphotographer.com |
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