So, what is the essence of a bespoke wedding? Beyond the elite vendors, acclaimed dressmakers and cake makers, what is most important are the hidden aspects of a wedding:

1. Make it Personal

From the choice of flowers to your choice of a starter every decision should be a personal one for the couple.

When you go to a venue, the coordinators take you around and show you, ‘This is the ballroom and every bride has her photo taken here, you have your ceremony here’. But if you have two brides who both have their weddings in the same venue, you’re essentially having the same wedding, just with different people.

My focus as a wedding designer is to understand the unique perspectives of both the bride and the groom and to craft an amazing day that is personal for them and their family.

2. Create an Experience

Making people feel welcome, considered, and entertained are the key elements of luxury planning that can be easily transferred, whatever your budget.

It is important to look at all the details of the organization, putting yourself in the guest’s shoes and look at every element of the day, and every point they’re going to have interactions with, and how you want that to be.

3. Feast of the Senses

From scented candles to delicious canapés, your wedding should provide many opportunities to treat your guests to the best sights, smells, and sounds.

A wedding is a huge production. For each act, you have to look at the elements and the components that fall into play. Whether it’s the food or the entertainment, everything that touches the sense, look, feel, sound, smell… they all come into play.

It’s all about the attention to detail: having dinner escorts bring the guests to their table, making everyone feel that they are being looked after, and taken care of.

4. There is no “Most Important” element

As long as you and your guests are happy and enjoying themselves, there is no ‘most important’ element.

5. Think about your timeline

Start with a ‘bespoke checklist’; tell us when your wedding is, how many guests, what your expectation is, and we’ll tell you what to do each month and how to divide the time.

On the big day, our team will be managing and coordinating everything to ensure that every detail is being executed perfectly. Our timeline often stretches into dozens of pages, ensuring (to the minute), that everything is perfect from when the bride gets her makeup done.

You want to make sure there is a flow: you don’t want people sitting around for an hour and a half while you’re getting photos.

6. Some things money can’t buy

Even a million-dollar wedding can’t compare with a ceremony that has the right atmosphere. The best weddings are the ones where the bride and groom were both happy and smiling the entire time.

7. Be Decisive (and set deadlines)

Be confident in your decisions and set deadlines for everyone, so you can move on to the next page of planning. Decision-making timelines are helpful for everyone, the planning process becomes much smoother, and the whole wedding can get off without a hitch!

8. Grooms are just as important

Make sure your other half is just as involved in the planning (if he wants to be).