Learn insider tips for your big day from some of the top wedding professionals…

Camilla, Boutique Manager at Knutsford Wedding Gallery shares her top tips on choosing the perfect dress

Be inspired - our Tagline is “Elegance with a sense of drama" so we like to inspire brides with dresses that are classy but with an edge, or the ‘wow’ factor! Therefore, be open minded, look beyond your first thoughts.

Do your research, source collections that appeal and search for their stockists. But be willing to try styles you had not previously considered. Allow the experts to guide you on your journey to your dream dress as it is not always easy to know what styles will suit your body shape in reality. Accept advice from your personal Bridal Consultants who know the collections very well and how they look ‘on’.

Set a budget - obviously, you may be tempted to deviate from that for the perfect dress but try to give a guideline to the bridal boutique.
Try not to be too influenced by glossy magazine pictures - try to imagine yourself in the dress at your chosen venue. Be confident in your final choice, trust your instincts and the advice offered. Above all else at this point stop looking!

Choose your bride tribe wisely! In our experience too many cooks can be confusing and distracting for the bride and make it difficult for her to truly feel what she prefers. It also becomes difficult for the consultants to advise you. Don’t forget it should be a wonderful experience, with friendly helpful advice.

visit Knutsford wedding gallery

Abigail, Senior Wedding & Events Coordinator from Standon Hall shares her top tips on choosing the perfect venue

Before you book a wedding venue there are a few things you need to keep in mind, the two most important ones are your guest numbers and budget. Work out who are you inviting for the ceremony as these make up your wedding breakfast numbers. The same goes for your budget, the venue will be where most of your wedding budget is spent so before you go for a visit, it is always good to get an idea of costs.

I would always advise couples to go to look at different styles of venues, so if you think you want a barn venue and not a Manor House venue, go to look at both just to make sure you still feel the same after you have visited. Picking a venue is similar to how you will pick your dress or how you picked the person you want to marry, it is the feeling you will get when you walk in and know that this is the one.

When you go for your show arounds, you need to look out for the little details. Does the venue have exclusive use or will you share the space with the public? Because this could determine where you are allowed to have photos within the venue and grounds. Are there any sound limits for your evening entertainment? Also, ask if you are allowed to bring in your own suppliers as some venues will have preferred suppliers.

I would also be flexible with your date if you can, as having your heart set on a date and the venue being booked doesn’t leave a lot of options other then waiting until the following year. When you want to secure your date at a venue with a deposit, I would take it in person, it is an excuse for another visit and to ensure you get the same feeling. Take your parents or best man/maid of honour and make a celebration of it.

A venue should be as special as your day.

visit Stanton hall

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