Our Planning Blog

Join our Founder and CEO Val Mattinson for news, event and wedding planning advice, design and styling inspiration.


You’re engaged! Congratulations! Whether you've been dreaming of your wedding day for as long as you can remember or you can barely wrap your head around all the wedding vocabulary, the first few weeks and months of being engaged are fun and exciting. Then wedding planning reality sets in...

Why Should I Hire a Wedding Planner?

You’re engaged! Congratulations! Whether you've been dreaming of your wedding day for as long as you can remember or you can barely wrap your head around all the wedding vocabulary, the first few weeks and months of being engaged are fun and exciting. Then wedding planning reality sets in...

Feb 20 2021


If you were due to get married in 2020, I probably don’t need to tell you how stressful a last-minute change of plans can be. You’ve weathered one of the biggest crises the wedding industry has ever experienced and likely dealt with numerous curveballs. However, a global pandemic isn’t the only thing that can throw things off course when you’re planning a wedding. Life happens, and even the most organised couples sometimes encounter bumps in the road.

Curveballs and Crises - What to Do When Wedding Plans Change

If you were due to get married in 2020, I probably don’t need to tell you how stressful a last-minute change of plans can be. You’ve weathered one of the biggest crises the wedding industry has ever experienced and likely dealt with numerous curveballs. However, a global pandemic isn’t the only thing that can throw things off course when you’re planning a wedding. Life happens, and even the most organised couples sometimes encounter bumps in the road.

Jan 14 2021


I’m writing this post in the midst of the UK’s second lockdown. COVID-19 has certainly kept us on our toes this year. As I type, wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations are not permitted to take place in the UK. Once lockdown is lifted and weddings can go ahead, the restrictions on numbers will remain in place. Whatever happens in the next few weeks and months, it seems small, intimate weddings will be the norm for the foreseeable future.

6 Reasons to Love Small, Intimate Weddings {Plus Advice, Inspiration and Ideas}

I’m writing this post in the midst of the UK’s second lockdown. COVID-19 has certainly kept us on our toes this year. As I type, wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations are not permitted to take place in the UK. Once lockdown is lifted and weddings can go ahead, the restrictions on numbers will remain in place. Whatever happens in the next few weeks and months, it seems small, intimate weddings will be the norm for the foreseeable future.

Nov 28 2020


Your wedding day is bound to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Declaring your commitment to one another in front of the people you love most is definitely worth celebrating. But that celebration doesn’t have to be traditional in order to feel meaningful and sincere. A Wedding Celebrant can help you create a ceremony that’s completely personal and tailored to you.

What is a Wedding Celebrant and What do They Do?

Your wedding day is bound to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Declaring your commitment to one another in front of the people you love most is definitely worth celebrating. But that celebration doesn’t have to be traditional in order to feel meaningful and sincere. A Wedding Celebrant can help you create a ceremony that’s completely personal and tailored to you.

Sep 09 2020


Now, more than ever before, couples have a very good reason to make their marriage official before holding a big celebration at a later date. The coronavirus pandemic has forced many to postpone their weddings until later this year or next. I’ve seen the heartache this has caused first-hand, and I know the situation is far from ideal. Now lockdown restrictions are being eased, couples at least have the option to hold a small civil ceremony, perhaps followed by a small reception. It might seem like a compromise, but it doesn’t have to be.

How to Do the ‘Legal Bit’ First and Plan a Heartfelt, Fun-Filled Party Later

Now, more than ever before, couples have a very good reason to make their marriage official before holding a big celebration at a later date. The coronavirus pandemic has forced many to postpone their weddings until later this year or next. I’ve seen the heartache this has caused first-hand, and I know the situation is far from ideal. Now lockdown restrictions are being eased, couples at least have the option to hold a small civil ceremony, perhaps followed by a small reception. It might seem like a compromise, but it doesn’t have to be.

Jul 20 2020


Why do we spend money on music concerts and festivals when we can download the same music straight onto our phones? It’s because music is inextricably linked to emotion.  You don’t just hear music – you feel it and those feelings evoke emotions like no other.

Wedding Musicians: The Magic of Live Music

Why do we spend money on music concerts and festivals when we can download the same music straight onto our phones? It’s because music is inextricably linked to emotion. You don’t just hear music – you feel it and those feelings evoke emotions like no other.

Jul 18 2020


Not often do you experience that perfect mix of historic grandeur and romantic intimacy, yet that is exactly what I discovered at Sutton Bonington Hall. This beautiful country house tucked away in rural Nottinghamshire offers you a splendid retreat, nestled in beautifully manicured gardens and adorned with pleasing features throughout.

Winter Weddings at Sutton Bonington Hall - Guest Post by Tara Winter, Pudding and Plum Photography

Not often do you experience that perfect mix of historic grandeur and romantic intimacy, yet that is exactly what I discovered at Sutton Bonington Hall. This beautiful country house tucked away in rural Nottinghamshire offers you a splendid retreat, nestled in beautifully manicured gardens and adorned with pleasing features throughout.

Jun 11 2020


Mark and Louise Gamble are the husband and wife team behind Covertec Structures, a high-end marquee company based in the heart of Leicestershire.

Recommended Supplier Spotlight – Covertec Structures

Mark and Louise Gamble are the husband and wife team behind Covertec Structures, a high-end marquee company based in the heart of Leicestershire.

May 11 2020


Of course, your wedding day is indisputably all about you but if you've been a guest at a wedding you'll know how important it is to make sure your guests are looked after.

8 Ways to Really Look After Your Wedding Guests

Of course, your wedding day is indisputably all about you but if you've been a guest at a wedding you'll know how important it is to make sure your guests are looked after.

Mar 21 2020


In my experience, food can make or break an event. Catering for a crowd requires a great deal of skill. As well as a delicious, well-executed menu, you need service staff you can rely on to create a fabulous dining experience for your guests.

Recommended Supplier Spotlight – The Red Olive Catering Co

In my experience, food can make or break an event. Catering for a crowd requires a great deal of skill. As well as a delicious, well-executed menu, you need service staff you can rely on to create a fabulous dining experience for your guests.

Mar 18 2020