Our Planning Blog

Join our Director and Wedding Planner Val Mattinson for news, event and wedding planning advice, design and styling inspiration.


Should you plan a country wedding or a city wedding? I’ve been helping couples choose the perfect wedding venue for many years, so I know this is a common dilemma. If there are no obvious locations {your local church, the place you grew up in, the city where you first met}, it can be difficult to narrow down your search. Here are some things to consider if you’re trying to work out which option is right for you…

Country Vs. City Wedding – Which is Right for You?

Should you plan a country wedding or a city wedding? I’ve been helping couples choose the perfect wedding venue for many years, so I know this is a common dilemma. If there are no obvious locations {your local church, the place you grew up in, the city where you first met}, it can be difficult to narrow down your search. Here are some things to consider if you’re trying to work out which option is right for you…

Apr 28 2023


One of those tricky little bits of wedmin lots of couples tend to put off until the last minute - the seating plan! Your guests might be sat in those seats for at least a couple of hours, so it’s important to get those combinations right. Here are our top tips for putting together your seating plan…

How to Nail Your Wedding Seating Plan

One of those tricky little bits of wedmin lots of couples tend to put off until the last minute - the seating plan! Your guests might be sat in those seats for at least a couple of hours, so it’s important to get those combinations right. Here are our top tips for putting together your seating plan…

Mar 23 2023


The island of Jamaica is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and covered in lush mountains, rainforests, and reef-lined beaches. The birthplace of reggae, it’s a location filled with unforgettable experiences, from crocodile safaris to horseback riding in the sea.

5 Things to Do in Jamaica

The island of Jamaica is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and covered in lush mountains, rainforests, and reef-lined beaches. The birthplace of reggae, it’s a location filled with unforgettable experiences, from crocodile safaris to horseback riding in the sea.

Feb 27 2023


At Benessamy, we’re passionate about the Caribbean. We never miss an opportunity to share our love for the region with other people. If you’ve decided it could be the perfect location for your destination wedding, you probably feel the same, even if you’ve never visited before. That’s the magic of the Caribbean!

How to Celebrate the Caribbean at Your Caribbean Wedding

At Benessamy, we’re passionate about the Caribbean. We never miss an opportunity to share our love for the region with other people. If you’ve decided it could be the perfect location for your destination wedding, you probably feel the same, even if you’ve never visited before. That’s the magic of the Caribbean!

Jan 16 2023


One of the first dilemmas couples are faced with when they decide to plan an overseas wedding in the Caribbean is whether to go for an all-inclusive wedding package. These packages are marketed extensively by resorts and tour operators, so they’re often the first thing you see when you start looking for inspiration and ideas.

All-Inclusive vs. Bespoke – Which Caribbean Wedding Package is Right for You

One of the first dilemmas couples are faced with when they decide to plan an overseas wedding in the Caribbean is whether to go for an all-inclusive wedding package. These packages are marketed extensively by resorts and tour operators, so they’re often the first thing you see when you start looking for inspiration and ideas.

Dec 04 2022


Setting a date is an important step in the planning of your Caribbean destination wedding.
From travel logistics to local holidays, there are a lot of variables to consider. So, when’s the
best time to get married in the Caribbean? Here’s my expert advice…

When is the Best Time to Get Married in the Caribbean?

Setting a date is an important step in the planning of your Caribbean destination wedding. From travel logistics to local holidays, there are a lot of variables to consider. So, when’s the best time to get married in the Caribbean? Here’s my expert advice…

Oct 28 2022


The beautiful island of Saint Lucia straddles the boundary between the Caribbean Sea and
the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an incredible place to get married and there’s plenty for you to see
and do. With its sandy white beaches, it’s also the perfect place to do nothing at all!

5 Things To Do In St Lucia

The beautiful island of Saint Lucia straddles the boundary between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an incredible place to get married and there’s plenty for you to see and do. With its sandy white beaches, it’s also the perfect place to do nothing at all!

Aug 04 2022


Choosing your wedding stationery is an important step in your wedding planning. With so many styles to choose here's a little expert help.

How To Organise Stylish Wedding Stationery

Choosing your wedding stationery is an important step in your wedding planning. With so many styles to choose here's a little expert help.

Jun 20 2022


If you’re planning a destination wedding, you may be thinking about hiring local wedding vendors (i.e. vendors who are local to your chosen venue). Although I work internationally myself, I can recognise there are certain advantages to hiring people based locally. However, there are a few key questions you should ask before booking local vendors for your destination wedding.

Destination Wedding Planning - 3 Things to Ask Local Wedding Vendors

If you’re planning a destination wedding, you may be thinking about hiring local wedding vendors (i.e. vendors who are local to your chosen venue). Although I work internationally myself, I can recognise there are certain advantages to hiring people based locally. However, there are a few key questions you should ask before booking local vendors for your destination wedding.

May 09 2022


Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a huge honour and a privilege. Whether the bride is your oldest friend or a family member, you'll play an integral role in their wedding day and feature heavily in memories they'll treasure forever.

Everything You Need to Know About Being a Bridesmaid

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a huge honour and a privilege. Whether the bride is your oldest friend or a family member, you'll play an integral role in their wedding day and feature heavily in memories they'll treasure forever.

Apr 27 2022