Five Top Tips

You’ve arranged the foundation for a fun- filled day, it’s now time to set the scene, and bring your dream wedding to life. Continental Event Hire (continentaleventhire. co. nz) share its advice on everything you need to consider for your details and deco

01. GET IN FIRST

As with most things in the wedding planning process, it’s beneficial for both you and your vendors if you can lock them in as early as possible. This means ample time to work together to create the look you’ve envisioned for your day, or nut out any problems that may arise.

02. DON’T GO CRAZY UNTIL YOU HAVE THE ESSENTIALS COVERED

It’s easy to get caught up in the romanticism of a flower wall or a fairy light ceiling, but don’t blow your budget until you have the essentials covered. Is a generator needed for all your additional lighting? Are there bathroom facilities onsite, or will you need to hire transportable amenities for the day? All of these are essentials, and your guests are far more likely to notice the 15-minute bathroom queue than the immaculate floral arrangements.

03. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORDS

To ensure you have a cohesive look and feel to your day, be prepared with a few key words and colours on hand to show your vendors. If you’ve opted to hire a marquee, for example, your keywords may help your hireage company narrow down whether they’ll give you options for their white, silk-lined marquees, or their marquees with transparent walls.

04. PICK YOUR TACTIC

Choosing to hire or buy décor usually comes down to your budget, and how much you’ll need. Purchasing decorations can get expensive, so keep your eyes peeled for sales, op shop and Trademe finds, or ask friends and family. If you won’t keep many or any of the decorations, or you’re short on time, hiring décor or enlisting the help of a wedding stylist may be your best option.

05. MAP IT OUT

When dishing out location info to your guests, don’t forget your vendors. The last thing you need is your florist missing the turn off for that hidden road, pushing you half an hour behind schedule. If your vendor hasn’t been to the venue, fill them in on any potential obstacles. For example, a narrow alleyway could prove difficult for a truck carrying hired furniture to drive through. Let vendors know all these details. W