4 key elements to consider when planning your wedding

Blue Strawberry’s Head of Events, Georgina Shryane is getting married, and who better to speak to about weddings than the expert herself? 

Georgina has been with Blue Strawberry for eight years and in the wedding industry for over 11. She has seen it all, done it all and most importantly, planned it all. 

This year, it’s her turn to hand over the wedding book to Blue Strawberry, who will organise the catering and Table Talk, who will plan her big day. 

Before we take the rein, we thought it would be beneficial to hear from Georgina about the most important elements to think about during the wedding planning process and what she will be focusing on in the lead-up to her wedding.

Budget

This one might seem obvious, but when you’re in the midst of planning your dream day, it is sometimes easy to want to spend more than the wallet is willing to give. 

After celebrating your engagement with your nearest and dearest, Georgina recommends sitting down with your partner to decide your budget. This will help you determine your venue, guest numbers, photography, catering, floral arrangements… the list goes on. 

“If you do your research beforehand and create a budget, you’re more likely to plan a wedding that aligns with your dreams. If you plan without one, you may come to find yourself a bit discouraged throughout the planning process.”

Headcount

Once you’ve decided on your budget, it’s good to start considering guest numbers. Are you hoping for a small, intimate ceremony and reception or something larger? How many people will be in your wedding party? These questions are important to ask yourselves as a couple early on to ensure you find a venue that’s within budget and can comfortably seat your guests. 

Tip: Using Excel or Google Sheets when planning your guest list will make the process much easier. Georgina found it helpful for her to start with a list of friends and family she must have there to celebrate. That helps set minimum guest numbers. She also recommends sending out a message or even something as simple as a Doodle poll to your wedding party and family members to understand their availability based on your potential wedding dates.  Not everyone may be free, but it gives you insight!

Venue

Venue searching is not only a fun outing and a good way to see historical buildings across London, but it’s an opportunity for you as a couple to envisage your day.

The biggest question to ask yourself is what type of venue you would like. Do you want to be outdoors under a marquee or indoors at a museum, a gallery or a restaurant? Are you looking for a casual vibe or something more formal? Do you want a standing reception and a seated dinner? Do you want different venues for the ceremony versus the reception?

All of these questions will help you develop a shortlist of potential venues. 

Together as Blue Strawberry and Table Talk, we have catered for and planned weddings in numerous galleries, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum and the National Gallery. We have also hosted outdoor weddings at Kew Gardens, Syon House, Grove House and Hampton Court Palace and planned plenty of weddings in private homes. 

Georgina also recommends contacting your wedding planner early on. They will help you set up viewings, explain requirements and restrictions, help with budgeting, and set the scene for what could be your chosen venue.

Tip: Blue Strawberry’s venue-finding tool will help make your London and home counties venue search easier. Filter for guest numbers, location and venue type. We’re accredited in over 33 wedding-licensed venues across London. We’re also proud to be a Crown Accredited Supplier across Historic Royal Palaces, including Kensington Palace,  Banqueting House and Hampton Court Palace, which all hold wedding licences. 

Catering 

The budget has been set, the guest list confirmed, and the venue selected – next on your list is to secure the catering. 

From years of experience, Georgina can confidently say that food is a very important part of the wedding, for couples and for guests. It’s what fuels everyone for a day of celebrations and is often a topic of conversation post-wedding.

Even more important is working with the right caterer, as they are responsible for orchestrating the flow of your wedding. 

Before embarking on your tasting journey, you will need to decide on the format of your meals. Georgina lists a few styles you may consider; 

• Canapé reception followed by a two/three-course sit-down meal
• Canapé reception followed by a family-sharing style meal
• Canapé reception followed by a buffet-style meal
• Canapé and bowl food standing reception 

The most efficient way to pick your menu is to contact a venue-accredited caterer who will help you navigate the decision process. At Blue Strawberry, our event planners will send clients the newest Spring Summer or Autumn Winter menu collection designed by our Development Chef. Clients may pick from the seasonal menu or, alternatively, request a bespoke menu. For example, Georgina and our chefs have worked with a client to recreate menus from their first date – one, in particular, was from a famous restaurant in New York City. A truly unique way to celebrate!

Tip: Don’t let your guests go hungry. Late-night food is always a success amongst guests. Think buttermilk crispy fried chicken sandwiches, croque monsieurs and spicy tofu banh mi. The options are limitless!

Planning your wedding is special. Don’t let your to-do list overwhelm you! Our experienced Event Managers pride themselves on helping couples create the perfect day for you and your guests. Focusing on the four key elements above will make planning more efficient and enjoyable. 

One last tip – and maybe most importantly – Georgina emphasises the importance of working with a caterer you trust. 

“Go with your gut feeling when picking a caterer. They manage the timings of the day, so you want to trust who you’re working with. You will remember this day forever, after all.”

If you have questions about your upcoming wedding, would like support throughout your planning process, or need menu inspiration from a trusted caterer, our Event Managers are here to help.