From Miss. to Mrs. - Blue Strawberry’s Head of Events ties the knot

We have some exciting news to share! Our very own Head of Events, Georgina Shryane, celebrated her wedding day this past August, and we had to get insight from the expert herself. With over a decade of experience in the wedding industry, Georgina has mastered the art of planning and executing extraordinary events. In this one-to-one, we will revisit Georgina’s pre-wedding interview, ‘Four key elements to consider when planning your wedding’, and hear about her reflections post-wedding. Her insights are invaluable for couples eager to craft their dream wedding day.

Reflecting on wedding planning wisdom

In our previous conversation, Georgina shared four essential elements for successful wedding planning. These pieces of wisdom continue to be her guiding principles:

Sit down with your partner to decide your budget.

Consider your budget and venue when creating an invite list.

Work with a wedding planner who can help you visit and select the perfect venue.

Design a delicious menu that keeps you and your guests happy and satisfied.

We asked Georgina to look back on these guiding principles and provide a fresh perspective and new tips as a ‘Mrs’. She underscores the significance of having a backup plan for unpredictable weather conditions, reminding couples that even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, the day can still be truly incredible. Georgina insists on selecting a menu that keeps guests happy and satisfied and trusting in your suppliers. She also emphasises the importance of sticking to your budget and tackling pre-wedding jitters.

The culinary journey

Georgina’s wedding menu was nothing short of a culinary delight. Her choices were carefully curated by Blue Strawberry chefs to provide a memorable dining experience. She opted for filling canapés followed by a two-course meal and ended with a late-night menu that kept guests going throughout the evening. She also included a cheese and sweet station which was a big hit. A word of caution from Georgina – don’t go overboard with sweets!

For the main course, Georgina wanted a traditional yet fresh touch with fish and beef. The combination of heartiness and freshness made it ideal for a summer wedding. Plus, she couldn’t resist including some of her favourite dishes from Blue Strawberry’s seasonal menus. To top it off, the whimsical Colin the Caterpillar cake brought a touch of playfulness to the festivities.

Curious to see the menu Blue Strawberry curated? You’re in luck.

Canapés

Maple baked chicken skin with capers, truffle mayonnaise and parmesan

Compressed melon, smoked oil, mint and chilli

Confit pork belly, chilli wonton with gochujang and sesame glaze with white sesame

Confit pork belly, chilli wonton with gochujang and sesame glaze with white sesame

Starters

Scottish sea trout, roast trout dashi, buttermilk curd, sourdough croutons and fennel

Wye valley asparagus, hazelnut mayonnaise, toasted hazelnuts (v)

Scottish sea trout, roast trout dashi, buttermilk curd, sourdough croutons and fennel

Mains

Slow cooked short rib, smoked onion puree, parmesan potato rosti, charred hispi, truffle, smoked bone marrow jus gras

“Mac and cheese”, cacio pepe sauce, confit onions & truffle (v)

Slow cooked short rib, smoked onion puree, parmesan potato rosti, charred hispi, truffle, smoked bone marrow jus gras

Navigating supplier relationships

The role of suppliers in a wedding is significant, and Georgina shares her advice on managing these relationships. She recommends appointing a point of contact who is not a family member, such as a bridesmaid or best man. They can effectively liaise with suppliers, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

In fact, Georgina worked with Pinstripes & Peonies who she, as well as Blue Strawberry, trust to deliver the most stunning florals at any event.

Tackling pre-wedding jitters

Wedding planning can be a rollercoaster of emotions, and Georgina’s experience has taught her a thing or two about managing pre-wedding nerves. Her approach involves a bit of humour, suggesting a glass of Champagne to unwind. On a more serious note, she recommends starting the planning process early and distributing tasks among family members and the bridal party who can help prevent feeling overwhelmed. Georgina emphasises that on the day itself, there’s little you can control, so the best approach is to… relax.

Stick to your budget

It is natural to want everything to go perfectly on your big day, so as you might expect, it is easy to start spending outside of your allocated budget as the day approaches. Georgina stressed that even small ‘add-ons’ will tally up at the end, leaving you with a slightly larger bill than you may have wanted. Instead, trust in what you have decided as a couple, and spend that extra cash on a beautiful honeymoon!

From Miss to Mrs

Georgina Shryane’s journey from a seasoned event planner to a bride herself brings a refreshing and insightful perspective. Her post-wedding reflections are a testament to the enduring value of her previous insights.

As you embark on your wedding planning journey, consider Georgina’s advice on selecting a menu, working with suppliers, managing pre-wedding nerves, and sticking to your budget. Her journey is a testament to the blend of personal and professional success, and her wisdom can guide you in creating a memorable and enjoyable wedding day.