Archive for January, 2010

Choosing Wedding Suppliers – Tips & Advice Part 2

January 29th, 2010 No Comments
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The second part of our Supplier advice focus’s on how to find good suppliers and how to manage them. Its important to strike up a good relationship with these people, they will be responsible for delivering your wedding day vision, be careful who you choose and make sure you fully understand what they are offering you.

Here are our top tips for:

  • How To Find Suppliers and what to ask
  • Managing Suppliers

How to Find Suppliers

As a rule word of mouth recommendations are the best. You may know friends who have recently married, I know myself a wedding I went to had an entertainer who I just loved and so I booked him for our wedding. Check out local wedding fairs, they are a good source of suppliers in your area. You get chance to meet the suppliers and chat to them to get an idea of their services. Its also good as many of the suppliers are then in one place and it cuts down the amount of times you have to set up appointments and travel to them. Of course, wedding fairs are often held on Sundays too so its easy to get time to visit. Social networks such as Twitter and Facebook are another source to find suppliers. The venue you have booked probably has a trusted supplier list you can use. On line wedding directories are another good source and of course you can search by area. If you book a photographer you like they can often recommend good hair and makeup artists that they are used to working with.

Once you have found a list of suppliers you want to pursue, call them and discuss their services and ask them to send out literature for your perusal. The websites of the suppliers should be informative and give a good idea of their services and style, but beware do not take their website as the only indicator of service and quality. Its much more efficient to do as much research as possible to avoid wasting time with face to face meetings with suppliers that are not suitable for you. Make a shortlist of two or three to visit, seeing too many is overwhelming and confusing. When you meet them find out about their experience and what type of service they are offering you. They should also have the relevant insurance such as public liability. Do not sign any contracts unless you fully understand what you are getting and how much you are going to pay.

Managing Your Suppliers

Set up a spreadsheet which lists your suppliers. If you don’t use a computer then make sure you list them in a note book. Ask them when, and how much, deposits and balances must be paid. Record that on your spreadsheet or notes and don’t forget to add each supplier as you book them. That way you are sure to pay when necessary and you can see outstanding balances. This will help you stay organised and stop you missing important payments. Also list their details such as phone numbers, web sites, and their contact names. If you decide to change your guest numbers or alter times in the day let the relevant supplier know so they are prepared. For example, you don’t want your evening guests turning up before your DJ. Information on your wedding can really mount up so stay organised and keep it all in one place.

We hope this gives you a good idea of how to find and choose suppliers. Its a hard task sometimes so if you need help just give us a call and we will  be happy to source you the best supplier to meet your needs.


Choosing Wedding Suppliers – Tips & Advice

January 27th, 2010
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Well you have set the date and budget, chosen the venue, thought about the guest list and agreed your priorities! You are now in a position to think about your main wedding suppliers. This is a very important part of the wedding planning process. You need to be sure you choose the right suppliers to provide you with exactly what you want to make your wedding day vision become a reality. Split this up into bite sized chunks and keep it simple. Our blogs this week look at what you need to think about. So lets dive straight in!

  • Which suppliers do I need?
  • Who should I book first?
  • What to think about when choosing them?
  • How to find them and making a short list?
  • Managing Suppliers.

Lets Start with a List of the Main Suppliers you may need

  • Photographer
  • Videographer
  • Florist
  • Entertainment
  • Cake Maker
  • Hairdresser/makeup artist
  • Caterer
  • Transport
  • Stationery
  • Bridal shop/Dress/Attire

Who Should I book first?

We recommend that you set your priorities and decide on what you and your finance really want on your wedding day. For instance, this may include great photographs, brilliant flowers, food to die for and the Dress! Looking for these suppliers first will mean that you have fulfilled your priorities. It will also stop you from being overwhelmed with a huge list and not knowing where to start. We recommend that you book a photographer early; they tend to get booked sometimes a year in advance. Florists also get very busy as well as popular entertainers. Choosing your dress should be done as early as possible, if you have time, at least six months prior to the wedding day. This will allow for delivery and fittings. The style will also determine your flower choices, decor and possibly the wedding theme.

What to Think about before you start to look for your suppliers

Before you spend hours looking for suppliers think about what type of wedding you are having, this will determine the type of suppliers you pursue. If its a vintage style then you can look for suppliers that specialise in that area. It may be important for your photographer to have a certain style, reportage for instance and definitely not traditional. Be sure to decide on your budget for each supplier. Spending many hours researching is quite miserable if you are checking out vendors you can’t afford. Thinking about these types of questions will reduce the search time and help you focus on suppliers that meet your needs.

In our next blog we cover where to look for suppliers and how to manage them. The Wedding Genie knows only too well how hard it can be to find the right supplier. If you want help just give us a call. We only work with trusted and recommended vendors so you can be sure of great service and quality.

Until next time, happy planning.


Wedding Poems and Quotes – Words to Inspire

January 22nd, 2010 No Comments
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Hello again, this month another gorgeous little reading.


Apache Wedding Blessing

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no loneliness for you; Now there is no more loneliness.

Now you are two persons but there is one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place to enter in the days of your togetherness.

 

As always if you have any special words you want to share with us, please let us know. Comment below or email them to me. We are always happy to hear from you.

Until next time, happy planning.

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New Year! New Wedding Plan!

January 20th, 2010 No Comments
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The New year is here and The Wedding Genie wants to help you kick start your wedding plans. No information overload for you wondering what to do next or stressing about how to start! Wedding planning is much easier if you break it down into bite sized chunks. We may have covered this before but its worth stressing how important it is to prioritise and think about what you really want before you dive into full on wedding planning.

Follow our top tips for wedding planning utopia.

  • Prioritise
  • Set the Budget
  • Set the Date
  • Determine Your Guest List
  • Choose your Venue & Style

Forget about all the little details, (for the moment) I promise you if you use our tips you will have plenty of time for all the unique little touches to make your wedding day stand out, and to celebrate your style and personality. Concentrate on these key elements first then you can consider the details later.

Lets Talk Priorities

Make a date with your fiance, pour a couple of chilled glasses of wine and curl up on the sofa. Decide what you really must have for your wedding no matter what and then make a list. The dress, venue and flowers may be really important for you and perhaps photography is something your finance is passionate about. Talk now, your views may be different and its an excellent time to listen to each other so you end up with the wedding day that is truly perfect for you both. Setting your priorities is key to successful wedding planning. Do this right and everything else will fall into place.

Budget

Now you have a clear idea of your priorities you can think about your budget! I know you groan, I want to think about dresses, venues and food! Well Stop! Decide how much you want to spend and then apportion the budget according to your PRIORITIES. That way you will be sure you spend your money on what you really want and not the incidentals that add up and are not necessary. Start a simple spreadsheet, or download one of the free wedding budget calculators on many wedding planning websites. If you are not computer orientated use a notebook, it does not matter but be sure to keep the budget updated and check your running total.

I guarantee you, if you don’t set a budget right at the beginning you will start to run up your own national debt! Getting married is about declaring your love for each other and not about seeing who can max the credit card first! Just being creative and thinking things through will ensure your wedding day is totally spectacular. You can wake up the day after knowing you had the best day of your life and you won’t be paying for it for the next five years.

Set The Date and Choose your Style

Do you want a winter wonderland wedding, a springtime treat, English tea part or BBQ? Whatever you choose the date must coincide with the style you have in mind. It’s also a good idea to think of your honeymoon destination, this may impact on the time of your you travel.

Guest List

Who do you really want to spend your day with? Friends and family make your wedding special so be sure to check their availability. The amount of guests will also affect your budget.

The Venue

Now you have an idea of your guest list, budget and of course, your priorities you can book your venue. Do this early, especially if you have your heart set on somewhere popular. If you want a civil ceremony, check to see if the venue is licensed to marry you.

Wow! if you work through these priorities your wedding planning will off to a flying start. No confusion for you just a clear way forward. Just keep remembering!

The Rules!

  • Set your priorities. Write them down and keep them close to hand.
  • Having a clear idea of what kind of day you both want from the start will help you focus and stay on budget.
  • Remember its your wedding and you can have what you want!
  • Don’t sweat the small details yet.
  • Tackle planning in bite sized chunks.

We hope you find this helpful, next week we cover choosing suppliers and making your wedding day special. If you need help getting started our Genie for An Evening may be just right for you. We are still running our January offer of 20% discount so call us to check our availability.

Until next time, happy planning.

Real Weddings Story – Kelly & PJ

January 15th, 2010
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Welcome to the first installment of Kelly & PJ’s real wedding story. The Wedding Genie are delighted to be providing  On The Day Coordination for the wedding in May and together, with Save The Date Magazine we will cover their planning journey. I hope you enjoy the first part of their story.

This is taken directly from Save The Date Magazine:

When planning your big day we know that its a real comfort to hear other peoples stories who are in the same boat, finding out how they’re coping with the highs and lows, stresses and excitements on the lead up to their wedding day. So, with this in mind Save The Date began to hunt to find an engaged couple who were doing just that. We then came across the fantastic Julie Dawson of the Wedding Genie who spoke about a fabulous wedding she was helping to plan and organise for a lovely couple named Kelly and PJ.

So, at the Hotel du Vin in Birmingham Save the Date met with fabulous couple, to follow their journey right up the day itself… So, without further ado, your first dose of the loved up duo is to go right back to that first date and, of course, find out all about the amazing proposal.

It was Easter 2007 when Kelly checked her my space account to find a message from a guy called PJ (for those of you wondering, his full name is Peter James Ellis and yes, he is the wonderfully charming bloke who appeared in Big Brother, 2003 and still has that cheeky grin). A rather cheesy one liner message, Kelly did her research before accepting his proposal of a date…. and was impressed with her findings so decided to go for it.

On 20th April 2007, Kelly and PJ met for for their first date at Bank restaurant in Birmingham, several champagne cocktails later, the date was a great success and the rest, as they say is history.

Both hard workers, PJ a lawyer and Kelly a producer on Heart FM they spent as much time together as their busy schedules allowed; the holiday they had planned for August 2009 in Turkey was therefore just what the doctor ordered. Both being very close to their families, they were holidaying with PJ’s parents and decided to have a get together at Kelly’s parents the night before they jetted off. Whilst enjoying a few pre-holiday drinks, Kelly’s dad asked everyone if they would like to see Kelly’s recent 30th birthday party video whilst Kelly was quite reluctant. “I am not bothered dad can’t we watch it another time?”

A unanimous vote against her and the 30th birthday video began to play. With the family sitting comfortably, the party video keeping them all entertained, there seems to be a problem when the tape cuts off. With the whole family looking at each other rather bedazzled (apart fom Kelly’s parents of course, who PJ had met with a couple of weeks prior to ask their permission to marry their daughter and according to Kelly’s mum, although PJ was very nervous, he was “the perfect gentleman”), PJ suddenly appears on screen. He begins to speak and all Kelly can do is sit and watch whilst PJ himself delivers a beautifully romantic, funny and overall, amazingly thoughtful proposal. With kind words, an Adam Sandler rendition from the Wedding Singer and Kelly’s dad’s handy filming work, PJ asks Kelly to marry him. Whilst her immediate family look on with PJ waiting for her reply. Kelly herself choking back the tears manages a “YES”

Totally loved up, they jetted off to Turkey the following day for their holiday, and with help from an abundance of bridal magazines, got planning. And boy did they plan. On their return, they’d decided on a date, 9th May 2010 Kelly’s 31st birthday), a theme, bridesmaids and PJ’s best men, not man (he’s having three!).

So, on the the next steps – venue, photographer, dress, suits, flowers, entertainment, invitations, hymns… aaaahhhhh. Where’s a Wedding Genie when you need one? And then she arrived.

In the next edition of Save The Date we find out all about Kelly and PJ’s progress, including the incredible invitations, the fairytale venue and entertainment by a very talented X factor favourite…..

Phew!! a bit longer than my normal blog but so worth it. Can’t wait to see what happens next. As soon as I know you will too!! If you know any funny, romantic or great proposals why not let us know and we can share them. Call or contact us we will be delighted to hear from you. By the way we are still running our January offer so give us a call to see what we can do for you.

Until next time, happy planning.


Wedding Genie News – Save The Date!

January 13th, 2010 No Comments
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We are delighted to introduce you to a new wedding and events magazine for the East Midlands called Save The Date. Inside you will find plenty of advice and tips for planning your special event. It the perfect reference tool and in a handy size, perfect for your handbag!  The Wedding Genie are thrilled to be working with the lovely Lydia and Abbi who own, run and produce the magazine.

Not only are we helping out with articles on planning but we are pleased as punch to be coordinating Lydia’s own wedding in May. It promises to be a fantastic day. I had a chat with Lydia and Abbi to give you a bit of background about them and what their magazine is all about.

What made you start Save the Date?

Well, Abbi and I were both working for a local events company (me doing the creative writing for proposals and Abbi undertaking the logistics of the events) and having been at the company for over five years, we both felt ready for a refreshing change. I had just got engaged and was discussing with Abbi the fact that there were no local magazines or material which provided inspiration and ideas for weddings and events and we both felt there was a niche in the market for a classic, stylish wedding and events magazine.

Tell us a bit about the style of your new Magazine

Classic contemporary with an innovative twist. We are not a lifestyle magazine and aim to ensure that our readers know straight away that they are picking up a stylish bridal publication. We like to think that we focus on weddings and events in the East Midlands with a pinch of glamour and a large dose of style.

Well I can tell you they do just that. We also have more to tell you about, read on about a special feature that will be covered by the magazine in each edition.

Real Wedding – Planning Journey

Abbi and Lydia will be telling the story of a a real life bride and groom, Kelly and PJ, throughout  their planning journey. I am delighted to say The Wedding Genie have the pleasure of coordinating their special day too!! Its going to be in May at Wroxall Abbey and it promises to be very inspiring. We are so excited to tell you that we can follow them in the magazine and on our blog! The first installment starts Friday, the magazine is out this week too so look out for it. Kelly works for Heart FM as their breakfast producer and she has a weekly blog you can read. Alternatively you  can subscribe to the magazine so you wont miss out and check out Save The Date blog too.

Wedding Planning Articles

In this edition of Save The Date, there is also one of our articles on New year New Plan! Its designed to help you kick start your wedding planning if you are recently engaged or your wedding is this year. We will be posting this on next week.

Meeting Lydia and Abbi

If you want to meet Lydia and Abbi they will be hosting a Bridal Fair at Shottle Hall in Derbyshire on Sunday February 7th. I will also be there talking to brides about how to plan and the basics of wedding planning. Please come along and meet us we will be delighted to see you and answer any questions you have on anything Wedding.

Until tomorrow, happy planning.




Beautiful Country Venue

January 11th, 2010 1 Comment
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Following on from our series last week on how to find the perfect venue I thought it would be a great idea to show you a little jewel in the crown I recently found not ten minutes drive from The Wedding Genie offices. Alrewas Hayes is a charming grade II listed country venue set in gorgeous grounds, its very private and picturesque. The perfect place for intimate wedding receptions and its also licensed for civil wedding ceremonies.

Run by Toby and Bonnie Williams it really is a charming place to spend your wedding day. Alrewas Hayes is hired for exclusive use which means you won’t bump into any other wedding guests or indeed, anyone else at all except your own friends and family.

The building has been refurbished to a high standard and has a lovely ambiance when you walk inside. Toby and Bonny are happy to provide you with whatever you need to make your wedding day vision a reality. Check out the pictures below to see the lovely Hall/Gallery where you can start your married life.

The Gallery opens through french doors into the walled rose garden which is lovely and tranquil. Its an ideal place for romantic photographs and at night it can be romantically lit. Not only can you get married in a beautiful building but you can also spend your evening partying in the magnificent white marquee. There is no problem if the weather is bad, the entrance is completely covered. Check out the photographs below.

Bonny will even set you a little boat bobbing on the water filled with candles in the evening.

A beautifully lit white dance floor is part of the package along with a fantastic lighting rig.

If your immediate wedding party want to stay over there is a new wing with contemporary, newly refurbished bedrooms along with a gorgeous bridal suite. The suite is a great size for you and your bridesmaids to get ready in too. Food is provided by the recommended caterers from Alreway Hayes at various prices and for various tastes.

I hope you have fun finding your perfect venue, if you have any venues that you want to recommend why not let me know and we can pass them on. Remember if you need help sourcing a venue our special offer is still running until the end of January, 20% discount off all our services. Call or contact us for a chat, we are always delighted to hear from you.

Until next time, happy planning.

 

 



Finding the Perfect Venue – Your final choice

January 8th, 2010 No Comments
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Our final blog this week gives you the last few pieces of information you need to know to make the right decision when choosing your venue. Next week we will feature a new venue we found in our local area. First of all here is the rest of the advice you need to make the perfect choice.

So far we have covered how to search for the venue and what to ask and think about before you decide if its right for you.



Before making the final decision here are a few questions you must ask before you sign the contract.


  • Will there be more than one wedding on the day? If so how do the venue manage this?
  • Are there any restrictions on entertainment, such as allowing chocolate fountains, fireworks, confetti or candles?
  • What time will the evening end and what time is last orders at the bar?
  • If exclusive use is offered confirm the start and end times.
  • Is there an additional charge if your guest list should fall below the minimum numbers?
  • Is there wheel chair access for disabled guests?
  • Are there are any structural upgrades or decorating being planned? If so when are they being done? and what are they?
  • Are there any restrictions on where you can take photographs?
  • Finally check and read through the paperwork and contract before signing anything.
  • Check the cancellation policy.

Checking the details will ensure you have the perfect venue without hidden costs or surprises. Most of all you must feel comfortable and have a good relationship with the venue staff. One last word of advice, if you are not fully satisfied or your instincts tell you that something is wrong walk away.

I hope this gives you some insight into choosing your perfect venue. If you do need help you can always use our venue sourcing service. Call or contact us to see what we can offer.

Until next time, happy planning.


Finding the Perfect Venue – Questions to ask

January 7th, 2010 3 Comments
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In our series this week on venues we now concentrate on what questions to ask and what to take into consideration before you make the final decision. Your venue is one of the most important choices you make when planning your wedding so be sure to have all the information you need, and be happy and clear with what the venue are offering in terms of the services and the options available.

As a guide here are some things to be sure to look for and enquire about before making your final choice.

Look around and Ask Questions

  • Walk around the venue and get a feel for the atmosphere. Most brides I have spoken to feel really comfortable and at home in a venue as soon as they walk inside. You and your new husband will be spending the very first hours of being married here with the most important people in your life so it should definitely be a place you feel comfortable in.
  • Is everywhere clean and well kept?
  • Does the decor fit with your theme? Contemporary modern furniture may not be acceptable if your vision is classic and traditional.
  • The venue staff should be professional but friendly and approachable. You need to feel they will look after you as well as your guests.
  • If your guests are likely to be staying at the venue ask to be shown the bedrooms to check their suitability.
  • Will they offer a group discount you can pass on to your guests? If so how long will they hold the rooms before they need to be booked?
  • Check to see if they have a dedicated wedding coordinator on the day. Many venues use events coordinators to help book the wedding but often they do not work at the weekends.
  • Check out the gardens and facilities on offer if your wedding is going to take place over a weekend. Your guests may want to make use of the facilities and you need to know if they have to be booked prior to their arrival.
  • Is there enough parking for your guests? If not ask where the nearest car park is.

Think about Your Budget

What packages can the venue offer? Will they be flexible? For instance, to reduce costs you may want to serve your wedding cake as a sweet instead of paying for desert. Will they allow this?  If so will they charge you for cutting the cake and serving it? Is there the possibility of bringing your own wine? If so what is the corkage price? If you are planning to stay at the venue do they offer a bridal suite within the package? This can be quite an expense and if you can negotiate this to be included its quite a saving. During this credit crunch period  you may very well get a good deal, but you have to ask.

Here are few more things to ask and think about regarding what is offered

  • What exactly is covered within each package?
  • Check if wine is included within the package, can you upgrade to different wines if you want to?
  • Can you use your own caterers?
  • Is there an extra hire fee for the ceremony room?
  • Is it extra to hire a cake stand? Cake knife or the board and easel for the table plan? Or are they included?
  • If you get married mid week ask for the charges, they should be lower. Its a thought if you really love the venue but can’t afford the weekend costs.
  • Are there any flowers or decorations within the package?
  • Is the price quoted with VAT?
  • When do they need a deposit and when is the final payment? – Make sure it comes in line with your savings if you need to add to them for the venue costs.

Phew its a lot to consider, but not so fast. There are a few more important issues to cover before you have all the information you need to make your final choice. Come back and visit on Friday for the final blog on Choosing the “Perfect Venue”.

Until then, happy planning.




Finding The Perfect Venue – How to start?

January 6th, 2010 No Comments
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Photography by www.lesleymeredith.co.ukApart from setting your budget, working out your guest list and wedding date, finding the venue is the next important thing to do when planning your wedding. Securing your venue as early as possible will save disappointment. Many of the popular ones are booked well in advance, decide on the style and type of wedding you want so you can start the hunt for your perfect venue.

We thought we would give you a helping hand with some of our top tips and advice. We will be running three blogs this week on all aspects of choosing and deciding on the perfect venue. First of all check out the advice below:-

The Ceremony – Church Vs Civil

If you are having a church ceremony you need to look at venues that are no more than 30 minutes drive away. You may consider providing transport for your guests if you fall in love with a venue that is just a bit too far for comfort. You don’t want your guests getting lost or stuck in traffic. Civil Ceremonies are very popular now and many venues are licensed to marry you, but check if they have a licence before you go and view. To help you find which venues are authorised to marry you, try The Direct Gov website you can search by post code and it will show you venues listed in your area.

Style of Venue and Surroundings

What style of venue do you want? Make the sure the venue matches the style or theme you have in your mind. Before you spend time looking at venues you can narrow the task down by thinking about what type of venue you actually want and what your budget will allow. Here a few types of venue to think about:-

  • Hotels – these are great if you want an inclusive package. Generally most things are provided and they usually offer various packages to suit your budget and needs.
  • Marquee Weddings – You can seriously put your stamp on your wedding in a marquee. They are a plain canvas for you to do as you wish. A word of caution though, do not go for this type of venue if you are not prepared to spend a lot of time researching and organising. Its much tougher arranging for services such as caterers, hiring toilets, decorating the marquee, you may even have to hire the tables and chairs etc. Make sure you have the time or hire a wedding planner to help you out.
  • Stately Homes or Historic Properties – These are great for exclusive use. You and your guests have the run of the venue for the whole day and night. Most of them can accommodate small or large weddings. You would not have to worry about bumping into another bride, you can be guaranteed private use.
  • Local halls or Social Clubs – These are very popular if you are on a strict budget. Often you can decorate how you like and really transform the room.

Where to look for venues?

Finding venues on the internet is very easy these days. There are many wedding planning sites available that categorise venues per area and style.  Try sites such as Hitched.co.uk You can also purchase  local wedding magazines, they often focus on local venues and their information is a great starting point. Ask you friends and family about venues they know about, you may have already been to a friends wedding at a venue you fell in love with.

Here are a few more things to consider when deciding on the type of venue

  • Your budget – how much do you have for room hire?
  • How many guests will be at your wedding? – can the venue accommodate them for your day and evening reception?Often numbers are restricted for the ceremony.
  • Do you want your guests to stay over? do the venue have enough rooms to accommodate them?
  • Check out the surrounding areas if you want to make a weekend of it. Its lovely if your guests can have something to do the night before or on the day before the ceremony if your service is to be held a little later.
  • Food – Do you want to cater yourself? check if the venue allows this.

Shortlist to three venues and then make appointments to see them. Do check first that they are available on your wedding date before you go and see them.

Now we have given you some idea of where to start looking for a venue and what type, our next blog will cover questions to ask when viewing and how to make the right decisions. Finding the perfect venue is time consuming but very worthwhile. You need to feel comfortable with the surroundings and the staff, and of course be clear on what they are offering you. If you want help just give us a call or email us and we will get to work right away on finding the perfect venue for you.

So until Wednesday when we cover this aspect, happy planning.

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