Carriages Archives - Carriages Weddings & Events

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7 Wedding Guarantees From Carriages

Posted by Sonal Kholia / General

For us, our brides and grooms are so important and lets face it, no matter how much fun wedding planning can be, it is also one of the most stressful and confusing times a couple (and their families) go through. With that said, we are here to make things a little easier and to take the load off your shoulders so you can truly enjoy the months to come and not wish your special day away.

Just like the 7 vows made at the mandap, we’ve put together our very own 7 promises for all of our present and future brides and grooms-to-be, as a guarantee when you book our services.

1. Unlimited contact
Whether it is via the telephone, online or face-to-face, we guarantee to be there for all of our couples, no matter the time of day or even the time zone.

2. Exclusive supplier lists
We will give all of our couples a list of our amazing, trusted and reliable suppliers, who we know will work just as hard as we do to bring your vision to life.

3. Save you money
We promise to negotiate on your behalf and get you the best price possible.

4. Create a personal and memorable day
We will always incorporate your personal style and story into your special day to make it truly memorable for years to come.

5. Attention to detail
Whether it be setting up your favours and name cards to making sure the cake stand and knife are in place, we will take care of ever little detail so there are no last minute surprises.

6. Follow the event schedule
With a detailed event schedule put together months before the day, accounting for every minute along with contingency plans, we will ensure that everything runs according to your wishes.

7. Be the go to person
To make sure you and your guests enjoy the celebrations without worrying or running around, we will be on hand for you, your families, suppliers and guests. No request is too big or too small.

If you would like to book your complimentary consultation contact a member of our team on 0116 268 8804 or email us on enquiries@carriagesevents.co.uk.

18
Jan

10 Shades Of Red: Find Your Bridal Lipstick Match

Posted by Meera Majithia / Inspiration

Every girl needs a classic shade of red in her makeup bag – especially during shaadi season! Whether your beauty icon is Marilyn Monroe or Madhuri Dixit, Adele or Aishwariya Rai Bachchan, we’ve got it covered. We’ve handpicked 10 of the best red lipsticks on the market that will instantly transform you from girl next door to glamorous diva.

What you need to look out for:

Darker skin tones – Look for deep, rich colours like burgundy or warmer brick tones. Tip: Avoid coral reds with blue undertones

Medium skin tones – Pink reds will work well with your complexion and go perfectly with those golden undertones. Tip: Don’t go too dark

Lighter skin tones – Look for coral reds to add a shot of colour to your face. Tip: Stay clear of orange-based tones.

10. Revlon – Fire & Ice

Our list kicks off with an easily accessible and equally affordable lipstick which is suitable for most skin tones. Giving off a truly classic vibe, this range by Revlon also boasts SPF 15 protection and a nourishing vitamin E and avocado oil complex. Ticks most of the boxes we say.

9. Burberry – Military Red

This is lightweight, buildable and so comfortable to wear, but yet so very bold and beautifully British. This shade would work great for brides looking for a slightly quirkier look, who are not afraid to experiment and step away from the norm.

8. Dior – Trafalgar

Again for those girls who aren’t afraid to be bold. This punchy, powerful and actually, all-round brilliant shade of red comes with a hint of orange. Works best for those looking to create a stylish statement alongside a simple, sequin-free outfit.

7. Lancôme – Rose Boudoir

Promising to last 6 hours, this pink-y-coral shade is perfect for those with lighter skin. It would work well for a cocktail party or pre-wedding sangeet and has such a feel-good summery vibe, that you’re sure to fall in love with it instantly. Match with lighter outfit shades and minimalist eyes.

6. Nars – Heat Wave

While lots of people are still coming around to the idea of Nars, we are big fans. This bright orange-red hue comes with a modern matte finish that is sure to create a striking look. Will look great on those with darker skin and is best paired with soft, natural-looking eyes.

5. Rimmel – Deep Scarlet

Kate Moss is the nation’s ultimate stylish diva and boy does she wear lipstick well (ok she wears anything well but you know what we mean!). Her own range of colours for Rimmel are fabulous. Not only do they look great on, but they won’t break the bank either. Shade 1 is so old school Hollywood.

4. Bobbi Brown – Red Carpet

This creamy matte lip colour will feel effortlessly light on your lips all day. The bright red is great for a more subtle look during the day and can be layered on to give you a more glitzy look for the evening.

3. Estée Lauder – Red Ego

Definitely one of the most underrated brands out there. Whenever you’re unsure just go to Estée Lauder we say. This hydrating formula will not only transform your lips, but your whole look. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of attitude – you go girl!

2. Chanel – Pirate

We love Chanel. We just love everything about the brand and this lipstick is no different. This classic blue-toned red is great for those with golden skin tones. This chic colour will look great on any snaps and is sure to give you a shot of added confidence.

1. MAC – Ruby Woo

Of course this comes in at number 1 – it’s practically perfect! This lipstick has a fan following of its own and rightly so as it’s great for any skin tone. It’s extra matte, extra red and will last the entire day. If you’re looking for a red for your wedding day or any other day for that matter – this is the ONE.

If you’ve got a favourite shade of your own that we haven’t mentioned, leave a comment below or get in touch with us at enquiries@carriagesevents.co.uk

Lipstick bridal red Carriages

16
Dec

5 Odd Traditions That Make Indian Weddings So Much Fun!

Posted by Meera Majithia / General

There are so many things about weddings that we love. Whether it’s the vibrant clothes, the tasty food, traditional music or just the general all-round buzz of people, there are so many things to look forward to. But what make Indian weddings really great, are some of the rather quirky traditions that have been passed down for generations.

1. The nose grab

This is one of the first traditions that will probably make you burst into a fit of laughter. Prior to the groom and his baraat (brigade) entering the mandap, it is customary for the bride’s family to welcome them. The bride’s mother will welcome her soon-to-be son-in-law with an aarti and will then try to grab his nose. If she succeeds it means she will have full control over him from here on in. It’s quite funny to watch as you’ll often see the groom trying to move his head back or the best man placing his hand near the groom’s nose in order to protect him.

This is the first competition between both sides and you’ll probably get to hear plenty of banter and cheers in between.

2. Stealing the shoes

One of our favourite parts of an Indian wedding is the ‘Joote Do Paise Lo’ tradition. Ok, we’ll admit it’s not strictly called this but there is a famous Bollywood song (from the film Hum Aapke Hain Kaun) that made this particularly popular.

When the groom steps inside the mandap to begin the religious ceremony, he needs to take his shoes off. Traditionally the bride’s younger sisters will try to steal the shoes at this very point and then demand money for them at the end of the night, while the groom’s family look to hide them. It’s all fun and games really and a way for both sides to get to know each other. The amount of money exchanged can range between £5 per shoe to £100!

3. Who sits first?

The phera (walking around the fire) is one of the most important parts of the religious ceremony. To make the whole process a little less intense, once the final phera has finished both the bride and groom are asked to stand still and then sit down abruptly by the priest. As the saying goes; whoever sits down first will be ‘wearing the trousers’ in the relationship.

Again, this is just something for the family to joke about and use to ease the pressure off the couple during the ceremony. If you’ve got a funny priest – he may have the guests in stitches with a few hilarious comments at the end.

4. Hold the car

Once everything has been completed the bride and groom will depart and head to the groom’s house or to the temple. But, before they can get their happily ever after started, the bridesmaids will be guarding the car to ensure the bride is unable to leave until the best man pays them off.

Again the amount of money can vary largely, and the number of girls depends on how large the family is. One thing is for sure though, that car is not moving until they say so!

5. The ring game

This is typically played at the groom’s house once the wedding is completed, however, it is now becoming a common trend for couples to play the game in the wedding mandap before the vidaai, simply because there is usually an evening reception which follows. Usually, a ring is placed into a steel dish and filled with a mixture of milk, water, kumkum (red powder) and small pebbles or shells (just to throw the couple off).

The bride and groom are then asked to compete to find the ring. The first one to find it is naturally the winner, with a best of three usually taking place. If you’re lucky, then some families will actually buy a brand new band for the game, which is kept by the winner.

Indian wedding traditions Carriages

15
Dec

Top 10 Bollywood Songs of 2015 That Must Be Played At Your Wedding Reception

Posted by Meera Majithia / Inspiration

Your wedding reception is a chance for you and your family to finally let your hair down and basically party the night away – you so deserve it after months of vigorous wedding planning! So, what is the key component to throwing a successful party? It’s all in the music of course. As 2015 is coming to an end, we thought we’d round up some of the year’s biggest Bollywood hits guaranteed to freshen up your playlist and ensure your guests stay glued to the dance floor.

Top 10 Bollywood tracks of 2015 for your wedding reception:

10. Dolly Ki Doli – Phatte Tak Nachna

Taken from a film all about weddings and picturised on the gorgeous Sonam Kapoor, this upbeat track in the vocals of Sunidhi Chauhan is both fun and catchy.

9. Welcome Back – Tutti Bole Wedding Di

Don’t focus too much on the lyrics of this song and just enjoy the music. In the vocals of Meet Bros and Shipra Goyal it’s sure to get your guests tapping their feet.

8. Queen – London Thumakda
This track actually released in 2014 but was still a favourite on the dance floor this year and so we just had to include it. Amit Trivedi did a fab job with this one alongside Labh Janjua, Sonu Kakkar and Neha Kakkar.

7. Phantom – Afgan Jalebi

Definitely the most popular track from the soundtrack and also picturised during a wedding scene, Afghan Jalebi struck a chord with the audiences as soon as it was released. Syed Asrar Shah lends his vocals to the Ya Baba version while Akhtar Channal sings on the film version.

6. Hero – Dance Ke Legend

This full on dance number is modern and edgy and features Meet Bros (who have had a fantastic year) and Bhoomi Trivedi. Though the film didn’t do as well as expected, this song was certainly a chartbuster.

5. Dil Dhadakne Do – Gallan Goodiyaan

Definitely one of the most underrated films of the year in our opinon. Exotic locations, slick styling and a string of A-listers certainly made this one appealing and this track bought all of that together. Featuring a whole host of voices including Farhan Akhtar himself, make sure you add it to your list.

4. Bajrangi Bhaijaan – Selfie Le Le Re

The selfie phenomenon is in full swing and Bollywood certainly used it to its advantage with this song. Of course it always helps when one of the biggest superstars on the planet is featuring in the video. Whether you like it or loathe it, it’s fair to say there was no escaping this one.

3. Tanu Weds Manu Returns – Banno
What a few years it’s been for Kangana Ranaut. This album was full of hits, but it’s Banno that caught everyone’s attention early on and we’re still loving it. This one features the voices of Brijesh Shandllya and Swati Sharma.

2. Bajrangi Bhaijaan – Aaj Ki Party

Bajrangi Bhaijaan not only dominated the box office but also the music charts. You want your wedding reception to be the party of the year, which means this track is an absolute must! And let’s face it, Mika Singh is certainly the flavor of the season.

1. Roy – Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan

There was no escaping this one in 2015. The film may have bombed but everyone was loving Jacqueline Fernandez looking all gorgeous and cute, but she’s not the only lady getting a lot of love. Kanika Kapoor came into her own with this one and it seems like there’s no going back for her now.

Bollywood songs wedding reception music Carriages

11
Dec

Your Wedding Day Survival Guide

Posted by Meera Majithia / General

You’ve probably been planning your wedding for at least a few months if not a few years, or let’s face it, your entire lifetime. If you’re one of the lucky few who have a dedicated wedding planner on site then essentially, you don’t need to worry about a thing (which means you probably won’t need to read the rest of this)!

If not, then you need to be well prepared for any unexpected mishaps that may occur on the day and deal with these yourself. During our time as wedding planners we’ve had to deal with everything from bridesmaids breaking their shoes to the groom staining his shirt. To ensure your day runs as smoothly as possible, here are a few things you can do:

1. Pack all the essentials
Whenever we go to a wedding, or any event for that matter, we always have our Carriages’ Emergency Kit on hand which is filled with weird and wonderful things from torches, sticky tape and glue, to a sewing kit, air freshener and cereal bars, because you need to be prepared for every situation. In your case we’re not saying go out and buy hundreds of pounds worth of items, but at least maybe put together a shoe box filled with a few things you may need on your wedding day such as; scissors, hair grips, safety pins, sticky tape and tissues for example.

2. Make a supplier list
It’s your wedding day which means you don’t have the time to chase suppliers on the day. Make sure you’ve put together a list of all your expected suppliers, their contact details and what they will be delivering on the day. Also make a note of any key timings that need to be adhered to because it’s easy for things to get mixed up on the day. It’s essential there are multiple copies available with the master copy given to your main point of contact.

3. Choose the right go-to person
Following on from the point above, ensure your go-to person is someone who can do the job. They need to be polite yet authoritative so he or she can manage pretty much everyone on the day. It would be handy to brief this person beforehand so they’re well prepared – don’t just hand him or her a sheet on the morning of your wedding.

4. Take time out
Not all brides get ready at their chosen venue, or are in a hotel where they have access to a separate room. Make sure that no matter where you are there is a small room or area which is allocated to only you. Whether you need to take five minutes to gather your thoughts, take a break from all the smiling or simply touch up your make-up, you need somewhere to go. A word of advice; invite no more than two to three people into this room to ensure minimum disturbance.

5. Prepare for the weather
The great thing about British weather is that it is so unpredictable. You might be lucky enough to start the day with plenty of beautiful sunshine but find it may start pouring it down when you need to leave the venue. Or even worse, imagine heavy showers striking just when you need to get out of the car to enter the venue and make your way to the ceremony. Make sure you have a long raincoat in the car, a pair of appropriate footwear (so that your beautiful shoes don’t get ruined) and an over the top, huge umbrella that is big enough to keep you completely dry – oh and have someone on hand to carry it for you of course!

wedding emergency survival kit wedding day bride Carriages

09
Dec

Alternative Wedding Breakfast Ideas

Posted by Meera Majithia / Inspiration

If you’re having a traditional Indian wedding ceremony followed with an evening reception then chances are your day will be starting fairly early. If this is the case, and your guests are expected to arrive early (before 11am) then it’s nice to welcome them with a wedding breakfast. While there are always a few common choices that often prove to be popular when it comes to food, sometimes it’s nice to be a little unconventional in your approach and surprise your guests from the offset.

1. The traditional Gujarati mix

Gathiya and jalebi served with a side of pickled chillies and fresh sambharo (spicy cabbage and carrot stir fry) is always a favourite, but often fairly common – so try and make it different with your presentation. You can also opt for other classics but give them a slight twist. You could choose mini bhakri’s with a spicy curry on top or mini rolled up theplas filled with a sweet and sour pickle, held together with a cocktail stick. Bateta poha and patra can all work equally well if presented the right way.

2. South Indian favourites

South Indian food isn’t always typically served for breakfast at weddings in the UK, which is quite surprising considering the food is so light and tasty. Mini uttapams with fillings of your choice, mini rolled up masala dhosas, or even mini medu vada would all taste delicious dipped in a spicy coconut chutney or soaked in some sweet and sour dhal. If you’re one for being healthy then go with a classic idli – and there’s no way you can go wrong.

3. North Indian delights

Parathas are loved by pretty much everyone. They can be served plain or filled with aloo, gobi or paneer and served with lashings of butter. Pair up with any sabzi of your choice or go for the much loved chole bhature. The simplicity of these dishes however means your focus must be on the presentation. Think minatures, colours and neat and tidy.

4. Continental highlights

Pancakes, pastries and peanut butter is what this breakfast is all about. Those with a sweet tooth will love it. Keep a selection of syrups and toppings on the side; maple, golden, toffee, nutella, chocolate and so on (you get our drift). Bear in mind not everyone wants to over indulge in sugar first thing in the morning, so opt for some classic croissants, breads or fruits to keep them satisfied.

5. British classics

Sometimes when it comes to food, it’s best to go with what you know. Though Indian weddings typically mean Indian food, this doesn’t always have to be the case. Put on a spread of different breads so your guests can enjoy some simple toast topped with butter, marmalade or jam. You could even opt for a cereal station to really stand out or pick your favourite fry up sides if you want something hot.

wedding breakfast Gujarati South Indian North Indian British Continental wedding Carriages

08
Dec

How To Enjoy Wedding Planning

Posted by Meera Majithia / Inspiration

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. Yes, there will be times when it can get stressful and confusing, but on the whole, it’s a beautiful time which can actually bring you closer to your loved ones. Here are 7 ways to enjoy the whole planning process:

1. Hire a wedding planner
Your wedding planner will be your best friend during your wedding planning journey. He or she will help you make important decisions, give you a reality check, make sure your money is spent wisely and do all the hard work to ensure you’re left with all the fun bits.

2. Use it to bond with your girls
If you use your planning time well, it can actually be a lot of fun. When it comes to things like dress shopping why not turn it into a girls’ day out? Finish off with a champagne afternoon tea to get the giggles and gossip really going.

3. Get the groom involved
If you can get the groom involved then it’s a win-win all-round. You get to spend time with your loved one and it also helps take the load off. Remember to make it fun. Perhaps stop over for a round of cocktails when you’re venue hunting and turn it into a date night or date afternoon.

4. Splash out
You can use your wedding as an excuse to splash out on all the latest wedding and fashion magazines. It doesn’t just stop there. Why not dig out all your favourite wedding rom-coms and get comfy with a bowl of popcorn on the sofa? It is for research purposes after all….

5. Eat as much as you like
Weddings are partly all about food. So whether you’re food tasting or deciding which flavor cake to go with, you can enjoy as many delicious treats as you like without feeling guilty about it.

6. It’s your moment
It’s your big day and it’s all about you. Wedding suppliers will be going out of their way to impress you, while friends and family will be showering you with plenty of attention. Take it all in your stride and simply enjoy being the centre of attention.

7. Think honeymoon
The world is your oyster. Yes, the focus will be on the wedding, but that doesn’t mean you can’t daydream about which exotic location you wish to soak off all those hours of work in. Once it’s booked you won’t be able to contain your excitement.

To get in touch with us email enquiries@carriagesevents.co.uk

bride groom weddings wedding planning wedding planner Carriages

07
Dec

Top 15: How To Save Money On Your Wedding

Posted by Meera Majithia / General

With the average Asian wedding in the UK topping the £50,000 mark, it’s clear that weddings equal big spending. Whether you are working to a budget or have thousands at your disposal, there’s no harm in looking for ways to save money – because let’s face it, everyone loves a good bargain!

1. Go off-peak
While the wedding season is no longer limited to summertime, a lot of weddings do still take place between June to August (largely due to the sunshine factor). Therefore try and avoid these months and set your date for a slower month as your suppliers will be more willing to negotiate on price.

2. Get married on a weekday
While this doesn’t work for everyone, if you can opt for a weekday wedding then why not, you’ll save a staggering amount of money on not only your venue, but on other wedding suppliers too.

3. Opt for a cheaper venue
If your dream venue is over budget then sometimes it’s not worth scrimping and saving every penny to pay for it, because it will mean you’ll really have to compromise on other important aspects such as décor, entertainment and food. Instead, why not go for a cheaper venue and then pay a little extra to decorate it well and ensure it looks stunning.

4 .Choose a full-day hire
If you are having a wedding reception then have it at the same venue as your ceremony and preferably on the same day. A full day hire charge is always less than two separate days and it will save you costs on transportation and things like catering, as your caterers will be there from the morning, right till the dessert is served.

5. Attend wedding fayres
If you do some research beforehand and decide which suppliers you want to go for, keep a track of their social media as they’ll most likely be exhibiting their services at a wedding fayre. Most suppliers will have some sort of on-the-day offer if you book them then and there which will definitely save you some money.

6. Double-up on items
If you’re having a seating plan and want to have both place cards and favours on the table, then a good idea would be to double up on these. You can also reuse any chairs or chair covers you may have hired for the ceremony and even reuse any personalised signage for the reception.

7. Ask family and friends
If you have a big network of people at your disposal then use them. They may be able to put you in touch with a wedding supplier who can offer you a discounted rate due to relations. Sometimes you may be able to reuse things like centerpieces or material that some people may have stored in their attic from a previous wedding. Just because it’s been used before doesn’t mean you should stay clear. Just think of a way to make it unique to your special day.

8. Get bigger tables
If you can get more people seated on the table then it means less tables in total which is fantastic news for you. This will mean forking out less money on centrepieces, tablecloths, and even menu cards and bottles of wine if you’re having any on the table.

9. Nearby location
If you go with a venue that is close to home then it will naturally mean it will take you less time to travel back and fourth and hence making you a saving on travel costs. However, it also means you don’t have to stay over the night before or on the night of the wedding if you don’t want to.

10. Plan ahead
Sometimes you need to sit back, relax and think of the bigger picture. Work out your event theme before you start buying things or putting down any deposits. You don’t want to end up regretting your decision and then end up splashing out more money on extras you could have avoided.

11. Selective drinks
You don’t have to have an open bar at your reception in order for people to enjoy themselves. Instead you can opt to have a choice of two non-alcoholic and two-to-three alcoholic drinks instead. One cocktail, a beer and bottle of wine will usually work well. Better yet – try and keep them in keeping with your theme and guests will think it’s a deliberate move to create a certain ambience.

12. Don’t go overboard with the flowers
Flowers are a big expense. To keep costs to the minimum try and choose types that are in season and slightly cheaper. If you stick to one or two different ones instead of a whole mixed bunch that will also be less costly.

13. Clever cake
Of course you want your cutting cake to be a showstopper – but it doesn’t have to be huge! Go for something small and sophisticated and have a separate, plain, large slab in the kitchen, which can be cut up and served to your guests.

14. Everyday savings
If for example your wedding is a year away, you can make a conscious decision to perhaps stop buying a daily cup of coffee. With an average cup costing around £3.20, if you stop having a coffee Monday-Friday for one year you could save a whopping £768.

15. Hire a wedding planner
At first you may think a wedding planner means forking out more money on your wedding, but actually, a good wedding planner will have built good relationships with other industry suppliers and may be able to negotiate some great deals for you. A 10 per cent saving on a caterer and a free pre wedding photo shoot, for example, can be a huge saving, and means the wedding planner may have pretty much already paid for his or herself through the savings made.

For any further advice contact our team at enquiries@carriagesevents.co.uk

save money wedding wedding planner Carriages

02
Dec

Say Hello To The Midlands’ First Wedding Hour

Posted by Meera Majithia / News

We’re so excited to share with you that on Wednesday 9th December we are launching the Midlands’ first ever wedding hour!

You see, we understand that weddings are supposed to be fun, but too often brides and grooms are bogged down with so many unanswered questions that they don’t know where to start, which is why we’ve come up with a brand new, innovative concept to offer couples some much needed advice – completely FREE.

On Wednesday 9th December (and every Wednesday thereafter) between 1pm and 2pm we are offering you the chance to get in touch with a professional wedding planner with any questions you may have – and get an immediate response in return.

Questions can be sent to us on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #AskCarriages and can also be emailed to enquiries@carriagesevents.co.uk with Ask Carriages in the subject line.

For those of you looking for more in depth advice, you can arrange a complimentary telephone or face-to-face consultation with us via prior appointment. The only catch – all questions and appointments must be sent or arranged with the team between the allocated hours every Wednesday.

We promise to get back to you straight away, because we feel it’s important to keep turnaround times to the absolute minimum when working in such a fast-paced industry where things are changing minute by minute.

AskCarriages WeddingHour wedding planner Carriages

01
Dec

How To Pick Your Wedding Venue

Posted by Meera Majithia / General

Choosing a venue is one of the most important wedding-related decisions you’ll ever make. On many occasions brides and grooms will fall head over heels in love with a venue and then will tend to loose all sense of practicality and just go ahead and book. While it is of course important for you to love your venue there are so many things to take into consideration when making up your mind. Here’s our top 10 list of things to look out for:

1.Location
Where is the venue located? Is it going to be easy for your guests to get to? If not, it might be worth looking elsewhere because there’s nothing worse than guests getting lost or turning up late. You also need to think about your suppliers – will they be able to find the place easily? Make sure there’s an area for them to off load and a lift if they need to get to a higher floor.

2. Parking
Is there a decent amount of parking available? If your venue is in the middle of nowhere and there is no parking, your guests are likely to be irritated if they have to walk a long distance – even more so if it ruins their favourite party shoes. Also, are taxis likely to make the journey at night to pick your guests up from the venue? If you’re serving alcohol many people may be looking to go home in a taxi so ensure you check this beforehand.

3. Signage
Is there good signage? This leads back to point number 1. If it’s a brand new place which people haven’t really heard of then they will be relying very heavily on signage to get them there, as we all know Sat Navs aren’t always the most reliable.

4. Lighting
Speaking of signage above, you need to ensure there is sufficient lighting so that your guests can read any signs – especially if your event is in the evening. The lighting outside is just as important as the lighting inside your venue. If your event is in the morning look to see if there are any large windows which will provide natural lighting. If it’s in the evening look to see if you need to hire any extra lighting on the day to ensure your photographs come out well.

5. Layout
Look at the layout of the room or various rooms you will be using. Is there a general flow and will it work for the type of event you will be putting on? Some venues may have restrictions in certain areas so be sure to check all the details before you sign. If you’re hiring the venue for the full day and have more than one event taking place, ensure there is somewhere your guests can relax during the turnaround time. Check to see if there is also any outdoor space you can use to get your pictures taken.

6. Caterer
If you’re looking to have any kind of authentic cuisine on your big day then check to see if the venue will allow outdoor caterers or if they only work with one or two preferred suppliers. While it can sometimes be in your interest to work with one of their preferred caterers, make sure they’re not charging you over the odds. Ensure there are sufficient facilities your caterers can use within the venue, as there are often many rules and regulations when it comes to onsite cooking.

7. Capacity
When it comes to Asian weddings numbers are fairly high. Even if it’s a small Asian wedding you’re still looking at around the 250 – 300 mark, which is a number not all hotels or independent venues can accommodate. Our advice would be to not try and squeeze as many people as you can into a room and fill it to full capacity, as it doesn’t allow for any breathing space. You want your guests to feel relaxed and fresh not flustered and chlostrophobic.

8. WiFi & Phone Signal
It is not uncommon for there to be no WiFi or phone signal in venues that are further afield (and in the middle of nowhere). While this may seem as a blessing in disguise for some brides who don’t want their guests glued to their phone screens, you should understand that it may irritate some guests. It also means it will be a lot harder to stay in contact with some of your suppliers if need be.

9. Season
Your wedding date pretty much determines where you should be getting married. Some venues may have beautiful views in the summer, but may not be very practical to get to in the winter. For example if you need to travel through narrow uphill lanes and there is a sudden outbreak of snow, it’s going to be very difficult for everyone to get where they need to be.

10. Customer Service
Ultimately when it comes to making a decision, go with your gut. When meeting with your wedding sales executive, it is important that you feel a level of trust and comfort. You need to be 100% happy that they fully understand your vision and will execute it to the highest standard possible. If there are any doubts or questions, make sure you raise these before you book.

venue wedding Carriages

17
Nov

10 Reasons Why You Need To Hire A Wedding Planner

Posted by Meera Majithia / General

Your wedding day is arguably one of the most important days of your life. Not only do you want the day to run as smoothly as possible, but you want to ensure that you and your guests have a good time. Trust us when we say that hiring a wedding planner may actually be the best investment you make for your big day – and here’s our top 10 reasons why:

1. Save money
A good wedding coordinator will have established links with many good suppliers and should be able to negotiate a good discount for you. Whether it’s a 10% saving on the catering or a free bouquet of flowers thrown in, you may find that by the end of your wedding, your coordinator has actually paid for his or herself through the savings you’ve made.

2. Save time
It can be stressful to find good trustworthy suppliers that you like. If you don’t have anyone you can really turn to for advice, it can mean an endless list of meetings with various different suppliers to try and find the ones that are right for you. As they say time is money, which makes this one a no brainer.

3. Keep the romance alive
Sadly for many couples, from the very moment they announce their engagement their entire relationship becomes about the wedding. While this is great to some extent as it means you are both taking an interest in your big day, it also means that you’re moving away from what really brought you together in the first place. Investing in a wedding planner means you can plan some exciting dates and enjoy a wedding-free zone.

4. Focus on the detail
You may have a venue coordinator and a caterer or décor supplier who have told you they can manage your event on the day. While this is true to some extent, just make a note that they will most likely only be handling their team. You need someone who is going to bring all of these suppliers together and make sure they work in-sync without any hitches, while ensuring all of your guests are looked after at the same time.

5. Reduce stress levels
Let’s face it, when you have a full time job to cope with, wedding planning can be a stressful time. The bride and groom need to feel relaxed ahead of their big day to ensure they look and feel their best and this is not going to happen if you are up half the night worrying if your caterer will arrive on time or not. You should be focusing on getting yourself pampered!

6. Bring your vision to life
If you’re not an overly creative person or do not have much experience of organising events it can sometimes be difficult to imagine how everything will come together. This is where your wedding coordinator will step in. He or she should be able to take your vision and bring it to life based on the budget you provide. Whether you want vintage, rustic, bling or anything else – a good wedding coordinator should be able to make this happen.

7. Location, location, location
Many couples will often choose to get married in a different city to where they live simply because they’ve either fallen in love with a venue, or their families live in the area. This however means you need to invest more time into getting to know the area so you can advise guests on travel and accommodation for example. If you hire a wedding planner then they will do all the research for you and take away the extra stress and hassle you don’t really need.

8. Ask the right questions
When meeting suppliers, sometimes many brides and grooms forget to ask some rather important questions that may seem trivial at the time. An experienced wedding planner will make sure all bases are covered and you are getting the best value for money from your suppliers, even if it means asking those awkward questions you may not want to ask yourself.

9. Let the family have a good time
If you’re going to be standing at the altar or sitting in the mandap then you obviously can’t manage the day yourself, so you will end up designating tasks to one or a whole group of family members. However, by hiring a wedding planner you are ensuring that all of your guests can relax and the job will be done. No matter how reliable a family member will be, not everyone has the experience of liaising with certain vendors.

10. Peace of mind
In addition to the family enjoying themselves, it is important that the bride and groom also have some piece of mind that everything is taken care of. All you need to focus on is looking amazing and smiling for your pictures, because after all, you’ll never get this opportunity again so make the most of it!

Team Carriages

wedding coordinator wedding planner Carriages

16
Sep

You’re Engaged! What Should You Do Next?

Posted by Meera Majithia / Inspiration

He’s finally popped the question and you’re enjoying copious amounts of fizz and chocolate. Go for it, it’s a time for celebration after all! But once word has got around and the congratulations messages have slowly stopped coming in, it’s time to get serious. Your mind is probably buzzing with so many unanswered questions that you have no idea where to start. But don’t worry, here’s our top 5 guide on what you need to do straight after you’ve announced your engagement:

1. Set a date
Have a chat with your other half, your parents and anyone else who you feel should be included in the decision making process (i.e siblings). The first priority is to set a date because everything else will follow. Once you’ve got a date in place notify your guests – which leads us on to point number two.

2. Know your numbers
Start making a guest list for two main reasons; 1) It will enable you to send out save-the-dates to everyone to ensure they keep the date free, while you work on the finer details of your big day. 2) You need to know what sort of numbers you’re dealing with when you’re conducting your venue search.

3. Set a budget
Let’s be honest, when it comes to weddings everyone tends to get carried away. We mean EVERYONE. Think about how much money you realistically want to spend and then work your way backwards. Think about the things you want to prioritise and which you’d be happy to spend more on (we tend to suggest things like venue, caterers, and any video/photographers).

4. Know your style
What kind of couple are you? Think about your style and the type of look you want to go for on the day. You might want vintage, rustic, traditional or modern chic. Don’t rule out any unconventional themes or settings. Look at all the possibilities. Think bridal magazines, blogs, websites and Pinterest. These will become your best friend.

5. Start venue hunting
Once you have an inkling of the type of setting you want, start looking at venues. This is arguably one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to your wedding day, as things like timings, logistics, food etc will all be determined by the venue itself. Make a prior note of any questions you need to ask on your visit, if you have a wedding coordinator then he or she will prompt you on these and most likely accompany you on any visits.

If you have any further questions or would like to arrange a complimentary event consultation with our event experts, send across an email to enquiries@carriagesevents.co.uk

Team Carriages

engagement proposal wedding wedding planner couple love Carriages

25
Aug

Something New

Posted by Meera Majithia / General

Hello and welcome to our brand new website. We are so excited to share it with you all!

We’ve been working day and night over the past few months, in between travelling overseas for a wedding abroad, so it’s great to see everything come together nicely.

If you’ve had a quick glance at the website then you’ll already have read the About Us section, but to sum things up, both Sonal and I are huge event enthusiasts and cannot wait to be part of so many forthcoming special days.

We’ll be posting regular wedding and event related blogs on the site to keep you up to date with all the latest trends and happenings, so do’t forget to visit again.

In the meantime though, feel free to have a browse through the site and get in touch if you have any questions or queries.

Until next time,

Meera

p.s Big thank you going out to Kam Vaghela for our image. You can check out some of his other work at www.kamvaghela.com

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