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This afternoon I am proud to introduce two lovely ladies (who also happen to be able to plan a wonderful wedding or two) to the pages of Brides Up North. These girls are wedding planning maestros who can bring their expertise to your own wedding day and in the meantime are full of hints and tips for the DIY bride. Lets meet Caroline and Claire of Pomp & Ceremony. They know weddings, that’s for sure!
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All images courtesy of Jeff Ascough with thanks.
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How did Pomp & Ceremony begin? What is your background and training?
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Pomp & Ceremony was officially launched in September 2010 after much preparation. We are both from marketing, PR, and events backgrounds so in terms of training we were used to running events. We did however make sure that we took a course to specialise in weddings to make sure that we had everything covered. This was fantastic and fuelled our creativity and inspiration for our wedding events. We share a passion for creating bespoke and beautiful events that reflect each of our couples and also love the organisational side of things ensuring that everything is executed perfectly – a little nutty but it makes us tick!
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Tell us about your wedding planning services? What different packages do you offer?
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We have three main packages that we offer to couples which we feel suit the needs of most people. Full Planning which involves our assistance from the beginning to the end of the process, mood board concepts, sourcing suppliers, budget, negotiation, timeline and basically guiding the couple through the process then being there on the day to ensure that it all runs smoothly. Preparation Planning is suited to those who have booked their main suppliers but who are looking for some assistance to sort out some remaining items and décor to make sure that it is just right. On the Day Coordination is popular with those who have planned the day themselves but want to relax on the day itself safe in the knowledge that they have professionals coordinating suppliers, helping to set-up spaces and making sure that everything runs on time. This is very popular with the mums too! We also create bespoke packages to suit our couple’s exact needs so that they can get the service that they are looking for.
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What can a bride and groom who book Pomp & Ceremony expect?
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They can expect an individual approach to wedding planning. Each couple is unique and are therefore treated as such, some have a very strong idea of exactly what they want but want help and support to make it happen, whereas some are looking to be inspired and have a creative team helping them to work on the look and feel of their day. We strongly believe that every decision is completely the couples, and will keep going until it is perfect for their day.
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What sets you apart from your competition?
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We completely balance our creativity with our sound knowledge of event planning and coordination to provide a complete service. We don’t just specialise in either area so like to think that our clients don’t have to compromise between having someone who will help them to create a stunning visual for their day or making sure that everything is expertly organised down to the last detail.
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Why do a bride and groom need a wedding planner?
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Planning a wedding involves a lot of work. From research and supplier sourcing, negotiation, budgeting and timekeeping down to pulling it all together for the perfect event. Our clients are typically savvy in the understanding that it isn’t their area of expertise so they look to the professionals for assistance with their wedding planning. The main reason for most of our couples is not having the time and wanting to avoid stress so that they can relax and enjoy the process. It isn’t that they are surrendering involvement for their wedding but rather working with people to support them through the process.
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What are your top 5 wedding planning tips for a DIY bride?
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Get Creative – Look at blogs and tutorials to find things that you can replicate and recreate for your big day.
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Get the family on board – There could be some great skills within your family that could come in useful!
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Involve your Fiancé – When going down the DIY route the groom can be a little left out due to the sheer amount of work the bride is doing! Select some tasks that you can enjoy doing together so that the work gets done but you also get to spend some time together.
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Use your relationship as your inspiration – The best weddings are those that represent the couple and their relationship from a love of a certain hobby, to a favourite place or experience. Try to personalise items and details wherever possible.
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Double-Up: A great way of saving money is to make detail items have a double-function to save on the number of items that you need to buy. Examples include: Favours doubling up as place cards, bridesmaids bouquets being used in vases at the reception for additional decoration etc…
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What are your wedding planning words of caution for a DIY bride?
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Go Easy – However tempting it is at the beginning to take on everything to do with the wedding be mindful that only so much is possible. If you take on too much yourself it can get quite intense and stressful.
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Prepare Ahead – Enjoy creating things for your wedding before the big day, such as favours, but don’t take on DIY jobs that will require your attention on the day, such as the floral arrangements! Few brides will enjoy having to be there on the morning rushing around putting it all together when they should be relaxing.
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Play to Your Strengths – Don’t attempt to learn a new skill unless there is a lot of lead time before the wedding, instead look at your skill set and use this to create a list of DIY items. Be realistic.
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Delegate – Put your family and friends to work! You’d be amazed how honoured those around you will be to help make your day special by contributing to helping you make or do something. Don’t take it all on your shoulders.
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Go OTT – There are plenty of things that can be embellished and personalised yourself to save money without having to do it all yourself and go DIY OTT!
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What wedding styling trends and colour schemes are popular for 2012?
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Last year nudes and whites were the key look for super stylish elegant weddings, and coral colours for those looking for a more statement look. This year the bright corals are being toned down for a more knocked back powder pastel look. Inspired by the designer fashion catwalk shows of this year which showcased lots of very pale yellows, greens, pinks and lavenders these are set to be key for 2012/2013.
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What is your all-time favourite “look” for a wedding?
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As mentioned earlier we both genuinely believe that each wedding should be unique and reflective of the couple. Once this is established it’s all about working within this to form an amazing colour palette and style that will create a remarkable look.
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What new styling trends have you really excited?
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We adore the American ability to style weddings with amazing bespoke details; they really have got the whole industry down to a tee over there. It really excites us that increasingly we have access to their products over here, and it is so easy to source things from all over the world for couples these days which is amazing. Some items that have blown us away over the last year are gold edible paper dragonflies to decorate the edges of wine glasses, personalised retro couple cake topper, paper pom aisle decorations, glass drinks pedestal jars with taps, glass ball tea light holders suspended with ribbon the list could go on and on!
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Are there any really memorable weddings that you have worked on?
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We have been very lucky to work on fantastic weddings with amazing couples over the past few years. Some examples include…
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A Sweetie Theme in Cheshire – A whimsical fun affair including a handmade museum pattern dress, individual flavoured cupcake tower, ice cream cart, sweets aplenty and a lovely palette of sage, lavender, lemon and rose.
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White Ethereal Elegance in Yorkshire – Relaxed elegance with a Buddhist inspired outdoor ceremony, white chandeliers hanging from the ceremony tree, A pathway lined with lanterns and petals, white Chivari chairs and a first dance on a lake surrounded by white lanterns. The colour palette for this wedding was whites and nudes.
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Vintage Travel in Cheshire – Inspired by the couple living and working in Singapore, vintage travel is a wonderful theme. Lots of old luggage, cameras and postcards, luggage card seating cards and place names, maps, stamps you name it. The colour palette was navy and white to provide a stylish edge to the vintage travel look. {Editor’s note: you can see the wedding here on Brides Up North}
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Where are you located and will you travel?
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We are located in Cheshire but cover all of the North West, Lake District, Manchester and extending up to the whole of Yorkshire. We are happy to travel and love working in a variety of locations and destinations.
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Can you give Brides Up North an idea on price?
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Our Full Planning service is percentage based at 10% as we feel that it is easier for couples when the cost is incorporated into their existing budget rather than adding it on top. This way it shouldn’t cost any extra to benefit from our services, it’s down to us to make sure that the other areas of their budget come in at the right price!
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Full Planning – 10% (existing budget)
Preparation Planning – £1200
On the Day Coordination – From £400
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Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
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We would love to offer Brides Up North readers 10% off any of our services for 2013 weddings – quote BUN when enquiring.
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How can Brides Up North see more examples of your work/ find out more?
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Visit our website www.pompandceremonyplanning.co.uk to see more about us, read our testimonials from clients and view our gallery.
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Why do you read and recommend Brides Up North to your customers?
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It’s all happening in the North when it comes to weddings and it’s so great that Brides Up North exists to keep us all in the loop about this! We are spoiled with amazing venues and suppliers on hand to create amazing wedding days. It’s great to be linked with a professional wedding blog who ‘gets it’ and promotes excellence in the local industry.
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Jeff Ascough
Pomp & Ceremony is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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Give some thought to what you’d really like and set a budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend and how your cake fits in with your overall vision for the day. For instance, will you cut it and offer a piece to every guest to take away with them, incorporate it into the meal as desert, or cut costs with a polystyrene tier or two and serve slices from a discrete tray, baked separately so as not to disturb the masterpiece? It might sound a bit over the top but considering all the options may save you money and time in the long run.
Be prepared to order your cake at least three months before the wedding. As the size of the cake is usually determined by the number of guests, you’ll need to have your numbers at the ready, and bear in mind that if the cake is to fit in with your overall theme, you’ll need to have a colour pallet in mind. Your choice of dress, flowers and other finishing touches may also have a bearing on the design of your cake.
Look for inspiration on the web, read wedding blogs and visit Bridal Fayres in order to gather ideas and identify what you do and do not like.
By all means seek recommendations but most importantly…..eat cake! Ask every cake designer you meet for samples.
Consider all the alternatives to a tiered cake, such as a cup cake tower, celebratory cookies, a brownie extravaganza or a cheese cake…yes, even a cake made of cheese!
When you think you’ve found the right supplier, arrange a consultation. Take pictures of any designs you like (and don’t) and be prepared to describe as many elements of your day as possible. As well as understanding your colour pallet, they may also ask to see pictures of your dress and flowers, particularly if the cake is to be decorated with coordinating ribbons, swirls, flowers, lace or icing patterns to echo the embroidery on your dress.
Consider to what extent the cake could reflect your image. Since we’re no longer bound by tradition, the only limit is your imagination. Whether it’s to be fruit or sponge, flavoured, iced or decorated is entirely up to you. Don’t be afraid to opt for a quirky, bespoke design incorporating spots, stripes and personalised toppers reflecting your individual personalities and hobbies!
Will it be vanilla, lemon, coffee, chocolate fudge, orange, fruit, coconut, banana or carrot? Filled with butter cream or jam or both? Don’t rule out the possibility that each tier could be a different flavour.
If it is a fruit cake, it should be made as far ahead of the wedding as possible to give the recipe chance to develop and mature, whereas a sponge cake must be freshly baked no more than a couple of days before the wedding.
Establish whether any guests have any allergies or special dietary requirements, e.g. gluten free. Can the cake designer cater for this?
Establish how the cake will be transported, when it will be delivered and assembled, and by whom.
Is there an additional cost for a cake stand to be supplied? Many venues have their own and can supply one for you.
Ask for everything to be confirmed in writing in a contract and establish what deposit is payable and when.
