How to plan a handcrafted wedding
The wedding market is changing, brides and grooms want more creative control over their big day, combined with the boom of crafting it has created the perfect storm of handcrafted or DIY weddings. Opting for this kind of wedding is not just about money, it’s also a source of pride to say I created this.
Part of the draw is also to have a unique and personal wedding. The appeal of an off-the-shelf event is waning, no bride wants their wedding to be the same as everyone else’s. Couples want something that is important to them. This may mean having it in the back garden of the family house or renting a large property or farm close to where they grew up or went on childhood holidays. If you are planning on taking creative control of your wedding here are some top tips on doing it yourself.
Venue
Many couples opting for a handcrafted wedding choose to have it in the garden of their family house. Those that don’t have this as an option you can opt for hiring a large holiday home or farm. You can often exclusively hire these places for the whole weekend and you also have more flexibility as you won’t be bound by packages nor will you have to worry about what time you can get into a venue to start setting up. If you hire a property out exclusively do so for about three to four days so you have plenty of time to craft and organise. One thing to consider is not all large properties are used to dealing with wedding parties so may not have all the equipment you need.
Furniture hire
If you have opted for a garden or a non-traditional wedding venue then you may need to hire furniture. A good hire company will have a full range of different styles of chairs, some may even respray them if a certain colour is wanted. When thinking about hiring furniture you may need more than just chairs and tables. It is possible to hire lounge and bar furniture for break out spaces.
Decorations
Making your own decorations for your wedding can be a rewarding yet stressful experience. By making your own you will have a truly personalised wedding. Having a theme will help you focus on what you want to make. For example if you want a vintage wedding then you may want to make your own bunting or chair decorations. You can buy wedding decorations or crafting kits online or at home and garden shops.
Table settings
Having a beautiful table setting is important on your wedding day. Most hire companies have table linen for hire. The linen is the canvas for your table setting, it can add a touch of class, but make sure it works with your theme.
After you have chosen your linen it’s time to think about the centre piece. When creating it keep in mind what the wedding china is going to look like, your centre piece should bring the table setting together. If you’re hiring your wedding china it is possible to have something more detailed then a plain white plate. A quality company will keep updating their collection with the latest trends in mind, ensure they are durable and made of quality material, such as fine bone china.
Catering hire
When catering for a wedding you may need to hire more than china and utensils. You might need fridges, glasses, a bar and maybe even a barbeque. When looking to use a catering hire company its best to call them and chat through what you need. If they are a reputable company they will be more than happy to make recommendations and help you out with the logistics. Also ask what the backup plan is if a piece of equipment fails.
Food
Some couples when planning a handcrafted wedding want to get their guests involved and ask them to provide food as a wedding gift giving the event a pot luck aspect. If you do opt for this, focus on dishes that can be made in advance. If you hire caterers check that the venue has what they need to cook, store and prepare food. An alternative is to do a hog roast or barbeque.
If you are planning a DIY or handcrafted wedding and interested in catering equipment available for hire, Allens Hire has an extensive list of options for you to browse through. If you would like further information or to discuss options and ideas for your event, please call our London office on 020 8574 9600 or email [email protected]. If you are based on the South Coast, please call 02380 652316.
