Planning a wedding is stressful – that’s a fact. So we spoke to some of Surrey’s wedding experts for their top tips to help brides and grooms-to-be with the process

The Planning

Lauren Goodman, creative director at Chertsey-based luxury wedding planning firm Bluebird Creative says: "Planning a wedding can take up to 250 hours so allow yourself the time, whether that's a longer engagement (it also means you have more time to save) or enlisting the help of your bridesmaids and delegate out jobs if need be. Keep super organised with spreadsheets and lists, so you know exactly where you are in your planning and can stay on track with your budget. And if you don't think you can fit it in, look into a wedding planner who can give you the gift of time."

The Style

According to Hannah Sheppard from Clownfish Events in Chessington, the shabby, 'hipster' chic look is finally on the wane and, while bride and grooms-to-be will still look to the 'back to nature' element, the emphasis is moving towards more of a luxe theme with heavier fabrics.

She says: "Three of this year's design themes that can be easily personalised include romantic drama - think swooping calligraphy styling on place settings and menus and banquet-style dining with tapered candles and vintage candlestick holders; glamour, which mixes metallics and mirrors with a coral and rose gold/copper colour pallet; and Scandinavian chic, which is urban cool styling using simple wicker and bare wood materials, neutral colours and back garden simplicity. Add décor statement pieces like peacock chairs for bride and groom wow factor."

The Flowers

Alison Howe from Mad Lilies florist in Banstead says: "My top tip for a bride on her wedding day would be to include scented flowers in her bouquet. Sense of smell is so closely linked with memory, probably more so than any of our other senses, so by including scented flowers, each time she and her groom smells that same scent, they'll be transported back to their wedding day. Scented flowers and foliage perfect to choose from include garden roses, tuberose, Lily of the Valley, freesia, hyacinths, lavander, gardenia, rosemary, flowering mint, jasmine, geranium foliage and scented basil foliage."

The Dress

Bridal industry luminary Emma Meek is the managing director of Miss Bush bridal boutique, based in a former chapel in Ripley, and founder of Luxe Bride, a directory, marketing and training platform for the best independent bridal boutiques. She says: "It's so easy to get caught up in the excitement of your engagement and dash out to look at dresses but the most important thing, before you go dress shopping, is to settle on a date and location for your wedding. It will help narrow your search criteria and give stylists a huge insight into your taste."

The Food

Jennifer Midhurst from Kalm Kitchen in Puttenham says: "Introduce a grazing station to your wedding. Whether it be a Mediterranean-inspired stall displayed throughout your canapé reception, a rehydration station for your guests to quench their thirst from or a beautiful patisserie bar as a finale to your meal. Creating a visually inspiring stall and giving guests the opportunity to interact and eat an abundance of beautifully presented food offers something more than the expected and makes your day one to really remember."

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