A Kentish Ceremony Autumn 2024 | Page 38

ASK THE EXPERT

LYDIA SHARES HER TOP TIPS FOR PLANNING THE PERFECT WEDDING

1 . Prioritise what is most important to you both as a couple and set a realistic budget with your shared vision in mind . This will help guide your decisions when researching wedding venues and suppliers .
2 . Create a detailed timeline or checklist to keep track of deadlines , payments , and tasks leading up to the wedding day . This will help you to stay organised and ensure nothing falls through the cracks .
3 . Communicate openly . Effective communication with your partner , family , and any wedding planner is key . Be sure to delegate tasks if you need to lighten the load . multicultural wedding , I realised how important it was for us to incorporate both cultures into our special day , and I found I really enjoyed the meticulous planning and organising of multiple events . I decided I ’ d love to help other couples to plan their multicultural wedding .
With the arrival of my firstborn , everything changed . Maternity leave , coupled with a global pandemic , provided the ideal opportunity to finally pursue my dreams and start building my business . And so , Ella Parisa was born ! It has now been three years and 2024 is definitely my busiest year to date .
WHAT DO YOU WISH MORE COUPLES KNEW ABOUT WEDDING PLANNING ? Trends come and go and so I always advise couples to really prioritise what truly matters to them as a couple . Focussing on elements that reflect their personalities and values , rather than feeling pressured by trends or others ’ expectations is key . This avoids couples looking back at their wedding day with any regrets !
WHAT ’ S BEEN THE BIGGEST / MOST CHALLENGING WEDDING YOU ’ VE EVER HELPED PLAN ? I don ’ t have a specific wedding that has been particularly challenging , but since I specialise in multicultural weddings , these are typically large scale , multi-day celebrations . They often entail several events , multiple venues and a diverse team of suppliers . Managing the logistics of these weddings , all whilst keeping the couple ’ s vision front and centre often presents its challenges . Problem solving and the ability to think quickly is usually a big part of my role on the day . However , the reward of seeing different cultures beautifully woven together and the joy on the couple ’ s faces makes it all incredibly worthwhile .
WHAT WOULD YOU LOVE TO SEE MORE OF AT WEDDINGS ? As a wedding planner , one thing I would love to see more of at weddings is personalisation that truly reflects the couple ’ s unique love story and relationship . Whether it ’ s through custom décor that showcases their interests and passions , personalised vows that speak to their journey together , or culturally significant elements that honour their heritage , I love seeing all of the personal touches couples choose to include . Anything that enhances the overall experience and creates unforgettable memories for the couple and their guests has my vote !
@ ella _ parisa www . ellaparisaweddings . co . uk
38 | AKENTISHCEREMONY . COM | AUTUMN 2024