Trinity Park’s top 10 planning tips

Congratulations! You’ve answered the big question and now it’s time for you to ask many more if you want the wedding day of your dreams.

That’s the word from the wedding planning team at award-winning Trinity Park Events Centre – the largest wedding and events venue in the county, set in 350 acres of landscaped grounds with courtyards, sculptures and fountains and masses of free parking. The events centre is the most flexible venue in the region and can seat up to 440 and still find space for dancing.

“Ask us and we’ll make it happen” – whether it is a Wii game shown on the big screen, room to park the bride’s US President style cavalcade, releasing white doves as the bride and groom say “I do,” or keeping themother-in-law happy with the choice of sumptuous foods and space to have a giant Scalextric track for the boys or offering a dedicated fully equipped play area for children,” says wedding co-ordinator Kevin Long.

Ensuring you have the wedding ceremony and reception of your dreams is one of Kevin’s favourite tasks.

He’s the person whose expertise has helped many couples and their families create the overall theme for their day and then plan through all the small details to transform their dream into a glorious technicolour day to remember. His years of experience have given him an insight into the many varied traditions of different cultures, enabling him to tailor services to suit the needs of everyone he works with.

He shares some of his top tips with B&G:

1. Plan early, secure the date almost the minute you’ve said “yes”

2. Don’t forget the wishes of the bridegroom – you girls can get a bit carried away and we chaps are sensitive souls who like to be heard.

3. Think carefully about where you get married. Many reception venues are licensed for civil ceremonies saving both on the time travelling from wedding to reception along with the cost of cars. It also saves your guests getting lost or worrying about where to park.

4. Timing- the time of day is crucial, especially if you are watching the budget. The optimum time is 2pm. Any earlier then you have to provide more food and drinks for your guests.

5. Ensure you have venue exclusivity and no one else has booked the same venue on the day. You don’t want their guests in your wedding pictures. Furthermore you want the undivided attention of the wedding co-ordinator, not to have to share it.

6. Think carefully about the venue. Look at lots of locations, but remember to consider the background for photography. Is there potential for good inside and outside shots? Does the background portray perhaps the contemporary, stylish feel you want to achieve or are there too many “Old Masters” and chintzy curtains that won’t go with your theme.

7. Theming – helps you pull the day together. It may be an image of a colour or something shared between the two of you that you can use on the invitations, table settings, flowers etc. At Trinity Park we have invested in a special electronic coloured lighting palate that can be matched to the bride’s scheme with stunning effects.

8. Food – you are catering for all tastes, but it is your day. Ensure your choices are adventurous but not outrageous; memorable, but not inedible. Try to chat through menus with the chef and ask for a menu tasting of your final selection.

9. Consider the needs of all your guests. They are bound to be of all ages from small children to the elderly. Ensure there is plenty of space and activities for little people. Children misbehave when they are bored and uncomfortable so perhaps designate an area of play for them. The elderly prefer quieter areas, so is there a space for them to natter away from loud music and raucous banter?

10. Music – ensure this is your choice and not the DJ’s. Ask all your guests to send in their requests before the day helping you to prepare a written playlist for the DJ.

11. I know it’s meant to be 10 points but above all else RELAX and enjoy every minute – the happiest day of your life really can only last for 24 hours however much you try to stretch it!