Katherine and Steve’s Christmas Wedding at Sopley Mill

In the run up to Katherine and Steve’s big day, it was lovely getting to know them both as we worked together on their time plan. Along their wedding planning journey I offered advice and made suggestions, so we could be sure nothing was forgotten. Knowing I can help make my couples big day stress free is what I am here to do, so when I receive kind words afterwards, it makes me one very happy wedding co-ordinator. Here is what Katherine and Steve had to say after their special day…

“When we started to find the whole process of planning the wedding a bit overwhelming, we were recommended Tasha by one of our suppliers. Enlisting her services turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.

Very quickly, she helped us to get back on track, taking real effort to get to know us and ascertain exactly how we wanted the wedding to go. Whether it was contacting suppliers to suggest things that might make things easier or enhance the day, Tasha proved to be a real godsend in the months and weeks leading up to our big day. She came up with an incredibly detailed time plan for our wedding and asked all sorts of questions about details that we hadn’t even considered. This meant that we could have time to think and make sure that everything was exactly how we wanted it.

On the day of the wedding itself, she continued to excel herself, providing a vital conduit between ourselves and the suppliers and venue, helping things move along smoothly and ensuring that we were free to enjoy our day. We genuinely believe that much of the day’s success was down to her.

Tasha’s communication with us was incredible from start to finish. If ever we wanted an opinion or had a question, her reply was always prompt. She gave great suggestions but was never pushy. She gave us real food for thought and gave her professional opinion for things that we weren’t sure about. She was an all-round good egg.

Tasha was an absolutely brilliant wedding coordinator who was worth every penny and more. We wish we knew more people who were getting married so we could recommend her to them! If you’re in any doubts about hiring a wedding coordinator, DO IT and make sure you choose Tasha!”.

So, what jobs did I get up to on Katherine and Steve’s big day? 

There are always lots of jobs to do in the morning, such as putting signs out and finishing off the table decor. My team member on the day was Jan, so together we started by adding Katherine and Steve’s table centrepieces. These were made with a fir wreath and a hurricane vase in the middle filled with pine cones. We also added their place names and framed table names to each table. I just loved that they called their tables after Santa’s reindeers, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and of course Rudolph! 

A touch of gold from the charger plates supplied by Simply Flower added to the festive colour scheme, which we finished off with a Christmas cracker as the wedding favours. Katherine and Steve also had some business card QR codes printed so their guests could download their photos onto a group gallery. Without wanting these to overpower the table decor, we discreetly popped them under each place name so their guests could find them when they sat down. 

Putting out Katherine and Steve's post box, order of the day sign, table plan, outside lanterns and Christmas wreaths on the front doors, we made sure everything was done that was detailed in their time plan.

Styling a Christmas wedding can be a little easier when it comes to choosing how you would like your big day to look. That’s not to say you have to style it with ALL things Christmassy but it can certainly help with ideas. For Katherine and Steve’s ceremony, they chose to have a fairy light wall with Christmas trees either side of a beautiful hexagonal arch adorned with festive foliage and florals, all beautifully styled by Simply Flower. 

A Christmas wedding wouldn’t be complete without a bit of snow, so Katherine and Steve hired Simply Flowers snow machine. One of my jobs was to find out how it worked and manage it when it was time for snow, something you don’t get to do every day so I was really excited about that!

Instead of a guest book, Katherine and Steve had ordered a signing tree from Etsy so I displayed that along with some fancy pens, all ready to remind their guests to sign their names on it later. 

In between doing the morning jobs, I kept checking in on Katherine and her bridesmaids who were having their hair styled by Blushing Brides and make up done by Michaela Selene Make Up Artist, upstairs in the Avon Suite.

I also made sure Steve, the groomsmen and dads were all ok whilst they sat chilling by the open fire and helped them with their buttonholes.

Making sure all the fairy lights were turned on, the candles were lit and the fire was alight, it wasn’t long before it was time to meet with the registrars and help with the timings of Katherine and Steve’s legal interviews.

While this was taking place, Jan met with their guests who were slowly arriving. Directing them over the bridge to the far entrance and handing out bubble wands to be used in place of confetti, it was soon time for the ceremony. 

With Alex from We Perform managing all the music during the ceremony, I helped the bridesmaids with their timings and fluffed Katherine’s dress just before she walked down the aisle. Closing the doors behind them, Jan went to meet John Elliott the magician who was arriving ready to perform magic during the drinks reception, whilst I waited for Katherine and Steve to be announced as husband and wife.

Opening the doors back up, everyone blew their bubbles as Katherine and Steve walked up the aisle as Mr & Mrs!

Heading downstairs, the drinks flowed with a ‘Pimp your Prosecco’ station organised by Tom’s Bars, whilst delicious canapés were served by Red Cherry Catering.

As a co-ordinator, my job is to keep an eye on the timings. Not having seen their finished wedding breakfast room, I took Katherine and Steve upstairs to have a quick look before their guests went in. Although you will have a vision in your head of how you want your room and tables to look, it is nice to take a few minutes to yourselves to see everything come together before your guests take a seat. 

Time for the wedding breakfast, we asked everyone to make their way upstairs to find their seat. I found Pete who was Katherine and Steve’s dedicated MC and prepped him with the announcement of Katherine and Steve into their wedding breakfast. I always advise my couples to choose a member of their family or one of their friends to make any announcements throughout the day that I can prompt when the time is right. Generally there will always be someone that is happy to speak in public and it’s also a very good way to give someone close to you a job, so they feel included. 

With everyone sat, Katherine and Steve had chosen to have their speeches before their meal was served. This is a great way to ensure everyone enjoys their meal if you feel that nerves may get the better of some of your speakers. 

After the speeches and with everyone enjoying their meal catered by Red Cherry Catering, Jan and I got on with some more jobs in preparation for the evening party. We put out the sparkler display and some board games in the quiet room and put the flip flop box out so the guests could change their shoes into something comfier. During this time the Photostars Photobooth arrived, so I showed them where to set up as it was their first time at Sopley Mill. I also met with the band, Weekend Ticket and the resident DJ, We Perform, to check they were ok and then left them to set up. 

Whilst everyone was tucking in to their meal, John went around and performed some more mind reading and magic tricks at the tables to keep everyone entertained.

Upstairs the meal had come to an end, so it was time to prompt Katherine and Steve’s MC to announce and do a count down for their cake cutting. Their beautiful cake was made by the very talented Cakey Lulu's who had set it up in the morning and added on Katherine and Steve’s little cake topper of Toby their dog. Such a cute and personal touch including Toby on their big day and he looked so sweet nibbling away on the side of their cake!

Downstairs Tom’s Bars had set up a hot drinks station serving tea, coffee and hot chocolate, the perfect choice of after meal drinks for a winter wedding.

After the cake had been cut everyone made their way downstairs for a hot drink and to have a go in the Photobooth.

During this time Katherine and Steve wanted a professional sparkler shot, so we gathered a group of their friends outside and lit their sparklers ready for their incredible photographer, Robin Goodlad Photography to capture. 

Time for the first dance, we checked Katherine and Steve were ready and I helped Katherine bustle her dress so she could dance more freely. Ushering the guests back upstairs, everyone gathered around to watch their first dance. This quickly lead to all the guests joining them on the dance floor and continued into the evening party.

Just before we left, we moved the signing tree upstairs to avoid any spillages on it.  With all the jobs done and everyone having fun, it was time for us to say our 'Goodbyes'.

Leaving them all to have a great night, I loved that they chose their last song of the evening to be ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY’ by SLADE.

The perfect ending to a perfect wedding day, just a few days before Christmas!