Style, location and a double bed in the back of a Rolls-Royce – Sophie Lillingston shares her wedding planning wisdom
What’s your starting point when planning a wedding?
There are some key things that you need to put in place before you have lift-off. Decide whether it is a religious service or a civil marriage, and then this needs to work with a location if you are not doing it at home. You need at this stage to have an idea of numbers you would like to invite, so choose a location which can accommodate your guests. Set a date that works for the most important members of your family and guests, and make sure the location has availability. This can be a juggling act but the good news is that once this is in place the rest is more fun.
How involved can your clients be?
It varies on the couple. Normally couples get more involved in a wedding than a party as it is such a personal thing. We help with all aspects of the wedding, and it is our aim to get a clear understanding of what is important to the client and then present ideas, options and solutions and make the decision-making fun for the couple. We have years of experience, so hopefully our advice can make the decisions easier and give clients the peace of mind that it will be a success.
What are the most important factors to consider when planning a wedding?
That you are marrying the right person and you don’t lose sight of this! We make a list of all the most important elements and put together quotes and budgets. From there you decide the team you want to work with at the wedding. It is important to have a team that gets the vision and will make it fun. There are certain people you should book earlier on, such as photographers, as they only do one wedding a weekend and you need to ensure you get the one you want.
How do you ensure each wedding is unique and perfect?
Decide the style of the wedding, be it intimate, formal, funky, elegant or relaxed. Weddings tend to have a traditional format but the look and feel is never the same because it is all the personal details that we love creating that make each wedding very different.
Where do you get inspiration?
From getting to know the couple, drawing on the beauty of the location and adding some Lillingston touches. I find it helpful to work through the different senses so you have it all covered. We enjoy putting together mood boards so that we have a creative foundation to work from.
What’s the most common challenge you come across?
Trying to keep all the different details within budget. Often, though, this causes you to have to think out of the box with great results. It is helpful to have a realistic budget and then work together to achieve this. Then there is always the challenge of the weather too, especially in England.
What’s one of the most extravagant requests you have had?
A double bed in the back of a Rolls-Royce for the couple to go away in.
What are the biggest wedding trends for this season?
I think generally weddings are getting more relaxed, but with more detail and often lasting for days.
What are you most pleased with at the end of each wedding?
It is like seeing a soufflé rise: when you see everyone, most of all the couple, having the time of their lives it is the best feeling and you know you have done a great job.
What’s your one tip for a bride-to-be?
Don’t forget how important the actual service is. In my experience the more personal detail you put into it the more you get out of it. People actually don’t realise until the day itself just how emotional and special it is, and afterwards they always treasure those touches that made it so perfect.
Lillingston has a wealth of experience in organising outstanding events and weddings for high-profile clients on a global scale.
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