INTERVIEW WITH CHARLOTTE ELISE

In this blog post, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Charlotte Elise, a professional wedding planner with years of experience in the industry. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating beautiful and memorable events, Charlotte has helped countless couples bring their wedding visions to life. In this interview, she shares her insights on wedding planning, the importance of having a strong vendor team, and the best ways to plan your perfect wedding day. Whether you're a bride-to-be, a groom-to-be, or simply someone planning a special event, you'll find valuable tips and inspiration in this conversation with one of the best in the business. So, without further ado, let's dive in and learn more about the world of wedding planning with Charlotte Elise.

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CHARLOTTE ELISE  ~ VOTED NORTH-WEST WEDDING PLANNER OF THE YEAR 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021~ ~PLANNING LUXURY WEDDINGS AND EVENTS IN THE UK AND BEYOND~

Q: 'What is the most important advice you can give to couples planning their wedding?'

Charlotte Elise: 'Enjoy the process! Planning a wedding should be fun and exciting. Yes, of course, it comes with stress, but you want to try and enjoy it as much as possible. A wedding planner can take a lot of the pressure away as we do all the leg work to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible.'

Q: 'How do you help couples stay within their budget?'

Charlotte Elise: 'When working with a budget, we have a spreadsheet to keep track of all payments. At the start of the planning, we put on estimations for each element so the couples can see how this budget will be broken down into different areas. We recommend suppliers that will fit within their budget and give them advice with aspects such as flowers on what is feasible and possible within their desired budget.'

Wedding Planner Charlotte Elise, Photographer Nkima Photography, Marquee Skye Marquees, Florist Emma Soulsby.

Q: 'How do you help couples make their wedding day unique and personalised?'

Charlotte Elise: 'We get to know them as a couple and consider ways to incorporate personal touches into their wedding. Some couples want to tell the journey of their relationship through their wedding, whether through favourite dishes they’ve had at restaurants in their wedding breakfast or certain musicians throughout the day that touch on special moments in their lives. We love making each wedding unique and personal to each couple. Quite often, it can be as subtle as certain flowers originating in specific countries where the bride/groom or family are from and then incorporating them into the bouquets or table displays.'

Wedding Planner Charlotte Elise, Photographer Alex Wysocki, Florist Studio 7 Flowers, Venue Royal Myconian Resort.

Q: 'How do you handle unexpected issues or complications on the wedding day?'

Charlotte Elise: 'Because we do so much work beforehand in planning the wedding and putting together planning documents that ensure all suppliers know their role in the wedding and the specific timings, the wedding day itself tends to run smoothly. However, we always have backup plans in place, just in case. More often than not, in the UK, this can be due to the weather (although we always have backup plans in other countries in place, too!), and we have to be adaptable and be able to think on our feet for solutions. Staying calm and coming up with a plan that we know our couple will be happy with without bothering them means that the day still runs smoothly.'

Wedding Planner Charlotte Elise, Venue Scarlet Hall Cheshire, Photographer Anna Fowler, Florist Verdure Floral Design, Chandeliers Crescent Moon Events, Marquee South Cheshire Marquees.

Q: 'How do you work with other vendors, such as florists, caterers, and photographers, to ensure a seamless wedding day?'

Charlotte Elise: 'We get to know the suppliers beforehand by liaising with them over email, phone and face-to-face meetings. All suppliers must be on the same page and know the ins and outs of the full wedding day. We create a detailed running order document sent to all suppliers around four weeks before the wedding, which is a minute-by-minute run-through of the day (or weekend if it’s a multi-day wedding). That way, the suppliers know exactly what is happening and when and we then use this document throughout the wedding to ensure everything happens correctly.'

Q: 'How do you help couples manage the guest list and seating arrangements?'

Charlotte Elise: 'For the guest list, we often find that couples come to us already having a rough idea of guest numbers at the start of their planning, which helps us source the right venue for them. We can help with RSVP management to track the RSVPs if the couple has busy jobs or may not be in the country and can also help with the setup and management of a wedding website. When it comes to the seating arrangements, we will do layout plans of the space for our couple, showing them which table configurations fit best in the area and then provide them with this in an easy format for them to put their table plan on. We will then annotate this plan with any dietary requirements or special notes for the catering and venue staff.'

Wedding Planner Charlotte Elise, Photographer Anna Fowler, Florist Venture Floral Design, Marquee South Cheshire Marquees, Draping Draping Bliss, Hair & MUA Alicia Dobson & Katie Daley, Dress Galia Lahav.

Q: 'How do you stay organised and track all the details during the planning process?'

Charlotte Elise: 'With lots of folders, paperwork and to-do lists! Every planner loves a list, and it’s essential to keep organised as there are multiple weddings we are working on at once. We keep all supplier contracts in a folder and have a dedicated to-do list for each couple which we work through to ensure that we remind the couple about decisions that need to be made at the right time. We have mood boards for each couple to help with the design process, which can be a working document leading up to the wedding, with tweaks and alterations made as we get closer to the wedding.'

Q: 'How do you help couples manage the stress and pressure of wedding planning?'

Charlotte Elise: 'By having a wedding planner, stress should automatically be reduced as you have someone who will not let you forget about anything with your wedding, and you have someone who will keep you on track. We take everything step by step to not overwhelm you and ultimately want you to enjoy the whole process. We are involved as much or as little as you require.'

Wedding Planner Charlotte Elise, Photographer Shane Webber Photography, Florist Kelly Louise Floral Artistry, Venue Colshaw Hall Cheshire. 

Q: 'How do you help couples choose the right venue for their wedding?'

Charlotte Elise: 'Initially, we have a really good chat about likes and dislikes (I always say dislikes are just as important as likes!) and what type of venue you have in your head, whether that be modern, traditional, outdoors, indoors, with accommodation, without accommodation. All these elements help us narrow the search for venues we think you would love. Of course, location comes into this as often couples have a specific location they would like to get married in and whether it will be a one-day or multi-day wedding. We propose an initial list of available venues to our couples in a detailed PDF document and then go through what they like or dislike about the different venues. Sometimes looking at the venues helps couples realise what they would love in a venue.'

Q: 'How do you stay current on industry trends and incorporate them into your planning?'

Charlotte Elise: 'We are really active on social media and attend as many networking events as possible. We love to build relationships with our suppliers and fellow planners in the industry, which is essential to keep up to date with rising or current trends. I love to look at what other countries are doing (for example, Australia, I feel, has some gorgeous modern wedding trends which are starting to make their way over to the UK) as it’s great to try and stay ahead of the curve and recommend things to couples that they may not have seen before at other weddings.'

 Wedding Planner Charlotte Elise, Photographer Anna Fowler, Florist Verdure Floral Design, Venue Scarlet Hall Cheshire, Marquee South Cheshire Marquees.

In conclusion, we hope that this interview with Charlotte Elise has given you a better understanding of the world of wedding planning and the role a professional planner can play in creating a beautiful and memorable event. Charlotte's tips and insights are valuable for those planning a wedding and anyone organising a special event. We want to thank Charlotte for sharing her knowledge and experience with us, and we hope that you, the reader, have found this interview as informative and inspiring as we did. If you're looking for a professional wedding planner, we recommend contacting Charlotte Elise.

FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

How far in advance should I start planning my wedding?

It is recommended to start planning your wedding at least a year in advance to ensure that you have enough time to book vendors and venues and make all necessary arrangements.

What is the average cost of a wedding?

The average cost of a wedding can vary greatly depending on location, guest count, and overall style of the wedding. A wedding can cost anywhere from £10,000 to £50,000 or more.

How do I choose a wedding venue?

When choosing a wedding venue, consider the size of your guest list, the location, and the overall style of your wedding. You should also be able to visit the venue in person to get a sense of the space and to ask any questions you may have.

How do I create a wedding budget?

When creating a wedding budget, start by listing all of the expenses associated with your wedding, such as the venue, catering, flowers, and photography. Then, prioritise these items and allocate funds accordingly. Be sure also to include a contingency fund for unexpected expenses.

What is the role of a wedding planner?

A wedding planner is responsible for helping couples plan and execute their wedding day. This includes coordinating vendors, creating timelines, and overseeing the overall logistics of the event. A planner can also guide budgeting, design, and other essential aspects of the wedding planning process.

Do I need a wedding planner?

Whether or not you need a wedding planner depends on your preferences and how much time and energy you are willing to spend planning your wedding. If you're short of time or want the peace of mind that comes with having a professional handle the coordination, a wedding planner can be an excellent investment.

How do I choose my wedding vendors?

When choosing wedding vendors, consider their reputation, price, availability, and style. It's also important to read reviews, ask for referrals and ask for portfolios or samples of their work. Make sure to meet them in person before you make a decision.

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