Tag Archives: Top Tips

Why Hire a Wedding Planner?

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I’ve been asked many times – “Why should I hire a wedding planner”?  “What are the benefits”?  “What makes your company stand out from the crowd”? Well hopefully this short post will answer all these questions, and leave you asking yourself why you’ve not hired one already!

Let’s start with “What makes Passion 4 Events different”? It’s simple, we offer a totally bespoke service, so you know that your wedding will be fresh, inspired and tailored to your specifications and personality, not one straight out of a box. We specialise in Marquee functions as these are usually the most complex weddings to plan, and often involve a large number of suppliers to coordinate. With over 9 years’ experience in the events industry planning events and weddings from 10 to 10,000 guests you’re in good hands with Passion 4 Events.

Bringing in a Wedding Planner from the outset of your plans will not only save you time, it will also save you money. At Passion 4 Events we do not take commissions from our suppliers, nor do we work on a percentage basis, we charge a pre-agreed fee to plan your wedding and pass on all our savings (in some cases up to 30%) directly to our clients, working with you to make the most out of your budget and create a wedding day you and your guests will remember for years to come.

We also understand that many brides may wish to plan their own wedding and so you can but at the same time leaving the stressful part to us! We offer a complementary consultation to discuss your ideas for the day and answer any questions you may have. This can then be followed up with a detailed quotation and budget planner, passing on all our trusted suppliers and savings, giving you complete peace of mind. Then when your wedding is planned to perfection, we offer an on-the-day service, where we will discuss all the finer details and be on site on the day of your wedding to ensure everything goes exactly as you’ve planned.

Let’s hear what one of our client thinks of the service we provided for her wedding:

“I just wanted to say a massive thank you for everything you did for us in the run up and on our wedding day, everything was perfect.  Everyone hasn’t stopped talking about it and telling me how much fun they had.  We both really enjoyed working with you and hope we can work together on future events.

On the day everything totally exceeded anything we could have dreamed of, so a massive thank you from both of us. Everything was first class, from the contacts you provided to the whole organisation, everything was fab.  I would have no hesitation in recommending you to friends, family, or anyone who will listen“ Alison Chesworth

In summary we are here to support you through the wedding planning process, ensuring it is an enjoyable process rather than a stressful one. We will make suggestions and provide you with helpful advice, but ultimately the final decisions will be yours.

Freephone: 0800 690 66 60 or email: info@p4events.co.uk

This post was written for a Wedding Supplier Spotlight feature on http://www.courtenayphotographic.co.uk/

Entertainment Booking

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Entertainment Spotlight

Stephen Hunter – 2010 X-Factor Sensation

Stephen Hunter 42 from Lesmahagow came to the limelight as an X-Factor sensation in 2010, making it all the way to the judges homes final. Stephen now entertains crowds at corporate events, weddings, and official openings throughout the UK.

Recent achievements have included headlining the Party stage at Edinburgh’s 2010 Hogmanay (voted best stage of the night) in front of a 10,000 strong crowd, and securing a part in Jim Dickinson’s film “Rough and Ready”. The film set to hit our screens later this year.

Stephen can be booked through Passion 4 Events to perform either a short 30 minute set, or a full evening of entertainment (2 x 45 minute sets). Stephens set list will be tailored to your event, with his now famous rendition of Disco Inferno included.

If you’re looking for an entertainer guaranteed to impress guests of all ages, and want to include one of the genuinely nicest people you’ll ever meet, then contact us today.

John Lavelle – Guest Speaker & Auctioneer

As the chairman of the Wooden Spoon Childrens Charity for many years, John is no stranger to public speaking. His light hearted Irish humour makes him a popular choice for any gala dinner, asking only for a donation to the Charity for his services.

John is also the perfect auctioneer for your next event, often referred to as the Royal auctioneer due to the number of auctions he has conducted with Anne, Princess Royal for the Princes Trust.

John is the perfect choice for Ladies Lunches, Gala Dinners and Charity Auctions. For more information and to book John Lavelle for your event, please contact us today.

Top Tips when booking entertainment:

RESEARCH - Do you research on the range of entertainers available, and obtain quotations from a number of different acts to ensure you are getting the best price.

EXPERIENCE – Once you’ve complied a short list of entertainers, find a local event were they are entertaining, and experience their performance for yourself. You Tube videos, showreels, and samples can sometimes be very deceiving!

BOOK – Once you’re happy with your entertainers, ensure you book then well in advance to ensure you are not disappointed.

At Passion 4 Events we can provide a complete entertainment package for your next event or wedding. We only use the very best entertainers who we know will deliver to same high standards time after time, and at a competitive price. From guest speakers and singers, to large bands, celebrities, comedians, magicians, silhouette artists, caricaturists, stilt walkers, fire dancers and much more. Please contact us today to arrange your complimentary consultation.

Fantastic Fireworks

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Supplier Spotlight – MDL Fireworks Ltd written by Elaine Robb

MDL Fireworks Ltd was formed in March 2005 by the two directors Phil Rustage and Elaine Robb. The business has grown in strength each year and we now have three fulltime staff, and 40 part time staff. We have registered storage facilities in Preston and Stafford, and retails outlets in Preston and Leyland. We are looking to expand our retail this year to Leigh area.

Phil has been involved in the firework industry for over 30 years, and was the Northern Operations Manager for Millennium Pyrotechnics based in Salisbury. In 2005 Millennium was sold and Phil was made redundant. I had been working part time with Millennium Pyrotechnics as a firerer on displays, so it was a natural progression for us to form MDL Fireworks Ltd and continue doing what we both loved. Combined we have 45 years experience.

The one thing we both agreed on from the start, was that every display we do has to be done to the highest standard, using the best quality products that we can source. Whether it be a corporate event, sporting event, wedding or birthday, the same high standard will be maintained. To ensure that we maintain our high standards we have sourced our products carefully for the clarity of colours and range of effects. We now have a partnership with Pro-Fusion pyrotechnics in Stafford who import products for us, that are made to our own specifications in China, resulting in a product line that is quite unique to us.

This year we have invested in a new computerised fireone system to further complement our existing electrical firing system. The new system will give us scope to be even more creative when designing our displays and ensure that we will continue to exceed our client’s expectations

Our client base is extensive, ranging from local councils and round tables, to corporates, sports clubs, private parties, weddings, birthdays and engagements. We have provided displays for Lancaster Castle, Clitheroe Castle, Woodvale International Rally, Preston River festival, and Virgin Gym to name a few.

If you want your event to be extra special, then a Firework Display can certainly give you the WOW factor! We are always happy to discuss client requirements on a free consultation basis, advising on a the range of options available, and what we believe would be the best option for your venue. At this point we will also tell prospective clients if we believe that it would be an unsafe venue for fireworks, as the safety of our clients and employee’s is paramount to us.

Top Tips for planning an event with Fireworks

  1. Ask your venue before booking if they allow fireworks and are there any restrictions ie: noise levels. Some venues require Low noise fireworks that will not disturb neighbours. We can provide low noise fireworks but if you want noise it’s always worth asking the question first to avoid disappointment.
  2. If the venue have never had fireworks before. It is always best to ask a professional firework company to assess the site. It may look as if there is enough space for fireworks, but there are specific distances that should be maintained to ensure that everyone is safe. A professional company will advise you what is possible.
  3. Think about what you want the fireworks to be like. Do you want a BIG impact with lots of noise that lasts a few minutes or do you want perhaps a fifteen minute display that is pretty with some noise, sometimes less is more
  4. I would like fireworks but my event is not at night. There are daytime fireworks available too! No matter what your planning day or night ask the question, you just might be surprised by the answer.
  5. Always ensure that you ask for proof of Insurance documents from your Firework Provider. If a firework company cannot provide copies of current Insurance documents look elsewhere.

Wedding Photography

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Supplier Spotlight – Weddings by Michael

Weddings by Michael are long established wedding photographers with a strong contemporary and creative element. Each wedding is recorded on its own merits, with the images unique to each couple and their day. Michael’s specialist and low lighting skills enable the capture of unique and evocative images. Whilst some may see an overcast or rainy wedding day as being blighted, Michael relishes the challenge and manages to turn the most abysmal drab scene into something quite captivating. It’s these same skills and knowledge that has brought him to the attention of some of the most famous UK hotel brands, who retain Michael to produce their wedding brochure images.

The demand for Michael’s work has taken him the length and breadth of the UK, and new venues are a challenge he relishes. Changing weather or venue circumstances are also challenges that Michael seems to excel with, managing to create images that perhaps were completely unexpected by the bride and groom. We all hope for the best, yet Michael prepares for the worst.

Michael’s top tips for successful wedding photography:

  1. When researching for your photographer, don’t shop on price. The product you are purchasing is a combination of the photographer’s skills and the images created. Keep your budget in mind, just don’t let it be the decision maker.
  2. Arrange to meet your chosen photographer and view their work. Do they seem easy to get on with and quite relaxed? Are the images typical of what you would like in your own album? Don’t be afraid to ask about specific styles such as sepia, black and white or bleached.
  3. Examine the types of albums available. Some photographers specialise in storybook albums, whereas others will produce a more traditional style. Ask your photographer which styles he has available and if he can cater for your preferred style.
  4. Be prepared on the big day. Have a list prepared in advance of the group shots you require. It’s a busy and long day, and some groups can be overlooked. Give a copy to your photographer at least a week in advance. That way, should there be an anticipated problems, such as the time factor, they can be addressed in good time.
  5. Your photographer should be able to provide creative ideas for any informal portraits, but don’t be afraid to suggest some of your own. If you’ve seen images elsewhere that you would quite like to recreate, say so.
  6. The images and album are one of the few things you keep as a reminder of your day, so it’s worth putting some time into choosing the right photographer and helping them get the images you really want.

http://www.weddingsbymichael.co.uk

Professional Make-Up, Hair & Styling

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Supplier Spotlight – Sarah Spears

Graduating from the Manchester School of Make –Up with a Full Diploma, Sarah has built up her company and experience over the past six years. From making brides feel wonderful on their special day, to high profile commercial shoots for Monarch Airlines, Republic, NOW Magazine, Granada, BBC, William Hill and Toni and Guy.

So how can Sarah help you?

Your Wedding Day

In the build up to your wedding day, Sarah and her team will create a bespoke look tailored to your personal needs. With a full consultation in the comfort of your own home, your desired look will be discussed and trialled with passion and care. The trial can be a calm affair with no interruptions from others, or a fun time to get all the girls together. On the day you will receive a text or call from Sarah to let you know she’s on her way. She will then style your hair and apply your make-up, to begin the process of making you feel wonderful on your special day.

Commercial & Events

With a wealth of experience, Sarah’s commercial expertise has taken her across the U.K. and on international travels. Listening to the clients needs and respecting the camera, Sarah will ensure the models and actors for your commercials, films and photography are styled as required.

Personal Styling Day

Sarah Spears and Passion 4 Events are teaming up to offer you a day to remember. Beginning with a look through your own wardrobe, Sarah will choose pieces to create a fabulous look for an evening out with your partner. Once your outfit is chosen, you will step into your chauffeur driven car and continue the day with lunch and shopping to add accessories or even new key pieces to your look. With the professional styling knowledge of Sarah Spears, you may even get a surprise on what new items you pick out! Finishing the experience at a fabulous boutique hotel, Sarah will style your hair and design a make-up look for the evening, before you dress, and are whisked off for a luxurious dinner.

What better gift, than the gift of confidence and feeling fabulous! For more information and our tailored package price, contact us today on 01772 497206.

Top Tips

1) For gorgeously glowing skin this spring summer massage a luminous moisturiser such as mac strobe cream into the skin before applying your regular foundation. The strobe effect will shine through leaving you with the most beautiful healthy glow.

2) A top trend this spring summer is the ‘pop’ of colour. A great way to get this is to focus on your lips with a candy pink or a bright coral. An insider tip for the perfect pout – line and colour the whole lips with a matching or similar lip pencil to make your colour last longer.

http://www.sarahspears.co.uk

Wedding & Event Stationary

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Supplier Spotlight – Acushla Creations

Acushla are young and dynamic creative designers, and have started to build a reputation for producing unique, bespoke and extravagant wedding and event stationery with a difference. What stands us apart from other traditional stationers is our 100% tailor-made approach. This allows us to come up with a brand new idea for each couple, based on their personalities, wedding theme and sense if style.

The type of client that will commission us to produce their stationery want something extra special, or something really different to the norm, so we know from the start that each job we do will be different to the last, and we love creating new ideas and intriguing solutions to our couple’s briefs. We always think outside the box and approach each job with a blank canvas and no pre-conceptions on what the stationery should consist of which allows the end product to take any shape or form. From complex invitations like our origami peacocks or grow your own flower for the big day, to the more classic gold and silver foils on heavyweight boards – Acushla can do it all!

Acushla’s top tips for creating stunning stationery

1) Approach each job with a blank canvas. By allowing your imagination to run wild it gives you the opportunity to explore all possibilities in terms of the creative idea, imagery, wording, fonts and format. You may end up with something fairly orthodox in the end, but at least this will be an informed decision based on all the available options.

2) Don’t be restricted by format. This is one of the things that makes Acushla completely different. Invitations do not just have to be a piece of folded card! An invitation in it’s simplest form is a way of letting your guests know where and when your wedding is, but that doesn’t mean it must be ink printed on flat card – think laterally!

3) Add interaction. This can be as simple as opening a flap and untying a ribbon, or as complex as following instructions and solving puzzles. By making the invites interactive in some way it gets your guests involved with the wedding from the outset and helps to build excitement and anticipation.

4) Express yourselves. The wedding invites should really show off your personalities and describe what makes you who you are as an individual and as a couple. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic, a whimsical dreamer, an elegant princess or a cheeky joker, there is an idea and style out there to suit you.

5) Set the style and tone. The wedding invitations and save-the-dates are the first opportunity to set the style for the wedding. Our pop-out invitations were created for a couple who were having large-scale board games after the ceremony. By creating a fun and surprising invitation, the guests got a brief glimpse of the wedding day itself. It’s your chance to make the right first impression!

Acushla can produce the full range of wedding and event stationary including: Invitations, Save the Dates, RSVP Cards, Order of Service’s, Menus, Table Plans, Table Numbers, Name Cards, Guest Books and Thank you cards.

Visit their website: http://www.acushlacreations.co.uk/

Supplier Spotlights

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At Passion 4 Events we pride ourselves on working with a select number of professionals in the events industry, who we know we can trust to deliver time after time, to the highest standards, and at the most competitive price.

For those who prefer to organise every element of their event or wedding themselves, Passion 4 Events is happy to personally recommended our first-rate suppliers. From professional make-up artists, florists and photographers, to chauffeured limousines and helicopters. Therefore we thought why not spotlight a few of our suppliers who we think offer an extra special service.

Over the next few weeks we will be spotlighting six of our suppliers, allowing them to showcase what makes their company stand out from the crowd, and providing top tips we hope you will find interesting and useful when planning your next event or wedding.

Today we start our Supplier Spotlights with Acushla. Young and dynamic creative designers, who have started to build a reputation for producing unique, bespoke and extravagant wedding and event stationery with a difference. Keep posted to find out more…