Choosing Your Wedding Venue (questions to ask)

When brides and grooms start looking for wedding venues, too often they fall in love with the beauty of the place and sign a contract before they've considered the more practical things. But unless the place is so magical that you're willing to plan your whole event around it, your shouldn't choose between wedding venues until you've decided approximately how many guests you're inviting and the size of your budget.

You'll also need to decide if you want to have your ceremony and reception in the same place, or if you want an all-in-one wedding venue.Once you know these things, and you have a few wedding venues in mind that fit that budget and size, then it's time to start asking questions!

*What's the decor like?

*Does it fit your style and wedding colors?

*Will you have to spend a lot of money on decorations to make it beautiful?

*Do they have an in-house caterer, and do you like that food? (While an in-house caterer can be easier and cheaper, sometimes the food is not as beautiful as the room. So make sure you taste it!)

*Do they have a limitation on which outside caterers you can use?

*Do they have adequate bathroom facilities?

*Is the wedding venue wheelchair accessible? If not, are there many stairs to climb? You have to put into consideration the elderly guests you would be inviting.

*How close is the parking to the ceremony and reception rooms?

*What's the cancellation policy?

*Is there a payment schedule?

*What kind of deposits are required?

*Are there any hidden costs? (Before you sign the contract, read it carefully.)

*What are the overtime charges?

*Do they have a liquor license?

*Will they allow you to bring your own liquor? (This is usually cheaper, even with the customary corkage fee.)

*Is there room in the wedding venue for a band and/or dancing?

*Does the wedding venue already own a sound system with adequate speakers or will that need to be rented?

*Is there a space for the bride and groom to change and/or relax?

*Where will you take photographs? Is there a park nearby, or do the coordinators have recommended spots on the grounds?

*Who will be supervising and troubleshooting before and on the day of your wedding? Can you meet them now?

*Where can your guests park their vehicles? If there is no adequate space, is there an alternative parking area for them?

*Please also remember to ask if they will power the hall, especially for all the vendors that would be needing electricity for their equipments. Some halls only power the hall for the decoration and AC's, which would mean the band and DJ would have to bring theor generating sets and that could make them charge higher.

*Are there extra fees for parking?

*Is the wedding venue convenient to public transportation, especially in big cities? How long will it take your guests to get there?

*Especially in hotels or VIP lounges, restaurants, are there limitations on decorations?

*Do they limit food and drinks to only certain areas of the wedding venue?

*Are candles or other open flames allowed?

* Do they allow overnight decoration? Some hall venues are very big and would need to be set up days before the event.

* How much is their caution fee for the vendors, like the decorator, drinks! E.t.c?

*If its an outdoor location, do they have any backup plans for rain or other inclement weather? If not, is there a place that you can put up a tent? 

WHEN LOOKING AT SEPARATE WEDDING RECEPTION VENUES AND CEREMONY LOCATIONS

*How far is it from one location to the other?

*Do the two places have the same level of formality and a coordinating style?

*Do they both accommodate about the same number of guests?

*Does the wedding reception venue have any experience with weddings from your ceremony location? 

WHEN LOOKING FOR WEDDING VENUES FOR BOTH CEREMONY AND RECEPTION

*Do they own enough chairs for the ceremony, or will they need to be rented?

*Does the wedding venue have an entirely separate area for the ceremony? 

Hopefully, these questions will help you cover the basics while you're looking at wedding venues. In your search for a wedding venue, there will probably be even more questions that arise for you personally. For example, you may want the venue to reflect your heritage, or with a large wedding party, you may need ample parking for limosines.

Hope this will help in your venue searching! Good luck!

Olamide~ The Heiress

Read More

Weddings Don't Have To Be Expensive To Be Memorable

I got featured in the Daily Trust Newspaper on the 8th of May, 2015. When i got a call from them, i wasn't expecting it. It suddenly dawned on me that people are beginning to notice my hardwork and more importantly, the message i am trying to pass accross to brides. (A wedding doesn't have to be expensive to be memorable) 

I once again started to think of how the wedding industry had suddenly become a money making venture. Not like its a bad thing for the vendors but for the negative mental effect it is having on our brides to be. 

Brides now tend to believe that if they don't have a certain amount of money or if they can't get a particular Makeup Artsit or band, their wedding can't be memorable. For me, that is a BIG misconception. You are a bride, whether your wedding is expensive or not, you will still be the centre of attraction on your wedding day. All eyes will still be on you, you will still feel special on that day if you are in a vera wang dress or isale eko wedding dress. It is still going to be your day no matter what goes into it.

I read a post on instagram recently, where brides were narrating their wedding day disasters, it was sad to know that most of these expensive vendors are the ones who messed up their big day. From the makeup, to the photographer, to the decorator, to the cake... When some of these brides actually mentioned the amount they paid for these services, my jaw literally dropped, only for them to mess up their big day.

It's a one day event, I'm not saying don't make it expensive, just be reasonable about it. The fact that some of these vendors are expensive doesn't mean that they still can't mess up your big day and the fact that some of the upcoming vendors are cheap doesn't mean that they can't deliver quality. Remember that the professionals were once like the upcoming vendors, just get a reliable upcoming vendor in whatever field, see some of their works. You will be saving yourself a lot of money and you will still have a great day. 

One of my brides recently had an engagement shoot and needed a makeup artist. She reached out to all the known Makeup Artists and none were willing to work with her budget. More so, they were only going to do one look for her and leave. She eventually decided to allow me bring her one. After reaching out to a couple of upcoming vendors that i trusted, i made a choice. The Upcoming Makeup Artist waited from 3pm to 1am and did 3 different looks. I had to personally drop her at home after midnight. Not only was my bride happy with her looks, my bride also booked her for another appointment and was wishing she hadn't already booked and paid heavily for a known MUA. 

For budget brides out there, don't stress about hiring that famous Band or MakeupArtist or Cake Maker, they have worked hard to earn the price they are charging now. Let's help you get a good upcoming vendor, who will deliver and at a reasonable price too! And like I mentioned earlier, you will still be a princess on your Big Day, expensive or not. 

Olamide~ The Heiress

Read More

11 Ways To Know You Need A Wedding Planner

Many couples never even consider hiring a wedding planner, not realizing that having outside help can save you time, aggravation, and even money. Here's an easy checklist to find out if you need a wedding planner:

1. You're way behind on your checklist and schedule. 

2. You both work full-time jobs that will prevent you from meeting with vendors on weekdays.

3. You don't have other outside help such as an involved mother-of-the-bride, helpful bridesmaids, or knowledgeable friends.

4. You don't know many people who can give you reliable vendor recommendations.

5. You are having a destination wedding.

6. There are personality conflicts between the couple, their parents, and/or other people.

7. You're excited to be married, but just thinking about wedding planning fills you with dread.

8. You're having a very short engagement.

9. You can envision your wedding but you have no idea how to make your dreams come true.

10. You can't even envision your wedding.

11. You're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and generally wishing that you had decided to elope. 

Like I have always advised, if you can't hire a wedding planner, hire LA' HEIRESS professional Event Coordinators and if you still can't afford that, we are willing to give you a list of vendors that can work with your budget after your consultation session with us.

Contact for details: 08103193930

Olamide~ The Heiress

Read More

Wedding Tip of the Week

FEED YOUR STAFFS TOO

Don't forget to feed your vendors too. A hungry DJ may not perform upto expectation if he or she is hungry. Remember, a hungry man is an angry man.

Read More