The Wedding Day PA

So much time, effort and money goes into planning a wedding and no one wants to have a disaster on the day, our guest blogger this week, Claire aka The Wedding Day PA share some words of wisdom on how to avoid this!

How To Avoid A Wedding Day Disaster

Upon telling people I meet that I am a wedding planner - most people  ask what do you do when there is a wedding day disaster and thankfully  (touching a bit of wood) I haven't yet encountered a major wedding day  disaster but this isn't due to the fact I am lucky or God was looking  down on me that day - for the most part the reason why the weddings I  co-ordinate, and indeed the success behind any big celebration or event,  is.....it's all in the planning. Sounds simple but what amazes me most  about weddings and brides/grooms planning a wedding is nine out of ten  couples spend so much time, energy and money ensuring they have planned  their perfect wedding that most forget that the actual day itself needs  planning and a "go-to" person for any last minute questions or surprises  this as you will find out this doesn't need to be a wedding day  co-ordinator. If you have a couple of capable friends dividing some  simple wedding day tasks and checks can ensure the difference between a  wedding day disaster and your perfect day....

 The main tip I would give to brides is to have all your paperwork and  supplier information sorted in a neat and tidy wedding file. This file  should contain all the suppliers contact details, what services they are  supplying and copies of receipts paid along with any monies due in a  sealed envelope. Give this file to a trusted bridesmaid/maid of honour  or sibling who can have the file stored in a secure place and refer to  it if and when needed.

Secondly, I hate having my photo taken - I avoid it at all costs, if you  also dread the photographers camera flash ensure you book a engagement  shoot - now for those of you that do hate having your photo taken this  may seem like a crazy idea to have more photos taken than required, however having a pre-wedding/engagement photo shoot will make you feel  at ease with your photographer and means you can practise some wedding  type photo poses. On your wedding day ask your photographer's assistant  to do a quick walk around the popular photo opportunities at your venue  to make sure there are no cigarette ends or big muddy puddles on the  gravel etc.

Most brides spend hours choosing the right centrepieces and table  decorations to turn their wedding reception into their perfect dream,  ask your venue co-ordinator if you can set one table up prior to the  wedding exactly how you want it to look on the day itself and take a  photo, hand that to whoever is setting up your decorations - nothing is  more clear for them than a photograph to work from.

Have an emergency wedding day kit close to hand - I have for example  over 100 items in The Wedding Day PA's emergency kit which includes a  spare bouquet and wedding cake! Having a few essentials such as some  loose powder, lip gloss and a small sewing kit can keep you looking a  bridal beauty all day long!

When booking your DJ/band who are to play your chosen track for your  first dance ensure they have the CD/can play the track chosen - nothing  can turn a perfect wedding day into a wedding day disaster than not  being able to dance your first dance to a track you don't know and  haven't chosen. Here at The Wedding Day PA I carry a Ipod with powerful  speakers and make sure the first dance of the chosen couple is  downloaded and ready should the worse happen!

But above everything remember to enjoy yourself!

If you would like more top tips on "How To Avoid A Wedding Day  Disaster" please visit my website to download  your free copy.

Many thanks to Claire for some valuable tips - you can also follow her on Twitter.