7 things to do after you get engaged

by Corrie McDonald | Jan 24, 2024 | Wedding Design

7 things to do after you get engaged

Oh hello newly engaged friend!

With all my heart, HUGE congratulations on your engagement & what an utterly beautiful time in your life it is!

It makes me incredible sad when I hear from couples who describe their engagement period as ‘stressful’ & they feel they can’t enjoy this cherished time without the anxiety of knowing what wedding planning actually entails.

I’m hear to change all that…I want you to enjoy & celebrate your engagement freely without the pressure of worrying about the first stages of planning your Soirée.

Below you will find my 7 best piece of advice to ensure your wedding planning begins on the right foot & you can enjoy your precious engagement time free from anxiety…

01. DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

This deserves to be said in caps!

I know it can be really tempting to dash out & grab the latest copy of Bridal Vogue or lose an hour (or several) pinning alllll the things on Pinterest, but hold your horses for just a sec & soak up the newly engaged feeling.

Open that bottle of delicious champagne, indulge in a celebratory dinner or just snuggly up on the sofa together & enjoy this wonderful moment!

02. Celebrate your engagement

Whether you’re all for a full blown engagement party or an intimate supper with your favourites is more your vibe, take some time to just be engaged without the mental load of wedding planning.

If little ‘wed-min’ thoughts begin to encroach on your precious engagement time then jot them down for now (in a fabulous notebook of course). Those little ideas/questions will then be in one place when they’re needed…& not swishing around your brain during celebration time.

03. Start day dreaming

You may be an excited soul who’s dreamt about your wedding day your entire life or it’s something that you’ve never really given much thought. Which ever camp you’re in, now is the perfect time to start visualising your wedding & what elements mean the most to you both.

The most efficient way to gather your wedding wishes is to begin a Pinterest board & fill it with anything that takes your fancy & sparks joy!

You don’t need to be a Pinterest whiz or think too much into what you’re pinning at this stage so don’t worry about your pins complimenting one another or fitting into a specific colour palette. Just have fun & pin anything that catches your eye. (I pinky promise this stage will be super helpful during wedding planning).

04. The budget

If you take on board one thing today, make it this!

Get real about your budget before you even step foot in a wedding venue/bridal boutique/cake shop & have those budget conversations with the people contributing to your wedding from the onset.

Why?

Knowing your budget MASSIVELY reduces your wedding planning time, overwhelm, anxiety & ensures your budget is invested in the areas of your wedding that bring you the most joy.

When you know your budget upfront, your supplier searches become more targeted which is going to save you time & reduces the wed-min stress.

Budgeting isn’t one of the most exciting wedding planning jobs so I’ve done some of the hardwork for you! Click below to find my average breakdown for a wedding budget & some handy tips to kick off your budget planning.

Budget Breakdown

A wedding reception with long tables, place settings, flowers and candles, set up in a wooden venue.

A wedding seating chart and table plan with flowers at the base.

05. The guest list

Now that you have your overall budget broken down into categories, its time to start jotting down the guest list.

This can be a task that causes tension so here’s my top tips:

1. Start by creating the VIP list – these are the people you absolutely cannot imagine getting hitched without.

2. Next create a second list of everybody else you’d love to invite & don’t hold back! Add partners, work colleagues, children (if you’d like little ones to attend). This will give you your max number of guests.

3. Now take the second list & highlight your most treasured guests; you know the one’s, the fabulous people in your life that make you laugh uncontrollably, wouldn’t hesitate to buy you dinner, spark the best memories & have stood by your side through the wonderful times…& challenging ones. This list, along with your VIP list will give you your minimum number of guests.

You know I’m all about saving you time & reducing stress so I’ve created a guest list spreadsheet ready for you to use! Simply click below to grab your copy…

Guest List Spreadsheet

06. The Venue Search

You’re now armed with your venue budget & guest list so next up – The all important venue search.

Your venue is the most important supplier to nail at this stage for obvious reasons & other suppliers won’t be able to accurately supply quotations without knowing your venue location & wedding date.

My heart always sinks when I receive an enquiry asking for pricing for a wedding without a venue & a confirmed date so to begin your search, here’s a few things to consider:

1. Location – What area do you want to say your ‘I-do’s’? Where will your guests be travelling from? Would you like guests to stay on site or in close proximity to your venue?

2. Pick a season – Some venues will cater for weddings all year round while other may offer beautiful features for outdoor soirée’s so choosing a season will help narrow down your search.

3. Grab your copy of my ‘Little Black Book of Suppliers’ which includes an extensive list of exceptional wedding venues throughout the UK. This little beauty will save you oodles of time at this stage of planning so grab your copy below:

'little black book of suppliers'

07. Assemble your supplier dream team

There’s a lot of choice out there & it can feel pretty overwhelming when you start searching for suppliers that match your vibe.

Here’s my top tips for finding your supplier dream team without tearing your hair out:

1. Before shiny object syndrome creeps in, pick your top 5 must haves for your wedding day & make them non-negotiable. Maybe a killer band/DJ is a must or the overall aesthetic & styling of your venue fills you with excitement ; ) – These areas are where you want to focus your supplier search (& energy) first.

2. Be honest with suppliers about your budget (& I know you’ve done your homework & completed your budget breakdown so this step should be a breeze!) Most suppliers will ask about the investment you wish to make to ensure they don’t waste your time (& theirs) presenting products/services that don’t fit your budget – It saves you time too because you won’t end up with an inbox full of quotations that aren’t aligned with the investment you wish to make.

3. Grab your copy of my ‘Little Black Book of Suppliers’!

I’m continually asked by clients for supplier recommendations so here’s my list of my absolute besties! This will save you a looooot of time during your supplier search so click below to get a copy straight to your inbox!

'little black book of suppliers'

THESOIREESTYLISTSBRANDINGNOVEMBER2022HIRES-52

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what wedding design, styling & stationery you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

contact me

Explore my services

Learn more about my services & how I can help

Find out more

A huge thank you to the following supplier legends:

Floristry: Sassflower

Photography: Marta D. Weddings

Planning: Fabulous Together

Catering: The Cheshire Dining Experience

Cake: The Frostery

Wedding venue styling FAQ’s

by Corrie McDonald | Nov 28, 2023 | Wedding Design

Wedding venue styling FAQ’s

I’m guessing you’ve never planned a wedding before (unless you’re J Lo)…!

There’s no such thing as a silly question so wherever you are in your venue styling journey, I’m here to answer those niggling questions.

Below you will find a list of the most popular wedding venue styling FAQ’s & if you have any additional questions, feel free to get in touch!

Soiree studio - Land Rover Defender work vehicle

Do you style my venue?

I’m very proud to be the preferred supplier for the below venues however I style many other venues across the UK as well as marquees & tipi’s on private land.

Preferred supplier venues:

Iscoyd Park | Dorfold Hall | Capesthorne Hall | Larkspur Lodge

Other venue favourites:

Hawkstone Hall

King Street Townhouse

The Compton Gallery

Dewsall Court

Middleton Lodge

Plans Dinam Country House

Cornwell Manor

Owen House Wedding Barn

Getting married abroad? No problem! I’ve styled weddings as far as Croatia & I’m always keen to style more weddings overseas.

Do you have a showroom?

Nope but for very good reason!

It’s really challenging for couples to visualise styling/decor in a showroom setting without the interior features & atmosphere of their chosen venue which plays a huge part of the overall styling concept.

Instead, I regularly attend open days to show how my design & styling works in harmony with different wedding venues.

Do you have a catalogue with all your decor for me to choose from?

No but for 2. very good reasons:

1. I believe it’s my duty as a designer to guide you to choosing the best decor for the look & feel you wish to create while maximising your styling budget. Handing you a catalogue with alllll the things means you’re lumbered with the big task of choosing the best options for your overall style, calculating quantities & balancing the budget.

2. My curated collection of decor is always evolving; new decor is regualry being added to the collection, items get lost/damaged & decor becomes outdated. I would therefore spend a lot of time keeping a catalogue up to date & I prefer to use this time giving you my expert design advice instead!

How much does Design & Venue Styling cost?

My couples spend on average –

Design/venue styling 10-15%

Floristry 10-20%

(Based on your entire wedding budget)

Every couple has their own specific priorities when it comes to budgeting & will want to allocate different parts of their budget to certain areas of their day so there’s no generic rule, it’s your day!

Not sure how to calculate your overall wedding budget? Click here for help!

Do you do provide floristry?

Yes! I work alongside a selection of remarkably talented florists, each with their own unique style & natural affection for beautiful blooms. Together we share the same values including:

– Quality, quality quality!

– A personality-led approach to design

– An organised & professional approach

This makes them perfect partners when ensuring a seamless, cohesive design concept…& they all get just as excited as me on the big day!

How many weddings do you style per week?

Just the one.

There are many tasks to complete in the final week of a wedding day including last minute changes to table plan, prepping linens, receiving deliveries & I prefer to stay fully focused on just one wedding during this time.

Can you help us with our overall design/theme?

Absolutely!

Starting your wedding planning with a consistent design thats been created with your character at the forefront ensures your entire wedding day is elevated to a more personal, polished soirée!

I create detailed, design-led moodboards of each focus area of your venue complete with a cohesive colour scheme & unique styling ideas, all provided in a handy PDF Design Booklet.

My venue needs all decor cleared by 2am! Can you clear up & collect that early?

Yes, no problem! I work with your venue to make sure we de-rig & remove all decor in line with the contract you have with your venue.

How do you handle last minute changes?

Like an absolute boss!

I believe you need a woman of action by your side when you need to add an extra guest to your seating plan last minute or any other tweaks along with way.

On the day, I’m armed with a tool kit brimming with extra candles, name place cards, stain remover, glue, spray paint, needle & thread….you name it, it’s in the Soirée tool kit!

My couples always feel relieved knowing that I’m overly prepared to nail any bumps in the road.

How early do you set up on the day?

It entirely depends on the amount of decor that needs styling but typically me & my team are ready to make the Soirée magic happen from around 7am.

What happens if decor gets broken on the day?

When your final invoice is calculated, a damage deposit will be confirmed based on the final decor pieces required. Providing no loss or damage occurs, your damage deposit will be returned to you after your big day.

Do you have insurance?

100%

I provide your chosen venue with an up to date Public Liability Insurance certificate & I’m always happy to share a copy with couples too for any insurance purposes.

What happens if you breakdown on the day?!

To this day ‘Doreen the Defender’ has never let me down on the big day but no vehicle is 100% reliable so I always have 2 back up options:

I grew up with Land Rover Defenders & my Grandad taught me how to fix the basics & change a tyre so I’m confident with fixing issues by the roadside… #girlpower

If ‘Doreen’ isn’t budging we have ‘Randy the Ranger’ as a back up ; ) ⁠

What's your booking process?

1. ENQUIRE

Complete an enquiry form (here)

2. DISCOVERY CALL

If I have your date available, we will have a brief chat on a Discovery Call so I can take some more details & you can tell me more about your vision for your day. (Find out what happens during a Discovery Call here)

3. YOUR PROPOSAL

Following our chat, I’ll create a proposal for you. Once received, your wedding date will be provisionally held for 1 week while you have time to review & ask any additional questions.

4. SECURE YOUR BOOKING

Ready to book? Great! I’ll send you your booking form with deposit amount to secure your wedding date.

6. RECEIVE YOUR ONLINE CLIENT FILE

Once your deposit is received you will then receive a link to your dedicated online client file where we will share the journey of your booking.

What deposit do I need to secure my booking?

Typically your deposit will be 20-30% of the total estimated vale of your booking. Your balance can be spread across the months leading up to your wedding day or simply pay your final balance 6-8 weeks before the big day.

When should I enquire & book?

Enquiring as soon as you have your wedding venue booked is strongly advised. Peak spring/summer dates can be snapped up as far as two years in advance. Click here to complete and enquiry form.

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what wedding design & styling you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

contact me

Explore my services

Learn more about my services & how I can help

Find out more

Wedding invitations FAQ’s – Your ultimate guide

by Corrie McDonald | Nov 11, 2023 | Wedding Design

Wedding invitations FAQ’s – Your ultimate guide

Oh the excitement when a deliciously tactile envelope lands on your doormat with your name beautifully inscribed on the front! Wedding invitations are the perfect platform to highlight your personality & set the tone for your Soirée.

Whether it’s ‘Save the Dates’ to give your delighted guests a glimpse of what’s to come or an invitations suite brimming with all the details of your day; a consistent stationery style throughout all areas of your wedding will truly elevate your overall wedding look & feel.

Wherever you are in your stationery planning I’m here to help so here’s a list of the most popular wedding invitation FAQ’s to ensure a stress-free stationery journey…

WHEN TO SEND

12-14 Months

Save the dates

6-8 Months

Invitations

2-3 months

Thank you cards

Tip: For international guests, consider sending earlier to give them time to arrange travel.

ORDER QUANTITIES

One invitation per household unless:

Over 18’s live at home

House share guests

Tip: Order extras for:

Guest list changes

Your photographer

keepsakes

BUDGET

As a guide, my clients spend an average of

4-8%

on wedding invitations, wedding stationery & signage (based on their entire wedding budget).

WHEN TO ORDER

6-8 weeks before your stationery needs to be despatched.

Turnaround time can fluctuate based on peak wedding season, length of time it takes to approve artworks & delivery of any specialist materials.

I also only take on a certain number of stationery projects per month & so booking well in advance is strongly advised.

A wedding invitation displayed on a table.

modern wedding invitation design in black

WEDDING WEBSITES

I love them but…

Invitations set the scene for your wedding day & stop you from being pestered by guests who ‘don’t do emails’.

NO KIDS ALLOWED

If you’re opting for a child free wedding & want to make the message clear…

Add a polite note to your invitations announcing that the venue isn’t suitable for children & also clearly address your invitations to the guest you only want to attend.

DRESS CODE

The design, style & colour palette you choose for your wedding invitations can give guests inspiration for their wedding attire without having to state a specific dress code.

If you do want to enforce a dress code however, I strongly advise adding a little note on your invitations with the specifics e.g. black tie/cocktail attire.

POSTAGE

The weight of those tactile handmade papers, wax seals, clips & pins can sometimes add up…

Before you post your invitations to guests, be sure to get the Post Office to check the weight & size for you so you purchase the correct postage.

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what wedding stationery you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

contact me

Explore my services

Learn more about my Stationery services & how I can help

Find out more

THE

dreamteam

Big love to these talented souls for being part of this blog post…

Safrina Smith Photography

Marta D Weddings

The McHendry’s

Wrenbury Hall Editorial Shoot – Autumnal wedding elegance

by Corrie McDonald | Oct 31, 2023 | Stationery, Venue Styling, Wedding Design

Wrenbury Hall Editorial Shoot – Autumnal wedding elegance

With its magnificent sandstone exterior & elegant historical features, Wrenbury Hall was the perfect setting for an editorial shoot to embrace opulence & showcase the sultry tones that define Autumn in its most elegant form.

⁠
Couples can often find Autumn wedding inspiration a little clichéd with the overabundance of bright orange pumpkins & an overwhelming rustic theme. ew!⁠
⁠
With a supplier dream team packed with passion, we united our skills to prove that Autumn weddings can be synonymous with sophistication & luxury, so enjoy this sumptuous photo shoot…without a pumpkin in sight! ⁠

A bride, holding a bouquet, and groom exiting a wedding ceremony with confetti thrown at them, with a row of wedding guests either side.

A bride and groom exchange vows during their beautifully styled wedding ceremony adorned with stunning flowers.

A wooden table set up with wedding styling and place settings, candles and flowers.

A wedding seating chart and table plan on a thin black wrought iron stand with flowers at the base.

A black and white photo showcasing long wedding tables styled with place settings and flowers, set in a hall.

A white wedding cake surrounding with wedding flowers on a wooden table.

A black and white photo of a wedding table setting with a place card and personalised menu.

A black and white photo of a table plan with flowers in front of it, showcasing elegant wedding styling.

A black and white photo of a beautifully styled wedding table place setting with clear glass plate, wedding menu and silverware.

A colour photo showcasing long wedding tables styled with place settings and flowers, set in a hall.

A barn wedding featuring pink and white flowers and chairs arranged either side of the aisle and a wood stove at the front of the room on the right side.

A bride holding a bouquet of pink and white flowers.

A large bouquet of pink and white roses and greenery sitting behind a row of chairs for a barn wedding.

A table set up with white flowers and wedding styling.

A black and white photo of a white wedding cake surrounding with wedding flowers on a wooden table.

A beautifully styled long table with white flowers, candles and place settings and a table number card.

A table setting with wedding styling and silverware.

A beautifully styled wedding table set with white plates and candles.

DREAM TEAM

Design concept, venue styling, stationery & signage : Soirée Studio

Floristry: Anna Flora

Photography: Elina Davis Photography

Cake: TSP Cake

Bridal Gowns: Bellissima Brides

Hair & Makeup: Zamira Gill Bridal Hair & Makeup

Models: Oksana and Luke

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what level of Design & venue styling support you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

contact me

Explore my services

Learn more about my Design & Venue Styling services & how I can help

Find out more

A modern, chic wedding at Dorfold Hall

by Corrie McDonald | Oct 25, 2023 | Real Weddings, Stationery, Venue Styling, Wedding Design

A modern, chic wedding at Dorfold Hall

Nestled within 800 acres of picturesque English countryside, the L’Écurie venue at Dorfold Hall exudes a chic & atmospheric ambiance. Natural light streams through the space, accentuating its modern & contemporary features; the perfect setting for Sam & Lewis’s Black tie Soirée.

When Sam & Lewis got in touch to discuss their design & styling at Dorfold Hall, I was instantly drawn by their desire to create a sleek, stylish look while still creating a laidback atmosphere for their guests.

A colour palette of champagne, almond & latte with accents of pitch black was the perfect colour combination to compliment their stylish springtime ‘black tie’ vibe.

When Sasha from Sassflower confirmed she was available to join forces & provide her floral expertise, I knew it was going to be a truly spectacular venue transformation! Sasha’s passion & unique floral designs continue to amaze me, not to mention her attention to detail & dedication to ensure every bloom looks flawless on the day.

Enjoy swooning over Sam & Lewis’s stunning photos which were expertly captured by Marta D Weddings & I hope their day provides you with some inspiration for your own Soirée!

” Corrie we could not thank you enough for getting the special little touches to shine out & recommend the best use of our space.

I 100% would recommend Corrie to anyone looking for someone to style an event or wedding! From the get go she was all ears, ideas and piecing together a display of us as a couple!

Corrie worked so closely with our other suppliers who truly seemed to make the dream team & our day will be one to go down in wedding history. Thank you so much for all your hard work x “

SAM & LEWIS

DREAM TEAM

Design concept, venue styling, stationery & signage : Soirée Studio

Floristry: Sassflower

Photography: Marta D. Weddings

Planning: Fabulous Together

Catering: The Cheshire Dining Experience

Cake: The Frostery

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what level of Design & venue styling support you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

contact me

Explore my services

Learn more about my Design & Venue Styling services & how I can help

Find out more

The Discovery Call – What to expect

by Corrie McDonald | Oct 11, 2023 | Venue Styling, Wedding Design

The Discovery Call – What to expect

The discovery call is an essential part of planning your design, venue styling & stationery and helps you to offload any styling stresses you may be experiencing.

We will chat through any initial inspiration you have, look at the products & services best suited to your specific needs and I ensure you end our call with all the answers you need!

First things first… I know you’re pretty snowed under with allllll the other wedding/life to-do’s so our call won’t take long! Typically our chat will last around 15 minutes & calls are available during evenings & weekends to work around your wonderfully busy world.

here's what to expect...

Brief Intro

I’m always excited to hear about your engagement story, where you met & what you do for fun! I’l also give you a brief background of my expertise & my passion for designing & styling fabulously creative Soirée’s!

Your Initial Ideas

You may be raring to go with a Pinterest board brimming with inspiration or have no clue where to begin with a vision for your day. We will use this time during our call to explore your styling thoughts & I can share some initial suggestions. No idea is too crazy so I’m keen to learn about your lightbulb moments but if you’re totally stuck for inspiration, I’m here to guide you through the all the styling possibilities.

Service Suggestions

I will talk you through my services & suggest the right products to bring your vision to life! We will also chat through the investment you wish to make so I can be respectful of your budget when creating your proposal.

Not sure where to start when it comes to budgeting? Click here for my ultimate wedding budgeting guide!

My Process

I’ll give you a brief timeline of my seamless process that will guide you from booking confirmation to set-up on the day. Understanding my process ensures you know what’s around the corner at every stage of your booking… the perfect tool for keeping those wedding planning worries at bay!

Neutral wedding table styling and floristry

Questions?

We will wrap up our call with any questions you may have or any parts of our call you wish for me to expand on.

No question is too silly at this stage so feel free to ask away.

Next Steps

I’m now armed with all info needed to create your bespoke proposal which will be sent to your as a PDF via email within 5-7 working days. You will then have one week to review your proposal & I will be available on email or the phone to answer any additional questions you may have. As soon as your proposal is sent, your wedding date is provisional held while you take time to review the details.