Welcome to our party planning essentials webchat with events expert Davina Stanley

You’ve walked down the aisle, said your vows and cried at your dad's speech. You’re now officially Mr and Mrs, so it’s time to let your hair down and party! Whether you want to dance till dawn in boho-style teepees, or samba the night away under the stars, make sure your celebration matches your personal party style with advice from events expert Davina Stanley in our live webchat, 23 August from 1-2pm.
Join us to ask Davina for her insider tricks on how to transform your wedding soirée into something extra special. Get tips on turning a plain room into a pretty vintage haven, or get inspirational ideas for injecting a bit of Hollywood glamour into your do. Whether you're after reception style suggestions, or help tying your theme together, Davina will be ready and on hand to answer all your puzzling party conundrums.
Join us on 23 August, 1-2pm to get Davina’s personal party planning advice. Don’t worry if you can’t be there, just leave your questions here for her to answer.

Hi Davina,

I've fallen in love with an amazing venue on the coast and want to add a bit of seaside chic to the reception in the evening (which will be in a marquee). What can I do that won't cost a fortune but will give a bit of retro-by-the-sea fun to my party? I've got a blank canvas and I'm worried it's going to be too hard to decorate.

Thanks so much,

Missy

Hi Davina,

I hope you can help me; I'm having a destination wedding with family and then a big wedding reception party with friends when I return.

I want to make the party really special for those who can't make it to the wedding but don't have a huge budget. I thought of putting pictures of the wedding up and showing a video if we get one done. Are there any other special touches we can add that won't costs lots but will make it special?

Thank you in advance!

C x

Hi Missy

Good to hear from you!

Seaside weddings are great fun and don;t have to cost the earth!

Some ideas for you as follows:

Bunting is great! Very reasonable on line or for that extra special home made touch (and if you have enough time and advance warning) you can send a triangle template to all your guests and ask them to send you a few triangles that you can sew on a line. YOu can use this bunting later to decorate your child's bedroom or garden.

Personalised pebbles are great for place settings. Write your guests names on each one. They make great favors too!

Nautical lanterns are available from places such as Ikea.

Shells are very reasonable at the seaside itself. We did a wedding in Cornwall last year and got 1000s of shells from seaside shops. There were even bags on the sea edge that you paid for in honesty boxes.

On a similar note - speak to seaside traders about hiring shells etc.

You can get Braziers (large metal baskets) that you can hold open fires in also from Ikea.

Large conk shells are available from C.Best in the flower market in new covent garden, London. Serve food in them.

Scallop shells avaialble from any fish monger ask well in advance to save them for you and you will have ideal starter dishes.

Similarly glass jars with tealights provide a seaside homemade look.

Twine or old fashioned string looks great tied round napkins.

Feston lighting goes far to fill space.

Hammocks are great for people to lounge in!

Coconut shells also available from C.Best. Put tealights in them and place on lawn on floor of marquee.

I hope that helps!

Davina

Fish and chips are great to serve as midnight snacks

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for joining us today for our perfect party webchat.

Davina is live on the boards now until 2pm so please do keep your questions for her coming in.

Enjoy!

Webmaster

Hi Claire

Get inspiration from your destination.

Try and source cheap and cheerful favors (beach holiday - pebbles with the date of the wedding on)

For invites use www.paperless.post.com where you can include photos of the wedding whilst inviting them to your party in the UK. Or send a "wish you were here but looking forward to seeing you to celebrate in the UK" postcards from your wedding destination as an invite.

Photos are a great idea. The larger the better. Go on line to order to www.digitalphotgraphposters.co.uk or for big block posters www.blockposters.com do huge posters and frame them in frames to match your venue in the UK. Ikea again great for this!

Hire in a band in theme inspired by your wedding desitiation wedding location.

Flowers ditto! For example if you are getting married in the tropics - use palm foliage to fill space.

If you are feeling funky you could ask guests to dress inspired by the destination wedding venue (not everyone;s cup of tea but done in a stylish fashion can be very effective - for example "wear white"

Hope this gives you a little inspiration.

Davina

Hi Davina,

I'm having a very vintage inspired wedding and I want to add a bit of a Pride and Prejudice feel to the day (I'm a huge fan!) I want it to be subtle rather than full on and just enhance the character of the old manor house we're marrying in. What can I do that won't look too obvious as my H2B isn't as much of a fan as I am!

Thank you

Hi Davina,

We are having a vintage glamour themed wedding - lots of black and white with a 30s Hollywood vibe. I want to make it glitzy but I don't want to make it look tacky. What would you recommend?


Thanks!


Jessica x

Hiya,

I'm having quite a small wedding, only about 50 people, but a big party in the evening (about another 100 will be coming). I want to make a really clear distinction between the reception and the party so the guests mix and it doesn't feel two awkward. Everything is taking place in the same room (ceremony, reception, then party) so how can I make it feel different for each part of the day?

Hi Twinkle Bride (great name!)

Pride and Prejudice is all about Mrs Bennett trying to marry off her daughters and as such from memory I remember a lot of high tea being served.

Mismatched tea cups and saucers to serve pre dinner drinks and after dinner cocktails in are fab! Very Austen!

Photo booths are very popular now. The ones that give you a set as well as guests are great for memories. Add something a bit different and provide a prop box so guests can dress up as little or much as they choose. Supply bonnets, top hats, cravats etc.

Flowers on cake stands are a must.

Butterflies are very Austen.

Can you supply a bookmark as a place setting that guests take home as a favor?

Can you wrap napkins in velvet ribbon? Add a different broach to each for that vintage feel!

Lace details are also very P&P.

Corsages for the bridesmaids and women in the bridal party rather than bouquets.

Edible flowers in the food you serve.

Dance cards as menus or in fact issue everyone with dance cards.

Table plan done as calling cards arranged in antique frames hung off trees on staircases.

As much silverwear as possible as props. I always go Ebay mad when propping for weddings like yours.

Bell jars stuffed with roses look great on buffet tables (remember to leave the lid loose otherwise the flowers will wilt)

Finally for the house itself. If it has existing sculptures or ornaments (rocking horse etc) then ask your florist to make garlands for them. Plus look at garlanding the stairs.

Hang ribbons from stair wells, chandeliers etc.

I could go on on on. Hope this helps.

Davina