Providing you with a blank canvas is just the start to ensuring you get to create the day you want. Our Wedding Coordinator shares her advice below.

When it comes to booking your venue in advance, I would recommend aiming for a year ahead – this gives you plenty of time to source suppliers, think about the vision of your day and not put too much stress on yourselves. A year also offers the flexibility to tie up loose ends well in advance. I would strongly advise against booking a venue date with less than a month to play with!

On the subject of local suppliers, at Five Lakes we work with some expert local businesses including We Do Weddings, Floor Fillers, Lucas Cakes and Happy Days Photography to name a few.

Once you have chosen your suppliers, you can start thinking about themes. Flower walls, coloured lighting and green colour schemes with botanical themes are set to be huge this winter. Quirky props with photography and hanging florals will help to make your entire day picture perfect, and intricate wedding cake designs such as naked cakes will really wow your guests.

If you are reading this blog then you are probably curious as to the timeline from the enquiry stage to your wedding day. As a seasoned Wedding Coordinator I have looked after many couples, and usually there is an initial meeting six months prior to the date. This is a chance for the couple to discuss their vision and wishes, and I go away and think of how to make it happen! Once all that is confirmed, at this point we sit down and go through menu tasting and then plan a second catch up meeting for in three months’ time. The final detail meeting is usually arranged for the month prior to the ceremony but obviously these timeframes can vary depending on when you secure your date. The final meeting makes sure that everything is as it should be and will go ahead without a hitch.

Recently, there has been a strong demand for Cultural Weddings. Our Chef rose to the task and has taken over all catering for large weddings. He has been incredibly versatile and understanding of catering requests – it is important that you find a venue that is willing to go above and beyond for your day.

If you are looking at wedding venues, Essex offers convenience and a beautiful backdrop to your day thanks to Five Lakes’ spa, leisure and golf facilities.

To come and have a show around, contact us today. Colchester wedding venues don’t get much better than Five Lakes!