Are you excited about planning your wedding? But as the wedding day is near, it seems like an overwhelming task. Don’t worry; it happens with almost every couple, and if you have chosen Oakley House as your wedding venue, you are already off to a great start. Today, we have compiled this blog post with the best wedding planning tips for couples who want to have a perfect wedding day.
Oakley House offers the best wedding venue, services and flexibility to make your day memorable. To book Oakley House, contact our team on 020 8462 9292 or email info@oakleyhouse.co.uk to arrange your visit today.
Oakley House, a perfect wedding venue to create a day that reflects your love story perfectly.
Oakley House: A Perfect Venue For Your Wedding!
Before we proceed with this wedding preparation guide, let us tell you why Oakley House is a great choice for your wedding day.
Oakley House is the best wedding venue to hire in Bromley, Kent. This historic Grade II listed building, dating back to 1742, is in the heart of Bromley, making it accessible from Kent and London. The venue has stunning manicured lawns and landscaped gardens, a licensed gazebo and comfortable seating for up to 320 guests. Oakley House ensures a memorable ceremony. Plus, you’ll have an air-conditioned banqueting suite, in-house services, and a fully stocked bar to keep your guests entertained throughout the night.
The Top 7 Tips!
Now that you know why this beautiful wedding venue hire in Bromley is the best option, you might need some guidance on How to plan your wedding day perfectly with us:
Tip 1: Schedule A Comprehensive Venue Walk-Through
While you’ve already chosen Oakley House, it’s crucial to schedule a detailed walk-through with our experienced wedding coordinator. This visit will allow you to:
- Explore every space: Familiarise yourself with each area, from the licensed gazebo for your ceremony to the spacious banqueting suite for your reception.
- Visualise your decor: As you tour, start imagining how you’ll decorate to match your wedding theme.
- Discuss logistics: Talk through the flow of your day, from guest arrival to the last dance.
- Address questions: Our coordinator can answer queries about sound systems, lighting options, or any venue-specific details.
Bring your wedding planner or key members of your bridal party along. Their fresh perspectives might spark new ideas or help identify potential challenges early on.
Tip 2: Craft A Tailored Timeline
Creating a detailed timeline is essential for a smooth-running wedding day. At Oakley House, we’ve hosted countless weddings and can help you develop a realistic schedule. Consider the following:
- Ceremony timing: Factor in time for guests to be seated and any musical prelude.
- Cocktail hour: Plan for about 60-90 minutes between the ceremony and reception. This allows time for photos and for guests to mingle.
- Reception events: Time your grand entrance, speeches, first dance, cake cutting, and any other special moments.
- Vendor arrivals: Coordinate with your suppliers to ensure they have ample setup time.
Tip 3: Maximise Our Versatile Spaces
One of the advantages of Oakley House is our range of spaces that can be tailored to your needs. Here’s how to make the most of our venue:
- Ceremony: Our licensed gazebo provides a romantic outdoor setting. We also have beautiful indoor options in case of inclement weather.
- Cocktail hour: (Weather permitting), you can use our manicured gardens for a champagne reception or move indoors to one of our elegant rooms.
- Reception: Our spacious, pillar-free banqueting suite can be arranged to your specifications, whether you prefer round tables, long banquet-style seating, or a mix of both.
- Dancing: The banqueting suite easily transforms into a dance floor as the evening progresses.
- Quiet areas: Consider setting up a lounge area in one of our smaller rooms for guests who want a break from the music.
Tip 4: Customise Your Menu
At Oakley House, we pride ourselves on our exceptional in-house catering. Work closely with our talented chefs to create a menu that reflects your tastes and accommodates your guests’ dietary needs:
- Menu tasting: Schedule a tasting session to sample potential dishes and refine your choices is the most important wedding planning tip.
- Dietary requirements: Inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions among your guests. Our chefs can create delicious alternatives for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other special diets.
- Bar options: Discuss drink packages, signature cocktails, or specific wines you’d like served. Our fully stocked bar can cater to a range of preferences.
- Late-night snacks: Consider adding some crowd-pleasing late-night bites to keep your guests energised on the dance floor.
Tip 5: Plan Your Decor And Personal Touches
While Oakley House provides a beautiful backdrop, your personal touches will make the day uniquely yours. Here are some ideas:
- Ceremony decor: Consider floral arrangements or fabric draping for the gazebo. Discuss options for an attractive backdrop for indoor ceremonies.
- Table settings: Work with our team on linens, place settings, and centrepieces that complement your theme.
- Lighting: Explore our lighting options to create the right ambience. Consider adding fairy lights, candles, or uplighters to enhance the mood.
- Personal signage: Create welcome signs, seating charts, or directional signs that match your wedding style.
- Photo opportunities: Plan for fun photo areas, perhaps including a flower wall or vintage furniture vignette in one of our rooms or gardens.
Tip 6: Coordinate Suppliers And Rentals
While Oakley House provides many amenities, you may need to bring in additional suppliers for certain elements. Here’s how to ensure smooth coordination:
- Preferred vendors: Ask for our list of preferred suppliers. These professionals are familiar with our venue and can often streamline the planning process.
- Rentals: Discuss any additional items you might need, such as specialty linens, charger plates, or unique furniture pieces. We can advise on trusted rental companies.
- Music and entertainment: Whether you’re having a DJ or live band, make sure they’re aware of our sound system capabilities and any time restrictions.
- Setup and breakdown: Coordinate arrival and departure times for all vendors with our events team to ensure a smooth setup and cleanup process.
Tip 7: Communicate And Delegate
Clear communication is key to a stress-free wedding day. Here’s how to keep everyone informed:
- Designate a point person: Choose someone (other than you!) to be the main contact for vendors and our venue team on the day. This could be your wedding planner, a trusted family member, or your maid of honour.
- Create a contact sheet: Compile a list of all vendor contacts and share it with your point person and our venue coordinator.
- Inform your guests: Provide clear information about the venue location, parking options, and any shuttle services you arrange. Consider creating a wedding website with all the details.
- Delegate tasks: Assign roles to your wedding party or family members for the day of, such as managing the gift table or ensuring elderly guests are comfortable.
Contact Oakley House
Conclusion
That’s all about the top seven wedding planning tips when you hire Oakley House as your wedding venue in Bromley. By following them and working closely with our dedicated team at Oakley House, you’re well on your way to creating a magical and memorable wedding day.
From the moment you say “I do” in our beautiful gazebo to your last dance in the elegant banqueting suite, we’ll be there to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Make your dream wedding a reality at Oakley House. Contact us today on 020 8462 9292 or info@oakleyhouse.co.uk to arrange a tour and start planning your happily ever after!