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Cornwall LivingAutumn 2020

Forever yours

From a country house to a coastal hotel, Cornwall Is the ultimate place to hold your dream wedding.

Even in changing times it’s still possible to plan and hold the perfect wedding in Cornwall. To glean some top tips on what you can do over the coming months to make sure your big day is everything you’ve dreamed of, we talk to wedding and events planner Jenny Granlund (jennywrenweddingsandevents.co.uk) to find out how it’s still possible to tie the knot and ensure there is still love in the time of Corona.

“Many couples will be postponing, resulting in 2021 and 2022 dates filling up fast…”

Jenny has been running her business for the last seven years and has built up an invaluable bank of connections and knowledge, meaning there really isn’t anything she doesn’t know about planning a wedding. Many of Jenny’s clients use her services because they live out of county or indeed out of the country, but who have such an affinity or close connection with Cornwall that they want to get married here. And who can blame them? The Duchy offers stunning venues and jaw-dropping locations, incredible wedding suppliers and the most amazing backdrops for photographs.

For Jenny and her team, this year’s wedding season has been like no other. With many weddings having to be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions, they have had to think on their feet in order to reschedule or rethink for their clients. With this in mind, Jenny has some advice on how best to plan a wedding during uncertain times, whether you have enlisted the services of a wedding planner or are going it alone.

“Although this is an unpredictable time, it does provide couples the time to stop, think and plan for the future, whilst also giving them and their families and friends a much anticipated celebration to look forward to once we are all safe to be together with our loved ones again,” explains Jenny. If you have had to postpone your wedding then Jenny suggests that you contact your venue and suppliers as soon as possible: “If you have a wedding planner they will do this for you. Many couples will be postponing, resulting in 2021 and 2022 dates filling up fast, so make this a priority.

“Contacting guests should also be a priority as invitations will likely have been sent. Emailing is a great way to save time and expense, and will usually also elicit a speedy response. A change in date may mean that some guests who could not make it previously may now be able to come, so factor that into your plans and ask them to RSVP again if their status has changed with the new date. And don’t forget to remind them to rearrange their accommodation if they booked direct,” adds Jenny.

Sadly, it’s inevitable that there might be some suppliers who are unable to transfer to a rearranged date. Jenny always recommends taking out wedding insurance, and this should cover any deposits that have been paid up front: “You may also find that some suppliers may ask for another payment installment before your wedding date to help with their cash flow. It’s nice to help them out if you can, after all you want their business to be in a healthy position still by the time your wedding comes. And if you are having a church wedding, but live out of county, you should also double-check as you may have to repeat your residency period.”

Jenny tells us that brides-to-be shouldn’t despair and that actually having more time to plan should be taken as a positive. Now is the time to be extra-productive, paying particular attention to the finishing touches which you may have not thought of or had time or budget to organise previously. “But be careful to not get carried away and just add things on for the sake of it. Remember your wedding budget and the vision you had for your original day and stay true to that!”, says Jenny wisely.

Some couples have found that they have been able to postpone and successfully rebook a new date with their existing venue, but others have not been so lucky, or are just starting out on their venue search. So, how can this be achieved during current restrictions? Jenny explains: “For whatever reason you are unable to visit in person, don’t despair! Many venues are offering virtual tours online, either live if the owners are based on site, or via pre-recorded films. You could book a planner to help you, as many planners offer a venue sourcing service. They should know an abundance of venues in the county and often have had experience working at them previously, so their advice is often priceless.”

“For whatever reason you are unable to visit in person, don’t despair!”

With regards to suppliers, Jenny recommends that you really do your research: “Look at reviews (not just on the supplier’s website but use social media and internet search engines), join wedding planning forums to ask advice. You could even ask the supplier if they could put you in touch with one of their previous couples to speak to them direct. Ask the supplier for a video call, you need to like them as a person as well as the product or service they offer, and an informal chat can help you get to know them a little.”

It’s inevitable that some couples may be nervous about booking any venues or suppliers at the moment, but many have excellent Covid-19 policies that will allow you change your date if needed. Jenny suggests that if this is the case then just make sure that you have it in writing or included on your contract so that you are covered for all eventualities. And don’t be disheartened if your date is not available for next year. Think outside the box and opt for an out-of-season wedding where there might be better availability. Cornwall is glorious in all its seasons and having an autumn or a winter wedding gives all sorts of new and exciting opportunities when it comes to flowers, food and indeed the dress. Many Cornish venues are also thinking on their feet and offering some stunning ‘Elopement Packages’. It may be that you’ve decided to opt for a more private experience that will allow you to tie the knot this year, or your financial situation has changed along with your budget. Whatever the reason, your intimate wedding in Cornwall could be just a click or a call away.

Jenny’s final word of wisdom is that you should now spend your time wisely ticking off some of those necessary but oft overlooked or avoided tasks. “Creating your playlist is fun but time-consuming so little and often over the coming months will give you the perfect soundtrack for the big day. Don’t avoid your table-plan! It’s often one of my couples’ least favourite jobs, so get it out of the way while you have some time and some headspace. Think about your photography list and don’t forget
your favours…you may even want to use this time to learn a new skill and make your own.”

So, no bride should be disheartened, no couple should be disappointed. Cornwall’s wedding industry is very much open for business. Click here for some inspiration on venues and suppliers, and good luck with planning the wedding of your dreams here in Cornwall.

 

Save the date

The stunning clifftop venue of Polurrian on the Lizard is holding a wedding open day on Saturday 10th October.

To attend the free event, please register by emailing weddings@polurrianhotel.com or call 01326 240421

"Many couples will be postponing, resulting in 2021 and 2022 dates filling up fast..."