The Gay Wedding Weekend Is Replacing The Wedding Day
Gay Wedding events organiser Mister Milford talks to Married the Man on new wedding trends.
Why Mister Milford?
“I am a country boy, Milford is the name of our family farm in country Victoria. When my grandparents passed on the farm to their eldest son (as is tradition) they bought a group of retail businesses in town and named them Milford Stores, so it’s taking on a little family tradition in my own business.
I wanted my companies ethos to reflect good old fashioned service and so the “Mister Milford” is a nod to that.”
Why are more people turning to events companies rather than traditional wedding planners?
“As the idea of traditional weddings evolves we are seeing more and more that couples want a unique experience and something out of the ordinary. From the ceremony wording itself to the theming of the reception, couples don’t want the cookie-cutter wedding plan any more. They want someone to listen to them, work with them on their vision and bring it to life.”
What are you able to offer for a wedding?
“Mister Milford offers couples an edge for their wedding day. We live and breathe events and we love weddings. Working with couples to create unique experiences that reflect who they are is such a thrill, and we’re able to bring all our event experience and amazing suppliers to tap into resources that make for a truly remarkable day.
For same-sex couples, it’s so important that they feel supported and comfortable for the entire experience. We ensure that all suppliers we work with are the most appropriate for our clients to guarantee the perfect day.
We know that this is the most special day for our couples starting their married lives together and we make the whole process stress free, exciting and hella fun!”
Have you noticed any shifts in wedding trends recently?
“Bespoke is a word that is thrown around a lot, however, this is the trend we are seeing in 2018. Couples want a truly tailored experience that offers their guests something they would not have seen before.
Venues are becoming more varied, with a lot of couples going for an industrial look or open plan warehouse, starting with a blank canvas to create their own feel. This also means you have options to bring in your own suppliers like a caterer, or your own wine and are not obliged to go with the venues in-house offering.
There is definitely a trend towards producing a creative menu that challenges the norm, taking a different approach to the standard sit down reception.
The other big trend is planning a “Wedding Weekend” rather than just a “Wedding Day” and not just for destination weddings. Couples don’t want just the one day to spend with loved ones who have travelled from far and wide. They want to make the most of the time they have with everyone by having a post-wedding function the next day.”
What type of budget do people typically start with working on this scale?
“We see budgets vary so greatly, it’s hard to say a typical budget. We advise couples to think about the maximum they are prepared to pay per person and a preferred price they would like pay per person and go from there.”
Personally, what is the most important part of the wedding for you?
“Personally, the most special part of a wedding is the ceremony and the speeches. If you are involved in writing the ceremony and give good guidance to the wedding party for the speeches, these are the most cherished memory and they can make or break a wedding.
In terms of overall ‘Event’, the most important part is the food and beverage. All guests should be fed and watered at all times!”
Having recently been married do you have any tips or advice?
“Yes.
Start with the end in mind. What do you want it to look like, how do you want it to feel, what kind of event do you enjoy being at?
Establish from the get-go what you are willing to compromise and what are your ‘must-haves’.
Be aware of all of the extra costs that soon mount up. You buy something here, add something there and it all quickly bulks up your final budget.
I personally think that a wedding should be all about the guests and the guest experience. Think about how your guests will be feeling at any given point through the day, make sure that they are always looked after.
Book in recurring wedding meetings with you and your partner. It may sound strange, but if you put aside time in advance, it means that you have time to be prepared for a wedding discussion and also means that you don’t constantly talk about wedding plans. Sometimes that can be overwhelming! You can make notes, have action items and then time to research and decide on them for your next wedding meeting. A great way to keep your sanity.
Remember to have fun with your planning. This is the beginning of the two of you both becoming “US” and it should be bloody exciting!”
How long in advance should couples start planning a wedding?
“The more time the better! Once you have your date, lock in your venue(s) and then put together a timeline for when you would like to have all your planning completed. Work with your event planner to finalise the colour scheme, look and feel and begin the design work early. It’s all very time consuming, and much more than you would think!”