The Icing on the Cake | A UK Wedding Planning Podcast: Recent Episodes
Zoë Binning
The Icing on the Cake is a UK wedding planning podcast, brought to you by me, Zoë, a wedding business consultant and freelance wedding venue manager.
Today I work exclusively with wedding venue businesses across Wales, but prior to that, I had a very successful wedding planning company, based in Cardiff. After planning weddings for many couples in Wales and the South West of England for so many years, I wanted to share my thoughts, ideas and suggestions to help you to plan your perfect wedding, without the stress and panic that so many couples feel. Expect hints, tips, do’s and don’ts on venues, cakes, dresses, photos, flowers, décor, styling - and all the bits you haven’t even thought of yet! Happy planning! xxx
- Zoë takes centre-stage - quite literally - as we hear her top 10 tips for planning your wedding, a talk she delivered to a wedding fayre in Cardiff last autumn. Plus listener Emma asks whether a comedian would be appropriate entertainment at her wedding. This is the final episode of Series 2 - Zoë will be back later in the year. Big thanks to Andi Roselund (Sangwha Comm), Adriann and Ivolipa for the sound effects used in this episode.
- With passport in hand, Zoë speaks to Trish Griffiths from travelcounsellors.co.uk about stag and hen do's, destination weddings and honeymoons. In fact, If you're not tempted to elope by the end of this episode, we'll be amazed! Plus Zoë answers listener Danielle's question about prioritising her budget.
- We've all seen Jennifer Lopez do it but is it worth making room in your budget for a wedding planner? Zoë is joined by fellow wedding planner, Bernadette Chapman - who runs dream-occasions.co.uk and also the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners - to talk about how booking the right person can take the stress out of your day.
- Videographer and podcast presenter, Richard Shelton, talks about the evolution of wedding videos and tries to convince us all to make the videographer one of your first bookings. Plus Zoë answers listener Charlotte's question on when to send invites to overseas guests.
Richard's podcast is Our Week in Video: https://apple.co/2DMj7d3 (Apple) / http://ourweekinvideo.libsyn.com/ (Website)
- Time to get out of your PJs and down to your local wedding fayre for a Sunday full of ideas and inspiration. Zoë is joined by Amy Nation from events company, Eternity With Love, to discuss how to get the most from a wedding fayre. Plus, Zoë runs through the possible venues for a same sex wedding.
- We're out on location as Zoë and her business partner, Hanna, undertake a luxurious styled photoshoot, that will hopefully get picked up by one of the UK wedding bloggers. We meet the suppliers who make these kind of shoots happen and hear from Kat and Claire, our wedding bloggers from the last episode, on what they're looking for from styled shoots. For a full list of contributors featured in this episode, head over to Zoë's blog - weddingsbyzoe.co.uk/blog.
- Two of the real trendsetters of the UK wedding industry sit down for a chat with Zoë. Kat Williams, who runs Rock n Roll Bride blog (www.rocknrollbride.com) and Claire Gould, who runs the English Wedding Blog (english-wedding.com) talk real weddings, styled shoots, trends and whether blogs are replacing the traditional glossy magazine. Also this episode, Zoë tackles listener Amanda’s question about an appropriate outfit for an older bride. Want your wedding question answered on the podcast? Email us at podcast@weddingsbyzoe.co.uk.
- Communication coach and Director of Talk Skills, Gavin Hill-John gives Zoë some valuable advice for best men, fathers of the bride, grooms and, in fact, anyone making a speech at your wedding. Also in this episode, what do you do if your DJ wants to play his own music?
Hair and make-up consultant, Kate Ventress, married her husband Sean five days before Christmas. In this exclusive bonus snippet, Kate lists some of the money-saving advantages to getting married in the winter - and some practical tips to work around some of the major disadvantages. You can hear a full version of this interview with Kate Ventress in Episode 14, Wedding in a Winter Wonderland.
- What are the top tips you need to consider to have a Christmas or winter wedding? Zoë speaks to hair and make-up expert, Kate Ventress about her Christmas wedding three years ago. We also hear Zoë's seven ideas to make your winter wedding magical and we also answer another one of your big day questions.
- Peony Lim is a model, stylist, creative brand consultant and world renowned blogger. She joined Zoë to talk about the way the wedding industry in the UK is changing - and about her own recent big day. Also, Zoë answers another listener question - do you need to have a theme for your wedding? Do you have a question about your wedding preparations? Ask an experienced wedding planner! Zoë’s email is podcast@weddingbyzoe.co.uk or search for "Weddings by Zoë" on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
- The seven hot new US trends that Meghan Markle could bring to the forthcoming Royal Wedding; Zoë visits the new wedding venue that once saw the world's first million pound cheque being written; and she gives her views on who should sit at the top table at the wedding breakfast.
1.11 Zoë hears stories from former brides and grooms about the one thing they wish they'd done differently on their wedding day. Plus all the advice you need to make sure you avoid similar scenarios.
1.10 Zoë runs through her Top 10 tips to get your wedding day music to hit the right note. Advice includes what you can and can't play at your ceremony; whether to have music in your wedding breakfast; what a band will require from you; and what to consider for that first dance.
1.9 Zoë O'Sullivan from the Vale Cake Boutique in Barry, South Wales speaks to Zoë about the different styles and flavours of wedding cakes. We're talking chocolate cake, lemon cake, victoria sponge, the traditional fruit cake, plus advice on dessert tables, fake tiers and groom's cakes.
WARNING - This podcast will make you hungry!!!
BONUS: Zoë gives her lowdown on all types of wedding favours (or wedding favors if you're on the other side of the pond) including miniatures, candles, chocolates, gift bags for children, selfie sticks and disposable cameras.
1.8 Zoë gives the lowdown on the different types of wedding stationery available. Also, what to include on your save the date cards, invitations and RSVPs. And the stationery you're going to need for the day itself, including table plans, name cards and menus. Plus, Zoë gives you her take on whether to allocate seating to each of your guests.
1.7 Zoë is joined by Beth Forbes-Simpson, owner for Forbesfield floral design studio in Cardiff, to talk about the latest trends in wedding flowers, ideas for floral arrangements and a sense of how much wedding flowers cost.
1.6 It's all about finding the wedding dress of your dreams this week, as Zoë speaks to wedding dress shop owner, Aoife O'Gorman, about styles of dresses, fabrics, designers and accessories. Plus, what should you be wary of if you buy your dress online.
1.5 Once you've got a venue and a date sorted, the first supplier on your list should be a wedding photographer. Zoë is joined by Roz and Kirsty, from Roz and Kirsty Photography in Swansea, to discuss the steps you need to take in booking a photographer that's right for you.
1.4 What do you want your big day to look like? Feel like? Everything from colours to table names will say something about you as a couple, so in this episode, Zoë and her business partner, Hannah Bousouf, give you ideas on how could add some real style to your wedding. Plus there are some words of warning about getting your inspiration solely from Pinterest.
1.3 You've been dreaming of this day since you were little. But will you have enough money to have the kind of day you've been planning your whole life? As your attention starts to turn to the bank balance (or at least, it should do), Zoë takes you through everything you need to know in order to bring your big day in on budget - and the common pitfalls to avoid a massive overspend.
1.2 It's all about location, location, location in this edition, as Zoë lets you into her six secrets for making sure your wedding venue is right for you. Plus everything you needed to know about church, civil and humanist wedding ceremonies.
1.1 Congratulations! You've just got engaged! Enjoy the warm glow of this truly magical moment. But when you put the champagne flute down and finally stop staring at the ring, what do you do next? In the first of a new series, experienced wedding planner, Zoë Binning guides you through the first five things to get sorted to make that wedding day perfect.