Bobby Gardner is the wedding coordinator at the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa, a luxury boutique spa hotel, in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. Located on the edge of the North York Moors, and having hosted weddings for many years, the hotel has just launched its first ever exclusive use wedding package, which focuses on the venue’s unique qualities and attributes that make it the perfect location for a personal, individualised wedding.
A wedding is a special and unique occasion. Each couple has a different expectation for theirday, which means no two weddings are the same. It’s one of the many things I love about being a wedding coordinator. I regard helping a couple plan one of the most important days of their lives as an honour; it’s a privilege to be involved with such a significant event. With that in mind, when talking to couples, I help and advise them on a case by case basis, taking their individual needs into account. Despite this personalised approach though, there are certain recommendations that tend to stay the same. Here are four pieces of advice that should be taken into account by any prospective married couple:
1. Choose your venue wisely. The majority of couples would like a wow factor as soon as they walk in. I would always recommend choosing somewhere unique that does just that. Although you want your guests to be blown away, it’s important that, first and foremost, it’s special for you and your partner. So forget your guests at this stage – if you like it, that’s what’s important. It’s not about ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ and trying to lay on a wedding that’s better than a friend’s or family member’s. Here at the Feversham Arms our wow factor often comes from the outdoor heated swimming pool and Mediterranean style terrace. It certainly helps us stand out from other venues. Whilst an outdoor pool might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of a traditional wedding, the terrace is a stunning spot for a selection of wedding pictures, as well as a great place for guests to enjoy the drinks reception. 
2. Take the venue’s location into consideration. More and more people are increasingly happy to get married at the same venue as the wedding breakfast, which often tends to make things much easier. However, traditional church weddings are still huge favourites. What are the logistics involved with this? Is the church an hour’s drive from the venue? Would transport need to be laid on for guests? Can suitable transport, such as a coach, even access the venue? At the Feversham we’re fortunate to have a church practically on our doorstep, which immediately removes anylogistical headaches. We’re also licensed for ceremonies at the hotel, however some venues aren’t, so make sure you find out before you commit.
3. Make sure the venue caters for the right numbers. When writing your wedding guest list, numbers can often keep adding up to more than you anticipated or, sometimes they fall if people have a low key, intimate affair with close friends and family 
in mind. Ensuring your venue caters for your numbers is something that can often be missed until it’s too late. Most venues have a maximum limit; some have a minimum. We can offer facilities that cater for intimate weddings of between 4 and 32 guests, or we can provide exclusive use of the hotel, offering the opportunity for up to 70 day guests and 100 evening guests.
4. Always look around your desired venue at least twice. After your first visit, you can then go back with a selection of ideas and discuss this with your wedding coordinator. It can often be the case you miss something on the first viewing. Consequently, it’s important you discuss what you’re looking for with your wedding coordinator to make sure the venue can accommodate exactly what you’re after. The good thing about the Feversham’s exclusive use means the hotel is yours for the full 24 hours. We’re able to do practically whatever you want to the hotel and as a result it means that – generally speaking – we can always say yes to our clients.
For more information on Feversham weddings, or to book for a wedding focused tour, please visit www.fevershamarmshotel.com, or contact the hotel via 01439 770766 or stay@fevershamarmshotel.com.
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