Inside Weddings: Zoe Lingard

This week I spoke to wedding planner Zoe Lingard.  Those of you not familiar with Zoe’s blog should take a peak.  Many an afternoon can be spent looking at her amazing mood boards.  I often find myself thinking – ‘Oooh, that’s lovely and Oooh, I like that, what a lovely idea’ and before I know what’s happened, I’ve not got any work done!  It’s highly addictive!  It was great to get Zoe’s take on what’s its like being one of the coolest planners around!

What kind of brides book wedding planners?

Anyone who is looking to save time, avoid stress and who wants the expertise of a trained professional. Most of the couples I work with tend to work long hours in very demanding jobs and just don’t have the time to put together their dream wedding. In addition, because my company places such an emphasis on beautifully designed weddings, I also have a number of clients who are looking for expert advice in relation to the design of their wedding.

Describe your favourite wedding?

Overall, I’m passionate about weddings that really reflect a couple’s personality. I always say that guests should leave your wedding feeling like they know you a little bit better so a wedding with lots of personalized, finishing touches is always great. So many people say “the details don’t really matter”, but it’s always the weddings that have had the most time and effort put into the finishing touches that are still talked about years later.

More specifically, I did a wedding back in December at the Haymarket Hotel in London which was beautiful. The evening reception took place in the fabulous Pool Room and we floated wooden dishes filled with candles and rose petals on the swimming pool – it looked truly stunning. I’ve also got some great weddings coming up this summer; one in particular is taking place in a beautifully restored farmhouse and will be styled like an uber glamorous Glastonbury festival. I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished results.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Anywhere and everywhere! Sometimes it can be something as seemingly irrelevant as the weather or a scrap of fabric. Other times it can be something more coherent such as paintings, fashion magazines or films. I subscribe to over 40 blogs and am constantly blown away by the unending creative inspiration available on the internet.

How did you start wedding planning?

Before becoming a planner, I worked for the NHS and the local authority in various administration and finance management roles. Until going to university I’d always loved art, textiles and anything remotely creative but for some reason wound up studying Psychology and working in non-creative jobs. When I got engaged myself, I fell in love with the planning process and realised how wedding planning combined my skills and passions. Looking back, all the jobs I ever did contributed to me becoming a planner, even the first job I ever had as a 13 year old was in a florist!

What have you learnt since becoming a planner?

I don’t think a week goes by where I don’t learn something as a planner or a business woman which is part of why I love my job; no client, no wedding and no day is ever the same!

What the best bit about your job?

I have to say I am bit of a wedding nut so I just love being involved in such a special event. Nothing comes close to the feeling of when a celebration has gone smoothly and you know the couple had a great day. I love seeing the look on the couple’s face as they see their reception space for the first time and because I’m such a sap, end up shedding a tear at 9/10 weddings. I also just love the process of wedding design from the initial design consultation right up to the finished event; it makes all the late nights and long phone calls worth it.

What pearls of wisdom can you pass on to anyone who’s planning a wedding?

I think the most significant one would be that if you’re on a budget don’t automatically opt for cheaper suppliers, as these can be a false economy in terms of the standard of service they provide. Instead, I would advise reducing your guest list, shortening the day slightly and having less ‘components’ to the day e.g. don’t have a band and a DJ, opt for one or the other.

What is the worst bit about your job?

It’s not bad, rather frustrating. Sometimes suppliers who aren’t used to working with planners can be reluctant to work us, which can make life difficult. In reality we are both working towards the same goal; to give the bride and groom a great day but such suppliers can wrongly assume that we’re going to cause them extra work and be ‘high-maintenance’.

What do you think will be hot this season?

Generally I see couples moving away from traditional palettes and embracing something more unusual and bold.  For ceremonies, Humanist ceremonies are becoming hugely popular and for receptions photo-booths and candy bars are going to be huge.

If you have one wish what would it be?

That planners would become a completely normal, run of the mill part of planning a wedding.  I meet so many people who tell me they wish they’d had a planner and that they found the whole wedding planning process overwhelming and stressful.  That’s such a shame; a wedding really should be a great experience and having a wedding planner goes a long way to ensuring that.

Thanks Zoe!