Katherine is a vibrant member of the Unique Norfolk Venues planning team. As a former fine art student, she loves to help couples bring their vision to life and come up with creative solutions. Many couples that work with Katherine have said ‘it’s like having a friend there on the day’, which is no surprise given her warmth, humour and wonderful ability to bring calm among the chaos.
Which of our venues is your top pick?
“Oh! This is a tough question, but it’s currently between Manor Mews or Reymerston Hall. At Reymerston Hall, the interior is SO fun and chic, whereas Manor Mews has a real party vibe. If I had to pick, I’d say Manor Mews. It has such a casual yet grand feel which is exactly what I’d want to celebrate with my family and friends. The hot tubs in the accommodation are a bonus too.”
What is one of your favourite things you’ve seen at a recent wedding?
“I have to say, I love it when a Bride or another non-traditional member of the wedding party does a speech. It’s good to mix things up, for others to have their say and a chance to thank everyone in one of the key parts of the wedding, it’s lovely. This happened at a wedding of mine last season and it really stood out to me, I still remember those speeches now!”
What, for you, is a non-negotiable for the perfect wedding timeline?
“I’d 1000% recommend that guests arrive an hour before for pre-arrival drinks. Guests get nervous too, and the opportunity to mingle with a quick drink before the ceremony helps make it more fun and relaxed. If it’s non-legal, you could even incorporate a toast into the ceremony itself. I’d also encourage couples to have some form of entertainment during their drinks reception – to take away the pressure of hosting and keep the energy high.”
Aside from planning weddings, what else do you like about working for UNV?
“I am a really creative person and have been given the opportunity to channel this into various projects when I’m not planning weddings. I’ve just finished styling the bell tents at Pentney Abbey for the summer season, I designed the new preparation space at Manor Mews and have led on a few amazing styled shoots. I absolutely love weddings, but the artist in me enjoys having a bit of free reign and finding other outputs for how to give our clients the best experience.”
What is one piece of advice you have for couples both during the planning process and on the big day?
“I think people underestimate the decorative elements of the wedding and how long of a process this can be, like choosing and planning out your wedding breakfast tablescapes. Start early to avoid any last-minute stress and make it fun! If you can, don’t squeeze planning in after work – book some time or take an afternoon off with your partner and just get in the zone. This will help make the day even more special as you can stand together as a team and think ‘we did this!’”
Couple Feedback:
“We had the best day … everything went just how we wanted to and this was down to Katherine, putting so much effort into everything and making sure everything went perfect. She was there the whole way through the planning process, answering all my many questions!! She was the best wedding planner and friend! The food was amazing! And all staff were also so lovely and helpful, we had so many guests say how delicious the food was and how amazing everything went. Can’t thank you enough.“
~A&O / October 2023~
