Jane has been with us for 3 years now, but with 15 years of experience in the wedding industry, she has seen trend after trend and hundreds of couples saying ‘I do’. Read on to hear Jane’s expert advice.
How long have you been planning weddings, and what continues to inspire your passion for it?
I’ve worked in the wedding industry for 15 years now and in event planning, my current role, for about 3 of those. The West Mill & River Mill venues offer unique settings for beautiful weddings. I love that every wedding is different, and each couple bring their own ideas & personalities, which keeps me passionate about my role. I love to go the extra mile to make for a happy day which is hugely rewarding.
“Our wedding day was the best day of our lives thanks to the incredible work of The West Mill. Nearly every guest has told us how much they love The West Mill and how incredible the food was!
maddie & steve
Every minute of the day was perfect and flowed amazingly. However, without Jane the lead up and our day wouldn’t have been as amazing as it was. She is a real asset to the team and was a real godsend in the planning of our wedding (we planned it all in less than two months!). Even with a change of date, Jane agreed to come in on a day she wouldn’t normally be there to help our wedding day go as planned. I would recommend The West Mill to absolutely anyone, the perfect venue, beautiful photo backdrops, gorgeous food and such kind staff. I only wish I could do the day over and over! Thank you to you all, our hearts could’ve burst with how incredible the day was!”
What’s your favourite part of the wedding day itself?
There are many moments but seeing the bride in her dress for the first time always takes my breath away. There is something about the radiance of the smile mixed with a little nervousness that makes me so happy. When Dad arrives for the first look, it’s a moment that they will never have again and it’s so special.
What’s your no.1 piece of advice for couples in the early stages of planning?
I think with social media playing such a big part in everyone’s lives these days, it’s the perfect opportunity for couples to get ideas for their wedding day. I always recommend that they check our socials to see what works well in our venues and for inspiration.
Another tip is to concentrate on what’s important to you as a couple and not trying to impress. Be true to yourselves.
What’s a small detail that couples often overlook – but makes a big difference?
It’s so easy to get swept up in the excitement and miss out on a few important aspects of the day. There are 3 pieces of advice that I always give to couples on their wedding day:
– To walk slowly up the aisle and take a moment for everyone to see you, even have a little pause at the top before walking up to meet your partner.
– To stop every now and again throughout the day to look around and absorb what’s happening around you. These are the things you’ll remember.
– To take yourselves off for a few moments throughout the day, to spend time together and share some special moments.
“We just want to share a HUGE thank you for everything you did for our wedding, from the meetings and support beforehand to being absolutely everything on the day itself. We really felt like we were in great hands and it helped us to relax and enjoy the day even more.
abbie & joe
We genuinely had the best day and are quite sad it’s now all over! We appreciated you checking in on us throughout the day and guiding us through it all.
In general, our experience of The West Mill couldn’t have been better. Right from when we first came to visit the venue, the staff were extremely helpful and warm, and throughout the build-up, the team were really responsive. This made the whole planning process far less stressful than it could have been! We felt that the venue looked beautiful on the day and the cottages were absolutely perfect for what we needed.”
How do you help nervous couples feel confident and calm?
I think this is one of the most sensitive areas of my role and so special for me. Most couples have a moment when the nerves kick in, some more than others. It’s so important to read the situation and manage it accordingly. I talk calmly, make eye contact and reassure and that’s usually enough. I remind them there’s nothing to be nervous about and that everyone is here to celebrate them. I tell the Bride/Groom how amazing they look and remind them to breathe. On occasions, if they are completely overwhelmed, I will ask the bridal party to leave the dressing room for a moment to allow the bride to compose themselves and take a moment, maybe with a close friend or relative.
Mostly though a little joke is all it takes to calm the nerves and bring a smile.
What’s the most creative or touching thing you’ve seen at a wedding here?
For me the most touching thing is when the couple write their own vows. In that moment the couple are there for each other and it’s very special.
What’s the first dance song you’ll never get tired of hearing?
I don’t have a particular favourite. If the song means something special to the couple then that’s perfect.
What’s your favourite colour scheme?
Recently we have seen a more neutral palette coming through, which I love.
Muted, buttery pastels with the slightest hint of colour. So delicate and perfect for spring & summer.
What’s your favourite flower combination?
For me willowy, wild and organic installations. This spring we have seen some stunning arrangements using blossom twigs which look amazing against the industrial backdrop of our venues.
For the bouquets, I love ranunculus, peonies, tulips….. It’s difficult to choose but I think the secret is a good creative florist.
What’s a dream wedding theme you’d love to help plan?
It would be a Boho theme. I love the idea of bright coloured florals, floaty dresses and sunshine. Aperol, fizz and live music. All set in a field with a teepee marquee and lots of happy people. They would dance into the early hours and leave hand in hand, barefoot, carrying their shoes.
Enjoyed getting to know Jane? Head over to The Planning Edit to meet the rest of our Events Team.
Love, Team West Mill x