Finding that special venue for the most important celebration of your life may be quite a stressful affair. Stephanie Fsadni asks Edmond Bonett, director of sales at The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, for some tips.
When a couple decides to get married, one of the first questions that probably pops up is: where (besides, of course, when) will we hold our reception/party or dinner?
With a good number of options available on the islands, one may be quite at a loss as to choosing the venue – that unique place that would suit a couple’s tastes, cater for their needs and act as a ‘magical’ stage on their Big Day.
“Your wedding day is the most anticipated day of your life, plan it well and plan it wisely,” recommends Edmond Bonett, director of sales at The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux.
A prospective bride and groom should look out for a number of factors when doing their research. These are location, surroundings, scenery, style or character, space, catering, and a back-up in case of bad weather such as an indoor area and generators.
Mr Bonett says one should first take a good look at the location and surroundings of a venue, and see whether it is in the middle of a town, thus having no particular views, or in a place one does not normally frequent, making it a different experience within itself. One should also find out whether the location would create issues when it comes to entertainment and parking.
“Ideally, the venue is situated away from an inhabited area, especially if you are organising an after-party,” he suggests.
One also has to make sure that the chosen venue comfortably accommodates the number of people one is expecting to invite
By scenery, Mr Bonett means that a venue should have different areas and backdrops ideal for taking photographs.
“After all, along with memories, this is what we are left with.”
One also has to make sure that the chosen venue comfortably accommodates the number of people one is expecting to invite.
The season is, of course, another major considerations: “Certain venues are at their best at certain times of the year, as not all venues have the luxury of having the indoors as attractive as the outdoors.”
The catering remains, however, the top priority overall among couples, according to Mr Bonett.
“Without a doubt, the quality of the food and beverage on offer is up there as/with the most important,” he says.
As regards the celebration per se, traditional weddings seem to be passé and the in-thing these days is “anything different to the norm”.
Themed weddings – from superheroes to the Victorian era – are becoming increasingly popular, as are custom-made/designed invites, photo booths and not-so-normal bars such as candy bars, cookie bars and even perlini bars...
Every couple wants to be original: they are asking “for anything and everything”, claims Mr Bonett.
He has come across various special requests, even when it comes to the wedding cake, like pigeons in a cage as a cake topper (to be released upon the ritual cutting of the cake), or goldfish in bowls in between one tier of the cake and another.
With so much planning involved, chances are couples stress out over the reception/dinner.
“Most are concerned that something is forgotten or not done in a timely manner. They worry something might go terribly wrong on the day and it will remain in the memories of many for years to come.”
But there is no cause for such worries if the venue is run professionally. Mr Bonett reveals that the secret to ensuring the smooth flow of a wedding is in the details.
“Details, details, details. We make sure we address all of the minor ones and don’t leave anything to chance. It also goes without saying that a team of dedicated professionals from point of enquiry to service delivery is a must.”