Wedding Experts Reveal The Tricks Of The Trade

As TV Wedding Experts Ant & Dick prepare to host Northern Ireland's first ever 'all-inclusive' wedding show, The Wedding Planner catches-up with Ant and talks tears, tantrums and tying the knot.

The duo are recognised all over the UK & Ireland as leaders in the field when it comes to Wedding Planning, and Bridal advice. With over thirty years of wedding planning, theatre production, fashion show production and event management experience between them, there really isn't much they can't organise.

How did you get started in the wedding industry?

I was living in London and went to work with Dicky at the only Gay wedding planning company as a sales person before long I was head of fashion and style for the company and planned one of the first Civil partnerships in London. The rest is history.

Describe your personal highs and lows of planning weddings over the years?

Nothing will ever beat the feeling of accomplishment when your couple exchange their vows and enjoy their big day that you have pieced together for them. To be honest there aren't many lows, I think if it became a chore I would walk away however I do have a memory of being chief dog walker and poop scooper for a certain brides mothers pampered mut let's just say I wasn't impressed but being a professional I gritted my teeth and smiled, an unhappy dog could have caused problems for my bride and I would never allow that!!

What is the most adventurous wedding you’ve planned?

I think it has to be the first ever civil partnership I planned my couple (Jamie and Rogan) were two lovely guys they hadn't much of a budget but I was determined they were going to have an awesome day. I called in favours from everyone I knew and they had a lovely wedding, it was followed by the worlds news cameras and Rogans family in South Africa watched him tie the knot on the news in South Africa!!! .... I still get goosebumps when I think back to that day!! They are a very lovely couple.


Which is your favourite part of the job and why?

I love my job, I love my job let me just say that again - I LOVE MY JOB!!! I have worked in event management for many years now and I have never been happier than I am now. Knowing I am good at what I do makes me feel very happy and accomplished. Wedding planning is a very rewarding job and there are only a few who can actually carve a career at it. My biggest frustration is when hotel co-ordinators call themselves wedding planners and others who helped plan their sisters, or best friends wedding and now think they are ready to take over the wedding industry. Unlike other event management being a wedding planner requires a number of attributes and choosing the waiting staff or polishing the cutlery does not a wedding planner make. When we are planning a wedding we are there every step of the way, 24 hours a day, we use our business contacts to ensure our couples get the best deals and quality available to them, we know when to offer our guidance and when to shut up, we get to know all the key people in the wedding and make sure they feel as looked after as the bride and we always walk away as friends of the newly hitched couple. So all of the above is my favourite part of my job.

Describe the most interesting theme you have worked with?

I hate to disappoint but themes don't differ that much from wedding to wedding, colour schemes are generally what couples use to personalise their big day. Both my sisters got married abroad one in Cyprus the other in Italy so we had fun recreating their destinations for the 'welcome home' parties when they returned.

What is the strangest request you have dealt with?

Definitely walking and scooping for the brides mothers spoilt pooch!! I don't own a dog mainly because the thoughts of scooping and wiping after a dogs whoooopsies makes my stomach turn over, but in the line of duty one must do what one must do. I hope I never have to do that again ... AGH!! the visions.

What do you wish couples already knew about before they came to you?

I think it's important that every couple feel like they are the only ones tying the knot, however they need to remember that when they book a element of their big day if they have booked a professional then they can relax and have peace of mind that the job will be done. Couples get wrapped up in unnecessary dramas when they should be relaxing and trusting in the businesses they are using.

What's the biggest wedding drama you have had to overcome?

Dicky not being given a portion of the wedding cake!! I once had to put a registrar in their place - I had a very wound up bride to be who was at the registry office ridiculously early waiting for a fashionably late bride, the registrar was in the middle winding up early bride to be, to a point where she was actually on the floor squealing!! ...needless to say said registrar was sent off with a fly in her ear whilst I administered emergency treatment to my bride to be ie: a cigarette and a text message from her lover assuring her she was on her way.

If you had to give couples one tip for their wedding day what would it be?

Relax and enjoy!! nothing more needs to be said!!

Do you think civil partnerships have become as elaborate or fussy as straight couples' weddings?

They have been from day one!! regardless of the title Gay couples see their day as there wedding day and they have waited a long time for it!

Any scandal for me?

lol not telling!!!!

Big NI Wedding Show

Ant & Dick are inviting couples to come along to the Big NI Wedding Show and enjoy a great day out whilst sourcing products and inspiration for their big day. The show takes place at Belfast Waterfront Hall on September 18th, tickets cost £10 at the door.

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