Open Air Business January 2018

FUNCTION VENUES
TREND 6
Alternative marquee options
Alternative marquee options are a relatively new thing on our little continent. While the tipi and stretch
tent have been popular and will continue to be throughout 2018, alternatives to traditional internal
spaces include glass/clear marquees. They offer infinity views of our breathtaking landscape, pulling in
the twinkle of the moonlight as guests dance on into the early hours of the morning. Although not for
everyone, as they can be costly, these really are a wonderful option to promote to your couples should
you be surrounded by jaw dropping views.
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TREND 5
Weekend
weddings
The destination wedding
hit its peak at the end
of last year with brides
loving the idea of a ‘taste
of Tuscany’, and that
‘European dream’ on
their doorstep minus the
headache of flights and
remote planning.
Well a ‘weekend long’
extravaganza is looking
to be the root of every
wedding this year, where
couples are exploring
ways to extend their
celebrations, creating
that dream weekend
everyone talks about.
This of course comes
predominantly down to
you as a venue. Acting as
the ‘star of the show,’ it’s
about ensuring you’re
able to accommodate
and host at least part
of, if not the entire,
experience. Make sure to
showcase your versatile
spaces and facilities to
reassure couples they
are getting value for
money and that you can
maximise their guests’
experience and time with
you.
TREND 7
Wedding chairs
Gone are the days of the dreaded
stretched white Lycra chair cover. We
truly are now spoilt for choice when it
comes to wedding chairs. From ghost
to farmhouse, Louis to upholstered
in luxury vintage fabric, there really
is something perfect for every space/
backdrop.
As a venue, be clever what you
invest in so that chairs can be used
and sit well within several areas of
your property, both inside and out.
The decision can’t be taken lightly
if you are looking at purchasing
for a long term investment. It’s
about selecting something that has
longevity, both in its structure and
style.
Large groupings of chairs for either
a ceremony or wedding breakfast
can have a significant impact on the
overall style/colour scheme of the
day. It has been known for brides
not to have booked a venue purely
on the chair options, so considering
an upgrade, or actively promoting
alternatives should this not be an
option, is a wise move.
We hope you’ve found our 2018
trend round up insightful and useful.
I am a big believer that trends
are trends and not the be all and
end all. That said, it’s important
to understand what couples are
choosing and to understand the
vision of your individual clients
in order to help create the magic,
whether that’s a trend or not.
SUPPORT & TRAINING FOR VENUES
If you’d like to know more about wedding market trends or are looking to improve your market
presence and sales, then do consider joining Kelly's SHINE workshops written especially for
ambitious wedding venues and locations. The full details of training on 9 February and 9 March can
be found at www.kellychandlerconsulting.co.uk/consulting-services/group-training
Kelly also offers one to one consulting via her signature ‘Refine & Shine’ programme, details of
which you’ll find under ‘Work with Me’ at www.kellychandlerconsulting.co.uk
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ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Kelly Chandler is a
long-term preferred
service provider for
exclusive venues
such as Syon Park,
Highclere Castle,
Spencer House and
Stoke Park Club.
Kelly’s consulting
services to wedding
venues draw on
prior experience
in international
conference and
event planning, over
13 years of business
management, and
working directly with
discerning couples
planning their
weddings in diverse
locations and
forging successful
relationships with all
components of the
wedding industry.
A former director
of trade body, the
Alliance of Wedding
Planners, Kelly is
a well-regarded
innovator, mentor,
trainer and industry
spokesperson on
and in the wedding
business.
www. kellychandler
consulting.co.uk
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