A Wedding Planner's 6 Tips for a Hitch-Free Big Day

Rochelle and Marvin Humes' Wedding Planner Has 6 Tips for a Hitch-Free Big Day

May 1 2024 by Lauren Gordon

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Mark Niemierko is the celebrity wedding planner, and the mastermind behind some of the most gorgeous nuptials, from Julia and James Corden's Babington House ceremony, to Rochelle and Marvin Humes' original Blenheim Palace wedding in 2012, and their 10th anniversary vow renewal in Lake Como in 2022. The weddings he's overseen are so unmissable, they've even had royalty in attendance (cough, cough Prince Harry).

You might be in the midst of planning your big day, or thinking of arranging your dream nuptials for when Prince Charming finally comes along. Whatever your situation is, wouldn't it be great if you had the best advice from a world-renowned wedding planner? You're in luck, as Niemierko has dished his top tips for ensuring your big day goes without a hitch, while also giving you an enjoyable day to remember.

Below, you'll find traditions you should try out and beloved ones that you could consider scrapping, for the sake of yourself and your guests, as well as his thoughts on popular wedding trends floating around social media. But the key advice is something you probably wouldn't expect. "While there are key factors for a successful wedding, it's important to also remember that not everything will go perfectly. Often there is pressure, not just from friends and family, but social media too for the day to be the most important of your life. But, sometimes things go wrong, and it's important to embrace those moments. After all, they often make the best photos."

So here's everything you need for your wedding, according to wedding planner pro Niemierko.

Image Source: Getty / Peter Dazeley

1. Less Is Always More

Niemierko says that stripping your wedding back is trending at the moment, from food choices, to dressing the space. He says: "Nowadays, the food served at a wedding is more Italian than French - a good schnitzel or Milanese paired with pasta is always a hit amongst guests, as they want non-fussy, filling, and hearty foods. Something that won't leave them feeling hungry when they leave.

"In terms of bridal dresses, we're seeing more 80s style dresses - think lots of ruffles! And when dressing the space, less is always more. For example, choose minimalist flower arrangements, but still incorporate lots of colour - a pale pink cloth and deep pink flower pairing is especially wonderful," he adds.

2. Scrap the Cake Cutting

Some of the formalities we saw in the past at weddings also appear to be disappearing at modern day weddings, such as the cutting of the cake, which Niemierko says you can give or take. "While it's enjoyable and special for some couples to have a wedding cake, it's becoming less important to make a fuss of the cutting," he tells us.

3. Make Getting From A to B Easier and Safer

Transportation might be the last thing on your mind when it comes to planning your wedding, but Niemierko tells us that it's something he always educates his clients on, especially when considering how much alcohol is usually consumed at weddings.

"I don't think there's enough focus on transportation for guests, and that's something I really like to educate my clients on. When your guests are leaving after a day of celebrating and drinking, it's so important to ensure easily accessible transport, which also limits the chance of people drinking while potentially being over the limit. For a recent wedding, we had a fast-food shawarma station outside of the venue for guests to enjoy on their taxi journey home - it was a surprise and definitely got guests talking," he says.

"With the amount of alcohol that is typically consumed at a wedding, and one in six wedding guests admitting to driving home from a wedding over the limit, working with Direct Line has enabled me to raise awareness of drink-driving," Niemierko explains. To find out the dangers of drink driving the morning after wedding festivities, head to Direct Line.

4. The Bar Is the Most Important Spot — Sober or Not!

This might not come as a surprise, but according to Niemierko, the most important element at a wedding is the bar - and not just for boozers. There's also no reason why your sober guests should skip on the fun, you can stock the bar with mocktails like Schweppes' ready mixed range, which include 100% natural flavours from Classic Mojito (£2) to Cranberry Spritz (£2), so you can have all the bubbles, minus the hangover.

He tells us: "The bar is often the focal point of the wedding, so it's crucial to ensure it's always accessible to guests and never overly crowded. Make sure your bar is fully staffed, and I'd always recommend not going overboard on the number of cocktails you are serving - have three at the most so your mixologist isn't overwhelmed and your guests aren't spending too long waiting."

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5. Small Details Can Make the Day

It's important to remember the little things, Niemierko advises, because in the hustle and bustle of the big day, these minor details can make a huge difference. "Perhaps a more unique must-have at a wedding is ensuring the bathroom area is presentable. Add small touches like hairspray, mouthwash, or even a little sewing kit to the space, for your guests to use if they need. At the end of the day, you want your guests to feel special and cared for, as much as yourself," he says.

"There are a few small features I have worked with my clients on that have been really inspiring and fun - one of my favourites being a dog acting as the ring-bearer. Another was when we had a groom who was really musical, and had chosen a record to play on a record-player for the bride to walk down to - it was really special and personal. It's also really lovely to choose a contemporary song, but played by a quartet instead."

6. You Leave First

With the wedding over and done with, and the memories to last a lifetime made, it's time for you and your partner to leave — first. "The end of the ceremony is often the point where things can go wrong, with people often being unsure of where to go next, and what to do," Niemierko tells us. "To combat this, make sure the bride and groom exit the ceremony room first, as standing at the bottom of the aisle can make guests feel like they need to stop and chat, leading to queues and overcrowding."

Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at PS UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.