At the Bodleian Libraries, we are lucky enough to not only work with the fantastic Oxford Fine Dining, but also their Wedding Planning side of the company; Fine Planning. But you might be wondering, who are the Fine Planning Team, and what can they offer couples beyond catering for their Big Day at the Bodleian Libraries? For this journal post, we’ve sat down with Emma & Stacey from Fine Planning, to discuss the fabulous helping hand they can do for you!
Can you please introduce yourselves, tell us a little bit about your individual experience and what is your favourite thing about weddings?
Stacey: For over 10 years I’ve had the joy of bringing hundreds of weddings to life, everything from intimate countryside ceremonies to lavish marquee celebrations filled with love, music, and laughter. My favourite thing about weddings is that magical moment when all the planning and creativity comes together and the couple you have enjoyed getting to know so well, see their vision come to life for the very first time. Watching their faces light up, that is why I do what I do. Every wedding tells a story, and I feel so privileged to help write it.
Emma: The most rewarding part of her role is watching months of thoughtful preparation unfold into a seamless, heartfelt celebration. Seeing each couple’s vision come to life is what makes every detail truly worthwhile. She also treasures the relationships she builds along the way, enjoying the opportunity to get to know her couples and their families and be part of such a meaningful chapter in their lives. My favourite thing about weddings is seeing months of careful planning come together on the day, watching each couple’s vision turn into a beautiful, joyful celebration while building meaningful connections with them and their families along the way.
Fine Planning is unique in that it is part of the wider “Fine Dining” family, can you please tell us why Fine Dining decided to create Fine Planning?
Oxford Fine Dining already had a glowing reputation for exceptional wedding catering, but over the years, couples kept asking the same question: “Can you also help us plan everything else?”
Oxford Fine Dining realised that weddings run most smoothly when your key creative teams, caterers, planners, musicians, florists, venue specialists etc all work as one. By establishing Fine Planning, we created a fully integrated service where communication is seamless, ideas are shared effortlessly, and couples benefit from a cohesive, experienced team who already know how to create magic together.
As Oxford Fine Dining is our exclusive wedding caterer, it makes sense for couples to book Fine Planning too. What other benefits can Fine Planning provide for a couple?
Oxford Fine Dining and Fine Planning are under one roof, work hand in hand. Fine Planning adds a whole new layer of ease and enjoyment during our couples wedding planning journey.
Here’s what our couples love most:
· One streamlined team – Catering and planning work in harmony, ensuring a flawless flow throughout the day.
· Insider venue knowledge – We already know the quirks, timelines, and logistics of each space.
· Stress-free communication – No chasing multiple suppliers; we centralise everything.
· Creative cohesion – The food, design, décor, and overall experience feel beautifully unified.
· Peace of mind – You get a single point of contact who keeps everything on track.
Essentially, it gives you the luxury of fully relaxing and enjoying the wedding planning journey.
Fine Planning offers different types of wedding packages, can you please explain for us?
We know that every couple’s needs are different, so Fine Planning offers a range of options:
THE COMPLETE PLANNER
Our complete planner experience has been designed for the couple who would like assistance throughout the entire planning and design process, as well as on the day management and production. From the initial consultation, we work collaboratively to navigate your unique vision, where we seamlessly blend support with meticulous wedding coordination.
THE SUPPORTIVE PLANNER
Elevate your wedding experience with our supportive planner, event design and styling services. Thoughtfully created for couples who have begun the planning journey, our supportive planner offers steps to seamlessly enhance your vision.
THE DAY PLANNER
The day planner service is perfect for the couples who require someone to blend the final details, making your vision come to life. By connecting with you 2 weeks before your wedding day, we offer comprehensive support at a point when you need it the most. Allowing your planner time to refine the design and ensure that every chosen supplier is aligned with the timeline and vision.
THE VENUE PLANNER
Our venue planner service is designed for couples who have secured their wedding venue and need expert guidance to transform that space into a seamless, unforgettable celebration. This service is perfect for those who want professional support, specific to venue logistics, layout, supplier coordination, and day-of execution, without full planning.
When couples have no idea where to start or what they want, how does Fine Planning guide them?
When couples are unsure where to begin, we’re here to provide clear guidance and support. Feeling overwhelmed at the start of the wedding planning journey is completely normal, and when a couple shares that they’re not yet sure what they want, we see it as an opportunity to thoughtfully explore their vision together and help shape it into something truly personal.
We guide them by:
• Asking thoughtful questions about what matters most to them.
• Creating mood boards to help define their aesthetic.
• Suggesting suppliers that match their vibe.
• Walking them through a simple, step-by-step planning path.
• Offering reassurance and clarity at every stage.
By the end of our first consultation, couples usually say, “Okay, now it all feels real, and manageable!”
How does Fine Planning help couples stick to a budget when planning their wedding?
Budgets are one of the biggest stress points in wedding planning, but they don’t have to be.
We help by:
• Being honest and transparent from day one.
• Breaking the budget into clear, manageable categories.
• Providing realistic cost expectations (no surprises later!).
• Recommending trusted suppliers who fit both style and spend.
• Suggesting smart swaps that maintain the look without blowing the budget, such a table styling ideas
• Tracking every detail so couples always know where they stand.
Our goal is to make sure couples never sacrifice their vision, just refine it beautifully.
What advice do you have for couples when the Big Day starts to inch closer and closer?
Trust the plan!
As the day starts to creep closer, here’s our top advice:
• You’ve done the work—now let us take it from here.
• Avoid last-minute Pinterest binges. They only cause panic, not inspiration!
• Delegate everything. This is your moment to enjoy, not to micro-manage.
• Take time for yourselves as a couple. Whether it’s a quiet dinner or a walk, reconnect before the wonderful whirlwind begins.
• And most importantly—soak up every second. Your wedding day goes fast, but the memories last forever.
To finish on a fun question, if you could travel back in time to the first wedding your ever planned, what advice would you give yourself now?
Stacey: Oh, what a fun question! If I could go back to the very first wedding I ever planned, I would tell myself. Breathe. Trust your instincts. And remember that weddings are all about joy, not perfection. Back then, I wanted everything to be flawless to the last detail. Now I know that the most beautiful moments are the unscripted ones, the laughter, the tears, the spontaneous dances, and the love that fills the room.
Emma: I would remind myself to trust the process and have confidence in the planning journey. Every wedding teaches you something new, and while it’s important to focus on the details, it’s just as important to stay present and enjoy the experience. Staying calm, adaptable, and trusting in your preparation makes all the difference on the day.
Thank you very much Emma & Stacey, and I’m sure we’ll see you a lot across 2026! For our readers, do also take a look at our recommended Wedding Planning services as well as the Wedding Trends for 2026.
See you next time!
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