Author Archives: wedding@admin

Luxury Weddings on a budget

Posted on by

With the average wedding in the UK costing around £20,000, it’s understandable why some couples quiver at the thought of tying the knot. But this shouldn’t steer those wanting to get hitched away from their dream day. To prove that this is the case, Oxford Abingdon Hotel have created a simple guide to give ‘wannabe weds’ some handy tips on how to avoid a five figure bill while still achieving a wedding day to remember

Avoiding an engagement party to cut costs is totally missing out on a valuable opportunity to gather essentials which could help to cover costs otherwise incurred. By being opportunistic and holding a small gathering to celebrate will spark generosity between friends and family which will be needed in the run up to the big day.

Nothing pulls harder on a guest’s heart strings than a handwritten invitation. Scattered with personalised notes and hand-stuck pictures; there is no cheaper way of convincing a guest to join in the celebrations on the big day.

Everyone wants to say their vows on the weekend. Instead pay less and give family and friends the opportunity to take some well-deserved time off during the week to celebrate? It often costs much less to plan your wedding on a Friday and means your guests can stay and celebrate with you all weekend long if you choose!

Being in love with a prestige location needn’t mean it has to be ruled out. For example, wedding venues in Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, the Lake District and other countryside locations can be pretty pricey; however, by doing some homework, modern residencies like the Oxford Abingdon Hotel can cater for a range of sizes and budgets while still being in the heart of the destination.

One of the biggest costs faced is internal or external catering. As opposed to cutting back on courses or opting for a buffet, why not consider inviting fewer guests and upping the style of dining? Alternatively, a buffet can also be a viable option which will reduce the overall cost.

After stretching the budget to craft a truly fabulous wedding day, it could all have been in vain if one chooses to start a bar tab. Instead, pay-as-you-go to avoid a bad start to the honeymoon.

No matter how many lists or hints received by guests, it is inevitable that a handful of, to put it nicely, non-favourable gifts will be received. By utilising handy sites like eBay and Gumtree, shifting these will help save for a dreamy honeymoon.

Wedding package ideas

Posted on by

Want an A-list day on a Z-list budget? These fabulous packages mean you can achieve the day of your dreams without breaking the bank and how to plan a budget wedding that is still amazing!

Get hitched in the capital!

Where? Hotel Russell, London

The deal: If you want an iconic celebration on a shoestring, this opulent hotel in the heart of London’s Bloomsbury is hard to beat! Offering a range of packages to suit all budgets, get more bang for your buck by plumping for the ‘Perfect Day Package’, which will keep a party of 50 elegantly wined and dined for a very pocket-friendly £3,995! Including your own wedding coordinator, a sumptuous three-course spread, fizz and a complimentary first night stay for the newlyweds – a DJ or yummy canapés will also be thrown in to make sure your day goes with a bang.

Spectacular scenery!

Where? Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Gloucestershire.

The deal: Craving a Cotswolds wedding? Brilliantly, this luxury four-star hotel offers an impressive all-inclusive package for celebrations held during January and February, starting from £4,995. Including all the essentials – from room hire for your ceremony and reception, a top notch wedding breakfast for 60 people and an evening buffet for 100 – plenty of coo- inducing extras will be thrown in for good measure such as a red carpet welcome and use of the picture-perfect lake for your wedding snaps!

Take to The Thames!

Where? Runnymede-On-Thames, Windsor

The deal: For a wedding with real wow factor, this beautiful hotel offers an “Unconventional Package” for £135 per person – which means you can party with 35 of your nearest and dearest and still come in under the £5k budget! Including venue hire for your civil ceremony, a delicious riverside three-course barbeque and four-hour riverboat cruise, complete with stunning views and your own banging DJ – why stay on land when you can take your party to the river?

Hire a castle!

Where? Lumley Castle, County Durham

The deal: Think a castle wedding is out of reach? Refreshingly Lumley’s ‘Fairy-tale Package’ means history-loving couples can now enjoy all the grandeur of high society for as little as £2,500! Say ‘I do’ in one of Lumley’s magnificent state rooms before enjoying a formal three-course wedding breakfast fit for a king, for 40 people. An evening buffet and first night stay in one of the castle’s grand bedrooms is also included, so you are guaranteed to feel like royalty.

Country chic!

Where? Stapleford Park Country House Hotel, Leicestershire

The deal: A secret hideaway for countless celebs, if you are looking for a small but perfectly formed celebration, this sprawling estate is a must-visit. Offering a spend-savvy ‘Intimate Package’ at £115 per person (available for small weddings held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays), doing our marital maths, this means you could bag the tranquil grounds, a stylish drinks reception and three-course wedding breakfast for 30 people for just £3,450.

A Father’s speech

Posted on by

Ask any public speaker what their biggest fear is, and they’ll pretty much always say it’s forgetting where they are in their speech. Fumbling over your words and getting a bit lost is nothing to be ashamed of, provided you can make a quick recovery and get back on track okay. Take your speech on cue cards with bullet-pointed reminders of what you want to talk about, rather than printing it all out in full. This will give you a more natural delivery, and will save you having to read through several paragraphs to find your place after getting lost.

If you do get stuck, use a moment to clear your throat, take a drink of water or give your daughter a kiss. These moments might seem a lifetime to you, but will feel like a natural pause to your audience, and will give you the breathing space you need to get things back on track. Take your time, don’t panic and try to enjoy your moment of fame.

Traditionally, at the reception, the bride’s father is the first one to make a speech to the wedding guests. Closely followed by the best man and groom, the father of the bride is usually seen as a bit of a warm-up act, and something to be endured rather than enjoyed. However, with a little effort you can make sure your moment in the spotlight is something to be remembered.

Whether you intend to make it short and sweet, or to really reap the benefits of the spotlight, your speech will need to contain some basic elements if it is to be in keeping with tradition.

You need to introduce yourself, but it doesn’t have to be reminiscent of an AA meeting. Tell them your name and maybe crack a small joke to make yourself feel relaxed.

Make a formal welcome to everyone, and thank them for coming. Try to mention, in particular, the bride’s mother and the groom’s parents too.

Formally welcome the groom to your family, in any way you feel appropriate. You can mention how you felt about him when you first met him, or a moment when you’ve been particularly glad he’s around.

As the elder speaker at the wedding, you should impart some of your wisdom to the happy couple about maintaining a healthy marriage or living a happy life. This is also a good place to throw in some jokes about wives, weddings or life in general, just as long as it doesn’t upset your wife!

Finish up by asking everyone to stand and raise a glass to the happy couple. No doubt, the best man will do something similar at the end of his speech too, but it’s the traditional way to close yours.

Jokes are a great way to break the ice and loosen up the crowd, but don’t be too focused on being funny. You’re the elder statesman of the speakers today, so you can afford to be a bit more conservative in your words. That doesn’t mean you have to be full though; a few jibes at the expense of the wedding or your daughter’s love of spending money are fine, just don’t go too close to the bone. Leave it to the best man to really roast up the groom, and focus on welcoming your new son-in-law to the family and toasting the happy couple.

Perfect Grooms’ gifts

Posted on by

Seeing as you’ll be wearing your beautiful new wedding dress, and likely new jewellery and shoes, it’s only fair that your groom gets a little something special on the wedding day – apart from the gift of marrying you, of course! There are traditional options for the groom’s gift the morning of the wedding, but never underestimate the appeal of something small but meaningful to your man.

When it comes to weddings, sometimes it’s easy to forget that it’s not just the bride who likes a little romance – a surprise gift for the groom on the wedding morning can set the mood for the day and make him feel loved and appreciated. Here are some of our top picks for grooms’ gifts!

Buying something that reflects his hobbies is always a good idea – if he’s mad about football, why not buy him a season ticket to watch his favourite team play? If he loves a certain band, buy him tickets to see their live concert. It may seem obvious, but these touches will show your husband-to-be just what you mean to him.

Your gift doesn’t need to cost the earth, either. Your man will most likely be feeling a little jittery before the ceremony, so why not send him a bottle of whiskey and a box of cigars to share with his groomsmen and to calm his nerves? Or, have cooked breakfasts delivered to the hotel suite for the guys to enjoy while they get ready in the morning. Whatever you send, accompany it with a handwritten letter telling him how much you can’t wait to see him – spritz a little of your signature scent on the paper and he’ll be feeling romantic in no time.

If you want something traditional that you know your groom will love, then you can’t go far wrong with a watch. If he’s an old-school type, then a pocket watch would be a great choice – particularly if you engrave it with his initials or the date of your wedding. For the more modern groom, a wrist watch is the perfect gift for the morning of the wedding. Attach a note with the time of the ceremony (along the lines of ‘See you at 1pm!’) for a personal touch.

A hip flask is another traditional groom’s gift – we particularly like this modern version from David-Louise Designs. You can also engrave it with your groom’s name and a personal message –  wrap it with a bottle of your man’s favourite spirit for a gift he’ll cherish.

Many brides will buy their grooms cufflinks for the big day, as they’re a gift that can be worn on the wedding day and for many years to come – plus they’re easy to personalise! Engrave them with your wedding date and he’ll never forget your anniversary!

If you and your husband-to-be are equally house-proud, then getting something that you can display for all your house guests to see is a sweet idea. We love this framed record of your first dance song – this would be a particularly great gift if your man is a music buff.

If your man already has everything he needs for the wedding day sorted, why not think ahead and buy him a gift he can use on your honeymoon? A pair of designer sunglasses would work for a beach honeymoon or a ski break, and luxurious toiletries in a leather washbag will always come in useful.

If you want to treat your groom to something a little saucy, then you should definitely consider booking in for a boudoir photoshoot. Companies do sexy shoots especially for brides, and package the photographs in a gorgeous keepsake album for you and your groom. Leave it in his bedroom with a note reading ‘Meet me at the altar!’ and he’s sure to be feeling ready for the honeymoon

How to look after your engagement ring

Posted on by

Like a good marriage, engagement rings are made of strong stuff. Diamonds and precious metals are difficult to ruin, but to keep them in tip top condition, they require regular care. It’s important to keep your diamond engagement ring clean. Not only from an aesthetic or hygienic perspective, but because diamond jewellery is an investment and needs protecting to hold its value. So how do you make sure your sparkler stays stunning for years to come?

Your engagement ring is meant to last a lifetime but like all good things, it needs a little maintenance to keep it looking super sparkly at all times.

Not many people know that you should always pick up engagement rings by their band and never by the diamond. When you touch your ring, natural oils from your hands can build up around the stone’s setting, which is trickier to clean. It can also loosen the setting – picking up your ring by the band will keep it secure for years to come.

While it’s pretty difficult to chip a diamond, it’s not impossible, particularly if it is knocked against other diamond jewellery and all precious gemstones should be stored safely when not in use. Depending on the value of the ring, you might want to consider a safe. In any case, it’s best to keep it clear of other jewellery and in a soft container or pouch to avoid your ring, and other items, from being scratched or damaged.

Using your hands all day can result in a buildup of dirt and small-particle debris on your ring and especially around the setting. Remove your ring before you shower, apply makeup or creams or prepare food to keep it gleaming for longer.

While dirt can be cleaned, some everyday household chemicals can do real damage to your ring. Cleaning products, hairspray, furniture products, bleach and hair dye are among the most common culprits for engagement ring damage. Remove your ring, wear gloves and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before putting your jewellery back on.

A shot of vodka can make everything better – for your ring, that is! Soak a dirty ring in a glass of vodka, rinse it under a warm tap and rub it dry with a lint-free cloth to give it back its special shine. If you’re not a fan of hard spirits, soak the ring in a solution, four parts warm water and one-part household ammonia for no more than ten minutes. Brush the ring very gently with a child’s toothbrush, dip it back into the mixture, rinse in cool or lukewarm water and leave it to drain on a lint-free cloth or towel.  Avoid using paper as tissues can leave fibres and dust on the ring. If you have sensitive skin, a mild liquid detergent can also yield great results, just leave your ring to soak for half an hour.

Diamond settings may loosen over time resulting in loss of your stone. Take your diamond ring to an expert for regular wear-and-tear check-ups (and a quick clean while you’re there).

If you follow these tips, your diamond engagement ring should look incredible for years to come.

Is your partner about to propose?

Posted on by

If you’re starting to wonder if he’s ever going to put a ring on it, here at the subtle signs to look out for…

Usually when you bring up the subject of marriage and the future, he either changes the subject or his eyes glaze over. But not this time! In fact, nowadays he actually turns off the PlayStation to talk in more depth about it all.

He’s suddenly got all enthusiastic about saving money, when he’s never really taken an interest in budgets and spreadsheets.

Your favourite rings seem to have gone missing for a few days, but then mysteriously reappear in the same place. Suspicious? We think so.

All of a sudden he’s come best friends with your dad – golf weekends and pints at the local become a regular occurrence.

Does your partner seem shifty, nervous and anxious lately? Time to get a manicure, ladies. He’s starting to get nervous about dropping down to one knee.

He becomes interested in your jewellery collection and asks about your favourite ring. It’s starting to get pretty obvious now…

Your Mum / best friends / family get super excited every time you call, only to be disappointed when you’re calling for a chit-chat.

So there you have it, so look out for these clues and one day soon you probably will get a proposal – good luck!!!

Have a passionate Wedding night

Posted on by

After months of wedding planning and organising, along with plenty of tantrums and tears, your wedding day has finally arrived. But how do you make sure the spark of the day isn’t lost when you and your new hubby are finally alone?

You might have had an amazing time with friends and family on the dance floor, but that’s exactly where they need to stay. Inviting guests back to your room is a guaranteed passion killer – you’ve waited all day for this, don’t let the party kill the mood. This is your wedding night; you don’t want to make your man wait a minute longer to get you out of that dress.

There’s no better time to turn up the heat than on your big day. Get the bathroom misty with a soapy shower or luxurious bubble bath; either one will get you in the mood for a hot and steamy wedding night. Light some candles, scatter rose petals, and get ready to release your inner minx. Team up a sensual night perfume with traditional white lingerie – tease that innocence you both know isn’t really there.

Use your first night as husband and wife to ramp up the passion and allow your curiosity to take over. Love and lust will be at their peak on your wedding day, so use that confidence boost to suggest something new. Start off your married life in charge with role play, or bondage. Indulge in new positions that you’ve been dying to try.

Ramp up the naughtiness and give your bae the ultimate ‘access all areas’ backstage pass with some erotic knickers. Crotchless styles are perfect for when you just can’t wait – or show off your best asset and encourage spanking with something bumless. At the end of the day, you just need to own it.

There’s no limit to how wild you can go on your wedding night, so why not go shopping for some couple’s sex toys before the big day? If you’re stuck with where to start, try a bullet vibe. Both pocket-sized and powerful, it is the ultimate beginner’s toy. Add a little massage oil into the mix and use it to explore each other’s bodies, you’re guaranteed a night you’ll never forget.

It’s easy to build up the tension before the wedding night but, at the end of a long day, it’s easy for it to end up as a bit of an anti-climax. Don’t pressure each other to make it the best night of your lives – if it happens, that’s amazing. If not, you have all the time in the world to have mind-blowing sex, so there’s really no rush. Don’t let it put a downer on the day.

Wedding cake ideas

Posted on by

The cake is quite often the thing most people look forward to at a wedding celebration. After all, it’s not a reception without a cake cutting ceremony! These days though there are so many options for cakes. You can have red velvet, lemon meringue, chocolate, marble, carrot, or maybe traditional vanilla. Others may choose to divert from the traditional cake, choosing cupcakes, truffles, chocolate confections, cookies, or a dessert buffet (for those who just can’t decide!). With all these options how does one even begin?

1. Search for the Right Bakery

Choosing a bakery is tough. It can be even tougher if you have a special need – glucose-free, lactose-free, vegan, Kosher, organic, etc. Luckily more bakeries are becoming aware of allergies or special needs and offer delicious alternatives.  Do a quick search for a cake designer in your area who makes a product to your specification.

2. Choose Your Style

Are you a cupcake fan? Or are you a chocolate lover at heart? Or does a traditional tiered wedding cake tickle your fancy? Cupcake towers are becoming more and more popular at birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and more. This takes the hassle out of cutting the cake into equal-sized pieces! Cakes can come in all shapes and sizes these days. Bakeries and cake designers can sculpt a cake into a castle, sports arena, animal, musical instrument, and anything else you can come up with! You can go this route for a birthday cake to match the cake with the birthday person’s favourite hobby. A designer’s ability to do this also is beneficial for groom’s cakes. A dessert buffet is always a fun route to go, as well. You can have all your favourite goodies in one place from a chocolate fountain and truffles to fruit tart and pastries.

3. Find Your Filling

Whether you go with a cake or cupcakes, you then must decide the type, filling, and frosting. So many decisions! However, this is where the yummy part begins – cake tastings! On top of the type of cake, such as red velvet, chocolate, or carrot, you also have the option of having a filling. Fillings can be in the form of fruit, mousse, and cream cheese, just to name a few. Schedule a tasting with your baker to decide which one is just right for you.

Above all, have fun with your cake! A little indulgence never hurt anyone, especially on a day of celebration!

The best day of your life…

Posted on by

It’s all about you

Your wedding day is a literally a day where you and your partner can embrace each other. Everything on the day is for the both of you; everyone is there to celebrate your love and marriage. Most importantly, it is a day to celebrate the start of your lives together!

The dress

Choosing your Wedding dress is possibly the best part of the wedding planning. It’s what every girl dreams of! It’s one time you can buy a really expensive dress without having to justify the price tag.

Wonderful company

One of the best things about the wedding is being able to spend a whole day with your closest friends and family. It’s all about love, laughter and celebration!

Pamper time

Although the morning of wedding is pretty stressful, it’s also a chance to be pampered by professionals whilst drinking champagne with your best girls. You can get your hair and makeup done professionally while you sit back, relax and think about married life!

Hen do

You may find it hard to get all of your best friends together at the same time to catch up and have a party. However, your hen doo is the perfect time for this! And what better reason to meetup to celebrate the fact you’re transitioning to married life. There are many ways to have a hen do, rather than going all out with sashes and tiaras, you could have a more formal affair where you dress up and have a sophisticated cocktail party.

Romantic honeymoon

Whether you decide to go to a hot country, go travelling or simply rent a quiet cottage in the countryside, a romantic getaway directly after your wedding is the perfect way to start married life. It gives you both a chance to let your hair down after months of planning the perfect wedding and look back on your memories.

Dream wedding

Everyone has an idea in their head as to what they want their wedding to be like, whether it’s princess Wedding, boho-inspired big day or a Disney themed affair, we’ve all been dreaming about the idyllic wedding since we were children. Now you’re a bride, you finally get to plan every single aspect of it, even from choosing what kind of cutlery you want! Although wedding planning is stressful, it’ll be completely worth it.

Love of your life

You know what the best bit of being a bride is? You get to marry the love of your life: your soulmate, your bestfriend and your love. If that’s not the best thing in the world, we don’t know what is?

It’s not always going to be plain sailing…

Posted on by

Choose your co-shoppers carefully

The people you choose to take wedding dress shopping are very important people. Not only should they consider themselves lucky, but they should have a personality that shows it. If you’ve got a couple of friends you feel will get bored or enthusiastic quickly, they may not be your best choices. Get a small group of people that will offer helpful comments on each of the dresses you try on, and that will keep up interest no matter how long the shopping takes!

You won’t always stick to your plan

Before you embark on the wedding dress search, you might have a specific image in your head. Don’t lose that ideal image of a lace fit-and-flare with an illusion neckline, but don’t dismiss other options. Trying on things you don’t think will suit you may sometimes surprise you, you know… Make sure you try on a range of different designs and shapes, and take the advice of the shop assistants into consideration!

It’s not always love at first sight

Remember, most dresses will look bad on the hanger! Try things on! Whilst the shape may not look your cup of tea while it hangs on the dress rail, the moment you put it on, pair it with a killer pair of heels and add the accessories you might change your mind completely. But don’t go through all the dresses you can get your hands on in the boutique, be selective!

Wear the right underwear

For wedding dress shopping, make sure you’re wearing plain and seam-free underwear to give you an idea of how the dress really should look. Step away from the bras and knickers covered in frills and the bows for today, please. You’ll thank us later.

Consider bridal sizes

Picking up your usual size 10 off the dress rail and it not fitting does not mean those after-dinner biscuits last night has gone to your hips already. Fear not! Wedding dresses are typically one to two sizes smaller than regular street sizes, so don’t get too fixed on the number. And for those brides that are wedding dress shopping with the plans to lose weight, don’t be too ambitious. Often, it’s a lot better to order the size that fits you now and deal with fittings nearer to the big day itself.

You will get tired

Wedding dresses – they’re not exactly the lightest of garments, are they? The repetitive routine of getting undressed and dressed during any shopping day is tiring enough, let alone getting undressed and dressed into a series of heavy wedding dresses. Before you head out, get a good, but light, breakfast down you, and keep a bottle of water on hand – then you’ll be ready for the ‘Wedding dress workout’.

Try before you buy

Once you’ve got it on and think it might be ‘the one’, try and glide like you’re walking down the aisle and move like you’re on the dancefloor! If you can strut your stuff in the dress, we’re with you: it is the one. Everyone present, hold back the tears or grab the tissue.