Category Archives: Flowers

Take your time to pick your music

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Music is a very personal to each individual and it will play a very important part in your wedding.  You don’t have to be from a particular faith to enjoy a piece of music, just go what feels best for you. The Wedding ceremony music has to be right for both of you, and to have the right piece played, you will remember your wedding day for years to come.  

To help you choose, this is a list of some wedding music that you might want to consider including in your repertoire:

Wedding Ceremony Music– The Common Requests
1. “Air in G” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D (J.S. Bach)
2. “Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9(Beethoven)
3. “Trumpet Voluntary” or “Prince of Denmark’s March” (J. Clarke)
4. “Clair de Lune” (C. Debussy)
5. “Hornpipe” from Water Music Suite (G.F. Handel)
6. “Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (F. Mendelssohn)
7. “Canon in D” (J. Pachelbel)
9. “Allegro from Spring”, first movement theme from The Four Seasons (A. Vivaldi)
10. “Bridal March” from the opera Lohengrin or “Here Comes the Bride” (R. Wagner)

 

Wedding Ceremony Music Alternatives 

Favourite choices for Christian weddings:

1. “Amazing Grace” (American Folk Melody)
2. “Ave Maria” (F. Schubert)
3. “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (J. S. Bach)
4. “The Lord’s Prayer” (A.H. Malotte)
5. “Simple Gifts” (Elder Joseph)

Favourite choices for Jewish weddings:

1. “Dodi Li” (N. Chen)
2. “Erev Ba” (O. Avissar & A. Levanon)
3. “Siman Tov” (traditional Israeli song)
4. “Sunrise Sunset” from the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”

Favourite choices for Celtic weddings:

1. “Mairia’s Wedding”
2. “Star of the County Down”
3. “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”
4. “Skye Boat Song”
5. “My Wild Irish Rose”

Favourite themes for 2016

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Finding the right theme for your wedding can be a massive headache – especially when you and your soon-to-be spouse have different tastes.

Here are some of the most favourite wedding themes for 2016 so you and your betrothed can find some common ground

Vintage nautical

Although vintage wedding themes have been a firm favourite for the last few years, 2016 will see this taken to the next level with more niche trends. For example, we’ll start to see the entire wedding based upon a particular reading, like the Owl and the Pussycat, which is becoming more popular as couples shy away from traditional love-based or religious musings, or perhaps a more nautical theme, like Titanic, that turns the usual into the more unusual. Suited to all seasons, you can easily incorporate this styling into every aspect of your wedding, whether you opt for an indoor or outdoor ceremony.

Fantastical wedding

What could be more outlandish and fun than stepping into the world of Alice in Wonderland, or maybe Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Whether you want to bring the Mad Hatter to your party, or would rather sample the sweet delights of Willy Wonka, the fantastical theme will help your wedding and the after party start and end with a bang. Bright colours, wonky decor and brash props make this a standout theme for 2016.

Get colourful!

Top tips for colour trends and theming for 2016 is all about being bold and brave with colour. It’s time to lose the pastel pinks and make your wedding pop. It’s all about making a big impact and sophisticated fun. This works really well with a Mexican themed wedding – think Mexican fiesta bunting, jars of colourful punch, colourful flower wreaths in your hair – or alternative wedding gowns that don’t necessarily fit to the white or ivory stereotypes.

Party decor

It’s goodbye to bunting and hello 2016 is the year of balloons, streamers and real plants as the centrepiece on tables. We’ve long been a fan of getting creative at weddings with colours and objects and we’re super-happy to see colour-coded props and peg boards making an appearance. It won’t lose that handmade feel though, so crafty-types, don’t fear. Feel free to add your personal touches to the entire experience and let your creativity run wild!

Retro

Feeling as though the vintage theme may be a bit too old-fashioned, but still looking to inject a bit of nostalgic fun into your big day? How about opting for a retro theme instead? Take a trip back to the 1950s and give your wedding a Grease-like feel, complete with diner-style food, multi-coloured straws and maybe even hire a vending machine or bar to finish the venue off properly. Finish everything off with an Airstream wedding photo booth and a retro looking enclosed photo booth – think Berlin photo mats – both can be set to print in vintage style old strips.

Inject some fun into your big day with customisable wedding photo booths and pop boxes, designed to fit any wedding theme or occasion.

Take a deep breath, and count to ten

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The ever-growing to do list

You think you’re getting to the end of the list, happily ticking it all off, but then you’ve found that somehow more things to do have magically appeared on the end. Ticking off one thing makes you remember to do another. It just keeps going, and going, and going, and going. Will it ever end? The answer is yes! Keep it up – you’ll miss it when it’s gone!

Nosy parkers

Once you’re engaged, there are a number of questions that you’re almost guaranteed to be asked by anyone you talk to. Why are they asking what your baby plans are when you’ve just got the ring on your finger? You can barely decide on the colour of napkins for the wedding yet, let alone a baby’s name…

Yeah but no

Something that is super annoying, and understandably so, are the people who are SO up for helping you out with bits and bobs for planning your wedding day, but then… then they just don’t. You don’t understand why, because you swear they were just excited as you were. But you know what? That’s not what you need, so focus on what you – and the friends that WILL stick to it – can get done!

Monster-in-laws

Well, every bride-to-be will know she’s not alone here – we mean, there’s even movies on it! We know, it’s not just the mother-in-law that can be a bit of a pain, it’s your own mother too, but what you need to remember is that it’s all out of the goodness of their hearts. Sometimes they just need a little bit of reminding that it’s your wedding day, oh and that you’re not a baby anymore.

Cancellations

The days leading up to the wedding: the last thing that you want is something that you’ve been planning gets cancelled. Whether that be some mishap with your chosen wedding florist, entertainment, or even one of your invited guests. Whilst your wedding flowers being cancelled is worse than the seats at your reception not being filled, either way, just breathe. Remain calm, and your problems will be resolved quicker.

Comparisons

There is nothing worse than getting excited about your wedding plans with one of your friends or family members and their reply to be, “Oh yes, Sally did that” or “Well, Sally didn’t do it like that “. Firstly, you don’t care what Sally did, and secondly why mention that!? You needn’t worry about any comparisons or any expectations, because it’s YOUR wedding and not Sally’s!

Common regrets

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Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, but that doesn’t mean that things always go smoothly and as planned…

Enjoy the wedding morning

Getting ready on the morning of the wedding is bound to be stressful, but make sure you take time to relax and enjoy it with a glass of champers! It’s the one time you’ll be pampered within an inch of your life so sit back and look forward to what is to come…

Don’t go hungry

Couples actually forget to eat during their wedding day! You’ll be super busy greeting and thanking guests, that you might not have time to eat the delicious wedding breakfast you spent all that money on. Make sure you allow you and your hubby time to sit down and enjoy the meal.

Book a DJ

A lot of couples try to save money on wedding entertainment, and rather than booking a decent DJ they create a playlist on their iPod. Yes, this does save a ton of money but a good DJ will make sure all of your guests get up on the dance floor for a groove!

Comfort over style

Even though those glitzy stilettos may look gorgeous, will you last in them all day? If you’re opting for high heels for the ceremony, make sure you bring flats along too! Many brides end up in pain towards the end of the day due to their heels. We all know the feeling, so if you want to enjoy every second of your special day, sometimes being comfy is best!

Beauty trials

Always make sure you have a hair and make-up trial before your wedding morning. There would be nothing more stressful than hating your hair and make-up whilst knowing it’s too late to change it. We recommend having at least 2 trials before your big day to make sure it’s perfect!

Photographs and memories

Mobiles are perfect for snaps, but you should also bring a camera, charger and some spare memory cards to catch shots of your memorable first holiday as husband and wife together.

Finally, a basic first aid kit is always a good idea. Make sure you pack some pain killers, insect repellent, insect bit ointment, plasters and tablets for upset tummies. You know the rule, if you pack it you won’t need it, so make sure you pack a first aid kit!

Unwritten wedding rules

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Falling foul of the unwritten rules of wedding day etiquette may be easier than most of us realise – don’t be one of these wedding guests!

Over half of guests (52%) say they have attended a ceremony where they have cringed at the antics of a fellow family member or friend of the happy couple, according to a new survey.

Call the fashion police

Wearing the wrong outfit is classed as the most common mistake, with 36% of people saying they have witnessed guests dressed inappropriately. One in five (21%) say they have been embarrassed by attendees in very revealing clothing, while 15% know someone who has worn white or come dressed all in black, to a couple’s big day.

Men are not immune to getting their outfits wrong either, with 4% being seen in jeans and another 2% left feeling foolish by mistakenly believing black tie and dinner jacket is the same as a morning suit.

Too wide a hat was mentioned by 14% who thought it rude as it blocked the view at the ceremony, and wearing a similar dress to the bridesmaids was regarded by 11% as thoughtless. Keeping sunglasses on in church was found to be pretentious by 9%, while fake tan that was too dark or streaky, and heavily applied make-up was seen as a faux pas by 6%.

Not the right time

Nine out of ten thought getting drunk and causing a scene was the worst offence, but only 8% said they had witnessed such an event at a wedding. Taking flash photos during the ceremony was loathed by over eight out of ten, though just 12% had experienced this happening. A further 7% said they had been to weddings where a mobile phone ringing had ruined the atmosphere, either during the service or in the middle of speeches at the reception.

Inconsiderate guests causing problems for the organisers had been witnessed by 13% of those asked, either by not replying to an invitation and turning up with a friend who wasn’t invited, or changing the place cards to sit on a different table. People turning up late were another bug-bear for 10% of respondents.

Speech time

Best men are known for walking a tightrope between good and bad taste when giving their speech, and 37% said they had attended weddings where previous girlfriends and past exploits – best left unsaid – had been mentioned.

Leaving before the reception speeches are finished was regarded as unacceptable by one in four, while 5% claimed to have watched unseemly tussles as women tried to catch the bride’s bouquet.

Top wedding guest faux pas:

  • Bad taste best man’s speech
  • Leaving before the reception speeches are finished
  • Guests wearing outfits that are far too revealing
  • Wearing all white or all black
  • Blocking out the view of others in church with very large brimmed hats
  • Bringing someone who was not invited/failing to RSVP but turning up
  • Taking flash photography during the ceremony
  • Wearing a dress similar to the bridesmaids
  • Wearing sunglasses in church
  • Getting drunk/rowing and causing a scene
  • Forgetting to turn the ringer off your mobile phone for the ceremony or speeches
  • Turning up in jeans
  • Aggressively trying to catch the bride’s bouquet
  • Mistaking morning suit for black tie and dinner jacket

Your wedding journey is tricky business

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Before you jump straight in and ask your closest friends to do the honours, check they don’t fall into one of these dreaded categories…

The drama queen

We all know this girl and she’s definitely not bridesmaid material! Not only does she love herself way too much but she constantly needs to shine in the spotlight. If you think she’ll change for your wedding, think again.

The worst part is that she’s almost certainly expecting to be asked, so make sure you find a different way of keeping her busy on the day.

The unhappy singleton

While most of your friends will be happy for you, it won’t be surprising if one of your single friends isn’t ecstatic at the news. Weddings can be depressing for people who aren’t loved up, so steer clear of asking the jealous, single friend to be your bridesmaid.

Not only will it make her more upset about her own situation, but she’ll probably cause unnecessary drama for everyone with her bitter attitude. Your bridesmaids need to be happy for you and excited to be part of your day, not a burden on the whole party.

The party animal

She might be one of your closest mates and have amazing planning skills but it’s really important to consider what your party animal friend be like on the big day, too. If she can’t hold her drink, loves dancing on table tops and will inevitably tell everyone your secrets and embarrassing stories, then she’s probably not the best girl for the job.

If you still want her to be part of the wedding, tell her your concerns. Her reaction will give you a good indication as to whether she deserves to be your bridesmaid!

The obsessive organiser

Unless you’re completely clueless about planning your wedding, don’t ask your obsessive friend to take the bridesmaid seat! She’s sure to take all control and will ultimately create her ideal wedding, not yours.

Not everyone’s 100% clear on what they want when they start planning but you should never let someone talk you into something you’re not entirely sure about.

The joker

While she’s great on a night out, she probably isn’t going to make the best bridesmaid. Not only will her jokes get old, but she probably won’t be putting in the effort to help you with your plans.

There’s definitely nothing worse than someone who won’t take you seriously!

To toss or not?

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What if your friends want you to toss your wedding bouquet, but you want to preserve it as a keepsake?

Ask your florist to create a smaller “tossing bouquet ” that resembles your bridal bouquet. The tossing bouquet should be placed on the cake table to enable you to find it easily. Many florists automatically include a tossing bouquet in the budget, but never assume.

Although the bridesmaids and groomsmen don’t need to have flowers that replicate yours, they should complement your bridal bouquet style (bold and contemporary, French country, and so on) and color scheme (pastels, jewel tones, etc.). One lovely look is to create tightly packed nosegays of roses with a slightly different shade for each bridesmaid.

Nosegays in the same color but using a different flower for each are also pretty. Consider adding a touch that reflects the ambiance of the location, such as shells at the beach or berries, acorns, and oak leaves for a fall wedding.

Wedding Colours for Winter

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Reds and greens certainly reflect the season, but overdo this colour combo, and your wedding may seem more holiday-oriented than you intended.

Consider a less-is-more approach to your colour: Silver and white with crystal accents can add some serious glamour to your winter wedding. For your ceremony, try a white velvet aisle runner trimmed with white satin ribbon, or decorate the altar with a crystal curtain backdrop adorned with hanging strands of elegant white orchids. If you’re exchanging vows outdoors, get your guests in on creating the ambience by giving out clear umbrellas to friends and family members as they arrive.

The Wedding Flowers

Red roses, lilies, and amaryllis are decidedly winter wedding flowers, but if you step outside the flower box, and you’ll find a variety of options for winter blooms.

Consider fuller wedding flowers, such as white hydrangeas. White boutonnieres can be perfect when they’re accented with greenery, but they also look great with a simple white ribbon. Add sparkle to your bouquet by wrapping the stems in ribbon embellished with crystals.

Centrepieces

Go beyond glowing candles to add both warmth and romance to your reception site.

If you want to heighten the drama, bring in the icy outdoors with ice-carved vases on your reception tables. Have your florist fill the vases with tall winter-white branches and hanging crystals to reflect the light from the tables. Surround the centrepieces with candles, and top your tables with white table linens and frosted glass china.

Place Cards

Miniature sleighs and holly motifs stamped onto your place cards would spell out the season pretty clearly, but they might not dazzle your guests.

Leave everyone amazed as they retrieve their place cards by making the entire table sparkle. Have the cards hand-calligraphed in silver ink and attach them to individual crystals with a ribbon. Hang each from an oversized crystal candelabra centrepiece for a new take on the popular place card tree.

The Music

A classical pianist playing during dinner is a sure way to create an elegant ambience, but consider a more unexpected accompaniment.

For a twist on the tunes, consider hiring a Capella quartet to sing background music at your reception. Have the group sing your favourite jazz and pop songs to set a welcoming and festive tone for the evening. If you’re into a more classical sound, hire a cellist and ask that Vivaldi’s “Winter” be included in the repertoire.

Cocktails

A winter cocktail calls for warm, comforting drinks. You really can’t go wrong with hot chocolate and warm cider, but it’s your wedding — why not take every opportunity (drinks included) to add an element of surprise?

Serve up white hot chocolate in small espresso cups and advocar in small punch glasses for your guests as they arrive. At the bar, offer saketinis (Japanese rice wine and sweet-flavoured vodka) in glasses rimmed with sugar crystals.

The Cake

A wedding cake trimmed in red or green ribbon or topped with roses looks pretty, but bakers who are willing to push the fondant envelope can reflect the winter in totally creative ways.

Play up the season with a white, vintage-style cake, dusted with edible silver powder. For accents, have your baker add a white sugar ribbon and crystal drops cascading down one side of the cake.

Honeymoons

While many couples flee the blustery weather for warmer (and sandier) destinations for their honeymoon, a winter wedding can segue perfectly into a snowy escape.

Embrace the season and rent a cosy log cabin, or join the jet-setters at a luxurious hotel in Aspen for some serious skiing, wining, dining, and snuggling.