Category Archives: Ideas

How to Make the Father of the Bride Feel Special

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The wedding day is one of the most important days of many couple’s lives; they’re finally having a formal declaration of their love. The father of the bride, however, may not be as excited for the big day, not only does he traditionally pay for the wedding, but he is also losing his little girl. So it’s important to make the father of the bride feel special on the wedding day.

Dare to Show That You Care

If you’re marrying his daughter, then he may not be your biggest fan at times. This is completely natural, because he will only want the very best for his daughter and he’s just nervous that you might not appreciate her. He only wants to protect her and no matter how similar you are or how well you get on, he will always be worried that you’ll hurt her.

The first step to putting him at ease is to show how much you love and care for his daughter, hug her and be sure he knows that you are both in love. This not only shows him that you love his angel, but also shows that you are like him and only want to protect her and keep her safe. Just try to keep the public displays of affection to a minimum, hugs and smooches are fine, he probably won’t appreciate you two French kissing.

It’s Not a Bribe…

While you have been courting his daughter he has seen the countless gifts and shows of affection that she’s received from you. Well now it’s his turn, buy him something nice to make him feel like you appreciate him and that you have respect for him. He’s your future father in law, so you should probably start trying to win him over A personalised gift will go a long way, just like when you were trying to win his daughter’s love, you can never buy them too many gift. If some is good, more is better.

Do Some Homework

Before the big day, check the father of the bride’s Facebook or ask his family about his favourite drinks and music. If you were to go to a party where the drinks were not to your liking and they played songs that you hated, you wouldn’t feel welcome. With this in mind, make sure you play his favourite song, this is guaranteed to make him happy. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see him break it down to his jam. You can’t have a wedding reception without dad dancing.

Include Him

Make sure that you involve him on the day, possibly the easiest way to make the father of the bride feel special is to make him feel wanted. Even if you don’t need any help, be sure to ask for his opinion on things, no matter how small, he will appreciate you asking for his guidance.

The honeymoon phase

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That time at the beginning when everything seems perfect and even their annoying habits seem painfully adorable to you. Well, it doesn’t have to be just a phase when there are so many years of adventure to come – so here are a few ways to make sure the fun continues well beyond your actual honeymoon!

Take care of something together;

Having a child or even getting a pet is a big commitment for newlyweds. But the shared experience of caring for another living entity can be an unparalleled bonding experience after getting married. If you’re the non-committal types, volunteer to raise a guide dog puppy for a few weeks (or perhaps adopt a fish!). Even tending to a garden together is enough to keep the relationship feeling fresh.

Surprise each other;

The best way to keep things exciting after the wedding is to delve into the unexpected. When he returns home from work, meet him with the first clue of a scavenger hunt! Hide some plane tickets underneath his pillow or suggest making cheese fondue to eat while you sit on the carpet, picnic-style! Make it so that every day you wake up wondering what new adventures are in store.

Plan events;

We’re not saying you need to throw a party every weekend to keep the spark alive, but even co-ordinating a dinner menu together or creating an itinerary for a weekend trip is something that can challenge and excite the two of you.

Start a project:

Whether it’s decorating your new home together or learning to play the piano, the act of creating is an uplifting experience that you and your new husband will forever pride yourselves in.

Travel:

Exploring new and exotic locations helps with self-discovery and growth – plus, seeing each other learn new things about the world can only make you fall deeper in love.

Explore;

You don’t have to look very far to find something new. That abandoned path in the nearby woods? Ask them to hike it with you! Finding beauty in unexpected places is an experience that will be even more astonishing when it’s shared with the one you love most.

Never stops trying for them;

You know that they love you with bedhead hair and smeared make-up, but it’s still a treat for them to come home to find you in your favourite little black dress and lipstick. That goes for him too, so tell him how much you love seeing him looking dapper in a suit with a pair of brand new loafers on. Then go ahead and get back into your comfy joggers.

Less travelling more honeymooning!!!

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There are over 1.8 billion transits and stopover flights annually that are more cost-efficient than long-haul direct flights. So instead of avoiding the extra hours, why not enjoy a longer stop and have two holidays instead of one? So that means if you’re going on your honeymoon, you can explore a new location and stay at one of these select hotels before taking their next flight. From stretching your legs riding a bike in Amsterdam to a rejuvenating jetlag therapy treatment in Bangkok, 

Amsterdam

The Dylan, Amsterdam;

This stunning hotel is a destination for a swift visit. Wind down with a glass of delicious seasonal wine and savoury amuse-style bites, finely selected by the executive chef Dennis Kuiper. Guests can also stretch their legs and explore the Dutch city on one of the hotel’s private bikes.
Rate: High Wine (available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) includes four different wines and four bites for €39.50 (approx. £29) per person. Rooms from £366 per room/night including taxes, Wi-Fi and 24-hours room service.

New York

Loews Regency, New York

Guests can relax and restore in this stunningly renovated hotel after a long flight or even after a day of sightseeing, with Loews’s special restoring package. This includes two cocktails at The Regency Bar as well as a reviving spa session at Julian Farel’s salon in midtown Manhattan.
Rate: ‘Restore, Sip, and Spa’ package from $1349 (approx.£872) per room/night (available until December 31, 2015)

Zurich

Baur Au Lac: Zurich

Let time fly in the beautiful city of Zurich with Baur Au Lac’s delicious afternoon tea, and enjoy the historical atmosphere of the location through this culinary delight. Taste homemade scones, exquisite sandwiches and pastries in the hotel’s Le Hall after a tranquil walk by the lake.
Rate: Afternoon tea for 64CHF (approx. £43) per person or 79CHF (approx. £53) with Phillipponnat brut champagne from 1.30pm to 5.30pm (available until march 2016). 870CHF per room/night (approx. £591).

Dubai

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, UAE

Get the blood flowing again, Viceroy challenges flyers to board on the world’s fastest roller-coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi for an adventure-filled stop in the Arabian Gulf. The hotel’s Family Plan package will treat families with a 50% discount on a connecting room for children when booking a deluxe suite.
Rate: ‘Family Plan’ package, Room from AED 1,449 (approx. £265) per room/night.

France

Peninsula Paris, France 

Forget the long hours and queues at the Louvre, Peninsula Paris has the perfect art-filled afternoon for guests to have a taste of the French Art de vivre on their short layover. The hotel’s Concierge has carefully selected a range of tickets for on-going exhibitions. Guests can choose from the Picasso Mania, Yves Saint-Laurent or Vivre pour l’Art, guaranteed to show you the best of the city of lights.
Rate: From €1,000 per room/night (approx. £735), includes museum entrance, refreshments, transportation and breakfast for two.

Bangkok

Peninsula Bangkok, Bangkok

The Peninsula Bangkok understands that good sleep is vital when dealing with long flights and this package reflects that. It provides guests with an invaluable range of tools to maximise their sleep; including a jet lag eliminator massage, musical therapy, a health and wellness consultation, yoga, and even a tea workshop ceremony, promising guests a total sense of wellbeing before their onward journey.
Rate: ‘Sleeping Well’ package 53,800TBH (approx. £988) for 3 nights’ accommodation, including all sleep treatments and access to the fitness center and tennis court.

Not everybody wants a beach

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Not everybody wants the ‘classic white sandy beach, azure blue swimming pool, hot sunshine, and cocktails at sunset’ type of a honeymoon. We take a look at some of those over-looked destinations that might not have a tropical climate but can still get you hot under the collar.

The lovely Lake District

How about a mini-moon walking in the Lake District, staying at some fantastic B&Bs and a lovely hotel. If you are fair skinned the sun can be a bit problematic so when you come back from the Lake District, you’ll be suntanned in a healthy way.

Super-fun skiing

Some people would much rather be skiing down a mountain than on a beach. Some couples find beach holidays boring. If you have ever only skied in Europe, why not go to the States to try out the snow there? Jackson Hole in Colorado is very recommended for all your skiers out there. If you’re both serious skiers and want a more action-orientated sort of honeymoon this maybe the honeymoon for you.

Ice cool Iceland

If you fancy going somewhere different and literally cool in every way, then consider a visit to Iceland. Just three hours from London, you can watch the Northern Lights, visit hot natural springs and soak in the geothermal pools, scuba dive and quad bike. There’s also a big nightclub scene in Reykjavik, if that’s your thing. It’s a great winter and summer destination and if you go during June, July and August you’ll enjoy 20 hours of straight daylight.

Going Japanese

Love sushi? Always wanted to visit Japan? Your honeymoon should be a holiday to remember and Japan offers an amazing once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. It’s one of the top places to go skiing but if you go to the Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps you can also see the local snow monkeys keeping warm in the hot springs and dip into a hot tub yourself.

The skiing is amazing for both downhill skiers and snow boarders and you can choose from a luxury hotel to self-catering accommodation. There are plenty of English speakers to help you if your Japanese isn’t up to scratch and the village apparently has a great atmosphere. Get there on the bullet train from Tokyo (a lifetime experience in itself).

Captivating Quebec

If you fancy a city break somewhere a little more unusual then consider visiting Quebec City in French-speaking Canada. It has a beautiful walled old town with cobbled streets, lively cafes, bars and nightclubs, wonderful food and, for some bargain shopping, you’ll find the largest mall in eastern Canada just a 20-minute bus ride away.

You can enjoy ice-skating on the rinks in the city, visit galleries, attend a concert and the food with its French influence is completely delicious. Temperatures in the winter can go down to minus 10C but the days are dry, so you’ve very little chance of coming across any rain. Just wrap up well like the locals and enjoy the freshest of winter air.

Where should you stay? There are a number of hotels in various price ranges and we like the idea of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which has a private Jacuzzi with a stunning view over the city. Perfect for sharing a glass of Champagne and talking over the wedding! It might blow the budget but who cares? It’s your honeymoon!

Plan a Mini-moon

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Mini-mooning is a growing trend among newlyweds and just 1.5 hours from London by train, the New Forest is fast becoming a top mini-moon destination and with its stunning landscape, range of activities and beautiful couples’ accommodation, it’s easy to see why. Here, we explore what makes the New Forest so special.

Honeymoons are the perfect remedy to the busy and exciting wedding day. They give couples the chance to getaway and recuperate together and enjoy a well-deserved break month, if not years, of planning and organisation.

While traditionally a couple was sent off on their honeymoon straight after the reception, and therefore had no chance to chat with their guests until two weeks later, today’s newlyweds are choosing to postpone the longer break, or to substitute it entirely in favour of a shorter mini-moon. The New Forest is a world away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and provides the ideal setting for a romantic break.

Amazing accommodation

Let’s face it, you don’t want your run of the mill hotel for your mini-moon. A once in a lifetime event, it deserves accommodation that wows, and there’s plenty of that in the New Forest.

If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, Beaulieu River View is a gorgeously secluded bolthole for two. Stood on stilts above the Beaulieu River, it certainly has the wow factor and mini-mooners have been visiting for years, drawn by The Wind in the Willows reminiscent surroundings and the open plan living inside.

Grab a kayak from the local hire shop and take a trip down the river, enjoy walks in the local woodland or simply relax on the cabin’s wraparound balcony and watch the world go by.

For something equally special, couples can now stay on the famous Beaulieu Estate, home to Beaulieu Abbey, in the Old Telephone Exchange. Once the main exchange for the village of Buckler’s Hard and the Estate, today the Old Telephone Exchange is a delightfully renovated retreat for two, surrounded by enchanting landscape and local wildlife.

Or venture a little further inland to Jenny Wren’s, a holiday cottage just for two. Located in an authentic forest setting, with ponies, foals, donkeys and cattle making their daily foraging trips along the hedgerows, it’s the ideal escape to help you relax and rewind.

The New Forest is home to an abundance of stunning holiday cottages, offering something for every taste.

Fantastic activities

A mini-moon in the New Forest gives couples the chance enjoys a wide range of activities together. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a novice looking to try something new, there’s something to suit everyone.

Walking is a very popular pastime in the New Forest, thanks to the miles and miles of exquisite landscape, approved walking route and plenty of wildlife to spot en route. What could be more romantic than rambling through the woodland, chatting away and getting a bit of post-wedding cake exercise thrown in too?

Other outdoor pursuits such as cycling, horse-riding and water sports like kayaking are also popular and there are lots of activity centres offering rental of equipment and organised trips. Take a look at New Forest Activities for their range of days out and shorter trips, including foraging trails and kayaking.

Delicious food

Minimooners will be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating in the New Forest. From local markets selling fresh produce for you to cook yourself, through to local tea rooms and lots of AA rosette and Michelin star restaurants, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for a romantic meal (or two!).

Self-catering in the New Forest is really easy. Stray away from the supermarket and head to one of the food markets in the area. Setley’s Ridge is popular with locals for its food and also its wine selection which comes from its own vineyard, or try Tatchbury Manor Farm for homemade jams and a fantastic selection of meats.

Eating out is also a real pleasure and the New Forest is scattered with foodie gems. There are some lovely pubs which are fantastic as a respite for walkers and cyclists, or book a table to enjoy some locally sourced dishes in the warmth of traditional pub settings. The Royal Oak at Fritham comes highly recommended, as does The Oak Inn at Bank.

The Haven restaurant, set in the heart of Lymington Marina, is another excellent choice – more modern in style than the pubs and with views over the waterfront. If you’re for something extra special, try one of the many Michelin and AA rosette awarded restaurants, which can be found on the New Forest’s official visitor website.

The New Forest offers something to suit all tastes and is the perfect choice for minimooners seeking a romantic break, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

A Hot Pink Wedding!!!

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Stand out from the crowds with a hot pink wedding theme! This colour looks lovely with ivories and creams so will compliment your dress perfectly, and is an easy theme to stick too!

Beautiful bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids will stand out from your guests in hot pink bridesmaid dresses! Team them with simple pink and cream bouquets and let the dresses do the talking

Stunning stationery

Your stationery is the first glimpse of your wedding day that your guests will get; impress them with a bright design that will give the wow factor!

Fancy footwear

To add a pop of colour to your wedding outfit with amazing pink shoes which will be the perfect finishing touch!

Pretty petals

Lovely petals make the perfect biodegradable confetti to hand round to your guests. We love the two toned pink and cream colour!

Decorative details

Personalise candleholders with bespoke vinyl stickers from with decals. You can also have vinyl stickers designed for on the dance floor, walls, table centres, favours or anything you want! Add a hot pink candle to fit in with your theme.

Make your own

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Most guests love to see a bit of a handmade touch in weddings, and that’s why there is no surprise about how many people are DIYing their wedding these days…

A survey conducted found that fewer than one fifth of weddings do not feature any do-it-yourself touches, with the vast majority of newlyweds relying on the method to save a bit of money, add that oh-so-special personal touch, and to make sure everything is done the way you want it.

When the newlyweds were asked to reveal which items were made or altered through do-it-yourself means, they found the most common DIY details to be the favours, wedding invitations, and the wedding cake. The more unusual answers included the wedding dress (9%), the music or entertainment (6%), and even conducting the service or ceremony (2%)!

Here are the top 10 DIY details at weddings:

Favours – 41%

Invitations – 38%

Wedding cake – 24%

Venue decorations/styling – 21%

Photography – 19%

Flowers – 18%

Wedding Catering – 15%

Order of service prints – 14%

Guest book – 13%

Beverages – 11%

It’s great to see that so many brides and grooms-to-be are drawing on their own talents, and no doubt those around them, to make their big day their own. It is lovely to be able to make your wedding special and unique to you by having real input into it.

DIY is not for everyone, though, and if you’re starting to feel a little overloaded or panicked, you need to make sure you have time to put your feet up too! It’s okay to get some outside help, but be sure you can trust the suppliers and that they can help you make your dreams a reality.

DIY decorations

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Perfect as favours or place names, why not showcase your talents as we show you how to make these fun felt wedding decorations…

What you need

  • Coloured felt
  • Stuffing (cotton wool balls)
  • Contrasting thread or wool
  • Needle
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Card template

Instructions

Pin your heart template to your felt (you can print a paper one from the computer) then cut around the template. Be sure to keep the template tight to the felt for a professional-looking finish.

Put the two felt hearts together and pin in the centre. It’s now time to start stitching, using a blanket stitch. If you are unsure of this stitch, you are sure to find it on You Tube.

For the stuffing we used unravelled cotton wall balls. Stuff as much or little as you like, the more shape the better the finish.

Continue to sew the heart, once at the end, tie a knot with the needle and thread. Snip the ends and you have a beautiful felt heart.

Top Tip

If you wish to use the heart for hanging, pull a piece of thread through one of the stitches, or put wire or a small stick in the bottom of the heart and use as a cake topper or in your wedding flowers.

Alternatively scatter loosely on your wedding table for a pretty look.

Mad Hatters Tea Party Wedding

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Wedding Invitations

The maddest guests needn’t be invited, they will simply fall through the rabbit hole and stumble across your party by chance.

Dress code

Colourful, bold and avant-garde.

Hair code

No one is allowed to have similarities in hair colour or style, other than that, anything goes.

Wedding Décor

Matching furniture is forbidden; the more quintessentially Wonderland, the better.

Guests

Be specific when choosing your guests based on personality, if they aren’t at least slightly crazy, they won’t fit in.

Tea

Earl Grey is the only tea to be served. It needn’t be high quality and can be of any origin, just make sure it’s Early Grey.

Sandwiches

There are three sandwiches which are appropriate for a Mad Hatters Tea Party; minted cucumber, egg mayonnaise and mustard cress, and smoked salmon and cream cheese. Cutting your sandwiches into heart shapes is cute, but would Alice approve of your allegiance to the Queen of Hearts?

The Chelsea Bun

The Chelsea bun is known predominantly for throwing, so get involved, it’s what Tea Parties are made for.

Shortbread

Height should not be discriminated against; therefore, shortbread is totally acceptable at the tea table.

Wedding Floristry

Floral perfection should be avoided at all costs. If you have a budget for plants, stick to twigs, decaying leaves and fungi.

Hospitality

Being hospitable is essential. This can be achieved through planning a range of unrecognisable party games.

Weather

If you’re worried about being outside and it raining, it doesn’t matter too much as the best Mad Hatters Tea Parties are set in very little sunlight. For big budget tea parties, rain and mist machines are encouraged.

Seating

If you can’t get bums on seats, bums on anything is fine. Stools, shelves, giant mushrooms; anything goes.

Cheshire cat

One ginger cat is required as ‘purr’ its Cheshire heritage.

Timekeeping

This is banned as there is no time in wonderland. However, we would only suggest this tip as optional as if adhered to it can cause havoc, after all, you don’t want your guests to be late for this very important date.

Cabaret ideas for your wedding

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pink-glitter-burlesque-lingerie-bachelorette-cookie-favors-corset-wedding-party-favors-1-doz-bridesmaid-gift-wedding-shower-cabaret

When booking entertainment for your wedding day, it’s often difficult to know what works. Do you want to book the same function band that you saw at a friend’s wedding? Perhaps, but you want your special day to be unique! So how can you make your wedding day extra special? What sort of wedding entertainment should you hire for your big day? We’ve come up with a few unique cabaret ideas to help get you thinking!

Drag Queen

A Drag Queen isn’t a typical addition you might expect to see at a wedding but they can be a wonderful Master of ceremonies and deliver a stunning and outrageous show at the reception. From stand up to singing, a drag queen diva will wow your wedding guests. The ultimate in unique wedding entertainment.

Aerial Silk Artist

One for the larger wedding venues, there is no piece of unique wedding entertainment more beautiful than an aerial silk artist. Suspended from the ceiling by flowing silk drapes, a talented performer can twist and turn to music to create an ambient acrobatic display or even improvise a hanging routine. A majestic and graceful act, it’s best to let the photos speak for themselves! No performance is ever the same.

Classical music artists

One for the classical music lovers how about a little background music on your wedding day? Classically trained singers from the Royal Academy of Music will captivate your audience. A fabulous addition to any wedding, enjoy a flawless rendition of your favourite classical piece to make your wedding day truly magical. 

Related Dancers

When it comes to unique wedding entertainment ideas, it’s often easy to forget that your guests are as part of the big day as yourselves. A function band is great to get the room going but many attendees are often too shy to hit the dance floor. By booking a dance group who relate to the style of music that your function band play, the evening can incorporate the fun nature of your event and music that suits your particular musical tastes.