Category Archives: Planning

Mad Hatter Wedding ideas

Posted on by

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 wedding 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.

 

Floristry

Wedding flowers 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.

Jewish Wedding traditions

Posted on by

If you are planning a wedding and it has to be a traditional Jewish wedding, you may be feeling overwhelmed. There are many traditions to uphold, but they are also lots of fun! So don’t worry. From the kidushin to the chuppah, we’ve got you covered.

Before the Ceremony

The ceremony for a traditional Jewish wedding generally takes place after sundown on Saturdays, or any time on Sundays. The bride and groom are not allowed to eat until after the ceremony is over.

Before the wedding takes place, the ketubah is signed by the groom, in the company of two witnesses. This is a legally binding Jewish contract, and outlines what the groom is expected to give the bride in the marriage. This includes food, clothes, marital relations, friendship, love, and communication, and outlines that all of these things are necessary to a happy union. Many ketubahs are beautiful pieces of art and are framed and hung in the home.

Next, in a tradition known as badeken, the bride’s face is veiled (usually by the groom) and a prayer is said for her. The couple hasn’t seen each other in at least 24 hours (sometimes up to 7 days) at this point, so it’s usually an emotional moment for both the bride and groom.

During the Ceremony

The ceremony takes place under a chuppah, or wedding canopy, and is officiated by a rabbi. The chuppah symbolizes the new home that the bride and groom will build together. When the ceremony is starting, the groom is led into the chuppah by the two fathers, while the bride is led by the two mothers, in a tradition called unterfirers. Finally, the bride circles the groom seven times when she arrives at the chuppah. This may come from Jeremiah 31:22 which says “A woman shall surround a man.” The number seven is said to mean perfection or completeness in the Bible.

A traditional chuppah where the Jewish bride and groom will take their vows.

A traditional Jewish wedding has two distinct parts, with the first known as the erusin (betrothal) or kiddushin (holiness). First, two blessings are given before the betrothal. The first is over a cup of wine, which the couple then tastes. The second is the betrothal blessing. Next, the groom is required to give something of value to the bride (usually a ring). The ring should be a plain gold band, to symbolize the simplicity and purity of their love. Lastly, they both exchange rings and vows.

In some ceremonies, the ketubah is read out loud in traditional Aramaic text and given to the bride to keep for the rest of her life. Following that, the second part of the ceremony begins. This is known as the nissuin, and contains seven blessings that are meant to highlight the new partnership and commitment. The blessings are given by the rabbi, or by individuals who are specially selected. To be selected to recite a blessing is a big honour in this ceremony. After the blessings, the groom drinks from the cup of wine, and the bride follows suit.

The ketubah is presented to the bride as a promise from the groom.

Finally comes the part that almost everyone is familiar with…the breaking of the glass. After the rings and blessings, the groom crushes the glass (usually wrapped in cloth) with his right foot and guests shout “Mazel tov!” which means “congratulations.” In some contemporary weddings, a light bulb is used instead since it’s easier to break. This signifies that the ceremony is over and is greeted with loud cheers and applause from the crowd.

After the Ceremony

In order to complete the ceremony, seclusion is necessary, so yichud is practiced. This means leaving the bride and groom alone for 10-20 minutes in a room. It can take place in any room, from the rabbi’s study to a synagogue classroom. Husband and wife take some time away from family and friends to reflect on their new vows and the ceremony.

Now the celebration can begin! Wedding food is served as well, so this is a great time to hire wedding caterers that is familiar with Kosher and traditional Jewish dishes. Several special dances are customary in Jewish weddings, with the hora being most recognized. The bride and groom are raised on chairs for anywhere from 10-30 minutes, depending on the energy from the crowd. DJs or wedding entertainment are great to have on-hand to get the party started and keep the crowd excited.

In short, a Jewish wedding is all about love, family, and commitment. They’re a beautiful blend of tradition and romance, and end with a huge party. What a perfect day!

Play it cool

Posted on by

So what is a casual or informal wedding and how can you achieve that laid-back feeling on your big day? It’s the new carefree craze among couples, waving goodbye to the formality and pageantry of the traditional wedding, and hello to a more informal and fun-filled celebration.

1. Invitations

There are practical things that you can do to set the right casual tone, and it can stem from the initial invitations that you send out to guests.

A really popular thing to see at the moment is more of is handmade invitations, as opposed to the regular way of printing them. Creating your wedding accessories this way can add that personal touch and it also gives your guests a massive signal straight away as to what kind of wedding they will be attending.

2. Venue & Location

Start to think outside the box when it comes to finding the right wedding venue. Many hotels and manor houses that have been converted to operate almost exclusively as wedding venues will often have set rules and regulations – and other guests to consider. For some this can make things easier, but it can be a bit of a party-pooper if you’re looking for a bit of freedom.

We’re at a time now where couples want to put their own identity and stamp on their wedding. Hotels and such will tend to offer set packages, which again can make things easier, but can also undervalue your personality. Consider more quirky and free spaces such as farms and country houses. If you’re able to hire these kind of spaces exclusively, you won’t have to share it with any guests and your party can finish as late as you want it to!

Lots of space is important for your guests to roam, especially outdoor space in Summer. Be smart about it though! You can utilise this space in all kinds of wonderful ways. One great way to lighten the mood and keep things interesting is to consider different ‘lawn games’ or fun ideas like sack races or a fun game of rounders with your guests! These small touches don’t cost much to set up and are invaluable in encouraging that idyllic childhood atmosphere that is so important to informal weddings.

 

3. Food & Drink

 

Keep things as simple as possible here for that informal feel.

The wedding food you choose and how you present it can be a really important measure of how casual you wish your wedding to be. BBQ’s and buffets are a fantastic choice for those balmy Summer evenings. It’s real, down to earth food that everyone can enjoy without having to be directed towards a proper sit down meal.

Another thing to consider is your seating plan for your meal. Or, lack of seating plan! It can be a scary thing to imagine but try to embrace that sense of community and family by letting people stand and sit where they like. Your guests will appreciate this loose approach to the meal and will feel unshackled and able to enjoy themselves.

4. Music

There are so many ways you can use music and wedding entertainment to augment your casual feel. There are a plethora of musical acts that can provide great entertainment, without intruding on that relaxed feel that you’ve spent the whole day getting right.

Many ‘walkabout’ acts or ‘roaming’ acts are able to perform completely unplugged without the need for a PA or even a stage. This means that they will be able to mix and mingle between your guests, performing personally for groups of family and friends with a real intimate feel.

5. Children’s Entertainment

Keeping the kids entertainment is really important with this style of wedding. If you get it right, it can also add a fun and childlike flavour to your day.

Face painters are great fun to have on days like this, they take up hardly any space and are easily able to add a splash of colour and something a bit different to the wedding. With anything like this, it might be intended for the kids but adults will always end up getting involved too!

6. Photography

Typical staged wedding photographs can often feel too choreographed and have to adhere to certain schedules and timings. What happens if your guests are mid conversation and are getting along like a house on fire, only to be taken out of that moment for photographs.

Alternative ways of capturing everyone’s emotions and key parts of the day are worth bearing in mind here. Photobooths are an incredibly funny way to get guests enjoying in photographs. You will find that with an optional place to pose, props to utilise and fun to be had, guests will be more willing to get involved.

So that’s the lowdown on informal and casual weddings, remember to stay laid back and approach things in a lenient manner. At the end of the day, this vibe that you are creating begins with you – the couple!

 

Just chill!

Posted on by

Keep calm and marry on! Wave farewell to wedding worries with these six steps. Wedding day nerves may be natural, but that doesn’t make them nice. Planning a wedding certainly hits the nerves, these are the commandments to wed by if you want to keep those niggling thoughts at bay. You’ve got this!

Between friends

For many brides, the moment you walk down the aisle is like marmite – you either love the idea or are filled with nervous dread. All eyes will be on you, but remember that they are those of friends and family. Your guests are all there to wish you well and to celebrate your marriage, and definitely not to be critical. Try to keep this in mind.

And if you’re worried about tripping? Don’t be. You’ve got someone’s arm there for physical support, you’ll be walking slowly, and your dress has already been altered for the perfect fit. You’ve got nothing to worry about.

Forgo formalities

If familiar faces don’t still your nerves, then consider forgoing some of the formalities that might make you unnecessarily anxious. If either of you can’t bear to be the centre of attention, ditch the speeches and receiving line, perhaps even the top table, to relax things. Round tables will be more convivial and prevent you from feeling on show during the wedding breakfast. Your conversation can then flow as freely as the Champagne, without any pressures, and you can stop and say a few words if and when you please.

Sharing is caring

If people don’t know what you’re feeling, they won’t always be able to help, so be sure to tell them. This applies both during the run up and on the day. Are you nervous? Stressed? Excited? Tearful? You’d be surprised how much just saying it out loud will help. When the day comes, remember that you’ll be surrounded by the people that you love the most and who love you in return – we bet they’ll be able to keep you smiling and feeling steady.

Mind over matter

Maintain this mantra for all elements of your wedding, through the wedding planning to the day itself. You can practise mindfulness techniques to keep your head happy and clear. It can be as simple as focussing on taking slow, deep breaths for a few minutes or pausing to acknowledge the things that make you happy each day.

It’s about being aware of each moment and not wrapped up in other worries. Try these techniques at night for better sleep, and, if you’re still struggling to switch off, grab a sleep-nourishing pillow mist to spritz over your cushions just before you turn in.

What wedding?

Yes, you might have a lot to do to put your wedding together, but you absolutely must make time for other things. Plan date nights, dinner with friends, girly nights in or out. Don’t let every minute, conversation or social visit become about your wedding otherwise it will consume you. Make sure exercise is part of your schedule too for a happy and healthy you – yoga will be especially good for clearing your mind and aiding relaxation.

 

Keep your guests entertained

Posted on by

While planning a wedding you should take some special consideration when thinking about the wedding entertainment. We’ve got some great ideas to help you keep your wedding guests entertained…

Want your big day to go out with a bang? A grand finale fireworks display is a surefire way to give your day the star treatment. Cuddle up under a midnight sky to a chorus of guests’ ‘oohs!’ and ‘aaahs!’’

For sultry sounds and an electric atmosphere, nothing beats a live band on the day. Treat your guests to a themed musical bonanza, with Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and old-school Jazz guaranteed to give guests the dancing fever. To pack a real punch, go for an eight-piece band!

Give guests sparklers to write out their names and take pictures, or even better, have guests synchronise the bride and groom’s married name and take a picture for your thank you cards!

There’s something deliciously naughty-but-nice about fairground games when you’re dressed up to the nines! Team with a circus theme wedding and some cotton candy and sit back and watch the smiles spread!

A beautiful twist on the classic firework display, round off the day by lighting up the night’s sky with lanterns to mark a newlywed couple’s lives together. With such a romantic gesture, full of serenity and grace, guests might just steal a midnight kiss under a blanket of stars themselves!

Keep an ace up your sleeve and magic up some after dinner wedding entertainment with a professional magician to keep guests guessing. And if he comes dressed as the Artful Dodger, even better!

While the bridal party is busy with the wedding photographs, strategically placed giant Connect 4 and Jenga games are bound to provide plenty of entertainment while guests wait for the wedding breakfast.

There’s a myth going around that bouncy castles are strictly for the under 12s. Tell that to grown-up guests after a few glasses of the bubbly stuff! An absolute winner with old and young alike, take advantage of a marquee setting and a typical English lawn and invest in one of these little beauties. Perfect for diverting little ones during the speeches. Absolutely essential, though, remember to keep some disposable cameras close by!

Every black-tie Bond-themed wedding deserves a Roulette table to keep guests occupied. For casino cool, invest in a Martini bar and a cocktail waiter (preferably one who looks like Daniel Craig!)

 

So what if it rains on your wedding…

Posted on by

You’ve got your entire wedding day planned. The wedding ceremony will be out in the gardens of a stately home, followed by a drinks reception on the lawn. All being well, dinner and dancing will take place in a marquee and everything will be perfect. Unfortunately, the British weather is often unpredictable and as such, it might be an idea to have a ‘wet weather wedding plan’ in place. Here are a few tips!

Book an Acoustic Band

You might be thinking your wedding reception will be fine in a marquee but let’s assume the worst and assume a thunderstorm has rolled in. Neither a DJ or a plugged in band will be able to perform in such circumstances, certainly if there’s a power cut as well so why not ensure that your wedding goes without a hitch by booking wedding entertainment that can definitely play an acoustic set. Acoustic bands will never be problematic if your wedding venue has a sound limiter.

Book a Strolling Act

Following on from booking an acoustic band for your wedding, hiring a strolling act is a no brainer. Completely self-contained, strolling acts can move back inside at a moment’s notice and will be able to perform an identical routine no matter where they are. Magicians, silhouette artists, caricaturists and more are not only a dream to have when bad weather rolls in at a wedding – lightening the mood considerably – but can also make sure that some of the less able guests will be entertained at the back of the room. A truly bright idea!

Liaise with your Venue

Wedding venues are sure to have needed backup plans in the past so it makes sense to ask about their ideas for the future. Darkening clouds, power cuts, what if the marquee is whipped away by a tornado..? Okay, it all seems very unlikely, but venues will almost always have a Plan B so it pays to ask in advance so that nobody is left confused and anxious if storm clouds roll in.

Buy a Number of Umbrellas

Yes, it is rather obvious to have an umbrella in case of wet weather but what we mean by this is that wedding photographs will look a lot better with the same coloured umbrellas for all than a number of mismatched ones over the top of your guests. They don’t have to be particularly expensive, they just have to look good. Feel free to contact your wedding photographer in advance to see what they think might go well with your other wedding plans (venue, bridesmaid dresses, etc.)

You’re getting married to the best person ever! Who cares what’s going on with the weather?

 

Your wedding march song

Posted on by

When it comes to planning your wedding ceremony, you can choose to walk down the aisle to any music you like. Some people choose a pop track, others choose a classical version of a pop track and most dispense with pop tracks entirely and go for a tradition piece of wedding music to accompany them on the most exciting walk of their life.

That intro wasn’t quite true; religious songs at secular ceremonies might not be allowed depending on your wedding venue so do check in advance. That being said, the three most traditional pieces of music that brides choose for their wedding ceremony aren’t deemed to be religious so go ahead and pick them if you’ve been wanting them for years! Below we’ll run through Pachelbel’s Canon, Mendelssohn’s Wedding March and Wagner’s Here Comes the Bride.

Pachelbel’s Canon

A wedding favourite, Pachelbel’s Canon wasn’t always as popular as it is today. It was lost for centuries until it was republished in 1919 and only became a tradition wedding staple in the 1970s when the Palliard Chamber Orchestra recorded themselves playing the piece, which was then used in a number of adverts and film scores. A canon is a piece of music repeated a number of times by different ‘voices’ and in Pachelbel’s case, his Canon is the same eight bars repeated twenty-eight times. Apparently it’s awful to play if you’re on the cello, as this comedian recalls.

 Mendelssohn’s Wedding March

Another popular tune to be played a wedding ceremony, Mendelssohn’s Wedding March is a composition that every string quartet will know. Often used as the ‘recessional’ to close the service, the fanfare that begins the Wedding March effectively introduces the married couple to the guests. Composed as part of his most famous work, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it was initially used between acts IV and V during a wedding feast. It has been used at weddings since at least 1848, though only became hugely popular from 1858, when Queen Victoria’s daughter, Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, got married to Prince Frederick William of Prussia.

Wagner’s Here Comes the Bride

Richard Wagner’s Here Comes the Bride was composed as part of his opera, Lohengrin, in 1850. Officially known as the Bridal Chorus, Wagner’s piece if most often used to announce the entrance of the bride and has become a seminal – if controversial – part of traditional wedding ceremonies. Why controversial? Well for a time, the tune was associated with paganism thanks to the content of the opera, leading to the Roman Catholic church regarding it with some suspicion. Thankfully, the popularity of the piece is almost certain to outweigh any misgivings about the song’s origins these days and it’s instantly recognisable notes mean that it is one of the only orchestral pieces that can be played on a variety of different instruments.

 

The First Dance

Posted on by

There are a number of traditional moments on a wedding day. There’s walking down the aisle, the speeches, kissing the bride and many, many more. It’s fair to say that there is a lot to remember and that is never more true than with the first dance. Since all eyes are on you, here are our top tips to ensure your wedding dance goes without a hitch.

 Pick something that’s danceable

 It goes without saying that you should be sure to pick a song that is special to the two of you. Not only that but you also need to ensure that the lyrics are okay. Most important however, is making sure the song you pick is danceable. You might love heavy metal, but it doesn’t make for a good first dance wedding song. Here are the most popular ones and most come under three minutes and have a melodic tune. Take note and you should be fine!

 Tell the wedding band

 If you have a live band rather than a DJ, it’s fair to assume the wedding band will be the ones playing your song on the day. You might not get a chance to rehearse with them, so do make sure that the song they’re learning is the version that you’re hoping to hear on the day. Many songs have numerous covers and it’d be terrible if they’ve learned the wrong one!

 Take some dance lessons

 You might not be the one to rush to the dance floor in a nightclub and you may not own a pair of dancing shoes, but at least attend a couple of sessions to get the basics. You might not become Michael Flatley overnight but you we think you’ll definitely pick up enough knowledge to not only scrape through the first round of Strictly, but also wow your guests!

 Practice, practice, practice…

When doing the dishes, run through your steps. When out for a walk, practice your steps. When on the way to work, ponder through the movements in your mind. There’s nothing better than practicing your dance to ensure that it will be perfect on the day and if you’re lucky, the venue might even allow you both in to see how much space you’ll have!

 …And practice on the day

 It’s all very well practicing from the comfort of your own home but we all know about nerves! Considering you might be performing your first dance in front of well over fifty people (and that would be on the small side), you might wish to run through it with your partner on the actual day. Can’t think of time when you’ll be alone? A wedding photographer is sure to allow you a couple of minutes to practice whilst waiting for the perfect shot.

 Wear the right shoes

 There’s no point practicing the dance in your slippers if you’re not going to be wearing them on the day. Unless you’re planning a sleepover themed wedding, we suspect you’ll be wearing some nice high heels or a smooth pair of black brogues. The thing about both these forms of footwear is they don’t tend to have a lot of grip… So make sure you’ve worn them during some of your rehearsals; nobody wants to fall over during their first dance!

Back straight and keep smiling!

Although you want to make sure your shoes aren’t slippery and that you’ve worn them before the music begins, remember that nobody will be watching your feet.  All the focus will be on your upper body so if all else fails, keep your back straight and smile!

 

Which season will you wed in?

Posted on by

It’s that age old question – when should I get married? You’ve been engaged for a year or two and you now need to decide on a date for your wedding day. Would it make more sense to get married in the winter months when everybody can enjoy some gorgeous frost-laden photos or in the summer, when a marquee on the lawn is a distinct possibility? We can’t promise to help you pick the day of the week on which to get married – week day or weekend? – but we can suggest a few reasons to pick each season.

Spring

Why would you pick any other season? Spring is synonymous with new life and new beginnings so it’s a perfectly apt time of year to get married. With daffodils just beginning to flower and lambs running about in fields, it’s a superb time to have a wedding and your photos are sure to be absolutely gorgeous!

Summer

The most popular time of year to get married! Summer is when those who are planning a wedding envisage hot days, the possibility of sipping drinks outside and wedding entertainment that goes on long into the evening. Because we all live and work in the UK, suffice it to say that the weather is not guaranteed though and even if it is, you don’t want it to be too hot. Venues tend to be more expensive during the summer so bear that in mind, whilst your guests may well have a pre-booked holiday so can’t attend. Even so, there’s a reason the summer season is the most popular and who are we to disagree?

 Autumn

With trees changing colour with the temperature, Autumn is the time of year that will provide the finest wedding photographs you can imagine! With a rustic hue to the leaves, the combination of reds, browns and oranges is hard to beat. This is a season where you are more likely to enjoy the wedding indoors and the entertainment is more traditional than most.

Winter

Ah, the coldest of the seasons, where the dark nights arrive early and everybody huddles together as one for warmth. A winter wedding is a true highlight of everybody’s year, primarily because it is a chance for celebration during what many find to be a lonely few months (well, except for Christmas!)

When it comes to the wedding entertainment, most al fresco ideas are unfortunately out of the question, but venues do tend to be cheaper at this time of year and you can still book wedding entertainment of all sorts to wow your guests. A harp or string quartet fit beautifully with the time of year.

 

All inclusive Wedding packages

Posted on by

No time to plan the wedding of your dreams? By far the easiest option for busy modern brides is the all-inclusive package where all the big things like wedding venues, Champagne reception, wedding food,, and wedding entertainment are all taken care of.

And just because everything is included in one handy price, it doesn’t mean that you can’t personalise your big day.

Here are a few other reasons that couples love all-inclusive wedding packages…

1. It’ll take the pressure off

The logistics of planning can be very stressful even for the most relaxed couple so finding a venue that offers so many of the required services in-house, from your wedding ceremony to your evening entertainment, will really ease the pressure and free up your time for the all-important dress and honeymoon shopping!

2. You’ll have your own wedding planner

In-house wedding planners are another big hit at our venues and every package we put together comes complete with a personal Front of House Manager to listen to ideas and ensure the day goes perfectly to plan.

3. Your overnight stay is included

Most of  brides and grooms choose to take bedrooms and a bridal suite for the night before and night of their wedding. It is such a lovely touch to have everybody in the same place for the duration of the wedding, spending quality time together.

4. You’ll get the best catering options

The issue of finding wedding suppliers can be a big challenge in wedding planning with caterers and alcohol being the most difficult ones to choose and source. Wedding packages include all the food and drink you need- from Champagne and canapes to midnight munchies and everything in between.

5. The whole day will be in one place

All venues offer the complete package in one place, the ceremony, the reception, the evening party and bedrooms- there is no need for wedding cars and no time wasted moving between venues so the whole party can just relax and enjoy the day!”

6. You’ll get expert advice

Years of experience mean that wedding planners are on top of the latest trends and can include these in our all-inclusive wedding packages to make planning even easier – from wedding stationery to favours and gifts for your wedding party.

7. There are no hidden costs

Finally, and perhaps most importantly wedding packages are very clear and agree all costs at the initial booking stage so you know exactly what they will be – there are no hidden extras – just fantastic wedding days tailored to you to create memories that last a lifetime.”