Category Archives: Style

Purchase the very best

Posted on by

Your wedding dress

You’ve all heard horror stories from brides who chose to risk buying their wedding dress from an online seller. Many brides who have been let down by an internet supplier, receiving a dress in a condition not at all as described or how they’d pictured.

Every bride deserves the one-on-one attention they will receive visiting a bridal store. It’s the most important item of clothing you’ll ever buy: make a day of it – make a week of it! It’s an experience you will treasure for the rest of your life.

Your perfect venue

Finding the perfect venue is like finding the perfect pair of shoes: they should fit beautifully straight away!

Just as influential as the dress, your venue will say a lot about the type of wedding you are having. Not only is it the backdrop for your wedding photos – the pictures you’ll cherish for a whole lifetime – but the venue also acts as a prompt for your guests: it sets the scene and will give them a hint of the day to come.

When searching for wedding venues, couples often comment that ‘the one’ hit them like a thunderbolt. It fitted their theme perfectly; it accommodated all of their guests; the grounds were stunning and it ticked all the right boxes. Don’t be tempted to compromise on the wedding venue. It will add to that sense of ‘specialness’ by marking your big day out as something unique and memorable. It’s the venue that helps to set apart a wedding from a run-of-the-mill party.

Gastronomical delights

If Jamie, Marco and Gordon are all unexpectedly unavailable, never fear – there are some delicious taste-bud treats out there!

Hugely important, the wedding food for your big day will play a big part of your guest’s opinions about your wedding. Hungry or dissatisfied guests are a big no-no. Treat your guests to a gastronomical delight. And it doesn’t have to be super fancy, either – bangers and mash is always a winner – just make sure that there will be enough for everyone.

 

Perfect Wedding packages

Posted on by

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 albums!

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 wedding 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 venue 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.

 

Wedding design on a budget

Posted on by

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

An Indian Wedding

Posted on by

India is a country with a rich cultural heritage. With the level of diversity on offer in terms of ethnicity and religion, it would be wrong to pinpoint a specific wedding styling as the authentic Indian wedding format. However, there are general bits that are present in most Indian weddings which when combined, can make for a perfect Indian themed wedding. This piece takes a look at them.

Invitations

The invitation cards are your perfect way to communicate what guests should expect from your wedding celebrations. You can print standard wedding cards with notifications to guests on your plans for an Indian theme. If you would like to hint on extravagance, pick jewel coloured invitation card design with lots of embellishments.

Wedding Venue

The standard location for an Indian wedding is a Palace property. Take a look at your options and find one that offers the most space within your budget. Where you can’t find a Palace property, you can talk to a wedding décor company to help put together the perfect Indian scenery. This typically involves plentiful elegantly coloured drapes, chandeliers, pillars, and artificial lighting.

The Priest

Prayers are a strong part of Indian wedding. You need to arrange for an authentic Indian wedding priest or at least find someone that can stand in. The stand-in should be able to do the Ganesh Puja (Prayer to Lord Ganesh) which is vital for the opening of the wedding ceremony. Flowers and sweets are offered alongside prayers by the priest and bride and groom’s parents.

Dressing

The main theme in most Indian weddings is heavily ornamented flowing wedding dresses. You should be able to find designers that can put together something close to the standard fare. You can take inspiration from Bollywood images online but do not go over the top with embellishments. Fabrics that can be used are Batik, Lehriya, Ikat and Bandhini.

Venue Decoration

The fabrics mentioned above can fit in nicely when it comes to venue decorations. A touch of your selected fabrics should be used as table runners, napkins, cushions, around signage and other wedding stationery. Block prints, mirror works and embroidery can be equally be used in the same way. This is a what you will need to do for a standard location for an indian wedding and make sure that the space looks authentic and fabulous.

Table Arrangement

For the table arrangements, try using traditional urlis filled with flowers and diyas. The table settings can include brass crockery and cutlery to give it a more Indian look and feel. Candles with henna designs are a beautiful addition to the decor. Additional elements like peacock feathers, Indian embellishments, colorful bangles etc are also interesting props that can be added. Incorporating Indian motifs, bright Indian colors and Indian prints into your stationery and signage are also a great idea. Think about having Indian motifs and designs on your wedding cake.

Wedding Food

The food is one of the things guests look forward to in an Indian wedding. You should ensure everything is in place to pamper your guests with high quality Indian cuisine. Guests can be adequately catered for by offering a variety of options ranging from very spicy options to non-spicy options like chaat. Indian sweets, (Dal and Mithai) should not be left out.

Music

As already mentioned above, the music is an integral part of the Indian wedding and you therefore need to find the right bands. Book a wedding band that understands Indian music properly and your wedding will truly be one that will be talked about for quite a while!

 

Indoors or outdoors weddings?

Posted on by

With summer here – the preview was obviously the weather last week – many start to ponder whether they should have their wedding indoors or outside at their wedding venue. Of course, if you decide to go with the latter option, you might also decide to theme your big day and with that in mind, we’ve put together a few acts that are perfect for a festival themed wedding.

A capella

A capella is classic with songs ranging from classics through to modern hits. Giving off a summer vibe, you’ll will find all your wedding guests fall in love to the dulcet tones of an A Capella group long after the sun sets.

Face Painting

A superb choice if you have children attending your wedding, this is also a fun idea if you have adults who enjoy letting their hair down every once in awhile! From butterflies to tigers and many other designs, our incredible face painters will be able to paint your face in a matter of minutes. Calling to mind summer days in long grass, we love this idea and it’ll certainly liven up your wedding photos!

Circus wedding entertainment.

If you decide to hire some circus entertainment for your festival wedding then it’s probably best to go with a strolling act because it’s a lot more likely that the majority of your guests will be able to see their show. A circus act like Acro-Jugglers are great fun and will certainly enhance the enjoyment of the day, whilst also providing some spectacular moments for Instagram and Facebook. Other circus options include unicyclists and balloon artists (to name just a few).

Photobooth

If you can give us one good reason why you wouldn’t want to have a photobooth at your wedding then we’d like to hear it! They are easily one of the most popular forms of wedding entertainment that are booked for weddings and the best bit is that they can often be customised to suit you! There are so many different types that there is bound to be a booth that best represents the personality of the bride and groom from Tuk Tuk to Camper Van and many more besides!

 

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!

 

A break from the norm

Posted on by

From wedding dresses to huge wedding bouquets, more and more brides and grooms are moving away from the usual traditions associated with weddings. Mismatched bridesmaid dresses, cupcakes, sweet tables and mason jar centrepieces; we have seen more couples break free from traditions over the past few years, and it seems that couples are set to push the boundaries even further in 2018 when planning a wedding!

Gifts for the groom

A trend that is really taking off; more brides are choosing to purchase a sentimental keepsake for their husband-to-be for the big day.

Grooms will often purchase an extra something for their bride, but now we are seeing this trend in reverse. Cufflinks have become a hugely popular choice. Practical yet still sentimental and very classic; they allow the groom to wear them on the day, and then they can be worn in the future too.

More personality

Websites such as Pinterest have encouraged brides and grooms to put their own stamp on their wedding. More couples are incorporating their own style into their big day, doing things differently and giving their guests a day to remember.

Weddings have changed. They want personal touches that show off their personalities: they want vintage tea parties, rustic country settings, to wear Converse with traditional wedding dresses and to dance in barns with bunting and hay bale seats. They are creating whole weekend events – mini festivals, almost. The traditional wedding rule book has gone and brides and grooms to be now do whatever they want.

The non-traditional dress

The overarching theme for weddings this year is “being yourself”, and this is no different when it comes to the dress. This year designers have focused on adding small details and embellishments to dresses that have never been seen before, from sheer skirts to bodice illusions, that help brides feel like one-of-a-kind.

 

Arrive in style

Posted on by

Bike

Vintage brides will love a vintage bicycle for this big day – they make a fun prop for your wedding photos or you could actually ride one to the venue. Just make sure the journey’s not uphill!

Walk

The ultimate Eco-friendly way to arrive at your ceremony! If you live close to the venue, or there’s a picturesque approach, why not make the most of it and walk there with your dad and bridesmaids?

Bus

This one is a great wedding transportation idea for the groom. If your man is nervous about arriving on his own, why not make the journey more comfortable – and exciting – and arrive en masse, in a classic Routemaster wedding bus!

That way, you can all travel to the wedding reception venue together and chat about how incredible the ceremony was.

Cars

Whether you opt for classic or sporty, Wedding cars are still the most popular way of getting to the church on time. Think about the season in which you’re marrying before you book one, though.

A 1920’s classic might not be the best choice for a mid-winter celebration.

Tractor

If you’re a country-loving couple, why not ask the local farmer if you borrow one of his tractors? It’s a fun photo opportunity – you could even get some wedding wellies to complete the look!

Horse and carriage

If you’ve always dreamed of being a princess on your big day, there’s really only one way to arrive when it comes to classic wedding transportation – horse and carriage. We recommend hiring one with a hood, just in case of bad weather.

Helicopter

To make a Made in Chelsea-style arrival, a helicopter has to be the most cosmopolitan way to make your entrance. Again, grooms usually favour this mode of transport as most wedding dresses aren’t easily accommodated in the small cockpit interior!

Tuk Tuk

Perfect for an oriental-themed wedding, a Tuk Tuk is essentially a motorised rickshaw. It’s highly manoeuvrable making it the ideal wedding transportation choice if access to the venue is tight. They’re unique, quirky and will certainly help make your wedding stand out from the crowd.

Elephant

If you’re tying the knot abroad, why not go the ‘whole wedding transportation hog’ and arrive at your beach ceremony riding an elephant!

 

Make it unique

Posted on by

Brides across the country are striving to make their wedding unique. Research shows that this is the main cause of anxiety for 53% of couples in Britain planning a wedding. Almost two thirds of couples said that, although their wedding was the best day of their lives, their day lacked distinctiveness. The areas where bride and groom felt they could have added a more personalised touch was through their wedding decorations and what they served to guests.

Welcome reception

A welcome dinner or drinks reception is a great way to break the ice between your out of town guests before the big day. The local pub is a perfect location for this.

Guest welcome packs

Create guides for your guests who are visiting from out of town. Include tips on local pubs and leave it in their hotel rooms. You can also include a local beer as refreshments for the rooms.

Wedding Venue

Use dried barley or fresh hops to decorate the venue instead of flowers. You can also use them in your bouquet! For a really rustic feel, you could have your wedding reception in a brewery or a barley field. Another idea is to use vintage beer crates for seating or to sign your vows on an oak barrel.

Seating

Instead of traditional escort cards, use personalised beer caps or coasters to tell people where they are sitting. An even better idea would be to use actual bottles so that guests can enjoy a drink whilst they find their seats.

Food

Use beer as a main ingredient in meals, such as beer battered fish or steak and ale pies. You can also pair your dishes and canapés with your favourite beers. This way, your guests are introduced to a new beer match with everything they eat! You can also put a twist on a traditional wedding cake by using beer as a key ingredient. For the best of both worlds serve a chocolate wedding cake made with a stout beer. This decadent treat will definitely be something to be remembered!

Drinks

A beer inspired drinks menu is a really nice touch. Serve beer based cocktails using a brew you created or choose beers that represent special times in your relationship. For instance, a beer from the country where you got engaged or the beer you were drinking the night you met.

Toasts

If your fiancée is not a fan of champagne, serve beer during the wedding speeches. Ditch the bottles and serve beer to your guests in tasteful chalices. There are many elegant beers with signature glassware, such as Leffe which has a cork and foil top.

 

The final countdown

Posted on by

Planning a wedding is not easy but we thought that this 12-month handy planner maybe just the job to ensure you are organised for the big day;

12 months to go…

Have the budget conversation with your fiancé and your parents?

  • Fix a date and time

  • Decide on guest numbers

  • Visit reception venues and book one as soon as possible

  • Buy wedding insurance

11 months to go…

Send save-the-dates

  • Book your wedding photographer and videographer (Make sure the church or wedding venue allows photos and videos to be shot!)

  • Book the caterer, DJ and/or band

  • Make appointments to try on wedding dresses

 

10 months to go…

  • Choose your guests – bridesmaids, ushers and best man etc.

  • Decide on your wedding dress (allow at least six months for a made-to-measure dress to be delivered)

  • Choose and order your bridesmaid’s dress.

  • Start thinking about a honeymoon, including the costs, season and flights

 

9 months to go…

  • Find a wedding florist and discuss your flowers, including buttonholes, bouquets and arrangements for the church and reception venue

  • Taste and confirm your menu and drinks with your caterer

  • Choose and order your bridesmaid outfits

 

8 months to go…

  • If you’re getting married in a church, discuss readings with the minister or priest and music with the musicians

  • If it’s a civil ceremony, enquire about what readings and music are permitted

  • Order invitations and envelopes (allow one invitation per married couple or family), plus place cards, menus and a seating plan

 

7 months to go…

Book transport to the wedding venue and on to the reception for you and your bridal party (as well as a car to take you to your first-night hotel or the airport)

Order your wedding cake

Choose and order wedding favours

6 months to go…

  • Remind your fiancé to get his and the usher’s outfits

  • Choose gifts for the wedding party

  • Pick your wedding rings

  • Confirm the order of service with your priest or registrar, and then have guest booklets printed. If you have a choir, they need copies, too

5 months to go…

  • Go honeymoon shopping (Remember summer clothes aren’t easy to find in the winter and vice versa!)

  • Book a hairdresser and style consultation (do this earlier if you’re planning to grow your hair)

  • Book your make-up artist and trial appointments

4 months to go…

  • If you’re changing your name, renew your passport now or do it after you have your honeymoon. The officiating minister or registrar will sign the form

  • Find out if you need visas or inoculations for your honeymoon.

  • Discuss hen and stag night plans with your friends.

3 months to go…

  • Pick a company and start gift-list window shopping!

  • Book for a colour (if you get your hair coloured) and a trim

  • Organise a rehearsal and inform those who will need to be there

  • Attend a reading of the banns, if you’ll marry in a church

2 months to go…

  • Send out invitations six weeks before the day and keep a list of acceptances

  • Check that your fiancé has organised the rings, his wedding clothes, and your first-night hotel

  • Try on your whole wedding outfit, including headdress, shoes and underwear. Forgotten anything? Get it!

  • Book any other beauty treatments (nails, fake tans, etc.)

 

1 month to go…

  • Confirm numbers with caterers and do the seating plan

  • Discuss special requests with your band or DJ

  • Order honeymoon currency and traveller’s cheques

  • Visit the hairdresser to try out hairstyles with your veil and tiara, and have your final cut and colour

  • Have your hen and stag nights – after all that running around, it’s time to party!