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Transportation on your wedding day

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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 Route master 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 a classic wedding car or the sporty kind, 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 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!

An unforgettable day

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What evening reception would be complete without a party function band or DJ? Rock and Pop bands are by far the most popular choices, with soul, disco, and salsa offering something a little different.

DJ’s are a good solution if a band is out of your budget but are also often booked as well as a band to fill in the gaps between the bands performances. Also, ask if the band themselves can DJ in between sets as this is very often possible. 

Don’t just stop at wedding music though as all manner of wedding entertainment can be arranged. From top illusionists that will entertain your guests while they mingle, to traditional dancers and stage hypnotists, there’s no end to the fun that are there for the taking.

Whether your special day is a small registry celebration, or a large church gathering or a more personal non-religious ceremony, start as you mean to go on, by making the first day of the rest of your lives the best day of your lives.

Whatever your budget make it a day to remember

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Whether your special day is a small registry celebration, a large church gathering or a more personal, non-religious ceremony, start as you mean to go on by making the first day of the rest of your lives the best day of your lives.  

For a truly unforgettable day Wedding Branch will fulfil all your musical requirements with the pick of the country’s coolest party bands for a swinging evening reception, or perhaps a jazz band or swing band or classical music artists to provide background entertainment during the meal or the signing of the register. 

Starting with the wedding ceremony, a piper is traditional to play the bride in and out of the church. A string quartet or harpist are common choices to provide a beautiful musical backdrop during the wedding ceremony and immediately afterwards whilst photos are taken.

A jazz or swing band is an ideal choice to provide light background music during the afternoon reception, helping to settle guests and create an exciting atmosphere. It is also quite common for the string quartet from your ceremony to continue playing during the afternoon reception.

And what evening reception would be complete without a party function band or DJ? Pop bands are by far the most popular choices, with soul, disco and salsa offering something a little different.

DJ’s are a cost effective solution if a band is out of your budget but are also often booked as well as a band to fill in the gaps between the bands performances. Also, ask if the band themselves can DJ in between sets as this is very often possible.  

Don’t just stop at wedding music though as all manner of wedding entertainment can be arranged. From top caricaturist and illusionists to entertain your guests while they mingle, to traditional ballet dancers and stage hypnotists, there’s no end to the fun that can we can arrange for you.

Top tips on getting the perfect tunes

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Ceremony music tips

You are not permitted to have any music during a Civil Ceremony that is overtly religious. Though rules are somewhat more relaxed than in the past, your Registrar will advise and vet your choices.

There are literally millions of pieces of modern wedding music that don’t have any religious association. Choose classical music for your ceremony and have lighter pop music during your drinks reception.

Consider choosing two contrasting pieces of music that are moderate length. The first should be contemplative while the guests enter and the second could hint at the celebrations to follow the ceremony.

Choose something celebratory, when your guests leave, that can be heard alongside the happy throng.

If you have the budget, then live wedding music will feel much more personal and special. Harps, string quartets and pianists are the most popular choices. They can also stay at your reception afterwards during your wedding photographs, drinks and canapés.

If you find a title you like on a modern wedding music CD or a website, then make sure you check the title and composer with another couple of similar sources to make sure it is correct.

Modern wedding music for your ceremony

Bridal March from ‘Lohengrin’ (Here comes the Bride) – Wagner
Canon in D – Pachelbel
Trumpet Voluntary – Jeremiah Clarke
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – G F Handel
Ave Maria – J S Bach/C Gounod
Adagio – Albinoni arr. Giazotto
Panis Angelicus – C Franck
Wedding March – ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ – Mendelssohn
Toccata from Organ Symphony no 5- C M Widor
Alla Danza / Hornpipe from ‘Water Music’ – G F Handel

Wedding breaks

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Wedding breaks are fast becoming a must for newlyweds. They’re not a minimoon for a few days or a honeymoon for a week abroad. Wedding breaks are a post-wedding, pre-honeymoon getaway for a night or two, somewhere nice, near home.

Here are some places to take wedding breaks.

Radisson Edwardian Heathrow

Just two miles from Heathrow airport, the Radisson Edwardian Hotel is the perfect stop-over for early-morning honeymoon flights and wedding breaks. This slick West End-style venue has a lively atmosphere that’s buzzing until the early hours. The Pegasus Health Spa and Gymnasium is the perfect place to begin unwinding after your big day. Expect to be pampered with a huge variety of treatments on offer, ranging from herbal saunas to massages and facials.

For the rooms, try The Presidential Suite – it’s perfect for wedding breaks for newlyweds. The other 458 rooms and suites boast all mod cons plus rich fabrics and marble bathrooms. This looks more like a chic central London hotel than an airport stopover. Prices start from £125 for a double room excluding VAT.

The Scarlet

Perched on a clifftop overlooking the stunning beach at Mawgan Porth, The Scarlet is a luxurious hotel perfectly positioned on the Cornish coast. Cornwall is filled with pretty villages to visit and views to swoon over, but if you fancy something more active, it’s the perfect place to learn to surf. The hotel can arrange private lessons or why not join the surf school?

Not to be missed during your stay is The Scarlet Spa, where total indulgence awaits. The Spa focuses on wellbeing as well as beauty, offering a fab range of eco-friendly treatments. With chic interior design and furniture, plus the comfiest beds around, you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep here. They have 37 stunning bedrooms in the hotel spread out over five floors. Each room boasts its own outside space, from private terraces to balconies – perfect for watching the sun go down together. Prices start from £180 B&B in low season – worth every penny!

Peak Edge Hotel

The Peak Edge Hotel is the gateway to the Peak District in Derbyshire. Aside from the panoramas of rolling dales from every window, there is great local food cooked to perfection in the adjoining 17th-century inn, beautifully designed décor and an extensive activities package to keep you busy here. There are 27 brand new boutique bedrooms with picturesque views and sumptuous finishes. Bathrooms boast double-ended baths, rain showers and under-floor heating. You’ll also find LED flat screen TVs, decadent bedding and Wi-Fi internet to enjoy inside.

Blakes Hotel

Blakes in London is the sort of hotel that makes you want to stay in your room, sipping Champagne, indulging in room service! Locally you’ll find shops galore on Kensington Church Street, and Harrods is a short taxi ride away, as are the V&A and Natural History Museums. Each of the 47 rooms is designed by internationally acclaimed designer Anouska Hempel, and each is daringly different. We recommend the Corfu Suite, which boasts a huge four-poster bed, a separate dressing room, huge bathroom, wooden floors and distressed white mother of pearl embossed furniture.

 

The Royal Scots Club

The Royal Scots club is a members’ club situated in one of Edinburgh’s finest Georgian streets. It’s about a two-minute walk from the main shopping areas of Edinburgh, and it takes about 25 minutes to get to the hotel from the airport by car.

It’s quite a formal place to stay, oozing sophistication and class. It’s perfect for couples looking for privacy. There is no place for jeans and t-shirts here, especially at dinner time. The restaurant serves indulgent dishes, which are an absolute must try. The decadent decor, beautiful furnishings and the luxurious rooms create a cosy country manor house feel, despite their size. Accommodation prices start from £140 per room for bed and breakfast based on two sharing.

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!

Last Night of Freedom

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Alternative hen party ideas that you’ll love

Hiring a ‘cheeky butler’

Having Butlers in the Buff at your hen party isn’t just about service with a cheeky smile. There is so much more that they can offer! Getting your butlers to join in with the hen party games is a fantastic way to get your hen party started. Here are five of our favourites – choose one to play on your last night of freedom!

The Wedding Dress Game

All you need is to split the group into two and have some white bin bags, tin foil, sellotape and some creative flair to create fabulous wedding dresses. The bride and the butler make great models. You could even ask your butler to judge the contest!

The Mr & Mrs Quiz

This game requires a little preparation. Ask the groom-to-be to answer a series of questions about the bride and then she has to guess the answers. The butler can read out the questions and dish out the forfeits if the bride gets them wrong. 

Butler Olympics

Why not organise an old-fashioned sports day for the group, taking everyone back to their school days? Your butler could either take part or be referee and distribute equipment. Choose from your favourite sports day event or use our suggestions! Or why not challenge your butlers to a push-up contest?

Balloon Challenge

This popular activity keeps the party going! You will need one pack of party balloons (or condoms if you’re feeling risqué); small pieces of paper; a pen; and of course a Butler in the Buff to present the balloon and a pin for popping! Ask the group to write down a number of questions or forfeits on small pieces of paper that can be rolled up and placed inside a balloon before it’s blown up. At certain points during the festivities the Hen has to burst a balloon and answer the questions or follow the instructions. These could be wedding related questions, or choose from our list of hen night challenges.

Never Have I Ever…

This drinking game is for everyone so there’s nowhere to hide! All you need is a good selection of drinks for your butler to refill glasses with. Then ask your butler to read the questions out. For example, … “Never have I ever lied about my age” and then those people who have lied about their age take a drink.

Why not try one of these fun hen party games at your last night of freedom?

The perfect shape for your figure

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The right wedding dress can do wonders for your figure. It can cinch you in at the waist, create the illusion of a flat tummy, hide big hips and much more – if you choose the right style for your body shape. Not sure what shape you are? Let us help you find your perfect style…

Apple – weight mainly around the middle

An ‘apple’ shaped bride has a body shape which tends to store the majority of the weight around the midriff – think Kate Winslet. Many people who are blessed with this sexy body shape aren’t too sure which is the best way to flaunt their assets but we can recommend the following designs;

A heavily pleated bodice which will help to hide and add additional shape to the torso and help to create a more defined waist. An A-line skirt which helps to keep the figure balanced and draw attention away from the waist.

Pear – weight mainly around the hips and thighs

Brides with a pear-shaped figure tend to have ‘more junk in the trunk’ and so carry more weight around their hips, bum and thighs. When balanced correctly a pear shape can look like a screen siren, take J-Lo for instance, a woman famous for her junk! For this shape we recommend;

A full skirt can hide and balance the figure by flaring out from the middle and highlighting a tiny waist. The sweetheart neckline helps to draw the eye to a defined décolletage and toned shoulders, typical of those lucky pear-shaped ladies. The beaded belt adds an element of bling for that J-Lo factor.

A fitted bodice helps to draw the eye upwards to the torso and the banded waist helps to define and exaggerate an enviable waist. The floral detailing across the bodice helps to add a feminine feel.

Hourglass – Fuller bust and hips, small waist

The hourglass figure can suit many styles of dress. The key to an hourglass figure is to accentuate the waist as this is your main asset. Many people believe the hourglass shape to be the perfect figure and this is embodied by Kelly Brook who is famous for her womanly curves. The following styles would be perfect for this heavenly body shape…

For example, a classic fishtail skirt and form fitting bodice. Hourglass stars such as Dita von Teese often favour this dress shape as it helps to show off a tiny waist but also highlight desirable assets, which an hourglass will possess. The sweetheart neckline will also help to define the bust whilst drawing the eye to a woman’s most treasured assets.

Another show stopping design for an hourglass would be a figure-hugging, pleated bodice with statement tulle, fishtail skirt. This exaggerated shape helps to balance out your faultless curves and the fitted bodice will help to highlight that defined waist.

Reverse Pear – Larger bust with smaller hips and legs

The key thing for a ‘reverse pear’ figure is to balance out the silhouette. Dresses with a fitted bodice and fuller skirt tend to work better as they help to even out the figure and create more of an hourglass shape. Celebrities such as Eva Mendes really rock this shape by following these simple rules.

A fitted bodice helps to define the waist and the lace shoulder straps help to keep the bust secure and the bride comfortable. The full skirt adds volume to smaller hips and balances out a heavy top. 

Athletic – Slim all over

With an athletic build you need to create the illusion of curves as this body type is toned and sculpted to perfection. This build tends to look best in form-hugging dresses as they do not have the worry of looking top or bottom heavy. Celebrities such as Cameron Diaz can look amazing in practically any dress due to her enviable athletic shape…

A belted definition at the waist to help create the illusion of womanly curves. A cowl bust helps to emphasise a smaller chest and the beaded straps help to secure the dress and show off toned shoulders. A column skirt helps to keep the silhouette even and elegant.

Location location

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Whether you plan on getting married in a church and transferring your guests to a separate reception venue, or plan on having the ceremony and evening party all in the same place, it’ll need to be a suitable location. When considering a location, most couples pick somewhere that is either near to where they currently live, or a place where either the bride or groom grew up. This is especially important to remember if you want a church wedding, because you will need to either still be living within the Parish or have a family connection to that church.

You should also keep in mind how long it takes to get to either venue (church or reception) because this might have an impact on your day. You should also consider if it’s a little off-the-beaten track, because you don’t want your guests getting in a flap and running late if they can’t find the place. Similarly, if your ceremony venue and evening venue are separate, will you be putting on transport to transfer guests? This will need to be budgeted for.

Finally, if the location is in the rural countryside, what are the options for guest accommodation? You need to know this in advance, because it’s courteous to include overnight options in with your invitations.

Savvy spending

Budget is a key factor for most couples when considering which venue to book. Before you put down any money for deposits, it’s worth chatting to the in-house co-ordinator to see if there are any deals or offers they can gift you for choosing to go with them. Sometimes they may give you the bridal suite and some complimentary rooms, or offers on welcome drinks and canapés. They might also be able to recommend suppliers that they regularly work with, who could offer discounts based on the repeat custom that the venue provides.

Also, try to visit the venue at least once if they’re hosting a fayre or wedding show, so you can see the venue all dressed up as it would be on your wedding day. Finally, if you can plan your entire wedding in under six months you might get a bargain on a last-minute package. Some venues drop their venues by as much as half the price, so if you’re a super organised bride it could be an ideal way to secure your dream venue at a fraction of the cost!

Whatever venue or theme you pick for your dream wedding, we can help you the whole way – from the moment you decide your venue, through to your bridal look for the actual day, and much, much more!

Be bold at your Wedding

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Weddings don’t have to be a formal affair. Add some personality to your big day with these fun and quirky wedding ideas.

Bright and bold

There’s no better way to show off your fun side than with colours. Bright, bold and in your face is what you should be going for when you’re thinking of colourful and quirky wedding ideas.

Think ravishing reds, grassy greens and passionate pinks. Not only will they stand out, they will look amazing in your photographs.

Nature’s gift

Think outside of the box when it comes to your floral decorations. Instead of red and white roses and carnations, think pink and orange sweet-peas or tulips. Trust us, they will look amazing!

Don’t forget to take a trip down to your local garden centre and pick up some lavender seeds to scatter in the doorway. When your guests walk into your venue they will take the scent of lavender in with them. 

Terrific transportation

Nothing says quirky like a brightly coloured VW camper van. Leave your venue in style in your very own mobile home, all packed and ready for your next adventure as husband and wife.

Even if camper vans aren’t your thing, you’ll need to rock up to your reception in a cool vintage car. How about a pink 1950’s Cadillac that really will wow your guests.

Time for cake

Ditch the classic 3-tier wedding cake in favour of some more quirky wedding ideas. Cake pops are a great alternative to a traditional wedding cake.

Choose round and colourful cake pops or get them designed to look just like you, the choice is yours!

Finally get some friends, learn a dance routine and surprise your partner and above all have fun!!!!