Tag Archives: big-day

Relax at your Wedding

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When planning a wedding you’ve spent hours, crafting and revelling, and the fact that you get to marry the person of your dreams. But guess what? When your wedding day finally arrives, all of your plans are going to be set in motion, and it is time for you to sit back and enjoy! Sadly, not everyone gets to do this for one reason or another… but if you adhere to the following things, you WILL get to fully enjoy the entire experience of your wedding day:

  1. Turn off your phone.

Or at least only answer your planner’s calls. Live in the moment. Your wedding day will pass by so fast- you don’t want to regret spending it on your phone. Plus, if you’ve hired someone to help manage your day, there is no reason you need to be directing people or making calls on what needs to get done. Direct everyone to your planner, but also friends and family- so you can enjoy your wedding day!

  1. Limit your activities on the morning of your wedding.

Want to get a morning session of yoga in? Get in your workout? Great. But don’t plan an activity that doesn’t fall within your normal routine. You don’t want to end up sore from a 7-mile bike ride that you wouldn’t normally do on any other day. Or you don’t want be late for the rest of your day because you decided to go get pedicures on your wedding day. Getting ready on your wedding day will take time, so enjoy it. There is also no need to add any stress of completing tasks before the wedding, so make sure you have all your projects done! Be smart and be reasonable with yourself and make sure you’re not overdoing anything.

  1. Eat and stay hydrated.

Seems like a no brainer but not eating and drinking water can ruin your wedding day. Staying hydrated will help your skin glow in your pictures. And in case you need US to mention the obvious… staying hydrated will also hopefully prevent you from over-drinking and getting sloppy from too much Champagne in the morning!

  1. Trust your vendors.

When organising a Wedding you spend tireless time researching, vetting, studying, interviewing, and choosing your vendors. So, you should definitely feel confident in them by now. You have been working with them side-by-side to plan this big day, so why stop trusting that they will do the best job for you on your wedding day? Give them space and have confidence they’ll handle everything for you.

So with all of this said… RELAX! Your wedding day will go smoothly with your team of highly experienced professionals. No need to worry about the tablecloth colour or whether it will rain.

 

A stress free affair

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As far as big life events go, marriage is often touted as one of the most stressful.  When planning a wedding it take alot of time and patience. It’s a once in a lifetime thing so it’s only natural to feel some weight on your shoulders during this time.

Whether it’s during the arduous planning stages or the task of keeping up appearances on the day, there’s a lot to think about.

When it comes to initially booking your wedding entertainment or live band it can seem a little overwhelming with so much choice and information to take in.

In a stressful time you need helpful and stress free people – which is exactly what the entertainment experts at Red Masque can recommend. With all the other stresses that go hand in hand when planning a wedding, why worry about your entertainment when someone else can take the pressure off you?

Hire a wedding organiser.

Wedding planning is an easy process is. Not only that, you’ll feel safe in the knowledge that you have booked a professional and an experienced act that you can trust. This is huge in controlling your stress levels on your wedding day! An act or band of this calibre are well versed in performing at weddings just like yours and are prepared for any eventuality.

Guest Babysitting

Consider the general mood and atmosphere on your day and how you can manipulate this at key times. Bored guests get fidgety and frustrated easily. This happens most often during the drinks reception which is a common lull. Why not get your entertainment to ‘babysit’ your guests whilst you’re away taking photos? Doing this means you don’t have to worry about your guests well-being in your absence. Acts like magicians and caricaturists are perfect for this and are sociable enough to be able to keep everyone happy!

When Things Don’t Go To Plan…

Anyone who has been involved in the planning of any wedding will know that for a wedding to go 100% to plan is unheard of. Entertainment is perfect for covering up any cracks or mishaps throughout the day that you might not expect. Minor hiccups that could have initially been a big deal are all of a sudden completely brushed off and forgotten about once everyone is smiling and having fun.

Toastmasters

Now if we’re talking about displacing stress on your wedding day, it’s about time that we mentioned the hero that we all need and deserve. Toastmasters. They will ensure a smooth and efficient running of your day, co-ordinating all elements of the day. This way you can relax entirely, knowing that your big day is in the safest of hands.

So it seems after all that it is possible to have a stress-free wedding. We wish you all the best of luck and remember to relax and take some time to enjoy your big day.

 

The right background music

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When planning a wedding to ensure the mood of your Wedding there is nothing like carefully cultivating each and every part of it. From the flowers to the canapés, it’s important to have everything the way that you want it. With this in mind, we thought we’d delve into the different sorts of background music for your wedding venue.

Violins

Performing either acoustic or electric violin can naturally change the atmosphere of your wedding. Violinists are able to perform a host of superb pieces from classical right through to modern pop! The violin is known for its versatility, allowing a background performer to not just play in a corner of the room but whilst strolling throughout your special day.

Guitar

Booking a guitarist for your wedding venue is that you can choose the style that you’d like them to play. From gypsy jazz to classical right through to contemporary acoustic, there is a whole host of options to go for with this hugely versatile music option.

Harp

Undoubtedly the most beautiful of all the instruments, a harpist for your wedding adds a touch of elegance to proceedings. Whether playing in order to welcome people to your wedding venue or as background music with wedding food a harp is a stunning accompaniment to any special occasion and is sure to impress guests!

 

Dogs at weddings

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Before issuing your dog with their very own gold embossed invite, there are a few things you need to consider about whether it will realistically work for you. So here are our best advice on how to master including your dog in your wedding day and ensure everything runs smoothly.

  • Get authorisation from the wedding venue – A lot of wedding venues can be quite anti pets, so it is crucial you check that they are actually allowed at your venue. If you need to put in a special request to have your furry friend there on the day, then you will need to give them enough prior warning to make the decision. They may wish to see the temperament of your dog so be prepared to visit the venue with your pet in tow.

 

  • Practice makes perfect – Whilst you may well be practicing your own walk down the aisle prior to the wedding, get your dog involved and ensure you’ve trained them up to know what they will be doing on the day. Whether than be a starring role down the aisle or just getting their general obedience around other people tip top, make sure you squeeze in a bit of training where you can.

 

  • Let your wedding photographer know – Your photographer will be wanting to capture lots of lovely moments of you with your dog at the wedding, so the more notice you are able to give them the better. Additionally, if your pet is acting as your ring bearer ,you will need to notify the photographer of this so they can ensure they’re primed and ready to capture it.

 

  • Think about your dog’s natural character – Is your dog quiet and obedient or loud and excitable? How do they react to large crowds and new people? Really have a good think about the various circumstances that may arise at your wedding day and how your  furry friend will deal with them based on past experiences.

 

  • Hire a Petsitter – If you have a pet sitter to hand, it’ll take a real weight off your mind about who will be looking after the dog on the day. Not only will you and your family be able to relax, but it will also mean your pet is getting the attention it needs throughout the day.

 

  • Safety first – As cute as your dog may look in his little bow tie and tux combo, make sure they are happy and not at a safety risk. If possible, allow your pet to wear the outfit around the house prior to the wedding to ensure they are happy wearing it for an extended period of time.

 

  • Give advance warning – Make it known to your guests that your pup will be in attendance in case anyone needs to flag up that they have allergies. If this does happen to be the case, then make the necessary amendments to ensure you keep everyone happy.

 

Being a Bride isn’t always easy

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So you’ve bagged a hunk and a sparkly ring, and being a bride is the best thing ever but it doesn’t mean it’s not hard work. There’s a whole ton of stress, drama and tears that come with it!

Married friend syndrome

When your recently-married friend is a self-proclaimed wedding expert and knows EVERYTHING there is to know. “You need this… You need that” – just because she’s planned her own wedding! Believe it or not, you want a unique wedding day not a replica of theirs. Try to keep others opinions to a minimum by not opening the elements of your day up for discussion.

Your mum is TOO helpful

Your mum just wants to help, and of course you appreciate that. But whether it’s writing the guest list, finding a wedding venue or what type of wedding flowers you choose, she just can’t stop offering advice on what ‘she would do’. For the super enthusiastic Mother of the bride, you may appreciate OUR guide to managing the endless opinions and without falling out with your mum!

The dreaded monster-in-law

Why does she need to wear an expensive white dress on the most important day of your life? Is she trying to upstage you?! Just make sure expectations or outfit preferences on YOUR big day are expressed early on in wedding planning to avoid any disappointment on both parts! Keep calm and discuss with them your plans in advance and everyone is happy! Just try not to say these things out of frustration…

The insignificant details

By this point you’re so exhausted from the wedding planning process that you’re no longer bothered about what colour the napkins are, or if your second cousin can bring a plus one. When it gets to this point – time to have a weekend off. Make sure you switch off from planning a wedding mode for a couple of days every so often.

It’s an emotional roller-coaster and you probably deserve an award. But don’t worry – it’ll be totally worth it and you’re going to marry the love of your life!

 

Plan a historical wedding

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Costumed Characters

This is undoubtedly the first thing to organise once you’ve settled on hiring a wedding venue. Costumed characters are actors that can instantly convince all of your guests that you are now stepping into the past. Whether you require a nobleman, a merchant or even a court jester, these brilliant additions to your wedding day will immerse your friends and family into the historical theme!

Lute Player

It wouldn’t be a historically themed wedding without some apt music for the occasion! With guests arriving at your wedding venue, why not have the sounds of a lute ringing out to all and sundry as everybody steps back in time. Perfect for those who would love an Elizabethan, Tudor or Renaissance wedding, the costumes are sure to impress you as well! Available as a solo performance or as part of a three-piece band, there’s nothing quite like it!

Singing Monks

The sound of a choir is quite unlike anything else in the entertainment world; the beauty of tens of voices coming together to form a beautiful melody is one that is completely unrivalled. There’s a reason that composers of these works were revered back in the day! Be they setting the mood before your wedding ceremony or perhaps featuring as background music during the drinks reception, Singing Monks will hugely enhance the authenticity of your historical wedding.

A Good Ol’ Dance

By hiring a symphony orchestra, you’ll be able to enjoy a more traditional dance than you’d see at many other weddings. We weren’t sure whether to class this under ‘symphony orchestra’ or not but ultimately, having a historical dance is one that everybody would enjoy! Even if you move on to more recent songs and instruments later in the evening, beginning with a traditional dance will no doubt delight everybody in attendance and would be quite the spectacle, especially in a historical setting!

A seaside wedding

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Many absolutely adore heading to the seaside as a relaxing day out away from the troubles of modern life. Be it diving head first into the waves or sprawling out on your towel, it’s fair to say that we as a nation love going to the beach – we even spend money to sit on the sand abroad – but have you ever considered a seaside themed wedding?

You can’t actually get married on the beach in the UK without jumping through a few hoops. As such, it might be better to merely theme your wedding around the seaside instead, opting to exchange vows at a cliff-side stately home. Sure, you’ll have views of the coast but it might not be as seaside-y as you first imagined.

Acoustic Band

An acoustic band is perfect for the beach because let’s face it, electronics and water don’t really mix. Or rather, they do mix a little too well and that is very dangerous for all concerned. A summer party down on the sand after your wedding ceremony might just be the order of the day and with this in mind, hiring an acoustic band is a no brainer. They can stroll around with your wedding guests and everybody can have a marvellous time!

Eden

A close harmony made up of 2 accomplished vocalists, you’ll enjoy harmonies. Taking their inspiration from Katherine Jenkins, Il Divo, Sarah Brightman and All Angels, they combine each of their influences to create a unique and beautiful act. A Classical/Crossover duo with a difference, will be a wonderful choice for your seaside wedding you won’t find a better act to have your guests swaying in the sun!

Ice Cream Van

What’s a trip to the seaside without an ice cream? No trip to the beach is complete without a Mr. Whippy with 99 flake or a few scoops in a cone and your wedding is the perfect timing to hand one out to everybody! With the sun beaming on your wedding day and the sea breeze cooling everybody down, an ice cream will surely make a welcome change from the bottles of fizz doing the rounds!

 

Get married on a weekday

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About 99% of happy couples want to get married on Fridays or Saturdays. However, despite there being many valid reasons for this, a future bride and groom should always take into consideration a mid-week wedding as it can have many advantages.

Here are her five reasons to choose a mid-week wedding over a weekend…

Cost

There’s one thing couples always ask, how much? Couples fall head over heels for wedding venues and are then put down by the price. However, mid-week weddings are often far more negotiable when it comes to price. It is believed that a mid-week wedding can work out about a third cheaper.

Availability

There is nothing more frustrating for a Wedding Coordinator than showing a couple around their wedding venue and then not being able to find availability for them. Popular wedding venues get booked up in advance so by opting for a weekday wedding, the availability is often a lot better and there will be more flexibility with dates.

Intimacy

Mid-week weddings suit a smaller and more intimate affair. Close family members and friends may be more than happy to take a couple of days off work to celebrate with you. For example, if you choose a day later in the week such as a Thursday, this means that the working week is nearly over and your guests are much more likely to let their hair down.

Quality

Wedding suppliers, from photographers to florists tend to prefer mid-week weddings as not only does it mean they can spend longer at the venue (as Saturday’s tend to be far more hectic), they also have more availability too. Setting up and arranging supplies during the week can also save significant amounts of money too, due to each supplier’s weekend demand.

Timing

It can seem like you spend your whole life waiting for the weekend. And this shouldn’t have to be the case for finding a free weekend at your chosen wedding venue. By having your wedding during the week, you will simply be able to get married sooner! This means there is no big countdown and you don’t have to wait over a year for the big day.

 

Stick with your budget

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It’s not just the couples who are overspending when it comes to the wedding – it’s the guests, too! A massive three-quarters of the Brits surveyed would buy a new outfit if they were going to a wedding, and then there’s the wedding gift.

Around three quarters think it’s compulsory to buy a wedding gift if you are invited to a wedding, with half of Brits stating that between £26-£50 was an acceptable amount to spend on a wedding present. More than half of Londoners feel their wedding gifts ought to be repaid with a free bar.

Around 20% of couples have blown the wedding day budget, a new survey has revealed…

With the majority of couples overspending by between £2,000 and £5,000, some try to make amends – 7% of married Brits sold their wedding outfits after the big day to save money, and a third of those who didn’t, would consider it.

Whether it’s because they can’t afford the travel, the accommodation, the new dress and jacket combo they’ve had their eye on, a wedding gift, or paying for their own drinks, guests are being hit by wedding costs too. It’s no wonder that around a quarter would decline a wedding invitation because they couldn’t afford to go.

 

Worried about your smile?

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According to a recent survey, 20% of adults feel judged because they have crooked, bucked or goofy teeth, and it looks like weddings make those people even more self-conscious!

Many of those surveyed described landmark events like weddings, as a primary motivation to enhance their looks, with 6% undergoing orthodontic treatment to get themselves the perfect smile ahead of a milestone event.

Smiles are on full display, not only for the bride and groom, but the other members of the bridal

party too – the mother of the bride, the bridesmaids, in fact, everyone will get snapped up by the wedding photographer at some point!

The rise in the use of digital camera and smartphones has led to a massive increase in the number of pictures being taken, particularly at the major events in our lives, like weddings!

Little wonder the number of adults straightening their teeth is growing exponentially every year. This has been attributed to the fact that straightening one’s teeth has never been simpler or more discreet.

Invisible braces have become so popular and so frequently requested by adults because it is virtually undetectable. It has been equated with contact lenses compared with glasses – where no one needs to know that you are having correctional treatment. The system works by repositioning teeth discretely, little by little, using a series of custom made clear plastic ‘aligners’ which are changed in two weekly increments.

Another reason for these invisible braces is that the aligners can be removed during treatment for short periods of time to allow you to eat whatever you want, kiss without impediment, play a wind instrument and maintain your normal good oral hygiene routine so that your treatment can be maintained without impacting on your life… and with hardly anyone knowing that you are having your teeth straightened.

So when planning a wedding and you really don’t like your teeth, make sure you plan well in advance to ‘fix’ what you don’t like.