Tag Archives: big-day

Mid-Week Celebrations

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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 Co-ordinator than showing a couple around their beautiful 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.

Make memories you’ll never forget

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After months, maybe even years, of saving, searching and planning your big day, it finally dawns. If there’s one thing our real brides tell us time and again, it’s that their wedding day goes by in a blur and that, if they could do it all again, they would do just that – relive it to treasure each moment. It’s all too easy for your wedding morning to be a haze of preparations, nerves, excitement and clock watching (you don’t want to be late!). To help you slow down and take your most special of days in, we’ve put together seven things to do on your wedding morning to make the most of every moment and make memories you’ll never forget.

Raise a toast

Sipping Champagne is a wedding morning must, but don’t forget to share a toast to your last morning as a single lady or gent! You’ll never get the chance to do it again, so clink your glasses together in celebration of your life and love so far and let those with you wish you luck for your next step.

Have something to eat

Yes, you want to fit comfortably into your figure-hugging dress and yes, you might well have lost your appetite a little as a result of big day nerves and excitement, but it’s essential that you still eat something. Sharing platters of nibbles are a great option to pass around and dip in and out of as you get glammed up for your aisle moment!

Wear special dressing gowns

This one’s a little lighter hearted, but here at Wedding Ideas we just love the photos of our real brides and their maids dressed to impress in coordinated dressing gowns! They’ll make your wedding morning photographs pretty and sophisticated and are a comfortable option for before you get into your gown.

Pamper, pamper, pamper!

Whether you’re doing it yourself or have a host of makeup artists and hairdressers knocking at your door on your wedding morning, take the time to relax and just enjoy being pampered. Everyone around you is there to support you and help you look and feel your absolute beautiful best, so indulge and enjoy!

Have a little fun

However, you define it, make sure you let yourself have fun on your wedding morning. Don’t spend it worrying about timings, how ready your maids are, or whether the reception décor will be exactly as you planned it. Instead, do something you love – one of our real groom’s played golf with his groomsmen the morning of his wedding and we think it was a great idea! Schedule in some time, however small, to do one thing together – it’ll make for wonderful memories and a lot of laughter.

Reveal the dress

You might have one of your maids there to help button your dress up or you might be keeping it as a surprise. Either way, don’t miss your big reveal moment with your bridal party. Have them wait at the bottom of the stairs or just outside the door, then surprise them in your gorgeous gown? Keep your wedding photographer on hand to capture the moment on film – you’ll love looking back at people’s wowed faces afterwards!

Let the little details go

Because brides tend to plan their dream day down to the teeniest of details, it’s very easy for something to go wrong and, however small it may be, the bride will notice. For the small hiccups and things that don’t go to plan – maybe your maid forgot her matching earrings or your shoes aren’t quite as comfy as you’d hoped – try to let them go. No one but you will ever know and, at the end of the day, what are mismatched earrings or a sore toe when you’re about to marry the love of your life?

How about a fairground wedding?

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We’ve picked out five funfair wedding venues to inspire you if you want to treat your guests to something a little different on your wedding day. If you can’t find a wedding venue with a funfair near you, why not look into hiring funfair attractions to add something extra to your reception?

1. Marleybrook House

Kent wedding venue Marleybrook House, former home to legendary cabaret star Eartha Kitt, has its own Vintage Fayre! The venue will set it up for you – we recommend keeping it a secret until the day so you can see your guests’ faces when you arrive!

There are retro side stalls including an original 1940s High Striker to test strength and swing boats from 1890. Set up next to hay bales, apple crates and a vintage tractor, it will take you back in time.

2. Blists Hill Victoria Town

If you’re looking for a unique wedding venue in the Midlands, the Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire are a good choice. This includes Blists Hill Victorian Town, which is a recreation of a working Victorian town complete with a funfair. 

The funfair is set up opposite where most receptions take place and you and your guests can enjoy chair-o-planes, coconut shy’s, swing boats, and on certain days, a magnificent Victorian carousel featuring galloping horses. Imagine the wedding picture opportunities

3. The Hop Farm 

Home to The Hop Farm Festival, The Hop Farm also has a funfair which you can use at your wedding. It includes the amazing ‘giant jumping pillows’ to bounce away on, as well as an amazing vintage carousel, amongst other things.

The Kent wedding venue is popular for those who want a wedding with a fun, unique twist!

4. The Garden Room Syon Park

This stunning wedding reception venue comes complete with adjacent outside space, set within acres of idyllic parkland. The gardens can be used for welcome drinks, giving your wedding day the wow factor from the very start. The gardens can also be used to host a fun fair to entertain your guests, complete with rides, side stalls and candy floss.

A light and airy reception room comes complete with contemporary furnishings and an understated colour scheme, enabling you to keep it traditional or create a personalised look for your special day.

5. Preston Court

Preston Court has a lot to offer when it comes to your wedding – there are large gardens with lakes, lawns and a magical island that boasts a regency wrought iron bridge – so you can marry outside in the garden or in front of a magnificent fairground organ, located in the barn.
There is a full scale and fully operational Victorian carousel, complete with galloping horses and chariots – lots of fun for your guests and amazing for pictures – and a Victorian showman’s wagon which is used as a dressing room on the day. The fairground organs can be played on the day, and there is a selection of fairground games available too.

Break the mould

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They say your wedding day is the most important day of your life. For many brides this is most definitely the case, but the reasons for this may go beyond professing their love for their partner and agreeing to spend the rest of their lives with them.

Brides are a competitive group of people. Many Brides have been wedding planning since they were a little girl, long before they find their “Mr Right”. Each bride hopes their day will be better than any other wedding they have been to. They hope it is unique and memorable, and will dream for years in advance about it.

And yet, despite all of this, most wedding days follow the same pattern and structure:

For your wedding guests the time gaps between the Ceremony and Meal, and the Meal and Evening Entertainment involves a lot of waiting around. Most Brides who plan wedding entertainment, will not go far beyond the traditional Wedding Band or DJ. This generic wedding structure rarely changes much from wedding to wedding, and guests who have attended many previous weddings can now do it in their sleep!

But if you are to have a truly unique, memorable and wonderful wedding day (That stands out from the rest of your friends), you must look beyond this traditional robotic sequence of events. How about spicing things up a little and taking your experienced guests out of their comfort zones? Need to fill the long, boring gaps in the day? There are lots of wedding entertainment ideas which you probably haven’t considered. The quick guide below gives you some ideas of how to avoid the long gaps and gain the competitive edge!

Cocktail Artist – how about hiring a cocktail artist to make your drinks reception unique? A cocktail artist will be able to create exciting drinks for you and your guests to enjoy and will provide an added touch of glamour to your big day. The artist will be able to interact with your guests and put on a show while mixing the cocktails themed with your wedding

Magician- what about having a magician at your wedding to wow and entertain your guests? The magician could mingle with your guests and keep the kids entertained. They may even be a good idea for an ice-breaker for your speeches.

Balloon artist – maybe thank about having a balloon artist? You may not have considered this as an option but balloon artists can be very creative and entertaining. The artist could be particularly useful for keeping the kids amused.

Caricature artist- have you considered a caricature artist? They could create an image in under five minutes which will provide a comical souvenir for your guests. You and your new husband could even have an image done for a more light-hearted representation of you on your big day.

Comedian- I know what you’re thinking, a comedian for my wedding, are you serious? But it may not be as crazy as you think. As long as you get the right one and explain that their act must be tasteful, then a comedian could be a great asset to your wedding reception. They could be used to keep guests entertained before their meal or even as an ice-breaker prior to the speeches.

Starlight LED Dance floor – how about going beyond the simple, traditional dance floor? A starlight dance floor will make your first dance even more special as well as providing your guests with a great place to enjoy the music.

Photo booth – should you use a photo booth to capture some memories of your guests at your wedding? Whilst you are having your professional photographs taken your guests will be kept entertained by posing for their own photos. These however, will be much more light-hearted and will provide you with some fun memories.

Bouncy Castle – how about a bouncy castle to keep the kids entertained? It can be very difficult to keep the kids entertained at a wedding but a bouncy castle may be a good way to do this. Some bigger kids may even want to join in the fun!

We hope we have got you thinking? So, to make your Wedding extra special why not go all out!!

How to cater for a wedding on a budget

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Too much choice

Although you are catering for the whole wedding party, when choosing your menu, don’t offer too many options. Offering a multitude of choices for the wedding breakfast doesn’t enhance your guests’ experience, or make anything taste better. More choice only means more expense.

Cooking on gas

Some of the most beautiful wedding venues are outdoors – be it a marquee or a hog roast festival – but these celebrations do not have on-site kitchens or furniture. You will be required to pay extra to supply these facilities, so make sure you include this in your budget.

Smooth operator

The key to a successful wedding reception is timing and service. Making people wait for food and drinks is not a great idea. Pay for extra serving staff to ensure a smoothly-run reception and you will notice the investment – and your guests will love you for it!

Trade your toasting tipple

Champagne is everyone’s top tipple for parties, but it can be a little on the expensive side. However, there are some great sparkling wines available, which are just as good but cost less. To impress your guests on half the budget, add a little elderflower cordial and a hibiscus flower to Cava, to create the perfect festive fizzy cocktail. Not only does this add a light, sweet, floral taste to the drink, it makes the Cava go that little bit further – good news all round!

Bacon buffet

If you plan to party in the early hours of the morning, don’t serve an evening buffet – you are essentially paying for two full meals that many people won’t even touch. Why not serve bacon sandwiches or posh kebabs a la Lily Allen? This will give the illusion of an evening meal and your guests will be thankful for the traditionally British fuel injection before the trip home.

A cheesy ending?

Cheese cakes are a great alternative to traditional tiers. You can ask your caterers to cut and serve the savoury slices with fruit and biscuits as the dessert after your meal. Alternatively, cupcakes are a cheaper option than a tiered cake and work well as both a dessert and a favour.

Raise the bar

The drinks reception tab can easily set couples back a few thousand pounds, so limiting what is served can be a great way to reduce costs. Ask your bar to carry beer and wine, or alternatively, have a cash-only bar that your guests will have to pay for. If you have provided them with a lovely meal accompanied with great wedding entertainment, guests won’t mind forking out for a few drinks towards the end of the evening.

Caffeine fix

Coffee and mints are an essential part of any party and the perfect way to round off your meal. Why not add flavoured syrups and amaretto biscuits to freshly ground coffee, to give your guests a delicious caffeine fix? They’ll be guaranteed to keep dancing late into the evening after one of these!

Spend to save

Cutting corners doesn’t always mean cutting costs. If you cut out canapés, you will end up with hungry guests at the beginning of the day. Why not spend more on canapés but less on the evening buffet? Many people over spend on the evening food when most guests are still full from the wedding breakfast, which is a waste of both money and food! Lighter evening snacks will go down just as well with your guests, and save you money, too.

 

Capture your first kiss

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Your first kiss as husband and wife at the altar should be romantic and full of love, so here are some things to remember.

As well as closing your eyes (an essential ingredient to a good first kiss) and not bumping foreheads as you approach each other too quickly, you should also keep the following things in mind.

Cringeworthy kisses

Don’t make your first kiss too cringeworthy or you will make your wedding guests feel uncomfortable. This is especially true if you are kissing in a church.

Intention

The best part of any kiss is its intention, so do it from a place of love and tenderness and this will come shining through and be reflected in your wedding photographs.

Avoid a quick peck

A quick peck on the lips can be seen as a bit cold and empty, especially when it’s your first kiss as a married couple, so linger a little longer to make sure your wedding photographer can capture that special moment.

Enjoy

Don’t be embarrassed, remember, it’s your special moment, so don’t feel awkward and if you remember the first 3 tips above your love will come shining through in the photos which will be a photo that you will cherish forever.

Why not get it all planned for you?

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No time to plan your wedding, your big day, the day of your dreams? By far the easiest option for busy modern brides is the all-inclusive package where all the big things like ceremony room, Champagne reception, evening buffet, and 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 wedding 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 our 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 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.”

Common bridal hair mistakes

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It’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life. As the bride, you’ll be the centre of attention, and not only will your friends and family be present, but your photographs will capture the moment forever. On the big day, you want to look like yourself, only better. There’s nothing worse than a bride wearing a gorgeous gown, in the perfect location, whose hair is so dreadful that guests can’t keep their eyes off of it. 

Brides should always have a consultation with the stylist who will be doing their hair one to two months before the wedding date to ensure that their dream hairstyle fits in with their dream day. 

Here are 10 common hair mistakes that brides make.

1. You forget your veil or headpiece. The veil factors into your overall look, and its length and style may determine if you’ll want to wear your hair up or down. If the veil hasn’t arrived yet, ask the bridal salon to loan you a sample, or at least bring along a photo when consulting with your wedding hairdresser.

2. You cut your hair days before the wedding. Stay away from the scissors and don’t plan on getting a haircut right before the big day. Instead, do it a month or two prior to the wedding to ensure that you like the cut and it will work with the hairstyle you’ve chosen.

3. You don’t carefully choose your stylist. You will remember your wedding day forever, so choose someone you trust to style your hair. If your hairdresser doesn’t typically do wedding hairstyles, ask him or her for a recommendation, or speak with friends or other brides who have had hairstyles you’ve admired.

4. You experiment with hair colour. Talk to your stylist about how you envision your hair on the big day, and let your colourist know if you are planning on wearing your hair up or down. It’s also not advisable to dramatically change your hair colour before the wedding. You want to look like an enhanced version of you, not someone completely different. 

5. You only try one style. Just as you tried on several wedding dresses (even if you knew the first one was the best), have your stylist show you at least three different looks based on your description of what you want.

6. You go to your consultation without any ideas. Pictures speak louder than words. Gather photos of brides hairstyles you like. This will give the stylist an idea of the kind of style you’re seeking. The stylist can’t make you look like the person in the picture, but he or she can attempt to copy the hair as long as the texture and length are not an issue.

7. You forget about touch-ups. If it’s in your budget, consider having the stylist stay after the ceremony and throughout the evening to do touch-ups to your hair—or even give you a completely different look. If the expense is too high, ask the stylist for tips on how to touch up your own hair during the reception.

8. You forget about the dress. Your hair should always complement your gown. Select your gown first and then decide on the hairstyle with your stylist.

9. You think short hair is your only option. If your cute bob doesn’t jive with your dream of having long locks on the big day, ask your stylist for extensions. This temporary fix can be a perfect solution.

10. You forget about the groom. Although you’ll be the focus of the big day, you will want his hair to look just as good. Make sure the groom gets a good haircut a week before the wedding. 

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.

Wedding Movie Themes

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Can’t decide on a wedding theme? Check out these amazing movie-themed proposals, and let them inspire your big day…

The Disney Dog Proposal

If you love cute dogs and Disney, this is the perfect proposal for you! A parade of cute puppies dressed up as Disney characters from the bride’s favourite films deliver little love notes from the groom-to-be. What could be better?

The Love Actually Proposal

If Love Actually is one of your favourite films, why not let its romantic moments inspire your day, like they inspired this unbelievable proposal. The amazing surprises just keep coming for this lucky bride-to-be. No expense was spared and this proposal included speedboats, helicopters and, of course, the 20-piece Love Actually style choir at the end – enjoy! See if you can spot our friends The Secret Singers, too!

The Bollywood Proposal

If you love all things bright and beautiful – and OTT dance routines – why not work a Bollywood theme into your big day? This brave groom spent hours learning a Bollywood dance routine to impress his bride-to-be. Enter the Flash Mob with some very cool moves! Would your man do something like this?

Is your spouse to be in teaching?

Obviously for this one you’d need to get permission for the Headmaster before carrying out this proposal. Or if you have a great Headmaster he/she may help you plan your perfect proposal. Let your spouse to be class to hold up some letters which form ‘Will You Marry Me?’ – it may take a bit of practice as some of the letters will be upside down (no doubt) but it would be a great surprise and which would get all the kids involved and make it a truly unforgettable moment.