Tag Archives: ceremony

Top tips on getting the perfect tunes

Posted on by

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

Unique weddings

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.

Save the dates

Create a really unique save the date card by sending a customised beer mat. You can follow this up by sending invites on a personalised label on a beer bottle with details in a scroll inside.

Party favours

You can expand on your save the dates by decorating the tables with colourful beer steins or personalised beer labels. Additionally, visiting a brewery with your husband-to-be makes for a fun pre-wedding event; it can also be a chance to provide guests with a very special, personalised gift.

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.

Venue

Use dried barley or fresh hops to decorate the wedding 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 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.

Some easy choices for your Wedding venue

Posted on by

Choosing your wedding venue will undoubtedly be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as an engaged couple, so it’s good to start considering your options right away. If you’re not sure where to hold your wedding, we’ve got some top tips to help you decide…

The venue you pick will determine the amount of guests you can invite, the location of your Wedding and, of course, the theme and styling, too. You need to allocate a good proportion of your wedding planning time and budget to finding your dream venue because there are so many different options to consider and look at. From manor houses to stand-alone tipis, there really is something out there to suit every kind of couple, it’s just a matter of making your own decision.

Your day, your way

First and foremost, decide on the type of wedding you want. Next, set a budget with careful consideration as to how much you can afford for your dream wedding venue. You should also discuss with your partner whether exclusivity is important to you – if it is, this might make it costlier.

Have you dreamed about this day your whole life, and can’t imagine getting married without everyone you know to watch it? If so, then start looking at country house wedding venues with large capacities. If you’d prefer a wedding more intimate and low-key, just surrounded by close friends and family, then perhaps a garden marquee is more your thing? Once you know what best suits you as a couple, you can then start writing your guest list and begin searching for places to suit your requirements.

When to book

It’s perfectly normal for couples to book their chosen wedding venue 12-18 months before their wedding date, giving them plenty of time to plan their perfect day. The big popular wedding venues up and down the country get booked up a long time in advance during the peak, summer wedding venue, so we advise that you book as soon as you’ve found ‘the one’.

That said, if you are planning a wedding in just a few months, there’s plenty of last-minute bargains to be had! If you’re planning a wedding in just a few months, you might get lucky and be able to book a date at the last minute due to a cancellation or last-minute availability. Once your wedding date is secured and you’ve paid the deposit you can then move on to considering how you’ll style it.

Pick a theme

The theme of your wedding will be directly influenced by the wedding venue you’ve chosen. For example – you’re not going to have a rustic, country-garden style interior if your venue is by the seaside. Think of your wedding and venue as part of the bigger picture, and go with a venue that’s in-keeping with the theme that you want.

For glamorous, glittering modern big days, we recommend boutique hotels. If it’s a country, rustic, cider-filled wedding you’re dreaming of, then we suggest you check out your nearest barn venues. Whereas if you fancy yourself as a bit of an Elizabeth Bennett marrying her Mr Darcy then a country house will be more your thing. And if you want a little bit of everything we’ve just mentioned, pop a marquee up in the grounds of a country house, and you’ve got a little bit of them all!

Take your time to pick your music

Posted on by

wedding-music

Music is a very personal to each individual and it will play a very important part in your wedding.  You don’t have to be from a particular faith to enjoy a piece of music, just go what feels best for you. The Wedding ceremony music has to be right for both of you, and to have the right piece played, you will remember your wedding day for years to come.  

To help you choose, this is a list of some wedding music that you might want to consider including in your repertoire:

Wedding Ceremony Music– The Common Requests
1. “Air in G” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D (J.S. Bach)
2. “Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9(Beethoven)
3. “Trumpet Voluntary” or “Prince of Denmark’s March” (J. Clarke)
4. “Clair de Lune” (C. Debussy)
5. “Hornpipe” from Water Music Suite (G.F. Handel)
6. “Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (F. Mendelssohn)
7. “Canon in D” (J. Pachelbel)
9. “Allegro from Spring”, first movement theme from The Four Seasons (A. Vivaldi)
10. “Bridal March” from the opera Lohengrin or “Here Comes the Bride” (R. Wagner)

 

Wedding Ceremony Music Alternatives 

Favourite choices for Christian weddings:

1. “Amazing Grace” (American Folk Melody)
2. “Ave Maria” (F. Schubert)
3. “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (J. S. Bach)
4. “The Lord’s Prayer” (A.H. Malotte)
5. “Simple Gifts” (Elder Joseph)

Favourite choices for Jewish weddings:

1. “Dodi Li” (N. Chen)
2. “Erev Ba” (O. Avissar & A. Levanon)
3. “Siman Tov” (traditional Israeli song)
4. “Sunrise Sunset” from the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”

Favourite choices for Celtic weddings:

1. “Mairia’s Wedding”
2. “Star of the County Down”
3. “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”
4. “Skye Boat Song”
5. “My Wild Irish Rose”

1920’s Wedding theme

Posted on by

very-stylish-and-glamorous-1920s-wedding-theme-9

Weddings that are themed around a particular era have become more popular as couples are looking to the celebration to reflect their style. The Roaring 20s are a big one. This decade is full of Big Band Jazz, Art Deco visuals, and intricately adorned ensembles—a theme that has been trending since the release of The Great Gatsby in 2013. Although the movie illuminated this classic style, there’s been an ongoing appreciation for all things vintage, and it looks as if this will continue. 

​Here are some ideas for your 1920’s Wedding theme:

  • For a 1920s theme, a classic palette of black, white and gold is easy to achieve and truly timeless and elegant. For the bride, we love the look of a trumpet-style gown.
  • Bridesmaids can be styled in simple LBDs with the addition of headpieces or fascinators, and the groomsmen will look dashing in classic black tuxedos.
  • Champagne towers are making a comeback, especially in Roaring 20s-inspired celebrations. We adore the look of sophisticated black and white striped linens.
  • For brides preferring something a little more colourful, jewel tones are the way to go! Think of the rich shades of a peacock feather for inspiration.
  • ​With vintage ​wedding cars you can show up in style and use this classic as a prop in your wedding photos.
  • ​For wedding entertainment, try a unique performer like a Charlie Chaplin impersonator. With a comedic 20s era presence, Charlie can make your guests feel like they’ve travelled to a time of satire and silent films.
  • ​For your wedding photos, ask your wedding photographer about vintage overlay options for development. Your big day will be captured with a nostalgic 1920s look.

We wish you a happy marriage and roaring celebration! 

Would you invite your ex?

Posted on by

Ex_Lovers_Lane_by_jeffrey

Planning your wedding guest list can be stressful enough, without the added dilemma of whether to invite your ex or not.

A survey conducted states that two thirds of couples admitted that they would invite their ex to their wedding, with men being twice as likely to do so.

With statistics showing that many people are getting married later in life, this means that they are more likely to have long-term ex-partners who they are still amicable with. If you’re thinking about inviting your ex, take these pointers into account before popping the question!

Be sensitive

Ask yourself why specifically you want that person at your wedding. Often people invite exes because they are part of a friendship network and if everyone else is going then why not invite them? It is not unusual to stay good friends with an ex-partner, and inviting people to your wedding is a lovely gesture!

Honestly is the best policy

Being completely honest with your other half is important from the very beginning, and the sooner you approach the subject, the better. Make him feel completely comfortable, and ensure that you aren’t demanding your ex has to come, but rather asking if he would be happy with the idea. An ex might feel snubbed if they’re not invited, but in some cases, people may not have been invited to spare their feelings.

Think sensibly

Make sure you think about how you and your ex ended, was it friendly? Was it recent? Worst case scenario is your ex ruining your big day by drinking far too much and saying something offensive. People should only invite people to weddings if they think that person will be a positive presence at the wedding.

Your husband-to-be

There is a chance that your h2b will say no. It is as much your day as his, so it is only fair that you take his feelings into consideration! After all, your ex is an ex for a reason. Every case is individual, sometimes we have enough trouble when the couples’ parents are divorced or remarried without the added pressure of exes being invited too! As long as the couple have discussed it and have both agreed that they are comfortable with it, then there is no problem!

Dos and Don’ts

Do invite your ex with a guest
Don’t spend a long time chatting with your ex
Do sit your ex with people he or she gets on with
Don’t dance with your ex
Do take control of the situation and keep your h2b as busy as possible!
Don’t introduce them to people as your ‘ex’

4 Special moments of wedding planning

Posted on by

wedding-planning-img-11

Wedding planning has its moments where you want someone else to take charge and do it for you, but it’s full of special moments and feelings you’ll never, ever forget. Here are just a few we’re sure every bride-to-be will agree with…

Telling everyone you’re engaged

It genuinely won’t get old, not even if you have a huge gap between the question being popped and the big day actually happening. You don’t want to miss any chance at showing off your ring, telling the proposal story, and just genuinely beaming about your husband-to-be – even if you’ve told the same people four times…

Starting up Pinterest

Say ‘hello’ to every bride-to-be’s best friend for amazing wedding inspiration – starting up a Pininterest board named ‘Wedding’, or finally being able to stop being secretive about that wedding board you started within months (or weeks) of your relationship, equals one very excited bride-to-be. From inspiration to DIY ideas, you’ll find it!

Finding the perfect dress

Some brides-to-be find the whole of the Wedding dress shopping experience lots of fun, but we’re well aware some don’t – whether it’s because you hate shopping or your search seems to be going nowhere. BUT, we know for a fact that finding that perfect dress is a magical moment. Smiles, tears, and lots of looking at yourself in the mirror are guaranteed.

Walking down the aisle

This is it, this is the moment every bride-to-be waits for! Seeing her future hubby at the end of the aisle – most likely in awe of how beautiful you look – waiting to say ‘I do’. It would be impossible for anyone not to feel like a princess in a moment like this.

And that’s it, you’re not a bride-to-be anymore. But don’t worry, there are plenty more special moments to come; from the first introduction as Mr and Mrs, to the rest of your lives together.

How to announce your engagement right

Posted on by

original_will-you-marry-me-card

Given the fact Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us, there are going to be a few couples that want to announce their engagement; but how do you announce your engagement without clogging up your family and friends’ news feeds? 

Make it priceless for your parents

Both sets of parents might already know that the proposal was on the horizon, but traditionally the mother and the father of the bride should be the first to hear about your happy news. But instead of the teary and excitable call, FaceTime yourselves writing ‘We’re engaged’ in the sand – or maybe even the snow (if possible)!

If you’re not lucky enough to be on holiday, spell it out in chocolates. Whatever you do, make it different – this is one of the most exciting announcements you’ll ever make.

Say it with a surprise

It’s time to prepare for screams, excitement and ring admiration from your inner circle of best friends. They might not have had the wonderful Valentine’s Day that you did, but no doubt your girls will be full of delight and excited to start planning your big day.

Show your nearest and dearest that you value them by sharing the news in a personal way. Organise a champagne and tea party, and flash your ring as you pop the cork. Witnessing the look of happiness and joy face-to-face will be far more rewarding then receiving an array of emoticons on WhatsApp.

Bring out the balloons

Balloons mean you have something to celebrate! People put them outside their house for birthday parties and to announce the birth of a baby, but why not bring out the balloons to showcase your engagement? People will soon realise your wonderful news, and you’ll watch the chocolates and flowers pour through your door!

Celebrate good times

Can you ever get bored of drinking champagne or toasting to your happy future? Hopefully not! What better way to announce your engagement to your wider social network than to throw a party? It’s the perfect way to tell everyone how your fiancé got down on one knee! Just watch the delight on their faces as you flash your sparkly rock.

Save the date

Once you’ve decided on your date, whether it’s in three months’ time or three years’ time, get it in your guests’ diaries. Wedding season is a busy affair and you don’t want to lose numbers to someone else’s event. For maximum effect, send a save the date via post so they can shine on everyone’s mantelpieces!

The official invite

The wedding venue is booked, the caterers and cars have been organised and the band knows what to play. Now it’s time to get the official invite in the post to cement your engagement and prepare your guests for the wedding of the year!

Alternatives to the traditional guest book

Posted on by

guestbook_photo

Puzzle pieces

We love this fun puzzle idea. Your guests write a message on the back of the wooden jigsaw pieces and then you fit them together after the big day and create a wonderful, original work of art to display long after the big day. Just make sure you ask guests to write their messages before the drinks start flowing!

Celebration Tree

Let your guests design an original work of art for you to treasure and admire in your home for years to come with the Celebration Tree! Your friends and family simply ‘leaf’ their fingerprint onto a chosen branch. They can sign the leaf if you wish but celebration tree also offer a self-adhesive signature plate that you can stick to the back of the frame picture if you wish.

Vintage typewriter

Your guests type a message on the long scroll of paper set up on the old vintage typewriter. Hear the clonking of the keys and again another fun interactive way to engage with your guests. Great nostalgic idea and will make a wonderful table piece. If you can’t borrow – or you don’t want to buy – a vintage typewriter just for one day, how about hiring one?

Wishing well cards

These wishing well cards are a fun alternative to traditional wedding guest books. The pretty bird designs work especially well if you’re planning an outdoor or nature-inspired celebration. Your guests simply write their good luck messages, or their advice for the future, and then mail them into a beautiful birdcage. There are lots of colour options available, too, so you can easily find the one that works well with your theme.   

Wooden hearts

This idea is oh so romantic! Ask your guests to sign their love on a wooden heart keepsake that you can keep in your treasure chest to look over on your anniversary. You could even make these wooden hearts your inspiration for your whole wedding theme, and offer heart favours and incorporate a heart onto your thank you cards.

These five cool guest book alternatives are also great entertainment for your guests.

Unique wedding entertainment ideas

Posted on by

If you are looking for unique wedding entertainment or something a bit different, here are five unusual wedding acts that your guests may never have experienced before!  Obviously these ideas may not be perfect for every wedding, but if these brilliant ideas fit the wedding theme, then the bride and groom certainly have an opportunity to help make their wedding stand out in people’s minds.

Petting Zoo

Yes, we’re jumping right in on the unique wedding entertainment ideas by picking something that the Best Man and Maid of Honour will love: a petting zoo. Even the hardiest members of your family will struggle not to smile at stupidly cute fluffy animals in attendance. But if that’s not enough, then a unicorn can also be made available! Okay, it’s actually Tony the Pony in costume, but it’s still incredibly cute and perfect entertainment for your big day. Just think of the photo opportunities!

Pianist

Band or DJ is a classic conundrum for every wedding couple. Not least because saying ‘band’ comes across as a simple choice between one or the other but neglects to mention that there are so many different types of band from a Ceilidh band to a swing band, a quartet to an a cappella trio. There is just so much choice that it’s difficult to know where to look.  A pianist is also a great alternative to a DJ where you and your guests could dance and sing around the piano.

Games Room

Yes, you read that right. Most people want a games room in their house but how about a games room at a wedding? This can take the form of old school classics made large like Giant Jenga, Giant Chess and Giant Connect 4 to your favourite arcade games from days gone by. Pacman, Tetris, Galaxian… How about a game of Pong at your wedding? All doable and great fun for kids and big kids alike!

Dance Lesson

Although many of us learn a few short dance moves and steps, another inspired choice is to hire professional dancers to teach a room a more traditional dance will have you dancing the Charleston in no time! Having a choreographed dance with your guests seem to be all the rage at the moment, and you never know it may be put on You Tube? If some of the wedding guests are from a certain part of the world, this is also a brilliant choice in having an entire room learn a national dance, breaking the boundaries between the guests.

Quiz

Who doesn’t love a good quiz? Although ordinarily associated with a good old British pub, a wedding quiz is a superb choice of entertainment for the post-dinner discussions. At this time, it’s common place for the wedded couple to walk from table to table and thank guests for attending, sometimes leaving guests unsure what to do in the meantime. With this in mind, a quiz is perfect for getting everyone involved. And who’s to say there won’t be a round testing just how well you know the bride and groom?!