Tag Archives: marry

All-round wedding entertainment

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As summer rolls in, many of the weddings for June, July and August are already arranged. With this in mind, we tend to turn our minds to Autumn around this time of year and have noticed a few trends when it comes to wedding entertainment requests!

The first thing to note is that many brides and grooms appear to be requesting a lot more strolling entertainment than in previous years. In truth, this has been rising year on year for at least the past four years, with numerous bookings for acoustic music acts that can roam from place to place – both inside and out – as well as a few more ‘interesting’ acts that many might not immediately think about when planning a wedding.

When it comes to booking roaming music acts, there are a number of possible options. It’s a wonderfully interactive slice of entertainment for any occasion and the sheer joy that the music generates makes it tremendously popular at weddings throughout the year…

Ultimately any wedding entertainment decisions are the choice of the couple and any stats that we assess are purely for interest value only. Let’s be honest, we’d all like a wedding that plays to our own individual tastes so don’t focus too heavily on the trends we’ve laid out above. Although we love strolling entertainment, there are many more possibilities available when it comes to celebrating your wedding day so let your imagination run wild and dare to be different…

 

So what if it rains on your wedding…

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You’ve got your entire wedding day planned. The wedding ceremony will be out in the gardens of a stately home, followed by a drinks reception on the lawn. All being well, dinner and dancing will take place in a marquee and everything will be perfect. Unfortunately, the British weather is often unpredictable and as such, it might be an idea to have a ‘wet weather wedding plan’ in place. Here are a few tips!

Book an Acoustic Band

You might be thinking your wedding reception will be fine in a marquee but let’s assume the worst and assume a thunderstorm has rolled in. Neither a DJ or a plugged in band will be able to perform in such circumstances, certainly if there’s a power cut as well so why not ensure that your wedding goes without a hitch by booking wedding entertainment that can definitely play an acoustic set. Acoustic bands will never be problematic if your wedding venue has a sound limiter.

Book a Strolling Act

Following on from booking an acoustic band for your wedding, hiring a strolling act is a no brainer. Completely self-contained, strolling acts can move back inside at a moment’s notice and will be able to perform an identical routine no matter where they are. Magicians, silhouette artists, caricaturists and more are not only a dream to have when bad weather rolls in at a wedding – lightening the mood considerably – but can also make sure that some of the less able guests will be entertained at the back of the room. A truly bright idea!

Liaise with your Venue

Wedding venues are sure to have needed backup plans in the past so it makes sense to ask about their ideas for the future. Darkening clouds, power cuts, what if the marquee is whipped away by a tornado..? Okay, it all seems very unlikely, but venues will almost always have a Plan B so it pays to ask in advance so that nobody is left confused and anxious if storm clouds roll in.

Buy a Number of Umbrellas

Yes, it is rather obvious to have an umbrella in case of wet weather but what we mean by this is that wedding photographs will look a lot better with the same coloured umbrellas for all than a number of mismatched ones over the top of your guests. They don’t have to be particularly expensive, they just have to look good. Feel free to contact your wedding photographer in advance to see what they think might go well with your other wedding plans (venue, bridesmaid dresses, etc.)

You’re getting married to the best person ever! Who cares what’s going on with the weather?

 

Why do brides wear white?

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If you’re getting ready for planning a wedding, and if you’re reading this blog then one can assume so, you’ve probably already picked out a gorgeous white dress for the big day and if you haven’t, we are 99.9% certain that you’ll be in one by the time the wedding date arrives. But why do brides wear white on their wedding day?

The idea of brides wearing white on their wedding day isn’t actually one that’s lasted for centuries and can in fact be pinpointed to one specific point in time. Before we get to that though, we should probably highlight that brides used to wear red on their wedding day – presumably because of romantic connotations – and white was only really worn by ‘unconventional’ brides. The idea that hipster brides existed in the 1800s is one that certainly delights us, whilst the notion that they were deemed so because of wearing white on their wedding day is downright hilarious.

The idea that wearing white was a bad choice had persisted for years though; when Mary Queen of Scots got married in 1559, she wore a white gown. This was widely condemned as inappropriate by the press at the time and the calls only got louder when her French husband died a year later. The reason? Officially he died from an ear condition, thought by many these days to have come from meningitis, but Mary was held to account back then as having cursed the poor man due to her choice of wearing a white wedding dress. In 16th century France, white was officially a colour of mourning.

“But every bride wears white,” we hear you say, “When did a white wedding dress become the norm?” We are glad you asked! Brides wear white not because it suggests innocence as many seem to think, but actually because Queen Victoria happened to like the colour. Yes, rather than pick a red dress, Victoria opted instead for a white gown with an orange blossom wreath, ignoring the protests from members of her court. The wedding dress turned out to be a huge hit with both the public and the newspapers and soon women all across the land were choosing to get married in a white dress.

That’s not the end of the story however, because one can add in another little fact for why brides may opt for white when picking their dress. Just a few years after Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, a popular women’s magazine by the name of Godey’s Lady’s Book stated that white was the most fitting hue for a woman due to be married, with the material used of little consequence. In this article, it was stated that white was an ‘emblem of purity’ and ‘the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one’, but this line of thinking was completely unheard of until Queen Victoria chose the colour for her wedding day.

“What become of red?” Good question! Red became less and less popular immediately after the royal wedding and was in fact quickly demoted to being thought of as an awful choice. So bad in fact, that the Farmer’s Almanac (a must read by all of those who worked the land back in the mid-1800s) published a poem on wedding dress colours:

  • Married in White, you have chosen right
  • Married in Grey, you will go far away
  • Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,
  • Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
  • Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
  • Married in Blue, you will always be true,
  • Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
  • Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
  • Married in Brown, you will live in the town,
  • Married in Pink, your spirit will sink.

Not exactly Keats but there you have it. Why do brides wear white on their wedding day? Because a white wedding dress was the choice that Queen Victoria made for herself!

 

The First Dance

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There are a number of traditional moments on a wedding day. There’s walking down the aisle, the speeches, kissing the bride and many, many more. It’s fair to say that there is a lot to remember and that is never more true than with the first dance. Since all eyes are on you, here are our top tips to ensure your wedding dance goes without a hitch.

 Pick something that’s danceable

 It goes without saying that you should be sure to pick a song that is special to the two of you. Not only that but you also need to ensure that the lyrics are okay. Most important however, is making sure the song you pick is danceable. You might love heavy metal, but it doesn’t make for a good first dance wedding song. Here are the most popular ones and most come under three minutes and have a melodic tune. Take note and you should be fine!

 Tell the wedding band

 If you have a live band rather than a DJ, it’s fair to assume the wedding band will be the ones playing your song on the day. You might not get a chance to rehearse with them, so do make sure that the song they’re learning is the version that you’re hoping to hear on the day. Many songs have numerous covers and it’d be terrible if they’ve learned the wrong one!

 Take some dance lessons

 You might not be the one to rush to the dance floor in a nightclub and you may not own a pair of dancing shoes, but at least attend a couple of sessions to get the basics. You might not become Michael Flatley overnight but you we think you’ll definitely pick up enough knowledge to not only scrape through the first round of Strictly, but also wow your guests!

 Practice, practice, practice…

When doing the dishes, run through your steps. When out for a walk, practice your steps. When on the way to work, ponder through the movements in your mind. There’s nothing better than practicing your dance to ensure that it will be perfect on the day and if you’re lucky, the venue might even allow you both in to see how much space you’ll have!

 …And practice on the day

 It’s all very well practicing from the comfort of your own home but we all know about nerves! Considering you might be performing your first dance in front of well over fifty people (and that would be on the small side), you might wish to run through it with your partner on the actual day. Can’t think of time when you’ll be alone? A wedding photographer is sure to allow you a couple of minutes to practice whilst waiting for the perfect shot.

 Wear the right shoes

 There’s no point practicing the dance in your slippers if you’re not going to be wearing them on the day. Unless you’re planning a sleepover themed wedding, we suspect you’ll be wearing some nice high heels or a smooth pair of black brogues. The thing about both these forms of footwear is they don’t tend to have a lot of grip… So make sure you’ve worn them during some of your rehearsals; nobody wants to fall over during their first dance!

Back straight and keep smiling!

Although you want to make sure your shoes aren’t slippery and that you’ve worn them before the music begins, remember that nobody will be watching your feet.  All the focus will be on your upper body so if all else fails, keep your back straight and smile!

 

All inclusive Wedding packages

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

 

A break from the norm

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

Gifts for the groom

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

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

More personality

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

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

The non-traditional dress

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

 

Tips for your honeymoon

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Scared to drive on the opposite side of the road when you’re abroad? You’re not alone! Research reveals that over a quarter of British travellers admit to being afraid of driving on the left-hand side.

 Rules and regulations vary from country to country there is a guide to provide some clarity for drivers including top tips on driving on the opposite side of the road. There is so much to discover off the beaten track so we hope people make the most of it without the fear of driving abroad.

The guide not only includes a list of national speed limits for UK’s most popular holiday destinations but also a list of unusual road signs they may come across as this is cited as the most fearful part of driving overseas. There are also top tips on how to drive on the right as well as a list of some of the more unusual driving laws from across the globe.

Want to brush up on your driving before planning a wedding honeymoon or destination wedding?

Left Hand Driving Top Tips;

  • Repeat the phrase ‘drive on the right’ and remember you want to always be closest to the middle of the road

  • On a dual carriageway or motorway remember that the ‘fast’ lane is the far left lane and the ‘slow’ lane is the far right lane. As a beginner it’s worth sticking to the right lane and take it slowly until you have built up your confidence

  • When approaching a roundabout remember that you must give way to the left and drive anti-clockwise around them

  • It is important to remember that the most dangerous turn is now the left hand turn because it crosses the other lane of traffic

  • Having a co-pilot can be a help. A backseat driver can be more of a help than a hindrance because a reminder to stay on the correct side is certainly welcome as is any help on navigating

  • If you’re headed to Nice this Summer remember to carry a breathalyser in the car as it’s a legal requirement for all motorists in France

  • In some cities in Spain cars must be parked on different sides of the road according to the day of the week so check before you pull up to a spot

  • If you’re planning on holidaying in Spain or the Canary Islands and you wear glasses, the driving laws require you to carry an additional pair when driving

  • In most cities in Portugal and Italy cars must be parked in the direction of traffic so if you’re visiting this summer remember to follow the locals and don’t be caught out

  • The USA is a popular country for road-tips but it’s important to remember rules vary from state to state so it’s worth checking before you arrive. One law, regardless of state, is that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus, whichever direction you’re travelling in

 

Make your own decorations

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You don’t have to spend a fortune planing a wedding on decorations. Have a go at a project today and give your day a personal touch with handmade creations…

Fabulous fans

How about making some brightly coloured pinwheels for your marquee reception. They add a real pop of colour to the venue, but if you want a softer, more subtle look, try pastel shaded pom poms.

Vintage bunting

You could use pastel coloured cloths and vintage style bunting to pretty up your vintage tea party reception. You can pick up table cloths pretty cheaply on eBay to get a similar look.

3D table numbers

Make cardboard 3D table numbers and then cover them in pretty, shabby chic style fabric. A simple and effective idea that you can easily make at home with old off-cuts of fabric. Mix up the patterns and colours for an eclectic look.

Hanging old pictures around your reception wedding venue is a sure-fire way to get guests talking. Personalise the room with photographs of all your loved ones, then let guests find their faces. You could adapt this for use in your table plan, too.

Pretty pom poms

Draw your guests’ eyes upwards with a ceiling full of paper pom poms and lanterns dangling from the rafters. This year’s hottest decorations are to be found on the ceiling.

Rustic jars

Ask your friends and family to keep all of their old jam jars as they make cute arrangements for a rustic theme. Mix and match different shapes and sizes and fill them with cheap wedding flowers like gypsophila for a feminine, just-picked-from-the-garden look.

Trend alert!

This potted plant table plan is such a lovely idea, perfect for a country themed wedding. You can pot them up yourself, use them as a table plan, and then hand them out as thank you gifts at the end of the night. Double DIY delight

Top table runners

Long trestle-style tables work brilliantly with table runners down the middle – go for gingham if you’re planning a country-style celebration like this couple or hessian if you want a more rustic look. A striking runner will mean you won’t have to go overboard with your wedding flowers, either.

 

How to get a buff bridal body

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Unsurprisingly, over 90% of brides hope to shed extra pounds before getting married. However, perhaps more shockingly, as many as one in three will resort to crash dieting in an extreme bid to get their ideal bridal body.

The good news is that crash dieting is completely unnecessary – which is great seeing as it has no benefit to your overall health and is unlikely to give you the results you want anyway.

When Should I Start My Fitness Regime?

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to when you should start your wedding fitness regime. It really does depend on your starting point and how much weight you want to lose. The sooner you start the better. Don’t wait until the last minute to try and lose weight and then expect miracles.

You should be thinking about your diet and exercise plan as soon as you start planning a wedding, so that you don’t end up resorting to a crash diet in a bid to lose pounds at the last minute. Ideally you should aim to reach your weight loss goal within 4 weeks of your wedding, in time for the final dress fittings. That way you’ll be able to focus more on the finishing touches of the wedding planning rather than worrying about fitting into your dream dress.

Set Yourself Short Term Goals

Make sure you take regular exercise over the first four to six weeks for general fitness, then start to target specific areas such as your stomach, thighs and bottom. Keeping a fitness diary will also monitor your progress and help you to feel good about your achievements.

What if I’m Short on Time?

Finding the right kind of exercise regime to suit your needs and schedule can vary from a brisk walk to a full workout in the gym or an exercise video that you found online.

If you have a demanding work and life schedule that rarely allows you to fit exercise in, then try to make lifestyle swaps wherever you can. For example, ditch the car and walk to work or the shops and try to take the stairs instead of the lift – even just taking up small exercises like this will help you keep trim.

High intensity interval training (known as HIIT for short) is great for a busy bride. This consists of short bursts of intense exercise mixed in with small rests, which could benefit you more than a long session in the gym.

You need to start sweating and exercising alongside a healthy diet to make great changes to your body but this doesn’t mean that you need to spend hours on a treadmill.

Above all, have fun and don’t beat yourself up if it takes a while to get the results you want. Getting fit and losing weight healthily takes time, but stick with it and you’ll feel fabulous inside and out when you finally get into that dream wedding dress.

 

Tips for beach weddings

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Are you planning wedding? Do you want a dreamy beach wedding? Once you’ve found the perfect beach wedding dress and booked an amazing seaside wedding venue, you need to start thinking about your look.

What constitutes beachy wedding hair for you? Braids, texture with waves. A fresh unstructured playful look.

What should a bride do if she’s marrying on a beach in a humid climate and is prone to frizzy hair?

The best thing to do would be to have braids or twists in the hair, or have the hair pulled back fairly tightly. Always embrace the texture and using salt spray to add to it, perhaps have some braids around your face for some pretty detail and then it doesn’t matter so much if the rest of the hair gets a little frizzy as it adds to the look. You can also use a strong hairspray to seal the hair but it can look quite fixed so although it seals away moisture it may not fit for a relaxed look as much.

What styles work for a breezy beach in the UK and why?

It depends on how warm it is, but if it’s really breezy, a loose chignon of some sort to keep the hair away from the face. A look with loose tendrils and texture would be ideal, nothing too fixed and neat. Then if it isn’t too structured the odd hair being blown about will add to the look and it will not look as though anything is out of place.

How can a bride master boho, beachy waves?

The conical wand is best to create natural looking waves in the hair, and salt spray for adding texture is brilliant. Adding a few fishtail braids woven through or around the face can look very boho; a fine floral crown looks amazing with this style or a few small flowers dotted through the hair also will look beautiful.

What type of hair accessories would you recommend for a beach wedding?

Definitely a flower head crown– Or a few faux flowers dotted through the hair.