Tag Archives: marry

Should you invite the work colleagues?

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When planning a wedding, the age old question of what to do about inviting work colleagues to your wedding is one that troubles many engaged couples time and time again. So when it comes to your wedding, is there a particular party you agree with or are you still a little confused on the right way to do things? The first thing you need to think about is that there are no rules, just common sense in relation to the work situation you personally have. Only you will really know what is acceptable in your workplace but here are a few things to consider…

Consider whether your office is formal and traditional

Traditionally in larger and more corporate companies it is generally expected that you will invite your boss or bosses, especially if you are inviting your co-workers. If you know your office is a lot more relaxed, then again assess the situation and think about how close work in relation to your boss on a day to day basis.

Ask around to see what others did

Hopefully for you, there will be people who have got married before you in the office who you can quiz on what they did. If there is a recurring theme of whether they invited everyone or just a very selective few, then consider following suit.

They’ll probably need a plus one

If your work colleague is married, engaged or in a long term relationship, then it’s likely they’ll need to have a plus one. Again this is entirely up to you but if you are offering plus ones to the rest of your guests, it makes sense that they should have one too.

If you choose to be selective, don’t shout about it

It is totally okay to choose just a few colleagues and many people do, so you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. But if you’re going to do so – don’t make your wedding a common topic of conversation in the office, especially if there’s just one or two people you’re not inviting. You want to be as subtle as possible to avoid getting people’s feelings hurt.

Think about the size of your office

Do you work for a large corporate or a smaller regional office, shop or start up? Have a think about the dynamics in your workplace and how closely you work alongside your colleagues. If the whole company works in real proximity to one another, it makes sense to not just exclude one or two people from proceedings but if you work solely in a team that is one of many, then perhaps consider just inviting your team and your boss. As we say, it’s common sense so just assess the situation appropriately.

Remember, they don’t need to come for the whole wedding

If you’re worried from a budget and space point of view, then there is absolutely no harm in just inviting them to the wedding entertainment evening do. Again, if there are some colleagues you are closer to than others, then invite them to the ceremony and reception and then make it a more open invite to the others for the evening after dinner and speeches.

 

Late License Wedding Venues

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When it comes to planning a wedding with all your favourite people around you, the very last thing you want is for it to end early! This is why couples and their family and friends (who are fully prepared to party all night) feel it’s a real priority to choose a venue that has a late license.

The Singer Tavern

Set in the heart of the city of London, this stylish pub and cocktail bar has a light and airy feel. With an industrial, American diner look, this venue makes for a great backdrop to your wedding reception. The basement cocktail bar gives you enough room for dancing and drinking, which is made even better by the fact this venue has a late license until 4AM! If everyone manages to last until that time, we will be very impressed.

Roman Baths and Pump Room

Not only is Bath one of THE most gorgeous places in Britain but they also know how to party. This lovely Wedding venue situated at the heart of the World Heritage Site can be enjoyed by you and all your guests until 1am.

New Craven Hall

If you’re after a more industrial feel to your wedding, New Craven Hall in Leeds is the one for you. With gorgeous interiors of exposed brick, large metal beams teamed with warm lighting and luxurious soft furnishings – it does a lot of the decorating legwork for you. Not only that, but you can enjoy the venue and it’s lovely bar until 2am Sunday to Thursday and 3am Friday to Saturday.

Searcy’s St Pancras

If you fancy something really alternative but still quintessentially British, why not get married in the spellbinding St Pancras station? Searcy’s enables you to hold both your ceremony and reception all in one place in one of London’s most iconic buildings with a late bar until 1am. If that isn’t late enough, you can always apply for a later license.

The Rosendale

For an elegant but understated wedding, The Rosendale in leafy West Dulwich is a great venue for cosy, British charm. With a late license until 1am this local makes for a wonderfully warm place to gather all your family and friends on your big day.

 

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!

 

Countdown to the big day…

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Time is moving on and it’s that bit nearer your wedding now. You’ll be well ahead with your plans, having sorted your budget, venue, wedding dress, wedding photographer and florist.

Now it’s time for the other wedding players to enter onto your big day stage.

Bridesmaids used to be thought to protect the bride from evil spirits on her big day. Well, we’re not sure about that, but carefully chosen bridesmaids can certainly help you to maintain your composure and keep everything running smoothly – and at the very least hold an umbrella over you to protect you from wet weather!

We’d recommend a chief bridesmaid who you feel you can hand the reins over to from time to time, and who you can trust to deal with your wedding venue, suppliers and wedding plans, as all these are an essential part of the bridesmaids duties. So think hard about who you ask. You can have as many, or as few, bridesmaids as you wish.

Men should get their suits organised early on – particularly if they all need to get together and go to a menswear shop for fittings.

Traditionally, men’s accessories (ties, cravats, waistcoats) follow the colour scheme of the wedding, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. Just like your wedding dress, a groom’s suit should reflect his personality and the style of ceremony you’re having.

The golden rule is that all hired suits should be tried on BEFORE the wedding day. Missing cufflinks, trousers that are too short in the leg… these are all very real wedding day dilemmas that can be avoided if you check, check and check again!

Sort your stationery

Wedding stationery is a very personal and individual part of your big day, and includes more items than you might think! By stationery we generally mean the following:

  • Save the date cards

  • Invitations and RSVPs

  • Orders of service

  • Menus

  • Place cards

  • Table numbers or names

  • Thank you cards

 

Save the date cards should be sent out as soon as you’ve set a date. This could be 12 months in advance of the wedding – which is a particularly good idea if you’re planning on getting married abroad, as friends and family will need to book flights, time off work and may also like to build a holiday around your wedding.

Invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, but if you want these designs personalised in any way it’s best to give your designer as much time as possible to produce them.

Invitation packs should include hotel or B&B ideas for out-of-town guests, directions to the venue with postcode for sat navs, a request for any special dietary requirements and details of your gift list. Some brides prefer to exclude their gift list details from the evening-only invitations but generally all guests will want to give you a little something, so have an idea in mind before they ask you.

Remember that larger invitations cost more to send and very small envelopes can get lost in the mail. Hopefully you’ll get all RSVPs back from your guests at least two weeks before the big day, so that you can finalise numbers with your wedding venue.

 

How to choose the right music

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We suggest that you don’t choose anything too cutting edge. That doesn’t mean to say you can’t show off your taste in music but if you choose that week’s number one hit, you might regret it in years to come. Just as you might regret wearing a wedding dress that’s heavily styled for the moment. Go a little classic and you’ll never be out of style.

There are also some things you’ll need to bear in mind when making your music choices.

You need to consider just how long it’s going to take you to walk down the aisle. It usually takes about one to two minutes for most brides to walk the aisle. So choose a piece that doesn’t have a long intro or is instantly recognisable. If you’re planning a religious ceremony, some churches won’t allow you to play non-classical music or your own music. So you need to check your choices with the vicar.

Next, you should be thinking about how your wedding music is going to be played. If it’s in a religious building, keep it classic and have it played on the organ. Alternatively, you could organise your own musicians to fill the hall with romance.

Four pieces of music to play when you walk down the aisle;

  • The wedding processional from the Sound of Music.

  • Clair de Lune by Debussy.

  • For The Love of a Princess from Braveheart.

  • The Bridal Chorus by Wagner.

Well this is the most traditional of traditional music to walk up the aisle to. Everybody will know you’ve arrived when this starts to play!

Now what about after you’ve said your vows? When you’ve signed the register and you’re legally man and wife and starting the first steps on your new life together?

Here you can change the tempo a little bit, and have something that’s celebratory and uplifting.

  • Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours by Stevie Wonder.

This says it all really. You’ve said your vows and you’re on your way. A timeless piece that’s joyful, catchy and instantly recognisable.

 

A wedding poem

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Sometimes words are not enough and writing something for a bride who had been told she that only had a short time to live, she may want to write a poem for her groom thanking him for sticking by her, and loving her through tough times. Or writing something to be read at the wedding reception, thanking all their friends and family who helped her to put the wedding together so quickly. This of course can be a very precious keepsake.

Anything written by you is touching in their own way. A groom may want to write a poem for his bride about all the things he loved about her – right down to her not being the best singer in the world, but loved to hear her sing as it meant she was happy. You may have been through tough times, but against all the odds, you made it to the altar and are looking forward to the future together.

Little details make the difference, so in each case try to weave your personal memories and feelings into something that you are proud to deliver, either written down, or read aloud.

Poems are incredibly useful when used as best man speeches. Often the best man doesn’t have a lot of public speaking experience and it can be daunting, and so it can be nice to have the rhythm of a poem as something to focus on while they are trying to deliver their speech. Also, for a best man, what they really want to do is be there for their friend in the run up to the wedding, so having a poem to be used as their best man speech frees up their time to really be there for them. Then all they need to do is practice their poem, present on the big day and then sit back and take all the praise for their clever delivery!

Best Man poems can contain all the regular things you would put into a best man speech, so humorous tales from the groom’s younger days, and how he met his bride and what his friends think of her, messages from friends who can’t be there and thanks you’s and so on. They can choose to have their full speech as poem, or just a small part, perhaps to be used as the crowning glory and rounding off their speech.

Poems can be presented as gifts in a number of ways, as the main gift where the sentiment is in the words, or as thank you poems for the bridesmaids to go alongside any other little gifts that you may give them. They may want to simply write it into a card, frame it with a wedding photo, record themselves reading it and then share it, or have it transcribed into calligraphy.

 

Beautiful winter weddings

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The number of winter weddings taking place every year is increasing. Although off-season rates are a factor for many couple’s, there are lots of fun reasons to have your big day during the winter months.

  • As dusk falls early, you have an extended evening to celebrate. With endless possibilities for candles, fairy lights, and fireworks to light up the night sky, winter weddings are a great excuse to have fun with lights.

  • Every winter bride dreams of a magical sprinkling of snow. If you get married north of the border, the chance increases even further.

  • Most wedding venues and wedding suppliers will have off season rates, but many will also provide tempting incentives. Scottish venue Dundas Castle is offering complimentary bubbly, fairy light ceiling, and sparklers to all winter weddings in January and February 2017 as part of its ‘Winter Sparkle’ promotion.

  • Why not welcome your guests into your wedding venue that has a roaring open fire? You could also reflect on your day with a nightcap as the fire crackles – one of the great pleasures of winter weddings.

  • Winter is full of memorable dates to make your chosen day even more special. You could have a festive Christmas wedding, a romantic Valentine’s weekend wedding, or even start the New Year as you mean to go on – as a married couple.

  • Fly to the Maldives during Summer, and you’ll hit a monsoon! Winter is southern hemisphere honeymoon season, with no school holiday supplements. The chance to ski or get some much needed winter sun makes it a honeymoon triple whammy!

  • Getting married in winter totally eliminates ‘Will it? Won’t it?’ weather related stress. Guests will be expecting colder weather, so the focus will be on what’s going on indoors. That way, any snow or winter sun comes as an added bonus.

  • Your guests may have ‘wedding fatigue’ by the time your summer wedding comes around. A winter wedding will be a seasonal highlight too. This gives you and your guests a great excuse for a post-Christmas knees up.

  • Winter is still low season, making getting your ideal Saturday date a breeze. It’s also much easier finding accommodation for your guests, or bagging your dream photographer or wedding band.

  • Last but surely not least, a winter wedding is your chance to sport some stylish bridal wellies. If you’re less adventurous, winter offers a plethora of clothing options. Why not go for fake fur, feathers and capes to tempt the fashion conscious.

 

Sharing your big day

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When planning a wedding, ceremonies are all about sharing. While the big day ultimately belongs to you, the couple getting hitched, it’s also a special and significant moment for the people who know and love you best. So, how can you involve your guests to make your wedding day into a truly shared experience for everyone.

For centuries, people have used rituals to help cement their unions. One relatively new wedding ritual is the lighting of the unity candle, where close family members of the betrothed couple light a separate candle each before the ceremony. The newlyweds then take their respective candles and bring them together to light one single flame.

In a twist to include everyone in your new union, you could hold a version of this ceremony in reverse, letting each guest light a candle of their own from your united flame.

Showering confetti over the happy couple is another time-honoured wedding ritual. Make sure everyone is prepared for the big moment by handing out confetti dispensers like wands or cannons to all your guests. (This is a job that you can delegate to a trustworthy member of the wedding party)! Alternatively, why not set up a ‘confetti bar’ beforehand, so that everyone can mix and match their own unique concoction?

Once you’re on the dance floor, you’ll want everyone to come and join the party. Why not make everyone feel included by playing one song for each guest? The DJ can announce any special dedications or significant songs with comments from the nominator. The mixtape approach will make your reception into a truly communal experience that everyone will appreciate… and they’ll have no excuse not to get up on their feet and boogie!

Posing for wedding photographs is the perfect opportunity to get everyone involved while creating some stunning shots! You could set up an aerial shot and get everyone to stand in formation to make a heart shape or a word. Or if you have suitable space, why not lead everyone in a procession around the grounds of your wedding venue? It’ll be a special, shared experience to cherish, and you’ll be able to treasure some ‘action shots’ of all your guests together.

It’s also good to give your guests somewhere they can all share their respective wedding photographs of the day. Wedding apps like WedPics allow your guests to upload all their snaps to one central place, making sure you don’t miss a thing! Alternatively, set up a Facebook event for your wedding day. This will ensure that everyone can communicate and stay in touch after the big day.

 

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!