Tag Archives: wedding-venue

Wedding venue personal to you

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With so much pressure to make the right decision, how does a bride make up her mind? We asked some newlyweds and brides to be to share how they made their choice to shed a little light on this planning selection. These answers which may inspire you:

“We visited our venue on a holiday before we got engaged and we both said, ‘That’s the place we want to get married.’ We got engaged there and now we’re marrying there next September!”
“We picked an area where we had our first kiss and it held so many sentimental memories for us too, we just had to get married in a place that meant so much to us”
“I picked a place that was not only cost-efficient, but when I went to see it, I knew that it was unique and I had it have it. I love my wedding venue and I absolutely can’t wait to get married there!”
“We wanted ceremony and reception in the same location, so we saw a few venues, but nothing said ‘us’ that was a romantic setting until we saw our venue. It’s perfect and I can’t wait to get married there. It’s my happy place, we both love it.”
“We must’ve seen over 40 wedding venues. We choose Disney because we fell in love with it! And, well we got some pretty amazing pictures.”
“My grandparents’ garden where I had pretty much grown up. It had so many memories and sentimental reasons to have my wedding where I grew up and learned so much.”

We hope that some of these ideas have inspired you to find your perfect wedding venue, just make it personal, after all this is a special day which you will want to remember for the right reasons!!

Booking classical entertainment

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Create an elegant and calm atmosphere by having some live classical music performed at your wedding. Vaughn Jones from Manor House Music talks about how to make the most of hiring professional musicians for your wedding celebration.

Setting the scene

Try to imagine when and how you’d like music to be part of your day. Many couples opt for music to be performed during the ceremony and to entertain guests during the wedding breakfast. 

When you’re thinking about booking wedding musicians, consider the volume of their instruments – for example, a brass quintet could be a little overpowering for an intimate occasion, but a harpist or string duo would be ideal. Similarly, if you have 150 guests chatting and enjoying themselves, it might be hard to hear a solo musician, but a string quartet will be easily heard above the sound of conversation.

Professional costs

Music students, amateur groups and recent graduates may charge less, but as the saying goes ‘you get what you pay for’.

It’s often worth budgeting a bit more to hire a professional group. This will give you peace of mind that they will turn up as agreed (as professional groups usually have back-up musicians available in case of emergencies) and you’ll know that your wedding music will be ‘just right’.

How long should they play?

Although it might seem economical to only book a group for an hour, surprisingly this can be the most expensive way of doing things.

Once musicians have taken on a wedding, it usually means they will be unavailable for any other work during that day, so many groups have a minimum booking time of three hours, especially on peak days over the summer. Try to think of other times in the day that might require music and make the most of what you’ve got.

Agency bookings

This can be a tricky one. On one hand, booking through an agency means that they’ll handle the contractual agreement between you and the musicians, and they’ll be responsible for sourcing a replacement if there is any problem on the day. However, it does means that you’ll pay a higher fee because the agent takes a cut of the overall amount.

By booking directly, you will almost certainly save money and you’ll be dealing directly with the musicians themselves. Any professional group will exchange a simple contract that protects both parties, outlining timings, costs, insurance and so on, plus pro players will know plenty of colleagues who they can call on to replace themselves in case of illness.

Versatility

These days, many classical groups specialise in a wide range contemporary pieces, so it’s often possible to request your favourite song to be played at the wedding.

In many cases, popular musicians will have a wide repertoire to choose from, so you don’t need to just have classical music on your big day. Having a string quartet perform surprise rock and pop numbers during a drinks reception can delight and entertain guests of all ages!

DIY Decorations

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You don’t have to spend a fortune on wedding 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 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 wedding designs and 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 gypsophilia for a feminine, just-picked-from-the-garden look.

Trend alert!

This potted plant table plan is such a lovely wedding decoration 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 flowers, either.

Less travelling more honeymooning!!!

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There are over 1.8 billion transits and stopover flights annually that are more cost-efficient than long-haul direct flights. So instead of avoiding the extra hours, why not enjoy a longer stop and have two holidays instead of one? So that means if you’re going on your honeymoon, you can explore a new location and stay at one of these select hotels before taking their next flight. From stretching your legs riding a bike in Amsterdam to a rejuvenating jetlag therapy treatment in Bangkok, 

Amsterdam

The Dylan, Amsterdam;

This stunning hotel is a destination for a swift visit. Wind down with a glass of delicious seasonal wine and savoury amuse-style bites, finely selected by the executive chef Dennis Kuiper. Guests can also stretch their legs and explore the Dutch city on one of the hotel’s private bikes.
Rate: High Wine (available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) includes four different wines and four bites for €39.50 (approx. £29) per person. Rooms from £366 per room/night including taxes, Wi-Fi and 24-hours room service.

New York

Loews Regency, New York

Guests can relax and restore in this stunningly renovated hotel after a long flight or even after a day of sightseeing, with Loews’s special restoring package. This includes two cocktails at The Regency Bar as well as a reviving spa session at Julian Farel’s salon in midtown Manhattan.
Rate: ‘Restore, Sip, and Spa’ package from $1349 (approx.£872) per room/night (available until December 31, 2015)

Zurich

Baur Au Lac: Zurich

Let time fly in the beautiful city of Zurich with Baur Au Lac’s delicious afternoon tea, and enjoy the historical atmosphere of the location through this culinary delight. Taste homemade scones, exquisite sandwiches and pastries in the hotel’s Le Hall after a tranquil walk by the lake.
Rate: Afternoon tea for 64CHF (approx. £43) per person or 79CHF (approx. £53) with Phillipponnat brut champagne from 1.30pm to 5.30pm (available until march 2016). 870CHF per room/night (approx. £591).

Dubai

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, UAE

Get the blood flowing again, Viceroy challenges flyers to board on the world’s fastest roller-coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi for an adventure-filled stop in the Arabian Gulf. The hotel’s Family Plan package will treat families with a 50% discount on a connecting room for children when booking a deluxe suite.
Rate: ‘Family Plan’ package, Room from AED 1,449 (approx. £265) per room/night.

France

Peninsula Paris, France 

Forget the long hours and queues at the Louvre, Peninsula Paris has the perfect art-filled afternoon for guests to have a taste of the French Art de vivre on their short layover. The hotel’s Concierge has carefully selected a range of tickets for on-going exhibitions. Guests can choose from the Picasso Mania, Yves Saint-Laurent or Vivre pour l’Art, guaranteed to show you the best of the city of lights.
Rate: From €1,000 per room/night (approx. £735), includes museum entrance, refreshments, transportation and breakfast for two.

Bangkok

Peninsula Bangkok, Bangkok

The Peninsula Bangkok understands that good sleep is vital when dealing with long flights and this package reflects that. It provides guests with an invaluable range of tools to maximise their sleep; including a jet lag eliminator massage, musical therapy, a health and wellness consultation, yoga, and even a tea workshop ceremony, promising guests a total sense of wellbeing before their onward journey.
Rate: ‘Sleeping Well’ package 53,800TBH (approx. £988) for 3 nights’ accommodation, including all sleep treatments and access to the fitness center and tennis court.

Not everybody wants a beach

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Not everybody wants the ‘classic white sandy beach, azure blue swimming pool, hot sunshine, and cocktails at sunset’ type of a honeymoon. We take a look at some of those over-looked destinations that might not have a tropical climate but can still get you hot under the collar.

The lovely Lake District

How about a mini-moon walking in the Lake District, staying at some fantastic B&Bs and a lovely hotel. If you are fair skinned the sun can be a bit problematic so when you come back from the Lake District, you’ll be suntanned in a healthy way.

Super-fun skiing

Some people would much rather be skiing down a mountain than on a beach. Some couples find beach holidays boring. If you have ever only skied in Europe, why not go to the States to try out the snow there? Jackson Hole in Colorado is very recommended for all your skiers out there. If you’re both serious skiers and want a more action-orientated sort of honeymoon this maybe the honeymoon for you.

Ice cool Iceland

If you fancy going somewhere different and literally cool in every way, then consider a visit to Iceland. Just three hours from London, you can watch the Northern Lights, visit hot natural springs and soak in the geothermal pools, scuba dive and quad bike. There’s also a big nightclub scene in Reykjavik, if that’s your thing. It’s a great winter and summer destination and if you go during June, July and August you’ll enjoy 20 hours of straight daylight.

Going Japanese

Love sushi? Always wanted to visit Japan? Your honeymoon should be a holiday to remember and Japan offers an amazing once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. It’s one of the top places to go skiing but if you go to the Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps you can also see the local snow monkeys keeping warm in the hot springs and dip into a hot tub yourself.

The skiing is amazing for both downhill skiers and snow boarders and you can choose from a luxury hotel to self-catering accommodation. There are plenty of English speakers to help you if your Japanese isn’t up to scratch and the village apparently has a great atmosphere. Get there on the bullet train from Tokyo (a lifetime experience in itself).

Captivating Quebec

If you fancy a city break somewhere a little more unusual then consider visiting Quebec City in French-speaking Canada. It has a beautiful walled old town with cobbled streets, lively cafes, bars and nightclubs, wonderful food and, for some bargain shopping, you’ll find the largest mall in eastern Canada just a 20-minute bus ride away.

You can enjoy ice-skating on the rinks in the city, visit galleries, attend a concert and the food with its French influence is completely delicious. Temperatures in the winter can go down to minus 10C but the days are dry, so you’ve very little chance of coming across any rain. Just wrap up well like the locals and enjoy the freshest of winter air.

Where should you stay? There are a number of hotels in various price ranges and we like the idea of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which has a private Jacuzzi with a stunning view over the city. Perfect for sharing a glass of Champagne and talking over the wedding! It might blow the budget but who cares? It’s your honeymoon!

Some easy choices for your Wedding venue

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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!

DIY decorations

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Perfect as favours or place names, why not showcase your talents as we show you how to make these fun felt wedding decorations…

What you need

  • Coloured felt
  • Stuffing (cotton wool balls)
  • Contrasting thread or wool
  • Needle
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Card template

Instructions

Pin your heart template to your felt (you can print a paper one from the computer) then cut around the template. Be sure to keep the template tight to the felt for a professional-looking finish.

Put the two felt hearts together and pin in the centre. It’s now time to start stitching, using a blanket stitch. If you are unsure of this stitch, you are sure to find it on You Tube.

For the stuffing we used unravelled cotton wall balls. Stuff as much or little as you like, the more shape the better the finish.

Continue to sew the heart, once at the end, tie a knot with the needle and thread. Snip the ends and you have a beautiful felt heart.

Top Tip

If you wish to use the heart for hanging, pull a piece of thread through one of the stitches, or put wire or a small stick in the bottom of the heart and use as a cake topper or in your wedding flowers.

Alternatively scatter loosely on your wedding table for a pretty look.

The Perfect Autumn Wedding

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Your big day is coming up and we’re here to help you plan the wedding of your dreams! Autumn is the perfect time to get married. Something about this season just makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate, and who better to do that with than your new husband or wife? 

First Thing’s First: Indoor or Outdoor?

It’s tempting to have an outdoor wedding in Autumn, especially for those in the leafy areas. Keep in mind that while it is very beautiful, the Autumn can be quite chilly. Never fear- you can have both the comforts of home and nature’s beauty, whether you’re inside or out. Here’s how:

Outdoor Weddings

The wonderful thing about having an outdoor wedding in the Autumn is how simple the decorating can be on your part, while still achieving a breath-taking ceremony. The rich hues of red, orange, yellow, green, and brown decorate themselves. Warm, seasonal colours will surely pop against that perfect white gown. But, let’s talk colours later. The tricky part about outdoor weddings is weather. Wedding planning takes months and months of careful planning, and unpredictable weather changes can be a serious threat to your perfect day.

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Plan ahead. Schedule marquee rentals from a vendor ahead of time. In most cases, you can do this through the same service that provides your chairs and tables. Because weather is flippant and unpredictable, most vendors will have a reasonable cancellation policy for marquees, allowing you the freedom to make the call much closer to the date without scrambling to find a marquee at the last minute. Talk to your vendors. They want your day to be perfect, too.

Keep It Simple

With so many vibrant colours around you all of the beauty that nature has to offer- clean, classic decorations go a long way.

Lights. Consider using white string lights, vintage-style iron lanterns, or round paper lanterns to offset your colourful surroundings.

Sparklers are the new confetti and it’s no surprise why. Aside from being beautiful and inexpensive, sparkler send offs make for gorgeous wedding photos and by opting for sparklers over confetti.

Add seasonal decoration. Chances are you will need to make some final touches. Depending on how classic or rustic you want your ceremony to be, the amount of decorations will vary. For a more rustic approach, consider decorating with bales of hay, bright orange pumpkins, and natural wood. For a classic look, all of these same ideas could still apply, but probably in smaller doses. Consider painting the pumpkins and using them as vases/centrepieces for a sleeker look.

Indoor Weddings

For those of you with indoor weddings, weather and temperature won’t be as much of a concern. But, to have a true autumn themed wedding, you will have to bring nature inside to you! Here are some recommendations that may help you achieve that Autumn look you’re searching for.

Let Mother Nature Inspire You

Natural wood tables and chairs. Going with a very simple and natural looking wood will bring the feeling of nature inside.

Leaves. This one’s a freebie! Bag them up and bring them inside to decorate. You can line the aisle with bright, multi-coloured leaves for an outdoor feel.

Make use of the pumpkin. They aren’t just for Halloween. Aside from the endless possibilities of seasonal pumpkin foods and cocktails, they make wonderful decorations. Paint them, spray them with glitter, carve your initials into them, mark them with table numbers, use them as vases or candleholders…

Regardless of Location…

Choose bridesmaid’s dresses that are rich in colour. Popular colours for autumn include burnt oranges, deep reds, golds, chocolate browns, and dark purples.

Take advantage of what the season has to offer by using autumn colours, serving seasonal food and drinks, and using your favourite things about autumn to create beautiful centrepieces, placeholders, and other decorations.

A bright white dress will pop against an autumn colour palette, for sure. But, if you’re going for a more vintage look, go for a creamy off-white dress instead.

Last, but certainly not least, enjoy yourself. We wish you a wonderful autumn wedding and the happiest of marriages!

Favourite themes for 2016

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Finding the right theme for your wedding can be a massive headache – especially when you and your soon-to-be spouse have different tastes.

Here are some of the most favourite wedding themes for 2016 so you and your betrothed can find some common ground

Vintage nautical

Although vintage wedding themes have been a firm favourite for the last few years, 2016 will see this taken to the next level with more niche trends. For example, we’ll start to see the entire wedding based upon a particular reading, like the Owl and the Pussycat, which is becoming more popular as couples shy away from traditional love-based or religious musings, or perhaps a more nautical theme, like Titanic, that turns the usual into the more unusual. Suited to all seasons, you can easily incorporate this styling into every aspect of your wedding, whether you opt for an indoor or outdoor ceremony.

Fantastical wedding

What could be more outlandish and fun than stepping into the world of Alice in Wonderland, or maybe Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Whether you want to bring the Mad Hatter to your party, or would rather sample the sweet delights of Willy Wonka, the fantastical theme will help your wedding and the after party start and end with a bang. Bright colours, wonky decor and brash props make this a standout theme for 2016.

Get colourful!

Top tips for colour trends and theming for 2016 is all about being bold and brave with colour. It’s time to lose the pastel pinks and make your wedding pop. It’s all about making a big impact and sophisticated fun. This works really well with a Mexican themed wedding – think Mexican fiesta bunting, jars of colourful punch, colourful flower wreaths in your hair – or alternative wedding gowns that don’t necessarily fit to the white or ivory stereotypes.

Party decor

It’s goodbye to bunting and hello 2016 is the year of balloons, streamers and real plants as the centrepiece on tables. We’ve long been a fan of getting creative at weddings with colours and objects and we’re super-happy to see colour-coded props and peg boards making an appearance. It won’t lose that handmade feel though, so crafty-types, don’t fear. Feel free to add your personal touches to the entire experience and let your creativity run wild!

Retro

Feeling as though the vintage theme may be a bit too old-fashioned, but still looking to inject a bit of nostalgic fun into your big day? How about opting for a retro theme instead? Take a trip back to the 1950s and give your wedding a Grease-like feel, complete with diner-style food, multi-coloured straws and maybe even hire a vending machine or bar to finish the venue off properly. Finish everything off with an Airstream wedding photo booth and a retro looking enclosed photo booth – think Berlin photo mats – both can be set to print in vintage style old strips.

Inject some fun into your big day with customisable wedding photo booths and pop boxes, designed to fit any wedding theme or occasion.

Overseas wedding

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Italy

Thanks to its stop-and-stare scenery, nowhere on earth spells ‘amore’ quite like Italy. Become husband and wife here and you can swap promises in places like Positano, where the views have to be seen to be believed, or in private cloisters surrounded by lush olives groves. Honeymoon celebrations are given over to lingering coffees in pavement cafes, drawn-out dinners in barely-lit restaurants, and hand-in-hand strolls across moonlit piazzas.

Ibiza

It’s always a nice day for a white wedding in Ibiza. Blanched sands and sugar cube villages have given this bohemian island its ‘White Isle’ nickname, and nuptials tend to follow the same virgin colour scheme. Blessings usually take place on the beach, so you can feel the sand between your toes as you say your vows. Here, honeymoons are made up of spectacular sunsets, and spa treatments in view of the sea.

Iceland

Iceland is the ultimate winter wonderland, and weddings here certainly take advantage of the country’s spectacular scenery. You can choose to say ‘I do’ in the open air, against a backdrop of lava fields and the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. You can opt to get married in Thingvellier National Park, next to Iceland’s biggest lake. Or you can plump for the amazing Blue Lagoon, and toast your nuptials in 37-degree geothermal waters.

Cyprus

There’s a reason Cyprus is known as the Island of Love. This is, after all, the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. And the place just oozes romance. Your wedding ceremony can take place on a slither of the country’s 800-kilometre-long coastline, or deep in a forest straight out of a storybook. For a 5-star reception, meanwhile, look to the Sensatori Resort Aphrodite Hills – this luxurious property will make an oyster of your wedding world.

Mauritius

With its unmatchable fusion food, rare wildlife, and the longest unbroken coral reef in the world, Mauritius is a land of one-and-only. And that’s what your dream wedding will be too when you choose to make your promises on this island. You can say your vows on a beach that’s whiter than your veil and quieter than a cloister, and toast with Champagne as the sun dips below the horizon.