Tag Archives: wedding

Wedding Fireworks

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When planning a wedding remember that in the winter months, night falls far earlier in the evening than in the height of summer. This means that you could hold your wedding fireworks display at an earlier hour with a winter wedding – ideal if you’ve got children attending who will enjoy the display.

Tie the knot in the summer and you’ll have to wait until around 10pm for darkness. By this point the dancing and Champagne will have been flowing for hours – will you really be able to get your guests organised outside to enjoy the show? A master of ceremonies will come in handy here – leave the ushering and organising to them!

On the other hand, in the autumn and winter months you’re more likely to encounter rain. Many fireworks displays are weather dependent, so don’t pin all your hopes on it going to plan.

Check with your wedding venue

Outside space will be essential for any wedding fireworks display to be possible. Beyond that, you’ll need to speak to your venue about what they do and do not allow. Some are happy for you to hold a pyrotechnic extravaganza, while others prefer you to stick to sparklers.

There’s no point planning an enormous display, and investing money in it, only to discover that your venue does not permit it. Plus, your venue can probably recommend companies they’ve worked with before to make organising your wedding fireworks display a breeze. And if a sparkling show is a deal breaker for you, best to have that conversation before you book – either the fireworks or the venue!

Brief your photographer

Once you’ve got the go ahead from your wedding venue and found the company to make it happen, it’s time to share the exciting news! Undoubtedly you’ll be desperate to tell your guests, but don’t forget to discuss it with your wedding photographer, too.

Not all photographers stay beyond the first dance, so check what is included in your package. If you want the fireworks to be captured, why not negotiate extending their coverage until after the display?

A full-scale wedding fireworks display offers the perfect opportunity to capture incredible group photos against the illuminated backdrop. You can also snap dreamy couple portraits as you watch. If sparklers are the order of the day, grab your bridesmaids and groomsmen for enchanting pictures together. Have them surround you, draw letters for long-exposure photography or simply act naturally for reportage shots.

 

A bit of a romance

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A little romance goes a long way. The very best weddings manage to incorporate small elements of romance and elegance without going overboard and still remaining cool!

Your wedding entertainment is crucial in setting the mood for your day so what acts in particular should you be looking at this year to create that warm, fuzzy feeling at your wedding?

Rat Pack Singers

You can celebrate in effortless style with a Rat Pack Singers and Bands. There is something suave and special about this era of music that brings a touch of class to your wedding. The tempo of the tracks are perfect for dancing to and often have a really romantic and personal touch – without going overboard on cheese.

Fire Performers

Make a change to the traditional end of night fireworks and heat things up during the evenings with live fire performers. The flickering flames and amber glow of the fire is inviting to say the least and is something completely unexpected for your guests. Create special moments and surprises for a memorable night.

Gospel Choir

If you’ve seen romantic comedy ‘Love Actually’ then you will know the impact a choir can make on your wedding. The sound of a choir is magnificent during weddings, especially during the ceremony where their grand voices can carry beautifully throughout your wedding venue. If you are in a large venue or a church then the acoustics will be absolutely perfect for this!

Wedding Harpist

If you are unsure about the acoustics of your venue then you can still create a romantic atmosphere with a live musician such as a Harpist. A solo musician like this is beautiful, personal and elegant. Not only that but the harp is an amazing looking instrument within itself. It stands tall and is hard to miss as the talented performer serenades both you and your guests.

Ballerinas

Enthralling snowflake ballerinas gliding across your dance floor with flawless choreography bring wonder and fascination from your guests. Live dancers are always unexpected at weddings and make for amazing photo opportunities. Top tip: Have them perform with you during your first dance to make the that moment even more romantic and memorable.

 

The Wedding Processional Order

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When planning a wedding, we’ve listed the entire processional order starting with mother of the bride and finishing with the bride. Make sure your bridal team know who they should follow and who goes next…

Mother of the bride

The mother of the bride is the first to walk down the aisle to mark the start of the procession. She traditionally takes the first seat in the left hand aisle.

Mother of the groom

The mother of the groom shortly follows, taking the first seat in the front right hand row.

Grandparents of the bride

If both grandparents are attending your wedding it is also tradition for them to be included in the wedding procession. The grandparents of the bride should sit in the front left hand row with the

Mother of the bride.

Grandparents of the groom

Followed by grandparents of the groom who should sit in the front right hand row with the mother of the groom.

Groomsmen

The groomsmen can walk in one by one or together and will stand at the front awaiting the entrance of the Groom.

Best Man & Groom

The best man may walk in with the Groom or as the last of the groomsmen. The best man will stand by the groom’s side during the wedding ceremony and often holds the bride’s ring or both rings.

Officiant

A crucial element to the ceremony, the officiant of the marriage is also honoured with a position in the processional either down the aisle or from another side room. The officiant will stand at the front with the groom.

Bridesmaids & Maid of honour

Traditionally the bridesmaids will walk in together, closely followed by the maid of honour who is the last person to assist the bride with her dress and make sure the bride looks perfect for her entrance.

Flower girls, page boys & ring bearer

Flower girls, page boys and/or the ring bearer will precede the bride down the aisle. This marks the end of the processional, the rings are given to the best man and maid of honour by the ring bearer.

Father of the bride and the bride

Finally, the bride’s father will traditionally walk his daughter down the aisle and give her away to the groom who waits at the altar. The father of the bride will then take his seat next to the mother of the bride.

 

Who should do what

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Planning a wedding is a pretty daunting task for any bride and groom, which is why traditionally the bridal party have a number of jobs to help with the process, and to ensure smooth wedding planning at all times…

Bride and groom

The bride and groom’s biggest responsibility is obviously to seal the deal and get married, but they have some crucial planning decisions to make first. It’s important that the bride and groom work on these decisions together and share the workload fairly, and that both are happy with each decision made.

  • Set the budget
  • Compile a guest list (this will be influenced by the budget)
  • Choose a theme, date and venue – make the necessary reservations and deposits
  • Organise invites, flowers, a photographer and wedding entertainment
  • Choose the wedding rings
  • Write the wedding vows
  • Thank-you notes for the guests
  • Greet everyone at the reception
  • Dance the first dance at the reception – some couples have lessons beforehand

In addition to the bride and groom’s joint responsibilities, each traditionally have tasks to handle on their own. The bride needs to choose her bridesmaids and maid of honour and their dresses, and choose a gift for her hubby-to-be. The groom needs to choose his groomsmen and best man and their attire, and also choose a gift for his wife-to-be.

Bride’s parents

In past traditions the bride’s parents have always paid for the majority of the wedding, but today the cost is usually distributed between mainly the couple, the bride’s parents and the groom’s parents. However there are still certain responsibilities for the bride’s parents to take care of.

  • Help the bride and groom with the guest list
  • Offer assistance and moral support with the wedding details
  • Attend any wedding rehearsals
  • The bride’s father escorts her to the ceremony and usually walks her down the aisle

Groom’s parents

The groom’s parents have very similar responsibilities to the groom’s parents:

  • Help the bride and groom with the guest list
  • Offer assistance and moral support with the wedding details
  • Attend any wedding rehearsals

Maid of honour

The maid of honour is traditionally a sister or best friend, and is the member of the bridal party that the bride relies most on. The maid of honour’s responsibilities include:

  • Organising any bridesmaid-related activities
  • Coordinating the hen do
  • Most importantly, organising the wedding dress shopping and any fittings
  • Helping the bride and groom with any ad–hoc tasks or errands  (keeping record of RSVPs, etc)
  • Attend any wedding rehearsals
  • Help the bride dress and get ready on the morning of the wedding
  • Arrange her veil and train during the processional and recessional
  • Holds the bride’s bouquet at the altar
  • Sign the marriage license as the bride’s witness
  • Helps the bride during the reception with the dress

Bridesmaids

There is no minimum or maximum number when it comes to bridesmaids and you can have as many as you want for your wedding. Bridesmaids can be single, married and any age.

  • Assist the maid of honour with the wedding planning duties and help the bride when needed
  • Help organise the hen do
  • Attend any wedding rehearsals
  • Walk in the processional and recessional

Best man

The best man is the groom’s go–to man during the wedding planning and his biggest support. The best man is traditionally the groom’s brother or best friend, and can be single, married and any age again.

  • Organise the stag do
  • Help to organise the groomsmen’s suit fitting and pick this up before the wedding say
  • Write a speech for the wedding reception
  • Attend any wedding rehearsals
  • Make sure the groom gets to the ceremony on time
  • Brings the rings to the ceremony
  • Signs the marriage license as the groom’s witness

Groomsmen

Apart from assisting the best man, the groomsmen don’t actually have many responsibilities before the wedding.

  • Help the best man with any wedding planning duties
  • Attend the stag do
  • Attend any wedding rehearsals
  • Arrive early at the ceremony on the wedding day and help to greet and seat guests

Weddings for less

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Planning the perfect wedding for less is becoming ever more do-able, and the trend for handmade weddings stronger than ever.

And while we’re all for it, here at Wedding Branch there are a few elements we definitely don’t think you should scrimp on. It’s worth splashing the cash on your wedding dress and wedding photographer – these are the core elements that will define your big day and the way you remember it, so it really is worth getting the best you can afford.

Prioritise

Between the ceremony and reception, temptation abounds for spending – whether it’s on the wedding breakfast, the decorations, the wedding entertainment or the cake.

Instead of splurging on them all, spend on the parts of the day that matter the most to you. If you are a total foodie, then that exquisite three-course meal might be worth the money. If you can’t live without live music, hire a band, but forgo some of the other extras.

You’ll also want to consider what aspects will play the biggest role in your day. Where will you spend the most time and what will you be doing? Spend money where you’ll be able to appreciate it longest.

Hire don’t buy

You’ll almost definitely buy your wedding gown, but you don’t have to do that for the groom and groomsmen’s suits too. If keeping the big day suit isn’t top of your husband-to-be’s priority list, hire it instead to keep your costs down.

Likewise, don’t feel you have to buy every decoration, string of bunting or table runner. Look to the many businesses that offer everything you need, from décor to tableware to garden games, for hire to get your dream day for less.

Friends & family

Your friends and family will be full of excitement in the run up to your wedding day. Put their excitement and skills to work and have them help you with the preparations.

If your best friend is a whiz on the sewing machine, enlist their help sewing bunting. If you know a brilliant baker, why not ask if they would make your cake? Get together to prepare favours, place settings and all the little jobs that soon stack up.

Save the date

Saying ‘I do’ on a summertime Saturday means you’ll pay premium prices. Opt for a midweek ceremony or get married out of the peak wedding season to make your budget go further.

Taking last minute cancellations is another great way to nab your dream wedding venue within your budget if you’re flexible on the date. Venues will be keen to fill the date, so are likely to reduce their rates and might even throw in some extras for free.

Foodie festivities  

The three-course sit down wedding breakfast is no longer the only option for your reception. Try an increasingly trendy barbecue or hog roast to give your guests great food at more affordable prices. Choosing food that is in season will also help you get more for your money – the same applies for flowers.

Ditch starters in favour of canapés after the ceremony or the traditional dessert course in favour of a DIY dessert table. This could be a sweets stand, cheeseboard, cookie station or even slices of your wedding cake. Provide cellophane bags alongside your sweet selection so they can double up as your wedding favours.

 

Budget Wedding Cakes

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All brides know that a beautiful wedding cake is a show-stopping part of any wedding reception.

However, there are many clever ways to make sure you can still have the wedding of your dreams without spending a fortune and without compromising on the quality.

Two may be cheaper than one

This is a budget-savvy technique for large weddings with over 100+ guests. All you have to do is to supplement the picture-perfect display wedding cake with another sheet cake, which is usually much cheaper and can cut the per-person cost in half. In case you’re worried that your guests may notice, why not decorate both cakes in the same design and icing?

Don’t forget, not everyone eats the cake, so for a wedding of 200, you can easily reduce the size to 170.

Make cake the dessert course

Dispense with a separate dessert course and simply present the wedding cake as your dessert, together with tea and coffee to end the meal. Cheesecakes and chocolate fudge cakes double up as a spectacular dessert and provide a unique alternative to a traditional wedding cake.

Give it away as a favour

Why not kill two birds with one stone by giving little sweet treats away when your guests leave the party.  Cheesecake minis and cheesecake cupcakes are the perfect gift your guests can take away with them as a little memorabilia that, if eaten within a few days, can conjure up the good memories from the wedding day.

The tiers equal your cost

The higher you go, the higher the price of the tiers so it’s best to keep the number of tiers to a minimum, or opt for a display of several one-tier cakes on stands of varying height.

 

Short UK Honeymoon breaks

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Wedding breaks are fast becoming a must for newlyweds. They’re not a minimoon for a few days or a honeymoon or a week abroad. Wedding breaks are a post-wedding, pre-honeymoon getaway for a night or two, somewhere nice, near home.

When you’ve kicked off your Wedding shoes, here are some of our favourite places to take wedding breaks;

The Scarlet

Perched on a clifftop overlooking the stunning beach at Mawgan Porth, The Scarlet is a luxurious hotel perfectly positioned on the Cornish coast. Cornwall is filled with pretty villages to visit and views to swoon over, but if you fancy something more active, it’s the perfect place to learn to surf. The hotel can arrange private lessons or why not join the surf school?

Not to be missed during your stay is The Scarlet Spa, where total indulgence awaits. The Spa focuses on wellbeing as well as beauty, offering a fab range of eco-friendly treatments. With chic interior design and furniture, plus the comfiest beds around, you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep here. They have 37 stunning bedrooms in the hotel spread out over five floors. Each room boasts its own outside space, from private terraces to balconies – perfect for watching the sun go down together. Prices start from £180 B&B in low season – worth every penny!

Radisson Edwardian Heathrow

Just two miles from Heathrow airport, the Radisson Edwardian Heathrow is the perfect stop-over for early-morning honeymoon flights and wedding breaks. This slick West End-style venue has a lively atmosphere that’s buzzing until the early hours. The Pegasus Health Spa and Gymnasium is the perfect place to begin unwinding after your big day. Expect to be pampered with a huge variety of treatments on offer, ranging from herbal saunas to massages and facials.

For the rooms, try The Presidential Suite – it’s perfect for wedding breaks for newlyweds. The other 458 rooms and suites boast all mod cons plus rich fabrics and marble bathrooms. This looks more like a chic central London hotel than an airport stopover. Prices start from £125 for a double room.

Peak Edge Hotel

The Peak Edge Hotel is the gateway to the Peak District in Derbyshire. Aside from the panoramas of rolling dales from every window, there is great local food cooked to perfection in the adjoining 17th-century inn, beautifully designed décor and an extensive activities package to keep you busy here. There are 27 brand new boutique bedrooms with picturesque views and sumptuous finishes. Bathrooms boast double-ended baths, rain showers and underfloor heating. You’ll also find LED flat screen TVs, decadent bedding and Wi-Fi internet to enjoy inside.

Blakes Hotel

Blakes in London is the sort of hotel that makes you want to stay in your room, sipping Champagne, indulging in room service! Locally you’ll find shops galore on Kensington Church Street, and Harrods is a short taxi ride away, as are the V&A and Natural History Museums. Each of the 47 rooms is designed by internationally acclaimed designer Anouska Hempel, and each is daringly different. We recommend the Corfu Suite, which boasts a huge four-poster bed, a separate dressing room, huge bathroom, wooden floors and distressed white mother of pearl embossed furniture.

The Royal Scots Club

The Royal Scots Club is a members’ club situated in one of Edinburgh’s finest Georgian streets. It’s about a two-minute walk from the main shopping areas of Edinburgh, and it takes about 25 minutes to get to the hotel from the airport by car.

It’s quite a formal place to stay, oozing sophistication and class. It’s perfect for couples looking for privacy. There is no place for jeans and t-shirts here, especially at dinner time. The restaurant serves indulgent dishes, which are an absolute must try. The decadent decor, beautiful furnishings and the luxurious rooms create a cosy country manor house feel, despite their size. Accommodation prices start from £140 per room for bed and breakfast based on two sharing.

 

Church Weddings

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With more UK wedding venues available than ever, saying your vows in a church is no longer the norm. But for many couples. When planning a wedding a church wedding is still an essential and traditional part of the big day.

So with around a third of UK couples still choosing a religious ceremony, here’s our beginner’s guide to booking a wedding ceremony in church:

What are the legal requirements for a church wedding?

Couples must be 18 to marry without their parents’ consent in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or 16 with their approval. The ceremony must take place between 8am and 6pm, witnessed by two people.

In Scotland it’s legal to marry from 16 without consent and at any time of day, although you do still require two witnesses.

Most marriages require banns to be published before the wedding, signifying your intention to marry. These need to be read out in the parish where each of you lives, as well as the church where you’ll be married for three Sundays during the three months before the wedding.

If there isn’t enough time for this, you can apply for a license costing from £200, which you may also need if one of the couple isn’t British or lives outside England. In Scotland, you need to give 15 days’ notice with the local registrar.

Are the rules different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Yes — Scotland in particular has different laws than England and Wales, while there are stricter residency requirements in Northern Ireland. Catholic churches also differ, for example, needing a dispensation if one person is not Catholic but not requiring the banns to be read.

Can I get married in any church?

For a Wedding ceremony in England and Wales, you can marry in any church if you meet one of several conditions: that either of you has lived or attended services in the parish for at least six months, was baptized or prepared for confirmation there, that one of your parents or grandparents was married in the parish, or one of your parents has lived or attended services there for at least six months after you were born. If you’ve recently moved, you’ll be eligible to marry in your new parish too.

In Scotland, there are no residency requirements so you can marry in any church you choose. In practice, it may depend on availability and the individual minister who’s likely to want to meet couples who aren’t members of the church beforehand.

In Northern Ireland, one of the couple must be resident in the district where you plan to marry for at least 14 days before being eligible, unless you apply for a special licence

Do I have to attend church before I can get married there?

Not for a Church of England ceremony, although if your heart is set on marrying in a church where you have no connections, attending services for six months — even a single service each month — would allow this.

How far in advance should I book a UK church ceremony?

Churches can become booked up several months in advance, so ask the vicar or church office as early as possible, especially for popular dates. Many churches won’t arrange weddings during Lent, although this doesn’t apply to Catholic ceremonies.

Can I use my own vows in church?

Not in England and Wales, where legally no part of the wedding vows can be changed. However it’s possible to include poems, readings or songs which have a special significance in the service, depending on the individual vicar. In Scotland, you can vary the traditional forms or write your own with the minister’s approval.

 

Interactive entertainment

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It can be difficult being invited to a wedding and not knowing many people there. If you’ve missed out on a plus one, you might be looking ahead to the big day with a sense of excitement but also a little apprehension. Will you be able to chat to anyone at all? In the hopes of ensuring that everybody at your wedding can ‘break the ice’, here are five interactive wedding entertainment ideas that guests will enjoy.

Retro Games

It used to be that if you liked computer games, you’d keep it to yourself for fear of being ‘geeky’. Games are very much in these days though with the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and recently released Nintendo Switch proving to be extremely popular and why not tap into this love by hiring retro games for your wedding. A bit of fun at the wedding reception, having a Mario Kart tournament featuring your Auntie and colleague from accounts is sure to be one of the most surprising events of the evening! Not sure on going digital? How about booking Scalextric for a wedding instead?

Photo booth

One of the most popular additions to weddings in recent years, a photo booth brings people together like no other wedding entertainment can. Creating memories of your big day, guests will ordinarily be able to instantly print their photos and keep a copy for themselves whilst also sticking in another photo into an album that the bride and groom will be given after the wedding comes to an end. Photo booths often come with props for an extra dose of comedy and you’ll be even able to send yourself a digital copy as well. Marvellous!

Garden Games

If you are looking to plan a summer wedding, then you might be wanting to hold much of the big day outside in the sun. If this is the case, then after the ceremony and perhaps during the drinks reception, you might like to offer some garden games for your guests. Also able to be enjoyed after the wedding breakfast, games like  croquet or quoits roll back the years and ensure a level playing field from the ages of eight to eighty!

Ceilidh

When it comes to booking music for a wedding, you generally have two options – book a wedding band or book a DJ. But there’s actually a third option. Rather than booking a function band, you might like to book a Ceilidh instead! Similar to a barn dance, a Ceilidh band has an experienced caller who explains the dance moves to you ahead of time and ensures that all ages get involved. A fantastic option for your wedding entertainment.

 

Surprise your guests

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When it comes to weddings, there are many opportunities to surprise the bride and groom. Be it with gifts, a fun interactive game for the newlyweds to engage in during the wedding reception or the Best Man’s speech, each surprise is sure to delight and entertain those in attendance. But what about surprising the bride and groom with some wedding entertainment? Here are three brilliant options.

Singing Waiters

Perhaps the most famous of the surprise acts, since their arrival on the events scene over the past decade, Singing Waiters have been a hugely popular booking for weddings each and every year. Working as part of the catering staff throughout the wedding breakfast, Singing Waiters surprise every person in the room by breaking out into song at a pre-arranged time. Perhaps the bride and groom have a special song that would be perfect for the Singing Waiters treatment? Hugely fun, this is sure to stun the room.

Stand Up Opera

One for the couple who love a bit of musical theatre, Stand Up Opera is a comedy and music performance unlikely anything you’ve ever seen! The concept begins during the drinks reception, where two charismatic performs will mingle with other wedding guests. Later in the day, the duo take centre stage to commemorate the new Mr. & Mrs. but their witty chatter quickly turns into an impressive and unexpected performance with operatic and classical crossover duets. The perfect blend of laughter and spine-tingling music for your big day!

Breakdancing Waiters

For those who are familiar with flash mobs, Breakdancing Waiters shouldn’t be too hard to explain. For the uninitiated, a flashmob is when a group of people who appeared not to be linked suddenly break out in song and dance! If you book Breakdancing Waiters for your wedding, you’ll receive a troupe of performers who immerse themselves among the wait staff and then break out into a stunning dance routine that will shock everybody in the room. A tremendous alternative to Singing Waiters but just as enjoyable!