Tag Archives: weddings

Ice-breaking acts to entertain your guests

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When it comes to wedding reception entertainment ideas, there’s a number of ways which you can go. Many choose to simply ditch entertainment completely in favour of quiet talking or complete silence as guests struggle to work out just who they should speak to over their glass of Champagne. In order to break the ice, we think that a little wedding entertainment goes a long way and here are just a few ideas to get you started.

Bagpiper

There’s nothing quite like completing the wedding vows and heading to the wedding reception to be met by dulcet tone of the Bagpipes. Many of the guests may be in kilts anyway so it’s a perfect excuse to celebrate your heritage! Admittedly if neither the groom nor bride are Scottish or Irish, bagpipes may be a truly unusual wedding entertainment idea, but there are many other options. 

Living Topiary (or a puppeteer!)

Don’t go thinking that these two are just wedding entertainment ideas for kids, because they really aren’t. When you think about it, a wedding is a celebration and all about having fun, so it makes sense that the wedding reception entertainment is fun as well. With that in mind, Living statues are the perfect solution for ensuring a good time is had by all. These living statues always go down well, whilst a puppet show is an endearing way to tell the story of the couple. It’s bespoke, imaginative and unusual wedding entertainment most guests won’t have seen before.

Fortune Teller (or Tarot Card/Palm Reader)

Some strolling entertainment at your reception is often a fab way to get people chatting. Moving away from the music acts, there are some wonderfully romantic wedding entertainment ideas that at first might not seem obvious but then make sense when you’re there. One of these is looking into hiring a fortune teller, tarot card or palm reader. A great bit of fun, you never know, they may just see another wedding on the horizon between a couple of your guests!

Magician (or Graphologist)

If you aren’t too sure about predicting the future of those in your wedding party, ideas don’t come much better than hiring a magician for your big day. As the wedding reception entertainment, magic is sure to bring people together and provides a little relaxation for the Best Man and others ahead of the speeches later on! A graphologist is also an unusual entertainment idea for a wedding but no less compelling. Who doesn’t want to know what their handwriting tells an expert about them!? You never know, the writing might be on the wall for another marriage before too long.

Five great moments for your Wedding

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Morning

The pre-wedding jitters can easily be set to bed by a little entertainment in the morning! When family are gathered together in the hotel just waiting for a few hours to pass by, there’s nothing better than a bit of entertainment from a strolling act to enliven proceedings. A great time for a magician to diffuse some nerves and ensure that talking to your Great Uncle isn’t as difficult as you’d feared. A brilliant ice breaker, we highly recommend this whilst the bride and groom are busily getting ready.

Ceremony

During the ceremony itself! You’re probably wondering if you want a traditional wedding march to accompany you as you walk down the aisle, but why have that when you can have a small jazz band playing off to the side? It makes for a far more unique proposition than an organist playing that same tune you’ve heard at hundreds of weddings before and can even form part of the ceremony itself should you decide to put your own spin on things.

Drinks Reception

Whilst the bride and groom are off having their photos taken with their various in-laws, cousins and old University friends, it leaves the rest of the wedding party to stand about somewhat aimlessly drinking some Champagne or non-alcoholic equivalent. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Hiring a wedding pianist for an hour, or perhaps a solo singer is a perfect example – always goes down a treat.

Wedding Breakfast

Although technically speaking it’s nowadays more of a wedding dinner than a wedding breakfast, this is another part of your wedding day where a little bit of something is a nice idea. Naturally it all depends on your budget but after the food and speeches the bride and groom tend to walk between tables, happily greeting those they haven’t seen in a while. For those who aren’t on a table with anyone they know very well, the small talk ran out somewhere between the main course and dessert. As such, some light entertainment in the form of a quiz – perhaps about the couple? – or caricaturist can go a long way!

Reception

We needn’t go into too much detail about whether a band of DJ is the way to go… Just know that entertainment is pretty much a must have for this portion of your wedding day and can make the occasion even more special to those who have travelled a long way! There are a whole host of acts that come under the ‘wedding entertainment for hire’ banner, so you don’t need to stick to just one! 

From a wedding photo booth to a wandering band, simply click around the website and see what takes your fancy.

Take your time to pick your music

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

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

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

 

Wedding Ceremony Music Alternatives 

Favourite choices for Christian weddings:

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

Favourite choices for Jewish weddings:

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

Favourite choices for Celtic weddings:

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

Planning an outdoor wedding

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Outdoor weddings give you so many more options when it comes to location and usually provides beautiful scenery. On the other hand, there are so many more potential problems and obstacles that can arise by having an outdoor wedding. This is mainly due to the fact that you never know for sure what on earth the weather is going to do. So here are some tips for planning an outdoor wedding. 

Location

First you need to decide which location you want to have the wedding at. Have you had your heart set on a beach front wedding at sunset ever since you were a little girl dreaming about your wedding? Or maybe you prefer a more rustic, woodsy setting. The options are endless: at the park where you shared your first kiss, in your back garden, or at the cinema, the list goes on and on!

Once you choose your location, go through the proper procedures. Be sure no one has booked the area for another wedding or event. If the site is public property, get a permit to hold your wedding. Most parks and public beaches require a permit. Also, check with the council on what the rules and regulations are on rubbish removal, and if you can have candles, etc. 

Prepare for the Weather

Once you have chosen a location, you will need to set a date. While setting the date, keep in mind of what the weather is like there during that time of year. The UK is a little unpredictable we know, but although it may be raining in the summer its usually a nice temperature. 

Prepare accordingly for the potential weather and have a backup location in case the rain tries to spoil your day. One item that can really save the day is a marquee. A marquee can save you from light rain and can help shade your guests on a hot, sunny day. A marquee isn’t the cure all for all rain though; if it is a downpour, the ground under the marquee will get soggy and muddy. You’ll still want to have a backup, indoor location just in case. Another weather factor you need to take into consideration is the wind. When choosing hair and makeup styles, relate to your hairdresser that you’re going to have an outdoor wedding. The stylist will be sure to give you a fantastic look that won’t be blowing away in the wind.

Accommodating Your Guests

Be sure to take care of your guests. If it’s going to be a hot day, have fans and bottled water available to your guests. Be mindful of your guests when you’re setting up the seating, etc. Make sure they’re not blinded by the sun the entire ceremony. It’s also nice to give them some notice in the invitation what to expect. For example, suggest they wear comfortable shoes for sand or soft ground or to bring sunscreen or a sun hat for a bright day.

Keep your guests in mind on a few other notes as well. With an outdoor ceremony, you’ll discover a lot of extra noise all around, whether it be the waves coming ashore or the wind blowing through the trees. Work with your band or DJ to get a wireless microphone or some sort of sound system set up for you. 

Don’t Forget!

Here are some things you may or may not think about while you’re planning, but are important to help your day go as smoothly as possible. Have ample seating for your guests both at the ceremony and reception. There are a lot of wedding table and chair rental companies out there, and most of them also offer linens, chair covers and marquees. Linens and chair decor are great ways to boost the overall look. If you’re holding the reception outdoors as well, you’ll more than likely need to rent a dance floor. 

An outdoor wedding is a beautiful way to have your special day. Keep in mind these suggestions when planning. Also, take tips and advice from any of your vendors (photographer, musicians, etc.) who have worked outdoor events. They have the experience and know about situations that can arise.

Be savvy and save with some great tips

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With the average wedding in the UK costing around £20,000, it’s understandable why some couples quiver at the thought of tying the knot. But this shouldn’t steer those wanting to get hitched away from their dream day. To prove that this is the case, Oxford Abingdon Hotel have created a simple guide to give ‘wannabe weds’ some handy tips on how to avoid a five figure bill while still achieving a wedding day to remember

The engagement

Avoiding an engagement party to cut costs is totally missing out on a valuable opportunity to gather essentials which could help to cover costs otherwise incurred. By being opportunistic and holding a small gathering to celebrate will spark generosity between friends and family which will be needed in the run up to the big day.

Spreading the word

Nothing pulls harder on a guest’s heart strings than a hand-written invitation. Scattered with personalised notes and hand-stuck pictures; there is no cheaper way of convincing a guest to join in the celebrations on the big day.

Save on the date

Everyone wants to say their vows on the weekend. Instead pay less and give family and friends the opportunity to take some well-deserved time off during the week to celebrate? It often costs much less to host your wedding on a Friday and means your guests can stay and celebrate with you all weekend long if you choose!

No limits on location

Being in love with a prestige location needn’t mean it has to be ruled out. For example, wedding venues in Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, the Lake District and other countryside wedding locations can be pretty pricey; however, by doing some homework, modern residencies like the Oxford Abingdon Hotel can cater for a range of sizes and budgets while still being in the heart of the destination.

The wedding breakfast

One of the biggest costs faced is internal or external catering. As oppose to cutting back on courses or opting for a buffet, why not consider inviting fewer guests and upping the style of dining? Alternatively, a buffet can also be a viable option which will reduce the overall cost.

Ban the bar tab

After stretching the budget to craft a truly fabulous wedding day, it could all have been in vain if one chooses to start a bar tab. Instead, pay-as-you-go to avoid a bad start to the honeymoon.

Unwanted wedding gifts

No matter how many lists or hints received by guests, it is inevitable that a handful of, to put it nicely, non-favourable gifts will be received. By utilising handy sites like eBay and Gumtree, shifting these will help save for a dreamy honeymoon.

If you’re planning a wallet-friendly wedding in Oxfordshire, Oxford Abingdon Hotel has some fantastic packages starting from just £2,015, which includes welcome drinks, three course wedding breakfast and much more… giving you even more to celebrate!

Top relationship tips

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1) Make time for each other

It might sound obvious. This simple rule has been vital to the success stories of people with over 20 years of marriage. So use your free time wisely and commit one evening solely to your partner.

2) Avoid arguments

Ditching the petty arguments in favour of respect and understanding is crucial to a happy relationship. So perhaps the old adage of ‘Don’t go to bed angry’ really does drive results when it comes to love.

3) Don’t take each other for granted

Valuing your partner and all that he or she does for you is also hugely important. Remember to thank your partner on a daily basis in order to pave the way for a long and appreciative life together. This is something which is vital to a happy relationship.

4) Be patient

Patience doesn’t come easily but being able to accept your partner and avoiding trying to change them will reap its benefits later down the line. If there are any hard-and-fast rules in love, patience is the one.

5) Work at it

There’s no easy answer to making a relationship work but being able to persevere when times get tough is hugely important in any partnership. 

Work as a team and value each other, of course we all have something in our partners which can be annoying at times, but all their little quirks are what first attracted them to you in the beginning. So work with what you have and spend the rest of your lives together…

Crazy Marriage proposals

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There are two types of people when it comes to marriage proposals; there’s the type of person who says that a proposal should be a private, intimate moment between two people in love that should reflect their time together.

Here are a couple of crazy proposals from the second type of person – take a look at these grand, public proposals!

A Blackpool Tower flashmob

This is a pretty unique flashmob, as the girlfriend in question was dancing along with the crowd!

The groom-to-be is a dance instructor, and is teaching a whole crowd a routine to’ Marry You’ by Bruno Mars on the dancefloor at Blackpool Tower. Once the crowd gets the routine sorted and are dancing away happily, his girlfriend Emily (also an instructor) comes up on stage to dance with him and lo and behold, he pops the question – much to her delighted amazement and the shouts and cheers of the crowd. This one takes some confidence and chutzpah but it really works and is emotional in all the right ways!

A surprise trip to New York

“I proposed to my girlfriend using deceit, lies and trickery.” Actually, it was a lot more romantic than it sounds – in fact he had two, rather than one big surprise lined up. The first was that his girlfriend was convinced they were going to Paris for their break, and it wasn’t until they got to the airport and Andy produced her passport and a beret that she discovered that they were actually going to New York! 

Then he sets things up just so he can propose in Times Square and film the whole thing – and really takes her by surprise yet again. How impressive!

 As if by magic

A proposal should always be magical, but this one might take the cake! David enlisted the help of magician and street performer to help him pop the question in Las Vegas his girlfriend Mary really had no idea this was going to happen. She’s completely amazed – in all the right ways!

April Fool’s!

Timing is definitely a key part of planning a proposal. One man took a bit of a chance proposing on April Fool’s Day – his girlfriend’s first response is, “This better not be a joke!”. She doesn’t look convinced until he finally pulls out the ring!

His girlfriend is crazy about dogs and always admired the puppies she saw on their walks together in Hyde Park, which gave the groom-to-be in question an idea. He got some special little coats made for three puppies professing his love and popped the question that way. 

Working it out

Proposing to your girlfriend whilst she’s at work isn’t always the best idea – unless she’s a teacher and you can get her cute pupils involved!

That’s the idea this groom-to-be had – he made them all hold up letters spelling out his proposal and briefed them before his girlfriend entered the class.  It’s a really sweet idea, and of course all ends well.

Smart Wedding Apps

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Appy Couple – £25

A great app that allows you to create a mini website to announce your engagement. Once they’re on the site, your guests have everything they need to know about the big day – people can RSVP to different parts of your wedding, browse the gift list and more, replacing paperwork and keeping key elements of the big day in one place.

Wedding Snap – Free

This handy app means you won’t miss a single photo from your big day, as it gathers guests’ smartphone snaps and compiles them in an online album that can be viewed in real time anywhere in the world. Plus, the live slideshow function also means the pictures can be shared during the reception itself, which adds a nice personal touch.

WeddingHappy – Free

When it comes to organisation, WeddingHappy is great for making sure nothing is missed. The app remembers your wedding date and keeps you on track to ensure everything gets done on time, as well as helping out with which tasks to tackle when. A one-stop shop to wedding planning ease.

Colour Inspector – Free

The days of carrying around colour swatches are over with this app that turns your iPhone into a colour detector. You can rest assured that everything you choose will be ‘on brand’ and nothing will be sticking out like a sore thumb

The Colour Genius – Free

This clever app from L’Oreal picks the perfect cosmetics for any attire, making sure that months of careful outfit planning isn’t ruined by bad makeup – great for passing on to your mum and bridesmaids.

With some Apps that are free, there is no excuse for you not to plan the perfect Wedding!!

4 Special moments of wedding planning

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

Telling everyone you’re engaged

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

Starting up Pinterest

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

Finding the perfect dress

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

Walking down the aisle

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

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

Mr & Mrs

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Welcome to the all-new Mr & Mrs Quiz for 2016! Back in the 1970s there was a TV game show called Mr and Mrs, where the contestants were asked to answer questions about their partner. If the answers matched, they won! And this got us thinking – how well do you know your own husband or wife-to-be?

So just for fun, we’ve made a Mr & Mrs Quiz especially for you! Do the quiz with your husband to be on a cosy night in or get the answers from the groom-to-be and then take it to your Hen night!

Here are a few suggestions:

What’s the one thing, apart from you that he’d save in a fire?
His job, his friends, his hobbies and you – put them in order of priority!
What would he say is most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?
What’s the name of his favourite celebrity crush?
What’s the most unusual place you’ve had sex?
What would he say is your most annoying habit?
What would you say is his most annoying habit?
What’s his favourite sexual position?
Who’s got a higher libido, you or him?
Who would play him in a movie of his life?
What’s his favourite part of your body?
What’s your favourite part of his body?
Where does your h2b want to go on honeymoon?
How many children does he want?
What year did you get together?
After how many dates did you sleep together?
How do you like to fall asleep? Cuddling or apart?
Would you trust him to choose your wedding dress?
How many times did he take his driving test?
What’s his favourite meal?
What’s his special name for you? And yours for him?
Would you rather spend an evening out with his parents or your parents?
What’s his favourite song? And what would he say your favourite song is?
What’s the first movie you ever saw together?
What’s his favourite time of year?
What were his exact words when he proposed?