Wedding Tips & Advice Everything you need to know about weddings, and more… Wedding Tips PageTop 10 Wedding mistakesSome things are unavoidable on your wedding day like the weather and which horrific story the best man will tell. However, many risks you can mitigate before the big day arrives. Here are some handy hints… Don’t… …Blow the budget on the dress; If you have £1000 set aside for your bridal look, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can buy a £1000 gown. If you’re not buying off the rack, you could get charged for shipping and you’ll likely need alterations too. Consider your undergarments, shoes, veil, hair accessories and jewellery when budgeting as well. …Send save the dates too early; It may be tempting to tell everyone about your wedding date as soon as possible, but don’t send those save-the-date cards until you’ve finalized the guest list. Friends could turn into mere acquaintances by the time you tie the knot. You also might be glad if some people can’t make it if you’re struggling with numbers. Send save-the-dates out no more than six to eight months before your wedding date, and send them only to guests you’re positive will be invited. …Choose your guests too early; Your wedding party should be made up of your closest friends and/or family members. Don’t choose too early as you’ll never know who will be emigrating and which family members you will fall out with. …Give too little time to make-up time; Ideally you want to be the last one to get your hair and makeup done on the wedding day, so your makeup is fresh. This means you’re going to have to schedule enough time for all of your bridesmaids (if they’re having hair and makeup done too) as well as you. When you go for your hair trials, time how long it takes your hairstylist. …Take too little time for photos; Squeezing photos into the first half hour of your cocktail hour will make you anything but at ease. If you don’t want to do a first look, take pictures separately beforehand so the only shots left to take after the ceremony include both of you. …Gett Trashed the Night Before the Wedding; Whether your friends have mistakenly planned the stag/hen parties for the night before the wedding (a couple weeks before is ideal timing) or the ‘couple as a freeman’ drinks that escalate the night before… avoid at all costs. …Lose Perspective; Don’t forget to keep your eye on what’s really important to you. Don’t get bogged down in so many small details that you don’t spend enough time on what’s important. If something goes wrong, try your best to take deep breaths and think about the big picture. Above all, keep your sense of humour. …Give the best man a free-ticket; The best man’s speech. Cringe worthy speeches about ex-girlfriends and stories that should well and truly only stay between close friends, should not go anywhere near that best man’s speech. They should also not go on for days on end. Five minutes is more than long enough. …Bring uninvited guests; Bringing someone who was not invited, failing to RSVP but turning up, arriving late or changes tables. All of this fits under this category. Never bring someone who does not have an invitation. A lot of time goes into planning a wedding and numbers would have been counted/food and drinks would have been pre paid, so to simply turn up with a plus one just isn’t on. …Forget to put your phone on silent/turn it off; DOH! This is the last thing people want to hear when such an important event is about to take place. Do this before you arrive at the location so there are no awkward moments. More top wedding tips… How to work out how much wedding booze you need Top 10 Wedding Money Saving Tips... Read more...Alternative Wedding Venue IdeasWeddings, like people, are becoming more increasingly unique and individual every day. The days of having the simple choice of a church or a registry office are long gone. More and more non-traditional venues are opting for marriage and civil partnership licenses as well as wedding ceremonies conducted by celebrants with the legal side done privately. We’ve put together a list of our favourite alternative wedding venue ideas to help get you inspired. Please note, we’ve focussed on the totally non-traditional avoiding commonly used venues like country halls and manors. Celebrate In A Brewery The popularity of craft, smallscale and microbreweries has surged over the last few years. Breweries are doing more with space they have available, creating cool venues surrounded by brewing equipment and fresh beer. Weddings in breweries are perfect for arranging the special day of a couple who’re fanatic about beer! You can celebrate with a fresh pint of your favourite tipple whilst capturing some amazing photographs. If your budget can stretch to it and a glass of wine is more your thing, a vineyard can also be a perfect summer wedding location. In A Barn Weddings in old and unused barns can be absolutely stunning. Their old and quirky features can easily be accentuated to create a beautiful aesthetic that looks great on the day and in your photographs. Barn weddings have become more common in recent years, however, they’re still out of the norm if you’re looking for something a little different. Although they are available year round, a barn wedding will likely work best in the summer months. On Safari If you’re a couple of animal lovers, there’s no better place for your wedding than in a zoo or safari. Choose the ideal spot for the ceremony then head off to take some one-of-a-kind photos with some of the animals. A wedding surrounded by wild animals will likely be one of the most unforgettable weddings that your guests will attend. ZSL London Zoo can arrange wedding packages where you can get up close and personal with the animals. If sea life is more your thing, a wedding in an aquarium could also be a great option. By A Loch or Lake A wedding by a loch or lake can a striking option for an outdoor wedding. The beautiful water can be used in the background during your service and in photographs. If you’re about being out in the open, a marquee or tipi can be used for the reception and evening event. This will help to protect you and your guests from the elements and can easily be decorated inside. At A Theme Park For the thrill-seeking couple, a theme park or funfair wedding may be right for you. Celebrate your commitment with an exhilarating rollercoaster ride for you and all of your guests. You’ll all be kept busy throughout the day, with rides and amusements all round. Your photographer can try their hardest to capture some fun action shots whilst you’re on the rides and playing on the games. In the Woods If you love nothing more than exploring a stunning forest, a woodland wedding can give you an all natural wedding experience. Use nature for the perfect backdrop to your ceremony in a beautiful clearing then capture some rustic woodland photos. Stick to the all-natural theme by cooking up the wedding breakfast on a couple of BBQs. If you love nature but would prefer something indoors, a treehouse wedding also makes for a natural themed wedding. The Alnwick Treehouse is purpose-built treehouse crafted from timber in the North East of England. In A Warehouse In contrast to the last suggestion, a warehouse wedding creates an industrial vibe that may be perfect for your special day. An abandoned warehouse is a huge space, filled with potential for the ceremony and the reception. A warehouse is a blank canvas that can be transformed for any kind of wedding with a modern and mechanical heart through exposed brick and stainless steel. Go To The Cinema If you’re a total cinephile who’s passionate about film, a cinema wedding is perfect for you. A cinema wedding makes for some impressive photographs, pre-wedding entertainment and a memorable wedding. A perfect example of this is the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle upon Tyne. This beautiful art deco themed cinema opened its doors in the 1930s. It has retained its character with aspects like its red velvet curtain and decorative frames. If you prefer the theatre, choose could choose an old theatre or playhouse for your wedding. TV or Film Theme Whether you’re crazy about Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, it’s easy to find a completely unique themed wedding venue for your ceremony. Themed venues are available with different packages available for superfans of a range of TV shows and films. A great example is North Shire, a Lord of the Rings themed venue, perfect for anyone passionate about Middle Earth. Final Thoughts If you’re looking for a wedding that’s a little different, think about what matters to you and your fiancé. Pick a shared love, activity or place you’re a fan of or a treasured memory. You can then use this to shape a wedding that’s perfect for you. Use your imagination as this is your only limit when it comes to dreaming up your ideal wedding. Author BioDavid Atkinson is a content creator at Icon Wall Stickers, a premium manufacturer of wall stickers and murals. He got married at a stunning cinema in Newcastle in November 2018.... Read more...Wedding Seating Plan GuideWeddings… who sits where!? Read our Wedding Seating Plan Guide to help you make sense of it all… Family, friends, and family friends: Where should they sit during your big moment? With parents, stepparents, divorced parents, grandparents, and extended family, all in attendance, you’ll need a plan. Here are our guidelines. The ceremony Taking Sides Ushers needn’t ask guests whose “side” they are on. (In Christian ceremonies, the bride’s side is the left side of the church when looking from back to front, and the groom’s side is the right; for Jewish services, it’s the opposite.) But should someone express a preference for one side or the other (many guests will say they are friends or relatives of the bride or groom), they should be seated where they want to sit. If one side of the family will have more guests than the other, ushers should try to even things out, explaining that everyone will sit together so guests can get the best view possible. Top table Traditionally, the top table is the table at the head of the reception room where the newlyweds, their parents, the best man and the maid of honour sit facing the guests. Many couples opt for a traditional top table layout but that doesn’t always work for everyone. It’s your day, so don’t think you need to stick with tradition. Feel free to arrange your guests in a way that suits you best! In the UK, the Bride and Groom traditionally sit in the middle with their respective parents and the Chief Bridesmaid and Best Man either side of them. Wedding breakfast tables Family Fortunes or Feuds All families have a history, ensure you mix families accordingly, it is good to mix the families between the two couples together to share all those terrific stories from when you were younger – they may even had the odd photo of that hair cut on the summer of 2000. Mix and Match Mixing friends family and social groups should be encouraged take a look at our simple solution to bear in mind when creating a table plan: Consider: Making last minute changes if guests fail to turn up Mix old school friends with work friends Mixing families between the newly wedded couple Avoid: Putting one person on a table who knows no one Know your friends, people you think will clash it is best avoid it rather than test your assumption Imbalance, do not put a really old couple, with all your University mates. ... Read more...How To Write A Killer Best Man SpeechYou’ve stuck by your mate through thick and thin, zipped around chasing errands, been there to soak up every rant, and thrown the best darn stag party the world has ever seen. Now it’s time to say a few words. In this article, we’re giving you some handy tips on how to nail a best man’s speech that’s bound to go down a treat. Have a read through these pointers to give yourself the best chance of putting together a speech that keeps you in everyone’s good books! Let’s get going! Make eye contact as much as you can Nobody likes speeches from people staring down at a piece of paper. Human beings regard eye contact as a symbol of warmth and connection. If you’re not looking at your audience enough, you’ll come across wooden and distant. Speakers usually read off a piece of paper because otherwise, they wouldn’t remember what to say. The best way around this is to practice your speech in advance so that you know exactly what you’re saying off by heart. This way you can put all your effort into looking around at everyone while you speak and saying every line with buckets of confidence. Don’t cram jokes in for the sake of it Comedy is not a numbers game. You shouldn’t be aiming to throw in a laugh every other sentence especially if you’re not known as “the funny guy”. Trying too hard to make people laugh and failing is a sure way to get people wincing in discomfort. If you’re not a certified comedian, play it safe by keeping the majority of your speech sweet and meaningful. The single best joke you can think of has a place, all the others can be cut. Here is a huge resource of best man jokes and material. Make sure you’re sober! Yes, almost everyone refers to the good stuff as “liquid courage”, but the truth is, alcohol makes you do everything worse, not better. The speeches are one of the key focus points of the wedding. The bride and groom will likely record these moments and want them kept safe for revisiting long into future. Of all the responsibilities you have, this is the duty that requires the most composure – so you absolutely can’t be hammered when you attempt it. Keep yourself sharp and sober until the speeches are done, then you can let loose. Need more motivation to keep yourself away from the sauce? Throw “drunken wedding speech” into Youtube to access a world of horror shows. Keep it family-friendly Remember that this wedding is likely going to include grandparents, aunties, young children, siblings, and parents. You might think the raunchy, substance-based stories are fun, but there are a lot of people in the crowd who won’t. Know your audience! These people want to hear wholesome stories about love and longevity. They’re not that interested in overly embarrassing tales of misadventures that should be kept firmly locked away in the cupboard of dirty secrets. If it’s not something you would say at the dinner table next to a 10-year-old, you shouldn’t be saying it into a microphone at this do. Keep it short and sweet You’ve probably heard this a million times before but that’s because it’s so absolutely true! People don’t like long-winded speeches, they like short, snappy ones. Why? Because you’re not a politician and these people aren’t interested in your views on everything under the sun. They want you to say a couple of nice things and then get the show moving onto something else. Write a 10 min speech and you’ll lose everyone’s attention about 2 mins in any way. Short, concise, and sweet is the way to win. Long and detailed is the best way to boredom and mounting frustration. ... Read more...Three Different Types of Wedding CeremonyIt might sound obvious but the ceremony really is what a wedding day is all about for both you and your guests. For some people the ceremony is a formality, but for others the ceremony detail is hugely important, and lots of time, effort and money is invested. It’s important that you choose the right type and style of ceremony for you; there are so many options but it’s amazing how many people still believe that you only have the choice of religious or civil, which is a great shame. There are many different options available but here are the some of the widely known varieties. Religious wedding A religious wedding can take place at a church, chapel or other registered religious building depending on your faith. A couple may marry in their local Church of England parish church if either the man or woman lives in the parish. Before 2007, they could not be married in another parish unless they had attended church services there for six months and were on its electoral roll. In July 2007, however, the Church of England initiated a change in the law to make it easier for couples to have a church wedding in a parish other than their own. The changes make it easier for a couple to marry in a church where there is a family or other special connection. But whether your service is religious or civil, the ceremony will follow the same basic structure: procession, call to order/opening remarks, vows, ring exchange and other unity gestures, pronouncement (“I now pronounce you…”), kiss, closing remarks and recession. Civil wedding Conducted by a registrar in either your local registry office or in a licensed venue; there are so many venues licensed now, so there’s an amazing choice. Around 65% of marriages are civil at the last count, and it’s not a surprise. It’s very simple, with relatively little paperwork, and a selection of standard vows and declarations offered with personalisation of readings and music (which must be non-religious) possible. Contrary to what you might think, a civil ceremony doesn’t mean common law, a civil union or even a drive-through, Vegas-style affair. A civil ceremony is simply a non religious, legal marriage ceremony presided over by a legal official instead of a religious one. Humanist A humanist, non-religious wedding ceremony gives you the opportunity to marry where you want, when you want and how you want. There’s no set script: it’s too personal an occasion for that. Instead, each wedding is tailored to meet the particular couple’s requirements. You can set the tone that’s right for you and choose your own words and music. From couples with different religious backgrounds who wanted to incorporate both in an intimate garden ceremony, to couples who have married elsewhere and wanted a very bespoke ‘blessing’ ceremony, to those seeking an entirely non-religious yet moving humanist ceremony, the options are limitless. All of these ceremonies are non-legal so have to be preceded by a small legal ceremony such as at the register office, however, they offer lots of opportunity for the couple to make it their own.... Read more...Top 10 Wedding Money Saving TipsHere are our Top 10 Wedding Money Saving Tips! Whether your budget is fit for Royalty or something more down to Earth, everyone can benefit from saving a few quid on their wedding costs. Saving some spend on your big day could make the difference between a honeymoon in Barbados or Bognor, or a house deposit on that super crib instead of the money pit down the road. #1 Trim Your Wedding Guest List Each time you add a name to your invitation list, you’re increasing your budget significantly. It’s not just the catering costs, but also the extra centerpieces, favors, rentals, etc. Don’t invite anyone you haven’t talked to in five years. Don’t feel obligated to let single people bring a date. Avoid feeling pressured to invite all your work colleagues. And don’t let your friends bring their children. #2 Friend Photography Do you know any amateur photographers with amazing, expensive cameras? Chances are you do. With photography software becoming increasingly popular, people don’t necessarily have to take the most perfect pictures on site, and can tweak them later. There are a lot of folks out there who are fairly savvy with a camera and VERY savvy with Photoshop, so you don’t necessarily have to spend lots on a photography bill. #3 Bigger & Fewer Tables Ladies, we know you fantasize about your reception hall, and how there are tables for miles, with everyone you’ve ever known, sitting around them, their eyes glimmering with a mixture of awe, emotion, and jealousy. Now picture fewer, bigger tables, instead of lots of little ones. Fewer tables means you have to construct fewer centerpieces, and fewer dollars dished. #4 Secondhand Dresses You don’t necessarily have to buy a severely USED dress, ladies. Sometimes women will just decide against a certain dress, after they’ve purchased it. They may have gained a bit of weight, making the dress no longer fit, or they may just decide to go in a different direction at the last minute. Websites like www.wedbay.co.uk connect brides to be with former brides looking to get a little something back on their purchases. #5 Buffet vs. Dinner You may want to consider having buffet-style food at your reception, as opposed to plated, or family-style. Having plated meals with controlled portions, being served by an elegant wait staff may SOUND appealing, but that can add up quickly. Firstly, you need to pay for the extra wait staff AND tip them at the end of the night. You also need to send out response cards so that guests can indicate their meal or meat preference, which is another added expense. #6 Local Flowers Flowers can be one of the most important, mood-setting elements of your special day, and we don’t think you should have to skip them altogether just to pinch pennies. If you buy flowers that are local, or in season, you will most likely save a decent percentage on this expense. If you have a few large flower arrangements at your ceremony, move them to your reception and save some money. #7 Have fun and do it yourself Throw a “pitch-in party,” where you ask your friends to be a special part of your wedding by helping you assemble favors and make invitations, centerpieces, and other homemade inexpensive touches. Be sure to put out delicious snacks and have inspiring tunes on the stereo, so that your friends feel like they’re at a party, not just part of an assembly line. Click the link below for DIY wedding projects. #8 Reduce clutter Don’t become a décor junkie, keep the tables simple and elegant, it will look better and save you spending cash on trinkets you don’t use. #9 Negotiate Some hotel wedding venues will give the bride and groom a complementary room on the night. Negotiate before you book and remember, if you don’t ask you don’t get! Also remember that wedding venues will often do deals on weekday weddings. #10 DIY wedding invites Don’t go for engraving – regular printed invites work just as well. There are a variety of cheap wedding invitations available on the internet. For a casual wedding, consider printing your own invites from your home computer. Stationery stores now sell printed paper meant to use in a home printer as cheap wedding invitations.... Read more...Simple guide to wedding dress stylesHere’s your simple guide to wedding dress styles to help you get the dress that shows you off on your big day… Ever since you were a little girl, you’ve probably had an idea in your head of your dream wedding dress. Now that dream is about to become a reality. Finding the style that flatters your figure (and personality) should be your number one priority, so here is our guide for the best shapes and styles. A-Line No prizes for guessing – this one gets its name from its distinctive skirt shape. The bodice is structured and cut to flatter, while the skirt flares gently down from the waist. Perfect for: almost anyone, as it flatters every size and body shape and can make you look a good size slimmer. An A-line can create the illusion of curves on slender frames. Ball gown This is the stuff that dreams are made of! With a fitted bodice and a full skirt, a ballgown is ideal for big, traditional weddings and brides who want to look every inch the princess. Perfect for: slender or pear-shaped figures, as the full skirt defines the waist and does wonders to conceal the lower body. This style can overpower a small frame, so if you’re petite, you might want to think twice before going the ball gown route. Column Narrow, body-skimming and really contemporary, this figure-hugger plays up the curves and adds wow factor. It is a stylish, self-assured look to be worn with confidence! Perfect for: Lean machines. If you’ve got the figure, you can really show it off in this style of dress, but beware – there is no scope for concealing problem areas! Petite brides tend to look taller in a column dress. Empire An Empire-line dress has a raised waistline (to just under the bust), and often a flowing skirt in soft fabric with lots of movement. The look is romantic and feminine. Perfect for: girls who want to show off their bust! It is also really flattering on pear- shaped girls and anyone with a tummy. If you are a pregnant bride, this is absolutely the one for you. Fishtail A sexy style that highlights those gorgeous curves! The dress contours the body right the way down to the knee and then flares out dramatically. Think Hollywood sirens here. Perfect for: tall, slim girls who want a figure-hugging dress that shouts glamour. Fit and Flare The bodice is fitted down past the hip where upon it flares out from the body. Alluring and chic, it can be the perfect option to add curves to an otherwise straight figure. Perfect for: tall, slim girls who want to feel curvaceous on the big day. Mermaid A great choice for the hourglass figure – this style hugs everything in down to the knee (or just below) and then flares out and down to the hem. Perfect for: anyone with an hourglass figure that wants to accentuate their curves. Princess A sexy style that highlights those gorgeous curves! The dress contours the body right the way down to the knee and then flares out dramatically. Think Hollywood sirens here. Perfect for: anyone wanting a glamourous, classic look while embracing their feminine figure. Trumpet Great for adding curves – this is another variation to the figure-hugging fishtail but the flare starts from about mid-thigh as opposed to at, or below, the knee. Perfect for: as with the trumpet-style, it’s tall, slim girls who’ll benefit most from this shape.... Read more...What to look for in a bespoke face maskCan’t seem to find a reliable bespoke face mask? You’re not alone. Many people have invested in countless face masks ever since they became a daily essential. Unfortunately, most of these masks don’t last the long haul due to poor quality and craftsmanship.To help you find the ideal mask, here’s a science-backed guide to mask shopping. Why are face coverings mandatory? Face masks are designed to prevent large and small aerosol particles and droplets from spreading by capturing them when you sneeze, cough, or talk. A good quality face mask can act as an effective barrier, preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, skipping out on a face mask while in public isn’t an option to ensure your safety. Which mask should you choose? Wading through the mountains of mask options in the market today can be difficult and overwhelming. To ease the process, here are some factors to consider when shopping for masks. 1. Disposable vs reusable When it comes to disposable and reusable masks, both can be equally effective and safe, depending on the material and quality. Generally, disposable masks perform well in blocking respiratory droplets and breathability. But, since you’re supposed to wear them once, they become less effective with each wear.Due to their single-use, disposable face masks adversely affect the environment, with thousands washing up on shorelines.Unlike disposable face masks, reusable face masks are more sustainable and eco-friendly because they’re washable. They’re also cost-effective and breathable, ensuring your comfort throughout the day. 2. Face mask fabric There are numerous factors to consider when selecting the ideal face mask material, from breathability to effectiveness in blocking droplets from passing through. Generally, higher-quality fabrics have a thicker thread and tighter weave, creating a barrier against aerosol droplets.Some popular face mask fabric options include cotton, silk, polyester, and polypropylene. Despite having some individual shortcomings, all these materials are good at filtering particles. Cotton and polyester, for instance, need multiple layers to increase effectiveness. Ideally, manufacturers combine different fabrics to create a reliable face mask. 3. Face mask features Face mask features can significantly improve your mask experience, especially if you have to wear one throughout the day. Some of the features to look for when mask shopping include: Filters and filter pockets To add an extra layer of protection, buy face masks with a pocket where you can slip in a replaceable filter. You can purchase these filters separately or use a coffee filter or kitchen paper. The downside with filters is they make it harder to breathe, and they aren’t sustainable as you have to dispose of your filters often. Multiple layers According to studies, you’re better off with a mask that has at least two layers. WHO recommends masks with three layers; an innermost layer of hydrophilic, a middle hydrophobic, and an outermost layer made out of polyester or polypropylene. Nose wire Always buy face masks with a built-in metal wire across the bridge of your nose as they help mould the mask to your face. The nose wire also prevents your glasses from steaming up and closes up gaps where air can leak out. Ear loops For many, wearing a face mask for long periods can be uncomfortable and cause irritation. Luckily, you can avoid this by choosing masks with comfortable straps and a snug fit. If you’re worried about tightness, look for adjustable ear loops to maximize your comfort.Alternatively, buy masks that go around your head instead of sitting behind your ears, but ensure they fit closely to your face.Although many say any face mask is better than no face mask, it’s your responsibility to find one that’s breathable, reliable, and effective.... Read more...Average Wedding CostsFind a handy ‘Average Wedding Cost’ guide below… On the day of a wedding, arguably no-one apart from the happy couple is under more pressure than the father-of-the bride. Not only is he expected to walk his daughter down the aisle, he also shoulders the responsibility of delivering a meaningful, yet entertaining, speech. And if that wasn’t enough, he has also traditionally been expected to fork out for the cost of the entire day. While traditionally the bride’s parents pay the lion’s share of the cost, nowadays many couples pay for their own weddings, especially since a lot of people get hitched when they are a bit older and have had a chance to save. Depending on where you look, the average wedding cost here in the UK falls anywhere between a huge £15,000 and a staggering £25,000, with the cumulative average figure settling around the £18,500 mark. However bride’s magazine sets an average of £24,000!! OUCH. www.weddingsday.co.uk came up with this simple table of costs to help decide where you should be spending your money. It is important to remember that it’s not how much you have to spend, but how effectively you spend what money you have that counts. With this in mind, even if you have a budget of just a £1,000 or so, you can still have a superb wedding. The key to everything is to pay attention to the average wedding cost percentage figures in the right hand column, not the average wedding cost figures in the centre column. ITEM AVERAGE WEDDING COST AVERAGE WEDDING COST / AS PERCENTAGE Insurance £110 0.6% The Service £520 2.8% Reception (venue, food & drinks) £4,000 21.5% Evening Reception (venue, food & drinks) £1,700 9.2% Entertainment £850 4.6% Flowers £685 3.7% Balloons & Decorations £460 2.5% The Bride’s Outfit £1,590 8.6% Hair and Beauty £170 0.9% The Groom’s Outfit £200 1.1% Attendants Outfits £575 3.1% Photography £905 4.9% Videography £905 4.9% Transport £480 2.6% Stationery £465 2.5% The Wedding Cake £370 2.0% Wedding Rings £630 3.4% Gifts £205 1.1% Stag & Hen Nights £280 1.5% Honeymoon & First night hotel £3,400 18.5% But average figures aren’t always very accurate. By their very nature, they span those spending into the hundreds of thousands, as well as others that tie the knot for just a few hundred pounds. A relatively small number of large, lavish weddings have the power to skew the average figure upwards. Bridal website Confetti released some rival statistics, showing the biggest proportion of newlyweds, at 34%, actually spend between £5,000 and £10,000, with almost as many people spending £10,000 to £20,000 – at 33%. But almost a quarter of people spent less than £5,000 on their wedding. Whatever you budget, stick to it as its really easy for it to run away from you by spending that little extra on the unnecessary things. But most of all ENJOY your day……after all you only do it once.... Read more...How To Find The Ideal Wedding VenueMake no mistake, landing the perfect venue can be one of the most difficult challenges of your wedding. Get it right and the whole day will swoop by like one big blissful dream. Get it wrong and you’ll spend more time than you ever would have wanted wishing you had done things differently. In this quick post, we’re walking you through the most crucial stages of finding the ideal wedding venue. Make sure you cover these bases to give yourself the best chance of booking a venue that ticks all the most important boxes: Your theme The first thing to decide is how you want your wedding to look and feel. At the end of the day, how your wedding makes you feel on the day is the most important factor of them all, so this aspect should be the foundation that you build everything else on. Where do you want to be, country or city? How many people do you want around you, many or very few? What do you want your setting to say to you and everyone else? Be honest with yourself, if you are rural rather than city folk then consider one of the wedding venues that are located in the middle of a golf course e.g Boston West. When you think of your marriage, do you think more about history and tradition, or is the future more important to you? These are the first questions you should ask because the answers should give you a pretty clear direction to follow in terms of theme, setting, and what you want to feel about your surroundings on the day. Budget As soon as you have an idea of setting and theme, it’s time to get real with money. There’s no such thing as a bad or low wedding budget, there’s only bad budgeting. You need to know exactly what you’re entire fund is from the off so that you can then decide how to allocate that amount towards the many areas that make up the day. In most cases, the venue’s going to be the most pricey item on the list and is almost always going to be the thing you’ll want to book in first. Nothing makes the day more real than getting venue booked for your date. Because you’ve already thought about the setting and theme you want to go for, you’ll know exactly which areas to start hunting. Decide on a maximum amount that you’re prepared to spend on the venue and stick to compiling a list of options within that budget. Remember, the more gorgeous a venue, the more popular it’s going to be. Doing this all many months or years in advance? Then more options will be open to you. Doing it all last minute? Then you need to look for venues that others aren’t able to find so easily. Think unused buildings, larger rental accommodations, and hospitality establishments that don’t usually cater to weddings. Location and logistics Weddings involve a huge amount of travel for a wide variety of people. Once you think you’ve got a list of options that meet your desires for setting and budget, you can further whittle them down by going over transport and accessibility. Who are the most important guests at your wedding? How mobile are they and how will they get there? Having a reception at a different spot? How far is it and will everyone you’re inviting be able to cope? House rules Last but not least, what’s allowed and what’s not allowed? You need to weigh up the specifics for every venue you have left on your viable options list. Can you cook on site? Is cooking on site vital for you? What’s the venue’s attitude toward alcohol consumption on site, noise, damage, and capacity? Once you’ve gone through these core concerns, you’ll hopefully have just one or two killer venue options left on your list. Have more than a few options that tick all your most vital priorities? Then consider yourself one very lucky planner because that’s not a bad problem to have at all! ... Read more...Finding marriage through dating websitesA Perfect Way to Your Perfect Day If you’re anything like me, you will have been planning your dream wedding since you were very young. Enchanted by the magic of the day – the singing, the dancing, the food, the company – you might want nothing more than to hear those wedding bells ringing in your honour. Who could blame us? It’s known across the world that your wedding day is the happiest day of your life, and it’s one thing that everyone can universally look forward to. From picking out the invitations and the cake, to deciding on the perfect wedding dress (or suit!), the excitement of your wedding day is just waiting to be unravelled. Now, some of us have it easy. High school sweethearts, who have overcome all odds to unite in a spectacular ceremony! Two unlikely colleagues, bound and brought together as if by fate itself! Some of us, however, have not been blessed with that kind of luck. Those of us who have stood at the bylines, supporting our families and friends on their big day, smiling through charismatic speeches and laughing along as someone else catches the bouquet might experience a sense of missing out. After all, we’ve been eagerly counting down the days until you can we can say those two magical words ourselves – so when is our big day going to happen? Well, if you’ve not had the most success looking for the love of your life, maybe it’s time to look in to online dating. There is an incredible range of online dating platforms, perfect for any group or niche that will really allow you to find ‘the one,’ so what’s stopping you? Online Dating It may be seen as an unconventional method to find love, but it certainly works – and it comes with a lot of perks, too! What scares people away from online dating is a sense of unfamiliarity pressed by media companies and TV shows. We’ve all heard the tropes: “what if they’re a catfish?” or “what if he’s a murderer?” but it’s time to let these old-fashioned and outdated stereotypes disappear. When you sign up for any online dating site, you’re joining a group of interesting and likeminded people who are all looking for the same thing: love. Online dating sites are intuitive, creative, and clever. Complex algorithms narrow down the possibility that you and your potential partner might not be a good fit, by taking into consideration things like mutual interests and shared tastes. If you’re paired by a dating app, the hard part has been done for you. Whilst going out and meeting people at bars and clubs can be rewarding in itself, most people struggle to get past the initial introductions – some people find it hard to even approach people. When you match with a potential date online, you can already see a brief overview of their interests and hobbies. In most cases, you can even see a picture to really make sure that there is an attraction! Let’s be honest – starting a conversation online is much easier than doing so in person, too. You don’t need to worry about saying the wrong thing, or concern yourself first impressions. After all, your match will have already seen your profile before they swiped on you, and you actually have time to think about a clever or witty conversation starter. If you decide not to proceed or pursue a relationship, well there won’t be a ‘break-up,’ either! Marriage has been found countless times on dating apps and websites, and if you’re looking for love, you shouldn’t feel ashamed about signing up. What are you waiting for? Swipe your way to your big day!... Read more...Why the winter may be the best time of year to get marriedThe colder months are widely considered to be the ‘low season’ as far as weddings are concerned. It’s a time of year that many loved-up couples therefore overlook when picking a date for their nuptials, perhaps seduced instead by the hope of summer sun or a light spring breeze on their special day. However, the predictable cold, darkness and adverse weather don’t necessarily make winter an undesirable time of year to tie the knot. Indeed, it may be your top choice – for reasons such as the below. You could find it easier to secure your dream venue The most in-demand wedding venues – think charming castles in England, or grand French chateaux – tend to be especially sought-after during the spring and summer. The winter, however, can be a very different story, particularly with regard to midweek dates. This may mean that a genuine fairytale venue you had previously considered beyond your reach may suddenly become an attainable option if you decide on a winter wedding. On the subject of French chateaux, for instance, the resplendent stone-built Château Bouffémont offers an utterly enchanting setting of refined halls and suites in which to formalise your union in the heart of the Montmorency Forest. Furthermore, it is even a mere 30 kilometres away from central Paris, so you may be tempted to combine your wedding with the quintessential honeymoon break. More of your invitees may be able to make the date Other seasons can be awkward in terms of ensuring all of the important people in your life who you would like to be present can actually attend your wedding ceremony and reception. Schedule your nuptials for the height of summer, for example, and you may find that many people struggle to fit in a wedding alongside their pre-planned overseas beach holiday. As long as you don’t time your big day so close to Christmas that it clashes with your friends or relatives’ other festive travelling or event plans, winter could be the perfect season for ensuring everyone can turn up to your wedding. You may even be lucky enough to see snow While it may not seem hugely likely – even during the unpredictable winters that we appear to have quite often these days – if a sprinkling of snow does occur, your wedding photographer and videographer will probably feel like all of their Christmases have come at once! Let’s be honest; there are few more romantic sights to be had at any time of year than snow-coated manicured gardens as you gaze through the windows of your dream wedding venue, all while the fireplace crackles in the background and you have your beloved for company. Alternatively, you may even get some unexpected winter sun, which could be a delightful surprise for wedding guests who have otherwise prepared with much colder and less hospitable conditions in mind. Naturally, winter weddings aren’t always perfect. You’ll need to schedule events earlier in the day if you wish to enjoy a daylight backdrop, and there’s also a good chance that your nuptials will be based exclusively indoors – although this may be your preference regardless. So with all of the above in mind, we would suggest that you don’t ignore BRIDES magazine’s rundown of the big ‘dos and don’ts’ when it comes to organising a winter wedding.... Read more...How to work out how much wedding booze you needNeed to work out how much wedding booze you need? Here’s our handy guide… Most wedding receptions involve liquid refreshment. If your reception is in a venue which takes care of everything for you (such as a hotel) then all you really need to do is decide which drinks to serve, and whether you want to have a pay bar later in the evening or continue to provide free drinks all night. If your reception is somewhere else, like a marquee, then a bit more planning is required: How and where do you buy your drinks? How do you get the booze to the venue? Who is going to serve the drinks? Do you need to set up a bar? Will the venue charge corkage? Many couples opt for an open bar, where guests have access to unlimited drinks throughout the entire reception. While this is certainly the most gracious approach, it’s also the most expensive and could end up costing as much as 10 to 20 percent of your total budget. An alternative is the “limited,” or “soft,” bar, where you offer a careful selection of drinks (say, wine, beer and vodka cocktails) at the bar during specific times then have waiters serve wine or beer during the meal. If you are on a tight budget then consider skipping booze such as cocktails and only serve the more cost effective drinks like beer and wine, but always remember some soft drinks for the none drinkers. To avoid mass waste, some bride and grooms opt for a single glass rule, where you can’t get another drink until you hand in your glass or a ‘donation scheme’. Even asking people to donate as little as 50p per drink towards a charity of your choice will cut down waste considerably. There are a few rules of thumb that will help you decide how much to buy: For wine to accompany a meal, half a bottle per person is a good guide. For the split between red and white wine, fifty percent white and fifty percent red is a safe bet, although in summer people will drink slightly more white than red so it’s better to aim for 60/40. For champagne, one bottle will serve 6 people or 7 at a push. For toasts you will only need one glass per person. Knowledge of your guest list is essential in order for you to judge how much alcohol to order for the entire day and evening. If you have friends and family who are drinkers then you will need to order more, however it is always better to over order and then return unopened bottles or keep then in you wine rack for future events. Leftover wine will obviously last for years. Most beer is good for 6-12 months, but check the use-by dates when you buy the beer to make sure it is not too close to expiry. Large supermarkets often agree returns on alcohol if the case is unopened, so check with your local supplier before you order. Other wedding tips and tricks Top 10 Wedding Money Saving Tips Average Wedding Costs... Read more...
