Tag Archives: marry

Hire a venue in East London

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It’s Cheaper

Ask anybody who knows anything about London and they’ll be able to tell you that the East End is the cheapest area of London. That’s not to say it doesn’t have nice venues – there are numerous ones in Hackney and Shoreditch – but it’s simply that most city types tend to head north, south or west in search of their perfect wedding venue. Who knows why this might be, but if you search around the East End a little bit, you can get the best venue for your money!

 

It’s Cooler

Everybody knows that the East End is where it’s at when it comes to cool places and cool things to do. Shoreditch is renowned for being extremely arty and appealing to a younger crowd with amazing food and a great vibe. Throw in the up and coming areas like Dalston and Clapton and the completely regenerated Stratford, which underwent a massive facelift for the London Olympics in 2012, and you’ve got yourself a whole host of venues and cool locales to choose from in which to exchange vows.

 

The Culture

No matter what anyone says about East London, you can never accuse it of not having a clear sense of culture. The thing about East Londoners is that they always have a story and if there’s a problem, you’re in the best place to solve it. Thanks to the unique makeup of areas like Whitechapel, Aldgate East, Bethnal Green and Mile End, you’ll have absolutely no problem sourcing that one material or stray ribbon that you require for either dressing your wedding venue or doing your hair! East London is full to the brim with kind souls selling a little bit of everything and just like point one states, you won’t be bankrupted in the process!

 

Suppliers Love It

From wedding caterers to wedding entertainment, everybody loves working in the industry but there are times that things can feel very similar from one day to the next. Not so in East London! By arranging your wedding in a slightly different way and holding it in a slightly different area to the norm, you can rest assured that all of the suppliers involved will feel rejuvenated and keen to tackle a different project to what they are used to. We’ve all been in situations where we’ve been on ‘auto-pilot’ but it stands to reason that the suppliers will go the extra mile for you on your wedding day by incorporating a sense of fun into the proceedings.

 

The Partying Never Stops

Arguably this might be more for your friends and family than yourself but if they’re a fun-loving bunch then they’ll probably want to continue singing and dancing long after you’re gone. The best bit about East London is that it caters to younger people and even has a 24 hour bagel shop. What more could you want?

 

If you’re a fan of the capital or yourself and your partner were both born in London then it makes sense to want to get married here.

 

Perfect Wedding packages

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Get hitched in the capital!

Where? Hotel Russell, London

The deal: If you want an iconic celebration on a shoestring, this opulent hotel in the heart of London’s Bloomsbury is hard to beat! Offering a range of packages to suit all budgets, get more bang for your buck by plumping for the ‘Perfect Day Package’, which will keep a party of 50 elegantly wined and dined for a very pocket-friendly £3,995! Including your own wedding coordinator, a sumptuous three-course spread, fizz and a complimentary first night stay for the newlyweds – a DJ or yummy canapés will also be thrown in to make sure your day goes with a bang.

Spectacular scenery!

Where? Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Gloucestershire.

The deal: Craving a Cotswolds wedding? Brilliantly, this luxury four-star hotel offers an impressive all-inclusive package for celebrations held during January and February, starting from £4,995. Including all the essentials – from room hire for your ceremony and reception, a top notch wedding breakfast for 60 people and an evening buffet for 100 – plenty of coo- inducing extras will be thrown in for good measure such as a red carpet welcome and use of the picture-perfect lake for your wedding albums!

Take to The Thames!

Where? Runnymede-On-Thames, Windsor

The deal: For a wedding with real wow factor, this beautiful hotel offers an “Unconventional Package” for £135 per person – which means you can party with 35 of your nearest and dearest and still come in under the £5k budget! Including wedding venue hire for your civil ceremony, a delicious riverside three-course barbeque and four-hour riverboat cruise, complete with stunning views and your own banging DJ – why stay on land when you can take your party to the river?

Hire a castle!

Where? Lumley Castle, County Durham

The deal: Think a castle wedding venue is out of reach? Refreshingly Lumley’s ‘Fairy-tale Package’ means history-loving couples can now enjoy all the grandeur of high society for as little as £2,500! Say ‘I do’ in one of Lumley’s magnificent state rooms before enjoying a formal three-course wedding breakfast fit for a king, for 40 people. An evening buffet and first night stay in one of the castle’s grand bedrooms is also included, so you are guaranteed to feel like royalty.

Country chic!

Where? Stapleford Park Country House Hotel, Leicestershire

The deal: A secret hideaway for countless celebs, if you are looking for a small but perfectly formed celebration, this sprawling estate is a must-visit. Offering a spend-savvy ‘Intimate Package’ at £115 per person (available for small weddings held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays), doing our marital maths, this means you could bag the tranquil grounds, a stylish drinks reception and three-course wedding breakfast for 30 people for just £3,450.

 

Buying your Groom a gift

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Seeing as you’ll be wearing your beautiful new wedding dress, and likely new jewellery and shoes, it’s only fair that your groom gets a little something special on the wedding day – apart from the gift of marrying you, of course! There are traditional options for the groom’s gift the morning of the wedding, but never underestimate the appeal of something small but meaningful to your man.

When it comes to planning a wedding, sometimes it’s easy to forget that it’s not just the bride who likes a little romance – a surprise gift for the groom on the wedding morning can set the mood for the day and make him feel loved and appreciated. Here are some of our top picks for grooms’ gifts!

Buying something that reflects his hobbies is always a good idea – if he’s mad about football, why not buy him a season ticket to watch his favourite team play? If he loves a certain band, buy him tickets to see their live concert. It may seem obvious, but these touches will show your husband-to-be just what you mean to him.

Your gift doesn’t need to cost the earth, either. Your man will most likely be feeling a little jittery before the ceremony, so why not send him a bottle of whiskey and a box of cigars to share with his groomsmen and to calm his nerves?

If you want something traditional that you know your groom will love, then you can’t go far wrong with a watch. If he’s an old-school type, then a pocket watch would be a great choice – particularly if you engrave it with his initials or the date of your wedding. For the more modern groom, a wrist watch is the perfect gift for the morning of the wedding. Attach a note with the time of the ceremony (along the lines of ‘See you at 1pm!’) for a personal touch.

Many brides will buy their grooms cufflinks for the big day, as they’re a gift that can be worn on the wedding day and for many years to come – plus they’re easy to personalise! Engrave them with your wedding date and he’ll never forget your anniversary!

If you and your husband-to-be are equally house-proud, then getting something that you can display for all your house guests to see is a sweet idea. We love this framed record of your first dance song – this would be a particularly great gift if your man is a music buff.

If you want to treat your groom to something a little saucy, then you should definitely consider booking in for a boudoir photoshoot. Companies do sexy shoots especially for brides, and package the photographs in a gorgeous keepsake album for you and your groom. Leave it in his bedroom with a note reading ‘Meet me at the altar!’ and he’s sure to be feeling ready for the honeymoon

 

Don’t get tongue tied

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When planning a Wedding traditionally, at the reception, the bride’s father is the first one to make a speech to the wedding guests. Closely followed by the best man and groom, the father of the bride is usually seen as a bit of a warm-up act, and something to be endured rather than enjoyed. However, with a little effort you can make sure your moment in the spotlight is something to be remembered.

Whether you intend to make it short and sweet, or to really reap the benefits of the spotlight, your speech will need to contain some basic elements if it is to be in keeping with tradition.

Ask any public speaker what their biggest fear is, and they’ll pretty much always say it’s forgetting where they are in their speech. Take your speech on cue cards with bullet-pointed reminders of what you want to talk about, rather than printing it all out in full. This will give you a more natural delivery, and will save you having to read through several paragraphs to find your place after getting lost.

If you do get stuck, use a moment to clear your throat, take a drink of water or give your daughter a kiss. These moments might seem a lifetime to you, but will feel like a natural pause to your audience, and will give you the breathing space you need to get things back on track. Take your time, don’t panic and try to enjoy your moment of fame.

  • You need to introduce yourself, but it doesn’t have to be reminiscent of an AA meeting. Tell them your name and maybe crack a small joke to make yourself feel relaxed.

  • Make a formal welcome to everyone, and thank them for coming. Try to mention, in particular, the bride’s mother and the groom’s parents too.

  • Formally welcome the groom to your family, in any way you feel appropriate. You can mention how you felt about him when you first met him, or a moment when you’ve been particularly glad he’s around.

  • As the elder speaker at the wedding venue, you should impart some of your wisdom to the happy couple about maintaining a healthy marriage or living a happy life. This is also a good place to throw in some jokes about wives, weddings or life in general, just as long as it doesn’t upset your wife!

  • Finish up by asking everyone to stand and raise a glass to the happy couple. No doubt, the best man will do something similar at the end of his speech too, but it’s the traditional way to close yours.

Jokes are a great way to break the ice and loosen up the crowd, but don’t be too focused on being funny. You’re the elder statesman of the speakers today, so you can afford to be a bit more conservative in your words. That doesn’t mean you have to be full though; a few jibes at the expense of the wedding or your daughter’s love of spending money are fine, just don’t go too close to the bone. Leave it to the best man to really roast up the groom, and focus on welcoming your new son-in-law to the family and toasting the happy couple.

 

Be savvy planning your wedding

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Most guests love to see a bit of a handmade touch in weddings, and that’s why there is no surprise about how many people are DIYing their wedding these days…

A survey conducted found that fewer than one fifth of weddings do not feature any do-it-yourself touches, with the vast majority of newlyweds relying on the method to save a bit of money, add that oh-so-special personal touch, and to make sure everything is done the way you want it.

When the newlyweds were asked to reveal which items were made or altered through do-it-yourself means, they found the most common DIY details to be the favours, invitations, and the wedding cake. The more unusual answers included the wedding dress (9%), the music or entertainment (6%), and even conducting the service or ceremony (2%)!

Here are the top 10 DIY details at weddings:

Favours – 41%

Invitations – 38%

Wedding cake – 24%

Venue decorations/styling – 21%

Wedding Photography – 19%

Wedding Flowers – 18%

Catering – 15%

Order of service prints – 14%

Guest book – 13%

Beverages – 11%

 

It’s great to see that so many brides and grooms-to-be are drawing on their own talents, and no doubt those around them, to make their big day their own. It is lovely to be able to make your wedding special and unique to you by having real input into it.

DIY is not for everyone, though, and if you’re starting to feel a little overloaded or panicked, you need to make sure you have time to put your feet up too! It’s okay to get some outside help, but be sure you can trust the suppliers and that they can help you make your dreams a reality.

Mad Hatter Wedding ideas

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Invitations

The maddest guests needn’t be invited, they will simply fall through the rabbit hole and stumble across your party by chance.

 

Dress code

Colourful, bold and avant-garde.

 

Hair code

No one is allowed to have similarities in wedding hair colour or style, other than that, anything goes.

 

Wedding Décor

Matching furniture is forbidden; the more quintessentially Wonderland, the better.

 

Guests

Be specific when choosing your guests based on personality, if they aren’t at least slightly crazy, they won’t fit in.

 

Tea

Earl Grey is the only tea to be served. It needn’t be high quality and can be of any origin, just make sure it’s Early Grey.

 

Sandwiches

There are three sandwiches which are appropriate for a Mad Hatters Tea Party; minted cucumber, egg mayonnaise and mustard cress, and smoked salmon and cream cheese. Cutting your sandwiches into heart shapes is cute, but would Alice approve of your allegiance to the Queen of Hearts?

 

The Chelsea Bun

The Chelsea bun is known predominantly for throwing, so get involved, it’s what Tea Parties are made for.

 

Shortbread

Height should not be discriminated against; therefore, shortbread is totally acceptable at the tea table.

 

Floristry

Wedding flowers perfection should be avoided at all costs. If you have a budget for plants, stick to twigs, decaying leaves and fungi.

 

Hospitality

Being hospitable is essential. This can be achieved through planning a range of unrecognisable party games.

 

Weather

If you’re worried about being outside and it raining, it doesn’t matter too much as the best Mad Hatters Tea Parties are set in very little sunlight. For big budget tea parties, rain and mist machines are encouraged.

 

Seating

If you can’t get bums on seats, bums on anything is fine. Stools, shelves, giant mushrooms; anything goes.

 

Cheshire cat

One ginger cat is required as ‘purr’ its Cheshire heritage.

 

Timekeeping

This is banned as there is no time in wonderland. However, we would only suggest this tip as optional as if adhered to it can cause havoc, after all, you don’t want your guests to be late for this very important date.

Jewish Wedding traditions

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If you are planning a wedding and it has to be a traditional Jewish wedding, you may be feeling overwhelmed. There are many traditions to uphold, but they are also lots of fun! So don’t worry. From the kidushin to the chuppah, we’ve got you covered.

Before the Ceremony

The ceremony for a traditional Jewish wedding generally takes place after sundown on Saturdays, or any time on Sundays. The bride and groom are not allowed to eat until after the ceremony is over.

Before the wedding takes place, the ketubah is signed by the groom, in the company of two witnesses. This is a legally binding Jewish contract, and outlines what the groom is expected to give the bride in the marriage. This includes food, clothes, marital relations, friendship, love, and communication, and outlines that all of these things are necessary to a happy union. Many ketubahs are beautiful pieces of art and are framed and hung in the home.

Next, in a tradition known as badeken, the bride’s face is veiled (usually by the groom) and a prayer is said for her. The couple hasn’t seen each other in at least 24 hours (sometimes up to 7 days) at this point, so it’s usually an emotional moment for both the bride and groom.

During the Ceremony

The ceremony takes place under a chuppah, or wedding canopy, and is officiated by a rabbi. The chuppah symbolizes the new home that the bride and groom will build together. When the ceremony is starting, the groom is led into the chuppah by the two fathers, while the bride is led by the two mothers, in a tradition called unterfirers. Finally, the bride circles the groom seven times when she arrives at the chuppah. This may come from Jeremiah 31:22 which says “A woman shall surround a man.” The number seven is said to mean perfection or completeness in the Bible.

A traditional chuppah where the Jewish bride and groom will take their vows.

A traditional Jewish wedding has two distinct parts, with the first known as the erusin (betrothal) or kiddushin (holiness). First, two blessings are given before the betrothal. The first is over a cup of wine, which the couple then tastes. The second is the betrothal blessing. Next, the groom is required to give something of value to the bride (usually a ring). The ring should be a plain gold band, to symbolize the simplicity and purity of their love. Lastly, they both exchange rings and vows.

In some ceremonies, the ketubah is read out loud in traditional Aramaic text and given to the bride to keep for the rest of her life. Following that, the second part of the ceremony begins. This is known as the nissuin, and contains seven blessings that are meant to highlight the new partnership and commitment. The blessings are given by the rabbi, or by individuals who are specially selected. To be selected to recite a blessing is a big honour in this ceremony. After the blessings, the groom drinks from the cup of wine, and the bride follows suit.

The ketubah is presented to the bride as a promise from the groom.

Finally comes the part that almost everyone is familiar with…the breaking of the glass. After the rings and blessings, the groom crushes the glass (usually wrapped in cloth) with his right foot and guests shout “Mazel tov!” which means “congratulations.” In some contemporary weddings, a light bulb is used instead since it’s easier to break. This signifies that the ceremony is over and is greeted with loud cheers and applause from the crowd.

After the Ceremony

In order to complete the ceremony, seclusion is necessary, so yichud is practiced. This means leaving the bride and groom alone for 10-20 minutes in a room. It can take place in any room, from the rabbi’s study to a synagogue classroom. Husband and wife take some time away from family and friends to reflect on their new vows and the ceremony.

Now the celebration can begin! Wedding food is served as well, so this is a great time to hire wedding caterers that is familiar with Kosher and traditional Jewish dishes. Several special dances are customary in Jewish weddings, with the hora being most recognized. The bride and groom are raised on chairs for anywhere from 10-30 minutes, depending on the energy from the crowd. DJs or wedding entertainment are great to have on-hand to get the party started and keep the crowd excited.

In short, a Jewish wedding is all about love, family, and commitment. They’re a beautiful blend of tradition and romance, and end with a huge party. What a perfect day!

Play it cool

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So what is a casual or informal wedding and how can you achieve that laid-back feeling on your big day? It’s the new carefree craze among couples, waving goodbye to the formality and pageantry of the traditional wedding, and hello to a more informal and fun-filled celebration.

1. Invitations

There are practical things that you can do to set the right casual tone, and it can stem from the initial invitations that you send out to guests.

A really popular thing to see at the moment is more of is handmade invitations, as opposed to the regular way of printing them. Creating your wedding accessories this way can add that personal touch and it also gives your guests a massive signal straight away as to what kind of wedding they will be attending.

2. Venue & Location

Start to think outside the box when it comes to finding the right wedding venue. Many hotels and manor houses that have been converted to operate almost exclusively as wedding venues will often have set rules and regulations – and other guests to consider. For some this can make things easier, but it can be a bit of a party-pooper if you’re looking for a bit of freedom.

We’re at a time now where couples want to put their own identity and stamp on their wedding. Hotels and such will tend to offer set packages, which again can make things easier, but can also undervalue your personality. Consider more quirky and free spaces such as farms and country houses. If you’re able to hire these kind of spaces exclusively, you won’t have to share it with any guests and your party can finish as late as you want it to!

Lots of space is important for your guests to roam, especially outdoor space in Summer. Be smart about it though! You can utilise this space in all kinds of wonderful ways. One great way to lighten the mood and keep things interesting is to consider different ‘lawn games’ or fun ideas like sack races or a fun game of rounders with your guests! These small touches don’t cost much to set up and are invaluable in encouraging that idyllic childhood atmosphere that is so important to informal weddings.

 

3. Food & Drink

 

Keep things as simple as possible here for that informal feel.

The wedding food you choose and how you present it can be a really important measure of how casual you wish your wedding to be. BBQ’s and buffets are a fantastic choice for those balmy Summer evenings. It’s real, down to earth food that everyone can enjoy without having to be directed towards a proper sit down meal.

Another thing to consider is your seating plan for your meal. Or, lack of seating plan! It can be a scary thing to imagine but try to embrace that sense of community and family by letting people stand and sit where they like. Your guests will appreciate this loose approach to the meal and will feel unshackled and able to enjoy themselves.

4. Music

There are so many ways you can use music and wedding entertainment to augment your casual feel. There are a plethora of musical acts that can provide great entertainment, without intruding on that relaxed feel that you’ve spent the whole day getting right.

Many ‘walkabout’ acts or ‘roaming’ acts are able to perform completely unplugged without the need for a PA or even a stage. This means that they will be able to mix and mingle between your guests, performing personally for groups of family and friends with a real intimate feel.

5. Children’s Entertainment

Keeping the kids entertainment is really important with this style of wedding. If you get it right, it can also add a fun and childlike flavour to your day.

Face painters are great fun to have on days like this, they take up hardly any space and are easily able to add a splash of colour and something a bit different to the wedding. With anything like this, it might be intended for the kids but adults will always end up getting involved too!

6. Photography

Typical staged wedding photographs can often feel too choreographed and have to adhere to certain schedules and timings. What happens if your guests are mid conversation and are getting along like a house on fire, only to be taken out of that moment for photographs.

Alternative ways of capturing everyone’s emotions and key parts of the day are worth bearing in mind here. Photobooths are an incredibly funny way to get guests enjoying in photographs. You will find that with an optional place to pose, props to utilise and fun to be had, guests will be more willing to get involved.

So that’s the lowdown on informal and casual weddings, remember to stay laid back and approach things in a lenient manner. At the end of the day, this vibe that you are creating begins with you – the couple!

 

Just chill!

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Keep calm and marry on! Wave farewell to wedding worries with these six steps. Wedding day nerves may be natural, but that doesn’t make them nice. Planning a wedding certainly hits the nerves, these are the commandments to wed by if you want to keep those niggling thoughts at bay. You’ve got this!

Between friends

For many brides, the moment you walk down the aisle is like marmite – you either love the idea or are filled with nervous dread. All eyes will be on you, but remember that they are those of friends and family. Your guests are all there to wish you well and to celebrate your marriage, and definitely not to be critical. Try to keep this in mind.

And if you’re worried about tripping? Don’t be. You’ve got someone’s arm there for physical support, you’ll be walking slowly, and your dress has already been altered for the perfect fit. You’ve got nothing to worry about.

Forgo formalities

If familiar faces don’t still your nerves, then consider forgoing some of the formalities that might make you unnecessarily anxious. If either of you can’t bear to be the centre of attention, ditch the speeches and receiving line, perhaps even the top table, to relax things. Round tables will be more convivial and prevent you from feeling on show during the wedding breakfast. Your conversation can then flow as freely as the Champagne, without any pressures, and you can stop and say a few words if and when you please.

Sharing is caring

If people don’t know what you’re feeling, they won’t always be able to help, so be sure to tell them. This applies both during the run up and on the day. Are you nervous? Stressed? Excited? Tearful? You’d be surprised how much just saying it out loud will help. When the day comes, remember that you’ll be surrounded by the people that you love the most and who love you in return – we bet they’ll be able to keep you smiling and feeling steady.

Mind over matter

Maintain this mantra for all elements of your wedding, through the wedding planning to the day itself. You can practise mindfulness techniques to keep your head happy and clear. It can be as simple as focussing on taking slow, deep breaths for a few minutes or pausing to acknowledge the things that make you happy each day.

It’s about being aware of each moment and not wrapped up in other worries. Try these techniques at night for better sleep, and, if you’re still struggling to switch off, grab a sleep-nourishing pillow mist to spritz over your cushions just before you turn in.

What wedding?

Yes, you might have a lot to do to put your wedding together, but you absolutely must make time for other things. Plan date nights, dinner with friends, girly nights in or out. Don’t let every minute, conversation or social visit become about your wedding otherwise it will consume you. Make sure exercise is part of your schedule too for a happy and healthy you – yoga will be especially good for clearing your mind and aiding relaxation.

 

Keep your guests entertained

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While planning a wedding you should take some special consideration when thinking about the wedding entertainment. We’ve got some great ideas to help you keep your wedding guests entertained…

Want your big day to go out with a bang? A grand finale fireworks display is a surefire way to give your day the star treatment. Cuddle up under a midnight sky to a chorus of guests’ ‘oohs!’ and ‘aaahs!’’

For sultry sounds and an electric atmosphere, nothing beats a live band on the day. Treat your guests to a themed musical bonanza, with Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and old-school Jazz guaranteed to give guests the dancing fever. To pack a real punch, go for an eight-piece band!

Give guests sparklers to write out their names and take pictures, or even better, have guests synchronise the bride and groom’s married name and take a picture for your thank you cards!

There’s something deliciously naughty-but-nice about fairground games when you’re dressed up to the nines! Team with a circus theme wedding and some cotton candy and sit back and watch the smiles spread!

A beautiful twist on the classic firework display, round off the day by lighting up the night’s sky with lanterns to mark a newlywed couple’s lives together. With such a romantic gesture, full of serenity and grace, guests might just steal a midnight kiss under a blanket of stars themselves!

Keep an ace up your sleeve and magic up some after dinner wedding entertainment with a professional magician to keep guests guessing. And if he comes dressed as the Artful Dodger, even better!

While the bridal party is busy with the wedding photographs, strategically placed giant Connect 4 and Jenga games are bound to provide plenty of entertainment while guests wait for the wedding breakfast.

There’s a myth going around that bouncy castles are strictly for the under 12s. Tell that to grown-up guests after a few glasses of the bubbly stuff! An absolute winner with old and young alike, take advantage of a marquee setting and a typical English lawn and invest in one of these little beauties. Perfect for diverting little ones during the speeches. Absolutely essential, though, remember to keep some disposable cameras close by!

Every black-tie Bond-themed wedding deserves a Roulette table to keep guests occupied. For casino cool, invest in a Martini bar and a cocktail waiter (preferably one who looks like Daniel Craig!)