Tag Archives: planning

Wedding Planning

Posted on by

We know how important it is to make sure that your special day is also your perfect day. That being said, we’re also aware of how stressful planning a wedding in one of the U.K.’s most incredible cities is! We’ve narrowed down the lists to find you the top 5 wedding planners in London.

The Bijou Bride

– Even the ethos of this company is exactly what you’re looking for. The Bijou Bride runs off the motto “Your wedding, your rules”.

– The weddings that they produce are those of fairy tales. They have been featured in numerous magazines for their stunning creations, and the head designer was even a commentator for the Royal Wedding. They also have vendor associations for days.

– They only offer minimal packages and these guys are busy, a testament to their incredible prowess and producing some of the most glamorous weddings.

Pocketful of Dreams

– Another incredibly fashionable luxury wedding design company, Pocketful of Dreams’ founder, Michelle Kelly has been given extremely high praise and features in some of the top fashion magazines, including Vogue and Glamour.

– Pocketful of Dreams also offers fewer customizable services for the bride to be and the wedding options. This is easily made up for by the incredible vendors and venues they have at their disposal.

SnapDragon

– SnapDragon knows how to throw an unforgettable event. Many of their parties are over the top in the best way possible. They are the gurus of weddings that aren’t just weddings, but events that will be absolutely unforgettable.

– They offer specialties in Indian, Asian, and Jewish weddings and if that’s what you’re planning, you’ll be more than aware of how many details there are that must be flawlessly executed.

– They also offer destination wedding packages which are utterly fab!

My London Wedding Planner

– Lead designer Ayshea Donaldson has been featured in quite a few wedding magazines and it’s no wonder why. Her aesthetic is absolutely incredible. With bespoke luxury wedding design that speaks to a wide variety of brides, she is an up and coming star, renowned for her innovative creations of your ideal vision.

– Easy to book and excellent value for money. My London Wedding Planner has a keen sense of which vendors and venues will fit your personal style best.

Lindy Dowling

– Lindy Dowling is one of London’s unsung heroes in the wedding planner world. Her weddings are absolutely breathtaking and incredibly affordable.

– Lindy Dowling offers a wide range of packages and options available with up front pricing and a zest for finding exactly what fits you best.

– She has been referred to as “professional and personable”, ready to help at any moment, but also great when it comes to getting you the best deal for your needs.

 

Entertain your guests

Posted on by

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.

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

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.

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 or bride are Scottish or Irish, bagpipes may be a truly unusual wedding entertainment idea, but there are many other options.

Living Topiary

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.

 

Create the ambiance of a Royal Wedding

Posted on by

If you loved the Royal Wedding and you would love to have all of the music and create the same ambiance (without the Queen of course) then why not replicate some of the music and musicians at your Wedding.  There are plenty of wedding entertainment musicians that would cater for you.

Wedding Singers.

Kicking off proceedings at the Royal Wedding was Elin Manahan Thomas, who sang Handel’s Eternal Source of Light Divine accompanied by a full orchestra. If an array of musicians is in your budget then go ahead, though we expect that most couples would be very happy booking a soprano and having her sing to a backing track.

Gospel Choir

There’s nothing quite like the sound of a choir and it’s fair to say that the whole world was impressed by the aptly named Kingdom Choir as they performed Ben E King’s Stand By Me at the Royal Wedding. You could book your very own Gospel Choir at your Wedding to sing a song that means so much to you both..

Cellist

Sheku Kanneh-Mason wowed the guests at the Royal Wedding as he performed three pieces by Faure, Schubert and Maria Theresia von Paradis respectively. His impact on proceedings has been so great that in the days hence, his classical album is currently at number one on the US iTunes pop charts. Talented cellists would be a great addition to your Wedding, making it as Royal as it can be.

So if this has got you all excited about planning a Royal(esque) Wedding, we hope it goes smoothly (but maybe forget the long speeches from the Pastor!!!)

 

Don’t go broke

Posted on by

When planning a wedding you’re probably tired of hearing how the average wedding now costs more than £25,000. We know it’s going to be (probably) the most expensive day of our lives, but it will all be worth it?

Figures suggest that a quarter of couples get into debt to pay for their big day, and almost half of those live to regret it. Read our six top tips for breaking those bad money habits.

It’s so tempting when planning your big day to want the absolute best, and that usually means hefty price tags. But it soon mounts up and, once it’s all over, it’s likely nobody will remember that the table decorations were made by a trendy designer.

Try This: Get creative and tap into the crafty/vintage vibe instead. Ask friends to help make unique decorations, or have a wedding bake-off instead of calling in the caterers, and beg and borrow what you can instead of buying everything brand new.

Some brides are super-organised, with a detailed budget planner updated daily. But most of us are guilty to some extent of letting costs mount up, and not knowing exactly what’s going in and out. The longer you let this go on, the harder it will feel to sort it all out – so it’s crucial to address budgeting now.

Try This: If you don’t like spreadsheets, ask a (reliable) friend to help put a budget planner together, and get her to nag you to fill it in every day.

Most people are guilty of impulse buying, and brides-to-be are arguably even more susceptible. Whether it’s a piece of jewellery, or a new pair of sandals for the honeymoon beach, you see it, and you have to have it – because it’s PERFECT. But let’s face it, most of us have something in the wardrobe that we thought was fab at the time but have never worn.

Try This: Instead of buying it there and then, have a cooling-off period. Go home, add it to your wedding budget planner and see in a few days whether you think it’s really worth it.

If you use cards all the time, it’s easy for spending to get out of control – and especially if you’re using credit cards. If you’re not having to take a physical trip to the cash machine or hunt for notes in your purse, you can lose touch with the actual act of paying.

Try This: Instead of taking cards with you when you shop, leave them safely at home. Take out just the cash you think you’ll need and no more – and see how much you save!

 

Overdone wedding trends

Posted on by
  1. TOO MANY BRIDESMAIDS

Gone are the days of having one or two bridesmaids; now, “bridesmaid armies” are the hot new trend, with some opting for as many as 10 close chums to accompany them to the altar.

“The ‘bridesmaid army’ trend swiftly came over from the US and has taken hold of wedding parties everywhere in the UK, This can be great for photo-ops, he says, “but it can sometimes take away from the ceremony, as they get crammed up by the altar.”

This trend, however, is slowly being faded out thanks to the new Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.

  1. OVER-THE-TOP WEDDING CAKES

Wedding cake trends also have seen a huge transformation in recent years. The humble iced fruitcake wedding cake is long gone, due to ‘Instagram wars’ for that perfect cake shot.

From drip cakes and naked cakes, then onto doughnut walls and eight-foot macaroon towers, and recently even Meghan Markle’s 154lb deconstructed lemon and elderflower wedding cake! This is a trend that’s becoming increasingly competitive.

  1. LIGHT-UP LETTERS

It may prove a hit with most. While some couples choose to spell out their initials, others opt for their own wedding hashtag or go for a simple “congratulations”.

  1. DRAMATIC BRIDAL ENTRANCES

When it comes to dramatic bridal entrances, From the bride literally being ballooned into the ceremony, to being walked in by a dressed-up dinosaur, the bride’s entrance has become yet another aspect of the wedding that can be blown up to unimaginable heights.

 

Wedding Barns

Posted on by

It’s safe to say we wouldn’t blame any couple for wanting the rustic charm and nature inspired architecture that this style of venue offers in abundance! But as unique as every couple is, barn venues aren’t all the same either. Some offer additional outdoor spaces for entertaining or larger wedding parties, idyllic countryside backdrops and romantic reception rooms in need of minimal decoration.

Let historic tales and unique characteristics tell the story of each venues’ heritage and development within their surrounding organic landscape. Designed to evoke romance, fall in love with quirky outbuildings, festival yurts and miles and miles of coastal country views…

Boconnoc | 18th Century Stable Yard Barn

The 18th-century Stable Yard at Boconnoc is a wonderfully romantic setting with four fabulous barns, a courtyard and breathtaking views across the Boconnoc parkland. Say your vows in the rustic Coach House while the sun pours through the open oak doors. Your wedding breakfast can be an elegant affair in the beautiful Soane Room or a casual feast with trestle tables and hay bales in the courtyard. Dance the night away in the festoon lit courtyard. And when it is time for bed, there are three luxurious cottages just a few steps away.

The Tythe Barn | Original Lambing Farm

An award-winning wedding venue and stylish wedding setting, The Tythe Barn stages many events, but says that weddings are their ‘thing’. The 14th-century barn exudes style with its combination of original features and quality interior styling. As it was the old lambing barn on the family farm, the team have been passionate about the refurbishment of the barn and attention to detail has been vital. Now, The Tythe Barn provides the most amazing setting, fortunately joined by a professional team of chefs as their in-house caterers. They are also confident that, having hosted a few, they know how to put on a good wedding.

With the option to get married inside or out and two further adjoining barns, The Tythe Barn offers huge flexibility. Plus, there’s a wonderfully restored barn dedicated solely for the bride and her bridesmaids to get ready in and much more…

Blackwell Grange | Cotswolds Barn And Walled Garden

From its tranquil Cotswolds location, to the elegant, contemporary interior design and exceptional attention to detail, Blackwell Grange is a special place to say “I do”. The spaces are diverse and characterful. From the original Thatch Barn, where your ceremony will take place and across the Apple Tree Lawn to the contemporary Orchard Barn, the venue for your wedding breakfast and celebration. There are lots of stunning photo opportunities everywhere you turn. As your wedding day draws to a close, you can spend the night in the Hayloft Honeymoon Cottage, overlooking the Walled Herb Garden.

Gaynes Park | Woodland Country Estate

Save

Gaynes Park is a stylish and contemporary wedding venue in Essex, set in the grounds of a historic country estate which has been in the Chisenhale-Marsh family for generations. The picturesque venue is surrounded by British countryside, made up of farmland and woodland. Given its secluded and tranquil setting, it is hard to believe that this superb country wedding venue is at the end of the busy Central Line. It is only minutes from the M25 and M11 at Epping, an ideal location and easily accessible for all of your family and friends.

Notley Abbey | Impressive Rural Abbey and Garden Barn

Notley Abbey is a magnificent country house wedding venue with a truly magical past. Once the home of Laurence Olivier and Gone with the Wind actress Vivien Leigh, this impressive Abbey, on the border of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, can be your dream home for 24 hours. A one-of-a-kind, tree-lined driveway leads you to a historic, fairytale wedding venue. Notley Abbey features romantic reception areas, an intimate ceremony hall, glorious grounds and gardens (with the opportunity to host an outdoor wedding). It also offers nine beautifully appointed guest suites and an utterly stunning rustic barn for up to 190 guests.

Eden Barn | Valley Stone Barn

Nestled below the stunning North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty is where you’ll encounter Eden Barn. An exclusive and intimate wedding venue that will immerse your guests in Cumbria’s enchanting Upper Eden Valley. The traditional Westmorland stone barn seats 126 guests for a sit-down meal and 200 for an evening reception. Eden Barn is a family run business who believe that weddings should be fun, relaxed and totally personal to you.

 

Remembering your nearest and dearest

Posted on by

When planning a wedding, of course it’ll be the happiest day of your life, with the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with, surrounded by the people you love the most. But during this special day you’re allowed to feel a little bit sad, as you remember your nearest and dearest who can’t share the celebrations with you.

there are lots of more subtle but equally poignant ways to remember loved ones who have passed away…

Dedicate a reading

Why not have a close family member dedicate a special reading to lost loved ones? Personally, we like this poem by an unknown author…

If Roses Grow in Heaven

If Roses grow in Heaven,

Lord please pick a bunch for me,

Place them in my Mother’s arms

And tell her they’re from me.

Tell her I love her and miss her,

And when she turns to smile,

Place a kiss upon her cheek

And hold her for awhile.

Because remembering her is easy,

I do it every day,

But there’s an ache within my heart

Because I am missing her today

This poem is good for anyone else who you want to remember on your big day…

Someone is missing

Let this candle be a loving reminder

that someone is missing today,

Someone our hearts still hold on to,

As we travel along life’s way.

Someone who made life so special,

for all those who gather here,

Someone who won’t be forgotten,

But cherished from year to year.

And now as we pause to remember,

Let us all fondly recall,

how dearly each of us loved him,

and oh… how he loved us all!

Hopefully this has given you some ideas and inspiration. Hugs to you if you’re missing someone close today.

Movie style first dance

Posted on by

When planning a wedding choosing first dance songs is a great way to have some fun and get intimate with your new spouse on your wedding day.

If you’re a film fan why not choose a favourite big screen when planning your big day dance – read on and show your guests how you’re not making it up on the spot…

  • Everything I do (I do it for you)
  • Bryan Adams – Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves
  • I will always love you
  • Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard
  • I don’t wanna miss a thing
  • Aerosmith – Armageddon
  • Take my breath away
  • Berlin – Top Gun
  • Love is all around
  • Wet Wet Wet – Four Weddings and a Funeral
  • Iris
  • Goo Goo Dolls – City Of Angels
  • We have all the time in the world
  • Louis Armstrong – James Bond
  • Nothing at all
  • Ronan Keating – Notting Hill
  • Time of my life
  • Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes – Dirty Dancing
  • Rule the world
  • Take That – Stardust
  • Kiss me
  • Sixpence None The Richer – She’s All That
  • Unchained melody
  • The Righteous Brothers – Ghost

Dancing in front of everyone you know is nerve-wracking enough, but it’s even worse with two left feet! Get to grips with your hips with a dance class!

Share the love

If you’ve had enough of being centre stage, get your family to share your first dance with you.

Ditch the heels

You’ve been walking on stilts all day without falling over and now is not the time! Get your mitts on some back-up flats!

Your day, your way!

If all else fails, just don’t do it! It’s your day, your rules – who would dare question the bride?!

 

Honeymoon trends for 2018

Posted on by

New York

Want to celebrate your nuptials in style? Head to New York for the best shopping, big nights out and breakfasts that last all day. It’s all about Brooklyn, pretend you live in a beautiful brownstone apartment, enjoy all day eggs at Café Collette, eat dinner at the Ides, drink cocktails at the Clover. Then indulge in some drunk shopping for vintage finds you don’t really need at the amazing Brooklyn Flea market.

Bora Bora

Looking for a heavenly escape? This is it. White sands, turquoise seas and nothing, nothing, nothing to do but lose yourselves in the paradise that is Bora Bora. Its remote position in the middle of the Pacific Ocean does mean it’ll take you a day to get there but once you arrive you’ll discover pure peace, ridiculous relaxation and unlimited luxury. Your only chore will be to choose whether to sleep on land – in a bungalow with private beach and pool – or on water – in a hut on stilts overlooking the crystal clear sea.

Costa Rica

Whether your wildlife enthusiasts, animal lovers or adrenaline junkies, Costa Rica has it all. A Jurassic landscape, eco accommodation and jungle activities mean you can get as close to nature as you dare! For unrivalled romance stay at The Pacuare Jungle Lodge where you can sleep in a secluded bungalow nestled in the rainforest canopy, watch the wildlife from the comfort of your candle-lit terrace, soak in your private plunge pool and cosy up in a hammock made for two. By day you can organise a range of rainforest experiences with expert local guides. So whether you want to zip wire through the clouds, climb rock faces, ride the rapids or take a gentle tree-top tour, you’ll find the perfect level of adventure to get your hearts racing.

Family Honeymoon

Want to combine romance and relaxation with some quality time with the kids? Family friendly, boutique hotel Caserio del Mirador is the answer. This picturesque farmhouse, set amongst almond and olive groves in the Spanish mountains, offers you and your children a chance to get in touch with nature in a safe and serene setting. Half an hour from the beach, with gorgeous gardens, a child-friendly pool and ponies, goats and a pet pig to play with, there’s plenty to entertain the children during the day. Then once they’ve gone to bed, you can sit back, relax and enjoy being served a delicious dinner every night, knowing your kids are safe, happy and loving the familymoon as much as you.

Puglia

Rolling hills, winding streets, fine wine and food like your own mama does not make. Puglia is the perfect place to relax, unwind and put an end to the pre-wedding diet. If you really want to escape head back 300 years to Lama di Luna, a fortified estate set in 190 hectares of organic olive groves, overlooking the coast. Deliberately cut off from the modern world, this once-working farm feels more like a monastery than a hotel and provides a heavenly escape for food lovers looking for peace – and the world’s best pizza! Eat at the Michelin starred Antichi Sapori just down the road, bring books, borrow bikes and relax with the one you love.

 

Church Weddings

Posted on by

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

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

What are the legal requirements for a church wedding?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can I get married in any church?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can I use my own vows in church?

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