ISSUE 18
welcome Spring is on it's way and that can only mean one thing.. Wedding Season is coming! As usual this issue is packed full of beautiful wedding inspiration to help inspire your wedding preparations. We just love to hear about your plans, so if you are on social media please do pop on and share your wedding journey with us. Isobel x /bookyourwedding @bookyourwedding /bookyourwedding.co.uk All content in this magazine is written to the best of our knowledge and none of it is to be copied without prior written consent. All businesses and services are independent to us. © 2018 Book Your Wedding.co.uk
Yvonne Beck Independent celebrant Celebrate your special occasion with a unique and stylish ceremony Invite your family and friends to celebrate your marriage, vow renewal, anniversary, baby naming, or other celebration in your dream location and with your added style and ideas. As a experienced marriage and family celebrant, and as a member of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants, I will work with you to create and deliver a wonderful and intimate ceremony for any occasion. You're then free to relax and enjoy your day. Your ceremony is created specifically for you, tailored around your ideas and wishes, and then guided by my expertise and suggestions where appropriate. Perhaps you would like to get married on the beach, renew your vows under your favourite tree, or celebrate the new arrival of a new family member in your home? It's all possible. Give way to your imagination and allow me to turn that into reality. Contact me on 07800 543 426 for an informal chat or email ivvey@hotmail.com and we'll discuss your special day. CelebrantInLondon.co.uk
GLEN GRANT TOASTMASTER Glen Grant has been a toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies for over 15 years. Glen is a friendly and professional toastmaster who will ensure that the bride and groom and their families and friends have a happy and stress-free special day. He is also a recommended toastmaster for Hindu, Sikh and Muslim weddings. WWW.GLEN-GRANT.CO.UK Unique Deesign Weddings & Cards Bespoke Wedding Stationery www. udwedd i ngs. co. uk 07788 724140 Le Boscarecce Country Inn Rolling hills, infinite space in the hearth of Tuscany at Le Boscarecce our home in the Valdelsa hills Le Boscarecce is situated on a splendid panoramic hill: the sun setting over the Apennines something to put in your memory book. It was designed for rest and enjoyment away from everyday stress. A home away from home. www.leboscarecce.eu | susanna@leboscarecce.com | 0571 61280 is
Your Wedding Ceremony– Church, Celebrant or Registry - the choice is yours! Weddings are probably at the top of the list amongst our happiest memories. They are a part of the journey we take in life, whether for ourselves, or with others. They are one of the major milestones in our lives, and to do them justice, I believe we all want to mark those days forever in our minds and hearts with a beautiful and joyous ceremony. Historically, weddings were held in a church, with the Marriage Ceremony given by an ordained member of the clergy. Later, marriages for those who were not religious took place in a local Registry Office, and as they only contain the legal contracting words, were over very quickly! What most couples want is to hold a ceremony that realises their most cherished desires and dreams, and therefore they may choose a non-religious ceremony, sometimes as a compromise if they have different faiths, but more frequently because they are not regular church-goers. This means either a visit to the Town Hall or in one of the 4000 venues which are licensed for marriages. Unfortunately, a Registry office is not always a personal or romantic environment, and as couples are making a legal contract, they must abide by several rules regarding the ceremony itself and where it is held. The Registry must be of solid construction with four walls and a ceiling, therefore an outdoor ceremony is out of the question. Registrars cannot change the words or style of the Civil Ceremony as it forms part of Marriage Law. This can mean that couples have restrictions placed on their ideas for content, style and location, even if they have chosen to hold the Ceremony and Reception at a licenced venue. The Registrar will vet vows and music and any readings beforehand, as no religious or spiritual content is allowed. The cost of two officers of the council coming to the venue is usually in addition to the venue hire cost and can be in the region of £500 to £800, depending on the day and time of the marriage, as opposed to around £60 - £70 for a “standard” service at the Registry Office.
So what options do couples have if they want a Ceremony full of their own style and ideas, performed say at sunrise, or dusk, outside, in a beautiful romantic setting such as a country house with a beautiful garden, a favourite spot in a wood, or even on the beach? Hiring a Celebrant is the answer as they alone can provide the freedom, flexibility and innovation that couples want, when celebrating this major occasion with their closest family and friends. A Celebrant can provide a totally unique ceremony – be that along traditional lines or perhaps your Star Wars/Disney/Harry Potter/Game of Thrones theme, and include ancient rituals such as a Hand Fasting or Jumping the Broom element! Every Celebrant led ceremony is unique. Internal rituals, customs or ceremonies such as Rose, Sand or Unity Candle Lighting Ceremonies are delightful and novel and allow couples to express themselves exactly how they wish – and frequently children can be included in this type of Ceremony too. New ideas are springing up all the time and many couples enjoy asking their guests to take part in the “Warming of the Rings” ceremony, which is a lovely way to include them on a day where, traditionally they would just be spectators. Couples can also create ceremonies based on heritage – perhaps using a “Loving Cup”or a “Hand Washing” ceremony – blending heritage, faith, customs – this and more can all be created by a Celebrant. The Sand Ceremony is particularly apt for a beach or destination wedding, - it allows for each person to have a different coloured sand, which is poured layer by layer in turn, into a glass vase and kept as a memento of the day the couple or family were united. The colours symbolise the individuality of each person, with the layers resting on one another symbolising the lasting bond between them, as once the layers are poured, they not only show the beauty of the union, but they cannot now be separated.
The Legal Bit! The paperwork can be done quietly and without fuss on a day earlier in the week, with just two witnesses, couples can go to their local Registry Office and say the 32 “contracting words” that allow them to hold a marriage licence. There is no need to exchange rings or make vows, except for the “Contracting and Declaratory Words”. The cost of this is a fraction of the fees charged at a licenced venue, and also really reduces the pressure on couples as they relax and look forward to their Celebrant-led ceremony! As one couple put it “we don’t celebrate my birthday on the day my birth was registered, we celebrate it on the day I was born – and consider my Wedding Day to be the day I have the Ceremony I always wanted, with everyone I love.” So, choosing a Celebrant is then a major part of the planning process, and here are a few tips on what to consider when making that choice 1. Decide if you want a Humanist Celebrant or an Independent/Civil Celebrant. Humanists do not believe in religion or spirituality and therefore their ceremonies will not include “blessings” or any religious or spiritual content in vows, readings or music. https://humanism.org.uk/ . Humanists in Scotland CAN offer the legal ceremony as their ceremonies comply with the Civil Ceremonies – containing no religious or spiritual content. If you choose a Civil Celebrant, they can offer either a totally non religious ceremony, or a ceremony that includes religious or spiritual content, all combined with storytelling and meaningful, personal content. 2. Check the credentials of your Celebrant! There are a number of institutions and organisations that train and accredit Celebrants, and offer ongoing support and guidance and training so that their Celebrants remain up to date, and totally professional. Ensure your Celebrant has up to date insurance cover – Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance is key. They should also be able to show you their Terms and Conditions so that for example should they not be able to attend on your day, there is a plan in place for a substitute Celebrant from the same institution or affiliation, to take charge.
3. Meet your Celebrant! Some people only meet their Celebrant on the day of their wedding. I would advise meeting in person and talking through your ideas and style and ensure you are making a connection with the Celebrant. An initial meeting by skype or face to face can really help a couple to decide they are choosing the right person to work with and with whom they will be creating this important, personal ceremony. 4. Ask your Celebrant for testimonials and reviews from other couples – established Celebrants will of course have many clients and ceremonies which they can discuss and from whom they will have received feedback. 5. Allow your Celebrant to advise on creative ideas, themes, ritual and choreography – most celebrants are very experienced and can offer some great suggestions. In particular they will be able to advise on a number of different internal ceremonies such as Hand Fasting, Ring Warming, Wine or Beer Ceremonies, to name but a few. Vows and Promises are key to the ceremony and a Celebrant will be able to assist with ideas and suggestions so that the couple feel they really are having their day, their way, and true to their love story and beliefs. Yvonne Beck is a Marriage and Family Celebrant, a member of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants, since qualifying in 2011. She is available for Weddings, Renewal of Vows, Special Anniversaries, Naming/Adoption/Family Blending ceremonies for couples and families in London, Greater London, and internationally. Yvonne can be contacted at Email: ivvey@hotmail.com Mobile: +447800543426 Website: www.celebrantinlondon.co.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/yvonnebeckcelebrant Twitter: @YBeckCelebrant Instagram : celebrant_yvonne
The Classic and Vintage Car Company are proud to provide beautiful, genuine classic, vintage and allout American cars for your wedding day. No expense has been spared in the upkeep of our cars, both inside and out. Over our 27 years of service we've been privileged to share the big day with hundreds of happy couples. Our cars can be viewed on our website, where you will find instant quotes and availability. www.classicandvintage.co.uk angela@classicandvintage.co.uk 01252 33 88 38 41 Manor Road, Hampshire, GU11 3DG CHARLOTTE POULTER HARPIST (BMus, ATCL, PGCE, PGDip) Enjoy the Heavenly Sounds of the Harp on your Special Day Charlotte Poulter is a professional harpist based in South Wales, the spiritual home of the harp. Her music creates a wonderful atmosphere at your wedding, special occasion, or event, with a limitless repertoire of music, ranging from Classical to Modern. CONTACT ME TODAY www.charlottepoulterharpist.co.uk | 07881 805194 | charlotte_harp@yahoo.co.uk
12 Month Wedding Just got engaged? Tell family and friends your big news Throw an engagement party Start to think about dates for the wedding 12 Months to go Work out a budget as soon as possible Remember the sooner you book suppliers, the less likely you are going to be dissapointed Book Venue for ceremony & reception Start to draft your guest lists for both day and evening celebrations Start looking at wedding dresses If possible book your photographer and/or videographer, catering team etc Choose bridesmaids, best man, ushers etc Arrange to get your marriage licence from your local registrar 9 Months to go Choose and order wedding cake Confirm all venues and fine detail all service, readings and your music Choose your wedding stationery or make your own Book Your Wedding transport Choose and order outfits for Groom, best man and ushers Choose bridal jewellery for the Bride and bridesmaids Choose and order wedding flowers (bouquets, button hole, ceremony & reception decorations Choose and order bridesmaid dresses Confirm food and drink with catering team Choose and order wedding rings Start looking at honeymoon destinations (never too soon!) Decide if you're having a wedding gift list and organise Send out save the date cards 6 Months to go
g g Planning Guide 3 Months to go Book an appointment with your hairdresser to try out some styles Arrange your wedding make up trial Inform reception venue and caterers of final guest numbers Send out invitations Work out your seating plan Finalise your honeymoon plans 1 Month to go Check that your Groom is organised! Clothes, rings, outfts etc Have your final hair and make up practice Have a 'practice run' at home with your dress, tiara, jewellery etc Hold your rehearsal Plan and hold hen and stag nights 1 Week to go Wear in your shoes at home Stay relaxed & have a good breakfast to set you up for the day Deligate any last minutes errands Don't panic if small things go wrong, let others do the worrying! Take your time to get ready and above all have a magical day! Arrange for your luggage to be at the hotel or reception on the day Pick up the cake, buttonholes and flowers as late in the day as possible You may have guests arriving to stay the night before so be prepared for them to start arriving In the evening, have a lovely bath with some relaxing salts Have an early night and RELAX The Big Day Contact suppliers one last time to confirm Arrange pet boarding whilst you are away 1 Day to go
how to save m weddin When it comes to planning your wedding, we all know most of the budget will be put towards the wedding venue. It is a great idea to learn how to shave some pounds off your venue spend and savings you make can be put towards other costs. Holding a midweek wedding will almost certainly save you precious pounds. Most wedding venues will offer midweek package discounts, so if you are able to hold your wedding on a Thursday or Friday instead of Saturday or Sunday then this could be a real winner. Take into consideration other hidden costs at your wedding venue, such as a corkage charge if you are planning on providing your own alcohol, this is usually per bottle, and to be honest it could work out cheaper for your venue to provide your drinks. Your chosen wedding venue will have a list of suppliers who they work with closely on events. Contacts such as venue decorators and photographers, it may be worth asking if they could point you in the right direction, or your venue may offer venue decorations, chair cover hire etc as part of the wedding package. Another benefit to using suppliers who know the venue, especially when it comes to photographers, is they will know the best places for the best photos - so it's worth asking your photographer if they have worked at the venue before hand. If you are planning on holding both your ceremony and reception/evening reception at the venue, this could save you costs also, with not needing to hire transport to and from another venue and your home. Some venues have in house entertainment with may be included in a wedding package.
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Choosing your W dos . . . Visit lots of different stores to view as any dresses as possible to make an informed decision Schedule appointments with stores to help organise To get the most out of your appointment try to arrange a midweek one as it will be less busy than the weekend and you will get more time with your assistant for help Write down everything you want to ask at your appointment; it is easy to get carried away in the excitement and forget the important questions you might have Take someone with you, mother, sister, aunt, friend & bridesmaid. Get as many opinions as possible
W Wedding Dress and don'ts . . . Settle on the first dress you see and try on; in the excitement it is easy to get carried away in the moment Go on any crash diets or work out too much without informing your supplier you are planning to lose weight; you may end up needing to be remeasured and pay for alterations Arrange your appointment in the store too late in the day, otherwise your assistant will have already 'assisted' lots of energetic and enthusiastic brides and won't be as fresh as they would be first thing in the morning.
1TOP TIPS FOR YOUR WEDDING * Decide on a realistic budget and stick to it * Take a moment with your partner during the day to soak up the atmosphere * The evening before, lay out/hang up all your clothes ready for the day * Keep essentials in a bag with your bridesmaid, spare tights, hair clips, mini sewing kits, lipstick, shoe gel pads etc * Be organised with all your suppliers, contact details, dates etc * Make a list of all jobs that need to be done and work through regularly * Having a slight squeeze getting into your dress? Talc will help * Brides, have all your make up and hair done before putting your dress on * Make sure you have a good breakfast the morning of the big day, you'll need the energy * If you have a preferred supplier, book them asap to avoid disappointment * Wash your hair the evening before it's due to be styled for your wedding * Allow extra time for traveling to the venue, incase of traffic delays * Keep mementos of the day, a place card, order of service, menu etc * Can you save money by booking your wedding midweek? Some offer hugely discounted rates * Prepare for unpredictable weather, have some ideas for photos inside, umbrellas etc
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Top Tips for your Wedding Speech Tip 1 - Planning is key to success, so make sure you plan ahead and start writing your speech at least 2-3 months before the big day. Tip 2 - Make sure it's suitable for your audience - especially with a mix of younger children and older friends and relatives. Tip 3 - When you have learned your speech, be sure to read it out loud a good few times - doesn't have to be in front of a mirror just as long as you can hear how it flows. Tip 4 - When it comes to the big day, take it slow, don't read too fast to get it over with - relax and it's come across perfect.
Vintage Weddings An increasingly popular wedding theme couples are using is Vintage Inspired weddings. With a Vintage themed wedding, there is so much on offer, and the only limitation is your imagination! Nearly all aspects of your wedding can be covered: the dress, the cake, the stationery, the decorations, the photography shots and even the venue! Some ideas for you are… Hiring some vintage style China table wear to serve the wedding breakfast (high tea) on Using a button, brooch or mix of flowers with them in your bouquet Opt for a handmade tiara/headpiece for your hair Using lace in your wedding dress Hiring a traditional vintage car to take you to your venue Choosing beautiful jewellery to compliment your theme Add a touch of class and sophistication to your wedding cake, opting for additional cupcakes, in a range of vintage colours, soft pastel pinks, greys, yellows, greens There’s so much more you can do to inject some vintage style to your wedding day. "the only limitation is your imagination!"
PLANNING T {wed Start with the basics and slowly add 'meat' to your ideas. - Decide what season you want to hold your Wedding in - - Where to hold your Wedding - - Civil or Religious Ceremony - - Rough idea of budget - - Approx number of guests for Wedding ceremony - - Approx number of guests for evening reception - - Where you would like to go on honeymoon - TIPS Discuss possible dates with both families Decide early on who will be paying for what Do you have a theme you would like to run with for your wedding
T d THE DETAILS dmin} Now you're ready to plan in more detail start looking at potential venues, think about transport, photography, entertainment, food & drink, stationery, flowers, decorations etc. Discuss who you would like to be involved in your wedding. Bridesmaids, pageboys, best man, ushers etc. Baring in mind any children you would like to include and how they can be part of your special day. Perhaps some may be a little young to play a big part or even walk alone, so having a familiar person present with them is a good idea for things to run smoothly. Not everything needs to be planned as a couple. You will want to organise wedding dress shopping trips, hair & beauty appointments. As well the groom will want to go suit shopping separately.
Changing Your Name here is a guide to who you need to tell when changing your name after you marry Bank and Saving accounts DVLA including driving licence HMRC and DWP Club Memberships Credit and Debit Cards Employment Insurance Policies Loans including mortgage company Loyality Cards Medical records, including Doctors and Dentist National Insurance and Inland Revenue Passport Pensions Mag Subscriptions Utility Bills Your Will
The importance of your Wedding Photography By Jo-ann L Wheeler Photography So your partner has finally popped the question. Buy a few wedding magazines; consider the kind of ceremony you'd like; go onto the internet to look at placed for your reception. You choose a date; maybe send out 'Save the Date' cards. You start looking for a dress, not just any old dress; you want the best dress you can afford. You compile a list of who you'd like to be there, then worry about who to include and who to leave off. You already know who'll be your Bridesmaids, Best Man & Ushers. You pick your colour scheme for the day; put yourself on a bit of a diet, maybe plan a facial a week before, your nails the day before & your hair and make-up on the day. All these things are usually planned with military precision, but what of your Weding Photographer? How much time have you spent looking into the person who will photograph your day, who will do the pictures of the day that you spent so long planning? Unfortunately, it seems that photographers are sometimes considered almost last minute. The venue for your reception can sometimes recommend a photographer. If you go to another wedding, watch the photographer - how do they conduct themselves; how do they interact with the guests? If you like what you see, ask for a buisness cards. Ask friends and family who have recently got married awho they used to photograph their day - ask to see the pictures from the day, ask if they were happy with the photographer etc. Look to meet at least two photographers, maybe three. You need to meet the photographer – what are you going to do if you meet them for the first time on your wedding day and decide, for whatever reason, that you can’t get on with them? It won’t matter how good they are, your dislike of them may be hard to hide and may show in your photos. When you meet the photographer: * Ask to see some of their previous work. * Ask if they shoot RAW (jargon for lots of ‘information’ being in the images the photographer takes) or JPG (less ‘information’ in the images). RAW pictures take up lots of camera memory, but when it comes to processing they generally give a better result that pictures taken in JPGs.
* If they offer various ‘packages’ ask if they will tailor any of their photography packages to suit you – no point paying for something you don’t want. * Ask what style of photography they do – formal or informal (candid) or a mixture of both? * What are their payment options – most photographers ask for a deposit, with the balance being paid on the wedding day. Be wary of anybody that asks for full payment up front – the ‘cost’ of photographing a wedding is all about time spent by the photographer, but their time doesn’t start until they turn up on the day and take that first picture. In a time when money is tight, some photographers will offer payment split into three, with the final payment being when they get the pictures to you. * Ask if they have insurance – insurance is inexpensive and any serious photographer will have some. * Ask if they intend the visit the venue prior to the wedding. Good photographers will go to the venue before your day – they need to see what the layout is like and plan for a rainy day when pictures might need to be taken inside. * If you are having a rehearsal, will they attend that? Good photographers will attend as it gives them chance to meet your family and the Official to ask where they can and can’t go during the ceremony. * Ask how long after the wedding you can expect to get your pictures – this should be around two to three weeks, maybe longer in the Summer months when they might be doing weddings on consecutive weekends. However, they should make you aware of this fact, so you know what to expect. * Ask if you can speak to previous clients – even if you have no intention of doing this, a trustworthy photographer should be able to give you contact details for at least one previous client. Getting a good photographer should not be hard, but how many of us have struggled to get a good plumber? A bad plumber is disastrous, but at worst; you turn your water off and wait for somebody else to come along. There is no second chance on your wedding day, you cannot plan to do it all again and there are some photographers who will take your money, turn up and photograph your wedding and then fail to supply you with any pictures. Hopefully, with a bit of work on your part beforehand, you should be able to minimise the chances of getting ripped off by a Cowboy with a camera. Jo-ann L Wheeler www.jowheelerphotography.co.uk
top bea to help you look amazin Stay hydrated in the weeks leading up to your wedding - it's great for skin Consider applying self tan to give your skin a healthy, sun kissed look Keep yo exfoliate weeks bef wedding f soft he lookin Keep a bag handy on you big day with your emergency beauty kit Try waxing as your hair removal option - it will last though your honeymoon Opt water mascara can shed joy in con
n o e ef f he n t r a d on uty tips ng on your wedding day! our body ed in the efore your for super ealthy ng skin Stick to what you know - your wedding day isn't the best time to experiment with a new look In the weeks leading up to your wedding keep yourself hydrated for clearer skin t for rproof a so you d tears of onfidence Have a trial run of your wedding hair & make up so you are 100% happy with your look Wash your hair the evening before your wedding so it's easier to style
Wedding S your guide on w Save The Date cards - if you want to let everyone know you've set a date and to make sure they are free Day Invites - to send to guests you would like at your wedding ceremony and wedding breakfast Evening Invites - to send to guests you would like at your evening celebrants RSVP's - usually sent with invites to get an idea of who is coming to the wedding Direction cards - a map of your wedding location - especially if it's a little tricky to get to Menu's - you can have menu's made up for your wedding
S w Stationery what to order breakfast, following on the same style as the rest of your stationery Place cards - so everyone knows where their place is at the tables for the wedding breakfast Order of Service - a booklet made up as a programme of your wedding ceremony, a lovely keepsake for guests too Table Plan - so your guests know exactly which table to sit at for the wedding breakfast Table Numbers - for reference with the table plan so people know which table is theirs
ENGAGEMENT Throwing an engagement party is a great way to celebrate your exciting news! Plus it gives the two families a chance to meet early on in your wedding planning journey. And of course it gives you a chance to show off your ring! TIPS When it comes to inviting guests to your Engagement Party, only invite those you intend on inviting to the Wedding Decide whether your Engagement is to be a surprise! Send out invitations to a 'party' If your parents haven't already met your partner - consider if you would like them to meet before the party BE MONEY SAVVY One way to keep costs low is to hold your Engagement Party at your or a friends home. Another money saving idea is to ask all your guests to bring a plate of food, this could be organised by a list which is circulated around friends and family - similar to the way Gift Lists work, and ask everyone to choose an item to bring. Go through all friends and family and make use of their talents, can anyone bake you a cake? decorate your venue? make invitations etc. All these will save you a lot of money and they add a personal touch.
We're getting married!
Toastmaster Bob’s helpful hints for your wedding Toasts Traditionally the Father of the Bride toasts the Bride & Bridegroom and the Bridegroom toasts the Bridesmaids. The Best Man may also toast the newlyweds if he chooses. It may also be appropriate for the Bridegroom or Father of the Bride to raise a toast during his speech to ‘absent friends’. Which side Remember that the Bridegroom is the Bride's 'right hand man'. In other words, for the ceremony, photos and seating on the top table, the Bridegroom is on the right hand side of his Bride. When walking down the aisle, Dad is on his daughter’s left side. Best remembered by saying ‘the Bride has Buttonholes It may be helpful to appoint someone to make sure each principal guest is wearing their button hole or corsage and they may require help to pin them on. A good florist who is in attendance should help with this but your toastmaster will also be on hand to assist. A man's buttonhole should be worn on the outside of the buttonhole of the left lapel. Corsages are worn just below the lady's right shoulder with the stem pointing up. Menu choices If your guests have a choice menu, it may be helpful to have their choice printed on the reverse of their place name card. If they turn the card over once they are seated it will also assist the waiting staff in serving the correct choice. Guest book Seating The Bride's family should be seated on the left and Bridegroom's on the right (facing the front) & Ushers should remember to leave enough seats on the Bride's side for the Father of the Bride and Bridesmaids to be seated. The seating of family at the top table can often be awkward if parents have divorced and remarried, so do ask your toastmaster for advice on this matter. You can arrange the seating plan however you wish but a conventional top table arrangement, when viewed from the front is: Chief B'maid/BG father /B's mother/B'groom/Bride/B's father/BG's mother/Best Man
Walking down the aisle The Bridal party should take their time entering, allowing the music to play a little before starting the walk down the aisle. If it is a short aisle try taking one step at a time in sync with your father (left, together, right, together etc.). This will avoid walking out of step and help you savour the moment by making it last longer. At ceremonies held in the same venue as the wedding breakfast your toastmaster can announce you into the ceremony – “Ladies and Gentlemen would you please stand. Accompanied by her Father and attended by her bridesmaids – your Bride”. Cue music and away you go! Bride’s Arrival If your wedding ceremony is being held in a venue other than a church, the bride must arrive 10-15 minutes early as she has to meet with the Registrars prior to the ceremony, and allow time for photo's getting out of the car. Don’t be late as the Registrar’s may have another wedding to travel to later that day! Your toastmaster will ensure your guests are all seated in the ceremony room before you arrive. Have some music e.g. a pianist or harpist to keep them entertained while they await your entrance. Photographs Allow plenty of time for your photographs, as you want to mingle with your guests and not be rushing from photo’s to meal. Consult with your photographer but try not to have too many group shots as this can take up more time than you think. A good toastmaster will assist the photographer in gathering groups of guests for the photographs. Most photographers will take the Bride & Bridegroom off on their own for half an hour so I suggest a minimum of 2 hours from the end of your ceremony (or arrival at the venue in the case of church wedding) to the start of your meal. Perhaps a singer, musician or magician can help to keep guests entertained during this time before the meal. Cutting the cake When cutting your wedding cake the easiest way is for the Bridegroom to hold the knife in his right hand and the Bride to place her left hand on top with her rings visible. This avoids the Bridegroom pressing down on the Bride’s rings which can be painful for both. They can also place their arms around each other. When you have cut the cake hold the pose and look at the cake, each other and the many cameras that will no doubt be focused upon you as they will have been the whole day! Rings Bride, swap your engagement ring to the ring finger of your right hand before the ceremony. You can put it back on your left hand after the ceremony. Receiving Line You will also need to allow time for the receiving line when you greet everyone as they enter for the meal. The receiving line can comprise of just the Bride & Bridegroom or can include parents, bridesmaids and best man. A hundred guests can take between 30/40 minutes to pass through depending on how long you chat to each one. Once again your toastmaster can advise on all these timings and he is crucial in keeping things on time. Don’t forget you have a meal being prepared and you don’t want Toastmaster Bob Lloyd | 01603 465819 | www.toastmasterbob.co. uk
Couples on Ideas to keep costs low whilst ha Every bride wants their wedding day to be special and perfect, and this doesn’t necessarily have to cost the earth. We want to share with you some ideas and tips on how to keep your wedding planning costs as low as possible, whilst giving you all the aspects of your perfect day you expect. Throwing an Engagement Party Once your partner has popped the question you will want to tell the world! Engagement Parties are an increasingly popular way of celebrating your good news with loved ones. One way to keep costs low is to hold your Engagement Party at your or a friends home. Another money saving idea is to ask all your guests to bring a plate of food, this could be organised by a list which is circulated around friends and family – similar to the way Gift Lists work, and ask everyone to chose an item to bring. Go through all friends and family and make use of their talents, can anyone bake you a cake? decorate your venue? make invitations etc. All these will save you a lot of money and they add a personal touch. Planning Your Wedding Before you do anything, it’s very important to set a realistic budget, which you can stick to. We have a free printable Budget Planner which you can print and note down what you are budgeting for each area of your wedding planning. Then you can write actual costings down and see where you have saved, can you add some of the cash saved on one item to another. The sooner you book suppliers, you may be able to secure prices and of course availability.
n a n a budget aving the Wedding of your dreams Wedding Cake and Catering Easy one this! have a family member to help by baking a cake or cupcakes Venue Can you hold both your ceremony and reception in the same venue? Most civil ceremony venues will have packages for couples so they know the costs upfront, and include, ceremony, wedding breakfast, welcome drinks, entertainment and evening buffet. Having a venue that is close to you, family and friends will no doubt save on travelling costs. Wedding Dress One of the most important decisions surrounding your wedding is of course your Wedding Dress. You may have childhood memories of what you want your dress to look like when you’re older, so you’ve probably got an idea what you want. It’s important you shop around to find one that suits you. Off the peg dresses will be the most cost effective way of buying your bridal gown. Although now a lot of department stores are bringing out their own designs of bridal wear at very affordable prices, so if you are tight on your budget please do consider one of these. Photography and Videography Try and secure your wedding date with your chosen Photographer and Videographer as soon as you decide, most will freeze their current year prices for you and most now offer package deals, and can work to fit your budget. Really tight budget? Some Photographers who are starting out need a portfolio and experience and some even offer FREE photography bookings! might be worth ringing local universities or colleges to information if this is offered locally to you.
How To Choose Your Wedding dj by BK the DJ I'm sure most people have heard that a good or bad DJ can make or break just about any event. So it really pays to do your homework and know what to look for when you go shopping around for a DJ for your special event. It never ceases to amaze me that most a people will pay more attention to, and be willing to spend more money on, other aspects of a typical event; such as catering, photographers, venues...etc. But when it comes to the DJ; the source of entertainment; the person that is going to be responsible for all the announcements, introductions, and overall tempo of the event; it becomes almost an afterthought. After all when it's all said and done just what do you think people are going to remember the most about the wedding, anniversary, birthday or whatever event it was that they attended? Sure they'll remember how beautiful the bride looked and how nice the ceremony was. But will they really remember and think fondly about the food that was served....well maybe, if it's that good or the photographer that was taking pictures? I don't think so. But what they will remember, is the good time they had dancing to all their favourite tunes. They will remember that the DJ created a fun, festive atmosphere; that they were compelled to dance to the great music that he or she played. They'll remember that this DJ welcomed and actually played their request. That he/she was all over the place interacting with the guest; making them feel important by including them in the festivities, and making him or herself accessible to them. That is, if you hired a true professional DJ; that knows how to organize and run a party. These attributes (and more) are all important aspects of being a good DJ and entertainer. So what does it take to find the right DJ for your important event? It takes knowledge and understanding of just what a DJ does, or better yet; should do in order to make any event a fun & memorable experience for all those in attendance. You should always ask for, and check references (word of mouth is also good).
Equally important, is to personally interview and get a feel for the person that is going to DJ for your event. Do not shop or hire a DJ solely on the basis of price. I know it's so cliche` to say this, but in this business, as is true for most products & services.....you get what you pay for. Another important thing that a good DJ should do for you, is help you plan and organize your event. For example, the planning for any announcements, introductions, and most importantly the timing of all the above. The DJ should provide you with either paperwork or online tools for making a outline of the chain of events that happens at most functions. Sort of a guideline for the DJ to follow; as well as to communicate any needed info to the other vendors such as the caterers, photographers, and staff at the venue. He should also be able to share any unique knowledge and creative ideas he has with you based on his years of experience. If he's been in this business for a while, and done many different types of events, then he should have all kinds of thoughts on this matter; and be willing to share them with you. Speaking of paperwork; make sure you get everything in writing. Any true professional DJ will provide you with a contract. Spelling out the date, time, price and other agreed upon specifics of the event. An event such as wedding is just too important to cut corners when it comes to an area where most of the focus (aside from the Bride & Groom) is going to be directed to. On that same note, a good wedding DJ should control & direct most of that focus not at himself,but towards the Bride & Groom. After all, it is their day and the very reason why everyone is there to begin with; therefore they should be the focus of all the attention. So do yourself a favour, do your homework and know exactly what it is your looking for in a DJ for your special event.. If your going to pinch pennies for your reception; the entertainment is the one thing you should not skimp on. BKtheDJ are an entertainment company that are based in the Cheltenham area, they provide services from Lighting through to full discos, They also offer other services such as bouncy castle, popcorn machines, candyfloss machines and more.. If you would like to get a quote please call 07584070865.
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