Wedding Guide

Bridal Wear

One of the most important elements to a brides wedding is the wedding dress. Finding the combination of comfort and style is a tough challenge for any bride, with such a huge range of bridal gowns available in a number of shapes, colours and styles. The hunt for the perfect wedding dress is one often shared with close friends and family, with the moment "the one" is discovered being a poignant one for all. Many bridal shops require an appointment which means you can relax and take your time!

Grooms Wear

Whilst brides have their wedding dress to search for, grooms have the mission of finding a wedding suit for not only them but the rest of their grooms men too. Traditionally the male members of the bridal party would dress in similar outfits with the grooms suit differing only slightly, but these days many grooms are breaking from tradition and opting for individual styles for themselves. Tuxedos, morning suits, and top hat and tails being just a few choices on offer.

Wedding Cakes

Whilst brides have their wedding dress to search for, grooms have the mission of finding a wedding suit for not only them but the rest of their grooms men too. Traditionally the male members of the bridal party would dress in similar outfits with the grooms suit differing only slightly, but these days many grooms are breaking from tradition and opting for individual styles for themselves. Tuxedos, morning suits, and top hat and tails being just a few choices on offer.

Wedding Photography and Video

Wedding photographs and videos provide permanent reminders of your big day. Hiring a professional, well respected wedding photographer will mean you can relax and enjoy your wedding day and look forward to seeing the day captured in images after the event. The traditional photos are not the only style available these days, with a more casual style becoming more and more popular. Remember, its your special day, so dont be afraid to request certain photos to be taken.

Wedding Caterers

The wedding breakfast is yet another important part of your big day. It provides a moment of rest for everyone, a chance to sit down, relax and chat with the other guests and of course enjoy some delicious food! Wedding caterers these days have a huge choice of wedding menus available, many able to tailor one to suit your budget and requirements. By hiring a professional caterer, youre eliminating the stress that might otherwise fall on the bride and groom as catering professionals will take care of everything for you.

Wedding Transport

With the huge variety of wedding transport options available for your wedding day from limousines, classic cars and coaches to horse drawn carriages and chauffeur driven wedding transport you are sure to find something that is perfect for the bride and groom. The journey to your wedding ceremony is often one filled with nerves. The journey to the reception is often one filled with happiness and relief and it also provides a rare moment alone together for the bride and groom so choosing some wedding transport that is comfortable and stylish will help take your mind off the nerves and also relax in each others company.

Wedding Favours

Wedding favors are given to guests as a little thank you from the bride and groom at the wedding reception. There really is a vast array of favours available on the market, from gift bags, favour boxes, wedding candles, bombonieres and fortune cookies to quirky little seed strips that once planted will give the guests a lasting memory of the wonderful wedding day! Something becoming increasingly popular is charity wedding favours, or donations made on behalf of each guest by the bride and groom.

Wedding Gifts and Lists

Wedding gift lists provide a nice reward to the bride and groom for all the hard work and planning that has gone into their big day. The chance to compile a list of exactly what gifts they would like and often need is a fun one. It also prevents you receiving the same item multiple times! These days there is more on offer than just gifts, with some travel companies providing vouchers in various amounts, what better gift from your guests than a nice relaxing break at the end of your months of wedding planning.

Wedding Flowers

Flowers really do make your wedding day a truly special and beautiful one. With so many stunning colours and styles out there they can really bring the wedding venues to life not to mention the brides bouquets and buttonholes. Table centrepieces can be a great talking point and instantly add to a chosen theme. Opting for flowers in season can not only save you money but they will be bright and full flowers.

Wedding Hair and Beauty

Your hair style and make-up are two really important factors for most brides on their wedding day. Choosing a style that they feel comfortable with and that goes perfectly with the wedding dress and overall theme of the wedding day can be a big task, so plenty of experimenting with styles prior to the big day will ensure you get the look you really want. Most professionals will be more than willing to have a few trial runs before your wedding, meaning you can then relax knowing you are happy with the final product when the big day arrives.

Wedding Decorations

There is a huge range of wedding decorations out there, so you can be as crazy, unusual or traditional as you wish. Balloons are a great way of filling a space without breaking the bank and simple touches like sparkly table confetti can really bring a venue to life. So many decorations can add to your theme like glasses, sparklers, table numbers and centrepieces. Take full advantage of what is available to you and dont be afraid to try a little diy!

Hen and Stag Nights

The hen and stag events are usually celebrated separately, with Hens doing anything from enjoying a relaxing spa weekend to paintball, go karting or a night out with your fellow hens and stags. Weekends away are becoming more and more popular, providing a chance to draw out the proceedings for longer than just a day/night. Joint hen and stag dos are also on the up, with the two parties combined to create one big event.

Wedding Jewellery and Tiaras

The wedding rings are essential symbols of the wedding day, showing your everlasting love and commitment to one another. The brides jewellery can really compliment the wedding dress and hair and make-up they may want to break from the tradition of a veil and opt for a tiara instead. Likewise a tidy pair of cufflinks can complete the look for a groom. Either way, when choosing your jewellery its worth considering your look as a whole.

Wedding Music and Entertainment

Picking the right music can be a tough job, finding someone who will appeal to most of your guests (of all ages) and yet someone whos music you enjoy too. A great way to cover all bases is to hire a live band for an hour or so and then have a D.J who will be sure to get people up and dancing. We mustnt forget music for the ceremony too, people are breaking from tradition and choosing some more personal music tracks to play as they walk down the aisle whilst other are opting for the more traditional wedding march and similar.

Wedding Stationery

The first thing guests are likely to receive is a save the date card or wedding invitation. Picking and organising the right wedding stationary is really important as it notifies to guests of all the fine details of your wedding day. Double check spelling and make sure th wedding venue addresses and directions are accurate. Many companies can offer a package deal for your wedding stationary when you order invitations, table plans, and name cards in one go. With a large variety of designs and colours available, you should easily fit the wedding stationary in with your theme.

Honeymoon

Traditionally the honeymoon is taken almost immediately after the wedding and it is booked and paid for by the groom, however as with many things people are breaking from tradition and choosing a honeymoon destination together and sharing the costs. Many people also like to delay their honeymoon a little to allow time to save some money and absorb the fact they are now married! Honeymoons neednt be to just destination and likewise they dont have to be abroad, with so many stunning places to visit right her in the UK.

Wedding Planners

A wedding notoriously takes a great deal of planning, and whilst the end result is often a beautiful and memorable day for both the bride and groom, the planning process can be incredibly stressful. Hiring a professional wedding planner eases that stress and sometimes saves a little money too, due to the discounts and knowledge the planner has access to. Its important you find a wedding planner who you feel you can connect with, and you feel will understand what you want from your wedding day.

Weddings Overseas

Getting married abroad is becoming more and more popular with couples, embracing the chance to combine the wedding with the honeymoon or simply wishing to get away from it all and marry in a relaxing intimate ceremony either alone or with close friends and family. Many destinations offer wedding packages that include everything you need for that perfect wedding. Its important you do your research about what is required legally to marry in different countries but information is readily available to future bride and grooms.

Toastmasters

The toastmaster (also known as a master of ceremonies or guardian of etiquette) has been a traditional fixture at Royal and formal social events for centuries. Easing the strain of organisation on the wedding day, the toastmaster is there to co-ordinate, direct and announce the ceremonial proceedings, leaving the bride and groom to relax and enjoy their big day.