The Ten Rules to Being a Great Wedding Guest

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Photo by Eugenia Remark:

While it’s the little details that we can all obsess over, there is a fine art to being a great wedding guest. What does it take to ensure that wedding guests add to the day rather than add problems to the day?

Don't Be a Show-Off When It Comes to Style

Guests, whether male or female, need to remember that it is not their day. One of the biggest problems is that we can easily upstage the bride or groom. The groom and the groomsmen may be resplendent in their Oxford suits and the bride in their plunging white gown but for some reason, as guests, we can sometimes feel that temptation to use this event to showcase our unique style. Upstaging the bride is a big no-no, and something like see-through tops or plunging necklines can totally upstage the bride. Also, don’t wear white!

Be Punctual

If you are someone who would be late to your own wedding, you've got to work hard at punctuality, especially when it comes to the happy couple. There is nothing worse than the sound of the church doors creaking open in the middle of the ceremony with you apologising in a very audible whisper. This detracts from the sense of occasion, the feel of the ceremony, and it will result in daggers from the bride or groom. Be punctual, and this means that you should not just prepare your clothes the night before, but also know how to get to the venue, make sure that there is a plan B, and very simply, if you are someone who is always running late, you need to set aside at least 30 minutes more than is necessary! 30 minutes allows not just for traffic problems, but it also means you won't feel so stressed getting to the venue.

Make Sure Your Name is on the Gift

The bride and groom will have a lot of presents to go through, and if you slip a gift onto the gift table and there's no name, it can be quite disappointing for the bride and groom to get a great gift and not know who they should thank for it.

Be in the Moment

It's the couple's day, not yours, and it's so easy for us to flick out our phones when there is a lull in the ceremony, but we need to respect the couple and be fantastic guests. We should enjoy being engaged guests, and rather than sitting there on our phones being anti-social, we should talk to others that are there, including relatives, and sign the guest book, but also make sure that you spend the time being a wedding guest.

Let the Couple Have Their Day

The wedding guests are incredibly important, but we all know it's about the two right at the altar. They've asked you for a reason, and that's because they want you to celebrate with them, and there should be times when you don't intrude. During the cocktail party where they're all being whisked away for photos, you shouldn't attempt to stop them for a chance, and it's very likely they won't have much time to speak to you at all, but it is ultimately their day!

Show Appreciation and Gratitude

Take a moment to thank the couple for inviting you to their special day. Express your gratitude for their hospitality, the effort they put into planning the wedding, and the joy you experienced being part of their celebration. Sending a thank-you note or message after the wedding can be a thoughtful gesture.

Respect the Couple's Wishes

It's essential to follow any specific instructions or requests from the couple regarding the wedding. Whether it's regarding dress code, photography, or other aspects, honoring their wishes demonstrates your consideration and support for their special day.

Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption

While it's natural to enjoy the festivities and indulge in some drinks, it's crucial to maintain control and not go overboard with alcohol consumption. Getting excessively drunk can lead to inappropriate behavior or embarrassing situations that can overshadow the couple's wedding.

Be Mindful of Speeches and Toasts

If you're asked to give a speech or toast, keep it positive, brief, and appropriate. Avoid embarrassing stories or inside jokes that might make others uncomfortable. Focus on expressing your heartfelt congratulations and well-wishes to the couple.

Follow Seating Arrangements

If the couple has assigned seating, respect their plan and avoid switching or rearranging seats without permission. Seating arrangements are often carefully organized to ensure a smooth flow of the event and consider the comfort and dynamics of the guests.

Don't Overstay Your Welcome

While it's wonderful to celebrate and enjoy the wedding, be mindful of the timing and avoid overstaying your welcome. It's common for couples to have an after-party or private moments with close family and friends after the reception. Respect their need for privacy and know when it's time to bid your farewells.

Remember, being a great wedding guest is about supporting and celebrating the couple while respecting their wishes and the significance of the occasion. By keeping these points in mind, you can contribute to making the day memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved.

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Small Details You Can't Forget When Planning Your Wedding

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Small Details You Can't Forget When Planning Your Wedding

Getting married is one of the most highly anticipated days in many people's lives. This means that trying to create and stick to a plan is incredibly important to ensure that nothing goes wrong on the big day. There’s a lot of planning that goes into having a meaningful and magical day, but it's easy to forget some of the smaller details that go into planning a wedding. Take a look at some of these examples to avoid finding out too late that you’ve missed something vital. 

Sticking to a Timeframe and Smooth Transitions

While you may wish that your special day could last forever, a wedding only lasts a few hours from the beginning of the ceremony to the final goodbyes at the end of the reception party. Within these hours, you’ll need to think about the order of events and how to move guests between venues or spaces if necessary. For example, you may have your ceremony in the same space where you plan to eat your meal, in which case you’ll need to arrange with the caterer or venue where you and your guests will go while the ceremony space is transformed into a dining space.

Staying Within Your Budget

Not everyone can afford the kind of lavish, luxury weddings that many celebrities enjoy flaunting on social media. This doesn't mean that you can't plan for a beautiful and memorable day of your own. It just means that you’ll need to be considerate of your budget. Find out what the top wedding budget tips are so you can allocate your funds to the right places. It's all too easy to get swept up in the excitement of picking out your flowers or trying on outfits, but forgetting to stay within your budget could end up causing a disaster. Stay on top of it from the very start to avoid any disappointment from having to undo some of your earlier, more expensive decisions. Our Wedding Planning Budget may help which you can Download here.

Getting Around

Depending on the type of wedding you plan to have, you may need to plan for enough transport to get your guests to and from different venues. You might want to hold your wedding ceremony in one location and host your reception in another. How will you make sure that all the guests can find and get to the second location on time? Think about providing a shuttle bus or hiring cars to seamlessly transport your guests. If guests will be driving themselves, make sure that the venue has enough parking spaces.

Ceremony and Reception Entertainment

In addition to the ceremony and sit-down meal, guests often appreciate some entertainment during the transition period. Consider hiring a magician, live band, DJ, or even a solo musician to provide music and create a lively atmosphere. You can also set up interactive stations such as a photo booth, lawn games, or a DIY cocktail bar to keep guests engaged and entertained.

Guest Comfort.

Pay attention to the comfort of your guests throughout the day. Provide amenities like baskets in the restrooms stocked with essentials such as mints, breath fresheners, and toiletries. Additionally, consider offering a coat check service during colder months or providing parasols and fans for outdoor summer weddings.

Satisfy Guests Cravings with Refreshing Treats and Tasty Bites

During the gap between the ceremony and the evening party, guests may start to feel hungry. To keep everyone satisfied, consider offering ice creams, canapés, or street food options. Alternatively, you could arrange for canapés or finger foods to be passed around, providing a variety of appetizers to satisfy those mid-day cravings. Providing these food choices ensures guests are well taken care of and adds a fun element to the day.

Planning for the Worst

If any part of your wedding is scheduled to take place outside, don't just assume that the weather will be on your side. Make sure to have a backup plan or weatherproof gear just in case the sky decides to open while you're saying your vows on the beach or in the garden. Similarly, wear sunscreen if you’re treated to blazing heat so you don't kick off married life with a sunburn.

Remember, while it's essential to focus on the big picture, it's the small details that can truly elevate your wedding day and make it memorable for both you and your guests.

Capturing the details of your wedding

A wedding videographer and photographer will capture the memorable moments of your special occasion. Very often, the spotlight falls on the main event, which sums up the joyous day, but over time, wedding couples have craved more details that reflect the essence of their special day. In all the excitement of the wedding, you may remember these elements only after the wedding. That explains why factoring this into the planning stages will go a long way to make your day a special one.

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Three Tips For Planning Your Spring Wedding

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Wedding season is about to start because spring is almost here. Some people are planning their first Spring wedding, while others may be rescheduling a wedding that was canceled because of the pandemic. The best things about a spring wedding are the chance of sunshine and the chance to spend some time outside. You can be more playful with your decorations and food choices, and you could even have a signature cocktail that tastes like spring. We have some great Spring wedding ideas for you, no matter which group you belong to.

Bridesmaid Dresses

You've asked your girl squad to be at your wedding, which has made them happy. Now it's time to go dress shopping for the Bridesmaids. You could even set the date up for when you stay in one of the hen party houses. 

First, choose a color. There are two ways to do this. The first step is to choose a color. You can choose one color and one dress style, or you can choose one color and different dress styles. One benefit of having multiple dresses in the same color is that each bridesmaid can find a dress that looks best on them. If you're not sure about styles, here's a helpful guide about prom dresses that will look good on you.

The colors in the second one are meant to have a tonal effect. So, if your bridesmaids pose in a gradient, this can make for beautiful wedding photos.

Use Apps To Share Your Wedding Photos 

You've probably already hired a wedding photographer and thought about all the poses and pictures you want to take at your wedding. But sometimes the best photos from a wedding are the ones that guests take on the spot. That's why we'd suggest setting up a wedding photos app and asking your guests to download and share their pictures.

You could also give your guests disposable cameras that you can develop after the party. But this option is a lot more expensive, and if you wanted to make an online wedding album, you would have to scan the photos in by hand.

Favors For A Spring Wedding 

Wedding favors can be hard to figure out and are often forgotten. Who really wants to keep a trinket at home that has their name and wedding date on it? Why not try something that is a little more fun and has something to do with Spring?

We love the idea of giving wildflower bombs, which are little packets of wildflower seeds that guests can just throw in their gardens and watch grow. There's also a beautiful analogy for your love and marriage in there. The packets are also small enough to fit in a pocket or small bag, so guests won't forget them. Mini succulent or cactus plants are other options for favors.

Decorations For A Spring Wedding 

Many people always think of a spring wedding as having a light, airy, and fresh look, with lots of flowers and greenery. In a perfect world, at least part of the wedding would take place outside in nature.

But if that's not an option, you can always bring the outside in by using a lot of wood, neutral colors, and plant cuttings. I always look at Pinterest for ideas because there are so many boards for every style. You might be surprised by what you come up with.

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Why You Need To Go To A Wedding Fayre! The Ultimate Wedding Fayre Guide For The Bride & Groom!

The Ultimate Wedding Fayre Guide For The Bride & Groom!

Planning your wedding needn't be time consuming or stressful!

First of all, congratulations on your engagement! This is the moment you’ve been waiting for and dreaming about for a long time. So they got down on one knee and you said yes! You’ve shared the exciting news with your friends and family and have of course taken the obligatory engagement ring selfie!

The next stages can be a bit of a whirlwind; many brides or grooms-to-be can feel overwhelmed and unsure how to start planning their wedding. You’re itching to get going, but don’t know where to start.

Why Go To A Wedding Fayre?

Wedding fayres are the perfect place to get inspiration and ideas, speak to different providers, get advice and start booking your wedding day services - but most importantly, it’s a chance to start having fun and enjoying the journey.

Wedding fayres are a fun day out, especially if you bring along your fiance, bridal party, family and friends! There are many freebies, drinks, canapes, live music, makeovers as well as hair and makeup demos. Most importantly, wedding fayres are the only place where you can find all your perfect wedding suppliers under one roof, which means you can ask all the questions you need, get expert advice and book your favourite suppliers all on the same day - with your loved ones with you to help you decide!

Planning your wedding is such a personal and emotional experience, so it’s vitally important to be able to make an emotional connection with your supplier. After all, they are going to play a big part in your special day, so you want to make sure you connect! Wedding fayres allow you to make that personal connection with the person who will be supplying the services for your wedding - making you feel much more confident and secure!

Plus, many vendors offer samples, testers, freebies and even discounts on the day, which can help save you tons of money!

How Can You Get The Most Out of Your Wedding Fayre?

Do your homework

It’s always good to speak with your significant other and talk about what you will be looking for. Take a look online and get some inspiration too - even if it’s only to decide what you don’t want. A bit of preparation will really help. Bring your diary, your wedding planner and tick off your do-to list.

Don’t go it alone

Bring your fiance, friends or family with you. These are the people who know you best so can offer you a second opinion, and sometimes it’s important to have a little bit of reassurance from someone you trust when making decisions about your big day. Children are also very welcome!

Be ready to book

Lots of our exhibitors offer special offers on the day if you pay a deposit, so be ready to book to secure your date, and supplier and get some special offers and amazing discounts!

Don’t leave it to the last minute

We showcase only the very best in the industry at our Wedding Fayres and most Wedding Suppliers are in high demand. Some photographers for example are booked up years in advance so we recommended that you do not leave booking suppliers to the last minute, as you may be left disappointed when your wedding date has already been booked out.

Sign in and sign up!

Sign in when you arrive and be sure to sign up for any exhibitor’s mailing lists that may catch your eye! Most suppliers will enter you into a competition in return for your details so you might even win some wedding goodies along the way! They can send you details of their packages and any new deals and products they have! By signing up you will be the first to receive these offers and new products! Why not be organised and set up a new personal email address just for your wedding so you have all your Wedding Supplier offers in one place!

Keep it personal

Be yourself and get to know providers on a personal level. This is the perfect opportunity to build a connection with your potential supplier and it’s really important to feel connected to the suppliers creating your wedding day! Don't be shy and chat with as many exhibitors as you can, get to know them and what they have to offer you.

Follow your gut feeling

This is your big day, and your wedding is a pretty emotional event, so make sure you follow your gut. If you have a good connection with a supplier and feel good with them, then it’s the basis of a perfect wedding supplier relationship! It’s important to feel good about the wedding team around you, so make sure you’re listening to your instincts on the day!

Pick up business cards

If you don’t book something on the day, make sure to take a business card (and a flyer/brochure if the exhibitor has one) so you can keep in touch with the contacts you made on the day and follow up later.

Bring your Pinterest board/vision board

One of the best ways to plan your wedding is by having a vision board, this is also perfect for getting your ideas across to potential suppliers such as your venue dresser/stylist. You can show potential suppliers your vision boards/Pinterest or images of your ideas/styles you like and they can easily interpret your ideas! You can even create and share a Pinterest board for you and your supplier to add ideas to make sure you’re both on the same page.

If you’re at the very start of your planning and unsure of the wedding theme or colours you would like then coming to our fayres is the perfect opportunity to find out what colours/styles and trends are current! The Pinterest board can come later once you’ve been inspired by lots of ideas at our wedding fayres.

Relax and enjoy yourself

Most importantly, this is a day you should enjoy! You have your loved ones with you, a team of experts at the venue ready to help and the chance to plan your perfect day! Enjoy it and have fun!

Why Red Events?

We are experts in wedding fayres - in fact we have been doing wedding shows since 2011 and have helped thousands of happy couples plan their perfect wedding day! We work with only the best of local wedding professionals, and bring them together in beautiful venues to offer you expert advice and inspiration for your wedding day!

We always host a wide variety of exhibitors including Beauty, Cakes, Catering, Decoration, Dresses, Entertainment, Event Planning, Florists, Health and Fitness, Jewellery, Photography and Video, Transport, Venue, Honeymoon services and even the latest gadgets, venue dressing and surprises you woundn’t expect to see at a wedding!

We have fantastic hair and makeup experts who offer mini makeovers & demonstrations, showing you the latest beauty trends for your wedding style. Not only that, but we have live music and performances, creating a fun, special and unique experience for your and your bridal party where you can plan every aspect of your wedding in one beautiful, fun-filled afternoon!

All of the Red Event Wedding Fairs are free entry and all those who register are entered into our free prize draw on the day to win lots of amazing prizes including over night stays for two, romantic meals for two, afternoon tea for two, spa days, engagement couples photoshoots and much more!

Why Take Our Word For It?

Read what happy brides have had to say about our Red Event Wedding Fayres!

‘‘It was the best event I have been to so far, the staff were lovely, with lots of different stalls and most importantly plenty of food and drink.’’ - Joanne Griffiths, bride visiting Formby Hall Wedding Fayre.

”To be honest, it was really useful in that I went, seen what I liked/disliked, got ideas and quotes, and then I’m going to sit down, go through everything and start booking with my favourites!! I’ve been to two other wedding fayres so far, but this one was the best because the atmosphere was really nice and everyone was so friendly!! (I got some freebies too which is also nice!!) :)” - Samantha, bride visiting The Holiday Inn Ellesmere Port Wedding Fayre

”The wedding fair was fun for us as we’ve just started planning, the choice of businesses was the best part for me as It’s so difficult to know where to find wedding businesses!” - Georgina, visited the Macdonald Craxton Wood Wedding Fayre.

”This is the second Red Event wedding fair I’ve been to and I found the first one quite helpful in the beginning getting ideas together, finding out what I did, didn't like. Now I have a plan I came back and got my transport, makeup and stationary all sorted. They all gave us discounts too, which defo helps when you’re planning a wedding!” - Emma, visited the Brook Mollington & Leasowe Castle Wedding Fayre

“It really gave us a chance to get ideas of what different suppliers offer, and it was good to have a chat with lots of different people without feeling obliged to take things any further. Although we did get our venue booked and can now look at booking form suppliers!” - Jennie, visited the Formby Hall Wedding Fayre

”We’ve just got £300 off our videographer as we booked him there and then - and the catwalk was fab! x” - Nikki, Liverpool. Visited the Holiday Inn Ellesmere Port Wedding Fayre.

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9 Tips For Creating A Buzz About Your Wedding On Instagram & Facebook

Introduction

The average bridal couple spends £21,600 on their big day. That’s a lot of money! So why not make the most of it and use social media to get your friends and family excited about your wedding? With these tips, we’ll show you just how much buzz you can create online by sharing photos and videos with your loved ones in advance of the big day—and well afterward too:

Social media can be a great way to get friends and family excited about your wedding!

On Instagram, post pictures of anything you are doing that is related to your wedding. For example, if you are making place cards or menu cards, take pictures of what they look like as you work on them and post them on Instagram. This will give people an idea of what they might look like when they arrive at the reception venue and add some interest to their feed in general! Don't forget to tag any accounts related to the items being made so others can find your posts later when searching for DIY projects for their own weddings!

While sending invites via mail is more customary, sending them online can save you a lot of time and money if you'd rather take a more laid-back or contemporary approach. You have two options for inviting guests: via email or a Facebook event.

Create a custom hashtag.

You can use a custom hashtag to get people to share their photos on social media. Hashtags are a great way of sharing content and getting people engaged with your wedding. However, you may also want to consider creating a hashtag that is unique to your wedding, as this will allow you to gain more traction with other users who are interested in the same topic.

If you do create one, make sure it's easy for others to spell and remember! After all, the point here is for people who see your post about the event or activity will be able to easily find out how they can participate by using this hashtag themselves so that others can see their work too!

The last thing I'd recommend against doing here would be using an existing hashtag from another event or activity; after all, it makes sense from both sides: users won't want their own posts cluttering up someone else's feed while businesses don't have time either since there could potentially hundreds (or thousands) of posts coming at them at once.

Get your guests involved early on.

Another great way to encourage guests to share photos is by asking them to tag you in their posts. This will help you collect content before your big day, but also give guests a chance to have their photos featured on your wedding page. 

Another easy way for guests to get involved is by posting an original photo of themselves with one of the vendors or another guest at the wedding. This helps spread the love around and makes it feel more personal for viewers who are following along.

Make the most of the tools at your disposal.

While there are plenty of tools and apps out there that will make your life easier, here are some we found particularly helpful:

• GIF compressors: This is a great tool for creating custom GIF hashtags. You’re able to choose the colors and animations, as well as add text and emojis if you want. They are fun to watch too!

• Canva: Use this web-based software to create eye-catching images for social media posts. You can upload photos from your own computer or use stock photos from their library, then add text and graphics in their easy-to-use interface.

• Video editing tools: There’s a lot of free software that you can use to post your pre-wedding videos on social media. Make sure to use video compressor so you can easily upload on Facebook without harming it’s quality like MOV compressor.

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Engage your audience with questions, polls, and photos of their own.

Engaging your audience with questions and polls is a great way to get people involved in the conversation.

For example, you can ask them what dress color they envision for your wedding or what kind of cake they think would be best for the reception. It’s also fun to show them photos of other weddings that have similar styles—or even photos from their own events! It’s a great way to inspire them and make everyone feel like part of the planning process.

This doesn’t just apply to Instagram; Facebook has some cool features too. You can create polls on Facebook by clicking “Create Poll” at the end of any post (you may need an administrator). If you want more control over how many votes each user gets, click “Advanced Settings & Tools” when creating this poll so that people will have to log into their accounts before being able to vote (this will prevent spam from bots).

Share sneak peeks of decorations and prepping for the big day.

Let's face it: your wedding photos are going to make you look good. But if you want to capture the attention of your friends and family, show them what they can't see in a photo—the behind-the-scenes excitement that goes into making such a special day happen.

Put together a board of sneak peeks showing off your details, like well-designed centerpieces and DIY projects. Share photos of flowers being delivered or food being prepared. Congratulate yourself on setting up the venue before anyone arrives! It's also a good idea to share sneak peeks of decorations at different stages so you can show how much progress has been made over time (and how dedicated you are). You could even ask for help from others who are involved in planning the wedding! Your bridesmaids might appreciate seeing photos of their handiwork online too!

Showcase all of the beauty around you!

The best way to get people excited about your wedding is by showing them how beautiful it will be. Take beautiful photos of your surroundings, including your venue and nature. Also don't forget to take photos of other things, like the food or drinks at the cocktail hour, or a group shot of all your guests wearing their church hats (you know they would want one). Your audience will appreciate being able to see what they're missing out on!

Conclusion

Now that you have some tips for creating buzz on Instagram and Facebook, it’s time to start planning your wedding! Remember that social media is a tool for sharing with family and friends, so don’t forget about other ways to spread the word about your big day.

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How To Throw The Ideal Hen's Party For Your Best Friend

Your best friend is getting married, and you may be experiencing an emotional rollercoaster of excitement and happiness. And what better way to help her transition into her new status than to throw her an unforgettable hen party? It's also a fun way to reunite with old friends, create lasting memories, and explore new places and fun activities. These tips can help you throw the best hen's night if you're unsure where to start. 

Speak with the bride 

First things first! You must speak to the bride-to-be about your plans to throw a hen's party. While it's traditionally supposed to be a surprise, it may quickly go south if they dislike surprises or have anxiety issues. You also want to find out if she wants to be part of the planning or if she wants a wild or mild event. If she doesn't mind a surprise, you still have to determine what she doesn't want at her party. It could be ziplining, strippers, etc. In the end, you want her to have the best time of her life, so respecting her boundaries makes sense. While at it, decide on her preferred destination, number of guests, etc. As a tip, create a guest list to ensure no one is left out. And if all of this planning sounds like a lot of work, consider hiring an event planner like Flock. They’ll take care of everything from the venue to the activities you’re going to do. A professional planner can offer you and the bride some much-needed peace of mind during a hectic time! 

Set a budget 

It's easy to be carried away in your excitement and spend on so many things only to find out that you have exceeded the amount you were supposed to use. Moreover, it wouldn't be fun to know that you paid for things the bride-to-be doesn't enjoy. Therefore, you'll find it helpful;l to create a budget to keep track of your expenses. You want to consider certain factors to ensure your budget can be trusted. For starters, decide how many nights you'll be away and what accommodation option best suits the girls. As a tip, acquire and compare different prices for each accommodation option for a more informed decision. Consequently, include food and drinks, theme and outfits, hen party bags, presents, decorations, activities, transportation, etc. Since money is a sensitive subject, you'll find it helpful to consult with others to ensure no one feels cheated. As you plan, remember to allocate some funds for a delightful touch, perhaps treating the group to a signature Jungle Bird cocktail for an extra special celebration.

Plan your activities 

What's a hen party without activities? Indeed, it is fun when you and the other hens can enjoy various activities. Moreover, your best friend and bride-to-be will cherish the moments forever. Deciding the best activities can be a handful, as many options exist. However, you can try a relaxing weekend away at a luxury hotel, enjoying horse riding, spa treatments and other soothing activities. Or you can have a lively karaoke night if your best friend loves to sing. Dance classes can work if she enjoys busting some moves or wine tasting if the girls want to feel sophisticated. To get around in style on the night, you can consider a minibus hire using professional local drivers. These luxury buses are the perfect touch for your hen party and can be tailored to suit your requirements. Just make sure that the vehicle you hire is large enough to fit your entire group.

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What You Absolutely Need to Know About Buying Wedding Rings

Buying a wedding ring is often an exciting and nerve-wracking task. Considering that the perfect wedding requires the perfect rings, and you want the whole event to go off without a hitch, you need to make sure you get the wedding ring right. There’s a few things that you should probably know about buying wedding rings, and we’ll be covering them here. Let’s get started.

Measurements Need to Be Exact

Like an engagement ring, the wedding ring needs to be exactly measured to get the best results. This has the potential to go really wrong if you don’t do it right, so you need to make sure that your wedding ring is perfect from start to finish, and it starts with the measurements.

Your measurements need to make sure that they conform to generally accepted ring sizes and that they are for the right finger. Check out this blog, Which Finger Does An Engagement Ring Go On, to get a better idea of that.

Choose the Right Style

Style can be so important when choosing the right kind of wedding ring for your specific needs. Obviously, you’re going to want to make sure that the wedding ring you choose is one which will be suitable for the rest of your life.

Your wedding ring is something you’ll wear everyday, so you should think about longevity in your choice. Do you want a simple wedding band (and here’s why) to compliment everyday life? Or are you the type of person who wants something more ornate? Whatever you choose to do, there is a wedding band for you so it is worth picking what will work best.

Do You Want to Match

Many people like the idea of their wedding bands matching and so they actively go out of their way to find two bands which will work for both partners and still match up at the same time.

 If this sounds like something you want to do, then you need to take the time to look at what’s available. Choosing a matching wedding band is one of the best ways to make sure that your experience is a positive one. A marching wedding band will look lovely in photos and will be a reminder of your partner, so it’s good to pick one.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing the ideal wedding ring for your needs will be very important. There are many different types of wedding bands for you to choose, so it’s important to take a look at what’s available to get the best results. If you take your time and experiment with what’s on offer, then you’ll be able to find the ideal configuration of options. This article will help you to choose a wedding ring for yourself, otherwise, feel free to experiment with what’s available and make sure that you select the ideal option for your needs. You will only need one wedding ring, so it’s important to get it right.

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A Guide to Choosing Your Bridal Jewellery

While some brides love to be without any other jewellery apart from the wedding ring, others love just a bit more to look unique. Moreover, 37% of UK women now have a say in the final choice. Whichever option you go for works fine as long as it makes you comfortable on your wedding day. However, there are some helpful guidelines to consider before deciding to go with extra jewellery or not. Below are some pointers you probably never gave much thought to.

1. Less is more

In the jewellery adornment circles, you could agree with the saying, ‘less is more.’ The last thing you want to do on your wedding day is looking a bit too much. Especially where jewellery is concerned, the demure bride look is perfect. At no point should your necklace and bracelet(s) take away from your gown. Remember that the wedding dress is the main feature of your special event, followed by the wedding ring. If you wear jewellery, the guiding rule is to make the entire ensemble blend in smoothly. 

For example, it is a fashion faux-pas to wear a necklace when the chosen wedding gown has a decorative neckline. Therefore, instead of wearing that choker or necklet, opt for teardrop earrings to complement the look.

2. The jewellery should match the fabric of your gown

Jewellery comes in different colours and metals. However, some brides fail to acknowledge that each metal and colour matches with different gown fabrics. For example, when your gown is all white with sheer lace, platinum and silver jewellery are the best choices. On the other hand, if the dress has an ivory tone, you will be on the right path opting for jewellery with gold undertones.

For more contemporary brides who opt for rose gold jewellery, remember to have pink hues in your dress. Wedding gown designers recommend settling on the dress first before purchasing the jewellery to make the best decision. Sometimes though, it helps to consider the beading and other stones designed into your gown as they also make a statement.

3. Shop from a trusted source

An essential part of jewellery shopping is knowing that your purchase is from a trusted source. Considering the proliferation of fake metals and illegal gemstones shipped into the country, you will want to be careful during the transaction process. That is why it is essential to shop from brands like Irish Jewelry Craft, where you will find authentic, historic rings to buy such as the white gold Claddagh ring with emerald. With trusted brands, you can be assured of quality and real value for money. No matter where you buy your rings, remember to ask for a receipt. Lastly, ask about its warranty period.

4. Your wedding jewellery must be something you can wear later

What’s the point in buying expensive jewellery you get to wear only once in your lifetime? That cannot be value for money. Long after your special occasion, you should be able to wear that same jewellery for another special occasion like a wedding anniversary or a special dinner date with your spouse. If you are more traditional, your old jewellery can become a family heirloom for generations. Indeed, that will also depend on the quality of the piece you have.

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Wedding Suppliers We Think You’ll Love!

Wedding Fayres We Think You’ll Love!

Getting Married? Read this first!

Getting married? Read this first! Expert advice and top tips from our wedding suppliers for engaged couples who are planning their wedding!

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Throw The Confetti Now!

This is one of my favourite parts of a wedding day - the exit of the couple from the ceremony to a crowd of friends and family chucking stuff at them! But what should you chuck? Like most wedding paraphernalia, there’s almost too much choice when it comes to confetti. Rice paper bells and angels, foiled plastic party poppers, dried flower petals all the way through to the original idea: rice!

Having photographed hundreds of weddings, I know the type I prefer, and even where to get it from. Read on! Confetti choice comes down to two factors for me: ease of throwing and environmental risk. Rice paper melts in the rain but isn’t easy to chuck as it’s so light (it can stain your dress too!).

Foiled plastic stuff is just plain evil - who’s going to pick it all up? Dried pot-pourri type petals are just too darned itchy-scratchy - particularly when some well-intentioned but ill-informed relative thinks it’s hilarious to shove it down your backs! So my preferred confetti is freeze-dried flower petals from www.trulymadlydeeply.biz. Their product is GORGEOUS - super soft flower petals of all types and colours, heavy enough to throw and 100% natural and biodegradable.

My final piece of advice about confetti is to check with your venues before ordering any - not all venues allow it at all! Finally, if the weather means you’re stuck indoors, have some bubbles on hand for a fun alternative.

Tip by Daniel Charles Photography 

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Wedding Day Timeline - Wychwood Park Hotel & Golf Club

As a wedding venue, we always get asked about timelines for the wedding day. To help we’ve put together a rough timeline for brides and grooms to work from:

14:00 - Civil Ceremony

14:30 - Reception Drinks

14:45 - Photos

16:00 - Wedding Breakfast

18:00 - Retire to Bar for room turnarounds

19:00 - Evening Guests Arrive

20:30 - Evening Buffet

00:00 - Evening comes to a close

If you are opting for a Church Ceremony allow 45minutes for the ceremony, 30minutes for photos plus travelling time to the venue, then pick up at Reception drinks.

Obviously, these times are all dependant on the time of the ceremony, and different photographers require different time frames but it’s a good starting point and we will help work out the details when you come for your final details meeting.

Tip by Wychwood Park Hotel & Golf Club 

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Your Wedding Day restricted by guest numbers? Move your wedding outside!

What an emotional roller coaster it has been for couples over the last 18 months, rescheduling, changing the plan, deciding to delay or go ahead with smaller numbers! Maybe the government announcement of the 14th of June 2021 still leaves you uncertain?

Consider all your options:

Perhaps your chosen venue cannot accommodate your number of guests safely inside, speak to them to see if you can move the ceremony outside! Maybe the Registrar cannot deliver your ceremony outside, a celebrant can!

Choosing a Celebrant led ceremony may have always been your 1st choice or maybe changing to a Celebrant now can help you remove the obstacles which are preventing you from having the Wedding Ceremony you have been dreaming of.

What are you waiting for?

Get in touch, we can chat and discuss your options.

You can still have the day of your dreams!
Tip by: Pure Silk Ceremonies

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Preparing for your first bridal appointment!

Boda Boutique is a boutique focused on fun, love and creating moments! I love everything weddings and can’t wait to hear all your plans and help you create your perfect bridal look!

Our top tips for a successful first appointment!

- Research your shop beforehand and make sure they have the style of dresses you're looking for that fall within your budget.

- Bring the decision-makers with you, if you can't envisage saying "yes" to a dress without that one special person present, make sure they are with you at your appointment.

- Wear nude underwear, don't buy a special bra for the day 9/10 Brides will end up ditching their bra during their fittings.

- Have an open mind..!

- Trust your gut, if it feels like the one, it most likely is.

Tip by: Boda Bridal

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Your wedding, your way!

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Your wedding can be anything you want it to be. Escape the restrictions of the standard ceremony and write your words, your promises, your story, your way ……with a little help from me to ensure your day is perfectly magical.”

Tip by: www.oaklandscelebrants.co.uk

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Set the tone of your wedding with your invites!

Your wedding invitation should be the first thing to check off your wedding to-do list. Once they are sent out, it sets the tone for the wedding itself, maybe giving a clue to how your event will play out. Plus it takes the pressure off while you argue (surely not!) over the flowers, venue, bridesmaids, guest list etc.

We have been providing wedding stationery since ABBA were in the charts. A simple text based invitation or an intricate four-page cut out with bows and diamantes - (and everything in between!). Choice is yours - It’s Your Wedding Day! And when you have the time, don’t forget the table plan, menu, order of service, table numbers or names, place cards…. SO if a wedding on a Greek isle or a simple local event (and everything in between!) is on the horizon, please contact us.

Tip by: david@sblprint.co.uk

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Look & feel your best on your wedding day!

The start of a new life together is the time for a fresh start, a clean slate and a commitment to your future goals. With that in mind and knowing that you want to look and feel your best on your big day, why not kickstart a healthier lifestyle together too? 

The C9 is not just a nine-day programme. It includes advanced nutrition and exercise routines to help you succeed and reach your personal best. It helps adjust your mindset and get your nutrition on track so you can challenge yourself to really look and feel better for your big day. 

To support you with your reset and help you make the most out of the programme you will have access to a support group and myself. Five products make up the foundation of this programme, and each one is designed to fuel your body and provide supplemented support. 

Tip by: Aloe with us 

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Think about your wedding disco playlist and set up!

Let me introduce ourselves. We are Faraway Disco, a professional mobile Wedding Disco Company, based
in North Wales. Hiring a Wedding DJ is one of the most important decisions you make, that will impact the success of your wedding evening reception.

OUR TOP TIP:

The Music even though you may love the music you pick for your playlist or your music choices. Your taste may not suit everyone else. Your guests have come to be part of your special day but also to help you celebrate it, and to enjoy the end of the day party. So keep an open mind over the music, allow your DJ to" Mix it up’’

The Setup:
Consider the space you have available for the disco, communicate with your DJ. So the setup they use fits in the space, while still looking Stylish.

Tip by: Faraway Disco

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The Essential Guide to Engagement Ring Diamonds!

The time has finally come! The time to join together in a union of love and devotion. It is time to pick your diamond engagement ring! The beauty and durability of a fine diamond combined with precious metal's strength and purity continue to evoke the perfect promise of an enduring and wonderful marriage for lovers everywhere. But where do you start? It is not like engagement rings are rare and aren't sold anyway. That's a misconception. There are so many different options that it is bound to get confusing and overwhelming. The first thing to think about is the diamond, but how do you choose a certified diamond engagement ring?

Select a Shape:

Round Diamonds: 

If you are unsure about the shape, it may be helpful to know that round diamonds are by far the most popular choice due to their fire, brilliance and light performance!

Princess Diamonds:

Princess diamonds feature an angular, contemporary beauty that looks gorgeous in classic and geometric settings. They offer the brilliance of a brilliant round diamond but with a modern twist. 

Photo by Jasmine Carter on Pexels

Cushion Diamonds:

Cushion diamonds are an ideal choice for anyone who wants a more vintage-inspired look! It is an attractive alternative to a Princess Cut for those preferring a more rectangular shape.

Step Cut Diamonds:

Asscher and emerald diamonds are step cut diamonds that create a sleek, elegant appearance. They are more transparent than round diamonds. 

Pear-shaped Diamonds:

Pear-shaped diamonds are more distinctive in shape. They help make fingers look long and slender due to their elongated appearance. They are also larger than the heart-shaped diamond. 

Heart-shaped diamonds:

For you die-hard romantics, the heart-shaped diamond can express your sentiment with a flourish!

How many stones?

How many stones are too many stones in your engagement ring? The correct answer is there are never too many stones! 

Three stone rings are a popular choice today with their symbolic message of yesterday, today and tomorrow. It usually consists of a centre diamond enhanced by two matching smaller diamonds. It creates an impressive display of brilliance and fire, and the smaller accent diamonds create an even fancier look. 

Colour:

Most people prefer a colourless or white diamond or a colour that is not very detectable to the untrained eye, but why not have a pop colour? Why not branch out of the typical diamond colour and go for something unique? Coloured engagement rings encompass both fancy colour diamond rings and vivid gemstone rings such as rubies and sapphires. Both classic and contemporary designers can bring forth a striking engagement rung with a bit of colour! For example, Aquamarine is an unexpected yet stunning choice for an engagement ring, with its soft hue creating a timeless and unique look. What about morganite for a peachy number, emerald or yellow cut to cement a gorgeous band? Pink tourmaline or London blue topaz for a vivid cerulean hue?

Photo by Marta Branco on Pexels

The most significant element of any engagement ring is the diamonds that go into them. You need fine-cut craftsmanship and something that can symbolise your future relationship in the best way possible!

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How to Own Your Confidence On Your Wedding Day

Your wedding day will always be memorable, and on reflection, you’ll be extremely likely to look back on it as an excellent, life-changing event in your life. However, there are no guarantees that you’ll have fun at the time. This is something that takes many brides (and grooms) by surprise. It’s not that they’re not happy, it’s just that there are so many details and anxieties that they have to think about. Fortunately, there are things you can do ahead of time that’ll push you in the right direction. It’s all about having confidence in yourself and the day as a whole.

In this blog, we’ll look at some ways you can have just that. 

Photo by Jeremy Wong from Pexels

Plan to Perfection

You’ll have months, or perhaps even years, to get everything into shape for your wedding. So why not make the most of that time by planning everything to perfection? If you know that every detail of the big day is secure and watertight, then you’ll be able to throw yourself into the serious business of having fun. If you’re having a big and extravagant wedding, then look at hiring a wedding planner to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Prepare Ahead of Time 

We’ll talk about looking your best later on, but first, let’s think about feeling your best. There are plenty of things you can do that’ll ensure you’re physically and mentally at your best, but to get the effect, you’ll need to incorporate these habits into your life ahead of time. Don’t wait until the last minute before you begin thinking about these things! If you’ve got several months of eating well, working out, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding the things that can drag you down (such as alcohol consumption and smoking), then you’ll be a real force of confidence and positivity when the big day arrives. 

Looking the Part

Now let’s think about looking the part! You’ll feel oh so confident when you’re walking down the aisle and beyond if you know you look, well, the best that you’ve ever looked. There are some tried and tested tips for making sure this is the case. First, there’s the matter of the dress. Check out these beautiful wedding dresses by Ronald Joyce, find one that you like, and you’ll have a jaw-dropping style on your big day. Beyond that, it’s all about making sure that your hair and makeup are perfect -- do a trial run beforehand, so you know you’re completely happy with the look.

Don’t Stress The Small Stuff

Finally, remember that even with all the planning in the world, it’s still possible that there’ll be one or two small problems that crop up. And when they do, don’t stress -- it’s unlikely that the problem will be so grand that the whole day is ruined. And even if things don’t go to plan, remember that you can always make things work. If you have great people around you and a positive attitude, then there’s no telling what you can do! 

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What is a Micro Wedding and 13 top reasons to go ahead with a Micro Wedding anyway!

What is a Micro Wedding and 12 reasons to go ahead with a Micro Wedding anyway!

The way brides and grooms are getting married has changed since the pandemic started nearly a year ago. Huge grand weddings are for now, a thing of the past and some couples are opting fora ‘micro wedding ’instead.

What is a Micro Wedding?

A micro wedding is of 20 people or less. Due to the restrictions in place, some weddings have even been limited to 15. A micro wedding is still a wedding with all the traditions (if you want them) but on a much smaller scale. With fewer people, wedding ceremonies are now shorter in length and have a much more intimate feel to them.

2020 was certainly the year for micro weddings and will they will definetly be a wedding trend for 2021 and we think it’s something to be fully embraced! Although this may not be for everyone, a micro wedding will allow you to still get married on your wedding date (out of lockdown). Here are our top 12 reasons why you SHOULD have a micro wedding once the lockdown has been lifted!

#1 You’ll save money

Having a small wedding with fewer guests will surely be much cheaper. You won’t have to worry about saving 100’s from your pay packet each month.

Wedding Photographer Paul from PK Photography said ‘ I have always offered full day photography packages and hourly rates for smaller, intimate weddings too. I have seen a rise in smaller packages for intimate micro weddings in 2020 and they still provide plenty of fantastic photographic opportunities because there is often less time-pressure with fewer people at a wedding. Many of the town halls in the area boast impressive, historical architectural backdrops for your wedding photography. I have simply divided my full-day wedding photography fee to create an hourly rate should couples want to book me for their mirco-wedding. That said, you will still receive the same standard and intensity of creative photography whether booking for two hours or ten.’’

#2 It’s all about you!

You may have been engaged for years and already maybe postponed your wedding not once but twice (thanks covid!). At the end of the day weddings are about the union of two people. Embrace it and celebrate your love and commitment for one another.

#3 Paperwork now > Party Later

With the main ceremony and signing of the register out of the way and with experience of a first wedding, the second celebration will go smoother too! A complete celebration, without the first-time jitters, nerves or stress of planning the perfect day. The second day will be something to celebrate with all your friends and family (and let’s face it we all can’t wait to party again!) so it will be one hell of a party!

Once the legal side of the wedding is sorted your less restricted to where you can get married for the second time! Garden Party anyone? Beach Wedding? Picnic in the Park Wedding? A weekend away wedding? The options are endless! 

#4 Two wedding dresses

If you couldn’t decide between the princess bridal dress or the city chic bridal dress? Well guess what? Now you don’t have to! Smaller Bridal Dresses are all trending in 2021 due to the rise of the Micro Weddings and we are loving them! Choose a shorter dress for your Micro Wedding and you can still wear your OTT princess dress on your second party! Who wouldn’t want to wear two wedding dresses anyway?!

#5 The day is more relaxed, authentic and less stressful!

With fewer guests comes less work, you can say bye to strict timelines as you don’t have to worry about getting 150 guests from the reception to the wedding party leaving a more relaxed day for everyone! A smaller guestlist for some people will reduce anxiety induced by the thought of walking down the aisle and saying their vows in front of 100’s of people. A micro wedding can feel more authentic without the pressure of impressing your guests and will probably feel more authentic. 

#6 You don’t have to worry about inviting your estranged Auntie Karen.

Wanting a huge wedding is understandable and you can easily get caught up In your wedding guest list. Inviting your colleagues or friends you haven’t spoken to in years but invited you to their huge Ibiza wedding in the 90’s, or your Antie Karen who you have only met once but are obliged to invite just to make your mum happy.

With the current restrictions now, you CANT invite everyone! Your close friends will understand and be happy for you and there are many ways to still keep your uninvited guests involved in your wedding.

#7 Changes are easier to manage

If you have been eager to get married in 2020 or in 2021 you may be thinking about postponed wedding number 4! We know all too well about postponing events and the stress that comes withit! The plus side of having a micro wedding? Any surprises or last-minute changes that come with restrictions and the pandemic are much more manageable with a smaller guest list.

#8 Your day your way!

Micro Weddings offer a perfect day for you to completely personalise how you want it to be. You rip up the rule book and say bye-bye to traditions if you want to. It’s your day so personalise it how you want to!

#9 Your supporting local small businesses.

Because of the local restrictions in place, couples are sourcing wedding suppliers, foods and drinks all locally! This is fantastic as you are supporting small local businesses who will like many of us of certainly struggled through these tough times.

Lizzy the owner of a local Welsh farm and liqueur business Shlizzy has been growing fruit at their farm for 30 years and loves providing their popular local produce for parties and weddings. Shlizzy combines quality spirits with homegrown fruit to produce fabulous fruit liqueurs. With popular flavours such as rhubarb gin liqueur and blackcurrant gin liqueur and more unusual flavours such as tayberry gin liqueur or gooseberry gin liqueur, there's something for everyone. Couples can be far more adventurous and are opting an interactive local food and drinks menu whilst supporting small businesses. Lizzy said ''The beautiful range of bottles can be completely personalised for a special wedding gift or as wedding favours, party favours or corporate gifts. You can also choose your favourite spirit as a base if gin is not your thing'.'

The Wedding Industry is made up of 1000’s of small businesses and now more than ever they need weddings to keep them afloat.  They will be so happy to work during these times and will go above and beyond to ensure your celebration is perfect!

#10 You spend more time with your guests.

Let’s face it bigger weddings can be consumed of making sure you have said hello to everyone and do you really get a moment to yourselves? A micro wedding gives you more time to connect with your guests and they will feel more valued for it! The day will be so much more relaxed and everyone will have the chance to mingle together!

#11 It gives you something to look forward to.

In a time of living in a pandemic we all need something to look forward too! We are all in desperate need for good news through these tough times. It will ease the stress of waiting. So say yes and book that date! Spread the joy of your wedding and post on Instagram or Facebook too! You’ll receive a bigger than normal reaction of joy as everyone wants something to celebrate!

 #12 Don’t stress about the small stuff

With micro-small intimate weddings now becoming a big trend, anything goes!! There are many things that you can do without! Don’t stress about the small stuff this day is about your partnership, name change or whatever reason you decide you want to get married. It’s all about the love between you and your life partner

 #13 You’ll have more budget for your honeymoon!

Ok, so you may not be able to whisk away to the Maldives or the Caribbean in the coming months! But you can save the money you would of spent on a huge wedding and put it towards that dream honeymoon or traveling trip you have always wanted to take!

Start planning that trip for your 1st or 2nd anniversary instead. Need I say more? You’ll thank me later!

Final thoughts…

We are all for Micro Weddings, however, we know there is also a huge downside of not having close friends and family there. Guests who haven’t made the cut may feel upset about the decision, however most will come around. You can also check out our top tips on how to still involved your guests in your wedding day. 

Our final thoughts are to be sure you really want a micro wedding, this may not suit all couples and some may find it hard to let close friends or family down. Be sure you’re happy with the decision before you make it as you don’t want the feeling of guilty on the run-up to your wedding day. Having a second party plan can be a great idea to reassure your guests they will be a part of your day and have a HUGE celebration together then.

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