What 44 years of printing wedding stationery has taught me about weddings!

We’re delighted to have David From SBL Print chat with us about his experience in of working in the Wedding Industry! Here are his wise words of wisdom and what 44 years of printing wedding stationery have taught him about weddings!!

It should be the happiest day of your life.  As a young girl, you may have dreamt of the big fairytale wedding.  For some, the horse-drawn carriage, doves etc might actually happen.  For most, something a bit simpler will be the order of the day.

And that is not such a bad thing.  If money is no problem, crack on with said horse and doves.  For the rest of us, planning the wedding should be a fun, exciting affair with no doubt having a budget in mind.  

There is a (fabled?) local story of a couple spending £25k on their wedding only to divorce within 18 months.  Geez, my own brother had a beautiful wedding in a castle in Lincoln and was divorced within five years AND was still paying for it long after the Decree Absolute was signed! (Bridesmaids wore Black Taffeta and looked stunning!  Who knew…)

In no particular order….   views and comments are from me and no-one else!  I am not or claim to be the fount of knowledge to all things wedding related.  It is just I am older than most… and have seen things.

But I am good in a quiz if you need an extra man - trivia and music are my specialist subjects.

WEDDING DRESS

Does it matter if your wedding dress costs £200, £2000 or more?  I have seen some beautiful dresses over my time that would not break the bank.  Only you and your closest will know how much it cost.  You are going to wear it once (Amanda Holden aside…).  Traditionally, it would be used to clothe your child as a Christening gown.  You could sell it of course…

GROOM ATTIRE

Unless hiring a morning suit, I do not see the point of hiring a suit when you can buy one for a similar price.  You will definitely use it again.  

GUESTS

There may be people you have not seen for years (or even met!) who someone else in the family says that they should be invited.  It can cause a problem.  I once had a prospective bride nearly in tears at a wedding fair who had £10k and wanted the best wedding possible for 40 guests.  Top champagne, best food ever.  Her guest list was north of 60 and her Mum was pressuring her into inviting this person and that person, distant cousins etc.  My take on it was if parents are chipping in to pay for said wedding, then maybe there could be some compromise.  She and the groom were paying for everything themselves.  It's Your Wedding Day.  I think you are allowed to go, full diva, where your wedding is concerned.  NOT every day Gemma Collins….

WEDDING INVITATIONS

I may be shooting myself in the foot here but here goes….  since 1976, I have been in the print trade.  We print things like letter headings, business cards, pads, leaflets and pharmaceutical items to name a few.  Wedding stationery is just printing to me.  People tell me we print some really nice things.  Ink on paper and board is what we do best.  However things have moved on.  Folks want the whole nine yards.  Ribbon, diamante, laser cut, mirror, Kraft board, the list goes on.  Pinterest and Instagram - where were you when I needed you most.  I forgive you.

They look beautiful, they really do.  I couldn't agree more.  I am taken aback at the extravagance of some of them.  “But it's what we want” I hear time and time again.   But let me share something with you.  I bet you a pound to a penny 99.9% of them will end up in the bin (recycle bin if we are lucky).  Nothing makes me happier to receive a big hug (and we could all do with one now!) from the bride who is absolutely ecstatic over a simple A5ish size card with beautiful flowers printed and her wedding details.  Just around £60.  She is happy, I am happy.

“I want 50 DL size pocketfold invitations, 4 inserts, a ribbon and diamante on the front”.  That will be approx £270.   “Ok, that is fine”  

FINE!!!  Now to me, “that is money we could use for an upgrade for our honeymoon”.  This is what we used to say to our prospective clients at the wedding fairs that we show our wares.  We no longer say this as we know “the customer is always right”.  We are not stupid.  If we do not offer the ribbons and diamantes, our competitors will.  SO we give our customers exactly what they want - and a little bit more.  Remember the diva thing?  There is a fine line between Diva and Bridezilla.  Just no need to hassle me for your day stationery (table names, place names etc) with months to go.  I will not let you down.  I print funeral order of service sheets so know about pressure and time sensitive deadlines.  

You know who you are.

* Save The Dates - not my favourite thing unless you have a summer wedding or a wedding abroad when you need to give plenty of notice.  It does take the pressure off getting your invitations printed earlier but some folks are more organised than others.  Just saying….

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

My wife and I have a lovely big wedding album somewhere in the house.  It is not viewed that often. It is obviously nice to have a visual record of your big day.  I am not keen on video as I hate my voice but it is not my wedding here….  However, I wish we had spent more on our photographs.  We have one big photo on show.  I think it is there just to remind everyone that I did have a decent head of hair way back when.  

WEDDING RECEPTION

Is food the same from place to place?  I suppose it is comparing oranges with lemons!  You get what you pay for.  I quite like the idea of a later wedding which means a high tea or straight into an evening reception.  It does away with that awkward waiting time between the day and evening receptions.

WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT

It seems to be a thing that some folks think they need a casino, jugglers, saxophonist, selfie mirrors, giant Connect 4, magicians and the like.  Whatever floats your boat.  Nothing wrong with a DJ and music for the night.  Or even live music.

I don't really have much to say about the rest.  I like the idea of foam flowers.  Cake in the shape of Lego seems a bit weird but anything goes today.  

So if you need a price for approximately 100 motorcycle themed invitations and you ring a stationer and they say £700 straight off the cuff, I think you are (literally) being taken for a ride on said motorcycle.

You do not need a themed wedding.  Harry Potter or Star Wars.  You can if you like.  It is entirely up to you.  Colour is optional.  I had one bride having five bridesmaids each in a different pastel colour which was a great idea.  I also had one having 17 bridesmaids YES SEVENTEEN BRIDESMAIDS.  Ok, the full story was she was not in the first flush of youth and each meant something to her and she could not have this five or a different four so 17 it was.  Her choice.

I can see most of this is about money.  I am not a mean man.  I give to charity, look after my friends and family.  And we feed the dog well.  

So remember, it is your wedding day.  We are here to help you get your invitations in front of your guests.  It is not rocket science.  Just do not ask for Cadburys Purple.

We understand most weddings that were due to take place this year have been postponed.  We can help with your reprints.  WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

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Website: www.sblprint.co.uk/yourweddingday

Telephone Number: 0151 920 2996 | 07866 457 552

Email: david@sblprint.co.uk

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12 modern & traditional symbolic acts for your wedding ceremony and the top tips on how to choose them!

12 modern & traditional symbolic acts for your wedding ceremony and the top tips on how to choose them!

Your wedding day is something you’ve dreamt of for years! The love of your life finally gets down on one knee and pops the question, There are so many things to consider when planning your wedding day! But have you thought about what you want for the ceremony itself? The ceremony is a perfect way of offering that personal touch! 

Sometimes weddings can feel like they have been picked off the shelf, the couple’s names have been slotted into a template. Why not stand out from the crowd? Incorporating a ritual or symbolic act of unity, personal and unique to you and your partner.

Not sure where to start? Luckily Nett Furley Humanist Wedding and Partnership Ceremonies Celebrant is here to offer some modern and traditional ideas for symbolic acts in  your wedding ceremony and advice on the how to make your ceremony be meaningful

Symbolic acts – why have them?

Ever wondered why brides traditionally wear a white dress & veil? Or why we are familiar with the saying ’something old and something new? Traditions often originate from the fashion of the times;

The white wedding dress and veil was adopted after Queen Victoria’s wedding, symbolising affluence and extravagance. ‘Something Old’ represents the ties to the bride’s family and ‘Something New’ represents the new life with her husband.

Even the exchanging of rings is a tradition from ancient Egypt.  The ring symbolises a never-ending circle and the space inside is a gateway. Strategically placed on the fourth finger on the left hand as the “ring” finger contained a ‘vein of love’ which leads straight to the heart.

The bride and groom not seeing each other before the wedding can be traced to ancient arranged marriages, an attempt to not let the couple see each other beforehand, in case they called it off.!!

Rituals are important to us and some have been observed for many hundreds of years.

So, what can you do at your ceremony that has meaning for you as a couple?

Circle Ceremony - for an intimate wedding!

Guests are seated in a circle around the bride and groom, what better way to bind your love literally surrounded by your loved ones—it'll make everyone feel included too!

Sand blending - perfect to include children!

Uses individual grains (you) blending forever with other grains (your partner). The bride and groom each have different coloured sand and takes turns pouring it into a bottle or box, forming a layered effect. Great if you have children or family, incorporate colours that represent them too and ask them to join in!

Drumming circles

Drumming circles can be romantic, tribal and powerful and can bring people who don’t know each other together in a fun way!

Flower circles

Each guest brings a wildflower and places them around the couple during their ceremony. After the newlywed couple can even use the flowers to make the bride’s bouquet, a great way to include your guests and this will make some pretty photographs!

Handfasting

Involves a couple standing face to face holding opposite hand as they are tied together with ribbon symbolising unity and togetherness. Why not involve friends, parents, children or the celebrant to bind the ribbon.

Plant a tree or pot a plant - Perfect for an outdoor ceremony!

During the ceremony, the couple should place soil from two separate pots on top of the plant! Representing two sides coming together and growth of a relationship!

Tying the Knot (literally!)

The couple should tie a knot in a fisherman's rope usually after the exchanges of vows and rings. Add an extra unity touch by passing the rope around all the guests first!

Hope Tree - perfect for a rustic wedding!

Get everyone to write their hopes for you on a wooden leaf and attach it to a tree that was handmade by one of your guests and can be kept as a keepsake;

 Give a gift to your guests – Maybe a packet of wildflowers, in exchange for a spoken message of support from each of them.

Candles - perfect for a twilight wedding

Each guest lights a candle for the bride and groom - beautiful and traditional. Candles will always create a romantic intimate atmosphere. Perhaps the parents of the bride and groom will start lighting a candle and each guest will be passed the flame to light their candle.

A wine, beer or cocktail blending ceremony

For a tasty non traditional unity ceremony! Blend your favourite drinks together in a Quaich to create the perfect blend and mix (just like your marriage)! A great symbolic way to celebrate the mixing of two cultures and to end your ceremony with guests! Cheers!

Time capsule or memory box

Includes love letters to each other, poems or meaningful items. You can even ask your guests to write well wishes for you both to include. Add your favourite photos or some polaroids from your wedding day! Hammer or lock the box closed together taking it in turns. Plan to open it on your 5th, 10th or even 20th wedding anniversary!

 Pass the rings around

Each of your guest is to hold your wedding rings and offer well wishes and positivity!!

Clay imprint

Making an imprint for firing later! This could be of your hands and involve your friends or children! 

Bread or food sharing

Break up the food and share with each other or guests, a symbol of nourishment!

Material

Every guest brings a piece of material to be made into a quilt during the first year of marriage!

Arch of swords- perfect for honoring a military bride or groom

The newly weds passes under the sword arch as they leave the place of  their ceremony

Paint or sketch a picture - for the artistic couple!

Sketch each other or paint a picture together! Why not sketch each other while not  looking down at the paper! Focus on each other and enjoy the end result! A bit of fun

 And a few more… think of the elements

Wind symbols - Wind spinners, blow bubbles, banners, flags or chimes!

 These are just a few to mention. The possibilities are endless! So, what can you do at your ceremony that is unique & has meaning for you as a couple?  Have a good think.

Nett’s top 4 tips when planning a symbolic act for your wedding ceremony!

1. Choose something that has real meaning to you as a couple or something that represents what you are aspiring to.

If you and your partner are into dungeons and dragons, is there an activity that you can create around it that also symbolises what you mean to each other? If you’re musicians can you use that skill and passion to symbolise your aspirations? If you’re firefighters, how could you use fire to represent the heat in your hearts? Choose something that is totally unique and personal to you.

2. Don’t forget to consider the environment when choosing symbolic actions.

Releasing lanterns can be dangerous to wildlife; Letting balloons loose means that plastic ends up polluting our landscape; Is it appropriate to cage birds just so that they can be released at your wedding? There are so many things you can do that are even more effective and beautiful – Think biodegradable, ribbons and streamers, planting trees, scattering flower petals, flying kites and spinners, blowing bubbles.

 3. Consider involving your guests

Using symbolic actions to involve your friends, family or children can be very moving and often fun.

4. Do not just pick a symbolic act off the shelf.

If you saw something done at your friend’s wedding, then the chances are everyone else has too. Think about what you want to convey and then find a way of saying it, rather than picking a symbolic act you like the look of and simply slotting it in. That’s not to say don’t have something you have seen before, but just be clear why you want it.

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For all your North West ceremony needs contact Nett Furley- Humanist Wedding and Partnership Celebrant who can help make your wedding day perfect and unique to you! Covering Cheshire & Merseyside and all of the North West!

Website: www.nettfurleyceremonies.com/symbolic-actions | Email: nett.furley@care4free.net | Telephone: 07771 595 626

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Looking for your Wedding Cake? Read everything you need to know when booking your perfect Wedding Cake Designer!!

Looking for your Wedding Cake? Read everything you need to know when booking your perfect Wedding Cake Designer!!

There are several moments that will definitely be captured on your wedding day. Making memories that will last a lifetime. Walking down the aisle, the first dance, the speeches and, of course, the cutting of the wedding cake. You want those moments to be incredible. 

When it comes to having the perfect wedding cake it all starts with picking the right cake designer. Sue from Elizabeth Anna Cake Designs a wedding cake designer in Lancashire, is here to offer some expert words of advice on what you need to know when booking the perfect wedding cake designer for you!

1.Check that the cake designer is insured!

It goes without saying you want the wedding cake company to be registered, insured and to check out their food hygiene rating. 

2. Do your research and check out their portfolio

It’s equally important to check out their portfolio too!  Only recently I was asked to do a Maggie Austin style cake. Absolutely beautiful but completely not my skill set and not like anything within my portfolio. I had to explain to the bride that I was not the right cake designer for that style of wedding cake.  So, do your research, look through their photographs to see the quality and style of their work. Usually, they will watermark their photographs so you can be sure it is their work you are looking at. 

3. When to book your design and tasting consultation.

So you have chosen your dream wedding cake designer. But you’re not sure when you should book for your design and tasting consultation. From my experience, it really helps wedding cake makers if you already have identified your wedding style and colour scheme for your wedding, your wedding venue, your bridal dress and your flowers. The wedding cake designer can tie in your theme nicely with your wedding cake so all aspects of your wedding complement each other perfectly!

4. Find inspiration!

It also helps if you have some idea of what you like. Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration or going to wedding fayres too. Do you like modern marble tiers, romantic ruffles, sharp, clean edges, soft rustic buttercream, etc. Your wedding cake designer can advise you what elements and styles work well together and will perfectly complement your style of wedding. 

5. The location of your wedding cake is important!

Your wedding cake designer will also discuss with you the best way to display your wedding cake on the day. For example, the cake stand and perhaps even more importantly where it will be displayed at the venue. No one wants their beautiful cake set up in the corner in front of the fire extinguisher - yes that has happened and it doesn't make for pretty photographs! 

6. Not just wedding cakes, we make wedding favours too!!

Another consideration you can discuss at your consultation is wedding favours. Cookies, macarons, cakesicles all make for pretty wedding favours for your guests who always appreciate having something yummy to nibble on whilst waiting. And of course, they can be designed to perfectly compliment your wedding cake to add an extra wow factor!  

7. Make your cake a feature!

Ask your wedding cake designer about their cake stands that can also complement your wedding cake design and to give the cake some height too. Why not go one step further and make a feature out of the cake! There are so many creative ways to display your cake these days for a show-stopping unforgettable wedding cake display!

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About Elizabeth Anna Cake Designs

Elizabeth Anna Cake Designs is a luxury brand of elegant, contemporary wedding cakes around me, dessert tables and favours. For celebration cakes for other occasions see our main page The Burscough Cake Company.

Contact Elizabeth Anna Cake Designs and see how they can help you!

Website: www.theburscoughcakecompany.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElizabethAnnaCakeDesign

Instagram: www.instagram.com/elizabethannacakedesign

Email: elizabethannacakedesign@yahoo.com

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4 reasons why you need an engagement shoot and 7 expert tips to make it amazing!

4 reasons why you need an engagement shoot and 7 expert tips to make it amazing! A blog by Pixsmiths Photography!

Wedding planning can be stressful and sometimes it seems to be the only endless conversations you’re having! It's such a special time in your lives and needs to be celebrated! 

After much searching, you’ve finally found an amazing photographer and they suggest, why not have an engagement shoot? Some may jump at the chance - especially if complimentary - but the camera shy couple might think "eek, no way, the wedding day will be enough time posing!’’

With weddings on hold and the hope of lockdown being lifted as soon as possible, the talented photography team Sandy & Dave from Pixsmith are here to share their thoughts and tips on why having an engagement shoot is a must!! And how to make it a fun and enjoyable experience that you will love! 

4 reasons why you need to have an engagement shoot!

Reason #1 Quality time together

An engagement shoot is an opportunity to just spend time with each other, in a favourite location. Enjoying the surroundings, breathing in fresh air, just the two of you and forgetting about the stresses of wedding planning or everyday life! 

Reason #2 You get to know your photographer

It’s the perfect opportunity to meet your wedding photographer who will capture some beautiful natural images of you along the way! They will want to get to know your personalities and bring that out in your images.

Reason #3 Build up your confidence!

Don't think of an engagement shoot as just posing.  Your photographer can obviously give pointers if you're unsure where to place your feet and hands. It's more a case of getting to know your photographer and building the confidence of being with them and in the rapport you will have on the day.  

Reason #4 Incorporate the photographs into your wedding day!

With the beautiful images created you will want to get some printed or used in a creative way at your wedding.  Examples include retro prints from the session displayed at the wedding or create a guest book personalised with images. You could even choose your favourite image to use as your ‘Save The Dates’ too! 

Pixsmiths Photography’s top tips for getting the most out of your engagement shoot!

Tip #1 Combine the engagement session with your makeup trial!

A perfect opportunity to look your best, and to make sure you’re happy with how your makeup looks on camera too! 

Tip #2: Choose outfits you feel comfortable in.  

As well as something you would be happy to see in a large print, especially if incorporating the images into your wedding! Contrasting colours are often good for photos - It’s not a good idea for both of you to come wearing the same colours.

Tip #3  If you have family or pets why not include them on the shoot too! 

Take the opportunity to update your family photo album too! If you decide to bring young children it’s always a good idea to bring along an adult to supervise as I'm sure your photographer will want to get images of just the two of you.  Sometimes it's good for the session to be just about you.  How often do you get a chance for just some "us time" kids free!

Tip #4  Make it an experience!! 

What do you and your hubby or wifey-to-be love doing?? A favourite hike? An activity like ghetto golf? Or a picnic in the park? The more unique the idea is, the more your photographer will squeal with delight! We once had a fun couple who had a paint fight session - that was wild! And the images reflected their personalities perfectly - fun, laughter and full of colour!

Tip #5  Shoot just before sunset!! 

Pick a time when the light is soft, often an hour before sunset is good.

Tip #6 Location, location, location!

Pick locations with a handy cafe nearby or a covered location in case of rain. 

Pixsmiths know many great locations - Caldy Beach, Red Rocks, Port Sunlight, Royden Park, Hadlow Road train station, Liverpool city centre to name a few. Some have even been destination pre-wedding shoots too - perfect for sunset shoots!

Tip #7 Consider the season!

If you’re having a Spring wedding, opt for a session in the autumn for contrasting colours!

Bonus tip!

Having the engagement ring photographed is a good record for insurance purposes too! 

Finally, who is romantic and brave enough to organise a surprise proposal.??!!

It needs careful coordination beforehand with the person proposing, but it’s something we have done before and would love to do again!  So if you dare to do this we would love to chat and help you plan this.

About Pixsmiths Photography

We hope you found these tips useful. If you have any questions or would like to see more of Pixsmiths Photography please contact Sandy & Dave on 07850251366 or contact@pixsmiths.co.uk or visit www.pixsmiths.co.uk to view their portfolio.

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The Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid When Booking Your Wedding Entertainment

The Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid When Booking Your Wedding Entertainment

Deciding on wedding entertainment for your big day is often one of the most overlooked parts of a wedding; venues, wedding dresses, venue dressing all take priority and music is bottom of the list.

It can also be one of the most difficult decisions to make for your wedding day, after all you want your guests to have a great day and night that they will talk about for years to come.

Thankfully, expert Dominic from Rock Revolution is here to help you to avoid the top 5 mistakes engaged couples make when planning and booking entertainment for their wedding day.

Mistake #1: Not knowing the best time to book your entertainment for!

We often get asked when should I have music? This is an interesting question and there is no rule of thumb, of course evening entertainment is a definite! Have you thought about times during the day? 

During the daytime there are parts of the day which are naturally broken up, or at some points between the ceremony and reception there is a ‘lul’. Music would create a sense of occasion, celebration and sets the atmosphere for your Wedding Day and picks your wedding guests up! Don’t forget to consider:

• Before your Wedding Ceremony as guests arrive.

Usually around 30 minutes before it is due to begin. This can be a quiet period as guests congregate, wondering if they know anyone who has arrived or if they are even in the right place!

• Your Ceremony.

There is usually only the opportunity to play four to five songs, Brides and Grooms can also select their own music and play it through the venue’s speakers. Or why not ask your musician to play a little bit longer after the wedding ceremony!

• After your Wedding Ceremony at your Drinks Reception.

This period of time is usually around an hour to two hours. This is a perfect for keeping your guests entertained whilst you take your photographs too!

• During your Wedding Breakfast.

This can last between an hour and a half to two hours depending on the number of guests.

Mistake #2: Not choosing the right ambient suited to each part of your wedding day!

Many couples forget to consider whether band or acoustic would be more suited. Each of the above parts of your day are, in my view, a time where some acoustic music would suit perfectly; either Piano or Acoustic Guitar. Loud music or a vocalist thrashing out songs over a P.A. at this point in the day is not the right time as many guests will be trying to talk to each other and if it is too loud people will struggle to hold a conversation.

Mistake #3: Not weighing up your evening entertainment options:-  Band or DJ? 

A question you may ask yourself when it comes to the evening’s entertainment is “Should I have a Band or just a DJ?”. Well this very much depends on your budget, while DJs will do a great job of entertaining you all night, there is something to be said for having a Live Performance on your Wedding night, with the DJ playing music either side of the performances. 

Bands have creative flexibility and can re-arrange songs according to the guests energy, alter lyrics of songs to fit requests and respond to “spur of the moment” dance situations, such as the father of the brides throwing out the dad dance moves thinking he is Elvis Presley! Sometimes this can literally save the day! 

Mistake #4: Starting your entertainment search before setting a budget!

Find out who will pay for the entertainment and set a realistic budget. Then you can decide the type of entertainment you can book. 

The cost of a band can depend on a number of factors; the popularity of the band, the number of members of the band, (a duo will be cheaper than a five piece band) and the length of time you would like them to play for. Prices for bands can vary from £600 to upwards of £5000, some bands will also offer to DJ for you for an additional cost.

Mistake #5: Not considering your guests!

Brides and Grooms often think of choosing a band that play the genre of music they enjoy listening to or a tribute band of a particular style of music. This is a great idea in theory, however you want your guests to have a night to remember right? So you must ask yourself “Will an hour and a half of Indie or Grunge music make this happen?” and “Are they going to run to the dance floor and dance to it for the duration of the performance?” Only you know the answer to this, as only you know your guests! In my experience this would rarely be the case.

The thing is at Weddings, you have such a broad age range and therefore broad musical tastes the best option is to consider a Band who plays the best songs from a variety of genres of music; something for everyone.

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About Dom Annable

Dom is from the award-winning duo band Rock Revolution who have been entertaining Brides and Grooms and their guests at Weddings across the North West of England for many years.

Please visit www.wearerockrevolution.co.uk and www.domtheweddingpianist.co.uk to read about their packages which include Piano performances as well as their Live Music.

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What to do if you have a Wedding Scheduled During the Covid-19 Outbreak

Covid-19 has forced events, fayres and weddings to be postponed. Businesses and shops  closed to enforce social distancing, numerous safety measures introduced to avoid spreading the virus.  The knock on effect, with great speed has stunned everyone.  Right now there is, a whole new world for all of us.

On the upside – this effect – has actually prompted couples to innovate!  Now, we’ve seen couples planning to marry in Las Vegas, ditch their own plans and simply marry in their living room. In Spain a couple got married on their balcony!  Others have had a more intimate wedding, just the two of them, connecting family members through video calls, postponing their big day but promising a renewing of vows next year with a big party.

Understandably these limited options are just what they are – limited.  So, to put it simply for you and on a positive, with all this uncertainty in the air we want to offer some thoughts and advice to brides and grooms everywhere who are engaged and hoping to get married.  

Postpone don’t cancel. – THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Firstly, if your wedding is due to take place in the next 12 weeks you should be looking at the option to postpone. The lockdown in China has lasted around three months so the UK may be a similar time frame, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In some ways, with the lockdown on industry and business you are being forced to postpone – and that is right.  Hang onto the word postpone.  Do not CANCEL!  When business is back to usual, which it will be - your wedding IS going to happen!

Canceling may come with some risk.  Businesses may be forced to stick to agreed cancellation terms and conditions, which may leave couples out of pocket. Remember you want your wedding to happen and - Your wedding will happen, it will be the most incredible day of your lives the only change that needs to happen is the date!

Communicate with your wedding venue & suppliers. Don’t panic! 

When postponing, wedding suppliers and venues will want to be flexible. They’re ready to work with you to reschedule your wedding. Most are even working outside their usual terms and conditions to offer you a date change with little or even no transfer fee.  This will vary from supplier to supplier so look over your contracts and speak to them.  

Don’t put off potentially difficult conversations. If a wedding is going to be rescheduled, you might run the risk of losing your deposit especially if you fail to have that conversation. Putting off that talk isn’t going to change the outcome.  Remember all other couples will be nervously dealing with this problem too!  The sooner you have an alternative = less time worrying! Be mindful that suppliers may be swamped with messages. They will get back to you, just be patient.

Keep in touch with your guest list! 

If you’ve been forced to postpone, update your wedding guests as soon as possible. Keeping your loved ones in the loop. They can lend some emotional support through these tough times and help guide your decision making if need be.

Be Flexible

Be as flexible as possible when booking a new date. The industry will be affected with a surge of date changes. Bear in mind your supplier may already have a full calendar. Avoid popular dates like bank holidays, you may even need to book a mid-week wedding. Find a date that works for everyone.

Decide who will communicate with your wedding venue & suppliers.

If dealing with date changes gives you a headache, use an event planner. Take the stress out of all the phone calls. Or decide between you and your other half who would be best to deal with these calls or emails. You could even ask a family member to help who is less emotionally involved.

Be kind & self-care!

 Stress is a huge but perfectly normal response when postponing your wedding. You’re going to have some meltdowns and it’s ok to feel them. Make sure that you don’t make decisions or deal with suppliers while stressed. Be as kind as you can, and try to think that we’re all in this together. Your suppliers don’t want this to be happening any more than you do! 

Self-care is so important at this time, exercise, eat and sleep well, read a book or try a new enjoyable hobby that will occupy your mind! 

If your wedding is taking place from June onwards.

If you’re planning to marry from June onward, take a deep breath and see how all this pans out.  With an ever-changing situation it’s important not to make any decisions too early. 

Keep on wedding planning!

Understandably, you may be cautious to book any suppliers for your big day. Our advice is to keep on wedding planning! Speak to potential suppliers, some are offering lower deposits to secure your booking and a no fee date change (due to covid-19). Just because we’re on lock down it doesn’t mean that all businesses and planning will stop. Over the next few weeks/months everyone will adapt.  Lots of businesses are working from home and you can access them online. Click here to view a list of our recommended wedding suppliers

Arrange a call or video chat to get to know them see how they can help you. Life will go back to normal and you will have made amazing contacts!

Occupy your time with some DIY wedding accessories 

With time on our side, update your Pinterest boards, read wedding blogs, research ideas, let your creative juices flow with wedding DIY: table settings, create your own guest book or even create your own save the dates or invites! There are tons of ideas on Pinterest to give you inspiration, the list is endless!

The best way to get through this is with a lot of kindness, empathy, and supporting one another as love will always find a way!

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Stay safe and let’s stay connected > We’ve an online wedding planning service, wedding fayre and tons of recommended suppliers set up for bride and grooms, sign up to our newsletter below to find out more!

Visit the Who’s website to keep up to date with the disease here

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Wedding Fayre update - covid 19

Good afternoon,

In light of the government’s advice to go into lock down and for the safety of all involved, we’ve had to make the sad decision to postpone our April & June Wedding Fayres.

Thankfully, we have new autumn dates scheduled in at Cottons, Knutsford, Wallasey Town Hall & Manley Mere when everything should be back to normal!

We hope that all brides & grooms, business owners and everyone effected, that you're all doing okay through these tough times. ❤️

We will be posting more updates soon so stay tuned! Stay safe everyone and thank you for your continued support!

Hannah and the team at Red Events x💜x

The top 4 tips to that wedding ready smile!

You have found the perfect venue, written the guest list and checked historical weather patterns from the past five years but have you thought about your SMILE? Dental work doesn’t have to be expensive or painful to be effective, recent surveys suggest over 70% of the UK population are not happy with an aspect of their teeth.

Thankfully, Little Sutton Dental Practice are here with their top 4 tips on how to achieve the perfect smile you have dreamed of.  It isn’t all about filling holes and pulling teeth, its about YOU, your self esteem and helping you fell and be your #BESTSELF. 

So, whilst you are spending hours planning the perfect wedding, take some time for yourself, #SELFCARE is so important and you deserve it. 

Fresh Breath and a Dazzling Smiles    

Whether it’s making your wedding make up ‘pop’ with a contrasting white smile or replacing those silver fillings that shine in naturally captured photographs.

Here are our top 4 tips to that wedding ready smile!

1. Getting a quick, radiant smile with a professional clean, remove coffee and other stains, for best results we recommend the zest Air Polish system or scale and polish.

2. For a whiter smile to compliment your healthy, bright marriage together; consider Tooth Whitening to restore or lighten the shade of your teeth and remove deep staining. 

3. Replacing unsightly or old dental work with natural coloured fillings and material, chipped teeth can be smoothed over and reshaped to get them even. You won’t be able to help but smile from ear to ear

4. For you early birds, gaps or overcrowded teeth can be solved in as little as six months with invisible braces. 

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About Little Sutton Dental Practice

Little Sutton Dental can help you boost your smile and enhance what you have. It will do wonders for your self-confidence when the spotlights are on you. Why not speak to them on 0151 339 0406 or email CMCH.Dentalsutton@nhs.net about improving your oral health and getting the smile you deserve.

To compliment the perfect smile, Little Sutton Dental also do a range of facial aesthetics, including dermal and lip fillers to enhance lips, reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Visit their website here or follow their facebook page here to see what they can offer you for your big day.

CONGRATULATIONS on your big day and here is to the next chapter in your life together.

You would be amazed how easily we can change things for you.

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8 reason why you should choose the Maldives as your honeymoon destination!

The Maldives is one of the most beautiful destinations for honeymoons and has topped the charts for being relaxing, peaceful and offering absolutely breath-taking white beaches and scenery, just what you need to unwind after the stress of wedding planning and coming down from the high of your wedding day! Thankfully Daniel from Mi Travel one of the top North West travel companies is here to give you the top 8 reasons why you should choose the Maldives as your honeymoon destination!

1. Unwind and relax in a romantic and scenic getaway

The destination has countless exclusive retreat islands, making it one of the best honeymoon spots and perfect for newlywed couples who are looking for a romantic, scenic getaway.  When deciding about your honeymoon destination, we know you’re looking for a peaceful luxury trip, and this is where we come in.

2. Go Island hopping and explore the exotic fish and coral!

With around 1192 Coral Islands, famous for their deep sea & coral reef fish, Maldives has established as one of the most exotic honeymoon destinations and for all the right reasons! The best time to enjoy the weather is between November and April. To ensure your stay at Maldives is perfect, here is a list of the most wonderful islands to engage in fun ocean cruises and river cruises.

• Malé Island

• Maafushi Island

• Alimatha Island

• Nalaguraidhoo Island

• Vaadhoo Island

• Villingili Resort Island

• Milaidhoo

• Baros

TIP: If you are staying at a high-end resort, you will have the opportunity to swim in the clear waters anytime you want.

3. MALE the capital city is a must see!

You should visit the capital city of Male (MLE). Male is always recommended as a luxurious honeymoon spot in Maldives. There are many beautiful resorts and islands but Male has its own splendid beauty. The three top rated island resorts in Male are Maalifushi by como, Centara Ras Fushi Resort and Spa and Makunudu Island.

4. Resorts, water rides and sea diving at Maldives:

You can visit beautiful resorts while swinging at the island, cruising, experiencing water rides, sea diving, and of course enjoying a relaxing couple spa day.

5. Explore the Maldives by Submarine!

Take a superb and unique submarine ride, a whole other experience where you discover the beauty of the ocean and the underwater life by submarine! Spectacular!

6. Dine underwater at Ithaa Aquarium

Imagin dining five meters below the surface of the ocean, in the world’s first undersea restaurant, with panoramic coral garden views and fusion menus matched with fine wines! Well, you can do just that when visiting the underwater Ithaa Aquarium which is an absolute must!!

7. Swim with whale sharks!

Tick swimming with whale sharks off your bucket list!! Swimming with the gentle giant of the sea is another heart throbbing experience and should be a must-do activity while you stay in Maldives!

Tips:  Best hotels to stay and to swim with the whale sharks in the Maldives:

• LUX South Ari Atoll

• Lily Beach Maldives Resort

• Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

8. Relax with couples spa:

To further relax your trip, ease all your stresses away with massage with their native coconut oil, over a beautiful and breath-taking views of the Azure water. This honeymoon massage is going to ease all your sore muscles so that you’re fresh to enjoy more activities.

MI Travel has lots of different tailored options and travel packages to give you the most memorable and special honeymoon whether you choose the Maldives or another destination! Pick up your phone or log onto their website for further inquiries, let Mi Travel make your honeymoon a memorable trip for you, one that you will cherish forever. Call them at 01244 917035 or email them at hello@mitravelgroup.co.uk.

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Discover your wedding venue at one of 5 Venue Open Days!!

Searching for your dream wedding venue?

Discover your venue at one of 5 Venue Open Days!

Tie the knot in a 4 star country house...

📅 16 FEB 📍 Macdonald Craxton Wood, Chester >> Click here to register

Get Married in luxury....

📅 23 FEB 📍 Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, Liverpool >> Click here to register!

Get hitched surrounded by canals...

📅 15 MAR 📍 Holiday Inn Ellesmere Port >> Click here to register

Bind your love in a civil ceremony...

📅 19 APR 📍 Wallasey Town Hall, Wirral >> Click here to register

Get wed outdoors...

📅 26 APR 📍 Manley Mere, Cheshire >> Click here to register

Walk down the aisle in a stylish Lush 4 * hotel

📅 14 JUN 📍 Cottons Hotel, Cheshire >> Click here to register

➡️ Visit our Wedding Venue Open Days!

✔️ See the stunning venues

✔️ Meet the wedding coordinators and exhibitors!

✔️ Ask all the questions

✔️ BOOK YOUR WEDDING DATE!! 👏🙌

🎉 You’ll also have access to plenty of local wedding businesses so you can kick-start your wedding planning! Can we get a hell yeah!?

➡️ Sign-up now for your FREE ticket and choose the venues you would like to visit for you and your loved ones! >>www.redeventweddingfayres.com/weddingfayresnorthwest

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Zoë’s Place Children's Charity - add a personal touch to your wedding day, whilst supporting their Hospice!

We are delighted to be supporting Zoë's Place Liverpool as one of our chosen charities at our 2020 Wedding Shows!

Zoë’s Place is a specialised baby hospice based in Liverpool and caters for families across the North West and North Wales and they will be celebrating their 25th birthday next month!

 The hospice cares for children aged 0-5 who have life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. They offer respite, therapy and family support, as well as palliative and end-of-life care for our babies.

The hospice needs to raise £1.6 million each year in order to continuously provide this specialised support and much needed care for those children and families who require it most.

Come and say hello to the team at the following shows and see how you can support them with their wedding favours:-
💙 23 FEB - Luxury Liverpool Wedding Show & Bridal Dress Sale at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa
💜 19 APR - Wirral Wedding Show, Merseyside at Wallasey Town Hall

For further information about the charity and the wedding favours they can offer you for your wedding please visit: https://www.zoes-place.org.uk/news/1259/are_you_planning_a_wedding

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The Essential Wedding Stationery Checklist 2020

The Essential Wedding Stationery Checklist 2020

There is so much to do for the big day.

For many brides, organising a wedding can be one of the most stressful times of their lives. From organising venues to choosing the perfect dress, it can seem like your to do list will never end.

Did you tell the florist Amaryllis or Asters? Did you forget to invite your cousin Susan? What about the seating plan? Where do you begin with wedding stationary? Once you have set the date and chosen your venue, now you need to think about letting the guests know the date you have chosen.

Thankfully, Julie from Elizabeth-Rose Designs is here to help make sure your wedding stationary is taken care of with The Essential Wedding Stationary Checklist for 2020.

Read on, take notes and get inspired!

1)  Save the dates

Whether this be a simple tag with your wedding date or something more elaborate, a ‘Save the Date’ provides guests with the first glimpse of your wedding. They can be plain or match your theme and colour pallets, and can include a meaningful message from the bride and groom to be.

We recommend sending these at least 12 months in advance for ‘peak’ holiday weddings, or if you’re getting married during the week. To allow guests to make the necessary arrangements, a 12-month period is usually sufficient. For those planning to tie the knot abroad, you might want to give even more notice to allow guests to save up and arrange travel plans.

It is also a nice idea to send special invites at this time to your bridal party–especially flower girls and page boys.

2)  Invitations

Your invitations really are the first glimpse of your special day and as such they should reflect your wedding, setting the theme that the guests can expect.

Do you love glitter and bling? Do you have an accent colour or two? Do you want to keep your guests wondering with a simple white or ivory? Would you prefer a more rustic theme?

No matter what you decide, these ideas can all be used in the choice of invites and be incorporated into your invitations.

Invitations should be sent out between 3 and 6 months before your wedding.

3)  The Table Plan

The table plan will guide your guests to their allocated tables, saving a lot of confusion and allowing you to choose the best mix of personalities and relationships for each table.

Table plans can come in many different forms, and can be adapted and designed to suit your colour themes of the day. Although they can be framed, unframed table plans are often created on a covered canvas for additional stability, or on mirrors.

4)  Order of Service

An Order of Service is traditionally used for Church Weddings. They essentially allow your guests to see an overview of the services and the running order of each. Introductions for anyone taking part in the service with readings or musical contributions can be included.Orders of Service can contain anything you’d like, including lyrics for the hymns and songs which will be sung during the service.

For venue-based weddings, an Order of the Day is typically used in place of the traditional Order of Service, to keep guests informed of the running order. An Order of the Day can also include other information such as the Menu.

5)  Place cards

Although your table plan will direct your guests to the correct table, place cards will tell guests where they should sit. This incredibly important to make sure that your auntie Maureen doesn’t sit next to your third cousin Susan who she dislikes. Place cards are also useful for the reception staff to identify those with specific dietary requirements.

6)  Table Numbers or Names

Table names or numbers are necessary for guests to identify their allocated table. These can be free standing or be held in holders to raise them.

Table names can match your theme and even add a little more of an insight into the lives of the bride and groom, including places you have travelled to or local places of importance, favourite films, or bars of chocolate to name just a few.

7)  Wedding Signs

Signs can be used for all sorts of things and are really useful at weddings. Signs can be used to ask guests not to put photos on social media, or where to sit during the ceremony.

You may be providing slippers or toiletries in the bathrooms at your venue, with signs that let your guests know they are there for them to use. How about a sign for your guest book or wish tree? These can be free standing or put into frames.

8)  Thank You 

Finally, we always need to say thank you–to guests and also to relatives or friends who mean a lot to you or have played a big part in your wedding.

More ideas…

While this checklist certainly isn’t exhaustive, it includes the main things you need to consider when planning the stationary for your wedding.

The truth is, the possibilities are endless! Are there any additional stationary touches you’d like to add to the big day? How about menus for the tables, confetti packets with little poems or quotes for the wall?

One important thing to note is that wedding stationers create from scratch, cutting the card and tying ribbons and getting covered in glitter! We love what we do, and we need time to do it well. It may take longer than you think, so please don’t leave your stationery until the last minute.

About Elizabeth-Rose Designs

Elizabeth-Rose Designs is Wirral’s premier wedding stationery designer. They create beautiful handcrafted bespoke wedding invitations and wedding stationery that is tailored to coincide with the theme of your wedding or event.

Visit Elizabeth Rose designs Website here or contact elizabeth-rosedesigns@hotmail.com today for more information.

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