Wedding Answers

Columns/ Opinion, Wedding Answers, Wedding Etiquette

Reconciling with estranged family members ahead of your wedding

By Elisabeth on June 6th, 2011
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Relationships are never easy. It is a constant process of give and take, keeping the balance right. One wrong turn at it can all go a bit sour. Now I’m not only talking about relationships between two partners, but also family relationships.

It is seemingly easy to fall out and then be too stubborn to not speak to each other for a while. And as time passes it becomes more and more difficult to pick up the phone and talk things through.

Former Oasis star Noel Gallagher famously had a huge bust-up with his brother Liam in 2009 and haven’t spoken since. However, now that Noel is getting married he’s extending an olive branch to his sibling.

Despite calling Liam a “tit” – hey it’s rock ‘n’ roll – Noel spoke about his brother during his London pub crawl stag do (that sounds like fun!) and admitted that he would want him there.

Weddings are a time of celebration, where friends and family come together to celebrate the happy couple, so even if ill words have been spoken it could be a good time to reconnect a relationship that has dwindled.

That said, you do not want to invite that person if you think he or she will cause a scene and ruin what is meant to be the happiest day of your life. If you believe they can’t bury the hatchet for one day, then it is best to not issue an invite and instead send them a card to express your sentiments and tell them you hope you can meet some other time. This way you haven’t ignored them completely, you’ve reached out in an attempt to reconcile and you can continue with your wedding planning – and most importantly, if you’re remotely interested in patching things up you haven’t made it worse. But the best thing would of course be to invite them to you wedding.

Have you had this dilemma? What did you end up doing?



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BW Polls, Celebrity Weddings, News, Wedding Answers

Remarrying your ex: Marie Osmond has, would you?

By Elisabeth on May 5th, 2011
8 comments

Photo: Isaac Brekken/AP/Press Association Images

Even though we mostly float around on cloud 9 here in the Bridalwave offices – in a dream of wedding gowns, bridal accessories and wedding cakes – we also know that at times marriages don’t last, even if the ceremony was out of this world.

This morning we heard that Marie Osmond – of Donny and Marie Osmond fame – remarried her first husband yesterday, 4 May 2011. The singing star wed former basketball player Stephen Craig in Las Vegas almost 30 years after they first tied the knot – and she wore the SAME wedding dress as at their 1982 ceremony!!

Our first thought was “Aww isn’t that sweet. Rekindling their romance after all these years.” Then “Will it last?” popped into our heads. After all something did go wrong the first time around…

The late Dame Elizabeth Taylor famously wed and divorced Richard Burton twice. And while we hope for Marie’s sake that her second marriage to Stephen will last, we’d very much like to hear your views on this : Can marrying your ex-husband truly work?



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Gowns, Know How, Planning an Italian wedding, Wedding Answers, wedding dresses

How to choose the perfect wedding dress for an Italian wedding

By Elisabeth on March 31st, 2011
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Getting married abroad is a rising trend, and Italy has always been a popular destination as our real bride Victoria is living proof of. It might be because it feels more romantic heading to the country of love to exchange your vows, or it could be that it holds a special place in your hearts. While most will be well-versed in preparing for the British weather: mostly rain, drizzle or at luck a glorious sunny day, choosing your wedding dress for a sun-soaked Italian wedding isn’t always so easy.

According to London-based Italian wedding planner Roberta Rabatini the most popular question she is asked from clients is: how do I choose a fabulous, trendy wedding dress that would be suitable for the heat? Luckily for all of us, Roberta is willing to share her top tips for choosing the perfect Italian wedding dress.

Fabric
“Make sure the fabric of the wedding dress is made of natural fibres. Synthetic fibres (even if mixed with natural ones) will always retain body heat which will make the dress uncomfortable to wear. Fabrics like silk, silk voile, satin, chiffon, soft chiffon, brocade (especially beautiful if enriched with golden threads!) and fresh jersey are the most suitable (and most gorgeous!) choice for a destination summer wedding. Especially in Italy!”

Trends
“If you are looking to be on-trend on your wedding day, choose a white dress. A must-have for wedding dresses in 2011 is total white. The best-known Italian designers showcased dresses of all shapes and designs, but all were pure white.”

Body type
“Always choose a dress that best suits your body type. The right shape of dress can make all the difference. Ensure you enhance your good features and minimise those bits you’re not happy with. A high-waisted dress can make you look taller and slimmer whereas a wide skirt on your dress can make you look shorter and wider. A wedding dress with sleeves is a great choice if your arms aren’t your best feature.”



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Accessories, Engagement, Rings & Jewellery, Wedding Answers, Yay or Nay?

Do you tell him you hate your engagement ring?

By Elisabeth on February 18th, 2011
10 comments

Whether you’ve been together for years or have had a whirlwind romance, you will forever remember the moment when the love of your life pops the question. Everything is perfect: the setting, the words, the ring… Oh yes, the ring… What if the ring isn’t right?

The engagement ring is something you will be wearing from now until forever – it will become part of you – so what if the sight of it repulses you? OK, it will take a lot for a ring to make you turn on your heels and run away, but the burning question is: do you tell your husband-to-be the truth and risk hurting his feelings or do you risk spending the rest of your life looking down at a sparkler you hate?

First of all you should have dropped more hints about what type of jewellery you like and hate early on in the relationship. If you’re not vocal about your preferences, chance is that he’s not going to magically pick the right ring when the time comes. Do you keep a blog and are secretly hoping your boyfriend will get down on one knee without you knowing? Make sure you blog lots about rings! He might head there for inspiration…

Speaking from personal experience, men might also turn to those who would know: the best friend, so make sure she – or he – knows what your taste in diamonds is. Rectangular, round, oval, princess, marquise, pear, and droplet – the cut makes all the difference when it comes to this particular ring.

If not, hope that he proposes with a plastic ring or a hula hoop so that you can head to the jeweller and choose the perfect engagement ring together.

Now, the trickiest situation will be if the ring is a family heirloom – like Kate Middleton recently experienced – yet it is something you would rather not be seen wearing. The solution? Simply say you wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing such a valuable item every day and keep it somewhere safe and only wear it on very special occasions. Then buy a shiny new diamond for everyday wear – clever eh!

Or simply go for the safest choice. Make it known that you want to get married and choose the ring together and forget about the ‘surprise’ element of getting engaged. Picking the ring together can be just as romantic.

Been in this situation? What did you do?

Image: De Beers



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Know How, Rings & Jewellery, Wedding Answers

Keeping your wedding ring safe after the wedding

By Elisabeth on December 1st, 2010
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Jamie Hince and Kate MossWhat’s the most important thing about your wedding? For some it’s the dress, for others it is the ring. Or should we say rings. The wedding bands represent the unity of love between two people, and are a sign to the world of the commitment. Most of you will have spent months deciding on the rings, and rightly so as you will be wearing them for a long time to come.

However, after the wedding excitement has diminished somewhat and everyday life sets in, it can become clear that it’s not always convenient to keep the ring on at all times. Men, perhaps more than women, are likely to take off the wedding ring as it may interfere with daily chores or work (do correct me if I’m wrong).

This is of course OK, but as Jamie Hince, Kate Moss’ hubby, has found out: don’t lose it! Apparently Jamie has lost his wedding ring after having put it in his pocket for ‘safe keeping’ while in the recording studio, and Kate is furious. OK, it did cost £17,000 and they’ve only been married three months, so it’s quite understandable.

If there is anything to learn from this is that the pocket of your skinny jeans is perhaps not the safest place to keep your wedding ring. This got us thinking, what are best practices for keeping your wedding ring safe?

1. Don’t take it off!

2. Make sure you have both wedding rings and engagement rings ensured against theft, fire or loss. Check with your insurance company, as this may be included in your homeowner’s insurance.

3. If you know you’ll have to take off the ring, place it in a secure and memorable place like a home safe (does anyone even own one of these anymore?) before leaving the house or in drawer the office.

4. If you are out and you have a friend with you, as him or her to keep the ring safe on their hands while you do whatever it is that requires it to be taken off in the first place.

Photo credit: Focus/WENN.com



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Wedding Answers

Essential Pre-Wedding Money Conversations You Need to Have

By Andrea Petrou on October 26th, 2010
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Ok brides-to-be we don’t want to sound like your mothers but today we thought we’d take a slightly serious tone here at Bridalwave and talk about money, or more specifically the essential pre-wedding money conversations you need to have.

A little bit depressingly research by a top British law firm has suggested that a third of divorce inquiries today are related to the credit crunch, and despite a study by the Financial Services Authority revealing that a third of British couples would rather discuss past relationships than their bank balance with their current spouse, conversations about money are something couples simply cannot ignore.

Of course, there are many ingredients needed for a long and happy marriage, but chats about cash are essential- from long before the big day, right through to the big anniversaries.We spoke to aqua Card to get the top must-talk money topics:


‘How do you feel talking about money?’
This conversation needs to happen as early as possible in a serious relationship- we’re not talking first date, but once you start thinking about moving in together it has to be done- certainly if you’re talking marriage! If you’re nervous about broaching the subject, do it before 9pm as you’re less likely to be tired and irritable, and speak in a calm tone, using ‘I’ as much as possible, rather than ‘you’- this stops blame being apportioned and will reduce the likelihood of a row breaking out.

Your partner may have been brought up in a household where it was considered rude or improper to discuss finances, but money relates to so much in a relationship: sharing, compromising, negotiating and commitment, that it’s an unavoidable conversation.

‘What’s your credit rating like?’
Of course, if your special someone has a little debt it’s unlikely to change how you feel about them- but it is something you should be aware of before making any lifelong commitments. As sad as it is, marriages are not always for life these days but debt most certainly can be. If either of you have money issues, work hard to get them straightened out before planning the wedding.

Simple steps you can take to repair bad credit include obtaining a copy of your credit record and checking that all details are correct, checking that you are on the electoral roll and making regular purchases (which you are able to pay off) on a credit card. You may find that you are only accepted for a card with a higher than average APR, such as the aqua Card, but if you can use it responsibly it will show future lenders that you are worth lending to.

‘What’s your financial style?’
You might be a cautious spender who’d rather save up for big purchases or maybe you’d rather live for the moment; splashing out now and paying back the credit later.

The fact of the matter is that this attitude will probably translate to other attitudes of your life; the way you communicate or the way you approach big decisions, and while there are no certainties as to what styles fit together well (we all know that opposites attract but that familiarity also breeds comfort) it pays to be aware of your partner’s approach to money to save yourself a big shock later down the line!

It also helps to compromise- so if your spending styles really clash, agree to only use your joint account for bills and food and not for big, impulse buys.

Can we afford a wedding?’
The answer to this one is undoubtedly a yes- just look at the story of Colette and Lee Clark, who paid a mere £51 for their wedding and reception on eBay, after the venue had a last minute cancellation!

Of course, this is a rare occurrence but there are always ways of cutting the cost of your big day without scrimping on style: get in touch with manufacturers directly or visit outlet stores for the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses; provide guests with disposable cameras throughout the day instead of hiring a photographer; feed friends and family with a buffet instead of a sit-down meal.

Remember to call in favours from those you know too: does someone have an extra-special car you could arrive in? Is there a wannabe singer or rock star in the family?



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Feature, Wedding Answers

How to have a perfect Tuscan wedding

By Andrea Petrou on July 30th, 2010
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We’ve given you a few ideas for destination weddings including Santorini and Las Vegas.

However, one that we’ve overlooked up until now is Italy. Many brides flock to this country to get hitched, after all, it’s the home of romantic locations including Venice and the scene of Romeo and Juliet, Verona.

Other parts of the country, which are also perfect for that wedding are the wine regions of central Italy, which include Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, and conjure up romantic images of rustic farmhouses, bountiful vineyards, tumbling green hills and ancient villages of a bygone era. Somehow these areas have escaped the crush of modernity, and their beauty remains intact and very real and the ideal setting for your special day with close friends and family.

We give you a few hints on how to have that perfect wedding in these regions.

The legal bits
The process for getting married in Italy is fairly simple and can be arrange at short notice. For full guidelines you should always contact an Italian Consular Officer in the UK or the City Registrar (Ufficiale di Stato Civile) of the city where the marriage will occur, and before you do anything, you’ll need these in place: A British passport, full birth certificate (must include the names of both parents, Deed Poll (in case of change of name). If you were previously divorced/widowed, you’ll also need your divorce decree or death certificate.

You can then obtain a Certificate of no Impediment (Nulla Osta), which is issued by the British Consulate for the area where you intend to marry. You must marry within three months of completing the required paperwork, or it will expire.

Flowers and photographers
It’s advisable that you enlist the help of a local wedding planner (see here for a list) who can assist with this process and arrange those special finishing touches such as flowers, music and photography.If you’re not keen on shelling out for this then make sure you head to your destination at least once before your wedding day to track down those important bits and pieces. Remember though, mentioning that “Wedding” word will drive those prices up.

The dress
The best thing about getting married in the Tuscan region of Italy is that you can basically have any style of frock you like. However, one style that will really stand out and tie in with the destination is a medieval frock with floaty sleeves, that will look amazing against the vines in the vineyard or the old monastery.

The location
A dream wedding in romantic wine land needn’t remain an expensive dream if you’re prepared to cut down your guest list and hire exclusive, and affordable, Tuscany villas in Italy can also come with a chapel and outhouse to hand.

One example of this is Casale Bellaluce, which is hidden in the Umbrian countryside near Orvieto.

It’s a beautiful restored farmhouse that at one time was a Benedictine Monastery – the chapel attached to the side of the house is what remains of the Monastery. This original consecrated chapel at the end of the farmhouse is where the wedding ceremony can take place.

In true Italian hospitality, the owners of the farmhouse can arrange a wedding meal; the price of this depends on the menu chosen but can start from as little as 40 Euro a head to enjoy a feast of local cooking.



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Wedding Answers

How to have a Santorini sunset wedding

By Andrea Petrou on July 21st, 2010
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Regular readers of Bridalwave will notice I haven’t posted for a few weeks and that’s because I’ve been off sunning myself on holiday in the gorgeous Greek Island of Santorini. However, even while I was there I was thinking about all you brides-to-be, especially those who are after a destination wedding.

Greece probably isn’t the first choice for a destination wedding, I know many of you would rather the Caribbean, but those who have heard of Santorini will understand why a wedding here would be romantic. For those that haven’t, think gorgeous sunsets set to a back drop of Islands, white roof houses in cliffs and of course the sea. However, it’s not a cheap alternative. I spoke to a few locals out there who said weddings can reach around £10k if you get carried away.

So I had a little bit of a scout around and a few chats with people to find out the best way to go about getting the best deals and what you’ll need legally when you get out there.

Don’t mention the “W” word.
The views and romantic reputation of Santorini have led to a range of companies including Thomson and Thomas Cook to offer wedding packages including the venue, styling, flowers and a personal wedding planner. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, and for brides who don’t want the hassle of trying to communicate with local suppliers and negotiating with venues, this is a perfect option. However, according to Angela, a bar owner, and wedding advisor on the Island, these companies will charge in excess of £6k and that’s even before you’ve included the dress and outfits for your wedding party.

Instead she recommends that if you can, then you should do it yourself, but approach suppliers from a personal perspective.

“When you mention the word wedding suppliers will ramp up their prices,” she told me.

“Instead take a different approach. Ask a local hairdresser how much it’ll be to put your hair up. Say it’s for a night out. And make-up wise you’ll only need a little bit, especially if you’ve been relaxing on a beach before the big day. This means you’ll probably be able to do it yourself.”

She also advised brides to look around at venues and perhaps opt for a restaurant away from the expensive capital views. “Picking a restaurant higher up away from the capital will save you money and many on the hills will also have beautiful views over the Caldera.

“Picking a day when the restaurant has live music as standard will also save money on the band.”

The legalities
Like in every country there are legal documents that are needed before you can say your vows. In Greece you must be over 18 and the wedding documents can not be dated older than 3 months from the day of your wedding date. You’ll need a copy of a passport for both the bride and the groom. If you have your own witnesses, a copy of their passport is also required. You must also provide the birth certificate for both the bride and the groom. The document has to be the long form that also mentions the parents names. You’ll also need to show a divorce or death certificate if applicable. All the documents also need to be translated via the Greek Embassy of your area.

The Dress
Santorini is a very small island and during my travels I didn’t spot one bridal shop, however, I didn’t venture into some local towns so that’s not to say there aren’t any at all. It’s therefore recommended that you choose a dress from here and take it with you. The Island gets very hot in the summer and even the evenings are muggy. It’s therefore recommended you go for a skinny lightweight dress. Think silks, drapes and mermaid cuts, which will look stunning against the sunset backdrop. You could even go for a Grecian style frock to match the destination (look out for our gallery later on this week.)

Flowers and photography
Although you can probably save money in some aspects of the wedding a photographer is not one to scrimp on. To check out some of the best photographers on the Island take a look at this site.
You can also ask your restaurant or venue to supply you with a list of local florists. To save money opt for a small bouquet and negotiate with the venue for flowers.

Accommodation
Santorini has many resorts with beaches such as Kamari and Perissa being very popular. However, according to Angela many couples opt to stay in the highly priced boutique hotels in Fira. Yes the views are gorgeous, but the price tags reflect this with rooms on the cliff averaging around £200 per night. Angela recommends couples splash out on one of these rooms for their wedding night but opt for a resort such as Kamari, which is a ten minutes drive from Fira and are cheaper. Plus there is the added benefit of the beach, something Fira doesn’t have. I stayed at the Astro Hotel in Kamari. Prices for rooms start at £40 a night and consist of a basic bedroom and bathroom. However, for an extra £100 per week you can upgrade to a split level room with your own jacuzzi, which is more than worth it. Contact Astro Hotel for more details or click here for some more alternatives.



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Feature, Gallery, Wedding Answers

How to have a vintage era wedding

By Andrea Petrou on July 5th, 2010
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As weddings are becoming more extravagant and popular, brides are becoming increasingly creative in a bid to out-wed their friends and give wedding guests a day they won’t forget. Some may look to the “bling” celebrity and WAG trend to make their day the best, opting for pink diamante encrusted wedding dresses aka Katie Price complete with the horse and cart, while others will aim for the wow factor with a great big house/hotel in the country.

However, one trend that’s becoming more and more popular is the era wedding with brides going for 20s, 50s and 60s themes. Not only are these still new enough to really make them stand out, but they also give a huge nod to the vintage fashion trend, which has been hot for a good few years now.

As this trend has become more popular original vintage wedding dress companies, such as the Vintage Wedding Dress Company, which offer traditional wedding frocks from these eras, have sprung up giving brides-to-be the opportunity to buy one off era dresses, which have been cleaned and, at times, patched up, so they can be worn without falling apart.

The key thing about vintage is that it’s unique and usual. However some bridalwear designers have also woken up to the fact that brides-to-be don’t have time to trawl second hand shops and vintage fairs and created a few dresses that can be bought off the rack. Vera Wang and Ian Stuart have recognised the trend for the era weddings offering a range of 50s bridal tea dresses. Brides feeling creative and brave can also buy traditional vintage wedding dress patterns from Ebay and have their frock made from scratch.

So how do you get that ultimate era wedding look? We’ve put together a few hints and tips from each era to help you out.

1920s
The 1920s were about flapper style frocks with tassells or ostrich and marabou feathers, so your wedding dress should reflect this. A flapper style dress is usually knee length. Alternatively if you don’t want this style go for another 20s style, a dress with a dropped waistline and carry a big bouquet of orchids and lily’s with love knot ribbons or a large, ostrich fan to complete the look. If your groom agrees get him all dressed up 1920s gangster style, think Al Capone. This will include a pinstriped zoot suit, ascot tie, and a felt, roll-brimmed fedora hat. Get the jazz music out and learn the Charleston with your other half and a few close family members and friends to put on 1920s show.

1950s
Tea length dresses were the common fashion in the 50s, many of which were puffed out with netting to give that smarter look. If you don’t want to go for traditional white, this style and theme will also let you get away with bright colours. Team up with gloves and Stilettos to complete the look. The best thing about the 50s is that you can really make a theme out of the whole day. Dress bridesmaids in polka dots, pearls, and bows (think Grease) and forget the DJ and hire out a jukebox to really give a 50s feel. If you’re feeling brave enough you could also cover the venue in leather sofas and black and white photos to make it look like a 50s diner. Alcoholic milkshakes, hamburgers and French fries would also complete the theme.

1960s
Towards the middle of this era dresses became shorter, brighter and much more daring and it wasn’t unusual to see brides dressed in short lace wedding dresses, teamed up with Go-go boots and short lace gloves. Many brides also shunned the veil and tiara opting for a band of flowers around their foreheads. The flowers of choice for the bride were daisies (naturally) or chrysanthemum’s both which can be bought relatively cheaply from florists today. Make-up was pale skin with very dark eyeliner on both upper and lower lashes (think Twiggy and you’ll understand what we mean.)

View our gallery below for some era wedding ideas.



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Wedding Answers

Wedding tips: Questions to ask your wedding photographer

By Andrea Petrou on June 16th, 2010
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You’ve found the dress, picked out the shoes and chosen the venue, however, there’s still one thing missing and that’s the photographer. You’ve had a look at some portfolios, had quotes but your still not sure who to pick. We know choosing a photographer is daunting so we had a chat to Jonathan Ryan of Weddings By Ryan who gave us some handy pointers and questions to ask a photographer (and yourself) in order to make your final choice.

The first question has got to be do I like this person? It is important you feel relaxed and at ease around your photographer and you can see them fitting in with you, your family and your big day.

Do I like their work?
Sounds simple, but make sure their work fits in with the style of photography you like. There’s such a huge range of different of photography including traditional, reportage and natural. For a definition and description of each, see here.

Can we see some of your pictures?
OK, nobody is going to choose a wedding photographer without seeing their portfolio (you weren’t, were you?) but notice a key word in that question your pictures.  What you want to see is the photographer’s own work where they were the main or only photographer.  It’s fine for them to get experience assisting another photographer but there’s a world of difference between pictures taken while a guest at a friend’s wedding or while assisting an experienced pro and their own unaided work.

Can we see a whole wedding?
Cherry picking is great and you’ll want to see your photographer’s top work but no single day is going to match their 10 best ever shots.  Ask to see a whole day.  Either on screen, in print or (best of all) in a sample album just like it would be delivered to you.

Will you be our photographer?
This is only really a question for the big studios but it’s worth asking of everybody you meet.  It doesn’t matter if they show you an amazing portfolio of their own beautiful work if they are going to send somebody else on the day.

How would you describe your approach?
Another obvious one – if you tell a photographer you want a hands off guy who lets everybody do their own thing and capture the moment then it’s pretty likely that will become their specialty.  If you say your favourite is a lady who knows how to take control of groups then hey presto, instant expert.  Ask them to describe their approach (are they bossy, friendly, invisible?) and see how that matches your expectations

Can you…..?
Everybody’s wedding is different.  Everybody has different expectations.  If there’s something that’s important to you then don’t be afraid to ask the photographer if they will be able to capture it.  And follow up too.  “Can you take pictures of our fireworks?”.  Sure, no problem.  “Great, can I see some examples of your fireworks pictures?

What else do you do?
Plenty of great wedding photographers balance their photography with another full time job.  It’s worth asking if they are full time or not though.  If they aren’t then you may want to make sure that they aren’t over committed and that your pictures will get the care they deserve.  Actually, even if they are full time it’s worth checking a couple of things.  A photographer who shoots 100 weddings a year may be great because she’s so popular and in demand.  It may also mean he’s overworked and will rush things.  A couple of questions should enable you to tell which is which.


Do you work on your own or as part of a team?
This one’s tricky.  Some photographers prefer to work alone and some prefer to have an assistant, a second photographer and a tea boy in tow.  Both approaches are fine (though if you’re planning a quiet intimate affair then you may not want a 6 person team!) – just be careful that they don’t tell you there will be “two photographers” if one of them will be a trainee!  And if the photographer favours the large team approach then ask them again “which of these pictures did you take?” and “who will be there on the day?”

How long will it be before we see our pictures?
There is little worse than coming back after a two week honeymoon and being told that it will be “another month or two” before you see your pictures.  Even a busy photographer should be able to show you the images within 3 weeks of the wedding.  If not they may be over committed – either to another job or other clients.

What do you do if it rains? Or snows, or your camera breaks down or a herd of llamas invades the wedding? 
A professional should have an answer to these (except maybe the llamas).  Backup cameras (and lenses), planning for wet weather, extra lights in case the pictures need taken indoors, file backup strategies and dry clothes are just some of the reasons why professional charge so much for their services. 

What would you like to eat?
Seriously, I generally shoot for 10 hours and it’s always nice to know whether I’m going to get dinner or bring my own.

To find a wedding photographer in your area try out a few sites such as Find a Wedding Photographer,
Wedding photographers UK,
and Photographers for You.



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Wedding Answers

How to have a marquee wedding venue

By Andrea Petrou on May 6th, 2010
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With many brides opting for venues with great big country gardens, or the credit crunch forcing some brides to have a wedding at home, marquees are becoming a very popular option. However, they do need alot of preparation.

We therefore spoke to wedding planner Aimee Dunne, who gave us a huge range of hints and tips to help you get that perfect marquee wedding.

She told us: “If you’re anything like , you’ll love the idea of a marquee wedding. Visions come to mind of a beautiful big white marquee laid out on a glorious lawn; a bright summers day and wedding guests sipping champagne and pimms.

“Unfortunately being a Wedding Planner I’m more than aware of the reality of marquee weddings. Indeed they can be absolutely stunning and have the flexibility and blank space to create a truly individual and breathtaking wedding; however the blank canvas that they are also means they involve a great deal of hard work. To help create the perfect marquee wedding and avoid some of the common pitfalls, here are a few hints and tips. ”

Finding the Right Marquee
There are a number of different marquees on offer. From elegant traditional marquees with inner poles which can be decorated, to frame marquees which can offer more flexibility and space. Chinese hat marquees can be used alongside larger marquees as chill our areas, and if you really want to stand out why not consider a more contemporary mughal-style marquee or Indian tent. A good marquee hire company should be able to advise you on what will suit your requirements.

Time of Year
Marquees are traditionally used for summer weddings however as we all know, especially at the moment, we’re not guaranteed warm weather during the wonderful UK summer. You may want to consider having some heaters on hand which can be turned on when needed, especially if your wedding is during spring or autumn. Good marquee hire companies should be able to advise you on this and provide heating equipment.

Catering
Consider whether your caterer has experience of marquee weddings. Catering is a hugely important aspect of any wedding and you need to ensure your caterer has the correct experience, staff, and equipment to provide the level of catering you need. Also expect that you are likely to need a separate catering tent aswell as supplying table linen, cutlery, glassware, crockery, table and chairs.

Security
You may want to consider hiring security to keep an eye on your marquee and any equipment you have stored in it, especially if you have set it up the night before the wedding and stored any hired items in there. This could save you a lot of added expense; and trauma on the morning of the wedding.

Flowers
Marquees can be a wonderful blank canvas, although this also means there can be a very large blank space to fill. Flowers can be a wonderful way to do this, but make sure you work closely with your florist so that the flowers are suitable for the space and make the most of it; from the size of arrangements to the colour and organisation of them. Also remember that marquees are temporary structures and may have uneven floors which can make tall arrangements unstable, especially in windy weather.

Lighting
Never under estimate the use of lighting. Lighting can completely transform a space and can be a really effective way of adding a wow factor to marquees and for creating seperate spaces within the same marquee.

Toilets
Ok so there’s no glamorous way of talking about toilets but never the less, you’ll need them! Forget about smelly old blue porta loos, there are now all types of luxury toilets you can hire and many toilet hire companies can easily be found on the internet. Ensure you have enough toilets for your guests; you don’t want them standing around in the cold queuing for toilets when they should be dancing the night away at your wedding.

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Wedding Answers

How to have the perfect firework display on your wedding day

By Andrea Petrou on April 27th, 2010
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We’ve covered everything from favours to invites in our how to series, but one thing we’ve neglected is fireworks.

Over the years these have become huge in the wedding industry with WAGs, celebs and brides opting for these to end their day with a bang. They are also expecially popular for summer weddings, when the nights are warm and people are happy to go outside and experience the romantic atmosphere.

A firework display is the explosive finale to most weddings. But how do you make the big day end with a bang that won’t cost the earth?

Chris Tinning is a pyrotechnician and creative director of leading online fireworks retailer Firework Factory. The company counts Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant and WAG Coleen Rooney among its customers, and Chris has previously held the title of UK Semi-Professional Firework Champion.

Here he gives his six top tips on putting together a firework display that will end your wedding day on a high:

Don’t be limited by budget – Don’t be dismayed If you can’t afford a professional show, the effects created by DIY fireworks are getting better and bigger all the time and easily compete with many used by professionals. You can buy more fireworks for your money and create the same impact with a DIY display.

Ask the venue what is possible – If your reception is taking place at a venue other than your home it is best to ask the management what fireworks are acceptable and if they have relevant insurance. Even if the fireworks display is taking place at home I would recommend letting your neighbours know!

Don’t make it too long – If the display lasts for anything more than a few minutes people start to lose interest. It needs to be a short but spectacular display that wraps up the day nicely.

Think barrages, not rockets – All men love rockets, but ultimately they are not going to give you a good return on investment and their short-lived nature will make the display seem quite disjointed. Multi-shot barrages may not have the exciting appearance of rockets but they make DIY displays possible – often lasting up to several minutes.
Go big bore – The number of shots a firework has is not a measure of how spectacular it will be. As shot count increases, size often decreases, so for the loudest and boldest bursts stock up on big bore 25 to 30mm barrages.

Be safe – Alcohol and fireworks don’t mix. Ensure someone over eighteen and sensible is given responsibility for setting and lighting all fireworks.

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Wedding Answers

How to make a bridal speech

By Andrea Petrou on April 26th, 2010
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As time has gone on brides often stand up after their fathers, best men and other halves to make a speech of their own.

Although it may not be seen as tradition many brides opt to do this to say their own special thanks to friends, family and of course their groom.

If you’re one of these brides then we’ve put together few hints and tips to help you plan and write your perfect wedding speech.

There is no set order where a bride’s speech is concerned but it’s recommended that you follow the bridegroom and speak before the best man who is the final speaker and the most humorous who will round off the speeches on a lighter note.

You can be as funny or as serious as you like in your speech but it’s wise and helpful to split it into three different parts: Opening, General Chat and a Closing piece.

Keep the opening of the speech casual (the formal one is for your father) and do it as much from memory as possible. This will not only keep it lighthearted but show your personality too. Reading from a script may make it a little bit too rigid.

Opening ideas.
Start by thanking your groom as well as your families, especially if they contributed to the cost of the day, made the food or even just gave you a hug when you were feeling stressed.
You can also talk about your day so far and thank your guests for coming.

General Chat
Once you’ve got the formalities out of the way, like the best man it’s time to add a little bit of humour (but don’t go too ladettish). Make a joke about your other half’s surname or household chores. You can then add some emotionally bits talking about how you met your other half and how special he is it to you. You could also add in here how he proposed.

Closing
Once the humour is out of the way, thank your bridesmaids (maybe you could agree to give them their thank you presents) as well as your mums. You could also opt to read your other half a poem here, and get really soppy. However make sure you keep your speech to a max of 7 minutes to keep your guests interested

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Wedding Answers

How to pick a punk wedding frock

By Andrea Petrou on April 15th, 2010
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After our gallery of punk wedding dresses we decided that we should give you a little bit of background into these and give you some hints and tips on how to choose one. After all they are far more niche than the traditional wedding dress.

Be different

Because there are so many different expressions in the punk genre choosing a wedding dress can be difficult. Some brides may be punks with tatts and wear rips while others are addict punk and gothic stylist, wearing all elements of punk and goth style. Therefore pick a dress that reflects that style. If your a punk then go for something with a metal studded sash, plaid skirt, leather wristband, black eyeliner, and platform footwear.

Online shopping and scouting

There are some online stores that sell punk clothing or goth clothing. However, the items they stock may not be specifically wedding related. Enquire at a few who may be able to show you the nearest items they have to a wedding dress or offer to make one up for you. Make sure you tell them exactly what your style is though as many people have different ideas about what punk is.

Do it yourself
If you want to create a punk wedding dress on your own find ideas by searching images about both style in internet such as from flickr or groups for that community. You can also find Facebook groups or communities around your area all of whom will be happy to help in your quest for that wedding dress.

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Wedding Answers

12 month wedding planner for brides-to-be

By Andrea Petrou on April 14th, 2010
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Wedding planning can be one of the most stressful parts of your big day, with many brides-to-be unsure of when they should be doing what. There’s the venue to sort out, plus your dress and also your bridesmaids fittings and groom’s outfit. You can start planning as far back as possible but there are always the little things that you will need to take into consideration nearer the time. We’ve therefore put together a wedding planner for you, looking at what you need to be doing in the year up to your big day. If you are getting married sooner than this, then condense the tips into two month or three month blocks instead.

12 months
You’ve still got alot of time to be planning this wedding, but the bonus of planning so far in advance is that you’ll probably be able to get the venue and band you want for your set day.

The things you should be doing at this time, if you haven’t already, is firstly choose a date. This could be a day memorable to you and your other half, maybe the day you met or a milestone such as the first time you said you loved each other.

You should also decide on the size of the wedding party and begin looking at venues, which will cater for this number. You should also try to book the venue at this point too as well as a church or registry office. Don’t book one without the other as you may be left with opposing days.

Another thing to consider is the budget. Will you be paying for it yourself or will both sets of parents be contributing?

11 months
Begin compiling a guest list. As horrible as it may sound, also draw up a reserve list for guests you would like there but cannot accommodate. That way if key guests drop out then you’ll be able to invite others.

If you’re getting married during Christmas or summer holidays then it may also be worth sending out “save the date” notices to guests as many people do tend to book their holidays early.

Research photographers, videographers, florists, cake decorators, caterer, DJ or band, and musicians for the wedding and reception. You should aim to book these around this month or latest next month as they get booked up quickly. – book each as soon as possible

It’s around this time you can also think about themes and colours for your big day so you have something to discuss with florists and get prices for.

10 months
Although wedding dresses take around 6 months to be made, begin shopping for a wedding gown from here as it could take a good few months to find one. Also begin looking for bridesmaids, mother of the bride and grooms outfits.
Choose wedding rings and meet with your reception co-ordinators to discuss possible meal plans. Research honeymoon destinations; decide on a honeymoon budget

9 months
This is the time you should start thinking about wedding invitations as you’ll need to get them designed and printed. You should aim to send invites out at least 3 months before your big day.

8 months
Shop for bridal accessories: shoes, veil, jewelry, etc.
Research the requirements for a marriage license for the state or country where you will be married

7 months
Book a food tasting with the hotel to test out the options available. You can also take your parents to this depending on how much you want them to be involved. However check what the venue policy is as some will charge for additional food tasters.

It’s around this time you should also begin thinking about the most important part of the big day and that’s ordering your wedding gown.

6 months
Reserve transportation for the wedding party; This can be anything from a classic car to a blinged up hummer. Or be a princess and go for a horse and carriage. Schedule fittings for attendants dresses and also finalise the guest list.

You should also start looking at wedding favours at this point too especially if you’re going to be making your own.


5 months
Meet up with your florist to discuss different options, this time should be sufficient for your florist to show you what’s in season and also give you quotes depending on what flowers you choose. It’s around this time that you should begin to experiment with hairstyles and makeup for the wedding.

Finalise play lists for the ceremony and reception; discuss with musicians, DJ, and band
Decide on attire for groom and groomsmen; reserve tuxedos if renting

4months
Send out your invites to give you and your guests plenty of RSVP time. If you want to change your name on your passport then also let the passport office know as well as your bank and DVLA.

3 months
Design and print ceremony programmes

2 months
Shop for honeymoon clothing
Schedule your groom’s fittings and also go for your first dress fitting. Even if this is just trying the dress on it’ll give you piece of mind. Don’t worry if the dress doesn’t fit properly at this stage, many seamstresses can alter a dress within a few hours. They may also get you to wait until right at the end in case of any weight loss, which is natural with brides-to-be.

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