Friday Feature .... On A Tight Budget?

On a tight budget? Looking for ways to save on some of your costs?

Here are my top tips and ideas

Be Creative and put together your own Centrepieces

Cover Tin cans with decorative paper - perfect for a vintage theme

If you are the creative type why not try putting together your own centrpeices, it can be a great way to incorporate your own personal touch. Why not ask your friends, family or wedding planner to help you out with putting them together on the day.

 Skip the favours

Favours are nice but are they something that guests really want? you could be saving hundreds of pounds by going with a more original option such as a Candy Table instead, you can do your own and save money.

 Forget the floral centrepieces and use cupcake stands instead

Centerpieces using cupcakes decorated to coordinate with the colours and theme of the wedding can be less expensive than flowers and are a fun way to serve dessert. Make sure that your venue are happy for you to do this as some do not allow you to take extra food other than the main wedding cake.
You may still want to provide a cake and have a traditional cake cutting ceremony, maybe you could downsize your wedding cake which guest may like to take home later.

 Give the bridesmaids something to carry besides bouquets

Parasols or a clutch bag is a great idea. These can both be decorated with silk or fresh flowers to match you theme.

 Use full-bodied flowers with fewer stems

A few large blooms or multiple stems of one kind of flower can create a bold look.
Where possible try to select flowers in season to save money.

 Downsize the bar

Alcohol is one of the trickiest things to estimate when it comes to your big day, it is not hard to end up spending too much money on drink that is not really needed.

Firstly think about the guests you have coming to your wedding, is it really necessary to provide a free bar? no, one suggestion could be that you have a set amount behind the bar and offer guests a bar token so that they may have their first drink free.

When looking at the wine for your wedding, think about what is necessary? do you really need champagne for toasts on top of a bottle of red and white on each table? what about just having a nice sparkling rose or white wine and ask the staff to top up the glasses for the speeches and toasts. Doing this not only keeps costs down but keeps wastage down too!

Some brides like to supply their own alcohol but before you do, check the corkage fees. Some venues and caterers charge high fees when clients provide their own drinks so it ends up working out cheaper to purchase them from the venue.

In reality your guests are at your wedding to celebrate your marriage and enjoy the day, not necessarily to get drunk. Dont forget to consider that some of your guests may be driving so will not be drinking at all.

 Select a venue that is “all-inclusive”

Rather than choosing a site that requires you to do all the work, look at all inclusive venues. They can often do some really good deals, especially if you are getting married out of season or on a weekday. Everything you need is supplied. One thing to bear in mind though some venues may restrict some of your choices and by booking with them they will only let you use their chosen suppliers - for example their DJ or their photographer. This is fine but be aware as where you may originally make savings it could end up costing you more.

 Have a Wedding breakfast, or lunchtime ceremony instead of a dinner

Why not consider an alternative time of day. These meals are usually less expensive and not all guests will want to drink a lot of alcohol during the day. Also if you are looking for something more low key or informal then by doing this you do not have extra expense of an evening reception.

 Expensive flowers should only be used in the bridal bouquet

If you are considering using expensive flowers in your bouquet,  then why not choose something equally stunning but less costly for the bridesmaids. By only having the most expensive flowers in your own posy this will keep your costs down whilst allowing you to still have the flowers you really want.

Venue Decor

Sometimes less is more - it is very easy for brides to get carried away, with so many lovely things from centrepieces, floral decorations, candy carts, balloons, birdcages, lanterns, to the organza swags draped around tables, the list goes on and on. Try and think logically, cost everything up and work out what really works. If you have an old venue thats perhaps a little tired in places then maybe it will need extra drapes to cover up the walls, but if you have a modern venue then keep it simple.

If you have any money saving tips that you would like to share, please let me know

In the meantime to all our lovely brides out there happy saving!

Ideas to Transform your Church or Chapel ....

If you are looking for ways to transform your church or chapel for your wedding here are a few simple inspirational ideas.

By adding some simple touches to pews or chairs along the aisle can really set the atmosphere for the ceremony.

Single flowers or small posies attached with a satin ribbon can transform any pew

Draping Ribbon along the edge of the pews 

I really like this idea of silver pails with posies of flowers hung with ribbon

You really cannot go wrong with organza sashes along the aisle, finished with elegant white flowers always gives a clean and classic look

Perfect for a country themed wedding 

Lanterns hung along the aisle on organza with strategically placed blooms looks beautiful

These arrangements placed on the floor look so elegant

Why not add some Ivy or greenery? I love the way the ivy trails to the floor, it really 

compliments the posies 

Photography

A vital part I feel of anyones wedding day is the photography.
Choosing a good photographer is key, after all these images are your memories of tomorrow. Your photographs are the one thing that you will be able to look at in years to come, those captured moments will remind you of your special day.


Before looking for a photographer, consider what kind of photography it is that you are wanting as there are several to choose from:


Traditional or Classic Photography

 Essentially it will consist of posed groups and portraits and to a large extent work to a script.
 This is the type of wedding photography that has stood the test of time and will always produce the record shots that you will look back at in years to come as a permanent reminder of your magical day. Also bear in mind a wedding is a formal affair and the traditional images will always record it in this way.
The benefits are that you will get all the pictures you expect and the final album will be attractive if predictable.

Photojournalistic photography

Much more in fashion at the moment a photojournalistic approach will do what it says and, if correctly executed, produce for you a story of your wedding day. The aim will be to record the events of your wedding in a more or less chronological order from a slightly more remote viewpoint. There may not even be any formally posed pictures and the photographer may simply stay in the background and catch snapshot images of various parts of the day. At the end of the day you will probably have a wonderful storybook of what went on which will always bring back happy memories. Be careful however! Some photographers, and even some couples will insist in shooting in black and white. Avoid this, why? Because it will always be possible to get black and white pictures from colour but to get colour from black and white is at best difficult and normally impossible. Also remember these will not be the pictures that mum will want to proudly display in a frame.
The biggest single benefit of this style of photography is that your will be able to tell a story in pictures. The disadvantage however is that you are relying on the photographers instinct and the results can be unpredictable. You may also regret the lack of formal images in your album.

Contempary photography

Contemporary photography is by its nature very difficult to quantify and can mean different things to different people, to be fashionable or contemporary it must by definition be constantly changing. This means that your pictures can date very quickly. The way this type of photography works is that the photographer finds settings where the lighting is good and the backgrounds beautiful and then photographs the bride and groom in a more idealised setting – when done properly the results can be stunning! These will always be the pictures that win awards and grab people’s attention simply because they look like they have come from the glossy magazines.
The major benefit of this type of photography is the feel good factor it generates – doesn’t everybody want to look good and imagine themselves in the glossy magazines? Of course you do it’s only natural and so you should on your wedding day – you are the star! The downside however is that it doesn’t really provide a true record nor will it always fit the bill for the photo to hang on the wall. Initially it will but as fashion and style changes it will date quickly and you may end up feeling a bit behind the times!
So what is the answer?

Try and find a photographer that will give you a mix of Traditional and Photojournalistic, that way you get the posed group shots that you like for the album at the same time as the photographer being in the background taking some more natural shots.

Alot of photographers nowadays produce discs of your photos too.

Other words of advice

Always Always go and visit the photographers to view their work, as well as seeking out personal reccomendations from friends, relatives or wedding planners.

Once you have chosen your photographer, make sure you give him a list prior to the day detailing who you wish to be in your group shots, just makes life easier and saves time on the day.

One of the latest trends is to use old picture frames at your wedding, it adds a different and fun dimension to photography. I think this is a great idea for once the photographer has gone and finished his official duties, what fun your guest could have taking snapshots.

I also love this idea, you can add them to the pews in church or around your chosen venue for that personalised touch

So take some time to do your research first, dont be one of those dissapointed brides who find out when it is too late that he has taken photographs of everyones feet and chopped your guests heads off.

 This is a day you cannot recreate again.

Brides Beware!

Dont let this be you, I hear about so many couples having their day ruined by suppliers, caterers or wedding venues going out of business and bankrupt. Even today a bride had her big day devastated by her venue closing down just 6 weeks before her special day.
 It's so easy to get carried away with all the finer details or favours, decor, flowers, forgetting one vital element, wedding insurance.
Too many brides are caught out and left dissapointed by losing their dream and their money often at the very last minuite.

So My advice? if you can possibly afford to, look into protecting yourself by taking out some wedding insurance, most companies offer different levels of protection, its just a matter of working out which cover is best for you. 
 If not the other alternative is to book using a credit card which will give you some protection.

Unfortunatly, if you live with a serious medical condition then it is impossible to get insurance cover.

So do your research, find a company that will best suit your needs

below are a few suggestions of websites to check out...

http://www.events-insurance.co.uk/pages/wedding-insurance/
http://www.hiscox.co.uk/events/
http://www.wedsure.com/wedding-event-insurance.jsphttp:/
www.johnlewis-insurance.com/campaigns/aff-wedding-quote.html?track=0310dwwi

Good luck

Children Or No Children At Weddings

Well the very first thing to consider when you are drawing up your guest list is whether or not you are going to have a children attending your wedding. It really is a personal choice, some people love having the buzz of lots of children around, others prefer to keep things more formal and decide it should be adults only. If you decide that you wish your wedding to be adults only, then do remember to make it clear on your invitations, and for guests who have children make sure that their invitations are sent out well in advance in order for them to make childcare arrangements. If things are clear from the start parents are less likely to be upset about not bringing their children. In fact most parents welcome the chance to have a break for the day.

If you are intending to have children on the day, then make sure you factor in their needs too.

Here are some ideas of how to keep your younger guests happy.

1. Childrens menu

 make sure you have made arrangements for a childrens food option, when you are paying for meals its best to decide on something unfussy for them to eat, such as pizza, or chicken nuggets, or simply a child sized portion.  At some weddings couples decide to have a separate table for children, but this really depends on the age of the children, do they need assistance with feeding? most parents are happy to keep their children close especially during the meal.

2.  Table activities

To keep the children entertained during the speeches a good idea is to provide table activities

such as colouring books & bubbles

 

There are plenty of options that can be purchased online, beautiful bags and boxes that are already filled with activities and toys.

Equally and especailly for budget savvy brides, it is very simple to put together your own activity packs for the children to do, you could even use pictures that have been printed from one of the many free printable children websites. Colouring books, pens, puzzles are relativly inexpensive.

For older children, how about disposable cameras, this gives them the opportunity to record the day themselves by taking some fun photos.

3. Activity table

 Another Great idea is to set aside space for your own childrens activity table, especailly great if you have younger children attending.

 The table should be colourful and you can let your imagination run wild, puzzles, drawing, games, bubbles.

4.  Creche /entertainers

 If your budget allows you could always look at hiring another room and hiring creche services, and entertainers for a few hours to keep the children amused and happy. Facepainting, balloon modelling and magicians are always popular. Always make sure if you are hiring childcare that staff are certified and experienced.

5.  Outdoor games

 One idea I used for my special day was outdoor games, we had a beautiful outdoor location surrounded by lawns and fields. As we had a few children attending we purchased some large outdoor games, activities such as giant Jenga, chess, noughts and crosses, giant pick up sticks. These went down very well and can be enjoyed by your older guests too.

So having children at your wedding need not be chaotic, with a little prior planning, children and parents can all enjoy celebrating your special day.

Inspiration for Table Names

When it comes to your seating plan and your tables for your wedding reception you can keep things simple by placing numbers on the table or you can be a little different and name your tables.

Naming your tables gives you a real opportunity to personalise your wedding reception, it gives you chance to show off your personalities too.

Here are a few suggestions that i have put together

Flowers  - names of your favourite flowers

Colours - connected with your scheme - so if your theme is green - sage, forrest, emerald

Hobbies - something connected to something you enjoy

Songs - names of artists or your favourite songs

Names of places you have been together

Venue - use your type of venue for inspiration - names of castles

Seasons - if its a winter wedding - snowflake, blizzard

Location - names of local attractions or places nearby

Christmas wedding - Reindeer names, christmas carols or twelve days of christmas

Football teams, or players

Special places - that mean alot to you both

Beers of the world, or cocktail names

Names of Beaches

Famous people

Favourite film titles

butterflies

Birds

Names of Soap operas

Superhero or Dr who theme

Disney or cartoon charachters

There are some great ways to display your seating plans and table names too

I love this idea, you could take pictures of yourselves to give an added twist to your table names

Chalkboards, inexpensive and simple

another simple and inexpensive idea is to use postcards with pictures of nearby locations, or places you have been

Seating plans

How about using picture frames either on the table for the names or displayed as above

 for a seating plan

inspired by script



If you want that professional and elegant touch to your seating plan or table names theni advise you to seek out a professional calligrapher

Do not be afraid to use your imagination and let it run wild at the end of the day a wedding is also meant to be fun.

Inspired by script    www.northyorkshireweddings.co.uk

                    www.handmadeforyou.net

                        www.carolmillerdesign.co.uk



Finding your dream venue - do's & dont's

 When it comes to organising thier wedding the most important job and the one that most brides agonise over most, well other than the dress is their Wedding Venue. With every type of venue to consider from Castles, Stately Homes, Museums,Art Galleries or a more modest garden or outdoor wedding its sometimes hard to know where to start.

So here i have put together a few tips and do's and dont's about looking for your perfect venue.

There are a combination of factors you should consider when searching for a venue

1. Type of Wedding - is it going to be indoor or outdoor
2. Theme - Are you going for a formal or more relaxed affair
3. Amount of guests
4. Budget
5. Location - is it a local wedding, factors such as distance between ceremony and reception locations if different, or are you having a destination wedding.

Once you have taken all these into account you should have some idea of what type of venue you are looking for.

When looking for your perfect venue, always look for several options, gain as much information as you can from their websites before booking a viewing.

Always, Always, Always view your chosen venue's, i know of brides who have fallen in love with a venue from the website alone, but on visiting it sometimes find it lacks a certain something that they were looking for.

One way you can tell if its the right venue for you is most brides will get a feeling, a sense of

"this is right, this is for me"

Whilst this is a good indication, try and keep your feet firmly on the ground and consider the budget, and be realistic about your options. You may fall in love with a venue, but if its not got disabled access for uncle george in his wheelchair, or the room just isnt big enough, then think again. Try not too get carried away. Think "practicalities"

As lovely as the wedding co-ordinator maybe, do not sign anything there and then unless you sure you can commit.

Once you have decided on your dream venue then its time to take a closer look and ask questions

When you visit your venue ask if they have a room plan or take a note pad with you to jot down the floorplan for yourself, write down what colour the carpet and walls are. Another good idea is to take a camera with you, get some reminders so that it makes life easier later on when planning your table set up and decor. 

Check with the venue about any restrictions they may have - some do not allow candles, some do not allow smoke machines to be used by the dj.

Double check the times when you can access your venue, and what time you have to leave, what about clearing up? is that included or is it something that needs to be organised.

Do you need any permits or licences?

How much help will you get for setting up on the day?

Is there a functions manager or your wedding co-ordinator on site during your wedding day?

Its surprising when brides find out on there wedding day that the co-ordinator who they have worked with for the past year doesnt actually work on the day of their wedding and its handed over to another member of staff.  If not, consider hiring an independent wedding planner who can ensure all your needs for the day are met and taken care of.

When looking at decorating your venue, try not to plan too far ahead by rushing out and buying things that you may later change your mind about. Let your venue do the talking - look at the colours and room shapes and features- how can you make the most of them.

Take your time and research as many options as you can,  chat with your local florist to see what they can do for you, they often have some fun and different ideas.

What about balloon art?

Ask the venue what they have that you may be able to hire or borrow for the day

Wishing trees, and different types of lighting can affect the mood to create a really romantic and enchanted theme. Fairylights are always a big hit.

Remember its Your Day, and its Your Way, you can be as creative as you like and if your not well dont panic, check out monthly magazines for ideas or ask your wedding planner for some inspiration.

Good luck with your search

Simple creative ideas to decorate your venue

Every Bride wishes to have the most perfect wedding, and in the current climate we are all having to watch the pennies. Today i thought we could look at ways we can save a little bit of our wedding budget as well as letting you put your own creative stamp on the day.  Some of these can be recreated yourself, and others are simply inexpensive ideas

 I love this simple but effective garland of hearts

 Simple stars, easy to make and great if your having a movie themed wedding

I love this idea of using fruit as a featurel, perfect for those outdoor, rustic weddings

All you need is a flower punch and some pins to create these perfect decorations

Doily Inspiration

Make your own chandelier