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Top tips to know about Bridesmaids

Inspiration

Top tips to know about Bridesmaids

When it comes to deciding everything to do with bridesmaids, such as who to choose or what they should wear, here’s our top tips on all the questions you may have. 

Who to choose? 

When it comes to choosing who your bridesmaids should be, you should start with family. Ask your sisters and your partners’ sisters first (only if you have close relationships with them). 

Then choose your best friend. In relation to choosing friends in your group, it depends on whether you want a large wedding or not. Prioritise those you have the closest connections with and go from there. 

How many to choose?

Firstly, discuss with your partner whether you want the same number of bridesmaids/groomsmen on both sides or if are you happy with an asymmetrical wedding party. Do you want 10 bridesmaids standing by your side while your partner may only have 4? 

Secondly, is your budget going to support the number of people you are choosing? Do you want quality or quantity? 

Consider personalities 

When choosing who you want in your bridal party, decide what you want or don’t want from them. Do you want a hype team? Or maybe a group of laid-back bridesmaids? 

Whatever you decide, make sure they are there to help and assist you throughout and avoid those who you believe are going to possibly cause drama and be an interference. 

Choosing bridesmaids dresses

There are no rules when choosing your bridesmaids dresses. You can have them all the same or you can have the same colours but different styles or they can all be different. It’s entirely up to you and there are so many options to choose from. 

If your bridesmaids are not happy with the dress you’ve chosen for them, should they even be your bridesmaid? It is your day to shine, not theirs, and if they don’t support your vision of what you want your day to look like, you may have to go back and think if they deserve to be by your side on the day. 

How to ask loved ones to be bridesmaids?

You could straight up ask your chosen bridal party to be by your side on the day if you really wanted to. 

Or you could create a bridesmaid proposal gift as small or extravagant as you like. It could be anything from a handwritten, personalised note or a gift basket of clues for them to figure out. 

Whatever you decide, be happy you have chosen the best of the best to support you on your special day!

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with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

Styled Shoot
Claire Boon

Celebrating Love and Creativity: A Styled Wedding Shoot at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

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Issue 07: ‘Flower Power’ is Available to Pre-Order!

Flower Power. Yep, quite simply, that’s what we’ve named this issue. With the cover image being so flipping cool, how could we not theme the whole issue around floral design, highlighting different ways you can style your day no matter the budget. Find out more…

Read More

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Categories
Real Wedding

Wild Beach Elopement in Cornwall

Real Wedding

Wild Beach Elopement in Cornwall

The couple kept their wedding a secret from friends and family, eloping at Lower Barns in Cornwall, followed by an intimate celebration on the beach. 

Kayleigh always knew Zoe was the one, and that they would eventually get married. The proposal, although it was put together with so much thought, came at a spontaneous and authentic time. “I created a book of all the things I love about Kayleigh on the website Love Book Online, calling it The Story of Us. I knew I wanted to use it to propose but didn’t know when I’d do it, so would add pages to the book every day on my bus ride home from work. About 11 months and 69 pages later, I finally finished so I started thinking about the setting of my proposal.”

“I’m so bad at keeping surprises a secret from Kayleigh as I get overexcited and end up letting slip, so I knew organising something without giving anything away would be hard. I suggested a breakfast picnic at sunrise on West Wittering beach for my birthday, thinking with it being my birthday, she wouldn’t be suspicious of the extra effort. However, a few days before we were having one of our favourite evenings lounging on the sofa, eating and binge-watching Line of Duty and we were so happy and content that I realised that rather than try and create the perfect moment, this was the perfect moment.” 

“Whilst Kayleigh was getting ready for bed, I put the book and ring under my pillow and waited, trying to hide my excitement and not grin like a Cheshire Cat. Once she got into bed, I told her I’d bought her something and gave her the book. When she finally got to page 67, I started manoeuvring myself onto one knee with the ring in hand. She then turned the final page to a caricature of me asking “Kayleigh, will you marry me?”. Weirdly enough, and without knowing it, I started the book on 1st May 2018 and proposed on 1st May 2019. We were in our little love bubble, curled up on the sofa and I had no idea that I would be engaged by the time I went to sleep!”.

The wedding day started with breakfast brought to the couple’s room by host Janie at Lower Barns. “Neither of us were nervous, we’d kept it a secret for 14 months and were so excited the day was finally here! Our hair stylist and makeup artist then arrived and made us feel like absolute queens. As it was an intimate ceremony, with just the two of us (aside from Paul & Suz – The Twigs witnessing), there were no outside influences which may have caused any stress and the day was very chilled. Once we were married, and after some cream scones and Champagne, the four of us went on a mini road trip around Cornwall looking for places to take photos, ending the day eating burgers and drinking shakes at Hub Box.” 

The couples then arrived at Watergate Bay. “We continued to take photos, not realising it was high tide. We found a spot and started shooting but didn’t anticipate how quickly the tide would come in. For the most part we were stood on a rock so didn’t get too wet but poor Paul & Suz got soaked! As no one knew we were eloping we commissioned a Mrs & Mrs pennant and a vintage number plate saying ‘Happily Hitched’ with the idea of using a photo of them to announce our marriage to our family and friends.” 

“Just do you. It’ll be one of the most special days in your lifetime, which hopefully you’ll only do once, so it should be exactly how you want it to be. When you look back at your photos you want to be reminded of how perfect it was, rather than remember the things you had to compromise on to make others happy.” 

Suppliers: 
Photography: Twigs Branch Photography
Venue: Lower Barns
Flowers: Flourish Studio
Kayleigh’s Skirt: Sweet Caroline
Kayleigh’s Top, Zoe’s Trousers & Zoe’s Corset: Rose Savage Bridal
Makeup: Suzi Winter
Hair Stylist: Hair by Emma C
Rings: Baroque Jewellery 
Pennant: Oxford Pennant
Number Plate: Slates Plates

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Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

Other Articles

with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

Styled Shoot
Claire Boon

Celebrating Love and Creativity: A Styled Wedding Shoot at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

Read More
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Issue 07: ‘Flower Power’ is Available to Pre-Order!

Flower Power. Yep, quite simply, that’s what we’ve named this issue. With the cover image being so flipping cool, how could we not theme the whole issue around floral design, highlighting different ways you can style your day no matter the budget. Find out more…

Read More

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Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

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Categories
Styled Shoot

Bridgerton Inspired Wedding Shoot

Styled Shoots

Bridgerton Inspired Wedding Shoot

bridgerton-inspired-wedding-ideas-inspiration-gradeur-regal-bouquet-and-bells

Bouquet & Bells together with Tanya from Tanya Flannagan Photography co-coordinated this opulent Bridgerton-inspired styled shoot. As a result of the hit TV series, Bridgerton, the regency wedding theme is on the rise and we wanted to create a shoot to showcase our twist on the trend. It was important to us to pay meticulous details to every element of the shoot, and our aim was to execute the theme in a way that the small details all came together beautifully. The colour scheme was based around pastel colours with particular focus on peaches and pinks with a pop of sky blue. 

The shoot was held at Hawkstone Hall and Gardens, a Grade 1-listed building nestled within the hills of the rolling Shropshire countryside. Their ‘Saloon’ dining room, intimate ceremony room and picturesque outdoor space burst with opulence and grandeur, making them the ideal location. Elizabeth Josh Films produced a stunning short film and captured the day spectacularly.

Surrey-based dressmaker Felicity West Macott provided three handmade gowns for the shoot. A peach gown with bardot neckline and corset back was the start of the show, as Felicity had made it bespoke for the shoot. Other gowns featured a long pink ombré train with bell sleeves, and a floral embroidered jumpsuit. Star and Leaf provided a selection of handmade veils, paired beautifully with a bejewelled headpiece by Six Penny Bride. A pair of kitten heel white lace shoes with pink bows finished the look. The model’s hair was styled by Bella Amore Hair Salon, and the makeup was kept classic by Made up by Cathryn. Diamond drop earrings and beautiful rings were provided by London Victorian Ring Co. The groom wore a grey tail suit from Bill Child Formal Wear paired with light grey slim tie. 

An abundance of florals were provided by Ginger Lily Florist in pink and peach tones with foliage. The bouquet was big and wild in a waterfall style. Wild Meadow Weddings and Ginger Lily collaborated on the table decor, opting for a long banquet style with blue linen from Coloured Linen Hire. A range of gold vases complete with crockery and goblet glassware made the Saloon fit for a regal banquet. Classic stationery by White Orchid Print and Design finished it off beautifully. 

A pale blue four-tier cake with white icing detail in a baroque style was created by Susan from Elizabeth Anna Cake Design. It stood tall on an elegant white cake stand, surrounded by a range of delicious accompaniments including marshmallows, doughnuts, meringues and more, also made by Susan. The real start of the show was Kaiser, a Shire horse fully dressed for the occasion and pulling black open-top carriage courtesy of Huddart Heavy Horses. 

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The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

Other Articles

with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

Styled Shoot
Claire Boon

Celebrating Love and Creativity: A Styled Wedding Shoot at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

Read More
flower-power-bouquet-and-bells-wedding-magazine-bridal
Latest news
Claire Boon

Issue 07: ‘Flower Power’ is Available to Pre-Order!

Flower Power. Yep, quite simply, that’s what we’ve named this issue. With the cover image being so flipping cool, how could we not theme the whole issue around floral design, highlighting different ways you can style your day no matter the budget. Find out more…

Read More

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Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

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Categories
Styled Shoot

Bright and Bold in the Woods

Styled Shoots

Bright and bold in the woods

colourful-wedding-shoot-woodland-weddings-bright-bold-rustic-venue-bouquet-and-bells

We had been desperate to plan a bright & bold shoot for quite some time; something that wasn’t afraid to stand out and push the style boundaries. So, when the opportunity arose to combine our colourful vision with a rustic woodland venue we jumped at it. Cheshire Woodland Weddings’ romantic outdoor ceremony area together with their rustic wooden barn made the perfect location. We handpicked a close-net selection of quality, local suppliers and my vision was brought to life. 

Photographer Jessica O’Shaughessy captured all elements of the shoot perfectly. Her style of photography fell hand-in-hand for a colourful theme and the images beautifully reflected all elements of the day. Hannah from Hannah Williamson Flowers created a killer flower crown for model Jo, paired with a beautiful bouquet. Model Kieran fashioned two different suits, each provided by Groom. One featured a quirky pocket garden; a really unique concept that we just adore! Coloured smoke bombs added even more ‘WOW’ and really stood out against the woodland backdrop. Dainty jam jars with colourful stems continued the theme of bright and bold down the woodland aisle. Colourful heart-shaped confetti was hand thrown and shot out of cannons supplied by Your Confetti. 

Sam created two different hair looks, each very natural and effortless including accessories by Cassie M Bridal Accessories. Kavita from Magic Mirror Bridal Makeup kept Jo’s makeup very soft and gentle with bronze eyeshadow and a neutral pink lip. The looks was darkened and made more evening appropriate for shots in the barn. Hanni from My Funny Valentine supplied two beautiful bridal gowns. The first was Saffron by Evie Young, an a-line gown with beautiful leaf pattern detail. The second was Lansbury by Pronovias, a strapless mermaid gown with beautiful beading and glitz detail. My personal favourite detail were the angel wings. They attached around Jo’s upper arms and effortlessly blew in the wind which just looked so beautiful in the images, and it’s a fantastic alternative to a traditional veil. 

The styling really came to life in the magical rustic barn. A stunning tables cape featured beautiful blooms, placed in a statement gold vase and various glass jars. Coloured tall candles added an element of height to the table along with an element of romance. Vintage crockery supplied by Sweetpea & Ivy was an elegant and quirky alternative that looked gorgeous against the wooden panelling of the barn and dark wash wooden farmhouse table. Individual luxe white menus with rose gold wax seal detail created by Knock Knock Penny Studio finished the look. 

The cake was a real showstopper. Julie from The Red Rose Cake Company together with Hannah worked together to create an elegant but vibrant design. A stunning white three-tier with cascading bright florals sat on a wooden barrel. A mouth-watering grazing table was provided by Cheeky Chilli Events. A cold meat platter, delicate macarons and a selection of local cheeses were just some of the delicious treats that featured. Trust me when I say the macarons were absolutely delicious!

colourful-wedding-shoot-woodland-weddings-bright-bold-rustic-venue-bouquet-and-bells

Suppliers: 
Organiser and concept: Bouquet & Bells
Photography: Jessica O’Shaughessy Photography
Venue: Cheshire Woodland Weddings
Cake: The Red Rose Cake Co
Dresses: My Funny Valentine
Suits: Groom
Hair Stylist: Samantha Gannon Hair
Makeup: Magic Mirror Bridal Makeup
Accessories: Cassie M Bridal Accessories
Flowers: Hannah Williamson Flowers
Stationery: Knock Knock Penny Studio
Graze Table & Desert Table: Cheeky Chilli Events
Vintage Crockery: Sweetpea & Ivy
Confetti: Your Confetti
Models: Jo & Kieran from A Couple of Models

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The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

Other Articles

with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

Styled Shoot
Claire Boon

Celebrating Love and Creativity: A Styled Wedding Shoot at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

Read More
flower-power-bouquet-and-bells-wedding-magazine-bridal
Latest news
Claire Boon

Issue 07: ‘Flower Power’ is Available to Pre-Order!

Flower Power. Yep, quite simply, that’s what we’ve named this issue. With the cover image being so flipping cool, how could we not theme the whole issue around floral design, highlighting different ways you can style your day no matter the budget. Find out more…

Read More

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Sign up to our mail list and stay up-to-date with the latest news, articles, inspiration and more!
Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

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Bouquet & Bells 2021 © All rights reserved.

Categories
Styled Shoot

Release Your Inner Viking

Styled Shoots

Release Your Inner Viking

styled-shoot-viking-theme-alternative-photoshoots-bouquet-and-bells-magazine-blog-wedding-styling-cake-flowers-photography-videography

An alternative Viking themed wedding shoot located at Trevor Quarry in North Wales.

Coordinated by Bouquet & Bells with the concept by The Red Rose Cake Company and photography by Twigs Branch Photography. 

styled-shoot-viking-theme-alternative-photoshoots-bouquet-and-bells-magazine-blog-wedding-styling-cake-flowers-photography-videography

Bouquet & Bells recently coordinated this organised shoot, and the concept was quite literally dreamt up by Julie from The Red Rose Cake Company. Julie lives near Llangollen and often walks her 4-legged friend among the quarries and hills. She stumbled across this jaw-dropping limestone quarry location and just knew it would be the perfect setting for the Viking theme. 

Bouquet & Bells sourced a close-net team of suppliers and everyone worked extremely hard to bring the theme to life. Props were taken from our own homes including a wooden axe, antique mallet and drinking horn for an authentic look. The overall styling was kept very minimal as we endeavoured to make it appear as if the couple had just eloped together. 


Twigs Branch Photography’s epic creativity and editing style made them perfect photographers for this shoot. The intimacy between Harley & David was captured beautifully and the warm-toned images gave the harsh landscape a softness and elegance. 

Damian created the most breath-taking short film. He used a drone to swoop over the stunning landscape, and had another camera on-foot to capture Harley and David. 

The cake was a striking 4-tier statement with real-leather-look detailing and studs. It was mounted on a rock draped with a reindeer fur throw, finished beautifully with natural foliage and an animal skull. 

Harley wore a full-length v-neck gown in a neutral linen. Her hair was kept very rugged with subtle curls and silver hair beads. David’s hair was placed into a topknot and kept very wild. Both models fashioned black and white tribal face paint with a bold smokey eye and Harley paired it with a rusty red lip. Handpicked jewellery and accessories together with a flower crown added a bit of glam and gave a nod to the more modern-day wedding. David wore a grey tweed suit and a linen shirt to match Harley’s dress. Both finished the look with cool Dr Martens, perfect for climbing the harsh terrain.  

styled-shoot-viking-theme-alternative-photoshoots-bouquet-and-bells-magazine-blog-wedding-styling-cake-flowers-photography-videography

Caroline from Flowers at the Dutch Barn used a mix of warm-toned fresh flowers. The bouquet was kept fairly minimal and tied with a deep red velvet ribbon. 

Uniquely Styled, the sister company of Tipi Unique, provided real fur throws and cushions to add a touch of softness to the scene. 

 

Suppliers: 
Planning: Bouquet & Bells
Concept & Cake: The Red Rose Cake Company
Photography: Twigs Branch Photography
Videography: Damian Kelly Media
Flowers: Flowers at the Dutch Barn
Hair & Makeup: Cassie M Bridal
Jewellery & Accessories: Cassie M Bridal Accessories 
Props: Uniquely Styled
Models: Harley & David (Alternatively Wed)

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The Magazine

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is the ultimate paper guide for stylish & fun loving couples. Each and every issue is full-to-bursting with the latest innovative fresh content & hottest trends.

Other Articles

with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

Styled Shoot
Claire Boon

Celebrating Love and Creativity: A Styled Wedding Shoot at The Deaf Institute, Manchester

In the heart of Manchester, a captivating styled wedding shoot recently took place at an extraordinary venue known as The Deaf Institute. Combining the vibrant energy of the city with a unique setting, this event captured the essence of love and diversity. In this article, we delve into the beauty and creativity that unfolded during this styled wedding shoot, showcasing the magical moments that were brought to life.

Read More
flower-power-bouquet-and-bells-wedding-magazine-bridal
Latest news
Claire Boon

Issue 07: ‘Flower Power’ is Available to Pre-Order!

Flower Power. Yep, quite simply, that’s what we’ve named this issue. With the cover image being so flipping cool, how could we not theme the whole issue around floral design, highlighting different ways you can style your day no matter the budget. Find out more…

Read More

Sign up to our Mailing List

Sign up to our mail list and stay up-to-date with the latest news, articles, inspiration and more!
Plus get 15% off your first order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine when you sign up.

Sign up to our mail list and get 15% off your first
order of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine!

Bouquet & Bells 2021 © All rights reserved.

Categories
Latest news

Bridal Prep: How To Survive the Getting Ready Process (+ FREE schedule template!)

Your wedding day has finally arrived! You’ve probably not slept much the night before, and are conscious that numerous people are going to begin bundling through your front door any moment. So how can you keep calm and focused? How can you actually survive and enjoy the should-be-exciting getting ready process?

I was very lucky to get married in June this year, and I was really looking forward to having all my bridesmaids and closest family members around whilst I got ready, but I knew I had to prepare and I have a lot of tips that can help you survive the getting ready process (and actually enjoy it!).

how-to-survive-bridal-prep-wedding-morning
Source: atravelersheartphoto.com

It’s all in the prep

I’d highly recommend getting as organised as possible in advance to the day. This will avoid rushing around trying to get everything done on the morning of.

Buy some yummy nibbles, a range of drinks (soft and bubbly), make sure all the bathrooms are clean and beds are fresh for a relaxed start. I also arranged designated areas for the hair stylists and makeup artists to set up and prepared it for their arrival.

I also prepared a Spotify playlist, filled with feel good songs to play throughout the morning. You can listen and download it here.

Print off your morning schedule

I created a morning schedule with all the important events of the morning listed. This included things like what time the photographer was due to arrive, what time to leave for the church etc. Basically anything I needed to remember I put into the schedule.

Click here to download and print your own wedding morning schedule.

Remember to sit down & relax

It’s so important to take some time out to chill, have a bite to eat and drink lots of water. The time goes very quickly so it’s good to enjoy the moment.

Get dressed in plenty of time

The bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride should get into their dresses around 45 minutes before leaving, then they can all assist you.

My bridesmaids totally underestimated the amount of time if takes to get into dresses (sorry ladies!). The final half hour turned into a mad rush to get everyone dressed and out the door. The bridal cars were outside eagerly anticipating our departure, but the neighbours kept them chatting!

It’s important to remember that it will take the longest time to get you into your dress (especially if you have buttons running all down the back like I did!) so get your bridesmaids to help as soon as they’re dressed.

I hope you’ve gained some tips and tricks to getting ready on your wedding day. Don’t forget that you can access my library of free planning resources by clicking here.

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Latest news

Top Hidden Wedding Costs Nobody Warns You About

Most Bride’s are unaware of hidden wedding costs. But you’re already very wise to search the net for any potential nasty surprises that will knock a hole in your budget.

With lots of hidden wedding costs sprinkled throughout the planning process, it can cause you to go way above your budget, around 30% in fact. Ouch.

So where are these hidden costs? And how can you avoid them? Listen up, my friend, cos’ I’m about to teach you a whole lot.

Grab a pen and paper to jot down some of my essential tips.

top-hidden-wedding-costs

SET-UP & BREAKDOWN

Are you going to hire a florist? A venue dresser? A cake maker? Each of these will charge various fees to cover transport costs, and the time it takes to set-up and breakdown items.

This can be anything from 20% of a single suppliers total costs. And obviously, the more suppliers you use, the more you can expect to pay in these fees.

ALTERATIONS

Alterations can be costly for the Brides and Bridesmaids dresses. Before you buy, you must ask what the stores alteration policy is.

It’s extremely common for the Bride and Bridesmaids to fluctuate in size, and you don’t want to be forking out potentially double your original budget in alterations.

This can cost anything from £100 per dress.

POSTAGE

It seems most Brides are still opting for the more traditional method of posting the invitations to guests. Which personally I LOVE, however, you must remember that not only are you paying for the invitations to be delivered, but also for stamps and RSVPs.

To keep costs down, avoid bulky or large invitations and use RSVP postcards rather than letters.

VENUE

This is fo’ sure my biggest tip. If you take anything away with you today, let it be this.

Ask your venue what exactly is included in your chosen package.

Table linen? Chairs? Cake table? Lighting? These aspects can be the most costly for a wedding. And do you know why? Because it’s a WEDDING, so venues know they can be sneaky and charge up to triple what they usually would.

Be very careful that you’re not purely paying for hire of the venue.

These costs can add an additional £75 EXTRA per person. Say what?!

CORKAGE

Bringing in your own wine sounds like a good get out of extra fees, right? It can be, but be wary of the corkage charges.

If you bring your own alcohol to avoid the venue’s costs, you may still rack up a similarly priced bill. And you may even be charged glass rental fees.

Corkage fees range from venue to venue, so it’s always worth asking.

PERMITS

While having an outdoor wedding may initially seem cheaper, you may have to get permits to hold your event. Add on rentals (marquee, heater, generator, etc.) can begin to get costly.

Some indoor venues will also require a permit if you choose to use candles or other non-approved details. Inquire about these before signing the contract.

Additional add ons can cost from £500.

WEDDING BREAKFAST

Some venues charge extra for guests to select their own meal from a range of dishes. This can cost an additional £2 per person. However, this is not expected by guests so make life easier for yourselves and just choose some good all rounders.

If there’s no set price for a three course meal, be cheeky and save some buck by opting for the wedding cake as desert instead.

TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES

Did someone say taxes? Yawn. Listen up though, cos’ this is important.

Tax varies from country to country, however you can expect to fork out an extra 20% on food, drink and rental fees.

Make sure that the venue package is inclusive of VAT, or at least be aware of the extra costs you’ll possibly have to pay. Sometimes, you will even be taxed on the service charge, increasing costs more.

Taxes and tips will be around 1/3 of your budgeted amount.

I truly hope you learnt some useful tips. The bottom line is, always read the small print to avoid hidden fees.

TOTAL COSTS: £8,460+


Did you know you can access a range of free, useful documentation including spreadsheets, checklists and guides to help you plan your wedding, the RIGHT way?

Click here to gain access.

And I’m VERY excited to introduce a new planning program for Brides – launching soon! Click here and complete the form to be updated.

Happy planning!

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Latest news

Wedding Flower SOS – How to find the perfect blooms + your free downloadable checklist!

how-to-find-perfect-wedding-flower-checklist

Deciding which flowers you’d like at your wedding will help you to focus your discussions with your florist, and most importantly, stay within budget.

It always amazes me how much of a difference flowers make to the overall look of a wedding. They are an essential factor of the venue dressing, particularly now that most florists supply decorative fixtures and fittings too.

The first step to finding the perfect blooms is to sit down and put together a list of all the floral elements you could ever possibly need for your wedding day, including your favourite flowers. We’ve made things super easy for you by creating a pre-made checklist.

Not only that, but we’ve also attached a completely free downloadable version of the checklist for you to print off and take along to your florist appointment. So get your pencil out and start ticking off which flowers are the most essential for your wedding day.

Stuck for a professional, reliable florist? We’ve got an extensive list of trustworthy contacts that we’ve worked with all over the North West. Get in touch for some guidance

Number of daytime guests:
Number of evening guests:
Colour scheme:
Wedding theme:
Type of preferred flowers:

Bride, Bridesmaids and Flower Girl:
Number of Bridesmaids:
Number of Flower Girls:
□ Bride’s bouquet
□ Bride’s hair flowers
□ Bridesmaids’ bouquets
□ Bridesmaids’ hair flowers
□ Tossing bouquet
□ Flower girl’s basket

Grooms, Groomsmen, Ushers and Ring Bearer:
Number of Groomsmen:
□ Groom’s boutonniere
□ Groomsmen’s boutonnieres
□ Usher’s boutonnieres
□ Ring bearer’s boutonniere

Family Members:
□ Mother of the bride’s corsage
□ Mother of the groom’s corsage
□ Father of the bride’s boutonniere
□ Father of the groom’s boutonniere
□ Grandmother’s corsages
□ Grandfather’s boutonnieres

Ceremony:
□ Entryway or welcome table arrangements
□ Altar/chuppah arrangements
□ Pew or chair arrangements
□ Candles
□ Aisle decorations
□ Confetti for guests

Reception Flowers:
Number of guest tables:
□ Entrance arrangements
□ Bar arrangements
□ Gift table arrangements
□ Table plan arrangement
□ Centerpieces
□ Top table arrangements
□ Bride’s and groom’s chair decorations
□ Guest chair decorations
□ Buffet-table/food-station arrangements
□ Lounge area arrangements
□ Flowers for wedding cake
□ Cake table arrangements
□ Bathroom decorations
□ Getaway car arrangements

Click here to download the checklist for free!

Did you know you can access a range of free, useful documentation including spreadsheets, checklists and guides to help you plan your wedding, the RIGHT way?

Click here to gain access.

Happy planning!

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Latest news

13 Easy Ways to Personalise Your Wedding Day

13-easy-simple-ways-ideas-to-personalise-your-wedding-day

Most couples want their Wedding day to be unique and personalised to them, but how can you do it? These are some simple ideas I’ve gathered together to make your guests “aww” and “ooh” their way throughout your big day.

Like any of the stationery items below? Get in touch and we can create them for you!

Follow us on Pinterest to keep up with our latest bits of inspiration, and to see more personalised ideas.

1. Have the ring bearer make an entrance

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2. Provide the groomsmen with their own cufflinks

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3. Have your new name and date of the wedding printed on your bridal shoes

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4. Create personalised table place names

original_laser-cut-calligraphy-place-names copy5. Include your names and the date on your table plan

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6. Print past photographs of you and your other half during the same year

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7. Include napkin tags on each place

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8. Print photographs of you and your other half for the bathroom doors

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9. Create a hashtag and make guests aware

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10. Provide people with a CD of your favourite love songs as wedding favours

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11. Have your very own cake topper

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12. Sew a label into your wedding dress – also great for your something blue!

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13. Create a fun order of service

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Which are your favourites?

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Latest news

8 Wedding Favours Your Guests Will Actually Use

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One thing you should consider when you buy wedding favours for your guests is if they’ll keep and use them. After all, it’s such a waste of money if your guests are binning the favours as soon as they get home. Here are some of the best wedding favours (I believe) that will make your guests think twice about throwing them away.

1. Personalised Sweetie Jar
Not On The High Street – £3.50 each

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Choose from a range of classic sweets to put inside a small jar complete with lovely personalised tag. Something for your guests to enjoy and they can re-use the jar afterwards.

2. Hangover Relief Kit
Zazzle – £2.05 each

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Your guests will really appreciate these small boxes of healing powers. Personalise them and have them available on tables or waiting for guests in their rooms.

3. Tea in Cork Bottle
Spice Kitchen – £2 each

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A unique stunning wedding tea favour for your guests with a choice of tea carefully packed into a corked bottle. A number of variations are possible with this from the size of the bottle, the type of tea blend, the style of tag and the type of stamp you would like.

4. Macarons
Yumbles – £1.80 each

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These handmade macarons make a yummy wedding favour. Beautifully wrapped in organza bags or small boxes containing 1 or 2 macarons each, you can even personalise your favours with your own personal message and choice of ribbon colour to match your events colour scheme.

5. Candles in Wedding Day Scent
Yankee Candle – £59.99 for 40

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Perfect as Wedding favours, this attractive gift set contains 40 beautifully & individually boxed Votive Candles in the ever-popular ‘Wedding Day’ fragrance. Ideal for your guests as a reminder of your big day.

6.  Lotto Tickets

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Package the lotto tickets up nicely, perhaps in an elegant envelope or paired with a small snack. Giving them on their own may come off tacky because the tickets aren’t very visually appealing.

7. White Heart Soaps
Light in the Box – £2.43 each

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Each heart shaped soap comes in it’s own individual box. Free matching “Thank You” tags are included with each favour.

8. Seeds
Not on the High Street – £1.75 each

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Create a lasting memory with these beautifully illustrated seed packet favours. Choose your seeds and personalise with your own text. Perfect for a vintage country wedding!

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