Tag: Blog

Meet the Supplier: Precious Pets Micro ID

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date November 21, 2019

Introducing our brand new ‘Meet the Supplier’ series. We’re so exited to be interviewing a selection of fantastic wedding specialists. We take pride in recommending the finest in the industry, and hope this series will help you find the perfect suppliers for your day.

We’re thrilled to introduce Precious Pets Micro ID.

What services do you offer?

Exclusive Wedding Pet Chaperone Service

Couples would love to have their dog (fur baby) attend one of their most wonderful and exciting days of their life but struggle with logistics to ensure all of their friends and family members don’t miss out on any part of their wedding day.

This is why our Exclusive Wedding Pet Chaperone Service is so popular. We plan, co-ordinate and take away all the stress for the happy couple so their dog can be a big part of their wedding day!

Whether they would like their fur baby to be their ring bearer, best man, bridesmaid or just attend for an hour for the wedding photographs, we are here to make all of their wedding dreams a reality.

We do not offer set packages as every wedding and their pet care needs are different. We create a tailor made package to meet the couple’s requirements so that they have complete peace of mind on their special day.

Wedding Day Pet Sitting

A great alternative to our Chaperone Service …

Not every dog is suitable to attend the wedding due to venues restrictions, their temperament or well being.

We have also found that friends or family members struggle with pet care whilst attending the wedding. Some guests have to travel a long distance and want to bring their dog along but again, struggle with pet care options, as they don’t want to miss out on any part of the wedding day.

What makes you different?

Dog arriving in style to the wedding!

We are popular with couples due to the quirky additions which make our Exclusive Wedding Pet Chaperone Service unique!

Couples love the concept of their dog arriving in style in their own wedding car/vehicle. They can choose either a Mini Cooper or a Brand New Professional Converted Dog Van.

What is even more special is that the car/van is decorated with our specially patented designed wedding car ribbons and bows!

Dog Ring Bearer mechanism!

We have created a simple but proven mechanism whereby their dog delivers the rings down the aisle in a safe, secure and fun manner.

How did it all start?

Precious Pets Micro ID is a husband and wife team established Pet Care Service.

In 2018, we decided it was the right time for Adrian to change career direction and pursue his lifelong dream of working with dogs and to train as a self-employed Professional Dog Grooming Stylist.

After three months of commuting to Manchester, Adrian became a fully qualified Dog Grooming Stylist. To subsidise his grooming services and income we decided to set up a number of additional pet care services which included dog walking, puppy visits, cat care at home and mobile micro chipping.

2017/2018 was a very popular time for our friends and family getting married and who all owned dogs. Kennels was definitely not an option for their dogs on their wedding day, so rather than a gift, they asked us to care for and chaperone their dogs at the wedding, which, of course, we did!

One evening, whilst putting our business strategy together, we decided to put together a Wedding Pet Chaperone Service and commence a large-scale market research campaign with pet owners and brides/grooms by attending wedding shows and venue showcases and the creation of social media polls.

The feedback we received was unbelievable and extremely positive. It became very apparent to us that there was a large gap in the market for our Exclusive Wedding Pet Service in the wedding industry, within our local areas and the UK.

It was also very clear that kennels were not an option for many couples (as we had discovered with our friends and family), as the dog was considered to be a precious and important member of their family. They wanted them to be part of their wedding day but everyone who would normally care for their dog would be pre-occupied either getting ready for the big day or actually attending the wedding.

So we launched our Exclusive Wedding Pet Chaperone Service (Dogs at Weddings) and the rest is history. We have been overwhelmed by all the bookings, couples’ testimonials and wedding venue collaborations.

Biggest achievements

The Wedding Industry Awards 2020 – Regional Finalists (West Midlands) – Special Touch Category

Featured in Staffordshire Living Magazine

A main feature in the October 2019 edition of the Cheshire Life magazine

Appeared on BBC Radio Stoke

We have exclusivity at a variety of large high profile wedding shows in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire.

We have become official Suppliers for a variety of top wedding venues in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire.

Why should couples choose you?

Caring for your pets is more than just a business to us, it’s our passion.

As a family run business, our ethos is to look after your pets as if they were our own, whilst delivering a professional pet care service which is tailored to your specific pet care needs on a daily basis or as part of your special wedding day.

Words of wisdom

If you are considering having your dog at your wedding, check out these Dog Friendly Wedding Top Tips

Important Considerations:

If you wish to include your fur baby, ensure that you book a dog friendly wedding venue or one with an outside area for photographs
Ensure that all guests will be aware that a dog is attending the wedding, in case of allergies. A lovely idea is to send out a ‘save the date’ card featuring a photo of your dog
You may wish your dog to simply be a guest of honour at your wedding but if you would like them to play a specific role in the ceremony, think carefully about how this will work. Popular choices are a dog ring bearer or a dog flower girl but ensure that your pet has the right temperament to cope with all the attention
Rehearse as much as you can with your dog before the big day and leave ample time to practice during the actual rehearsal
If you are considering a special dog wedding collar or accessory, make sure that it is safe and comfortable for your dog. Certain flowers or foliage can be poisonous to dogs so it is vital to check
Let your wedding photographer know that you are planning on bringing your dog to your wedding. This will ensure that they are ready to capture your adorable pet in action and come up with some great fun ideas for wedding photos
At busy times our wedding pet chaperoning service is very much in demand. To avoid disappointment we would advise getting in touch as soon as possible. We would love to chat to you about your exciting plans and how we can help you have a real furrytail wedding!

Photo credit: Naomi, Seth and Buddy Photos, Neil Redfearn Photography

Contact them

preciouspetsmicroid@gmail.com / 07768 917150

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PPMICROID
Instagram: www.instagram.com/preciouspetsmicroid/

Tags Blog, wedding, wedding blog, wedding blogger, wedding planner, wedding planning

Business Guidance

The Impact of Social Media at a Wedding Fayre – A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 3)

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date August 12, 2019
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Business Guidance

The Impact of Social Media at a Wedding Fayre – A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 3)

So, you’ve signed up to exhibit at a wedding fayre… now what? We are often asked by suppliers how they can make the most of their experience at a wedding show, so we felt inspired to create a series of blog posts containing our top tips to help inspire you and give you the best possible chances of succeeding. We’ll help you ensure every box is ticked to give you the best possible chance of securing those all important bookings.

This third and final post in the series focuses on the impact of social media at a Wedding Fayre and how you can use it to your benefit.

Use your followers

Every business has a following, and we encourage exhibitors to use this to their benefit. Our wedding shows host anywhere between 25 – 100 exhibitors, and with so many wedding specialists coming together the online reach can be extraordinary. It’s important that your followers are informed where they can next find you, and giving them an opportunity to meet you and chat to you face-to-face may just encourage a booking!

Marketing plan

We send a comprehensive marketing plan as part of our Exhibitor Manual to all exhibitors that attend our shows. This is made up of lots of ways they can help spread the word about the wedding show.

It’s essential that we work with exhibitors to help boost visitor numbers. While we have a great following with lots of excited couples and a fantastic list of pre-registered couples for each show, working together can result in even more people visiting the shows which gives suppliers a better chance of securing those all important bookings.

Continue social media at the show

Your social media presence at a wedding fayre is so important. Why not take a photograph of you at your stall and let your followers know you’ve arrived. We’d always recommend using the official hashtag (provided in the marketing plan) and tagging us in all of your posts so we can share to our following.

Wedding shows are also a fantastic way to network with other wedding specialists. Why not have a wonder around before show opening and exchange social media handles with fellow exhibitors.

We love helping to make connections. We always publish a list of exhibitors to our social media platforms and website prior to a Wedding Fayre, making it super easy for suppliers to connect in advance.

I hope that’s helped you understand the impact of social media at a wedding show.

Read Part 1: How To Prepare for a Wedding Fayre

Read Part 3: The Impact of Social Media at a Wedding Fayre and How To Use it to Your Benefit!

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

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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.

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with CLAIRE BOON and SARAH MACKLIN of Bouquet & Bells

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Tags Blog, day, how to, planning, social media, succeed, tips, tricks, wedding, wedding blogger, wedding day, wedding fair, wedding fayres, wedding magazine, wedding planning, wedding show, weddings

Business Guidance

The Dos and Don’ts of Exhibiting at a Wedding Fayre – A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 2)

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date March 26, 2019
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Business Guidance

The Dos and Don'ts of Exhibiting at a Wedding Fayre - A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 2)

This second post in the series is focused on the crucial dos and don’ts of exhibiting at a Wedding Fayre.

Do remain standing for the duration of the event if you can

You’ll appear much more welcoming and approachable to couples if you are standing. Additionally if space allows, try to stand to the side or in front of your stall.

Do have an incentive such as sweet treats on your stall

Having an incentive in viewing distance of the visitor like a sweet treat, or special offer will encourage brides to take advantage of this and engage in conversation.

Do collect couples details

Collecting couples details is very important because it will enable you to contact them after the show. It’s often the case that wedding shows are very busy with continuous fresh faces passing your stall. If you engage in a long conversation with a particular bride, it’s likely that you’ll miss potential customers that pass by. Therefore, it’s best to speak to brides but encourage them to write down their details so you can chat to them further after the fayre.

If you don’t quite manage to capture as many details as you would have liked, we always have all the bridal data available to purchase following a show.

Do make your services clear

It should be super clear who you are and what you can do. First impressions are everything. You don’t want to mislead brides or leave them confused as this could detract from potential business.

Do make sure all banners and promotional material are in good condition

I’ve seen multiple suppliers feature tatty banners on their stand that look like they’ve been around for about 10 years. It’s so important not just to keep banners fresh, but to update the artwork and wording to keep everything current.

Do have someone else helping you on the day

There’s a very high chance that you’ll spend the majority of your time speaking to multiple couples, and there may be times where you’re in such high demand with a line of people wishing to speak to you about your services. Try to bring a helping hand with you on the day. Preferably someone that knows a little about your business and can therefore pass the right information on to brides.

Do social media

Being active on social media is not just to help promote the fayre, but it’s to promote yourselves. We’re always hot on social media at our events, so it’s likely that anything you post will be shared on our platforms, allowing our brides and suppliers to connect with you.

There are lots of ways to become involved on social media. Live videos are a fantastic way of giving your followers a taste of the wedding fayre.

Don’t accept the standard furniture included with your space

I know this may seem odd as we offer a 6ft trestle table, plain white table cloth and chairs as standard across our shows, but not using this and creating your own unique set up sets you aside from the average stall and will make you stand out. Even switching the table cloth to one of your own can help. Around 90 – 95% of suppliers use the standard set up, so don’t be scared to be different. It can really pay off!

Don’t leave the show early or start breaking down before closing

Not only does leaving early look unprofessional, but you may miss potential business. It isn’t unusual for us to get a number of brides entering the show just before closing, and they may just be the ones that make a booking.

Don’t eat at your stall

I feel like this one is a little obvious, but we do see a lot of exhibitors sitting down and eating their lunch at their stall. This can be incredibly distracting for visitors and detract them from approaching you. This is another reason why you should have someone else attend the fayre with you on the day. It’s important that you take a well deserved break at a show.

Don’t forget to network

I met a lot of my contacts by attending wedding shows in my spare time, and it’s always lovely to chat to fellow suppliers. Why not head over to some stalls and follow them on social media – It’s likely they’ll return the favour.

We like to upload photographs of exhibitor stalls on our Instagram story during the show, and we always like to tag the supplier so make sure you’re on Instagram and return the favour by sharing the story to yours, and follow the tagged suppliers. This just makes connecting suppliers super easy.

I hope that’s helped you understand the crucial dos and don’ts of exhibiting at a Wedding Fayre.

Read Part 1: How To Prepare for a Wedding Fayre

Read Part 3: The Impact of Social Media at a Wedding Fayre and How To Use it to Your Benefit!

Photo credit: Viola Jay Photography

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

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Tags Blog, day, how to, planning, succeed, tips, tricks, wedding, wedding blogger, wedding day, wedding fair, wedding fayres, wedding magazine, wedding planning, wedding show, weddings

Business Guidance

How To Prepare for a Wedding Fayre: A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 1)

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date March 3, 2019
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Business Guidance

How to Prepare for a Wedding Fayre: A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 1)

This first post in the series is all about preparing for a wedding fayre.

Your Brand

Branding is super important because not only is it what makes a memorable impression and distinguishes you from others, but it allows your customers and clients to know what to expect from your company.

Your logo is the most important element of your branding because it is the face of the company, so it should be memorable and used across your promotional material.

Colours and themes should also remain consistent throughout.

We would strongly advise having the following literature & promotional material featured at a wedding fayre:

• A large promotional banner – this may be a roller banner style, or why not get creative and make your own frame to hang your promotional material

• Business Cards

• Flyers / leaflets – this should contain more details on your business and what you’re able to offer couples

We’ve previously seen exhibitors offer a sweet treat or incentive attached to their business card. This is a very good idea as it helps couples remember you, and you’ll stand out for all the best reasons.

It’s also a good idea to have a treat available for children as they’re often brought to wedding fayres, and this is always massively appreciated by the parents because it keeps them quiet!

All items you hand out should include your contact details and website to make it easy for couples to get in touch following the event.

Your Stall

When you are exhibiting alongside top industry professionals and your competitors, you must at all times strive to outshine them. After all, visitors will be bombarded with information and will see so many new faces so help them to remember you.

Your exhibition space should be eye catching and completely irresistible for couples to approach. Why not include something wacky like a dog stuffed toy in a wedding dress? That way when it comes to emailing the couples you met you can start with “I was the exhibitor with the dressed up dog on my stall!” It will make them smile.

It’s essential that visitors recognise the kind of services you offer as soon as they see your stall. Your key message should strike a chord with your audience. It should summarise what you are offering and why your consumer needs it. There are often 30+ different exhibitors at a single wedding fayre, so it’s very easy for brides to get distracted by the variety. Don’t leave them confused about what you do because they’ll give up guessing very quickly.

We highly recommend setting up a mock stall at home. Being prepared in advance to the show means you’ll have time to play around with your space at home, and you’ll have a list of exactly everything you need to bring on the day, avoiding bringing any unnecessary items or forgetting anything!

Goody Bags

Goody bags are something we know couples love which is why we like to have them available across our wedding fayres. These goody bags are filled with special offers and discounts from exhibitors, as well as other treats.

We don’t charge a fee to advertise in our goody bags if a supplier is exhibiting at the show, so take the opportunity! By featuring your literature in the goody bags brides are guaranteed to walk away with your details (and a great special offer they can’t resist).

A lot of couples don’t tend to begin the process of sifting through exhibitor literature until they get home, so another benefit of promoting in goody bags is they’ll come across your details when they’re at their most proactive.

Setting an Incentive

One of the top reasons why couples like to visit wedding shows is to make the most of the exhibitor special offers and discounts.

Having an incentive can hugely increase chances of bookings, so it’s important you think carefully about what you could offer. If you don’t want to discount the price of your service or package then you could throw in a freebie instead. Either way this acts as a great incentive and will encourage visitors to engage in conversation.

An offer that’s usually quite effective is a freebie for members of the brides / grooms parties, for example, a florist may offer five free gentlemen’s buttonholes when they book.

We’d recommend extending your special offer for up to a week after the wedding fayre because some couples prefer to book after the event once they’ve had a chance to look at your services in more detail.

I hope you’ve gained some useful tips and tricks on how to prepare for a Wedding Fayre. To view our line up of shows, please click here. We’re always looking to connect with more suppliers so please get in touch.

Read Part 2: The Dos and Don’ts of Exhibiting at a Wedding Fayre

Read Part 3: The Impact of Social Media at a Wedding Fayre and How To Use it to Your Benefit

Photo credit: Chelsey Leigh Photography

THE FACE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

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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.

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Tags Blog, day, how to, planning, succeed, tips, tricks, wedding, wedding blogger, wedding day, wedding fair, wedding fayres, wedding magazine, wedding planning, wedding show, weddings

Latest news

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

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date August 13, 2018

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!).

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.

Tags Blog, bride, budget, day, groom, help, how to, ideas, inspiration, pinterest, planning, service, wedding, weddings

Latest news

6 Things Brides Wish They’d Done Differently on Their Wedding Day

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date May 9, 2017
No Comments on 6 Things Brides Wish They’d Done Differently on Their Wedding Day

Planning your wedding can be a tough journey – to say the least. Brides often rely on the likes of Pinterest and Bridal magazines to gain inspiration on the current trends and themes, and Bridal Forums can be a planning saviour.

Your wedding day is quite possibly one of the most important and memorable days of your life. This comes with an immense amount of pressure for everything to be perfect.

But what would REAL Brides have done differently if they could plan their wedding again?

We asked a selection of past Brides this exact question and put their responses in a blog post for you to relish.

Had a photograph with their nearest and dearest

The day is often such an overwhelming blur that it’s easy to forget to be photographed with the people you love the most. Discuss your requirements with the photographer prior to the wedding and they’ll give you a little nudge on the day to prompt the important shots.

Having a photobooth or disposal cameras on tables make it easy for guests to grab shots together.

Had a wedding video

This is the number one biggest Bridal regret. Having decent photographs is one thing, but a wedding video truly captures the day.

Those that organised a professional to shoot the whole day on film were really glad they had spent the extra money.

Lived in the moment

A lot of Brides become so overwhelmed on their wedding day that they forget to take a step back, breathe and just look at what they’ve created.

It’s your day, so don’t end up annoyed that you didn’t enjoy every minute of it because you were running around making sure everyone is happy.

Hired a Wedding Planner

We couldn’t count the amount of times we’ve heard “I wish I’d had a Wedding Planner”.

Sooo many brides only realise how stressful planning their wedding would be after their big day, and they desperately wish they’d reached out for some help and guidance before it all got too much.

We can be on site for your entire day to ensure everything runs smoothly, as well as helping with your styling and decor.

Taken a spare pair of comfortable shoes

What ruins a night? Sore feet!

Don’t forget that you’ll be wearing your wedding shoes since mid morning. Your feet are bound to throb as the day progresses. Have your Maid of Honour look after some comfy flats for you.

Letting the stress take over

The day will go extremely quickly, so it’s important to make the most of it and truly enjoy every moment.

I think it’s better to accept that there will be minor hiccups on the day. Then you can at least prepare yourself for this.

Tags Blog, brides, day, differently, footwear, groom, how to, photography, plan, planner, planning, post, shoes, stress, things, videography, wedding, wish

Latest news

Top Hidden Wedding Costs Nobody Warns You About

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date December 9, 2016

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.

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!

Tags advice, alterations, avoid, Blog, budget, costs, couple, day, drink, engagement, food, hidden, how to, ideas, inspiration, lifestyle, money, organise, plan, planning, postable, service, services, tips, top, tricks, venue, wedding, weddings

Latest news

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

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date September 5, 2016
No Comments on Wedding Flower SOS – How to find the perfect blooms + your free downloadable 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!

Tags Blog, budget, checklist, couple, day, essential, favourite, florist, flowers, how to, inspiration, love, money, organise, pinterest, plan, planning, season, uk, wedding, wedding-flowers, weddings

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8 Wedding Favours Your Guests Will Actually Use

Post author By Claire Boon
Post date February 16, 2016
No Comments on 8 Wedding Favours Your Guests Will Actually Use

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Tags Blog, budget, day, favors, favours, featured, guests, how to, idea, ideas, inspiration, lasting, memory, money, personalised, planner, planning, reuse, reuseable, romantic, unique, wedding, write

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The Impact of Social Media at a Wedding Fayre – A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 3)

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Continue social media at the show

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The Dos and Don'ts of Exhibiting at a Wedding Fayre - A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 2)

Do remain standing for the duration of the event if you can

Do have an incentive such as sweet treats on your stall

Do collect couples details

Do make your services clear

Do make sure all banners and promotional material are in good condition

Do have someone else helping you on the day

Do social media

Don’t accept the standard furniture included with your space

Don’t leave the show early or start breaking down before closing

Don’t eat at your stall

Don’t forget to network

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How to Prepare for a Wedding Fayre: A Guide for Exhibitors (Part 1)

Your Brand

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Goody Bags

Setting an Incentive

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It’s all in the prep

Print off your morning schedule

Remember to sit down & relax

Get dressed in plenty of time

Had a photograph with their nearest and dearest

Had a wedding video

Lived in the moment

Hired a Wedding Planner

Taken a spare pair of comfortable shoes

Letting the stress take over

SET-UP & BREAKDOWN

ALTERATIONS

POSTAGE

VENUE

CORKAGE

PERMITS

WEDDING BREAKFAST

TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES

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.

Happy planning!

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!

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

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

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