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30+ money saving tips for your wedding

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30+ money saving tips for your wedding

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Bouquet & Bells have worked with lots of couples that want nothing more than to have the wedding day of their dreams without completely emptying their bank accounts. Overtime, we have learnt clever little ways to save money and we’re going to share our top 30 with you. Not only will this help you to avoid costly mistakes but it could also spark new ideas. 

First things first, what actually IS your budget? Try to get an exact figure and write it down. 

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Image by Jez Timms

Venue 

Think before you start researching venues. 

What kind of wedding do you want? With how many guests? Only once you know the answers to these questions should you start researching possible venues. 

Create a venue comparison chart. 

Track exactly what’s included in each quoted venue package by creating a simple chart. Some venues cover everything you’ll ever need (cake table, table linen, etc), whereas others charge just for the hire of the venue. You’ll be surprised how quickly all the little extras can add up. 

Have the ceremony at your reception venue if you can. 

Church weddings are becoming increasingly expensive, at an average of £800 for a forty-minute ceremony. Book one location for both your ceremony and reception to save on multiple site fees. Plus, you’ll save on transportation costs between each venue.

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Image by Sarah Brookes Photography

Guest List 

Invite more guests to the evening reception. 

The average venue charges £60 per head for the wedding breakfast, (and that’s without any drinks packages added on), whereas the evening food is only around £10 a head. So, only invite who you really want to the daytime reception. 

30-money-saving-tips-for-your-wedding-planning-how-to-save-budget-tips-set
Image by Wedding Dreamz

Food and drink 

Cut bubbly out. 

With an average of £5 per glass, let guests toast with whatever they’re already drinking. 

Cater for around half your guests for the evening meal. 

Most of your daytime guests will be stuffed from the wedding breakfast, particularly if you don’t eat until mid-afternoon. Lots of the evening food is often wasted so only cater for around half the numbers. 

Make your own wedding favours. 

You can pay anything from around £3 per person for your wedding favours. Why not get creative and make your own? We always think a little bit of DIY is fun anyway! How about baking some stylish cake pops? Or yummy chocolate brownies? If you’re not feeling very creative you could buy £1 scratch cards for your guests, something that always proves a bit of fun! 

Don’t fork out for a costly evening meal. 

Chances are, your guests will be very merry by mid-evening and will just want some carbohydrates. Bacon baps, fish and chips and hog roasts are extremely popular as cheaper alternatives to a costly meal. 

Cake tips

  • Choose buttercream or cream cheese instead of fondant. 
  • If you would like to incorporate fruits, go seasonal. 
  • Restrict how many different flavours you have. 
  • Keep the design simple. 
  • Double up. Julie from The Red Rose Cake Co says, “double up on your cake size so it does its wedding cake duty but also provides dessert for your guests”.

30-money-saving-tips-for-your-wedding-planning-how-to-save-budget-tips-set
Image by Melissa Walker Horn

Stationery 

Go paperless. 

More and more couples are opting for paperless invitations. Some websites now even allow you to design and send your personalised invitations without a single stamp in sight. Some couples are even creating personal websites to track RSVPs and store handy information for guests to read. 

Print your own. 

Get savvy with Photoshop or hop over to a website like Vistaprint with ready-made templates and create your own invitations. Yes, it may take a little extra time but printing costs are very reasonable. 

Save on the finishing touches. 

Believe it or not, classic white or cream-coloured invitations with black ink are the most cost-effective ones you can buy. Choose the details carefully by opting for cotton paper, rather than jacquard or linen – it’s a lot less expensive but looks just as luxe. Thermography is a printing process that uses heat to create a raised-letter look, and it looks exactly like engraving and is half the price. 

One between two.

Print one ceremony programme per couple rather than one per guest. 

30-money-saving-tips-for-your-wedding-planning-how-to-save-budget-tips-set
Image by Photos by Lanty

Photography

Cut down on the time your photographer stays at the reception. 

Schedule main events like the toasts, cutting of the cake and your first dance soon after the wedding breakfast so these moments are captured but your photographer can then leave shortly after. 

Did you know?

The number one biggest wedding regret is not having a professional video of the wedding day.

30-money-saving-tips-for-your-wedding-planning-how-to-save-budget-tips-set
Image by Devon Divine

Flowers

Go green. 

Foliage costs a fraction of what you’d pay for in flowers. It’s very much on trend at the moment too. 

Keep it simple.

Most of the florist’s fee goes towards the cost of labour, so the more elaborate your arrangements, the more expensive they will be. 

Use candles. 

Use candles in place of real flowers. They also act as great gap fillers whilst looking elegant and romantic. 

Pro tip:

If the flowers you love aren’t in season for your wedding, avoid hefty costs by adding silk versions to your bouquet and centrepieces instead. 

30-money-saving-tips-for-your-wedding-planning-how-to-save-budget-tips-set
Image by Jacalyn Beales

Entertainment

Hire a band with fewer members.

When you pay for a six-piece band, you’re essentially paying to cover everyone’s individual costs. Opt for a three or four-piece instead. Your guests won’t notice a difference. 

Book locally. 

Travel costs make up a big part of wedding entertainers’ fees, as the further they travel, the more time it will take and the more money it will cost. By booking locally, you can keep fuel costs low, giving you more money to spend on the actual entertainment you want. If you’ve already decided to hire a smaller band or group of entertainers, you’ll only have to factor in the costs for one car rather than several cars or a petrol guzzling van. 

Cater for everyone. 

Opting for entertainment that can double up to both the adults and children will save you money. 

Avoid peak times. 

In-keeping with the rest of your wedding organisation, timing is extremely important. Avoiding peak times such as a Saturday in summer, will save you money on not only your venue, but also with your entertainment and every other aspect of your day. 

30-money-saving-tips-for-your-wedding-planning-how-to-save-budget-tips-set
Image by Marisa Morton

Wedding shows

Visit a few local Wedding Shows. 

As an organiser of Wedding Shows, we can tell you that most suppliers exhibiting at the events offer some sort of on-the-day exclusive discount, special offer or incentive to couples that attend. It’s well worth visiting a few local shows, especially since many are free entry. Why not make a day of it, enter some competitions and gather up literature of local suppliers. 

Chat to numerous suppliers. 

Wedding Shows provide the perfect opportunity to chat with lots of suppliers and help you get a feel for what they offer. We’d particularly recommend visiting them during the early stages of planning as they help spark lots of ideas and will guide you to find the perfect supplier for your day that fits your style. 

30-money-saving-tips-for-your-wedding-planning-how-to-save-budget-tips-set
Image by Lucas Mendes

Extras

Be smart with your budget. 

If budgets are tight, I would always advise spending a little less on elements such as wedding cars or favours, but to get the reception looking right because that’s where you and your guests will be spending most of your time. 

Get organised. 

Create a master document with supplier names, contact numbers and other important details. Not only will you feel in complete control during the planning stages but this will also help avoid any costly mistakes! We have a selection of free planning documents, spreadsheets and planners ready to download on bouquetandbells.com. 

Tap into a friend’s talents. 

One way to avoid the price-trebling effects of getting married is to use the talents of your friends and family. Do you know a keen baker who could make the cake? Or a talented photographer or videographer? Do you have a family member with a large garden that they would let you use for the reception? 

Save on your dress at a trunk show. 

A trunk show is often a special event held at bridal boutiques. A chosen designer will send gowns from their newest collections available for a short time only. Some designers are exclusive to other countries, so if you’ve got your heart on a specific designer it may be worth visiting a few trunk shows to save on important fees and nab a bargain. Shopping during a designer trunk show means you could pay anywhere from £15o to £500 less on your gown. There are also plenty of lovely second-hand shops, such as the Bridal Reloved chain. 

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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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Read More

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Introducing our Magazine Subscription Service

Inspiration

Introducing our Magazine Subscription Service

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You asked us if it’s possible to subscribe to the magazine to automatically receive future issues. Well, we made it possible! We are thrilled to introduce our brand new subscription service. Subscribe and receive every new issue straight to to your doorstep!

Just £4.99 every six months giving you a saving you £1 per issue. All payments are processed with PayPal with free, easy cancellation at any time.

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

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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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Latest news

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine Issue 04: Pre-Order Now

Inspiration

Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine Issue 04: Pre-Order Now!

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Photography: Twigs Branch Photography | Organiser: Bouquet & Bells | Videography: Damian Kelly Media | Concept & Cake: The Red Rose Cake Company | Flowers: Flowers at the Dutch Barn | Hair, Makeup & Accessories: Cassie M Bridal | Furs & Throws: Uniquely Styled | Models: Alternatively Wed

Issue 04 of Bouquet & Bells / The Magazine is now available for PRE-ORDER!

First of all, we sincerely hope your wedding plans are back on track. It’s so lovely to see weddings beginning to happen again, and we are excited to continue to inspire you through our magazine. 

This bumper issue celebrates weddings getting back on track. You won’t find anything but positivity and hopefulness here! With features including a mixture of lavish and upmarket dos along with the more alternative and intimate celebration, this issue is full-to-bursting with the best inspiration for your day. Plus, we’ve gathered together 50+ unique ideas that will make your day stand out and be remembered for all the right reasons.

We also spoke with real couples that have kindly shared their personal stories on how their wedding was affected by COVID-19 including Jessica & Jonathan’s viral wedding. We hope this gives you a sense of not feeling like you’re alone, and no matter what, love always wins.

To tie everything together, we help solve the most common wedding problems submitted by real couples.

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bouquet-and-bells-magazine-issue-04-autumn-winter-2021

All our issues include a full supplier directory filled with the businesses we have worked with and trust. There’s a huge selection including bridal wear, florists, entertainment and everything in between. 

This bumper issue also includes articles from some of the best in the industry, sharing their top planning tips to help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

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bouquet-and-bells-magazine-issue-04-autumn-winter-2021

Once again, we have YOU to thank for the cover image of this issue. We shared a poll on Instagram (@bouquetandbells) and asked you to pick your fave image from a selection of options and this was the clear winner – we think it’s a bloody marvellous choice! We have the incredible Twigs Branch Photography to thank for capturing the striking image of Harley & David at a Viking shoot we coordinated earlier in the year. See the full feature inside this issue. 

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bouquet-and-bells-magazine-issue-04-autumn-winter-2021

Full sized A4 magazine. Pre-orders close on Friday 3rd September 2021. New issues released every spring and autumn. Created by Bouquet & Bells.

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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.

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Business Guidance

Top Tips for Creating a Beautiful Instagram Page for Businesses

Business Guidance 

Top Tips for Creating a Beautiful Instagram Page for Businesses

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Social media can be mind-boggling. Everything moves so quickly and platforms are constantly changing, meaning we have to keep adapting. However, something that rarely changes is your Instagram page.

Your Instagram page is the perfect window into your business, so it’s important it’s striking but also inviting. Whether you are a wedding photographer, makeup artist or something else, you use Instagram to feature your best work and build up a great following.

Your page offers a window into your world and it’s something you should be really proud of.

But more often that not, we see business grids that are messy, unorganised and just a bit unsatisfying. Your page needs to make people feel like they don’t want to miss your next post.

Now, I’m no expert, but I’ve recently been spending much more time working at Instagram to try and increase engagement and following. I’ve worked hard to improve my overall appearance and have formulated some of top tips that I’m about to share to help you create a beautiful Instagram page.

Free images

The first step to making your Instagram pretty is to post some high quality images. I often go to Unsplash if I’m feeling a little stuck for content. Unsplash has a fantastic catalogue of high quality, free images. It’s really easy to search for what you’re looking for, then just hit ‘download’ for instant access. Do make sure to credit the photographer though – after all, they’ve been so kind to give you their image for free!

There are plenty of other stock image services available too.

Colour palette

Every business should have a set colour scheme. This may be colours picked from your logo, or simply a selection of colours that you love. I’d recommend having a few tones that all compliment each other. We love everything PINK so we use a range of baby pinks, fuchsia’s and neutrals.

top-tips-for-creating-a-beautiful-instagram-page
Image template

We love creating templates that we basically recycle constantly. It helps to keep style consistent and will help your brand become instantly recognisable.

It doesn’t have to be anything complex or something only a graphic designer would be able to create, as long as the colour and font remains the same that’s all that really matters.

Canva is a fantastic app for templates. Take a look what you can find and begin customising!

Get creative

Play around with placement of images on your grid. I like to think of my Instagram page like a website – it should be attractive and organised. When visitors land on your page it should fill them with inspiration.

Create some templates and organise them in a fun way. For example, we hosted a series of Virtual Wedding Fayres so we simply created graphics with the initials ‘VWF’ and posted a sequence of posts to lay them out in different ways.

Profile picture

Make sure your profile picture is an image that suits being cropped into a circle. I’ve seen so many profile pictures with people’s heads chopped off, or logos with text half missing.

Also ensure it’s fairly high res so it’s super clear and easy to read if it includes any text.

I’d strongly recommend featuring your logo rather than an image of yourself, as this instantly distinguishes that you’re a business page and not a personal profile.

Bio

It needs to be super clear who you are and what you do so as soon as someone lands on your profile they’re not left asking any questions. Make sure you’ve got a precise and to-the-point tag line visible at the top of your bio.

I’d also recommend stating where you’re based so others in the industry and your clientele instantly know if they would like to make a connection. For example Chester, Cheshire.

Set a category to state your business type. Simply go to ‘Edit Profile’ then ‘Category’ and search for something appropriate.

Highlights

Highlights are a fantastic way or organising your stories into categories. It can be tricky to know what categories to create, so start by thinking about the most common things you post. You can publish any of your previous story posts into your highlights, so have a flick through your roll and begin posting.

Think about your colour palette when creating the cover for your highlight too. If you want to get really professional, you can create your own icons – but bear in mind that you need to publish these on your stories first to use them as your highlight cover.

top-tips-for-creating-a-beautiful-instagram-page
Giant grid posts

One of the most common questions I get asked is how I create those giant images that take up multiple grids. It’s so easy! I use a free app called ‘Grid Post‘.

You simply upload the image to the app and decide how many grids you want to split it up between. I usually go for all 9 (a square post), but sometimes just 3 or 6 is a nice way of breaking up your feed.

top-tips-for-creating-a-beautiful-instagram-page

That completes my run down of top tips for creating a beautiful Instagram page.

I hope it helps inspire you!

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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.

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Styled Shoot

A Beautiful Boho Chic Shoot at Worcester Glamping

Photography: Tanya Flannagan Photography

Tanya coordinated a boho chic styled shoot in the beautiful setting of Worcester Glamping. Keeping in theme with pretty pinks, gold candles and organic dyed fabrics – any boho bride would love this whimsical combination!  

“As being “boho bride” is on trend right now, and with the ever growing market of ‘chilled’ and ‘relaxed’ weddings – I wanted to create an idea that you can keep the both classy and elegant look, but with a slight twist in the idea.”

Fun pops of colour, rustic and pretty stationery and a gorgeous bespoke denim jacket provided an unique twist on this shoot that any fun loving girl would totally love.

“We had lovely Perspex signage outside, and organic and vegan dyed cloths for the top table decoration – making the details really stand out against the floristry and centrepieces. Not to mention the amazing bouquets and hoops –  which are slightly different to the usual bouquets for the bridesmaids, giving it a nice little quirky variation to the bride!”

Subtle and elegant bridal makeup complimented the theme beautifully. It was timeless and pretty. Stunning accessories added a touch of elegance.

We personally love the food element of this shoot. Luxury tasters including a mixture of canapés, cookies and fruit platters are a treat for the eyes.

“The food was super exciting. It gives an idea that you can add lots of little touches! Of course, the cake was a talking point on the day!”

“I had so much fun on this shoot and had a blast creating a fun, party kind of vibe – but also super sweet. I thought all of this would go well with my light and airy wedding editing, to make it pretty and romantic too.”

Suppliers involved:
Photographer & Organiser: Tanya Flannagan Photography, Venue: Worcester Glamping, Dresses: Gatehouse Brides, Accessories: Julieann Bird, Hair: Bella Amoré Hair, Makeup: Helena Shakespeare, Suits: Bill Child Formal Wear, Cake: The Green Bean Cake Co, Flowers: Hannah Lauren Floristry, Stationery: Made By Rae Designs, Catering: Sticky Fig Catering, Stylist & Props: Wild Meadow Weddings, Sashes & LOVE Letters: Love & Magic Wedding and Events Services, Tables & Chairs: The Marquee Company Worcestershire, Bespoke Denim Jacket: Sammy Lea’s Retro Emporium, Personalised Candles: Kiss-Air Candles, Signage: More Than Words Studio, Cookies: The Cookie Mumster

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Home

How To Maximise Your Chances of Succeeding at a Wedding Fayre – A Guide for Exhibitors

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How To Maximise Your Chances of Succeeding at a Wedding Fayre

So you’ve signed up to exhibit at a Wedding Fayre… now what?

Bouquet & Bells want our exhibitors to have the best possible chances of succeeding at a Wedding Fayre.

Some companies have years of experience and have exhibited at various Wedding Exhibitions across the country, however some are new and don’t have the same experience.

That was our inspiration behind putting together a handy ‘how to’ pack – to inspire you and give you the best tips for the best chance of gaining bookings at a Wedding Fayre!

Use our guide to ensure every box is ticked to help you secure those all important bookings.

Click here to download our complete guide on improving your chances of succeeding at a Wedding Exhibition. It’s completely free.

We’ve split our guide into four handy sections.

Section One – Prepare

How to prepare for a Wedding Fayre including tips on how to improve your branding together with improving the appearance of your stall.

Section Two – The Dos and Don’ts

This section highlights the dos and don’ts of exhibiting at a Wedding Fayre based on Bouquet & Bells experience.

Section Three: The Impact of Social Media

The impact of social media and how you can make the most of your platforms and also using your followers to your advantage.

Section Four: Follow Up

How to connect with the people you met at the Wedding Fayre and tips with constructing the first method of communication.

Click here to download our complete guide on improving your chances of succeeding at a Wedding Exhibition

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Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist (Free Downloadable PDF!)

Planning your wedding and don’t know where to start? Bouquet & Bells have put together an ultimate Wedding Planning checklist, covering every aspect of the planning process right from the word go to your wedding day.

Use our step-by-step guide to help ease the stress of planning your wedding day.

Download your FREE printable Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist. Print and check off as you go!

You can download more of our free planning resources by clicking here.

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EXTRA TIPS

Attend a Wedding Fayre

Wedding Fayre’s are fantastic opportunity to meet local suppliers and to gain inspiration by the latest trends and new innovative ideas. Get your bridal / grooms parties together and organise a few trips to various shows near you.

You can view our line up of Wedding Fayres here.

Use Pinterest for Inspiration

Pinterest is a great tool for inspiration, especially if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and DIY a few bits & bobs! Start browsing and save some favourites.

Start a Healthy Eating & Exercise Program

If you want to lose some weight or simply tone up for your wedding then why not form a weekly plan on small changes to start right away. You and a friend could go to the gym together, or perhaps some evening power walks.

Introduce / Keep on Top of your Skincare Routine

Makeup artists will always say that your base is so important to achieving a flawless makeup look. A good skincare routine is key. Seek professional advise from a skincare expert as to what you should do to tailor to your specific skincare needs.

Decide on a Gift List

If you have a specific gift list you would like your guests to follow, make one available by enclosing it with your wedding invitations or display on your wedding website if you have one.

And finally… enjoy every minute of your wedding day because it will go so fast! The important thing is that you make all the decisions for you as a couple and not to worry about anyone else.

Remember you can download more of our Wedding Planning resources by clicking here.

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Meet the Supplier

Meet the Supplier: Precious Pets Micro ID

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.

Meet the Supplier: 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.

Meet the Supplier: Precious Pets Micro ID

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.

Meet the Supplier: Precious Pets Micro ID

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.  

Meet the Supplier: Precious Pets Micro ID

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.

Meet the Supplier: Precious Pets Micro ID

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.

Meet the Supplier: Precious Pets Micro ID

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/

Categories
Business Guidance

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

Business Guidance 

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

impact-social-media-at-a-wedding-fayre-fair-show-bouquet-and-bells

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

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Categories
Business Guidance

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

Business Guidance 

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

dos-and-donts-of-exhibiting-at-a-wedding-show-fayre-fair-how-to-guide-for-exhibitors-suppliers-bouquet-and-bells

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 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

Share this Article

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
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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

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.