Tips for a Perfect Wedding
Competition Entry from Jo in Staffordshire
My daughter has just got married in July and my tip is to enjoy the day, come what may! It is the little touches that although not expensive, (or sometimes expensive) make all the difference, and make it a wedding different from the rest, so more memorable for everyone.
We stuck red hearts on the bottom of the bride and groom's shoes so when they knelt at the altar they were visible for the congregation to view, which brought a smile to everyone's faces. The lych gate of the church was decorated with artificial flowers, which looked so colourful for the photographs, and no one realised they had not cost the earth, as fresh flowers would have. Doves in white cages, decorated in the bridal colours, were a focal point at the church doorway, and after the service the bride and groom posed releasing them, which made fabulous photographs. Many guests remarked how doves symbol love, and were enchanted by this, especially as they had not seen it done before. Cream organza bows were made, and attached via Velcro to the ends of the pews to dress the church, and silk flowers put in the high windows, which are now in my daughter's home. A young family member played her flute during the signing of the register to the delight of the congregation. All the wedding stationery was hand crafted by a joint family effort and we all had such fun with a Doodlebug machine making little flowers for the trimming. It looked wonderful, expensive and very different, when actually it worked out very reasonable to achieve. Get everyone involved and utilise their skills to save money, and make it more enjoyable for all. My best tip is avoid the 'W' word when trying to book anything as the minute you utter it everything goes up in price!
We stuck red hearts on the bottom of the bride and groom's shoes so when they knelt at the altar they were visible for the congregation to view, which brought a smile to everyone's faces. The lych gate of the church was decorated with artificial flowers, which looked so colourful for the photographs, and no one realised they had not cost the earth, as fresh flowers would have. Doves in white cages, decorated in the bridal colours, were a focal point at the church doorway, and after the service the bride and groom posed releasing them, which made fabulous photographs. Many guests remarked how doves symbol love, and were enchanted by this, especially as they had not seen it done before. Cream organza bows were made, and attached via Velcro to the ends of the pews to dress the church, and silk flowers put in the high windows, which are now in my daughter's home. A young family member played her flute during the signing of the register to the delight of the congregation. All the wedding stationery was hand crafted by a joint family effort and we all had such fun with a Doodlebug machine making little flowers for the trimming. It looked wonderful, expensive and very different, when actually it worked out very reasonable to achieve. Get everyone involved and utilise their skills to save money, and make it more enjoyable for all. My best tip is avoid the 'W' word when trying to book anything as the minute you utter it everything goes up in price!
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The Worst Wedding
Competition Entry from Kirsty
The worst wedding we ever went to.......
In early December 2005 my uncle got married (for the 3rd time!), what was meant to be their perfect day turned into an absolute disaster!
We left home early in the morning for the hour and a half drive to the wedding, a ridiculously wet day! after only half an hour into the journey someone pulled straight out in front of us, causing us to skid right up to the car and stopping about an inch from it, with a 10 month old baby in the car I was left shaking all the way to the wedding, then as we got nearer to the venue so the rain got harder, so hard we couldn't see the cars in front of us on the motorway, as we got off the motorway we could see water everywhere.... floods! thankfully the road we had to go on was clear but even so the rain was still hammering down and visibility was poor. We got to the venue and made our way into the church, waiting for the bride to make her entrance, after we had been waiting for about half an hour and with no sign of the bride, my uncle starting to wander what was going on! we heard a siren, at which my uncle darted outside, the congregation starting to whisper and lots of different stories started to emerge, finally the vicar appeared and told everyone what had happened.....
The bridesmaid (and best friend of the bride) had collapsed outside the church. Phew, couldn't be too bad, she wasn't very old, and the ambulance was there, so she would be ok.
My uncle and his bride to be, obviously upset decided to continue with the ceremony and would go and see her friend later on, after all she was in the best hands.
The ceremony went ahead (albeit more than an hour after it should have been), prayers had been said for the bridesmaid and we made our way to the reception, still chucking with rain there wasn't even any opportunity for photo's outside the church, everyone just made a bee line for the cover of their cars!
We got to the reception, everyone like drowned rats, clothes stuck to us through sheer wetness and made our way in, drinks started to flow and after the days events everyone started to relax a bit, then the food was bought out.... the chicken was still pink inside where it wasn't cooked properly, this really wasn't turning into the best day!!
After a few more drinks, and a bit of music to brighten the mood, though nobody had heard from the hospital we all went with the no news is good news theory, only for a few minutes later the sound of smashing glass (where the bride had just dropped her drink and eerie silence throughout the venue.... a call had been received from the hospital to say the brides best friend had so very sadly passed away.
The whole atmosphere of the day had been ruined, it has honestly got to be the worst wedding I have ever been to and can ever imagine going to, hopefully will never have to go to one like that again!!
In early December 2005 my uncle got married (for the 3rd time!), what was meant to be their perfect day turned into an absolute disaster!
We left home early in the morning for the hour and a half drive to the wedding, a ridiculously wet day! after only half an hour into the journey someone pulled straight out in front of us, causing us to skid right up to the car and stopping about an inch from it, with a 10 month old baby in the car I was left shaking all the way to the wedding, then as we got nearer to the venue so the rain got harder, so hard we couldn't see the cars in front of us on the motorway, as we got off the motorway we could see water everywhere.... floods! thankfully the road we had to go on was clear but even so the rain was still hammering down and visibility was poor. We got to the venue and made our way into the church, waiting for the bride to make her entrance, after we had been waiting for about half an hour and with no sign of the bride, my uncle starting to wander what was going on! we heard a siren, at which my uncle darted outside, the congregation starting to whisper and lots of different stories started to emerge, finally the vicar appeared and told everyone what had happened.....
The bridesmaid (and best friend of the bride) had collapsed outside the church. Phew, couldn't be too bad, she wasn't very old, and the ambulance was there, so she would be ok.
My uncle and his bride to be, obviously upset decided to continue with the ceremony and would go and see her friend later on, after all she was in the best hands.
The ceremony went ahead (albeit more than an hour after it should have been), prayers had been said for the bridesmaid and we made our way to the reception, still chucking with rain there wasn't even any opportunity for photo's outside the church, everyone just made a bee line for the cover of their cars!
We got to the reception, everyone like drowned rats, clothes stuck to us through sheer wetness and made our way in, drinks started to flow and after the days events everyone started to relax a bit, then the food was bought out.... the chicken was still pink inside where it wasn't cooked properly, this really wasn't turning into the best day!!
After a few more drinks, and a bit of music to brighten the mood, though nobody had heard from the hospital we all went with the no news is good news theory, only for a few minutes later the sound of smashing glass (where the bride had just dropped her drink and eerie silence throughout the venue.... a call had been received from the hospital to say the brides best friend had so very sadly passed away.
The whole atmosphere of the day had been ruined, it has honestly got to be the worst wedding I have ever been to and can ever imagine going to, hopefully will never have to go to one like that again!!
Click here to enter our Wedding Competition, to win £100 to spend on With Love Gifts
Perfect Nails for a Wedding
Competition Entry from Laura in Rotherham
I went to a wedding last week and I am a nail technician and I was doing the nails for that wedding. My blog is about the best way to organise thing such as having nails done for the big day. I think that it is very important to choose someone to do the treatment that will put in time and effort to make sure you get what you wanted.
I spent a lot of time concentrating on the colour scheme and theme of the wedding to give the bride the choice she wanted. It is also important to have a trial to ensure that you like the persons work to ensure there is no stress on the day. Plan for the beauty therapist to arrive in plenty of time so that the morning is totally relax. Enjoy the day and look beautiful.
I spent a lot of time concentrating on the colour scheme and theme of the wedding to give the bride the choice she wanted. It is also important to have a trial to ensure that you like the persons work to ensure there is no stress on the day. Plan for the beauty therapist to arrive in plenty of time so that the morning is totally relax. Enjoy the day and look beautiful.
Click here to enter our Wedding Competition, to win £100 to spend on With Love Gifts
Wedding Plans
Competition Entry from Rachael in Worcester
It’s a shame these days that the only real family gatherings seem to take place around weddings or funerals. Not just this, but the past few years have been too heavily dominated by the latter, leaving a feeling that there just isn't enough love in the world. Thank heavens for my loving partner. We talk about our wedding day now and then, the same way we look over houses on the market that are way out of our financial league.
With three small children, and my family being as large as his we would need to have a lottery win to even consider paying for the wedding of our dreams. This is why were happy just to fantasize, to plan seating arrangements and dress types. Discuss what seasonal flowers we would choose and how much more of a fun experience it would be for us as a family to wait until the children are older to enjoy our special day. I have ploughed through websites and magazines, looking at hairstyles, cars, ribbons, invitations and favours - I have my eye on some really nice fudge treats.. and silver bangles for the bridesmaids.. but when we tot up the figures and consider things seriously.. It is right that we should wait.. just that little bit longer.
Anyway... only this morning he reminded me of our special day as I brewed him a nice cup of tea. He smiled at me, and said.. "why not just change your name... will cost less when we get divorced!" who says chivalry is dead!!
With three small children, and my family being as large as his we would need to have a lottery win to even consider paying for the wedding of our dreams. This is why were happy just to fantasize, to plan seating arrangements and dress types. Discuss what seasonal flowers we would choose and how much more of a fun experience it would be for us as a family to wait until the children are older to enjoy our special day. I have ploughed through websites and magazines, looking at hairstyles, cars, ribbons, invitations and favours - I have my eye on some really nice fudge treats.. and silver bangles for the bridesmaids.. but when we tot up the figures and consider things seriously.. It is right that we should wait.. just that little bit longer.
Anyway... only this morning he reminded me of our special day as I brewed him a nice cup of tea. He smiled at me, and said.. "why not just change your name... will cost less when we get divorced!" who says chivalry is dead!!
Click here to enter our Wedding Competition, to win £100 to spend on With Love Gifts
My Wedding to Matt
Competition Entry from Claire in Derby
hi my name is Claire and I got married on the 22nd may 2010, my day went perfectly it wasn't a big grand affair but it was everything I wanted,a few days before the wedding I started to feel as if everything was going wrong a week before the wedding my 8 year old daughter broke her ankle and she had to have crutches then the day before the wedding our best man was taken to hospital but luckily it was nothing to serious and he was let out later that day..
the morning of my wedding me and my mum sat out in the garden at half 7 with a glass of bucks fizz and some strawberries the sun was beaming,I dint get married til have 3 in the afternoon so it felt like the morning was dragging,I amazed myself with how calm I was.when the hairdresser turned up I started to get all excited
my nerves started to kick in when my dad turned up,and not long after the car arrived,I arrived at the registry office and as soon as I saw family and friends I couldn't help but burst into tears..luckily I was wearing waterproof mascara..
the whole day was amazing the sun was out all day,I couldn't have asked for anything better, even if I did have a million pounds tospend on my wedding nothing could have came close to the day I married matt xxxxx
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Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Competition Entry from Sophie in Derbyshire
I'm 23 and I've been with my boyfriend, Keith, for 3 and half years.
Even when we'd been together a year or so, Keith would get asked when he'd pop the question. I think he's always found this awkward and although he says he wants to marry me, he only wants to do so when we're 'secure' with a house. I can understand what he means. Being married and still living seperately with each of our parents just wouldn't feel right.
But that doesn't stop me feeling very impatient. Most people who are really keen to marry however, seem to want huge weddings in which they put a lot of money into making their special day.
For a long time, the idea of a proper church wedding sounded like an ideal to me. I got to about 18 and realised I'm not religious in any way so that would just be silly.
Recently I attended a wedding between Keith's uncle and a lovely lady called Georgia. They got married in a function room in a grand house. It was ok, but the atmosphere was very static and I felt very uncomfortable. That may have been down to the fact Keith's uncle had lost his previous wife in a tragic accident many years ago. Since I hadn't met most of Keith's family before and a lot of them were crying, I felt like I was intruding into their private grief.
The idea of marrying in a similar setting doesn't leave me feeling inspired, and I don't want to spend thousands on silly weddings like getting married underwater or something.
Maybe we should just sign the papers and have done with it? Think how much money that would save, and perhaps we'd be happier anyway!
Even when we'd been together a year or so, Keith would get asked when he'd pop the question. I think he's always found this awkward and although he says he wants to marry me, he only wants to do so when we're 'secure' with a house. I can understand what he means. Being married and still living seperately with each of our parents just wouldn't feel right.
But that doesn't stop me feeling very impatient. Most people who are really keen to marry however, seem to want huge weddings in which they put a lot of money into making their special day.
For a long time, the idea of a proper church wedding sounded like an ideal to me. I got to about 18 and realised I'm not religious in any way so that would just be silly.
Recently I attended a wedding between Keith's uncle and a lovely lady called Georgia. They got married in a function room in a grand house. It was ok, but the atmosphere was very static and I felt very uncomfortable. That may have been down to the fact Keith's uncle had lost his previous wife in a tragic accident many years ago. Since I hadn't met most of Keith's family before and a lot of them were crying, I felt like I was intruding into their private grief.
The idea of marrying in a similar setting doesn't leave me feeling inspired, and I don't want to spend thousands on silly weddings like getting married underwater or something.
Maybe we should just sign the papers and have done with it? Think how much money that would save, and perhaps we'd be happier anyway!
Click here to enter our Wedding Competition, to win £100 to spend on With Love Gifts
How Hen Nights have changed
Hen Nights
Oh how Hen Nights have changed over the years.
In my day a good night was being out with the girls the Bride maybe having a Limo and having the fun L plates symbolising innocence, a veil, a few dares, naughty games and tricks along with a fun pub crawl was enough.
But not now, it’s Hen Weekends or even weeks. Some find fun in doing unusual activities to celebrate their Hen Nights or have long weekends doing things like paintballing, pole dancing, water skiing and health spa’s or even in recording studios and there are many more great ideas out there to do on you Hen weekends.
Some even go so far as to take their Hen Do’s abroad to have holiday fun in the sun and some the snow.
I am a little jealous really as to why I couldn’t have done something like this when I had my Hen do? I feel that I missed out on something, all my friends are married now or don’t ever plan on tying the knot. So it’s unlikely I will ever be able to go on a fabulous hen activity weekend or week!! Never mind I don’t think I could manage the pole dancing now anyway but I would have in my day.
I must say I really think it’s great that women nowadays want to do more on their Hen Nights. It seems that couples are getting married when they are little older now and they lead much busier lives with commitments, work and children etc. Having a Hen weekend is a great opportunity to do something a little different from the norm and to get away from our hectic life styles.
I have tried to find out about the history of British Hen Nights and can’t really find out much about the history of how they came about, not even on the World Wide Web. I found speculation of how they may have started but nothing that convinced me.
Now I do know this, the Bride to be only plans on celebrating like this once in her life time and it’s most likely the last time she gets to go away with the girls all together. A special personalised hen night or weekend gift will go down a treat. Something she will keep and always remember what a wonderful time she had with the girls. It could be a photo frame with a picture of the Hen and all her friends in. Or a special Hens message / signature plate that everyone can sign, or leave her a special good luck messages on. A lovely Hens Night gift will be treasured always.
Oh how Hen Nights have changed over the years.
Wedding Blog Competition
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