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Planning

Checklist countdown to your big day!

As soon as possible

Draw up your guest list, so that you know what size of function suite you will require
Book your wedding ceremony and reception venue
Book your evening entertainment
Book your honeymoon

One year ahead

You should be looking to book your photographer, Video, florist and Cars
Order your cake
You should also be looking for that special outfit, wedding dress, kilt etc.

Six months ahead

Make an appointment to see your Wedding Coordinator to finalise your arrangements, menus, drinks etc.
Make the appropriate arrangements for looking at and ordering your wedding stationery, favours and your wedding rings.
Choose your going away outfit.

3 months before

Book your hairstylist and beautician.
Buy presents for your bridesmaids and best man. Select accessories i.e jewellery, tiara and veil.
Submit Marriage Notice Forms with the appropriate documents.

2 months to go

Compile your Gift List

Send out invitations
Prepare seating plans

2 weeks before

Make an appointment to see your Wedding Co-ordinator to finalise those last few details, advise final numbers and make final payment.
Phone round to confirm all your arrangements with your florist, wedding cars, hairdresser etc... you can never be too organised!
It may be a good idea to try on your bridal wear just in case is needs any last minute alterations.

1 week to go

You should be holding a Rehearsal, just to ensure that everybody is clear on what his or her role will be on the day.

Your big day

All the hard work is over and Your Big Day has arrived! It's all organised. Now it's time for you and your partner to enjoy yourselves. Relax and let all your suppliers do their work, an remember you have done your best.

Dairy of a Bride to be!

Tash

Tuesday 22nd May 2007

We now have less than six months and until today I was really starting to panic. I booked today off to go into Nottingham with my bridesmaid and order my dress. Also got the contract from the photographer yesterday so that’s been signed & sent back.

We went and ordered that (see below 1) but I’ve now really got to stick to my diet as I need to lose two inches around my waist before it comes in September. Going to go to the toning tables as well, hope it works!!!

We had a major stress about our rings last week as they came into the jewellers at a lot more than we had ordered them for. Neither of us were too happy with that or the service we received. Gareth’s been looking at more and found a pair he really liked in H.Samuels so I went and had a look, fell in love with them on the spot so think we’re going back at the weekend to order them.

Had a wander down to BHS and discovered that the waistcoats and cravats I really liked were being sold off half price as they’re getting new stock. It must have been quite funny to watch me & my bridesmaid standing around trying to get hold of all the men to find out their chest sizes while protecting the last few waistcoats!! But we got there in the end and now have them all apart from one I’ve had to order off the internet but that should come soon, now that’s me & all of the men well on our way to being sorted! I’ve now got a major stress trying to find a lilac bridesmaid dress, you would think that would be simple but either the shops don’t do bridesmaid/ballgown type dresses, they’re not doing anything resembling lilac or the lilac is nowhere near the right shade to match the trim & stitching on my dress.

So now I really feel like I’ve had a productive (and very tiring) day, think I might finally have got the hang of this planning lark! Still got loads to do but I’m not going to dwell on that, I’ll update you over the next few weeks.

Tash

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Hayley

25th May 2007

Hi I'm Hayley and I'm 22 years old. Ive been with my fiance for 6 1/2 years and we've been engaged for 2 years. We are getting married on Aug 17th 07 and its come round alittle too quickly!

Hayley

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Hints and Tips for Reception Entertainment for your Wedding
These days the wedding reception/party is as an important part of the wedding day as the ceremony. The happy couple want to let their hair down and celebrate their wedding day with friends and family and what better way to do so than with a superb live band.

Choosing the right style of music

When selecting a band for your wedding reception you should consider the atmosphere you'd like to create.

Do you want a party atmosphere where dancing is top priority or would you prefer a more laid back approach?

You may like to use the following as a guide when choosing music for your reception:

Fun and dancy: Rock & pop covers band, soul & R&B band, rock n' roll or swing jive band, tribute band, 70's disco or funk band, Latin & salsa bands

Smooth & sophisticated: Jazz band, swing jive band, latin & salsa band, classical ensemble, piano and violin/sax

Light background music: Jazz band, classical ensemble, solo or duo guitar, vocal guitar/piano duo

Something different: Steel band, Irish band, Latin & salsa band, swing jive band, world music ensemble, interesting tribute artist, barber shop quartet

Formal: Jazz band, string quartet, classical ensemble, solo or duo guitar, singer or choir, piper

Traditional: Irish band, ceilidh band, bag pipes, classical ensemble, singers or choir

Consider your friends and family.

When selecting your band you will need to consider the tastes of your guests, their age group and whether or not they will want to dance or listen.
Some bands can be quite loud and it is well worth taking the trouble to ask your friends and family what they'd like.

We can use the following as a guide:

For an audience of all age groups: Pop Rock covers band, swing jive band, soul band, pop tribute band

For a middle aged audience: Pop covers band, selected tribute bands, 70's and funk bands, Soul & R&B bands, swing jive bands, Latin& salsa bands, jazz bands

For a mature audience (50+): Jazz bands, rock n' roll bands, ceilidh bands, swing jive bands, selected tribute bands, Latin & salsa bands, 60's & light pop covers bands, classical ensembles

Your venue: setting up, space and volume

You'll need to check with your wedding reception venue that live music is permitted. Most venues have no problem with bands but it is worth checking all the same. In particular you should check the size of the room you're hiring and the area the band will be playing in. Most venues will specify where the band should play so once you have these details you'll know what size band you can hire.

Most wedding bands have 3 - 6 members and will be suitable for most venue sizes. However, certain styles of music such as Soul/R&B, Latin/Salsa & 70's disco feature much larger bands with approx 7 to 12 members and you will need quite a large amount of space to accommodate them. Again check with the venue first as you may be able to re-arrange the layout of the room to accommodate a larger band.

It will also be worth checking if the venue has any restrictions on arrival and set up times for the band. Set up time ranges from 60 to 120 minutes depending on the size of the band and how far the equipment needs to be moved. Setting up involves not only carrying the equipment into the room but also running through a few songs to balance all the instruments and get a good sound. It is best if this happens before your guests arrive or whilst they retire to a different room.

One more thing to check with your venue is if they have any restrictions on volume levels. Some bands are louder than others and if the venue has another function going on next door they may place restrictions on what time the band can sound check, perform and finish.

In all cases the band will play at a volume suitable for the room and adjust according to your requirements. Party bands are by nature louder than a disco and the natural unamplified sound of a live drum kit is quietest volume that a party band can play at.

Your budget: what will a band cost?

Band fees vary wildly but as a general guide, you can expect to pay anything between £500 - £2000. The variation of the fee can be due to a number of factors -

– If the band have to travel far to your venue
– The number of people in the band
– The size of the venue
– If there are any agent fees (going direct to a band reduces the cost)
– The performance time required (The usual is two 45 minute sets or two 60 minute sets)
– If they provide a DJ (This can be a huge bonus and help reduce costs too)

What next?

Look at a few websites and assess their suitability for your needs. View each prospective band to see what songs they play, listen to demo songs, read about the bands previous experience, read references from previous clients and explore the options available to you.

When contacting a band, give them as much information as possible so that they can give you an accurate quote.

If you find a band that is right for you then ensure you get everything confirmed in writing. Any reputable band should issue you with a contract to ensure that everything is thought of before the event, leaving you to enjoy the party without any worries.

by Jessica Rose, Lead Vocalist – The Gatecrashers Party Band

www.thegatecrashers.co.uk

How to Accessorize on your Wedding Day

The accessories you wear can really make a difference to your overall look so you must make sure you get it right! I design tiaras, jewellery and hair accessories and here is my advice on how to accessorize on your wedding day.

Headwear

With so many options of hair jewellery on the market it is important that you choose the right one to compliment your dress, theme and hairstyle. There is nothing worse than seeing a beautiful bride in a stunning dress but wearing a tiara that just doesn’t do it justice! You have to think about your overall style. If you are going for a traditional dress and hairstyle choose a traditional tiara. If you are going for a contemporary, modern look why not choose some funky hairpins scattered around your hairstyle? To help, here is a guide to the different types of hair jewellery you can choose:

Tiaras
Traditional and stylish the tiara has been worn by brides for centuries, in some form or another. Still very popular, the tiara has come on leaps and bounds and there are now a wide range of styles to choose from. If you want to wear a tiara make sure it suits your hairstyle. Tiaras with a peak in the middle, such as Tiara 1 shown below compliment many styles, whereas ones which are the same height all the way along, as Tiara 2, should be worn further back on the head, usually with a hairstyle with height.

Tiara 1 Tiara 2

Crowns
Crowns have a number of peaks and a circular base. They are often worn by brides wanting that fairytale or romantic look. Modern crowns can be made at varying heights and generally suite most hairstyles.

Hairvines
The most versatile of the hair jewellery family is the hairvine. A wire decoration with an array of crystals or pearls, the hairvine can be pinned anywhere in your hair and mostly suits up-dos.

Hairvine Hairvine shown in hair

Alice Bands
No longer associated with Alice in Wonderland, the alice band is the accessory of the season. Usually worn with loose hair they add a touch of glamour to your look without going over the top. Ideal for the bride wanting that elegant yet understated look. Also popular for bridesmaids.

Fascinators
Fascinators can be made using a variety of materials such as sinamay, wire, crystals and flowers but without a doubt the most popular is the feather fascinator. The feathers can be attached to either an alice band or a comb and suits most hairstyles. Also popular with the Mother of the Bride and other wedding guests.

Hairpins
If you are wearing your hair up and would like to add a touch of sparkle you can always insert some sparkly hairpins into your style. Ranging from a single crystal or peark to a vast spray of crystal flowers, they can be worn as a tiara alternative or just to add something extra.

Flower Hairpin Clover Hairpin

Jewellery

Few brides take enough care when choosing their jewellery. How difficult can it be to choose a necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings? Think again!

Necklaces
Bridal necklaces can range from being a multi-strand choker to a simple crystal drop. So which is right for you? With so many brides wearing strapless dresses it is becoming more and more popular to choose fancy necklaces to prevent you from feeling too ‘bare’ around the neck. Chokers (picture 1) look stunning with a strapless dress, as do back jewels (picture 2).

If you are wearing a halterneck dress it is not necessary to wear a necklace, but if you have your heart set on it go for a simple pendant as in picture 3.

Illusion necklaces are also popular and these are made up of strands of transparent wire with scattered crystals pearls, creating an illusion effect. They suit most dress styles and are fantastic as you can custom the number of strands to suit how fancy you want it. If your dress has lots of details you really should refrain from having too much detail on your necklace. Something simple can be just as stunning and will not take anything away from your dress.

Earrings
Long ‘dangly’ earrings are very ‘now’ and look amazing (see picture 4) with most dresses and hairstyles. If you are not used to wearing long earrings however, you may prefer studs or small droplets to compliment your other jewellery.

Bracelets
Bracelets are generally chosen to match a necklace, as in picture 1 above. If you want something a bit different, however, how about a cuff? Cuffs are wide rigid bracelets that are worn quite tight around the wrist and can look very striking if worn as the main focus of your jewellery. Be careful not to mix too many different styles of jewellery, a lovely matching set can really finish off your outfit.

By Emma Staplehurst of Emma’s Bridal Boutique
www.emmas-bridal-boutique.co.uk

Choosing the Dress

Chances are, your wedding dress will be the most important clothing purchase of your life.
Yes, you will only wear it once, but when will you ever wear a dress more anticipated and more talked about? So where to start? We`ve rounded up some useful advice to get you started on way to walking down the aisle in the dress of your dreams.
You should aim to purchase your wedding dress at least six months before your wedding date. This will allow enough time for the dress to be made and any tailoring you may require. Don’t worry if you don’t have six months, some designers can make your dress quicker, but they will charge you an extra fee.
Next you will need to phone the bridal shop to see if you need to book an appointment, these usually last for an hour. Some bridal shops so not require appointments, so you can spend as long as you like trying on their dresses. Remember bridal shops are always busy on weekends, so if you can, go on a weekday.
Take along friends that will be honest with you about the way a dress looks. However, don’t take too many friends. They will never all like the same dress and it will only lead to confusion. Whatever anybody else says, choose the dress that makes you feel special always remember that you have the final decision.
It helps to come prepared when dress shopping! Bring a good supporting bra, underwear makes a big difference to the look of your dress. As you will be helped into dresses by a sales assistant, wearing sensible knickers can help save any embarrassment. Take some shoes with a heel to give you some height. A bottle of water and some deodorant is handy, as trying on dresses can be hot and thirsty work.
Be open minded when trying on wedding dresses and take advise from your sales assistant, they are trained to know what dress shapes will suit you and will encourage you to try lots of dresses that you may, not necessarily have picked out yourself. Some dresses may not look stunning on the hanger, but will look absolutely gorgeous on you.
Pick the dress that makes you feel like a million dollars, is comfortable to wear and is appropriate for the location of your wedding.
Most of all have fun. Buying your wedding dress should be an exciting experience to remember!

By Michelle Moloney of Special Occasions
www.essexwedding.org

 

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