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Wedding Gifts: How To Pick The Best

When you receive a wedding invitation, it is exciting to plan time off and decide what to wear. You also need to decide on the wedding gifts for the couple getting married.

This gift shows your support for the bride and groom and finding the right gift does not have to be stressful if you follow these suggestions on how to pick the best wedding gifts.

How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts?

There are no rigid rules about what the value of your gift to the couple should be.

Some say the gift should total more than the cost of your place at the wedding and reception.

But, not every couple considers this necessary.

Most people send you an invitation simply because they want you to be there.

Check out a wedding gifts guide for wedding gifts across a range of prices.

Generally, those closest to the couple may want to spend more, so the sister of the bride or a best friend will likely spend more than a co-worker.

Wedding Gift Registeries

The simplest way to pick a wedding gift is to check to see if the couple has a wedding register at a store.

Then you can select an option that you know the couple will want since they compiled the list.

If there is no list, you can look more broadly, taking into consideration the couple’s style and taste.

If you don’t know the couple very well, ask those who know them well what they would like.

When Thinking About Wedding Gifts, Consider What They Like As A Couple

As you have been invited to the wedding, you likely know what they are like as a couple.

You may also know what they like as a couple.

Social media platforms work well here as they may contain photographs of their latest adventures, interests and styles.

This could be anything from cooking, camping, fitness or travel.

Once you have an idea about what the couple are passionate about, other than each other, you can brainstorm for wedding gift ideas.

A gift of new luggage for those who love travelling, tickets to the opera or something for their new home together could all work.

What is important is that the best wedding gift is something that both of them will love, not just the bride or the groom.

Joint Wedding Gifts

If the couple’s gift registry is full of expensive gifts, or if they are saving for something expensive like a holiday, it is perfectly acceptable for guests to pool together their money to buy the big-ticket item outright.

Cash

In addition to the main registry, the couple may have registered online for a way in which can arrange for cash gifts to pay for something in particular, perhaps a honeymoon.

Yet, many are uncomfortable about asking for or giving cash gifts, but as a last resort, it is acceptable.

That’s what we did, and it paid for our honeymoon.

Ask!

You can ask the couple what they would like as a wedding gift.

Something they genuinely love that will remind them of their wedding every time they see it.

You may get a helpful response, though people are usually rather coy when asked directly.

You could ask a bridesmaid, best man or family member who could signpost you in the right direction.

‘No Gifts’ Request

On the wedding invitation, the couple may have stipulated “no gifts” to let people know that all they want is to share their joyful day with family and friends.

You can honour this request whilst at the same time making a donation to their favourite charity in honour of their wedding.

Wedding inspiration Wedding stationery

Wedding Invites: Here’s Some DIY Design Inspiration

The whole process of getting married can be pricey. It is a good idea to sit down together and work out where you want to splurge. Will it be the venue, the cake and the clothing? There are ways in which you might be able to save a few pennies. Get a caterer friend to do your cooking, allow friends to take some of the photographs, and make your own wedding invites.

The latter is perhaps the easiest expense to save.

Getting married is huge.

It’s a sign of becoming a fully-fledged adult, moving away from your parents and towards your spouse.

It can also signal many more changes.

Your job, your home, even your name.

But weddings are joyful occasions.

A celebration of the love you feel towards each other and it should be celebrated as such.

How To Design Inviting Wedding Invites

Floral wedding invites via Design Bundles

Invites look great when they have photos or images on them.

Unfortunately, though, the cost of photography and formal printing can be very high.

Instead, use phone pictures, and a home printer.

Or you could ask your best friend who’s good at taking photos to get some nice shots of the two of you together.

In this way, you can print exactly how many invitations you need in the comfort of your own home.

And for a fraction of the price of professional wedding invites.

Handwritten-schmandwritten!

Downloadable wedding invites on Design Bundles

In the 80s and before, high-quality invitations were expensive and fairly rare.

They were usually crafted by hand by someone skilled at calligraphy.

This meant that a set of thirty or so invitations had to be carefully crafted by hand, with any errors meaning that the piece being worked on would have to be discarded.

Today, even smartphones are more than capable of producing high quality invites with just a few taps on the screen!

You can pick a nice font that you both agree on, design the invite and print as many as you like.

Sites like monogrammaker.com are perfect for this purpose.

They offer a huge range of fonts and ensure that your monogram is perfectly centred when you are ready to print off your invites.

They can help you to achieve a completely professional look with just the investment of a little time and ingenuity.

What’s more, the site is free to use!

WIN.

Some design apps like Canva allow you to edit wedding invites templates.

They are intuitive and easy to use, and you can even search using keywords to find just the right font and colours to send the exact message to your friends and family about your big day

Double Purpose Stamp

You might want to invest in a personalised stamp for a fiver or so.

These stamps usually have all the significant information on them; your names, the date and the occasion (engagement party, wedding etc.)

They make perfect mementos that can be kept to remind you about the fun and excitement of this transitional and important period of your lives.

There are some brilliant inspiration galleries on Pinterest that you should check out before you start, as this could save you a great deal of time!

Making your own wedding invitations is a fun way to initiate the whole process.

You can work with your partner to design and print them, enjoying the bonding experience as you create your perfect wedding invites ahead of your perfect wedding!

Wedding inspiration Wedding planning

Wedding Transportation: Our Guide To Getting It Right

Wedding transportation is crucial.

If you’re travelling to your wedding venue in the morning of your wedding, you need to make sure your transport choice is reliable for obvious reasons 😉

It’s advisable to make sure your wedding transportation priorities are in order to avoid last-minute problems.

Wedding arrangements are not easy because there are many tasks that need to be done ahead of time to make sure that the wedding function is a great success.

Because it is the most significant day in most cases, it is very easy for people to overwhelm the sense of opportunity and make hasty decisions that can ruin the celebration of the wedding day.

Decide On The Budget For Your Wedding Transportation

You should choose is the transport budget for the wedding.

A wedding is a costly event so you should need a budget for all wedding and decorative items.

Regardless of how much you decide to use in wedding transport, this is a personal decision.

Regardless of the budget you choose, you should try to keep as close as possible to that number.

The main question here is what you can afford as part of your budget.

Number Of Passengers

Guide to Picking Your Wedding Transportation

Start by specifying how many people you want to carry.

This may include the bride, their mother, and father, grandparents and carers.

If the number of guests is high a party bus for transportation with a chauffeur is usually much cheaper option than multiple limos.

Picking A Company

After choosing the mode of transport you need, you can now decide where to get a wedding car.

There are many sites that provide this type of service. You can depend on online research. you can ask family and friends.

Your wedding is considered as important in someone’s life, so it is clear that you don’t want to choose anything.

Communicate Your Requirements

No matter what mode of transport you choose as a couple for your wedding, the path you want should be known to you.

Although drivers, pilots or motorists assigned to drive a specific vehicle are expected to know the route, the groom and bride must have the same knowledge to avoid all kinds of events or random delays.

Communicating with service operators and motorists is an important aspect of wedding transportation.

Make sure you ask about these people and also make sure they have their certificates.

Each certified company will provide its drivers with a uniform, demonstrating the professionalism of their company.

Therefore, make sure that the operator fully transmits its requirements and discusses its requirements for the expected services.

Time And Travel Duration

Although the time and duration of the trip are important for factors such as track and traffic, only you should have a fair view of it.

There should be some flexibility in this, but the average time to get to the place of the wedding is important and should be passed on to the people involved in the event.

Others will be on the time when you think of elements like motion and other things.

Check The Cost

The use of these services requires certain costs and fees.

This will depend, however, on the vehicle and the specific services you have used.

The cost will also depend on the total amount of time the vehicle needs for the purposes of the wedding.

Be sure to shop around, as some companies will have openings and be willing to negotiate on price.

Seating Capacity

Most hired cars for this purpose can accommodate 2-10 people.

If you expect to be accompanied only by your groom/bride and a few members of the bridal party, these cars will be sufficient.

However, if you are planning on transporting the guests or have a large wedding party, you should consider a shuttle bus, party bus, or other larger transport option.

You should also check the vehicle space, which should be sufficient to make the bridesmaids dresses undamaged.

Looking For Something A Little Different?

Convert a campervan for your wedding transportation — Image source

For the alternative thinkers amongst us, and for those who love something a little more charming and rustic, how about hiring a campervan?

You could look into camper van conversions or hire one for your special day.

You could even disappear into the sunset on your honeymoon in it!

Now you’re talking!

How romantic would it be to set off after your wedding reception in your converted Camper van?

Whatever You Choose…

The appropriate vehicle for special events is important.

It’s good to create the desired setting.

You can choose one vehicle to access or select several for the entire group, for example, a wedding party to use in the event.

There is a wide range of antique and vehicles, as well as those with elegant space for many passengers. You could also explore charming options such as campervans, and tie it into a UK break away.

Featured image source.

Wedding inspiration Wedding planning

22 Best Ideas For a Beach Wedding

Simple beach wedding ideas often come to mind when you think about getting married.

What can be more romantic than saying your vows at the tide amongst beautiful scenery and a relaxing atmosphere?

In any case, planning your own personal wedding is a beautiful time in life.

Looking at different options, such as Excellence El Carmen destination for beach weddings, is a great experience on its own.

But there is more to figure things out than just deciding on a location.

There are hundreds of elements that make all the difference in brainstorming your event.

Let’s take a look at some ideas for a beach wedding planning.

1. Research Dominican Republic Beach Wedding Traditions

Once you start looking for beach wedding ceremony ideas, look into local traditions of the world-famous wedding location.

Pay special attention to the Punta Cana area as it has seen so many weddings that you can definitely find something suitable for yourself.

2. Use Seashells

With the help of seashells, you can create an absolutely unforgettable atmosphere.

A few beach symbols here and there will only make you and your guests feel more connected to the environment.

Whether it’s a table composition or an invitation décor, seashells look great.

3. Find An Original Photographer

It is an absolute must for a beach wedding.

Don’t forget to check several portfolios beforehand so you can have a good selection.

It’s nice if you can also find a photographer whose previous pictures you absolutely love.

4. Think About The Design Synergy

Beach wedding theme ideas should all work together for better results.

If you have chosen to decorate your table with seashells, it might be great to also draw them on your invitations.

5. Prepare Creative Gifts For Guests

There is a tradition that guests bring gifts for the newlyweds.

However, why not give them something in exchange to remember the event?

It can be a small decoration, flash drive with music tracks or a photo frame with theme drawing – whichever suits your taste.

6. Consider Surfing Themes

Have you ever tried surfing?

It doesn’t really matter if it’s just a wedding theme.

For most people, it is just a romantic image that adds charm to any oceanside vacation, let alone such a festive one.

7. Check Local Advertisements

The best supplies can be found locally if you thoroughly research what the market offers.

For instance, you can find some useful objects to use among your beach wedding photo ideas.

This way you won’t have to bring anything from back home.

8. Add Flowers

This is one of the most important beach wedding picture ideas. Any place looks better with flowers, especially when it comes to weddings.

9. Bring Variety To The Palette

You can have a whole lot of beach wedding ideas, but make sure that your palette of ideas stays diverse.

For instance, the most obvious color scheme in our case seems to be blue, but it doesn’t mean that you should limit yourself there.

10. Beautify The Aisle

The image of a bride walking through the aisle is one of the most important moments for many people when they think about weddings.

Making the aisle look beautiful is a particular mission.

It should match the dress and the general theme of the wedding to add value to the most important moment for the bride and groom.

11. Integrate Romantic Elements

The celebration will not be complete without a significant amount of romance flowing in the air.

Hearts decorated with light clothes flying by the wind, cute seaweed embracing the pillow for rings…

All the charm is in the smallest details!

12. Hand Painted Signs

Just about anything handmade brings with it a particular charm.

By making signs yourself, you can make them unique and save money at the same time.

13. Backdrop For Photos

This one is one of the coolest wedding on the beach ideas.

By organizing a photo backdrop, you will assist both your guests and your photographer.

14. Creative Competitions

Each wedding features fun activities for family and guests.

On a beach wedding, why not make these too fit the theme?

One of the best ideas is a sand sculpture competition.

It’s fun, unique to the beach, and also great for pictures.

15. Beach Themed Bar

When there is a wedding, there are always drinks.

It might be way cooler though if you use unusual glasses rather than classical ones.

For instance, try seashells. How cool is it to drink champagne from a shell?

16. Rustic Chair Décor

Among the wedding beach theme ideas, we particularly like the one about decorating chairs in a rustic style.

Make them look like they have spent many years on the beach to now witness the life-changing event.

17. Elegant Sand Sculptures

Who said that all the decorations need to be bought?

Every beach is full of material for decorations all around you.

You can order some sculptures in advance, or make it a competition for your guests on the wedding day.

In any case, everybody will enjoy the results.

18. Original Beach Candles

You can use seashells that we’ve already mentioned above, or empty bottles reminding those with long-lost letters inside them.

But when it gets dark, your candles will light the way and make everybody enjoy the atmosphere even more.

19. Starfish Ornaments

Beach weddings should definitely have some starfishes here and there.

They can be used as small gifts for guests, table decorations, or practical elements of your photoshoot.

20. Symbols Of Love

There are a lot of great themes to use with your unique beach wedding ideas, but don’t forget about classical symbols of love.

Every little detail can be themed in accordance with your main motive – solidifying your marriage.

Make those love birds look like seagulls to fit the environment even more!

21. Fun Swimming Costumes

Beach weddings are usually held when the weather is good enough to swim, right?

Come up with fun elements for swimming costumes, and your guests will have even more fun.

22. Flower Petal Confetti

One of the best wedding ideas on the beach is throwing confetti to celebrate the marriage.

Flower petals are biodegradable and good looking, so nobody will be unhappy with your choice.

We hope that these ideas for beach theme weddings will help you have the best time of your life.

Don’t forget about a good caribbean wedding photographer for a beach wedding ‌to make sure that all the memories will be saved, and you’re good to go.

Good luck!

Wedding inspiration Wedding planning

5 Tips For Wedding Planning Inspiration

Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the most important days of your life – if not the most important of all – so on one hand, you might not think you exactly require much help to be ‘inspired’ for it.

In truth, though, the sheer enormity of our impending marriage can stop us in our tracks. So to ensure you don’t suffer from any procrastination or ‘creative block’ when you are organising your big day, here are some of the best ways to become inspired.

1. Browse Pinterest And Design Resources

There are all kinds of ‘inspiration boards’ for weddings on Pinterest that can provide a rich seam of visual inspiration for your own nuptials, covering wedding dresses, invitations, table decorations and everything in-between.

To get the most out of Pinterest, though, it’s best to actually join the site, as this will enable you to create your own boards to which you can pin posts from others, and on which you can reflect at any time you like.

There are an amazing array of free design resources available to wedding planning couples.

From free wedding website builders to free font download sites for DIY invites and other wedding stationery.

There are even smartphone apps such as Canva that help you create beautiful designs in lots of different styles.

2. Like Relevant Pages On Facebook

We suspect that you might be a member of Facebook already, but even if you are, you may not yet be making the most of its potential for wedding inspiration.

The best way to start is by ‘liking’ the pages on the platform of the various companies and service providers that most inspire you. Another great advantage of Facebook is that it’s a great epicentre for local talent, so you can use the site to get in touch with and buy from these people directly.

3. Sift Through Wedding Magazines

The Internet’s such a big, wide, open space that it can be understandable to feel overwhelmed by it all, and unsure as to where to start.

This is one reason why browsing good old-fashioned wedding magazines at the newsagents still makes so much sense – they just offer so much inspiration in one place.

One key advantage of browsing through and buying wedding magazines is that they give you a good idea of the most relevant wedding-related styles, trends and tips right now, rather than what may have been relevant a year or two ago. They’re also great sources of wedding photography ideas.

If you actually buy a few of these magazines, you’ve even got the option of ripping out certain pages, images and articles and assembling them in a scrapbook. This, combined with your Pinterest and Facebook pages, will help to give you a sense of what truly inspires you about weddings.

4. Read Wedding Blogs

It may seem like obvious advice, but wedding blogs, like Real Wedding are much like the online equivalent of the aforementioned magazines. Sure, you can’t physically rip out the pages of a blog, but they can provide invaluable planning tips and ideas, including from real brides and grooms who have previously gone through what you’re going through right now.

Keep an eye on the comment sections of the wedding blog posts you read, as there are often plenty of people sharing their thoughts on a certain wedding-related issue who have relevant real-life experience.

5. Start Dreaming About The Venue!

The setting in which you get married is such a key one for making your wedding memorable in all of the right ways. According to The Knot, it’s generally a good idea to book the venue for your wedding reception between nine months and a year – at least – before your intended wedding date.

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5 Tips For Wedding Planning Inspiration

Wedding inspiration Wedding planning

Getting This Party Started: How To Pack Your Wedding Dance Floor

Brides and grooms have a lot of things on their plate on the day of the wedding.

So, figuring out how to get guests onto the dance floor might not seem significant.

However, there is no bigger buzz kill at a reception than an empty dance floor.

Quite simply, you need and want the people who have experienced your big day to get down and boogie to create an atmosphere.

Otherwise, your special day might turn into a damp squib.

The question is how do you start a fire and keep it burning all night?

The answer is simple: you give the guests a little push.

They want to cut some shapes, but they need encouragement first.

With that in mind, here’s how to fill the dance floor at your wedding reception.

Trust The DJ

After the band finishes their encore, you need someone to take care of the tunes for the rest of the night.

Queue the DJ, whose job it is to pick the best wedding bangers and see the party through to the early hours.

One big mistake people make when they hire a disk jockey is to turn him or her into a glorified Spotify playlist.

It is tempting to provide them with a variety of songs, but it negates the point of a DJ in the first place.

Sure, don’t be afraid to ask for requests and to get your friends and family to do the same.

After all, it’s your party and almost every disk jockey will comply.

But, you also need to let them do their job and trust their skills as a party starter.

With years of experience at weddings, they will know the songs which guests can’t resist.

Pay For A Drink

Nothing gets people looser than a cocktail or two.

Simply put, the drunker the guests are, the better chance there is of them hitting the dance floor.

So, why not pay for a drink for everyone to encourage them to throw a few shapes?

When the alcohol hits their system, the idea of dancing won’t be too scary.

If anything, it will be exciting, which will cause the entire party to flock to the small, rectangular piece of wood near the DJ booth.

Also, paying for a round for your guests is a nice way to say thank you for turning up and enjoying your special day.

It kills two birds with one stone, but the most important one is the dancing.

Let's Get This Party Started! Packing The Dance Floor At Your Wedding

Image Source

Make Dancing The Focal Point

At a wedding reception, a lot is going on as people dance, drink, eat, and socialize.

Therefore, it is not uncommon to see people shun the dance floor while they enjoy other aspects of the wedding.

Although this is a good sign, it also takes away from the night reception.

To ensure that everyone has a boogie or two, you can make the night party all about dancing.

For example, dim the lights to create more of a party mood.

Then, ask the DJ to play his/hers best tracks to get the blood pumping through the feet.

Also, don’t forget to add a touch of novelty with a disco ball and disco lighting.

People will dance just because this combination is something they have never seen before at a wedding.

Finally, put the dance floor in the middle of the room.

Then, everyone has to walk past it and can’t stand out of the way.

Focus On The Ladies

Last but not least, use evolution to your advantage.

Let’s face it; guys dance because girls dance.

If there are lots of women having a good time on the dancefloor, the men are bound to follow suit.

Some will have rhythm and others will look like Big Bird from Sesame Street.

Regardless, at least the dance floor will be full to the brim with people enjoying the night.

So, the aim is to get as many ladies onto the floor as possible and let the guys take note.

Even better, carefully pick some of your single friends to get the party started.

They can take a night off from the free dating sites UK has to offer, and mingle.

A great way to do this is to the bride to grab them by the hand and escort them to the floor.

No one can say no on her wedding day!

Or, you can provide comfortable footwear so that dancing doesn’t ruin their feet.

High heels and boogieing don’t go hand in hand, which is where sandals and flip-flops come in handy.

No one wants their wedding to resemble a high school teen dance.

Quite simply, to avoid this scenario, the DJ and the amount of alcohol have a big role to play!

Wedding Beauty Wedding inspiration

Pre-Wedding Teeth Whitening The Natural Way

As the hat suggests, I am a wine drinker. And a coffee drinker, and I really don’t take as much care of my teeth as I probably should. Cue the reason for the teeth whitening trial!

Teeth Whitening For Summer Weddings

I have some summer weddings coming up soon, so I want to try to look my best.

There are a gazillion photos taken during weddings, and one of the things that makes me feel confident when dolled up is when my teeth look nice and clean and bright.

As much as I love white teeth, I’ve never had professional teeth whitening.

It’s mainly due to the cost. It’s a good few £££, and I have never really been able to justify it.

Pro Teeth Whitening Co. Teeth Whitening Strips With Activated Charcoal are an affordable option for those who want to brighten their teeth naturally.

SAFE ON ENAMEL AND FLUORIDE FREE
Formulated using only the finest ingredients and suitable for vegetarians. Specially designed to remove stains from the surface of your teeth, without harming the enamel or causing sensitivity.
From the Pro Teeth Whitening Co. website

This little box is your ticket to brighter teeth. Don’t believe me? Keep reading… 😉

How To Whiten Your Teeth Without The Use Of Peroxide

I love the fact that these strips don’t contain peroxide.

You just take a little packet out, and rip it open to reveal two black, pliable little strips.

The straight one is for your top teeth, the curved one for your bottom teeth.

Natural Teeth Whitening Strips by Pro Teeth Whitening Co.

I was quite surprised how soft and pliable they were. They mould really nicely to your teeth, and I found them very easy to keep on.

You leave them in place (as much as possible) for 30 minutes, every day for 14 days.

I suffered no irritation whatsover, and apart from a slight tingle on my tongue where it rested against the strip a bit, there was no sensation whatsover.

But let’s cut to the chase…. do they actually work?

Well, yes! They do.

See for yourself below.

Pro Teeth Whitening Co. Charcoal Strips Review Before and After 14 Day Trial

After the 14 day trial, my teeth felt and looked cleaner, brighter and shiny!

Even after just the first day there was a difference. They sparkled.

They’re great if you want a quick, subtle fix, or to have a more noticable result by going the whole hog and following the 14 day course.

Get 10% Off

If you want to buy charcoal teeth whitening products to try for yourself, you can use a special 10% discount code ‘WHITENING‘ on the Pro Teeth Whitening Co. Amazon page.

Have you tried any teeth whitening products? Which ones are your favourites?

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Wedding inspiration Wedding Venues

Countryside Wedding Venues: Tips On How To Choose

Wedding days can often be an escape from reality for both the lucky couple and their guests. Countryside wedding venues makes the perfect location for a wedding for this reason. Perfect wedding photographs, stunning views, and romantic accommodation.

Are you dreaming of your big day in one of the amazing countryside wedding venues in the UK but don’t know where to start? This guide will help you to understand the basics of finding the perfect rural venue.

What Type Of Countryside Wedding Venues Do You Want?

Once you have decided on the countryside location, you need to decide what type of venue you want to look at.

From medieval castles to luxury farms and tepees, there are many options when it comes to countryside locations. Even how you can customise them for your big day.

Whether you are thinking about practicalities or your dream vision, the countryside has a vast selection.

One of the most popular of these is choosing a traditional manor or country home to house your wedding. Combining the luxurious side of the countryside with history.

Adlington Hall is a perfect choice for a countryside venue as it is home to expansive rural gardens and has the beautiful Georgian architecture that the English countryside is known for.

Where Is The Venue Located?

The second question that you need to consider when finding a venue is where the venue is located.

Although the countryside is beautiful, its rural nature means that it is sometimes incredibly remote and difficult to get to for both you and your wedding guests.

If you are planning on inviting many friends separate from the core members of your family, you should attempt to find a pocket of countryside that is close to the cities and towns where your family live.

This is especially important for winter weddings, where adverse weather conditions may make access an issue.

Does It Have The Right Facilities?

When viewing potential locations for your countryside wedding, it is important that you check that the location has the right facilities that your wedding needs to be a success.

For instance, some historical houses can have limited space in terms of the wedding service.

You need to check with the organisation that your wedding has the appropriate facilities to house and cater for all of your guests, both in the interior and the exterior.

What Is Your Budget?

You also need to consider your budget when booking the venue of your dreams.

Locations in the countryside are known for being expensive and get booked up far in advance.

You should make sure that you are prepared during the planning process.

You should start to plan your wedding budget before you look at venues by breaking down the costs such as accommodation, transport, décor, the dress, and catering. Then splitting this into who will pay for what.

This then gives you a basis on which you can make your decisions.

Doing this first is ideal.

The most popular wedding venues often need to be booked from a year to 18 months before your big day.

Once you’ve picked your date and chosen your perfect venue, you can relax a little bit.

The two biggest decisions are taken care of, and there are lots more wonderful decisions to make.

Good luck!

Wedding inspiration Wedding planning

9 Steps For An Eco-Friendly Wedding

If you do your best to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle in your “regular life,” then why not look at having an eco-friendly wedding?

Now, you’ll want your wedding to be a big party, but it’s also important to remember that the world doesn’t stop spinning just because we’re getting married.

The problems that the world has, and the duties we have to alleviate those problems, remain intact.

An eco-friendly wedding is easier than it sounds, and you won’t lose any of the fun. And, of course, you’ll be doing your bit to help practices that help the world develop that little bit more, too.

An Eco-Friendly Wedding Engagement

Everyone wants their engagement to be special, but here’s the thing — virtually any engagement where the person has put in a bit of an ounce of effort and care will be special.

While it would be nice to get engaged, say, overlooking the mountains of Patagonia, if you take a trip there you’ll have used up your “annual allowance” of earth’s resources just on the flight!

You don’t need to go to great lengths to have an out of the world engagement: save the magic for the wedding, and keep the engagement local.

On The Fingers

That wedding rings often have a huge – and negative – impact on the natural world isn’t something that’s terribly well known, but it’s true.

The average wedding ring that you buy you from a high street shop will have a high carbon footprint trailing behind it.

To have an eco-friendly wedding, therefore, you’ll need to think about what’s going on the fingers.

There are sustainable options available – like the rings at Ingle & Rhode, for example, which are ethically sourced and produced.

Plus, they’ll show your guests that you want to be environmentally friendly long after the day is over. You want to have an eco-friendly life.

Wedding Clothes

The manufacture of new clothes has a huge impact on the natural world.

After all, what do you think all those clothes are made from? Some people are pretty good at making the most use from their clothes or buying smartly, but then buy a dress or suit – which are expensive – that’ll only be worn on one day.

Wouldn’t it be better to save the planet, and tons of money, by buying something that’s more sustainable? Second-hand – yet virtually pristine – eco-friendly wedding clothes can be beautiful and affordable.

You can also take a look at ‘upcycling’ an old dress, if you have the skills that’ll allow you to do it properly (though it’s not as difficult as it looks).

Sending Out Invites

Oh, those poor trees. So many are cut down, and they’re not being used to publish the works of the next Shakespeare — they’re just informing people to keep a date far in the future free.

They’re not going to be pinned on the wall or have any details that really need to be scrutinised – they may just be read and thrown away. Argh!

If you aim to have a eco-friendly wedding, then this will be a bad start. If you’re going to send paper invites, then do so on recycled paper. Even better would be to send a digital invite, which will have no carbon footprint at all.

Celebrate Close To Home

There’s been a big rise in overseas weddings in recent years, and you can see why.

They’re generally cheaper than UK weddings, and you can be guaranteed agreeable weather.

It is, however, a disaster for the environment, since you’ll have so many people flying over to wherever you choose. So think about this before you start looking longingly at a map of the world and selecting an exotic destination.

It’s also worth remembering that while it might seem “cheaper,” in actual fact you’re just passing the cost on to your guests, who have to pay for their flights, hotels, etc. There are many beautiful wedding venues in the UK, check out the Bijou Wedding Venues website for some amazing ones!

Getting There

Even if you are getting married in the UK, there’s still going to be a lot of travelling involved for your guests, unless you happen to live in an Emmerdale-style village, where everyone who would be going to your wedding already lives locally.

Instead of having dozens of cars making the journey, maybe just have one vehicle transporting everyone?

Provide a bus to the venue from a central spot, and you’ll be environmentally responsible for one journey, rather than dozens.

If that’s not a practical option, you can look at cutting down on the number of vehicles travelling to your space by connecting guests who live close to one another so they can carpool for the trip.

Decoration Options

You’re going to have flowers at your wedding, but you’ll want to check where they’re coming from because some producers use dangerous chemicals to make their flowers bloom.

Once the wedding day is over, suggest to guests that they take them home, so they’re not single use.

Serving A Sustainable Dinner

What’s on the menu? Wedding meals are one of the highlights of the day for everyone, but who says that the meal has to involve meat?

While some of your guests might roll their eyes at the idea of a meal without meat, it’s worth keeping in mind that meat is one of the worst things for the environment.

The water needed to make one hamburger is the same as a month’s worth of showers. One! Now imagine if you’re serving steak to all your guests.

Take a look at vegan or vegetarian meals. There are a lot of delicious options that’ll ensure none of your guests has any complaints with the food.

The Honeymoon

Now that the wedding is over, you’ll be thinking about your honeymoon.

Having kept things as earth-friendly as possible, you won’t want to undo the good work by taking an energy-intensive trip to the other side of the world.

Keep things located within the UK, if possible.

There are many beautiful spots here that you may not have visited before! If you do want to go overseas, work with an eco-friendly travel company to keep things as earth-boosting as possible.

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Wedding fashion Wedding inspiration

Wedding Fashion Rules For Guests

Going to someone else’s wedding, but not sure how to dress? Here’s a brief guide on wedding fashion rules; specifically what you should and shouldn’t wear when attending a wedding as a guest.

Check Whether There’s A Theme

In some cases, the bride and groom will select a theme, which dictates how the guests should dress. This is always worth looking into first – you don’t want to come dressed to a medieval wedding in a cocktail dress.

Any theme will usually be outlined on the wedding invite. If you’re unsure, you can always ask the bride or groom directly.

Consider The Formality

The formality of a wedding can usually be indicated by the type of venue. If the couple are getting married in a stately home, it’s likely to be a formal event. If it’s a beach wedding, it may be a more smart casual event.

Formal Events

At formal events, long dresses and suits are generally expected. You generally won’t have to dress black tie unless specified (in this case, men will need to wear a tuxedo, whilst women should wear a cocktail dress or formal dress). A jumpsuit could be a formal option for some women wanting to look trendier – this is definitely more city wedding attire than country wedding.

Smart Casual Events

At a smart casual event, sundresses and skirts are a good option for women, whilst chinos and a shirt are a safe option for men. Jeans should be avoided, although when worn with a blazer it can be pulled off. Women can usually get away with trousers, so long as the top is fairly smart.

Consider Your Role

It’s important to also consider your role within the wedding and what relation you may be to the bride or groom. If you’re a closer relationship, you may want to put a little bit more effort in as to stand out.

Part Of The Wedding Party?

If you’re a bridesmaid or the best man, you’ll usually have your outfit chosen for you by the bride and groom (although your input is still important). Other important guests may have to figure it out for themselves.

This mother of the bride style guide could be useful for any women attending their daughter’s wedding. Meanwhile, this father of the bride style guide could be useful for any men looking to give their daughter away.

Colour schemes are sometimes used to determine who is on the bride’s side and who is on the groom’s side. This could be something to consider – it will usually be outlined in the invite.

Don’t Wear White – The Most Important Of The Wedding Fashion Rules?

This wedding fashion rule is an old rule, but it still applies today. White is the colour of the bride and should be avoided at all costs. Even if the bride isn’t wearing white, you should still avoid it, as it could be seen as an attempt to upstage the bride. Off-whites can also be dangerous. You may however be able to get away with a two tone dress containing an ivory or beige with another colour.

But Do Consider Black

Black is sometimes seen as too funeral and there are certain cultures (for example, Buddhist weddings, Irish weddings and Hindu weddings) where it is still a big no-no of the wedding fashion rules to dress in black. However, in most cases nowadays, black can work at a wedding. Obviously, this has always been the case with suits, however with dresses it can work well too, especially when it comes to an evening wedding. Black cocktail dresses and black jumpsuits can look particularly chic.

Be Careful Of Religious Symbols

Religious symbols may not be appropriate at certain weddings. It’s best to always ask about wearing these first, especially if you’re attending a ceremony at a place of worship.

In certain cases, you may even be required to wear certain religious attire. At some Jewish weddings for example, it is formal practice for all men to wear a kippah.

Stay Modest

It should go without saying, but a wedding isn’t the time for dressing sexy or overly showy. Try not to have too much flesh on display – low-cropped collars and short hemlines are best avoided.

Bring Appropriate Shoes

Footwear is an important part of the outfit to consider. It’s important to get the formality right as well as making sure your shoes are practical.

For many women, weddings are a chance to try on their latest heels. By the end of event however, you may want a backup pair of shoes – a spare pair of flats could be worth taking in your bag. Stilettos aren’t recommended for outdoor weddings, unless you’re feeling brave.

As for men, a smart pair of shoes such as brogues or loafers is always recommended. Trainers should be avoided – even at a smart casual wedding, they’re likely to come across a little too casual.

Bring The Right Bag

This one applies mainly to women. A large handbag isn’t necessary at a wedding and you’ll find it an inconvenience carrying it around. Try to stick to a smaller bag. This could be a cross-body bag or a clutch bag – something that’s easy to take around with you and enough to fit only the bare essentials in such as your card, phone and keys. Mini-bags are currently in vogue and could be a good choice.

Featured image source

Wedding inspiration Wedding planning

Entertain Your Wedding Guests with These Fun Ideas

Wedding parties are often all about the dancing.

Once everyone has eaten, the music can get going and everyone can boogie.

However, not everyone wants to spend the whole reception up on their feet, and many people aren’t too keen on dancing.

A lot of couples are also opting for longer festival-style weddings that can last several days.

No one will want to dance for that long, but you also need to make sure your guests are entertained.

Giving them things to do will ensure they don’t get bored, and it can also encourage conversation and help your two families to get to know each other.

Here are some fun ideas for things they could do.

Craft And Food Stations

One of the best things about a wedding is the food.

You get a free meal and there are usually plenty of things to nibble on too.

As well as providing your choice of wedding breakfast, whether it’s a three-course meal, a buffet or something more creative, you can have ways for your guests to have fun with food.

Consider setting up stations where they can get creative and decorate their own cupcakes or mix toppings into different ice cream flavours.

You can do the same thing with craft stations, especially for children who might want something to do.

By Gary Johnson

Fun With Photo

Every wedding needs plenty of photos so the happy couple and their guests can remember the day.

Everyone at a modern wedding will likely have their phone with them, but there’s something much more engaging about a photo booth.

It allows for fun group photos, your guests can play with props, and you can create a fantastic album of photos from throughout the party.

There are various products available to create the perfect booth for your wedding, including some options that have touch screens and digital enhancements.

Games

When your guests don’t feel like dancing, they could just sit and talk to each other.

However, if you want to make sure there are other ways for them to have fun, you could consider offering some games.

A simple way to do this is to have a selection of board games on a table that anyone can pick up and play if they feel like it.

For a retro touch, hiring arcade games gives your guests another fun way to play. It could be particularly good for a festival wedding or anywhere you have more space to work with.

Animal Fun

If you’re looking for something different, consider how to get animals involved in your wedding.

You can even hire a petting zoo for your party, providing lots of cute entertainment for your guests.

If you’re a big fan of dogs, allowing your guests to bring theirs could be a nice idea.

You could have dog sitters available to take care of them while your guests are partying to make sure they’re well behaved.

Keep your guests entertained by coming up with interesting ideas to give them a variety of options.

Wedding planning

How To Make Your Wedding Guests Remember Your Big Day For Years

If you would like to create a special day for yourself and your guests, it is important that you also take into consideration your friends and family’s preferences and their age, style, and ideal event.

After all, it is your responsibility to make the big day enjoyable for those you would like to share it with. Below you will find a few tips on how to make your day one to remember for everyone.

Image via Flickr

Create a Theme

It is important that you create a theme for the wedding that matches your interest and fits in with the expectations of your guests, too. You might be a massive fan of the Avengers, but your parents and grandparents and your boss might not be able to relate to the theme. Creating a themed wedding around general interest, such as fairy tales, happiness, valuing each other, and support will help you engage with your guests and get them to stay involved with what is going on.

Plan Your Entertainment

It is also important that your guests don’t get bored. When choosing an event manager and entertainer, you will need to plan the activities based on the demographics of your guest list. Choose from different live music wedding entertainment ideas and discuss them with your guests. Kids need to be entertained, or they will be running wild. It might be a good idea to set up a play area for them where they can watch a movie or catch up with each other, without running your catering team mad.

Get Them Involved

Image via Flickr

The best weddings include the guests as co-creators of the event. You can ask your guests to come up with ideas on how to make the most out of the time spent together. You might want to set up a game for your guests, or a competition. You can have a quiz or a cake eating competition; anything that your guests will enjoy when they are not talking to each other or eating. After all, you want to focus on your perfect wedding and not run around trying to cheer everyone up.

Consider Everyone’s Taste and Needs

It might also be a good idea to list the guests based on physical and dietary needs, so you can cater for everyone. You might want to ask everyone to include their dietary requirements in their RSVP, so you can talk to the caterers and make sure that there is something for them to eat and there is more than one option. If you have friends or family members with limited mobility, you might want to seat them close to the door, so they don’t have to feel obliged to stay seated because they don’t want everyone else to move.

To make your wedding memorable for your guests, it is important that you plan your entertainment and theme and consider the needs of your friends and family members.

Wedding inspiration Wedding planning

How To Ensure Your Wedding Is This Year’s Most Fun Event

Yes, your wedding should be magical, romantic, all those lovely things. But above all – and this is just one view – it should be fun.

You’ve got people visiting from afar to see you and your partner get hitched, the least you can do is make sure they have a fun-filled, thoroughly entertaining day.

So while you’ll want to ensure that your wedding ticks all the boxes of your childhood dreams, you’ll want to go to extra lengths to add the fun. But how?

Below, we take a look at five ideas to ensure your big day is this year’s most fun event.

Consider Trimming The Guest List

They say that bigger is always better, but when it comes to your wedding guest list, sometimes less is more.

The reason being, if the guests don’t know each other, or only know you dimly, then it’ll take longer for everyone to unwind and get into the fun state of mind (you’ll have more leeway if you’re making your wedding a multi-day affair, such as when it takes place overseas).

When you’re putting together your guest list, consider keeping it to people who you know will feel comfortable straight away, and who can bring the fun.

Add Your Personality

There are a few staple wedding additions that every big day seems to have. They’re lovely, worth including, but not necessarily fun. For that, you’ll want to look at adding your own personality to proceedings.

You and your partner have a full life — add touches of it to the big day. For example, if you’re big in to, say, cycling, then cycling related decorations would be a good idea.

Fun isn’t only about entertainment – it’s about putting your own spin on things.

Fun Touches

If you’ve been to a handful of weddings, then you’ll have seen the same things over and over again.

For your wedding, why not throw a surprise or two in there? You can set up a ‘make your own cocktail’ station, for example, or make the most of a photo booth hire, and have your guests take funny photographs all night.

If you’re going to be spending the bulk of the reception outdoors, then how about a bouncy castle? Your guests will love it.

Outdoor Games

If you’re getting married during the summer, then you’ll have the perfect opportunity to get into the outdoors and play good old lawn games.

It’s an awesome icebreaker for the guests who don’t know others, for starters, and there’s nothing like a little bit of friendly competitiveness to get people into the swing of having a good time.

Plus, if it’s a game that requires a hint of movement, they’ll also get people warmed up for the dance floor. And talking of which….

Dancefloor Goodness

You can’t have a fun wedding without a great dance floor! And where’s the fun? In the people, of course.

Of all the key decisions you’ll make, making sure you hire a DJ who understands how to keep everyone dancing will be among the most important!

All imagery from Pexels.

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How To Plan The Perfect Wedding

If you want your wedding day to be nothing less than perfect, then it’s worth taking the time to review how you can achieve this goal.

There are a few tips in particular that will help you to stay on track by focusing on what’s most important and is going to help make your day flawless.

Be mindful to enjoy the process because it will go quickly and will soon all be a memory of the past.

Set A Budget

Plan the perfect wedding by setting a budget first and foremost and knowing how much you want to spend in each area.

For instance, map out exactly how much money you need for the reception venue, invitations and the cake and so on.

Having these numbers documented ahead of time will help guide you to making wiser decisions in the process so that you don’t overspend and have regrets later on.

Plan Everything, Including Your Honeymoon

It’s extremely important that you start the planning process as soon as you know you’re getting married.

You need time to sketch out the details such as securing the venue and booking a honeymoon.

For instance, you need to think about your destination and find the best options for you. You may want to explore and discover somewhere new. Cyprus Holidays offer sun, sea, romance and adventure, with beautiful beaches to boot.

Make sure you organise this in advance to secure the best prices. In addition, you want to be as organised as possible by making lists and following strict timelines.

Be sure to document every detail and have contracts for the big ticket items, so you know what you’re getting on the day of.

Get Your Partner Involved

Although you’re the bride, it’s in your best interest to get your husband-to-be involved if possible.

For instance, put him in charge of figuring out what will be served at the bar or hiring the entertainment. Sit down and ask him what aspects he cares the most about and show that you value his opinion and you’ll both have a much better time at your wedding.

You may not even know what he has in mind or his preferences for what the day should entail until you ask. While you may not agree on every detail, it’s important to at least hear each other out.

Create A Priority List

Your wedding day will be that much more perfect when you know what it is you want and make sure these desires become a reality.

What will help you out the most is putting your wishes in priority order, so you guarantee the most important items are taken care of first.

For instance, maybe you want to spend more money on your wedding dress and are willing to skip other details that are less significant to you. This way you’ll get what you want and won’t be going over your budget in the process.

Let this list guide you to creating the perfect day filled with the most imperative aspects that matter a great deal to you.

Be Picky About The Guest List

Remember that this is your day and ultimately it’s up to you who you want there at your wedding celebrating with you.

Try not to let others tell you who you should and shouldn’t invite and go with your gut and what you and your finance believe are the best decisions for you. The last situation you want is to have someone present who doesn’t support you two or will cause unwanted drama on your special day.

Your wedding will be perfect when you invite the right guests who have your best interest in mind.

Have Plenty Of Food & Entertainment

Most importantly, you can plan the perfect wedding by having plenty of food and entertainment for your guests to enjoy. What people remember most about attending a wedding or event is what they ate and what they experienced.

You can make sure your day is one worth talking about by ensuring your guests leave full and that there’s plenty of fun to be had at your wedding. For instance, serve appetisers during cocktail hour, satisfy them with a plated meal or buffet and have plenty of dessert to go around.

Also, hire a band or DJ to play music and consider also offering a photo booth where guests can have their pictures taken throughout the evening.

Wedding inspiration Wedding stationery

Make Your Own Wedding Stationery To Save Money

There are so many ways you can save wedding budget. One way to shave some money off your budget is to make your own wedding stationery.

You can end up paying ££££ for wedding stationery, and although it’s an important part of your wedding, the budget could be better used elsewhere…like your wedding venue!

This short guide will set out the types of stationery you may need for your wedding planning and celebrations, and show you some examples of svg cutting files, fonts, logos and graphics you can download to help you create a personal, but professional finish. We can help you to create beautiful wedding stationery that you’ll be so proud to send to your friends and family. And, you’ll save a bob, too.

How To Make Your Own Wedding Stationery — Look at these beauts! You can get this design from Design Bundles.

The Wedding Stationery You’ll Need To Consider…

Wedding stationery you’ll need throughout your wedding journey, including the big day itself, can include:

1. Save The Date Cards

Usually sent long before the wedding day, to secure the date in people’s diaries. These are especially good for those of you who are going to be throwing a destination wedding.

2. Wedding Invitations

Make Your Own Wedding Stationery: A Guide

These are pretty crutial, but they actually don’t have to be done in the traditional day. Wedding planning couples send texts, create Whatsapp groups and invite people in person. Whatever suits!

3. Order Of Services

These are traditionally found during the (civil/religious) wedding ceremony, and guide wedding guests through the ceremony and the day. These are particularly useful if you’ve got various parts to your wedding, and if you need your guests to move between locations.

4. Wedding Menus

Wedding menus are not always needed, especially if you have a buffet for your wedding breakfast. Wedding menus are useful when you have different options for dietary requirements, or have a series of courses, or have something special to say to your wedding guests. There could just be one on the table for your guests to glance at.

5. Table Plan

If you’re having a lot of guests, a table plan is a very good idea. Usually displayed at the doorway of the wedding breakfast location, it helps to guide guests quickly to their tables.

You could create something unique, and incorporate your theme into the plan, or you could simply write people’s names nicely in lists on a decorated board. It’s absolutely your choice what you come up with.

Top tip – do this last! You’ll get very frustrated if you create your table plan and guests drop out or become ill before your wedding. I have been there, and re-printing the table plan was stress I didn’t need!

6. Table Names / Numbers

Table names or numbers are crutial so that you can guide your guests over to their correct table. You usually match these up via the table plan.

7. Place Names

You can get really creative here. You can write your own. You can print them on your home printer and cut them out. You can write on found objects like stones or leaves.

The more creative you get, the better, and you will be easily able to create something that look beautiful amongst your reception table theme.

8. Venue Signage

If you’ve got a tricky venue location, like a barn in the middle of the country, set amongst a farm for instance, it’s advisable to make some signs so that your guests don’t get lost trying to find where they need to be. You can create signs out on the roads, or just at your venue. Even a venue would benefit from a ‘toilets’ sign!

You can get digital by designing your own on your computer, printing them out and laminating them. You could use a stencil and paint on wood. You could even hand write a sign if you have nice handwriting 😉

9. Thank You Cards

It’s important to be able to thank your guests, and these days not everyone sends thank you cards. To save loads of time and money, you can create images using design programs like Canva, and send them via facebook messenger or whatsapp.

If you do like a traditional card, then using pre-designed graphics and printing them at home is a brilliant way to keep the costs down.

That’s quite a list, right? Imagine the costs involved in commissioning a designer to create and print those pieces. Not that we are suggesting you don’t do that, but there is so much money to be saved by getting creative yourself.

Below are the nautical themed wedding invites that I designed using SVGs and printed at home. I used Photoshop to create them, along with some brilliant graphic downloads like the anchor, the ropes, matched with nautical themed fonts and colours.

These invites asked our friends and family to attend our wedding down in Cornwall, so we needed a few pages with local hotels, directions and timings.

This theme ran through all of our wedding stationery, and subtly through our other touches such as navy Bridesmaid dresses. Andy had an anchor brooch on his suit jacket, and an anchor and ship wheel cufflinks on his shirt.

Graphical imagery is from Design Bundles.

Comment below and show us what you’re thinking for your wedding stationery – will you make your own?

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Wedding inspiration Wedding planning

Use Jewel For Cashback On Your Luxury Wedding Items

So, you’ve got your eye on some awesome jewel encrusted shoes that match your wedding dress perfectly?

You’ve chosen your wedding day make up, and seen some beautiful swimwear for your honeymoon?

You really want to treat your new Mother In Law to be with a beautiful designer handbag, and your husband to be would love an engraved watch as a wedding present.

Let us guess – you just had to pay your first installment on your wedding venue, and you’re wondering whether you should splurge after all?

What if we told you there was a way to save some money on the luxury details you’ve set your sights on?

Meet Jewel.

Jewel is a cashback site for luxury brands, where you can earn up to 15% cashback on EVERY purchase.

With cashback on brands such as Bobby Brown, Stila and Tarte for your wedding make up. For wedding shoes you’ve got Jimmy Choo and Kate Spade, and a whole host of amazing brands such as Anthropologie, Armani and Harrods for buying memorable Bridesmaid and Groomsmen gifts. Lucky them!

Jewel even offer cashback on travel partners such as Hotels.com, Emirates and Marriott, so planning your honeymoon just got more affordable!

If you sign up now, there’s a $5 bonus waiting in your account, and it’s super easy to get started.

If you’ve got friends who you’d think would love to benefit from the luxury brands cashback site, then you can earn $5 for referring each one. More cash for the wedding pot!

Once you’ve done your shopping, you will be paid every 2 months if the balance if $15 or over.

It’s really easy to start earning cashback on your wedding spendings. Perhaps you can use the money saved for extra cocktails at the swim up bar on your honeymoon!

Check out Jewel, the luxury cashback site to start saving now.

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