How to Choose the Right Wedding Musicians
Look, listen & watch. Scan the musician's set list. Do you like the choice of music? Can you listen to demos online? Will they learn a special song just for your wedding? Watch a performance; do they blend in or take over - remember it's your wedding, not the musicians showcase.
Contributed by Akuztik
of Burnley, Lancashire, GB, UK BB12 8AF — 0044 7960 535470
Organising Wedding Gift Thank You List
Keep in mind that the thank you process begins when you gather your guests' names and addresses to send the invitations. Top Tip - save that list! When you start receiving wedding presents, open them and record each gift next to the giver's name and address. Send thank you cards as soon as possible.
Contributed by Propose to invite
of Malton, UK YO17 9DU — 07887 854673
Cut Wedding Costs Not Wedding Style
Solicit help from close family and friends to make your own floral centrepieces or address wedding invitations. Make your own edible wedding favours. Baked cookies, jams and cupcakes are well liked favours! Hire a wedding gown, it CAN be done.
Get married during the week. You can get some great deals on weddings held Monday - Thursday.
Contributed by Chloe Beck
of Canterbury, Kent, UK CT3 4JH — 0845 373 2703
Wedding Shoe Saftety Tip
Make sure you wear your wedding shoes around the house a few times before the big day to be sure they are comfy and don't give you a blister. Wear them to vacuum if you wish! If you're sure you won't be returning them scuff the soles very slightly outdoors so they have some traction and help prevent slipping and falls.
Contributed by Chloe Beck
of Hersden, Canterbury Kent, UK CT3 4JH — +44 1227 712 618
Alternative to Numbered Wedding Reception Tables
It has become very popular to name your reception table after something meaningful to the bride or groom or matching the wedding theme. Not only does this inject a lot of fun and personality into the day, it also extinguishes the dread of placing guests onto the last numbered table!
Contributed by Strawberry Twist
of Yateley, UK — 01252 661910
Wedding Hair...Tiara or Hair Pins?
A bridal tiara will give you a beautiful traditional look. Try one on to see if it suits your style. Pins are very versatile and give a more contemporary look. They are great if you are not sure how you are going to wear your hair for the big day. Your hairdresser can play around to get a look you love.
Contributed by Yarwood-White
of Cobham, UK — 07917660830
Best Man Speech
When making a wedding speech or toast, avoid trying to be a stand up comedian. being humorous is not the same as telling a string of jokes. Avoid anything that even gets close to bad taste, inappropriate or otherwise dodgy material. Remember the wise maxim, "If in doubt, leave it out."
Contributed by Wedding Speech Coaching
of London, UK — 0845 838 1812
Selecting Your Weddiing Music
Pick music that will suit all wedding guests, or a band that covers most of the likely styles. The last thing you want is for all the youngsters to be bored or the elder members of your guest list feeling their needs were ignored. Speak to whomever is providing the interval music early.
Contributed by
of Bristol, Somerset, UK BS24 9AX —
Get to know your wedding photographer
Remember that your wedding photographer will be with you for your whole wedding day, you need to get on well! Make sure you meet your photographer before your wedding, possibly even booking a pre-wedding photoshoot to make sure you "gel".
Contributed by Capaldi Weddings
of Nuneaton, UK CV10 9RH — 07725 698968
Print Wedding Readings & Vows On Your Invitations
You have taken time to choose those special, meaningful words for your wedding day. Have them captured and written out by a professional calligrapher then printed onto your invitations. You, family and friends can keep and frame them as a reminder of the day they shared with you.
Contributed by Urbis Scriptores
of Cheshire, UK CW9 6AY — 01606 891722
Wedding Cake Servings
As a rule of thumb for wedding cake servings, fruit cakes yield double the servings as the same sized sponge cake. Likewise, square cakes yield approximately 30 percent more than the same sized round cakes.
Contributed by Novelty Cake Toppers
of International, UK — 01452 722659
A place setting for your guest book?
Laying a place setting for your guest book is a great idea that many brides find useful. It means that the pen stays intact [as this often disappears!] and everybody gets a chance to sign your book. It also means that your guest book does not go walkabout and stays on one table!
Contributed by Chloe Beck
of Canterbury, UK CT3 4JH — 0845 373 2703
DIY Wedding Place Card Holders
Rather than splashing out on place card holders, consider making your own. Paint guests' names on pebbles for a rustic theme or ice their names on home baked cookies [these can then double as favours!]wrapped in fancy organza bags or color coordinated plastic wrap. Solicit the help of your bridesmaids or family.
Contributed by Chloe Beck
of Canterbury, UK CT3 4JH — 0845 373 2703
Perfect Wedding Place Cards
If you can't hire a calligrapher always buy a few spare place cards to practice on. Ask a relative with lovely handwriting to write them for you or buy yourself a great pen. Use black ink. Rule a very faint pencil line on the cards and write slowly. Your place cards will be gorgeous!
Contributed by The Wedding Calligrapher
of Cheshire, UK —
Save Money on Your Wedding Venue
If you have a dream venue in mind, that you think may be out of your budget, give them a call and find out how much cheaper it would be to get married on a weekday or a Sunday before you discount it completely. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Contributed by
of Wrexham County Borough, UK LL13 0HG —
Best Wedding Planning Advice
As a wedding planner, I find that the best initial advice I give my future clients is to step back and look at the wedding plans from an outsiders point of view. For people who manage to do this, they find the process of planning easier and understand my advice throughout their planning process better.
Contributed by WeddingBliss Ltd
of Lincoln, UK LN7 6SF — 01472 859813
Choosing a Wedding Cake Maker
3 factors for choosing a wedding cake maker: Taste, Finish and Professionalism. Do they have professional facilities, or are they making an occasional cake as a weekend hobby business? Do they have wedding cake photos of past work to see their finished designs? Schedule a cake tasting before hiring.
Contributed by Jenny's Cakes Ltd.
of Carluke, Scotland ML8 5RE — 01555 860755
Budget Wedding Centerpieces
Budget centerpieces don't have to look cheap. Simple things like candles can make a big impression and warm atmosphere.
Contributed by Simply Charming Events
of Pontypridd, UK — 01443405620
Handle With Care
Your hands will be the focus of attention when showing off your beautiful new wedding ring, so be careful to avoid doing anything that will cause nails to split and break. Use loads of hand cream in the weeks leading up to your special day to get them super soft and smooth.
Contributed by UK Wedding Services
of Worcester, UK — 01905 20206
Buy the Photographer, Not the Service
Create a great rapport with the person you choose to take your wedding photographs. You need to like and trust that person to give your best. Make sure that they are prepared to meet with you or talk on the phone with you before you have to make a commitment to them.
Contributed by Lesley Rigg Photography
of Kineton, Warwickshire, UK CV35 0HT — 07834 222916
