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
Choose comfy undies for the big day!
There's nothing worse than knickers that rise up in all the wrong places and a bra with a mind of its own! So, choose underwear that you know will be supportive and comfortable as well as give a nice shape - even if it's not the prettiest to look at. You can always change later if you need to. When purchasing undies, bring along your dress to be sure they work together too.
Contributed by Chloe Beck
of Canterbury, UK CT3 4JH — 0845 373 2703
Home Made Cookie Favours
One of our brides made her own sugar dusted wedding cookies for personalised favours, packaged in cellophane bags and guests' printed name on the card clipped to the bag-doubling as a place setting. Fantastic for the personal touch and brides on a budget.
Contributed by Derbyshire Wedding Planners
of Chesterfield, UK S42 6DD — 07727 426380
Stick to Your Wedding Budget
Have your budget planner and calculator handy anytime you are visiting stores or wedding service providers to be sure you stay within budget and get the best deals. Never buy in haste.
Contributed by LvLv Events Ltd
of South Ockendon, UK — 07833052290
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
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 —
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
Set the mood with music...
Create the perfect balance between entertainment and stylish ambiance for your wedding with acoustic music. Subtle, delicate acoustic music permeates the soul, relaxes the mind and fills the heart with joy without overshadowing your wedding and reception dinner.
Contributed by Akuztik
of Burnley, UK BB12 8AF — 00447960 535470
Cool Beach Wedding Dresses
If you are lucky enough to be flying to an exotic, hot location to exchange your vows, opt for a dress that's not clingy. Maximum comfort and lightweight fabrics are key in a tropical climate. Choose a fabric like chiffon or gauze. Both are lightweight and will breathe, leaving you feeling cool, calm and collected!
Contributed by Cutting Edge Brides
of Kent, UK — 01322 316 084
Get a Swatch!
When you have chosen your bridesmaids dresses and your own gown, request a sample of material from your dress shop. This will become invaluable when you are out shopping and trying to match colours with napkins, flowers, shoes and accessories!
Contributed by Chloe Beck
of Canterbury, UK CT3 4JH — 0845 373 2703
Simple idea for a spring/summer hen party?
Why not host an inexpensive garden party, either at your home, or at your parents home?. This can be a great idea, and inclusive of all age groups. Decorate the garden with bunting, set out china tea tableware, provide cup cakes, finger sandwiches, tea, coffee & champers.
Personal yet inexpensive.
Contributed by Vintage Afternoon Tea Party
of Leicestershire, UK LE9 8LP — 07825951731
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
Online support for your UK wedding!
Try to get as much support online as possible. Etiquette forums and wedding chat rooms are a great way to share ideas with other wedding couples, find out about reputable wedding suppliers and ways of saving money.
Contributed by UK Wedding Designs
of Gloucestershire, UK GL20 8EX —
Wedding Car Hire
Always go and see the car you want to hire for your wedding day. Be sure that car is the car that you will be getting on the day of your wedding no there will be no (bad) surprises.
Contributed by Circle Of Love
of London, UK — 01293 562 139
Who to invite to on your Hen Do
The politics of party invitations dates back to long before Hen nights even existed, but don't let those politics get in the way of your special night. When it comes to who to invite, consider who will make your night one to remember! Note that only those on the wedding guest list should be invited to any pre-wedding parties.
Contributed by Chillisauce
of London, UK W1T 3QN — 0207 299 1831
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
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 —
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
Wedding Rings Tip
Hands tend to swell a little in hot weather and when we are under stress. Before walking up the aisle, rub some hand lotion onto your ring finger so the ring glides on without a hitch!
Contributed by The Wedding Planner
of Wicklow, Ireland —
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 —
