Dream Weddings Magazine - Bristol, Somerset & Wiltshire - iss.34

a class brides 

www.aclassbrides.co.uk 

27 Brislington Hill, Brislington Bristol - Tel: 0117 919 3007

congratulations... 

You’ve dreamt of your wedding day since you were a little 

girl – the fabulous dress, the handsome groom, the 

flowers, the music, the blissful romance of it all. And now 

you’ve organised the handsome groom, it’s time to get 

down to the rest of the planning, so your wedding day is as 

magical as you always dreamed. 

However daunting the whole prospect seems at the outset, 

this is one celebration everyone wants to be a 

spectacular success and you will find good 

wishes and friendly faces wherever you turn for 

help. Planning your wedding starts here and now 

and in this issue of Dream Weddings you will 

find tips and hints on every aspect of your 

big day. You’ll also find advertisements 

from a whole army of local businesses, 

all with plenty of experience to call on. 

They will work with your ideas, offer 

creative suggestions of their own and 

find solutions to match every budget. 

They know the shortcuts and pitfalls – 

and they’re fully aware of how important 

it is to you that everything runs 

smoothly. So turn the page, start 

planning your big day. 

contents 

WINTER 2016 / SPRING 2017 • ISSUE 34 

p38-39 - BLACK & WHITE... IT’S THE NEW COLOUR 

And enjoy every minute of it! 

p2-15 - DESIGNER 

DAZZLE 

COVER PICTURE BY ROSIE CUTBILL PHOTOGRAPHY 

TEL: 07958 984554 • WWW.ROSIECUTBILLPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK 

DISCLAIMER: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of 

advertisements and editorial in this publication, County Magazines Ltd cannot 

accept responsibility for loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the 

contents of this magazine. The views expressed are not necessarily those of 

the publisher or editor. While every care is taken with material submitted 

for publication, no liability for loss or damage can be accepted by the 

publisher or its agents. 

FOLLOW 

US ON: 

EDITOR 

ADVERTISING 

ACCOUNTS 

DESIGN 

DISTRIBUTION 

JULIA SNOW 

HELEN JOHNSON 

EVE SZEREMETA 

MADELINE RIGGS 

TOM HUTTON 

JANE GREY 

PUBLISHER COUNTY MAGAZINES LTD, 

THE GRANGE, STOKEINTEIGNHEAD, 

NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON TQ12 4QH. 

TELEPHONE: 01626 873364 

EMAIL: ENQUIRIES@COUNTYMAGAZINES.CO.UK 

www.dream-weddings-magazine.co.uk 

Log on to our website at 


2-15 Designer dazzle ’em 

Check out the latest designer styles 

for tomorrow’s beautiful brides 

16-19 Blooming amazing 

Make the most of your budget – and see 

how a florist decorates a family wedding 

20 Inviting prospect 

It’s easy to overlook your stationery, but 

it’s a prime style setter for your big day 

21-25 Let them eat cake! 

Traditional, vintage, contemporary or 

funky: you’ll have so much fun deciding 

26 Listen up, hens & stags 

Top tips for bridesmaids & best men on 

planning successful hen & stag parties 

27-33 Now here’s the plan... 

Get the lowdown on producing a 

wedding day to remember for ever 

p16-19 - BLOOMING GORGEOUS 

35-37 My fair lady 

Find the region’s top wedding fairs with 

everything you need under one roof 

38-39 Black & white magic 

Capture those informal moments in 

retro black & white photographs 

40-43 Hair, make-up & Mums 

Look your gorgeous best – and make 

sure your Mum steps out in style too 

44-45 Transport of bliss 

Arrive in style - whether you choose a 

luxury car or horse & carriage 

46-55 It’s party time! 

Fabulous venues, advice on decor and 

entertainment to keep your guests happy 

56 Dates for your diary 

Advertisers’ index plus our handy roundup 

of Spring wedding fairs near you 

D R E A M W E D D I N G S I N B R I S T O L , S O M E R S E T & W I L T S H I R E • 1

Sleek 

chic... 

PICTURED & RIGHT: 

RONALD JOYCE AT KRYSTLE 

BRIDES IN BATH 

Bridal style is all about expressing your 

personality, wherever it is on the spectrum 

between frivolous, frilly and feminine and sleek, 

subtle and sultry. 

Lace is still king when it comes to fabric, but silky satins 

and understated brocades are just beginning to make a 

significant comeback. 

So, whether your style is sophisticated glamour girl, 

fairytale princess or daring drama queen, you’ll find it all at 

a bridal shop right here in Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire. 

What’s more, you’ll find friendly and experienced staff who 

will spend time talking over your ideas, getting to know you 

and helping you achieve that perfect look right down to the 

smallest detail. 

KENNETH WINSTON AT 

A CLASS BRIDES IN BRISTOL 

2 • D R E A M W E D D I N G S I N B R I S T O L , S O M E R S E T & W I L T S H I R E

PICTURED & BELOW: 

KENNETH WINSTON 

AT A CLASS BRIDES 

IN BRISTOL 


THIS ONE OK 

MAIN PIC LEFT & INSET: 

MORI LEE AT SPECIAL DAY & 

APPLETONS IN KEYNSHAM 

...or frills 

andfolderols? 


MORI LEE AT SPECIAL DAY & 


STELLA YORK 

AT A CLASS 

BRIDES IN 

BRISTOL 

WTOO AT LACE & 

GRACE IN KEYNSHAM 


Cutting 

From the cutest, cheekiest micro mini to the most 

elegant floating ballerina-length, short wedding 

dresses are taking the bridal fashion business by 

storm. 

It all began when hems started to rise on bridesmaid 

dresses, and it wasn’t long before up-to-the-minute 

brides wanted to share the fun a tea-length (or shorter) 

wedding dress provides. 

Some come with detachable trains or overskirts, so you 

can enjoy all the glamour of a traditional bridal look for 

the formal part of the day, before partying the night 

away with complete freedom. 

NEED this pic 

higher res 

MARK LESLEY AT THE BRIDAL LOUNGE 

IN TROWBRIDGE AND SPECIAL DAY 

& APPLETONS IN KEYNSHAM 

MARK LESLEY AT THE BRIDAL LOUNGE 

IN TROWBRIDGE AND SPECIAL DAY 

& APPLETONS IN KEYNSHAM 

TRUE BRIDE AT THE BRIDAL 

LOUNGE IN TROWBRIDGE AND 

A CLASS BRIDES IN BRISTOL 


it short... 

LADYBIRD AT SPECIAL DAY & 


LA SPOSA AT 

BRIDE AT HOME 

IN BRISTOL 

STELLA YORK 

AT A CLASS 

BRIDES IN 

BRISTOL 

ESSENSE AT ANNE 

HARDING IN BRISTOL 


...or 

loving 

it long? 

LEFT & RIGHT: 

LUSAN MANDONGUS AT 

LACE & GRACE 

IN KEYNSHAM 


ABOVE: LUSAN 

MANDONGUS AT LACE 

& GRACE IN KEYNSHAM 

LEFT & ABOVE: 

ENZOANI AT KRYSTLE 



A luxury bridal 

boutique, offering 

an exquisite 

selection of bridal 

gowns from leading 

international 

designers, shoes, 

accessories and 

a bespoke 

design service. 

Visit our beautiful 

boutique or 

contact us for an 

appointment. 

7 M A R K E T WA L K , 

K E Y N S H A M , 

B R I S T O L B S 3 1 1 F S 

Tel: 01179 868911 

info@laceandgracebridal.co.uk 

www.laceandgracebridal.co.uk 

Solitaire Brides 

E S T A B L I S H E D 2 0 0 1 

Colour 

Bridesmaid dresses, Menswear 

Hire & Bridal Accessories 

69, High Street, Midsomer Norton, Somerset BA3 2QD 

Tel: 01761 416699 

www.solitairebrides.co.uk 

Delicate shades of champagne 

and light gold, tea rose and 

blush pink, embellished with 

sparkling Swarovski crystals 

and delicate lace overlays and jackets 

give tomorrow’s brides the authentic 

up-to-date look. 

Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, 

Jessica Biel, Gwen Stefani and Anne 

Hathaway were all blushing brides in 

rose-tinted hues and their choice 

is amply reflected in the 2017 

collections. 

You might think the trend towards 

colour was popular for older brides 

embarking on second marriages, but, 

interestingly, a recent survey found 

that over a quarter of younger brides 

would choose pink, blue or even 

red rather than white for their 

wedding day. 

And it makes sense, because true white and even some ivories 

can be harsh against many skin tones, while pink and champagne 

- playful, fun, romantic and ultra feminine - complement and 

enhance a wide range of skin colours. 

1 0 • D R E A M W E D D I N G S I N B R I S T O L , S O M E R S E T & W I L T S H I R E

BELOW & LEFT: MON CHERI AT SOLITAIRE 

BRIDES IN MIDSOMER NORTON 

MAGGIE SOTTERO 

AT KRYSTLE 


me 

beautiful 

D R E A M W E D D I N G S I N B R I S T O L , S O M E R S E T & W I L T S H I R E • 1 1

B R I D A L • B R I D E S M A I D S • A C C E S S O R I E S 

A stunning 

collection 

of new, 

ex-catwalk & 

one off bridal 

gowns 

UP TO 

50% OFF 

RRP 

Also stockists of True Bride, 

Mark Lesley and Rainbow Club 

Tel: 01225 776354 • www.bridal-lounge.co.uk 

Stone Mill, Court St. Trowbridge 

Back 

ABOVE & BELOW: 

MARK LESLEY AT 

SPECIAL DAY & 

APPLETONS IN 

KEYNSHAM AND THE 

BRIDAL LOUNGE IN 

TROWBRIDGE 

to the 

future... 

Everything you’ve ever read about 

the importance of the back of 

your dress is true. That’s what 

your guests will be looking at all 

through the ceremony. A built-in train 

will give you a slimmer outline while 

you’re standing at the altar and lend a 

special dignity to the occasion. Yes, 

they’re more difficult to handle but think 

of the fun you’ll have practising in front 

of the mirror at home. You’ll soon work 

out how to walk and turn gracefully and 

don’t forget your chief bridesmaid will be 

there to ensure your train falls properly 

on the day. 


Special Day & Appletons 

Fabulous wedding gowns from leading Designers 

including Mori Lee (premier stockist) Sottero & 

Midgley, Mark Lesley, Essense of Australia, Ladybird, 

White Rose, Rebecca Ingram, Diane Legrand Donna 

Salado, Lou Lou and for our curvaceous Brides - 

Julietta by Mori Lee and White Rose Graceful 

Over 500 Bridesmaid dresses in stock including 

Mori Lee, Mark Lesley, Ebony Rose and 

the largest range in the South West of the 

award winning Dessy collection 

Huge range of Mother of the Bride/Groom outfits 

Cabotine, Zelia, Mascara & L’Atelier 

D E S I G N E R B R I D A L W E A R 

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM 

BRIDESMAIDS / MEN’S FORMAL HIRE 

Exclusively offered by RBA Members, the RBA Brides' 

Protection Scheme guarantees to each RBA Bride the peace of 

mind that the dress she buys will be safe for her day - Special 

Day & Appletons are the only RBA members in Bristol & Bath. 

12 HIGH STREET, KEYNSHAM, BS31 1DQ - Tel: 0117 9860303 or 9863582 

email: special.day@btconnect.com • www.specialdayandappletons.co.uk

Now celebrating 25 years in business, 

Jan Wright of Bride at Home in Bristol 

is dressing the daughters of her 

original brides. 

She said: 'It's both a compliment and a real 

pleasure to see former brides coming back with 

their daughters to choose prom dresses and 

wedding gowns.' 

A trained designer and seamstress herself, Jan 

has an eagle eye for style and finish, so the 

collections she chooses for Bride at Home must 

meet stringent criteria when it comes to 

reliability, detail and value for money. 

And there’s the added bonus of being able to 

have bespoke alterations done by an expert. 

PICTURED: LA SPOSA AT 

BRIDE AT HOME IN BRISTOL 

Stylishly 

individual 

Jan said: ‘We often reshape dresses to fit the bride’s different circumstances 

and we can customise each gown by adding or removing straps, making a 

matching bolero or adding extra beadwork.’ 

The stunning collections at Bride at Home include La Sposa, Jasmine 

Eternity, Bonny Bridal and Allure and there’s also a small but select collection 

of Mother of the Bride outfits, complete with matching accessories. 

For more details, call 0117 956 8068 or visit the website at 

www.brideathome.co.uk. 


MAGGIE SOTTERO 

TRUNK SHOW ON 

7th AND 8th APRIL 

Beautiful wedding gowns 

from international 

designers.... 

• Augusta Jones 

• Ellis Bridals 

• Enzoani 

• Maggie Sottero 

• Ronald Joyce 

• Victoria Jane 

• Rita Mae 

Bridesmaids by 

Kelsey Rose 

Mark Lesley 

Ronald Joyce 

Shoes • Accessories 

1 1 , S T J A M E S P A R A D E , B A T H B A 1 1 U L • T E L E P H O N E : 0 1 2 2 5 4 4 6 8 4 4 

W W W . K R Y S T L E B R I D E S . C O . U K • E M A I L : I N F O @ K R Y S T L E B R I D E S . C O . U K

PHOTO BY PHOTOGRAPHS BY NIK 

A bed of 

When it comes to your wedding flowers, you set the style. Classic 

whites and delicate pinks? Rich crimson reds, passionate deep 

purples or blazing blues? Set them all off with luscious green 

foliage. 

Creative & individual flowers 

for your special day 

From her chic boutique florist in the heart of 

Clifton Village, Lisa and her creative team will 

design gorgeous wedding flowers to enhance 

your perfect day – from beautiful bridal bouquets 

to fabulous floral decorations. 

lisa elliott 

floral design 

Bristol 0117 9732440 

1 waterloo street, clifton village 

Bristol BS8 4BT 

email: lisa@lisa-elliott.co.uk 

www.lisa-elliott.co.uk 

Your wedding flowers should mirror the style of your wedding: pure and 

virginal, bright and contemporary, rustic and boho, chic and minimalistic, 

a riot of colour. 

For a really stunning effect, pick a simple floral theme using just one colour – 

or shades of one colour – and let your imagination run riot. Roses are a 

perennial favourite, but you can always add flowers with special meanings. 

Remember Kate Middleton had Sweet William in her bouquet when she married 

Prince William. 

If you’re looking for a wonderful scent, think of delicate freesias, sweet peas, 

lilies of the valley and if you want a trailing cascade bouquet, think Singapore 

orchids or scented jasmine. 

Do book your florist early. Good florists often take just one wedding per day so 

you need to book nine months to a year in advance. You won’t actually have to 

choose your flowers at this point, so don’t panic! 

Around three months before the wedding, make an appointment with your 

florist to go into detail and make some definite decisions. 

To help your florist get an 

idea of the style of your PHOTO BY ROSIE CUTBILL PHOTOGRAPHY 

wedding, take with you: 

• Swatches of material 

from your dress and your 

bridesmaids’ outfits 

• Photographs or sketches 

of the style of your 

dresses 

• Photographs you have 

cut out of magazines of 

arrangements you like 

And work out your budget in 

advance so your florist can 

advise on the most effective 

way to use it. 


BELOW: FLOWERS BY LISA ELLIOT FLORAL DESIGN, 

STYLING BY OLIVIA MILLS AT HOST EVENT MANAGEMENT, 

PHOTOS BY STEVE SAYERS 

roses... 

PHOTO BY JACKY BADENHORST 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Boutique florist Lisa Elliott, based in the 

heart of Clifton Village, specialises in 

wedding floristry, creating beautiful 

bridal bouquets and stunning 

decorations to adorn the church and reception 

venue. Lisa and her team bring a chic, 

contemporary touch and can offer advice and 

solutions to suit all styles, venues and budgets. 

For details, call 0117 973 2440 or visit 

www.lisa-elliott.co.uk. 


An abundance of amazing flowers greeted bride Zoe 

Fear on her wedding day – because this was a very 

special wedding for her florist. Zoe is the daughter of 

Kim of Kimberley’s the Florist in Congresbury and 

her Mum pulled out all the stops for the big day. 

Zoe and Ben tied the knot on September 3 and phalaenopsis 

orchids and David Austin roses complemented the beauty of All 

Saints Church, Long Ashton. What a picture! 

At the reception, tipis and bell tents were the wedding theme, 

with beautiful lanterns and olive trees adorning the walkway, 

running into a combination of breathtaking tipis and stunning 

floral creations to wow the wedding breakfast guests. 

Caterers Parsnip Mash provided an abundance of canapes and 

Champagne, followed by a superb wedding breakfast. 

You can see more pictures at Kimberley’s the Florist 

Facebook page – and if you’re looking for inspiration for your 

own wedding, give Kim a call on 01934 253554. 

What you get if your 

FLOWERS BY KIMBERLEY’S THE FLORIST 

PHOTOS BY KEVIN BELSON PHOTOGRAPHY 

AND ANDREW FEAR 


Mum’s a florist... 


‘ S O M E R S E T ’ S P R E M I E R 

W E D D I N G P H O T O G R A P H E R ’ 

Phone 01278 732439 

07720 613724 

www.benarrigoniphotography.com 

Inviting 

designs... 

WEDDING STATIONERY 

BY TOPIKKI 

BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE WEDDING STATIONERY 

Weddings • Special Occasions • 

Bespoke • Designer Range 

DIY workshops available for couples 

who would like to make their own. 

07771 61 33 75 • topikki@blueyonder.co.uk 

TopikkiStationery @Topikki1 www.topikki.co.uk 

2 0 • D R E A M W E D D I N G S I N B R I S T O L , S O M E R S E T & W I L T S H I R E 

Spend time choosing your 

stationery. Your wedding 

invitations are the first hint 

your guests will have of what 

to expect on the day, so they should 

reflect your personalities and set the 

style for your wedding. 

Whatever you choose, do insist on 

good quality card. You’re spending a 

small fortune on your wedding, and 

you want your stationery to show 

what an important event it is. 

Make your stationery an early priority. 

It isn’t unusual for invitations to be 

sent out more than three months 

before the wedding (Save the Date 

cards, if you’re having them, go even 

earlier) and you need to allow time for 

them to be hand-made and printed. 

Order your stationery six to eight 

months before the wedding – 

possibly longer if you are having it 

handmade. 

Some stationers will visit you in the comfort of your own home, where you 

can put forward your ideas and with guidance, and in consultation your 

design will come to life. 

Exquisite, handmade wedding stationery is the speciality of Gaynor Page, 

of Bristol-based Topikki. Gaynor not only has a portfolio of exclusive 

designs, she will also create bespoke stationery individually for you – or, if 

you prefer to do it yourself, she runs DIY workshops to give you that 

professional touch. 

For details, or to book a free no-obligation consultation, call 07771 

613375 or visit www.topikki.co.uk. 

.

...and 

designer 

cakes 

Based in the heart of beautiful Somerset, 

Sunflower Bakery, specialises in vintage 

style wedding cakes, cupcakes, cookies and 

dessert tables. 

The bakery was established in 2013 by Kelly Days and 

has been so successful that last year she 

opened a brand new cake studio after outgrowing her 

home kitchen. 

This new space means she can offer wedding 

consultations to her clients, providing a bespoke service 

and creating a beautiful cake for your big day. 

For details, call 07883 400765 or visit www.sunflowerbakery.com. 

Award-winning cake makers Minky 

Kitten Cakes are known for their 

unique, funky, quirky and personalised 

cakes. The Somerset bakers are proud 

of their home baking style, attention to detail and 

insistence that the best quality ingredients make 

the highest quality cakes. They specialise 

in unique wedding cakes and in modelling 

characters. 

For details, call 07801 511274 or visit 

www.minkykittencakes.co.uk 


HANDMADE CONTEMPORARY & 

CLASSICAL WEDDING CAKES 

Tel: 07801 511274 

www.minkykittencakes.co.uk 

Planning your 

Special Day? 

Creating The Perfect Cake For Your Perfect Day 

Visit www.icingcentre.co.uk for inspiration or to e-mail your own ideas 

Tel: 01934 624565 

dream 

wEDDINGS 

Follow 

...what more 

could you want? 

us on: 



Wedding Cakes, Celebration Cakes and Cupcakes 

Handmade, contemporary & classical wedding cakes 

All made to order and are one off original designs. 

Tel: 07768 165792 

e: sarah@carefreecakes.co.uk • www.carefreecakes.co.uk 


Sraditional, contemporary, 

fantasy or fun; single or 

five-tier, mini or cupcakes: 

Ann Pickard at the Icing 

Centre in Weston super Mare 

has the whole range in her 

extensive armoury. With 

over 20 years’ experience 

making and decorating 

amazing cakes, Ann 

will provide a unique 

centrepiece for your 

special occasion. 

For details, call 

01934 624565 or 

visit www.icing 

centre.co.uk. 

Happily 

Somerset-based Creative Cakes by 

Vickie is a family-run business 

specialising in bespoke wedding 

cakes which provide a stunning 

centrepiece for your wedding reception. 

For details, call 07816 875517. 


ever afters... 

Sarah 

Cakes by Elan specialises in 

wedding cakes that will be a 

showstopping centrepiece on your 

special day. Elan offers a no 

obligation design consultation and tasting 

to create your own bespoke wedding cake. 

Various flavours are available including an 

indulgent Belgian chocolate cake with a 

ganache filling and delicious lemon sponge 

with butter cream and lemon curd filling. 

Your cake will taste as good as it looks. 

For more information, call 01275 399858 

or visit www.cakesbyelan.co.uk. 

PHOTOS BY JD PHOTOGRAPHY 

Wring-Nash at Carefree 

Cakes specialises in hand-made 

contemporary and classical wedding 

cakes, all of them in one-off original 

designs and all made to order. 

She also makes individual cupcakes and – the 

latest thing in edible favours – cakepops tailored 

to your wedding theme. 

For a free consultation, where you can see 

some of her work and taste some of the 

flavours available, call 07768 165792 or visit 

the website at www.carefreecakes.co.uk. 


Action-packed 

hen & stag parties 

MAKE YOURS A 

MEMORABLE ONE AND 

AT A GREAT PRICE 

FANCY AN 

ACTION 

PACKED 

HEN OR 

STAG PARTY? 

Just 20 minutes from Bristol! 

Call 01275 842225 or 07770 688918 

www.westonlodgeshootingground.co.uk 

So you’re the Best Man or the Chief 

Bridesmaid, congratulations! You 

might think that the pressure on the 

big day is going to be enormous... but it’s 

nothing compared with the headaches 

(both literally and figuratively) that the stag 

and hen parties can throw up. 

So what should you bear in mind? 

First, it’s about the bride or groom: Choose 

the sort of party you know they will enjoy and involve them in the planning. 

Second, consider everybody’s budget: You may have money to burn, but other 

potential attendees may be on limited budgets for any number of reasons. If you 

ask them to spend more than they can afford, it will ruin their enjoyment and 

consequently that of the rest of the party. 

Third, set your date and location far enough in advance to ensure the maximum 

chance of attendees having the date free. 

David Down, who runs the hugely popular Weston Lodge Shooting Ground just 20 

minutes from Bristol city centre, has been providing activity-packed hen and stag 

parties for 24 years. 

Somewhere in the region of 5,000 people a year try their hands at clay pigeon 

shooting, off road karting and quad biking - in any combination they choose. 

There are experienced staff to help everyone get the most out of the day and 

competitions with Olympic-style medals for the winners. David said: ‘We’re already 

getting enquiries for 2017! 

‘We’re in a beautiful woodland setting which is part of a working 200 acre farm and 

have 12 karts, six quad bikes and highly experienced clay pigeon instructors. 

‘We have around 500 groups every year, but we never mix the groups, so all our 

parties have exclusive use of the facilities they book. 

‘I think we’re so popular because Bristol is so easily accessible from all corners of 

the country, there’s lots of accommodation, tons of nightlife - and we make sure 

everyone has a great time.’ 

There’s food on site, but many parties choose to do one or two activities in the 

morning, head off to one of eight lovely country pubs within easy reach for lunch 

and return in the afternoon for another activity. 

David said: ‘Lots of the groups get right into the spirit of the day by dressing up 

as country ladies or gentlemen and, even if they’ve never tried any of the 

activities before, they always have an 

action-packed day, which everyone 

really enjoys.’ 

For more information, call 01275 842 

225 or 07770 688 918 or visit the 

website at www.westonlodge 

shootingground.co.uk. 


cut out and keep 

The Engagement 

Traditionally, the first thing to do after telling 

your family and close friends about your 

forthcoming marriage is to announce your 

engagement in your local and/or a national 

newspaper. Do check how much it will cost 

before you place the announcement. 

It will usually read: 

The engagement is announced between Michael, 

elder son of Mr and Mrs David Jones, of 

Downend, Bristol and Jennifer Anne, only 

daughter of Mr and Mrs Simon Hayes, of 

Marlborough, Wiltshire. 

Though the habit of giving engagement presents 

has now fallen somewhat into disuse, if you are 

lucky enough to receive some, don’t forget to 

write and thank the senders. 

Getting down 

to Business 

The very first things you must decide about 

your wedding are where, when - and how 

much. The most popular days for weddings 

are Saturdays and the most popular months are 

from May right through to September. If your 

plans follow that pattern, be aware that the most 

popular venues get booked up very early, so set 

the date and book the venues as soon as 

possible after your engagement. 

Talk to both sets of parents about setting 

budgets and who is going to pay for what. 

It is increasingly common for bridesmaids to pay 

for their own dresses, but if they do you should 

allow them some say in what they are going to 

wear. If you plan to pay for them yourself, you 

can choose their outfits. 

Your wedding will probably be the biggest 

party you ever throw - which means it will 

probably also be the most expensive. So it’s 

vital that you set your budget and stick to it. 

Nowadays it’s becoming much more common 

for the bride and groom themselves and even 

the groom’s parents to contribute towards the 

cost. Again, whoever is contributing to the 

cost should have some say in how the money 

is spent. 

INSURANCE 

Much though we hate to say it, things 

can go wrong at a wedding and it’s 

some consolation to know that you 

won’t lose out financially if they do. 

Insurance policies on offer cover everything 

from damage to your wedding dress to loss 

of deposits due to cancellation of the 

Plan ahead for 

your perfect day 

So how much is it all 

going to cost? 

Basically, the answer is as much or as little 

as you want it to. An intimate ceremony 

with lunch in your favourite pub for your 

closest family and friends can be every bit as 

special as a huge event at a top venue for 

hundreds of guests. 

If you’re working on a limited budget, decide 

what’s most important to you and spend your 

money on that. Maybe you want a really 

spectacular dress and are prepared to do without 

a flashy car to take you to the reception. Or 

perhaps you’ve always wanted to arrive at your 

wedding in a pony and trap, and will settle for 

fewer guests. 

Whatever you decide, do remember that many 

guests may be coming a long way and spending 

a lot of money simply to attend your wedding, so 

it’s often better to look after a small number of 

people well than to invite more than you can 

comfortably cater for. 

The important thing is that it’s your day and the 

last thing you want to be worrying about is how 

you’re going to find the money to pay for it. So 

be realistic when you’re setting your budget - 

and remember that, with a little imagination, you 

can make your money go a lot further. 

Your budget will need to cover: 

• Wedding ring(s) 

• Wedding dress 

• Bridesmaids’ and attendants’ outfits 

• Groom’s suit 

• Stationery 

• Flowers 

• Fees for the ceremony 

• Reception venue, food and drink 

• Wedding cake 

• Photographs/video 

• Wedding transport 

• Thank you gifts for best man and attendants 

• Going away outfits 

• Honeymoon 

wedding and theft of wedding presents. Do 

get quotes before you decide which one to 

take out - and do read the small print to see 

exactly what each policy covers. 

Should unforeseen circumstances mean the 

postponment or cancellation of your 

wedding, guests can either be notified by 

telephone or by a personal or printed 

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE 

TO ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW 

- AND THEN SOME... 

TRADITIONALLY, 

the bride’s parents pay for: 

• Announcements in the newspapers 

• All the wedding stationery 

• Bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses 

• Transport for the bridal party to the 

ceremony and from the ceremony 

to the reception 

• Flowers for the church and the reception 

• The reception itself 

• The wedding cake 

The groom 

traditionally pays for: 

• All the fees - whether for church 

officials (including vicar, organist, 

choir, bellringers) or for the registrar 

and civil licence. 

• Bouquets for the bride and 

bridesmaids, sprays of flowers for the 

bride’s mother and his own mother and 

buttonholes for himself, the best man 

and the ushers. 

• Engagement and wedding rings for the 

bride. 

• Presents for the best man and the 

bride’s attendants. 

• Transport to the ceremony for himself 

and the best man and to the reception for 

himself and the bride 

• The honeymoon. 

note saying: 

Mr and Mrs Simon Hayes announce that the 

wedding of their daughter Jennifer Anne to 

Mr Michael Jones will be postponed until 

(date)/will not now take place. If you have 

announced the engagement in the 

newspaper, it would be appropriate to place a 

similarly worded notice there too. 

Planning Makes Perfect 



The invitations... 

Your wedding stationery is the first clue 

your guests will have about the style of 

your wedding, so it’s worth taking time to 

choose something appropriate. 

If you’re planning a big formal affair, stiff cards and 

high quality envelopes will sing and dance 

traditional glamour. 

If your wedding theme is vintage or rustic, 

you can go for floral decoration or vintage 

lace embellishments. Chic and classical? 

Try contemporary stripes or bold colours. Going 

for a theme? Then match your stationery to it. 

Once you’re chosen the style, all your wedding 

stationery should be in keeping, 

English Rose 

The traditional invitation, with the 

bride’s mother and father acting as 

hosts, is worded as follows: 

Mr and Mrs Simon Hayes request the 

pleasure of your company at the marriage 

of their daughter Jennifer Anne to Mr 

Michael Jones at St Benedict’s Church, 

Bristol on Saturday August 19th at 2pm 

and afterwards at The County Hotel, Bristol 

RSVP 10 Marigold Gardens, Bristol 

In this form, the names of the guests 

are handwritten in the top left hand 

corner of the invitation. 

Alternatively a space is left in the invitation 

for the guests’ names: 

presenting a unified theme for the 

whole day. 

Invitations should be sent out six 

weeks before the wedding (see panel 

for suggested wording), but many 

couples now use an early warning 

system in the form of a Save the 

Date card – particularly useful if 

your wedding is planned for the 

busy summer months when some 

of your most desired guests are likely to be taking 

holidays. 

Allow your stationer or printer about three months 

to complete your order. 

Apart from Save the Date and invitation cards, 

you’re going to need order of service sheets (one 

for each guest plus a few spares), menus for the 

reception, place cards, perhaps a table plan. 

It’s always a good idea to include maps with your 

invitations to help guests find their way easily, plus 

details of where guests can park and, for those 

who are coming long distances, a selection of 

recommended accommodation. 

For guests of the groom’s family, the groom’s 

mother should send a list of names and addresses 

...and what they should say 


pleasure of the company of 

........................................................ 

at the marriage of their daughter 

Jennifer Anne (etc) 

Invitations for civil ceremonies and 

partnerships follow the same pattern. 

Make it clear precisely who is being 

invited. For a married couple, Mr and 

Mrs John Jeffries; for a family, Mr and 

Mrs John Jeffries, Jeremy and Jemima. 

If you’re hosting the wedding 

yourselves, change the 

wording accordingly. 

BELOW: Invitations by Hand 

to the bride’s mother so she can issue the 

invitations. 

As a matter of courtesy, an invitation should be 

sent to the groom’s parents and to the minister 

and his wife. When ordering your invitations, 

remember you’ll only need one for each family, 

plus a few spares for emergencies. 

“...It’s always a 

good idea to 

include maps with 

your invitations to 

help guests find 

their way easily...” 

LEFT: English Rose Wedding Stationery 

BELOW: Coral Wedding Invitations 

Invitations to the evening reception 

only should be worded as follows: 


pleasure of your company at an 

evening reception to celebrate the 

marriage of their daughter Jennifer 

Anne to Mr Michael Jones at The 

County Hotel, Bristol on Saturday 

August 19th at 8pm 

RSVP 10 Marigold Gardens, 

Bristol 

2 82 8 • • D RD ER AE M A M W WE DE D IDN I GN SG SI N I N B RB IRS ITS OT L O, L , S OS MO EM RE SR ES T E T & & W IW L ITLS THS IHR IER E 

cut out and keep


REGISTER OFFICE 

To marry at a register office or building approved 

for civil ceremonies, your first step is to contact 

the registrar and/or venue to confirm registrar 

and date are available. 

Then both bride and groom must each give 

notice of the wedding in person at the register 

office covering the area where they live (and 

where they must have been in residence for at 

least seven days). 

If you both live in the same district you should 

attend the register office together - but whether 

you do or not, ring your local office first as many 

now operate appointment systems. 

Each of you will have to produce evidence of your 

name, age, marital status and nationality - for 

example, a current valid full passport. If you 

don’t have one, you’ll need two documents - for 

example a birth certificate and utility bill. 

If you have been married before, you’ll need 

evidence that you are now free to marry - for 

instance a decree absolute or former spouse’s 

death certificate. 

Photocopies of any documents are not normally 

acceptable. 

The fee for giving notice is £35.00 each and you 

must wait 15 clear days before the wedding. 

In exceptional circumstances the Registrar 

General may consider waiving the waiting period. 

A notice of marriage is valid for 12 months. 

THE NORMAL ORDER 

OF SERVICE FOR A 

CHURCH WEDDING IS: 

Entrance of the bride • 

Hymn • The marriage • Prayers 

Hymn or psalm • Blessing 

Signing of the register • Recessional 

LICENSED VENUES 

Over the past few years since a change 

in the law some 2,000 venues 

throughout the country have become 

licensed to hold civil weddings. They range 

from hotels to stately homes, zoos to football 

clubs. You still have to give notice of your 

intention to marry in the same way as you do 

for register office weddings and, in the same 

way, you can personalise the ceremony to 

suit yourselves although no religious music 

is allowed. Though this option costs more 

than a register office ceremony - you will 

have to pay for the hire of the room and it 

costs more to have the registrar travel to you 

- it is becoming increasingly popular as the 

trend away from church weddings 

continues. 

The Ceremony 

church or civil 

Religious or civil, register office or one of the new approved 

venues, a wedding can take place on any day of the week 

between 8am and 6pm. While most still take place on Saturdays, 

Fridays are gaining in popularity allowing guests travelling a fair 

distance to make a long weekend of the celebrations. 

Church Weddings 

The Church of England welcomes couples 

who want to marry in church whatever 

their beliefs, whether or not they are 

christened and whether or not they are regular 

churchgoers, though same sex couples are 

currently limited to civil ceremonies. 

A marriage conducted in church will include 

asking for God’s guidance and blessing, 

adding a spiritual dimension to the ceremony 

which many couples find particularly special 

and moving. 

Your first step is to find a church, which need 

not necessarily be your local one, and arrange 

an appointment with the vicar so you can get 

to know him or her and complete some forms. 

The vicar will explain the church fees and the 

system of reading the banns. 

Banns are the public announcement of your 

marriage and legally must be called in church 

for three Sundays during the three months 

before the wedding. They have to be read in 

the parish where each of you lives and also 

in the church where you will marry, if 

this is different. 

Although the vows you make to each 

other in church are those which have 

been handed down through 

generations, you still have a huge 

amount of influence over the service. 

You can choose your hymns and 

music, readings and what prayers 

you would like and family and 

friends can contribute to the service. 

It’s important to establish early on 

what the church’s policy is on 

photographs or video being taken 

during the service, whether 

any secular music is allowed and on 

the throwing of confetti within the 

church grounds. 

Marrying abroad 

Combining your wedding with the holiday of a lifetime is gaining in popularity with exotic destinations 

luring an increasing number of couples. The sun-kissed beaches of the Caribbean, the Maldives and 

Bali are among the most popular choices and many tour operators now offer all-inclusive packages. 

The legal requirements for each country may differ but generally if a marriage is recognised as legally binding 

in the country in which it takes place, it will be recognised in the UK as well. Consult your tour operator and 

allow at least three months for all the paperwork to be properly processed. 

Second 

Marriages 

Though the Roman Catholic Church does 

not condone divorce, there are some 

circumstances in which the Church of 

England will marry divorced people, so it’s 

worth consulting your vicar. Even if you are 

limited to a civil ceremony, some ministers 

will offer a Service of Blessing afterwards. 

Ask too about other couples marrying on the 

same day as it may be possible to share 

the cost of the church flowers. 

Religious services in churches outside the 

established Church of England require a 

licence from the authorised registrar of your 

area and will have different requirements, so 

see your priest or minister as early as possible. 

PHOTO BY ROSIE CUTBILL PHOTOGRAPHY 




The Best Man 

If the bride is the star of the wedding show, the 

best man is the kingpin of a successful wedding 

day, so make sure your groom chooses him with 

care. However tempting it might be to choose the 

joker who’s the life and soul of every party, you’re 

far better off with someone who will take 

his responsibilities seriously, keep all the 

organisation under control and leave you 

to enjoy your day without any niggling 

worries about how many guests have 

been stranded at the church. The part that 

worries most best men is the speech, but 

that should be the least of their problems. 

The best man’s job, in a nutshell, is to 

support the groom both in the run-up to 

the wedding and on the day itself. 

Before the wedding, 

the best man should: 

• Make sure he keeps himself up to date with all the 

arrangements, liaising regularly with the groom and 

the bride’s family 

• Check the hiring, cleaning or collecting of suits for 

himself and the groom 

• Check the ordering of the flowers for the bride and 

her attendants, sprays for the two mothers and 

buttonholes for himself, the groom and other 

immediate members of the families 

• Check the printing and collection of order of service 

sheets and make sure that the ushers know what 

their duties are 

• Check arrangements for the first night and 

honeymoon are in place and that necessary 

passports and visas are in order 

• Organise the groom’s stag night - preferably some 

days in advance of the wedding - and make sure the 

groom gets home safely afterwards 

• Check the rings have been collected 

• Check the transport for the bridal party both to the 

ceremony and from there to the reception 

• Organise accommodation for the groom and 

himself the night before the wedding 

• He might also be asked to help with 

accommodation for guests and to liaise with 

live musicians or disco both before and during 

the reception. 

PHOTO BY BRUNEL PHOTOGRAPHY BRISTOL 

On the day 

• Take the groom’s going away clothes to the 

reception venue 

• Check the service sheets are delivered to the church 

for the ushers to hand out to guests as they arrive 

• Make sure the groom arrives for the ceremony in 

good time 

• Hold the ring(s) until the appropriate moment in the 

ceremony when they should be handed to the 

groom or the minister 

• Pay all the church fees on the groom’s behalf before 

the ceremony 

• Sign the register as a witness to the marriage 

• Get the bridal party together for photographs 

• Make sure the ushers arrange lifts to the reception 

for any guests who need them 

• Escort the bride and groom to the bridal 

car and then escort the bridesmaids to 

the reception 

• Liaise with the toastmaster or, if there isn’t 

one, assume those duties himself - these 

include announcing the speeches and the 

cutting of the cake 

• Reply to the groom’s toast to the bridesmaids 

with a brief, polite and - if possible - funny 

speech before reading out the cards and 

telegrams 

• Announce the newlyweds’ 

departure from the reception and 

ensure they have all their tickets and 

luggage 

• Make sure all the guests have 

transport to their accommodation 

• Arrange for any wedding presents 

taken to the reception to be taken 

home 

• Take the groom’s wedding clothes 

from the reception and, if necessary, 

return hired suits. 

The speech 

When it comes to the speech, all the 

advice is: Resist the temptation to tell any juicy 

stories whatsoever from the couple’s past. The 

escapades may have been hilarious, but now is not 

the time for embarrassing reminders about past 

romances or past quarrels between the happy pair. 

Because the best man’s speech is generally 

regarded as the prime entertainment at the 

reception, getting it together can be a daunting 

prospect - but don’t panic. If you can tell jokes - 

clean ones, please - that’s fine, but a short, polite 

and sincere speech wishing the couple every 

happiness will fit the bill just as well. 

Unless you’re experienced at this sort of thing, write 

down exactly what you want to say and practise it. 

Don’t be tempted to wing it onthe day. 

The three essential parts of the speech are to 

thank the groom on behalf of the bridesmaids for 

his kind words about them, to read the cards and 

telegrams that have arrived and to announce the 

cutting of the cake. 

The chief bridesmaid 

The bride’s equivalent of a best man also needs to be chosen with care as it is she who will support the bride 

in the run-up to the ceremony and on the day itself. Though her duties aren’t as arduous as those of her male 

equivalent, they’re every bit as important in ensuring the bride has a worry-free day. 

THE CHIEF BRIDESMAID: 

• Arranges the hen 

night and make 

sure the bride gets 

home safely 

• Arranges for the 

bride’s going away 

outfit and 

honeymoon luggage 

to be taken to the 

reception venue 

• Helps the bride to 

dress for the 

ceremony 

• Makes sure the flowers and bouquets have arrived 

on schedule 

• Supervises the other bridesmaids and attendants 

and assembles 

them at the church ready for the 

arrival of the bride 

• Arranges the bride’s dress and 

veil before the 

procession down the aisle 

• Takes the bride’s bouquet at 

the start of the wedding 

service 

and carries it to the vestry 

ready to give back to the bride 

after the signing of the 

register 

• Keeps an eye on young attendants during the reception 

• Helps the bride change from her wedding dress into 

her going away outfit 

• Arranges for the wedding dress to be returned 

home 



THE USHERS 

Church weddings normally have three 

ushers who should arrive at the 

church about 40 minutes before the 

wedding is due to start. 

Their principal job is to hand out the order 

of service sheets to guests as they arrive 

and show them to their seats - friends and 

family of the bride on the left of the aisle, 

friends and family of the groom on 

the right. 

They should make sure one of them pays 

special attention to the groom’s parents and 

the bride’s mother as they arrive and 

escorts them to their places. 

They should also help the best man 

organise lifts to the reception for guests 

who may need them. 


cut out and keep


Who does what 

- and when... 

If you think military precision takes the fun out of a 

wedding, you’d be wrong. The essence of a trouble-free 

day is that everyone knows where they’re supposed 

to be and what they’re supposed to be doing. 

Your civil 

ceremony explained 

Gone are the days when a civil marriage was a 

hasty 15-minute affair, conducted in a small 

room at the register office. Nowadays many 

register offices have light, spacious ceremony 

rooms or suites accommodating reasonably large 

wedding parties and even a separate bride’s 

waiting room and garden for photographs. 

A large number of venues are now also licensed 

for civil ceremonies and the only major restriction 

is that no religious music or reading may be used. 

Otherwise, you may personalise your ceremony in 

terms of vows, readings, music, dedicating 

candles and lots more. The registrar will offer help 

and advice in planning your ceremony and will 

normally meet you a few weeks in advance to go 

over the format which could be: 

• Pre-arrival music 

• Entrance music 

• Welcome by the registrar 

• Reading 

• Legal declarations and vows 

• Promises and exchange of rings 

• Signing the register 

• Reading or music 

• Presentation of the certificate 

• Leaving music 

You can also have a ‘dual’ ceremony – after a 

short ceremony at the register office to fulfil the 

legal requirements, you can have a further 

ceremony of your choosing in front of family and 

friends on the beach or in a woodland glade, for 

instance. 

Most registrars will try to be as flexible as 

possible to accommodate individual requests 

and they will lead you through your declarations, 

vows and promises. 

The one thing you must do is agree all of your 

selections in advance to ensure they comply with 

the law. 

GOODBYE AND 

GOOD LUCK 

The bride and groom should always be 

the first to leave the reception. 

The best man announces their 

departure after they have changed into 

their going away clothes and, if the 

bride is going to throw her bouquet, 

she should do so just before she 

leaves for her honeymoon. 

At the Reception 

The formal receiving line at the reception should take 

the following order: 

Bride’s parents 

Groom’s parents 

Bride and Groom 

Chief bridesmaid 

and best man 

After the meal, the best man (or toastmaster, if 

you have one) introduces the speeches in the 

following order: 

The bride’s father (or an old family friend) 

always speaks first, welcoming the guests to the 

reception and his new son-in-law to the family. 

He will complement the bride and often thanks 

her mother for their many happy years together. 

He ends by proposing the toast to the bride and 

groom. 

The groom replies to his father-in-law’s toast, thanking 

him and the bride’s mother for their daughter, for their 

welcome into the family and for the reception (the 

wording can be discreetly changed here if the 

newlyweds and/or the groom’s parents have contributed 

to the expense). 

He thanks the guests for coming to celebrate the day 

and for the presents they have given. He thanks his best 

man and the bride’s attendants for the help they have 

given to the bride. He then proposes the toast to the 

bridesmaids. 

Now girl power is more firmly established, it is not 

uncommon now for the bride to say a few words 

and if she chooses to do so, she should speak after 

her new husband. This is a good opportunity for her 

Order of service 

The order of service is variable and your 

minister or priest will advise you. Often a 

hymn is sung after the bride’s procession, 

followed by readings and an address by the 

minister. 

The marriage itself follows. The minister asks: 

“Who giveth this woman to be married to this 

man?” and the bride’s father silently gives his 

daughter’s right hand to the minister, who passes 

it to the groom. 

The bride’s father takes his seat beside the bride’s 

mother. 

The vows are made and the best man may either 

pass the ring(s) to the groom or they may be 

placed on the minister’s prayer book before he 

passes them to the groom. 

Arrival at the 

church 

The ushers should arrive about 40 minutes before 

the ceremony is due to begin 

The groom and best man should arrive about 15 

minutes before the ceremony is due to begin 

The bridesmaids and attendants should arrive about 

five minutes before the ceremony is due to begin 

The bride’s mother should be the last to arrive before 

the bride - when she is shown to her seat that is a signal 

to the congregation that the wedding is about to start 

The bride will be met on her arrival at the church by the 

minister, who precedes the bride and her father down 

the aisle As the congregation rises, the groom and best 

man take their places at the chancel steps. The order of 

the bride’s procession is: Minister, Bride on her father’s 

right arm, Attendants. 

PHOTO BY JACKY BADENHORST 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

to thank all the people who have helped her plan the 

big day, to thank her own parents for all their support 

and to thank the groom’s parents for welcoming her 

into their family. 

Last of the speeches is always the best man, who 

replies to the groom’s toast to the bridesmaids, 

wishes the happy couple well, read the cards and 

telegrams and announces the cutting of the cake. 

Many weddings now include an evening dance or 

disco. Before it begins, the best man should make 

sure the bride and groom are ready to take the floor 

first, followed by the bride’s parents, the groom’s 

parents, the best man and chief bridesmaid. 

The best man then returns to his seat. 

After the ceremony, the minister leads the 

couple to the altar for prayers, possibly a hymn 

or psalm and a final blessing. The minister then 

leads the couple to the vestry to sign the register 

and they are usually joined by their parents, the 

best man and the chief bridesmaid. The signing 

of the register must be witnessed by two adults 

and it is at this point that the bride raises her veil. 

While this is taking place, the choir may sing or 

the organist play a piece of music. 

The bridal procession then leaves the church in 

the following order: 

Bride and groom 

Young attendants 

Chief bridesmaid with the best man 

Bride’s mother with the groom’s father 

Groom’s mother with the bride’s father. 

If you are having bells, they will peal out at 

this point. 

D R E A M W E D D I N G S I N B R I S T O L , S O M E R S E T & W I L T S H I R E • 3 1 

Planning Makes Perfect

Those all-important 

The Photographs 

If you’re anything like most brides, your 

wedding day will fly by all too quickly and the 

best way of reliving it in the months and years 

to come will be through your photographs. 

Though lots of your friends and family will take 

pictures on the day, it’s always a good idea to 

book a professional photographer for shots you 

can look back on with pleasure. 

Your choice of photographer should be based on 

whether you like the type of work he or she does. 

Visit a selection and ask to see examples of their 

work from recent weddings. See how the 

photographer has chosen his settings and make 

sure there’s a mixture of different types of shots. 

If the firm you visit employs several 

photographers, find out who has taken the 

pictures you like best and make sure you book 

that specific photographer for your day - and 

find out what happens if that photographer is 

suddenly not available. 

Discuss whether you want formally posed shots, 

or whether you would like the photographer to 

take informal pictures as they happen. Find out 

whether proofs will be available at the reception. 

Your photographer may well know the church 

and the reception venue you have chosen, but if 

he doesn’t, check he will visit both before the 

day so he can choose the best locations. 

Make sure you get a written quotation which 

specifies exactly how many 

photographs will be taken, at 

what points during the day and 

how much extra prints 

will cost. 

If you want photographs taken 

in the church, check that the 

priest is happy for this to 

happen and at what points 

during the service. 

details 

The Cake 

Ideally your cake should be ordered at least 

three months before the wedding. Though 

the tradition is for a multi-tiered fruit cake, 

the rich variety of styles and designs now 

means you can have anything from 

profiteroles to a rich chocolate fudge. The 

only thing to remember is that it will have to 

be big enough to give everyone a slice at the 

reception and to send slices to absent friends. 

Traditionally the top tier of a wedding cake 

was kept for the christening of the first child - 

if you want to follow that tradition, you’ll have 

to opt for a cake that will last that long. Ask to 

see designs of wedding cake and find out 

whether bakers will create one to your own 

specifications. Try to match the style of cake 

to the style of your wedding - and remember 

The Transport 

It’s lovely to have a luxury chauffeur-driven 

limousine to drive you to the ceremony - and 

it’s also a practical choice. You can be sure 

you’ll arrive on time and with all that room in the 

car, you won’t have to worry about your dress 

getting creased. 

The Video 

Much the same advice applies to choosing a videographer as to 

choosing a photographer. Make sure you see samples of recent work, 

make sure the videographer you get is the one whose work you like 

best. Again check with the priest first whether he is prepared to give 

permission for filming during the ceremony. 

PHOTO BY JACKY 

BADENHORST PHOTOGRAPHY 

that you can save money on the reception by 

choosing a wedding cake which will double as 

a dessert. If you do this, you might want to 

cut your cake early at the reception, so it can 

be cut up ready to serve at the appropriate 

time. You will need the cake to be delivered to 

the reception venue on the morning of the 

wedding - and don’t forget to check that the 

venue has a cake stand and knife you can use. 

Normally the best man drives the groom to the 

ceremony and then takes the car to the reception. 

But you will need transport for the bride’s mother 

and bridesmaids (who usually travel together) 

and for the bride and her father to the ceremony 

and for the principals from the ceremony to the 

reception. Whether you want a traditional Rolls 

Royce, a classic Daimler, a convertible Cadillac, 

a stretch limo or even a horse and carriage, 

contact a variety of companies in your 

area and ask to see the cars themselves, 

not just pictures of them. Some 

companies offer a service which 

includes flowers in the cars and a glass 

of champagne for the bride and groom 

on their way to the reception. 

Check exactly what’s included in the 

price and get a written quotation. 

The Flowers 

PHOTO BY 

BRUNEL PHOTOGRAPHY BRISTOL 

The cost of your flowers depends very much on the time of year, so if you want a huge display 

don’t choose the middle of winter when you’ll have to pay a fortune for sufficient blooms. 

Spring and early summer are when the biggest choice of blooms is available - it’s something of 

a myth that flowers are easy to come by in the height of summer - though at other times of year 

dramatic effects can be achieved with foliage. 

Your florist will help you match both the colours and the arrangement of your flowers to the style of 

the wedding, teasing out the shades of your bridesmaids’ dresses, matching the men’s buttonholes 

and styling the arrangements for both church and reception to help you create an atmosphere which 

may be country style, dreamily romantic, classically elegant or even based on a theme. 




As this is likely to be the most expensive 

part of your wedding day, it’s important 

to set the standard early on in your 

planning. Popular venues get booked up 

well in advance, particularly on Saturdays during 

the peak wedding months so make sure of your 

choice by booking as early as you can. Do also 

make sure you confirm all the details with the 

venue in writing, paying 

particular attention to what 

is included in the price. 

Depending on your budget, 

you can have anything from 

a buffet catered for at home 

by family and friends to 

hiring outside caterers for a 

church or village hall to a 

formal sit-down meal at a 

hotel followed by an evening 

dance. 

A sit-down meal is obviously 

the most expensive option, 

but there are all sorts of 

alternatives from drinks and 

canapes to a buffet or even a 

barbecue. Whichever you 

choose, do make sure there are plenty of chairs for 

people to sit down while they’re eating - standing up 

balancing a drink and a plate while trying to eat is 

virtually never comfortable for guests. 

If you choose a hotel, do try to eat there and sample 

the food before making your booking. Check such 

details as corkage, parking space and whether the 

hotel will offer a cake stand and knife and a room for 

the bride and groom to change into their going away 

outfits. Many hotels offer a package which includes 

the services of a toastmaster and a complimentary 

room for the first night of the honeymoon. Once you 

have chosen your venue, confirm in writing what you 

understand is included in the price. 

Drinks for your guests will take up a large 

part of your budget. It’s reasonable to 

assume each will drink one or two glasses 

on arrival at the reception, three or four 

glasses with their meal and another glass 

with the toasts. 

A right royal reception 

Whether it’s a small buffet for a few close family and friends or a lavish do at the 

smartest of venues, your reception is the big celebration of your wedding - a 

chance for people to share your happiness and an opportunity for you to thank 

them for their presents and for coming to see you married. 

PHOTO BY 

PAT COOPER 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Though champagne is the traditional 

wedding drink, you can offer sherry, 

Pimms or Bucks Fizz on arrival and wine 

with the meal, saving the champagne - or, 

indeed a good sparkling wine - for the 

toasts. For reference, you will get between 

Chief bridesmaid 

10 and 12 glasses of sherry to each bottle and 

between six and eight glasses of wine or champagne 

per bottle. Do remember to provide plenty of soft 

drinks for children and adults who prefer them or 

who may be driving. Allow between half and one 

litre per person. 

There can be a long break between ceremony and 

reception while photographs are being taken and 

some couples are now offering a glass of sherry 

outside the church and perhaps live music to 

entertain guests as they arrive at the reception. 

The usual order of events at the reception is: 

The receiving line 

The meal 

Speeches and toasts 

Cutting of the cake (though some couples prefer to 

do this before the speeches to allow it to be cut and 

served) 

Departure of bride and groom 

If you are having a sit-down meal, it is essential to 

Top Table Seating Plan 

Groom’s father 

Bride’s mother 

Groom 

Bride 

Bride’s father 

Groom’s mother 

Best Man 

have a seating plan. Try to put together tables of 

people who you think will get on well together. The 

top table seating plan for a sit-down meal is shown 

below. 

Don’t feel hidebound by what you think a traditional 

wedding breakfast should consists of - nowadays 

anything goes, from bangers and mash and jam 

roly-poly to pasta with wedding cake for dessert. 

of love poems. 

It’s also worth remembering 

you may need to cater for 

vegetarians or guests on 

special diets. 

Do give considerable thought 

to the room and table 

decorations and the lighting at 

your reception. Flowers 

should match the theme 

colours of the wedding and 

a little money spent 

on atmospheric lighting 

can make an enormous 

difference. 

Favours for guests range from 

the traditional small baskets 

of sugared almonds or 

fortune cookies to little books 

Crackers and balloons always help create an 

atmosphere and many couple now put a disposable 

camera on each table, so guests can record for you 

the parts of your reception that you missed on the 

day! 

If you are having a number of small children at your 

wedding, it’s worth giving some thought as to 

whether you can organise a creche - both to stop 

the youngsters getting bored and to give their 

parents a chance to enjoy themselves without 

worrying about what their offspring are up to. 

WHATEVER THE SIZE OF 

YOUR RECEPTION, it’s always nice to 

have a formal or semi-formal receiving 

line to welcome your guests. This 

ensures that you get the chance to 

meet everybody and accept their 

congratulations. 

The bride’s parents, as the hosts are 

usually first in the receiving line, 

followed by the groom’s parents, the 

bride and groom and then the 

bridesmaids and attendants. 

D R E A M W E D D I N G S I N B R I S T O L , S O M E R S E T & W I L T S H I R E • 3 3 

Planning Makes Perfect

Photo by www.PhotographsbyNik.co.uk 

Brides! 

Last chance 

to vote..! 

supporting The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, 

which funds and organises weddings for couples 

affected by terminal and life-limiting illnesses 

WEDDING SUPPLIERS... 

Last chance to register! 

The Bristol and Somerset Awards are free to enter, and open to 

all wedding suppliers. Simply fill out the entry form on the 

awards website, let your couples know that you are registered, 

and prepare to receive those votes. 

For full details, visit 

www.bristolandsomersetweddingawards.co.uk 

Sponsored by: 

wEDDINGS 

dream 

Closing date for entries 

31st December, 2016 

magazine 


Did your wedding suppliers go the extra 

mile for your big day? Well, there’s no 

better way to thank them than giving 

them your vote in the Bristol & Somerset 

Wedding Awards. Visit the website and 

you can vote in as many categories as 

you like. Your votes will form the basis 

of the judges final decisions. 

...but Hurry! 

Voting closes on January 17th, 2017

SUNDAY 22nd JANUARY 2017 THE WELLSWAY 

Harptree Hill, West Harptree, Bristol BS40 6EJ - 1 until 4pm 

The Wellsway is a bygone somerset cider house and wayside Inn 

ideally located for Bath and North East Somerset, on the edge of the Mendip Hills, 

above Chew Valley, near West Harptree, and close to Wells, Bath, and 

Bristol. It's a Somerset countryside venue available for exclusive hire. 

www.thewellsway.co.uk 

SUNDAY 26th FEBRUARY AND 17th SEPTEMBER 2017 FUTURE INN 

Cabot Circus, Bond St S, Bristol BS1 3EN - 11 until 2 pm 

Future Inn is a bright contemporary hotel located in the heart of Bristol 

right next to Cabot Circus. This hotel is a hidden gem and offers a huge 

wedding space and this will be a really super fair 

www.futureinns.co.uk/bristol 

SUNDAY 19TH MARCH 2017 HOLIDAY INN BRISTOL CITY CENTRE 

Bond Street, Bristol, BRISTOL, BS1 3LE - 11 until 2 pm 

This four star hotel is a five minute walk from Cabot Circus and offers an 

excellent location for brides on a budget. 

www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/bristol/brscc/hoteldetail 

SUNDAY 23rd APRIL HUNTSHAM COURT 

Huntsham, Tiverton, Devon EX16 7NA - 2 until 6 pm 

This is a high end, luxury, exclusive wedding venue set in the Devonshire 

countryside. This grade 2 listed Victorian Gothic mansion is beautifully 

decorated and is an internationally renowned wedding destination 

www.huntshamcourt.co.uk 

Wedding Exhibition 

Sunday 15th January 2017 

at The Bristol Marriott Royal, 

College Green 11am – 3pm 

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 

CATWALK SHOWS AT 12 and 2pm 

For FREE TICKETS, please visit 

www.weddingworldexhibitions.co.uk 

e: sandra@weddingworldexhibitions.co.uk 

Our Wedding Shows... 

08/01/17, Chiseldon House, 12noon to 4pm 

08/01/17, The Royal Agricultural University 

(Cirencester), 11am to 3pm 

15/01/17, The Crown of Crucis, 11am to 3pm 

22/01/17, Westonbirt School, 11am to 3pm 

29/01/17, Marsh Farm Hotel, 11am to 3pm 

05/02/17, Wellington Barn, 11am to 3pm 

12/02/17, Swindon Marriott Hotel, 11am to 3pm 

12/02/17, The Neeld (Chippenham), 11am to 3pm 

19/02/17, Village Urban Resort, 11am to 3pm 

19/02/17, The Manor Barn (Winterbourne Stoke) 11am to 3pm 

05/03/17, Wrag Barn, 11am to 3pm 

Tel: 01793 238921 

e: hello@whitewed.co.uk • www.whitewed.directory 


11am - 3pm, unless specified 

FREE BUCKS FIZZ • FREE GIFT BAGS • FREE ADMISSION 

Christmas Special 

Bristol Zoo Clifton Pavilion 

Sunday 4th December 2016 

Hilton Swindon 


Tithe Barn, Dunster 

Sunday 22nd January 2017 

*Brand New Venue* 

Bristol Harbour Hotel 


Cheltenham Park Hotel 

Sunday 5th February 2017 

Cotswold Water Park Hotel 

Near Cirencester / Swindon 


Farrington Park, Somerset 


Tortworth Court Hotel 

Near Bristol / Gloucester 

Sunday 5th March 2017 

The Bishops 

Palace, Wells 


M Shed, Bristol 


Charlton House, 

Shepton Mallet 

Sunday 2nd April 2017 

The Bristol Golf Club 

Sunday 9th April 2017 

For more information about all other events, please visit:

PHOTO BY ROSIE CUTBILL PHOTOGRAPHY 


Get it in black &white 

PHOTO BY PAT COOPER 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

PHOTO BY BRUNEL 

PHOTOGRAPHY BRISTOL 

PHOTO BY 

ROSIE CUTBILL 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

PHOTO BY 

JACKY BADENHORST 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

PHOTO BY 

BEN ARRIGONI 

PHOTOGRAPHY 


PHOTO BY PAT COOPER PHOTOGRAPHY 


PHOTO BY BEN ARRIGONI PHOTOGRAPHY 

It’s the new colour! 

PHOTO BY BRUNEL PHOTOGRAPHY BRISTOL 

PHOTO BY 

PHOTOGRAPHS 

BY NIK 

PHOTO BY 

ROSIE CUTBILL 

PHOTOGRAPHY 




‘For a 

hairstyle 

that’s as 

individual 

as you...’ 

Call Nicole: 07817914679 

e: hairbooknicole@hotmail.com 

www.facebook.com/ 

HairbookNicoleStephanie 

Tel: 07880 541894 

www.sallysmakeup.co.uk 


BELOW & RIGHT: 

HAIR BY NICOLE STEPHANIE AT THE HAIRBOOK 

Hey, good 

looking! 

BELOW: MAKE-UP BY SALLY BRACEY MAKE-UP ARTIST 

Your hair and make-up artists can only work 

with what you present them with, so start 

your pre-wedding beauty regime as soon as 

you’ve set the date. You are what you eat, so 

eat properly, make sure you get your five portions a 

day of fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water. 

Set aside a night a week to pamper yourself. 

Thoroughly cleanse, tone and moisturise your face, 

using an exfoliator to clear away the dead skin cells. 

Soak in a relaxing bath and use a body brush or scrub. 

Wash your hair in a good shampoo and, if necessary, 

give it a conditioning treatment. 

Give yourself a pedicure and a manicure. And 

moisturise! 

Once you’ve chosen your perfume for the big day, 

treat yourself to all the accessories. Soap or gel, body 

lotion, talc and deodorant with the same scent layers 

the perfume on your skin and ensures your fragrance 

lasts the whole day. 

And on the big day, give your Mum or chief 

bridesmaid your perfume, powder, lipstick and a 

small can of hairspray to carry with them so you can 

make any minor repairs necessary. 

BELOW: HAIR BY KIRSTY AT DESIRE 


Mother of the Bride 

& Groom specialist 

• Mature Brides 

• Bridesmaids 

• Prom & Evening Wear 

• Accessories 

• Hats to buy or hire 

Tel: 0117 9504909 

50, High Street, 

Westbury On Trym, Bristol BS9 3DZ 

www.ladiesdaybristol.co.uk 

Release 

your 

www.rosiecutbillphotography.co.uk 

07958 984554 | 01672 540520 

info@rosiecutbillphotography.co.uk 

She’s the second most important lady of 

the day and at a formal wedding she’s 

the hostess, so the Mother of the Bride 

can have almost as much fun choosing 

her outfit as the bride herself. Mums look, feel 

and act much younger than they used to – they 

may be Mums, but they don’t want to look 

mumsy. And when it comes to dressing for your 

daughter’s (or your son’s) wedding there are 

only a few rules to bear in mind. 

CO-ORDINATE YOUR COLOURS: 

with the bridesmaids’ outfits and with the 

Mother of the Groom – you don’t want to stick 

out like a sore thumb in the photographs. 

BE YOURSELF: 

Buy an outfit that makes you feel like a million 

dollars, but that you’re comfortable wearing. 

Traditional tailored Mother of the Bride outfits 

are stunning, but if they’re not you, go for 

something that is. 


LEFT, RIGHT 

& BELOW: 

VENI INFANTINO AT 

LADIES DAY IN 

WESTBURY ON TRYM 

inner 

Yummy 

Mummy 

If you’re happiest in trousers, top them with an 

elegant, floaty coat and choose a fabulous top to 

change into for the evening reception. 

ACCESSORISE CAREFULLY: 

The most beautiful outfits can be completely spoiled 

by the wrong accessories. When you go to choose 

your hat, bag and shoes, take your outfit with you 

and try the whole ensemble together so you can see 

the full effect. 

WHAT ABOUT A HAT? 

It’s the finishing touch to your outfit, but if it’s an 

informal wedding or you just don’t feel right, try the 

wonderful feather fascinators which are so popular 

and so easy to wear. If you’ve spent a fortune on 

your outfit and can’t justify buying a hat, think about 

hiring one. 

CABOTINE AT 

SPECIAL DAY & 

APPLETONS IN 

KEYNSHAM 

WEAR IN YOUR SHOES: 

You’re going to be doing a lot of standing on the day 

and, if you’re feet are hurting, it’s going to show on 

your face. 


Ben Ford Carriages 

C A R S O F C L A S S 

AS SEEN IN POLDARK! 

Special cars for 

special occasions 

Providing you with professional 

chauffeur-driven cars 

Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Mercedes 

4 & 6 door Limousines 

Covering the Southwest 

Tel: 01823 480898 or 07733 362762 

www.carsofclass.co.uk 

Established 1965 

Specialising in high quality 

horse drawn turnouts. 

Selection of traditional carriages and 

glass coaches complete with 

matching pairs of beautiful horses. 

Telephone 01278 652498 

Mobile 07831 517097 

www.benfordcarriages.co.uk 


BEN FORD CARRIAGES 

Making 

an entrance... 

CARS OF CLASS 

Loving the BBC’s Poldark series? Now you 

can feel like Demelza or Elizabeth Poldark 

on your wedding day by travelling in one 

of their carriages. Somerset-based Ben Ford, 

regularly used by television and film 

companies, supplied all the immaculate horsedrawn 

carriages for the series 

The family-run business was launched in 1965 

by Ben Ford after he retired from the Royal 

Horse Artillery and is now run by his niece 

Maria Bisset. 

The carriages are pulled by a matching pair of 

horses - either greys or blacks. All the turnouts 

come complete with a driver and groom in 

matching livery consisting of top hat, livery 

jackets, breeches and long black boots. 

For more details, call 01278 652498 or visit 

www.benfordcarriages.co.uk. 

Agrand occasion needs to be approached in grand style - and 

there’s no more luxurious wedding transport than a British 

classic Rolls Royce. Taunton-based Cars of Class offers two 

immaculate Rolls Royces, two stunning Mercedes and a stylish Jaguar 

to choose from for your wedding transport. 

Contact them to see how they can add those finishing touches to make 

your wedding transport as individual as you are. 

For details, call 01823 480898 or visit the website at 

www.carsofclass.co.uk. 


▼ Haselbury Mill, near Crewkerne 

The Great Tithe Barn is one of Somerset’s most inspiring 

wedding venues and best keep secrets, but it’s far from 

the only option for couples planning to tie the knot at 

Haselbury Mill. 

This unique venue is set in 17 acres of magnificently tended 

gardens and grounds and surrounded by well established trees 

and lakes. 

And it offers the complete answer for a traditional country wedding, 

whether you’re planning a discreet celebration or a huge party 

with 500 guests. 

The mill’s civil ceremony licence means you can be married in the 

spectacular Lakeside Room, outdoors in the beautiful Belvedere or 

in the Great Tithe Barn. The barn is built to a traditional plan and 

offers a unique and truly individual location for your special day. 

Follow the ceremony with a meal in the galleried restaurant or a 

wedding breakfast and evening party or hog roast in the Tithe Barn. 

The award winning head chef and his team, complemented by 

enthusiastic management and waiting teams, will ensure your day 

passes smoothly and without drama. 

And afterwards, Haselbury Mill offers a total of 21 individually 

styled bedrooms – including a bridal suite. 

Haselbury is just seconds from the A30 near Crewkerne. 

Special packages are availalbe for intimate or midweek weddings. 

For further details call 01460 77095 or visit the website at 

www.haselburymill.co.uk. 


▼ Leigh Court, Abbots Leigh 

dreamvenues 

▼ Clifton College, Bristol 

Leigh Court is one of the south west’s most 

prestigious wedding venues: a Grade II* listed 

mansion house, set in 25 acres of stunning 

private parkland, providing the perfect backdrop to 

your day. 

The impressive interior boasts a bold Greek revival 

style with stylish and striking 19th century decor. 

Traditional original features, such as the grand 

double staircase in the Great Hall, create a 

showstopping bridal entrance – especially when 

accompanied by the beautiful resonance of the 

original pipe organ. 

At Leigh Court, the service is as unique as the 

venue. With only one wedding per day, you are 

assured undivided attention and their wedding coordinator 

will work with you to ensure all your 

wishes are catered for so you can relax and enjoy 

your day. 

Depending on your wishes, and the number of 

guests, Leigh Court offers a choice of intimate or 

spacious suites, or total exclusivity of the entire 

ground floor. Alternatively, receptions can be held in 

a marquee in the grounds. 

In-house award winning caterers Berry Blue will 

help you plan the wedding menu and their culinary 

artists will create a winning combination of fresh, 

local ingredients and tried and tested (by you) 

recipes. 

Leigh Court offers a variety of wedding packages for 

any budget and style, providing truly affordable 

luxury, in the heart of the Westcountry and within 

easy reach of Bristol city centre and the M4 and M5 

motorways. 

To find out more and arrange a visit, call 0844 704 

6961, email enquiry@leighcourt.co.uk or visit 

www.leighcourt.co.uk. 

Clifton College offers a uniquely beautiful 

and prestigious setting in the heart of 

the Georgian splendour of Bristol. With 

the spectacular backdrop of the school 

buildings and large green Close, it is hard to 

find a more beautiful venue that offers you 

picturesque space in a city centre location. 

From the moment you make your first enquiry, 

right up to the special day, they will ensure that 

you receive the best service catered to your 

individual needs, and make your celebration 

exactly how you imagined it to be. 

For more details, or to fully appreciate 

the service, setting and surroundings 

that Clifton College has to offer, call 

0117 315 7669 or visit the website at 

www.eventsatclifton.com. 

▼ Westonbirt House, near Tetbury 

Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, in 210 acres 

of perfect parkland, Westonbirt House is a 

stunning venue for weddings. 

The Grade I listed building can comfortably seat up 

to 120 in the Great Hall or Dining Room. 

For larger celebrations, a marquee can be erected 

on the extensive level terrace, next to the 

main house. 

Smaller parties revel in the intimacy of the Reading 

Room or the delightful Camellia House, next to the 

Italian Gardens. 

Westonbirt hosts only one wedding per day, so you 

and your guests have the exclusive use of all of the 

function rooms and access to the beautifully 

landscaped grounds, which provide stunning 

locations for your photographs. 

Westonbirt aims to take care of all your requests 

during the planning and lead up to your wedding so 

that you and your guests can relax and enjoy the 

day. 

For more details or to book a viewing, call 01666 

881338 or visit www.westonbirtweddings.com. 




The World Heritage City of Bath is the 

perfect setting to celebrate the most 

important day of your life. 

Weston Super Mare 

Register office 

Our Registration Team will help you create a 

beautiful and meaningful ceremony to help 

you celebrate your special day. 

For all enquires please call 01225 477234 or 

e: register_office@bathnes.gov.uk 

www.bathweddings.co.uk 

Choice of ceremony rooms 

Courtyard garden for photographs 

Bookings can be made a year in advance 

Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, 

Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ 

;Tel: 01934 427552 • www.n-somerset.gov.uk 



E S T A B L I S H E D O V E R 1 5 Y E A R S 

GIVE YOUR WEDDING THE WOW FACTOR! 

Marquees * Chairs and Furniture * Dance Floors 

Lighting * Heating * Catering Equipment 

For a personal plan and quotation please contact us 

01666 577500 

www.richardsonmarquees.co.uk 

hire@richardsonmarquees.co.uk 

• Balloon & Flower 

Decorations 

• Chair cover and sash hire 

• Starlight Backdrop hire 

• Ceiling Drapery 

• Candy Buffet 

• Table centrepieces for hire 

• Stationery & favours 

SHOP 67, SANDY PARK ROAD, BRISLINGTON BS4 3PQ 

Tel: 0117 966 9990 

www.enchantedweddingsbristol.com 

Brunel Photography 

Bristol 

Contact Kirsty on 07776 071702 • www.brunelphotographybristol.co.uk 


MARQUEES BY RICHARDSON MARQUEES 

Adding the 

Wow! factor 

There’s something special about a 

wedding reception in a marquee. 

Perhaps it’s the feeling of being 

outdoors, indoors. Or the 

atmosphere generated by softly draped 

walls and ceilings. Perhaps it’s the fact 

that the bride can choose the whole decor 

to match her bridal colours. Or simply that 

the whole occasion is so different. 

Marquees are now so popular that you 

must book at least six months in advance 

to guarantee your chosen date. And don’t 

think that’s restricted to summer. Modern heating is 

so efficient, it can keep a marquee warm on the 

coldest of days. 

Team ivory wall and ceiling linings with coloured 

swags, curtains and overlays in your wedding 

colours and echo the colours in your table settings 

and chair covers. 

Creative lighting can range from chandeliers and 

soft uplighters to disco balls and blackout linings 

with twinkle lights. 

Carpeted flooring, a wooden dance floor, fully 

equipped bar – and separate catering tent and 

luxury loos – complete the individual picture. 

And the joy of a marquee doesn’t end until you want 

it to. You have total freedom over the timings, the 

drinks, the entertainment – and if the mood takes 

you, you can party away well into the small hours. 

Acomplete venue decoration service, 

incorporating everything from balloons 

and flowers to stationery, chair cover hire 

to a candy buffet and all manner of special 

touches from starlight backdrops to ceiling 

draping, candelabras and ostrich feathers to 

wishing well hire: Enchanted Weddings offers a 

personal and completely flexible service. 

Run by the appropriately-named Carollyn Magic, the 

Bristol-based company can transform your venue, 

working with you to create a personal and unique 

atmosphere. 

Carollyn said: ‘We know 

that the small things make 

a big difference, so our 

attention to detail is 

second to none. We will 

meet you at the venue or at 

our home office, when 

we can discuss your 

requirements and you 

can browse through our 

portfolio. 

‘We can do as much or as 

little decoration as you 

choose and on the day 

itself, we’ll ensure that all 

the decorating is picture 

perfect, so you can relax and enjoy yourself.’ 

Enchanted Weddings also specialises in Asian 

wedding decor. 

For more information, call 0117 966 9990 

or visit the website at 

www.enchantedweddingsbristol.com. 


The Royal Hotel 

Our Bimbeck Suite, with its sweeping bay 

windows, boasts idyllic sea views across 

Weston Bay and our extensive lawns, making 

it the perfect setting for your special day 

We hold a Civil Wedding & Civil 

Partnership licence, enabling you to 

simplify your arrangements, by holding 

all aspects of your special day in one ven 

Midweek All Inclusive Weddings 

now available for only £1995 

Every wedding is inclusive of: 

Red carpet arrival 

Table linen 

Coloured napkins 

Table scatter crystals 

Dressed top table & cake table 

Cake stand and cake knife hire 

Ambient lighting 

Master of ceremonies 

Background music 

Private lounge and bar area 

Preferential accommodation rates 

Complimentary Bridal suite 

1 South Parade, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS23 1JP 01934 423100 

reservations@royalhotelweston.com • www.royalhotelweston.com 

▼ Kingswood, Bath 

With magnificent views over 

the city, Kingswood 

venues are among Bath’s 

best kept secrets – and you can 

have exclusive use of this tranquil, 

completely private setting for your 

wedding reception. 

Smaller celebrations for 60 to 100 

guests choose the pretty Georgian 

Summerhill House, where the 

wedding breakfast is served in the 

Lower Hall and the Upper Gallery 

opened for dancing afterwards. 

For larger gatherings of up to 160 

people there’s the beautiful Gothic 

dining hall, with its wood panelling 

and stained glass windows. 

A professional team of caterers and 

an extensive range of menus, mean 

many different tastes and 

requirements can easily be accommodated. 

PHOTO BY JACKY BADENHORST PHOTOGRAPHY 

Your guests can enjoy drinks on the beautiful terrace or take a stroll around 

the extensive grounds, admiring the breathtaking views of the city, while you 

have your photographs taken against the stunning backdrops. 

Kingswood has a licence for serving alcohol, but, if you choose, you can 

provide your own table wine, which they will serve for a corkage fee and a 

cash bar can be provided for the evening. 

With exclusive use for your special day, you can truly make Kingswood your 

own, enabling you to have the most magical and memorable day. 

For more details, call 01225 734340 or email 

catering@kingswood.bath.sch.uk. 


dreamvenues 

▼ Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars 

Hotel, near Cirencester 

With no fewer than seven beautiful rooms licensed for civil 

ceremonies and two glorious suites for wedding receptions, the 

lovely Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel makes the perfect 

venue for your wedding and/or reception. 

Conveniently situated in the heart of the Cotswolds, yet close to Bristol and 

easily accessed from both M4 and M5 motorways, this luxury four 

star hotel combines a beautiful setting and spectacular views with 

state-of-the-art facilities. 

All of the ceremony rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake 

and both suites – which accommodate up to 200 and up to 360 people 

respectively – also have spectacular views over the lake. 

There are also rooms perfect for more intimate weddings – and grand, formal 

events for up to 500 people can be accommodated in a marquee. 

Expert chefs have devised a mouth-watering selection of dishes using only 

the finest ingredients – but will also be happy to cater for special requests if 

you want particular favourites included on your menu. 

From the moment of your first enquiry to the end of your special day you will 

have the personal attention of an experienced wedding co-ordinator, who will 

offer all the help and advice you need. 

And with 328 luxurious bedrooms and suites, find out about special 

accommodation rates for your guests. 

For more details, call 01285 864333 or visit the website at 

www.cotswoldwaterparkhotel.co.uk. 

For more information call our Wedding 

Co-ordinator on 01285 864333 

Exclusively yours 

A stunning location in Lansdown, 

with beautiful views over the city of Bath. 

* Our large outdoor terraces and gardens provide 

the perfect extension to your wedding reception. 

* First class food, fine wines, beautiful period settings. 

* Wedding Coordinator on site to help with all arrangements. 

For more information and a 

wedding brochure please contact: 

Catering Manager & Wedding Coordinator, Sharon Traylor 

T: 01225 734340/430 or 

email: catering@kingswood.bath.sch.uk 

www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk 


Swindon 

R E G I S T E R O F F I C E 

Swindon's Register 

Office has moved to 

beautiful new facilities 

at the Civic Offices 

For the first time, there is 

a choice of three rooms 

where marriages and civil 

partnership ceremonies 

can be performed. 

A specially-designed 

attractive photography 

area has been set up 

within the gardens 

We cater for wedding 

parties up to 60 Monday 

to Saturday. 

Swindon Register Office, 

Civic Offices, 

Euclid Street 

Swindon 

SN1 2JH 

Tel: 01793 521734 

www.swindon.gov.uk 


Get the party 

started! 

With photo booth hire, karaoke and 

professional DJ and disco, Bristol-based 

Hotshots Entertainment offers packages 

which will get your guests laughing, singing, 

dancing and swearing they have never had a 

better night. 

The company was established in 2001 by DJ Morf, 

who works closely with other well-known DJs and 

has recently upgraded both sound and light 

equipment. The soft ambient lighting can transform 

any venue, helping to create the perfect atmosphere 

and you can choose uplighting and mood lighting to 

blend in with your chosen colour scheme. 

There’s a huge range of sounds from the Fifties to 

the present day, so guests of all ages can join the 

fun and Hotshots Entertainment operates within a 

100 mile radius of Bristol centre. 

For more details, call 07811 275527 or visit 

www.hotshotsentertainment.co.uk. 

Off with 

a bang! 

Astunning firework display can provide a 

magical end to your perfect day – and 

you can either go the whole hog and 

employ professional firework experts 

or ask them to put together a special 

DIY pack for you. The sky is literally the limit when 

it comes to fireworks – you can have displays set to 

music, displays in your bridal colours, fabulous 

special effects from hearts and flowers to your 

names in lights. It makes sense to employ a 

professional company – they will custom-design a 

display uniquely for you and be acutely safetyconscious, 

something your best man might not be 

after celebrating all day. 

Celebration Pyrotechnics has over 15 years 

experience in creating individual displays for 

events and celebrations throughout the region. 

They offer a free site inspection to advise on the 

suitability of the venue and all safety issues and 

to discuss your individual requirements. 

Call 01208 78790 or visit 

www.celebrationpyro.com 

Bristol Register Office 

Weddings, Civil Partnerships, 

Renewal of Vows and Naming Ceremonies 

Open Monday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm 

Wednesdays 10 am - 4 pm 

Saturday mornings by appointment only 

The Old Council House, Corn Street, Bristol BS1 1JG • Tel: 0117 922 2800 

For a full list list of our 

licensed venues visit 

www.bristol.gov.uk 


dates for your diary 

NOVEMBER 6: Leigh Court, Abbots Leigh (11am to 3pm, 

contact www.the-bridal-suite.co.uk) 

NOVEMBER 10: Rookery Manor, Edingworth (5pm to 8pm, 

contact 01934 750200 or www.rookery-manor.co.uk) 

NOVEMBER 13: Mercure Bristol North The Grange, 

Winterbourne (11am to 3pm, contact 01454 771423) 

NOVEMBER 23: Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath (5.30pm to 

8.30pm, contact www.bailbrookhouse.co.uk) 

NOVEMBER 24: Thornbury Castle, Thornbury (5pm to 8pm, 

contact 01454 281182 or www.thornburycastle.co.uk) 

DECEMBER 4: Clifton Pavilion, Bristol Zoo (11am to 3pm, 

contact www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk) 

JANUARY 8: Double Tree by Hilton, Congresbury (11am to 

3pm, contact 01934 834343) 

JANUARY 8: Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath (11.30am to 3pm, 

contact www.bailbrookhouse.co.uk) 

JANUARY 8: Chiseldon House, Chiseldon (12 to 4pm, 

contact 01793 238921 or www.whitewed.directory) 

JANUARY 8: Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester (12 

to 4pm, contact 01793 238921 or www.whitewed.directory) 

JANUARY 15: Cheese & Grain, Frome (11am to 2.30pm, 

contact www.the-wedding-emporium.com) 

JANUARY 15: Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, College Green 

(11am to 3pm, contact 

www.weddingworldexhibitions.co.uk) 

JANUARY 15: Crown of Crucis, Cirencester (11am to 3pm, 


JANUARY 15: Hilton Hotel, Swindon (11am to 3pm, see 

www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk) 

JANUARY 22: The Canalside, Bridgwater (11am to 2.30pm, 


JANUARY 22: Westonbirt House, Tetbury (12 to 4pm, 


JANUARY 22: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton 

Mallet (11am to 3pm, contact 01202 741650 or 

www.weddingdaze.co.uk) 

JANUARY 22: Rookery Manor, Edingworth (10.30am to 

4.30pm, contact 01934 750200 or www.rookerymanor.co.uk) 

JANUARY 22: The Wellsway, West Harptree (1 to 4pm, 

contact www.thewellsway.co.uk 

JANUARY 22: Old Down Manor, near Tockington (12 to 

3pm, contact 01454 414081 or www.olddownmanor.co.uk) 

JANUARY 22: Civic Centre, Trowbridge (10.30am to 2pm, 

contact info@cow-parsley.co.uk) 

JANUARY 22: Tithe Barn, Dunster (11am to 3pm, see 


JANUARY 29: Marsh Farm Hotel, Royal Wootton Bassett 

(11am to 3pm, contact 01793 238921 or 

www.whitewed.directory) 

JANUARY 29: Bath MacDonald Spa Hotel (11am to 2.30pm, 


calling wedding fair organisers 


Wedding fairs are a great source of ideas for brides as well as a 

way of finding everything you need under one roof - and there’s 

bound to be one near you soon. So make a note of these dates, 

but do check locally nearer the time as they may change. 

JANUARY 29: Corn Exchange, Devizes (10.30am to 2pm, 

contact info@cow-parsley.co.uk) 

JANUARY 29: Bristol Harbour Hotel (11am to 3pm, see 


FEBRUARY 5: Wellington Barn, Calstone (11am to 3pm, 


FEBRUARY 5: Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford (11am to 

2.30pm, contact www.the-wedding-emporium.com) 

FEBRUARY 5: Holiday Inn, Taunton (11am to 3pm, contact 

01202 741650 or www.weddingdaze.co.uk) 

FEBRUARY 5: Cheltenham Park Hotel, Charlton Kings 

(11am to 3pm, see www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk) 

FEBRUARY 12: The Neeld, Chippenham (12 to 4pm, contact 

01793 238921 or www.whitewed.directory) 

FEBRUARY 12: Swindon Marriott Hotel (11am to 3pm, 


FEBRUARY 19: Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel, 

South Cerney (11am to 3pm, see 


FEBRUARY 19: Ashton Court Mansion, Bristol (11am to 

3.30pm, contact www.thebristolweddingshow.co.uk) 

FEBRUARY 19: The Manor Barn, Winterbourne (11am to 

3pm, contact 01793 238921 or www.whitewed.directory) 

FEBRUARY 19: Bowood Hotel, Calne (11am to 2.30pm, 

contact 01249 822228 or www.bowood.org) 

FEBRUARY 19: Village Urban Resort, Swindon (11am to 

3pm, contact 01793 238921 or www.whitewed.directory) 

FEBRUARY 26: Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton 

(11am to 3pm, contact www.byinvitationevents.co.uk) 

FEBRUARY 26: Future Inns, Cabot Circus, Bristol (11am to 

2pm, contact www.futureinns.co.uk/bristol 

FEBRUARY 26: Farrington Park, Farrington Gurney (11am 

to 3pm, see www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk) 

MARCH 4 & 5: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton 

Mallet (10am to 4pm both days, contact www.weddingshowcase.com) 

MARCH 5: The Wrag Barn, Highworth (11am to 3pm, 


MARCH 5: Tortworth Court,Wotton-under-Edge (11am to 

3pm, see www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk) 

MARCH 9: Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath (5.30pm to 8.30pm, 

contact www.bailbrookhouse.co.uk) 

MARCH 12: Crowcombe Court, Taunton (11am to 3pm, 

contact 01984 618752 or www.crowcombecourt.co.uk) 

MARCH 12: Bishop’s Palace, Wells (11am to 3pm, contact 


MARCH 19: Holiday Inn, Bristol City Centre (11am to 2pm, 

contact www.thewordbristol.com) 

MARCH 19: M-Shed, Princes Wharf, Bristol (11am to 3pm, 

contact www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk) 

APRIL 1 & 2: Three Counties Showground, Malvern (10am 

to 4pm, contact www.weddingshowcase.com) 

APRIL 2: Charlton House, Shepton Mallet (11am to 3pm, 

see www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk) 

APRIL 9: Bristol Golf Club, Almondsbury (11am to 3pm, 

see www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk) 

Organisers of Autumn 2017 wedding fairs who would like to have their 

dates included in the next issue of Dream Weddings should call 01626 

873364 or email editorial@countymagazines.co.uk by April 2, 2017. 

Please mention Dream Weddings magazine when replying to advertisements 

Check out our great website www.dream-weddings-magazine.co.uk 

FOLLOW 

US ON: 

index to advertisers 

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES 

Tessa’s Tiaras....................................12 

BRIDAL FASHION 

A Class Brides..................................IFC 

The Bridal Lounge.............................12 

Bride at Home...................................14 

Krystle Brides....................................15 

Lace & Grace ....................................10 

Solitaire Brides..................................10 

Special Day & Appletons ..................13 

CAKES 

Cakes by Elan....................................22 

Carefree Cakes..................................23 

Creative Cakes by Vickie...................23 

The Icing Centre................................22 

Minky Kitten Cakes ...........................22 

Sunflower Bakery..............................23 

FIREWORKS 

Celebration Pyrotechnics..................54 

FLOWERS 

Kimberleys .......................................16 

Lisa Elliott Floral Design ...................16 

HAIR & BEAUTY 

Creative Bridal Services....................40 

Desire................................................40 

The Hair Book ...................................40 

Sally Bracey Make-Up Artist .............40 

HEN & STAG 

Weston Lodge Shooting Ground......26 

MARQUEES 

Richardson Marquees.......................50 

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE 

Ladies Day ........................................42 

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT 

Hotshots Entertainment....................54 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

Ben Arrigoni Photography ................20 

Brunel Photography Bristol ..............50 

Jacky Badenhorst Photography........44 

Pat Cooper Photography ..................14 

Photographs by Nik ..........................26 

Rosie Cutbill Photography................42 

REGISTER OFFICES 

Bath Guildhall....................................48 

Bristol Register Office.......................55 

Swindon Register Office ...................54 

Weston Super Mare Register Office ....48 

STATIONERY 

Topikki...............................................20 

TRANSPORT 

Ben Ford Carriages ...........................44 

Cars of Class.....................................44 

VENUE DECOR 

Enchanted Weddings ........................50 

VENUES 

The Bristol Hotel..............................IBC 

Bristol Pavilion..................................52 

Clifton College................................OBC 

Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel....53 

Eastwood Park..................................49 

Haselbury Mill...................................46 

Kingswood........................................53 

Leigh Court .......................................46 

Old Bridge.........................................49 

Priston Mill .......................................48 

Royal Hotel .......................................52 

Westonbirt House ...........................IBC 

WEDDING FAIRS 

Cow Parsley......................................36 

Love Actually.....................................37 

Wedding Showcase ..........................35 

Wedding World.................................36 

White Wed Directory.........................36 

The Word on Weddings....................36

TEL: 01666 881338 

email: weddings@westonbirtweddings.com 

www.westonbirtweddings.com

Dream Weddings Magazine - Bristol, Somerset & Wiltshire - iss.34

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