dream-weddings-magazine-bristol-somerset-wiltshire-iss34

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.

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

www.dream-weddings-magazine.co.uk

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

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

THIS ONE OK

MAIN PIC LEFT & INSET:

MORI LEE AT SPECIAL DAY &

APPLETONS IN KEYNSHAM

...or frills

andfolderols?

4 • 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

MORI LEE AT SPECIAL DAY &

APPLETONS IN KEYNSHAM

STELLA YORK

AT A CLASS

BRIDES IN

BRISTOL

WTOO AT LACE &

GRACE IN KEYNSHAM

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 • 5

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

6 • 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

it short...

LADYBIRD AT SPECIAL DAY &

APPLETONS IN KEYNSHAM

LA SPOSA AT

BRIDE AT HOME

IN BRISTOL

STELLA YORK

AT A CLASS

BRIDES IN

BRISTOL

ESSENSE AT ANNE

HARDING IN BRISTOL

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 • 7

...or

loving

it long?

LEFT & RIGHT:

LUSAN MANDONGUS AT

LACE & GRACE

IN KEYNSHAM

8 • 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

ABOVE: LUSAN

MANDONGUS AT LACE

& GRACE IN KEYNSHAM

LEFT & ABOVE:

ENZOANI AT KRYSTLE

BRIDES IN BATH

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 • 9

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

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

BRIDES IN BATH

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.

1 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

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.

1 4 • 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

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.

1 6 • 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: 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.

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 7

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

1 8 • 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

Mum’s a florist...

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 9

‘ 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

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 • 2 1

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

...what more

could you want?

us on:

www.dream-weddings-magazine.co.uk

2 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

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

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 • 2 3

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.

2 4 • 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

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.

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 • 2 5

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.

2 6 • 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

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

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 • 2 7

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

Mr and Mrs Simon Hayes request the

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:

Mr and Mrs Simon Hayes request the

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

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

Planning Makes Perfect

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 • 2 9

Planning Makes Perfect

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

• 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

PHOTO BY PHOTOGRAPHS BY NIK

3 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

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.

Planning Makes Perfect

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

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.

cut out and keep

3 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

cut out and keep

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

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