Dream Weddings Magazine - Dorset & Hampshire - issue.37

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SPRING / SUMMER 2018 • ISSUE 37 

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Stunning styles 

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Sensa Sweet 

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cakeaholics 

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our first pee ek at 

the f abulous 

bridal collections... 

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Also find us on:

Charles Nobel

contents 

Y congratulations... 

ou’ve found the man of your dreams and you’re embarking 

on one of the happiest adventures of your life. The months 

ahead will be full of the most delicious decisions (what to 

wear, which flowers to carry, how to decorate the tables at 

the reception) and some stressful ones: if we invite Great 

Aunt Agatha, can we rely on her not to come? Should we 

have an intimate wedding breakfast or a buffet for scores of 

friends? Will it rain? However daunting the whole organisation 

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, from the latest 

collections of gowns to ideas on music, from wedding day 

etiquette to up-to-date fashions in flowers. 

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 the 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. 

And enjoy 

every minute 

of it! 

SPRING / SUMMER 2018 • ISSUE 37 

P36-49 - FIND YOUR DREAM VENUE... 

EDITOR 

ADVERTISING 

ACCOUNTS 

DESIGN 

DISTRIBUTION 

JULIA SNOW 

HELEN JOHNSON, 

EVE SZEREMETA 

MADELINE RIGGS 

TOM HUTTON 

JANE GREY 

ABOVE: P2-17 

SENSATIONAL 

STYLE 

P18-19... TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS CAKES 

COVER PICTURE: ELLA ROSA AT NEW FOREST & DORSET BRIDES IN 

HIGHCLIFFE • TEL: 01425 616939 • WWW.NEWFORESTBRIDES.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: 

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 

Visit our website at 


2-17 Designer dazzle 28-29 Fair enough! 

Check out the brand new 2018 bridal Check out the best of the counties’ 

collections – and don’t forget the fellas! wedding fairs at a venue near you 

18-19 Wedding cake-off 30-35 Yummy mummy 

Co-ordinate your flowers and your cake Head-turning 2018 collections for the 

for the Wow! factor at your reception Mother of the Bride and Groom 

20 With this ring... 36-49 Find your dream venue 

Choosing that special piece of jewellery Stunning venues to suit your style and 

you will wear from now until forever. budget – and entertainment to match 

21-27 One step at a time 50-52 Brides’ directory 

Follow our comprehensive guide 

Our handy classified index, plus those 

and you’ll never put a foot wrong 

all-important autumn dates for your diary 

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

Spring 

TI ADORA AT LUNA 

DAISY BRIDAL IN 

BOURNEMOUTH 

STELLA YORK AT WEDDING 

TIME IN DORCHESTER STELLA YORK AT WEDDING 

TIME IN DORCHESTER 

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

into the 

summer 

Doesn’t time fly? And if you’re a 2018 bride, you’ll find you’ve 

no sooner blinked than your wedding is upon you. In fact, if 

you’re a 2019 bride, don’t be too smug about the lazy 

months stretching ahead. They’ll concertina into a 

nanosecond and you’ll be running round like a demented 

Dervish before you can say ‘Jack Robinson’. 

Hasty decisions can often be wrong and 

if there’s one purchase you don’t want to 

regret, it’s your wedding dress, so start 

looking early and give yourself plenty of 

time to find the perfect style for you. 

Remember, you can’t expect to walk out 

of the shop with your dress – and orders 

can take up to six months to arrive. 

When you’re shopping, be openminded! 

Try on lots of different styles 

before you settle on the one that’s 

perfect for you. Listen to the advice 

of the experts in the shop (you 

don’t have to take it, but at least 

listen to it). And 

limit the number 

of friends you take 

with you on the trip 

– too many different 

opinions can be 

confusing. 

This is the most 

important outfit you 

will ever buy so, 

above all, have fun! 

OLIVIA GRACE AT 

WEDDING TIME IN 

DORCHESTER 

TI ADORA AT LUNA 

DAISY BRIDAL 

IN BOURNEMOUTH 


ELLA ROSA AT NEW FOREST & 

DORSET BRIDES IN HIGHCLIFFE 

CHRISTINA WU 

AT CHERISHED 

BRIDAL WEAR 



THIS PAGE: CHRISTINA 

WU AT CHERISHED 

BRIDAL WEAR IN 

BOURNEMOUTH 

Whatever you do, beware of what look like 

tempting offers on the internet. If a beautiful 

dress comes in at a price you can’t believe, 

don’t believe it: offers which look too good to 

be true, almost certainly are. You’ll be 

disappointed in the material, the cut, the 

quality and the finish – and that’s assuming 

your dress actually arrives. 

Then you’ll be stuck, just a few weeks before 

your wedding, desperately hunting for a 

dress in the bridal boutiques you should have 

visited in the first place. 

You only get one opportunity to buy this 

dress of a lifetime, make the most of it! 


...orsassy 

PICTURED & RIGHT: ENGLISH ROSE AT 

MILLIE COUTURE IN SALISBURY 


MAIN PICTURE: SOPHIA & CAMILLA AT 


PICTURED & INSET BELOW: 

ENGLISH ROSE AT MILLIE 

COUTURE IN SALISBURY 

Terrified at the whole prospect of shopping for 

your wedding dress? Take a deep breath... 

and then take our top tips! 

Start early: It’s never too early to start looking and 

it can take up to six months to get your wedding 

gown from the designer. You may have to factor in 

some time for alterations too. 

Study shapes and styles in magazines and take 

along cuttings of what you like – keep your makeup 

light and absolutely no fake tan! 

Set your budget before you go and don’t be 

tempted to try on a dress you can’t afford just to 

see what it’s like. 

That’s not only wasting your time, it’s setting you 

up for disappointment with the dresses you can 

afford. 

Be realistic: You may be planning to lose a whole 

lot of weight before the big day, but buy a dress 

which fits you now. It can always be taken in if you 

drop a size or two, but it’s a whole lot more difficult 

to let it out if you don’t. 

Trust your instincts: If you have to be persuaded 

that something suits you, it’s not the one. Your 

dress is the one you just don’t want to take off! 


MAIN PICTURE: HAYLEY PAIGE AT 

WEDDING TIME IN DORCHESTER 


PICTURED & RIGHT: 

KENNETH WINSTON AT 

NEW FOREST & DORSET 

BRIDES IN HIGHCLIFE 

LEFT & ABOVE: CHRISTINA WU AT 

CHERISHED BRIDAL WEAR 



We are Bournemouth’s 

No 1 Pre-Loved 

Wedding Dress Shop 

Visit our beautiful boutique 

for up to half the 

new retail price. 

Prices from 

£400 to £1800 

New bespoke jewellery, 

veils & accessories 

CHRISTINA WU AT 

CHERISHED BRIDAL WEAR 


Boutique bridal salon & men's formalwear 

Established 1983 

15 High East Street, Dorchester DT1 1HH 

Tel: 01305 269555 • www.wedding-time.com 

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

Non-traditional wedding dresses are becoming the new 

trend for the contemporary bride who wants to stamp 

her individuality on the biggest day of her life. Unique 

wedding gowns come in a huge variety of colours, 

styles, materials and silhouettes, with separates and even 

trousers making a bold appearance in the new collections. 

For the bride who doesn’t want to step too far out of her comfort 

zone, there’s a huge range of offbeat accessories to choose from. 

Flirt with a full-length cape instead of a veil, accentuate a low back 

with cascades of beads, invest in jewel-bright shoes to peep out 

from under that oh-so-traditional dress. 

Keep the venue and style of your wedding in mind when you’re 

making your choice – and make sure it suits the groom’s style 

as well! 

LOUISE BENTLEY AT MILLIE 

COUTURE IN SALISBURY 

HAYLEY PAIGE AT WEDDING 

TIME IN DORCHESTER 

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

Beautiful bridal gowns, bridesmaids and accessories 

MAIN PICTURE: 

ELLA ROSA AT 

NEW FOREST & 

DORSET BRIDES 

IN HIGHCLIFFE 

• Designer bridal gowns 

• Made to measure 

service 

• Mother of the Bride 

• Bridesmaids 

• Shoes and accessories 

1 Rose Cottage, Southampton Road, 

Landford, Salisbury SP5 2EG 

Tel: 01794 390658 or 07786 162736 

www.milliecouturebridal.com • milliecouture@hotmail.com 

Stunning gowns from 

Kenneth Winston 

including Ella Rosa 

and Femme for the 

curvier bride 

Something for every 

budget Sizes 6 to 34 

Appointments only 

Tel: 01425 616939 or 

078513 85116 

www.newforestbrides.co.uk 

404 Lymington Road, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 5HE. 


Individual 

design 

INSETS: FELICITY COOPER AT 


Be the bride of his dreams in a beautiful gown which you 

have had a hand in designing. Millie Couture Bridal, 

based in a secluded private location in Salisbury, 

specialises in involving brides in the design process, 

whether they choose a completely bespoke dress or a 

gown from the best of the British collections. 

Owner Leesa Miller said: ‘Our bridal collections encompass 

designers who specialise in the bespoke area, so brides don’t just 

choose a gown off the rails. They have a range of styles and fabric 

choices, so the dress they design becomes individually theirs.’ 

This unique boutique, purpose-built in the grounds of Leesa’s 

home, nestles in a leafy lane between Salisbury and Southampton. 

A fashion and design graduate herself, Leesa subsequently 

worked in the luxury end of bridal wear before branching out 

under her own name. 

Now she offers not only her own bespoke styling, but also a range 

of carefully chosen collections which include English Rose, Louise 

Bentley, Wendy Makin, Sophia & Camilla and Felicity Cooper. 

Bridal gown prices range from £850 to £2,500 and there’s a 

complete range of bridesmaids’ outfits plus bridal accessories. 

Millie Couture Bridal works on an appointments basis to ensure 

each bride can relax and benefit from Leesa’s undivided attention. 

New this season is Millie May Bridal, an affordable collection with 

customisable design options from £695 up to £895, alongside 

its sister collection, Millie Grace, for brides with curves. 

And launching this Spring is a bespoke collection for the mother of 

the bride. 

Leesa said: ‘Whatever style you’re looking for, we can give you 

help and advice. From beginning to end, we give 100 per cent to 

each and every bride.’ 

For more details, call 07786 162736 or visit the website at 

www.milliecouturebridal.com. 


www.tiarasandcrowns.net 

Planning your 

Special Day? 

dream 

wEDDINGS 

...what more 

could you want? 


Blandford’s Little Bridal Boutique 

Affordable Designer Dresses 

Free Goodie Bag For Every Bride 

Glass of Bubbly For You And Your Guests 

Your 

crowning 

glory 

Traditional or contemporary, worn 

with or without a veil, the tiara is 

the headdress of choice for today’s 

brides. ‘Tiaras complement any 

style of gown,’ says Ros Woodhouse of 

Tiaras and Crowns ‘and can be worn with 

upswept, worn down or short hairstyles.’ 

When you’re choosing your tiara bear in 

mind that it should suit the shape of your 

face, your wedding hairstyle and the style of your gown. 

‘Diamante tiaras go with any colour of gown, says Ros, ‘while tiaras with 

pearls should match either your jewellery or your gown.’ 

Tiaras and Crowns has a fantastic selection of bridal headdresses to 

complement every bride. 

For more information, call 01305 

814950 or visit the website at www.tiarasandcrowns.net. 

4 Georgian Passage 

East Street, Blandford Forum 

DT11 7DX 

info@exclusivelyyourbridalboutique.co.uk 

Get in touch to book your appointment 

0797 905 4258 

www.exclusivelyyoursbridalboutique.co.uk 


Don’t 

break 

the bank! 

Brides on a tight budget can buy a quality designer dress at a fraction 

of the original price at newly opened Exclusively Yours in Blandford 

Forum. Here you can see not only an ever-changing array of preloved 

dresses, but also stunning ex-sample and discontinued gowns which 

have never been worn. 

Owner Kayleigh said: ‘We are a small boutique, but we carry an exciting range 

of gowns, all ready to take away and all amazingly affordable at hugely 

reduced prices.’ 

Exclusively Yours is open three days a week for browsing and also by private 

appointment at other times, including evenings and weekends. 

Kayleigh said: ‘We pride ourselves on giving brides the full experience. We 

offer them and their guests a glass of bubbly, they have our undivided 

attention during their appointment and they get a goody bag to take home. 

‘We believe every bride should have that Wow! moment when she finds her 

dress, no matter what her budget.’ 

There’s a recommended seamstress so the dress you choose can be altered 

to fit perfectly and, of course, if you want to sell it after the wedding, 

Exclusively Yours will be happy to help. 

For details, call 07979 054258 or visit the website at 

www.exclusivelyyoursbridalboutique.co.uk. 


The men’s formal hire department 

at Chas H. Baker in Salisbury 

aims to fulfil the groom’s dream 

of wearing the perfect outfit. 

They set out to create a relaxing 

atmosphere where grooms and their 

partners can take time to select the look 

they want to achieve, considering their 

huge range of different styles from 

classic morning suits to their new blue 

and light grey lounge suits matched with 

a large range of waistcoats. 

The formal hire department also runs 

alongside the store’s wide range of 

quality menswear selling high quality 

brands such as Gant, Meyer, Barbour, 

Magee, Seidensticker / Olymp shirts and 

a large selection of suits from Label and 

country jackets from Douglas and 

Graham, Gurteen and many more ranges. 

Chas H. Baker, established in the city over 100 years ago, is still run 

by the same family – a testimony to its outstanding reputation for 

quality menswear and traditional service 

For more information, call 01722 324234 

or visit the website at www.salisbury-suit-hire.com. 

Men's Formalwear & Boutique bridal Salon 

Established 1983 

15 High East Street, Dorchester DT1 1HH 

Tel: 01305 269555 • www.wedding-time.com 


Award-winning Dorchester boutique, 

Wedding Time, now has a fully stocked 

menswear department, offering not 

only a complete range of formal wear 

by Wilvorst for hire, but also their own slim fit 

suits both for hire and to buy. 

For details, call 01305 269555 or visit 

www.wedding-time.com. 

Manof the 

moment 

Hired formal wear or an excuse to splash out on a beautifully tailored suit? Tomorrow’s groom 

is relishing the prospect of cutting a dash at his own wedding almost as much as the bride is 

enjoying choosing her dress – and the trends are every bit as varied. From traditional striped 

trousers and tailcoat through swirling Highland dress to lounge suits, dinner jackets and even 

casual separates. 

The rule is today that there are no rules – except one: whatever you do, match the bride’s style. If she’s 

going for a glorious traditional wedding dress, you’ll look ridiculous if you turn up in jeans and T-shirt. 

Conversely, if she’s going boho with flowers in her hair, top hat and tails are unlikely to be an option 

for you. 

Most grooms choose to hire their formal outfits – but do make sure you choose a reputable outfitter, 

who will fit you properly. It’s a good idea for the bride and groom to go for the initial consultation on 

their own. Then they can choose exactly what the men in the bridal party are going to wear. 

Arrange a fitting for everyone well in advance of the big day and expect to pick up your suits a couple of 

days before the wedding. If you’re going on honeymoon immediately after the wedding, do organise for 

all the hired suits to be returned a couple of days later. 


Award winning bespoke wedding cakes 

tel. 01202 539120 | mob. 07789 000387 

email. coastcakes@btinternet.com 

www.coastcakes.co.uk 

Beautiful, creative 

& unique 

cakes designed 

for you 

Tel: 01202 572021 

1528, Wimborne Road, Kinson, 

Bournemouth BH11 9AF 

www.specialitycakes.biz 

www.rosiecutbillphotography.co.uk 

07958 984554 | 01672 540520 

info@rosiecutbillphotography.co.uk 

Blooming 

Speciality Cakes of Bournemouth pride themselves on 

providing personalised designs to fit all wedding themes 

and budgets. They are highly skilled in cake decorating 

and provide celebration cakes in a huge range of flavours. 

For a free personal consultation and advice, call 01202 572021 

or visit www.specialitycakes.biz. 


THIS PAGE: Jennifer Bronsell 

of Bournemouth-based Coast 

Cakes is an award-winning 

cake artist who is a preferred 

supplier to many of the top 

wedding venues in Dorset and 

Hampshire. 

A qualified chef, she promises 

both excellent service and 

outstanding quality. 

For details, call 

01202 539120 or visit 

www.coastcakes.co.uk. 

gorgeous 

Flowers and cakes: two of the details which stamp 

your wedding style on your wedding reception. 

Consider them in tandem, so they complement 

each other as well as your wedding theme 

and colours. 

They can be chic and elegant, rustic and boho, formal, 

contemporary or even quirky and tongue-in-cheek. 

There’s a limitless choice in everything from bouquet 

shapes to cake decoration, so an early visit to both your 

florist and your cake designer will help you narrow the 

field. You won’t have to make a final decision at this 

point, but you can book your date and take away some 

delicious ideas to play with. 


Going for 

gold 

Once all the excitement 

of the big day is over, 

one part of your 

wedding will stay with 

you every day of your 

married life, your wedding ring. 

No other piece of jewellery will 

ever match it in significance, so 

we asked fine jewellers Charles 

Nobel, of New Milton, for their top 

tips... 

Start shopping for your ring or rings around three months before the big day. 

That will give your jeweller enough time to ensure you get the perfect fit in 

your chosen style. 

Your ring should last a lifetime and may even be handed down as a family 

heirloom, so it should be robust enough to stand everyday wear and the test 

of time. It’s worth buying the best quality ring you can afford. 

Your wedding ring will often be worn with your engagement ring, so it has to 

sit well with it. Shaped wedding rings to fit around the engagement ring, often 

diamond set, are currently in great demand. 

If you are both having wedding rings, remember they don’t have to be the 

same shape and style – and while there’s no harm in being innovative and 

individual, be a little wary of high fashion rings which may date easily. Your 

wedding ring should be as beautiful and precious to you on your Diamond 

Anniversary as it is on your wedding day. 

And finally, get your wedding ring insured – one in four people lose theirs 

before their fifth anniversary! 

For more details, call 01425 616347 or visit the website at 

www.charlesnobel.com. 


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 

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 

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. 

Planning Makes Perfect 

cut out and keep 

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 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 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. 



The invitations... 

Your wedding stationery is the first clue day. 

your guests will have about the style of Invitations should be sent out six weeks before 

your wedding, so it’s worth taking time to the wedding (see panel for suggested 

choose something appropriate. wording), but many couples now use an early 

If you’re planning a big formal affair, stiff cards and warning system in the form of a Save the Date 

high quality envelopes will sing and dance card – particularly useful if your wedding is 

traditional glamour. 

planned for the busy summer months when 

If your wedding theme is vintage or rustic, some of your most desired guests are likely to 

you can go for floral decoration or vintage be taking holidays. 

lace embellishments. Chic and classical? Allow your stationer or printer about three 

Try contemporary stripes or bold colours. Going months to complete your order. 

for a theme? Then match your stationery to it. Apart from Save the Date and invitation 

Once you’re chosen the style, all your wedding cards, you’re going to need order of service 

stationery should be in keeping, presenting a sheets (one for each guest plus a few 

unified theme for the whole 

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 

to the bride’s mother so she can issue the 

invitations. 

As a matter of courtesy, an invitation should be 

English Rose 

...and what they should say 

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, 

Bournemouth on Saturday August 19th at 

2pm and afterwards at The County Hotel, 

Bournemouth RSVP 10 Marigold Gardens, 

Bournemouth 

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: 


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. 

Invitations to the evening reception 

only should be worded as follows: 

BELOW: Invitations by Hand 

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 

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


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, Bournemouth on 

Saturday August 19th at 8pm 

RSVP 10 Marigold Gardens, 

Bournemouth 

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. 

The fee for giving notice is £35 each and, 

normally, notices should be with the registrar 

about eight weeks before the marriage. If either of 

you have been married before, the notices should 

be given 10 weeks before. 

The minimum period before the date of the 

proposed marriage is 28 days, but if you leave 

things as late as this you could be faced with the 

need to postpone your marriage. 

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 many thousands of 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. 

Marrying abroad 

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. 

It’s important to establish early on what the 

church’s policy is on photographs or video 

being taken during the service, whetherany 

secular music is allowed and on the throwing of 

confetti within the church grounds. 

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 

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. 




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. 

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 

PHOTO BY 

CP PHOTOGRAPHY 

• 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 on the 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. 

PHOTO BY CP PHOTOGRAPHY 

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 

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. 


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 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. 



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 that 

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. 

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 

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. 


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. 

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 

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. 


PHOTO BY 

ROSIE CUTBILL 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

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. 

Though champagne is the traditional 

wedding drink, you can offer sherry, 

Chief bridesmaid 

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 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 

Top Table Seating Plan 

Groom’s father 

Bride’s mother 

Groom 

Bride 

Bride’s father 

Groom’s mother 


Best Man 

If you are having a sit-down 

meal, it is essential to 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. 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 of love poems. 

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 semiformal 

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. 




FP 

PMN wedding fairs

PHOTO BY 

ROSIE CUTBILL 

My fair lady 

Returning for its 24th year from Friday, February 9 to Sunday, February 

11, is the much anticipated Bournemouth International Centre 

Wedding Show, which brings together hundreds of inspirational 

wedding and civil partnership ideas from over 100 experts, all keen to 

get involved with the big day celebrations. 

As always, the event promises to create a PHOTO BY ROSIE CUTBILL 

relaxed experience, designed to inspire 

couples planning their big day and help 

them tick off the all-important to-do list. 

The exhibition will feature an entertaining 

catwalk fashion show, unveiling styles and 

trends for all budgets. Visitors can consult 

wedding specialists about making the right 

choices to ensure a perfect wedding day. 

The weekend will see a full programme of 

events, with performances from wedding 

entertainers, and a Groom Zone for visitors 

to stop off for a break. 

‘This will be my 11th year co-ordinating the BIC Wedding Show,’ says Nicola 

Coney, Senior Event Co-ordinator. ‘It’s great to see so many couples visit this 

event and gather inspiration for their big day. Planning a wedding can be 

hectic, so being able to meet wedding suppliers and specialists all under one 

roof at the BIC Wedding Show is a big help for weds-to-be.’ 

The BIC Wedding Show starts at 5pm on Friday 9 February 2018. Tickets 

can be bought online at bhlivetickets.co.uk, by phone on 0844 576 3000 or 

at Bournemouth Pavilion and Bournemouth International Centre box 

offices. Visitors can also pay on the day. To enquire about stand 

availability, email exhibitions@bhlive.org.uk. 

More dates & venues 

added regularly... 

7th January 

Marriott Hotel Meon 

Valley, Southampton 

21st January 

Holiday Inn, 

Eastleigh 

4th February 

Winchester Royal Hotel, 

Winchester 

18th February 

Holiday Inn, 

Titchfield, Fareham 

22nd April 

Best Western Royal Beach 

Hotel Southsea, Hants 

3rd June 

Holiday Inn 

Titchfield, Fareham 

Something Blue 

Wedding Fayre 

Holiday Inn, 

Winchester 

Sunday 21st January 

11am - 3pm 

A Vintage Afternoon 

Wedding Fayre 

Mercure Winchester 

Wessex Hotel 

Sunday 4th February 

1pm - 4.30pm 

Secret Garden 

Wedding Fayre 

Winchester 

Cathedral Gardens 

Sunday 25th March 

11am - 3pm 

Please visit www.littlestarevents.co.uk 

07894 915114 • e: gem@littlestarevents.co.uk 

28th January 

Holiday Inn, 

Southsea, Hants 

24th June 

Holiday Inn 

Eastleigh 

All fairs 11am until 3.30pm 

Tel: 02380 560073 or 07885 834476 

For a comprehensive list of all our shows, please 

visit www.weddingexhibitionpromotions.co.uk 


Enjoy a unique 

personal shopping 

experience with a 

top to toe service. 

Sizes 8 - 26. 

Imagine a cloud of beautiful butterflies 

released to celebrate your wedding. 

Based in the heart of the New Forest, 

Butterflies for Occasions can make 

the magic happen for you – and you can 

either have each of your guests releasing 

a butterfly or a single, collective release 

Over 20 top labels 

of occasionwear,many 

exclusive in the area 

Opening hours: Sat 9.30am - 4.00pm, 

Tues - Fri 9.45am - 4.00pm 

Tel: 01202 659700 

www.ireneofbroadstone.co.uk 

3 Station Approach, Broadstone, Dorset BH18 8AX 

of a mass of the colourful, 

romantic creatures. 

For more details, call 07582 

601462 or visit 

www.butterflywedding.co.uk. 

A whole 

different wedding... 

▼ 

For sheer indulgent decadence, you can’t beat a chocolate fountain 

at your reception. Dip bite-sized pieces of fresh fruit, homemade 

biscuits and other goodies in a warm cascade of luxury Belgian chocolate and 

savour the sensation. Well established family business, Chocolate Fountains of 

Dorset, offers packages to suit all budgets, starting at just £295 for two fountains. 

Call 01202 890033 or visit www.chocolatefountainsofdorset.co.uk 

for more details. 


JOHN CHARLES AT IRENÉ IN BROADSTONE, 

CHARISMA OF FAWLEY AND FAB FROCKS 

BOUTIQUE IN BOURNEMOUTH 

It’s Mother’s 

day too! 

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 our 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. 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, bags 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. 

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. 



Looking for the perfect handbag to match that fabulous 

outfit? Poole-based Rosemary Ringrose has been designing and 

making handbags for over 20 years – notably for Jimmy Choo and 

other well known designers. Her own range has been lovingly created 

using fine silks, satins and leather and she also offers a bespoke and colour 

matching service, making the perfectly styled bag for your outfit. You can even 

supply your own material if you wish. 

For more information, call 01202 738064 or visit 

www.roseringrosehandbags.co.uk.

Release 

your inner 

Fitted and formal, elegant but casual, relaxed 

and floaty: the new collections for the Mother 

of the Bride and wedding guests are the most 

versatile – and the most tempting – ever. 

Dresses have ruching, beautiful lace bodies and 

sleeves, beading and scallops. Formal jackets are 

boxy, edge-to-edge and mainly collarless, but for a 

less formal look there are soft, floaty, feminine styles 

– and all of them will take you to any number of 

occasions after the wedding. 

VENI INFANTINO AT BOUTIQUE AT NO 6 IN POUNDBURY, 

IRENÉ IN BROADSTONE, CHARISMA OF FAWLEY AND 

FAB FROCKS BOUTIQUE IN BOURNEMOUTH 


Specialists in Occasion 

Wear & Millinery 

One of the 

largest stockists 

in the south 

for Mother of 

the Bride & 

wedding guests. 

Sizes 8 to 28 

School Road 

Fawley 

Southampton 

SO45 1EA 

FREE Parking 

Tel: 02380 894500 

www.charismaoffawley.co.uk 

Planning your Special Day? 

wEDDINGS 

dream 

...what more 




BELOW: MICHAELA LOUISA AT CHARISMA OF FAWLEY, FAB FROCKS 

BOUTIQUE IN BOURNEMOUTH AND BOUTIQUE AT NO6 IN POUNDBURY 

Suits you, 

PICTURED & BELOW: 

ISPIRATO AT CHARISMA OF FAWLEY 

Charisma of Fawley has earned an enviable reputation for helping ladies 

dress for special events since first opening nearly 25 years ago. So 

much so that, when the owner decided to sell the business, one of 

Charisma’s loyal customers stepped in to buy it. 

New owner Debbie Hill has swept through the boutique like a 

new broom, refurbishing and rebranding it with a smart new 

purple and silver colour scheme, sumptuous rococo furniture 

and chandeliers, making it a relaxing and elegant environment 

for trying on and choosing that important outfit. 

And Spring 2018 is set to be the most exciting season ever, 

with new labels joining established favourites to provide more 

choice than ever before. 

Debbie said: ‘With so many weddings taking place in venues 

and hotels, more and more Mums are looking for a less 

classic look, so we’ve incorporated the exquisite fabrics and 

tailoring of Spanish label Rosa Clara and the soft flowing silks 

and bold colours and prints of innovative Greek fashion house 

Badoo alongside our tried and trusted collections such as 

Condici, Ispirato and John Charles.’ 

Sizes range from 8 to 28 and prices from less than £160 to 

around £900. 

The choice of millinery at Charisma has always been a strong 

point and here too Debbie is building on that strong foundation by adding even 

more choice of exciting contemporary designs. 

Whether your family wedding is formal high society, contemporary chic or on a 

beach abroad, Charisma of Fawley has the perfect style for the occasion. 

For more details, call 02380 894500 or visit the new website at 

www.charismaoffawley.co.uk. 

MICHAELA 

LOUISA AT 

CHARISMA OF 

FAWLEY, FAB 

FROCKS 

BOUTIQUE IN 

BOURNEMOUTH 

AND BOUTIQUE 

AT NO6 IN 

POUNDBURY 


BEAUTIFUL, DISCRETE WEDDING FILMS 

THAT YOU CAN TREASURE FOREVER 

“ 

A huge thank you to Becky for filming our special 

day, some truly magical moments captured, memories 

that can be treasured for years to come. Would 

definitely recommend, amazing! 

” 

- Kathryn and Sam. 

All of our packages come with a 

10-15 minute highlights video set 

to music and full coverage of 

the ceremony and speeches 

Tel: 07799644731 • hello@thompsonweddingfilms.co.uk • www.thompsonweddingfilms.co.uk 


*Prices correct at time of print .12.2017 

Licensed for 

Wedding Ceremonies

▼Kingston Country Courtyard, Corfe Castle 

Photos by RB Shootinghip 

Kingston Country Courtyard gives you a taste of farmstead life in an 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Set on a ridge amid the beautiful 

Purbeck Hills, it offers spectacular views stretching from historic Corfe 

Castle to the north to the Isle of Wight to the east. Nearby are the golden 

sands of Studland Bay and Kimmeridge and the Dorset Coastal Path. 

The beautifully restored 16th century barn is a blank canvas on which couples 

can create their unique wedding day. It is licensed for civil ceremonies, so you 

can marry outside under a pretty pagoda or 

inside the barn itself. 

Wedding co-ordinators Bobbie and Lara work 

closely with each individual couple’s ideas 

and the barn is hired for two and a half days, 

so there’s plenty of time to decorate however 

you choose. 

The high-beamed barn can be simply strung 

with fairy lights and ivy or adorned with 

handmade pompoms, lanterns, vintage china, 

seaside themes, rustic hay bales or simply 

clever lighting of the Purbeck stone walls. 

On-site caterers have over 25 years’ 

experience and each menu is tailored to 

personal tastes. 

PHOTO BY DEBORAH 

HURST PHOTOGRAPHY 

With 25 en suite rooms available for guests, 

often the celebrations start the day before – 

and there’s a deluxe honeymoon suite for the happy couple. 

For further details call 01929 481066 or visit the website at 

www.kingstoncountrycourtyard.com. 

PHOTO BY JAKE MOOR 


▼Hotel Miramar, Bournemouth 

dreamvenues 

▼Hooke Court, near Beaminster 

Whether you’re planning an intimate 

ceremony and reception for 25 

guests or a lavish wedding for 

130, friendly staff at the gracious Edwardian 

Hotel Miramar will ensure that no detail is 

overlooked. 

The country house hotel has one of the 

most spectacular vantage points in 

Bournemouth, looking across sweeping 

lawns to the glittering waters of the bay 

and providing a perfect backdrop for 

photographs. Three of the hotel’s rooms 

are licensed for civil weddings, two of which 

have stunning sea views. The Miramar can also 

offer outside weddings on the lawn overlooking the 

bay. The highly experienced banqueting team, led 

by an award-winning chef, will be delighted to help 

you plan your special day, from your choice of 

menu to the seating arrangements and from your 

floral decorations to those little individual touches 

which make the day special to you. 

PHOTO BY PARADOX PHOTOGRAPHY 

Hotel Director David Bailey says: ‘We have an 

enviable reputation as one of Bournemouth’s 

foremost wedding venues. Our aim is to leave you 

free to enjoy every moment – confident that every 

detail will be handled with care.’ 

For more details, call 01202 556581 or visit the 

website at www.miramar-bournemouth.com. 

Hooke Court is the perfect venue for your big 

day. The elegant estate and picturesque 

Grade II listed 14th century manor house 

provide the perfect backdrop for a truly magical 

wedding day. 

Every bride’s dream wedding 

is different and at Hooke Court 

they have the flexibility to 

accommodate your vision and 

your budget: whether it’s an 

intimate candlelit ceremony 

and reception for 20 in front of 

a roaring log fire or a weekend 

of celebration with exclusive 

use of Hooke Court for you 

and your guests. Whatever 

your ideas they can help you 

to plan the perfect wedding to 

suit your requirements. 

Hooke Court has four different licensed locations: 

the Aelfric Hall and three within the Manor House, 

which gives you the opportunity to create a 

wedding ceremony reflecting your personal style. 

Celebrate your wedding at Hooke Court. It’s the 

perfect venue for the biggest day of your life. 

To view Hooke Court for yourself and plan the 

wedding of your dreams, call Ros Bush on 

01308 862260, email info@hookecourt.co.uk or 

visit www.hookecourt.co.uk/weddings. 

Bournemouth’s Country 

House by the Sea... 

Weddings & Special 

Occasions 

The perfect venue for love, 

romance and celebration. 



Wedding Fair Sunday 18th February 2018 


▼The Italian Villa at Compton Acres, Poole 

dreamvenues 

▼Kingston Maurward, 

near Dorchester 

PHOTO BY JOE WEIL PHOTOGRAPHY 

The multi-award-winning Italian Villa at 

Compton Acres is bringing exceptional 

value wedding packages to brides 

sand grooms. 

While summer season weddings can vary in cost 

from £5,357 to £11,000-plus on their standard 

packages, the team have put together a package 

which encompasses everything that a couple 

would need from a venue and catering perspective 

for just £4,000. 

The price includes hire of this unique venue (the 

only Italian themed villa in the UK), a three-course 

wedding breakfast, reception and toast drinks, 

wine with dinner, plus a great evening buffet for 

65 guests. 

Frankie Murphy, senior sales & wedding coordinator 

at The Italian Villa, said: 

‘We are delighted to offer this incredible package to 

couples getting married in the ‘off-peak’ periods. 

PHOTO BY NICK RUTTER PHOTOGRAPHY 

‘When you consider it is all-inclusive – covering 

venue hire, all catering, drinks package and more, 

we genuinely haven’t found a better value 

proposition at another five star venue. 

‘We wanted to let couples know that getting 

married at The Italian Villa – without any 

compromise on quality or service – is more 

accessible than they might think, and that they will 

have the wedding day of their dreams at 

exceptionally good value!’ 

The package is available in November, January and 

February, with other great deals available in the 

other off peak months from October to April. 

For full details, visit www.the-italianvilla.co.uk/off-peak-wedding-packages 

or call 

01202 816074. 

PS: See the villa for yourself at their wedding open 

days on Sunday, January 14 and Sunday, April 15 

from 11am to 3pm. 

Enjoy your own English country house 

wedding at Kingston Maurward in a tranquil, 

peaceful and intimate setting near Dorchester. 

The Georgian mansion house is approached by a 

sweeping drive and set in beautiful gardens, with a 

scenic lake, extensive lawns and formal gardens. 

It is licensed for civil ceremonies and offers 

exclusive use of all state rooms and suites during 

your reception. 

You can choose how to use the rooms to create 

your perfect layout including reception room, quiet 

rooms for tired adults or even a TV lounge for 

restless youngsters. 

Friendly, professional staff will ensure that the entire 

day is tailored to your individual requirements and 

will always go the extra mile to make sure your day 

is one to remember for ever. 

For more details, call 01305 215050 or visit the 

website at www.kmc.ac.uk/weddings 

PS: See the venue for yourself 

at Kingston Maurward’s Autumn wedding fair 

on February 18th from 11am to 3pm. 

Bournemouth 

R E G I S T R A T I O N S E R V I C E 

TOWN HALL, BOURNEMOUTH 

Choice of 3 rooms - Monday to Saturday Mid-day 

Council Chamber - available 7 days a week. 

Telephone: 01202 451510 

www.bournemouth.gov.uk/living 

e-mail: registrars@bournemouth.gov.uk 


Avington Park 

A stunning setting 

for ceremonies and 

receptions, from the 

grandest wedding 

to a small intimate 

gathering, this 

beautiful stately home in magnificent parkland 

offers exclusive use to make your day truly 

memorable. 

Images courtesy of Angela Ward-Brown and Jacques Eloff 

Tel: 01962 779260 • www.avingtonpark.co.uk 

Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1DB 

e: enquiries@avingtonpark.co.uk 



Planning your Special Day? 

wEDDINGS 

dream 

...what more 



Skip to the 

loo, my darling! 

Ideal for marquee and home based weddings, Temporary Toilets supply 

clean and comfortable luxury lavatories, ensuring that the facilities will be 

in keeping with the rest of your special day. They take care to ensure that 

their units are prepared to a high standard and their wide range ensures 

that your requirements can be met no matter whether your wedding is a large 

affair or small and intimate. 

Director Rob Beale said: ‘As part of a family business, currently celebrating 

our 30th anniversary, you are in safe hands. ‘We provide a prompt and 

courteous service ensuring that your facilities are on site and set up in good 

time. We will usually conduct a pre-hire site inspection to ascertain the most 

suitable location for the unit based on both access and convenience.’ 

The Ladies’ section of the 3+1 (17ft) unit includes mirrors and three separate 

cubicles, all with porcelain WCs, and a built-in CD player and iPod dock or 

auxiliary input allows you to select any music of your choice. 

All units include the 

following: 

• Soft toilet tissue 

• Warm running water 

• Hand soap and 

paper towels 

• Fresh flowers 

• Vanity basket option 

• Waste bin in 

each cubicle 

• Warm air heaters 

With Temporary Toilets 

you can be sure that the essentials are taken care of in style. 

For more information, call 01747 871464 or visit the website at 

www.temporarytoilets.co.uk. 


Choose a setting 

The Yenton Hotel is situated on Bournemouth’s East Cliff offering 

the perfect venue for Civil Ceremonies and Wedding Receptions. 

Contact The Yenton Hotel for a personalised quotation for your Dream Wedding: 

T: 01202 556 334 • e: info@yentonhotel.co.uk • www.yentonhotel.co.uk 

The Yenton, Gervis Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3ED 


Your ceremony 

in Southampton 

Licensed Venue 

or Register Office 

Weddings, Civil Partnerships 

and Renewal of Vows 

Tel: 02380 915327 

email: registrars@southampton.gov.uk 

www.southampton.gov.uk 

6a, Bugle Street, Southampton 

Classic Fireworks believe in 

giving a personal service and 

with our guidance and skill we 

aim to offer whatever you 

require to create a spectacular 

display. 

We can provide for any event 

from Weddings and Civil 

Ceremonies to corporate and 

other important events. 

We also specialise in low 

noise fireworks to suit the 

most sensitive of locations. 

• Indoor and outdoor flames 

• Confetti cannons 

• Snow and bubble machines 

are also available. 

Lance work fire pictures are 

available - initials, red hearts, 

champagne bottles and more... 


Nothing entertains like a firework display 

and the stunning colours and effects 

will captivate all your guests and make 

a memorable ending to the most 

perfect of days. 

Classic Fireworks provide breathtaking professional 

firework displays, designed to your specific 

requirements. 

They can choreograph a display to music so you 

can enjoy the fireworks dancing to your favourite 

song or even light up the sky with lance work of 

your names, heart, initials or champagne bottle. 

And their dancing flames choreographed to music 

are 10 metres to 15 metres high. 

Worried about the noise? They specialise in low 

noise fireworks to suit even the most sensitive 

locations - and if you want a white 

wedding, they can even provide snow. 

Classic Fireworks pride themselves on 

providing a first class tailor made 

service offering value for money. Safety 

is paramount: all staff members are 

highly trained and experienced and the 

company is a member of the Explosives 

Industry Group and the British 

Pyrotechnics Association. 

For more details, call 0844 800 

8542, email 

leon@classicfireworks.co.uk or visit 

the website at 

www.classicfireworks.co.uk. 

Having the time of your life... 

All the atmosphere and excitement of a real 

casino with none of the risks, that’s what’s 

on offer from Absolute Fun Casino who will 

bring quality full size blackjack and roulette tables 

(staffed by professional croupiers) to your 

reception, where all your guests are given a piece 

of personalised fun money with your names, date 

and venue printed on it. 


Your guests bring this to the gaming tables where 

they will be taught to play and be entertained. This 

is a great icebreaker which will bring your families 

and friends together and the winner will receive a 

framed certificate and a bottle of Champagne. 

Call 01202 600699 or visit 

www.absolutefuncasino.co.uk for more 

information. 


Hampshire 

R E G I S T R A T I O N S E R V I C E S 

ALDERSHOT 

30, Grosvenor Rd. Aldershot GU11 3EB 

ALTON 

4, Queen's Rd. Alton GU34 1HU 

ANDOVER 

Beech Hurst, Weyhill Rd. Andover SP10 3AJ 

BASINGSTOKE 

Goldings, London Rd. Basingstoke RG21 4AN 

EASTLEIGH 

Eastleigh Library, 1st Floor Swan Centre, Eastleigh SO50 5SF 

FAREHAM 

4, Osborn Rd. South, Fareham PO16 7DG 

GOSPORT 

Gosport Discovery Centre, High Street, Gosport PO12 1BT 

HAVANT 

1st Floor, Havant Library, Meridian Centre, Havant PO9 1UN 

LYMINGTON 

Lymington Library, North Close, Lymington SO41 9BW 

PETERSFIELD 

Petersfield Library, 27, The Square, Petersfield GU32 3HH 

RINGWOOD 

Ringwood Gateway, The Furlong, Ringwood BH24 1AT 

ROMSEY 

Romsey Town Hall, 1, Market Place, Romsey SO51 8YZ 

TOTTON 

Totton Hub, 1, High Street, Totton SO40 8YZ 

WINCHESTER 

Castle Hill, High Street, Winchester SO23 8HU 

For more information please contact us on 0845 603 5637 

or visit www3.hants.gov.uk/registration.htm

Dream Weddings Directory • www.dream-weddings-magazine.co.uk For more information on advertising call 01626 873364 

CAKES ENTERTAINMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS 

Speciality, Celebration 

Cakes & Sugarcraft 

South Street, South Street, Sherborne, 

Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3LU 

Dorset, DT9 3LU 

Tel: 01935 Tel: 816245 01935 816245 

email: email: info@filigranacakes.co.uk 

info@filigranacakes.co.uk 

filigranacakes.co.uk filigranacakes.co.uk 

CHOCOLATE FOUNTAINS 

FIREWORKS 

LET THIS SPACE 

WORK FOR YOU 

dream 

wEDDINGS 

magazine 

FULL COLOUR 

ADVERTISING 

FOR AS LITTLE AS 

£99.00 

FOR 6 MONTHS 

TEL:01626 873364 

for details or visit 


MOTHER OF THE BRIDE 

Rosemary 

Ringrose 

Handbags 

Exclusive range of 

handmade bags using 

fine silks, satins & leather. 

Colour matching and 

bespoke service available. 

For an appointment please call 

01202 738064 

www.roseringrosehandbags.co.uk 

TOASTMASTER 

Do you want a perfect day? 

Brian is one of the highest quality 

toastmasters and will 

ensure your day is 

well organized 

01202 

824885 

brian.handsandfeet@talktalk.net 

www.toastmasterdorset.co.uk 


dates for your diary 

JANUARY 7: Sandbanks Hotel, Harbour Heights Hotel & 

Haven Hotel (contact 01202 646616 or www.fjbhotels.co.uk) 

JANUARY 7: Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth (11am to 3pm, 

contact 01329 227437 or www.pmnweddingfayres.co.uk) 

JANUARY 7: Kings Arms Hotel Christchurch Wedding Open 

Day (11am to 3pm, 01202 588933) 

JANUARY 7: Marriott Hotel Meon Valley, Shedfield (11am to 

3.30pm, contact 02380 560073 or 

www.weddingexhibitionpromotions.co.uk) 

JANUARY 11: Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch open 

evening (6 to 8pm, contact 01202 400964) 

JANUARY 14: The Italian Villa at Compton Acres, Poole 

(11am to 3pm, contact 01202 816074 or www.the-italianvilla.co.uk) 

JANUARY 14: Weymouth Pavilion (11am to 3pm, contact 

01305 780909 or www.weymouthpavilion.co.uk) 

JANUARY 14: Solent Hotel, Whitely (11am to 3pm, contact 

01329 227437 or www.pmnweddingfayres.co.uk) 

JANUARY 14: Thistle Poole Hotel (1 to 4pm, contact 01202 

741650 or www.weddingdaze.co.uk) 

JANUARY 21: Holiday Inn Winchester (11am to 3pm, 

contact 07894 915114 or www.littlestarevents.co.uk) 

JANUARY 21: Southend Farms, Chichester (10.30am to 3pm, 

contact 01243 641247 or www.southendfarms.co.uk) 

JANUARY 21: Sopley Mill, near Christchurch (12noon to 

4pm, contact 01425 672586 or www.sopleymill.co.uk) 

JANUARY 21: Holiday Inn Eastleigh (11am to 3.30pm, 

contact 02380 560073 or 


JANUARY 28: Holiday Inn, Southsea (11am to 3.30pm, 

contact 02380 560073 or 


JANUARY 28: De Vere New Place, Shirrell Heath (11am to 

3pm, contact 01329 227437 or 

www.pmnweddingfayres.co.uk) 

JANUARY 28: Bartley Lodge Hotel, Southampton (12noon to 

3pm, contact www.newforesthotels.co.uk) 

JANUARY 28: Canford School, Canford Magna (11am to 

3pm, contact 01202 741650 or www.weddingdaze.co.uk) 

JANUARY 28: Kings Arms Christchurch wedding open day 

(11am to 3pm, contact 01202 588933) 

FEBRUARY 4: Vintage fair, Mercure Winchester Wessex Hotel 

(1 to 4.40pm, contact 07894 915114 or 

www.littlestarevents.co.uk) 

FEBRUARY 4: Winchester Royal Hotel (11am to 3.30pm, 

contact 02380 560073 or 


FEBRUARY 4: Chilworth Manor, Chilworth (11am to 3pm, 

contact www.pmnweddingfayres.co.uk) 

FEBRUARY 9-11: BIC Bournemouth (contact 0844 576 3000 

or www.bhlivetickets.co.ok) 

calling wedding fair organisers 

FEBRUARY 11: Mercure Dolphin Hotel, Southampton (11am 

to 3pm, contact 07585 380403 or www.theholybridal.co.uk) 

FEBRUARY 18: Kingston Maurward, near Dorchester (11am 

to 3pm, contact 01305 215050or www.kmc.ac.uk/weddings) 

FEBRUARY 18: Holiday Inn, Titchfield (11am to 3.30pm, 

contact 02380 560073 or 


FEBRUARY 18: Lighthouse Arts Centre, Bournemouth (11am 

to 3pm, contact 01202 741650 or www.weddingdaze.co.uk) 

MARCH 4: Village Bournemouth (contact 01202 055205 or 

www.village-hotels.co.uk/weddings) 

MARCH 4: Littledown Centre, Bournemouth (11am to 3pm, 

contact 01202 741650 or www.weddingdaze.co.uk) 

MARCH 4: Norton Park Hotel, Winchester (11am to 3.30pm, 

contact www.captivatingevents.co.uk) 

MARCH 17: Wedding Boot Fair, Lockswood Community 

Centre, Locks Heath Shopping Village (10.30am to 1.30pm, 

contact 07841 660177 or www.hantsevents.co.uk) 

MARCH 25: Milton Abbey School, Blandford Forum (11am to 

3pm, contact 01258 881831 or 

www.eventsatmiltonabbey.co.uk) 

APRIL 15: The Italian Villa at Compton Acres, Poole (11am to 

3pm, contact 01202 816074 or www.the-italian-villa.co.uk) 

APRIL 22: Best Western Royal beach Hotel, Southsea (11am 

to 3.30pm, contact 02380 560073 or 


APRIL 22: The Orangery Suite, Merley, Wimborne (11am to 

3pm, contact 07427162282 or www.cjpromotionsevents.co.uk) 

APRIL 29: Steeple Court Manor, Botley (11am to 3pm, 

contact 01794 368480 or 

www.hampshireweddinggroup.co.uk) 

MAY 12: Wimborne Square, Wimborne (10am to 3pm, 

contact 07715 293 080 or www.siennagraceweddings.co.uk) 

MAY 13: Wedding Party Barn (11am to 3.30pm, contact 

www.dorsetweddingfestival.co.uk) 

MAY 27: Village Bournemouth (contact 01202 055205 or 

www.village-hotels.co.uk/weddings) 

JUNE 3: Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton (JUNE 3: 

Holiday Inn, Titchfield (11am to 3.30pm, contact 02380 

560073 or www.weddingexhibitionpromotions.co.uk) 

JUNE 24: Holiday Inn Eastleigh (11am to 3.30pm, contact 

02380 560073 or www.weddingexhibitionpromotions.co.uk) 

JULY 1: Coldeast Mansion, Southampton (11am to 3pm, 

contact 07816 911310 www.pmnweddingfayres.co.uk) 

JULY 15: Three Choirs Vineyard, Shedfield )11am to 3pm, 

contact 01329 227437 or www.pmnweddingfayres.co.uk) 

SEPTEMBER 2: Holiday Inn Eastleigh 

(11am to 3.30pm, contact 02380 560073 or 

www.weddingexhibitionpromotions.co.uk) contact 

01305 780909) 

Organisers of Autumn 2018 wedding fairs who would like to have their 

dates included in the next issue of Dream Weddings magazine should 

email editorial@countymagazines.co.uk by June 30th 2018. 

Please mention Dream Weddings magazine when replying to advertisements 

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

FOLLOW 

US ON: 

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. 

index to advertisers 

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES 

Tiaras & Crowns....................................14 

BRIDAL FASHION 

Cherished Bridal Wear...........................10 

Exclusively Yours...................................14 

Mille Couture .........................................12 

New Forest & Dorset Brides..................12 

Wedding Time .......................................10 

CAKES 

Coast Cakes...........................................18 

Filigrana.................................................51 

Speciality Cakes.....................................18 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Absolute Fun Casino..............................51 

FIREWORKS 

Celebration Pyrotechnics.......................51 

Classic Fireworks...................................48 

FOOD & DRINK 

Beales Gourmet.....................................42 

JEWELLERS 

Charles Nobel .......................................IFC 

Forum Jewellers ....................................20 

MENSWEAR 

Chas H Baker.........................................16 

Wedding Time .......................................16 

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE 

Boutique at No6.....................................32 

Charisma of Fawley ...............................34 

Fab Frocks Boutique..............................34 

Irene ......................................................30 

Rosemary Ringrose Handbags .............51 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

CP Photography ....................................51 

Holly Marsh Photography .....................51 

Rosie Cutbill Photography.....................18 

REGISTER OFFICES 

Bournemouth Register Office................43 

Hampshire Register Offices...................50 

Poole Guildhall ......................................48 

Southampton Register Office................48 

SPECIAL TOUCHES 

Butterflies for Occasions.......................30 

Chocolate Fountains of Dorset..............52 

Temporary Toilets..................................46 

TOASTMASTER 

Brian Cox...............................................51 

VENUES 

Athelhampton House ...........................IBC 

Avington Park........................................44 

Botley Grange........................................41 

Cumberland Hotel..................................45 

Dudsbury Golf Club...............................40 

Elmers Court..........................................41 

The Grange at Oborne ...........................44 

Hallmark Hotels..................................OBC 

Holiday Inn ...........................................40 

Hooke Court ..........................................38 

Hotel Miramar .......................................39 

The Italian Villa......................................42 

Kingston Country Courtyard..................38 

Kingston Maurward...............................42 

Lord Bute...............................................37 

Marsham Court Hotel............................44 

Meon Valley Marriott.............................36 

Ocean Beach .........................................45 

Poole Guildhall ......................................48 

Royale Hotel ..........................................45 

Suncliff Hotel.........................................45 

Thistle Hotel Poole ................................45 

Village Bournemouth.............................44 

Yenton ...................................................47 

VIDEO 

Thompson Wedding Films ....................36 

WEDDING FAIRS 

BIC Wedding Fair...................................29 

PMN Wedding Fayres............................28 

Little Star Events ...................................29 

Wedding Exhibition Promotions............29

Dream Weddings Magazine - Dorset & Hampshire - issue.37

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