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 For the two people directly involved, a wedding is a momentous event, possibly more so than any other in their lives to that point. Assuming a formal ceremony complete with guests and all the traditional wedding features, it is also an event that reflects the personalities and preferences of the bride and groom. In most cases it’s the bride whose priorities are foremost, if only because (in general) women tend to care more about these things.
Therefore, it is important for the wedding coordinator (the bride herself or a professional) to make sure everything comes together in a pleasing and memorable fashion, and that includes the wedding attire, the venue and the overall décor. Choosing an attractive colour scheme and following through with it is one of the best ways to insure that guests and participants have an experience as flawless as can be expected in such an event.
It is suggested that you pick a favorite colour (except maybe black) and beginning with the dress and shoes, carry it through in flowers and other accessories right down to the invitations and thank-you notes. It’s a classy touch that will make the impression you want to make.
Once you’ve chosen the colour scheme, the bride’s dress is the main attraction, and that’s where your personality should shine. Not only the colour but the style reflects your own priorities; if you’re a flamboyant type, gown and accessories could be ultra-modern or exotic, matching dress to jewellery and hair arrangement. A traditional veil can be lovely, but make sure it ‘flows’ with your hair and the rest of the ensemble.
Bringing the whole picture together can be a tough assignment, but it’s well worth the effort when the all ‘I dos’ are said and done. After all, you’re in the spotlight and you want your best features to shine.
 One of the great things about styles today is that there really is something for everybody, even in the wedding dress category. In that particular case, the dress says a lot about a bride’s personality and outlook, so it’s nice to have so many diverse and delightful options – one to fit every body’s shape as well as fashion preferences.
A perfect example of having it all your way is the trendy ‘illusion’ neckline, which takes a daringly plunging neckline and adds an insert of frothy lace or gauzy sheer fabric to create a very romantic, feminine look. In fact, lace is showing up all over, at hemlines, in sleeves and inserts and overlays, often embellished with sequins or tiny gemstones.
Sleek and slinky is also very in; the silhouette style is extremely flattering and eternally classy, but it does require a silhouette that deserves showing off. A good alternative that’s also a solid trend this year is the ballroom style gown, perfect for enhancing attributes on top and making bottoms beautiful as they are disguised under swirling tiers or panels of silky fabric.
Styles from the ’50′s are also on trend, and one look is the belted waist that looks just ravishing on the right figure. Overall, though, it’s your day and your look, so don’t let ephemeral fads lure you into something that’s just not right for you. Choose a style that complements both your figure and your personality, and you’ll have a memory to revisit and treasure, and no regrets about not looking your most beautiful on the the biggest day of your life.
 Obviously every bride and groom wants their wedding to be the best day of their lives; an occasion that they and their friends and family will enjoy and remember forever.
Some couples think that this means they have to spend a fortune on hiring an exclusive venue, fancy menus and a designer wedding dress. But the fact is that you can arrange a wedding that includes everything you need for less than £5000 if you plan carefully – rather than spending upwards of £15,000 as some couples end up doing.
Although tradition dictates that it is the father or family of the bride that foots the bill, this idea is somewhat out-of-date in the 21st century, when many of those getting wed have been a couple for years and are probably already living together. Nowadays, it is more likely that the costs will be shared around, with Dad paying for the big items, such as venue hire, but the couple themselves expected to fork out for things like the wedding dress and entertainment.
Taking out a loan is one way for the happy couple to have the wedding day they dream of and pay back the costs over a period of time. There are even companies who specifically offer loans for weddings, although regular bank loans will do the job just as well.
Unsecured loans are ideal if you do not own your own home and the paperwork is much quicker; in fact once the application has been made the money is often in your hands within a few days, allowing the happy couple to get on with the important business of spending it. Secured wedding loans, for homeowners, are more complicated to apply for, but often have a better rate of interest and allow the applicants to borrow more money.
There are even companies who will even provide a wedding day loan for couples with a bad credit history, so no matter what their financial circumstances everyone can have the wedding day of their dreams.
 Bridal jewellery is something that is very important to complement a wedding dress on the day of the wedding. Jewellery can be excellent way to make a bride feel more elegant and the type of wedding jewellery that should be chosen must match in with the theme of the wedding. Such items that might be chosen to be worn a wedding day include tiaras, earrings, bracelets, hairpins and necklaces.
All of the jewellery should be worn in order to enhance other parts of the bridal outfit and it is important to remember that the brides jewellery must be more lavish than the bridesmaids. Crystal, gemstones and pearls are some of the most popular options for a modern bride and these are often complement well with the more traditional items including gold, silver and diamonds. Which jewellery you choose really just depends on your tastes and preferences.
There are experts who will be able to give advice on wearing jewellery with a wedding gown. An example of this advice is that pearls always go best with white gowns and gold jewellery is something that should never be worn with this choice of dress.
Obviously the cost of bridal jewellery can be very high but if you are careful you will be able to find jewellery that is suited to your price range. This can even be found in local stores, or by going online, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to have to sacrifice quality for price.
It is even possible to find handmade jewellery at great prices if you look around carefully. Bridal sets are often available in one collection and by buying many items at once you are going to be able to save on the price. Whatever jewellery you choose make sure that it is something you love.
 While many brides would argue that the dress is the most important part of any wedding, the truth is that unless you have the right venue booked then the day is going to be a bit of a disaster.
Choosing the venue is worth spending some time and effort to get absolutely right; many hotels, stately homes, castles and other more unusual locations will be more than happy to show you the rooms they have on offer, provide photographs of previous functions and perhaps even let you sample the menu.
Choosing a venue where you can get married as well as hold the reception is becoming more and more popular with many hotels and lavish countryside homes getting the paperwork done in order to profit from the multi-million pound wedding industry.
This is great news for couples who are not religious and would prefer not to get married in church; the civil ceremony can be held in a room which is then converted for the meal while photographs are being taken, which is converted again for the evening reception. Hotels especially are becoming experts in hosting weddings, with many of the larger establishments even employing staff whose sole responsibility is helping to plan receptions and ceremonies.
Even some historical venues are now able to host wedding ceremonies as well as receptions; imagine how amazing the wedding photographs would look with a genuine castle in the background. There are historic houses and castles throughout the UK that now advertise themselves as wedding venues, and no matter where you live, you are sure to be close to one.
Blair Castle in Scotland has idyllic gardens which are perfect for summer weddings while Chillingham Castle in northern England has a huge main hall, if you are intent on inviting hundreds of guests. This stunning space has a real historical feel and comes complete with wooden beams and stone floors.
Choosing a historical venue for your wedding doesn’t necessarily mean getting married in a draughty old castle. Some of the most opulent stately homes and private mansions in the country are also now offering their services as wedding venues as everyone tries to find ways to make ends meet in the current financial crisis.
Often, these country houses can provide a limited amount of accommodation on the night of the wedding too, perhaps for guests who have travelled from far away. Most will provide a sumptuous bridal suite for the happy couple as part of the package.
If you are determined to make your wedding stand out, getting married at a historical venue is one way of doing it, though bear in mind that some buildings may only have limited disabled access because of their age; similarly, an ancient castle may look beautiful when you take a tour in summer, but if you’re planning a winter wedding it might be wiser to choose a more modern building with a more modern heating system.
The internet is a great place to start your research into historical wedding venues in your area; there are dozens of sites dedicated to planning weddings, most of which have comprehensive lists of the venues which offer wedding ceremonies and receptions in each part of the country.
 Many people find organising an outdoor wedding a very difficult experience, but it really doesn’t have to be this way. With a combination of the right help and careful planning, it can be a very enjoyable and virtually stress free endeavour. The key to successfully planning a wedding is knowing what you want, and finding out how to get it, and by finding this balance you will have fun organising your wedding and all ready to have a great day.
There are some great tips and hints that will make organising your wedding day that much easier, and affords you the luxury of being fully prepared and feeling great by the time the big day rolls around, as no bride wants to be stressed out on her wedding day. Whether you want a grand affair, or a small intimate ceremony, our tips will help you achieve the wedding of your dreams, with very little hassle.
Deciding the style and the size of your wedding is the first thing you need to decide. While many brides would prefer an intimate occasion with only their closest family and friends, other want a huge affair with dozens of guests there to celebrate their day with them. This is the key to your budget, be realistic when setting this as you may have to make compromises, but don’t want to go seriously into debt.
Most brides who want a wedding outdoors already have their location in mind, but the location is crucial when it comes to guests. While you may dream of that wedding on the beach in an exotic location, cost and age will have an affect on your guests. If you are planning an outdoor wedding in the UK your guests will have less problem there, but the weather is a major factor, whereas a wedding overseas is the exact opposite.
If you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding in the UK, it makes sense to have a back up plan, such as a marquee, should the weather prove to be inclement. Overseas, the weather is virtually guaranteed, but it makes sense to avoid the hottest months as hot and sweaty bride, groom and guests do not good photographs make.
May or the back end of September into October are the best times to marry abroad, whilst in the UK you will want July or August. This will, however, add to the cost as everyone wanting an outdoor wedding in the UK will want the peak summer months, and this can add up to a hefty chunk out of your budget. Always remember that this is your special day, it isn’t a dress rehearsal, and those who don’t like can lump it.
By sitting down with your intended and putting together a viable budget and wish list you will save yourself a lot of stress further down the line. By planning everything well in advance and working down your check list, your wedding day will be one that you treasure in your memory forever.
 In the past, hen nights, the traditional celebration held by the bride and her female friends the night before the ceremony, was quite an understated affair. Perhaps the friends would go out for dinner or celebrate with a few drinks in their local pub.
These days, however, the hen party has become big business and almost as important as the main event, with some women spending hundreds of pounds each on weekend trips to Europe to celebrate the upcoming nuptials.
The bride-to-be will often be perfectly happy with something less costly, but that is still a lot of fun for everyone involved. After all, this is her last night of freedom before she settles down to a life of wedded bliss and it is up to her friends to make sure that she has the best time possible.
Restaurants are still a great place to start the night, and are especially useful for lining the stomach in preparation for all that champagne you will be drinking later. Many cater for hen parties by allowing you to decorate the table or even by serving up a humorously “rude” dessert.
Make sure that someone has brought along a few novelty items for the bride to wear so that everyone can identify her as the star of the show. Cheap veils bought from charity shops, comedy L-plates or even a naughty fancy dress costume all help to get the bride-to-be and her guests into the party mood.
Not everyone wants to head out onto the town for just another night out when it comes to their hen party. You can go out for cocktails any weekend, but a hen party should be something a little special. Taking classes in burlesque dancing can be a great way to help the bride and her guests feel sexy, as well as having a few laughs before hitting the bars.
Themed evenings are becoming more and more popular, with all the girls wearing matching costumes. You can hire a limousine, or even a fire engine in some towns, to take your party around different destinations. Strippers may seem a little tacky, but a sexy butler serving drinks at your venue of choice is a great way to have some naughty fun without going too far.
Although weekends away can be expensive and often restrict which friends can and can’t attend, you could always head to a nearby city for just one night in a hotel. A change of scene allows both the bride and her hens to cut loose without worrying about bumping into friends or family. Activity weekends are also becoming more popular, with groups of women heading to the country to take part in a variety of extreme sports.
 Over the last few years companies and individuals have begun to take more notice of green issues so it is only natural that some couples are more aware of green practices while planning their weddings. In fact, it is estimated that an average wedding will emit more CO2 then one person could over the course of a year. This is due to many factors such as the fact that the dress is usually made of polyester that is aboard and brought over and the fact that the gowns actually come from silkworms that are not eco-friendly at all.
However, for those that are concerned about green issues there are ways to plan a wedding that will allow you to have a great day without worrying about the damage you do to the environment. For instance, choosing green suppliers for your wedding day is one great way to easily make a few changes that will help make your wedding more green friendly. Another way is by taking a look at fair trade fabrics that will be less harmful on the environment to produce making them a better choice for a dress that you will only wear once in your life.
You can also choose to have an organic wedding buffet or a vegan wedding cake which will not only make your meal offering healthier, but will also cut down on the emissions from your wedding. Even simple things such as choosing wine that has real corks can help stop the destruction of cork forests. Smaller choices for those who are not willing to make such large accommodations include choosing to use 100% recycled cards for wedding invites or something similar to this or to ask wedding guests to donate towards a green cause as part of your wedding gift.
 If you are planning a wedding somewhere miles from home, whether it’s across an ocean or just far enough to make packing a suitcase part of the itinerary, you’ll have guests who will travel miles to see you off or to be part of the event as guests or participants in the ceremony. You will also want to give them something delightful to remind them of the occasion and thank them for their friendship.
Kate Aspen has the answer with their just-released wedding favours called “Miles of Memories”. They are charming suitcase tins that measure 3-1/4 by 2-1/2 by 1-1/4 inches and offer the perfect ‘thank you for being there for me’ as well as practical re-use as decorative candy or miscellaneous collection-holders.
The miniature details make this gift unique; wheels that roll, a handle that pulls up and down, and realistic retro travel stickers on one side. The other side holds an ideal spot for a personalised sticker with the names of the bride and groom and the wedding date. A tag hanging from the handle gives another personal touch; it says “Thanks for Making the Trip!”
Since the suitcases also snap open and shut, you can conceal special treats inside, varied if you like for each different guest, from wrapped candies to any other small items that come to mind as personalised mementos. You can make the suitcase even more personal by adding a miniature luggage tag with the guest’s name and location, so they can actually use it on future travels.
The “Miles of Memories” wedding favour tins come in twelve destination designs including tropical island, city sophistication, upscale winery, golf courses and more. Even with no extra personalisation, these unique suitcase favours are sure to please and they will be treasured as lovely mementos of a happy event.
 Vintage is a style that is never going to go out of fashion and currently it is being used to a great extent in the fashion world. Earlier this year Kate Middleton wore a vintage inspired dress when she got married to Prince William. Victoria Beckham has also been seen to use vintage clothes when dressing her children.
The fashion shows detailing winter collections this year utilised a great deal of vintage clothing. What all of this is suggesting is that vintage clothing is becoming bigger than it has ever been before.
It is not surprising therefore that the idea of having a vintage wedding is becoming increasingly popular. Many people are themeing their wedding to a certain period and this is often working out with great success. Weddings are not the only events that are increasingly having vintage themes and events all the way from birthday parties for children to retirement dos are now being done in a vintage way.
If you are looking to have a period wedding then it can be a good idea to think about the venue. Hiring a historic venue is a good idea as this will complete the atmosphere of your special day. Vintage cars can also be important for transportation but there are also smaller budget items that can really add to the effect.
Everything from the cutlery on the tables to the candles decorating the room can be themed in a vintage way. A vintage wedding is something that will be remembered by your guests for a long time and it is something they will greatly enjoy as it allows them to take a trip down memory lane.
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For the two people directly involved, a wedding is a momentous event, possibly more so than any other in their lives to that point. Assuming a formal ceremony complete with guests and all the traditional wedding features, it is also an event that reflects the personalities and preferences of the bride and groom. In most cases it’s the bride whose priorities are foremost, if only because (in general) women tend to care more about these things.
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