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 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.
 Weddings in the UK are estimated to cost an average of £17,000 but the financial crisis has meant that many people are having to cut back on the amount they are spending. The reality of having low funds is affecting a couples ability to buy a designer wedding dress. However, if a consumer shops carefully they might be up to find a designer dress at an affordable price from an online retailer.
Look around and you will be up to find discounts on wedding dresses and many of these are wedding dresses by designers. If your wedding budget is tight and you are looking for a discounted designer dress then there are many designs you can choose from and just because it is discounted doesn’t mean there will be a lack of options.
As a general rule if you’re looking to save money on a wedding dress then it is best to choose one with a slim silhouette. This type of wedding dress uses less material and the material forms a significant part of the cost of a wedding dress.
When looking for inspiration for a wedding dress look at bridal magazines as these will tell you all of the latest trends and what the designers are doing. Don’t assume that the prices in the magazine what you are going to have to pay as you will probably be able to find the dress at a discount, or if not that particular dress than one very similar to it. If you are really keen to find the perfect wedding dress you then talking with a bridal consultant can be a good, if expensive, idea.
 For some people having a beach wedding is the perfect solution and more couples every year are deciding that this is the right choice for them. They also take away some of the hassle about who to invite as going abroad for your wedding will mean less people will be able to come. A beach wedding is a long way away from a traditional wedding so there is no need to wear a traditional dress.
Finding the perfect wedding gown, or wedding dress for the beach can be quite a challenge and many people make the mistake of choosing a dress they love and then realising too late that it is not quite appropriate beachwear. Choosing a traditional dress has the problem that it is going to traipse along the floor and this is not can be something that works on sand.
It is completely acceptable to wear a shorter address if you are getting married on the beach and it is even acceptable to wear a dress that ends above the knees. It is also important to consider whether the beach you will be getting married on will be windy. Wearing a dress that finishes around the ankles and that is loose will wrap around your legs in the wind and this can cause some problems when you are walking.
In general, it is best to avoid any dress that could ruffle in the wind as you will find yourself constantly smoothing it out so you look your best. If you are choosing to get married on a beach then the chances are the location is going to be pretty hot. When you are getting married the last thing you are going to want is to be all sweaty as this will cause your make up to run and for you to feel generally hot and bothered. Therefore make sure that the wedding dress you are choosing is made out of a material that can keep you cool like silk or cotton.
These materials are also lightweight so that when you are walking you will feel lighter. Also, if you are heading to a far-off destination for your wedding venue you should also consider that there will be restrictions on the amount of baggage you can bring so having a lightweight dress can be very beneficial here.
If you have ever had the opportunity to try on a normal wedding gown you will know how heavy they are so remember that a beach dress should be much lighter than this. It is also important to make sure that the dress can be stored easily and wont be damaged if it is folded up too much. If you remember these essential tips your beach wedding dress is sure to be perfect.
 Weddings are certainly not immune from fashions and fads and one of the latest that is sweeping the industry is the idea of having a vegetarian wedding. This is something that modern couples have recently started to embrace and the number of vegetarian weddings is on the rise.
Vegetarianism does vary but in general vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, shellfish or poultry. Generally, vegetarians can eat the products from animals such as milk and eggs but some will not consume honey.
Organising a vegetarian wedding is not particularly challenging and it will only require a little more effort on your part. It is a good idea to seek out caterers who are specifically working in the vegetarian market as they would have more experience in providing a wholesome meal for your guests. There are a great deal of vegetarian foods out there and having experts in vegetarian cooking will mean that your food is not boring.
Another way to find a vegetarian caterer is to approach a vegetarian restaurant that you have enjoyed eating at and asked them whether they would mind catering for your event. This also gives you an opportunity to try the food before the wedding to make sure that it is something that your guests will enjoy.
If you have decided that milk and eggs will not be a part of your wedding then getting a wedding cake can be a challenge. Most bakers do not know how to prepare a cake without the key ingredients and therefore it is important to find an alternative. Looking at vegetarian cookbooks for ideas about how to make a cake without eggs.
 In the words of London auctioneer Kerry Taylor, these dreary economic times do not diminish the public’s “appetite for fine haute couture”, and it appears he is quite right. Last Wednesday, Mr. Taylor sold the pair of back-up shoes made for soon-to-be princess Diana’s wedding to a private European buyer for £36,000, or about $56,000. The shoes were absolutely identical; either one could have been substituted in case of breakage or stains incurred on the way to the church.
The adage about good things coming to him who waits was also proven, since the shoes were never paid for until now. Clive Shilton, who designed and created the shoes commissioned by Diana’s mother, never got paid after Frances Shand-Kidd disagreed with the cobbler’s bill in 1981. The shoes (both pairs) are embellished with hand-knotted mother-of-pearl sequins and seed pearl beads, and the undersides are hand-painted in gold leaf with “CD” initials in a hearts and blossoms motif.
Diana also commissioned a back-up wedding dress, identical in almost every respect to one she wore down the aisle at St Paul’s Cathedral. Made of the same special batch of English silk, the ‘spare’ has a slightly different design in the antique lace on the bodice, and the veil and train are somewhat shorter.
That dress had been on display at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum until it was purchased by a private American collector, who resold it at the same auction for £48,000 to a fashion museum in Chile. The original wedding dress is currently on tour in the U.S. Mr. Taylor said the dress and shoes are important historical treasures, “especially poignant” in light of later events.
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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.
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