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There’s no doubt that wedding music can truly make or break a wedding. There’s nothing better than that wedding band that ticks all of the right boxes, and that gets every guest partying on the dancefloor. But how is a couple supposed to know where to start to find that perfect performer? This is where the likes of Eight Ray Music come in. Representing some of the best wedding performers in the country, who better to guide you through the ins and outs of choosing the perfect music for you wedding than Eight Ray Music‘s very own Tom Sandall. Read on below to get his expert insight into the world of wedding music!
There’s a famous saying that everyone will remember a bad wedding breakfast and bad music at a wedding. Time and again, these two factors are highlighted as imperative to a weddings success. In my experience, the food’s important but the music is critical. From the emotive classical act for the ceremony to the dance floor filling party band, music will set the tone and tempo for your wedding day.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing your wedding music: the budget, the type of act, the guests, your schedule and, it’s easy to forget, your personal preferences need to be considered too.
I hope this guide acts as a useful resource to those looking to gain a better understanding of the available options when it comes to wedding music. One thing to always remember is that everyone’s needs are unique, at Eight Ray Music we tailor the entertainment to suit the individual. So take this as a rough guide and get in touch if you would like more advice!
The Ceremony
The Ceremony is an emotional and memorable moment. To truly capture the immensity of the occasion, I would always advise brides to choose a live musician.
Traditionally, people choose a classical act during the ceremony. Classical musicians add an emotive touch to proceedings and their elegance greatly complements and enhances the occasion. I favour using harpists and violinists, especially if the bride would like the Wedding March played.
You don’t have to stick to classical acts, however. Many people choose to have a more contemporary sound. It’s amazing how many people choose Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud and this means many elect for solo singers, which can be incredibly moving to witness.
For a vocalist I would choose either Mike Newfield (singing below) or Celine of To The Sun. The beauty of hiring these two is the fact that they can also provide the evening entertainment too, helping to cut costs.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=iK9-BeDCfEs
Drinks Reception
As people mill into the drinks reception it’s time to lift the mood without proving too intrusive. People are rightly excited, it’s wedding day!
It’s early, however, and people are still in the meet and greet phase. They want to chat and catch up with everyone, there’s no need for an overpowering band.
My two favourite options here are to use a classical act or a roaming band. The latter is more upbeat and will generate a more invigorating atmosphere, but the former is better if you’re looking to keep it a more refined affair at this point.
Every bride is working on a budget. If you want to have music throughout your day but it’s stretching the wedding budget, consider choosing versatile bands.
Using the same classical act for the drinks reception as you did for the ceremony is one way to keep costs down. Some roaming bands, such as the The Roaming Revue, can also provide an evening party band. By booking the same band for both, you will save money on the budget, compared to hiring two different bands for each.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=KApZI9nrLZ0
Wedding Breakfast
Generally speaking, people don’t tend to have music whilst they’re eating. If you do, I would recommend a string quartet. String quartets work well because they’re not too intrusive, people need to breathe, relax and have a chat during dinner.
If a string quartet isn’t for you but you would like music, a roaming band can work well in-between courses as a feature. It helps to lift the dinner and generates a bit of atmosphere.
Novelty acts can also work well during dinner, singing waiters are one of my favourites. As the name suggests, they are musicians disguised as waiters who break out into song. They serve and then they suddenly start singing. And while it’s on the pricier side, it’s an incredibly cool and unique idea.
Suggested Eight Ray Music Band: Soprano Bella (singing waiters), Siren.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=1_FLuaxVneM
Evening Band
Live music is so engaging, a top band will create a memorable atmosphere. The mistake some people make here is being too specific in terms of the band they want.
I think when you’re selecting a band you need to consider a few things. You need to find a band who can mirror your character and represent you as people, yet they need to appeal to the majority too. You want as many people as possible inhabiting the dance floor, for as long as possible.
Guests at weddings tend to be a diverse bunch. Older guests are unlikely to be as enthused at hearing modern tracks, just as the younger ones among the crowd may not react well to an evening filled solely with classic hits. That’s why party bands can be a good solution. One thing top party bands have is versatility. Most of the bands on our roster are able to cater to a wide variety of audiences, playing both classic and modern tracks, which helps to please each of the various demographics.
The best part of hiring a live band or musician is that they can read the audience, finely tuning their set throughout the night to suit the mood of the evening, ensuring that the dance floor remains full until the early hours.
When it comes to employing a DJ or soliciting the use of an iPod playlist I think it’s a no-brainer and would reiterate the above point:
Live musicians can read the audience, a DJ will chop and change their playlist to suit the audience; if they are dancing to Motown then the next song is not going to be Skepta. You don’t want to spend your evening skipping tracks, a great DJ takes the pressure off.
In regard to cost, a lot of party bands will offer a package deal with a DJ. It’s always worth asking for this when you enquire, it might mean you have enough budget left for something else – which is always a pleasant surprise!
Bio: Tom Sandall is Eight Ray Music’s Business Development Manager. He specialises in providing exceptional entertainment for weddings and events. Feel free to get in touch with Tom if you would like to explore music for your wedding.
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Rachel Khoo is a British cook, broadcaster and writer with her own food television cooking series, and regarded as an all round food expert.
Photos by David Loftus, Laura Edwards and Keiko Oikawa
The Bridebook team definitely had a fan girl moment (or two!) when we heard the inspiring Rachel Khoo would share with us her wedding food tips. The brains behind the online lifestyle magazine Khoollectand multiple critically acclaimed cookbooks including The Little Paris Kitchen, Rachel is a tour de force in the foodie world to be reckoned with.
Pair that with on trend culture and style tips to the plenty and we officially have a major girl crush. Read on to get some awesome tips on how to get creative with your wedding breakfast that will make even the most traditional bride rethink her menu…
With so many delicious canapé options and ideas out there, what are your recommendations to couples in deciding what they serve on their wedding day?
My philosophy on catering is ‘always keep things simple’ and stay true to your own ideas (rather than trying to please each individual guest). You’ll never manage to please everyone’s palates and tastes, but if you choose a broad selection of dishes or options to pick from then no-one will go hungry.
I also think it’s super important to stay in tune with your surroundings and pick food to suit your overall theme. For example, if you’re getting married in Italy, then plan a rustic family-style dinner at a long table, with Italian fare to match.
If you want to keep things casual, then why not go for a barbecue in the backyard – that way, you don’t even have to think about canapes. It’ll just be salads, delicious barbecued meats, and fresh fruit popsicles.
By David Loftus
Always bare in mind what’s in season. Using seasonal produce will make it easy to source ingredients, keep the price down, and also make for a better tasting end result.
Simple is best. With any kind of entertaining I always say focus on getting the best produce possible and it’ll do the work for you.
By David Loftus
Pick foods that represent you and your husband. You don’t have to be fancy for the sake of it. This will make the menu more personal. I love the fact that Kate Winslet did bangers and mash at her wedding.
Remember: the food isn’t the most important part of the wedding, you and your guests are. So if everything doesn’t go your way, don’t stress – your guests honestly don’t care too much. They’re there to celebrate your special day and not to get a slap up meal.
By David Loftus
What are some ways couples can get creative with their wedding day food to avoid the traditional and sometimes boring fillet and salmon dishes?
Some people love those boring fillet and salmon dishes, but I think most are far more adventurous in their eating these days and see weddings as an opportunity to sample new and exciting dishes.
Find a really great catering company, or venue with a brilliant kitchen, and allow them to be creative on your behalf (with your own input of course). Seek out your own inspiration – via food magazines, Pinterest, blogs, and your own heritage and traditions – and bring your ideas to the table. Make sure you incorporate local ingredients in your menu.
It’ll make your wedding unique rather than following a cookie cutter formula. You could use a local product for your wedding favours (e.g. a locally made candy), or serve fish caught by the local fisherman.
By David Loftus
With your patisserie expertise, what are some good ideas for wedding cake alternatives that are perfect for a wedding celebration but still practically feasible?
Sometimes I think brides get a little carried away with their wedding cake, when infact, it’s often the most high-stress but often overlooked part of the wedding. So many times I’ve seen the dance floor full of guests, with a sad lonely cake left in the corner with barely a bite out of it.
My suggestion is to keep your cake simple and low-stress OR opt for smaller, delicate hand-held sweet items instead.
By Lara Messer
Here’s some nice alternatives that you and your friends can either make yourself, or can easily be assembled by your caterers:
Cream puffs or filled choux pastries (and no, you don’t need to stick these together with sugar syrup to create an elaborate croquembousch).
Mini cakes or cupcakes.
A tower of cheese (explained more below)
A pile of macarons (these keep for ages if stored correctly) A tiered cheesecake, or small cheesecakes.
A beautiful pyramid or pile of fresh fruit.
By Keiko Oikawa
What are some tips you can give to a bride who wants to make her own wedding cake?
Plan the flavour and style of cake you want to make well ahead of the big day.
Practice making the cake once or twice before you commit to making the ‘wedding’ cake. This also gives you the opportunity to perfect your decorating and icing.
Find a recipe that freezes really well – that way, you can bake it days or a couple of weeks ahead of the event, then simply thaw and decorate just before the big day.
If you’re not so hot on the decorating side of things, then enlist a friend to help. OR just bake the cake and pay a talented cake decorator to do the rest. You could also keep it naked and dress it up with flowers from your bouquet. A home-made victoria sponge with jam and cream can be just as stunning as a fondant covered traditional cake…and probably tastes better.
By David Loftus
Choose flavours and textures that have universal appeal. Wedding guests range in ages and tastes, so it’s important to offer flavours that don’t just suit you.
Make sure your cake has a sturdy crumb to it and will stay fresh for at least a couple of days. There’s no point making something like a sponge cake that’s best eaten within hours of baking, or a crumbly number that will fall apart in your guests’ hands.
What is the most creative way you have seen food incorporated into or served at a wedding or event?
I’m a huge fan of cheese, so always get excited when I see a simple wedding cake that involve a few large rounds of the stuff piled on top of each other.
By The Cheese Shed
Want even more trendy inspo? Be sure to check out Rachel’s online lifestyle magazine Khoollect for everything from city tips, to produce growing guides, to irresistible recipes for the modern gal.
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A DIY-inspired, multi-cultural wedding set in the countryside surrounding Stratford-upon-Avon. Prisha and Paul made sure their wedding was truly unique by overseeing almost every element of their day. The flowers were arranged by the bride’s mother and the bride’s lace gown was even hand-made by a friend. Deep purple was themed throughout, reflecting the autumnal time of year.
Cultural | DIY | Purple | Golf Club | Manor House | Autumn
Congratulations Prisha and Paul on creating a truly amazing wedding and thank you to the brilliant Kayleigh Pope for capturing and sharing some beautiful moments from the day.
Like what you see? Take a look at Kayleigh Popes wedding photography profile here.
Your Shortlist allows you to remember the suppliers you love, search for suppliers you are yet to discover and add and compare supplier quotes. Finding, comparing and booking has never been so simple with your Shortlist!
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It is now time to find those suppliers who are going to make your dream day a reality. Whether you are looking for a intimate rustic barn, with a capacity of 60 and a sea view or a specialist cup cake maker, Bridebook has got you covered.
With our extensive search and filters you can find what you are looking for, in your location and within budget. Planning for your every need has never been so easy with Bridebook!
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Start spreading the love with your wedding Guestlist.
Who do you want to be there to witness your union, and who are those firecrackers that will blow the doors off your big day?
With your Bridebook Guestlist tool you can keep track of your invites, RSVPs and total attending numbers. Additionally, you can add people to your ‘Waitlist’ – the celebration of the century is a strictly VIP event after all! Obvs.
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Throw that calculator away, ditch the spreadsheets and let us lead you through a world of budgeting with our amazing Budget tool – it is going to be a breeze!
Our team of brainiacs have analysed thousands of previous wedding budgets, peered at hundreds of hidden costs and come up with estimates to advise you on the best way to spend your pennies. Keep track of your spending by adding any quotes and costs and we’ll make sure your big day doesn’t break the bank.
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Here at Bridebook, the world’s leading free online wedding planner, we firmly believe that every bride is gorgeous and that every love story starts from the inside out. But we also believe in the power of feeling your absolute best as you walk down the aisle – and on that front James Duigan has got you covered. The brawn and brains behind Bodyism, the go-to fitness program of supermodels Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Elle Macpherson, Duigan knows exactly how to get you down that aisle – aka catwalk – feeling your absolute best!
Please allow yourself plenty of time to achieve realistic and safe goals. Many brides tend to panic a couple of months before the wedding leading to unnecessary stress. They hardly eat and over-train and when the big day arrives they just look tired and worn out. It’s important to plan ahead, and really think about what you realistically want to achieve before the big day. There’s no use putting your body through immense stress because you think you are going to drastically change the size or your arms or the shape of your waist.
Our bodies are designed to move, so move every day! It doesn’t have to be strenuous, but look to get variety into your week such as a yoga class, a brisk walk, a pilates class etc. You will be surprised how quickly you will start to see results. This will keep you motivated and you are more likely to reach your goal!
3. Work Your Whole Body
Some brides-to-be find it tempting to jump on the cardio train and spend hours slogging it out on the treadmill, which is a huge strain on your body and to be honest, not as effective as you may think. Cardio is a form of aerobic training which will burn fat while doing it, but as soon as you stop, the fat burning stops too. Just doing cardio alone is extremely unlikely to get you a flat tummy! The fastest way to burn that ‘stubborn fat’ is with resistance circuits using AMG movements (working all muscle groups). For example, combining squats, lunges and press-ups to strengthen your core and target all areas of the body. This will increase metabolism, switching the body into a fat burner for up to 72 hours after the workout!
I always tell my clients to eat ‘Clean and Lean’ which means to cut the C-R-A-P: that being caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol and processed food. These are the four main toxins that cause our bodies to cling to fat. If you are wanting to safely get in top shape for your wedding, try to eat five healthy meals a day, two of which should be smaller snacks. I would recommend having the snacks in-between breakfast and lunch and then again between lunch and dinner. Healthy snacking ensures you don’t overeat when you have main meals and will also help you to speed up your metabolism. When choosing snacks make sure you avoid the sugar packed treats; muffins, croissants and sugary smoothies are a no-no! Excellent snacks would be raw nuts, turkey slices, berries and sliced vegetables.
5. Don’t Stress!
It sounds simple and is easier said than done, but the most effective way to get a flat tummy is to stress less. The stress hormone cortisol can cause your body to store stubborn fat around the belly button. Get proper sleep, it will reduce your stress and make you a nicer person in general!
We live in a world of ever growing body image pressures, sometimes promoting unrealistic body ideals. It may sound simple, but keeping oneself motivated is about positivity and listening and accepting your body. Do not see fad diets as a ‘quick fix’ to fitting into a wedding dress. I always recommend living a healthy lifestyle and embracing this as part of your life and who you are. Being confident shows in your posture and body language, so accepting yourself and having confidence in your body will definitely show on the big day!
Check out @bodyism on Instagram for even more inspiration!
Chrissy and I actually had four weddings. Two of my favourite memories from these include the one on a island with just me and her which was completely romantic and beautiful. The other favourite memory was at our one big wedding with our family in Australia and that moment of watching her with her dad and the love and pride he had for her was such a touching moment to witness. I also loved watching my dad speak because it was so heartfelt. Overall it is the feeling of love which is the most important memory to take away.
What is the one thing you wish someone had told you about planning a wedding?
If I am completely honest we didn’t really plan our weddings because we had already taken advice from friends who advised us to remember that all that matters is that you end up married and everyone has fun. It was the best advice we got as we took a step back and enjoyed the moment.
The happy couple, James and Chrissy Duigan
Want more of Bridebook’s amazing wedding day inspiration?
Want to learn how to pull together a fresh and creative wedding menu that won’t make your guests yawn? Who better to guide you than food aficionado Rachel Khoo!
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‘3-day weddings’ and ‘personalisation’ trends are having costly implications
More weddings are ‘themed’ with ‘insta-worthy’ entertainment and trending hashtags
Once again wedding planning app Bridebook.co.uk has carried out the most comprehensive UK wedding industry study revealing year-on-year changes. According to Bridebook.co.uk, millennial couples* arespending a whopping 45% more of their combined annual income on their wedding than couples getting married at 40 or older. (*getting married in their 20s to mid 30s.)
The average couple is now spending £17,913 (excluding their honeymoon), up £1,071 or 6% from £16,842 in the previous year. Supplier costs have increased by an average of 12%, year over year, but there are other factors at play too:
The ‘3-day Wedding’
The ‘3-day Wedding’ is becoming popular, with 23% more couples choosing to extend celebrations to run over a 2-3-day period (compared to 5 years ago). This has contributed to the rise in spend on venues and marquees, which continue to be the biggest associated costs at £6,152 and £5,468. Multiple-event weddings require more than one dress too, and this is impacting the amount couples are spending on bridalwear & accessories which has increased significantly by over 15% since last year at £1,537. 27% of brides purchase more than one wedding dress.
New figures also reveal that couples are spending an increased amount on personalising their wedding. ‘Venue dressing’ has seen a 22% rise to an average of £882, and the spend on flowers has also increased with couples spending an average of £858, up just over 10% from £777.
33% of couples now overspend on food and drink, at a new average of £5,862 up 23% from £4,747. This is reflective of millennials choosing to cater for more than one event, with ‘rehearsal dinners’ and parties the day after the wedding becoming more common. Caterers are also offering more and more flexibility with bespoke menus, which are expensive. 12% of couples designed their own cocktail or alcoholic drink for their wedding day.
The Influence of Tech
As technology continues to evolve, supplier choices are impacted too. Couples are spending more on music (at an average of £1,039 +10%) and other forms of entertainment (at an average of £580 +11%) wanting to ‘wow’ their guests with shareable social media-friendly content. Millennials are capturing their own images too, with 60% of brides using social media on their wedding day, 76% taking a wedding selfie – affectionately coined the ‘welfie’, and an average of 3,400 photos being taken at each wedding by guests alone. 57% now use a wedding hashtag – an increase of over 40% from the year before. Fewer people are spending money on videographers (down 2%).
14% of brides and grooms are saving money by choosing to do e-invites and wedding websites. They are also making their own table plans and place cards and consequently the average amount being spent on stationery has decreased by 5% to £276.
Millennial Spending Trends
Millennials are more likely to pay for their own wedding too. 18% fewer couples who married last year aged between 25 and 35 were given money from their parents, instead footing the bill entirely themselves. Input in wedding planning from Mothers is down to 44% (from 52%), from partner’s Mothers is down to 15% (from 23%) and from Fathers is down to 11% (down from 13%).
Hamish Shephard, Bridebook.co.uk founder, comments; “The millennial generation are getting married later in life, when they are more financially independent. They are in a position to be able to ‘host’ their own wedding, and no longer see it as their parents financial responsibility. They are rising to the challenge exercising their ability to be creative, motivated by things like local sourcing, ethical production and a great authentic experience.”
Shephard continues; “Suppliers are demonstrating their creativity and working hard to meet the demands of couples wanting to personalise their day. Increasingly, brides and grooms want to tell their story through ‘themes’, and they are becoming extremely imaginative. Everything, from the stationery and the decorations to the food and drinks menu can be personalised, and that doesn’t come cheap.”
“We are seeing that people are prioritising the ‘wow’ moments, wanting to surprise and delight their guests with ‘insta-worthy’ theatrical performances. Guests are sharing mobile footage on social media or on file-sharing websites. Selfie sticks, photo booths and drones are popular too.”
More changes…
The most popular dates to get married has also changed following a significantly warmer September and a colder than average April (Met Office, Dec 2016 report) in 2016. The most popular wedding season is now Summer (44%), followed by Autumn (26%), and Spring (22%). This represents a change from last year where Spring was more popular than Autumn. Last year the single most popular dates for weddings were 9th September and 26th August.
New findings also show a geographical split with both couples living and choosing to wed in the South East and South West of England spending the most, as well as being the most likely to go over budget. (Venue Hire in London is £4,833 more expensive than the national average, and Food & Drink in London is £3,904 more expensive than the national average.)
The most popular regions in the UK for weddings are South East England (20%), South West England (16%) and North West England (14%). While 10% of the couples live in London, only 3% get married there. More couples get married in South East and South West England than the proportion who live there, demonstrating the popularity of these regions for weddings.
Key Take-Outs:
The national average wedding spend in 2017 was £17,913 (excluding honeymoon) (up £1,071 or 6% from £16,842 in previous year)
Two thirds (65%) go over budget, or have no budget at all.
The average total cost of suppliers (excluding the honeymoon) is £30,355 (up £3,365 or 12% from £26,989 in previous year)
The most expensive region in the UK to get married is London (£31,837)
The least expensive region to get married is Northern Ireland (£12,738)
The largest wedding costs are Venue (£6,152), Food & Drink (£5,862) and Marquee Hire (£5,468) which are significantly higher than all other wedding costs
The average amount spent on bridalwear & accessories = £1,537
Supplier costs increased by an average of 12%, year over year. Marquee Hire (24%), Food & Drink (23%), and Venue dressing (22%) grew the most year over year
Many couples are choosing to have their wedding ceremony at their wedding reception venue (60%) (up from 59% in previous year)
Country/Manor Houses (28%), Places of Worship (17%) and Barns (16%) are the most popular wedding venue types
27% of couples held their ceremony at a place of worship (down from 29% in previous year)
Almost half of couples had Non-Saturday weddings (44%). For alternative wedding weekdays, Fridays are popular with 18% of weddings, as well as Sundays which represent 9% of weddings
The most popular honeymoon destinations are Europe (25%), UK (12%) and the USA (11%).
For further information please contact Harriet Hunt Communications: harriet@harriethunt.com T: 0208 871 2246 M: 07886 96908
Notes To Editor:
Bridebook.co.uk is the UK’s leading wedding planning app and website with over 100,000 couples currently planning their wedding on the platform.
Launched in 2016, Bridebook.co.uk‘s state-of-the-art wedding planning toolkit with personalised Checklist, Budgeter and Guestlist manager, enables couples to plan their entire wedding from any device, anytime, anywhere, all in one place…for free. With over 70,000 venues and suppliers in its directory, Bridebook.co.uk increases the digital presence of industry professionals and connects them directly with local couples. Bridebook has also partnered with leading brands such as Mary Berry, Bobbi Brown and Jimmy Choo to provide genuine expert advice and inspiration to its couples. Bridebook.co.uk was founded by Hamish Shephard, an industry professional and recently married groom who used Bridebook.co.uk to plan his own May 2016 wedding. Visit Bridebook.co.uk online or download the app on the iTunes App Store or Google Playstore.
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Who better to guide you through the bridesmaid dress choosing process than the bridesmaid’s favourite? We’ve called on the wonderful pros at twobirds Bridesmaid to share their top 5 tips on how to keep you and your bridesmaids happy while completing your wedding party look.
Universally flattering styles with endless ways to wrap equals happy bridesmaids!
Choosing the perfect bridesmaid dresses for your favourite girls can be very stressful. With different skin tones and body shapes to cater for it might feel like an impossible task! Luckily, at twobirds, we like to keep things as stress free as possible… We understand that every woman is different so our gorgeous range of customizable multiway dresses offer the perfect solution to ensure happy bridesmaids and – essentially – a happy bride.
Colour Scheme
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to finalising your colour scheme and if – like many brides-to-be – you’re struggling to choose it may help to consider other elements of your wedding as a starting point. If your venue has a strong colour palette or your partner’s outfit has a dominant colour, that may inform your choice.
Be sure to keep in mind every aspect of your day when picking your bridesmaid dress colour scheme
Go shopping
Why not make a day of it and gather your favourite girls together for a day of trying bridesmaid dresses, a lovely lunch and then finish off the day with a cocktail in your favourite bar? Dress shopping should be a fun experience so do your research before you go and make sure the dresses you have your heart set on are within your budget.
Any excuse to spend a day with your girls and some bubbly!
Mix & Match
A lot of couples are choosing a tonal mix of dress colours for their bridesmaids which can look really striking on the big day. Tie it all together with the bouquets or ribbons for a cohesive and glamorous look.
With the extensive range of colours available, it’s easy to embrace the tonal trend
Flattering Fit
One size most definitely does not fit all and it’s tricky to find a structured dress to suit every body shape. Multiway dresses are a great option as each bridesmaid can choose their preferred neckline and wear the dress exactly as they wish – subject to bride’s approval, of course! twobirds dresses cover sizes UK 4-24, can be wrapped in endless different ways and we use a huge amount of premium quality, luxurious fabric to ensure a flattering and feminine silhouette.
Win instant points with your bridesmaids by letting them pick their most flattering neckline
Hair & Make up
Lots of couples decide to give the bridesmaids freedom when it comes to hair and make up and – depending on the chosen neckline – hair can be up or down. For example, an off-centre fishtail braid looks amazing with a one-shoulder style while a high ballerina bun will show off a backless dress perfectly.
Remember the hairstyle can be just as important as the dress!
About twobirds
twobirds Bridesmaid is an award-winning retailer, wholesaler and manufacturer of adaptable wrap dresses – offering a beautiful collection of stylish gowns engineered to create a flawless feminine silhouette. Designed to be worn on the wedding day and time and time again, the fluid and comfortable luxurious gowns offer an effortless shopping experience – creating a unified, yet individual look for the entire bridal party.
Launched in 2007 by New Yorker Ariane Goldman, twobirds Bridesmaid has fast become one of the leading bridesmaids dress manufacturers both in the UK and worldwide and has been worn by numerous celebrities including Lady Gaga and The Saturdays’ Mollie King.
The ingenious ‘adaptable’ design concept – inspired by a 1970’s Norma Kamali ‘Infinity’ dress – features bodice straps that can be twisted, tied, knotted and folded to create over 15 neckline and sleeve options. Constructed to maximise assets and minimise imperfections the beautiful gowns create a flattering finish for each and every body shape.
One Dress. Endless ways to wrap. For the wedding day and forever after…. Two Sizes, Universally Flattering and Maternity Friendly.
Cover all your bridesmaid bases with twobirds
Happy Planning!
Want to get your hands on these gorgeous dresses and become an instant favourite with your bridesmaids? Check out twobirds’ Bridebook profile and website to book a fitting!
Recommended nail and toe-nail colours depending on dress, season, venue, style etc.
Brides now actually tend to stay well away from French and try colours that match their dress/bridesmaids dresses/flowers, etc. typically spring/summer weddings stick to pastel or taupe shades as this doesn’t take too much attention away from their wedding dress.
Creative ways to rock non-traditional wedding day nail colours
Some brides love to take it that step further and wear bold, bright colours or even try out designs with gems and crystals. There is no rule for brides and no look is frowned upon which is what gives them so much freedom in their choices! A coat of glitter over a soft colour or full glitter on ring fingers is also a popular look.
Being a nail technician myself I do find brides go bolder on toe nails. Red is the most popular choice as it suits every skin tone, every age.
A lot of brides honeymoon a day or 2 after their wedding day so they choose to have a colour that they will want to wear on holiday too.
Rose is a freelance hair and make-up artist who also works closely with the Liz Earle Beauty brand, celebrities and international bridal clients. Rose is based in London, but travels far and wide and knows how to get you walking down the aisle looking like an absolute goddess. See also the amazing guide she wrote for Bridebook on making the decision between hair up and hair down here. Enjoy!
Love these photos? All of these hair dos are done by Rose herself!
From clips, combs and hair-pins to flower crowns and wreaths, there are many ideas to consider, and it can be a lot of fun exploring the options available. You want to ensure that the hair accessory you choose compliments your dress, your hairstyle and your jewellery.
The overall theme and setting of the wedding also plays a part; for instance, if your wedding features a country garden setting, soft floral hair accessories can work beautifully. For an evening do, you may wish to choose something more dramatic and sparkly to catch the light. Some brides choose to make their hair accessory a main feature, opting for bold and colourful floral wreaths and flower crowns, a perfect choice for hair down styles and boho brides.
That said, if you want the focus to be purely on the dress, the jewellery and the veil (not to mention your beautiful bridal hair style) – you can choose not to have any hair accessories at all, or just add one in for the evening before your first dance.
The following considerations should help you to decide the type of hair accessory that’s right for your day.
The Dress:
Look at the fabric in your dress, are there any ‘sparkly’ or ‘pearly’ elements, or is the material matte? It’s lovely to tie in your hair accessory with the types of fabric in your dress. For example, lace bridal hair combs can really compliment a lace gown, while a crystal hair accessory will work beautifully with a dress with featuring any crystal detailing. The colour tones of your dress can also be used as a guide for selecting a complimentary hair accessory.
These romantic curls and beautiful hair piece would go perfectly with a crystal detailed dress.
The Bridal Party:
Hair accessories can work with all bridal hairstyles; up, down and half up. Once you have chosen the perfect bridal hair accessory, you can select similar complimentary hair accessories for your bridal party. If your bridesmaids are having different hairstyles, a hair accessory could be a lovely way to unify them and maintain your look and feel across the board.
Pair this gorgeous bridal up do by sprinkling complementing flowers in your bridal party’s hair dos.
The Jewellery (and veil):
Any hair accessories you choose should work colour tone wise with your jewellery. As with your dress, it can be nice to match up elements of the detail (pearls, crystals, diamonds) between your jewellery and hair accessory. If you decide to wear a veil, make sure that the hair accessory you choose can be worn with the veil, or have one of your bridesmaids on duty to help you out it on once the veil is taken off.
This Jenny Packham pearl and crystal alice band would go perfectly with some pearl drop earrings…
In love with any or all of these gorgeous hair styles? Check out Rose’s very own Bridebook profile and book her for your big day!
For many people, speaking at a wedding can seem like a total nightmare. For help, we chatted to Lawrence Bernstein at Great Speech Writing who, together with his team of writers, has written 1000’s of wedding speeches for brides and grooms over the past ten years. He shared a few simple tips with us to ensure that your speech on the big day is remembered for all the right reasons.
Courtesy of Guy Hearn Photography
Preparation is key.
Start planning early. Know your speech well enough so that by the time you stand up to deliver it, you only need to glance at your paper to remember what comes next. You don’t want to be ‘reading’ it, however well written the speech is.
Talk slowly…
and take your time. An average wedding speech is 8-10 minutes long. Day-to-day, you’ll be talking at about 220 words a minute. In your speech, aim for 120 and allow for pauses to breathe. It’s a good idea to write these into your script for maximum effect. It may feel like you’re delivering it at a snail’s pace, but your audience will be able to digest it much better.
Speak clearly and loudly!
The audience will be on your side and eager to hear what you are saying.
Emphasize key words.
You do this in conversation, but it’s easy to forget in a ‘formal’ setting. If you’re telling people you’re “so happy”, make it clear – “I’m so happy!”
Remain calm!
Try not to let nerves (or shaky hands) show. Adrenalin can be a positive and enhance your delivery.
Make eye contact with your audience.
Looking up will give you extra confidence and engage your audience.
Body language is vital.
Gesticulate to emphasise a point, don’t forget to smile, and if you are addressing someone, look at them.
Check your posture.
Good posture can make you look and feel more in control. Stand tall, feet shoulder-width apart and project your voice.
Anticipate interruptions.
Pause for applause and laughter, rather than continuing through it. Be prepared for hecklers by having some responses up your sleeve – even if it’s just an ironic “thanks for that…”.
Stay off the booze!
It may be tempting, but getting drunk will not help you deliver a great speech… save the drinking for when the speeches are over and everyone’s toasting you!
If you ask anyone on the Bridebook team (the gentlemen included!) what their favourite thing about planning a wedding is, creating a gorgeous wedding website is sure to be high on the list. There is something so exciting about being able to combine the romance of your story with the efficiency of a website! So when we had the chance to chat with the ultimate pros in the personalised website business, we were very, very excited. Here Squarespace spills all on how to approach putting together your very own wedding website. We hope you enjoy – we sure did!
Photos courtesy of Squarespace
You’re a 21st century couple planning a 21st century wedding — complete with all the romance, elegance, and charm that a perfect website can provide. In this digital day and age, the wedding begins before your big day, and with easy website building platforms like Squarespace, you can create a one-stop destination that takes all the guesswork out of this exciting (yet occasionally stressful) time.
A wedding website is the perfect place not only to document memories that will last a lifetime, but also a great way to collect RSVPs, mailing addresses, share information, and even create a customised gift registry. With Squarespace, you can turn your love story into a website — one that can be easily shared with your closest friends and family.
Turn your love story into a website that you can share with the whole family.
1. Pick a template
With six beautiful templates dedicated to weddings, Squarespace is sure to have the right starting place for you and your partner. Best of all, you can always change your mind, so whether it’s love at first sight between you and your template or a more gradual relationship, you’re sure to end up with the right one.
Six beautiful templates to choose from, each ready to make your own.
2. Tell your story
Your website is a series of blank pages just waiting to tell your love story. Let the world know how you fell in love, how you got engaged, and how excited you are to spend forever with one another. Whether you do so in a series of letters to each other or in a narrative, you can make your guests feel like they’re a part of your history, and make your wedding all the more special. Check out the Alex template, snapshot below:
The best way to make your wedding special is to include your guests in your story…
3. Add your photos
All our templates are designed to play host to your stunning photographs, so put those engagement pictures (and all the other photographic evidence of your relationship) to good use during this time. From your first date to the day the big question was popped, your Squarespace site will serve as a beautiful digital album for everything leading up to, during, and even after your big day.
Show, don’t just tell!
4. Have guests RSVP online
Not only is it environmentally friendly but it’s also much easier to keep track of digital RSVPs rather than paper invitations. With Squarespace’s elegant form options, you can customize an invitation that seamlessly provides you with all the information you need including meal preference, dietary restrictions, date’s name, and so much more!
Your wedding website should be as practical as it is gorgeous.
5. Register for wedding gifts
Make the days after your wedding even happier with great gifts from your thoughtful guests. Let them know what you need most — whether it’s donations to your new apartment fund, a new set of knives, or even a honeymoon, you can set up a donation block or integrate your Squarespace site with wedding registries.
Don’t forget one of the best parts – gifts!
Eager to get started on your wedding website? Visit Squarespace to start obsessing over all those gorgeous details (we know you want to).
An ASOS Bridal Store? Too good to be true right? Wrong! We are jumping for joy over the news that ASOS has launched their brand new online bridal store. We’ve always been fans of ASOS’ extensive and gorgeous bridesmaid dress collection but by adding a wedding dress line and compiling all of their wonderful wedding accessories, shoes, lingerie and outfits in one place, ASOS has really upped their bridal game!
Luckily for us, ASOS has shared with us some great photos of their new wedding dresses to share with all of you, and we think it is safe to say that you will be just as impressed as we are. With none of the pieces exceeding £400, but by no means skimping on quality of design and materials, these are sure to become the go to for brides looking for affordable dress options. And keeping with the style-savy reputation that is synonymous with the ASOS brand, the collection covers every dress (and non-dress) trend, so there is something for everyone!
Happy bridal browsing everyone!
This jumpsuit with the on-trend cape is perfect for the fashion savy bride.Intricate beading in a sharp geometric pattern modernises this dress…How perfect would this be for a boho summer wedding?We love this statement lace and flamenco-inspired cut.A beautiful take on the two-piece bridal trend…
A wedding ceremony fit for kings and queens in the beautiful Highcliffe Castle, followed by a scenic photoshoot on Bournemouth beach and a reception at the seaside Cumberland Hotel. Katie and Simon truly made the most of the gorgeous summers day for their coastal wedding.
South West | Dorset | Bournemouth | Summer | Beach | Classic | Purple | Turquoise | Castle
A huge congratulations to Katie and Simon on their gorgeous wedding and a huge thank you to Jennie Franklin for sharing her amazing photos from the day.
Style mavens – we have some very exciting news for you. Legendary British shoe designer, Rupert Sanderson, has now added a gorgeous bridal shoe collection. Too good to be true? We thought so too! Luckily for us though, the Bridebook team were invited to his flagship London store to see it for ourselves. The collection is everything we could expect from the royal and celebrity favourite – and more! From elegant and classic, to bold and stand-out – this collection has everything a bride could possibly want.
The Calice shoe in a gorgeous nude satin – a Bridebook team favourite!
Rupert Sanderson’s style ethos is one many brides can relate to and appreciate, particularly for their wedding day. Rupert’s Head of Marketing, Rosanna Hill, described to us how, “with Rupert it’s all about less is more, focusing on lengthening the leg, and making the woman feel confident and sexy at the same time.” One of our favourite pieces from the collection that perfectly epitomizes this ethos is his Floria shoe (pictured below). Its unique way of framing the foot, acting both as a a sandal but also providing graphic coverage over the foot, makes it both light and airy, as well as having a raw edge, giving it a pronounced individuality.
The striking Floria shoe in champagne laminiate
One of our favourite things about Rupert’s bridal collection was his attention to the brides themselves. As much as brides want to stun on their wedding day, one always has to remember that you’ll be on your feet most of the day, so comfort and practicality is key. Rupert incorporates practicality so seamlessly into his collection, it would be easy to miss. From different heel heights to personal delivery of any Rupert Sanderson shoe to partnering dress boutiques Alice Temperly and Bruce Oldfield – Rupert has you covered. Hearing that Rupert is particularly known for bridging the gap between sexy and comfortable only made us want to play bride and try on the shoes for ourselves even more!
The timeless Pinka shoe in ivory satin
It is safe to say that Rupert Sanderson’s gorgeous bridal collection is now one of our favourites. Whether you want to keep it minimal and classic, like with the Pinka, or go bold, like with Rupert’s personal favourite and 50s inspired Cassandra, you are sure to not only find a shoe that fits your personal style, but a shoe that enhances your style to a new level of fashionable.
Rupert’s personal favourite, the Cassandra, inspired by 1950s bathing caps from Paris!
Want to know more about Rupert Sanderson? Check out some great personal anecdotes from chatting with the man himself:
Rupert Sanderson in his design studio
What drew you to put together a formal bridal collection?
To be honest, the whole process happened quite organically. I always had several bridal styles that were incorporated into my classic collection. However, I noticed that a lot of our customers that came into our stores were looking for wedding shoes. One idea led to another and I decided to design a full bridal collection.
What is your favourite thing about designing bridal shoes in particular?
Whether it’s bridal, my classic line or seasonal collections, for me, it’s all about keeping things simple and designing by my “less is more” philosophy. I’ve always had a passion for creating the perfect pair of shoes by focusing on cut and line, and using the best quality materials. I love designing silhouettes that give a woman confidence.
What kind of bride wears Rupert Sanderson shoes?
I don’t believe in fixating to a specific type of bride. I like to think my collection is rather versatile and that my designs will speak to a variety of brides. The brides who wear my shoes will have their own story to tell. The most important is that they feel confident, comfortable and beautiful in a pair of my shoes.
What is your number 1 planning tip for brides and grooms?
Invest in a great pair of Rupert Sanderson shoes and the rest will happen naturally! A beautiful and comfy pair of shoes will take you through the big day, and you can wear them after the wedding.
The Flare in gold mirror
Have you fallen in love with Rupert’s shoes as much as we have? Check out his Bridebook profile here!
