Category: Uncategorized

What Your Bridesmaids Should and Shouldn’t Pay For

On your wedding day, you’ll be surrounded by your friends and family. Among them, your bridesmaids will be some of the closest allies and will have a key role to play not just in the wedding itself, but as part of the build-up as well.

But, when it comes to what your bridesmaids should and shouldn’t pay for, how do you know who picks up the bill? Is it you, your family, or your bridesmaids themselves?

Your bridesmaids will do a lot to support you already, and as tough as it is to talk about costs, it’s a must. Establish from the beginning what they’re responsible for and what you’ll be covering for them. Then hopefully that’ll mean there are no awkward arguments during the lead-up to your wedding.

But, how do you know who pays for what? What are the traditions and the unwritten rules about what you should pay for and what your bridesmaids should pay for themselves? In this post, we’re going to explore exactly that, including who should pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses, who pays for the hen do, and what else you should be aware of as your big day approaches.

Who pays for the bridesmaids’ dresses?

Photo © Tom Groves Wedding Photography | See their Bridebook profile

One of the most difficult subjects to talk about with your bridesmaids is who pays for their dresses. Traditionally, the bride and her family are the ones who pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses. However, it’s becoming increasingly more common for bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses.

It’s also traditional for each of the bridesmaids to wear the same outfit, which will complement the bride’s beautiful dress. But, it’s also becoming more popular for each of the bridesmaids to wear a different dress, but one that usually sticks closely to the theme or colour scheme of the wedding.

Of course, this does depend on the costs involved. If the dress you’re asking your bridesmaids to wear comes with a high price tag, it’d be unfair of you to expect them to pay, so you’d probably want to foot the bill on that occasion.

Whatever you choose to do, or whatever your budget allows you to do, just make sure you’re open and honest with your bridesmaids at all times. If you’re asking them to pay, give them as much notice as possible, so they’ll have a long time to save. Asking bridesmaids at modern weddings to pay for their own dresses is relatively common, but it’s important to give them plenty of time to afford it. Saving for a £200 dress is a much easier task if your wedding is two years away compared to just a couple of months.

For more information, read our guide to wedding etiquette: who (traditionally) pays for what?

Who pays for the bridesmaids’ shoes?

While many brides and their families offer to pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses, it’s not as common to offer to pay for their shoes. Shoes may be a part of their outfit, but there’s usually far more flexibility when it comes to footwear than the dress. So, this will often be something the bridesmaids pay for, whether it’s flats, heels or wedges.

Who pays for the bridesmaids’ accessories?

Similar to the shoes, it’s usually the responsibility of the bridesmaids themselves to pay for any accessories they might want to wear, such as any jewellery or bags.

How much do bridesmaids’ dresses cost?

Photo © The Wedding Photography House | See their Bridebook profile

The cost of bridesmaids’ dresses can vary hugely depending on whether you choose to buy dresses from a wedding boutique or a high street retailer. Neither is the right answer – both offer wonderful dresses – it just depends on your style, taste and budget.

Specialist bridal shops that also sell bridesmaid’s dresses, such as The Bride’s Wardrobe and Cherished Wedding Boutique, have ranges that suit a variety of budgets, with prices starting from around £200.

High street retailers such as M&S offer a great selection of affordable bridesmaids’ dresses, with prices ranging between £75 and £250. There’s also the option to rent, although this isn’t quite as popular with dresses as it is with wedding suits.

What if your bridesmaids can’t afford the dress you want them to wear?

Photo © Paul Swift Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If you’ve asked your bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses (which you’re well within your right to do) then you may face an additional challenge: what if your bridesmaids can’t afford it?

If you’re asking your bridesmaids to pay for their own dress, then you possibly already knew about their financial situation. Similarly, you hopefully gave them enough of a heads-up so that they could save money for their dress. Even then, you may face the awkward situation where they’re not able to pay for the dress.

If this happens to you, where possible we’d recommend that this is something you try to find a little more budget for, and offer to pay for your bridesmaid’s dress. It wouldn’t be fair on that particular bridesmaid to expect them to pay, especially if it means them getting into debt. The only other option would be to uninvite them from being a part of the bridal party, which will almost certainly cause tension and could damage your relationship with them forever.

It’s a tough situation, and one that’s hard to offer advice on as every situation is different. Just make sure that you let your bridesmaids know they can speak to you about any concerns they have, because you definitely don’t want anyone to feel stressed or anxious because they’re struggling to find the funds to pay for their dress.

Do your bridesmaids pay for your hen party?

Photo © The Soul of My Lens Wedding Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Often, your bridesmaids will cover the costs of arranging your hen party, such as travel, accommodation and activities. But, expect to pay for a few drinks for your hens along the way.

The only exception to this is if you’ve had a heavy hand in the planning process. It would be unfair to expect your hens to pay for a long weekend to Prague – especially if you were the one to suggest it. Travel can be pricey, and not all of your bridesmaids will be in a position to pay for additional costs, especially if they’re not exactly cheap to begin with.

Cheat sheet to what your bridesmaids should and shouldn’t pay for

If you’re in a rush, check out the below quick reference cheat sheet for everything you need to know about what your bridesmaids should and shouldn’t pay for:

What Your Bridesmaids Should and Shouldn’t Pay For
What you bridesmaids should and shouldn’t pay for: quick reference cheat sheet

Complete list of what your bridesmaids should and shouldn’t pay for

Photo © Sam Chipman | See their Bridebook profile

Check out our below guide to discover what you might ask your bridesmaids to pay for. Just remember, every wedding is unique – just like your bridesmaids – so these aren’t strict rules that you should stick to.

Your bridesmaids should pay for: 

Your bridesmaids should pay for their own shoes and accessories. However, a great gift to thank your bridesmaids for being a part of your big day would be a token piece of jewellery that they can wear on the day.

Your bridesmaids should pay for: 

Hen party costs are also up to the bridal party – they can split this between them and still give you the best pre-wedding party of your life. The only caveat to this is if you have ambitious plans, such as a trip to Europe or something else on the pricier side.

Your bridesmaids should pay for: 

Travel and accommodation associated with your big day are the duty of your bridesmaids to organise and pay for. However, you could help them out by booking a block of rooms at a discount price, or if your venue is far away, you could arrange for a large group of you to travel together to cut down the cost.

Your bridesmaids should pay for:

If your bridesmaid chooses to give you a wedding gift (and they may not as they’ve already spent a lot of money and effort on your wedding) the cost is up to them. It may only be something small, but it will be a lovely keepsake to mark them accompanying you on your big day.

Your bridesmaids should pay for: 

Aside from any welcome drinks and wine/fizz with meals, unless you’re offering an open bar your bridesmaids will expect to pay for their own drinks, particularly as the evening reception begins.

Your bridesmaids shouldn’t pay for:

The bride is expected to pay for any floral accessories and the bouquets being held by the bridesmaids. Don’t forget about any extras, like corsages.

Your bridesmaids shouldn’t pay for:

If you choose to have your bridal party stay with you in your hotel suite on the eve of your wedding, that’s your responsibility and you should cover the cost of this.

Your bridesmaids shouldn’t pay for:

Transportation on your wedding day is also up to the bride and her family to pay for. Your bridesmaids will have enough to think about on the day, so do them a favour and arrange how they’ll get from the altar to the reception. You could save these costs by having the ceremony and reception at the same location.

Your bridesmaids shouldn’t pay for:

This one almost goes without saying, but your bridesmaids shouldn’t have to pay for any food on the big day. This includes any pre-ceremony food as you get ready, such as salmon and scrambled eggs and a cheeky glass of Buck’s fizz.

What about the grey areas?

As we’ve already highlighted, it’s entirely up to you and your budget to decide whether or not you offer to pay for your bridesmaids’ dresses. If you’re expecting your bridesmaids to wear a dress that’s on the pricier side, then this is something you should probably offer to pay for. One of the unofficial rules is that if you’re giving your bridesmaids certain ‘rules’ they have to stick to, then that usually means it’s something you should pick up the bill for.

Hair and makeup is another tricky one. If you’re not that fussed and want to save some pennies, ask them to do their own hair and makeup (they will look stunning anyway). However, if you specifically want a glamorous or particular look for your bridesmaids, you will have to pay for a professional. Your chosen hair and makeup artist can probably offer you a deal if they’re looking after several people in your wedding party. Read our post on the cost of wedding beauty for more information.

Alternatively, if your bridesmaids are being a little diva-ish and want to hire a professional without your requesting it, they’re probably better off picking up the cost – or you could split the bill in goodwill to keep them sweet. Remember, your wedding photos will last a lifetime, so make sure you’re happy with the final looks.

How to talk about money with your bridesmaids

Photo © M.I.N.E Photography | See their Bridebook profile

The most important thing you can do is keep money talk open and honest. Talking about money can be difficult at the best of times, but doubly so when you’re asking someone to spend some of their own hard-earned cash. As soon as you know your plans, communicate them to your bridal party so they know exactly what’s expected of them and how much they’re going to have to save.

Evening Standard columnist and wedding planning expert Hamish Shephard has the following advice: “Asking someone else to spend money on your wedding can be a difficult subject to bring up. The best thing you can do is to just be honest. In the UK, the average cost of a wedding is £19,184, which can sharply rise if you have to buy dresses for three or four bridesmaids. 

If necessary, be prepared to compromise. You might be spending a lot of money on your wedding, but that doesn’t mean your bridesmaids don’t have financial concerns or commitments of their own. Before you ask them to pay for their own dresses, try to be sympathetic to their financial situation. The more open and transparent you are, and the more time you give your bridesmaids to save, the easier the conversation will be.“

For more expert insights from Hamish Shephard, check out his recent feature on the Financial Times’ Money Clinic podcast, which covers the high cost of being a wedding guest, and how both guests and couples can approach the subject of money And for tips and tricks on saving some cash, read our guide to saving money on bridesmaid dresses.

Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook

Here at Bridebook, we have all the tools and expertise you need to plan your big day. Want to find the perfect dresses for your big day? Look no further! We’ve got hundreds of boutiques to choose from that can provide both wedding and bridesmaid dresses. 

Browse other similar articles: 

Happy Planning!

Bridebook Business: Self Promoting Your Wedding Business

suppliers.bridebook.co.uk

In order to succeed in the highly competitive wedding industry, it is important to attract regular attention that will increase your popularity. For many couples, experience and understanding equals professionalism, and self-promotion is one of the most effective methods to advertise this. 

 

Couples always want the best. Tell them why you are just that.

 

When organising their wedding, couples want nothing but the very best, often seeking recommendations through friends and family in order to find the most outstanding wedding venues and suppliers. In the absence of personal advice, however, couples will begin to search elsewhere. This is why it is important to build an excellent repertoire highlighting experience, expertise and professional knowledge.  

 

External confirmation, in any of its forms, not only gives couples a greater peace of mind but also helps boost business exposure. When buying a product, we all want that added sense of security, and to know that ‘it’ actually works as advertised. And the same thing goes when couples are deciding on their wedding team; if they can see real life reviews and official associates, they are much more likely to consider you!

 

Here are Bridebook Business’ Top Tips for Self Promotion:

 

Build your network and recommend fellow suppliers. 

If you have previous experience working alongside other suppliers, be sure to include this on your website and social media profiles, especially if they are an established name. This can help to offer reassurance to couples, as if they have the knowledge that things have gone smoothly before, they will be more encouraged to consider you as a potential wedding supplier. Constructing strong relationships with fellow suppliers is crucial to building out your network, which will almost certainly prove useful one day in the future.

 

Reviews & Testimonials From Past Clients

Having a valid and relevant set of client reviews can provide customers with an added sense of security and verifies that what you and your business offers, is genuine. The Wedding Report 2017 revealed that couples on average read 7.6 reviews before making a booking. It is the second most relied upon source of feedback (friends and family recommendation being the first) and is, therefore, invaluable to your business. Bridebook provides a space for couples, guests and family members to share their feedback following a wedding. You know you’ve done a good job, so be confident and ask your couples to share the reasons why. 

 

Social Media

Social media is now the most effective platform in order to successfully promote your business. No matter what your business size or status, never hesitate to tell the world about your skills and services. Sometimes it can just be about the basics and the more often you get your name out there, the greater your presence in the wedding industry will become. Signing up to the most popular social media outlets including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest will really help you to gradually increase your exposure, but it is important to find the most appropriate channel for your business. For example, Instagram is all about image sharing so may therefore be best utilised by photographers.  Venue suppliers on the other hand may find greater reward from maximising Facebook; where they can formulate longer posts, including information on location and available dates.

 

Blogs

Wedding blogs are a particularly useful source for couples, helping with inspiration and also as a means to find valid recommendations; repetition fundamentally leading to familiarity. To begin with, conduct a detailed web search into the most popular online wedding blogs, and furthermore, wherever possible get in contact with ‘Real Weddings’ editors. Always remember however that it remains crucial when making a submission to tailor your wedding stories to each individual blog’s tone and style. If you show a willingness to comply with certain standards, there is a greater chance you will be chosen to feature.

 

Awards

Wedding awards can be organised locally, nationally and internationally, making them crucial (and fun) to get involved in where possible. Do your research and nominate yourself for those that are relevant to your business. To further increase votes make sure to ask all of your past clients for their support and also encourage them to mention the awards to their friends and family too. Don’t be shy! And of course, once you have been shortlisted, or if you are even lucky enough to win, be sure to showcase this sufficiently, including on your website and social media pages. Also, don’t forget about the yearly Bridebook awards, where finals are judged by both our team here, and also top wedding industry names. It really will help to bring a positive recognition to your brand!

 

Show off your credentials

When building a company profile, many professionals forget to include a list of previous credentials and accreditations. This is so important since it provides further information about your experience and expertise. When advertising work in the wedding industry, it is important to remember that you are selling services that are extremely competitive; therefore it is important to include elements that make you stand out. Simply list your relevant qualifications just like you would include them on a CV, mentioning your school, university and past employers to add validity.

Bridebook Business Handy Hints: To get things started, maybe take some of the comments from your website and social media platforms or even perhaps use feedback from past clients and add them to the Testimonials section in your Bridebook Business Account.

 

Want more tips and tricks as to how to grow and market your business? Like the Bridebook Business Facebook Page and receive weekly updates from industry experts and thought leaders across the UK.

 

 

Who can I contact for help?

For any questions about Bridebook Business or your free wedding business account on Bridebook.co.uk, email our friendly supplier success team at [email protected] who always want to hear from you.  We look forward to helping make 2017-2018 a fantastic year for your wedding business!

Bridebook Business: Confidence In Marketing Your Wedding Business.

suppliers.bridebook.co.uk

In any wedding, the couple are always, of course, the two most central characters of a wedding. But you, the venue and suppliers, the behind the scenes professionals, are what bring that magic together.  Without your continued dedication and skill, it would be near impossible for any big day to become a reality. 

 

Bridebook Business Is Here To Help! 

 

Here at Bridebook.co.uk, we recognise and understand the pressures involved, not only on the wedding day itself but everything that allows you to be a part of that day, including the promoting your business and finding business leads. So we’re here to help. By offering you relevant and industry led advice, our aim is to provide you with the information you need to boost your marketing confidence and increase your presence in the UK’s wedding industry. 

 

Build your confidence and promote your business on these top wedding channels:

 

Pinterest: Weddings are all about the visual. Virtual pinboards are a very effective planning tool for brides to be. Explore how Pinterest could help your business.

 

YouTube: Not just the home to funny videos of cats, YouTube is the second largest search engine with more than 3 billion searches a month. Could uploading regular content help to showcase your services?

 

Instagram: Over 20% of the world’s internet users now have an Instagram account and is for many people a visual diary. Could this powerful social media platform offer potential inspiration for your customers?

 

LinkedIn: LinkedIn can help to nurture relationships with fellow suppliers, while showcasing your own talent.

 

Email Marketing: Email may seem slightly outdated when compared to more modern social media platforms. However, it can be still incredibly effective when proving your work ethic to any potential customers.

 

Copywriting: Without fun and engaging content featured on your website or blog, it may be difficult to effectively communicate your business purpose.

 

Self-Promotion: Confidence is essential when building a business network.

 

Word of Mouth: Friends and family really enjoy a good gossip. How can a solid repertoire of clientele help to promote your business?  

 

Finally, always make sure to keep your Business Account up to date with the most recent news and updates from your business. You can do this by going to business.bridebook.co.uk and selecting log in. 

 

Want more tips and tricks as to how to grow and marketing your business? Like the Bridebook Business Facebook Page and receive weekly updates from industry experts and thought leaders across the UK.

 

 

Who can I contact for help?

For any questions about Bridebook Business or your free wedding business account on Bridebook.co.uk, email our friendly supplier success team at [email protected] who always want to hear from you.  We look forward to helping make 2017-2018 a fantastic year for your wedding business!

Sending Wedding Invitations : 4 final checks

Sending Wedding Invitations

So you’ve named and addressed your invitations and they’re ready to go. But stop right there! Before your run out and pile them all into a post box, take 5 mins to go through the following checks to make sure there are no mistakes.

1. Check your guest list

Take a look at your guest list spreadsheet and cross-check your pile of invitations against it. You want to make sure that every name on the spreadsheet is included in an invitation.

2. Are they all named, addressed and stamped?

Yes, I’m being this specific……but trust me….when you need to write a lot of invitations, this can easily be missed. Check that they all have the name and address(and ideally double check that you have the correct address) and finally check that every envelope has a stamp.

3. Is there a return address on the back?

Not a necessity but this can be useful if there are any issues with sending the invitations(especially if one of your guests has moved house and not informed you of their new address).

4. Keep international mail separate

If you are sending any international mail, keep this separate and don’t stamp it with the others as you will need to pay a custom price for international postage. It’s easy to quickly stamp everything and overlook this so make sure you are checking the addresses as you are stamping.

Bam! You’re good to go. You’re invitations are checked, signed, sealed and…..will very shortly…..be delivered.

Walk to that post box like a boss, slam dunk those invitations and take a bow. You’ve just completed your invitations.

Read our hack on processing your RSVP replies as they are sent back

Wedding Vendors – Spreadsheet

Wedding Vendors Spreadsheet

One of the most difficult aspects of managing your wedding planning is staying on top of the various conversations you have with vendors. Attempting to keep all of this information in your head is nearly impossible as you discuss style choices, wedding day arrangements, meetings, deposits, full payments, number of guests……the list goes on……and on. It’s quite possible that you have 20+ email threads going at any one time…..and it’s all vendors!!! That doesn’t count the various arrangements you need to make with your guests and wedding party. What you need is a central location to keep all the key vendor information you need. For that reason, we have built this spreadsheet which includes all the key information you need to keep a note of.

Once you have the information added for each vendor, pass this onto anybody in your wedding party who is responsible for meeting vendors on the day of the wedding or before. This gives them all the key information they need in case there are any problems.

The Wedding Supplier’s Guide to Reducing a Couple’s Planning Anxiety

Amidst all the fun and excitement of throwing a wedding party, there lurks a more serious, stressful side. As the angst sets in, even the most grounded Bride and Groom can end up wanting to run for the hills, and no more so, than on the big day itself.

As a venue manager or supplier, getting a nervous bride down to the ceremony room and ready to walk down the aisle, on time, and in a fit emotional state can be difficult. Calming the groom so he can enjoy the wedding breakfast, without worrying about making his speech, is equally demanding.

MindMarriage has put together some incredibly insightful tips for how to help calm and guide a couple through some of the more stressful periods, helping to make both their and your experience that much smoother.

Bridebook.co.uk wedding couple

How You Can Help

 

As a venue manager, getting a nervous bride down to the ceremony room and ready to walk down the aisle, on time, and in a fit emotional state can be difficult. Calming the groom so he can enjoy the wedding breakfast, without worrying about making his speech, is equally demanding.

Imagine if you had the power to help. That by using some simple words, you could easily help the bride or groom feel calmer and more confident. MindMarriage works with hundreds of stressed brides and grooms providing Hypnotherapy before the wedding, and have some top tips for keeping them calm on the day.

You probably don’t believe this could actually work but the truth is that over time we’ve all been subliminally conditioned to accept certain trigger words.

You would never suspect these hypnotic words of being able to dramatically change someone’s state of mind but used consciously and correctly, they can significantly alter thoughts and feelings.

So, what are the magic words?

Bridebook.co.uk wedding flowers

The Magic Words

“IMAGINE”

By asking your bride or groom to imagine something, you bypass that critical part of the mind that throws up objections, and essentially sneak in through the back door of their mind.

As strange as it may sound, the brain literally cannot tell the difference between imagining reality, and actually experiencing reality. As far as your brain is concerned, there’s no difference between visualising yourself calm and confident walking down the aisle, and actually being calm and confident walking down the aisle!

“YOU”

Words that refer to us are particularly hypnotic as our critical minds take a break when we evaluate ourselves, in comparison to being naturally critical of others.

There’s nothing as stimulating to us, as ourselves! As long as the words are specific to the individual you’re addressing, it’s guaranteed to carry them along in a daze.

For example, a hairstylist or makeup artist, would confirm not just how great the style is, but how great it is on that particular bride, negating their self-doubt.

“BECAUSE…”

Explaining your reasoning before asking a question, significantly influences the decision making.

The word ‘because’ satisfies the brain’s natural search for reasons. So, give your wedding couple a reason to feel calm and it’s more likely they’ll feel calm!

“Everyone is going to have a great time because you’ve planned everything perfectly”.

There are lots of other hypnotic words but these three are particularly powerful. 

Bridebook.co.uk bride with umbrella

Now you have some of the tools to ensure that the couples you work with are cool, calm and collected throughout the wedding planning process and your time working together. It’ll be a much more enjoyable experience for the couple and yourselves, and is sure to help your brand stand above the rest!

 

How to Choose a Wedding Planner

How to Choose a Wedding Planner

Hiring a wedding planner is an optional extra for many people, with most couples opting to plan their own wedding. This is partly down to a misunderstanding of what a wedding planner does and their role in wedding preparations. Many venues include a “wedding planner” in their wedding packages but most of the time this is just a member of staff who deals with on-the-day arrangements. They would not provide the same service that a wedding planner would. The term “wedding planner” could have multiple meanings. In this hack, we will advise on 4 different types of wedding planners and their responsibilities in making your wedding dreams a reality. Starting with……

The Wedding Planner

The standard Wedding Planner will take care of all your wedding planning woes, from start to finish. A wedding planner should be a specialist in event management and well experienced in creating and running events. They will meet with you for an initial consultation to discuss your wedding specifications, then they will go away and make it happen. They will arrange wedding vendors, attend venue/vendor meetings, liaise with vendors etc. A proper wedding planner will remove the majority of your wedding planning duties, leaving you to look forward to your wedding and just enjoy all the nice bits. Like choosing decor on Pinterest! The wedding planner will normally be in attendance on your wedding day to liaise with vendors as they arrive. This will help you to relax on your wedding morning as you will probably be feeling nervous enough as it is!

The Wedding Coordinator

A Wedding Coordinator is often less experienced than a wedding planner and may not hold an event management qualification. They would still cover many of the responsibilities of a regular wedding planner but would leave many other aspects of the planning to you, such as liaising with vendors and attending meetings. A wedding co-ordinator would normally be present on your wedding day to organise vendors and decorations etc in the same way that a fully fledged wedding planner would be.

The Wedding Director

A Wedding Director is a service often offered by wedding planners. A wedding director would provide a “day-of” service. A wedding director carries out most of their work in the few months prior to the wedding. Their services would include: finalising all vendor arrangements, visiting venues and planning layout, providing a day-of timeline for all parties, management of the wedding day activities. A wedding director service is normally a cheaper service due to the shorter length of service provided.

The Wedding Designer

This is a very different role to the other 3 as it solely caters to the visuals of the wedding and would not normally include the administrative duties carried out by a wedding planner. A wedding designer is an experienced creative professional who is able to combine various elements of design including decoration, flowers, table settings etc. to build a cohesive “look” for your wedding. These professionals can elevate your wedding vision beyond what you had imagined yourself.

When hiring a wedding planner, make sure to get a breakdown of everything they provide in their service. Many people call themselves wedding planners but only cover a fraction of the responsibilities that a qualified wedding planner would cover. To ensure you receive a high quality of service, consider using a verified wedding planner directory such as UKAWP This helps you to avoid hiring an inexperienced planner who could muck up your whole wedding.

If a planner isn’t in the budget, learn how to be your own wedding planner

What to Ask Your Wedding Officiant

Wedding Officiant

Your wedding date is nearing and it’s time to meet with your officiant to go over some of the finer details of the ceremony. Here are 5 questions you should ask.

1. Can you help us in registering our marriage?

Registering your marriage can be a monotonous task depending on your local laws and the complexity of the process. Most officiants have performed weddings for many couples so are very familiar with the process and should be able to inform you of all the necessary steps.

2. Are we able to have a rehearsal?

You may not feel you need a rehearsal and just want to wing it on the day. If you want to put your mind at ease however, it can be a good idea to have a quick rehearsal in the last few weeks before the wedding so that it is fresh in your mind. If they are not able to accommodate this, they should be able to go over the structure of the ceremony over the phone. You can write this down so that you have a clear picture of how the ceremony will pan out.

3. How long will the ceremony normally last?

Following on from question 2…..ask how long the wedding ceremony will last? This is important to know as it will determine the timing of events to follow. Once you know the duration of the ceremony, add it to your wedding day timeline.

4. Can we customise the ceremony?

If you don’t want to go with the standard wordings, you may be able to customise certain aspects of the ceremony such as the vows. The other important areas of customisation are song and reading choices. Ask what is/isn’t allowed as there are certain restrictions depending on the type of ceremony you are having.

5. Would they like to attend the meal?

Since they play such an important role in your wedding day, it’s always polite to ask your officiant if they would like to stay for the meal and reception. If they do, that is another person you need to account for when finalising numbers with the caterer. Remember to add this to your wedding guest list spreadsheet.

Wedding Hair and Makeup Trial – Quick Guide

Wedding Hair and Makeup Trial

The time has come for your wedding hair and makeup trial! Your first sneak peek of your wedding face! This is a day to enjoy some pampering and soak in the excitement. At the same time, there are some practical points to consider as this is your chance to check and change any aspects of the hair & make up that don’t match up with your expectations. Hear are our top tips:

Don’t use products

First things first. Don’t use any products on your skin or hair the night before the trial. You want the trial to be as realistic as possible so don’t use any hair sprays, styling products or styling appliances. Likewise, avoid using skin creams, lotions or toners that may affect the makeup. If there is anything you need to use, check it with your hairstylist/makeup artist to make sure it won’t pose a problem.

Take veil and accessories

Take your veil to your hair trial to make sure it suits the hairstyle. If you are having your hair and makeup done by the same person, get the hair done first so you can try the veil before makeup is applied to avoid any makeup marks on the veil. If you have any other accessories that you would like to check with your hair and makeup, it’s a good idea to take these too. This would include necklaces, tiaras, hairclips etc.

Do you know what you want?

Do you have a very specific idea of the hairstyle and makeup that you want to achieve? If so, make sure your hairstylist/makeup artist are on the same page, otherwise they may stray from your vision. At the same time, it’s good to be open to their suggestions as they may have ideas which could make your vision even better. They are the experts after all.

Be honest

This is very important. If you don’t like any aspect of the hair and makeup, it’s important that you tell them now. This is the purpose of the trial after all…..to find a style you are happy with. Don’t worry about offending them. You’re not insulting their work, you’re just saying that you don’t feel it suits you. If your hairstylist/makeup artist is offended by this, they are not particularly professional and they are completely missing the point of the trial. Without honesty, the trial is a complete waste of time.

Give the hairstyle a road test

Once the hairstyle is complete, you want to make sure that it stays in place. Try going out for a meal followed by dancing to accurately emulate wedding day conditions(extremely scientific!). Or alternatively……just go sky diving! Try to schedule your hair and makeup trial for the same time of day as you will have it on your wedding day. If it’s still in place by the end of the night, you’ve got a winner!

Other than that, just make sure to enjoy your trial. Spend some time getting to know your hairstylist/makeup artist then go out afterwards to make the most of the “do”.

How to Manage Wedding Stress and Anxiety

Congratulations, you’re getting married!

As the planning stage kicks in and you realise the size of the task ahead of you, amidst all the excitement, anxiety can often kick in.

Some of us worry more than others, and with weddings people worry about all sorts of things: the size of the task, the cost, being the centre of attention, how they will look, making a speech, feeling judged, wanting the day to be perfect, and so on. All absolutely understandable, for this is the biggest day of your life, right? 

Mind Marriage is here to remind you that while it’s perfectly natural to feel some elevated stress, there is still a lot you can do to help you manage it and ensure you keep in sight the most important thing – that you’re getting married to your life partner and celebrating your relationship.

Bridebook.co.uk wedding couple

How does anxiety affect us?

A surprising amount of people experience anxiety without even realising it. Some of the ways it might manifest itself is by experiencing some of the following:

  • Lack of enjoyment of the process
  • Making rash or poor decisions
  • Not doing things as well as you normally would
  • Having negative thoughts
  • Catastrophizing
  • Feel irritable and/ or short tempered

People who are calm and relaxed generally enjoy the process much more; furthermore they perform better on the day, and have much better memories of the day. Three very good reasons to address those nerves!

You are what you think! Your mind is a very powerful thing and most of us believe that we aren’t in control of our thoughts. But you ARE in control, and you become what you think about. Your mind actually does exactly what it thinks you want it to, and it responds to the words you say and the pictures you make.

So, if you are saying ‘I can’t do this, it’s too much for me, I’m not good at it, I can’t make decisions… .’ your mind will believe this to be the case. It becomes a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

However, you can create an image in your mind of how you want to be and tell your mind this is what you want. Tell yourself:

  • I can do this
  • I am so good at it
  • It excites me
  • I make excellent decisions
  • I’m loving this

Simply by thinking the right thoughts, you can change the way you feel.

Start imagining your wedding and the planning process the way you want it. Create a picture in your mind and think about that picture. Believe in it.

Try this:

Pick your favourite ‘uplifting’ song, one with positive messages, something like Simply the Best by Tina Turner, We are the Champions, or Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen.

Now pin those positive thoughts to your song, and listen to that song every day.

Your mind loves what is familiar! The old negative thoughts and images will become unfamiliar and your mind will banish them! The new, positive thoughts and images will become familiar and your mind will take you towards your goal.

Bridebook.co.uk bride opening curtains

Comment below with any tips or tricks you’ve learnt along the way of how to best manage your stress or anxiety during your planning and big day. Unfortunately, this topic is not nearly addressed enough even though the majority of brides suffer from it. With careful planning, support and the right approaches, your wedding planning and big day can be as enjoyable an experience as you want it to be!

Good luck and have a wonderful wedding!

Bridebook.co.uk Mind Marriage logo

The Small Stuff : 20 Items for Your Wedding Equipment List

Wedding Equipment List

So, you’ve hired all the big equipment you need. The only thing left to do is to arrange all the small things that add character to your day. Most of these items you will want to buy rather than rent as you can keep them as memories of your day. These are the items that are easy to forget but can make your day more special for a relatively small amount of organisation. Add these items to your “items to buy” spreadsheet.

On with the list.

  1. “Ceremony this way” signs
  2. Aisle decorations
  3. Ring bearer pillow or box
  4. “Pick a seat not a side” signs
  5. Guestbook
  6. Dinner seating plan and stand
  7. Table numbers
  8. Table number holders
  9. Place cards on tables
  10. Flower baskets
  11. Flowers for mother of bride and groom
  12. Sparklers
  13. Flip-flops
  14. Blankets for guests who want to go outside
  15. Children’s games
  16. Puzzles for tables
  17. Charades for tables
  18. Quizzes for tables
  19. Custom games(e.g. how well do you know [bride and groom]”
  20. Table decorations

Lazy Sunday Morning Workout

The essence of this morning workout is working on exercises that are fundamental to how we move in everyday life and will help you move more effectively. We will work the whole body as a unit rather than working body segments separately.  The end result is a more effective workout with a bigger result for your time and effort.

HOW SHE DOES IT

Perform each move for 60 seconds, rest for 30 seconds between each exercise.

Take two mins rest and repeat the circuit. 

 

GLUTE BRIDGE

Bridebook.co.uk sunday morning workout

 

Why she does it

This is a fantastic exercise to activate your glutes and improve butt strength as well as teaching you how to extend your hips whilst keeping your core braced.

Strong glutes can help reduce risk of injury by taking the stress off of the lower back and helping with hip function.

 

The position

Lie on your mat, arms by your sides and legs bent at a 90-degree angle. Your feet are hip width apart and heels rooted to the ground.

 

How she does it

Engage your abdominals and push down through your heels. Squeeze your glutes to extend the hips so your pelvis comes into one straight line.

 Hold at the top for a count of two keeping the glutes engaged before releasing and lowering back to the ground.

 

Be mindful

Don’t just throw yourself up as this will simply send you into excessive lumbar extension, move through the movement carefully.

 

SQUAT

Why she does it

The squat is a fundamental exercise that everyone should be doing and is able to do. They challenge strength, mobility, balance, and flexibility in your hips and ankles which all translates into helping your body move more effectively. You will primarily be working your butt, legs and abdominals.

 

The Position

Stand with feet firmly planted on the floor about shoulder width apart, toes slightly turned out. With your hands clasped in front of your chest, gaze forwards, back straight, chest proud.

 

How she does it

Ground down through you’re heels as you sit your hips backwards allowing your knees to push outwards in line with your toes as your butt lowers just below parallel.

 

Be Mindful

Do not let your knees collapse inwards. You can always reduce your range of movement as you work on your technique.

 

PRESS UP

 

Bridebook.co.uk sunday morning workout

Why she does it

If you thought the press up was just a chest, shoulder and arms exercise, then think again. Done properly, the butt, abdominals, back and legs play a key part to the press up and developing coordinated strength.

 

The position

In full plank position, shoulders are in line with wrists and feet together. Firm your thighs, locking out the knees, and drawing your legs together. Squeeze your butt tight and draw your abdominal in creating a strong, solid body.

 

How she does it

Keeping your body solid from head to toe in the plank position, slowly lower your body all the way to the floor. Once your chest is on the ground you have two options.

 

  1. Keeping the thighs firm, buttocks tight and abdominals engaged, push down through your feet and hands and return to plank position.
  2. If you can’t push yourself up from the bottom of the pushup, that is okay, just return to the top with your knees on the ground.

 

Be Mindful

If the lowering phase in full plank is difficult then it’s perfectly ok to perform the movement on your knees, slowly lower and return.

 

CRAWLS

 

Bridebook.co.uk sunday morning workout

 

Why she does it

This exercise integrates your whole body whilst challenges the nervous system to learn new movement patterns and proprioception (awareness of your body in space). From an aesthetic point of view this one really works your core and is great for working the upper body too.

 

The Position

Come onto all fours with your knees just forwards of your hips. Your knees hover 2 inches max off the floor. Spine is neutral and gaze down.

 

How she does it

Purposefully crawl your left hand and right foot forwards working in unison (lifting and placing the hand and foot at the same time). As your crawl, keep the movement purposeful and try not to extend the gap between the hands and feet.

 

Take 4 steps forwards and 4 steps backwards, repeat x 10

 

Be Mindful

Keep your knees close to the floor throughout the movement.

 

PLANK TOUCHES

 

Bridebook.co.uk sunday morning workouts

 

 

Why she does it

I love this variation on the plank as it’ really focusing on body awareness, engaging the mind and physical body.  You will work your core whilst challenging co-ordination and balance.

 

The Postion

Come into a full plank position on your hands and feet. Your gaze is down and abdominals engaged.

 

How she does it

Focus on rooting down through the non-moving hand and foot. Engage your abdominals as you move opposite elbow to knee and return under control

 

Be mindful

As you move, focus on keeping your hips as still as you can and keep the movement precise and controlled.

 

 

STEP UP WITH KNEE LIFT

 

Bridebook.co.uk sunday morning workout

 

 

Why she does it

This exercise is excellent for strengthening the glutes and legs whilst boosting your metabolism.

 

The Position

Stand in front of a step/bench, with the left foot firmly on top. Your spine is straight and hands clasped in front of your chest.

 

How she does it

Root down through your left heel and focus on “firing” the left glut as you step yourself up to stand tall, bringing the right knee towards the chest.

Return the right leg slowly to the start position, keeping the movement slow and controlled.

 

Be Mindful

If you’re struggling with balance, then step the right foot onto the bench rather than taking the knee to the chest.

 

Should I Bother Creating a Wedding Website?

Why bother creating a wedding website?

A wedding website is more than just a pretty web page where you show off your engagement pics! It acts as a centralised hub for key wedding information that your guests can peruse at their own leisure. This greatly reduces the amount of time you will need to spend emailing and calling your guests with any wedding-day updates and can reduce the costs of printing various invites(save-the-dates etc.) as all the information is available online. If there are any sudden changes of plans, a quick update to the website and an email to your mailing list saves hours of phone calls.

The content you put on your wedding website is completely up to you. Here is some of the most useful information you can include:

  • Venue information(including map, directions and parking information)
  • An email contact form(to allow your guests to contact you directly)
  • A link to your gift list
  • Information on travel arrangements
  • Information on local accommodation
  • Weather forecast for the day of the wedding(to aid in outfit planning)

As you can see, there is a lot you can do with a wedding website which makes it an incredibly useful tool in helping you plan your wedding with ease. Most of the time, a wedding website can be built completely free of charge.

How To Choose Your Wedding Flowers

Whether you’ve found your dream florist or you’re still considering options, it’s time to talk wedding flowers. And from buttonholes to bouquets and ceremony flowers to centrepieces, there’s a lot to talk about. So here’s how to get started choosing your wedding flowers.

1. Have A Colour (Or Two!) In Mind

Have you chosen your wedding colours yet? If not, check out this article – then come right back here. You’ll use the colours you pick throughout your wedding decor, tying everything together – and that includes your flowers.

2. Think Seasonally

Daffodils at a winter wedding? Maybe not. But tulips for spring? Perfect! Thinking seasonally is an easy way to choose flowers that will work with your wedding’s aesthetic (and it can save you a few pennies too!).

3. Think Outside The Box

You don’t need to stick with tradition! Roses are great and if that’s what you want, go for it – but there’s a whole world of wedding flowers out there! We love wildflowers, especially for more casual weddings, while sunflowers brighten up any summer ceremony. We’ve even seen a few weddings incorporate vegetables like kale, cabbages and artichokes – and honestly, they’ve looked amazing!

4. Trust Your Florist

At the end of the day, your wedding is about you and you should always trust your gut – but it’s never a bad idea to take a little advice from the professionals! Work with your florist to come up with something you love together, combining your taste and ideas with their creative eye and years of experience.

5. Waste Not, Want Not

If you’re on a tighter budget (and honestly, even if you’re not!), consider how you could reuse flowers from your ceremony at your reception. For example, the same flowers you used to decorate your aisle might be repurposed into table centrepieces later in the day.

6. Consistency Is Key

Once you’ve decided on a theme for your wedding flowers, stick to it. That doesn’t mean that everything has to be identical – but you want some consistency between your bouquet and your buttonholes, for example. If you do want more variation, think about how you could incorporate this into your celebrations – perhaps switching things up after your wedding breakfast to signal a transition from day to night?

You Might Also Like…

How To Pick Your Wedding Date

Picking your wedding date is one of the first decisions you’ll make as a newly engaged couple. And once this date is set… Well, it’s the ultimate deadline! There’s (usually) no rescheduling – so this is it, and it’s full-on wedding planning mode from here on out.

But with 365 days to choose from, how are you meant to choose? Well, here’s our four-step guide to narrowing things down so you can pick that one perfect date.

1. Think Seasonally

Let’s start nice and broad with four options: spring, summer, autumn or winter. What do you want your wedding to look like? And what kind of vibe are you going for? A formal wedding can be done indoors at any time of year – but if you’re hoping for a garden party, it’s probably best to stick to the summer months. If in doubt, think about what you want your pictures to look like. Are you imagining photographs with a backdrop of autumn leaves or spring tulips? Do you see yourself and your guests wrapped in fur stoles or wearing shorts and summer dresses? This is an easy way to get an idea of what time of year you’re aiming for.

2. Who Has To Be There?

Sure, your wedding is about you and your partner – but it’s also having the most important people in your lives around you as you take this step together. Before you commit to a date, check that your most important guests will be able to make it. You don’t want to send out save the dates, only to find that none of your nearest and dearest can attend. This is especially important if you have guests travelling in from abroad as they’re likely to have more restrictions on when they’ll be able to fly.

3. Weekend or Weekday?

Once you’ve worked out the time of year and blocked off any “no-go” periods, you can start looking at specific dates. Most weddings are still held on Saturdays, giving your guests the day after to relax before work on Monday. That said, Saturday isn’t the only option and it’s increasingly common for couples to choose other days of the week – especially as this often means bagging a bargain. If you have your heart set on a venue that’s just that bit too expensive, consider a weekday wedding – and you could nab your dream venue for a price that won’t give you nightmares!

4. Work Your Priorities

Do you decide your date then pick a venue that’s available then? Or do you find your perfect venue and set a date based on their availability? It’s all about what’s most important to you and your partner. Our advice is to stay as flexible as possible. There’s no point deciding you must get married at 4pm on 8th August if nowhere’s available – but there’s also no point booking your dream venue if no one can come! Sit down with your partner and come up with a list of must-haves to help guide your decision.

Follow these four steps and you’ll have your perfect date picked out in no time! And to make things even easier, try using our Venue Search Tool to find your wedding venue – our wedding venue directory is the biggest (and the best!) in the UK.

7 Tips for Staying Calm the Week Before the Wedding

Week Before Wedding

As the time is approaching for the big day, you will be facing a flurry of emotions. Excitement, fear, joy, panic……to name a few. They all seem to combine into a big mush that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and highly stressed. These emotions are natural. Don’t worry if you’re feeling stressed….everybody does! It would be weird if you’re not! But don’t suppress the stress. Instead, do what you can to distract yourself from the negative emotions and relish(every minute) of the positive emotions. Here are our tips for keeping your cool for the final countdown.

1. Book a spa for the final week

Not exactly rocket science but this is a great way to loosen up in the lead up to the big day. Massage, facial…..whatever your preference is. Either go on your own, with your fiancé or bridesmaids…..or anyone else for that matter. And yes, Grooms are allowed to go for a spa treatment too!

2. Go for a country walk

Ease the stresses with a long walk in a pleasant countryside setting. The peace and quiet should help clear your mind from all the hustle and bustle of your wedding preparations.

3. Think about the dancing

You may be feeling stressed about your ceremony. The idea of standing in front of all your family and friends can be very stressful for some people. If you’re giving a speech, this may make you even more nervous. If you fall into this category, try to distract yourself by focusing on the non-stressful part of your wedding. Think about how you will feel once all the stressful parts are done and you can spend the rest of your day enjoying time with your family and friends. The dancing is normally a good part to focus on. Once you’re dancing, all the hard bits are over and the rest of the night can be spent boogying on down. And then comes……

4. ….the honeymoon

That’s right! Another great thing to focus on is the honeymoon(if you are honeymooning straight after your wedding). Your honeymoon is the first time in months that you will be able to fully relax and you don’t have to look at a to-do list once! If you’re feeling nervous about the wedding day, try distracting yourself by getting excited about the honeymoon.

5. Think about the marriage

With all the wedding planning arrangements you are going through, it is very easy to become so focused on organising the wedding that you can forget the most important thing…..the marriage. Remember what it’s all about. All this planning is for one purpose…the celebration of your marriage to the person you love the most. Once the wedding is finished, the marriage remains and this is the thing that lasts. Focus on the importance of the union…..as this is the thing that matters. Next week you will be husband and wife…..and that’s amazing!

6. Go for a meal with your fiancé

Following on from my last point….this is a great way to keep the romance flowing. Not only that, it gives you and your fiancé some time-out from wedding arrangements and gives you some breathing space. Take a couple of hours to catch your breath. Reminisce about how you met and look back at your relationship together. Don’t talk about wedding planning at all! Enjoy the company and just relax.

7. Don’t worry about small problems

It’s very easy to become obsessed with every little detail, but don’t worry too much about this. The truth is….with so many arrangements going on at the same time, it’s very likely that at least 1 thing will be missed or won’t go as planned. Try to accept that now, rather than feeling annoyed/frustrated on your wedding day. When the day comes, you won’t be thinking about the length of the twine that is tying favours together. Often small mistakes in your wedding day become anecdotes for the rest of your life….they actually make the day more special and memorable.

To sum it all up, there is only 1 thing to remember. The perfection is in the day, not the arrangements.

The Easiest and Smartest Way to Send Your Save the Dates

With over 40% of engagements happening between Christmas and Valentine’s Day, the UK will be seeing Save the Dates and engagement party invitations flying across the country left right and centre. If you’re one of the lucky many to be sending Save the Dates then congratulations! But don’t let preparations daunt you: in perfect addition to our free wedding planning tools, our incredible stationery experts at Paperless Post have all you need  for smart and easy wedding announcements – perfect for today’s couples who move faster than the Royal Mail. So what are you waiting for? Start sending those Save the Dates! You won’t believe how good it feels… 

Bridebook.co.uk Paperless Post Online Wedding Invitations

 

Start Spreading the News

Since you got such good tidings over Christmas, now’s the time to share. If you’re feeling especially generous, an engagement party is an ideal way to kick off the many wedding festivities to come. It’s also a great introduction to the convenience, customisability, and ease of our other event invitations. You’ll find options for every style of party—from drinks at home to something more formal—including a few photo invitations with room for spare frames from your engagement shoot.

Bridebook.co.uk Paperless Post Online Wedding Invitations

 

Make Your First Mark

Your save the dates are the first “official” step in your wedding stationery timeline, so now’s the time to make a stunning first impression. Whether you’re celebrating in a classic mode, trying out something more rustic, or embracing modernity, you’ll be in good hands with options from design stalwarts like Liberty London, contemporary stationers like Rifle Paper Co., or something from our own team of wedding aficionados. 

Bridebook.co.uk Paperless Post Online Wedding Invitations

 

Put It All Together

They’re pretty, of course, but our online save the dates are nothing if not practical. You can track whether your guests have opened them and they’ll collect postal addresses for you, too. (Use that list to order a set of pre-addressed envelopes for your printed invitations, and save yourself the hand-inscribing.) While you shouldn’t start counting heads just yet, this early show of interest will help you start making decisions about your venue, your caterers, and how many paper invitations you’ll need to order.

Bridebook.co.uk Paperless Post Online Wedding Invitations

Date, Set, Match

Even with that bit of pre-planning, we’d still recommend sending out your save the dates approximately 6 months before your wedding day and sending your printed invitations 3 months later. (Eagle-eyed readers will note that that’s 3 months before the big day.) If your venue is farther afield guests will really appreciate the extra time to make transport arrangements, and you’ll be surprised how quickly time flies when you’re planning anyway! We can make the paper stationery simple, of course—many of our save the dates come with matching suites of printed invitations, menus and programs, and couples’ stationery, to carry the theme of your wedding through every event. Whether you opt for flat printing, thermography, letterpress, or engraving, each part of your ceremony is sure to be well-appointed.

Bridebook.co.uk Paperless Post Online Wedding Invitations

Are you in love with Paperless Post’s incredible online and printed invitations as we are? Check out their whole collection of tools and exquisitely designed stationery online today!

 

Happy Planning!

9 Romantic Honeymoon Destinations

Time to plan the most romantic holiday of your life! The Luxury Travel Book share with us their favourite honeymoon destinations.  Feast your eyes below! 

Remember you can receive 10% off your booking by mentioning Bridebook.  

 

 

Paris

Quai d’Orléans 2, Ile St Louis

This stunning studio apartment is situated in a quiet side street near the Quai d’Orleans, on the Ile St Louis.  With luxurious furnishings, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling French windows, it opens to a balcony which benefits from fabulous views of the Seine, the Left Bank, Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame Cathedral. 

 

Bridebook.co.uk honeymoon destinations

Venice

Apartment  San Samuele

Situated in a great central location in San Marco, just off Campo Santo Stefano, this splendid apartment comes with the advantage of a furnished ‘altana’ roof terrace with spectacular views over the rooftops of Venice.  The interiors are of a very high standard and offer the very best of Italian styling, hand-crafted furnishings and luxury fittings.

 

Bridebook.co.uk honeymoon destinations

Cape Town

Camps Bay Penthouse

This ultra-luxurious penthouse spans the top floor of a modern architecturally designed beach house, and situated just across the road from palm-fringed Camps Bay Beach. The property is ideal for romantic couples, with its deck, complete with Jacuzzi and panoramic views of Camps Bay Beach

 

Bridebook.co.uk castle wedding venue

Santorini

Captain’s House, Oia

The village of Oia on Santorini is one of our most romantic honeymoon destinations.  Located right on the westernmost point of Santorini, Oia is justifiably famous for its magnificent sunsets and  its charming pastel coloured houses, perched on the edge of the cliffs, about 150 metres above sea level.  This small Santorini ‘cave’ house has a private cliff-side terrace complete with chromatherapy Jacuzzi tub, set against the backdrop of the Aegean Sea.

 

Bridebook.co.uk honeymoon destinations

Santorini

Oia Ivory, Oia

Another Oia romantic hideaway, perched on the  steep cliffside in a quiet location in Oia town, where the famous caldera views and sunsets can be enjoyed. With typical cave-like whitewashed curves, the property combines the traditional Santorini architecture with the modern comforts, and there is a secluded terrace where guests can relax, looking out over the blue Aegean sea and the volcano.

 

Bridebook.co.uk Santorini 2

Seville

Apartment Alcazar

A stunning apartment in a listed 19th Century building right in the very heart of Seville. Situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir, it a short walk to the main sights, including the Cathedral, the Reales Alcázares (Royal Palace), and the archive of the Indies. There are magnificent views from the apartment’s two terraces.

 

Bridebook.co.uk honeymoon destinations

Lake Como

Villa Lakeside

A beautiful villa situated right on the edge of Lake Como, in the hamlet of Lezzeno.  The villa has a private pool, large garden and wonderful views.

 

Bridebook.co.uk honeymoon destinations

Positano

Punta Reginello

A charming villa located at Punta Reginella in the heart of Positano. A lively neighbourhood by day, full of small restaurants and boutiques, it is very quiet at night due to its location, 60 steps below the road which passes through Positano. The main beach of Positano and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which are the heart of the village, are a just few minutes away on foot.

 

Bridebook.co.uk honeymoon destinations

Cape Town

Ellerman House One

The height of luxury in Cape Town, tucked away in Bantry Bay with spectacular ocean views, yet close to all the attractions of Cape Town. With its exquisite sea view location, dramatic architectural proportions and minimalist decor, this villa is attached to one of the most exclusive small hotels in the world, offering complete privacy and discreet personal service, including the services of a private chef. Guests also have full use of the spa relaxation area with sensation shower, sauna, steam room and jet pool.

 

Bridebook.co.uk honeymoon destinations

 

Happy Planning! 

Guest Transportation Organiser Spreadsheet

Arranging wedding transportation for your guests can be a difficult business. We’ve done a full hack on this to walk you through how to do it with as little stress as possible.

Download the Guest Transportation spreadsheet to help you in making the various arrangements between guests and transport companies. Stay on top of your planning with this simple spreadsheet.

Wedding Day Timeline – Spreadsheet

Creating a wedding day timeline is a very useful tool for both you, the venue and your vendors. It helps you clarify how the day will unfold but also allows the vendors to see how the service they provide will fit into the day. This is especially useful for your photographer and videographer as it gives them rough times as to when the key events of your day are going to take place. This allows them to plan in advance and work out best camera angles etc. Your venue and caterer will probably also ask you for a rough timeline of your day as they need this for planning food, bars and staffing.

This spreadsheet gives you a basic template to follow which includes all the key information that you need to keep your day organised. Fill this in once you have the information you need and you will find yourself feeling a lot more relaxed. Send the completed spreadsheet over to all relevant vendors and your venue. They will probably be very grateful.

You should also send(or print) this for anybody who is delegated a task on the timeline so that everybody has a clear idea of where they need to be.