Wedding Guide September 2015

Picture: Ufford Park - www.uffordpark.co.uk

Weddings 2015

Your complete 12 page guide to your Big Day

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THE Wedding Fayre…!

Established 15 years ago THE Wedding Fayre....! aims to present vibrant, inspiring, well organised fayres at some of the very best wedding venues in the region.

Organiser Sharon Donaldson says “On 6th September the well known Stoke

by Nayland Hotel Golf & Spa is the host for, not only up to 35 excellent wedding suppliers, but live music and fashion shows too. This popular contemporary venue has a range of lovely rooms to say “I do” and can cater for weddings from 20 to 400 guests.

“And, we are celebrating our 11th year at Trinity Park on 13th September!”

Trinity Park is a fabulous contemporary venue to host THE Wedding Fayre...! where up to 70 of the best wedding experts and suppliers will be keen to help you plan your perfect day. This is one of the best wedding fayres in the region where thousands of couples have successfully planned their perfect day!

There will be Creative Catwalk Shows at 12.30pm and 2.30pm with stunning gowns and dresses in every style.

One of the best venues in the region, Trinity Park is set in 300 acres of attractive parkland and can host receptions from 40 to 400 guests.

THE Venue at Kersey Mill nr Hadleigh on October 4th is the last of the Autumn fayres in the Ipswich area. Set in 17 acres of gardens and grounds, the unique Kiln and Maltings Rooms offer a great place to exchange your vows and a lovely backdrop for our superb wedding suppliers.

“We always try to have a selection of everything you need for your big day and we aim to make our bride and grooms feel extra special when they visit our fayres.” Continues Sharon, “After all, they are planning what should be one of the most memorable days of their lives”

With a chance to win £100 to spend with an exhibitor, free Wedding magazines and a goody bag on arrival and free bottles of Bucks Fizz to be given to the first 20 brides 20 bottles of beer for the first 20 grooms arriving after 1.30pm plus delicious catering and a bar THE Wedding Fayre...! has all the ingredients for a truly romantic and memorable wedding.

A fantastic day out for the bridal party Come and be inspired!

Choosing your Bridesmaid’s dresses

by Ali Withers

When bridesmaids span a range of ages, shapes and sizes it can be difficult to find a dress to suit them all, especially if they all have very different tastes and styles.

There has been a long-standing convention to have bridesmaids dressed alike and it goes back to ancient superstitions. The idea was to distract and confuse any evil spirits who attempted to disrupt the wedding because they would not be able to identify who out of those all dressed alike was actually the bride!

These days, brides still want a particular colour theme, or perhaps a particular fabric, for their bridesmaids and but it is more about style and with an eye to the wedding pictures than about superstition.

It helps if the bride has already chosen her wedding gown and has a clear idea of the theme and colouring of the wedding. Even though there may still be a mixture of ages, sizes and colourings, it should still be possible to have an overall theme and to make it flexible enough to suit all ages. It is wise to talk to the chosen bridesmaids to find out if there is anything they would feel particularly uncomfortable wearing.

Next step is to establish the colour of the dresses and the length first, and then find a few different styles you like. Then the bride can consult her bridesmaids as to which ones they like. There is nothing wrong with having different styles for each bridesmaid in the same fabric.

This will let the littler ones indulge their passion for frills, while the teenage bridesmaid can choose something she feels is more appropriate for her age and size and the adult bridesmaid can find something appropriate to her preferred style.

Another way to keep everybody happy may be to choose a very simple dress shape or style in the chosen colour or pattern then have a dressmaker experienced in bridesmaid alterations to alter, adapt or embellish the dress in a way that is appropriate for each age group.

Organising a wedding is stressful enough and anything that can help make the process simpler and smoother is to be welcomed. ii

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How to get the most from Choosing the perfect wedding dress your Wedding Flowers You’ve set the date, the venue is booked, you’ve chosen your dress and now it’s time to consider your wedding flowers.

When it comes to planning your wedding choosing your wedding dress is probably one of the most important decisions you are likely to make, so it is essential that you get it right.

Every bride has an idea of how they want to look on their wedding day but it is best to approach buying your wedding dress with an open mind. After all what looks fabulous on a perfect size 10, six foot tall model is unlikely to look that great on the rest of us.

The flowers can really set the tone for the day and bring together any colours and themes that you’re using. This can be a daunting task, especially when trying to get the floral decoration that you would like within a budget that you can afford.

A professional florist will help and guide you through this process.

Whether you know exactly what you would like or you just have a few ideas, they can help you choose your flowers and achieve the look that is right for you. They will arrange a wedding consultation to get to know you - your style, likes and dislikes - and can provide expert advice on flowers and arrangements.

They can also help you to get the most for your money. Beverley from Henley Flowers advises, “Money can be saved by choosing the right flowers that are in season: they look great and are cheaper too!” Simple tips like using arrangements twice – at the ceremony then again at the reception – are also a good cost-cutting idea. By talking through all their ideas with the bride and groom, Beverley says, “There are usually many ways to help meet a budget without cutting back on quality”.

For more information, prices and photographs, visit www.henleyflowers.com or to arrange a free wedding consultation, call Beverley on 01473 843185 or email beverleylthomas@googlemail.com

When choosing a dress always ask the assistant for advice, they will have a better idea what styles will suit your shape and colouring. Take someone with you that will give you an honest opinion, it’s no good taking a friend that is going to say you look great in a dress that’s just not your style. Try on as many styles as you can, don’t discard a gown without trying it on first, quite often a dress that doesn’t look good on the hanger will look amazing on. Don’t be afraid to take a camera with you, take pictures of the dresses you like, and go back on another day and try them on again.

Once you have chosen your perfect dress make sure you can sit, kneel and breathe whilst wearing it. Ok this may seem a little strange, but you will be wearing your dress all day so you need to make sure you can move in it.

Remember it is your wedding day, so don’t let yourself be pressurised into wearing something that you don’t feel comfortable in.

• Dresses available from Ashton Jayne Bridal, Felixstowe

Henley Flowers Flowers by Beverley omas

Ashton Jayne Bridal formerly Jewellery Box

Flowers for all occasions Weddings - Funerals Events - Gis

For prices, further information and to book a free wedding consultation please visit

www.henleyyowers.com

To discuss your requirements and get a free quotation, contact Beverley on 01473 843185

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7 Orwell Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7HE Tel: 01394 278100

ashtonjayne@ashtonjaynebridal.com

www.ashtonjaynebridal.com

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A Man’s Guide: To Planning A Wedding For the most part, the bride is usually much more into planning the intimate details of her wedding than the groom, but this does not mean that you can just hand everything over to your future wife.

You can find a balance between not being involved at all and having to sign off on every little detail. Striking this balance can be difficult, since men tend to be less insistent on details than women. To keep peace before the wedding, there are a few things you can do.

Something you can do to help yourself out is learning what it takes to plan a wedding. Once you know about the process and all the items that must be taken care of, you can eliminate a lot of surprises and stress. You will be

much more relaxed if you know what to expect instead of being covered in tasks to take care of.

You should also speak with other married people, especially ones that are close to you, since their advice will be relevant to your tastes and personality.

Although knowing what to expect will help immensely, your fiance will likely have several items or details she is set on. Your best bet can be to just go with the flow, unless she is proposing something you consider outrageous.

In some cases, your fiance may want

Weddings with a Celebrant!

Ask most people what the focal point of a wedding ceremony is and they’ll say it’s the joining together of two people in love.

It’s an opportunity to get all the family and loved ones together to celebrate that love and witness the declaration of the vows a couple make to one another for the years ahead.

The focus has very little to do with the ‘legal registration’ of that marriage. That’s just a hoop to jump through in the process and one that can be done with a short ceremony at the Registry Office, no rings, no vows, no fuss.

Follow that with a Celebrant led Wedding Celebration Ceremony and put the focus firmly on the couple at the centre of the day. Celebrants have been professionally trained in all aspects of planning, writing and conducting personal ceremonies.

Their ceremonies are not just restricted to venues with a wedding licence. They can be held outside in a garden or on a beach, in a favourite restaurant or a friend’s barn.

Couples can get creative with wording, vows, content and format. Poetry, music or readings can be included. Unlike Registrars, a Celebrant can include religious content - useful for couples coming from different faiths who want to feature it in the ceremony. Symbolic elements such as hand-fasting or ring warming can also be used creatively to personalise the ceremony without time worries.

A Celebrant will meet the couple months before the ceremony. They will get to know them and if they want, help them write their vows, liaising with them in the months running up to the big day. They will rehearse with the wedding party and work with other wedding professionals.

A wedding ceremony should be memorable and as personal as it can be. No couples are the same, their path to love is unique, so a wedding ceremony should tell that story.

• For more information about using the services of a Celebrant for your special day contact Bridget Garrett Ceremonies on 07913 203177. Bridget will be happy to talk you through your options making sure that you have your wedding, your way!

you to be involved in every step of the process, down to what kind of flowers, what color flowers, and how many.

Although the flowers at your wedding may be of little consequence to you, this and other wedding planning issues could be huge for her. One phrase you should learn to help you get through this time is, “What do you think?” By asking this question you can see what is on her mind, because although she wants your input, she most likely still wants to make the final decision.

Although deciding on every aspect of your wedding may not be fun, your future wife has certain expectations for her wedding day. To ensure that you live to see your wedding, you will need to negotiate an arrangement that will not leave you responsible if she is not happy with some part of the wedding, but will make sure that you still have some part in the decision making.

By Andi Michaels

A unique wedding ring Your wedding rings are the symbol of the love you share. They should be as unique and special as that love. They can be - if you make them yourselves.

You can do just that at the Woodbridge Jewellery Workshop. Owners Rick and Maggie Chapman moved their successful bespoke jewellery business to Woodbridge 18 months ago after 26 years in Sudbury. They now run courses for couples to make their own wedding rings in their delightful Grade 11 Listed workshop.

No experience is necessary as you will be led through each stage of the process with Rick’s expert tuition.

You and your partner will have exclusive use of the workshop, and will truly have a day to remember.

The rings can be made in any precious metal, and can be shaped to fit with an existing engagement ring if necessary.

Unless the rings are to be engraved, or have diamonds set in them, you can take them away with you at the end of the day.

Will and Laura Hubbard were one of the first couples to take up the course - and loved it. “We can’t recommend the wedding ring day course enough” said Will.” It was incredibly rewarding to know that this symbol of our marriage was hand crafted by us. We would recommend this to anyone in a heartbeat.”

• For more details visit www.woodbridgejewelleryworkshop.co.uk or telephone 01394 647117.

Bridget Garrett Ceremonies

Make sure your wedding ceremony is as memorable and as personal as you can make it - tell your story, your way.

All jewellery handmade to order

Contact Bridget Garrett

Restorations and repair to fine jewellery

Accredited Civil Celebrant t: 07913 203177 e: bridgetgarrettceremonies@gmail.com w: bridgetgarrettceremonies.com

The only limit is your imagination…..

Bespoke Craftsman Jeweller

www.woodbridgejewelleryworkshop.co.uk

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Wedding transport Let them eat cake with a difference Suffolk Wedding Cars are based in the Pinewood area of Ipswich and provide chauffeured transportation across East Anglia. The company’s hire rates are extremely competitive and start from only £125.00 inclusive.

At The Little Cake Place you will always find a friendly and professional service.

From their well-established shop on Dales Road in Ipswich the experienced team are able to offer a large range of special cakes for special occasions, from birthday cakes and wedding cakes to celebration cakes and novelty cupcakes.

At The Little Cake Place they can provide the perfect cake for your big day, they specialise in designing bespoke luxury wedding cakes which stand out from the crowd, a cake that enhances your wedding day and visually creates a talking point.

If you visit the Suffolk Wedding Cars’ Facebook page you will see a selection of photographs and really lovely testimonials from some of the weddings that the company has provided transport for.

At Suffolk Wedding Cars they have a beautifully restored 1960’s Morris Minor Convertible that is ready and waiting to make your perfect day that little bit more special. It is finished in Old English White and comes with a lovely rich red interior and fully opening hood. The cars are available, not only for weddings, but film work, TV and photo-shoots etc as well.

Now available to hire is a wonderful 1959 Austin A55 Cambridge Saloon finished in two-tone paintwork. It is spacious and comfortable and will hopefully complement any wedding. Also coming soon Suffolk Wedding Cars will be offering a superb 1950’s Humber Super Snipe for wedding hire too. All of the vehicles are regularly serviced and fitted with modern under the bonnet electronic upgrades to make them as reliable as possible.

The Little Cake Place team will take time to find out exactly what you would like, then they will help design your cake with you. If you’re planning your wedding get in touch with them to start the design process for your very own bespoke piece of edible art.

Maybe cup cakes are more your kind of thing, The Little Cake Place probably has the biggest selection of cupcake flavours in the area! Cup cakes can form a centre piece at your wedding, by showing them off them on one of the many display stands available or maybe you could use a single boxed cup cake as wedding favours or place markers for your guests.

And, if you’re a keen baker The Little Cake Place is ideal for you too. The shop stocks a wide range of decoration accessories including edible goods, sugarcraft materials, tools and equipment, plus plenty of help and advice if you require it.

Suffolk Wedding Cars will be adding other vehicles to their collection over the next few months so why not pop your requirements over to them and they will do their very best to help. Please contact them well in advance to avoid disappointment though as they are already receiving booking for 2016.

Suffolk Wedding Cars can be contacted by phone on 01473 421772 or 07896 232450. Alternatively you can send a private message via their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/SuffolkWeddingCarsUK

So if you’re planning a wedding and require a very special cake, or maybe you just want to treat yourself to some yummy cupcakes The Little Cake Place is the shop to visit. With free customer parking and competitive prices, you will certainly have the right cake to wow your guests on your special day!

• The Little Cake Place is open six days a week and can be found at 85 Dales Road, Ipswich.

For more information telephone the team on 01473 744717 or visit www.thelittlecakeplace.com

Offering Wedding Car Hire across most of East Anglia. Bringing a wide range of vhicles from the 1960s that are a little bit different.

Visit us on Facebook to view a selection of vehicles and testimonials

facebook.com/SuffolkWeddingCarsUK

Book now n for 2016

Tel: 01473 421772 | Mobile: 07896 232450 martin.horsey@ntlworld.com v

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Limehouse Décor will have you Sitting Pretty Covering Suffolk and the surrounding area Limehouse Décor are committed to providing a high quality chair cover and styling service at affordable prices.

Keeping up with the latest trends is a passion at Limehouse where they are continually researching new products to add to their range, ensuring at all times they have the products needed to provide an up to date, high quality finish.

At Limehouse Décor their dedicated service includes the setup of the chair covers and sashes at your venue prior to your event, and the collection of them the following day liaising with your venue throughout so you have nothing to worry about.

These are just a few of the kind words that Limehouse Décor have received from happy couples recently: “Just a quick message to say a huge thank you for dressing the chairs for our recent wedding at Woodhall Manor. We have to say that we were absolutely delighted by your work which was of the highest quality. The chairs

looked wonderful and were exactly as I’d wished them to be. Your friendly and accommodating manner made choosing the ‘style of dressing’ a pleasure and I would highly recommend Limehouse Décor to anyone who requires a first class product with a dedicated personal service. Thank you once again.”

“Julie could not have been more helpful. She and her team transformed the room with White Lycra Stretch covers and Purple Sashes, the chairs were an odd shape so the cotton covers could not be used, but the Lycra covers we certainly not second best. They were all delivered on time, the chairs dressed, and all collected without hiccup. I would certainly recommend Limehouse Décor to anyone needing to transform a venue.”

• For more information about how Limehouse Décor can transform your venue you can telephone Julie on 01394 283443 / 07970 272989 or visit www.limehousedecor.co.uk for a no obligation Quick Quote.

Every bride wants to look their absolute best on their wedding day, and having the perfect hair is no exception. It can be easy to overlook this detail, but having a great hairstyle on your big day not only completes your look, but will make you feel confident and beautiful— which is how every bride should feel.

Similar to an article of clothing, some hairstyles will always be more traditional, while others may be more on-trend and

quickly go out of style. If you are completely stumped as to what hairstyle would suit you best on your wedding day, here are some tested-and-true hairstyle suggestions: • The half up half down: This hairstyle is suitable for all lengths of hair as well as any thickness. Begin with putting loose waves in your hair and then loosely pin half of it up. This look is romantic and natural.

• The chignon up-do: Again, this hairstyle works for all lengths and thicknesses.

Begin by curling your hair into fairly tight curls. Pull hair into an up-do, and secure the curls with bobby pins. This hairstyle has been around for years and fits the epitome of elegance. It also allows the bride to easily pin her veil into the chignon.

• The low ponytail: This look is best for longer hair. Begin by adding loose waves to hair. Pull hair into a low ponytail, wrap a section of hair around the base of the ponytail and secure it with a few bobby pins. This hairstyle is modern yet still effortlessly beautiful.

Almost any bridal hair look can be accessorised with flowers, feathers, or decorative hairpins.

Accessories can make a huge difference in making your hairstyle unique and are customisable to match your wedding dress or overall colour scheme.

Pic: GlitzySecrets.com

Pic: GlitzySecrets.com

Ensure your big day is a good hair day

Having a hair care regimen for a few weeks before the wedding can be advantageous in maintaining healthy, shiny locks. A few tips include combing your hair regularly, applying special treatments such as hot oil, and drinking lots of water.

With all of the time and effort it takes to plan a beautiful wedding day, it can be easy to neglect certain details. Take time to plan to do a pre-wedding hair trial a few weeks prior to your big day and talk over with your hair stylist your options, that way you will know in advance what style best suits you and your wedding dress and on the day you can just sit, relax and be pampered!

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Unique Reception Location

Arrive in style

It’s becoming the fashion to move away from the traditional style wedding in favour of something different and unique to the happy couple in question.

And, you can’t get much more unique that a wedding reception on board sailing Barge Victor.

The traditional sailing barge, celebrates it’s 120th anniversary this year and is the perfect venue for your big day.

What better way to wow your guests than by holding your wedding reception onboard Victor? Here you will find a licensed bar with arrange of beers, ciders and soft drinks, plus, the Victor’s food partner James Alexander at the Main Ingredient can look after all of your catering requirements.

Self catering options are also available, and there are also facilities on board for live music.

Under sail Victor can hold up to 40 passengers, and along-side (she berths outside the Old Custom House on Ipswich Waterfront) she can welcome up to 60 guests.

At BCD Wedding Cars they can help you plan your wedding car arrangements and create a package to suite your individual requirements and your budget from their range of luxury wedding cars.

The company offer, as standard, a uniformed chauffeur driver, a wide selection of ribbon colours and silk flowers that can be matched to your personal choice, plus, after ceremony, the bride and groom can enjoy complimentary chilled champagne for the bride and groom.

And with a wide range of vehicles on offer including vintage Rolls Royces, a Chevrolet Tourer, and an Armstrong Siddeley, to choose from, you will certainly arrive for your big day in style.

• For more information about the many cars on offer contact BCD Cars on 01473 218234 or visit wwwbcdcars.co.uk

So for a venue that will have your guests talking about for yeas to come, with plenty of wow factor and a perfect back drop for some great wedding photographs a reception on the water is a must.

Give the guys at the Victor a call on 01473 786688 or 07981 382958 to discuss your requirements and design your own memorable itinerary.

A gift for the Bride and Groom

Being invited to a wedding is always lovely but can cause a bit of a dilemma when it comes to choosing the right gift. So many couples already have their own homes which makes the old fashioned tradition of giving a kettle or a toaster a thing of the past.

You need to find something a little different which is where a trip to Delvaux in Felixstowe comes to your rescue. Step inside and there is a fantastic selection of gifts to choose from at prices to suit all budgets.

They carry beautiful handmade glass, from hanging hearts to amazing table centre pieces or maybe a champagne bottleclock to be really different? Delvaux carries a great range of wall clocks which are pieces of art in themselves or stunning framed pictures to go onto the wall. There are bronze sculptures and ceramics or even the quirky Dcuk range so there is bound to be something to take your eye.

So, there is no need to stress, just take a look inside Delvaux on Hamilton Rd in Felixstowe and have your gift problems solved.

Whilst you are there you may want to pick a little something up for yourself as a treat too!

Delvaux is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5.00pm and is situated at 116 Hamilton Rd Felixstowe (opposite Prezzo). vii

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Keeping the younger guests happy

Whether to invite Children is one of the most talked about questions when planning a wedding and that’s where Kidzone can help with their unique service so that the question doesn’t have to be asked.

Kidzone are delighted to offer a professional, fully insured crèche service for your special day. The company caters for children from three months up to 12 years of age and they are fully flexible, which means that Kidzone can be hired from just two hours to the whole day.

Kidzone provides all toys and equipment, which are routinely checked and cleaned prior to any event; they can even provide a bouncy castle free of charge for crèche services at your wedding.

Let Kidzone transform a space at your wedding venue into an exciting, fun-filled play area meaning parents can relax safe in the knowledge that the children are enjoying their day too. A huge variety of toys and activities available including crafts, games, face painting, role play, group games, small world play, pool table, air hockey, bouncy castle, soft play and much much more!

Kidzone provide a range of services not just for weddings but parties, conferences, christenings or any social event. Full crèches, open crèches, personal assistant service and evening sitter at your venue/hotel.

Kidzone offer a fantastic children’s party package, themed crafts, cooking activities, soft play, bouncy castle, party games, face painting, hair braiding and much more…

In accordance with Ofsted’s guidelines, Kidzone ensure that children are adequately staffed at all times. The team is fully qualified, DBS checked and trained in first aid.

Let Kidzone help make your wedding, birthday or any social event special – because when the kids are smiling you are smiling too!

• For further information call Natasha on 07756 535059 or Samantha on 07724 114794

WIN £100 worth of of balloon decor for your big day From VIP Balloons

For some brides the dress is the most important part of planning her big day, for others it’s the reception. If you fall into the latter category then VIP Balloons may be the people to help you realise your dreams and desires.

Balloon Artist, Samuel Stamp-Dod, has been creating award winning, bespoke balloon décor since 2001 and knows exactly how important it is to create the perfect look for each bride.

“Every bride wants to feel special and we love to treat them as VIPs.” explains Samuel, “We will spend time listening to their ideas and sketching out designs that will match their themes and styles. We then come up with visuals for them the see a selection of designs at different budget levels, each that will work for them.”

Over the years Samuel has seen colour schemes change, ideas come in, out and back into fashion and is constantly looking for suggestions to help his brides stay ‘on trend’. Facebook and Pinterest are a hotbed of ideas for brides to choose from and at VIP Balloons, they are confident that they can reproduce any balloon décor shown to them.

Several years ago Samuel was using giant three foot balloons to create the ‘Wow Factor’ at parties and weddings and more recently has seen these fall back into fashion.

“If your venue has a high ceiling, then a single giant balloon can work perfectly.” he explains, “We can use a decorative glass bowl as the base and monofilament (fishing line) can give the illusion that the balloons are floating magically above each table”.

Consultations are free of charge and give couples the chance to see exactly what VIP Balloons can provide without them having to make any commitment to order. Take a look at their website, vipballoons.co.uk, for hundreds of examples of their work. To book your consultation, whether it be for a wedding reception, birthday party or any other celebration, call Samuel on 07580 194269.

— COMPETITION —

Ipswich24 has teamed up with VIP Balloons to give one lucky reader the chance to win £100 worth of balloon décor for your big day. To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize just send your answer to the following question, along with your name, address and a contact telephone number to VIP Balloons Competition, Ipswich24, Suite 9, 85 Dales Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JR or you can enter online at www.ipswich24.co.uk.

When did Balloon Artist, Samuel Stamp-Dod, start creating balloon décor?

T&C: No purchase necessary. £100 worth of balloon décor is offered as the prize, which is non-transferable.

Additional décor may be added to the prize (at the regular price) if required. Depending on the location a delivery and set-up fee may be charged. The prize must be claimed before the end of 2016 and can be used for any celebration, not just weddings! Closing date for entries is Wednesday 30th September 2015.

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The perfect location Looking for your perfect wedding venue?

Then Ufford Park Woodbridge should be your first choice for an affordable venue for your dream day.

Set in 120 acres of historic parkland and ideally situated just off the A12, Ufford Park is a great location for you and up to 160 guests. With stunning panoramic views across their award winning golf course and the Suffolk countryside, it provides the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos for you to cherish for years to come.

The professional staff are on hand to help with your every need and able to tailor a package to suit your requirements making your dream wedding a reality.

There is a choice of air-conditioned function rooms available, the

Essential Wedding Tips

largest of which being the light and party to relax in before or after the big day. The Thermal Suite uses a series of airy Deben Suite, which has its own bar and two private balconies with fantastic heating and cooling experiences and views across the landscaped golf course. guides your body through a sensory The hotel has 90 well-appointed journey with the ultimate aim of inducing bedrooms offering a choice of classic, deep relaxation. superior or premier rooms. A Deluxe Ufford Park is a professional, but relaxed premier room is offered complimentary environment making your day one to to any bride and groom who book their remember for years to come. Why not wedding at Ufford Park (minimum come and discover one of Suffolk’s numbers apply. Subject to availability).

Secrets!

The luxury thermal suite spa includes a To request a brochure or make an central hydro-pool, surrounded by a soft appointment, please call our experienced sauna, aroma steam room, mineral grotto Wedding Coordinator on 0844 477 6482. and foot baths, all of which provides the 2015tonic 07 Ipswich24 Wedding_Layout perfect for the bride and wedding 1 27/07/2015 15:48 Page 1

The Wedding of a lifetime, remembered forever

Weddings can be a stressful event as things may happen on the day that are completely out of your control but with enough preparation and support from your friends and relatives it can be the most memorable and joyous event you’ll remember for a long time to come. Here are some handy tips to bear in mind to ensure that your special day goes as smoothly as possible: 1. Be aware of time: at the start of your day time moves slower than normal (“It’s only 10am, I’ve been up hours”), but once you’re an hour away from the start of proceedings time goes into overdrive; and make sure you take time out to be together during the day – it will be over before you realise.

2. Allow plenty of time for marks from bra straps and socks to fade before your big day.

3. If you’re getting ready in a hotel, make sure you have a pair of scissors for cutting the tags off new items.

4. Leave plenty of time for doing up the dress if it has lacing at the back. It looks easy in the shop when they show you how to do it, but on the day it can add to the stress levels if you’re short of time!

5. Don’t ask your photographer for too many posed family shots as you will get tired/bored/fidgety and miss the chance to be with your guests – and prevent your photographer from getting those special informal images.

6. Have an emergency kit: (sewing kit for the groom to repair his trousers?), scissors, hair grips, rubber bands, plasters etc. Make sure that the groom has cuff links if his shirt needs them.

7. Ladies hats: make sure that there is an understanding that hats will or won’t be worn during the wedding breakfast; and if not that there is somewhere for them to be kept; photographers, incidentally, prefer it without hats!

8. Timing: a one and a half hour interval between the start of the reception and the wedding breakfast is usually good; this will allow plenty of time to mingle with guests as well as for photographing the couple and the family shots. But see next point.

9. Receiving lines: the irony here is that if you have a lot of guests and want to make sure that you meet all of them, then a receiving line will do that for you, but will also take a considerable time (an hour for 125 guests at a recent wedding). It may be better to wander around the tables between courses.

Richard Galloway

Let us share our wealth of knowledge and passion for weddings with you, making sure your dream day runs smoothly from your initial enquiry through to the big day.

Winter Weddings from only £1800* incl. VAT · · · · · · ·

Civil ceremonies and wedding receptions Set in 120 acres of historic parkland Spacious air-conditioned event rooms with spectacular views Perfect for intimate or larger weddings Warm and friendly service Thermal suite spa - ideal for pre-wedding celebrations On-site hair, beauty & treatment salons

* Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

t 0844 477 6482 (local rate) w www.uffordpark.co.uk Yarmouth Road, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1QW

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Learn to Dance for Your Wedding If you’re getting married, then you’ll need to finalise the minor details such as your first dance song. Like many other couples around the world, you might be planning to surprise your guests with an impressive routine.

The surprise wedding dance YouTube craze means couples are under pressure to come up with something original and creative for their big day.

Guest accommodation

Are you’re getting married in the Ipswich area and are looking for accommodation for your guests?

Did you know that as well as offering top quality bed and breakfast, you can also hire Lattice Lodge Guest House, Woodbridge Road, for your exclusive use, on a self catering basis if required. With 11 all en-suite bedrooms, Lattice Lodge sleeps up to 23 people, has ample parking, and offers free superfast wi-fi throughout the building.

Those hiring on a self-catering basis have full use of the kitchen, so it really is a home from home atmosphere, and is especially suitable for those planning a weekend of wedding related activities, or as a base for a pre wedding Hen Party.

Prices start at £1200 for a two night weekend stay, and £1500 for three nights, working out at as little as £22 per person per night.

• To check availability, call Martin on 01473 712474, or email info@latticelodge.co.uk

From the popular ‘Thriller’ where the entire wedding party joins in, to the original breakout into ‘I Like Big Butts’ many surprise wedding videos have gone viral. With fun couples wanting some of the action, many are turning to professional dancers to choreograph routines for them or attending private classes to brush up on their dancing skills.

Lynn Beaumont, Co-Founder of DancingClasses.biz said, “Every couple wants their wedding to be the party of the year – and some will pull out all the stops.

From live music to fireworks, one of the most special moments of the day which can make a wedding memorable, is the first dance.

Couples have a blank canvas to create something amazing which can surprise, impress and wow their guests.”

Surprise wedding dances come in a variety of combinations: the newlyweds, usually during the first dance, sometimes where the wedding party makes an appearance, the groomsmen surprising the bride, the bride and maids surprising the groom, and even bride/father groom/mother dances. There are hundreds to watch online which is why it’s becoming competitive to put on the best show on your wedding day.

To ensure you can pull it off, many betrothed couples are hiring professional help.

Even if it’s just ballroom classes to prepare for a traditional first dance, many couples are nervous and like to learn the basic steps. For those who are more outgoing and planning a specific flash-mob style routine, it depends on the style of the dance as to which dance style they get lessons in.

DancingClasses.biz is a fantastic resource for brides and grooms across the UK, as it lists all local dance school and performing arts centres. Covering all dance styles and classes for all ages, it can help couples find the right dance class to master the moves they need to perform on the big day.

• To find out more about DancingClasses.biz visit the website at: www.dancingclasses.biz

Transport for your Hen or Stag Night as well as your Big Day

That very special day has arrived and you need to look your very best, out to impress or just need to arrive in style and luxury then look no further than BKP Limousines.

BKP Limousines is a locally owned and operated company based in Barham, just outside Ipswich. Darren and Frances operate one of the largest and newest fleets of limousines in the area and have something to suit everybody.

BKP can cater for all your wedding transport needs, whether it’s a limousine for your hen or stag night or you want to arrive in style on your wedding day in a Bentley Arnarge 6, BKP are sure to have something perfect to complement your special day.

If you’re getting married then what better way to arrive than in one of BKP’s white stretch or super stretch Lincoln limousines decked out with the ribbon colour of your choice and a flower bouquet inside. Leave the church with fresh bubbly nicely chilled for those first romantic moments together.

All vehicles and chauffeurs are equipped with personal communicators and are in contact with the BKP office at all times.

BKP’s customer service policies are second to none, guaranteeing each and every customer on time performance, clean cars and knowledgeable chauffeurs.

BKP are proud to be one of the first fully Council Registered and Licenced limousine companies in East Anglia.

• For more information about BKP Limousines or to make a booking you can visit their website at www.bkplimousines.co.uk or telephone them on 01473 830891 x

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Best Man Speeches that Leave Them Speechless The wedding has been planned down to the smallest detail. The menu is delicious, the photographer is all set up, and the wedding favors picked out.

There is a personal touch on everything from the wedding décor to the unique wedding favors. It is now time to sit down and write that wedding speech you have been dreading. If you are the groom, the best man, the bride’s father, or just a guest with something to say, you will want to make the perfect toast and a small speech that will blow them away.

Here is how.

Anatomy of a Speech The main focus of speech writing is to make sure you do not come off as a complete idiot. Fumbling, bumbling, and stumbling for words like an illiterate, three-legged elephant is not what you want captured on the wedding tape to be viewed and laughed at one or twice a year for the rest of your life. What you want is an honest, intelligent, and warmhearted speech filled with sentiment, hope, and sincerity. This is not always easy, especially if you are not someone who is known for your oration or writing skills.

The first step in any speech is to plan it out. Figure out the key elements that you want to touch on and make a list of them.

Tackle these points individually and dedicate two or three sentences to each point. It is okay to speak about individual people as long as you do not alienate anyone. For instance, if you speak about the fine job the brides mother did in raising such a refined lady, say something just as nice about the father as well. If you speak about the bride’s parents, say something for the groom’s folks as well. Once you have the key points clearly defined, write your speech.

If you are the nervous type that falls apart in front of crowds, start with some mild humor or a good, wholesome joke.

Keep it clean. Remember that the guests will probably represent many types of personalities and some people are easily offended. Try to keep your humor on the clean, playful side. You can allude to the fact that if you are the best man, why this beautiful bride is marrying the groom instead of you is confusing. Once you get a good chuckle and realize that everyone is more interested in what you have to say rather than how you look saying it, you should be just fine.

It is always a good idea to give credit where credit is due. You might mention what a great job everyone did in planning, preparing, and carrying out the wedding and reception. Be thankful

Beautiful accessories

ExtravOrganza are the leading supplier and hire specialist of handmade wedding and party chair covers in Suffolk and the Colchester area. The local company, now celebrating ten years in the business, pride themselves with an attention to details, as they know how important this special day is to you both.

At ExtravOrganza they will help you create a stunning venue with handmade chair covers made from different material ranging from cotton, to silks to the newest lycra/stretch.

Each cover is complemented by beautiful sashes available in crystal organza, taffeta, and silk. These can be complemented by many accessories like diamonte brooches, flowers and many other ideas they have. ExtravOrganza will bring to you the latest trends and they have the design and flair to make your chair covers different and unique.

Owner of ExtravOrganza, Miranda Pont, is passionate about her chair covers, “I just love what I do,” she says, “My cotton chair covers are made to measure and are complimented by organza, taffata and lace sashes available in hoods and narrow sashes. I have been established for many years and have an abundance of knowledge in the wedding industry.

I work with lots of professional people who also love what they do and I am happy to recommend and help you.”

As well as chair covers, ExtravOrganza can now also supplies a sweetie cart, topiary trees, glass hire, canelabras, mantanize wishing trees and postboxes at your Wedding reception, adding that little extra finishing touch.

ExtravOrganza is recommended solely by over 47 venues throughout Suffolk for their chair covers, so you know that you are in good hands if you choose them to add the Wow factor to your wedding!

So if you’re looking to add that something special to your wedding reception, then let Extravorganza help fulfill your dreams and create an unforgettable room. Their professional chair cover hire service, design, flair and personal touch will ensure you and your guests will be stunned by how their chair covers can transform a dull room into an exciting one.

ExtravOrganza Wedding Chair Cover Hire, dress your chairs with flair, seat your guest with style, the latest designs in made to measure cotton and lycra chair covers available at competitive prices. For more information about how ExtravOrganza can transform your wedding venue you can visit them at their unit in Martlesham Heath, Telephone 07712 187538 or email covers@extravorganza.co.uk. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/extravorganza

and try not to leave anyone out. Thank the bridal party, the wedding planner, if there is one, and if you are the best man, don’t forget to thank the bride and groom for trusting you with the responsibility of the role. Let them know how honoured and privileged you feel about your part in the ceremony.

Briefly speak on a good quality of both the bride and the groom. If you are the best man, the groom thinks very highly of you and you should let him know how much you appreciate him. Let the bride know how grateful you are that your

best friend, for whom you want nothing but the best, found the best. Keep your speech short but not too short. A fiveminute speech is about right for the best man.

Close with a good sentiment for the future. Wish the bride and groom the very best that life has to offer. Feel the words and let the sincerity flow. Writing a good speech is the easy part. If you go slowly and take your time with your delivery, you will have a fantastic speech that everyone will remember for all the right reasons.

Floral solutions

At Emma’s Florist they realise the importance of your “special day” and can provide you with expertise to ensure that your wedding flowers will stand out as much as you do.

The florist, based in Ipswich, can help you with everything from your bridal bouquet and bridesmaids flowers to headdresses and buttonholes, advising you on styles and colours to enhance the theme of your wedding whilst working with you as to your expectations and budget.

Emma and her staff at the shop are more than happy to discuss your requirements for your big day. The team at Emma’s Florist have a wealth of experience and will listen to your ideas and then guide you though the many flower and colour choices available, so that your wedding flowers are perfect for you.

For more information about the many choices on offer at Emma’s Florist you can visit the shop in Nacton Road, Ipswich or their website at www.emmasflorist.com or you can call Emma and her team on 01473 272747.

From Traditional to Modern Designs For ALL your Wedding Day Floral Requirements Bridal Bouquets, Posies, Bridesmaids, Buttonholes, Church and Venue Arrangements Also: Bouquets, Arrangements & Funerals Same Day Delivery - Deliveries Locally & Worldwide

01473 272747 306 Nacton Road, Ipswich IP3 9JH

www.emmasflorist.com

07712 187538

The leading supplier and hire specialist of Handmade Wedding and Party Chair Covers in Suffolk and Colchester areas.

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Planning your perfect Wedding Day So you’re engaged to be married, congratulations. Now all you need to do is plan your perfect Wedding Day, but where do you start?

Here we have put together a comprehensive list of everything you should be thinking about and when best to do them to help you plan your special day and to make the run up to your Wedding a stress free, fun affair!

Things to do now

Hire a wedding photographer

Tell friends and family that you are engaged

Talk to your florist

Set a budget and decide who will be paying for what

Order wedding stationery

Open a separate bank account for your Wedding Organise your Wedding insurance Choose your best man, bridesmaids and ushers

Book your hairdresser Plan your honeymoon and (if required) book time off work

Buy going away outfit Finalise honeymoon plans, check passports and travel insurance, also arrange for any vaccinations and visas if required

Send your list of requirements to you photographer Have stag and hen parties

Wear in Wedding shoes

4 – 6 months before

Start looking at first dance ideas

Decide what type of wedding you would like to have

Buy wedding shoes

Visit possible wedding venues, both for your wedding ceremony and your reception

Order your Wedding cake

Book wedding transport

Send out your invitations

Think about what vows and reading you would like to have

Choose Groom and Best Man’s outfits

Choose your Bridesmaid’s outfits

2 – 4 months before

Book band, disco etc for reception

Decide how many guests you are going to invite

Buy you veil and tiara etc

Reserve accommodation if required for wedding party and any guests

1 week before

Set the date for your Wedding Day

Choose your wedding dress

Book first night hotel

Buy a guest book

If you have opted for a church wedding – give notice of the marriage to the Superintendent Registrar

6 – 12 months before

Choose Wedding favours

Buy your Wedding rings Buy Wedding Day lingerie Organise dress fittings Write your Wedding present gift list Reserve any rental equipment – such as marquee etc

Get your order of service printed Arrange stag and hen dos

Have your final hair and make-up practice Buy any last minute items and pack for your honeymoon

Schedule wedding rehearsal

Arrange for your cake to be delivered to your venue

1-2 months before

Have your Rehearsal with your Wedding party

Buy marriage licence Chase up unanswered invitations and draw up a final list Confirm numbers with venues Draw up table seating plans Groom, Best man and Father of the Bride to write their speeches Finalise transport Buy gifts for Wedding party

Arrange to make any outstanding payments required in advance

1 day before Drop off decorations, table plan, place cards, favours and guest book at your venue Take out cash for any cash payments to be made on the day Lay out your Wedding out fit and accessories etc and have a last check that you have everything ready for the morning Pack an emergency kit – plasters, mints, safety pins, painkillers, make up, mini hair spray, needle and thread and deodorant

On the day Make sure you eat breakfast!

Enjoy your day!

After your Wedding Return any hired clothing Send Wedding cake to anyone that couldn’t make your Wedding Write thank you letters Order your photographs Get you Wedding dress cleaned

Enjoy married life! xii

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