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OXFORDSHIRE EDITION

2014 – FREE GUIDE

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BRIDE UKBRIDE

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2013 Social Networking for Brides

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Contents

Main Features 08 101 top tips We asked our brides-to-be for their own tips to help you when planning your wedding.

76 a-Z oF Weddings tips and advice from a-Z.

get the Look

50 taBLe ideas Finishing touches and beautiful favours for your reception.

54 Wedding Fairs Wedding fairs near you in 2013.

18 Wedding dresses Beautiful gowns in every style!

the essentiaLs

26 Best Foot ForWard Wedding shoes to ensure you look great from top to toe.

56 the Men advice for nervous grooms and anxious Best Men!

30 keeping MuM outďŹ ts for the mother of the bride and groom.

pLanning 32 Christian Marriage Legalities and Christianity in your Wedding.

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34 reCeptions hosting the perfect party after your ceremony.

58 photography adviCe help to get the shots you’ll treasure for life.

62 piCture perFeCt What to ask your photographer, and our top 10 must-capture wedding shots.

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64 videography an essential way to make sure you capture every moment of your day.

67 transport arriving in style on your special day.

74 hair & Beauty styles to suit every bride.

82 FLoWers Beautiful floral designs that are delightfully different.

84 Cakes think differently and ensure your cake looks and tastes great.

86 jeWeLLery Wedding rings you’ll both treasure forever.

88 entertainMent keeping young and older guests alike entertained.

91 ChiLdren special ideas for ensuring a family friendly wedding.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, BERKSHIRE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE & OXFORDSHIRE EDITION 2013

FREE GUIDE GREAT

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92 honeyMoons a great getaway following your wedding planning.

94 CountdoWn step by step wedding planning help

saving Money 68 Money saving tips great ways to trim your budget whilst still creating a beautiful day.

72 Free engageMent shoot how to obtain a free engagement shoot with a professional photographer.

99 Win a Wedding Win a wedding worth up to £25,000 and load of other great prizes. Find out how here.

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UKBRIDE Top 10 Dream Honeymoon Destinations

CAKES BLOOMING STYLISH FLOWERS

VENUES FOR YOU

Inspiring ideas you won’t have thought about!

ARRIVE IN STYLE

DRESS

FIND YOUR DREAM DRESS AND YOUR ACCESSORIES TOO

Photographers, Groomsmen, Flowers...

Social Networking for Brides

all prices in this publication were correct at time of going to press. e&oe. all material is copyright to Whitespace publishers Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without obtaining prior permission.

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WELCOME

Welcome to Get more out of the UK’s Number One Wedding Website...

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kbride is our massive wedding planning website. it’s been designed especially for brides, helping them to arrange the wedding they’ve always dreamed of, whatever their budget. since its creation though, ukbride has grown into a thriving community for brides-to-be to come together and have fun. and, with the addition of great monthly wedding prizes and a free engagement shoot, has come to be a great money saving resource as well. join ukbride, free of charge and we’ll enter you into It’s fun and it’s free of charge... our competition to win a dream wedding worth up to £25,000. Become a power user for just £20 a year but that’s just one reason you should and we’ll also provide you with 100 extra chances to join UKbride - here’s some more! win our annual prize, plus we’ll give you and your partner the chance to enjoy a free 1 You can claim a FREE engagement photoshoot.

Free power users are also entered into monthly wedding competitions and gain the benefit of discounted prices from many ukbride suppliers.

We’ll also throw in loads of wedding planning tools like our table planner, plus lots of tips and advice, and goodies to enhance your ukbride Forum experience.

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Wedding Planning Tools

Join for free UKbride.co.uk

our members help each other to plan their weddings and support each other through what can sometimes be a stressful time, as well as a happy occasion. ukbride has thousands of wedding dresses for you to browse through and plenty of wedding ideas too, join today and you’ll make your wedding planning experience fast, fun, and fabulous!

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ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SHOOT for you and your partner!

2 You can enjoy planning your wedding with loads of USEFUL WEDDING PLANNING TOOLS FREE OF CHARGE! Including our table planner.

3 You could win an amazing DREAM WEDDING worth up to £25,000!

4 We have over 35,000 WEDDING SUPPLIERS contact details - so you’ll find all of the services and products you need.

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Win a Wedding Worth up to ÂŁ25,000 Monthly Wedding-Related Competitions Free Engagement Photoshoot Lively Forum with Friendly Members and Free Wedding Planning Software

We have over

300,000 Members Join for free UKbride.co.uk

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101 TOP TIPS

We asked 300,000 UKbride members for their top tips for a stress free wedding... # 01 - you’ll be kept busy all day talking to family, friends. try, to steal some time alone with your new husband though - it’s amazing how many brides see nothing of their new husband all day!

Joanne, Derby # 02 - don't feel you have to circulate and talk to everyone - you’ll spend all day doing the rounds. enjoy your day and let them come to you!

Alice, Manchester # 03 - never buy anything without shopping around for a better price elsewhere.

Tatty # 04 - set your budget before you start booking anything - and budget for each element of your wedding; it’s easier to manage lots of little budgets rather than one big one. Anna, Leeds # 05 - keep an open mind; you may have ‘known’ what you wanted from day one, however most weddings are a process of evolution what you choose will change over time.

LauraJo87

# 12 - Buying dresses from abroad - especially those which copy more expensive designers - may seem like a bargain but without a proper fitting and with poor quality stitching. i brought one, it was a false economy.

Clare, Runcorn # 13 - it's your day! h2B and you are the main people to consider so as long as your happy don’t worry to much about everyone else when making decisions.

Little Kettle # 14 - something will go wrong... accept it. your day will still be perfect in the event of a little rain, or if you spill something on your dress.

Taylor4Conner4Eva, Dinnington

#15 Use the forum on UKbride!

# 06 - diy as much as you can. Favours and table decorations can be made cheaply, and you also have the bragging rights when people compliment them!

WelshGirl, Cardiff # 07 - if you are on a tight budget, have a wedding later in the day and just an evening reception.

Natalie, Essex # 08 - practice going for a wee in your dress... it’s easier to sit on the loo backwards!

AndreaJohnnysBird # 09 - When looking for a specific service get at least three quotes before choosing a supplier. Make sure they’re like-for-like.

Claire, York # 10 - practise your first dance in the shoes you will be wearing.

Charlotte, Bridgeport # 11 - Buy a second pair of shoes to change into... more comfortable ones for when your feet get sore and for your first dance. or wear comfy shoes under your dress... it’s a long day, be warned!

Chloe, Bradford.

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JOIN UKBRIDE and use the forum. there are hundreds of lovely ladies on the number one wedding website who are happy to go out of their way to help you. you'll have loads of fun, your wedding will run smoothly, it WiLL cost you less and you'll make loads of new friends! Julian Wilkinson - UKbride (Boss Man)

# 16 - relatives can cause friction on your day, especially well-meaning ones who try to help on the day but inadvertently ride roughshod over your feelings. expect aggro from your in-laws and if it happens, you’ll be prepared, if not, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Shobna, Fulham

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101 TOP TIPS

FROM REAL BRIDES AND BRIDES-TO-BE When you plan your wedding, a great source to help you is asking friends who have recently got married. We asked the girls on the UKbride Forum and over the next few pages we discover their 101 top tips!

#11 Wear comfy shoes under your dress!

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101 TOP TIPS

# 17 - if you are on a budget, source as many things from friends as you can, perhaps by way of wedding gifts. you might know someone that can bake - could they make your cake? if someone is crafty with flowers could they make your bouquet? your friend has a great car, could they transport you to the wedding?

Lisa, Herne Bay

# 22 - Beware the pre-wedding stag or hen night! don’t drink too much the night before or on the morning... you want to remember your wedding day, and a bride who slurs her vows really isn’t attractive.

Womble92

# 18 - if you’re working to a budget, don’t be afraid to scale your guest list to the bare bones. rather than have hundreds of guests that you have to feed conservatively, go all out and spoil just a small quantity. MrsB2B, Woking

# 24 - organisation is everything! don't try to take on too much all at once; tick one thing off your to-do list at a time.

NinaD2B

# 19 - take care when choosing your bridesmaids; a lot of ukbride members have asked best friends, sisters etc, but once they become part of your bridal party relationships have changed. pick carefully and make sure they are aware of exactly what you expect of them before they accept!

LauraJo87 # 20 - When buying/hiring or booking services, check what’s included; if it seems too good to be true it probably is.

Definitelymaybe

#21 Don’t skimp on your photos!

please please please don't skimp on photography! our ‘friend’ took our photos, but we were really disappointed with the poor results and lack of proper album. you don't have to book the most expensive photographer out there, but you could get a cheaper package from a reputable photographer, that will do a great job. they might provide you with a disc of images on the day but if they are not good quality you’ll never be able to recreate the day exactly as it was.

Wedding photos are all you have after the wedding (except for your other half ), so don't compromise when it comes to preserving your memories.

Anon

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# 23 - When you first start planning your wedding it’s easy to get carried away. don't book the first thing you see on impulse!

Dee, Enfield

# 25 - don't be afraid to start planning early; by doing so you get together ideas of what you like and don’t like. time to research all the styles and colours you’re looking for, start a scrapbook of ideas and most of all, if you know exactly what you want and how you want your day to go, planning and buying for the 'Big day' will be less stressful.

Claire88 # 26 - don't settle for something because it’s the only one you can find... search online, put in the legwork and hammer the telephone. spend a bit of time looking around and find exactly what you want in the correct colour, whether you’re looking for a table decoration, favour or a bridesmaid dress.

CuteyPye, Glasgow # 27 - don't mention the word wedding when trying to get prices from suppliers such as florists and hotels! it's surprising how much cheaper things can seem when the ‘W’ word is not used.

KellyD81 # 28 - go to plenty of wedding fairs. not only do you get some good ideas, you can also win lots of things! i won a £150 voucher for wedding favours... and you get to taste all the lovely wedding cake samples! starbabe78 # 29 - enjoy your engagement - introducing someone as your fiancé is lovely, and it’s easy to overlook how nice it is to be engaged whilst planning a wedding and worrying about paying for it all!

MrsEminson2B # 30 - ”it’s tradition!” how tired did i get of hearing that... but you don't have to stick to ‘tradition’ if you don't want to! Legobride, Holly Parker

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#36 Wear your Bridget Jones!

Take it from me, there , s nothing worse than showing your bum in the bridal shop... # 31 - set a budget for each element and stick to it. it’s so easy to be tempted to agree to an extra £50 here and there.... but if you stick to your budget and refuse to budge you’ll find a supplier would rather drop their prices than lose a customer!

OWB - Emma # 32 - every bride values, for instance, photography or reception drinks differently. the price you’re willing to pay depends on the value you place on something. there’s no such thing as what you ‘should’ pay for something, it depends how important that something is to you, so, make a list of the elements that are most important and make sure this is where your money is spent. Bridezilla, Haslemere # 33 - once you've bought a wedding item, don’t keep looking at other options in case you find something you wish you had bought instead!

TashaMrsG2Be # 34 - the best way to budget is to use excel. it’ll add things up automatically and you can use one column for your budgeted spend, and the next column for your actual spend. you can even use reg and green colour coding for ‘over budget’ and ‘under budget!’

Tori

# 35 - Make sure your wedding cake supplier will deliver your cake personally... mine didn’t and the person she used to deliver our cake left it on a table right next to a radiator!

GawjusLexi, Cockermouth # 36 - When you’re trying on wedding dresses, make sure you’re wearing your ‘Bridget jones’ pants! nothing is worse than showing your bum in your thong to the lady in the bridal shop!

NicholaP44 # 37 - keep your ushers busy! Make a list of who you want in your photos and assign an usher to round them up for you, which will give your photographer more time to work.

SamanthaP91 # 38 - don't be afraid to haggle with vendors, and be prepared to walk away - if they won't give you a discount, ask for extras, if they won’t do that, there are plenty more suppliers to use!

BellaTwilight, South Shields # 39 - go ‘Monica Bing’ on your bridal party, and especially on the groomsmen...! give everyone a detailed schedule of the day, so that they know where they need to be and when.

Michelle, Selby

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# 40 - Men: we don’t know where they come from, we don’t know what they want... but they still have opinions. remember it's h2B's day too, so ask him for opinions and ideas (you are, however, welcome to completely ignore any silly suggestions he makes though!).

Natalie, Canning # 41 - set a date but make it as far away as you can bear to do... then divide your total budget by the number of months and you’ll know how much to save each month.

Charlotte, Leek # 42 - no matter what - don't fall out with your h2B! always communicate; wedding planning should be fun, it’s not a chore, it’s meant to be something happy. if its getting too much, take a step back and remember why your getting married then do something that isn’t wedding related together.

XTeresainLoveX # 43 - it’s good to budget - but horrid to live without money because you’re saving for something. if saving for your wedding leaves you penniless you’ll resent it, save an amount you can comfortable afford without making yourself miserable!

Officially Mrs Mann # 44 - if you’re already living together the chances are you don’t need traditional wedding gifts like ironing boards and dinner services... start a honeymoon fund that guests can contribute too, which will ease your budget, or if you’re feeling generous, ask guests to donate to your favourite charity instead. xxxPoshBirdxxx # 45 - When booking your honeymoon, make sure you know your budget, check to see if they offer a discount for the happy couple and what extra freebies they can throw in.

Elaine Long aka lovelylainee # 46 - When it comes to choosing bridesmaid dresses, don’t try to force your bridal party into wearing something they don’t like... come to a compromise. they need to be comfortable and happy in their dresses and you don’t want them to look self-conscious in your photographs!

Lula88 # 47 - don’t think you have all the time in the world... it soon comes round Fast!

Sarah, Olney # 48 - hopefully, h2B loves you the way you are... so you don't need to starve yourself and spend endless hours in the gym to be a size-zero bride! don’t ruin the run up to your wedding stressing about your weight!

InDreamland

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# 49 - Work out a rough guest list before looking at venues so you can work out rough costs.

Mazza, Bootle # 50 - don’t rely on verbal agreements from suppliers; obtain contracts that specify exactly what is included in your packages and check every bit of small print thoroughly. Lovecat82 # 51 - you’ll cut the cost of your cake if you opt for tiers of sponge instead of fruit cake. you can even specify one fruit layer and two sponge ones - children prefer sponge cake too.

Laura, Shipley # 52 - Collect old flower pots, bird cages, glass fish bowls... anything that can be filled with flowers or used as a quirky diy decoration.

Work your magic and they can look vintage-tastic!

Caroline&Ben2014 # 53 - if you’re looking for save money, out of season weddings or weekday weddings are much cheaper... winter wedding anyone?

Nikki # 54 - Consider getting wedding insurance. depending on your policy, if anything goes wrong on the day, like your cake not being delivered or your photographer losing your photos, then should have some back up.

Rachel Morgan # 55 - it’s not always necessary to be formal; sometimes a hog roast in the evening is more satisfying than a buffet. Lighter ways of eating in the evening will be appreciated after a large wedding breakfast earlier in the day. f4j2k14 # 56 - your family may offer, quite generously to contribute - but it makes life more difficult if they aren’t specific and just say something vague like ‘we’ll help you out.’ ask them to put the money into a special wedding savings account as soon as they can, that way you don't end up relying on cash that doesn't materialise, and you can keep on top of your wedding day cash flow by paying elements off as you go along.

Jodi, Luton # 57 - everyone will have an opinion about your day and will love to give you ‘helpful’ advice on what looks good. Learn to smile politely and vent when they have gone Tori # 58 - try on as many dresses as possible, and go with an open mind. it's usually the least obvious dress that turns out to be ‘the one.’

DebraM74

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101 TOP TIPS # 59 - don’t worry about getting your dress dirty on the day. it will pick up dirt but it will still look fab... and let’s face it, there are better things to be doing on your wedding day than holding your skirt round your knees!

Kat # 60 - take advantage of local flower arranging and other craft demos at local stores and local suppliers. you can learn to do a lot of things yourself rather than paying a premium!

Officially Mrs Mann # 61 - if you’re getting married abroad, make sure you take your wedding dress into account in terms of weight allowance or extra baggage if it won't travel in a suitcase. Lighter dresses are much easier to transport, but if you have to fold it you don't want a material that will crease and be crinkly in your pictures.

Elaine Long aka lovelylainee

# 69 - take a deep breath before you walk down the aisle and slow down... brides tend to march down the aisle really quickly! Katie Benfield # 70 - there’s lots of pressure to conform to what others want you to do - have an honest conversation just you and your groom, then be strong; stick to your guns!

Little Kettle # 71 - take advantage of your bridesmaids; get them to help with your invites and favours - with a cheeky glass or two! trikstaniksta

#72 Don’t take loads of family or friends

# 62 - get a good eight hours of sleep the night before your wedding - you won't have time to sit with cucumbers on your eyes in the morning!

Lucy Tunnard # 63 - don't be afraid to ask other family members for help whether it be financially or if you are stuck for ideas or you haven't got time to do all the invitations. the last thing you want is to be stressed out and feeling like you're on your own.

Mrs T Hurley 2B (Teresa) # 64 - shop around and look for clever ways to save money - use chair sashes as table runners, which cost much less and are just as long!

Look at alternatives to the standard wedding and bridesmaid dress such as using cocktail dresses; you or your bridemaids can wear them and they cost a lot less.

Janie # 65 - if your parents are paying towards your wedding, slip into conversation that your guest list has been finalised... that way you won’t be badgered into having guests and distant relatives imposed on you! JessicaM43 # 66 - Consider hiring a bouncy castle... they keep children occupied all day, adults will love a cheeky drunken bounce later on in the night, and a it’ll make a quirky shot for your photographer to use.

EmandRob # 67 - if you’re having an evening buffet, don’t cater liberally, especially after a big wedding breakfast - not everyone will eat in the evening!

Beth, Gateshead # 68 - Make sure you eat breakfast; enough to settle your tummy without leaving you bloated! Nat

don’t take loads of family or friends with you when you are viewing, go yourself or with one person, whose opinion you value. then, when you have narrowed your choice down to two or three dresses, get the troops together to help you decide on the dress.

Hails

# 73 - Wedding planning is stressful - the best advice i can give is to forgive yourself the odd bridezilla moment! just try not to turn into a monster too often Tori # 74 - trying to explain ‘the sort of thing’ you want to a supplier is really vague. Collect lots of pictures from magazines, and take photos, of what you like. this will help you explain to your suppliers like florists, stationers, dress suppliers etc.

KATG (Kathleen) # 75 - Most Bridal shops are by appointment only and especially on saturdays. to avoid disappointment make sure you phone for an appointment well in advance. Traci, Staffs # 76 - Make sure you wear a very good bra when you are trying on dresses... a bad bra will ruin any good design. you may decide you want to wear other supportive underwear for your wedding day, if so, wear the same when trying on styles.

Hails

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101 TOP TIPS

#77 Get some sleep before the big day!

Have a good night , s sleep Tiredness makes most people edgy!

# 78 - the most important aspect of buying your dream dress is to find the right shape that suits you. We all have different figures and shapes and the trick is to find the dress with the right shape of design that will flatter your best assets.

Amanda, Hartlepool # 79 - When you book your reception, ask if you can supply childrens’ food - this may work out cheaper per head if you’re able to feed the kids chicken dippers rather than a more expensive three course wedding breakfast!

Bella, Camden # 80 - When having make up and hair trials, look at least six weeks before in case you’re allergic to the make up they use. Wash your hair the night before so it’s not too soft to put up. if your hair is curly, leave it; if it’s frizzy don’t put any products in it. this way your stylist will know exactly what your hair is like.

Sarah Howe, Leigh # 81 - Bully your man into writing his speech early and make him practise it over and over. Dani

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# 82 - if you’re planning to marry abroad, check that your marriage will still be legally valid in this country. some countries’ marriage ceremonies aren’t recognised in this country and require you to visit your local registration office upon your return.

Cas, Bedworth # 83 - a ‘goody bag’ with crayons and colouring books for children will keep them quiet!

Lucy and Ben # 84 - get some exercise in the months leading up to the wedding - exercise is a great outlet for stress, it’ll give you more energy and you’ll get in shape for the big day.

Penny Honiton # 85 - if you’re not keen on fruit cake, opt for sponge or chocolate cakes, or a pyramid of elaborate cupcakes.

Jen, Stirling # 86 - italian prosecco and spanish Cava are cheaper than champagne, and tend to be a little sweeter, fruitier and less acidic... a money saver that’s better all round.

Georgina, Widnes # 87 - smile when you speak... laughter and smiling are the best remedies for diffusing tension, and smiling is infectious, being able to laugh off stress with relatives is important! Jo & Mike

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# 88 - if your h2B is unsure of what to say in his speech, compliment the bride, then thanks each of the attendants, then the parents, and finally, make a toast. if he’s nervous and public speaking doesn’t come naturally, don’t try to be funny, just be sweet and sincere.

Louise, Brewood # 89 - Make sure you include a ‘contingency’ budget in your planning to account for any extras or unexpected costs.

Joanne, South Wales # 90 - try and book your venue and the registrar at the same time; there is no point paying a deposit on your dream venue then discovering that no one is available to marry you. LauraJo87 # 91 - Wear a shirt, not a t-shirt or jumper on your wedding morning, i had my hair done beautifully... then realised i had to take my jumper off over my head!

Vicki, London # 92 - remember your venue quote may not include registrar fees. these can be up to an additional £600 although prices vary from district to district.

Jessica, Overton # 93 - if your groom has a shaven head, make sure he doesn’t do it just before his wedding... having it done a week beforehand to give it some chance to grow back, otherwise his head will be really shiny on the photographs!

Sophie, Rushton # 94 - get your guests to be part of the wedding when you send their invited out - include seeds in your invites and get them to grow their own buttonholes for example.

RubyManc # 95 - Wedding cookies are really easy to bake yourself and make great wedding favours you could even print your own messages on edible paper and use them as place markers.

Lucy and Steveo # 96 - if your on a budget for your dress, find the dress you want and then look around to see if you can get it cheaper. i managed to knock £500 off my dress by looking around. mrscookiecrew # 97 - it’s natural to want an international honeymoon but we saved lots of money by going on a mini-tour of the uk; devon & Cornwall, Wales, and then up to the Lake district - the scenery was spectacular, and best of all, no sunburn... this country has some really understated places! xxshellxx

# 98 - always have a contingency plan; what happens if the hairdresser is late on the day? is there someone else that could step in at short notice? What happens if your Best Man is rushed to hospital and can’t make it (that's what happened on our day!). it’s easy to be upset by the unexpected, but something unexpected WiLL happen. shrug all but the most serious thing off, and calmly revert to your backup plan!

Little Kettle # 99 - if you're changing your name after you are married, start making a list of all the places you need to contact and add to it as you go along. it’s something few brides consider but once they’re married they’re suddenly faced with a mountain of administration that interrupts a happy return from the honeymoon!

Jemima Allen # 100 - Candles! i can’t stress how important they are. they look great in photos, they can decorate tables, receptions, churches... they can go in tea-light holders, wine glasses and vases, they can do on pillars in churches... the possibilities are limitless and they’re available in large quantities at little cost. a great way to make your venue look really impressive.

Sam Pearce, Staffs # 101 And Finally... don’t stress! your wedding will come together, it’ll look great no matter what your budget and it’ll be great fun no matter what stress you’ve had during the planning stages. you’ve spent a long time planning it and it’s going to cost quite a lot of money, so don’t panic about the small stuff; relax, enjoy and go with the flow. it’s your special day, so have a lovely time!

UKbride Editor BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, BERKSHIRE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE & OXFORDSHIRE EDITION 2013

Y

UKBRIDE FREE GUIDE GREAT

HAIR STYLES

Top 10 Dream Honeymoon Destinations

CAKES BLOOMING STYLISH FLOWERS

VENUES FOR YOU

Inspiring ideas you won’t have thought about!

ARRIVE IN STYLE

DRESS

FIND YOUR DREAM DRESS AND YOUR ACCESSORIES TOO

Photographers, Groomsmen, Flowers...

Social Networking for Brides

For loads more tips and plenty of advice talk to our members directly; they are really friendly and very knowledgable. Login to UKbride and visit www.ukbride.co.uk/forum

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DRESSES

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Wedding

Dresses Find the wedding gown of your dreams with pages and pages of beautiful dresses from leading european designers...

When choosing your dress, don’t shop blind… do your research on our wedding dress pages and on sites like www.ukbride.co.uk, which has a searchable library of thousands of wedding dresses. have a rough idea of what you’re looking for but be willing to deviate – a dress that looks great on a magazine model may not suit if you’ve a different stature, bust or complexion.

Style Guide: Empire Line: also known as princess line; a long line makes brides appear taller. good for covering up wider hips and balancing a larger bust.

A-Line: Like an empire Line dress but with a tighter bodice.

Fuller figured brides may want to avoid this style.

Column Dress: Works well with more petite figures.

Mermaid Dress: also known as Fishtail dresses; similar to column gowns but wider from the knee. a good option for those with small busts. n don’t take an entourage wedding dress shopping several friends and mums will inevitably like different dresses – one friend whom you can trust to give you honest feedback should be enough! n ensure your budget takes account of alterations and never buy a smaller dress that you intend to slim into. Choose a gown that flatters your body. n practise walking not only in your bridal shoes but your dress too, and use sandpaper to slightly scuff the soles of your shoes to provide good grip.

This beautiful wedding dress is from David Tutera for Mon Cheri. david tutera for Mon Cheri is truly a glamorous and unique collection that captures the personality of every bride on her wedding day allowing them to dream bigger, knowing that there is a top selection of stunning gowns to make them fashionably fabulous on their special day. david tutera for Mon Cheri provides today’s stylish brides with an assortment of fashionable designs with high quality fabrics, hand-beaded swarovski crystals and an impeccable fit, this collection provides the perfect dress for every body type at an affordable price.

For stockists visit www.mon-cheri.co.uk.

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DRESSES

Benjamin Roberts www.ben jaminrobe rts.co.u

k

Emily by Charlotte Balbier www.charlottebalbier.com soft French lace gown gown. stunning back detail shoe string beaded straps with a zip and button fastening and small puddle train. v neckline and delicate crystal detailing. available in ivory and ivory over gold.

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n H an n a h , M il an o b y A.alalan h an n a h .c o .uk on lin e at w w w

Jones Ali by Augusta jones.com www.augusta

<< d'Zage oďŹ&#x20AC;ers a number of fabulous collections which are as stylish as they are aďŹ&#x20AC;ordable, with ranges that feature beautifully cut contemporary designs incorporating crystal embellishment, and asymmetric gathers. www.dzage.co.uk

Eternity Bridal www.eternitybridal.co.uk

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Nothing says fairytale wedding like Amanda Wyattâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Heavenly...

Heavenly from the Oxford Collection by Amanda Wya tt. A stunning tulle gown with the bodice, skirt and train, the most gorgeous lace piec Heavenly is a real show stop es embellishing per. Available in Ivory only - www.amandawyatt.com

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DRESSES

Reese by Augusta Jones www.augustajones.com.

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Savannah by Ala n Hannah www.alanhanna h.co.uk Benjamin Roberts - www.benjaminroberts.co.uk

mia Bellice by Vero .co.uk ia m ro ve w. ww

<< augusta jones’s first collection was launched in 1999 under the British designer Charlotte Leung. her focus was to bring stylish, designer wedding gowns to modern brides. shown left is augusta jones’s reese; a duchess satin dress with a mermaid style skirt.

Features include a sweetheart neckline, lace bodice, and fitted waist. the flared skirt has hand stitched rosettes and lots of ruffled fabric. Completing the design is a sweep train.

Charlotte Leung

Alfred Angelo www.alfredang elobridal.co.uk

Theodo ra by Char lotte Balbi er...

is a French lace fishtail gown. shoulder back. strap detail with a deep v front and l satin band under bust with a crysta .com brooch detail. www.charlottebalbier

<< stalo’s theodorou 2013 collection is made of combinations of high quality textiles and exquisite laces with beautiful hand-beaded accents that excel the female figure. shown from the company’s scent of a Woman collection is amarige and parisienne; heavily embellished and beautifully layered featuring dramatic vintage detailing.

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WEDDING SHOES

This Page and Opposite: Shoes by Pink

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WEDDING SHOES

Best Foot Forward heart meets sole on your wedding day; as we look at bridal shoes. shimmer in slingbacks and dazzle with diamanté, but walk down the aisle in style on the happiest day of your life... n You’ll be wearing your shoes for 12 hours on the day, so prioritise comfort over style when choosing wedding shoes. n If you’re not used to heels, opt for a flatter shoe, rather than trying to wear something that feels unfamiliar. n ‘Wear in’ your shoes around the house before the big day so you scuff the soles for more grip and don’t feel in pain on the day.

n Remember that shoes can be dyed to match colour highlights in your dress, or for your bridesmaids. n Consider a second pair of shoes such as ballet pump style wedding shoes for later in the day - and especially for the first dance if your dress is cumbersome! n Consider vintage shoes as well as new ones - they make a lovely ‘something old’.

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WEDDING SHOES

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<< Wedding Shoes Selection

Most wedding shoes in the country are made by paradox - which owns sub-brands pink, Benjamin adams, Belle and aura. paradox provides collections of Classic, vintage and Chic wedding shoes, whilst Benjamin adams has update the brand for 2013 with his romance that rocks collection, with crystal court shoes and outrageous platforms created.

Belle is the brand’s luxury range with gel pads and soft leather linings heavily embellished with crystals. aura is the firm’s affordable brand with nine styles including ballet pump Caring, kitten heeled eternity and high-heeled infinity.

Brides looking for something different should also consider perfect vintage; with the firm’s lace embellished styles the brand is the ‘next big thing’ in wedding shoes.

>> Top right: Aura is the brand new highly affordable shoe collection by the market leaders Paradox. >> Right: Benjamin Adams.

For stockists and suppliers see our Directory on page 160.

Benjamin Adams

Many suppliers can dye shoes for brides, either to pick out details from dresses or to create beautiful bridesmaids shoes. if no stockists near you provide this service, rainbow Club’s online service will enable brides to buy from their nearest stockists and have their chosen shoes dyed at their colour studio by specialised colourists.

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MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

Mum’s The Word

John Charles (www.johncharles.com) with matching millinery by Vivien Sheriff .

Brilliant looks for the mother of the bride or groom... each of which is available with matching hat and fascinator...

The ‘rules’ of shopping for a mother of the bride or groom outfit suggest avoiding white and ivory... or, in general, making your dress look too much like a wedding dress and an all black outfit should be avoided too.

Many outfits are fairly traditional and conservative, but shop around and you can also find something stylish and individual!

However, keep in mind that this is your daughter's big day, and no one should outshine the bride!

This image and the main image is from Condici www.condici.com

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Christian

MARRIAGE A Christian marriage ceremony takes place every 1.7 seconds in the UK. Here, we explore the religious and legal implications of a church wedding...

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WEDDING IDEAS

t

he most popular religion across the uk’s 60,975,000 population is Church of england Christianity, with over 22% of the population declaring themselves a member of the C of e denomination, in the most recent national census. in marriage terms that relates to over 250,000 Church of england marriages each year, of which 40% take place in church.

But these days, it’s even easier to marry in a church of your choice following Marriage Measure and Marriage Law review. the review is the result of a working group established by the archbishop’s Council in 2002 which addressed the process of calling banns in church and relaxed the limitations of where couples may marry.

From the 2008 couples have been able to marry in a church which has a special significance to them rather than in a parish church within the parish where either the bride or groom is resident.

Church weddings remain popular with couples, but recent changes in synod law mean couples now have a much wider choice of where they choose to marry! now, couples can choose to marry in a church if they can demonstrate a Qualifying Connection - that is, if the bride or groom was baptised, confirmed or if they habitually worship in that church, or if the person has had their usual place of residence in the parish of a particular church for at least six months.

Couples can also chose to marry in a church if their parents live or have lived in the parish in question or have habitually attended worship there. in order to comply with uk civil and church law, banns - an announcement of your intention to marry -

must be read in the church in which you plan to marry, on three sundays, usually but not necessarily consecutively. those over the age of 16 may marry with those aged under 18, requiring parental consent, and the time of your wedding must take place between 8am and 6pm on any day - wedding rehearsals take place outside these times in order that the ‘practice run’ isn’t rendered legally binding!

Civil ceremonies, conversely, require couples to give a notice to marry at their local registration office, regardless of the destination of their intended marriage and require the superintendent registrar’s permission to marry. the registrar will then issue the relevant documentation which must be presented at your civil ceremony to a person authorised to conduct weddings within that district.

Christians believe that marriage is the appropriate relationship in which to share a life together, raise a family, make love and make a life-long commitment to one another.

Couples often feel a greater affinity to the Church once they begin their wedding planning and are able to enrol on both pre-wedding ‘boot camp’ courses which aim to strengthen the bond between the couple by exploring the role of marriage in a Christian context, and the alpha Course, an opportunity to explore the Christian faith and other religions in a relaxed ‘non-dogmatic’ way over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with an optional day or weekend away; see www.uk.alpha.org for further details.

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RECEPTIONS

RECEPTION CLASS

Planning your Party... your wedding breakfast is an opportunity for two families to come together and celebrate your love! here, we suggest a few reception considerations to make sure your venue looks dazzling... hen it comes to creating a wonderful wedding reception, there’s no one-size fits all solution. our top tips will help you to create a really memorable reception...

reception on your behalf and will introduce guests, announce speeches and organise any presentations that may be required.

the Fundamentals

investing in children’s party bags or similar favours will lessen the rowdiness of excited children at your reception - give them things to play with such as colouring books and (quiet!) games.

W

there are many ways to style a venue in terms of colour, table dressings and the food you choose... but you can’t change the style, size or location of a venue, so view as many as possible in the run up to your wedding. you may not have a clear idea of what you want from a reception but you’ll know roughly the style or scale of your wedding. Choose a venue which suits the size of your event, and the style. do dine or stay at your chosen venue too to accurately assess how happy you’ll be hosting your reception there.

Fun for everyone

planning your tables When planning your tables, the Bride and groom sit beside each other with (working outwards) the bride’s parents, groom’s parents, bridesmaids, best man and usher beside them. planning the other tables is complicated, so use the free table planning software available online at www.ukbride.co.uk.

Make it your own no wedding should ever feel impersonal. name your tables after your favourite films or bands, or memorable places you’ve visited. search the internet for favours that suit the theme of your wedding, use photographs of yourselves to create table cards or get into the kitchen to bake cookie favours with your guests’ names iced onto them.

Candles, flowers, crystals and favours can all make your wedding tables look individual so exploit the opportunity to make your wedding unique here, more than anywhere else.

invest in a toastmaster to enable you to sit and enjoy the reception without having the worry of wondering what comes where and when, book a toastmaster. toastmasters liaise with the caterers and photographers at your

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Britwell House

An elegant setting for civil weddings in a romantic Georgian Mansion close to junction 6 of the M40

Telephone: 07885 932691 w w w. b r i t w e l l h o u s e . c o . u k

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Receive a free engagement photoshoot just one of the beneďŹ ts of joining ukbride, social networking site for brides-to-be visit www.ukbride.co.uk or see page 72 for details

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Beautiful Weddings Begin with a Beautiful Venue...

The Cotswold Lodge Hotel is able to take care of all your reception needs!

We can cater for celebrations of up to 120 people. We have a selection of wedding packages for you to choose from. Alternatively we would be delighted to put together a tailored package to suit your individual requirements, from a choice of menus and wines, through to the seating arrangement and floral decorations.

The Hotel holds a civil license to perform marriages, partnerships, and naming ceremonies in either the Drawing room for small gatherings of up to 30, or the Norham suite for up to 100 people.

With 49 bedrooms, city centre location and ample car parking we are the ideal wedding reception venue.

66a Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6JP

Tel: 01865 512 121 www.cotswoldlodgehotel.co.uk

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Left; little metal buckets make great favour holders; fill them with sweets, flowers, favours... use a parcel tag to create ‘shabby chic’ placeholders and use in conjunction with other elements with similar colours.

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BeautiFuL

TABLE

ideas

Make the most of your wedding breakfast with our innovative ideas for creating top tables...

With an average of 75-100 guests, your wedding tables will dominate your reception venue and take up a good deal of room. however, with so much scope in terms of how to style and decorate them, you can really use your tables to express your style. decide on a theme, name each table and carry this through - different flowers, favourite bands - the quirkier the better. opt for white or cream table linen and build in your highlight colour with chair covers, bows on the back of chairs, napkins, runners and charger plates. next, create a centrepiece for your table. dramatic flower arrangements will have visual impact; tall and narrow arrangements with long trailing elements mean your guests won’t be peering round them all the time. incorporate place name into hand-tied floral sprigs, organza bags, candles or favours. Finish off with a sprinkle of petals, crystals or similar.

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Place markers are a way to introduce a vintage style - these pegs can also be painted to match your colour scheme.

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WEDDING IDEAS

Inset; diamonds are a brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend when creating a beautiful table. these table crystals are a good deal cheaper than the real thing, and look great scattered around. available in clear, gold, blue and ruby.

Left; name your tables and indicate where guests can sit with these rustic chalkboards.

Main; scratchcard quizzes and favours containing lottery tickets are always popular with guests.

Right; Bunting - really popular for 2013â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vintagethemed weddings.

Our venue styling ideas come courtesy of Ambience Venue Styling the company sells its products online but also has dedicated styling experts in each county throughout the UK. See www.ambiencevenuestyling.com.

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Five Simple Tips

Marquee Weddings A marquee will give you the flexibility to plan the size, shape and look of your reception down to the last detail... just be sure to consider our tips! n Book early; marquee companies sometimes have both new and old stock; confirm early to ensure the best marquee stock, especially during mid-summer when both weddings and country shows are at their height. n There are two types of marquee; canvas pole marquees which are better in summer with greater airflow and arguably better looking, and clear span marquees which are more stable, and don’t have poles and ropes getting in the way. n Budget for extras; flooring, the dance floor, luxury toilet blocks (one unit per 50 guests), silk linings, heating or air conditioning, lighting, furniture and crockery hire. n Position your bar (where people congregate) near your entertainment and ensure you don’t inadvertently create areas of congestion - around the entrance, for example. n After something different? Past Tents specialise in medieval and Tudor tents, The Raj Tent Club provides middle-east tents and Hooe’s Yurts supply Asian style yurts.

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Wedding Fairs For more wedding fairs in your

area see www.ukbride.co.uk

Wedding fairs are a great way to source products, services and ideas, as well as spending time with your intended in order to discuss plans for your special day.

The most obvious benefit of attending a wedding exhibition, though, is to sample venues’ hospitality and meet face-to-face the businesses vying to offer you their services.

Attending as many events as possible during your planning will not only help to ease the planning of your wedding,

but will prove a great way of indulging your tendency to day dream about all the elements of your wedding gradually coming together!

Make the most of the wedding fayres you attend by ensuring you’ve a notepad to take down details of suppliers and make a note of prices, and a digital camera to capture images of products, favours and colours you like.

For additional events and up to date info, see www.ukbride.co.uk and click on ‘Fairs’.

7th April, 30th June, 8th Sept & 3rd Nov 2013: Burnham Beeches Hotel Visit us on one of our wedding fair dates throughout the year, and get to know more about our wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, our leisure facilities, bridal accomodation options and special wedding packages and rates. FREE entry.

Grove Road, Burnham, Buckinghamshire SL1 8DP Telephone: 0844 7368603 www.corushotels.com/burnham-beeches/

11th April & 18th July 2013: Northcote House, De Vere Venue Sunningdale Park Doors open 6.00pm – 9.00pm with music, bubbly and little Hot Roast. The team will show the venue and answer any questions. There will also be great deals for those who hold a date on the evening!

Larch Avenue, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 0QE Telephone: 01344 634510 www.deverevenues.co.uk/locations/sunningdale-park

Sunday 22nd September 2013: Oxford Town Hall Oxford Town Hall in partnership with Guides For Brides are set to host a fabulous wedding show this September.

Meet a wide range of exhibitors and experience Oxford Town Hall as an exquisite wedding venue.

St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1BX Telephone: 01865 252195 www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk

Sunday 22nd September 2013: The Bull Hotel Your exclusive event deserves exclusive surroundings. The Bull has a long and proud reputation as a wedding venue.

With dedicated wedding co-ordinators and event managers on hand, your special day can be tailored so it is truly unique.

Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7PA Telephone: 01753 885995 www.sarova.com

Sunday 22nd September 2013: Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa The Windsor & Eton Wedding Fair at The Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa. The perfect location in historic Royal Windsor overlooking The Thames. Open from 11.00 - 15.30. Organised by Dream Wedding Fairs.

Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1PX Telephone: 01753 442400 www.sarova.com

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Sunday 29th September 2013: Wicksteed Park With leading wedding specialists, covering all aspects of your wedding, this is the place to find almost EVERYTHING to help you plan your special day. View the Celebration Suite dressed for a wedding and meet the team from Wicksteed.

Barton Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN15 6NJ Telephone: 01536 512475 www.wicksteedpark.co.uk

Saturday 5th October 2013: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Come and visit our beautiful period venue. We will have a wide selection of exhibitors to help make your special day perfect. Opens at 2.00pm.

Quainton Station, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP22 4BY Telephone: 01296 655720 www.bucksrailcentre.org

Sunday 6th October 2013: Brampton Heath Golf Centre 11am until 3pm. All you need to plan your wedding under one roof. Unique and local exhibitors, from party favours to invitations to flowers and room decor! Free entry and parking.

Sandy Lane, Church Brampton, Northampton NN6 8AX Telephone: 01604 843939 www.bhgc.co.uk

Sunday 20th October 2013: Hall Place Hall Place provides the perfect setting for you to meet with over 25 local wedding companies on the same day.

Admission is free and enjoy a glass of bucksfizz on us!

BCA, Burchett's Green, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6QR Telephone: 01628 827470 www.hallplace.co.uk

Sunday 27th October 2013 & Sunday 30th March 2014: Phyllis Court Visit our wedding fair to see our ballroom dressed for the occasion. We look forward to welcoming you with a complimentary glass of bubbly. Free entry between 11am and 3pm.

Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 2HT Telephone: 01491 570500 www.phylliscourt.co.uk

Sunday 27th October 2013 & 19th January 2014: Macdonald Randolph Hotel Opening times: 11am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3pm. Free admission. Come and join us for Bucks Fizz and canapes and see our wedding set up. Catwalk shows at 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

Beaumont Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 2LN Telephone: 0844 879 9132 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/randolph

Sunday 27th October 2013 & 16th February 2014: Bearwood College Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re planning an intimate gathering or a larger celebration we can offer you a choice of five beautiful rooms in our magnificent Victorian Mansion overlooking our stunning lake. 11am-3.30pm.

Bearwood Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 5BG Telephone: 0118 974 8321 www.bearwoodcollege.co.uk

Sunday 24th November 2013: Pinewood Hotel #HollywoodGlitz is a fair with a difference. Expect Paparazzi/Burlesque/Vintage and Dancing.

A charitable interaction day meant to inspire your wedding day, with fun, samples and entertainment.

Wexham Park Lane, George Green, Slough, South Bucks, Berkshire SL3 6AP Telephone: 01753 896400 www.pinewoodhotel.co.uk

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Image: Morningwear Outfits from £69

by Greenwoods, www.gwmw.com.

Morning suit coats should be black in the morning and grey in the afternoon...

Don’t match your waistcoat, tie and handkerchief - choose a waistcoat then match your tie accordingly, and always leave the bottom button of your waistcoat undone...

Your buttonhole should usually be made of the same flowers as the bride’s bouquet...

Treat yourself to a professional hot towel shave and manicure on the day...

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THE MEN

FOR THE GROOM

Here Comes the Groom...

Whilst the blushing bride is the undoubted star of the day, we shouldn’t forget about her prince Charming, so here, we offer nervous grooms a word of encouragement and a few ideas of how to ensure the day goes without a hitch... n The Best Man: Choose your best man carefully! he should be responsible as well as a friend... and it’ll help enormously if your bride-to-be approves of your selection!

in agony on the day. Likewise don’t opt for groomswear that’s too tight as you’ll feel uncomfortable after a day posing for photographs, eating and drinking!

traditionally, his responsibilities include organising the stag do, or weekend, rounding up relatives for the photographer and being the custodian of your luggage before you leave for the honeymoon.

n The Speeches: if comedy doesn’t come naturally, don’t try to be funny; just be sincere. if you do want to introduce humour, remember the audience includes children and grandparents - there’s nothing more embarrassing than poorly judged humour that suffers a very public death.

his responsibilities also include escorting the chief bridesmaid after the wedding. n The Stag Do: typically this involved a pub crawl, and if this is the case, make sure it’s held well in advance of the wedding. excepting a groom’s tendency to fall victim to drunken pranks and accidents, it’s also a great shame to organise and pay for a wedding only to feel too ill, hungover and tired to enjoy it.

Consider weekend activities which include younger teenagers and older groomsmen alike; adventure weekends, paintballing, karting and so on.

if you’re nervous about the delivery, don’t read from a script; have a good idea what you want to say, then use cue cards rather than trying to read complete text. rehearse over and over until you’re completely familiar with your speech, and you can deliver it comfortably and confidently.

Make eye-contact with your audience and compliment the relevant people; your in-laws, the groomsmen, the bridal party and most of all your new wife. do use the phrase ‘my wife’ early on in the speech, as this will raise a cheer and make you feel more at ease.

n The Suits: don’t rush your suits; visit several local suppliers, not just one and view the whole range available to you.

n The One You Love: ironically, your wedding day is so busy you’ll spend very little time alone with your bride.

take inspiration from a colour swatch from the bridesmaids’ dresses supplied by your bride, and provide your groomswear supplier with this so they can match to it as closely as possible.

ask the chief bridesmaid to surprise your bride on the morning of your wedding with a token of your love - a piece of jewellery or perfume for example.

Buy your wedding shoes at least a month in advance and wear them in so you’re not

steal a few minutes away together to tell her you love her amid the excitement and constant stream of well-wishers.

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Left/Below: Images by Nigel Harper; 01296 747747.

Picture Perfect Weddings Here, we find out what makes a professional photographer different from a well-meaning relative and discover why employing a professional photographer will never prove a false economy...

p

hotography has changed dramatically with the advert of digital technology. For years, digital imaging had to ‘catch up’ with the quality and warmth of film. now, taking pictures is easier, with screens on cameras to preview exposures, no messy time consuming films to develop or film to buy. it’s quicker to design and print images on computers, easier to distributed pictures on Cd and via the internet.

Consequently there are more photographers than ever, but whilst the medium has become easier, the skill of manipulating light, using flash, posing people and dealing tactfully with brides on an emotional day remains just as challenging. that’s why photography is still a job for the professional, not for a well-meaning friend or relative. a professional photographer can work around overcast, rainy or exceptionally bright days. they can capture tricky shots like the first dance; moving subjects in a dark room, or take control of a group for formal shots. a professional photographer has plenty of kit, backup lenses, flashes and camera bodies… nothing is left to chance! a photography company with two or more photographers enables both the bride and groom to be photographed during the course of their preparations.

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professional photographers also create photobooks of their images or large mounted photographic prints, rather than prints created on domestic photo printers. having years of experience enables a professional photographer to deal tactfully and professionally with anxious brides, nervous grooms, and guests – a skill that the amateur photographer just doesn’t possess! as you’ll discover, your chosen photographer really does earn their fee!

Employing an enthusiastic amateur is a recipe for disaster! Get the pictures you deserve by hiring a professional!

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Find a professional photographer Need a helping hand to ďŹ nd a professional?

See the British Institute of Professional Photographers; www.bipp.com, the Master Photographersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association; www.thempa.com or Society of Wedding Photographers; www.swpp.co.uk. You can also find a photographer in your area at www.ukbride.co.uk.

Image by RP Photography by Design; 0118 9548143 www.rpphotographybydesign.co.uk

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TEN Questions For Your Photographer

Even the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top wedding photographers will readily admit that choosing the right photographer for your special day is a challenge. However, our ten questions will ensure you have the information you need to make an decision as to who should capture your day...

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CAPTURE THE DAY

1

Are you a pro...?

not all amateur photography is going to end in disaster, but the idea that one can attend a wedding as a guest and as the official photographer is unrealistic. those who market themselves as photographers but don’t work as full-time professional wedding photographers may not be able to dedicate sufficient time and energy to capturing your big day.

2

What’s your style?

3

Will I Be Retouched?

there is much talk of different styles of wedding photography the main two being traditional and reportage. traditional styles favour groups and romantic shots, reportage shots appear unposed and concentrate on a natural look that appears to be less intrusive. expect a professional photographer to perform post-processing on your images whether they’re shooting on film or digitally. some, however, limit this to tone and colour correction. ask if your chosen photographer will perform black and white conversions, sepia tints and other similar effects, colour popping, or blemish removal and how much time they will put into post-processing your images.

4

When can I see my photographs?

6

Can I have my images on CD/DVD?

Can you obtain low-quality or watermarked versions of your images to use on Facebook or ukbride or email to friends? these days, our lives are carried out digitally, and being able to use your pictures in digital photo frames, on social networking sites and being able to email them or print them out at home is essential.

7

What does my final album include?

packages vary enormously – how many prints and at which sizes are included in your photographer’s price? What will your album look like and how many images will feature?

Never entrust capturing your wedding to your well-meaning friend or relative - a professional photographer will do a much better job of capturing the most important day of your life...

8

Do you carry backup equipment?

Whether shooting on film or digitally, every photographer should have backup flashes, lenses and other equipment to carry on shooting in the event of faulty equipment.

some photographers turn around their images rapidly whilst others take several months – sometimes even longer, depending on the time of year and number of members of staff working to post-process and present your pictures, so ask for an eta on your images.

Make sure your photographer is insured against stolen equipment, lost or damaged films or memory cards or falling ill on the day of your wedding.

5

10

Do you work alone?

two or more photographers ensures the bride and groom can each be photographed getting ready, or that detail shots of your day can be captured whilst another photographer organises group photographs. the more photographers who attend your day, the more comprehensive your wedding images will be, particularly when your chosen photographers consist of both a male and female photographer.

9

Are you fully insured?

Will we get on?

getting along with your wedding photographer isn’t just a nicety. your photographer should make you feel comfortable for relaxed looking shots. on an already emotional day, it’s crucial that your photographer is sufficiently assertive to pose and offer instruction to the wedding party. it is sometimes a nice idea to arrange an ice-breaker engagement shoot for you and your intended before the big day so you get the hang of posing.

Image by Melbourne 01604 770608 www.melbournephotos.co.uk

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CAPTURE THE DAY

screen LEGEND Having your wedding filmed is the most perfect way of recording the amazing story of your day, and uniquely it gives you the opportunity of watching all the people you love really enjoying it with you.

o

f course the film will be a record of the key moments of your wedding, but it will be so much more than that – it will be a permanent record of those people you love, looking amazing and being so happy to be sharing your day with you.

and as time goes by, those couples who did decide to have their wedding filmed look upon it as not simply a record of the best day of their lives, but as an investment in their family’s heritage. some do’s and don’ts about choosing a wedding videographer: • ask friends and family who have had their wedding filmed if they would recommend the videographer they chose • Meet a few videographers and spend some time chatting with them – you need to feel comfortable that this individual will be sharing your day with you • ask to see an example or two of a full wedding they have filmed, don’t rely on a showreel.

“A wedding film is an investment in your family’s heritage.”

these people who mean so much to you both will never all be together again, and with a wedding film you will have beautiful, moving, speaking images of them having a fantastic time – images that you will be able to share with people who were unable to be there, or who haven’t yet been born!

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Couples who have had their weddings filmed are always surprised by how much more of the day they see in their film… so often the priceless parts that otherwise would have been lost forever.

• don’t decide purely on price choose a company whose filming and editing quality and style is something you will love showing to your friends and family – this is one of the few thing you are spending money on that you will have after the wedding – make sure you invest carefully.

For information see the Institute of Videographers’s www.iov.com and www.ukbride.co.uk.

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COLNSIDE EXECUTIVE CARS LTD In need of that special wedding car for your big day?

Turn your special day into a dream come true by choosing the luxurious splendor of a chauffeur driven S-class Mercedes Benz.

Why not have the perfect car for your wedding day and make it the icing on the cake by choosing us here at Colnside Executive Cars give us a call today.

01628 633443 OR 07831 128924 www.colnsideexecutive.co.uk • info@colnsideexecutiveuk.com

Save money and win loads of prizes...

All by becoming a UKbride Power User See page 70 to find out how

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Arriving in

Style...

a great wedding car shouldn’t just look good it should have easy access for your dress, your bridal party, and should look great in your photos. Why not make a statement when you arrive, in a fire engine, helicopter, or a stretched hummer? don’t forget the groom either; hire an aston Martin sports car so your groom can arrive at the church feeling like 007!

(PICTURED): n Pink Stretched Limo; www.homejamesweddingcars.com n Horse and Carriage; www.boswellromany-museum.com n 1920s saloon car; www.homejamesweddingcars.com n Beetle; www.beetledriveuk.com n Mercedes S-Class limo; www.homejamesweddingcars.com n Helicopter; www.risehelicopters.co.uk

For more local suppliers see www.ukbride.co.uk

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For brides on a budget or those seeking a smaller scale wedding with fewer frillsâ&#x20AC;Ś we provide some money saving tips to make sure it only rains pennies from heaven... now all thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left to worry about is the Great British weather!

Brides and BUDGETS

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SAVING MONEY

s

pend or save? there’s a multitude of ways in which you can trim the cost of your wedding, but some may prove false economy.

For example, the cost of wedding photography can vary from £200 to £2,000 and over, but the difference in the end result is marked. there’s a distinction to be made when planning your wedding between cost – what you pay for something – and value – whether something was worth the price you paid – and in the case of photography, a cheap photographer may show in terms of technical abilities and your final album. that’s not to say, however, that all aspects of your wedding will be the same. For instance, favours can be expensive, usually priced per head so that a £2.50 favour seems more affordable when, in fact, the reality is 150 guests necessitates a spend of £375. in this case, making cookies with your guests’ names iced on and a little ribbon may require a morning in the kitchen, but will result in a dramatically cheaper favour that’s also much more personal.

Your Reception the smaller your wedding the cheaper the venue may be – and the shorter your guest list will end up being too. use a smaller venue as an excuse to shed some guests, consider a ‘no children’ policy or apply a ‘time limit’ – if you’ve not seen distant relatives for, say, five years don’t bother inviting them. enquire about the time of year you choose to marry and the day – mid-week weddings are often cheaper, as are out of season weddings.

Your Dress Many brides choose to search e-Bay and other such auction sites for second-hand dresses. since wedding dresses are only worn once and can be dry-cleaned and altered to suit, you can shed hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds.

our search revealed over 25,000 dresses priced from just £100 for a brand new, made to measure gown… though some brides like to be able to try on their gown before they order. an alternative, if you’re a ‘standard’ size and shape is to try one of oxfam’s ten specialist wedding dress shops.

Flowers & Cake Many churches have volunteers who will happily create your flowers in return for a donation to the church – the best place to find information is to talk to your local vicar or scan the parish noticeboard.

The best way to ensure your budget doesn’ t go awry is to set a realistic budget for each element and stick to it, and don’ t be afraid to ‘ stick up for yourself’ when the family tries to impose their will on your wedding... equally, supermarkets such as Marks and spencer stock plain white iced fruitcakes which are considerably cheaper than employing the services of a cake artist. these can be ‘dressed up’ with embellishments of your choice.

Stationery & Favours personal computers can be used to create your chosen wedding stationery, orders of service and table plan. visit a stationery specialist and purchase a nice stock of paper, perhaps with a textured finish. depending on the style of your wedding, embellish with ribbon, photographs of yourselves or other decoration. your wedding day should be personal or special to you. Whilst there may be one or two areas in which you can cut back, there may be others that are too important to you to force a compromise. set your budget and don’t be afraid to negotiate on price. the frugal bride can shed £1,000s with a little initiative, a little chasing around and, above all, a good eye!

We love saving brides money... and so do the girls on our forum!

For money saving tips see www.ukbride.co.uk

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To become a Power User simply visit the website and click

Power Users Have 100 EXTRA CHANCES

TO WIN A £25K DREAM WEDDING... power users are given 100 extra chances to WIN A DREAM WEDDING up to the value of £25,000!

2012’s winners were Carly staggs and Mark Luker from surrey who were absolutely delighted to win — they married in autumn 2012.

Power User

THE CHANCES OF YOU WINNING OUR DREAM WEDDING ARE 100 TIMES BETTER AS A POWER USER! rhiannon & oliver simmons were our 2011 winners...

Power Users enjoy loads of FORUM GOODIES ukbride’s forum is a great place to find tips, advice and have fun — but power users benefit from an even better forum experience. as a power user you’ll have access to images and smilies, plus a ‘progress ticker’ to countdown to your day!

sean taylor and naomi jones won in 2010...

Become a Power User...

Find out how being a power user can help you plan your wedding...

ellie purnell from south yorkshire won bespoke wedding stationery in February. “i have never won anything... ever!

Just WOW!”

To become a Power User simply visit the website and click

Power User

As a Power User, you could

ENJOY THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME! paula neil from south Lanarkshire was delighted she became a ukbride power user — especially when, in March, she won a dream honeymoon to the grenadines. “i can’t thank the ukbride team enough!” she said.

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Grooms can also win FANTASTIC PRIZES...

POWER USERS

it’s not just brides-to-be who can win with UKbride. nottinghamshire bride sarah Collingham won his-and-hers designer skaagen watches with fiancé robert.

Power Users can SELL YOUR DRESS AFTER YOUR WEDDING Our Enhanced wedding planning tools, and exclusive features are only available to UKbride Power Users!

power users can advertise their wedding dress after their special day — free, to over 290,000 members!

SAVE UP TO 50% ON THEIR WEDDING

From photography to floristry, venue decoration to cakes and even designer jewellery... power users can save up to 50% with selected ukbride suppliers...

Monthly Opportunities to win POWER USERS HAVE EXCLUSIVE WEDDING PLANNING TOOLS...

Many of ukbride’s wedding planning tools are free to regular members — but power users can also use our Checklist tool which provides a really thorough system for planning your day.

Become a UKbride

POWER USER... it’s easy to become a ukbride power user — and costs just £20 for 12 months. simply visit the website and click Power User.

WEDDING PRIZES every month power users can win wedding related prizes — from wedding dresses to jewellery, from designer wedding shoes and venue decoration to honeymoons! hannah Woodley from hampshire won £1,000 towards a designer wedding dress in april.

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Keep the memories of your love alive, with a Free Engagement

Photoshoot Includes a Free Photo, No Catches and No Purchase Necessary...

UKbride is oďŹ&#x20AC;ering a free engagement photoshoot to each of its members, to say thanks for joining our site.

We have arranged for one of our 450 Wedding Photographers to host a FREE Engagement Photoshoot for you and your partner.

The Photoshoot can take up to two hours and will be taken by a professional local photographer...

to claim your free professional engagement shoot, simply join www.ukbride.co.uk for free, and follow our simple instructions... images: darren garwood, tim spiers and Lesley perrin.

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Left; a Bo-ho look for long hairwhich tousles down past a shoulder length veil.

Below; Worn up, this natural looking style can be beautifully accessorised with fascinators and hair slides.

5

Wedding

HAIR

ideas

stylist Michelle hood presents ideas for blushing brides...

For those brides who just can’t decide on up or down, to the side or central why not try the half up half down. there are endless options; loose tousled waves, curls, twists, plaits or just keep it simple with a little height on the crown and softly pinned off the face to create a sophisticated natural look for your big day. don’t forget your veil or hair accessory when consulting with your stylist. the stylist has to take into account where the accessory will be placed when creating your style. remember it’s your wedding day, be organised and book your appointments in advance. don’t be afraid to try something different, most brides try on more than one wedding dress so why not try a variety of hair styles until you find the perfect look for your perfect wedding day.

Most brides opt for one or several hair trials with a stylist before their big day. don’t be afraid to take pictures and mood boards with you to your hair trial.

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Left; a formal ‘grace kelly’ style with perfectly placed tiara creates a real sense of elegance.

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HAIR IDEAS Main; Floral decoration and pearls look great against the drama of a cathedral length train - this look will be popular for 2013 and 2014â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vintage-style weddings.

Inset; short styles can still look glamorous, especially when embellished with lace and a hair band creating a layered look. ivory and white work brilliantly against darker hair shades.

Michelle began hairdressing in London in 2005. She has been at the Nicky Clarke salon for a number of years and specialises in bridal consultations.

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The A-Z of

WEDDINGS

C

From the moment he pops the question to the first glass of champagne on your honeymoon... we this month present an a-Z of weddings with tips, suggestions and moral support!

a

is for AttENDANtS

Make sure your day runs smoothly, by choosing carefully those you want to support you on the most important day of your life. the Chief Bridesmaid’s responsibility is to organise the hen night, help a bride with dressing and ensure her dress looks perfect on the day, and to witness the signing of the marriage register.

Flower girls, meanwhile have it a little easier — though their responsibility was traditionally to scatter flower petals before the bride walks down the aisle; a pagan legacy celebrating the bride-to-be’s virtue.

is for Cupcake

B is for Bouquets

once you have chosen your wedding theme or colour scheme, you can choose from a range of gorgeously designed flower displays, and most importantly your bouquet.

Floral designers, such as elizabeth inc, will help to set your perfect wedding scene.

Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes.

But especially popular now are towers of wedding cupcakes, beautifully decorated on massive tiers... they’re great for children!

D

is for Designer Wedding dress designers tend to update their collection once or

twice a year - when they do, their existing collections may still be

available in some bridal boutiques, However, if you’ve a favourite

dress designer, keep checking

their websites and UKbride.co.uk

for updated wedding dress designs.

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E is for ENtErtAINmENt A disco is a great staple of a relaxed reception — but consider a rat-pack tribute artist for live entertainment that will appeal to all ages, and table magician.

is for FLoWErS source a professional florist with years of experience for your floral designs — in addition to your bouquet, consider stands with displays in church, table decorations and matching buttonholes. in church, your flowers will have most impact on the ceremony table, the font, the lecturn and the pulpit. see www.flowersandplants.org.uk for ideas and lists of suitable wedding flowers by colour, budget and season.

H is for

G is for

GroomSmEN options for the groomsmen include a morning suit — a one-buttoned tailcoat, ideally of pure wool and with dark grey pinstripe trousers — or a less formal suit with waistcoat. the latter is a great way to carry through the bride’s chosen colour theme, so ensure you can take a fabric swatch along to your fitting.

For thoroughly modern grooms, you could also opt to avoid hiring your suits and instead treat yourself to a bespoke suit from an independent tailor, retaining it for the future.

Help

hotels make planning your wedding a cinch — with the all important civil license, reception venue with catering and dedicated wedding planners to help you out.

I is for INvItAtIoNS opt for a professional wedding stationery designer who can create save the date cards, invites, table plans and thank-you notelets all in the same style using your chosen theme and colour.

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j

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is for Joy your wedding day will go by extremely fast, almost without you knowing. Make sure you capture each and every moment with photos and videos. place disposable cameras on the tables and see everyone enjoying themselves, but make sure you have a professional to capture the moments you don’t want to miss. don’t scrimp on a videographer — they don’t serve as a replacement for your photographer, but in addition to one, capturing funny soundbites and the character of your day.

N BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS: With dresses from Mori Lee Angelina Faccenda collection.

is for

Night Time

K is for Killer Heels

Fireworks, marquee linings with sparkling lights, candles, disco lighting, sparklers and Chinese lanterns are all ways of create an ambience when your reception continues into the small hours...

every woman loves a great pair of shoes.

From the most lavish, expensive and elaborately designed to the traditional, and comfortable. you can have it all. shop about to find the right ones to match your dress... but whilst your at it, why not treat yourself to a pair for in the evening too. independent bridalwear retailers can dye shoes to suit your bridesmaids’ highlight colour, with many stocking rainbow and paradox.

L is for Luxury incorporate into your budget a little luxury for your guests. Champagne for your guests after your ceremony, just before your wedding breakfast accompanied by pimms, champagne or mulled wine in the winter will enable guests to mingle and will provide your photographer with the chance to take your formal photographs.

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m is for marquee ideal for if you have lots of guests, or if you want something a little different. opt for a supplier who can source outside catering, furniture, a lining, heating and convenience hire.

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P

is for outfits

Most brides know when they see ‘their’ dress - ‘the one.’ however, most report that their chosen dress was completely different to the style they thought they’d opt for. after this, have a rough idea of your preferred

theme or highlight colour and take your bridesmaids to choose their outfits then give the groomsmen a sample of the fabrics to ensure they can choose their outfits to complement the bridal party.

is for Planners

S

Even if you don’t want to delegate your entire wedding planning,

employing a professional wedding planner can afford you just a little

extra help or advice with out them

Q is for QUAINt opt for a historic hotel or stately home for your wedding and you’ll be assured of a beautiful backdrop for your photographs.

is for Rings When buying an engagement ring, the traditional figure presented to a groom is that two to three months worth of salary should be spent. in reality, grooms spend what they can afford — usually between £1,500 and £2,500. around 76% of all engagement rings sold are classic diamond solitaires, and budgets permit different variations of characteristics of cut, clarity, caret weight and colour, so a little research in this respect before shopping is prudent.

Modern wedding bands are usually of simpler design, created in titanium, platinum or gold, with white gold the most popular.

is for Spas

a visit to a day spa is a great way to extend your hen night — especially for older members of the hen party who may not enjoy a loud night out.

Local spa’s all offer excellent packages and treatments for wedding and hen parties, with the added benefit that you’ll look great and feel refreshed on your special day.

‘taking over’ your day.

Help with everything from a

romantic proposal, a venue search to producing a detailed itinerary

and timeline is money well-spent to ensure your day goes smoothly.

UKbride.co.uk will also provide

loads of help free of charge with free wedding planning tools like free table planner software.

t is for tiara

a bespoke tiara is the perfect finishing touch for your outfit and a great way to keep rogue tendrils of hair in check. opt for a taller tiara to elongate the face if you have a round face, a headband or very short tiara if your face is longer, and any style of tiara if you’ve a more oval-shaped face. avoid cheap diamanté tiaras in favour of crystal or pearl designs.

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U

is for UKbride ukbride is a wedding planning website that takes social networking tools and wedding planning tools to put you in touch with other brides-to-be planning their wedding.

v visit the site (www.ukbride.co.uk) for all the help you need, plus the chance to win a wedding up to the value of £25,000.

is for veils

if your wedding dress supplier and veil are different take a fabric swatch along.

What you will or won't wear in your hair is as important as veil length. your options range from dramatic pieces such as sparkly tiaras and crowns to jewel-encrusted barrettes, combs, and pins. ask for your wedding veil to be made with a detachable long tier so that you can keep a shorter veil on at your reception.

y is for you! your wedding should be the ultimate expression of you — your love for one another and your life together.

Make it personal, no matter what your theme and have fun personalising your special day.

W is for Weather Always have a ‘plan B’ in mind in case the weather turns — personalised wedding umbrellas for your guests, for example; see www.pure-treats.com.

is for

Zoom Lens Wedding photography has changed dramatically since the advent of digital technology. however, whilst it’s possible to pay just a few hundred pounds for your photography, it’s worth paying more for a real expert.

X is for Xmas Weddings are most popular during the summer, but you should at least consider an out-of-season wedding. not only are the savings considerable, but a stark landscape, snowy wedding and red berry colour scheme can all make a winter wedding the perfect Christmas present.

avoid offers of having your photographs on a disc on the day — this means no post-production will have been undertaken. a professional photographer will cost between £1,500 and £2,500 but the difference in the quality of your photographs — which will last for the whole duration of your marriage — makes employing a cheap photographer a real false economy.

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FLOWERS

5 ideas For using

FLOWERS at your reCeption

By being a little more creative your flowers can be an integral part of your wedding theme... here are our top tips and ideas...

n Think Seasonally: spring flowers include tulips, lilies, peonies, amaryllis and anemone. summer blooms you should consider include lilies, carnations, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, lavender and roses. in autumn, think delphinium, hydrangea, and gerbera, whilst Winter flowers include snowdrop, hyacinth, lisianthus, lilacs and irises. n Work with Mother Nature: if you’re planning to marry in a hot, humid summer, avoid lily of the valley and tulips in favour of flowers that are less prone to wilting, like hydrangeas, dahlias zinnias. n Be Creative: Bouquets are beautiful and these can be hand-tied, tightly for a contemporary look or designed as trailing bouquets tied with raffia for a looser, vintage look. n Cut your Costs: only work with native, current flowers as this will be cheaper than trying to import something out of season.

Combine expensive ‘feature’ flowers with cheaper filler flowers and bushy foliage like ivy, fern and gyp.

Above; Buttonhole by emma Lynch, Love Lily.

Left; hand-tied rose and freesia bouquet by sally johnson, serendipity Floral designs.

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Main; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Blingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; table arrangements courtesy of the Flowers and Plants Association.

Below; Hyacinths and bouvardia displayed with sweet treats are perfect for a country garden wedding.

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CAKES

have your

1Stop Cake Shop

Cake and eat it!

delicious designs that will look as good as they taste and top tips for choosing your cake... n Cake Ideas: in addition to traditional tiered cakes, consider pyramids of cupcakes, ruffles of chocolate, cheesecake and even savoury cakes of cheese or pork pie. n What’s your Flavour? Most brides opt for fruit or vanilla tiers, but chocolate, lemon, coffee or carrot cake flavours are also popular. n Location Location Location: plan a cake which is suitable for your venue; if you are hiring a marquee you need to be sure the floor will be stable and firm for a cake on pillars, whilst a chocolate cake in a marquee on a hot summer’s day will soon look poor.

Check out the cake’s background too; fire extinguishers, radiators and bars do not make good backdrops in photos. n Budgeting: three tiers will serve 50-200 guests, five layers will serve 200 guests; budget between £200 and £500. to save money, ask about ‘cutting cakes’ - a second, plainer square cake for eating, to enable you to have a smaller ‘best’ cake.

For more local suppliers see www.ukbride.co.uk.

Aunt Julie’s Bakery

Sophisticake

Choccy Woccy Doodah

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Angel Cakes

Sugar Design

Celebration Cakes by Carol

Kerricraft Cakes

Sugar Flowers

Let It Be Cake

Sweetness & Delight

Sueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cakes

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A Symbol of Unending

LOVE

With this ring, I thee wed; your wedding band is a symbol of your unending love - rings are exchanged and are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand as the Romans believed this contained the vena amoris, the vein of love...

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THE RING

y

our wedding ring is not a benign object, but a symbol of your love for one another, a continuous band to represent an unending love. only since the second World War have men accepted a wedding ring in return, but now ‘his and hers’ bands are common.

Wedding bands tend to be plainer, especially for men, with bevelled edges preferred and men’s bands generally wider than womens - around 6mm for men and 3mm for women, with a typical budget of around £500.

Conventionally, wedding bands are created in white or yellow gold or platinum, though more contemporary materials such as titanium are available. typically silver is avoided as it tarnishes over time and doesn’t have the longevity necessary in a ring you’ll be wearing for decades to come.

Women’s wedding bands embellished with diamonds can be popular, but men typically have the choice of matt, brushed or polished finishes but usually opt for a more low-key look.

Women’ s wedding bands embellished with diamonds can be popular, but men typically opt for a more low-key look remain realistic about your lifestyle, opting for harder-wearing materials and simpler design if you work in a manual job, where you’re likely to subject it to rough treatment. as a last resort, some brides and grooms even opt to put their ring onto a chain and wear it around their neck. Meanwhile, those in civil partnerships opt to put their rings on their left hands - though this act is so recent that a firm precedent hasn’t been established.

as with any wedding element, shop around and view as many examples as possible, opting for a design that reflects you, personally. ensure you have your ring finger professionally measured rather than guessing sizes, and allow a little movement if you’re likely to remove it often. engraving is a popular, low-cost way to personalise your rings, with messages typically engraved on the inside of the ring for around £20.

For a completely bespoke ring, enlisting a bespoke designer is a more expensive but luxurious option, whilst travelling ring suppliers can visit you in your own home. typically these will visit you in your home in the evening or at weekends, making life much easier, and can show you a couple of hundred samples before you choose your width, material, finish, embellishment and engraving, before they are delivered a month or so later. Without the overheads of a chain of stores these can often work out surprisingly cost effective. a family jeweller will offer a great service and can usually show you any stones, allowing you to pick the one you’d like to embed in your chosen band. diamonds are the most common option, in which case it’s wise to ‘gem’ up on the four C’s - colour, clarity, cut and carat - which would be familiar from your engagement ring shopping.

Finally, consider a wedding ring that fits round or ‘halos’ your engagement ring - these are a modern design statement and look really great.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Main; a wedding disco will allow you to perform your first dance to your special song.

Inset; a piper is a great way to acknowledge scottish roots.

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Right; even if you’re not a classical music buff, a string quartet is a superb way to add class to your reception and cover up the clatter of cutlery during your wedding breakfast.

Below; a bouncy castle will provide great photos and fun for the kids. image; www.gaspphotography.

Let’s have

FUN Right; Whoever said fireworks were only for the outdoors?

Make your cakecutting go with a bang!

Weddings are a celebration, so introduce as much fun and as many surprises as possible into your reception...

Music; a wedding dj is a staple but consider classical music during your wedding breakfast too. alternatively, tribute bands performing as, for instance, the Beatles or aBBa will appeal to all generations.

Fireworks; outdoor - and indoor fireworks make a great photograph and will elicit lots of impressed oohs and ahhs from your guests.

First Dance; Consider dance lessons to surprise your guests when it comes to your first dance.

Children; Bouncy castles, giant outdoor games, and face painters all keep children entertained and help parents to relax.

Something Different; What about a mini casino, a table magician or perhaps celebrity lookalikes and circus performers? think outside the box and you’ll find something quirky to make your wedding stand out!

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Five Simple Tips

Keeping Kids Busy Whilst the parents are celebrating your big day, keeping children occupied will ensure your wedding and reception are a little calmer! n Wedding ‘goody bags’ with colouring books and crayons during the wedding breakfast will keep children quiet. n In your reception venue, you could set up an area with a Nintendo Wii or Playstation to keep children occupied? n Consider large outside games like Jenga or Connect Four which children can play on the lawn. These can be hired from www.funtasiaentertainment.co.uk. n You can create your own staffed creche for children or hire Busy Buzz - a double-decker playbus which includes a children’s party buffet for up to 15 children for £300; see www.busybuzz.co.uk for more information. n A bouncy castle will keep kids busy and is great for photos.

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£ MaLdives

£ vatiCan City, roMe

the Best Luxury

honeyMoons you Can enjoy your dreaM destination anyWhere in the WorLd, Without it Costing the earth. here, We ask traveL Writer enWen gardner to reCoMMend her Favourite honeyMoon destinations that WiLL heLp you start your Married LiFe in styLe...!

£ roMe

£ st tropeZ

£ BarBados

Rome, Italy from £1,238 per person, 5 star accommodation:

St Tropez from £5,511 per person, five star accommodation:

Barbados from £3,723 per person, four star accommodation:

When in rome... 13 nights in a double room at the five star st george roma hotel st george roma. the st george roma hotel is located in the historical centre of rome, within walking distance from piazza navona, Castel saint angelo, Campo de' Fiori, trastevere and the vatican City. guests of the saint george roma can also revitalise in the saint george spa and enjoy rooftop views from the terrace roof top Bar.

get a taste of the good life with a luxurious honeymoon in the glamorous playboys’ paradise of st tropez... 13 nights in a superior double room with garden view at the five-star althoff hotel villa Belrose, a luxury hotel situated near the beach in gassin. the region’s most iconic sights – include the Formula one grand prix circuit in Monte Carlo, antibes and Cannes for a glimpse at the lives of the rich and famous.

Beautiful white sandy beaches and azure blue seas... Barbados is the home from home of so many famous stars of film, tv and sport. it’s is a newlywed’s picture perfect paradise!

13 nights in a deluxe room at the four star Fairmont royal pavilion hotel with an ocean-front deluxe room and return flights. Located on the West Coast beach, a mile from holetown and eight miles from the Barbados Wildlife reserve.

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£ seyCheLLes

Getting Away from it all! £ thaiLand

£ napa vaLLey

£ greeCe

Phuket, Thailand from £1,450 per person, five star accommodation:

Napa Valley from £2,266 per person, includes four star accommodation:

Santorini, Greece from £3,090 per person, five star accommodation:

13 nights in a deluxe room at the five star Le Meridien khao Lak Beach & spa resort. Located on pakwib beach, adjacent to Bangsak beach and thubtawan beach.

13 nights in a standard king room at the four star Meritage resort & spa. the spa is set against the hillside of the famous grapecrusher statue and the perfect southern napa setting to visit both napa valley and sonoma.

13 nights in a deluxe room at the five star andronis Luxury suites in a premier suite. area attractions also include archaeological Museum and Museum of prehistoric thira.

these three beaches form a 13 km long stretch beach in kuk kak, which is 12 km from khao Lak town.

£ kenya Kenya from £6,386 per person, includes five star accommodation: 13 nights in a deluxe tent at the 5 star Mara explorer Camp with a deluxe tent, on its own private peninsula with the talek meandering around it.

Camp is for those who want to explore the wild tapestry of the Mara, surrounded by the finest of africa style.

£ seyCheLLes Seychelles from £2,167 per person, five star accommodation: 13 nights in a hill view room at the 5-star kempinski resort in which guestrooms open onto balconies or terraces and have a split-level design with separate sitting areas. surrounded by tropical and landscape, you can enjoy a full day cruise, with a morning cruise to praslin's paradise, then soak up the tranquil atmosphere of La digue.

£ MaLdives Maldives from £1,310 per person, four star accommodation: 13 nights in a Club room at the 4-star gangehi island resort hotel. price includes all meals, a club room for two and return flights. gangehi island resort hotel is an elegant island retreat - wake up to the ocean at your door at this hotel, which is located by the sea and set on its own private white sand beach.

For reservations, visit www.expedia.co.uk or call 0800 783 2384.

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Love and

Marriage The organised bride makes her life easy and her budgeting less stressful - here we look at what to book, and when, to make your life a great deal easier...

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COUNTDOWN

12-18 Months: Even a year and a half in advance of your wedding day, planning is essential.

Make the fundamental decisions about the type of wedding you want by booking your church, and your hotel or marquee... you can then ask your reception venue about any additional services you’ll need e.g. catering, tables and chairs etc., and have ‘rough date’ in mind.

At this stage, set your budget too - the average cost of a wedding is £16,000 so this will allow you to save up and plan your ‘cash flow.’

Once you’ve liaised with your church and reception venue, ‘firm up’ your date as soon as possible.

For most brides, shopping for a wedding dress is a pleasure rather than a chore, and the chances are you’ve already chosen the dress of your dreams.

If not, now’s the time for find one you love, order it and attend at least two fittings in the run up to your wedding.

3-6 Months: This is the very latest stage that you can order your wedding cake some suppliers need even more notice to create your wedding cake.

By arranging each of the elements of your wedding at the correct time you’ll avoid disappointment and find it easier to budget

At this stage, you can also choose your attendants - the friends who will be honoured and prepared to put in the time and effort to help you plan your wedding!

Booking your honeymoon at this stage will leave you with a greater degree of choice rather than relying on availability closer to the event.

At this stage, you can also draft your guest list, which will help you to plan your wedding in terms of numbers and budget.

Finally, organise your reception entertainment now, as popular performers can be booked-up 18 months beforehand.

6-12 Months: By now you’ll have some fairly good ideas how you’d like your big day to be... now’s the time to confirm your guest list and check numbers with the venue and caterers, and organise your transport.

At this stage, you should also choose and pay for your wedding bands, commissioning any engraving or alterations you’d like to be completed.

Most photographers and videographers should be booked a year in advance; ask to see a portfolio of potential suppliers’ work to help you choose a photographer whose style fits what you are looking for.

You should also organise bridal bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, buttonholes, venue decorations and the table centrepieces now, having had a meeting with your chosen florist.

1-2 Months: Now’s the time to organise your hen and stag nights and so apply for your Civil Application or have your Banns read. You’ll also need to attend a wedding rehearsal.

At this stage you should also organise a final fitting for your bridal party and the groom’s attendants to give time for any last minute alterations.

1 Week to Go: Make sure you have all of the elements you’ll need for your honeymoon organised, and wear your wedding shoes in around the house to avoid being in pain on your big day!

Your Wedding Day: Awake refreshed, relaxed... and hangover-free!

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast even if you don’t feel like eating, and leave yourself plenty of time to get ready. With so many family and friends, it’s difficult to find the time to spend with your new husband.

Try to spend at least some time together enjoying each other’s company and celebrating your wedding together, as well as with friends and family.

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Bridalwear Oak Tree Brides 80 Cirrus drive, shinfield, reading, Berkshire rg2 9FL 07538 498380, www.oaktreebrides.co.uk White Knight 72 george street, Caversham, reading, Berkshire rg4 8dW 01483 762567 www.white-knight.co.uk The Bridal Box 198 Banbury road, summertown, oxford, oxfordshire ox2 7By 01865 559272 www.thebridalbox-oxford.co.uk The Bridelicious Boutique 19 st Marys street, Wallingford, oxfordshire ox10 0eW 01491 826699 www.brideliciousboutique.co.uk

Flowers Ruth's Floral Design Studio stratford road, Wolverton, Milton keynes, Buckinghamshire Mk12 5rL 08002 985934 www.ruthsfloraldesign.co.uk

Jewellery Absolutely Crackers the new Barn, Furzenfield Farm, Milton keynes, Buckinghamshire Mk17 0eZ 07809 503923 www.absolutelycrackers.com

Michael Jones Jeweller 1 gold street, northampton, oxfordshire nn1 1sa 01604 632548 www.michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk

Mother Of The Bride Moiras Reflections 32 and 36a evington road, Leicester, Leicestershire Le2 1hg 0116 254 8108 www.moirasreflections.co.uk

Photography C & S Photography 36, york road, northampton, northamptonshire nn1 5Qh 01604 465483 www.cs-photo.co.uk Melbourne Photography 43 guilsborough road, ravensthorpe, northampton, northamptonshire, nn6 8eW, 01604 770608, www.melbournephoto.co.uk Neil Hanson Photography 2 Mount skippett, ramsden, Chipping norton, oxfordshire, ox7 3ap 01993 868264 www.nordicpics.co.uk Nigel Harper Photography the new Barn, eythrope road, stone, aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, hp17 8ph 01296 747747 www.nigelharper.com

Perfect Day Wedding Photography 13 Cromwell drive, didcot, oxfordshire ox11 9rB 01235 510566 www.perfectdayphoto.com PhotoPro Photography 4 denham Way, denham village, Buckinghamshire uB9 5ax 01895 833343 www.photoprophotography.co.uk

Stationery & Favours All Dressed Up 4 the green, high street, Chalfont st giles, Buckinghamshire hp8 4QF 01494 874364 www.all-dressed-up.co.uk Favours From Us 15 dukes ride, silchester, reading, Berkshire rg7 2px 0118 9700642 www.favoursfromus.co.uk On Cloud Nine 73 saffron Crescent, Carterton, oxfordshire ox18 1Lp 07967 005085 www.oncloudnine.org.uk

Transport Brides Travel 24 hanney road, steventon, abington, oxfordshire ox13 6aL 01235 831251 www.bridestravel.co.uk

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The Directory

Colnside Executive Car 34 aysgarth park, Maidenhead, Berkshire sL6 2hg 01628 633443 www.colnsideexecutiveuk.com Haydn Webb Carriages Lambs Farm, swallowfield, reading, Berkshire rg7 1pQ 0118 9883334 www.hwcarriages.co.uk

Venues & Marquees Barcelo Daventry Hotel sedgemoor Way, daventry, northampton, northamptonshire nn11 0sg 01327 307000 www.barcelo-hotels.co.uk/hotels/ central-england Bearwood College Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire rg41 5Bg 01189 748300 www.bearwoodcollege.co.uk

Brampton Heath Golf Centre sandy Lane, Church Brampton, northampton, northamptonshire nn6 8ax 01604 843939 www.bhgc.co.uk Britwell House Britwell salome, oxon, oxfordshire ox49 5Lj 01491 612615 www.britwellhouse.co.uk Buckinghamshire Railway Centre station road, Quainton, Buckinghamshire hp22 4By 01296 655720 www.bucksrailcentre.org Burnham Beeches Hotel grove road, Burnham, Berkshire sL1 8dp 08447 368649 www.corushotels.com Cotswold Lodge Hotel 66a Banbury road, oxford, oxfordshire ox2 6jp 01865 512121 www.cotswoldlodgehotel.co.uk

Hall Place B .C. a, Burchetts green, Maidenhead, Berkshire sL6 6Qr 01628 827470 www.hallplace.co.uk Lamport Wedding Outlet the Barn, Lamport, Lamport Manor, northamptonshire nn6 9hF 07718 153404 www.lamportweddingoutlet.co.uk Macdonald Berystede Hotel Bagshot road, ascot, Berkshire sL5 9jh 08448 799104 www.macdonald-hotels.co.uk Mercure Elcot Park elcot, newbury, Berkshire rg20 8nj 01488 658100 fm.mercurenewburyelcotpark@ jupiterhotels.co.uk Mill Hall pigeons Farm road, greenham, thatcham, Berkshire rg19 8xa 01635 244233 www.maryhare.org.uk

Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre Marlow road, Bisham, nr Marlow, Buckinghamshire sL7 1rr 01628 476911 www.bishamabbeynsc.co.uk

Court Garden House pound lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire sL7 2ae 01628 405 205 www.courtgardenhouse.co.uk

Northcote House de vere sunningdale park, Larch avenue, ascot, Berkshire sL5 0Qe 01344 634155 www.deverevenues.co.uk

Bracknell Leisure Centre Bagshot road, Bracknell, Berkshire rg12 9se 01344 861717 www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Donnington Grove Country Club grove road, newbury, Berkshire rg14 2La 01635 581000 www.donnington-grove.com

Oxford Town Hall st. aldates, oxford, oxfordshire ox1 1Bx 01865 252195 www.oxford.gov.uk

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The Directory

Phyllis Court Marlow road, henley on thames, oxfordshire rg9 2ht 01491 570500 www.phylliscourt.co.uk

The Manor Hotel datchet, Windsor sL3 9ea 01753 543442 www.themanorwindsor.com

Pinewood Hotel Wrexham park Lane, george green, Buckinghamshire sL3 6ap 01753 896400 www.pinewoodhotel.co.uk

The Oxford Belfry Milton Common, Wallingford, oxfordshire ox9 2jW 01844 279381 www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels/ the-oxford-belfry.aspx

Rent A Tent Marquee's archway Cottage, hyde road, denchworth, Wantage, oxfordshire ox12 0dx 01235 868667 www.rentatentmarquees.co.uk

The Randolph Hotel Beaumont street, oxford, oxfordshire ox1 2Ln 0844 879 9132 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/randolph

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa thames street, Windsor, Berkshire sL4 1px 01753 442400 www.sarova.com Sulgrave Manor Manor road, sulgrave, Banbury, oxfordshire ox17 2sd 01295 760205 www.sulgravemanor.org.uk

The Red Lion Hotel henley-on-thames rg9 2ar 01491 572161 www.redlionhenley.co.uk The Tythe Barn Manor Farm, Launton, Bicester, oxfordshire ox26 5dp 01869 321442 www.thetythebarn.co.uk

Tops Marquees 25 gloucester road, Maidenhead, Berkshire sL6 7sn 01628 773566 www.topsmarquees.co.uk

The Westwood Hotel hinksey, hill top, nr. Boars hill, oxford, oxfordshire ox1 5Bg 01865 735408 www.westwoodhotel.co.uk

The Bull oxford road, Buckinghamshire sL9 7pa 01753 885995 www.sarova.com

Upper Reaches Hotel thames street, abingdon, oxfordshire ox14 3ja 01235 522536 www.upperreaches-abingdon.co.uk

Wicksteed Park Pavilion Wicksteed park pavillion, Barton road, kettering, northamptonshire nn15 6nj 01536 512475 www.wicksteedpavilion.co.uk Wycombe Swan st Mary street, high Wycombe, Buckinghamshire hp11 2xe 01494 552885 www.wycombeswan.co.uk

Venue Decoration AC Disco Light and PA Hire 13 Leyshon road, Wheatley, oxfordshire ox33 1xF 01865 875519 www.acdisco.com Dave Seamer Disco 46 Magdalen road, oxford, oxfordshire ox4 1rB 01865 240054 www.daveseamer.co.uk Harlequin Fireworks sunnyhill, stylecroft road, Chalfont st giles, Buckinghamshire hp8 4hy 01494 872683 www.harlequinfireworks.co.uk

Videography Posterity Video Productions 46 Western avenue, Woodley, reading, Berkshire rg5 3Bh 01189 618624 www.posterityvideo.com

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