New industrial chic venue
The function room at Holmes Mill has been transformed into a fabulous wedding venue. Our magnificent Grade II listed building offers a relaxed and individual setting for your special day. Call today for your personal show around on 01200 401035.
Holmes Mill, Greenacre Street, Clitheroe, BB7 1EB www.holmesmill.co.uk | enquiries@holmesmill.co.uk
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Welcome to the 2017/18 edition of “Your Wedding Day in Lancashire”.
f you have started planning a wedding, you already know how hard it is to find inspiration and then make right choices, so we decided to create this magazine to give you a helping hand!
We aim to supply you with advice and guidance on making the right decisions for your perfect day. Inside this issue, you will find information on experiences, dresses, venues, florists, jewellers, travel arrangements, catering, entertainment and more. Hopefully you will find this publication useful and it will help you have a smooth and relaxed wedding day.
Contents 4 Preparing For Your Wedding 8 Nick English Photography 10 Wedding Day Themes 16 Keeping Your Guests Entertained 22 Personalise Your Wedding 26 Stress Free Ideas 32 Selecting Flowers 34 Plan Your Stag 40 Catherine & Matthew’s Dream Day 46 Going For Gold 50 Reasons to hire a Wedding Planner 54 Remembering Loved Ones
This publication is produced by The Samuel James Group Ltd, Suite 2, 290 Blackpool Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 3AE. Reproduction of the contents of this magazine in any form is not permitted, without the permission of the publisher. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors and/or omissions in advertisements, venue information, photographs or illustrations. The opinions and advice in this magazine do not necessarily express the view of the company. Front page photo provided by: Nick English T: 07590 045 043 nickenglishphotography.com
Editorial: Andy Mann - 01772 364152 andy@thesamueljamesgroup.com Advertising: Maria Pierce - 07825 884106 maria@thesamueljamesgroup.com PR & Marketing: Katie Hall - 01772 364150 katie@thesamueljamesgroup.com
Published by The Samuel James Group
Design: Stuart Box - 01772 364150 stuart.box@thesamueljamesgroup.com
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Preparing for your
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he countdown begins! Every wedding event is different and consequently checklists will differ, so please take what you need from the schedule below and adjust accordingly. This schedule is intended to get you thinking about the core activities, but it may not cover everything. Always ask plenty of people for their advice and tips just to ensure you have thought of everything! 12 to 18 Months Beware time flies • Sit down and discuss the dream day you both would like • Decide on the kind of ceremony you would like - church, registry office etc. • Is it an all-day event or just part of a day? • Do you need a separate evening event? • Decide on themed colours (this will help later) • Decide an estimated budget 12 to 14 Months The real work starts! • Take insurance out (better safe than sorry) • Choose ceremony order, invitations and envelopes • Register your intent to marry with local Registry Office and agree a date • Write a guest list for approximate 4
numbers (covering day and/or night attendees) • Consider your dream venue, make a list of the ones you want to visit • Visit lots of Wedding Fayres to help you decide your needs (must haves versus desirables) • Fill in your quotes versus budgets spreadsheet • Choose a photographer and/ or video producer (good ones, you will need to book well in advance) • Check your wedding venue allows photography and filming before booking • Start looking at dresses, try on loads! • Book your venue! • Send a “save the date” card to your guests Nine Months Time to get really serious! • Review and update your budget/ quote spreadsheet • Re-visit the Wedding Fayres for new ideas (as many as possible) • Book your florist • Order the cake (Don’t forget to sample and taste) • Write wedding gift list • Send out day guests and evening guests invites • Get your hair and makeup trials arranged • Order that dress! • Sort out your honeymoon (check you have valid passports)
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Dream Wedding... Eight Months Don’t panic, plenty of time! • Book the wedding cars • Choose the bridesmaids’ dresses • Choose groom’s attire • Book your honeymoon • Book your entertainment e.g. DJ, magician, singer etc. • Book venue dresser, after having arranged some viewings
Two Months We are nearly there! • Discuss the duties of bridesmaids and best man • Write your schedule of the day in chronological order • Speak to your wedding co-ordinator at the venue, confirm everything is arranged
Seven Months Still plenty to do! • Arrange first dress fitting • Purchase your wedding rings • Devise a seating plan • Choose your menu • Choose your wedding songs • If required, arrange dance lessons for your first dance (have a bit of fun and relax)
One Month Tension starts to build • Final dress fitting • Enjoy stag and hen party • Final hair & makeup trial • Final suit fittings • Decide on what you are going to do the night before, where and with whom • Relax – hopefully everything has been thought of and ordered
Four Months Not long now! • Start planning (if not already started) your Stag and Hen parties • Develop a rapport with your photographer since they will be with you all day • Keep in contact with all your suppliers – meet them again if necessary • Finalise your menu (after a free tasting) • Buy going away and honeymoon clothes • Groom and best man to draft their speeches
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On the Day It’s finally here! • Groom and best man to get ready well in advance • Bride is up at 3am (nervous are ya!) • Hair and makeup artists arrive • Florists deliver the flowers • Cars arrive IT’S TIME! RELAX AND ENJOY IT We wish you a great day; hope the weather is fine and everyone arrives on time and that this checklist has helped. 5
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www. italyontap.co.uk
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Achieving amazing photographs on your big day
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ere are a few tips from Nick English Photography for achieving amazing photographs: Looking for consistency is crucial. An easy check for this is to look through a number of your photographer’s blogs: • Do they only post one or two images from each wedding? • What about the rest that you don’t get to see? • Are the images consistent from one wedding to another? • Do they have a style that they work to? • Do you like the majority of images they post? If in doubt, ask to see more work. Alternatively, you need to see lots of images from the same, preferably recent wedding. The saying “anyone can take one or two good pictures” is true to some extent – make sure you like the look of lots of images, from lots of weddings, from the same photographer. Talk to your photographer! I always arrange Skype meetings or telephone calls with my bride and grooms. An email is so
impersonal – even a quick fiveminute phone call can reveal so much more than an email. Rapport with your photographer is hugely important – how do they make you feel when you talk to them? Remember, they will be with you on your wedding day from the early morning until the evening and they will be talking with your guests and your family. You must make sure that their personality fits yours – this is very, very important! I have a good rapport with all my brides and grooms. I honestly believe that this really helps me get the pictures you want, since everyone feels relaxed and on the same level. To summarise When looking for the right photographer, always ask yourself: • Do the photos look consistent in quality? • Do you like lots of their pictures? • Does their personality suit yours? • Do you want them to be a part of your wedding? If you can say yes to all of those, get in touch with the photographer quickly to confirm availability, as photographers can be booked up to 24 months in advance!
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Six wedding day themes to consider Rustic Weddings Rustic weddings are extremely popular with good reason - they’re beautiful! Think Mason jars filled with drinks, a wedding bouquet that looks like you’ve just picked it out of the garden, with matching flowers decorating the aisle, or your wedding cake. Consider a wedding arch made using branches or ivy to frame your entry to a chapel or barn, homemade napkin decorations with guests’ names written on them, a paper tree 10
guestbook, or a chalkboard wedding menu. Transport could be a vintage pick-up truck, vintage caravan, or a simple horse and carriage would be perfect. A light, flowing wedding dress would complete the theme, then you could take a woodland walk, where trees are festooned with home-made decorations, making it your dream wedding. Circus If you and your partner are
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the life and soul of the party, or love entertaining, a circus themed wedding could be just for you! Think brightly coloured balloons, a candy floss machine, popcorn bags and children’s circus style pick and mix for desserts, all arranged inside a huge, brightly decorated tent or marquee. Entertainment could be provided by a magician, a clown, a hook a duck game, a carousel, donkey rides, photo sessions, the list goes on. And you can’t forget your stand-out bright wedding dress, with fun shoes and hair accessories. A horse and simple carriage, or a large truck could transport you to your fun wedding. Vintage Vintage weddings are another stunningly beautiful way to design your day. Very much on the feminine side, you’ll be thinking of lots of frills and lace, especially on long sleeved dresses, floral crowns, roses and peonies for decoration or holding as you walk down the aisle. Vintage hair ‘up do’s’ are beautiful, very classy and romantic and lace parasols could provide shade for those hot summer days. Vintage style 1920s wedding cars could be a stylish way for you and
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your bridesmaids to arrive. A vintage suitcase could provide appropriate decoration at the entrance to your wedding venue, perhaps used to collect wedding cards from your guests. Hold your ceremony or reception by candlelight for a romantic evening, with vintage tea sets and antique china plates used to serve your wedding cake. Travel Are you an adventurous couple, always planning your next holiday, trip, or backpacking tour? If you are, then a travel wedding would be right up your street and there’s plenty of cool quirky travel inspiration to make your wedding one to remember. Use post cards for wedding invitations, suitcases to decorate your reception venue and pictures of the places you and your family, friends or love have travelled. Use passport type design for an order of service or programme of events, maps for place mats, name tables after a travel destination, or have a travel treasure hunt for entertainment. Decorate your venue or cake with a beach, ski or other appropriate travel theme. During the reception, have a slideshow of all the places 11
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“If you and your partner are the life and soul of the party, or love entertaining, a circus themed wedding could be just for you!”
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you’ve travelled together and all the places you plan to visit in the future. Fairytale If you’ve always dreamed of being a princess, or being part of a fairy-tale with a happy ending, this theme would be perfect for your big day. Imagine lots of florals, lace, pastel colours and sparkle, with a castle or church as the venue. Draped flower arrangements over arches or mantle pieces and on tables, fairy lights, candles and sparkly ‘fairy dust’ scattered around, would provide a soft light and create a lovely atmosphere. A princess style wedding dress could be accessorised with long curly hair, a sparkly tiara, long veil and a huge bouquet, not forgetting the jewellery and pretty, sparkly shoes. A ‘Cinderella’ horse and carriage, or beautiful wedding car could deliver you to your enchanted wedding. Tropical Wedding Whether you are having your wedding on a beach, or just love the idea, a tropical wedding is a wonderful way to celebrate your day. One thing you won’t have to think about is shoes! Go for jewelled sandals or bare feet and jewellery; glam
them up with toe rings and a pretty pedicure. Wear a light, summery wedding dress with pretty hair clips or consider a shorter wedding dress so you can paddle in the sea for those romantic photographs. Use starfish and sea shells as wedding décor and provide beach chairs and hammocks for guests to sit on. You could even hire a fish tank to bring real ‘sea life’ to your wedding. Driftwood signs could point the way to the altar or reception venue and a steel band could provide a real ‘tropical feel’ to your entertainment. Instead of a big threecourse meal, you could have a light snack meal, or grilled kebabs with lots of fresh salad, fruit and cooling ice cream. Decorate your cake with beachy details and toppers. Don’t forget to have fans on the back of each chair and if you are on a beach, you could even take some sand, if you have permission, from your wedding or honeymoon location to make an ornament, so you remember the fabulous day. Finally, if you are struggling for ideas, you can always watch popular TV programmes, such as ‘Don’t tell the Bride’. These ideas will then help make your day memorable!
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Get married in 2018 for £2018*
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Keeping your wedding guests entertained
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Make introductions early If you have an engagement party, this would be a great way to get everyone to meet before the wedding; introduce those who might have common interests and especially try to get each side of the families talking. One of the hardest things is trying to separate your time equally, for each partner’s family and friends. Keep to schedule Make a schedule and try to stick to it. It is not easy since the day can go very quickly. Ensure all your guests know what the plan is for the day, so they are not standing around waiting or wondering what is happening next. Ask a trusted family member in advance to look out for any issues and step in quickly to either explain or resolve the issue. Don’t let guests go hungry If guests don’t know what time they are eating, or if there are no snacks about, they may end up spending the entire wedding hungry, or unsure whether to get a drink on an empty stomach. This can be particularly important if young children are involved. Make sure everyone knows what time the meal is approximately planned for and
if it’s early evening, you should ensure there are snacks. Work out a clear seating plan You need to know which guests like to sit together and especially, which ones do not. It is preferable to sit people in seats identified with place cards, instead of grouping guests together on a table, to ensure no guests are left out, or seated somewhere where they are uncomfortable. Always give thought to where you place guests around a table, to ensure good conversation and an entertaining afternoon/ evening. Have other activities to entertain If there are a few children at your wedding, or if some of your day will be spent outside, it may be a good idea to get some games for the children to play. For example, Twister or an over-sized Jenga may be an ideal way for children to have fun and for adults to ‘break the ice’. Get visual with speeches A video or presentation showing images and sharing memories of the life of the bride and groom to date is a great way to keep guests
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entertained and make speeches more memorable and personal. Guests may even join in by signing a book to share comments about the speech or the day. However, inappropriate comments or drawings should be avoided since these books are to be treasured and not ruined by an unwanted, unfunny or potentially embarrassing comment. Make meal time interactive Instead of having a sit-down meal where everyone has the same three courses they may not enjoy, consider having a more relaxed approach, with a buffet or food stations, which encourage people to mingle and talk. It may also prevent food wastage and guests feeling sleepy, as they have to get up and move around. Keep the playlist upbeat Music has a huge impact on the tone and atmosphere of the wedding. Keep music choices upbeat and positive. However, be careful with the noise level when food is served and during the Reception to ensure guests can still hear each other. Make sure you choose songs that are popular and keep guests on the dance floor, as well as some classics for the
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children, such as ‘Let it go’ or ‘The circle of life’. Party songs such as ‘The time warp’ are always popular too. Your DJ should be experienced enough to ensure the right mood is created, but do brief him/her in advance regarding the type of music you require and why. Keep guests entertained Have things at your wedding that people don’t normally have and include a few surprises throughout the evening. For example, a photo booth for your guests to dress up with props to get some daft photographs; a magician to go around and show some magic tricks; or later on in the evening you could provide a chocolate fountain or an ice cream machine for guests to cool down, when they have been dancing. Little surprises will create and help to prolong a fun, exciting atmosphere. Relax!! Try not to get too stressed over every detail by trying to make everything perfect. Little mishaps are bound to happen and it is best to just to laugh them off and enjoy the day! It’s supposed to be the best day of your life and nobody wants to see an unhappy, stressed bride or groom! 17
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We’ll save the date! The Lucela's family love a wedding! We provide an alternative catering experience for you and your guests by creating Neapolitan wood fired pizza using the finest ingredients and traditional methods. Every wedding is beautifully unique which is why we work closely with the wedding party to create a bespoke menu that captures the style of the special day. We pride ourselves on the experience and atmosphere you and your guests will receive as our Pizzaiolo hand crafts every pizza in front of you before it enters our authentic brick dome oven (arguably the best pizza oven in the world, in our opinion).
our
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info@lucelas.co.uk www.lucelas.co.uk 07815138576 F: @LucelasWoodFiredPizza T: @LucelasPizza I: @lucelaswoodfiredpizza
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Best ways to personalise your wedding day
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veryone wants a day to remember. Here are ten ideas to personalise your wedding day to make it memorable, for you, your partner and your guests. Pick an unusual venue Want a day to remember? Pick an unusual wedding venue or place that means a lot to you. Even if it’s in a pub, a cave or inside a barn! It would also provide a great backdrop for photographs too! Give greeting boxes
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Consider giving your guests a little branded greeting box, containing snacks and water. You could also give children sweets and a little toy to keep them entertained! Little thoughtful touches really make a difference. Plus, it makes a fantastic keep sake! Design your own wedding rings This is a wonderful enchanting thing to do together and makes sure your rings are completely unique to you. You could also get them engraved to make them even more personal. A stand out wedding cake Be brave, step away from fruit cake or white icing and
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Victoria sponge; choose a cake that you enjoy and represents you as a couple. You could also consider having different flavours on each tier or an interesting design for the cake. Don’t forget to consider the decoration on top of the cake figurines may be traditional but think ‘outside of the box!’ Have quirky transport Many people these days go for classic wedding cars or black limos. You may want to be more daring and go for something different, such as a VW camper van or a wedding bus, so all your guests can travel with you. Scented candles Do you have a favourite smell or scented candle that you love? Spread them out around the ceremony and reception venue to create a gorgeous smell and atmosphere. In future, whenever you smell this scent, it will always remind you of your perfect day! Invite your pet Let’s face it, pets are part of the family and you will not want them missing out on your big day! Your pet could make the perfect ring bearer and children would love to have someone to play with and stroke if your venue permits this.
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Nail art Wedding nail art is a perfect way to add colour and fun to a normally classy and sophisticated outfit. Go for bright colours or an intricate pattern to spruce up your outfit and fit your personality! Spruce up your food Instead of a standard sit-down meal, why don’t you have a buffet of all your favourite food and drinks; this is also a great way to enjoy dessert! Have a huge selection of sweet treats such as cupcakes, pancakes, and a candy floss machine, the list is endless. Have a slide show of photographs A nice personal way to keep your guests entertained throughout the Reception is to have a slideshow of photographs being shown on the wall at appropriate times. This will ensure all your friends and family feel important on your big day and will create a lot of laughter as guests learn about, or remember good times! Alternatively, with digital photos, you could show your wedding day through photos at your Evening Reception, for guests who may have not been present during the day. 23
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More stress-free wedding planning ideas
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ou can never have enough good ideas to consider. Here are some more for both of you to consider. Select an all-in-one venue One location that offers the ceremony, reception, hotel and bar together will make things an awful lot easier for your guests. A huge benefit of choosing one location for all the celebrations means you will not have guests asking you where to stay, or how to get there, and there is less chance of them getting lost or being late. It will also save time looking at different venues and may also save money. Get your beauty treatments done the day before the wedding It is tempting to want to be pampered and beautified on the morning of your big day, but in reality, this may add to the feeling of being rushed. Get your treatments done the day before to ensure you are relaxed in the morning. This also saves the worry of any spray tans being too dark, or nails being smudged as you will have time to correct anything. Set a clear budget
Make sure you itemise each part of your budget, to be certain about how much you are able to spend on each aspect of the wedding and ensure your suppliers know your budget. You do not want to be scrimping on some areas, because you accidently went way over budget on another! Prioritise the most important spends, which mean the most to you both. Be flexible with the date Most couples set a date at least a year before, if not a few years, however you can save an awful lot of money by choosing your date closer to the time if you can be flexible, especially if you can get married during the week. Venues will be looking to fill the dates when they have nothing booked in, and often offer up to half price deals on venues, food and decorations as last-minute deals. However, this is not for the faint hearted and may be less stressful if you have a plan B as well. Make a note of gifts received Wedding days can go in a flash! It is usually worthwhile asking a family member to make a list of gifts received on your wedding day and from whom,
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to ensure you do not forget who has given you gifts and what they were. It is always polite to send a thank you note after the wedding and you do not want to leave anyone out! Be prepared with three pairs of shoes You may have a long day and night ahead of you and your feet have a lot of work to do! Comfy feet usually means a happy you! Suggested shoes include heels, for elegance at your ceremony; a classy pair of wedges for after the first dance, so you can really let your hair down on the dance floor and a reliable pair of flats for late evening, when everything is quietening down and your feet are feeling the pressure. One pair of shoes usually does the trick for the groom! Double check your speeches Get a trusted family member or friend to listen to the speeches in advance. This is a good way to make sure they run smoothly and there are no repeated or inappropriate stories. Another “fresh” person may also be able to provide further positive advice and suggestions and even help with any “writer’s block”. Then everyone should practise in front of a mirror,
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including getting feedback on your body language. Have a backup! Brainstorm what could go wrong on the day and plan accordingly. Some of the best tips we know are: Ensure you have an umbrella handy (in case it suddenly rains); a makeup bag and tissues to hand; the wedding playlist on your phone (lists do go missing!); a good quality camera ready and the local taxi number on speed dial! Remember to eat! Make sure you eat before the day gets started and during the day. This will probably be the last thing on your mind, however, you’ll be busy all day having fun and talking to guests. You do not want to appear grumpy or faint, just because you have not had time to eat! Consider paying suppliers before the day The last thing you need is for suppliers to be hanging around nagging you for money on your big day. Make sure you know who needs paying in advance and who will invoice you. This also ensures you do not have to carry lots of cash, or waste precious time on the day, when you should be enjoying yourself. 27
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Our Special Offer For Your Big Day
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It is your day and with our vision we will help create your dream day at Hallmark Hotel Preston Leyland. Hallmark Hotel Preston Leyland is licensed for civil ceremonies and our packages include some or all of the following: • Complimentary Superior bedroom for the happy couple on the night of the wedding • Red carpet on arrival • Your choice of crisp white or ivory linen for your tables • Your choice of our in-house centrepiece selection to use on a complimentary basis • Use of silver cake stand and knife • Master of ceremonies • Special bed and breakfast rate for your guests • Wonderful menus for buffet or sit-down meals BOOK ANY WEDDING PACKAGE FOR 2018 AND RECEIVE: • £200.00 OFF YOUR WEDDING PLUS: • Complimentary canapés to be enjoyed with arrival drink • Complimentary wedding ceremony room hire • Complimentary bridal suite • Complimentary wedding post box • Complimentary master of ceremonies
• Complimentary leisure memberships until the date of your wedding (Offer available up until the wedding date then half price thereafter).
WITH ALL THESE FANTASTIC OFFERS TO CHOOSE FROM, WE HOPE WE’LL HEAR YOU SAY “I DO!” Terms and Conditions Offer subject to availability. Only valid for weddings taken place in 2018. May be withdrawn without notice.
For more information about this offer please contact 0330 028 3420 or visit us online www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk/LCOC2018 PROMO CODE: LCOC2018
HALLMARK HOTEL PRESTON LEYLAND Leyland Way, Leyland, Preston PR25 4JX | T: 0330 028 3420 | E: yourwedding.leyland@hallmarkhotels.co.uk www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk
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Effortlessly Beautiful &Unashamedly Romantic... Both historic and contemporary, a unique combination that has earned a reputation that is second to none and established Mitton Hall as one of the best wedding venues in the area. Perfect for smaller weddings and celebrations in the intimate oak panelled rooms, and for a grand affair in the aptly named Party Room. The new conservatory provides 30 the most spectacular setting for your ceremony and celebrations, while the terrace and gardens are fabulous for your photographs.
t n e c i f i n g a m A . . . n o i s n a M n G e o r g ia
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Eaves Hall stands proudly at the heart of the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. A magnificent Georgian mansion available for your exclusive use on your wedding day. From the moment you pass through its wrought iron gates and sweep up the tree lined driveway, Eaves Hall will instantly have you in its thrall. From the grand staircase to the ornate fireplaces, the stunning interior design complements the splendour of the original features with an air of contemporary country house luxury.
MOOR L ANE, WEST BRADFORD, CLITHEROE BB7 3JG
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Photography: David Scholes
Call 01200 420831 for a personal show around or visit www.eaveshall.co.uk for more information.
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Selecting the right flowers for the day
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hoosing flowers for your big day can often be a challenging experience for some brides. You may know exactly which dress you will choose, the venue, the colour scheme, but the flowers are unchartered territory and may even be daunting. That’s why it’s important to choose an experienced wedding florist who can guide you through your floral dilemmas.
Your bouquet should enhance the beauty of your dress and complement your chosen venue and colour scheme. Vintage romance is back in vogue, and along with it, the big, blousy English blooms associated with bygone eras. Peonies, English garden roses and hydrangeas in pastel, blush and neutral palettes are simply tied as if you gathered them from the garden that morning. Bouquet stems can be adorned with sumptuous satin ribbon, organza, lace, hessian or twine and finished with 32
luxurious vintage brooches. • • • •
It’s important to consider: Size and Style of the Bridal Bouquet Favourite Flowers Seasonal availability Colours and Themes
When entering the church, the colours and scents of flowers can make a big statement, with large garlands of flowers at the entrance and large pedestal arrangements placed at the back and front of the church. Quaint china cups, saucers and jugs on tables, filled with gypsophila and tea roses evoke an afternoon tea ambience. Decorated jars filled with small flowers on wooden log slices make ideal, inexpensive table centres, especially for rustic themes in barns and marquees. Whatever your ideas and thoughts, your florist will work closely with you, offering their expert advice and assistance in choosing your flowers and working to a specific budget, to help those dreams become a reality. Florists just love playing a small but very important role on your special day.
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How to plan the perfect stag do
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his is a job usually allocated to the best man. But not everyone is a natural organiser. Here are a few suggestions to ensure it is not a disaster.
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Pick the date well in advance Make sure you have the date of the wedding confirmed before you start looking at potential stag do dates. Try and settle for a weekend where everyone invited is available to attend. Also have the stag do more
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than two weeks before the wedding, to ensure the groom and his guests are all fit and well and not suffering from a hangover! Control the numbers It is easy to get carried away and invite every guy you know to the stag do, especially when you have had a bit to drink. However, this is not a good strategy and could become confusing. With too large a group, it could probably also get a little cliquey and you may end the evening with the group splitting up, which kind of defeats the point. Ten to fifteen is a good number and hopefully it will not be too difficult to arrange a date when everyone is free, if you organise it well in advance. However, it could be that not everybody will be able to make the stag do, so try to arrange the best day for the groom and his closest friends. Select the venue with care There are a variety of places you could go for your stag do. You could choose a location abroad, such as Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam etc., or a city in the UK known for its good nightlife, such as Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, or Edinburgh. Alternatively, you could
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visit a Festival for a weekend away, which is bound to get interesting!! Whichever one you choose, make sure it is within budget and affordable enough to have a good time and try to pick one you know the groom will enjoy. Keep accommodation affordable This is not necessarily a do to impress everyone. You do not need to book a five-star hotel, with a three-course breakfast, as you will hardly be spending any time in your room and the chances are you will not even be awake for breakfast, or in a fit state to go and get it. Make sure you book your accommodation early, in a place that welcomes stag parties and make sure you all book it together. You do not want half the party in one hotel and the other half, 10 miles away in another. Try to get somewhere close to the city centre to save time and money on transport and ensure your group stays together on the short trip into town. Consider hiring a company to organise your stag do Stag dos are becoming less popular in certain places such as Dublin and Tenby, as some pubs and bars no longer accept them due to previous bad 35
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experiences! Therefore, hiring a company to sort out your stag do could be an extremely cost-effective way to organise it, as well as ensuring it is all arranged properly and will run to plan. Professional organisers can often get great deals on hotels, bars and clubs where stag groups are welcome. If you do use a company, make sure you know exactly what is included and what you may need to do yourself. Make introductions early It is very likely there will be quite a few guests at the stag do who do not know each other, so being the best man, it is your job to make sure the stag do runs smoothly and everybody gets on with each other. Make sure that you make introductions right at the start of the event, even consider giving each person a name badge, silly nickname or named t-shirt, ensuring all members of the group can then remember each other by name. You could even play a drinking game where everyone has to say their name, where they are from etc. It may sound embarrassing, but not as embarrassing as forgetting the names of others and resulting in a frosty atmosphere for the whole event. Plus, if anyone 36
gets it wrong, there is a drink related forfeit. Great for getting the atmosphere going! Off-site events Men are often very competitive. To ‘break the ice’, why not arrange an obstacle course, or go-karting session to create a competitive vibe between the group and encourage everyone to talk, before the evening activities begin. Know where to draw the line As a best man, you really do not want the stag do getting out of control, or to have anybody injured or in hospital. Knowing where to draw the line is crucial. No one wants an unwanted memento to explain, such as a drink related tattoo, or the groom having his head shaved, ruining his wedding day photographs!!. To some people, it may seem funny to book a stripper for a stag do, but before you rush and book one, check if this is what the groom would really like and if his fiancĂŠe would be happy about it, to prevent what is intended as a bit of fun causing future problems. Also ensure that your proposed venue will allow it!
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Catherine and Matthew Latham’s dream day
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atherine (27) and Matthew (33) recently got married and have kindly answered the following questions to give us an insight into their wedding journey.
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How well organised were you with a month to go? We were pretty well organised, with three weeks to go. We didn’t need any further planning and wanted to enjoy the build-up, so we managed to stick with the plan. How long had you been
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planning your wedding? The wedding was booked about fourteen months before the day. All the big things were booked and all the little things pieced together, with the wonderful help of our families and friends. Where did you getting married? The Willows Church in Kirkham (Catherine’s family church) and then Ribby Hall. The Church and Ribby Hall did an outstanding job and we want to thank everyone involved in both. Why did you choose this venue? We knew we would have big numbers, so it ruled out a lot of places. We chose Ribby Hall, so that we could make a weekend of it with our guests and enjoy all the facilities, as well as the wedding. Who was your most memorable supplier and why? It is a very tough choice between two - The VW campervan from Vintage VW’s 4 Hire and the candy cart and cake by The Sweetest Thing. What pre-wedding rules did you have? We did not really set any rules, but we did keep to tradition, by not seeing each other on the
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morning of the wedding. The DJ makes the night, so make sure you have a good one! Mr DJ (Sid Eccles) knows how to keep a room on their feet all night and we wouldn’t have anyone else for a big occasion. What did you worry about the most? Everyone around said they had never met a bride and groom so relaxed. In our opinion, there is no point in worrying. Once everything is booked, it all just falls into place. What made you decide on the honeymoon location? San Francisco is the best place Catherine has ever been, so it has been on my wish list since we met. Hawaii just looks out of this world, especially if you are staying right on the beach and are able to go and explore the island, like we did. Finally, Las Vegas is Las Vegas… you have to see it to believe it! How many bridesmaids did you have? We had three bridesmaids and our nieces as little flower girls. Did you have a hen do/stag do? What did you both do? Seventy hens went to Blackpool and it was kept simple, with a come and go as you please approach. Fifty three 41
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went to Funny Girls nightclub in Blackpool. Every credit should go to the Layton Rakes Wetherspoons, where we hired the middle floor for a couple of hours. The stag and twenty others endured two nights in Newcastle, with some nonleague football chucked in at Hebburn Town FC. How many people went to your day and night do? Everyone was welcome to attend the church ceremony. Then, 133 guests joined us for the rest of the day, with 180 guests at night. BRIDE How many bridal shops did you visit? Me and both mums tackled very few Bridal shops. The deal breaker was Blush Brides Grooms in Poulton. Helen and Robert helped to maintain a relaxed atmosphere, whilst keeping me at ease, until we found ‘the one’. It’s strange that when you know, you know! Anyone who knows me, is aware that I’m not a dress person, but I can pull it out of the bag when I have to! I think I did try on almost every dress in the shop, before picking the last one. 42
GROOM Did you have any help with your speech? The speech went down a storm, considering I am quite a shy individual. It was written a couple of weeks before the wedding, but ideas began to take shape a few months before. How involved with the planning were you? We both are similar and wanted the same things, so it was all planned fairly easily. How did you propose? Anywhere there is a stream and a bridge, we play Pooh Sticks. So what better way to propose than the traditional game of Pooh Sticks on a walk through Brindle Lodge. Catherine’s response can be described as a ‘flapping penguin’. What advice would you give to anyone about to start planning their big day? Don’t get carried away in all the hype that comes with a wedding, I’ve heard that a lot of brides hit a real low after the wedding. Keep it simple and do what suits you both. Remember you are marrying each other and that’s the main thing. It is one day that is quite a whirlwind, so enjoy every minute.
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Going for Gold? Visit George Banks Jewellers
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or one of the most important decisions of your life, our unhurried and relaxed advice, when choosing the ultimate symbol of romance, has helped so many couples to make the perfect choice.
Visit George Banks Jewellers in Lune Street, Preston to view from our extensive range of wedding rings. From a classic plain court to an elegant diamond set band, we will have the ring to suit your style. We have many different designers and manufacturers producing our wedding rings. Including styles from Brown & Newirth, Furrer-Jacot, P.H Wedding rings, Charles Green & Son and the Raphael collection. 46
All of these companies are well established and have their own unique styles and designs which will fit in with your personal choice. Most of the rings are available in platinum, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and palladium, with or without diamonds. We can also arrange a bespoke service that involves us making a sample in wax, to perfectly fit next to the curves of your engagement ring. The latest addition to our collection, our totally black rings, made from carbon fibre, have sold very well since being introduced last year from Titan Factory. George Banks, 31 Lune Street, Preston, PR1 2NN 01772 252051
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Book a Heritage BUS or TRAM for your perfect day
Whether you are a blushing bride, birthday boy, planning a corporate event or just want somewhere unusual to get together with friends, one of our Heritage Trams or Buses would be a talking point for years to come! We have a designated parking space right outside the promenade Wedding chapel. Price will be discussed on request, a non-refundable deposit will also be required. At least 1 months’ notice to make any requirements. We provide a very personalised service tailored to meet your requirements, please contact Emma for a friendly discussion tel: 01253 209521 or email: heritage.trams@blackpooltransport.com
www.blackpooltransport.com
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Reasons to hire a Wedding Planner
eddings can take an awful lot of time to plan, especially if you need to accommodate children, family, and friends etc. If you are struggling to find the time to organise everything, you may become stressed.
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We have therefore highlighted the main benefits and reasons why you should think about hiring a Wedding Planner, to ensure your perfect day, really is perfect.
Save you time Most planners have lots of brilliant contacts and know who’s best for what service, meaning they can also line up viewings, rehearsals, and samples pretty quickly. This can save you time to better utilise on other activities, such as obtaining reviews and trying to organise meetings. They will also create all the schedules for the run up to the wedding, ensure deadlines are met and everything is decided in advance. They should be ‘on top’ of organising everything with the suppliers, to ensure everything runs smoothly and on time. Help allocate your budget
There is a very big chance you will have no experience organizing this kind of event; no idea how much money to spend on things and no idea who to contact. A Wedding Planner will act as your wedding financial advisor. They will be there to advise what is best to spend your budget on; when you need to meet your payment deadlines and make sure you do not get ripped off. Save you money Wedding planners can be considered expensive. We all know this and it is the main reason people do not usually hire one. However, most have access to industry discounts and connections with caterers, florists, bands, entertainment, decorators, lots of other services and handy people to have on speed dial. So, although you think it’ll cost you more money, you will probably be spending the same amount either way, with a lot less hassle than doing it all on your own. Save you stress Your wedding is supposed to be the best day of your life. Therefore, you really do not want to be involved in all the stress of organizing it and
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having things go wrong. A Wedding Planner’s help means you have more time to enjoy the lead up to your wedding. After you have briefed them on what you would like, you can sit back and relax and watch your perfect day come together. Troubleshooting If anything goes wrong on the day of your wedding, or the week before, no need to panic! Your wedding planner will probably have come across it before and knows how to solve
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it. They can usually correct whatever mishap has happened and ensure everything will still run smoothly and just as you wanted it. Hiring a Wedding Planner can be well worth the expenditure. Think of them as your wedding P.A. (Personal Assistant). Weddings are their job and they want it to be your perfect day as much as you do. They can save you time, money, stress, and make planning your wedding a time you will enjoy and be excited about, instead of being stressed.
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weddings
AT LANCASTER HOUSE
Lancaster House boasts an impressive approach and grand reception area with a beautiful open fireplace. You will see why we have earned our reputation for being the perfect venue for a wedding celebration. 99 bedrooms including 19 luxury studio suites, extensive health club, hair and beauty salons, and licensed to hold Civil Wedding Ceremonies onsite. Our many years of experience can be trusted to deliver on the day. The finest cuisine proudly created by our award winning chefs and our dedicated wedding co-ordinators make sure it’s your wedding, your way. 52 T: 01524 844 822
E: weddings.lancaster@englishlakes.co.uk
LANCASTER HOUSE, GREEN LANE, LANCASTER, LANCASHIRE, LA1 4GJ
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How to remember lost loved ones on your wedding day Wear something that reminds you of them This is a perfect way to include a lost loved one on your wedding day. For example, wear your grandparent’s earrings or cufflinks; a piece of clothing (something borrowed!!) or a locket with a picture in it. 54
This keeps the loved one close to the heart and personal, without you having to tell anybody, if you do not want to. Choose their favourite flowers for your bouquet Including their favourite flowers in your bouquet means
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you are almost carrying them down the aisle with you. A small piece of jewellery, or other small item that reminds you of your lost loved one, may also be incorporated in your bouquet, if you consult your florist. Your bouquet could then be placed on their grave after the ceremony, instead of throwing it in the air for others to catch. Leave a seat free for your missing guest If you want your loved one represented at the ceremony, leave a seat free for them and place a photo or memento on the seat to make it feel like their presence is still there. It clearly demonstrates how important it is to you to have them remembered on your big day. Include them in photo displays If you have family photographs displayed, or photographs from your parents’ wedding, make sure you include photographs of the individual you wish to remember. This could also act as an informal family tree, showing many generations and provide a talking point for guests. Dedicate a part of the ceremony to them You could play one of their
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favourite songs, whilst you walk down the aisle; as your first dance, or at some other appropriate time. One of your friends could also read out a poem or story dedicated to them. Mention them in a speech You could give a brief mention to everyone who you wished could be there but is not. Make sure it is brief though, as you do not want to cry on the happiest day of your life, unless they are tears of joy! Serve one of their favourite meals or desserts A nice idea to show that your lost loved one is in your thoughts on your special day, could be to serve one of their favourite meals or desserts and include a little note on the menu saying ‘inspired by…’ Light candles Another nice way of remembering your lost loved one would be to light candles. Have candles on each table at the reception, or at a separate area and at an appropriate time choose someone to light a candle in memory of those you wish to remember. You may choose to light a candle before you walk down the aisle or have a moment of silence as candles are lit. 55
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pen Wedding O
Days
out through Hosted r the yea e r websit Visit ou ates d r fo
Your Dream Wedding Starts Here... Located in the heart of Lancashire, in more than 100 acres of landscaped grounds, Ribby Hall Village is the idyllic location for your dream wedding. With three individual suites to choose from and a stunning outdoor summer house, we can cater for up to 350 guests in one beautiful location. Whatever your plans, we have the experience to help you create your dream day. Our wedding packages are unique and can include some special touches such as chair covers and bows, your wedding stationery, and a romantic chauffeured drive in our very own Rolls Royce. Before the big day relax with a round of golf or a soothing spa treatment. Begin the celebrations early with a visit to one of our bars and restaurants. When you’ve enjoyed your perfect day, our 5* luxury cottage accommodation and award-winning Spa Hotel will help you wind down, bringing the ideal end to your wedding.
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To find the perfect package for you and to take advantage of our late availability offers visit ribbyhall.co.uk/weddings
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01772 685 858 Ribby Hall Village - Weddings @RibbyWeddings
Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Wrea Green, Lancashire, PR4 2PR
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LANCASHIRE IANI N STUART
ISPIRATO
IRRESISTIBLE
JOHN CHARLES
LUIS CIVIT
Find the ultimate collection of wedding and occasion wear at Flamingo
RONALD JOYCE
CONDICI
LINEA RAFFAELLI
JOHN CHARLES
ISPIRATO
FLAMINGO OF PENWORTHAM - THE NORTH WEST’S PREMIER DESTINATION STORE Aldo Martins • Betty Barclay • Caroline Biss • Condici • Darcie Mae • Ella Boo • Fely Campo Frank Lyman • Gerry Weber • Gina Bacconi • Ian Stuart • Irresistible • Ispirato • John Charles Joseph Ribkoff • Lebek Coats • Linea Raffaelli • Lizabella • Luis Civit, NYDJ Jeans • Passioni Robell • Taifun • Teresa Ripoll • Tia • Tuzzi • Veni Infantino by Ronald Joyce. We also offer a fabulous selection of hats, fascinators and accessories to complement your outfit. Then simply add the finishing touches with the perfect shoes and bag from our exclusive Italian bespoke shoe service.
58 Tel: 01772 744277 | www.flamingo-fashion.co.uk | 67 Liverpool Road, Penwortham, Preston PR1 9XD
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The perfect country inn
set in the most stunning Ribble Valley countryside...
Photographer: Nichola Morton A 17th century inn nestled in the picturesque village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley, the Shireburn Arms is a beautifully cosy wedding venue that is the epitome of a rustic countryside pub. Whether it’s the gardens, grounds or elegant furnishings that you fall in love with, rest assured that we can accommodate up to 100 guests for the wedding breakfast and 150 in the evening. For a personal showaround, please ring Robyn for more details on 01254 826678 or visit www.shireburnarmshotel.co.uk for more information. The Shireburn Arms, Whalley Road, Hurst Green, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9QJ