Categories
Latest news

Bridal Prep: How To Survive the Getting Ready Process (+ FREE schedule template!)

Your wedding day has finally arrived! You’ve probably not slept much the night before, and are conscious that numerous people are going to begin bundling through your front door any moment. So how can you keep calm and focused? How can you actually survive and enjoy the should-be-exciting getting ready process?

I was very lucky to get married in June this year, and I was really looking forward to having all my bridesmaids and closest family members around whilst I got ready, but I knew I had to prepare and I have a lot of tips that can help you survive the getting ready process (and actually enjoy it!).

how-to-survive-bridal-prep-wedding-morning
Source: atravelersheartphoto.com

It’s all in the prep

I’d highly recommend getting as organised as possible in advance to the day. This will avoid rushing around trying to get everything done on the morning of.

Buy some yummy nibbles, a range of drinks (soft and bubbly), make sure all the bathrooms are clean and beds are fresh for a relaxed start. I also arranged designated areas for the hair stylists and makeup artists to set up and prepared it for their arrival.

I also prepared a Spotify playlist, filled with feel good songs to play throughout the morning. You can listen and download it here.

Print off your morning schedule

I created a morning schedule with all the important events of the morning listed. This included things like what time the photographer was due to arrive, what time to leave for the church etc. Basically anything I needed to remember I put into the schedule.

Click here to download and print your own wedding morning schedule.

Remember to sit down & relax

It’s so important to take some time out to chill, have a bite to eat and drink lots of water. The time goes very quickly so it’s good to enjoy the moment.

Get dressed in plenty of time

The bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride should get into their dresses around 45 minutes before leaving, then they can all assist you.

My bridesmaids totally underestimated the amount of time if takes to get into dresses (sorry ladies!). The final half hour turned into a mad rush to get everyone dressed and out the door. The bridal cars were outside eagerly anticipating our departure, but the neighbours kept them chatting!

It’s important to remember that it will take the longest time to get you into your dress (especially if you have buttons running all down the back like I did!) so get your bridesmaids to help as soon as they’re dressed.

I hope you’ve gained some tips and tricks to getting ready on your wedding day. Don’t forget that you can access my library of free planning resources by clicking here.

Categories
Latest news

10 Simple & Budget Friendly Ways to Wow Your Wedding Guests

You’ve secured the date, booked your dream wedding venue and drafted the all important guest list.

But it’s the small details at a wedding that make all the difference. Guests will remember your day for the little extras, and these will make your day the most talked about wedding for years.

Here are my top simple and budget friendly picks to make your guests say “wow”.

Keep them entertained

10 Simple & Budget Friendly Ways to Wow Your Wedding Guest

Weddings are often a looong day. And with the wedding breakfast lasting up to two and a half hours on average, it’s important to keep your guests throughly entertained. Having games on the table is a good, simple way to keep guests alert and they can also be a fantastic ice breaker if guests aren’t familiar with each other.

Psst – We have been getting crafty recently and can create completely bespoke table games for you. Contact us for a free quote

Anticipate their needs before they do

10 Simple & Budget Friendly Ways to Wow Your Wedding Guests

It’s your job to think of absolutely everything your guests could possibly need to make the day a little more comfortable for them.

A popular idea is to offer flip flops for tired feet, or blankets if the weather’s predicted to be a little chilly.

The idea is to anticipate your guests needs before they do.

Give them a say

It’s important to hear your guests out. Find out what song they’d like to hear by including a space for a request on the invitations.

Create an interactive guest book

10 Simple & Budget Friendly Ways to Wow Your Wedding Guests

Polaroid’s are a fun an alternative way to create a guest book. Have your guests snap away and sign the polaroids, then stick them into the guest book.

Write a personalised note

10 Simple & Budget Friendly Ways to Wow Your Wedding Guests

Personalised notes are a great way to show your guests that you really appreciate them sharing the day with you.

Write each person a personalised note and leave it on their place setting to show your appreciation.

Give them favours they’ll actually use

wedding-favours-ideas-hangover-relief-kit

Favours are something people always tend to leave until the last minute and skimp on. Do you guests really want a pebble with your initials on? Give them something they can really appreciate.

Click here for wedding favour ideas.

Do a surprise choreographed dance

10 Simple & Budget Friendly Ways to Wow Your Wedding Guests

This is throughly entertaining for guests and is such fun for you as a couple. Create a fun mix of your favourite cheesy hits. You can have first dance lessons for as little as £30.

Assign Ushers to guide guests to their seat

10 Simple & Budget Friendly Ways to Wow Your Wedding Guests

Believe it or not, this was originally an Ushers duty at a wedding, however the tradition has faded in time. Why not bring it back and make guests feel cared for.

Let us know if you try any of these tips!

Categories
Latest news

Wedding Flower SOS – How to find the perfect blooms + your free downloadable checklist!

how-to-find-perfect-wedding-flower-checklist

Deciding which flowers you’d like at your wedding will help you to focus your discussions with your florist, and most importantly, stay within budget.

It always amazes me how much of a difference flowers make to the overall look of a wedding. They are an essential factor of the venue dressing, particularly now that most florists supply decorative fixtures and fittings too.

The first step to finding the perfect blooms is to sit down and put together a list of all the floral elements you could ever possibly need for your wedding day, including your favourite flowers. We’ve made things super easy for you by creating a pre-made checklist.

Not only that, but we’ve also attached a completely free downloadable version of the checklist for you to print off and take along to your florist appointment. So get your pencil out and start ticking off which flowers are the most essential for your wedding day.

Stuck for a professional, reliable florist? We’ve got an extensive list of trustworthy contacts that we’ve worked with all over the North West. Get in touch for some guidance

Number of daytime guests:
Number of evening guests:
Colour scheme:
Wedding theme:
Type of preferred flowers:

Bride, Bridesmaids and Flower Girl:
Number of Bridesmaids:
Number of Flower Girls:
□ Bride’s bouquet
□ Bride’s hair flowers
□ Bridesmaids’ bouquets
□ Bridesmaids’ hair flowers
□ Tossing bouquet
□ Flower girl’s basket

Grooms, Groomsmen, Ushers and Ring Bearer:
Number of Groomsmen:
□ Groom’s boutonniere
□ Groomsmen’s boutonnieres
□ Usher’s boutonnieres
□ Ring bearer’s boutonniere

Family Members:
□ Mother of the bride’s corsage
□ Mother of the groom’s corsage
□ Father of the bride’s boutonniere
□ Father of the groom’s boutonniere
□ Grandmother’s corsages
□ Grandfather’s boutonnieres

Ceremony:
□ Entryway or welcome table arrangements
□ Altar/chuppah arrangements
□ Pew or chair arrangements
□ Candles
□ Aisle decorations
□ Confetti for guests

Reception Flowers:
Number of guest tables:
□ Entrance arrangements
□ Bar arrangements
□ Gift table arrangements
□ Table plan arrangement
□ Centerpieces
□ Top table arrangements
□ Bride’s and groom’s chair decorations
□ Guest chair decorations
□ Buffet-table/food-station arrangements
□ Lounge area arrangements
□ Flowers for wedding cake
□ Cake table arrangements
□ Bathroom decorations
□ Getaway car arrangements

Click here to download the checklist for free!

Did you know you can access a range of free, useful documentation including spreadsheets, checklists and guides to help you plan your wedding, the RIGHT way?

Click here to gain access.

Happy planning!

Categories
Latest news

13 Easy Ways to Personalise Your Wedding Day

13-easy-simple-ways-ideas-to-personalise-your-wedding-day

Most couples want their Wedding day to be unique and personalised to them, but how can you do it? These are some simple ideas I’ve gathered together to make your guests “aww” and “ooh” their way throughout your big day.

Like any of the stationery items below? Get in touch and we can create them for you!

Follow us on Pinterest to keep up with our latest bits of inspiration, and to see more personalised ideas.

1. Have the ring bearer make an entrance

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

2. Provide the groomsmen with their own cufflinks

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

3. Have your new name and date of the wedding printed on your bridal shoes

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

4. Create personalised table place names

original_laser-cut-calligraphy-place-names copy5. Include your names and the date on your table plan

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

6. Print past photographs of you and your other half during the same year

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

7. Include napkin tags on each place

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

8. Print photographs of you and your other half for the bathroom doors

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

9. Create a hashtag and make guests aware

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

10. Provide people with a CD of your favourite love songs as wedding favours

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

11. Have your very own cake topper

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

12. Sew a label into your wedding dress – also great for your something blue!

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

13. Create a fun order of service

how-to-personalise-wedding-day-ideas-inspiration-pinterest

Which are your favourites?

wedding-planning-planner-chester-cheshire-north-west

Facebook . Twitter . Pinterest . Instagram