This blog is now based on the How 2 I Do website and is therefore no longer updated. Click here to view and enjoy the new and regularly updated blog.
Why not also visit my other blog Bristol Wedding News, which is packed full of ideas, tips and inspiration for Bristol Brides. Visit Bristol Wedding News here.
There are still lots of great articles and Wedding planning tips on here so please take a look around. Thanks for visiting.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Friday, 12 August 2011
Our Great New Wedding Planning Workshops in Bristol
How 2 I Do now offer three different Wedding Workshops depending on what stage you are in with your planning and where you would like professional support and inspiration.
The How 2 Get Started Planning your Perfect Wedding Workshop is designed for those who are just taking the first steps into planning their Big Day. It covers all of the basics of where to start planning as well as fantastic inspiration for venues, Wedding planning timescales and crucial key questions to ask suppliers. Those who attend this workshop will also receive a free copy of How 2 I Do's useful new 50 page book called "The Essential Guide to Getting Married in Bristol", which is worth £10.00.
How 2 Afford your Dream Wedding is designed for those who need some practical budgeting help. It shows couples how to allocate their budget to be able to afford everything they need for their Wedding. There are also lots of money saving tips and advice and a fun exercise to knock thousands off your total budget, plus they will be sent an interactive budgeting tool, making the £20 per person fee well worth it.
Finally there's How 2 Make your Wedding Day Sparkle. Steph from How 2 I Do named it this as she says it's all to do with the little touches and behind the scenes planning that make a Wedding seem really polished and run smoothly and seamlessly. This Wedding Workshop covers Wedding Style and Themes as well as more practical areas like contingency planning and timescales for the Big day. Couples who attend this workshop will come away with an inspirational mood board, a sample table plan and a personal timetable to ensure that their Wedding runs like clockwork.
The workshops cost just £20 each per person or you can book all three for £50 per person. You can learn more about the workshops including dates and locations on the How 2 I Do Website or contact Steph by email.
The How 2 Get Started Planning your Perfect Wedding Workshop is designed for those who are just taking the first steps into planning their Big Day. It covers all of the basics of where to start planning as well as fantastic inspiration for venues, Wedding planning timescales and crucial key questions to ask suppliers. Those who attend this workshop will also receive a free copy of How 2 I Do's useful new 50 page book called "The Essential Guide to Getting Married in Bristol", which is worth £10.00.
How 2 Afford your Dream Wedding is designed for those who need some practical budgeting help. It shows couples how to allocate their budget to be able to afford everything they need for their Wedding. There are also lots of money saving tips and advice and a fun exercise to knock thousands off your total budget, plus they will be sent an interactive budgeting tool, making the £20 per person fee well worth it.
Finally there's How 2 Make your Wedding Day Sparkle. Steph from How 2 I Do named it this as she says it's all to do with the little touches and behind the scenes planning that make a Wedding seem really polished and run smoothly and seamlessly. This Wedding Workshop covers Wedding Style and Themes as well as more practical areas like contingency planning and timescales for the Big day. Couples who attend this workshop will come away with an inspirational mood board, a sample table plan and a personal timetable to ensure that their Wedding runs like clockwork.
The workshops cost just £20 each per person or you can book all three for £50 per person. You can learn more about the workshops including dates and locations on the How 2 I Do Website or contact Steph by email.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
A Great Resouce for Bristol Brides
I am delighted to announce my new Blog -Bristol Wedding News. I decided to launch this blog back in May as at the time there were lots of blogs from individual Bristol Wedding businesses but no dedicated resource where Bristol Wedding suppliers could showcase their talent, news and offers and Bristol Brides and Grooms could get all of the latest news from the Industry.
So after a few months of keeping a low profile Bristol Wedding News was unveiled this week to a fantastic response with page views going from 90 to almost 700 in the space of a few short days. In the future it will feature planning tips from How 2 I Do as long as all of the latest news, ideas, tips and inspiration from the world of Bristol Weddings. Wedding suppliers can submit their news, special offers, pres releases and pictures to be included by email.
Take a look at Bristol Wedding News now...enjoy!
Take a look at Bristol Wedding News now...enjoy!
Friday, 15 July 2011
New Planning Services and Packages Available from How 2 I Do
We are delighted to launch a a range of new Wedding Planning Services and Planning Packages on how2ido.co.uk. We now offer the following services in addition to our Wedding Planning Workshops
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The Busy Couple Package offers Wedding Planning Workshops to inspire the Couple as well as five "How 2" Consultations to use as and when they like. The icing on the cake is On the Day Coordination to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the Big Day.
Finally we offer the more comprehensive Professional Package, that includes Venue Search, Budget Consultation, Supplier Search, ten "How 2" Consultation and On the Day Coordination. This Package offers a really flexible modern approach to Wedding Planning and means that the Couple can totally dictate how and when they want to use How 2 I Do's expertise and time.
Learn more about these packages here
- Venue Search
- Budget Consultations
- Planning Tools Disc
- Gift Vouchers
- On the Day Coordination
The Busy Couple Package offers Wedding Planning Workshops to inspire the Couple as well as five "How 2" Consultations to use as and when they like. The icing on the cake is On the Day Coordination to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the Big Day.
Finally we offer the more comprehensive Professional Package, that includes Venue Search, Budget Consultation, Supplier Search, ten "How 2" Consultation and On the Day Coordination. This Package offers a really flexible modern approach to Wedding Planning and means that the Couple can totally dictate how and when they want to use How 2 I Do's expertise and time.
Learn more about these packages here
Monday, 11 July 2011
Don't Miss Our Fantastic £100 On the Day Wedding Coordination Offer
If you have spent months or even years planning your Big Day you want it to be perfect. However the one annoying thing about being the Bride is that you are not available on the morning of the Wedding to check that all of your plans are being followed. If this makes you nervous then How 2 I Do On the Day Wedding Coordination could be the perfect solution to allow you to relax and enjoy your day, safe in the knowledge that any problems will be dealt with efficiently, professionally and discretely.
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Our On the Day Wedding Coordination Service guarantees that you have someone calm, organised and professional on hand just for you to ensure that your day runs like clockwork and that your vision for your dream Wedding becomes a reality.
Before the Wedding How 2 I Do Provide
Our On the Day Wedding Coordination Service guarantees that you have someone calm, organised and professional on hand just for you to ensure that your day runs like clockwork and that your vision for your dream Wedding becomes a reality.
Before the Wedding How 2 I Do Provide
- A complimentary consultation by phone or in person prior to booking
- A meeting in person 4-6 weeks before the Wedding to make a detailed plan of your suppliers and Wedding day timescales
- A visit to your Venues to meet the staff
- Identification of potential issues and firm contingency plans
- Liaison with all of your suppliers to confirm their attendance and timings for the day
- Support for you in the run up to your big day
- Visit your Venue(s) in the morning to ensure that everything is set up correctly
- Be there to ensure that your flowers and transport arrive on time
- Ensure that the Best Man and Ushers understand the timings of the day
- Meet you at the venue before the Ceremony to answer any questions and provide reassurance
- Ensure any recorded music is played on time
- Make sure the day runs smoothly and on time
- Handle any problems that arise discretely and professionally
- Provide large umbrellas in case of rain and an emergency kit
- Assist your photographer in calling people for group shots (if required)
- Make any announcements required
- Double check the reception room before you begin your wedding breakfast
- Assist with and coordinate the room turn around for the evening reception
- Ensure that your evening entertainment arrives and sets up on time
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Win a Fabulous Wedding Prize
If you’re getting Married I'm sure you have been spending lots of money on things for your Big Day. Well finally here’s your chance to get something exciting for your wedding totally free and with very little effort involved. Read on to find out how to win one of our great Wedding related Prizes from How 2 I Do.
This great promotion begins at 9am on Friday 1st July, 2011
Entering couldn’t be simpler. All you you need to do is first “Like” our How 2 I Do Facebook page (if you already like it then it's even simpler) and then just write a brief message on our wall. You can find Our Facebook Page here.
Your message must begin with the words “I love How 2 I Do because…” so that we know it’s a competition entry and then simply add your own brief personal message afterwards. You can write whatever you like. Perhaps tell us how we can help you plan your Big Day or why you deserve a fabulous Wedding freebie.
For example “I love How 2 I Do because they make wedding planning easy and stress free”
Anyone who completes this task between 9am on the 1st July and 5pm on Friday 16th July will be in with a chance to win one of these amazing prizes, which will be allocated throughout this period at random. Only one entry per person is permitted, but a couple can each enter separately, so get your Grooms involved too to double your chances.
The 10 amazing Prizes on offer, which are worth over £400 are…
One How 2 I Do Gift Voucher for 2 Wedding Planning Workshop Places worth £60.00 (to be used on any Bristol How 2 I Do Workshop – subject to availability)
Three How 2 I Do Workshop places for our Sunday 31st July Bristol Workshop, each for 2 people worth £60.00 per couple. This Wedding Planning Workshop is at the Avon Gorge Hotel in Clifton, Bristol from 1:30pm to 4:30pm
One stunning Swarovski crystal and faux pearl tiara from www.PrincessBridetiaras.com worth £50.00
Two interactive wedding planning tool discs worth £10.00 each, shown here as part of our Planning Pack (the full pack is not included in this promotion, but is provided as part of the workshop). The discs include our budget allocation and monitoring tool and our planning timescale tools.
Three Free Wedding Photo Sharing Accounts with Share My Wedding worth £12.50 each to allow all of your wedding guests to upload their photos for you to view. Read more about Share My Wedding here.
Please note that there is no cash alternative to these prizes. This promotion ends on the 16th July 2011. You can Learn more about the Workshop and Planning Tool Prizes at our How 2 I Do website.
So make your way over to our Facebook page now, click on “Like” and write your message. We’ll post a comment under any winning messages telling you which prize you have won. If you have won something, just email us with your contact details and we'll send you your prize.
So make your way over to our Facebook page now, click on “Like” and write your message. We’ll post a comment under any winning messages telling you which prize you have won. If you have won something, just email us with your contact details and we'll send you your prize.
Good luck from How 2 I Do - See you on our Facebook page
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
How Wedding Planning Workshops Can Help You
Wedding Workshops are a relatively new concept, but one that is fast growing across the UK and America. They are specifically designed to bridge the gap between the DIY Bride and the Professional Wedding Planner. Most workshops offer affordable group planning help and inspiration in a simple format that allows Brides, Grooms and anyone else involved in the planning to come along and learn all of the basics in a few hours.
I think this concept is going to grow and grow and will in a few years become second nature to newly engaged couples. Much like attending ante-natal classes to prepare for the arrival of a new baby, which allows you to learn everything in a short space of time in a supportive group environment as opposed to spending hours looking online and in endless books.
It has been estimated that planning a wedding takes 250 hours. On top of this planning a wedding requires diligent research, patience, extreme diplomacy, super organisational skills and a good understanding of finance to keep everything on track. Wedding Planning Workshops can cut down this planning time drastically because the bulk of research has been done for you and you are provided with a concise set of options.
The other key advantage of a wedding workshop is that the facilitator will share all of their skills and experience with you as well as offering tips, inspiration and tools to organise and simplify the planning process. Our How 2 I Do Wedding Planning Workshops run regularly in Bristol and show couples firstly all of the elements that go into planning a wedding and then timescales of when they need to be completed by.
We then move on to our interactive budgeting tool that shows you how to allocate out your budget to afford everything. This in combination with our money saving tips could knock thousands of a typical wedding budget and mean couples can sometimes afford their dream day with just a few simple compromises like making some elements themselves. More importantly we also tell people where not to cut their budget as some things such as photography should never be done yourself.
We also cover what to look for in a venue and key questions to ask when attending a viewing. Our planning pack provides a list of 30 great local venues in the Bristol and Somerset area. Our workshops also cover how to make your wedding really stand out by giving couples loads of options for entertainment and food and drink so they can try something other than the traditional 3 course meal and Church organist if they want a more individual approach.
Our couples also get a planning pack to take home that summarises the workshop and lists local suppliers. It can also be used to store their other planning documents. They also get a disc with the interactive planning tools to organise their budget and planning timescales. So if you want to find out more about How 2 I Do Wedding Planning Workshops then please contact me by email steph@how2ido.co.uk or give me a call on 07725 656682. Alternatively pop along to http://www.how2ido.co.uk/.
Steph
I think this concept is going to grow and grow and will in a few years become second nature to newly engaged couples. Much like attending ante-natal classes to prepare for the arrival of a new baby, which allows you to learn everything in a short space of time in a supportive group environment as opposed to spending hours looking online and in endless books.
It has been estimated that planning a wedding takes 250 hours. On top of this planning a wedding requires diligent research, patience, extreme diplomacy, super organisational skills and a good understanding of finance to keep everything on track. Wedding Planning Workshops can cut down this planning time drastically because the bulk of research has been done for you and you are provided with a concise set of options.
The other key advantage of a wedding workshop is that the facilitator will share all of their skills and experience with you as well as offering tips, inspiration and tools to organise and simplify the planning process. Our How 2 I Do Wedding Planning Workshops run regularly in Bristol and show couples firstly all of the elements that go into planning a wedding and then timescales of when they need to be completed by.
We then move on to our interactive budgeting tool that shows you how to allocate out your budget to afford everything. This in combination with our money saving tips could knock thousands of a typical wedding budget and mean couples can sometimes afford their dream day with just a few simple compromises like making some elements themselves. More importantly we also tell people where not to cut their budget as some things such as photography should never be done yourself.
We also cover what to look for in a venue and key questions to ask when attending a viewing. Our planning pack provides a list of 30 great local venues in the Bristol and Somerset area. Our workshops also cover how to make your wedding really stand out by giving couples loads of options for entertainment and food and drink so they can try something other than the traditional 3 course meal and Church organist if they want a more individual approach.
Our couples also get a planning pack to take home that summarises the workshop and lists local suppliers. It can also be used to store their other planning documents. They also get a disc with the interactive planning tools to organise their budget and planning timescales. So if you want to find out more about How 2 I Do Wedding Planning Workshops then please contact me by email steph@how2ido.co.uk or give me a call on 07725 656682. Alternatively pop along to http://www.how2ido.co.uk/.
Steph
Thursday, 2 June 2011
How to have Happy Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids are a big part of your Big Day. You probably have selected your closest friends or Sister or like me had some hard decisions to make about who your Bridesmaids are if you have an extended group of friends from childhood and University as well as family to consider. Unfortunately my budget didn't stretch to the full 11 adult bridesmaids so I opted for family and one friend who I had lived with through University and up until we both moved in with our then Boyfriends and now Husbands.
Picking your Bridesmaids can be tricky but picking their dresses can be trickier still. Adult Bridesmaids will probably set you back about £200 to £250.00 each by the time you have bought a dress, shoes, a gift and a bouquet and that doesn't even cover any hair and make up. Of course you can do it a lot cheaper if you can find dresses on the high street or in sales. Great High Street options are Monsoon or Coast, which both have regular sales. This dove grey Kipp Dress from Monsoon is £110.00 from www.monsoon.co.uk and is very elegant with it's soft draping and embellished neck and waist.
With adult Bridesmaids it's nice to have a consistent theme or colour but to allow them to express some individuality. Also it's essential to consider that Bridesmaids come in different shapes and sizes and some may not feel comfortable in short, strapless or low cut. One great idea I have seen recently is an innovative design from Two Maids that means that all of your Bridesmaids can have the same dress but wear it in 15 totally different ways from strapless, backless, halter, cap sleeves or one shoulder.
These dresses can be bought in Bristol from the Mews, Clifton www.themewsclifton.co.uk. You can also buy a matching bandeau to go underneath for a more modest look, which is great for curvier girls. They even work on pregnant Bridesmaids too thanks to their flowing silk jersey design. They also make ties to match all of the colours for a complete look for the guys too. The Photos below courtesy of Two Birds at the Mews Clifton, show the full length dress with two of the 15 options.
If you are having little Bridesmaids Monsoon Girl has some lovely dresses like this Audrey Butterfly one for £46.00 show below. For Brides on a tighter budget it's worth checking out BHS for a range of coordinating dresses and little waistcoats and cravats for any page boys.
As it's the tradition in the UK that Bridesmaids don't pay for their dresses but get to keep them it's well worth getting them something that they will wear again.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Why Bristol is a Great City to Get Married In
Last night the fantastically glamorous Goldbrick House hosted a wedding tweet up organised by the Little Wedding Helper and it was a great networking event for Bristol Wedding Suppliers. Loads of local suppliers turned up to sample the free champagne and canapes and make some new Bristol wedding contacts.
It made me realise what a great City Bristol is to get Married in with so many talented and enthusiastic people on your doorstep ready to make sure that you have an amazing Wedding. Kirsten Butler aka the Little Wedding Helper organised the event to allow everyone to put some faces to names we regularly see in our twitter feeds such as Cloggins and West Weddings. Kirsten offers a bespoke wedding, event and marquee styling service to ensure that wedding venues look amazing.
I arrived at about 6:30pm and the event was already in full swing. Katherine from Goldbrick House was on hand to welcome everyone and hand out some delicious canapes. Goldbrick House in situated on Park Street and is a conversion of two Georgian town houses and a Victorian factory. It is now an incredibly stylish "food and drink emporium" that is licenced to hold civil ceremonies. Looking at their wedding pack, I was actually surprised at how affordable a glamorous wedding at Goldbrick House could be as they don't charge venue hire, just a minimum spend that you could easily meet with a reasonably sized reception.
It was lovely to meet Emma Woodhouse, aka Cloggins or "The Wedding Reporter" who offers brides a really original service where she will come along to your wedding and experience it as a guest and then write you a detailed report of the day that you can treasure forever alongside with your photos. Emma is an experienced freelance writer who is currently writing some pieces for Wedding Ideas Magazine.
Speaking of photographers, they were out in full force and it was brilliant to meet so many passionate people including Marie Man, Taylor Barnes, Sam Gibson, Nevil Lane Studio, Proof Photography and Jacqueline Helen. I also met Abi and Lisa from Marry Me in Somerset who have also just launched a photography directory, called Marry Me in a Flash.
I was lucky enough to win a free cut and blow dry and some great L'Oreal hair products from a raffle prize donated by McQueens Hair Design also based on Park Street. Here's some of the people in attendance. Well worth checking out their websites if you are getting married in Bristol or the surrounding areas.
The Little Wedding Helper -Bespoke Event Stylist www.littleweddinghelper.co.uk
Goldbrick House - Licenced Wedding venue www.goldbrickhouse.co.uk
How 2 I Do -Wedding Planning Workshops www.how2ido.co.uk
The Wedding Reporter -Freelance Writer www.theweddingreporter.co.uk
Marry Me in Somerset -Wedding Directory www.marrymeinsomerset.co.uk
Cheltenham Wedding DJ -Wedding Specialist DJ www.cheltenhamweddingdj.co.uk
Marie Man - Documentary and Fashion Photography www.marieman.com
Taylor Barnes Photography -Wedding Photographer www.taylorbarnesphotography.co.uk
Jacqueline Helen - Wedding Photography www.hacquelinehelenphotography.co.uk
Proof Photography - Family and Wedding Portraiture www.proofphotography.co.uk
McQueens Hair Design and Colouring Specialists www.mcqueenshairbristol.co.uk
Nevil Lane Studio -Styling and Photography for Kids www.nevillanestudio.com
West Weddings - South West Wedding Magazine westweddings.blogspot.com
Perfect Wedding - National Wedding Magazine www.perfectweddingmag.com/
The Mews Clifton - Luxurious Bridal Boutique www.themewsclifton.co.uk/
Sam Gibson Wedding Photography www.samgibsonwedding.co.uk
Lizzy May Photography -Wedding Photographer http://lizzymayphoto.blogspot.com/
Bridezillas Ltd Bridal Accesories Boutique www.Bridezillas.biz
Rachel Goodchild -Wedding Blogs www.weddingblogdesigner.com/
Apologies to anyone I've missed out. I hope to meet you at the next event.
It made me realise what a great City Bristol is to get Married in with so many talented and enthusiastic people on your doorstep ready to make sure that you have an amazing Wedding. Kirsten Butler aka the Little Wedding Helper organised the event to allow everyone to put some faces to names we regularly see in our twitter feeds such as Cloggins and West Weddings. Kirsten offers a bespoke wedding, event and marquee styling service to ensure that wedding venues look amazing.
I arrived at about 6:30pm and the event was already in full swing. Katherine from Goldbrick House was on hand to welcome everyone and hand out some delicious canapes. Goldbrick House in situated on Park Street and is a conversion of two Georgian town houses and a Victorian factory. It is now an incredibly stylish "food and drink emporium" that is licenced to hold civil ceremonies. Looking at their wedding pack, I was actually surprised at how affordable a glamorous wedding at Goldbrick House could be as they don't charge venue hire, just a minimum spend that you could easily meet with a reasonably sized reception.
It was lovely to meet Emma Woodhouse, aka Cloggins or "The Wedding Reporter" who offers brides a really original service where she will come along to your wedding and experience it as a guest and then write you a detailed report of the day that you can treasure forever alongside with your photos. Emma is an experienced freelance writer who is currently writing some pieces for Wedding Ideas Magazine.
Speaking of photographers, they were out in full force and it was brilliant to meet so many passionate people including Marie Man, Taylor Barnes, Sam Gibson, Nevil Lane Studio, Proof Photography and Jacqueline Helen. I also met Abi and Lisa from Marry Me in Somerset who have also just launched a photography directory, called Marry Me in a Flash.
I was lucky enough to win a free cut and blow dry and some great L'Oreal hair products from a raffle prize donated by McQueens Hair Design also based on Park Street. Here's some of the people in attendance. Well worth checking out their websites if you are getting married in Bristol or the surrounding areas.
The Little Wedding Helper -Bespoke Event Stylist www.littleweddinghelper.co.uk
Goldbrick House - Licenced Wedding venue www.goldbrickhouse.co.uk
How 2 I Do -Wedding Planning Workshops www.how2ido.co.uk
The Wedding Reporter -Freelance Writer www.theweddingreporter.co.uk
Marry Me in Somerset -Wedding Directory www.marrymeinsomerset.co.uk
Cheltenham Wedding DJ -Wedding Specialist DJ www.cheltenhamweddingdj.co.uk
Marie Man - Documentary and Fashion Photography www.marieman.com
Taylor Barnes Photography -Wedding Photographer www.taylorbarnesphotography.co.uk
Jacqueline Helen - Wedding Photography www.hacquelinehelenphotography.co.uk
Proof Photography - Family and Wedding Portraiture www.proofphotography.co.uk
McQueens Hair Design and Colouring Specialists www.mcqueenshairbristol.co.uk
Nevil Lane Studio -Styling and Photography for Kids www.nevillanestudio.com
West Weddings - South West Wedding Magazine westweddings.blogspot.com
Perfect Wedding - National Wedding Magazine www.perfectweddingmag.com/
The Mews Clifton - Luxurious Bridal Boutique www.themewsclifton.co.uk/
Sam Gibson Wedding Photography www.samgibsonwedding.co.uk
Lizzy May Photography -Wedding Photographer http://lizzymayphoto.blogspot.com/
Bridezillas Ltd Bridal Accesories Boutique www.Bridezillas.biz
Rachel Goodchild -Wedding Blogs www.weddingblogdesigner.com/
Apologies to anyone I've missed out. I hope to meet you at the next event.
Saturday, 14 May 2011
How to Plan a Wedding Your Guests Will Love
When you get engaged it is really easy to become engrossed in the planning process and want your Wedding to be a reflection of your personal wishes and desires. I hear lots of Brides say "It's my day and I don't care what anyone else wants". I was probably like that myself when I got married almost 3 years ago but what I really tried to do was make it a reflection of us but also think about my guests.
If you really think about what you want your wedding to be, you want to include all your own individual touches but you also want your guests to have a great time and really enjoy the day as that will create the great atmosphere that will make your day a success.
When I say think about your guests I don't mean do everything your Mother in Law wants or try to accommodate your Great Aunt who wants you to wear her own wedding dress, but think about the whole wedding experience from your guests perspective. Try to visualise the day as someone who has come to your wedding from a long way away and doesn't know the area or many people.
Start with the venue. Is it easy to find and accessible for all guests including any elderly guests or small children? Our venue was quite remote and had a very steep walk up from the car park so we created a wedding website with loads of information for guests. We included all local hotels with how much they cost and the distance from the venue. We also drove the routes and wrote detailed directions from each hotel.
On our website we put a note about the steep hill so people could be dropped off if they were wearing high shoes or had trouble walking. We also mentioned that there was open water so guests with children could keep an extra eye on them. Providing this sort of thoughtful information can really make your guests feel welcome. Also think about facilities for your guests like toilets and somewhere to get a drink if they have travelled on the day.
Our website also included a run down of the timings so people knew what would happen and when as well as information on the venue, food and things to do in the local area. We even added taxi numbers and car rental places as some of the guests flew down from Scotland.
It's also important to make sure that your guests are entertained while you have your photos, so we had a harpist and lots of food and drinks. Another nice touch was a basket in the ladies loo with things like deodorant, wipes, sun cream, safety pins and blister plasters and these were really popular.
I have also been to weddings as an evening guest and felt like a real spare part. Make sure that you value your evening guests and be there to greet them when they arrive to make them feel part of the wedding. Ensure there is enough space for everyone in the evening too as too often tables are removed and there is no-where for new arrivals to sit. With your evening entertainment try to have something to appeal to all ages and don't skimp on this area. You want your guests to not want to leave, not try to leave at 9pm because they're bored or feel ignored.
Here's some tips on how to keep your guests happy...
If you really think about what you want your wedding to be, you want to include all your own individual touches but you also want your guests to have a great time and really enjoy the day as that will create the great atmosphere that will make your day a success.
When I say think about your guests I don't mean do everything your Mother in Law wants or try to accommodate your Great Aunt who wants you to wear her own wedding dress, but think about the whole wedding experience from your guests perspective. Try to visualise the day as someone who has come to your wedding from a long way away and doesn't know the area or many people.
Start with the venue. Is it easy to find and accessible for all guests including any elderly guests or small children? Our venue was quite remote and had a very steep walk up from the car park so we created a wedding website with loads of information for guests. We included all local hotels with how much they cost and the distance from the venue. We also drove the routes and wrote detailed directions from each hotel.
On our website we put a note about the steep hill so people could be dropped off if they were wearing high shoes or had trouble walking. We also mentioned that there was open water so guests with children could keep an extra eye on them. Providing this sort of thoughtful information can really make your guests feel welcome. Also think about facilities for your guests like toilets and somewhere to get a drink if they have travelled on the day.
Our website also included a run down of the timings so people knew what would happen and when as well as information on the venue, food and things to do in the local area. We even added taxi numbers and car rental places as some of the guests flew down from Scotland.
It's also important to make sure that your guests are entertained while you have your photos, so we had a harpist and lots of food and drinks. Another nice touch was a basket in the ladies loo with things like deodorant, wipes, sun cream, safety pins and blister plasters and these were really popular.
I have also been to weddings as an evening guest and felt like a real spare part. Make sure that you value your evening guests and be there to greet them when they arrive to make them feel part of the wedding. Ensure there is enough space for everyone in the evening too as too often tables are removed and there is no-where for new arrivals to sit. With your evening entertainment try to have something to appeal to all ages and don't skimp on this area. You want your guests to not want to leave, not try to leave at 9pm because they're bored or feel ignored.
Here's some tips on how to keep your guests happy...
- Provide lots of information for your guests on hotels, travel and directions
- Make sure there's not too much waiting around for guests or boring lulls with no entertainment
- Provide thoughtful touches for your guests like personalised favours and complimentary toiletries in the loos
- Make sure the evening guests feel welcome and involved and not ignored
- Make sure there is enough seating for the ceremony and for extra people in the evening
- Get all of your guests together for informal drinks the night before so people get to know each other before the Wedding
- Ensure there is somewhere dry for guests to wait on a wet day
- Provide large umbrellas if it is likely to rain
- Make sure the food and entertainment will appeal to all ages, religions and tastes
- Keep the speeches appropriate for older guests and children
- If you have a lot of children, provide goody bags or childcare if the budget allows to keep them all entertained and allow the parents to relax
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
How to Plan Like a Royal
If anyone has seen recent news about the Royal Wedding there's little doubt that it has been planned with military precision. Even the arrival of the guests is planned by the minute to accommodate road closures, Royal protocol and security issues. Catherine and William's big day looks something like this, as reported on bbbc.co.uk/news
Here's a few more great tips from How 2 I Do on how to Marry like a Royal...
- Between 0815 and 0945 - The general congregation will arrive at the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey.
- From 0950 - Prime ministers and governors-general of various Commonwealth countries, the diplomatic corps and other guests arrive at the Abbey.
- 1010 - Prince William and Prince Harry leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey.
- 1015 - Prince William and Prince Harry arrive at the Abbey.
- 1020 - Members of foreign royal families arrive at Westminster Abbey from Buckingham Palace.
- 1020 - Kate Middleton's mother, Carole, and brother, James, leave the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey.
- 1025 - Minor members of the Royal Family leave Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey.
- 1035 - The Duke of York and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, leave for Westminster Abbey along with the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence.
- 1038 - The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey.
- 1040 - The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey.
- 1048 - The bridesmaids and pages leave the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey.
- 1051 - The bride, accompanied by her father Michael, leaves the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey.
- 1100 - The marriage service begins and is relayed by speakers along the route.
- 1215 - The carriage procession of the bride and bridegroom with a captain's escort of the Household Cavalry, followed by the Queen's procession with a sovereign's escort of the Household Cavalry, leaves Westminster Abbey for Buckingham Palace.
- 1230 - The bride's carriage procession arrives at Buckingham Palace.
- 1240 - Members of the Royal Family and members of foreign royal families arrive at Buckingham Palace.
- 1325 - The Queen and the bride and bridegroom, together with their families, appear on the balcony.
- 1330 - Fly-past by the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Here's a few more great tips from How 2 I Do on how to Marry like a Royal...
- Make sure that as the Bride or Groom you are not responsible for doing anything on the day - delegate tasks to your Best Man, ushers and Bridesmaids and make sure they have contact details for key suppliers
- The Royal Wedding may be rainy. Have a clear contingency plan for wet weather such as big umbrellas and an indoor photo and drinks reception location
- Plan timings with precision and make sure you know how long it will take to drive to the wedding venues, how long the speeches will be and how long the photos will take
- You may not be marrying a real Prince but make sure you feel like a Princess and be sure to have all of your beauty essentials on hand to be "close up" ready at all times
- You don't need to follow Royal protocol but brush up on Wedding etiquette such as how the top table should be laid out and in which order the speeches should take place (Father of the Bride, Groom and then Best Man)
- Why not take inspiration and go for a Cool Britannia theme with lots of Union Jack Bunting and a street party style reception
- Prince William will be having a special chocolate biscuit cake so why have fruit cake if you don't like it or for more variety have tiers with different cake flavours
- Kate Middleton has a very individual look and likes to be perfectly groomed and stylish rather than cutting edge fashionable. Make sure that your wedding look reflects your personal style so that you are a highly groomed version of yourself.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
News from our April Wedding Planning Workshop
Our first How 2 I Do Wedding Planning Workshop took place today and it was a great success. Our Brides and Groom to be arrived at the fabulous Avon Gorge Hotel (http://www.theavongorge.com/) and were welcomed with pastries and cool drinks as we overlooked the amazing sun baked terrace. We started with some introductions and then went on to look at where to begin planning.
Our next step was trying out the interactive budgeting tool, which everyone thought was really useful. Our money saving tips were also well received by all. We demonstrated our handy timescale planning tool, which allows you to know what needs to be organised and when it should be completed. It can also be used for timings on the Big Day. All of these tools are in the Wedding Planning pack that everyone can take home to store their planning documents in, along with a printed 21 page summary of the day and a pen.
Our next step was trying out the interactive budgeting tool, which everyone thought was really useful. Our money saving tips were also well received by all. We demonstrated our handy timescale planning tool, which allows you to know what needs to be organised and when it should be completed. It can also be used for timings on the Big Day. All of these tools are in the Wedding Planning pack that everyone can take home to store their planning documents in, along with a printed 21 page summary of the day and a pen.
Next we did a fun exercise to help pick a wedding theme. To do this we looked through wedding magazines and cut out any pictures that we liked and stuck them on to paper to make a mood board. Melissa made a great classic board with lots of creams and a retro feel, while Francesca opted for lots of blues and silvers. Here's one we made earlier...
After making our mood boards we looked at choosing venues and gave everyone some great ideas for venues that they had not heard about before such as the Clifton Lido. After a break for some tea, coffee and sunshine we covered entertainment ideas, food and drink, picking photographers, ceremony legalities, roles and responsibilities and had a question and answer session.
Francesca who took part in the workshop with her Fiance Jeff said "I thought the workshop was extremely informative, fun and creative. It calmed me and my fiance down about the whole wedding experience. I will be spreading the word. Thank you very much. You made us feel special about our special day."
Melissa who is planning to get married in either 2012 or 2013 said "The whole afternoon was very informative and useful. I now feel confident to begin planning my Wedding. Stephanie has some great ideas and was able to answer any queries I had. I would recommend this workshop to anyone starting out planning their wedding."
If you would like to come along to our next workshop, visit us at http://www.how2ido.co.uk/ for more information.
The Avon Gorge Hotel is liscenced for Civil Ceremonies and has two inter-connecting reception rooms downstairs that have direct access to the Terrace with it's stunning views on the Clifton Suspension Bridge. There is also a larger room upstairs with its own bar.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Where to Start Planning your Day
So you're engaged...Congratulations! I bet you can't wait to start all the fun stuff like looking at dresses and venues, but hang on there a moment because there's a few things you should do first if you want everything to go to plan.
The first thing you need to do is think about roughly when you want to get married and decide whether it's in 6 months or 6 years and whether it's in Summer, Winter, Spring or Autumn. Next you need to make a list of everyone you would ideally like to invite and get a ballpark figure as planning a wedding for 50 people is a very different matter to one for 150.
So, you've decided to get married in May next year and invite about 60 guests. What comes next? You really need to pin down your budget at this point as this will dictate all of your planning. To do this you need to look at funding options from savings to loans and help from families. Try not to overstretch yourselves as you may have the day of your dreams, but you really don't want to still be paying for it when you have been married a few years and need to save for other big purchases like buying a house or kitting out a nursery.
Once you have a budget figure you can work out what you can afford for your venue as this and your food will be your largest areas of spending. You can find venues online, in wedding magazines and from recommendations from friends. Make a shortlist and visit three or four before committing to your final choice. Make sure to take a list of questions to ask the venue and don't be afraid to haggle over prices.
If you have a tight budget there's loads of areas where you can reduce your spending and our How 2 I Do wedding planning workshops are full of tips and ideas to keep your budget on track. Here's a few we've decided to share with you, because we're nice like that...
The first thing you need to do is think about roughly when you want to get married and decide whether it's in 6 months or 6 years and whether it's in Summer, Winter, Spring or Autumn. Next you need to make a list of everyone you would ideally like to invite and get a ballpark figure as planning a wedding for 50 people is a very different matter to one for 150.
So, you've decided to get married in May next year and invite about 60 guests. What comes next? You really need to pin down your budget at this point as this will dictate all of your planning. To do this you need to look at funding options from savings to loans and help from families. Try not to overstretch yourselves as you may have the day of your dreams, but you really don't want to still be paying for it when you have been married a few years and need to save for other big purchases like buying a house or kitting out a nursery.
Once you have a budget figure you can work out what you can afford for your venue as this and your food will be your largest areas of spending. You can find venues online, in wedding magazines and from recommendations from friends. Make a shortlist and visit three or four before committing to your final choice. Make sure to take a list of questions to ask the venue and don't be afraid to haggle over prices.
If you have a tight budget there's loads of areas where you can reduce your spending and our How 2 I Do wedding planning workshops are full of tips and ideas to keep your budget on track. Here's a few we've decided to share with you, because we're nice like that...
- Ask your guests to donate towards your honeymoon for your wedding gift
- Instead of a toastmaster ask your Best Man or venue Wedding Coordinator to make announcements
- Ask your married friends to lend you a veil as your something borrowed as they can cost hundreds to buy and you will only wear it for a few hours
- Use flowers that are in season or grown your own to keep costs down
- Use film students via http://www.schoolyweds.com/ to film your wedding video and you'll get future talent at affordable prices
Sunday, 27 February 2011
For Better or Worse - Contingency Planning
Weddings are a fun and joyous occasion so it's easy to plan for the good things that come with getting married. But what if something goes wrong just before your wedding or on the day itself? Even though it seems a bit depressing to think about, it's always a good idea to have a plan B.
For a start it you are getting married in Britain, it makes sense to have a wet weather plan. Ideally you will have all of your photos outside in bright sunshine, but if it does rain all day and let's face it with recent summers there's a good chance it could, where will you go? It's a great idea to speak to your venue and photographer in advance about wet weather plans. Scout some indoor or covered locations that you could use in the rain and make sure if you are planning an outdoor drinks reception that the venue has indoor space available too. Make sure to buy a few big golf umbrellas just in case. I've seen some great wet weather photos taken of Brides in wellies under huge brollies.
When you book suppliers, ask them what would happen if they are ill on the day. Many good photographers for example will have a network of other photographers that they would call on if they couldn't attend your day. It's a great idea to give a list of suppliers names and contact numbers to your best man or wedding coordinator on the day and then if someone doesn't turn up, they can start ringing them asap without bothering you.
It also pays to check simple details like can the stretch limo you have booked make it down the narrow one track country lane to your remote country house or can your 16th century venue support your DJ's amps and lighting rig draining all of their power without plunging the whole room into darkness.
Wedding insurance is essential and it will protect you from supplier problems and also the more unthinkable problems like having to call things off at the last minute due to ill health of the Bride, Groom or immediate family member. Apart from that the best thing is to confirm all of the details with suppliers before the wedding, make sure you have contracts with all of your suppliers and ensure that everyone know where they should be and when on the big day.
Don't let worrying about things going wrong ruin the day, especially the small stuff like your flowers matching your table diamonds, but do spend a bit of time thinking about what you would do if any or the big parts of your day like the weather, venue, cars, photographer or caterer let you down at the last minute.
For a start it you are getting married in Britain, it makes sense to have a wet weather plan. Ideally you will have all of your photos outside in bright sunshine, but if it does rain all day and let's face it with recent summers there's a good chance it could, where will you go? It's a great idea to speak to your venue and photographer in advance about wet weather plans. Scout some indoor or covered locations that you could use in the rain and make sure if you are planning an outdoor drinks reception that the venue has indoor space available too. Make sure to buy a few big golf umbrellas just in case. I've seen some great wet weather photos taken of Brides in wellies under huge brollies.
When you book suppliers, ask them what would happen if they are ill on the day. Many good photographers for example will have a network of other photographers that they would call on if they couldn't attend your day. It's a great idea to give a list of suppliers names and contact numbers to your best man or wedding coordinator on the day and then if someone doesn't turn up, they can start ringing them asap without bothering you.
It also pays to check simple details like can the stretch limo you have booked make it down the narrow one track country lane to your remote country house or can your 16th century venue support your DJ's amps and lighting rig draining all of their power without plunging the whole room into darkness.
Wedding insurance is essential and it will protect you from supplier problems and also the more unthinkable problems like having to call things off at the last minute due to ill health of the Bride, Groom or immediate family member. Apart from that the best thing is to confirm all of the details with suppliers before the wedding, make sure you have contracts with all of your suppliers and ensure that everyone know where they should be and when on the big day.
Don't let worrying about things going wrong ruin the day, especially the small stuff like your flowers matching your table diamonds, but do spend a bit of time thinking about what you would do if any or the big parts of your day like the weather, venue, cars, photographer or caterer let you down at the last minute.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Finding the perfect dress
When I got engaged I couldn't wait to go wedding dress shopping. Most women dream of the moment when they step out of the changing room in the perfect white gown. Picture the scene..you emerge from behind the elegant curtains to greet your Mother and best friends who are sat eagerly waiting for you. An awed silence transcends the room and you steal a shy glance at your Mum who is wiping away a tear, while your friends gush that your dress is "the one".
Well that's what I thought would happen, but unfortunately this never happened to me and, as far as I know, not that many of my friends have had this great thunderbolt moment. Instead I was massively confused by the fact that most wedding dresses look pretty special on and there were several I really liked. I visited four or five different wedding dress shops searching for "the one". They say most women end up buying the first dress they try on and I wonder if it's because it's the first time they have seen themselves in a wedding dress and been transported emotionally from fiancee to bride.
In the end I went for a Maggie Sottero dress because it was flattering, built on an amazing lace up corset and had enough features to make a style statement while still being feminine and bridal. It was the one for me, but still not "the one". In the end I absolutely loved my dress and I even got some tears out of my future Mother in Law when I modelled it for her in the shop.
For any of you about to begin this quest here are a few tips:
So good luck brides in your quest for "the one". I hope that you find it and if you can find a dress you love that is also reasonably priced, then you're a better woman than me!!!
For more tips on planning your perfect wedding visit http://www.how2ido.co.uk/ to book a wedding planning workshop.
Well that's what I thought would happen, but unfortunately this never happened to me and, as far as I know, not that many of my friends have had this great thunderbolt moment. Instead I was massively confused by the fact that most wedding dresses look pretty special on and there were several I really liked. I visited four or five different wedding dress shops searching for "the one". They say most women end up buying the first dress they try on and I wonder if it's because it's the first time they have seen themselves in a wedding dress and been transported emotionally from fiancee to bride.
In the end I went for a Maggie Sottero dress because it was flattering, built on an amazing lace up corset and had enough features to make a style statement while still being feminine and bridal. It was the one for me, but still not "the one". In the end I absolutely loved my dress and I even got some tears out of my future Mother in Law when I modelled it for her in the shop.
For any of you about to begin this quest here are a few tips:
- Make appointments well in advance as most wedding dress shops are very busy, especially on Saturdays
- Take a couple of people with you who will be honest with you like you Mum, Sister of best friend
- Wear good underwear as you will need to be helped into the dresses by the shop staff
- Do your hair and makeup and try on veils and tiaras to get the whole bridal look
- Try on lots of different shapes and listen to the shop staff as some dresses will look nothing on the hanger but can be amazing on.
- If you are curvy, a dress built on a lace up corset will give you a great shape
So good luck brides in your quest for "the one". I hope that you find it and if you can find a dress you love that is also reasonably priced, then you're a better woman than me!!!
For more tips on planning your perfect wedding visit http://www.how2ido.co.uk/ to book a wedding planning workshop.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Weddings: Size matters!
When you get married it's great to share your wedding day with your friends and family, but before you casually mention your wedding to Bob from Accounts or your whole Sunday football team, it's important to think seriously about numbers.
The average UK wedding now costs in excess of £20,000 and a large proportion of that will be made up with your food and drink budget. You will need to allow approximately £50.00 per head for a day guest at your wedding. This should cover welcome drinks, food, wine, toast drinks and evening food. However, some upmarket venues may charge closer to this sum just for a three course dinner.
If you choose to invite all of your friends, everyone from work, friends from sports teams and your Parents friends you could easily reach 150 people. Before you know it that's £7500 just on food and drink alone and if your total budget is £10,000 it's not going to stretch to cover venue hire, entertainment, wedding clothing, ceremony fees, transportation, rings, accommodation and all of the other endless costs related to your wedding.
So how do you keep numbers in check? Firstly make a list of everyone you would like to invite and see what figure you reach. To have a wedding with a budget below £10000, you ideally want to keep to 50-60 day guests, with another 20 or so guests arriving for the disco.
Evening guests will only cost you the price of any evening food you arrange, normally around £10-15 per head and you can often only cater for 80% of guests for evening food as many will have eaten a big meal before they arrive.
If your list is on the larger side, you may have to be a bit ruthless to keep your budget on track. A good way to cut guests is to create some simple rules such as only inviting people that you have seen in the last year prior to getting engaged or only inviting work colleagues that you have socialised with outside of work.
Obviously family are a bit more complicated and you may need to discuss with your Parents who you need to invite. Perhaps stick to immediate family, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts and first Cousins only. You may need to have some honest conversations with your Parents if they wish to invite twenty of their closest friends.
Another good trick is to think how you would feel if the person you are considering inviting got married and you weren't invited to their wedding. If you wouldn't be that bothered, the chances are that they won't mind not being invited to yours. What do you do if you try all of this and still have 200 people? Well you can always get married abroad and see if your Great Aunt Edna, twice removed still wants to come!
For more useful help planning your wedding, visit http://www.how2ido.co.uk/ to learn about our fun, affordable wedding planning workshops in Bristol
The average UK wedding now costs in excess of £20,000 and a large proportion of that will be made up with your food and drink budget. You will need to allow approximately £50.00 per head for a day guest at your wedding. This should cover welcome drinks, food, wine, toast drinks and evening food. However, some upmarket venues may charge closer to this sum just for a three course dinner.
If you choose to invite all of your friends, everyone from work, friends from sports teams and your Parents friends you could easily reach 150 people. Before you know it that's £7500 just on food and drink alone and if your total budget is £10,000 it's not going to stretch to cover venue hire, entertainment, wedding clothing, ceremony fees, transportation, rings, accommodation and all of the other endless costs related to your wedding.
So how do you keep numbers in check? Firstly make a list of everyone you would like to invite and see what figure you reach. To have a wedding with a budget below £10000, you ideally want to keep to 50-60 day guests, with another 20 or so guests arriving for the disco.
Evening guests will only cost you the price of any evening food you arrange, normally around £10-15 per head and you can often only cater for 80% of guests for evening food as many will have eaten a big meal before they arrive.
If your list is on the larger side, you may have to be a bit ruthless to keep your budget on track. A good way to cut guests is to create some simple rules such as only inviting people that you have seen in the last year prior to getting engaged or only inviting work colleagues that you have socialised with outside of work.
Obviously family are a bit more complicated and you may need to discuss with your Parents who you need to invite. Perhaps stick to immediate family, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts and first Cousins only. You may need to have some honest conversations with your Parents if they wish to invite twenty of their closest friends.
Another good trick is to think how you would feel if the person you are considering inviting got married and you weren't invited to their wedding. If you wouldn't be that bothered, the chances are that they won't mind not being invited to yours. What do you do if you try all of this and still have 200 people? Well you can always get married abroad and see if your Great Aunt Edna, twice removed still wants to come!
For more useful help planning your wedding, visit http://www.how2ido.co.uk/ to learn about our fun, affordable wedding planning workshops in Bristol
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