The Wedding Guide (Manchester, Lancashire, and Cumbria Edition) Autumn/Winter 2011

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We can help you design your wedding down to the finest detail from choosing your invitations to dressing your bridesmaids. Plus, create your gift list with Debenhams and you will receive…

FREE FREE planning tools and personalised 10% discount** on the gifts you didn’t receive

FREE gift insurance† FREE delivery

Call 08445 61 61 61 to book an appointment.

*You will receive the giftcard when you complete your gift list, minimum spend of £250 applies. **Discount applies to most departments. Selected concessions are not participating. †This covers the products on your gift list up to the value of £1,500. Debenhams Retail plc.

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2 T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E

The Wedding Guide is designed to provide you withstep by step advice, so that you can find everything youneed to plan your dream wedding, with everythingfrom helping you to decide on a religious or civilceremony to how to put your gift list together. Wehave pages to inspire you and checklists to guide you.You can rely on all of our recommended suppliers toprovide you with professional advice and ideas, to helpyou achieve the special day you’ve always wanted.

Join our social media pages to stay in touch with latestnews, wedding fairs and supplier offers.

Turn to our extensive Wedding Fair Diary starting onpage 88 to find events taking place near you – this isgreat for planning your weekends around! If you can’tfind what you are looking for, feel free to contact me tosee if I can help.

Enjoy your planning!

Kerys xKerys Mullen, Editor & Publisher

The Wedding Guide Autumn/Winter 2011Editor & Publisher: Kerys MullenDesign & Production: Neil Rees for Sunrise Design for PublishingAdvertising: Louise Adkin for Angel MediaAdministration: Hayley Moorhead, Andrea SwanDistribution: Karen Dobson, Stephanie Vaja, Jennifer Holt, HelenJowitt, Katie Dillon, Faith Hardie, and Ana Arends

Published and distributed by Pure Glamour Events, Studio D, 22 Jordan Street, Liverpool, L1 0BP. Telephone: 0800 230 0907Web: www.theweddingguideuk.comEmail: [email protected]

Front cover image: Crash Taylor www.crashtaylor.com

© 2011 Bridal Media Limited. No material including images, text and designwork, contained in The Wedding Guide may be reproduced in whole or in partwithout the written consent of Bridal Media Limited.

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Congratulations

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A-Z of Wedding Suppliers 6-11

The CeremonyLocation 30-31From ceremony to reception 32Civil Ceremonies 38Suggested Reading 34Civil Partnerships 87

The BrideThe Dress 14-16Bridesmaids 18, 47Bridal Fashion 28-29 Accessories 26-27Hair & Beauty 68-69

The BridegroomTips for the Groom 42Speeches 45

The ReceptionChoosing the Venue 36Venue Decoration 60Chair Covers 62 Music & Entertainment 64The Menu 44

The DetailsFlowers 54Photographer 50, 75Jewellery 72Stationery 66Favours 66, 76Cars 70

The Planning GuideTimetable 92-93Budget planning 92-93

Wedding Exhibition Diary 94-96

In this edition

48

18

72

54


Fabricius Green Fine Jewels1 High StreetShrewsbury SY1 1SPPhone: 01743 244 194

Shropshire

Invest in love!

To see complete stockist list or view more styles visit www.furrer-jacot.com

FURRER-JACOT AG · 8200 Schaffhausen · Switzerland

Arjento45 High StreetUppermillSaddleworth OL3 6HSPhone: 01457 871 771

Humberstone84, King William StreetBlackburn BB1 7EAPhone: 01254 690 996

George Banks Jewellers24, FishergatePreston PR1 3NNPhone: 01772 824 433

Hancocks29 King StreetManchester M2 6AFPhone: 0161 834 4512

WAVE Contemporary Jewellery 27 MarketgateLancaster LA1 1ALPhone: 01524 62333

WAVE Contemporary Jewellery 16-18 Royal Exchange ArcadeManchester M2 7EAPhone: 0161 832 9868

Prestons of Bolton2 DeansgateBolton BL1 1BTPhone: 01204 552 550

A. & B. Christie15 Corporation StreetBlackpool FY1 1EJPhone: 01253 622 712

Lancashire

WAVE Contemporary Jewellery 20 Finkle StreetKendal LA9 4ABPhone: 01539 729 805

WAVE Contemporary Jewellery 2 Ash StreetBowness-on-Windermere LA23 2EBPhone: 01539 448 022

Cumbria


ACCESSORIES

Crystal Eternity Brides & Occasions p2717 Priory Lane, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0AR01772 745 555/ 07807 093 [email protected]

Especially For You p2138 Derby Road, Longridge, Preston, PR3 3JT01772 785 334enquiries@especiallyforyoubridal.co.ukwww.especiallyforyoubridal.co.uk

Flamingo Fashion p2367 Liverpool Road, Preston, PR1 9XD01772 [email protected] www.flamingofashion.co.uk

Nancy Jane Brides p13149 Barton Road, Stretford, M32 8DN0161 865 [email protected]

BALLOONS

Bow So Sweet p61357 Plodder Lane, Bolton, BL4 0JP01204 418 926/ 07775 326 [email protected]

Elegant Weddings p5907757 541 656www.elegantweddingsnorthwest.co.uk

BAR SERVICES

The Big Event Group p41Liverpool, Manchester and Cheshire08452 601 106www.bigeventgroup.com

BEAUTY - SKIN, HAIR, & MAKEUP

Absolute Beauty p69Across the Northwest07769 186 600/ 07809 433 874absolutebeautylancashire@yahoo.co.ukwww.absolutebeautyweddings.co.uk

Debenhams Stores Inside front cover08445 616 161www.debenhams.com/weddings

Temple Spa p69Jackie Howley, Lifestyle Consultant & Manager07932 345 [email protected]/jackiehowley

BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY

Shy Violet Bride Photography p75Unit 6A, Woodend Mills, South Hill,Springhead, Saddleworth, OL4 5DR07810 533 [email protected]

BRIDAL WEAR

A1 Bridals p1770-72 Warrington Road, Wigan, WN2 5JA01942 866 [email protected]

Brides of Rochdale39 Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1RX01706 522 217www.bridesofrochdale.com

Claire Louise Brides p20603 Chorley Old Rd, Heaton, Bolton, Lancs, BL1 6BL01204 497 [email protected]

Crystal Eternity Brides & Occasions p2717 Priory Lane, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0AR01772 745 555/ [email protected]



Dreamaker3 Whalley Road, Read, Lancs BB12 7PB01282 770 425/ 07770 482 [email protected]

Dreamaker at The Mensroom89-91 Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JZ01282 831 [email protected]

Especially For You p2138 Derby Road, Longridge, Preston, PR3 3JT01772 785 334enquiries@especiallyforyoubridal.co.ukwww.especiallyforyoubridal.co.uk

Julia Tasker Bridal Couture3 North Terrace, Bowness-On-Windermere, LA23 3AU01539 446 [email protected] www.juliataskerbridalcouture.co.uk

Just Gorgeous Bridal Studio 1st floor, 588b Burnley Road,Crawshawbooth, Rossendale01706 226 [email protected]

Kiku Boutique p19100 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LR0161 819 [email protected]

Mears Ghyll Bridal RoomsBrookhouse Road, Brookhouse, Lancaster, LA2 9JP01524 770 [email protected]

Nancy Jane Brides p13149 Barton Road, Stretford, M32 8DN0161 865 [email protected]

Pearl Bridal Boutique172 Northenden Road, Sale Moor, Cheshire, M33 2SR0161 962 9419nicole@pearlbridalboutique.co.ukwww.pearlbridalboutique.co.uk

Pronuptia Altrincham28 Church Street, Altrincham, WA14 4DW0161 941 4118www.pronuptia-northwest.com

Pronuptia Bolton105-109 Derby St,Bolton, BL3 6HH01204 528 009www.pronuptia-lancashire.com

Pronuptia ManchesterUnit 12 Sevendale House,Manchester, M1 1JA0161 228 7506www.pronuptia-northwest.com

CAKES


CANDY BUFFET


Candy Kanes p5907966 695 [email protected]


CARS

Ferrari Groom Car Hire p4101254 [email protected]

Platinum Wedding Cars p71Unit 5 Labtec Street, Swinton, Manchester, M27 8SE0161 794 [email protected]


T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E 7



The Camper Shak p70Unit 7 Woodend Business Park, Marsh Moss Lane, Burscough, L40 0PH01704 891 [email protected]

Wedding Buggy p7107739 038 [email protected]

CASINOS


CEREMONY VENUES

Days Hotel p37Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB0161 955 [email protected]

Eaves Hall Country Hotel p33Eaves Hall Lane, West Bradford,Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3JG01200 425 [email protected]

The Place Hotel p37Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2TP0161 778 [email protected]

The Venue Finder Back cover08452 601 [email protected]

West Tower Country House Hotel p35Mill Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, L39 7HJ01695 423328 [email protected]

CHAIR COVERS

Beautiful Chairs p620800 411 8848/07713 148 [email protected]

Bow So Sweet p61357 Plodder Lane,Bolton, BL4 0JP01204 418 926/ 07775 326 [email protected]



Wedding Creations p61Oswaldtwistle Mills Business & Conference CentreClifton Mill, Pickup Street, Oswaldtwistle, BB5 0EY01254 232 [email protected]

CHOCOLATE FOUNTAINS



Wonka’s Chocolate Fountain p5901706 231 507info@wonkaschocolatefountain.co.ukwww.wonkaschocolatefountain.co.uk

CORSETRY


CRYSTAL BOUQUETS

Crystal Eternity Brides & Occasions p2717 Priory Lane, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0AR01772 745 555/ 07807 [email protected]



DISCOS

Event Entertainment Ltd p63The North West07528 459 109/01257 368 [email protected]

John Norcott p6307951 529 [email protected]

Matt Johnson p3Wedding SingerPO Box 210, Deeside, CH5 9DJ07975 999 [email protected]

Richard Cropper p65The Entertainer Ltd07969 88 20 [email protected]


DRY CLEANING AND HEIRLOOMING

Village Dry Cleaners p2538 Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 9PH0161 860 [email protected]

FAVOURS


Candy Kanes p5907966 695 [email protected]

The Lottery at Bolton Hospice p76Queens Park Street, Bolton, BL1 4QT01204 663 [email protected]

The Soap Corner [email protected] www.thesoapcorner.co.uk

FLOWERS


The Gilded Lily p55The Studio, Burgh Lane, Chorley, PR7 3NP07867 988 [email protected]

Flori Couture p55Covering the North West07764 767 [email protected]

GIFT LIST REGISTRY/WEDDING GIFTS


HONEYMOONS/WEDDINGS ABROAD

Travel Bureau60 High St, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 4AT0191 272 [email protected]

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Days Hotel p37Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB0161 955 [email protected]

Eaves Hall Country Hotel p33Eaves Hall Lane, West Bradford, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3JG01200 425 [email protected]





West Tower Country House Hotel p35Mill Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, L39 7HJ01695 423328 [email protected]

ICE SCULPTURE


INVITATIONS

The Wedding Room UK p67The Studio, 15 Town Lane, Charnock Richard, Nr Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 5HP01257 792 458/ 07814 715 [email protected]

JEWELLERY


Furrer-Jacot of Switzerland p5To see the complete stockist list or view more stylesvisit www.furrer-jacot.com

Local Stockists:A & B Christie Blackpool, FY1 1EJ 01253 22 712Prestons of Bolton Bolton, BL1 1BT 01204 552 550 WAVE Contemporary Jewellery Lancaster, LA1 1AL01524 62333Hancocks Manchester, M2 6AF 0161 834 4512Wave Contemporary Jewellery Manchester M2 7EA0161 832 9868George Banks Jewellers Preston, PR1 3NN 01772 824 433Arjento Uppermill OL3 6HS 01457 871 771Humberstone Blackburn, BB1 7EA 01254 690 996Wave Contemporary Jewellery Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 2EB 01539 488 022Wave Contemporary Jewellery Kendal LA9 4AB01539 729 805

I DO Jewellery p73@ Platt Jewellers, 1st Floor Middleton ShoppingCentre, Middleton, Manchester, M24 4EL0161 643 [email protected]/www.i-do-jewellery.co.uk

LINGERIE



MAGICIANS


MARQUEE HIRE


MENS FORMAL WEAR

Alan Lund Hire Direct LtdUnit 2-6 Thrum Hall Industrial Estate,Albert Road, Halifax, HX2 0DB01422 355 [email protected]


Groom p431-4 The Courtyard, Horsemarket St,Warrington, WA1 1XL01925 658 [email protected]

Groom p4390 Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5BB01625 419 [email protected]

Groom p43The Wedding House, 3-4 Great George Place,Liverpool, L1 7AG0151 709 [email protected]



Groom p43126 Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HT01244 401 [email protected]

Groom p43Albert Square, 37 Princess St, Manchester, M2 4FN0161 236 [email protected]

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE


Flamingo Fashion p2367 Liverpool Road, Preston, PR1 9XD01772 [email protected] www.flamingofashion.co.uk

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT


John Norcott p6307951 529 [email protected]

Matt Johnson p3Wedding SingerPO Box 210, Deeside, CH5 9DJ07975 999 [email protected]

Richard Cropper p65The Entertainer Ltd07969 88 20 [email protected]


PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alex O Neill Photography p5107838 247 247/01524 855 [email protected]

Images By Julie p5114 Cambridge Close, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0NB01204 431 630/ 07879 011 [email protected]

Jim Whitham Photography p5301204 576 366/ 07818 045 [email protected]

Shy Violet Bride Photography p75Unit 6A, Woodend Mills, South Hill,Springhead, Saddleworth, OL4 5DR07810 533 [email protected]


Light Majestic Wedding Photography07984 407 [email protected]

RECEPTION VENUES

Days Hotel p37

Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB0161 955 [email protected]

Eaves Hall Country Hotel p33Eaves Hall Lane, West Bradford,Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3JG01200 425 [email protected]





West Tower Country House Hotel p35Mill Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, L39 7HJ01695 423328

[email protected]

SPECIAL OCCASION WEAR

Flamingo Fashion p2367 Liverpool Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 9XD01772 744 [email protected]

STATIONERY


The Wedding Room UK p67The Studio, 15 Town Lane, Charnock Richard,Nr Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 5HP01257 792 458/ 07814 715 [email protected]

TOASTMASTERS

Brian WroeToastmaster, MC and Public Speaker01204 412175 / 07926182728www.toppublicspeaker.co.ukwww.toastmasterandmc.co.uk

VENUE DECORATION

Beautiful Chairs p620800 411 8848/07713 148 [email protected]



Wedding Creations p61Oswaldtwistle Mills Business & Conference CentreClifton Mill, Pickup Street, Oswaldtwistle, BB5 0EY01254 232 [email protected]

VENUE LIGHTING


WEBSITES



The Wedding Guide0800 230 0907 / www.theweddingguideuk.com

WEDDING CO-ORDINATORS


Your Perfect Wedding Planner p41109 Westfield Drive, Leyland, PR25 1QY07976 510 229mail@yourperfectweddingplanner.comwww.yourperfectweddingplanner.com

WEDDING DANCE

Body In Motion p6301257 475 548/ 07709 034 [email protected]

WEDDING INSURANCE SERVICES


If you are a wedding industry supplier and would like toappear on these pages please contact Kerys Mullen on0800 230 0907 / 07795 283 267 or email [email protected]




Remember that you will be standing, walkingand dancing throughout the day and eveningso your dress should not only look fabulousbut should also feel comfortable. With somany choices for your dress, it can be anoverwhelming task but remember thatshopping for the dress of your dreams

should be fun, easy and painless! Before you start, think about what type of dress

you are looking for. Wedding dresses are made inseveral different silhouettes such as the ballgown, empire line, fishtail and ballerina style toname a few. It is important that you know whichtype of gown will flatter your figure the best.Look at your body shape and be honest withyourself. Consider the features you want to showoff and those you want to hide.

Here is a rundown of the different wedding dresssilhouettes available.

The DressOnce the initial excitement of your engagement is over, one of the firstthings you will probably picture when dreaming of your big day is yourwedding dress. Your dress is one of the most important wedding items thatyou will purchase and on the day all eyes will be on you and your gown.Make sure you take enough time to choose one thatreally suits you and gives you that perfect shape soyou look and feel wonderful on your special day. Lookinggreat on yourwedding day meansbeing radiant andrelaxed and how youlook and feel in yourdress is a keyelement to this.

Images courtesy of www.maggiesottero.com


Ball Gowns – One of the most traditional shapes of weddingdress which gives the princess look. The ball gown has afitted waist with a full, puffed out and layered skirt. Thisstyle of dress is best suited to slim brides as it addscurves. For those with a pear shape look, the skirtdoes wonders to flatter the waist line. It is notideal for petite women as the fullness of theskirt can be overwhelming to the small frame.

A-lines – Usually have a fitted bodice with askirt that flares gently from the waist to forman "A" shape. They are a terrific choice forsomeone who would like to hide lower bodyflaws, but avoid adding too much fussy detailing toyour skirt as this will make you look bottom heavy.For those with a slim torso and tiny waist, choose abodice with detailing on the bust to give more of aneven proportion.

Ballerina Wedding Dress – The full skirt of the Ballerinadress will give a bride with slim hips and a full bust thatfairytale, romantic look. Avoid this style if you are petite asyou may look like you are disappearing into this style of dress.The full skirt also makes wide hips appear much bigger.

Asymmetrical Wedding Dress – A particularly striking andunusual looking style, the asymmetric design can show offbeautiful and toned shoulders to their best and gives thatextra help in obtaining that ‘nipped in waist’ look. Theasymmetrical dress will divert attention from biggerbottoms to your upper body and if the wearer is on thecurvy side the full skirt will balance their shape. Tohelp hide those fuller hips this style of dress canbe a godsend. This asymmetric strap design willdistract from square shoulders and give themthat softer look.

}~

Avoid halter-necksif you are pear shaped asit really will make yourbottom look bigger!

Dress styles left to right: Asymmetrical, Ballgown,Mermaid/Fishtail, and Sheath


Sheath Dresses – This style suits those who areslim, have narrow hips and a balanced figure.This gown will not hide any flaws so if you thinkyour thighs or bottom are too big, this is not thedress for you. Whilst there are some stunningdresses available in this style, you don't want torisk being uncomfortable or self conscious onyour wedding day so choose wisely.

Empire Waist Gowns – This style of dress is usuallystraighter than the A-lines without being toofigure hugging. The waistline starts justunderneath the bust with a seam which fallsaway to the floor, giving the wearer that ultimateromantic poise. For those with smaller breaststhis gown works wonders while the long ‘A’ linegives the more petite bride the appearance ofadded height. Another advantage of this style ofdress is it helps to conceal wide hips. Empirewaist gowns are usually made of light, flowingfabric. They are also excellent for pregnant brides,because they provide extra room in the waist,making them a comfortable choice.

Column Wedding Dress – This sleek modern line isvery straight and seamed on the waistline. It canbe quite figure-hugging and would suit the slimand/or taller bride. It can also be suited to thepetite bride because of the unbroken line.Because of the streamlined appearance this styleof dress can also be worn well by pregnant brides.This style of dress should be avoided if you havefuller hips as they will be emphasised more.

Mermaid Line or Fishtail Gowns – this style isfigure hugging, shaping the waist and hips beforenipping in at the knees. The mermaid or fishtailcomes from the material at the back of the dressthat begins at the top of your thighs beforeflaring out and opening up into the fan shapeonce it reaches the floor. This dress gives theultimate sexy look and accentuates a curvaceous,all in-proportion figure. This dress is not suitedto a protruding stomach or big hips.

Halter Neck Wedding Dress – Athletic shapes canlook great in halter-necks and will give addedheight to the petite shape. If you are curvy with abig bust this style of dress will make you look topheavy and can emphasise your hips. Avoid halter-necks if you are pear shaped as it really will makeyour bottom look bigger. ♥

This

is a very special

time in your life when

you get the chance to try

on as many exquisite gowns

as you want to. You will be

the centre of attention so

relax, enjoy the whole

experience and most

of all, have fun!

Dress styles clockwise fromfar left: A Line, Ballerina,Empress, Halter Neck,and Column





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Whether you have two or twenty bridesmaids,their look is an important part of the day andchoosing the right dresses will help you all to feelfabulous and ooze confidence.

Know your styleIt may seem obvious, but you should

always find your dress before you even startthinking about your bridesmaids. Once you knowthe style of your dress and the theme of yourwedding, it is much easier to start getting ideasof how you want your bridesmaids to look and beconfident that their look will fit in on the day.

Know your crowdAsk yourself this: Are my bridesmaids similar toeach other? What would they be mostcomfortable in? You must also consider size, age,shape, style and their colouring. You want to

flatter your bridesmaids and keep them happy onthe day. It is important to not give them free reignbut to let them know that they do have someinput into what they will be wearing. If you haveyoung bridesmaids make sure that they will becomfortable in what you have chosen for them asa wedding can be a tiring day for the little ones.

Fabulous fabricAnother important aspect of the bridesmaids’dresses is choosing the right sort of fabric for thetime of year. If you are having a summerwedding, try and opt for dresses made fromlighter fabrics such as silk georgette or crepe. Ifyour wedding is taking place in the winter,bridesmaids can experiment with layering andfabrics such as satin, organza and taffeta.

Accessorise!Don’t leave the accessories as an after thought, asthese will either make or break the look. Makesure you have enough time to get the right styleof headdress, shoes, earrings, necklaces etc to suiteach bridesmaid. ♥




From the first call for an appointment to theirwedding day, our focus is on the future bride andto ensure we meet their dreams and expectations.We have to watch out for all the little details suchas, do they have a friend who has bought a dressfrom us? If so, we make sure that they never seeeach other’s dresses to preserve their secret forthe wedding day. At an appointment we neverrush a decision; we understand that this issometimes a tough choice. Once chosen andordered, it can take up to 18 weeks for a dress toarrive and the first fitting is usually the time thebride will decide on her shoes, accessories andhow she’ll style her hair. Then there is usually atleast one more fitting before the big day.

A few days before the collection date thedresses are pressed and thoroughly checked toensure they are 100% perfect. On the big day, wesometimes go to the home of the bride to helpher and her bridesmaids to get dressed, whichhelps to keep everyone relaxed..

Being a bridal retailer is not just a job, it’s a wayof life and we eat, sleep and breathe weddings –always looking for new ideas and latest styles.

One importantpart of the job isselecting newdesigns from thecollections; wehave to choosecarefully becausethe shop samplescost the same toorder as it doesfor the brides,plus we want toensure we pickthe styles thatour brides arelooking for. Soremember if youdecide to get adress off-the-rail,it’s exactly the same cost and quality as ordereddresses, so you are really getting a fantasticbargain!

Sandra and Carole @ Especially For You Bridal

Behind the scenes at a bridal shop


As the mother of the bride or bridegroom, youhave a long and exciting day ahead of you. Whilstthe bride is the centre of attention, the role of theMums is very important too and all eyes will beon you as well – just look at the press coverageKate Middleton’s Mum got! But what better excuse is there for buying afabulous new outfit? Before you start looking foryour outfit, take some time to discuss with the bridesuitable colour schemes. You are part of the bridalparty and it can be nice for the photographs if youall tone in with the general colour theme of the day.

The choice of styles for mothers is very varied -you may decide on the subtle sophistication of asmart tailored suit or the sheer elegance of a softflowing dress.

Hats, shoes and handbags should all be chosen tocomplement your outfit, and work in harmony withit, along with any jewellery you choose to wear.

There are a wide range of boutique shops whichspecialise in dressing the mother of the bride so it iswell worth visiting them as they will provideinvaluable help and advice. ♥

Mums want to look fabulous too!

Remember,it is better to wear

the style that suits yourather than what you

think others expect you to wear, as you will feel far more comfortable

and relaxed onthe day

Images courtesy of John Charles of Londonwww.johncharles.co.uk


See over the page for more inspiration...




Youmay decide on

the subtle sophistication of a

smart tailored suit orthe sheer elegance

of a soft flowingdress



A wedding dress is likely to be the mostexpensive and beautiful garment that youwill own so it is essential that you haveyour special dress cleaned and stored asquickly as possible after the wedding.

TOP TIPS• Book your dress for cleaning within 2 weeks of

the wedding. On honeymoon? Ask Mum to lookafter it!

• Run out of money? Add dress cleaning to yourgift list – it’s that important!

• Only use specialist drycleaners with expertisein handling these delicate gowns

• Once cleaned, store the dress in a warm dryroom, away from light.

• Always store your dress in a PH neutralcontainer and pack with acid free non-dyetissue to prevent horrible discolouration andfabric damage.

“We got married in St Lucia a few weeks ago andhad a fab time! The only downside is that it showedon my wedding dress, which had red wine stains allover it from one of our very “merry” guests… I hadgrass, sand and some really bad dirt stains on thetrain of my dress too – it really was in a state. I tookit to the Village Dry Cleaners, skeptical as to whetherthey’d be able to get all the stains out. But to mysurprise and delight, they did a great job and havegot all the stains out. Thank you!” Nadia, Nov 2009

Taking care of your dressWeddingGuide_Kerys_Layout 1 05/08/2011 12:05 PM Page 25

All that glitters

Tiaras or bridal hair accessories can completeyour whole wedding look, whether you are after apearl and diamond vintage look, a stunning floralheadpiece for maximum impact or a simple,elegant headband, the options are endless.

The type of headpiece that you choose willdepend on your personal style and budget. Youmay wish to go for a unique handmade piecewhich can be designed to match your wedding

dress. Or you could browse the readily availablepieces in bridal shops or online where you will betotally spoiled for choice! Remember howeverthat you will need to try the pieces on to makesure the one you choose really suits you, willcompliment the hairstyle that you have chosenand works well with a veil if you are wearing one.

With all the options available, traditionallyshaped wire or metal tiaras, decorative haircombs or slides, fascinators and encrustedheadbands, you really will be able to add thatextra sparkle and glamour on your special day. ♥

Depending on yourhairstyle and choice ofwedding dress, a tiara orhair accessory can turn youinto a sophisticated brideor a fairytale princess.




Choosing your wedding shoesThere are several things you'll need to take intoconsideration before you buy your wedding shoes.Of course you want your shoes to be really specialbut one of the most important things is comfort asyou’ll be on your feet for the majority of the day.

There are lots of different styles of weddingshoes to choose from. From white trainers tobeautiful designer Jimmy Choo shoes but beforeyou say “I Do” to a pair of wedding shoes, takenote of the following tips:

• Don't sacrifice comfort for style. You will be onyour feet from the moment you get dresseduntil your last dance – it will be a long day.

• Your feet are at their largest at the end of theday. This is a good time to shop for shoes toensure a good fit.

• Choose a heel height that you are used towearing.

• Take your shoes to your wedding dress fittingso your hemline will be just the right length.

• Break your shoes in by wearing them aroundthe house before the wedding.

• To make sure your shoes aren’t too slippery,gently rub the soles with a piece of sandpaperto help provide traction.

• Just in case, don’t forget to put plasters in yourwedding emergency kit!

LingerieYour lingerie choice should, as with your shoes, becomfortable but it should also work perfectly withyour dress choice. Choose something that willflatter your figure and complete your look.Top tips when choosing your lingerie:

• Get yourself properly fitted to make sure youare wearing the correct bra size.

• Consider the colour of your dress and chooseyour underwear to compliment this.

• If you have a simple, fitted dress don’t choosefussy lingerie with lots of detail.

• If you lose or gain weight, then the chances arethis will affect your bra size, so do getmeasured regularly.

• If yourdress isbacklessor strapless,there is agreatselection ofbras now withmulti-way options ordesigns suited to these styles.

• You will want to feel glamorous and sexy onyour wedding day but if your style of dresswon’t allow suspenders and frilly briefs, thenline up some glamorous, sexy lingerie for thewedding night!

• Once you have lined up your wedding daylingerie, why not invest in some cheeky lingeriepieces for your honeymoon to surprise him!

Stunning Shoes andLuxurious Lingerie


Be inspired with our BridalFashion pages. From simplesophistication to richlyembellished silhouettes, thesegowns give an elegant andfeminine look.

Gowns by Impression Bridalwww.impressionbridal.co.uk

BeautifulBrides

28


29


ReligiousChurch of EnglandThere is a lot more flexibility than previously forthose couples who wish to have a religiousceremony. You can choose any church outside yourparish that either you, your parents, or your grand-parents have a connection with. Instead of goingto the Superintendent Registrar before theceremony, banns (a notice of the proposedmarriage) can be read in the parish church of bothof the partners or in the church where it has beenagreed the marriage can take place. Banns mustbe read on three Sundays before the ceremony.www.churchofengland.org

Roman CatholicArrangements for a wedding in a Catholic Churchare always made through the priest in the parishin which you are living. Three months notice mustbe given to the priest. Both you and your groommust be free to marry, and one of you must havebeen baptised a Catholic in order to marry in aCatholic church. You will also need to visit yourlocal superintendent registrar at your localcouncil office to give notice of yourintention to marry, and obtain yourlicence.www.catholicchurch.org.uk

JewishWeddingsJewish weddingsfulfil both areligious andcivil purpose,but you will still needtwo applications - one for your localregister office and one for the religious authorityunder which the ceremony will take place.Marriages can take place in any synagogue,private house or other place as long as you andyour partner are Jewish and the ceremony is heldunder the auspices of a synagogue. The marriagemust be registered by the Secretary of thehusband’s synagogue. www.jmc-uk.org

Other DenominationsIn all other religions, religious marriageceremonies can take place but you must first givenotice to the Superintendent Registrar, at yourlocal Register Office. They will know whether thebuilding in which the ceremony is to take place

has been registered.If the building

has not

Choosingthe perfectvenuefor yourceremony

Location! Location!

Civil ceremonies can take place at anyapproved venue, which can include hotels,stately homes and castles!



been registered, you can still have a religiousceremony, but you will also need to have aseparate civil ceremony for the marriage to bevalid under United Kingdom Law.

If the building is registered, an authorisedperson must be present at the ceremony toregister the marriage. They will give you amarriage certificate on receipt of the fee. If thereis no authorised person, the attendance of aRegistrar is necessary and this should be arrangedwith the Superintendent Registrar.www.adviceguide.org.uk

CivilRegister OfficeIn order to marry in a register office, both you andyour partner must give notice in person to the su-perintendent registrar at your local council office.They will then issue you with a certificate ofcommon notice. You will need this certificate tomake a booking with the register office to get thedate you want. Weddings can be booked no morethan 12 months in advance.

Approved PremisesCivil ceremonies can take place at any venue thathas been approved for the purpose. The venuemust be regularly open to the public, and open-airpremises will usually need a permanently builtstructure in order to be approved. Visitwww.direct.gov.uk to search for an approvedpremise in the area you wish to marry. You willneed to give notice of your intention to marry toyour local superintendent registrar, and contactthe local register office

closest to the venue you have chosen to book aregistrar to conduct the ceremony.www.direct.gov.uk

OverseasOverseas WeddingsWeddings abroad are recognised as legal as longas they do not contravene UK laws. You shouldcontact the country's embassy or consulate foradvice to make sure you have the right documentsand find out when you will need to provide them.A number of countries require a minimumresidency period of between one and seven daysbefore you are free to marry there. It can often beeasier to have a civil ceremony in the UK followedby a blessing abroad due to the complicationssometimes involved in marrying in a differentcountry. www.fco.gov.uk

Legal Advice• You and your partner must both be at

least 16 years of age. (In England andWales, if either of you is under 18 youwill need to have permission from yourparents or guardian).

• You must both be eligible to marry.

• You must not be closely related.

• The marriage must take place in legallyapproved premises.

• The marriage must take place in front ofan authorised person.

• The ceremony must take place between8am and 6pm.

• Two witnesses must be present.

www.adviceguide.org.uk



The Ceremony• The ceremony should start with the proces-

sional (entrance of the bride), the introduction,the marriage and optional readings. This isfollowed by the signing of the register, and theservice ends with the recessional (exit of thecouple).

• At a religious ceremony, the introduction wouldbe followed by a hymn, and prayers and ablessing would follow the marriage.

• If your ceremony includes any hymns or songsit is usual to provide an order-of-service so thatyour guests can join in with the singing.

• While the order of the ceremony is similar forboth religious and civil ceremonies, you need toremember that no religious references areallowed at a civil ceremony. Check the wordsand lyrics of your chosen readings and musiccarefully, before submitting them to yourregistrar for their approval.

The Reception• On arrival, ushers should show guests where to

park before directing them into the venue.• Friends and family should be welcomed, either

with a traditional receiving line or bycirculating the room.

• It is normal to serve canapés while friends andfamily are gathered for the formal photographs.

• Photographs are followed by the WeddingBreakfast. Speeches are increasingly takingplace before the meal, allowing nervousspeakers to get them out of the way andleaving them free to enjoy the meal.

• After-dinner speeches are usually followed bythe cutting of the cake, which can then beserved with the coffee and mints.

• The evening reception usually begins with yourfirst dance.

• It is traditional for guests to stay until the brideand groom leave.

How your dayshould flow



E X C L U S I V E H O S P I T A L I T Y

E AV E S H A L L

Following the change of ownership (now under the same ownership as the fabulous Mitton Hall) and a change of direction, Eaves Hall is now without

a doubt one of the finest wedding venues in the North West.

Magnificent Georgian mansion • Fabulous interior design • 13 acres of gardens and grounds Exquisite food • Friendly, professional staff • Photo-opportunities galore

30 bedrooms • Licensed for civil ceremonies, inside and out, big and small.

E X C L U S I V E H O S P I T A L I T Y , E X C E P T I O N A L V A L U E

Eaves Hall Lane, West Bradford, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 3JG. Telephone: 01200 425271. www.eaveshall.co.uk

Part of the James' Places group www.jamesplaces.co.uk

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Choosing the right words to say canmake all the difference to your weddingceremony and reception.




36 T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E36 T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E

There are likely to be two parts to your weddingto organise, the wedding ceremony and thewedding reception. You may have your heart seton a traditional Church ceremony which is still afavourite choice for couples. If this is the casethen the reception should be planned around theChurch location. You will need to consider ease oftransport for yourguests from theceremony to thereception venue. Thesecond option is a civilwedding where yourceremony andreception will be held at a licensed venue.

When you have decided on a Church or CivilCeremony there are certain factors to consider.Firstly, the venue must look and feel right to you.You may have a particular style of venue in mindfor example, a Castle, a Manor House orsomewhere dramatic or chic. The choices are

endlessand whereyou choosewill help you todictate the styleand theme of your wedding.

The venue must be able to accommodate thenumber of guests youare inviting so youshould have a good ideaof numbers before youstart looking around.

Importantly the cost ofthe venue must suit your

budget. Castles, country houses and stately homesare among the locations many dream of for theirbig day but consider your budget carefully.

Properly planned, your wedding reception willbecome one of the most joyous parties you willever host, so remember to savour every minuteand enjoy it! ♥

Choosing yourreception venue

Properly planned, yourreception will become oneof the most joyous partiesyou will ever host

You may already have a dream wedding locationin mind or you may be starting with a blankpage. Either way, choosing your weddingvenue is one of the first and most importantdecisions you will make.

Thechoices areendless and whereyou choose to holdyour weddingreception will help youto dictate the styleand theme of thewhole day


T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E 37T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E 37


It is now possible to get married in anyRegister Office or Approved Premises inEngland or Wales. Any marriage taking placeanywhere other than the Church of England,requires both of you to attend personally atthe district register office where you live. If youlive in separate districts, you must attend theoffice of each district. This is called 'givingnotice of intention to marry'.

Giving notice of intention to marry:• You must both have lived a minimum of 7 days

in a Registration district in England or Walesimmediately before giving notice at that office.

• You can give the notice a maximum of 12months in advance of your marriage date.

• Both of you must attend to give a notice andthis should be done by making an appointmentto attend at the same time.

• Recent legislation has abolished the Superin-tendent Registrars Licence which hadpreviously allowed a marriage to take placethree days after signing a notice, so make sureyou enquire in good time.

Documents you will need:• A current valid passport (or where appropriate, a

Home Office Travel Document, a standard ac-knowledgment letter, or a National Identity Card).

• If you cannot provide this then a birthcertificate and another document with your fullname such as a cheque book, cheque guaranteecard, utility bill or driving licence and adocument to confirm your current address suchas utility bill or driving licence.

• For people who have been married or enteredinto a civil partnership before; decree absolute,death certificate or dissolution of civilpartnership.

• For people who have legally changed theirname; documentary evidence in the form of adeed poll or declaration.

• All documents should be certified or sealed -photocopies are not acceptable.

Civil Marriages can take place in ApprovedPremises licenced by the appropriate localauthority. It is therefore possible to have yourmarriage ceremony and wedding reception in thesame building, many of which are available onany day of the week, including Sundays and BankHolidays.

There are now thousands of Approved Premisesin England and Wales. The conditions of thepremises licence are regulated by localauthorities and it is necessary for Registrars to bein attendance at the venue for the ceremony.There will be two registration staff present atyour wedding, one to conduct the ceremony andone to register the event in the marriage register.

You should discuss the form and content of yourceremony with the Register Office, as you canchoose to personalise your ceremony with theaddition of your choice of readings, or your ownvows.

Immediately before the wedding, The Registrarhas a legal requirement to see you both privately(and individually if you prefer) to confirm thedetails to be entered into the marriage register.

Remember to ask The Registrar about takingphotographs and videos during the ceremony itself,and don't leave this detail until the actual day. ♥


Civil CeremoniesWeddingGuide_Kerys_Layout 1 05/08/2011 12:19 PM Page 38



The average bride spends 250 hoursplanning her dream wedding, theequivalent of six weeks full time work,trying to put together the most magicaland memorable day of her life. There isreal skill involved in turning that fantasyinto reality and an experienced weddingco-ordinator will be able to help yourealise your dreams, whether on a small orgrand scale, traditional or contemporary,in a city or countryside setting.

A wedding co-ordinator can save you valuabletime searching for the right venue or supplier.They can reduce stress, save you money and helpprovide professional event co-ordination on theday. Some of the key elements of what a weddingco-ordinator can do for you are:

• Help you set a realistic budget and stick to it!• Help you find a venue and secure the booking;• Deal with the suppliers including the florist,

caterers, photographers, entertainment etc.;• Develop a schedule and work plan and ensure

you keep track of progress;• Send out invitations for you and collate the

replies;• Advise on wedding etiquette and help diffuse

stressful situations, such as dealing withseating plans without offending relatives;

• Deal with the hire of any outfits and ensurethey are returned on time;

• Advise on any new trends, suggesting creativeways to make your wedding unique;

• Manage the invoices from suppliers and adviseyou of the final costs;

• Negotiate preferential rates with suppliers;• Keep you fully informed throughout the whole

process;• Supervise the wedding day to ensure

everything runs to the timetable and managethe bridal party and ushers, reminding them oftheir responsibilities.

An increasingly popular choice for those brideswho have planned their own wedding day is tohire an 'on-the-day' co-ordinator who can takecare of the day behind the scenes. They can helpwith common concerns such as:

• What happens on the big day?• Do I have to keep my mobile phone close by in

case of an emergency?• What do I do if there are any late minute

emergencies, such as the florist hasn't turnedup or the venue has been dressed incorrectly?

An 'on-the-day' co-ordinator can solve anyproblems quickly and quietly to ensure everythingruns smoothly in exactly the way you want,leaving you free to enjoy your special day. ♥

Making life easier with a

WeddingCo-ordinator

Save valuable time and minimisestress with a Wedding Co-ordinator





It is very important that the outfit chosenby the groom echoes the style or coloursof the bridal party. Once the bride hasdecided on her colour theme, it is time forthe groom to decide on his attire.

There are lots of different possibilities when itcomes to choosing your formalwear, from tailoredlounge suits to a traditional morning suit, theclassic Prince Edward or the timeless frock coat.Whatever style you decide on, make sure you feelcomfortable in it.

The traditional morning suit is a formal jacketwith long tails in black, navy, grey or brown,teamed with pin striped trousers in the same orcomplimentary colours. A traditional cravat canlook most effective, although some men prefer atraditional formal tie to complete the look.

A modern day suit can look sharp and sophisti-cated and is ideal for a register office wedding orfor those grooms who prefer a more informaloption. Lightweight summer lounge suits, worn

Top tips when it comes to choosingyour formal wear:

• Specialist companies offer good advice:listen to what they say

• Take time to visit them in person• Start to rule in or out certain suit styles,

find what you feel comfortable in• Book as early as possible to avoid disap-

pointment, aim for at least three monthsbefore the wedding

• For those finishing touches, wear a doublecuff sleeve with cufflinks and ensure yourshoes are shiny.

with an open neck shirt, offer a comfortablechoice for overseas weddings in hot climates.

For a modern classic, consider the PrinceEdward, a three quarter length jacket with con-temporary styling and available in a wider rangeof colours than the morning suit. ♥

Top tips for agorgeous groom



What’s on the menu?



For those who have to make a speech on thebig day (traditionally the Father of the Bride,The Best Man and The Groom), it can be avery worrying time. Will people laugh in theright places? Will I be able to get my wordsout? Will everyone enjoy it?

If you don’t take things too seriously and speak from theheart you will be on the right track. Here are a few basichints and tips to help you on your way...

• Remember that your audience understands that thespeeches are a big deal, they are warmed to thehappiness of the occasion and are on your side.

• Try and keep your speech short, if you go on for too longyou are likely to lose people.

• If you don’t feel confident memorising the speech, you coulduse prompt cards. Try to look around the room and engagewith people rather than just looking down at the cards.

• Consider the range of people in your audience as you don’t wantto offend Auntie Mary! Keep it light and funny without being rude,crude or sarcastic.

• Try and use a funny memory as your opening line to get a laugh – thiswill help relax you into the rest of the speech and grabs the attentionof the guests.

• Remember the correct wedding speech etiquette and don’t forget tothank the right people for all their help.

• Finally, don’t panic. If the worst happens and you forget the words just start speaking from the heartand your audience will beapplauding for more!

Speech!



Chief Bridesmaid/Maid of HonourWhen considering who to choose to beyour Chief Bridesmaid rememberthat you will need somebody youcan rely on, who will be your rockand a shoulder to cry on in timesof stress but also someone youtrust to be completely honest and a good organiser (for hen night purposes!).

Whether you choose your sister or a close friend, their role will startlong before the wedding day and some of the duties involve:

• Helping the Bride choose her dress.• Organise the hen party.• Organise an Emergency Kit for on the day

(nail file, safety pins, needle & thread etc).• Attend the wedding rehearsal.• Help the Bride dress on the day and arrange

the veil and train before the Bride heads offdown the aisle.

• Take the bouquet from the Bride duringthe service.

• Be available for anything the Bride mightneed you for!

What about the Best Man?It is always an honour to be asked to be a BestMan and the role can vary depending on howmuch help the Groom needs. There are howevercertain traditional duties that should fall to theBest Man and they are:

• Organise the stag party (but make surenothing terrible happens to the Groom!)

• Attend the wedding rehearsal.• Travel with the Groom to the ceremony, keep

him calm and make sure he’s on time.• Take very good care of the wedding rings

until they are required by the vicar/registrar.• Escort the Chief Bridesmaid down the aisle

after the wedding ceremony.• The Big One – The Best Man’s Speech!

Your ‘attendants’

}~

Their role will startlong before the

wedding day



Beautiful Bridesmaids


Helen & GuyPhotography by Alex O’Neill

www.alexoneill.co.uk



Helen and Guy met at the Woodplumpton youngfarmers club and became a couple 9 years ago.Guy tried to propose to Helen many times, but hisattempts at a romantic weekend away or acandle-lit meal just never happened, mainly downto Helen, so in the end he put the ring in hisempty butty box, for Helen to find when she waswashing-up. The shock of finding such a lovelysurprise meant it took half an hour until Helenfinally realised that it wasn’t a joke and accepted.

Their marriage took place at St John BaptistChurch, Broughton in Preston and the receptionwas held in a marquee at Helen’s parent’s farm. Itstarted as a typical rainy day but that sooncleared and the sun even came out. “It was verypersonal and unique being on the farm andhaving a marquee meant we could comfortablyaccommodate all of our guests.... plus there wasno shortage of volunteers at milking time!!”

Memorable Moments“The whole day was so amazing, like a dream. Wehad a beautiful service, were surrounded by goodcompany (our family and friends) with a relaxedatmosphere. Everyone enjoyed great food andexcellent entertainment. We couldn’t have wishedfor anything more.”

Honeymoon“A log cabin on the shore of Loch Awe, Dalavich inArgyllshire, Scotland. “

Top tip from Helen“Make sure you plan what you (the bride &groom) want for YOUR wedding day and not totake too much notice of what other people thinkas you can’t please everyone, but you both need tobe happy as you’re only going to do it once.”

Wedding Gown: Ian Stuart from Dan Kerr Brides Bridesmaids: Lazaro from Mears Ghyll Bridal RoomsJunior bridesmaids: Juno! Hand made by JulieJohnsonMenswear: Hellewell Menswear Preston Hair: Harpers in Fulwood Flowers: H. Holmes Florist PrestonTiara: Mears Ghyll Bridal RoomsPhotographer: Alex O’Neill PhotographerWedding Rings: George Banks Jewellers PrestonCatering and bar services: Derby Arms at ThornleyMarquee: Evans Marquee Hire




Choosing the right wedding photogra-pher can seem daunting. There are afew key things to look out for that willhelp you make the right choice. Youneed to feel personally comfortablewith your wedding photographer –they’ll be capturing your emotions andworking closely with your family andfriends on your special day.Some wedding photographers favour atraditional approach with others offeringmore contemporary images. Some photogra-phers will be able to provide you with acombination of styles. Make sure you seeexamples of their relevant work to get a goodfeel whether they are the right choice for you.

It’s important that you understand exactlywhat you’ll be getting from your photographer. Althoughmany now offer straight-forward packages do not be afraidto clarify exactly what your photographer will do on theday itself and provide you with after the event. Do checkyou know what’s included in the price and what will costextra.

It’s worth arranging your photographer early in yourplanning as good photographers often get booked well inadvance.

To form an idea of the types of photographs you wantcaptured take a look at as many examples as you can.Discuss this with your photographer and any friends whohave recently got married.Often friends or relatives who are keen amateurs offertheir services for free. Whilst it may be tempting totake them up for reasons of politeness or economy,you do not want to take risks with your preciousphotographs! If you want to guarantee highquality wedding photographs then you’reprobably best to leave the task to the profes-sionals. To avoid causing offence to Uncle Bob, maybeyou could offer him the important role of capturing candidimages of the guests through the day? ♥

Photographsto lastforever

Images courtesy of fotografy





Wedding traditions have been kept

alive through generations with the

belief that they will bring happiness

and good luck to the bride and

groom and their future life together.

Confetti

Throwing confetti is thought to have

descended from ancient times, when guests

would throw grain over the newlyweds to

promote fertility. These days confetti has

evolved into coloured paper shapes bought

to match the wedding theme. However, an

increasing number of venues are deciding

to ban confetti as it makes too much mess.

Blowing bubbles or laying down rose

petals are environmentally friendly

welcome alternatives.

Bride to the Left of the Groom

Usually the bride stands to the left of the

groom during the ceremony. This originated

from when the groom would have his

sword in his right hand to fight off any men

wanting to take his bride from him.

Buttonholes

In Medieval times a Knight would wear his

lady’s colours as a symbol of his love. This

has evolved to the groom wearing a flower

that matches his bride’s bouquet to declare

his love and represent unity.

Omens of good luck

Some cultures believe that rainbows,

spiders, black cats, lambs and toads are

thought to bring good luck if they are seen

on the way to the wedding. Another

popular good luck omen is seeing a

chimney sweep after the ceremony. This has

become such a popular tradition, that it is

possible to hire a chimney sweep to attend

your wedding.

The Veil

Veils were originally worn by roman brides

with the belief that it would disguise the

bride and outwit evil sprits. The veil was

introduced to Britain in the eighteen

hundreds where the bride associated it

with chastity and modesty. ♥

It’s traditional!




Dazzling SmilesYou may have the beautiful dress andthe expensive jewellery but the bestthing you can wear on your weddingday is your smile. We would all like to have perfect teeth or at least abeautiful smile especially on your big day. Unfortu-nately, many of us are cursed with broken, crooked ordiscoloured teeth. However, with recent developmentsin cosmetic dentistry, even the most unattractive ofsmiles can be given a complete makeover.

Your wedding photographs should show yourhappiness for a lifetime and as you start planningyour wedding it might be just the right time toconsider cosmetic dentistry. From a few fillings to afull smile makeover, the possibilities are endless. Agreat Cosmetic Dentist will be able to offer you avariety of treatments that will suit your needs. ♥


An artistic florist will be able to suggest a range of stunning designs foryour wedding bouquet and floralarrangements that complement yourdress, the theme of your wedding andthe ceremony venue.

Make sure you are prepared for your consultation.Try to take with you samples of the fabric that willmake up your dress, and colour swatches for yourgown, the bridesmaids’ dresses and groom'sformalwear, as the florist will need thisinformation to help them prepare ideas ofbeautiful arrangements for you.

The traditional colours for a bridal bouquet areivory and white, but don't be afraid to add a hintof colour for that element of understated sophis-tication. The groom's buttonhole should be wornon his left lapel, and should echo the bride'sbouquet. This is to celebrate the tradition of aKnight wearing his Lady's colours to display his

love. The ushers

and groomsmen should wear a slightly differentflower on their lapel, but it should also feature inthe main bouquet. Bridesmaids’ flowers will alsodiffer from your bouquet, but should stillcoordinate with the general floral theme, asshould corsages for the mothers and buttonholesfor the fathers.

Flowers could be selected for personal reasons,or because of what they traditionally represent,i.e. Lilies represent majesty, roses symbolise love,freesias symbolise purity, and baby's breathrepresents innocence. Silk flowers are becomingmore popular too, enabling you to chooseexquisite imitators that will last a lifetime. Buyingflowers in season can save you money, so pickflowers according to the time of year and be eco-friendly too!

It is always a good idea to request that yourflorist give you an itemised bill in advance, andmake sure that you in turn supply the florist withthe names, addresses, and times for delivery of yourbouquet, buttonholes, corsages and floral arrange-ments. You'll need a number of other floral piecesfor your wedding, including displays for the altar,centrepieces for reception tables, sprays for

candelabra, corsages for those who assist withvarious reception duties, and floral "tokens"

for special guests. Ask yourflorist for guidance. Theirartistry, knowledge ofwedding protocol and abilityto listen to your needs will

ensure that you'll get goodvalue for your money, and

have the perfect floralaccents to enhance your

wedding day. ♥

Blooming marvellous





Why not try avibrant red andblooming rose

theme to seteveryone’s heart

fluttering, creatinga truly romanticlook? Ideal for aWinter wedding.



Opposite page:Red Disposable Cameras £2.99 Bright Red Freeze Dry Petals £24.99Personalised French Red Wine withGift Box £14.99

Products compliment a range available from www.confetti.co.uk

Red Metallic Hearts £1.99

Rose Petals £19.99

Country Market Alpine Laevnder Soap £2.99

Red Rose Scented Tea Light£4.99 for 8 pack

Red Heart Balloon £1.99



For something completelydifferent why not try...

...stunning Ice sculptures, a yummy chocolatefountain, a candy buffet or, for a romantic touch, release white doves?

For an alternative to flowers as table centrepieces, why notconsider an ice sculpture? Ice sculptures, crystal clear and handcarved, which may include engraved names and dates, are afantastic and unique way to introduce a real wow at any wedding.

Or why not include a chocolate fountain at your reception? Yourguests are sure to enjoy the indulgence offered as an extra treat.Speak to suppliers about the type of chocolate they use - is it pureBelgian chocolate or is it mixed with oil? Can it be supplied indifferent colours or flavours? What items for dipping are included?

Why not wow your guests with the latest trend in candy buffetsor pick ‘n’ mix display stands. Packed full of delicious sweeties, theynot only add fun and colour to the wedding reception but are awonderful way to take people back to their childhood days and area fantastic talking point.A gorgeous spread of candy will be set up at the reception whereguests can browse and indulge their sweet tooths. The sweets willbe displayed in elegant glass jars and can be used as part of thedessert or set out as a "make your own" party favour table withdecorative bags that guests can take home with them.

For that extra romantic touch, what better way is there tocelebrate your love than releasing white doves? The dove has longbeen a symbol of Freedom, Love, and Peace, and is viewedworldwide as a messenger of serenity. ♥





When you visit a potential wedding venue there may be certain aspects that you absolutely love and somethat you don’t love quite so much! If you are concernedabout the decor then there is no need to worry, there arecompanies that can provide you with services that cantransform a typical function room into a breathtaking visionthat you and your guests will never forget.

If you are after a dreamy, romanticatmosphere why not go for swags oftulle, clusters of white balloons andtwinkling fairy lights. You can create asophisticated, timeless look by usingthe same items but add in sumptuousfloral arrangements and candles.

Whatever look you want to create,there will be someone who can createit for you. But be mindful of thecanvas you are working with. If yourvenue is a historic building then youdon’t want to cover beautiful plushwalls with 12 ft banners. So don’t fightagainst what you have to work withbut consider your surroundingscarefully and work with them.

Places you may wish to decorate:• Doorways, entrances and exits (including

the driveway leading to the venue)• Walls and windows• The ceiling (particularly in a marquee)• Lighting on the dance floor• Fireplaces• Door handles and staircases• The Top Table• Guests’ tables & chairs

Be careful not to clutter the venue with too much decoration though,less is usually more! A good venue decorator will help and guide youmake the right choices to create a stunning look so that when yourguests arrive, they think WOW. ♥




Tel: 01254 232540 Mobiles: Jane 07915077164 Martin 07988823580 Oswaldtwistle Mills Business Centre, Clifton Mill, Pickup Street, Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire BB5 0EY

Visiting by appointment onlyEmail: [email protected] www.wedding-creations-nw.co.uk

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Your wedding day is unique to you and how yourvenue is decorated can reflect your personalityand set the scene for your wedding day.

For a start unless the chairs are dressed, the roomcan feel more like a corporate event than awedding! Adding chair covers and bows cantotally transform the room and make a realdifference to the overall look you want to achievefor your big day.

A good venue dresser will be happy to arrange aconsultation with you, so you can see the qualityof their linen and examples of their past work. It’salso important to discuss your options and pickcolours to match in with your theme – or at thevery least request some colour swatches to ensureyou are totally happy with your choice.

Why not add some extra finishing touches toenhance each sash such as butterflies, diamantebuckles, flowers or any other items that fit in withyour overall theme.

For a civil ceremonyconsider adding an aislerunner in white or ivory,along with some aisleswaging and scatter petals –this can really help set thescene for your day and cancover up a carpet whichclashes with your colourscheme!

There are endless optionswhen it comes to picking acentrepiece – such as atraditional floral arrangement in a tall, cube orfishbowl vase, or a more contemporary optionsuch as a Crystal Trees, Candelabra, Martini Vase,Birdcage or Ostrich Feather Arrangement. A goodvenue dresser will be happy to get creative withyou to find the combination that fits in with youroverall theme and budget. ♥Article by Martin at Beautiful Chairs

Creating a beautiful room



T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E 63T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E 63T H E W E D D I N G G U I D E 63


When you start considering what type ofmusic and entertainment you would likeat your wedding, you will realise that thechoice is endless. Should you go for a DJ,a live singer, a band or a combination –whatever you decide make sure they aregoing to hit the right note to ensure youhave the party of a lifetime.

Arranging your wedding music really should behigh priority as popular DJs, bands and singers getbooked up well in advance. Ideally you shouldhear the DJ, singer or band before you book them

to make sure they will create the rightatmosphere for you and your guests.Your DJ or band should discuss with you

what type of music you would like for yourfirst dance and a good DJ or bandleader will

gather all the guests together to make it avery special time.

Close-up magic can provide the perfectice breaker for a wedding reception. A

good magician will mingle with your guestsperforming a range of miracles in front of their

eyes. They will move from group to groupengaging guests with their magic and leavethem with something shared to talk about, evenif they have just met.

Fireworks are becoming an increasinglypopular and spectacular finaleto the day's events. Whendeciding whether you wish topursue this unique spectacle,there are some basic rules tofollow. The venue must ofcourse be of a suitable size, andthe owner will need to give their

permission. The larger the display,the larger the display area

required, and a site visit with thecompany is essential.

Finally, do inform your photogra-pher/ videographer in advance about

the display so they can be prepared tocapture the spectacle. If they require any

specialist knowledge on the filming of fireworks,the firework company should be able to assist. ♥

Getting it righton the night} ~

Popular DJs, bands andsingers get booked well in advance





Your wedding stationery will give yourguests the first hint of the style and colourtheme of your wedding. You may be lookingfor something quite simple and contempo-rary, elegant and romantic or elaborate andbold – whatever you decide to go for, youwon’t be disappointed with the choiceavailable. So what items are you likely toneed?

Save the Date Cards – to make sure all your familyand friends keep their diary free on the chosen day.

Invitations – Remember that you will only need oneper family but it’s always wise to order a few extrajust in case.

Reply Cards – these can be included with yourinvitations to encourage a prompt response fromyour guests.

Order of Service – Usually you would give one toeach guest at a church wedding but when thinkingof numbers consider friends coming to watch whomay not be invited to the day time.

Table Plan/Place Cards/Menus – can all be designedto match the colour and theme of your weddingand add that bit of luxury and formality to theevent.

Favours For Your Guests – Bomboniere or weddingfavours have traditionally been given to weddingguests for many years. Way back in historybomboniere were small trinket boxes containingsugar cubes or delicate confections whichsymbolised wealth of the family. Years later thesugar cubes werereplaced with 5almonds whichsymbolised fertility,wealth, longevity,health andhappiness.

Today, the choicefor wedding favoursis endless frompetite boxes of chocolates to alcoholic miniatures.Becoming more popular are charity favours whereyou can donate money to a favourite charity onbehalf of your guests. ♥

Announce yourwedding in style

Your stationery can be thefirst indication of the theme

of your wedding




Other than the dress,bridal hair and makeupis one of the mostimportant things to getright on your big day.You want to look thebest you possibly canand the right hair styleand makeup finishesthe fabulous look andtruly makes you feelamazing. Book yourmakeup artist andhairdresser early (atleast 6 months before)to make sure they haveyour date free.

Here’s a guide to make sure you look andfeel a million dollars on the day.



4 months to goFind a skincare regime you can do at home – Fourmonths before is a great time to start to clear upany skin problems and begin a new beautyroutine. This would be a great time to seek advicefrom beauty experts to see which products suityou best.

3 months to goChoose a reputable hairdresser – If you areconsidering changing the colour of your hair, nowis the time to do it. This gives you the chance toeither get used to the colour and if you don’t likeit you have time to go back to your previouscolour.

This is also the time to start deciding on styles.With so many to choose from choosing the rightstyle is crucial. A top tip would be to go to thehairdresser wearing a top similar to the style ofyour dress (you can do this simply by manipulat-ing a top you already have or buying one to chopand change). This will help you visualise your hairas it will be when you are wearing your dress.You may already have a good idea of how you

want your hair to look, but remember how it willlook on your photos too, as this will be somethingyou will look at forever.

2 months to goFind a beautician – This is also the best time tobook a course of facials. Facials will help to deepcleanse your skin and give you that little bit ofextra confidence.

This is also a great time to test your fake tanand trial your makeup. A test run tan will enableyou to see how the tan develops and if you arehappy with the colour. You can also adapt yourmakeup to suit your newly tanned skin tone. It is agood idea to take a camera along and takepictures of your desired look so that it can beexactly recreated on the day.

1 month to goNow that everything is booked, start to relax –Get plenty of sleep on the weeks leading up toyour wedding as well as cutting down on alcoholand drinking plenty of water. This will give you anextra boost on the day and ensure that your skinis beautiful and glowing. ♥



Yourcarriageawaits


Wedding cars have been getting brides tothe church in style for years. It’s oneaspect that usually stays true to tradition,with brides opting for vintage or classicalcars such as a Rolls Royce, Daimler,Bentley or Limousine for transport.However, for the more adventurous bridethere are other alternatives that are sureto make an impression as you pull up tothe church. Other options include: Horsedrawn carriage, VW Vans, Mustangs, Lamborghinis and even Beetles or Minis.

The CarIt is important to book your transport about 6months ahead and visit car companies that arelocal so that they are familiar with the route andhave a good idea of traffic conditions.

Cars usually have white ribbons running alongthe front but these can be changed to match thetheme of the day if you wish. The price usuallyincludes a complementary bottle of champagne;however there may be extras, such as requestedmusic, for an extra charge. You also need to knowhow many cars you will need: Which car will takeyou, which car will take the bridesmaids. As thebridesmaids usually arrive before the bride it isadvisable to have separate cars that leave atdifferent times.

The CarriageIf you really want to go for the Wow factor on yourwedding day, then a horse drawn carriage is foryou. The carriages themselves can range from theclassic Landau to fairytale replicas. Again, it is veryimportant to visit the carriage company well in

advance so you can view the carriages and decidewhat you want for the day.

You must remember that the horses will have tostand still for long periods of time and traffic onthe road can prove stressful for them so choose areputable company that has good experiencewith horses. Finally, don’t forget that horses movemuch slower than cars, so make sure you leaveenough time to get to the church and that theroads are suitable for the ride. ♥




Your wedding ring is a public symbol of youreverlasting love and commitment to each other,yet many couples will leave buying them untilthe very last minute. Start thinking about yourwedding rings as soon as you start yourplanning as there are a few points to consider.Remember, they will be worn for the rest ofyour lives together.

Choosing the style, metal and colourYour style of wedding ring should reflect yourown personal style; it should also complimentyour engagement ring and can also be chosen tomatch your groom's ring if you wish. Weddingrings come in a variety of metals, colours andstyles. When choosing rings it’s best to go for acolour or style you’re not likely to get bored with,so it’s best not to follow high fashion. Consideryour personality and your engagement ring style –if your engagement ring is classic, vintage,unusual or even bespoke, then your wedding ringwill probably need to match. The Ancient Egyptian belief is that a circular ring was a sign of undying, never ending love, a love without a beginning or an end. Whatever you and your groom choose, it’s nice to have rings thatmatch in some way, either in their metal or pattern.

Choosing your ringsIt’s best to decide on a design at least two tothree months before the big day, although youwill need to allow longer for a bespoke design.This should give you plenty of time for choosing, measuring, sizing and resizing if need be. Agree on your budget and then spendsome time looking at what is available.

Specialist wedding ring makers allow you todesign your own rings and have them made – theultimate in wearing your own individual style. Aspecialist ring designer and maker will be able totranslate your style requirements into a uniquewedding ring or rings just for you. An alternativecould be personalising your rings with anengraving of the date of your wedding or apersonal message.

Make sure it fits!If you are buying your wedding rings from ajewellers then they will measure your fingers in-store to size the rings. If you choose to buy yourrings online, many companies will now send out aring measurer before you place your order so youcan be sure to order the correct size. Whenmeasuring, it’s worth remembering that yourfingers will swell up in the heat, shrink in the coldand get bigger as the day goes on. Most jewellersrecommend measuring in the afternoon when youare warm for a snug fit and then re-measuringagain in the morning when you are cool to ensurethe ring size is perfect. Achieving the correct fit isvital, as nothing else you own will compete withthe number of hours you will wear your wedding ring. ♥

The Circle of Love

Images courtesy of www.ringworkshop.co.uk





Changing your nameAlthough some brides in today's modern worldchoose not to change their last name, the practice ofadding a hyphen followed by your husband’ssurname is becoming popular. Whether you decideto adopt your husband’s surname or not, to avoidproblems at a later date, you should make yourdecision about formally changing your name asquickly as possible. This checklist should help youwith all the different areas where you may need tochange your name but please remember that a copyof your marriage certificate may be required.

• Social Security • Bank Accounts • Credit Cards • Dr/Dental Record • Car Registration • Passport • Driving License • Insurance Policies • Credit Rating • Employment Records • Memberships & Subscriptions

It’s worth

practising

writing your new

signature in

advance!


Boudoir originally comes from the Frenchword “Bouder” meaning “to pout or sulk”. Itis also used to describe a lady’s bedroom,dressing room or private sitting roomwhich can lead to thoughts of beautiful andelegant things. Boudoir photographyinvolves tasteful, artistic images, in variousstages of boudoir attire.

It is through Boudoir photography that a womanis made to feel good about her body and to feelconfident about her appearance. Whilst paintingscapture the beauty of a woman according to howthe artist sees her, photography captures thewoman as she is.

There are so many different genres of boudoirphotography ranging from vintage, burlesque, pin-up and bridal boudoir. A good Boudoir photogra-pher will work on producing intimate images thatare beautifully lit, showing elegance and classic so-phistication.

Take time out to discover the world of Boudoirphotography, where you will have fun in relaxedand comfortable surroundings, whilst producing aportfolio of images that make you look gorgeous,seductive, radiant and empowered.

Boudoir shoots are a special and uniqueexperience and an album of your shots wouldmake a perfect present for your Groom on yourwedding day – we are pretty sure he’d love it! ♥




Wedding cakes have been a staple of a traditional Britishwedding since the Tudors’ first creation measuring awhopping 30” x 16”. However it wasn’t until the Victorian erathat tiers where first introduced that mirror the cakes werecognise today. It is thought that a London baker tookinspiration from the aptly named St Bride’s Churchspire to design Queen Victoria’s wedding cake.This started a trend among the Royals who where thenchallenged to make bigger and better cakes every time.

Traditionally, fruit cake is preferred for weddings. Howevernowadays wedding cakes can be any style, shape, flavour andcolour you want; from lemon, vanilla sponge, chocolate, fruit orcarrot cake, designs and styles can be unique and add alittle extra Wow factor to the day. Somebrides are even opting for hundreds ofcupcakes, meringues, profiteroles in a stack oreven going against all tradition and choosing achocolate fountain.

You should visit a cake designer at least 6months before your wedding so you are aware ofthe choices on offer and you can gain an idea ofhow you want your cake to look. Most cakedesigners will require some details such as thenumber of guests, the colour of the bride’s andbridesmaids’ dresses and the colour of theflowers. On the day the cake will bedelivered and set up by the confec-tioner, but do check if this service isincluded in the price.

The cake’s first cut should be madeby the bride and groom as thissignifies their shared future together.Some couples tend to save the top tierof a rich fruit cake until thechristening of their first child.

Whatever you decide to go for, choosingthe cake will be lots of fun! ♥

Yummy Scrummy Cakes

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Nowadays yourwedding cake can beany style, shape, flavourand colour you want









Your Wedding GiftWish List!What a great opportunity tocreate a wish list of all yourmost favourite things!What shall you ask for? Well the gifts you choosewill depend on what stage of your life you are at.If you are a young couple just setting up hometogether for the first time you will need all thebasics: china, pots and pans, bed linen, towels andglassware etc.

For couples getting married in their thirties it ismore likely that you own a home or have livedtogether, so you probably already have most ofthe basic household items. If this is the case youmay wish to consider asking for more luxuriousitems like garden furniture, or state-of-the-artkitchen equipment. You could suggest a group offriends or relatives club together to buy the moreexpensive gifts between them.

Gift List Top Tips• Create your gift list at least three months

before the wedding day to take account oforder and delivery lead times.

• You should allow at least a monthto compile your list, and it’s unlikelythat you will choose all your itemsin one session.

• Cater for all budgets whenchoosing items for your list. Youdon’t want anyone to feelpressured into buying a gift theycannot afford.

• Include a wide variety of gifts soyour guests have plenty tochoose from.

• Try and think ahead – you maynot be interested in a fancydinner service now but it couldcome in useful later on.

• If you choose to compile a listat a large department store,make sure you sign up asearly as possible.

• Keep a note of all thepeople who bought you agift and what they boughtyou – this will help withyour Thank You notes.

• Consider taking outwedding insurance tocover all your gifts.





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BRIDES FREE12.00pm10/01/12

or call: 0151 227 9179


Following the Civil PartnershipAct of 2004, same sex couplescan now make a formal, legallyrecognised commitment toeach other by entering into aCivil Partnership. Civil partners will have equal treatment in a widerange of legal matters like married couples,including:

• Tax, including inheritance tax• Employment benefits• Most state and occupational pension benefits;• Income related benefits, tax credits and child

support• Duty to provide reasonable maintenance for

your civil partner and any children of the family• Ability to apply for parental responsibility for

your civil partner’s child• Protection from domestic violence• Recognition for immigration and nationality

purposes

In a similar way to traditional marriages, a couplemust give notice of a proposed civil partnershipto the local register office, even if they intend toregister elsewhere. They can only do this oncethey have lived in the area for at least seven days.Each of them must give this notice in person. Thenotice must include where the couple wish thecivil partnership registration to take place.

Once notices have been given, the register officemust keep information relating to the notices onpublic display for 15 days. This should be in boththe area in which the registration is to take placeand in the area in which both partners live. Theregistration cannot proceed until the 15-daywaiting period has passed for each of the notices.This is to allow any person to make an objection in a similar way to a marriage.

Once the 15-day waiting period has expired, ifthere are no objections to the registration of thecivil partnership and no legal reasons why it

cannot go ahead, the register office must providethe couple with a legal document called a civilpartnership schedule. The couple will need this inorder to register a civil partnership. A civilpartnership must be registered within 12 monthsof the first notice being recorded. If registration isnot done within this time limit, they cannotregister without starting the process again.

Two people are regarded as having registered acivil partnership once each of them has signedthe schedule or licence in front of two witnessesand the civil partnership registrar. The witnessesand registrar must also sign the document.

A Civil Partnership Ceremony is similar to atraditional civil wedding, with opportunities formusic and readings that are secular in nature. ♥

For further info visit www.civilpartnerships.org.uk.

Civil Partnerships




Image courtesy of fotografy.co.uk

Sunday 4th September 2011 Bury Town Hall Elizabethan Suite, Knowsley Street, TownHall, Bury, BL9 0SW Time: 11am-4pmContact: 0161 761 7851

Sunday 4th September 2011 Chill Factore Wedding Fayre Chill Factore, TraffordQuays Leisure Village, Trafford Way, Manchester, M41 7JA Time: 12-4pmContact: 0161 925 4289

Sunday 4th September 2011 Shaw Hill Hotel Wedding Fair Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods, Near Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 7PPTime: 12 - 4pmContact: 01257 269 221

Thursday 8th September 2011 The Place Hotel Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2TPTime: 5 - 8pmContact: 0161 778 7500

Sunday 11th September 2011 Brockholes Wedding Fayre Brockholes Junction 31, M6Time: 11am - 3pmContact: My Fayre Ladies 0800 230 0907

Sunday 11th September 2011 Cresta Court Wedding Fair Best Western Cresta CourtHotel, Church Street Altrincham, WA14 4DP Time: 11am - 3pmContact: 0161 927 2613

Sunday 11th September 2011 Heron's Reach Wedding Fayre Village Heron's Reach,East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8LL Time: 11 - 3 pmContact: 01253 832581

Sunday 11th September 2011Midland Hotel Wedding Fayre Midland Hotel, 16 PeterSt, Manchester, M60 2DSTime: 11am - 4pmContact: 0161 212 1490

Sunday 11th September 2011 The Bury Wedding ShowBolholt Country Park Hotel, Walshaw Road, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 1PU Time: 11am - 4pmContact: 0161 762 4000

Sunday 11th September 2011 Westleigh Wedding FairWestleigh Conference Centre, Lea Road, Lea, Preston, PR4 0RBTime: 11.30 - 4pmContact: 01772 894 500

Wednesday 14th September 2011 Garstang Country Hotel Wedding Fair Garstang CountryHotel and Golf Club, Bowgreave Drive, Garstang,Lancashire, PR3 1YETime: 6.30pm - 9.30pmContact: 01995 600 100

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th September 2011 The Manchester Bridal Show at The Triangle ShoppingCentre, Exchange Square, Manchester, M4 3TR Time: Sat 9am - 5pmTime: Sun 11am - 5pmContact: 0151 227 0179

Sunday 18th September 2011 Park Hall Hotel Wedding Fair Park Hall Hotel, Park HallRoad, Charnock Richard, Chorley, PR7 5LP Time: 11.30 - 4pm Contact: 01257 455 000

WeddingFayreDiary



Sunday 18th September 2011 Red Hall Wedding Fair Manchester Road, Walmersley,Bury, Lancashire. BL9 5NA Time: 11-4pmContact: 01706 822476

Sunday 18th September 2011 The Bolton Wedding Show The Last Drop Village,Bromley Cross, Bolton, BL7 9PZTime: 11am - 3.30pmContact: 07962 226543

Sunday 18th September 2011 The Hilton Blackpool Wedding Fayre The Hilton Hotel,North Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 2JQTime: 11.30am-4pmContact: 01253 792110

Sunday 18th September 2011 Watermillock Suite Wedding Fayre Watermillock Suite,Toby Carvery, Bolton BL1 8TJTime: 12 - 4pmContact: Susan on 0161 761 7851

Sunday 25th September 2011 Aintree Wedding Show Aintree Racecourse, OrmskirkRoad, Aintree, Liverpool, L9 5ASTime: 11 - 4pmContact: 0151 227 0179

Sunday 25th September 2011 Airport Marriott Wedding FayreManchester Airport Marriott Hotel, Hale Rd, Hale Barns,Manchester, WA15 8XWTime: 11-3pmContact: 0161 925 4289

Sunday 25th September 2011 Preston Marriott Wedding Fair Garstang Road,Broughton, Preston, PR3 5JBTime: 12pm- 4pmContact: 01772 866 503

Sunday 25th September 2011 Reebok Autumn Wedding Fair De Vere Whites Hotel, DeHavilland Way, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL6 6SFTime: 11am - 3pmContact: 0845 313 9463

Sunday 25th September 2011 Springfield House Hotel Wedding FairSpringfield House Hotel Wheel Lane, Pilling, PR3 6HL Time: 12 - 4pmContact: 07969 847760

Sunday 25th September 2011 Park Royal Wedding Fayre The Park Royal Hotel,Stretton, Warrington, WA4 4NS Time: 11 - 4pmContact: 0161 212 1490

Sunday 2nd October 2011Broadfield Park Hotel Sparrow Hill, Rochdale, Lancashire OL16 1AFTime: 11 - 4pmContact: 0161 761 7851Sunday 2nd October 2011 Burnley Football Club Wedding Fayre Turf Moor, HarryPotts Way, Burnley, BB10 4BXTime: 11 - 4pmContact: 01282 700 008

Sunday 2nd October 2011 Croxteth Hall Wedding Show Croxteth Hall & CountryPark, Liverpool, L12 0HB Time: 11 - 4pmContact: 0151 227 0179

Sunday 2nd October 2011 Fylde Rugby Club Wedding Fair Fylde Rugby Club,Blackpool Rd, Lytham, St Anne’s, FY8 4EL Time: 12 - 4pmContact: 07969 847760

Sunday 2nd October 2011 Manchester Marriott Wedding Fayre Marriott Victoria &Albert Hotel, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQTime: 11 - 4pmContact: 0161 212 1490

Sunday 2nd October 2011 Norton Grange Wedding FairNorton Grange Hotel and Spa, Manchester Road,Castleton, Rochdale, OL11 2XZTime: 12.30 - 4pmContact: 01706 630 788

Sunday 2nd October 2011 The Village Hotel Bury Autumn Wedding FairWaterfold Business Park, Rochdale Road, Bury, BL9 7BQ Time: 11am - 3pmContact: 0845 313 9463

Sunday 2nd October 2011Village Hotel Hyde Wedding FayreCaptain Clarke Road, Hyde, Manchester SK14 4QGTime: 12-4pmContact: 0161 366 3721 Sunday 9th October 2011 Last Drop Village Autumn Wedding Fair Hospital Road,Bromley Cross, Bolton, BL7 9PZTime: 11am - 3pmContact: 0845 313 9463

Sunday 9th October 2011 Queen Elizabeth Hall Wedding FayreChadderton Suite, QE Hall, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UT Time: 11 - 3pmContact: 0800 230 0907



Sunday 9th October 2011 Wrightington Hotel Wedding Fayre Wrightington Hotel& Country Club, Moss Lane, Wrightington, WN69PBTime: 12 - 4pmContact: 01257 425 803

Sunday 16th October 2011Bacup Hub Wedding FairBacup Hub, Burnley Road, Bacup, OL13 8AGTime: 11-4pmContact: 01706 875 550

Sunday 16th October 2011Crewe Hall Wedding Fayre Crewe Hall Hotel, WestonRoad, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 6UZTime: 11-4pmContact: 0161 212 1490

Sunday 16th October 2011Ewood Park Wedding Fair Blackburn Rovers FootballClub, Ewood Park, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 4JFTime: 11-3pmContact: 0845 313 9463

Sunday 16th October 2011 Dunkenhalgh Hotel Wedding FairBlackburn Road, Clayton Le Moors, BLACKBURN, BB5 5JPTime: 12 - 4pmContact: 01254 398 021

Sunday 16th October 2011 The Monastery Wedding Fayre The MonasteryManchester Ltd, Gorton Lane, Manchester, M12 5WF Time: 11-3pmContact: 0161 925 4289

Sunday 16th October 2011 Tiffany’s Hotel Wedding Fayre250-262 North Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 1SATime: 12 – 4pmContact: 01253 792110

Thursday 20th October 2011 The Pines Hotel Wedding Fair The Pines Hotel, PrestonRoad, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, PR6 7EDTime: 5-9pmContact: 01772 338 551

Sunday 23rd October 2011 Ellesmere Wedding Fayre Ellesmere Sports Club,Walkden Road, Worsley M28 2RZTime: 12 - 4pmContact: 0161 761 7851

Sunday 23rd October 2011 Highbury Stadium @ Fleetwood Town FCIn association with Twelve Event Management,Park Ave, Fleetwood, FY7 6TX Time: 12 - 4pmContact: 07969 847 760

Sunday 23rd October 2011 Stockport Town Hall Edward Street, Stockport, SK1 3XE Time: 11am to 3pm Contact: 0161 925 4289

Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th October 2011 Manchester Central Wedding Show Formerly GMEX,Windmill Street, City Centre, Manchester, M2 3GXTime: 10am - 5pmContact: 01704 882 055

Sunday 30th October 2011 Swallow Hotel Wedding Fayre Swallow Hotel, PrestonNew Road, Salmesbury, Preston, PR5 0ULTime: 11.30am – 4pmContact: 01253 792110

Sunday 6th November 2011Talking Point Conference Centre Wedding FairTalking Point Conference Centre, Huddersfield Road,Saddleworth, Oldham, Lancashire, OL4 4AGTime: 11-4pmContact: 01457 877 471

Sunday 20th November 2011 Carlton Hotel Wedding Fayre Best Western CarltonHotel, 282 – 286 North Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 2EZTime: 12 - 4pmContact: 01253 792110

Sunday 20th November 2011 The Premier Asian Wedding ShowMidland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS Time: 11am - 5 pmContact: [email protected]

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th January 2012 The Liverpool Wedding ShowKnowsley Safari Park, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 4AN.Time: 10 - 5pmContact: 0151 227 9179

Sunday 15th January 2012The Lowry Hotel Wedding FairThe Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place,Chapel Wharf, Manchester, M3 5LHTime: 12-4pmContact: 0161 925 4289

Sunday 22nd January 2012 Last Drop Village Autumn Wedding FairHospital Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton, BL7 9PZTime: 11am - 3pmContact: 0845 313 9463

Sunday 29th January 2012Broadfield Park Hotel Sparrow Hill, Rochdale, Lancashire OL16 1AFTime: 11 - 4pmContact: 0161 761 7851




Talking about the budgetwon’t be the most romanticconversation you’re going to

have when it comes to planning your bigday, but overspending isn’t very romantic either.

One of the first things you need to do when youstart planning your dream wedding is decide who’spaying for what. The most important thing toconsider is to plan the type of wedding you can re-alistically afford. It is not ideal to start married lifein debt. Remember, it is how you spend your moneythat counts, not how much you have to spend.

Traditionally, the fatherof the bride handled themajority of the expenses,with the groom chippingin for ceremony fees and asuitably fabulous, surprisehoneymoon. But, times arechanging. Many contemporarycouples choose to pay for the bulk of theirwedding themselves, or even to split the coststhree ways – between them and both sets ofparents. The question for who pays for what reallycomes down to who is willing and able.

The Bride• Wedding gift for groom• Wedding ring for groom• Bridesmaids’ dresses• Gifts for Attendants• Hen Party

The Groom• Wedding gift for bride• Bride's rings• Banns, Wedding Licence and

Marriage Certificate• Gifts for Best Man and Ushers• Bridal bouquet, buttonholes

and corsages• Formalwear• Fees for officiating personnel

The Bride's Family• Entire reception• Wedding gift for newlyweds• Bride's wedding outfit• Invitations and announcements• Photographs• Venue fees• Flowers • Wedding cars

The Groom’s Family• Honeymoon• Stag Party• Wedding clothes• Travelling expenses/hotel bills• Wedding gift for newlyweds• Shipment of wedding gifts

to new home

A traditional breakdown of the expenses:

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12 months before:q Choose a wedding dateq Decide on a budgetq Make a list of guests and decide on numbersq Book your Church/Ceremony locationq Book your reception venue/caterers q Send out “Save The Date” cardsq Choose your Bridesmaids, Ushers and Best Manq Start looking for The Dress!q Choose and book your photographerq Choose and book your videographerq Take out insurance coverq Start thinking about the Honeymoonq Confirm bookings in writing

8 months before:q Choose bridesmaids’ dressesq Choose the music, hymns and readings for the ceremonyq Order wedding stationeryq Book entertainmentq Choose and order your wedding cakeq Make an appointment with your chosen floristq Select a Toastmaster

6 months before:q Give Notice of Marriageq Purchase or hire menswearq Order venue decoration/chair coversq Select your wedding ringsq Book a make-up artist/hairdresser and arrange a trial

Don’t panic! Theremay be a huge

amount to do in therun up to your bigday, but our handy

checklist is designedto help you through

the next twelvemonths.



4 months before:q Send out your wedding invitationsq Check your passport expiry dateq Check if you will need visas or vaccinations for your

honeymoon destinationq Choose attendants’ giftsq Buy shoes, lingerie and accessoriesq Choose a Gift Listq Order favoursq Start thinking about a seating planq Book your wedding night accommodationq Attend initial fitting for your wedding dressq Make arrangements for Hen and Stag partiesq Arrange fittings for the menswearq Buy a going away outfit and honeymoon clothesq Organise a rehearsal and let relevant people know

1 month before:q Arrange a final fitting of your wedding dressq Call guests who have not responded to your invitationq Buy a wedding gift for each otherq Arrange for a final fitting for your bridesmaids, ushers and

best man and arrange when to collect the outfitsq Confirm timings with the venue and all relevant suppliersq Finalise the seating planq Enjoy your hen and stag parties!

2 weeks before:q Make a note of wedding gifts as they arriveq Confirm the date and time of the rehearsal to the relevant

peopleq Arrange to change your name if appropriateq Speak to all your suppliers to confirm details

1 week before:q Arrange to collect your wedding dress, bridesmaids’

dresses and the menswearq Arrange for your order of service to be given to the ministerq Pack for your honeymoonq Have all your beauty treatmentsq Book the groom a hair cutq Organise an emergency kit for on the dayq Drink plenty of water and have some early nights

Relax and enjoy this time – all your hard work is about to come to fruition!

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Find us on...

PELICAN HOUSE • 119C EASTBANK STREET • SOUTHPORT • MERSEYSIDE • PR8 1DQ • TELEPHONE: 01704 517 979

WINNERS

200620102011

LIVERPOOL BRIDAL FAYRESFashion Show at 2.30pm • Admission £1.50

Suites Hotel, KnowsleySunday 9th October 2011, 12.30pm – 4.00pm

Devonshire House HotelSunday 16th October 2011, 12.30pm – 4.00pm

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The UK Wedding Showspresent exciting, contemporary

and vibrant nationalwedding events...

Save money, book in advance:Booking Hotline 01704 517 970

St. George’s Hall LIVERPOOL17th – 18th September 2011

Manchester Central MANCHESTER29th – 30th October 2011

EventCity MANCHESTER10th – 11th March 2012

Opening hours: 10am-5pm Saturday & SundayFashion Shows at 12noon, 2pm, & 4pm


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