LATEST CRAZE UPDATE: Chinese Flying Lanterns

Just a quick post to tell you about the latest craze that is the Chinese Flying Lanterns.

Releasing these lanterns come from a tradition ranging 2000 years back. Hundreds of these flying lanterns would be released at once with hopes, wishes and messages of good luck . Why not inspire your wedding day with this age old tradition and bring prosperity to your future.

Using these in summer months are a great way for customising weddings and you can be sure you haven't seen this done before. Can you just imaging the spectacle?

Question Time!

Q - "My fiancé and I have two different images in our heads for our wedding day. How do we reach a compromise?" - Nicola, Wedding Date December 2010

A - Well the important part is that you want to reach a compromise. That's step one! You both need to sit down and discuss who is paying for what. Draw up a list of things that are important to each of you. When you do this decide upon which of these aspects will not completely diminish your budget. Don't necessarily say 'no' to those small things that will personalise your wedding day and make it your own.

But be realistic! Don't have ice sculptures, or have a wine fountain on each table if your budget doesn't allow it! This may just overcrowd your guests and take the attention off the bride and groom.

Starting a marriage is going to be a lot of give and take. Treat the wedding planning process as a learning curve! And if all else fails hire a wedding planner!! ;)

I don't know your budget requirements, your vision or even your religious take on weddings so I cannot say what you should and should not do. Although I can tell you want to meet half way and I don't think it will be difficult. Eventhough it is usually all about the bride, and the wedding usually goes her way - but now times are changing and the modern man wants to share this day along side his bride with his own personal touches!

Good luck xx

Question Time!

Q. “My budget is very small but I want my guests to have the time of their lives! What do I do?” – Adelle, Wedding Date September 2010
A. Hi Adelle, firstly it is important for you as a couple to decide which part of the wedding is the most important aspect. Is it the Ceremony? Or is it the celebrating with friends and family at the Reception? This way you can divide your funds accordingly. If you are not particularly religious, have a small, intimate registry with a few close family and friends. And the Reception you can go wild!

However small your budget there is always a way to make your wedding one of a kind. Have a small party at home, get some family members to cook some food. Not everyone needs a DJ, a good ipod with a shuffle and a youngster hovering around it ensuring its correct functioning is all you need sometimes! It’s always good when you have some creative people around you or some great cooks or even a baker! They always come in handy!!

Tips on Personalising your day

Unique Wedding themed Cocktail’s – Why not enforce the party mood with cocktails to match the theme of your wedding day. Experiment with your favourite cocktails infused with the colour theme of your wedding day.

Photo Booths and Video Booths – If you want to let your guests personalise their own messages to you, and if your budget allows you to, then what better way than letting them in these great booths. One of many ways of capturing and remembering the small joys that make a huge day worth while!

Pixpod offer photo booth hire with unlimited prints for 3 hours costing £600.00. For more details and prices visit www.pixpod.com/

Wedding Favours – Make them personal! Wedding favours are there to send your guests away with a little piece of your day. So think hard and get creative!

Butterfly Favour Box by Treasured Favours - Visit them at www.treasuredfavours.co.uk

Reception Table Names – One thing I love to change up is table names. Instead of your usual table numbers, mix it up a little. If you are known for your frequent trips to the cinema then name each table according to your favourite movies, and make the head table ‘Vue Cinema’ for example. Other examples are Greek Gods, Periodic Table chemicals, Fashion designers, Special Place names.

Incorporate your theme – If your theme is movies, have a popcorn machine, have some show reels of the couple that can be a main entertainment segment or be silent in the background much like a slideshow. If your theme is Monopoly, why not have a dance floor designed like the monopoly board and have monopoly memorabilia on the tables.

Rodeo King hires popcorn machines, candy floss machines and much more: £100 per machine for dry hire which includes delivery, setup and instruction in how to use the machine and ingredients etc. [www.rodeoking.biz]

Centre Pieces – One thing I love about walking into the reception hall is that the first thing that amazes my senses is the table centre pieces. Remember, your guests will most probably be staring at theses all evening – so go crazy! Extravagant, intricate, beautifully crafted centre pieces (dependant on the wedding theme of course) are the way to go. Even if your reception hall is simple, the abundance of tables and centre pieces creates depth and fills the room wonderfully.