SocialBrides.co.uk|Social Network,Wedding Blog & Chat Sessions, Online Wedding Fair 2012

My wedding's in a year and I wouldn't say that it's going to be the
biggest day of my life. I think the moment when I said yes was,
if not the moment when he asked the question.
(Well, they're the same thing). The wedding is just a celebration,
but our readiness to be married cannot be quantified by the
wedding itself.

Nonetheless, I want to celebrate the event with the best things and
 the best people on earth. I want each person attending the wedding
 to remember how we are as a couple, hence, I want them to
remember the day so we can look at it as one of the best
moments of our lives.

I am an artist, an essay writer and I know how profoundly meaningful
 the wedding should be. My fiance is an engineer and he usually lacks
the imagination of how he wants something to be. So when he said
that he just wants the wedding to be a moment he can simply remember
at trying times, I, the artist, know what to do.

The new series of the BBC's ever popular Don't Tell the Bride produced by Renegade Pictures is on the lookout for a new set of couples hoping to Marry in 2012 to feature in their latest series.

Twelve thousand pounds is up for grabs for those potential Brides to be who have enough faith in their future spouses ability to plan their Wedding right down to the last detail, and that includes the dress !




There have certainly been some heartstopping moments and looks of horror when the Grooms choice has been revealed in previous series' . Hardly surprising though really. it is what makes this programme most entertaining :)

Check out some clips from previous shows here

If you are in the North East of England you can request an application form directly by registering free on www.weddingfairsnewcastle.com or pick up one personally if you visit the Exclusive Wedding Fayre event on Sunday 11th March  2012 at DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.

 

Cast from your partner’s finger, so you are always holding hands.

The interior of the finished ring holds an impression of your partner’s finger, which will encircle yours forever.

These hand-finished unusual wedding rings are available in gold, silver, white gold or platinum with your choice of polished or unpolished exterior surface and all rings are finished to have glowing polished edges. You can also select from two widths: slender (0.3cm) or broad (0.7cm).

Laing’s unique wedding rings definitely have the wow factor and the prices are even more wow. My research has shown me that couples today are willing to pay anything from £100 to £1000 per wedding ring. Patrick Laing’s personalised custom-made creations start at just at £600 each, which is a mid-range price, but for that you will receive an extremely sentimental and totally individual wedding ring.

When you place the order for your wedding ring or a set of his and hers wedding rings, Laing and his team will send out a specially-designed impression kit, including full instructions and moulding materials, along with a ring measurer (a wooden reference ring that models your chosen width and depth) and a robust set of return postage boxes.

Then, in Patrick’s words, ‘we will craft your rings in your chosen precious metals and hand-finish them, before delivering them to you in a set of gift boxes, as shown in the accompanying images. This normally takes 5-6 days excluding delivery. We ask you to provide the full names of the couple, even if only one person is ordering a ring, so that we may address the pack to you personally.’ If you should have any concerns regarding the sizing of your finger or the moulding process, you can contact Patrick and his team at any time via ‘Ask Seller A Question’ on the product page, for prompt and helpful guidance.

For couples wanting to do something different with every element of their wedding day, seeking out an original and inspired wedding ring that is a twist on the traditional wedding band is an integral part of their wedding planning. Patrick Laing’s Bespoke Fingerprint Wedding Rings are innovative, sentimental, high quality and great value for money. Not only will you have it and hold it for the rest of your lives, the added symbolism this wedding ring provides, combined with the fact that you are able to create it yourselves, makes it truly like no other.

Photobooths for weddings. Who would have thought?

This new take on an old concept is gaining momentum and snowballing in popularity. Adding a wholly different dimension to weddings, the photobooth concept allows guests a greater level of freedom. Without a photographer to hand, the privacy of the photobooth lets guests to tap into their fun frivolous side. Allowing guests to let their hair down, the photobooth is guaranteed to capture a completely different side of guests, complementing traditional wedding photography perfectly.

Photobooths also provide a sense of novelty and are as much a form of entertainment as a photographic record.

 

 

They will get people talking and encourage them to mingle outside their tables. There’s also a certain nostalgia factor, with photobooths recalling childhood memories. With no wait time and a retro feel, photobooths are sure to add an interesting quirk to any wedding, providing fresh, creative pics of your big day. Snaparazzi Photo Booths operate in the North and South of England and offer authentic retro 1960's Photo Booths which can deliver digital picture in black and white or colour. Limelight Hire offer a more modern twist on the theme with touchscreen technology and HD prints.

Photos taken in the booths can also be used to compile a personalised guestbook for the bride and groom.

Both of the above companies will be exhibiting with their photobooths on demonstration at The Great North Wedding Show at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on Sunday February 19th 2012

Weddings can be a minefield in terms of tradition and etiquette. Who pays for what? And how much should they pay? While a simple civil ceremony will set you back less than £50, the overwhelming majority of weddings cost between £5,000 and a staggering £15,000. To simplify and streamline the process (and minimise the stress), it’s best to arrive at a budget before you seriously begin planning, and to decide who is paying for what early on.

Tradition dictates that the cost of a wedding is covered by the bride’s father. However, the practice of parents covering the cost of a wedding is becoming less common, and the majority of weddings are funded by the bridal couple in question. Despite the added financial burden, in many ways paying for your own weddings offers an easier option, giving you full reign to exercise your own prerogative, without having to defer to the cost coverer. Aside from this, many couples are wary of asking their parents for financial assistance on the basis that their parents aren’t in a position to cover the costs. Should your parents wish to contribute, discuss and agree a set contribution to the budget to avoid any subsequent confusion. Regardless of parental involvement, you are likely to have to save to cover some of the costs, so it’s wise to work out a budget as soon as possible to allow yourself plenty of time to save.

To better enable you to navigate this minefield, we've compiled the following list:

The Bride's family

·         Wedding stationery and the engagement announcement in the local newspaper.

·         The cost of ceremony - including the flowers, registering banns, and the music.

·         The wedding cake and catering.

·         Overnight accommodation for close relatives on the bride’s side.

·         The bride's wedding dress, veil, accessories and shoes.

·         Transportation for the bride and bridal party.

·         The reception costs, including the venue, food, beverages, entertainment, wedding cake, favours.

·         The photographer and videographer.

·         The floral bouquets.

·         The church and the decorations for the reception.

·         The Bridesmaids' dresses and accompanying accessories.

·         Wedding presents for the newlyweds.

The Groom's family

·         The groom's attire.

·         The best man and ushers’ outfits.

·         The travel and accommodation expenses for the groom's family.

·         The corsages for the parents and buttonholes for the men.

·         Wedding presents for the bride and groom.

Bride and groom

·         The hen do and stag party.

·         Gifts for the parents, the attendants and the best man.

·         Any expenses that have exceeded the original budget.

·         The wedding night hotel.

·         The honeymoon.

-sheepskin! Sheepskin rugs look luxe and cosy – perfect for a winter wedding!

-pine cones – scatter on tables or use as place card holders

-fairy lights – festive, but slightly more discreet than tinsel, fairy lights provide soft, flattering lighting and create an air of romance

-Christmas trees – this is my own personal idea for a winter take on wishing trees. Instead of hanging ‘wishes’ on the bare branches of a wishing tree, swap it for a spruce!

-Also, miniature Christmas trees can make excellent table centrepieces – the scope for customisation makes them a perfect addition, keep it simple with white fairy lights or go all out

-Baubles – pretty and can be used as favours or even place settings if personalised. The multi-purpose nature of baubles makes them perfect for anyone with a tight budget.

-A log fire – cosiness personified!

-gingerbread houses – you can buy pre-made ones and they add endless charm to a food table

-snowglobes – think the tasteful variety, not the cheap and cheerful type you pick up in a discount store to give to children

-holly and mistletoe – for a festive touch of nostalgia

{Image credits: 1. Partylights; 2. All Style Wedding Invitations;}

With Christmas looming I thought it pertinent to compile a list of delicious festive treats to serve at a winter wedding, just in case anyone is in need of any inspiration. So here it is, my top 10 treats for a warm winter wedding!

-freshly roasted chestnuts – deliciously nostalgic and comforting.

-hot chocolates with a fresh miniature ring doughnuts (and for added decadence serve with whipped cream and crumbled flake).

-mince pies fresh from the oven – for those who really want to capitalise on the festive cheer.

-egg nogg –creamy comforting goodness in a glass!

-hot canapes – think miniature yorkshire puddings with sliced beef and horseradish or gravy.

-hot chocolate shots – like hot chocolate but better, think a syrupy shot of melted chocolate.

-cranberry glazed turkey skewers – simple, sweet and succulent!

-melting middle chocolate fondants – timeless and universally popular I believe

-hot scotch eggs – another classic! For a more delicate, contemporary twist, use quail eggs instead of chicken egg.

-mulled wine – for something truly spectacular purchase a sugar tower, douse it in alcohol and then set fire to it! Not only does it enrich the mulled wine, but it makes for an impressive display.

{Image credits: 1. Mahanandi; 2. ; Delicious Magazine; 3. We Adore Weddings;}

10 top tips to save money on your wedding:

The average wedding in Britain costs in excess of £15,000. In some ways, it’s not really surprising given how quickly costs and expectations spiral. However, for many brides, this is simply unfeasible given the current economic climate. Sure every bride wants her big day to be perfect, but if like many others you’d rather spend the money on other things, or simply don’t have the money to fund a lavish wedding, read on. A tight budget does not mean you have to sacrifice your big day dreams, it just means you need to more savvy. So here are some tips to help you manage the wedding planning process on a budget.

-First of all, you need to decide what matters most to you. What are you willing and unwilling to compromise on. Work out how much you have to spend in each area and then research research research!

-Look in the classified section and on ebay for decorations rather than buying brand new ones. Alternatively, consider opting for decorations that double as wedding favours

-Go over your guest list with a fine tooth comb – every extra guest you invite increases the cost substantially. In addition to the catering costs, you’ll find yourself forking out for extra wedding invitations, favours, and even table centrepieces. If you’re on a tight budget it’s time to get tough with who you invite – cull people you haven’t spoken to in years.

-Ask your florist which flowers are in season, as these will be cheaper than flowers that are out of season and harder to source, particularly when if you’re planning to use large quantities for table centrepieces.

-Attend sample sales when hunting for that perfect dress, or even consider renting a wedding dress. Alternatively, if you know someone with excellent seamstress skills consider asking them whether they would be willing to tailor-make you a wedding dress.

-Go off peak – if you hold your wedding on a Sunday vendors may offer you a better rate due to demand being lower.

-DIY it – DIY is your friend if you’re on a budget. Even if you’re not a craft goddess, get friends and relatives to help. DIY decorations, cakes and invitations are becoming increasingly popular as people appreciate the personal touch. Consider where your (and your helpers’) talents lie and then work out what DIY projects you have time for. This crocheted heart runner on Project Wedding is a perfect example of how easy and effective DIY can be! http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-crocheted-heart-runner



-Consider asking guests to donate their time and skills instead of a traditional wedding gift – from flower arranging to hairdressing, getting guests on board with the preparation can really cut costs and allow you more financial leeway on the areas that mean the most to you.

-Find a less expensive venue and/or keep the reception short and sweet. The length of your reception will influence the cost of the venue hire so consider this carefully when choosing. If you don’t have your heart set on a lavish country house, consider holding your reception at a local community centre or even someone’s home. Alternatively, if you do have your heart set on the sprawling country estate, having a reception out of the peak wedding season will help keep your costs down.

-According to tradition, the bride’s family pay for the bridesmaids’ attire so this is a prime area to cut costs; rather than buying ‘bridesmaid’dresses, which will come with a premium price tag, look for suitable dresses in normal high street store ranges.

‘Don’t Tell the Bride’ is one of Britain’s most enthralling wedding shows. Not only is it a great source of entertainment, but it’s also a great source of inspiration. Never has this been truer than in the episode airing on BBC3 on Tuesday 15^th November at 9 pm! For this episode features Y.A.P Bridal Boutique, one of Newcastle’s finest. For those of you who love a good frock fest, Jo, from Y.A.P boutique, sets the bar high with her customer care. Talking about Newcastle, Jo says she believes "we deserve nothing but the best in choice and service", and this commitment is evident in the episode. She suggests an exquisite gown for Lauren, based on a number of factors including her body shape and personal style, bringing Lauren one step closer to her dream wedding.

Y.A.P boutique redefines customer care. The sales assistants are fabulous, both knowledgeable and attentive they offer an incredible experience and make every bride feel special. Finding the dress of your dreams can be surprisingly stressful, and Y.A.P boutique really focuses on making the process as seamless and stress-free as possible. As Jo herself says, "I understand the importance of great service, especially during this important part of your life, when the choices you make, make the difference." And with its name standing for ‘You Are Precious’ what’s not to love?! According to Jo, the name evolved out of a family who "know the importance of love, friendship and marriage." The name is about 'you', the bride being precious to your loved ones on your big day! The boutique offers a broad spectrum of designers, including local designers and couture designers from across the globe. The selection of dresses is equally broad, incorporating gowns with an old fashioned elegance as well as gowns with a directional contemporary twist. Y.A.P not only caters for, but also celebrates, all tastes, body shapes and budgets.

Even better - Jo will now be bringing her expertise to Social Brides (which we are all rather excited about)! She will be available from 8 pm onwards during Tuesday’s online wedding fair and chat, ready and waiting to field your questions and provide expert tips and advice on choosing the perfect wedding dress to suit your style, shape and budget! We can’t imagine a better evening for a bride-to-be! So why don’t you settle into your sofa to watch ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’, pour yourself a glass of wine, and load up www.SocialBrides.co.ukon your laptop to unwind?! It’s sure to be a great night, with experts and brides converging to talk all things wedding related, and Jo will make an excellent addition to our expert supplier panel.