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Stress. Less.

April 15th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

With a punishing blog schedule, inbox full of enquiries (556 as of 9am this morning, and working on it) and our largest Yorkshire show to date coming up this weekend, those two little words in today’s blog post title couldn’t be more timely. Whether it’s work or wedding planning that’s getting your knickers in a twist, let’s all take a deep breath and just chill out.

Sure, it’s a very busy week in the Brides Up North office, but we wouldn’t have it any other way, and we absolutely love what we do – raising awareness of regional wedding industry excellence both on and offline, and forging ahead with the Northern revolution!

And what if you are stressed out by your wedding planning? Well, short of calling the whole thing off – and you don’t want to do that, do you? – remember why you are doing it (you know, getting to marry the person you love!) and take our guest blogger Rachel’s tips to heart.

With Rachel at the helm, I think the rest of the team can have the afternoon off… or at least make a good dent in that inbox!

Kat Timmins Photography for Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog

Rachel says: I’ve seen a bridezilla in action and it’s not a pretty sight. After months of careful planning, one tiny detail can cause a bride-to-be to lose her composure, bringing on a meltdown of epic proportions. I recall one bride on the morning of her wedding sending her bridesmaids out to buy new shoes just hours before the ceremony because they’d deviated slightly from the brief.

“I said flats, not kitten heels,” she roared. But just a short time later she and all her bridesmaids were dancing barefoot to Lionel Richie and all seemed forgotten. As I looked at the pile of disregarded shoes I had to question if it had been worth stressing herself out so much and upsetting several friends in the process (not to mention forcing them to spend money on a second pair of shoes).

There is no doubt that planning a wedding will cause the stress levels to fluctuate with so many decisions to make, a budget to handle and endless guests to try to please – but to avoid the groom doing a runner before the big day even arrives, there are times when hot-headed brides need to take a step back and question what really matters.

This point is often reinforced by brides’ tips to others at the end of real wedding blog posts, with most comments along the lines of: “Don’t stress about the small details”, “Enjoy the planning”, “Things can go wrong but remember what’s important.”

Of course you want things to be perfect, but as the ladies who made it down the aisle will vouch, the important part of the day is marrying the person you love surrounded by those who mean the most to you.

So in an attempt to help other brides-to-be avoid a pre-wedding meltdown over a pair of pesky kitten heels I’ve compiled a list of ways to lessen the stress in the run up to the big day…

Kat Timmins Photography for Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog

Be organised

From the off-set plan a realistic budget and do your best to stick to it, keeping track of your expenditure as you go. Also draw-up a check list of things you need to do and when you need to do them. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to complete tasks and tick your accomplishments off along the way. Also, don’t put off the things you’re not looking forward to, instead get them out of the way first so you can enjoy the fun parts in the run up to the wedding.

Be realistic

Remember the reason you’re getting married in the first place (apart from the pretty dress) and don’t put pressure on yourself to achieve the impossible. Accept that you can’t please everyone but you can throw a ruddy good celebration that you and your guests will remember for years to come. Also don’t get competitive, your wedding should be a reflection of you and your fiancée and what the two of you want rather than trying to out-do another couple.

Delegate

Get your friends and family involved with the planning by giving them jobs. This will lift some of the pressure off your shoulders whilst giving them a chance to make a memorable contribution to your big day. Consider hiring a wedding planner to assist with all or part of the planning to lessen the pressure. For those who don’t hire a planner, liaise closely with the venue wedding co-ordinator so staff know what’s expected of them.

Trust in your decisions

If the planning process starts to feel like an overwhelming chore you can easily become negative and start to doubt decisions you’ve already made . As the saying goes ‘keep calm and carry on’. Believe in your original choices as scrapping plans late on will cause added stress.

Kat Timmins Photography for Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog

While feeling in control and being organised will go some way to reducing stress it’s also important not to become completely consumed with the planning by taking some time out. Escaping the check-list every so often can make a huge difference leaving brides-to-be feeling refreshed, confident and excited when proceeding with their plans. When researching the best ways for brides to take a breather I came across some rather interesting suggestions including flying a kite, building a sandcastle and rearranging furniture but I’ve gone for options that centre more around friends, love and laughter (oh and a generous measure of Pinot).

Date night

Once-a-week spend some quality time with your fiancée when the w-word is strictly off limits. Whether you choose to cook a romantic meal at home, take a trip to the cinema or book a night in a hotel be sure to remind each other why you first fell in love.

Time with the girls

While your friends will undoubtedly want to know how the wedding plans are going, don’t talk obsessively about it for hours on end. Instead, give them a quick update then enjoy finding out what’s new with them while indulging in a girly pastime.

Time for yourself

Don’t allow the planning to take over your life, still make time for the things you enjoy doing like going to the gym, having a manicure, loosing yourself in a good book or taking a relaxing bubble bath.

Rachel Parry of Mosaic Brides is a regular guest blogger for Brides Up North

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Posted in Guest Blog, Wedding Planning | Filed Under | NO COMMENTS yet, click here to start the discussion! »

Are You Sitting Comfortably..? Tackling The Seating Plan!

March 13th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

No Seating Plan

Always an easy option! Image sourced via Zoe Lewis via Pinterest

Ahh, now this is a task that I remember from my own wedding. It took hours and at the end of it all, I still couldn’t be 100% sure that everyone had a seat… Luckily, it all worked out in the end, and yours will too. Just try to resist the urge to play matchmaker or seek revenge, and with our regular guest blogger Rachel of Mosaic Brides tips you’ll find the perfect place for everyone.

Rachel says: Sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin…

The task of planning a wedding sees a bride and groom go through many different emotions, ranging from excitement and happiness, right through to anxiety and despair.

Drawing up the dreaded seating plan usually stirs up the latter emotions causing a couple to endure sleepless nights and countless arguments as they debate where best to place guests in order to avoid family feuds, disapproving looks and Pinot Grigio-fuelled outbursts.

The wedding breakfast is a main feature of the big day and a carefully constructed seating plan can be key to achieving the desired atmosphere. While there is no right or wrong way to approach this tedious task, the following might help…

First things first…

It might be the job you’re dreading most but don’t keep putting it off. In the first instance talk to the wedding coordinator at your chosen venue to find out what size and shape tables you will have for your celebration and how best to arrange them to accommodate your guests. From here you can set to work on a draft seating plan which you can then amend at a later date when you know exactly who will be attending. To save time (and perhaps an entire rainforest) it’s a good idea to draw up a seating plan on a computer rather than by hand, that way if you make a mistake you don’t have to draw it all out again. Better still, there are handy seating plan tools available online which can make the job a whole lot easier by allowing you to make changes at the click of a button and amend right up until the last minute.

Taking Centre Stage…

Seating plans usually begin with the top table and deciding whether or not to have one. For those who want to stick to tradition the top table is usually made up of eight places; the bride and groom, flanked by the bride’s parents, then the groom’s parents, followed by the best man and chief bridesmaid. For those with divorced parents who have remarried the top table may need extending a little. Alternatively to avoid seating parents in close proximity who do not see eye-to-eye, you could have a top table made up of the bridesmaids and groomsmen leaving parents to join family tables.

Another option is to have a ‘sweet heart’ table just for the bride and groom which will allow you to spend some precious time together as husband and wife during the reception. Couples with children may want to seat them at the sweet heart table too. Meanwhile other brides and grooms have been known to invite certain guests to join them at their table for certain courses.

Shake things up…

Most couples ask themselves the question of whether to mix guests up or to keep family and friend groups confine to separate tables.

The aim of many couples is to create an enjoyable atmosphere by seating guests where they will feel most comfortable and where conversation will flow freely. This usually means putting those of similar ages with common interests together. So beyond close family and friends, who are generally seated closet to the top table, there might be tables of extended family, family friends, childhood friends, university friends and colleagues.

Those who do want to mix things up will need to decide how best to do it. Perhaps you could take a couple of guests from each of the different groups and place them on a table together with a bridesmaid or groomsman acting as ‘host’. There is also the option of drawing up different seating plans for different courses so guests move tables and mingle with others (though this one sounds like a recipe for indigestion).

Be clear…

In order to help things run smoothly on the day clearly display a seating plan in the entrance to the reception room directing guests to their allocated places. Also be sure to exhibit table names/numbers clearly and use place cards with first and surnames to avoid confusion.

Turn the tables…

For some grabbing a seat scenarios should only be experienced on Ryanair flights but for others it’s seen as a simple solution to the seating plan headache – take inspiration from the image at the head of this feature and let your guests decide where to sit. While this approach is highly likely to cause chaos in formal dining settings it can work well for more relaxed wedding breakfasts such as barbecue buffets and outdoor picnics.

And remember – you can only do so much to encourage a good atmosphere – the rest is down to your guests.

Rachel Parry is editor of Mosaic Brides and a regular guest blogger for Brides Up North

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Posted in Guest Blog, Wedding Planning | Filed Under | 3 COMMENTS so far, click here to join the discussion! »

Hold The Sticky Back Plastic! Dabbling In A DIY Do…

February 11th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

The three letters D-I-Y usually conjure up images of laborious and mind-numbing tasks sent to try our patience. I know – as do my followers over on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – as I’m in the middle of a huge home and office move whilst almost nine months pregnant. Eep! But in world of weddings (which is almost always more stylish than the world of pregnancy!) a bit of do it yourself can be creative, inspirational and unique.

I’m off to sand down some floorboards, so I’ll leave you in the safe – and still manicured – hands of our regular guest blogger and editor of Mosaic Brides, Rachel Parry. Over to her, and I make no apologies for the epic Blue Peter nostalgia… I have a feeling I’ll be up to the eyeballs in sticky back plastic in a few year’s time…

Images via welovebluepeter.blogspot.co.uk

Rachel says: It’s a desire for more personal affairs that has brought with it a surge in DIY elements being incorporated into weddings, meaning brides and grooms are taking a more hands-on approach. And it’s not just couples rolling up their sleeves; they’re also calling upon their family and friends to do the same.

Usually the main reason for featuring DIY touches is to enable the bride and groom to inject their styling concepts and personalities into the big day. But the benefits don’t stop there. Asking family and friends to get involved and contribute towards the wedding day is a great way to make those closest feel an important part of the proceedings. And better still, DIY projects can help trim down the budget.

Vintage style weddings in particular feature an abundance of home-made efforts and bring about a resurgence of wartime attitudes that if we all pull together we can get things done.

Images via welovebluepeter.blogspot.co.uk

For those choosing to take the DIY wedding route, planning and delegation are key. Tempting as it is, brides shouldn’t take on all projects themselves, but instead hand out some jobs to the groom as well as family and friends. Planning how long each DIY project will take and setting a deadline for its completion is a good way to ensure jobs aren’t rushed last minute. It’s also important to only ask people to do tasks you know they will feel comfortable with – your Nan might have made the perfect My Little Pony cake for your fifth birthday, but making a three tiered wedding cake complete with hundreds of handcrafted iced flowers is something else. Also remember to make projects fun and light hearted rather than a chore – invite your bridesmaids round for a cuppa and a catch up while you make bunting (perhaps saving the wine to toast its completion so the standard of what’s being produced doesn’t slip)…

Images via welovebluepeter.blogspot.co.uk

Here are some ways in which DIY elements can be incorporated into your wedding (none of which require Handy Andy and a sheet of MDF)…

Stationery

Save the date cards, invitations, order of service, menus, name places, table plans the list goes on. If you are creative or you have a friend/family member in the design industry you could make your own stationery for that extra personal touch. This gives you the opportunity to make both the design and wording totally unique. Remember stationery is the taster of the wedding you give to your guests and first impressions are everything. A personal invite will make the event all the more memorable.

Décor

DIY décor has become incredibly popular in weddings, particularly those that centre on vintage and village fete style themes. The possibilities are endless and it’s a great opportunity to really let the creative juices flow. Cute homemade bunting and elegant paper pom poms or paper chains can look stunning hung around the venue whilst old books, vintage crockery and antique glassware can be used to decorate tables.

Trawling car boot sales and antique shops can lead to other great décor finds such as vintage table cloths, cake stands, frames, mirrors and even antique typewriters. Other quirky ideas include using jam jars as vases, candle holders, or even rustic style glasses. Vintage birdcages make striking centrepieces while old suit cases are ideal for collecting cards or displaying quirky table plans. Signage, pin wheels and confetti cones are also popular DIY projects.

Favours

Homemade preserves like jam, chutney or marmalade make attractive favours as do treats like cookies, cupcakes, chocolates or fudge. For a longer lasting DIY favour why not give guests a mixed CD of music from your wedding that will bring back memories of the day for years to come. Alternatively you could just choose to make the presentation box/bag in which to place favours such as sweets, charity pins, or miniature spirits.

Cake/ Sweet Tables

There is a growing trend in weddings for cake/dessert tables which can be a joint effort from guests. The Great British Bake Off has brought out the Mary Berry in all of us so challenge your guests to get baking a range of cakes and/or desserts which you can then display on the day before serving up as pudding.

Sweet/candy buffets are also proving popular and can be easily put together by displaying colourful or retro sweets in traditional glass jars and attractive dishes.

Images via welovebluepeter.blogspot.co.uk

Don’t Touch!

While there are plenty of areas to exercise creative talents when organising a wedding, it goes without saying that some things should be left to the experts. Unless you have a professional florist or dress maker in your family or close friendship group, don’t stress yourself out with DIY projects in these areas. Also don’t DIY when it comes to photography and/or videography. You might have an uncle with a brand new Nikon that he’s just dying to test out but these are your real memories of the day and you only have one shot at getting them right. I advise investing the money you save through DIY projects into these important areas (or perhaps splurge it on a fantastic pair of wedding shoes – just don’t tell the groom)!

Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © via welovebluepeter.blogspot.co.uk

Rachel Parry is a regular guest writer for Brides Up North

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog

Posted in DIY, Guest Blog, UK Wedding Blog, Wedding Planning | Filed Under | NO COMMENTS yet, click here to start the discussion! »

Make Mine A Monica: Why Hiring A Wedding Planner Works

January 16th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

The One With The Whistle

Image credit: fanforum.com

Less Monica, more Rachel.

Our gal Rachel, editor of Mosaic Brides and regular guest blogger here at Brides Up North explains why hiring a wedding planner should be at the top of your wedding wish list. Headsets not included.

Rachel says: Think wedding planner and you might just picture a control crazed Monica from Friends when she took on the role for Phoebe’s big day – but fear not, none that I know of bark military style orders at brides and grooms whilst carrying a clipboard everywhere they go. Here I explain the benefits that a professional planner can bring without the use of a megaphone…

It’s a common misconception that wedding planners are just for the rich and famous. In fact, their affordable rates and varied packages mean they can help couples from all walks of life to make their dream weddings become a reality.

The duty of a planner is not to take over, but instead to help a couple achieve their wedding day vision whilst saving time and money, thus resulting in an enjoyable and stress-free celebration.

The One With The Wedding Dresses

Image credit: weheartit.com

Professional planners can help with as little or as much of the planning as a couple desires, being involved for either a short period of time or throughout the entire planning process and during the big day itself.

Whilst your chosen venue may have an on-site co-ordinator thrown in as part of the package, their duties rarely go beyond assisting with the menu, décor, floor plan and perhaps providing a list of recommended suppliers.

Meanwhile independent planners offer different packages to suit individual couples’ needs. For example an initial consultation is ideal for couples who want to be very hands on with the planning but perhaps are just a little overwhelmed. An early meeting with a planner will help them establish a budget and give them an idea of what will need to be done and when. Partial planning gives brides and grooms the option to cherry pick a number of services they require as such venue searches, creative styling or on the day co-ordination. A full planning service is usually a popular choice with couples who have little time to spare and would therefore prefer to let someone else to do the leg work for them.

The One With The Headset

Image source: fanpop.com

Before hiring a wedding planner it’s a good idea to meet with them so you can enquire about their experience and see how you get along. It’s important you feel at ease and trust them as your planner will need to get to know you and your wishes for the wedding so they achieve, or even surpass, your expectations.

So how can a wedding planner help?

Time Is Money

Planners can do the groundwork of researching venues and suppliers which will save you endless hours. They can then set up meetings and appointments for you to attend to go over suggestions, present creative ideas, meet with suppliers and sample food/drink menus.

Money Is Money

Due to their contacts in the industry many planners can often score discounts with suppliers who they bring repeat business to. They also have knowledge of what things should cost so can shop around for best price and haggle on your behalf.

Ask An Expert

Planners can offer advice on subjects you might not have even thought about such as wedding laws, etiquette and insurance. Furthermore they have first hand experience with trusted suppliers/venues and therefore know those best suited to your requirements.

Budgeting For Beginners

Initially many couples don’t realise how the cost of a wedding can mount up or where hidden costs can occur. A planner’s knowledge means they can help you set a realistic budget and stick to it by keeping track of costs so there are no nasty surprises.

Under Pressure

Planners can handle the difficult/boring parts in the run up to the wedding leaving you more time to indulge in the fun stuff like dress shopping. On the day itself co-ordination and styling set-up services offered by planners will ensure all runs smoothly and looks perfect meaning no added pressure on the bride and groom or any of their guests.

The One With The Panic Attack

Image credit: Comedy Central

Gloves Off

As an independent third party who has a wealth of experience in weddings, a planner can help settle disputes between the bride and groom and or family/friends by offering impartial, expert advice to reach the best solution.

Creative Concepts

For those who are struggling for inspiration, or who have an idea but aren’t sure how to make it a reality, planners can suggest and source everything from décor and chair covers to table linen and stationery and ensure it all corresponds.

Brides Abroad

A planner is particularly useful for those getting married overseas especially if the couple aren’t familiar with their chosen destination. There are planners who specialise in certain destinations and therefore are totally clued up on the country’s wedding laws and venue options and also boast a list of trusted suppliers.

In short professional planners are the answer to a wedding fairy godmother offering priceless expert knowledge, professionalism, creativeness, guidance, stress relief and perhaps even friendship.

Check out the Brides Up North wedding planners’ page in our directory to find help in your area.

This is not a sponsored post

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog

Posted in Guest Blog, Wedding Planning | Filed Under | NO COMMENTS yet, click here to start the discussion! »

And Action! Choosing Your Wedding Videographer

January 4th, 2013 | Brides Up North: UK Wedding Blog

You’re nearly there… just Friday to go and then it’s the weekend. Thank goodness. Maybe it’s the weight of all those resolutions on our shoulders – or perhaps the weight of that rock sparkling on your finger – but why does the first week back at work after Christmas always feel like such a marathon (especially when there is wed-min and dress shopping to be done)?!

Speaking of wedmin, our regular guest blogger Rachel of Mosaic Brides knows just how to handle all of that - and, handily, is here to offer her expert advice to you too. After a little Christmas break she is back at her best with her two cents on choosing a wedding videographer. Get ready for your close up.

And action…

Rachel says: It may sound a little sad coming from a single girl but I’ve become totally obsessed with wedding videos.

Holly & Toan from hdmoments.com on Vimeo

At one time the suggestion of a wedding videographer sent shivers down my spine as thoughts of shaky home video productions sprung to mind but having recently taken the time to explore the wonderful world of wedding videos I can now honestly say most productions give me shivers of a different kind.

Dispelling thoughts of cringe-a-minute amateur footage, professional videographers produce seamless, high quality and personal productions which reflect the individuality of a couple as well as the true beauty and emotion of their wedding (reader warning: such productions should be watched only when armed with a box of tissues).

The Brides Up North Yorkshire Tweet Up 2012 by the amazing Steven at Forever Film

Granted a good videographer comes at a price but also provides a stunning solution to the common complaint of brides and grooms that the day passes too quickly and they miss out on important elements as they can’t be in two places at once.

While photographers are amazing at capturing wedding day magic as a timeless set of stills (and I wouldn’t swap that for the World!), videographers can go beyond static images. They capture the essence of a wedding day through both visual and audio footage to give couples, as well as their friends and family, the opportunity to look at their wedding from a different perspective and relive the special day time and time again.

Research, research and a little bit more research is the best way to find a videographer that is right for you and your wedding. Get online and watch lots of show reels/example videos on lots of different videographers’ websites to get an idea of the talent that’s out there and what they can offer. Ask yourself:

What style is the wedding video shot in?

Generally wedding videos are shot in one of two styles; cinematic and documentary. Cinematic is more posed and edited for dramatic effect and mood whilst documentary is a fly-on-the- wall style, simply capturing the day as it unfolds. While some professionals will stick to just one style others will use a combination of the two.

Tiffany & TJ – From New York to Ireland from Deneemotion Wedding Cinema on Vimeo

How good is the quality?

Watching example videos will give you an idea of the quality a videographer’s work and the equipment they use. Those who use high quality equipment should be less intrusive on the day and will produce a polished final product with clear picture, good lighting, complementary colour and crisp sound.

How much of the day is captured?

Most couples request a videographer’s services all day to document the wedding in full, focusing on the main events as well as those all important little touches. Alternatively some couples may be looking for a videographer to capture just specific parts of the day in full such as the vows and the speeches.

Anjali & Ben – Loch Ness Wedding from Deneemotion Wedding Cinema on Vimeo

How well has the production been edited?

Experienced wedding videographers will use a variety of professional techniques when editing in order to deliver a final production that flows like a feature film. Watching examples of their work will give you an idea of their capabilities. Look at how well one scene moves to another, are sound bites from the day included or is the footage just set to music? Is the music complementary or overbearing/distracting? Are any special effects?

How do they work on the wedding day?

Ask what equipment they will be using on the day and if/how it will interfere with the wedding. Most professionals use small unobtrusive, high-tech digital cameras that are lightweight, mobile and don’t require extra lighting meaning minimal disruptions to the proceedings. You might also want to enquire how many cameras will be used – while one is not generally enough to capture all the action, more than three might look like a Hollywood film set.

Amy & Tim – Highlights from Forever Film on Vimeo

What do you get for your money?

Just like photographers, videographers offer a variety of packages to suit different budgets. Look at what’s included in each package such as how many copies of the film you will receive and in what format. Most include an edited feature film showing the best parts of the day – as an added bonus some will also include the ceremony and speeches in full. Further extras can include a wedding trailer showing a snapshot of the big day and/or an engagement shoot where a couple are interviewed prior to the wedding about their relationship and what they love about each other which is then edited into the main wedding production.

Michelle + Leo from hdmoments.com on Vimeo

That’s a wrap!

Rachel is a regular guest blogger for Brides Up North, HD Moments, Deneemotion & Forever Film are all Brides Up North Featured Suppliers, but this is not a sponsored post

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog