10 top treats for a warm winter wedding

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;}

Top 10 tips for budgeting

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.

Wedding Checklist

Weddings are magical affairs. However, planning a wedding is not always as magical as it can, and should, be. With a million things to organise, it’s all too easy to forget an all-important detail or leave it until it’s too late. That’s why we’ve compiled this wedding checklist here at Social Brides to help you with the process, and make it simpler and more manageable.

A.S.A.P.

-decide on a budget

-select what type of ceremony you want

-select your colour scheme, and an overarching theme (optional)

-Select and book a venue for the ceremony

-Book your ceremony time and date with a minister or registrar – have back up dates/times in mind

-Select your bridesmaids, flower girls, pageboys, ushers and groomsmen

-Select and book a venue for the reception (confirm it in writing)

-Arrange wedding insurance before you pay any deposits

-Prepare a first draft of the guest list

-Meet and book caterers – sample a few menu options

-Order the cake (you can settle on the design a little later, around 4 months before the wedding)

-Start looking for wedding dresses, -choose between bespoke and off the peg

-Select your wedding stationery (invitations, place cards etc.)

-if you’re hiring a wedding planner now is the time to do it

6-12 months before:

-Send out save the date cards

-Book a photographer/videographer

-Book transport to and from the ceremony for the bridal party

-Book the honeymoon

-Book florists and entertainers/musicians

-create an inspiration board or scrapbook with ideas and styles you like for food, dresses, hair, makeup, decorations etc.

-Choose your bridal attire and outfits for others involved in the ceremony

6 months before:

-Select and order your wedding rings

-Pick up your Marriage Notice form from the Registrar

-Choose bridal accessories, shoes, headdress, veil etc

5 months before:

-Select flowers for the bridal bouquet, decorations, buttonholes etc.

-Book a hotel for your first night.

-Compile your gift wish list

4 months before:

-Finalise the design and colour you want for your wedding cake

-Check requirements for travelling and which documents you’ll need

-Arrange any visas you need

-Book an appointment with your doctor to discuss what vaccinations you will need for your honeymoon

-Confirm and discuss the arrangements with your minister like the order of service

-Buy gifts for those involved in the wedding

3 months before:

-Consult your hairdresser about what styles you like, and what styles will suit your face. Consider taking your headdress along and arrange a trial style

-Hen and stag parties should be organised by the best man and chief bridesmaid

-Ensure guests have accommodation

-When guests RSVP stating their intention to attend, send them an information pack including such information as your gift list, maps and directions, local accommodation availability etc.

-If you’re altering your name, now is the time to have new credit cards issued.

-Buy wedding favours

-Arrange fittings for those involved in the ceremony

2 months before:

-buy wedding confetti (check if confetti is permitted, some allow biodegradable products such as dried petals)

-prepare a seating plan

-send thank you notes as and when wedding gifts arrive

-children involved in the ceremony should be measured up for their outfits

-Contact your stationer to let them know names for place cards

-Arrange a trial run of your wedding make-up

1 month before:

-Final fitting for your wedding dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses

-Let the caterer and reception venue know the final number of guests attending

-Write and rehearse speeches

-Confirm transport details and find out the approximate duration of the journey to the ceremony venue

-Write to banks and any other official institutions if you’re changing your surname

1-2 weeks before:

-Confirm suppliers – confirm arrangements and timings

-Final rehearsal

-Make sure all wedding attire has been collected and fits

-Wear in bridal shoes

-Ensure the menus, place cards, order of service sheets etc have been delivered

-Confirm honeymoon details, order currency etc

-Write a play list for the DJ, including you first dance song

-Pick up your marriage schedule

-Pick up wedding attire

On the big day:

-Try to have at least some breakfast

-Leave plenty of time to get ready – there’s nothing worse than feeling flustered

-Make sure your honeymoon suitcase is sent to the hotel you’re staying at overnight

Perfect Jenny Packham Wedding Dresses

I’m in love. Jenny Packham has truly exceeded herself with these delectably whimsical wedding dresses. They’re the perfect combination of chic and feminine, will flatter any figure and are so well cut they could be re-worn for other formal occasions. Team with a Packham headdress for a contemporary feel, or pair with a retro flower headdress to enhance the whimsy. As if Jenny Packham’s designs weren’t tantalising enough in their own right, Packham’s holding an end of line sale, with up to 70% off bridal accessories, on Thursday, 17^th November from 8.30 am until 8 pm at 3A Carlos Place, Mount Street, London, W1K 3AN.

{Credits: 1. Jenny Packham; 2. Jenny Packham;}

Wedding Hairstyles

How you wear your hair can transform any outfit, and this is never more true than on your wedding day. With no rules for bridal do’s you have incredible scope, but in some ways this can make deciding on a style all the more overwhelming. When selecting a style you should start by considering the length and thickness of your hair. Hair like fine spun silk may be soft and luxurious, but it will not hold its shape as readily as thicker, wavy hair. That is not to say it won’t hold, but consider whether your hair will require additional preparation when choosing a style.

You should also take into account the overall aesthetic of your bridal look; is it conservative? Quirky? If so, would it benefit more from a contrasting hair style to dilute the look, or would a co-ordinated hair style work best? Other factors to consider are the neckline of your dress (if you have corsage detailing at the shoulder it would be a shame to obscure this), your veil (how elaborate and long is it?) and whether you want any additional decorative hairpieces.

Your stylist should be your best friend. Ask which styles will flatter your face most and then discuss the best way to care for and prepare your hair. Consider a series of rehydrating treatments, in addition to regular haircuts, to get your hair as glossy and healthy as possible. Avoid drastic changes in either colour or cut before the big day, and to ensure your hair is at its very best eat a diet rich in omega 3; it will maximise gloss and minimise breakage. It also is highly recommended that you make sure you have a trial style to see if your chosen do lives up to expectations; if you’re disappointed you’ll still have time to tweak it, or change it entirely.

{Credits: 1. lovehair; 2. itsabridesworld; 3. lovehair; 4. itsabridesworld; 5. itsabridesworld;}

Winter Wonderland Weddings

With winter looming I thought it was only appropriate to write a post on winter weddings. Despite the unrelenting cold, winter weddings, when executed correctly, can look immeasurably elegant and glamorous. They have an ethereal quality that really enchants the viewer. There are slightly different rules for winter weddings though. An outdoor wedding, while brave, is unlikely to achieve the same rustic appeal as a summer wedding, and with English weather so temperamental, it's unlikely to withstand the biting winds and rain. Despite this limitation though, there is incredible scope, in terms of creativity, where winter weddings are concerned. Due to the darker rays, brides can afford to opt for slightly heavier makeup than they can in the summer. While dark, heavy eyeliner may look too austere in bright sunlight, in grey-tone winter rays it adds welcome definition. Additionally, glitter is best saved for winter weddings. Although glitter should always be used tentatively, a light sweep of sheer glitter in the inner corner of eyes will open and brighten eyes; similarly, a delicate application of glitter across the cheekbones will create the illusion of added definition. If you have any features you are slightly insecure about, glitter is a wonderful way of drawing attention away from said features and focusing on your best bits.

Winter weddings also require slightly more planning sartorially, particularly given most brides want at least some pictures outside; consider choosing a faux fur shrug to ward off the cold, or a cream angora cardigan like Miss Middleton wore. Alternatively, a sweeping cape will look effortlessly elegant while keeping you warm. Bridesmaids will also require a cover up, and cashmere wraps are an excellent option; complementing any outfit, they are simple and elegant and won’t pull focus from the bride.

If you fancy creating a snow queen vibe, opt for large quantities of glass and crystal, and even an ice sculpture; the thought may make you shiver, but it will look resplendent at a white themed winter wedding, and copious amounts of glass and crystal will make the light scintillate. For a warmer, softer vibe, opt for copious amounts of candles and tea lights, or festoon the venue with fairy lights. Pine cones, gingerbread houses and snowglobes also create a fabulous festive feel, as do rich, dense fabrics such as velvet. In terms of colour schemes, white and silver is incredibly stark and striking, creating an ethereal ambience, while dark, warm colours like burgundy help to create a more festive atmosphere.

 In addition to a slightly different set of aesthetics, winter weddings can also draw on different foods. Warm, chocolate based cocktails make a wonderful addition to any winter wedding, and if you want to capitalise on the festive cheer you can really focus on Christmas flavours - think cinnamon, orange, cloves, ginger, candied fruits. Serve a fruity concoction of champagne or cava mixed with mulled wine. It makes a delicious, warm, upmarket alternative to punch. Alcoholic hot chocolate or coffee with a healthy splash of Tia Maria also works well, particularly when accompanied by miniature doughnuts. Alternatively, cocktails with ginger and cinnamon will tantalise guests' tastebuds and offer a more subtle nod to Christmas. Hot canapes will also help to ward off the cold, and for a truly festive treat try chocolate coated chestnuts, which offer a modern take on a traditional treat. Chocolate fountains also work well at winter weddings, providing the palette with a pleasantly warm, silky sensation. If you’ve opted for a white colour scheme, co-ordinate with white chocolate, which will offer a wonderful echo. Where favours are cocerned, gingerbread cookies prove popular, but snowglobes and miniature Christmas trees are an interesting alternative.

{Credits: 1. Princess Bride Tiaras; 2. Project Wedding; 3. Victoria's Vintage; 4. Martha Stewart Weddings; 5. Martha Stewart Weddings;}

Wishing Trees

Combining utility and elegance, Wishing Trees pose an interesting alternative to traditional guest books and they make a fabulous focal point. They come in myriad colours, shapes and sizes and are based on a Buddhist tradition. According to this tradition, if you write your wish on a piece of paper and tie it to the wishing tree, your wish will come true with the wind carrying your words into the air and away.

You can hire a wishing tree or erect one yourself, however, they require assembling on site and can’t be moved easily once they have been erected. Drape with a string of pearls, crystal beads, attach a few flowers to the branches at random, twine some ribbon around the trunk, or leave bare for a more minimalist look. After the wedding, you can either keep the cards in a keepsake box, or use them to make a scrapbook.