Timings and order of your day are important but so is a relaxed fun atmosphere, so here are some tips to help you organise those important moments and make sure you arrive at the church on time, relaxed and ready to enjoy your day!

Getting ready

It’s so important to plan this part of the day well. Hair, make-up, getting into your dress, travel and photos can take up much more time than you think. Best to be on the safe side, decide on a time frame and add an hour, especially if there are little ones to get ready!

Location

If you are travelling between venues plan your route beforehand, time it, have a plan B and liaise with your supplier to ensure a seamless journey.

Traditions

Traditions to consider; the first dance, speeches, cutting the cake, bouquet throw and carriages. Speak with your venue when planning these, this your day and these can happen when you want however the below is usual:

• Bouquet throw – before the breakfast
• Speeches – after the breakfast
• Cutting the cake – after the speeches
• First dance – before the evening entertainment
• Carriages – Midnight

The expert ~ Neal Laver from Neal Laver Photography

 Q “From a photography point of view, what is the most important thing couples should consider when putting together their itinerary for their big day”?

A: “A big consideration is the time of the ceremony and the time of year. This is especially relevant for winter weddings when you could loose daylight by 3:30pm. The remedy here is to have an early ceremony so that you can have some pictures taken in daylight”.

“Think about the group photographs, try to limit this to a maximum of ten combinations. Your photographer will be able to complete the task quickly, your guests won’t be bored, and the couple will have more time to mingle with guests”.

Q: “Would you recommend a receiving line?”

A: “Whilst this can be a nice thing to do, it’s very time consuming. It’s every guest at your wedding in a queue waiting to greet you, this really does take up so much time!”

Happy planning

Catherine x

10% off all venue stationery* on orders over £250 plus a complimentary wicker basket hire with 40 unfilled confetti cones made from vintage music sheets or vintage book pages.

Plus:

10% off Save the Dates, Invitations and Thank you cards (no minimum order requirements)

Plus:

Complimentary RSVP cards with all invitations.

All our stationery is hand crafted and bespoke, we offer a one to one service and no two designs are the same making all stationery totally unique to that couple .

Get in touch for a quote or free no obligation consultation,  we will happily meet you at the Bull Hotel also, for ease.

Catherine x

* Table plan, table numbers/names, menu cards, favour boxes, place settings, guest book, order of service/ceremony cards.

Here are some ideas we have been involved in at weddings recently!

Catering: Ice cream van, hot munchies like bacon/egg baps, sweetie cart, Dunkin’ Donuts, cocktails, candy floss machine.

Add some fun: Rodeo Bull, funfair rides (carousel, Ferris wheel), photo booth, karaoke, garden games, dance floor props, glow sticks, dance offs.

Guest book with a difference: Wishing tree, polaroid pictures, wooden drop box, personalised jigsaw, garden bench, giant Jenga pieces.

Decoration: Giant light up letters, balloon displays, chiffon drapes, coloured linen, sequin table cloths, photo board displays.

Pure entertainment: Magician, music impersonator, celebrity lookalikes, caricaturist.

Whatever you decide remember your budget, what reflects you as a couple and choose entertainment and food that you both enjoy.

Lots of children attending? Consider a children’s entertainer, crèche, gift packs, a toy corner, craft table, treasure hunt or bouncy castle.

The expert ~ Kelly Chamberlain, Polka Chair Cover & Prop Hire

Q: What, in your opinion, makes an evening reception that extra bit special?

A: “A good band or a great DJ to have your dance floor occupied throughout the night. Providing treats or favours for your guests, light up letters are fun and food and drink stations are increasingly popular. For us at Polk-Dot our rotating Ferris wheels stay popular, the contents can change to whatever suits each couple and they provide a great alternative to favours, give entertainment value and photo opportunities. These can be filled with sweets, doughnuts, gourmet popcorn and much more “

Q: What’s the most important thing to remember when arranging your evening celebration?

A: “Sit down and ask yourself; what makes a great night! It’s your wedding and so should reflect your personalities. Having the best time means hiring professionals to take care of your guest’s entertainment. Always read reviews, take note of recommended businesses’ and go along to wedding fayres”.

Remember:

It’s easy to get carried away with lavish entertainment which can be costly, your guests are attending your wedding to share in your love and commitment to each other, so anything else is just a lovely addition!

Happy Planning

Catherine x

For all venue stationery orders over £500 we are offering hire of our Chiffon Hoods, Ruffles and Brooches HALF PRICE*

PLUS

Complimentary basket hire with 30 unfilled music sheet confetti cones

Chiffon hoods available in Champagne Gold, Pink or White

T&C’s apply, below:

Price includes Set-up and collection.

‘Venue stationery’ includes: Table Plan, Menu cards, table names/numbers, favour boxes, guest book and place settings.

All venue stationery is hand crafted and designed for each individual couple.

Colours and dates are subject to availability.

Offer valid until 1st February 2017 for all weddings up to and including August 2016 – 31st December 2017, within Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire or Essex.

£50 deposit (non refundable) to secure date.

This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other.

QUOTE: SPECIAL2016 when ordering/making an enquiry

Our chiffon hoods, ruffles & brooches for the marquee chiavari chairs, organza sashes with brooches for the wooden ceremony chairs and hire of our stunning vintage suitcase ~ £6 per head.

Our chiffon hoods are available in: Champagne Gold, White or Ice-pink.

Choose from the following organza colours: White, Vintage Gold, Silver, Baby Pink, Claret, Peach, Cadbury’s Purple, Sage or Pale Lemon.

Price includes: Delivery, set-up and collection.

Minimum 70 guests.

Colours & hire subject to availability.

Our hire includes delivery, set-up and collection ~ POA

Choose from:

Cream trees with mirror plate and decoration

Orchid rose bowl with mirror plate and LED pillar candle

Hydrangea hurricane vase with mirror plate and LED pillar candle

Floral cream bird cage with vintage teacup & saucer and LED pillar candle

Rose martini vase with mirror plate and LED up-lighters

Choose pearls or glass beads to compliment

Colour schemes and themes can be accommodated as with all our services we work on a bespoke basis to make your day truly unique.

Why not add our vintage crockery, sequin table runners, chiffon chair hoods and bespoke stationery for a truly stunning finish!

All images courtesy of Andy Chambers Photography

All our sashes come with a display brooch complimentary.

Our stunning chiffon hoods and ruffles look stunning with or without our chair covers and are available in White, Ice Pink or Champagne Gold.

Our white Spandex chair covers are of the highest premium quality with reinforced foot pockets.

All our sashes are 22cm x 270cm for a fuller bow/design and are of the highest quality satin or organza.

Satin ~ Pale Pink, Fuchsia, Dark Purple, Royal Blue, Burgundy or Emerald

Organza ~ White, Ivory, Navy, Vintage Gold, Black, Silver, Baby Blue, Claret, Peach, Cadbury Purple, Sage or Pale Lemon

Chair cover hire ~ from £1.50 per cover

Sashes ~ from £1.00 per sash

Chiffon hoods and ruffles ~ POA

Brooch in various designs – Free of Charge

Delivery, set-up and collection included.

Please contact us via email, telephone or via social media for a quotation or for a free no obligation consultation.

~ Catherine Starling-Gunfield  x

The below is not exhaustive so if you have any ideas or would like to chat or view any of our hire items or discuss any of our services we offer, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Chair cover hire ~ from £1.50 per cover

 White stretch Lycra

 Sashes ~ from £1.00 per sash

 Satin ~ Pale Pink, Fuchsia, Dark Purple, Royal Blue, Burgundy or Emerald

 Organza ~ White, Ivory, Navy, Vintage Gold, Black, Silver, Baby Blue, Claret, Peach, Cadbury Purple, Sage or Pale Lemon

 Chiffon hoods and ruffles ~ POA

 White, Ice Pink or Champagne Gold

Centre piece hire ~ From £5 each

Large martini glasses

Hurricane vases

Rose bowls

Large ivory birdcages

Mirror plates

LED tea lights and glass holders

Imitation flowers available to complement ~ POA

 Sequin table runner hire ~ £10 each

 Gold, Champagne, Silver or Rose Gold

Sequin table cloth hire ~ from £25 each

Gold, Champagne, Silver or Rose Gold

Table plans ~ from £95

Canvas table plan ~ approx A2

Mount board table plan ~ approx A1

Large birdcage hire plus table plan tags ~ available in Ivory or Gold

Wishing tree hire plus table plan tags ~ available in white or gold with strings of pearls or glass beads to decorate

White step ladder hire with table plan sections, wooden easels and decoration

Ornate mirror with table plan sections

Prop hire ~ from £15

Wishing tree hire with wishing tags, available in white or gold with strings of pearls or glass

beads to decorate with sign/poem

Vintage suitcase and chalk board CARDS sign hire with sign/poem

Bird Cage hire & CARDS sign with sign/poem

Wicker basket, perfect for confetti cones 

Vintage crockery ~ from £1 per item

 Cups, saucers, plates, jug, sugar bowl. All in various colours and designs, perfect for a small affair or to use decoratively.

*************************************

Terms & conditions apply

Extra delivery charges may apply

Refundable breakages deposit is required on all hire items on or before the date of hire.

Set-up, delivery and collection service only for chair cover and sash hire, no DIY option available

Some people choose flowers at their wedding based on symbolic meaning, for example:

Orange blossom ~ purity

Azaleas ~ temperance

Roses ~ love

Snowdrops ~ hope

Red and white flowers are avoided by the superstitious because they stand for blood and bandages.

The groom’s buttonhole is said to be a vestige of the time when a Knight would wear his Lady’s colours to display his love.

Seasonal flowers

Spring: Freesia, Lily of the Valley, Sweet Pea

Summer: Peony, Sunflower, Carnation

Autumn: Aster, Passion Flower, Daisy

Winter: Snowdrop, Tulip, Pansy • All year: Rose, Lily

Types of bouquets

Round ~ Elegant, works well with most styles of dresses

Pageant ~ Modern, Calla Lilies and long stem roses work well

Cascade ~ or ‘Shower’, narrows to a point at the bottom

Nosegay ~ On trend, contains more greenery

Pomander ~ A ball suspended from a loop of ribbon

Posy ~ Small and round, great for flowers girls

The expert! Susan Jane May ~ Bespoke Wedding Flowers

Q: “What is the most important thing to remember when ordering your wedding flowers?”

A: “It’s important to choose your wedding dress first as it can have a huge influence on the style, colour and ‘feel’ of the bridal bouquet”. “Also, if a bride has a particular flower in mind it’s advisable to check when this flower will be in season. Many flowers that are seasonal here in the UK can be imported from abroad most months of the year but this will increase costs and availability can’t be guaranteed”.

Q: “How soon in the planning stage should a florist be contacted?”

A: “Normally six to nine months before the wedding but if a bride has a particular florist in mind then I’d recommend contacting them as soon as their date’s set and the venue’s booked to avoid disappointment.

On a budget? Consider:

Seasonal flowers

Alternative centre pieces i.e.: candelabras

DIY

Recycling

Wild flowers, great for a rustic barn wedding

Happy Planning

Catherine

Image courtesy of Andy Chambers Photography

Cornflower blue, floral country garden chic with a bird theme was just stunning against the back drop of a quant Suffolk village church and rustic Suffolk barn.

Natasha chose ivory card, blue floral print, bird cage die cuts and cornflower blue satin ribbon. Deluxe wallet style invitations with inserts and matching RSVP cards along with venue stationery which included table names, menu cards, table plan and order of service cards.

Luggage tag style table names were tied to birdcage centrepieces, menu cards were mounted to artist board and stood on mini wooden easels, bespoke order of service cards carried through the birdcage design and the stunning table plan was designed around Natasha’s own large cream ornate picture frame.

Lovely touches surrounded the day including wooden crates, bunting, step ladder and our vintage suitcase which Natasha hired along with a bespoke CARDS sign we created to match her theme.

Natasha chose Ivory and blue flowers including Hydrangeas, Lilies and Gypsophila finishing off the country garden theme.

Q: Why did you chose your venue?

A: “We choose the venue because it was very close to my parents’ house and it had beautiful views of the countryside”.

Q: What was your favourite part of the day?

A: “Driving up the long drive to the venue in our horse and carriage just married”.

Q: What was your favourite item from Angelic Weddings?

A: “I loved all my stationery but my favourite was probably the table plan as it was just such a striking centre piece setting the whole theme of the wedding”.

Venue(s): Hawstead Church & The Suffolk Barn Hawstead

Stationery: www.angelicweddings.org.uk

Photographer: Tori Hancock photography, www.torihancock.com

Dress: Maggie Sottero’s Zendaya, Morgan Davies Bridal, Hitchin

Transport: Horse and carriage from The Ostler Carriage Company and Vintage bus from Felix Coaches

Groom’s attired: Moss Bros, Cambridge, Ted Baker blue

Flowers:

Honeymoon: Fontelunga villa, Tuscany and then a few nights in Florence

We wish Natasha & Nathan a life time of happiness together.

Happy planning

Catherine