Wedding stationery

Wedding day details you don’t want to skip

Aside from reaffirming your love or celebrating a new one, doing everything you wish you would have done the first time around is what it’s all about! Which is why wedding day details are such an exciting part of a second wedding or vow renewal ceremony. It’s so exciting planning for the second time because you are a pro! You know what’s important and what isn’t and you have a new found style and second chance glow to show off to your loved ones! So, once you have your dress, your flowers, and everything else leading up the the big day - it’s time to focus on the wedding day details you don’t want to skip!

Wedding stationery

Wedding day details are essential, right? The flow of the ceremony, the coordination of the vendors at the reception, and the decorations your guests will see… all of these are pieces of a puzzle that will come together and wedding day stationery can make that happen! We are talking wedding programs, menu cards, place cards, and guest books. Basic Invite has given us some of their favorite tips and tricks on how to utilize wedding day stationery details to make your day one to remember!

Wedding Programs

Wedding programs can be used for so many things! There main purpose is to help the flow of the day go smoothly, but if you’re smart they can serve as much more than that! Especially for larger weddings where guests may not know one another programs can serve as reading material and talking points while everyone gets settled. If your ceremony is more formal and lengthy programs can help keep guests on track so they can pay attention to the events as they unfold.

Designate a couple family members or close friends to stand as greeters and have them hand each guest or couple a wedding program as they come in. It will help start everything off on the right foot!

Place Cards

One of Basic Invite’s favorite wedding day details… place cards! Place cards are such a nice thing to incorporate into the reception. Whether you place all the cards at a table for guests to grab as they walk in or set them up at each place setting prior to guest’s arrival, these little pieces of stationery will make your guests feel extra special.

If you’re looking for a decoration to bring your table scape together, a personalised name card can be the perfect final touch. Choose a design that matches your wedding theme or keep them simple by choosing a classic border design with foil. The options are endless and this detail won’t go unnoticed.

Menus

Last but certainly not least - menus. You can get seriously creative with menu cards. Design a larger sized menu with all of the options laid out or be subtle with a dessert and drinks only menu. Place the menus atop each place setting or in the middle of every table to add to the decor and inform your guests on the night’s bites.

Day of details are essential and can be catered to every couple’s needs. Thanks to Basic Invite we have the lowdown on wedding day stationery and a place to get all of it. Basic Invite has endless customization options with over 180 colors and 100 font choices. You can match your day of designs to the invitation you’ve already sent out or choose a new look entirely! They also carry wedding save the date postcards and so much more!


100 years of wedding gowns

Watch 100 years of wedding gowns in just over 3 minutes

100 years of wedding dresses in just over 3 minutes! This video created by Glam.com goes through the history of wedding gowns. From 1915 to 2015 we can see how it all changed. You decide which one you like!

 


Franco - Glasgow wedding band

Reasons to hire live wedding musicians

Nothing adds to the excitement and merry making in a wedding ceremony like a live performance does. A live music band will make the audience excited and not only that, but it also creates unforgettable moments.

Live musicians have a natural skill for energising audiences with their electric performances. They can create an enjoyable energy-filled happy mood that makes weddings lively. Live musicians also engage wedding crowds and bring a party-feel to a wedding reception.

Franco - Glasgow wedding band

Photo credit: Franco, a Glasgow wedding band

Wedding bands can produce a customised performance made to suit a specific wedding. They can modify or play a song written specifically for a couple. Through customised performances, live musicians can make a wedding day extra special with that unique song that will make a couple cherish their day even more.

The trend of live wedding bands is being embraced by couples in Scotland. Wedding bands in Scotland are fast becoming the entertainment choice for guests in weddings. The entertainment needs of wedding guests are unpredictable, and it is for this reason that couples are opting to entertain their guests using live wedding bands.

DJs pre-plan their songs in a list, but live musicians perform in accordance to a wedding atmosphere. It is for this reason that live musicians are effective in electrifying their audiences compared to DJs.
Space is no longer a concern when hiring live musicians. Technology advances have enabled more compact setups and thus live bands can perform in smaller venues.

For electrifying, energetic and much memorable wedding moments, live wedding bands are the way to go. They no doubt bring the much-needed liveliness factor needed at wedding ceremonies.


Groom accessories complete guide

Groom’s guide to accessorising

Your wedding day is undoubtedly one of the biggest days of your life. You have spent months sorting out the band, the centrepieces and the venue but now it’s time to turn your attention to the clothing.

Brides are lucky in the sense that most of the focus tends to be on their dress and the huge range of styles means that their dress can often be a representation of their personality. Grooms, on the other hand, are a little unfortunate in the sense that wedding suits are a little generic.

Groom accessories - complete guide

However, help is at hand. Accessories are a great way to incorporate a little bit of your personality and style into your wedding outfit and it is really easy and often inexpensive. We’ve teamed up with Trendhim to talk about 4 common groom accessories and how they can be worn.

Cufflinks

These are a great accessory as they are really easy to get right and there are so many routes you can go down in terms of style. Groom’s cufflinks are commonly seen in silver and gold, especially if said wedding has a black tie dress code.

However, if you are holding a themed wedding, cufflinks can be a great way to give a subtle nod to this theme. For example, if your wedding has a nautical theme or dress code then anchor cufflinks make a perfect choice.

Another really nice idea is to go for a pair of simple cufflinks but to get them engraved with you and your wife’s initials or the date of your wedding as this makes for a really nice memento of such a special day.

Groom accessories and how to wear them

Lapel pin

A lapel pin is classically worn on the left lapel of a suit jacket and grooms usually opt for a boutonniere which is a type of lapel pin made of a real flower. However, for practical and style reasons, many grooms are choosing to go down a different route with their lapel pin.

Typically, metal lapel pins are used to express affiliation with a cause or an organisation, but for a wedding you could use it to express something about your personality or heritage. For example, a really nice gesture could be to get a flag pin of your native country if you are marrying abroad.

Faux flower lapel pins are great if you are looking for a flower design in a bold colour as you are sure to find something that fits your taste. Just make sure that the colour compliments your shirt, your jacket and any other accessories that you are wearing on your torso area.

Cream lapel pin

Bow tie

If you have opted for a black tie dress code at your wedding, then a black bow tie is essential. If you have a different theme or dress code, then a bow tie can still be a worn and can often look more stylish than a traditional tie.

For example, if you’re holding your wedding outdoors or you have a boho theme, then a wooden bow tie is a really nice way of connecting this theme with your accessories!

If you feel that your outfit is a little boring and monochrome, then a floral bow tie is a really nice way to inject some colour without going overboard. If you do opt for this type of bow tie, make sure to keep your other accessories subtle so they don’t end up clashing.

Don’t be put off if you are unsure about how to tie a bow tie, there are plenty of tutorials and infographics online. If you’re still struggling, then just get yourself a pre-tied one.

burgundy bow tie

Suspenders

Suspenders, or braces as they are also called, are a really nice way of incorporating some subtle colour into your outfit. They are also a nice alternative if you don’t fancy wearing a waistcoat or a cummerbund.

How bold you go is completely up to you but some classic colour combinations are navy suspenders with a white shirt and burgundy or red suspenders with a light blue shirt. Subtly patterned suspenders are also a really nice choice.

The golden rule of suspenders is that they are a substitute for a belt so the two should never be worn together.burgundy suspenders

 

Wedding accessories for groom


wedding suit

Why Consider Online Wedding Suit Hire?

wedding suitWeddings are far from cheap, with almost every aspect of the special event costing a fair amount of money, from the catering to the attire. There are various ways to save money when planning a wedding, and an increasingly popular method is hiring the suit of the groom and possibly groomsmen.

Various companies can be found online offering wedding suit hire, and many of these are well worth considering for prospective grooms. There’s a host of benefits to be gained from online wedding suit hire, giving all the more reason to consider it for the special day!
Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits:

Plenty of Styles to Choose From

Walking into a high-street retailer doesn’t offer the same range of clothing when compared to an online specialist. Suit hire companies operating online will have a massive range of suits covering many styles and sizes, from contemporary to classic, and you can easily view many of these from the comfort of home.
Both the bride and groom can view a large number of suit styles online, and then make their decision based on what they like, as well as other factors such as price or availability.
Whether you want a suit that is formal, casual, or something totally grandiose, finding something to your liking should be easy enough.

It Saves You Money

Hiring a wedding suit online is understandably more cost-effective than buying a specially tailored suit. Package deals are always available and offer exceptional value for money when compared to buying the suits outright.
Wedding suits are available for under £100 at most websites, so there’s no denying that using an online wedding suit hire can save you a fair amount money - money that can be used elsewhere in the wedding!
Plus, buying a suit outright will not only cost more, but it could end up being a total waste of money should you never wear it again!

It is a Quick and Easy Process

Organising suits for a wedding will never be easy. It involves going to several shops on more than one occasion, which means the groom will have to organise meeting anyone that needs a suit, which can be a nightmare task to achieve.
Then there’s picking up the suits, returning any hires, and even going back into the store for alternations if necessary.
By doing this all online, you can avoid so much stressful organising and arranging needed for suit hire. You get to view everything from a computer, can order there and then, and will only need measurements from anyone wearing a suit – all of which is quicker and easier than hitting a high-street retailer.
Most will have your suits delivered by the needed date, meaning the overall hiring process is just much simpler when done online.


Western themed wedding in Yorkshire

Leanne and Kristian's western themed wedding at Camp Katur

After going to six weddings in one year and all being identical we knew we wanted something different, a blank canvas to create the day we wanted and we found just that at Camp Katur. Kristian is a huge fan of western films so we came up with the idea of a western themed wedding. We wanted all our guests to dress up and everyone got involved in doing so, some of the outfits were amazing.

 

Pictures from Leanne and Kristian's western themed wedding at Camp Katur

Western themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding in Yorkshire

Camp Katur has a rustic barn which was perfect for our theme as we were able to have a barn dance in the evening which was so much fun. All the guests stayed the weekend at the on site glamping village which made it more than just a day and it was so nice having all our family and friends there together. We were very lucky as it was warm summers day so guests could enjoy being outside in the sunshine and we even had a bucking bronco and a bouncing castle during the day which provided a lot of entertainment! Kristian turned up to the ceremony in his dream car, a 1966 Ford Mustang notchback!

Western themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding in Yorkshire

Our ceremony was conducted by Jan from Celebration Ceremonies and she was brilliant at telling our unique story of how we met and she even got involved in dressing up too! Our meal was a scrumptious BBQ served in the estates Orangery room, followed by speeches before heading into the barn for music and dancing . We wanted a wedding that was unique and personal to us and we defiantly got that, it was the best day of your lives.  Western themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding at Camp Katur Western themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding in Yorkshire Western themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding in Yorkshire Western themed wedding in Yorkshire Western themed wedding in Yorkshire Western themed wedding in Yorkshire Western themed wedding in Yorkshire Western themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding in YorkshireWestern themed wedding in Yorkshire

 

About the photographer

Marianne Chua is an alternative documentary wedding photographer based in London but she photographs weddings all over the world. You can see more of her work on her website: www.mariannechua.com

Leanne and Kristian's other suppliers

Venue : Camp Katur

Celebrant Details : Jan Shillito Celebration Ceremonies and Weddings 


Wedding Swing Band

Swinging through: The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Swing Band

Wedding Swing BandSo, you have an event coming up soon and you are looking for live entertainment that can turn a good function into a great one. It’s tough trying to decide on the perfect band that will be enjoyed by everyone and very often, all you have to go on when booking them is word of mouth that their act is any good.

If you are looking for party music that is as sophisticated as it is entertaining, then consider hiring a swing band to take care of your guests. Swing music is best described as the foundation of many modern music styles such as Jazz and Soul music, it came about in an era of social uprising and cultural shift that saw people experimenting with music to develop a new sound that swept the European nations and United States.

The History of Swing

Swing music birthed exciting artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington, who all brought their own unique sound to the style of swing music. Swing was the predominant music trend of the late twenties right through until the early Forties, where its popularity dwindled in the shadow of the Second World War. The war conscripted many artists into military service and Swing bands that consisted of up to 15 members, suddenly found themselves with only three or four musicians that could take the stage.
This led to the evolution of swing into Jazz music, as musicians formed smaller groups and focused on fewer instruments used in the composition. Swing seemed to fade into the background for the next few decades as Jazz and Soul began their rise into popular culture.


In the late Nineties and early 2000’s, Swing made a brief comeback as it was integrated into modern pop music by artists and given a second chance at shaping popular culture. Today, swing bands can be found as traditional pieces featuring large ensembles, playing a variety or original and cover tracks for their audiences.

Why book a Swing band for your event?

If your event needs a party atmosphere that’s lively, with a band that has high-energy and offers an enthusiastic performance, then a Swing band is the perfect choice for your event entertainment. A Swing band should be able to play all of the classics from the era of Swings peak in the late thirties and early Forties such as Benny Goodman’s ‘Sing Sing Sing’ right through to modern versions such as Christina Aguilera’s ‘Candyman’.

What you can expect from a great Swing band

With a Swing band, you can expect a vibe that will get everyone on the dance-floor. Swing music was made to get feet moving and it even developed dances that were named after their areas they were birthed in. The Charleston and The Hop were examples of dance moves made to describe the movements of Swing dancers and these became influences on modern dance moves as well.


It’s safe to say that Swing music is one of the grandparents of modern music and dance and you can expect that in any performance from a Swing band, get ready to get up and get moving!

The final note on hiring the best Swing band

The most critical part of hiring a Swing band for your event is finding one that is reputable and reliable. Working with a talent agent to find a band that will show up on time and delivers a performance that is value for your entertainment budget is not as easy as it sounds, so make sure you choose to work with an agency that has a solid reputation and plenty of past client testimonials.
Your event is set for success with a Swing band for the entertainment, the only thing left to do is let your hair down and swing the night away!


Huddersfield wedding at Fixby Hall

Becci and James's wedding at Fixby Hall in Huddersfield

Becci and James's wedding took place at the beautiful Fixby Hall in Huddersfield. The day was fun-packed from start to finish and everyone was excited about the day. The building has such character and is a fabulous back drop for the photos, as are the grounds. You can even borrow a golf cart if you wish!
I was with the girls whilst the bride was getting ready, and nipping downstairs to get some of the groom and his ushers. The weather held off and we even got a rainbow during the meal.

 

Then once the party started in the evening the room was perfect for chatting and dancing. The bride and groom even had a sing-off to Meatloaf! It was great to be a part of the day.

 

Pictures from Becci and James’s wedding at Fixby Hall in Huddersfield

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About the photographer

Elizabeth Baker is wedding photographer based in Marsden in West Yorkshire. Elizabeth offer documentary style wedding photography and you can see more of her work on her website Elizabeth Baker Photography.

Becci and James's other suppliers:

Venue: Fixby Hall

Flowers: Bluebell Florists


wedding catering

Questions you need to ask when booking wedding catering

wedding cateringYour wedding celebration is one of those days that will remain in your memory forever – and dishes that are served during the reception are often second most important part of the event, right after the newly-weds. Before committing to any catering company, be sure you are content with what their answers to these questions are.

What types of services are included in your catering contract?

To avoid an extra expense, you have not accounted for in your budget planning, make sure you know exactly what’s included in your quote. What services are you paying for, besides the obvious – delicious and mouth-watering food? The overall experience of your wedding guests will also depend on smaller things like tray-passed finger food, wine and champagne pouring service.
Some event catering companies will include service ware, napkins and cutlery hire within their estimates, some may not – and these aspects of the party might not necessary pop into mind immediately, but are crucial for the success of your reception. Alternatively, these – by some suppliers considered additional – options can be provided by a wedding hall you hire for the event itself. Prior to your meeting with a potential caterer, prepare a well-thought break-down list of all services you imagine having at the wedding.
Being upfront with yourself about the budget you can afford is utmost important to save you precious time and disappointment – many couples enquire for services at catering companies that would never fit their budget and are later heavy-hearted about not being able to book their perfect supplier.

What services only come with an additional fee?

There is a string of wedding catering services that come only with an extra price tag attached, e.g. corkage fee if you are providing outside cocktails and alcohol, or a cake cutting fee when your wedding cake is baked by another supplier.
Comparing event catering packages is also much easier if you are aware of all the services that are included in the price (and whether you do want them; or they are going to only be an additional cost, although seemingly delivered “for free”). This helps to make sure you are getting your money’s worth.
Try to make the caterer responsible for providing you with a broken-down estimate of your total expense. If the base fee consists of “per head” rates, you need to find out what type of service is included in the “per person” charge. It may turn out the only two things included are food and drinks for one guests, and all the other services are playable extra. Avoid unexpected additions to your final bill by asking whether labour, load in/out, waiting staff and bartenders’ wages are encompassed in the per person fee.
If any aspect of the catering contracts is unclear, enquire at the catering’s team – their representative should be able to explain what’s what, and lay out all deadlines for you. Take notes where the first deposit is due, what is the deadline for final guest count, and what are the caterer’s charges for last call changes.

Have their staff worked at your wedding venue before?

A caterer that has previous experience working at your venue will know the standard procedures of the venue, policies and load in/out timing, floor plans and simply – where stuff goes. Your party will have the full attention of the waiters, rather them fiddling around trying to find their way around the building.

Where do they source their ingredients from?

Nothing is a better representation of a caterer’s adjustability than their sources of food ingredients.
Food service providers that head to local markets and use fresh seasonal ingredients are more likely to work around their standard wedding menu packages to prepare a bespoke catering options specifically for your reception. You are then less likely to have a hard time persuading the company to adjust to your preferences and accommodate special diets.
Find out more about Seasoned London wedding caterer: http://www.seasonedevents.co.uk/


Wedding car hire - White Rolls Yoyce

Wedding cars past and present

Wedding car hire - White Rolls YoyceGetting married is one of the best days in a persons life, but how do you get there? That moment when the bride arrives, can be the most exciting part of her day. So most brides like to show up in style. As a result most brides go to wedding car hire company to give her this elegance she craves, in order grab her guest's attention. Over the years the style of the wedding car hire has changed dramatically as the range of options for brides has significantly increased. Therefore this can practically give the bride the car of her choice, something that in the past was non-existent.

Horse and carriage

Traditionally newly weds would get transported in an open carriage with a horse and this is still true for some newly weds wanting a fairytale style wedding. Royalties also still keep up this tradition, and often use open carriages. When Kate Middleton and Prince William got married in 2011, they left the ceremony in the traditional open carriage. However Kate gave her wedding a modern edge too when she decided to arrive at the ceremony in a limousine.

Vintage wedding cars

Vintage cars from various 20th century decades are also quite popular among newlyweds. These can range from 1930s Rolls Royce to Beaufords open top tourer. This is often a popular choice for a bride as these cars can give a timeless feel for the her as well as the father of the Bride. Having a an elegant and refined classic car for the Brides special day can make it that bit more memorable for them.

Modern wedding cars

However some brides opt to arrive at their ceremony in a more modern elegant car instead. This can give the bride that extra luxurious feeling on her wedding day. There are many modern cars that can be hired presently from wedding car hire companies, but some are more popular than other. Favorites from many couples are top of the range BMWs, Mercedes, Limousines and even Range Rovers.

Presently in today's wedding care hire industry, the possibilities are endless for newlyweds. Brides can that extra mile and pick something that is completely extraordinary for their transport. Such as opting to arrive in for VW Van. This is a great way to make their day have a more festive and hippy feel. Some wedding car hire companies also provide photo booths in their vans and is an excellent way to entertain guests. What's more far out is some brides have even hired Del Boys iconic yellow three wheeler van as transport, complete with their own Trotter driver included.

So it appears that the possibilities are endless for hiring a wedding car in today's market and brides can choose any car of her choice whilst being transported to her big day.