Top tips to keep guest entertained

1. To keep young minds active you may wish to hire or purchase some lawn games such as snakes and ladders, giant jenga and connect four, these can be an inexpensive way or creating fun; great bargains can be found on the internet. Plus the adults may enjoy it too!

2. Table trivia can provide a great icebreaker for during the wedding breakfast.

3. To add something totally different that will have your guests talking for months, look into “singing waiters”. These fellows mingle in with the waiting staff and when you least expect it burst into song! Great fun!

4. Video diary rooms are an interactive way of including your guests, they leave a private message, which can be downloaded to disc and viewed whenever you wish. Adding a lasting memory from your guests.

5. You could think about a magician for the drinks reception, these talented soles will keep young and old mesmerised for hours!

6. Fireworks in the evening at around 10 can add an extra dimension to the evening entertainment adding a late night WOW factor.

7. For younger guests think about favours on the table such as kinder eggs, not only a chocolate but also a treat inside; or you could look at kiddie bags to keep them entertained throughout dinner.

8. Live music in the evening is always a winner; choose carefully as this can be expensive so go off recommendation.

9. Caricaturists are also becoming more popular, not only a bit of fun but your guests get to take away a lasting memory of the day.

10. If you are inviting a few children, think about a children’s entertainer, this will keep the kids entertained and also free their parents to fully enjoy the your special day with you!!

Article by Award Winning Wedding Planner Julie Tooby

Roles of the wedding Party - an Overview

Well now, the lovely bride and groom have decided that you are lucky enough to be a main player at their special day. An honour indeed, but it’s not all pretty dresses, chic suits and new shoes. You have an important part to play, so here is some help on what’s expected.

The Chief Bridesmaid / Maid of Honour

This role usually goes to the bride’s closest friend or family member.

Prior to the day you will be required to go dress shopping, organise the hen party and look after the bride during it. Attend fittings and take on any jobs you are asked to, and you should also attend any rehearsals and meetings as required.

On the day, make sure the bride drinks plenty of water, has eaten and is as relaxed as she can be. Make sure hair and make-up are on schedule and help her and the other members of the party dress. Make sure you keep to time, a few minutes late may be accepted but half an hour could be a disaster.

Generally look after the bride for the whole day, help with make-up and hair touch -ups and going to the bathroom, wedding dresses can be hard to negotiate in a toilet cubicle.

Assist the best man with any gifts and cards and gathering together family for photographs.

Your job is to look after the whims of the bride on the day, as she may be nervous and need a re-assuring smile at any time.

The Best Man

As with the above, your job is to take the pressure off the groom. It’s not all about the stag do!

Beforehand, you should help to arrange the purchasing/hire of the suits and attend any pre-wedding meetings you’re asked too. Be sure to confirm all arrangements by liaising with the bride, groom and immediate families.

On the day you should ensure the groom is punctual, sober and relaxed (a hangover for you both is really not a good look).

Organise the ushers, make sure the rings are safe and assist the photographer with finding groomsmen and guests for photos (before and after the wedding).

You should have a speech that is acceptable to be heard by all. Remember that grandparents, parents and celebrants do not want to listen to an hour of the groom's past misdemeanours. Keep it brief, clean, heartfelt and all will be fine.

You should ensure that gifts are put in a safe place, all the suppliers have been paid and all are happy with any requirements.

Your job is NOT to hold up the bar for the whole day and forget why you are there.

Article by Award Winning Wedding Planner Julie Tooby
Images Courtesy of Surrey Wedding Photographer Matt Pereira Photography

First published The Wedding Community

Part 2 - Tips on Handling Suppliers

If you handle your suppliers with care and attention you'll get the best out of them in return. Here's 5 more tips for you to bear in mind.

Push for more

Be realistic. Venues may not be able to give huge discounts in the current financial climate, so instead try to stretch them to throw things in - such as free accommodation for the newly weds!

Don't be scared!

The flip side of a recession is that your business should be even more important to each supplier, so don't be scared of being labelled demanding or mean. They will have seen much worse, honestly!

Look for hidden costs

Find out if the prices you've been quoted include VAT, delivery charges etc. If they don't then you need to re-negotiate.

Enlist some expert help

If the thought of negotiating with suppliers fills you with dread hire a wedding planner. They can liaise with all your suppliers and get you the best deals, leaving you completely stress free.

Get to know each other

Remember that you should feel comfortable with all your suppliers, but especially with your photographer. They will be with you most of the day so it's important to meet them all beforehand so that they know exactly what you expect.

Part 1 - 5 of the 10 Rules for handling suppliers

Handle your suppliers with care and attention and you will get the best out of them in return.

Always be prepared

When you meet with a supplier take a list of exactly what you want to achieve. Be precise and you'll get an accurate quotation. Don't wing it or you'll forget something!

Contrast and Compare

Check out the market place. Always visit more than one supplier - if you have at least three quotes for each part of your big day, you would have done your homework!

If you don't ask...

Once you have gathered your quotes, decide which you want to go with and then start to talk to them about their price, how it compares to your budget, and if there is room for negotiation, or even adding extra things in.

Ask the right questions

Ask questions that provoke a positive response. Don't say " I don't suppose you can work within my budget, can you?" Instead say, "Can we do a deal on that?" or "Are you flexible on that price?"

Plan the menu properly

Talk to your venue or caterers about cutting the costs of your meal by changing the menu slightly. Do you need a three-course wedding breakfast? Would substantial canapes work just as well? You could leave out the starter, or the cake as dessert. Or maybe swap the champagne for sparkling wine.

To follow - more tips on looking for hidden costs, expert help and not being scared!

....and now for the 1st dance

The song choice – When choosing the song, make sure that it is one that means something to both of you, you will both be dancing to it and an emotional connection to the song will help relax you and put you at ease on the day.

The speed of the song - Make sure the song has a steady beat that you can hear. This will allow you to dance in time with the music easily and will help you dance together as a couple. If there is a steady beat that you can both hear you will feel confident and will be able to have fun with the steps that you choose.

The dress - If possible, choose a wedding dress that allows you to have a bit of movement – many dresses have a hook at the back allowing you to gather the train and pin it up. This allows movement when dancing and will allow you to travel backwards and sideways without standing on the bottom of the fabric.

The shoes – Make sure that you are comfortable in your shoes – take a moment to think about the floor at the venue - is it wooden, tiled, stone or cobbles? Make that your shoes fit you well and have non-slip soles. If on the day you realize that you are slipping slightly on the floor, dab a sugary drink on the sole of the shoe, this will help lessen the slide.

Dance lessons – If you are nervous about your first dance and want some reassurance, take a few dance lessons leading up to the big day. It can be a great way to relax and have fun leading up to the wedding and at the end of the lessons you will feel more confident and able to dance on the day.

Prepare – If you decide to have lessons for your first dance or choose to have a routine choreographed, make sure that you take time out from your wedding preparations to practice the steps that you have learned. The more you practice and play around with the dance at home, the more relaxed and confident you will feel on the big day.

Enjoy it - Your first dance as husband and wife should be a pleasurable experience. Don’t worry about it or build it up to be bigger than it is, you have done the hard work. You have arranged the wedding and made the speeches, the dance is the time for you to let your hair down and have some fun!

With thanks to Hannah Nicholls at Deliver The Dance

for ore information please www.deliverthedance.co.uk

or email us x

Top 10 ways to involve family (and save a fortune)

Wedding Cakes.

These are a DIY favourite, and mums usually have a great family recipe that's been passed down for generations. This could save you a big chunk of the budget - just make sure she has a few trial runs!

Wedding video

Many real-life brides agree that having a wedding video is an absolute must. If your budget won't stretch to a professional videographer, ask a brother, uncle or friend to take charge, even if it's just for the important moments like vows and speeches.

Green-fingered friends

Got any? If so, treat them to a flower-arranging workshop so they can help you create your big day blooms at home. You may even be able to grow some of your own flowers, saving a tidy sum. See glily.co.uk for workshop classes.

Dress altering friends?

If you've just blown the budget on your bridesmaids' dresses and don't fancy paying even more for alterations, ask a friend with dress-making skills if they can make the adjustments as a wedding gift.

Flash cars and tractors!

Friends or family with flashy cars could help out with transport on the day and save you even more money. Think outside the box here too - weddings in the country for instance, equal farmers - with tractors!

Tea-party trends

English tea-party themes are bang on trend (and budget friendly too!). Ask mums, nans, aunties and cousins to bake their favourite cakes, scones and biscuits and serve as a mid evening treat.

Unique entertainment

More and more brides are using iPods for their wedding music. Add in a friend who can DJ and you've got inexpensive entertainment that's unique to you!

Hair and make up

Ask your best friend to do your hair and make-up - she knows you as well as anyone and you can be really honest with her during the trials (you must have trials!). But at least you'll know that you'll get the look you want without spending a fortune.

Crafty Girls nights in

You can save a fortune on your stationery and favours if you've got crafty friends. Have a girlie night in and get creative!

Honeymoons

Do you know someone who lives abroad, or who has a holiday home? This could provide the budget-friendly break you've been looking for.

Top 10 tips on perfect wedding planning

Don't panic!

I know the thought of planning one of the most important days of your life is daunting, but simplify it. Make a list of what you think you want and tackle each item at a time.

Ask for expert advice.

Log on to weddingideasmag.com; you will find all sorts of help from suppliers. The real brides on the forum are also great to swap ideas with.

Remember you are the client.

Do not be pushed into having things you don't really want by suppliers. Listen to their advice but ultimately put your own stamp on the day.

Check out the internet.

There are lot's of sites to help you and this is a quick and productiove way to compare costs, find items and get reviews on suppliers and ideas.

Choose your venue wisely.

There may be room to negotiate especially if you're getting married out of season. If you can move quickly try lastminuteweddings.co.uk Alternatively, hitched.co.uk has a comprehensive list of licensed venues around the country.

Keep focused

On what you, as a couple, want for the day. Everyone will have on opinion and they will voice it; but this is your wedding so make sure it is about you and your dreams!

Don't let budgets take a nose dive

And get out of control. Be realistic about what you have to spend and stick to it, cutting back in some areas if you want to splash out in another.

Choose a theme for your day

and work around that. If you do this before you begin buying such things as table decorations, you will save money in the long run and not end up with a box full of stuff you don't use.

Don't set your heart on the weather.

This is the only thing you can't control so don't let a spot of rain destroy your mood.

Hire a wedding planner.

A good one will be worth their weight in gold - negotiating with suppliers, keeping the planning process stress free and running everything on the day itself.