Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category

Wedding photographer Steve Gerrard shares with us the most over-used, and sometimes cringeworthy, Best Man jokes doing the rounds in the UK.

We advise keeping it personal to the groom and avoiding searching the internet for speech ideas.

A Best Man’s speech is certainly a nerve-wracking occasion. I don’t envy anyone who has to do it. I did it once, for my brother. I hated it! (sorry Paul)

We’ve seen many Best Man speeches. There have been fantastic ones. There have been painfully awful ones. And then there’s the one we dread most…. The Googled Best Man Speech!

Googling “Best Man speech” brings up plenty of sites with lists of jokes, some good, some completely unfunny. The problem is we hear the same jokes again and again. So, in the interests of wedding photographers’ sanity, I’ll list the Top 12 most over-used, and not even very good, Best Man jokes in the UK. If you’re going to be someone’s Best Man some time soon, we implore you to avoid them. Although some might have found this blog through Google and use all ten in their speech!

1. “Fornication!” (Then make an awkward face, squint and look at the paper again) “Oh, I’m sorry… For an occasion such as this…”

2. I’ve known John a long time and am considered a bit of a father figure to him. I have watched him crawl around on his knees, drink from a bottle and I’ve cleaned up after him… but enough about the stag do…

3. I must admit to feeling a little nervous. In fact it’s not the first time today I’ve stood up from a warm seat with a piece of paper in my hand.

4. I did feel a little nervous at first but John’s assured me, if i do a good job, I can be best man at his next wedding.

5. It’s been an emotional day, even the cake is in tiers.

6. John, she’s a lovely girl and deserves a good husband. Thank God you married her before she found one.

7. Now it gives me great pleasure to ask you all to raise your glasses for some very important people, without whom today would not be the same. Would you please raise your glasses to toast.. The bar staff.

8. It’s my job to give the groom the most uncomfortable few minutes of his life. The bride’s most uncomfortable few minutes will come later tonight when they get back to their room.

9. Marriage is a 3 ring circus: The engagement ring, the wedding ring and finally the suffering.

10. A man said his credit card was stolen but he decided not to report it because the thief was spending less than his wife did.

11. I’ve been told to keep my speech to the same amount of time it takes for John to make love. (Pause for a moment, and sit down).

12. Being asked to be the Best Man is like being asked to sleep with the Queen. It’s a great honour but nobody wants to do it.

Want to add any others to our list? Leave us a comment…

Do you have a fun/exciting/super romantic or utterly perfect proposal story to share - and do you have a picture of the moment/day/night?

Boots magazine are looking for five couples to tell us how they got engaged and share pics of their “down on one knee” (or not) moments. The more unusual the better.

We’d like to speak to both the bride and groom (or groom and groom or bride and bride) to find out about the proposal from both of your perspectives.

If you’d like the world to know just how amazing your proposal was get in touch by emailing beck_speechley@hotmail.com asap.

Photo - Steve Gerrard Photography

Next month sees the wedding of superstar wedding photographer Jessica Claire. When you’re career revolves around weddings you know that you have to raise the bar a little when planning your own big day. After seeing the photos of Jessica’s bridal shower and the gorgeous details, we at Bridal Soup are even more excited to see the photographs from the wedding itself.

Two of Jessica’s bridesmaids Chenin and Candice pretty much crafted everything here on their own. Great job girls!

The decorate-your-own cupcake bar.

Congratulations to Jessica and all the best for the wedding…

Photography (and invitation design!) by Chenin Boutwell

Helen Carter is one of our favourite wedding planners and runs Helen Carter Weddings, a wedding planning company based in Essex that provides bespoke planning across the South East. She provides a wide range of services, ranging from full wedding planning through to wedding day management. Helen has some great insider hints and tips on what to look for in a wedding planner and gives you some great advice!

In today’s busy world, hiring a wedding planner is no longer seen as a luxury but more of a necessity. However, despite their increasing popularity there remains a great deal of mystery surrounding their work.

In essence, a wedding planner exists to take the strain out of planning a wedding. Organising such an important occasion should be fun and exciting, but it naturally also takes up a great deal of time and can be very stressful. Juggling a career, family and social life, whilst trying to prepare for the biggest day of your life is no mean feat.

This is where the benefits of a wedding planner really come to the fore. They do all of the time-consuming research for you, as well as look after your budget and take care of queries and paperwork, meaning you actually have time to enjoy your engagement!

A wedding planner is also a valuable source of advice and reassurance. Not only do they know how to word invitations or who to sit where at the top table, but they fully understand the pressure, anxiety and emotion that accompany this special event. They also have trusted relationships with venues and suppliers, meaning you can be confident your suppliers are thoroughly vetted professionals who work to the highest standards.

So what are the key things to look for if you’re thinking about hiring a wedding planner?

1. Firstly, find out who is available in your area. The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners is an excellent source of information and provides details of professional planners across the UK

2. Visit the websites of local planners and find out how they work and the services they offer

3. Make a list of those that you are interested in and contact them directly. Most planners offer a complimentary consultation, so arrange to meet them and use it as an opportunity to find out more about them and their business

4. Ask them questions about their work. How long have they been in business and how many weddings have they planned? Do they have a portfolio for you to view? Also make sure that they have public liability insurance.

5. During the consultation does the planner seem approachable and knowledgeable? Do they understand what you want and offer ideas on how it may be achieved?

6. It’s incredibly important that you get along with your planner, so do you actually like them?! They may be brilliant at their job, but if your personalities clash you could be in for a bumpy ride instead of enjoying a seamless partnership

7. Find out how they charge for their services – this is very important, as fees will vary from planner to planner. Make sure you are aware of any additional charges, such as travel expenses, that may add to the overall cost

8. Once you have made your decision, make sure you sign a contract. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before signing, and query anything you are unsure about

Be sure to stop by Helen’s website - www.helencarterweddings.co.uk

Photos - Anna Lewis (top image) and Steve Gerrard Photography

We are so excited to show you these videos! Here at Bridal Soup we are always looking for new, original and fun ideas for weddings, and the guys at Lockdown Projects have set the bar high in all areas. Simply click Play on these videos and you’ll soon realise why we love them so much. I want to get married all over again so I can book them!

For more information check out their website - www.weddingmusicvideos.co.uk

Choosing a band for your wedding reception can be a tricky job. They may sound fantastic on their website but how do you know that they can really do the business on the night? Will they whip the crowd up into a frenzy and have everyone dancing til the wee hours? It’s an important part of the event and you don’t want to leave it to chance. Maybe you have seen a great band at a previous wedding or event or maybe you’re happy to listen to recommendations from friends or other wedding vendors.

Here at Bridal Soup we have witnessed the good, the bad and even the ugly of wedding bands. One band which knows exactly how to get the party started and keep it going is Second City Soul. We caught up with Jo from the band to get her thoughts on what makes a truly great wedding band.

How did Second City Soul come about and how long have you been around?

We’re a close-knit unit, many of us have played together for 14 years. We’ve had a few other far-flung projects in between… but are now reunited doing what we love most!

How would you sum up your style?

Soul and Funk Classics

What are your most requested tracks?

We always get shouts for our medley of Black Eyed Peas’ “Shut Up” and Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” - we’ve put our own spin on it and have a blast performing it! Our version of Ne-Yo’s “Closer” is really popular right now as well.
 
Do couples let you do your thing or supply requests before their wedding?

We tend to put the set lists together ourselves so that we keep people dancing but couples do put requests in  - especially for their first dance. We always aim to learn a couple’s first dance if requested in advance.

 
How early should couples be planning their entertainment prior to the big day?

At least 6 months ahead!!  Give yourself plenty of time to be able to go and see them perform live before booking them!!
 
Do you have any favourite songs you love performing?

Too many to mention! Let’s start with Dancing on the Ceiling, Kiss, Disco Inferno and Lady Marmalade.

 
What makes you different from other bands?

It’s so much more than a gig… it’s the Biggest Soul Party in Town! We provide a highlight to the evening that your guests will talk about for years.

How far will you travel for a wedding?

Bali, The Seychelles, West Indies – how far do you want?

What’s the craziest wedding you’ve performed at?

That would be the one where the couple wanted Billy Idol’s ‘White Wedding’ as the first dance! Sadly, not in our repertoire.
 
How long do you typically play for at a wedding?

Most couples have 2 x 45 minute sets but we can perform for up to 3 hours if required!

What’s next for the band?

Lots more weddings and corporate functions.  We’re constantly building on our set lists and have a residency at the Ceol Castle in Birmingham where potential clients can come to see us perform and meet us.
 
Any other tips or suggestions for brides looking for a band for their wedding?

First and foremost - Choose your band carefully!  Always, always, always go and see them perform live before booking them!!   Talk to the person who does their bookings in advance and make sure that they are a band who will work around you on your big day!! 

For more information visit the Second City Soul Website.

Wedding planner Zoe Lingard tells us about a unique idea which is guaranteed to make your guests feel even more welcome at your wedding as well as making the event all the more memorable…

One trend I’m seeing a lot this season & one that is especially popular if guests are coming from across the globe is providing ‘welcome bags’. These bags (or boxes if you like) are placed in guests’ hotel rooms and filled with goodies to help your nearest and dearest feel at home.

I love, love, love welcome bags as: they’re a great way of injecting some personality into your celebrations; possible to produce on small and large budgets alike and another chance to thank guests for attending your celebrations. Bags can be as simple or as fancy as you like with ribbons, tissue paper, personalised motifs and name-tags, and can contain anything you fancy. Below are a few of my ideas:

 
An information card outlining your celebration’s itinerary, local points of interest, the hotel’s facilities and a map

A short “thank you for attending our day” note

A bottle of mineral water

A bottle of your favourite essential oil

A compilation CD of your favourite music

A copy of your favourite childhood storybooks

A face pack

A half bottle of wine

A luxurious shower cream, bubble bath and/or body lotion

A miniature can of hair spray

A miniature deodorant/body spray

A scented candle

A sleep mask or cooling eye mask

A small medical kit including plasters, paracetamol/ibuprofen and a hangover cure

Bags of your favourite candy

Bottles of Elderflower presse, ginger beer and/or pink lemonade

Facial tissues, wet wipes, nail files and safety pins

Fresh fruit

High quality chocolates

High quality tea and ground coffee

Jars of locally produced honey, jam or chutney

Locally produced biscuits and/or cheese

Sachets of insect repellent and sun cream

Photos - Steve Gerrard Photography

Kelly Chandler is Director of the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners and, as such, knows a thing or two about how to plan a successful wedding. So who better to offer some advice on the often tricky subject of who should be on your guest list and where to put them when they arrive? Kelly asked some of her friends and fellow wedding professionals to chip in with some ideas…

Guest List
1. When compiling your evening guest list, take into account how far guests will need to travel. If guests need to travel hundreds of miles, they’ll need to book at least one night of accommodation and this can be a lot to ask of guests invited to an evening reception only. Quote by Zoe Lingard

2. Don’t make any promises about who will and won’t be invited to your wedding before distributing your invitations. You might find that you lose touch with some people over the course of your planning (e.g. colleagues who move on) but feel obliged to invite them because you mentioned they’d get an invite at the outset. Quote by Zoe Lingard

3. Too many cooks spoil the broth - when arranging the guest list and seating plan we would advise only one person from each side of the family to be involved, you know your guests so with only a small amount of help this should make things a lot easier! Quote by Peggie Anne Savage - www.vowperfections.com

4. Create an A & B list, that way if anyone from the A list declines you can invite someone from the B list. Make sure you order approx. 15 extra invitations to save time. Think about family, friends and work colleagues. Quote by Bernadette Chapman

Seating Plan

1. A table plan is displayed at the entrance of the Reception  showing  guests to their relevant tables. At each table a list of those guests is written onto a pretty tag and attached to each chair with a  ribbon.  Each guest name is highlighted together with a sentence about each of them, for example: ‘Astrid Tompson, sister in law of the bride – made the flowergirlsdresses, Margareta Johns – old school friend of the bride’ etc’. This creates a starting point for conversation and is a lovely way to introduce guests who are strangers to each other. Quote by Carrie Watkins - www.todayandforever.co.uk

2. To ensure the right people can see you on the top table, my tip is to think of each table as a clock face, with 1 o’clock having the best view of the top table and then 4,5 or 6 o’clock (depending on how many guests you have per table) with the worst, as they would have their back to you (ideal place for children!). Number the guests from 1 to 8,10 or 12 and then you can easily identify where they are to sit. This also provides useful information for your venue or caterer as they can readily see where dietary requirements are sat too”  Quote by Andrea Swift - www.fabulousday.co.uk

3. Middle is the New Top - long are the days of everyone sticking to the top table being at the top of the room at the wedding breakfast, we find our couples much prefer to feel part of the room with a centred bridal party table, this not only makes them feel like they can mingle more with their guests, it also means no guests feel like they are at the back of the room! Quote by Peggie Anne Savage - www.vowperfections.com

4. Start with using an A1 piece of paper and ‘post it’ notes so you can easily move family members around before you finalise your plans. Quote by Kay Carey

5. Keep an open mind, an innovative seating plan can often be the talking point of the day. The use of escort cards helps to generate people’s interest in the theme and allows for last minute changes to be managed. Quote by Kay Carey

6. If some tables need to be taken down after dinner to make room for dancing, make sure that you do not seat elderly relatives on the tables that will need to be removed.  Quote by Carrie Watkins - www.todayandforever.co.uk

All photos - Steve Gerrard Photography

ITV are looking for UK brides who are getting married between 25th April and 21st June of this year who might be interested in taking part in ‘Four Weddings’, a brand new wedding show for Living.

In each episode four brides will attend each others’ wedding, experiencing everything that the special day has to offer judging the VENUE, FOOD, DRESS & OVERALL PRESENTATION. The four brides then have to decide who has the best wedding, with the victorious bride winning an amazing five star luxury honeymoon for her and her partner. (It doesn’t matter if you’ve already booked a honeymoon, as the luxury holiday doesn’t have to be taken immediately).

So, if that sounds like something you might be interested in please email Kerry Plant on kerry.plant@itv.com or phone 020 7157 3809 for more information.

We’ve all heard the term “Bridezilla”. Wikipedia defines the term as “a generic term used to describe a difficult, unpleasant, perfectionist bride who leaves aggravated family, friends and bridal vendors in her wake. A bridezilla is obsessed with her wedding as her perfect day and will disregard the feelings of the family, bridesmaids and even her groom in her quest for the perfect wedding.” You’d never be a Bridezilla of course. Would you?! Weddings can cause even the calmest bride to act somewhat unusually but we want you to enjoy your bid day to the max so we invited wedding planner extraordinaire, Bernadette Chapman of Dream Occasions, to provide some top tips to avoiding Bridezilla Syndrome…

Something happens once a women becomes engaged, occasionally slowly but at times instantaneous, regular normal brides turn into ‘Bridezillas’. Symptoms can include bouts of selfishness, controlling behaviour, mood swings and compulsive meticulousness.  Although the symptoms disappear after the wedding (but don’t get me started on post wedding blues) it is important to make every effort to avoid the onset of BS before your nuptials, in order to maintain healthy, happy relationships with friends, family and your fiancé. Following are my 5 ways to avoid BS.

1. Call in the professionals

Hiring a wedding planner is no longer seen as a luxury but more a necessity for many couple, especially those working long hours or residing in a different location to the wedding. As a nation many of us employ professional staff to release some of the stress in our life, just think how many people now have cleaners, stylists or gardeners. So if you want a wedding organised perfectly with a variety of spreadsheets to view the progress then a wedding planner is your first point of call.

2. Delegate

Everyone loves a wedding and sometimes you can discover hidden talents among your friends and family. Use that talent to your advantage. Can someone shortlist suppliers for you to approve? Or maybe someone can type names and addresses for the invitations and possibly even track the RSVP’s? Any good ‘manager’ will confirm you need to hand over some tasks, its impossible to do all alone and a wedding is no different.

3. Smile sweetly

As soon as you announce your engagement friends and family suddenly become an expert on weddings, everyone will have an opinion they wish to share with you. It’s best just to laugh off comments and not worry about people’s perceptions of what you should or shouldn’t do.

4. Nothing is perfect

Even the most meticulous planning won’t prevent a freak thunderstorm from happening or the wedding car breaking down. Realise that there are things beyond your control and when situations arise, accept them with grace and humour. Leading up to and on your wedding day, things can ­– and often do – go awry; just go with it.

5. Don’t forget to live your life

There is a world outside of your wedding so don’t let it consume your life and that of your fiancé. Ensure you have one weekend per month with NO wedding commitments, arrange for romantic weekend breaks to remember why you are marrying each other and have a wedding ban after 9pm so no internet browsing and no arguments about the wedding after this time. Socialise with friends and family and don’t talk about the wedding unless they ask you, no-one likes a wedding bore!

Contact Bernadette if you’re looking for a wedding planner at www.dream-occasions.co.uk

All images - Steve Gerrard Photography

Steve says - “None of these brides were in any way affected by Bridezilla Syndrome”