The easy answer to this question is no... There really is no need to spend a small fortune on professionally printed orders of service unless it's something you have identified as being very important to you.

There is, however, something to be said for letting your guests know what is going to happen and when on your wedding day. People tend to relax more quickly and pace themselves more effectively when they know what's to come.

A simple note either handed out by ushers or emailed to guests a few days before the wedding is ideal, and not too time-consuming. The added bonus is that you will both relax knowing that you're surrounded by relaxed, happy guests who aren't worrying about what time they're going to be eating and whether they've got enough time to get another drink before the speeches start.

If you do have a bit of time and are feeling creative, there are lots of ways to create programmes that can double up as attractive favours - favours that serve a purpose rather than just cluttering up the dinner tables!

It might be the end of October but allow me to transport you to a hot, sunny summer's day for a moment...

Imagine having printed your programme of events onto fan-shaped templates that offer guests not only an insight into proceedings but a much-needed respite from the heat (see Martha Stewart Weddings for more ideas).


Until next time,

Labels: budget, decoration, stationery, style, tips

Welcome to Magic Dust's Wedding Tip Wednesday video. This week I'd like to offer you a few tips that should help both you and your parents enjoy the wedding planning process, and the wedding day, as much as possible...



Until next time, happy planning!

Labels: tips, wedding-tip-video

Whilst I absolutely love to see what appears on the bridal catwalk I am a firm believer in 'style over fashion' every time. Remembering that you will, hopefully, be seeing your wedding photos on the mantelpiece for many years to come, should provide you with the reality check you need to steer clear of overtly fashionable gowns!

Finding a dress that you love, that suits you and makes you feel like a million dollars, is what is most important. All reasons why we suggest at least one trip to try on dresses on your own...

Occasionally a trend emerges that we think perfectly combines style with practicality and these are the trends that are easy to embrace. For 2010 jackets and boleros are on trend and can be used to fabulous effect by the bride looking for a simple way to transform her outfit between ceremony and reception, without the expense of a complete change of outfit.

Check out Martha Stewart's catwalk video to see a good selection of the styles on offer and don't be afraid to step away from the bridal market in order to find your ideal cover-up. I promise you that your budget will thank you for this!

High Street stores that specialise in party wear are a good place to look - think Coast and Monsoon for your first stops and hunt out smaller boutiques that stock unusual brands. If you can find something that you know you will definitely wear again, even better!

Until next time,

Labels: budget, fashion, style

This week, I have some advice on how to come up with unique wedding readings. Whether they're chosen by you, or by the person you've asked to do the reading, there's the opportunity to make this a lovely surprise!



Until next time,

Labels: tips, wedding-tip-video

As marquees become more and more sophisticated (not to mention expensive!) there are fewer reasons to think of them as exclusively for sunny summer days.

Some of our favourite weddings have been inside toasty marquees in the depths of winter and there are a few things we have learnt along the way that we thought we should share with you now. If it means that one person has one less sleepless night as a result of reading this then we'll be very happy!

TIP 1 - Make sure someone other than the couple getting married know how to use the heaters in the marquee and is prepared to take responsibility for them. It's a good job for an usher but they will need to be alert as the heaters can take a little while to warm up so they might have to go on earlier than you think!

TIP 2 - Why not buy up cheap 'pashmina' scarves in an array of colours and either use them as favours (wrapping them around the backs of the chairs will look fab AND keep the ladies warm!) or leave them near the entrance to the marquee in a big wicker basket with a note inviting guests to help themselves.

TIP 3 - Speak to your marquee company about providing - and laying - rush matting walkways outside the marquee. Not only will it save peoples shoes from the mud but it may end up saving you money as there will be less likelihood of damage to the marquee flooring.

Until next time,

Labels: budget, decoration, marquee, tips, venue

TIP 6

When it comes to bridesmaid gifts, remember that you shouldn't feel obliged to spend a fortune but a token of your appreciation for their support is always a good idea.

This may be a handwritten, heartfelt card or you may have the budget to buy a gift too. A piece of jewellery for them to wear on the day is an ideal gift and it doesn't have to be expensive.

Alternatively, you might want to arrange a girls night out for when you return from honeymoon and treat them to a pizza and a bottle of wine whilst you catch up on all the gossip!

Remember to do what feels right for you but never to let any support you have received go unappreciated.

We hope you've enjoyed our short series of tips about bridesmaids - keep your eye out for other topics over the next few months and please do contact us if you'd like us to cover anything in particular!

Until next time,

Labels: budget, jewellery, press, style, tips

TIP 5

As for hair and make-up, it really is up to you. As long as you manage peoples expectations - so bridesmaids know not to expect to have their hair and make-up done by a professional - and you've chosen the right people to be your bridesmaids, this will be perfectly acceptable.

Have a think about whether you have a friend whose make-up always looks fantastic and ask her if she'd consider helping you out on the day.

Until tomorrow's tip,

Labels: beauty, budget, press, style, tips

TIP 4

Think about the celebration you are planning and how your bridesmaids outfits will fit in with that. If you're going for a relaxed feel, an eclectic mix of bridesmaid dresses, perhaps tied together by everyone wearing the same shoes, will look great.

There's nothing wrong with asking your bridesmaids to wear a dress they already own to keep costs down. Chances are they'll feel more comfortable in something they chose themselves anyway!

Until tomorrow's tip,

Labels: budget, press, style, tips

TIP 3

A small gesture can mean the world to people - we've seen close friends honoured with special buttonholes that mark them out from 'normal' guests and always evoke a positive response, as well as a few tears of joy!

You don't have to ask everyone to be your bridesmaid but you can make those closest to you feel very special with a little bit of thought, and without spending lots of money.

Until tomorrow's tip,

Labels: florist, press, style, tips

TIP 2

If you do have more than 1 best friend and are finding it hard to choose, ask them to play different, but equally important, parts in your day. Readings, liaison with the venue in the run up to the wedding, organising entertainment for any children at the wedding - these are all tasks that good friends will be delighted to help out with.

Until tomorrow's tip,

Labels: press, style, tips

We are often asked - by brides and by the media - for our tips for ensuring that you pick the right bridesmaids, make them feel special but also are able to ensure that they do exactly what they're supposed to do... Support you on and in the run-up to the most important day of your life! So we thought we'd bring our favourite tips to you over the next 6 days - 1 quick helpful tip per day. Enjoy!

TIP 1

Don't feel pressured into asking too many people. One incredibly organised, willingly helpful and supportive bridesmaid is worth a million times more than 5 friends who spend more time fretting about their own hair and make-up than they do about helping you out!

Until tomorrow's tip,

Labels: press, style, tips

Welcome to this week's Wedding Tip Wednesday video. Today I'm focusing on a few bits of advice that will come in handy when you're looking at guest accommodation for your wedding. A couple of minutes spent considering these points now will likely save you at least one sleepless night further down the line when you'll have more important things to think about!



Enjoy!

Labels: supplier, tips, venue, wedding-tip-video

One of my favourite jobs at weddings involves a queue of handsome, well-dressed men requiring my assistance in the positioning of their buttonholes! It's a tough job but somebody has to look after the ushers...

I have seen some absolutely beautiful arrangements and must admit that it's the simplest styles, using the freshest blooms, that usually catch my eye. But, it's a very easy area in which to spend a small fortune and so when I first came across the idea of using herbs as buttonholes I was intrigued.


Credit Crunch Bride has written a great piece on the subject and shows a couple of images of lovely rose and herb buttonholes and I think her primary reason for using herbs in a buttonhole is a genius one (hint - think Sunday lunch!)

You could go one step further and forego the flowers altogether and use healthy sprigs of either rosemary, sage or lavender tied with contrasting ribbon. This would easily be a third of the cost of a traditional single flower buttonhole and the aroma equally, if not more, intense.

Take the theme up a level and use potted versions of the herbs as your table centrepieces and I'd say you've hit the simple, stylish and slightly different nail firmly on the head!

Until next time,