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Hints, Tips & Ideas

Your Perfect Wedding Day

Select Your Style

Your Perfect Wedding DaySo you have decided to commit to each other until death do you part and have announced the news to family and friends? All that's left is the small matter of making the whole thing legal and celebrating in style.

So how are you going to do it? Do you want a traditional white wedding in church or would you like a more laid back affair? Perhaps you would like a ceremony in a hot air balloon, on a beach, or in a zoo?

While a civil ceremony in Britain opens up a huge choice of venues, you might want to consider tying the knot in an exotic location. This is a popular option, but requires some thought - while marrying on a beach or ski-slope can cost less than a big white wedding at home, it's unlikely that all your family and friends would be able to attend. But perhaps that's an advantage…. Your budget will help tame and frame your initial ideas, but the choice is ultimately yours.

Flowers

Check what flowers are in season - out of season blooms are usually more expensive. If you're on a really tight budget consider using more foliage and fewer flowers.

Consider the fragrance of your flowers as another element of your day.

The colour, style, length and fabric of your dress should influence your bouquet choice. A simple gown looks great with a cascading arrangement whereas a dress with a full skirt suits a more tightly structured arrangement.

If you have lilies in close proximity to you, check that the stamens have been removed, as they can stain. Have a hand-held bouquet bound to remove the danger of staining.

Be sure of the competence of any family or friend who offers to help with the flowers; arranging is harder than it looks!

Buying Rings

Do your homework! Learn the pros and cons of various metals and gems, and shop around to compare prices.

Inspect rings closely, running your fingers over gems to test for uneven settings and any sharp protrusions.

Don't try rings on when your hands are hot as your fingers will expand, resulting in a false fitting.

Check stones in natural daylight for colour.

Choose engagement and wedding rings made from the same metal and carat to avoid one wearing down as they rub together.

Don't opt for high fashion designs as your ring could look dated very quickly.

Ask the jeweller's advice about cleaning your new rings.

Add the rings to your household insurance. They need to be itemised separately on the policy and covered wherever you are.

The Cake

The wedding cake is the grand centre-piece of the wedding feast, so it is worth splashing out. Alternatively you may have a relative or friend with a flair for baking and decorating, who wants to make a special contribution to your day, or you might even like to try making it yourself!

Consider how many people the cake needs to serve, and whether you want a fruit or sponge cake - or something else (such as chocolate profiteroles) that can double as a dessert.

Double check when the cake will be delivered and who will arrange it at the reception venue.

Guest List

This area often causes problems! You need to arrive at a guest list that stays within your budget and keeps you and your partner happy as well as your family and friends.

Your first consideration is how many people you can afford to invite and still have the kind of reception you want. Practical considerations come into the equation at this point, like the number of people at the church, registry office or ceremony venue will hold. You'll find that some registry offices only hold 25 people so if your numbers are limited, divide your guests into those you want at he ceremony and those who you could happily just invite to the evening do.

Next decide how many guests each party is going to have allotted to them. Equal share

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