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Dreaming of a white christmas (wedding)

Dreaming of a white christmas (wedding)

This time of year often signals the end of the busy summer wedding season, though many couples are now seeing the benefits of having an off peak winter wedding.

Bridal party in front of the fire | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

There’s loads of great reasons why having a winter wedding will bring you comfort and joy:

Good for your pocket

Off peak weddings could be better on your budget plus wedding suppliers may have more availability at this time of year.

Bride looking down in front of moongate | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Decor taken care of

Some venues may already have their Christmas decoration up which could mean you don’t have to worry too much about decorating the space any further.

Chivari chairs wth chiffon drops and lavender | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Rich colour palette

The rich warm winter colours are luxurious and comforting plus lend themselves for extravagant textures of velvet and gold metallic décor.

Menu and floral display on table | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Dreaming of a white Christmas

Let’s be honest snow on your winter wedding would be the ultimate romantic weather scenario (providing your venue isn’t too hard to reach), so it’s exciting that there might be a chance of snow for some stunning wedding pictures.

Bridesmaid deep in thought | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Wet weather plans in hand

Contrary to a summer wedding, there seems to be less pressure about the weather for a winter wedding as you won’t be expecting it to be super sunny, so you’ll make inside plans regardless.

RSVP card on sheep skin rug | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Wrap up warm

No fear of fainting like in the summer heat or sweating in all your attire. Guys can go to town in a full three piece suit and ladies can keep warm in wraps, boleros and fake fur.

Banquet style seating | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Embrace hygge theme

With the nights drawing in earlier and light fading quickly, there lots of opportunities for romantic lighting options like candles and huddling up round a firepit toasting marshmallows.

Close up of lit candles | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Holidays are coming

If you have a wedding around Christmas or New Year then your guests might already be off work anyway, so they won’t need to take any extra holiday to come to your big day.

Pearl and gold drop necklace | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Fresh wedding season

Your guests shouldn’t be too ‘wedding-ed’ out as they may not be going to as many other weddings at this time of year. Plus your wedding may look more unique as it will utilise flowers and produce from a different season to popular summer weddings.

Marble cake with sugar succulent cascade | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Fly off for some winter sunshine

There are some good rates around for honeymoons at this time of year and travel to some tropical countries is better as it won’t be during wet or stormy season.

Candles and firelight tablescape | Journey to the Centre of the Earth | modern ethereal winter styled bridal shoot by Hanami Dream | agate | marble | airplants | tulle | pale blue | gold | Oxleaze Barn | Gloucestershire | October 2017 | Photography by Squib Photography www.squibphotography.co.uk

Images on this page are taken by Squib Photography from Hanami Dream’s journey to the centre of the earth styled shoot at Oxleaze Barn. See all the fabulous suppliers that were involved in this styled shoot.

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Royal wedding part two

Royal wedding part two

Obviously, I love a good wedding and even more so a royal one. Well, if you wait longer enough then two come along at once and we’ve certainly been spoilt for royal weddings this year!

I was glued to the television once again on Friday to see Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank get married for the Royal Wedding part two. Yes, it may only be 5 months since the last one, and yes, it was at the same venue of Windsor Castle again, but this wedding sequel still offered new trends and insights.

Photography by Farrow Photography

Royal wedding trends

You can guarantee that a royal wedding is sure to be a lavish affairs and an exaggerated Pinterest fantasy that will influence trends and weddings to come. Who can forget the puff ball dress of Eugenie’s mother on her wedding day to Prince Andrew in the 1980s.

And the affect of Kate and William’s royal wedding in 2011 is still apparent now as couples continue to choose to have trees inside at their weddings. Likewise, Harry and Meghan’s wedding prompted further foliage and minimalist trends – here’s my Royal Wedding Fever report from earlier this year.

I love seeing emerging trends and things that may influence weddings in the future.

Photography by Farrow Photography

Fashion colours

Along with the happy couple, the (celebrity) guests arriving gives a glimpse of fashion colours and trends. This wedding called for traditional morning suits to be worn, which even Cara Delevingne sported. The other ladies had to keep hold of their hats as it was such a windy day.

Guests wore bold seasonal colours of bright pink, greens, navy and pastel pink. Whilst the mother of the bride and Princess Eugenie’s sister and chief bridesmaid wore emerald green and royal blue respectively. Princess Beatrice topped off her outfit with a royal blue alice band hat – another new evolution in the hat world and perhaps playing it safe consider the weather (and previous hat faux pas that this Princess has fallen foul of!)

Photography by Farrow Photography

Art & culture influences

You could see nods of the Princess’s love of the art world in a number of elements at the royal wedding including the green and blue sashes that the bridesmaids wore which incorporated the Mark Bradford artwork also in the Order or Service. Their sashes also brought together the outfit colours of Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice.

Green also featured on the Bride’s Russian inspired tiara with emeralds, which was borrowed from the queen.

Additionally the jacquard print of the wedding dress, by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, contained symbolic emblems such as a thistle (to represent their love of Scotland) which was echoed in her bouquet; a shamrock (for the Ferguson family); a York rose; and trailing ivy (to symbolise their home) which she also carried in her bouquet.

The cut and style of the dress were elegant and simple with long sleeves, nipped in waist, full pleated skirt and a voluptuous long train. The beautiful portrait neckline, with a nearly off the shoulder look, provided a low back feature. Also with the decision to omit wearing a veil, the low back showed that the Princess was not afraid to her scars.

Photography by Farrow Photography

Seasonality

For me the star of the show was the flowers. Once again, I was blown away by the floral display up the steps and around the west door of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle where the royal wedding took place.

The theme of the wedding really celebrated nature and the season with leaves, berries, foliage and flowering branches foraged from Windsor Great Park. I love the immense autumnal vibe and the idea of using what nature has provided and going out to collect and bring back what you find. There were roses, hydrangeas, dahlias and berries in bright, bold oranges, pinks and purples. Plus those impressive liquid amber trees standing proud (albeit a little blowing in the wind) either side of the entrance.

The rich floral colours reminded me of a Wind in the Willows photo shoot that I did that encapsulated those deep autumnal colours.

Photography by Farrow Photography

Traditional versus modern

The wedding fell on the anniversary of the first Oktoberfest which originally celebrated a royal wedding in 1810. This wedding seamlessly blended traditional royal elements along with modern millennial thinking. It was a true celebration of the things and people that they love and wanted to be a part of their special day. As well as the pomp and ceremony of the ceremony, they had a two celebration with a festival and funfair themed party.

Their reading was far from traditional with an excerpt from The Great Gatsby and like so many brides nowadays, Eugenie chose not to obey her new husband.

It was good to learn that they had banned plastic from their wedding with the environment being a hot topic on everyone’s lips at the moment.

Plus they decided to shy away from tradition with their wedding cake, and enjoy a red velvet and chocolate wedding cake.

For me, Eugenie and Jack’s wedding conveyed some great messages: celebrating nature, embracing culture, thinking seasonally and considering the environment. Plus Princess Eugenie made a massive statement by not wearing a veil – to be proud of who you are and not to hide your scars.

Photography by Farrow Photography

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 15th March 2017 – wedding anniversaries

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 15th March 2017 – wedding anniversaries

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 15th March 2017

As well as general wedding planning chat, today we look at anniversaries – whether it’s your 0th, 10th, 25th, 30th or 40th #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 1: Anniversary gifts increase in value to reflect the time the couple have invested in their marriage and each other #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 2: Buy your new spouse an 0th anniversary present to celebrate your wedding day such as cuff links, jewellery or a photo album #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 3a: Have an anniversary dance at a wedding instead of throwing the bouquet… #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 3b: … All couples come on dance floor. One by one, couples are asked to sit down during the song based on the length of their time together… #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 3c: …The last couple on the dance floor will be the longest-married couple and they receive the bouquet #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 4: There are traditional and modern anniversary themes plus flowers and gemstones per wedding anniversary year #UKWedLunch

This week’s top tips are taken from ‘Happy Wedding Anniversary!‘ Good luck making plans for a new anniversary! #UKWedLunch

As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘wedding themes’ #UKWedLunch

JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 16th November 2016 – wedding vows

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 16th November 2016 – wedding vows

#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 16th November 2016

As well as general wedding planning chat, there’s some #toptips as well. This week’s theme is ‘wedding vows’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 1: Vows are promises rather than laws nowadays #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 2: You can choose to use traditional vows including ‘obey’ and ‘worship’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 3: Consider alternatives of ‘to love and to honour’ or ‘love and cherish’ #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 4: In humanist or non-religious ceremonies you can personalise & write your own vows #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 5: Make sure the vows you say are values & commitments you are willing to stand by #UKWedLunch

TOP TIP 6: Capture the twinkle in your eye as well as the sincerity in your heart #UKWedLunch

This week’s top tips taken from Hanami Dream blog ‘To love and to cherish’ with thanks to Humanist Ceremonies #UKWedLunch

JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

Next week’s theme is ‘dietary requirements’ #UKWedLunch

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#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 16th November 2016 – wedding vows

To love and to cherish

We don’t have a television at the moment. After some building work before the summer we moved it and have never reinstated it. We haven’t missed it at all and what it has meant is that we only watch something that we really want to watch now (rather than flicking through channels if we are tired) or do other things instead.

I’ve taken to watching iPlayer whilst I cook and found some great period dramas over the summer to watch such as The Duchess of Devonshire, The Scandalous Lady W and Lady Chatterley’s Lover. I soon discovered that there’s a common thread through these and realised that all of these films made me feel really lucky to be a wife of this century. Plus along with the recent film release of Suffragette, I’m very grateful that I have choices and rights that my ancestors wouldn’t have had.

wagstaff wedding 1911

The vows I chose to make when I got married were promises rather than laws. I didn’t become the property of my husband and I chose not to ‘obey’ him in my vows. However a few centuries ago people didn’t have this same luxury. We live in a time when marriage is about partnership, lifelong companionship and equal rights.

The wording of the Church of England traditional wedding vows includes the bride promising to ‘obey’ and the groom vowing to ‘worship’ his wife. However some couples choose to leave out these words nowadays and alternatively choose ‘to love and to honour’ or ‘love and cherish’.

Traditional vows
‘I, (name), take you, (name)
to be my wife/husband,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part’

Traditional promises
Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her,
and, forsaking all others,
be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

Whilst traditional vows still hold a lot of meaning, relevance and importance, we are also able to choose to make those vows more personal depending on the type of ceremony. Especially in humanist or non-religious ceremonies where you can personalise and express yourself completely when writing your own vows. Whilst sometimes the amount of choices we have in life can be overwhelming, I remain grateful that we have choices.

Over the past four years, Zena Birch has worked very closely with couples to help them create their own personal vows to go alongside or precede more traditional ring vows. Here are some of her top tips for writing your own vows.

In a humanist ceremony instead of holding themselves accountable to a god or a deity, couples are actually asking those gathered to hold them accountable as they witness their public declarations. Therefore the words they say as they make their vows and their promises to each other are more important than ever.

In today’s age it is possible to live very happily together without getting married, so when a couple decide to take this extra step it is a deeply personal commitment. Your vows are to be celebrated every year you manage to uphold them, but they should also be the words that hold you fast when times get difficult and as such it is important that the vows you say to each other are made up of the values and commitments you are willing to stand by.

My couples and I work together to discover just what those words/promises might be. It can be very daunting – faced with a blank page and some of the most important words you are ever going to say, so the advice I tend to give is to make sure they:

  • sound like you, they should have your tone of voice, they should be authentic – if you tease each other, there is no harm in an element of this being reflected within your vows, this is just as important as a sense of solemnity. Capturing the twinkle in your eye as well as the sincerity in your heart is key.
  • reflect what you have both agreed to commit to one another. Although many couples decide to say their vows as a surprise to each other on the day, it is important that the process involved in creating them is shared so that they are in agreement with their core values.
  • Enjoy creating them!

We are lucky to live in an era where our own words hold validity. Writing your own wedding vows is a very enriching experience and one which can really help lay the foundations needed for a long and joy filled marriage.

For more information on a humanist ceremony go to www.zenabirch.com or contact zenabirchweddings@gmail.com

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#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 15th March 2017 – wedding anniversaries

Happy Wedding Anniversary!

The summer is a really special time of the year for me. Not only is it the height of the wedding season but it is also when I celebrate my own wedding anniversary with my lovely husband. We had such a beautiful wedding day spent with all our friends and family and we love to look back on the day with great fondness.

Celebrating your wedding day (and more importantly the passing commitment of your marriage) is often celebrated with a specific gift based on the number of years you have been married. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages and the gifts relate to bringing luck to the couple. The gifts increase in value to reflect the time that the couple have invested in their marriage and each other.

To mark our anniversary my 87 year old Nan (despite being self-titled Mad Nan) always gets it right with our anniversary gift. She still relies on her trusting diary and with the aid of the lists at the back can easily identify which gift corresponds to which anniversary. This year she bought us a beautiful pot plant, last year was leather bookmarks, before that was a sewing kit with cotton reels in it and she gave us books the first year.

I’m truly lucky to have seen both sets of my grandparents reach their diamond wedding anniversary (60th). A feat that will be harder for our generation to achieve so readily. Until their passing, it was a joy to see my grandparents walking down the promenade holding hands, or squeezing each other’s knees and still so much in love. On my wedding day, my grandfather (he’s now nearly 92) gave me away and his advice to a long and loving marriage was good communication. He said to keep talking about everything and never to go to bed on an argument.

I remember going to many silver and ruby family anniversaries as a child and thinking that it was such a long amount of time to have spent doing anything. They were always amazing occasions and sometimes the only time we saw some of our distant relatives. One set of my grandparents always had big wedding anniversary parties. I went to their 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th parties and it was so special to celebrate with them and see how much everyone had changed every 10 years. When my grandparents had their 50th anniversary we put together a big food hamper and had great fun collecting together any food and other products with gold in the title (Gold Blend, All Gold, Golden Syrup, Golden Wonder, St Ivel Gold, Golden Grahams etc. You’ll be looking now next time you’re in the supermarket!)

Lots of couples nowadays are choosing to renew their vows more often and have another wedding celebration, as well as having anniversary parties to mark milestone years.

Meanwhile, some other popular trends include buying your new spouse an 0th anniversary present which is a gift to celebrate your wedding day such as cuff links, jewellery or a photo album.

Another way to celebrate long marriages might be with an anniversary dance at a wedding instead of throwing the bouquet. This is when you ask couples to all enjoy a dance together on the dance floor. One by one, the couples are asked to sit down during the song based on the length of their time together. The last couple on the dance floor will be the longest-married couple and they receive the bouquet. What a wonderful way to celebrate their togetherness!

If you don’t have a paper diary with those handy reference pages then you might want to take a look below at our compiled list of both traditional and modern themes. Some of the gifts in the traditional column have options depending on which side of the pond you want to take inspiration from! There are also lists in my Mad Nan’s diary for which flowers to give as gifts depending on the wedding anniversary year, as well gemstone gifts per year. What a font of knowledge my Nan ends up being!

Year Traditional Modern
1st Paper Clock
2nd Cotton China
3rd Leather Crystal / Glass
4th Fruit / Flowers OR
Linen / Silk
Appliances
5th Wood Silverware
6th Iron / Sweets Wood
7th Copper / Wool Desk Set
8th Salt / Bronze Linen/Lace
9th Willow / Pottery Leather
10th Aluminium / Tin Diamond
11th Steel Jewellery
12th Silk / Linen Pearls
13th Lace Textiles/Fur
14th Ivory Gold Jewellery
15th Crystal Watches
20th China Platinum
25th Silver Silver
30th Pearl Diamond
35th Coral Jade
40th Ruby Ruby
45th Sapphire Sapphire
50th Gold Gold
55th Emerald Emerald
60th Diamond Diamond
65th Blue Sapphire Blue Sapphire
70th Platinum Platinum
80th Oak Oak

Whether you’re celebrating your 0th anniversary, 25th, 30th, 40th or planning to make a new anniversary then we wish you a very happy one.

champagne_congrats_anniversary