by Hanami Dream | 30, March, 2017 | tools
Huge congratulations if you’re currently planning your forthcoming wedding (or another milestone occasion). I hope that you’re enjoying the wedding planning process so far. Take a look at this handy wedding planning timeline and other tips to help you get started.
- JUST ENGAGED: Set the budget, date & guest list so you can pick a venue and planner
- 11-12 MONTHS TO GO: Book photographer, florist and caterer, pick your attendants, get insurance & think about decor
- 8-10 MONTHS TO GO: Book officiant and band, register for gifts, book honeymoon, buy dress & pick stationery
- 6-7 MONTHS TO GO: Pick cake, buy bridesmaids dresses, send save the date, trial hair and make up & taste menu
- 3-5 MONTHS TO GO: Book transport, hire suits, pick accessories, buy rings, order favours and decide on decor
- 1-2 MONTHS TO GO: Send invitations, finalise menu, write vows, confirm numbers, create seating plan & complete schedule
After you’ve decided when your special day will be and sorted the major elements of your guest list, venue and budget (or the who, where and how much of what I term the ‘holy trinity of wedding planning‘) then you’re in to the nitty gritty of things.
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by Hanami Dream | 29, March, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 29th March 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, today we look at where are you on your wedding planning journey #UKWedLunch
JUST ENGAGED: Set the budget, date & guest list so you can pick a venue and planner #UKWedLunch
11-12 MONTHS TO GO: Book photographer, florist and caterer, pick your attendants, get insurance & think about decor #UKWedLunch
8-10 MONTHS TO GO: Book officiant and band, register for gifts, book honeymoon, buy dress & pick stationery #UKWedLunch
6-7 MONTHS TO GO: Pick cake, buy bridesmaids dresses, send save the date, trial hair and make up & taste menu #UKWedLunch
3-5 MONTHS TO GO: Book transport, hire suits, pick accessories, buy rings, order favours and decide on decor #UKWedLunch
1-2 MONTHS TO GO: Send invitations, finalise menu, write vows, confirm numbers, create seating plan & complete schedule #UKWedLunch
If you’d like a complete wedding planning timeline then please email info@www.hanamidream.co.uk for your copy #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week we will be looking at ‘modern alternatives to wedding traditions‘ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm BST

by Hanami Dream | 22, March, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 22nd March 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, today we look at wedding themes – what styles & cultural trends influencing your big day #UKWedLunch
THEME 1: Beauty & the Beast – the tale may be as old as time but you’ll always be our guest #UKWedLunch
THEME 2: Wind in the Willows – an outdoors adventure along the beautiful riverside #windinthewillows #UKWedLunch
THEME 3: Festival – laid back, boho festival vibe in tipis adorned with ribbons & dream catchers #UKWedLunch
THEME 4: Wizard of Oz – follow the yellow brick road with sunflowers & rainbow colours #wizardofoz #UKWedLunch
THEME 5: Nautical – sophisticated striped navy and subtle use of rope, hessian and anchor icons #UKWedLunch
THEME 6: Alice in Wonderland – follow the white rabbit with red roses, hearts, tea cups and clocks #UKWedLunch
This week’s wedding themes are a selection of curations from Pinterest – which was your favourite? #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week we will be looking at ‘where are you on your wedding planning journey‘#UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm BST

Photography by Farrow Photography
by Hanami Dream | 15, March, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#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

by Hanami Dream | 10, March, 2017 | testimonials

“Wow, this is great! … The website is fantastic and we have been glued to reading your posts and are in awe of your blogging and professionalism! You have obviously been working very hard and also doing the diploma as well!”
Magnifisense, February 2017
by Hanami Dream | 8, March, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 8th March 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week we look at colour trends in 2017 #UKWedLunch
Are you getting married in 2017? What is the colour scheme for your wedding? #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Consider the season of your wedding when picking a colour theme to match flowers and trends #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Spring and summer colour trends tend to be brighter, lighter and often pastel shades – see 2017 trends here https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-10-spring-2017-colours-from-pantone/#UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Autumn and winter colour trends tend to be cooler, richer and darker shades – see 2017 trends here https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-10-fall-2017-colours-from-pantone/ #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Consider the colour of the year in your colour scheme – it’s greenery in 2017 https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/pantone-announce-the-color-of-the-year-2017/ #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Think about what your colour scheme needs to work with: venue, attendants, accessories, stationery. Use neutrals too. #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips are taken from www.hanamidream.co.uk/category/trends/ #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘wedding anniversaries‘ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

by Hanami Dream | 1, March, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 1st March 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week we look at honeymoons – where, when & how #UKWedLunch
Have you booked your honeymoon yet? If so, tell us where you are going/have been on honeymoon? And what month do you travel? #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Factor in any immunisations and visas you may need for your honeymoon plus what will the weather be like #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Tell everyone it’s your honeymoon when booking – you never know what treats may get thrown in if people know:) #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: decide to travel in your maiden name or married name – make sure your passport and tickets have the same name on them #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: combine your honeymoon with a destination wedding to save money #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: don’t go away straight after the wedding – have a day to relax #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips are taken from ‘Honeymooning over the summer‘ #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘colour trends in 2017’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

by Hanami Dream | 23, February, 2017 | blog, trends
I’m not going to lie, I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve when I’m waiting with baited breath for the Pantone® announcements. For three times a year, I feel like a proper journalist waiting for the news to break about the next season’s top colours. (And I’m nearly beside myself waiting for the colour of the year announcement in December!)
Yes, I get excited! So when the fashion week season kicks off (this month is New York, London, Milan and then Paris) I’m on stand by waiting for Pantone® to make their declaration.
And it was quite a delay this time, as Pantone® waited until not only after New York Fashion Week to finish, but London as well. Whilst the fashion crowd have now moved on to Milan, I was beginning to think that Pantone® weren’t going to reveal a colour report at all this time. And if I may moan about Pantone® for one minute, I must say that I’m disappointed that it is less about their predictions now and more just about counting colours that designers have used. Don’t get me wrong, their report is comprehensive and incredibly impressive (blimey, there were around 180 shows at NYFW alone!) but I guess I feel it’s less about foresight in advance now.
However, it is good that their analysis is taking more of an international view for the first time and this report is a great overview of fashion designers’ use of colour in their Autumn/Winter 2017/2018 collections.
Plus I’ve already fallen deeply in love with the collection of colours that will trend this Autumn. Don’t get too excited. There’s no huge surprises. In fact, I probably could’ve written this article without even seeing the colours as they’re fairly typical and what you’d expect.
But they are a beautiful, rich collection of classic autumnal colours.
Looking at them makes me want to run, jump, kick and roll in a pile of crunchy fallen leaves all in the vibrant hues of Grenadine, Autumn Maple, Golden Lime and Butterum.
Even the distinctive, pale pink Ballet Slipper sits well with the cooler, wintry colours of Marina, Navy Peony and Neutral Gray.
For me, the stand out colour is Shaded Spruce, a rich warm dark teal colour, which is a wonderful evolution of the Greenery colour of the year. It will take us from the freshness of spring/summer to the evergreen foliage of the winter.
Pantone® Color Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman was right when she said that, “Cocooning colors are something you just want to wrap around yourself and feel comforted.”
New York and London fashion weeks were full of tactile fabrics such as fur, velvet, quilting and tweed with a bit of Hollywood glam. These Fall/Winter 2017/2018 colours are Hygge at its best – comforting and cosy. How warming would that glorious and rich Tawny Port be to sup apres ski!
I also love the combination of the grey and yellow (maybe next year we’ll finally have a yellow as the colour of the year!) as it feels like such a comforting ray of sunshine.
The top ten colours from NYFW for Fall 2017 are:
- PANTONE 19-4524 TCX Shaded Spruce
- PANTONE 17-1558-TPX Grenadine
- PANTONE 17-1145-TCX Autumn Maple
- PANTONE 13-2808 TCX Ballet Slipper
- PANTONE 16-0543 TPG Golden Lime
- PANTONE 17-4041 TPX Marina
- PANTONE 19-4029 TCX Navy Peony
- PANTONE 17-4402-TPX Neutral Gray
- PANTONE 16-1341 TCX Butterum
- PANTONE 19-1725 TCX Tawny Port
Plus these from LFW (which are pretty similar to the ones from New York apart from a very welcome addition of a purple, a dark neutral brown and a fabulous yellow in the mix):
- PANTONE 18-1662 TCX Flame Scarlet
- PANTONE 12-2904 TPG Primrose Pink
- PANTONE 16-1331 TCX Toast
- PANTONE 14-4121 TPX Blue Bell
- PANTONE 18-3531 TPX Royal Lilac
- PANTONE 18-1018 TCX Otter
- PANTONE 18-4028 TCX Navy Peony
- PANTONE 16-1338 TPX Copper Tan
- PANTONE 15-0751 TPG Lemon Curry
- PANTONE 16-0639 TPX Golden Olive
It’ll be great to see how couples incorporate these colours in to their weddings later this year (and whether the luxurious fabrics and sheer tops will influence wedding dress designs).
Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings.
See some of my other trend predictions for weddings in 2017.

by Hanami Dream | 22, February, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 22nd February 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week we look at wedding favours – alternatives to traditional sugared almonds #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: edible favours like chocolate bars with personalised wrappers, retro sweets, lovehearts, lollipops, cake pops #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: ice breaker wedding favours like games to play with other guests, cameras to snap candid shots, colouring books #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: wedding favours to wear like flip flops, sun glasses, umbrellas, moustaches & temporary tattoos #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: wedding favours to grow like packets of seeds, dried herbs, succulents, potted plants #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: wedding favours to drink like alcohol miniatures, loose leaf tea, shot glass #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: decorative wedding favours like scented candles, soap, fridge magnets #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips are taken from ‘Top local wedding favour suppliers in the Cotswolds‘ #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘honeymoons‘ #UKWedLunch
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by Hanami Dream | 15, February, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 15th February 2017
Anyone get engaged yesterday? Hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s day. Please share your proposal stories with Hanami Dream #UKWedLunch
Tweet wedding planning questions to #UKWedLunch & share a pic of your wedding dress for today’s theme -wedding dresses through the years
Wedding dresses are an example of fashion trends of their day (material, styles, length & colours). Which era is your fav? #UKWedLunch
1940s: War time shortages led to non-rationed net curtain or parachute silk, full skirted dresses. Or skirt suits. Big bouquets #UKWedLunch
1950s: Rising hemlines & shorter veils. Sweetheart necklines, under lace, full skirted, small waisted, tea length dresses. #UKWedLunch
1960s: High waisted, empire line or A line mini dresses plus pill box hats with veils. #UKWedLunch
1970s: Hippy style, long sleeved, high necked, longer length dresses. Or trouser suits with big floppy hats. #UKWedLunch
1980s: Fairy tale, voluminous, princess gowns with puff sleeves and long trains worn with floral crowns. #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips are taken from ‘Wedding Time Capsule‘ #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘wedding favours’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
