by Hanami Dream | 19, July, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 19th July 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, today we are looking at gift list alternatives #weddingplanning #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Traditionally gift lists are from 1 department store of homeware items to set up home, coordinate & avoid duplicates #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Curate online gift lists of products or get people to club together for bigger items with patchwork options #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Register for cash gift websites to ask for contributions for your honeymoon #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Instead of products as for gift experiences, meals out, mini breaks or other bucket list adventures #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Provide details for guests to make charity donations in lieu of buying gifts #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Whatever type of gift, don’t forget to thank your guests afterwards #UKWedLunch
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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 | 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
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by Hanami Dream | 31, July, 2015 | blog, traditions
Friday 31st July, 2015 saw the rare occurrence of a blue moon. So named due to the frequency of the event rather than the colour of the moon. It happens every few years when there are two full moons in the same calendar month. The next one won’t be until 2018, so it really only happens ‘once in a blue moon’.
It’s interesting how the word ‘moon’ features in many common sayings and phrases. For example,’ once in a blue moon’ refers to something extremely rare.
Other ‘moon’ based idioms can mean striving for the best, longing for something, pining for something, extravagant promises, being extremely happy or can relate to the length of a lunar cycle (around a calendar month).
One common term based on a lunar month is ‘honeymoon’ (a word used a lot in conjunction with our favourite topic of weddings!) This word is said to come from the 5th century when a man would have captured his bride. The couple would hide for a full cycle of the moon after the wedding. During this month the newlywed couple drank mead (or honey wine) which is believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
Nowadays, a honeymoon is the holiday that newlyweds choose to take after the wedding to celebrate their marriage and spend time alone together (and recover from the wedding!) Traditionally the honeymoon was organised and paid for by the groom.
Honeymoon destinations vary wildly from exotic or far flung places to romantic or sentimental locations. The world really is your oyster! If you’re going abroad, don’t forget to consider whether you’ll be travelling in your maiden name or married name (if you choose to change it). Whichever you decide, make sure your passport and tickets have the same name on them. See our checklist of other documents and organisations to tell about your change of name too.
So whether you’re planning your honeymoon now or you went ‘many moons ago’, we’re sure you’ll be ‘over the moon’ as your partner ‘promised you the moon’. Don’t ‘moon over’ the places you haven’t visited yet, instead make sure you ‘shoot for the moon’ and ensure your holidays away together are not just ‘once in a blue moon’.
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked the moon had turned to gold
Blue moon
Now I’m no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart 1934
