by Hanami Dream | 1, January, 2018 | blog, holy trinity of wedding planning, tips
Happy New Year! And huge congratulations to you if you’ve got engaged over the festive period.
Telling people your big news and flashing your new piece of jewellery is such an exciting time and it won’t be long until you’ll be asked (again and again) when is your big day.
So here’s a little help with picking a date for your special day (and take a look at this useful guide to setting the date too).
Make sure you think about what else is going on in the world such as national, local and annual events including:
- Public holidays
- Sporting events
- Royal occasions
- Other people’s occasions (like birthdays, wedding anniversaries and religious festivals)
Here’s a list of some events (in England) in 2018 that could influence your choice of dates:
- New Year’s Day 1 January
- Epiphany 6 January
- Orthodox Christmas Day 7 January
- Orthodox New Year 14 January
- Burns Night 25 January
- Winter Olympics 9-25 February
- Shrove Tuesday 13 February
- Valentine’s Day 14 February
- Chinese New Year 16 February dog
- St David’s Day 1 March
- International Women’s Day 8 March
- Mother’s Day 11 March
- St Patrick’s Day 17 March
- First Day of Spring 20 March
- Boat Race 24 March
- Clocks go forward 25 March
- Good Friday 30 March
- Passover 30 March – 7 April
- April Fool’s Day 1 April
- Easter Day 1 April
- Easter Monday 2 April
- London Marathon 22 April
- St George’s Day 23 April
- May Day Bank Holiday 7 May
- Ramadan begins 15 May
- Royal Wedding 19 May
- FA Cup Final 19 May
- Spring Bank Holiday 28 May
- Trooping the colour 9 June
- Eid 14-15 June
- Father’s Day 17 June
- Royal Ascot 19-23 June
- First Day of Summer 21 June
- Wimbledon 2 – 15 July
- Independence Day 4 July
- Henley Regatta 4 – 8 July
- British Grand Prix 8 July
- Summer Bank Holiday 27 August
- First Day of Autumn 23 September
- Diwali 19 October
- Clocks go back 28 October
- Guy Fawkes 5 November
- Remembrance Day 11 November
- Thanksgiving 22 November
- St Andrew’s Day 30 November
- Hanukkah 2-10 December
- First Day of Winter 21 December
- Christmas Day 25 December
- Boxing Day 26 December
Enjoy celebrating in 2018 and I wish you a very Happy New Year.
by Hanami Dream | 27, December, 2017 | news
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-10-fall-2017-colours-from-pantone/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-10-spring-2017-colours-from-pantone/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-local-catering-vans-for-weddings-in-the-cotswolds/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-local-wedding-favour-suppliers-in-the-cotswolds/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-autumnal-marsala-gold-wind-in-the-willows-wedding/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-modern-edwardian-secret-garden-wedding/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-vintage-literary-afternoon-tea-wedding/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/have-your-wedding-cake-and-eat-it/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-20-local-wedding-venues/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/alternative-wedding-guest-book-ideas/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-english-country-garden-wedding/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/inspiration-festival-wedding/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-local-wedding-transport-suppliers-in-the-cotswolds-get-me-to-the-church-on-time/
- https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/top-spring-2018-colours-from-pantone/
by Hanami Dream | 17, October, 2017 | tools
Everyone has a different sized budget which varies based on what you choose for your day.
As with most elements of the wedding day, each component can be prioritised in order to put the focus where you want it to go. Bear in mind that within each category of your budget you have a range of price points you could choose depending on the quality (ie you could pick caviar or chips for your food! You could arrive by helicopter or have your mate’s dad drop you off in his car.)
Overall wedding budgets are on the rise. The average cost of a wedding in the UK (outside of London) is currently £27,000. The largest part of the wedding budget is spent on catering, the venue, photography, the wedding dress and entertainment – in that order.
As a guide, I tend to suggest to couples that they allocate around 35% of their overall wedding budget (£9,450 of a £27,000 budget) to cover all aspects of the reception (to include cake, décor, drink, favours, food, furniture and venue hire costs).
Other areas of the budget should include these categories:
- Ceremony
- Reception
- Entertainment
- Attire
- Rings
- Photography
- Flowers
- Stationery
- Transport
- Gifts
- Hen/stag parties
- Honeymoon (optional)
Take a look at an example of a wedding budget in percentage terms and please contact me if you’d like to see a further breakdown of costs.
For more about the money side of things, take a look at the holy trinity of wedding planning: how much.
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by Hanami Dream | 16, October, 2017 | blog, holy trinity of wedding planning, tips
So far in the series, I’ve introduced the three key aspects of planning a wedding that pretty much affect every other thing that is connected with your big day. These are who, where and how much (otherwise known as your guests, venue and budget). This group of three things are very much intertwined. Plus when you hold your wedding is connected too! As previously covered (in the who and where posts), nearly all the decisions you have to make about your wedding will come back to one, two or all of the elements in what I class as ‘the holy trinity of wedding planning’.
This post deals with the tricky topic of money and how to allocate and prioritise your budget.
For example, where you have your wedding will affect the cost, as a wedding abroad, a local hotel wedding or a rustic barn venue will all vary considerably in price.
Likewise, when you have your wedding will incur different price structures, especially for venues. Different times of the year vary in price and peak season (summer months in the UK) will be more expensive than winter or off peak times. Less popular days of the week are often cheaper than weekend days.
Finally, who you invite or how many guests will obviously have an impact – the more you invite, the more it will cost.
There’s often a perception that anything labelled ‘wedding’ will be more expensive. In certain areas, I don’t believe that the type of event that you’re holding should affect the costs. However, I do understand that a wedding is a really special day and so it demands a certain level of consideration, time and effort to create the special day the couple have envisaged. Couples do have a greater expectation for this life changing event (that they’ll hopefully only do once) and so this will mean more attention from suppliers which can often increase costs to cover additional involvement and interaction.
So, how much will your wedding cost?
Well, this is like asking how long is a piece of string? Because everyone has a different sized budget and it can vary based on what you choose for your day.
As with most elements of the wedding day, each component can be prioritised in order to put the focus where you want it to go. Bear in mind that within each category of your budget you have a range of price points you could choose depending on the quality (ie you could pick caviar or chips for your food! You could arrive by helicopter or have your mate’s dad drop you off in his car.)
Overall wedding budgets are on the rise. The average cost of a wedding in the UK (outside of London) is currently £27,000. The largest part of the wedding budget is spent on catering, the venue, photography, the wedding dress and entertainment – in that order.
As a guide, I tend to suggest to couples that they allocate around 35% of their overall wedding budget (£9,450 of a £27,000 budget) to cover all aspects of the reception (to include cake, décor, drink, favours, food, furniture and venue hire costs).
Other areas of the budget should include these categories:
- Ceremony
- Reception
- Entertainment
- Attire
- Rings
- Photography
- Flowers
- Stationery
- Transport
- Gifts
- Hen/stag parties
- Honeymoon (optional)
Take a look at an example of a wedding budget in percentage terms and please contact me if you’d like to see a further breakdown of costs.
Fixed costs
Pivotal to all your planning is how much money you have to play with. This will determine whether you can go to town or be a bit more creative and diy some elements yourself. How much you have to spend will definitely factor in to how many people you can invite, where you can afford and what they can eat.
There are some costs that won’t change no matter how many people are at your wedding. These are called fixed costs such as:
- Ceremony fee
- Decorations
- Entertainment
- Insurance
- Photography
- Rings
- Venue hire costs
- Wedding dress
Variable costs
There are a number of costs that will alter depending on how many people are enjoying them. As well as the number of guests, you should also consider the size of your bridal party too. These variable costs include:
- Accommodation
- Cake
- Drinks
- Favours
- Food
- Flowers (for attendants)
- Gifts
- Stationery (such as invitations, menus, orders of services, name places etc)
- Suits and dresses for the bridal party
- Transport
Here are my top tips for planning and managing your wedding budget:
- Ascertain how much money you have available
- Determine who is paying or contributing and by how much
- Decide whether to include your honeymoon in the wedding budget costs
- Set a budget
- Stick to the budget
- Have a contingency of about 10%
- Determine the size of your bridal party (and who is paying for all elements of their attire etc)
- Calculate number of guests attending
- Prioritise the budget categories to ascertain your ‘must haves’ versus your ‘nice to haves’
- Adjust the budget according to your priorities
- Research costs – get at least three quotes for each item for comparison
- Work out your fixed costs
- Calculate the difference in variable costs depending on the number of guests attending
- Confirm when and how much deposits and instalment are payable
- Ask about cancellation fees and timings
- Write down what you’ve paid, when you’ve paid it and what you’ve still to pay
- Include tips for waiting staff etc
- Remember it’s just one day and focus on what is really important – your life together!
With the who, where and how much at the fore front of your mind, you can set the date and everything else can fall in to place so you can start planning all the other finer details. Take a look at this handy wedding planning timeline to see when you need to plan for other elements of the wedding day.
Please contact me if you’d like further help and guidance with your budget allocation and a budget spreadsheet template to help with all aspects of your wedding planning.
by Hanami Dream | 27, July, 2017 | blog, tips, traditions
I’m gettin’ married in the morning
Ding-dong the bells are gonna chime
We’ll have a whopper, pull out the stopper
Get me to the church on time
I’ve got to get there in the morning
Spruced up and lookin’ in my prime
Pull out your compass, kick up a rompass
Get me to the church on time
As the old Frank Sinatra song says, it’s important to know where and when you’re getting married so you can get there in plenty of time. It’s worth thinking about how far away you live from the venue/s as well as the distance in between the ceremony and reception locations too. Think about how far the venues are not only in terms of miles but also timings. Depending on what time of day you’re getting married it may conflict with rush hour or school runs that could affect traffic and people travelling between locations. (See more about when and where in my Holy Trinity of Wedding Planning series.)
Traditionally, couples used to walk to the church together (and then on to the reception too) or splash out on a horse and carriage (just like in the famous Daisy Daisy song below). Then before people owned cars the ushers were responsible for organising transport for all guests.
Nowadays, here are some of the wedding party that you need to consider transport for:
From home to ceremony
- bride and giver-away
- bride’s mother & bridesmaids
- groom & best man
To reception
- bride & groom
- bride’s parents & bridesmaids
- best man & other guests
From reception
- bride’s parents
- bride & groom
- best man
Another tradition of tying cans or shoes to the back of the going away car stems from the old tradition of throwing boots at the newly weds. It was considered lucky if you managed to hit the carriage as they rode off. Before then, shoes were given to the groom by the bride’s family to symbolise handing over the responsibility of the bride.
Nowadays couples choose to have at least one special mode of transport to make a statement for the bride’s entrance (and again for after the ceremony). Whether that is horse drawn carriage, an old fashioned car, a limousine, a vespa, a big red bus for your guests or something a little more unusual.
Here’s my pick of some brilliant local suppliers in and around Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds that can help get you to the church on time:
2CV Wedding Cars
If you are looking for something truly unique for your wedding day then look no further than our 3 beautiful Citroen 2CVs.
Established in 2011 and having just celebrated our 5th Anniversary, we are a family run business with bases in Hereford and Leicester supplying our iconic Citroen 2CVs to weddings across England and Wales.
These chauffeur driven cars are available for hire exclusively to yourselves for the day, we do not book more than one wedding per car a day.
They are decorated with Ivory ribbons and bows as standard but can be requested in any colour to match your theme, just married sign in the back window following the ceremony and vintage style bunting in the car if requested.
So whether your wedding be classic, vintage, French themed or something completely different we will be happy to discuss all details and options with yourselves.
@2cvweddingcars
2cvweddingcars
@2cvweddingcars
@2cvweddingcars
Bainton Bikes
Bainton Bikes is an independently owned cycle hire and tours company with a shop in Oxford and self-service hire hubs throughout the Cotswolds & Cheltenham. We have been operating since 2009 and we specialise in offering cycle hire, tours and holidays for all ages and abilities providing a safe, fun and memorable experience for everyone. Take a look at our reviews on Trip Advisor.
Here is where you get your bicycle made for two!
@baintonbikes
@BaintonBikes
@baintonbikes
British Classic Car Hire
From a life full of motorsport and petrol-headism, and a love of classic cars, British Classic Car Hire was born. Angela, your chauffeuse, is owner-operator and see’s to it that every bride and groom get to enjoy the ride and feel extra special for their first wedded journey.
Angela’s “girls” are stunning examples from a different age… true vintage beauties, and having been built in Coventry are true British Classic cars. “Hester” the 1935 Humber 16/60 is gorgeous in her Black and Old English White Art Deco styled splendidness! (and also featured in my Wind in the Willows shoot as seen above) “Dolly” the 1938 EL24 Daimler is resplendent in French Navy and Old English White. The young lady of the bunch is “Ruby” the pictured Classic 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I. Travel in classic style with Angela and her “girls”.
@britishclassiccarhire
Cotswold Balloon Safaris
We attend a lot of weddings but not in the capacity of transport. We provide a unique and fun entertainment for guests to take tethered rides and to go inside and explore what makes balloons work. We find what we provide works best in between the end of the wedding breakfast / speeches and the start of the evening phase. Most guests appreciate a chance to stretch their legs, get a bit of fresh air and the staff also enjoy being able to clear away and re organise the room ready for the evening’s events.
@CotsBallSafaris
@CotswoldBalloonSafaris
Cotswold Tuk Tuk
Cotswold Tuk Tuk was launched in 2017 by Chris Webb as an alternative form of wedding transport. The brand new Thai style tuk tuk is stunning blue with beautiful ivory seating. It can seat up to 6 passengers so is ideal for a range of options including bride and bridesmaids; groom, best man and ushers; or shuttle runs for guests between a ceremony and reception venue.
Chris can decorate the tuk tuk with different bunting and ribbon, or anything else you want to make your day bespoke. He takes great care to make sure it is looking on point, and if the weather does turn it has fitted rain covers. Discover the rustic charm of the tuk tuk for your big day.
@cotswoldtuktuk
@cotswoldtuktuk
Kushi Cars
Getting married in and around the Cotswolds? Looking for a totally unique way to get to your wedding? Well, you’ve just found our fabulous and ever so kitsch Indian Ambassador wedding car. Kushi means happiness in Hindi, and with our vintage Ambassador, our mission is to make you even happier on your wedding day. Reminiscent of a Morris Minor on the outside, our Kushi Car has bumpers festooned with exotic flowers and an interior decorated in rich fabrics of red and gold.
Established in 2010, we have been hired for weddings at venues all over the Cotswolds and beyond, including Cripps Barn, Kingscote Barn, Stone Barn and Pitville Pump Rooms to name a few. Previously a London Karma Kar, we changed our name to Kushi Cars in 2013.
Based in the regency town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, we travel throughout the Cotswolds. We also drive to Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, The West Midlands, Bristol and Bath. Further afield is possible on request.
@KushiCars
kushicars
@KushiCars
@kushicars
Rusty & Roses – Classic VW Camper Wedding and Event Hire
Rusty and Roses is a vintage events and hire company. They have two restored classic camper vans, a campervan photo booth, ice cream hire and venue decorations services. Located in Thatcham Berkshire. Hiring unique split screen camper called “Rusty” and a VW Bay window “Roses”. Covering all areas and love to assist your wedding in any ways we can.
@rustyandroses
@rustyandroses
@rustyandroses
Quirky Gertie Vintage Caravan
Looking for something really special for your wedding day? Do you love everything vintage, and the classic English countryside? If so, meet Quirky Gertie!
Gertie is a 1968 Carlight Cassetta caravan, beautifully restored, and ready to be the part of your special day.
She will make a beautiful setting for your informal, behind the scenes photos. Pre-wedding or post wedding family and friends photo shots.
New for 2017, we can provide a photo booth option, with a photographer, and on site printing. Producing quality post card photos for your guests to take away on the day.
We can also provide bespoke catering with anything from a cream to one of our ‘Proper Hampers’ for sharing. All our food is locally sourced and home- made to order.
If it’s unusual transport to and from your wedding venue that you need, we have just added another 1960’s classic to our stable. Molly the Morris Minor, who can be hired with a driver for your special day.
If you are interested in hiring Gertie, or Molly please have a look at our website or any of our social media, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch….we are here to help make your day how you see it.
@quirkygertie
Quirky Gertie Vintage Caravan and Photobooth
@quirkygertie
The Wedding Chauffeur
Award-winning wedding chauffeur car hire in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Royal Forest of Dean, Worcestershire, Wye Valley.
1960s design British carriages of distinction including Rolls-Royce & rare 7-seater limousine
Tip – Dooooo book a car (or two or three), fabulous added value for memorable photographs (especially dare it rain) & that priceless time straight after being married, just the two of you.
Tradition – getting it right, being just so … alike the Butler in Downton, it is the expert chauffeur who ensures that the Bride, the priceless gem of the day, arrives suitably & appropriately late.
Trend – For quite a time now the in thing has been to choose something whacky, a Beauford, a Camper Van, a red London bus, a helicopter or a parachute, so the classic white Rolls has become the cool rarity, the head-turning wow-factor.
Tastefully done, The Wedding Chauffeur takes pride in being the quintessential English gentleman, immaculately turned out in tweeds, cravat, sober suit, your choice, The Wedding Chauffeur devotes time and attention to every detail, from brushing the sheepskin over-rugs to providing emergency needle & thread & confetti, ‘you name It’, getting it right for you is the rewarding challenge on your very special day.
It is not just driving a car that won The Wedding Chauffeur the ‘Best Transport’ Three Counties Supplier Award 2016.
The Wedding Chauffeur
And not forgetting these selection of other modes of transport too:
Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I’m half crazy,
All for the love of you.
It won’t be a stylish marriage
I can’t afford a carriage
But you’ll look sweet
Upon the seat
Of a bicycle made for two.
by Hanami Dream | 6, April, 2017 | tools, traditions
Take a break from tradition with this handy guide to modern alternatives to personalise your wedding.
- DRESS IN WHITE: Will your dress be white/ivory or will you break with tradition?
- MATCHING BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Will your bridesmaids have matching dresses or will you mismatch styles or colours?
- UNLUCKY TO SEE BRIDE BEFORE THE WEDDING: Will you opt to capture a ‘first look’ shot instead of following this tradition?
- THROWING THE BOUQUET: Will you throw your flowers or give them to longest married guests after anniversary dance?
- TOP TABLE: Will you sit your parents, best man and chief bridesmaid at the front or have your own table to yourself?
- WEDDING GIFTS: Will you ask for things for the home or experiences or honeymoon vouchers?
Whichever customs and traditions you decide to incorporate into your big day, Hanami Dream wish you health, wealth, happiness and all the very best in your married life.
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 | 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 | 13, February, 2017 | blog, tips
Gifts for your guests can be great mementos or souvenirs of your wedding day showing a token of your appreciation whilst also matching your theme or colour scheme. Nowadays couples are choosing more unique, personalised, dated and themed gifts. There is also a wonderful trend of providing charity pins to guests and making a donation to a chosen charity.
Here’s a pick of some of my current favourite favours to: eat, meet, keep or have as a treat.
- Edible
- Traditional sugared almonds
- Chocolate bars with personalised wrappers
- Retro sweets (think flyer saucers, dip dabs and flumps)
- Loveheart sweets (brought up to date with new slogans such as ‘text me’!)
- Lollipops in a communal bowl on the table
- Cake pops
- Ice breakers
- Games to play with other guests on the same table
- Cameras to snap candid shots
- Colouring books to keep children entertained
- To wear at wedding
- Flip flops for when your heels are hurting your dancing feet
- Sun glasses for an outside wedding on a sunny day
- Umbrellas for an outside wedding when the weather isn’t as sunny
- Moustaches just for fun
- Temporary tattoos
- Grow
- Packets of seeds to grow vegetables
- Dried herbs to add to meals at home
- Succulents or other potted plants
- Drink
- Alcohol miniatures
- Loose leaf tea
- Shot glass
- Decorations
- Scented candles
- Soap
- Fridge magnets to always remember the couples’ wedding anniversary
Plus take a look at these brilliant local suppliers that can bring a different angle to provide some wonderful favours:
Fab Fudge
FabFudge was created in August 2016 on the back of an idea, to help fundraise for Reboot Me With HSCT – A Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser.
It originally started with us making Fudge for friends and family who bought it and everyone loved it!
With over 25+ different types and flavours of fudge, including Vegan friendly, Gluten Free & Alcoholic , we have a wide range of fudge suited for just about everyone, and were constantly increasing our range. The chocolate we use is only the best UTZ Certified Belgium Chocolate, therefore when you buy our fudge, you are getting the best chocolate around! If you cannot find something that you like or you want to give us a suggestion for something we can make, get in touch with us and we’ll do our best to make it for you! We also cater for events, if you want more information please get in touch with us.
We can deliver to a wide range of places all over the world. All profit made from FabFudge goes to Reboot Me With HSCT – Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis treatment.
@FabFudge_UK
@fabfudgeUK
@fabfudge_uk
Magnifisense
Our fragrance work shop has all always worked well for corporates and stag/hen parties, but we realised there was a gap in the market to turn these into favours for wedding guests or special occasions as table presents.
We talk about the fragrance the couple would like to create, whether it be unisex or a distinct aftershave or perfume and then take them through our 18 blends from Grasse in France (the home of perfume).
We create the fragrances with their choices, sorting out the measurements of each blend. They then have a 30ml atomiser (or larger in their chosen style) or choose either 5ml or 10 ml bottles as the wedding favours. This can also be made into scented candles, room sprays or even scented love hearts or ornaments.
Needless to say the packaging and colours can tie up with their desired coloured scheme. The fragrance then has a certificate and kept on our database if they would like refills or their guests. We work Nationwide and can work in their homes, or hotels or wherever they choose. We are also developing a do it yourself kit for lower budgets, where the couple can receive all the instructions and equipment and make them themselves.
@Magnifisense5
@magnifisense5
@magnifisense5
MuffatPrague
MuffatPrague started life as a sonic and visual arts blog in 2011.
After a lifetime’s love of the letterform, all things typographic and a couple of decades of working independently in creative spheres, designer-maker team Rob and Hils decided to start hand-craft letters from their garden studio in 2014. Their Oiseaux, a simple bird form designed by Rob has now become their brand identity and signature design. Their work is handmade from locally sourced reclaimed ply, walnut and oak, finished with Farrow & Ball Eggshell and Oxfordshire beeswax.
They were voted Best Creative Producer (Bucks/Oxon) in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2016 and have new ideas coming for 2017 – keep an eye on their website and Instagram feed for more info.
The birds are available in 4 sizes with a single brass leg fitting or bakers twine loop.
@muffatprague
@MuffatPrague
@muffatprague
NC Oxford
NC Oxford is Oxfordshire’s finest producer of luxury scented candles and reed diffusers. All of our products are lovingly hand poured in our workshop located near the historic town of Woodstock. We use the finest quality ingredients including natural soy based waxes to give our candles a slow clean burn. We combine our wax with the most luxurious fragrance oils, expertly balanced, to produces wonderful aromas. Our products’ simple but stylish design will compliment any room or occasion effortlessly. When given as a gift, it will make a lasting impression.
For your wedding day, we are able to produce a commemorative and bespoke range of candles and have candles to suit all budgets. Choose from:
- The “Bride & Groom” – a large 3 wick candle which will have burn time of over 70 hours
- The “Mother of the Bride”, “Maid of Honour/Best Man”- our luxury 220g signature candle, with a burn time of 40-50 hours
- Wedding favour votives – our smaller, but elegant 90g votive candle, with a burn time of 15 hours
- Wedding favour tea lights – deep filled luxury tea lights. Each tea light has a burn time of 3-4 hours
All of our jar candles some with stainless steel “snuffer” lids. As well as being a stylish addition, the snuffer lids help to keep the fragrance strong in the candles so they can keep for years without losing their wonderful scents.
To make your wedding favours extra special, we can include your name and the date of the wedding on our designer labels, ensuring that you and your guests can cherish the candles forever. Simply choose your favourite scent from our “Special Occasions”, “Quintessentially Oxford” or “Timeless” range.
@nc_oxford
@ncoxford
@ncoxford
Perfect Pamper Gifts
Perfect Pamper Gifts pride themselves on offering personal and thoughtful gifts. When it comes to gifts, we all want to give our loved ones something that’s unique, personal and not found in bulk on the high street. A grand gesture isn’t so grand when you can see your gift in every other shop after all.
Specialising in bath, body and pampering treats, all of the products are handmade within the UK so you really can experience the best the UK has to offer. Offering luxurious bath bombs to irresistible candle tins and a whole lot more, Perfect Pamper Gifts provide the perfect pampering gift for all occasions. A ‘create your own’ facility means your gift can be packaged how you like, tied with a bow and finished with a message to make it as personal as you wish. A gift becomes memorable when its personal.
@pamper_gifts
@PerfectPamperGifts
@pamper_gifts
Stonesfield Soap Company
Stonesfield Soap Company is a small, family-run business based in in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. It started off as a hobby, following on from our daughter’s 9th birthday party (a ‘spa science’ party, making bath fizzies, melt & pour soap etc), and as a concerned response to the huge number of unnecessary chemicals found in toiletries today. Since then, it has grown into a business driven by a passion for the manufacture of natural, artisan cold-process soap with an emphasis on design. The maxim that ‘beautiful skin deserves beautiful soap’ is at the forefront of what we do, with a firm belief that a good, natural soap should not only leave the skin feeling gently cleansed and perfectly conditioned but should also provide a positive visual experience, with the design of the soap playing an important role. The inclusion of various botanicals, clays, milks and a wide range of pure nutrient and essential oils, all carefully chosen for their individual properties, helps us create a very special soap indeed. We employ a strong ‘no palm oil’ policy and actively support a local conservation charity that works out in Sumatra. As well as soap, we are continually expanding our range of bath and skincare products, such as balms, bath bombs, salts and oils.
@StonesfieldSoap
stonesfieldsoap
@StonesfieldSoap
@stonesfieldsoap
Wildflower Favours
Wildflower Favours are all about eco weddings, butterflies, bees, wildflowers and nature! We supply recycled seed packet wedding favours, personalised with the bride and groom’s wedding details, and containing British-grown British wildflower seeds. Seeds which our native butterflies and bees love! We also create lovely invites and wedding favours from recycled seed paper – paper which is embedded with flower seeds and really grows into flowers! We want to spread the word about the environment and giving nature a helping hand and weddings are ideal for reaching a big audience and converting people to the beauty and usefulness of wildflowers.
@wildfavours
@Wildflowers.Favours
Wildflowers Wedding Favours
@Wildflower_Wedding_Favours
WrapperStar
Personalised Chocolate Bars from WrapperStar are a fantastic & cost-effective way of adding a truly personal touch to your wedding reception tables. It’s a great wedding favour that all ages will love, & can be tailored to your theme/colour-scheme as well as being individually personalised to double up as your place settings too.
Each bar is 10 chunks of smooth creamy milk chocolate (made in the UK) & is a lovely token gift that can be personalised on both the front & back of the wrapper. Choose from an existing design or have a bespoke wrapper created just for you to match your wedding stationery – with pearlescent papers, diamante or pearl embellishments and the option to use your own artwork, the possibilities are endless!
Why not inject some extra fun into the speeches with WrapperStar’s Wonka Bar wedding favours? Imagine the excitement when the golden tickets are found! Please ask for more details.
Based in Witney, Oxfordshire, WrapperStar delivers throughout the UK & Europe.
@WrapperStar
@WrapperStar
Plus here’s a few other local suppliers to check out:
by Hanami Dream | 25, January, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 25th January 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week’s theme is ‘Changing your name’ – if, how, what, where and when! #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Decide if one or both will change surname when married. Who’s surname to take? Double barrel? Mesh? Brand new? #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Legally you can use any name but to use new name on documents you need marriage certificate or deed poll to prove it #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Can change passport before wedding (but can wait until it expires) – just remember name on tickets must match name on passport #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Must change name on driving licence asap to avoid a fine – its free #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Update your details on electoral roll so you can still vote #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Should be free to update your details with banks, utility companies, employers, doctors, dentist, sports clubs, loyalty cards etc #UKWedLunch
This week’s #toptips are taken from ‘All change – checklist when changing your name’ #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘wedding cakes’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
by Hanami Dream | 1, January, 2017 | blog, holy trinity of wedding planning, tips
Happy New Year!
I love this time of year. It’s when our metaphorical diary is full of blank pages yet unwritten.
For lots of people, the new year is a popular time to book holidays, make resolutions, kick start a new healthy regime and start thinking about personal special occasions that we have coming up.
Plus the start of the year often spurs people to pop the question and/or kickstart their wedding planning.
Huge congratulations to you if you’ve got engaged over the festive period.
Telling people your big news and flashing your new piece of jewellery is such an exciting time and it won’t be long until you’ll be asked (again and again) when is your big day.
So here’s a little help with picking a date for your special day (and take a look at this useful guide to setting the date too).
Make sure you think about what else is going on in the world such as national, local and annual events including:
- Public holidays
- Sporting events
- Royal occasions
- Other people’s occasions (like birthdays, wedding anniversaries and religious festivals)
Here’s a list of some events (in England) in 2017 that could influence your choice of dates:
- New Year’s Day 1 January
- Epiphany 6 January
- Orthodox Christmas Day 7 January
- Orthodox New Year 14 January
- Burns Night 25 January
- Chinese New Year 28 January
- Valentine’s Day 14 February
- Shrove Tuesday 28 February
- St David’s Day 1 March
- St Patrick’s Day 17 March
- First Day of Spring 20 March
- Clocks go forward 26 March
- Mother’s Day 26 March
- April Fool’s Day 1 April
- Boat Race 2 April
- Passover 11-18 April
- Good Friday 14 April
- Easter Day 16 April
- Easter Monday 17 April
- St George’s Day 23 April
- London Marathon 23 April
- May Day Bank Holiday 1 May
- FA Cup Final 27 May
- Spring Bank Holiday 29 May
- Royal Ascot 16-20 June
- Father’s Day 18 June
- First Day of Summer 21 June
- Eid 26 June
- Henley Regatta 28 June – 8 July
- Wimbledon 3 – 16 July
- Independence Day 4 July
- British Grand Prix 7-9 July
- Summer Bank Holiday 28 August
- First Day of Autumn 22 September
- Diwali 19 October
- Clocks go back 29 October
- Guy Fawkes 5 November
- Remembrance Day 11 November
- Thanksgiving 23 November
- St Andrew’s Day 30 November
- Hanukkah 13-20 December
- First Day of Winter 21 December
- Christmas Day 25 December
- Boxing Day 26 December
Enjoy celebrating in 2017 and I wish you a very Happy New Year.
