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

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 | 8, February, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 8th February 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week we’re feeling romantic – so share your proposal story for Vday inspiration #UKWedLunch
PROPOSAL IDEA 1: Say it with chocolates – put the ring inside a kinda egg! #UKWedLunch
PROPOSAL IDEA 2: Keep then guessing – good things come to those who wait! #UKWedLunch
PROPOSAL IDEA 3: Spell it out – in vegetable seeds and watch the message grow! #UKWedLunch
PROPOSAL IDEA 4: Whisk them away for a romantic weekend – just be careful with the ring in airport security #UKWedLunch
PROPOSAL IDEA 5: Say it with flowers – pick their favourites and make it personal #UKWedLunch
Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s day next week. Please do share your proposal stories with Hanami Dream #UKWedLunch
This week’s proposal stories are taken from ‘Real life proposal stories‘ #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘wedding dresses through the years’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

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 | 18, January, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 18th January 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week’s theme is ‘finding the right stationery for your budget’ – what things affect pricing? Thanks to Paper Tree Design #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Differences in service, technique and embellishments are what makes your stationery either basic or premium #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Level of service will effect pricing: the more bespoke and more time spent making it will make it expensive #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Weight (thickness), texture and finish of card will affect how much it costs, as well as how it’s printed #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: For every finish (especially ones done by hand) you add cost: hot foil, spot vanish, embossing, paper cut, trims (ribbon, twins, crystals etc) #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: DIY or stationery in kit form will save on price – get wedding party to help make them together #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Buy in bulk – think about all your stationery in one go from the outset rather than separate pieces at different times #UKWedLunch
This week’s #toptips are taken from ‘first impressions count‘ with thanks to Paper Tree Design #UKWedLunch
Take a look at more wedding stationery #toptips
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘Changing your name’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

by Hanami Dream | 11, January, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 11th January 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week’s theme is ‘TV & film weddings’ – what are your favs & which will affect trends in 2017 #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 1: What is your favourite wedding film? I love 4 Weddings and a Ffuneral, 27 Dresses & Bridesmaids!#UKWedLunch
QUESTION 2: What is your favourite tv wedding? For me, it’s Scott & Charlene’s in Neighbours! What entrance music! #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 3: Which wedding have influenced you the most? Gotta be royal weddings for me esp as Kate & Will for married same year as us #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 4: Which film genre will influence weddings the most in 2017? Comic book, romantic futurist, beach, medieval, 1920s? #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 5: 2017 looks set to be a year of blockbuster films & tv progs. Which will affect wedding trends? #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 6: What influence do you think the new Beauty & the Beast film will have on wedding themes? #UKWedLunch
This week’s #toptips are taken from ‘New Beginnings‘ #UKWedLunch
Take a look at more wedding trend predictions #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘finding right stationery for your budget’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT

by Hanami Dream | 4, January, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 4th January 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week’s theme is ‘wedding day advice’ #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Choose your team of attendants well and delegate #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Eat a good breakfast on your wedding day to keep you going #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Keep your guests fed, watered and entertained #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Build in a private moment after the actual wedding, to enjoy and savour a moment just for the two of you #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Adopt the ‘reverse wee’ so you don’t ruin your dress or dignity – straddle the toilet and face the cistern #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Don’t go away on honeymoon straight after your reception. Spend a relaxed day with a select few. #UKWedLunch
This week’s #toptips are taken from ‘Wedding Day advice from real brides and grooms‘ #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘TV & film weddings’ #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.

by Hanami Dream | 27, December, 2016 | news
- Top 10 Spring 2017 colours from Pantone®
- Top 13 local catering vans for weddings in the Cotswolds
- Inspiration: autumnal marsala & gold Wind in the Willows wedding
- Top 20 local wedding venues in the Cotswolds
- Local wedding suppliers at Cogges Manor Farm Wedding Open Day
- Pantone® announces Fashion Colour Report Fall 2016
- A complete blank canvas: our guide to tipi weddings
- Inspiration: rustic pink rose barn wedding
- Why am I called Hanami Dream?
- Alternative wedding guest book ideas