Guide to Jersey Weddings 2012

The most comprehensive local wedding guide | edition 11

Anna Trigg Haute Couture Ian Stuart Suzanne Neville Maggie Sottero Dessy Rainbow Couture Ugo Zaldi Nicola Anne Alfred Sung Cynthia Rowley

Introduction The Guide to Jersey Weddings

I am very pleased to have been asked to provide a brief introduction to the eleventh edition of this most useful publication. I know this booklet has proved to be of great assistance to many couples who have come to Jersey to be married as well as assisting couples living in the Island to arrange their wedding.

CONTENTS 1

INTRODUCTION

4

PLANNING A WEDDING IN JERSEY FROM UK

5

WEDDING TRADITIONS & ETIQUETTE

8

OPENING MOVES

10

WEDDING PLANNING

18

WHERE TO GET MARRIED

21

LIST OF CHURCHES

22

WEDDING JEWELLERY

24

PRINTING REQUIREMENTS

25

WEDDING LISTS & GIFTS

26

BE A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE

29

FLOWERS, PLANTS & DECORATIONS

32

PHOTOGRAPHY

34

CHOOSING THE VENUE & ENTERTAINMENT

46

CATERING

48

BEAUTY TREATMENTS

51

ARRIVING IN STYLE

53

HIRING OR BUYING

55

GUEST LISTS & SPEECHES

59

HONEYMOON

ersey is a beautiful and romantic Island, the perfect place for weddings. There are now over 30 venues on the Island licensed for civil marriages. These include many of the Island’s Manor Houses, Heritage Sites and leading Hotels, all of which provide a wonderful variety of romantic and beautiful settings for your special day.

J

Your wedding day is a very special occasion, probably one of the most important days in your life and, I hope one of the most memorable.

It is therefore very important for you to get your arrangements absolutely right. The information contained in this publication will help guide you through the many decisions you will have to make and introduce you to the professional people who will be able to assist you in making the right choice.

I hope that you will enjoy using this guide and that it will contribute to making your wedding day the perfect occasion that you hope it will be.

Sue Groves Superintendent Registrar

Published by Barnes Publishing Limited 18 Great Union Road, St Helier, Jersey C.I. JE2 3YA Editor: Ian Barnes Design & Production: Andy Manson Tel: (01534) 618166 ISBN: 0-9545714-9-5 Many thanks to Stuart McAlister Photographer for another great Front Cover shot on location at Elizabeth Castle. Also to Stuart Abraham for his Heritage image.

La Route de la Haule ~ Beaumont ~ St Peter ~ Jersey ~ JE3 7BA Tel 01534 877304 ~ www.annatrigg.com ~ annajtrigg@gmail.com

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

1

JERSEY WEDDINGS PROMOTION

“Your Wedding but who pays?”

Tradition suggests the following, but this is your Wedding and anything goes!

BRIDE’S FAMILY • Bride’s Outfit

• Decorations

• Photographs/Video

• Venue/Marquee

• Bridal Cars

• Wedding Cake

• Catering and Wine

• Invitations

• Gifts For Bridesmaids

Ticking all the Boxes With so much to consider on your big day it is reassuring to know that there is a company out there that actually does tick all the boxes.

Niche Events have delivered over 200 weddings in both traditional & glamorous venues including private ones, and are certain to offer you the confidence and experience you need on your special day.

Trudy will meet with you to discuss your wedding in detail, liaise with you throughout offering you any advice you may need along the way, and will then arrive with her team of

George & Katie Lumley - Durrell Photographer - Dave Ferguson

professionals to ensure your day runs the way you planned it together, from the moment your guests arrive until the last one leaves. Effortless ‘on day’ management, sumptuous food & beverage offerings and a selection of service options pieced together with seamless flow.

Our transparent pricing policy has always been a winner with all our clients.

David & Jo Jarvis - Mont Orgueil Castle Photograper: www.nataliemayer.com

Brian & Claire Brown - Private Residence Photographer: www.nataliemayer.com

Niche Events can also arrange a Private Tasting Session to help you with your decision making.

For further details contact Niche Events,14 Mulcaster Street, St Helier. Telephone 737733 or 07797 729292.

E: nicheevents@yahoo.com www.nicheevents.com

Chris & Catherine Twohig - St Ouen's Manor Photographer: Private

What wedding boxes do we tick?

Champagne & Canapés Reception?

• Champagne/Pimms & other Drinks Receptions • An array of tasty Canapés available Food & Beverage Options?

• Sit Down 3 course • Buffet 3 Course • Split Sit Down/Buffet • Evening Finger Buffet • Flexible Options – Different styles of Cuisine

GROOM’S FAMILY • Ceremony/Legal Expenses

• Car to Church for Groom/Best Man

• Ring

• Car to Reception For Bride & Groom

• Bouquets

• First Night Hotel

• Music/Entertainment

• Honeymoon

Quality of Service/Table Design?

Trudy and her team will arrange an impeccable table for you and a team of professionals will arrive to deliver your Wedding Experience.

Wedding & Cocktail Bars?

Niche Events have their own Wedding & Cocktail Bars and are fully licensed to serve Non or Paying Bars at any location.

Otherwise you may wish to hire some lit bars which we can arrange for you.

When planning your wedding, you need go no further than using the advertisers in this guide, as between them all they offer the full package and best advice -

please support them.

Lee & Lesley Bosio - Château Vermont Photographer: Photo Reportage

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Venue & Marquee Recommendation?

Our company operate from various venues and have a fantastic working relationship with both Marquee providers and the Venue Suppliers. We look forward to working closely with you to select the perfect Venue for your special day.

On day Event Management?

As part of the service, Niche Events offer On Day Event Management from beginning to end and are on hand to offer support with any decision making you may wish to make on Suppliers in the lead-up to and including your Wedding day.

Niche Events 14 Mulcaster Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3NJ T: 01534 737733 Mob: 07797 729292 F: 01534 625111 E: nicheevents@yahoo.com www.nicheevents.com

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Planning a Jersey Wedding from the UK

Traditions & Etiquette Tossing the Rice

With a plethora of unique venues, beautiful beaches and gorgeous countryside not to mention a wealth of restaurants serving gastronomic delights, Jersey is the perfect venue for a wedding. nd in recent years, this appeal has spread beyond residents with 124 couples travelling to the Island for their big days in 2010.

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One couple who chose Jersey for their wedding are Rachel Mitchell and Douglas Kimber from Durham who got married at Durrell in September 2011.

Explaining why they chose Jersey as the venue for their big day, Rachel said: ‘We wanted to get married away from the UK mainland so that we felt that we were having a proper break but we also wanted somewhere relatively close and English-speaking. With its simple marriage rules, Jersey matched our requirements perfectly. Douglas also had special memories of a childhood holiday in the Island.’

Sharing a passion for animals and conservation, Durrell was a natural choice for the couple whose special day was made even more memorable thanks to some unforgettable moments

organised by Chique Events and Durrell staff.

‘The staff at Durrell were brilliant,’ Rachel continued. ‘They even arranged for us to meet some of the animals after the ceremony. This unique opportunity enabled us to feed the marmosets. This made the day so different and special for us; we could not have asked for more.’

Another highlight of the day was a drinks reception after the wedding at which the couple and their guests enjoyed drinks and cupcakes while watching the ring-tailed lemurs.

While the thought of organising an overseas wedding may seem like a logistical nightmare, Douglas and Rachel did not experience any difficulties as a result of the long-distance planning.

‘Arranging the wedding from the UK was fairly straightforward,’ Rachel said.

‘Both Claire at Chique Events and the staff at the Office of the Superintendent Registrar gave us clear, easy to

understand guidance and help with the wedding planning itself. We made our own travel and accommodation arrangements and again, we found that there was plenty of choice and it was easy to organise.’

When asked what advice they would offer other non-residents planning a Jersey wedding, Douglas and Rachel said: ‘We would recommend using the services of Chique Events to give you peace of mind. It took a lot of stress away from us knowing that we had a professional company looking after our special day and the whole day went without a hitch’.

‘We would also advise couples to contact the Office of the Superintendent Registrar early on in the planning process so that they are clear of the procedures involved and understand the legal requirements. There is also lots of information available online at www.gov.je which is very useful for doing your research.’

Believing that newlyweds brought good luck, guests used to shower them with nuts and grains to be sure of a bountiful harvest for the village, and in a figurative sense for the newlyweds themselves. This has now become the throwing of paper confetti, the word coming from the Italian for “sweets,” which are thrown over newlyweds in Italy. The tradition, after many years, is currently believed to be in danger due to the mess it causes, which has led many churches and registry offices to ban its use. However it may be that the tradition merely needs to adapt itself once more; the more environmentally friendly wedding bubbles are rapidly becoming more and more popular.

Make sure that you’re prepared by asking your venue whether or not it allows paper confetti before the day of the ceremony.

The Bride Standing on the Left This tradition comes from the days when the groom would kidnap his bride to marry her. If she was standing on his

left, then he could hold her with his left arm and still have his right arm free to fight anyone who tried to stop the wedding.

The Bouquet Today the bride and bridesmaids carry bouquets on their way up the aisle, while some couples choose to include flower girls in their procession who traditionally carry smaller posies or baskets filled with flower petals.

Flowers have been a traditional part of wedding decorations for centuries, as in ancient times it was thought that strong smelling herbs and spices could be used to help drive off ill health and evil spirits, who may be jealous of the happy couple. Later, during the Roman era, flowers were used to symbolise fertility. Eventually flowers were given different meanings and used as a way of sending "love notes" in the form of bouquets, so that flowers are not always just chosen for colour, but also for their symbolic meaning. Shortly before the newly married couple leave the reception, the unmarried female guests should be gathered together, so that the

bride can throw her bouquet over her shoulder into the crowd. It is said that the woman who catches it will be the next to get married. Originally one of the bride’s shoes was used for this purpose, but thankfully nowadays flowers are used instead! The parallel tradition for the men is for the groom to throw the bride’s garter.

The Dress For any bride the dress will be an essential part of the happy day, and this importance is reflected in the many traditions and superstitions that surround that longed-for item! White was the colour the ancient Romans believed would ward off evil spirits.

At this time it had nothing to do with purity or virginity; in fact brides wore white partly as a tribute to Hymen, the goddess of fertility and marriage, who was said to like the colour white.

Queen Victoria revived the tradition of marrying in white by choosing this colour for her own wedding dress and shunning the then-traditional silver of the royal wedding. Her white satin gown, decorated with orange blossom

© Stuart Abraham

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5

TRADITIONS & ETIQUETTE and with an eighteen-foot train that she carried draped over one arm, was seen as the pinnacle of elegance, grace and beauty, and the tradition of the white, worn-only-once wedding gown was born. The superstition that the groom should not see the bride in her dress before the ceremony is widely known, but many also believe that the bride should not wear her entire outfit at any time before the wedding day itself, even if she just leaves a stitch undone on the dress or veil so that she can see how the entire outfit will look when put together. When the ceremony is over and the bride removes her dress, she should be sure to throw away any pins she used to hold bits of her outfit in place. It would be considered very unlucky to keep them.

Something Old, Something New… Another tradition involving the bride’s wedding outfit comes in the shape of this old rhyme dating from Victorian times:

Something old, something new Something borrowed, something blue And a silver sixpence in your shoe!

The “something old” was meant to represent the couple’s friends, who will hopefully remain close even as the couple begin their new lives together.

Traditionally this was the garter of a happily married woman, who would hopefully pass on some of her happiness to the newlyweds with the garter. Today

it is more likely to be some old family jewellery or her mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress.

“Something new” symbolises the newlyweds’ happy and prosperous future, while “something borrowed” is usually something valued by the bride’s family and reminds her that her family and friends will always be there when she needs them. This could be something another happy bride wore at her wedding. “Something blue” dates back to ancient Israel, where brides wore a blue ribbon in their hair to symbolise fidelity. The “silver sixpence” in the bride’s left shoe was to ensure wealth in the couple’s lives, although today some brides substitute this with a penny, silver sixpences being less common now than they were in Victorian times!

The Veil The origins of the veil are uncertain, as there are various traditions that it may descend from. Some think it was originally the blanket that grooms threw over their bride’s head as they abducted her in Saxon times. Others believe it may be from the days of arranged marriages, so that grooms could not see their bride until they were married, and therefore could not pull out of the arrangement! In Roman times it is thought that the veil was also designed to protect the bride from the aforementioned evil spirits, who would see her beauty and be jealous of it.

Whatever the origin, the tradition evolved that the veil would cover the

TRADITIONS & ETIQUETTE bride’s face throughout the ceremony, although nowadays very frequently the Father of the Bride lifts her veil when she arrives at the altar.

The Honeymoon Centuries ago, it was customary for the bride and groom to drink mead (wine made from honey) for a month after the wedding. A month was known as a “moon” – hence honeymoon. It is thought the tradition of going away for the honeymoon may also come from Old Saxon times, when men would abduct their wives-to-be and take them away to marry them. Later this was “civilised” to become the holiday after the wedding that it is today.

The Day Choosing a date is clearly essential for a wedding to take place. Various old rhymes and superstitions try to help couples to make this all-important decision. According to tradition, Wednesday is the best day of the week to be married on. When picking a month, June was considered to be the most fortunate because it was named for Juno, the Roman goddess of love and marriage. Summer time in general was considered a good time to marry, although people tried to avoid May weddings, (when the Romans celebrated the feast of the dead and the festival of the goddess of chastity), while those who married during the winter months were generally thought to be lucky.

The Cake The cake is a very ancient feature of the marriage feast. The richer the mixture the more abundant the marriage would be. The original mix was of sesame seed and honey. The first slice should always be cut by the bride and groom, and the top layer kept until the christening of the first child or the first anniversary of the wedding day.

The shape of the now traditional three-tier cake is thought to have been inspired by the spire of St Bride’s Church in London.

The Best Man He is the groom’s right hand man, who keeps the ring and ensures the groom gets to the church on time, not letting him return to the house he has left once he has started his journey to the

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church for any reason. Tradition advises that he also arranges to have a small mascot or charm to be placed in the groom’s pocket on the wedding day for good luck. He pays the church fees on behalf of the groom, preferably paying the church minister an odd sum of money to bring luck to the newlyweds!

He checks and ensures transport for all guests to the reception and that any travel arrangements for the honeymoon are in order. At the reception it is the best man’s honour to read any congratulatory messages as well as, of course, give his own speech. He and the chief bridesmaid traditionally join the newly married couple half way through the first dance. Throughout the day he will be available to help out with any need that arises, either sorting it out himself or delegating to an usher.

The Chief Bridesmaid She assists the bride to dress, holds the bouquet during the ceremony and organises other bridesmaids. Her role from the beginning is to be with the bride to help with initial decision making, offer advice and generally keep everyone calm as families get nervous, fractious and irritable as the wedding day approaches, as well as on the day itself! Originally the role of all the bridesmaids was simply to dress in a similar way to the bride, so as to confuse any evil spirits that came into the church, which wouldn’t be able to tell exactly who was getting married!

Later she became a kind of bodyguard, to shield the bride from thieves, before finally settling into her current role as honoured friend of the bride, helping her to get through the day with minimum stress, offering tissues, hair pins and lipstick as necessary throughout the day and helping to keep the day running smoothly. Nowadays some chief bridesmaids give a speech but it is not traditional as yet and will not happen at all weddings. As with the best man, the chief bridesmaid’s main job will be to take pressure off of the bride and groom by helping out with anything that comes up throughout the day, either sorting it out herself or delegating tasks to other bridesmaids.

The Ushers Their job is to hand out order of service sheets and show people to their seats for

the ceremony. Ushers generally help out throughout the day with any tasks that need doing, usually on the orders of the best man. This could involve anything concerning the guests or wedding arrangements, such as perhaps helping a guest in a wheelchair into their car, handing round drinks or lighting lanterns outside to prepare for the departure of the bride and groom.

The Bride’s Father He gives the bride away and receives guests at the reception. He pays for the wedding dress, bridesmaids’ dresses, cars (except the groom’s), photographs, church and reception flowers, invitations and press announcements. His is traditionally the first speech at the reception.

He buys flowers for his bride, bride’s mother, his own mother, bridesmaids and buttonholes for himself and the best man. He arranges and pays for transport for himself and the best man and for the bride and himself after the wedding.

The Bride’s Mother

Order Of Service

Is traditionally in charge of all proceedings. It is her responsibility to decide on the guest list together with the bridegroom’s mother and the venue for the reception, although naturally the couple themselves should be able to have their say as well. She handles any catering arrangements for the reception and ensures the wedding cake is ready.

The Minister will talk to you thoroughly about this and will be able to give plenty of advice concerning hymns, vows and anything else you may have queries about. Generally speaking, the service is split into six parts:

The Groom’s Parents Traditionally they play no role in the lead up to the wedding, and on the wedding itself are part of the wedding party but have no particular responsibility.

Today many couples choose to include the groom’s parents throughout the wedding process, and they will often contribute some money to the wedding in the same way as the bride’s parents.

The Bride And Groom The bride selects the type of service, decides on her dress and the bridesmaids’ attire, whilst the groom selects the best man and ushers, buys the ring and pays the church fees. He can also buy presents for the bridesmaids, best man and ushers as a gesture of gratitude for their help.

1. Introductory medley 2. Processional (entrance of the bride) 3. Hymns, marriage vows and prayers 4. Hymn or psalm blessing 5. Signing the register 6. Recessional As the wedding party leaves the church, the bride and groom should leave first, followed by the chief bridesmaid and best man, the bride’s mother with the bridegroom’s father, the bridegroom’s mother with the bride’s father, and finally any other bridesmaids and attendants.

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7

“The Opening Moves�

Here is a checklist of all the things you may need to do on the road to a successful wedding.

NB: Not all will be applicable. Decide exactly what sort of wedding you want first.

See the Vicar, arrange time, date & place.

Visit the Registry Office.

Set a realistic budget, agree who pays for what.

Decide on who to invite.

Consider buying wedding day insurance.

Agree reception venue and get written quotes.

Organise evening reception & entertainment.

Arrange special dietary needs with caterer.

Organise dates/venues for stag & hen nights.

Check with wine merchant for special wines or champagne etc.

Enquire about sale or return.

Arrange transport to church for bride, groom and entourage.

Check on parking availability at venues.

Arrange for any transport/accommodation needed for overseas guests.

Organise hairstyle with hairdresser and have a trial run.

Organise Beautician/Salon.

Choose wedding dress, shoes, hats and accessories.

Arrange wedding outfit for groom, bridesmaids, page boy, ushers etc.

Order wedding cake & cake boxes.

Organise flowers.

Contact local newspapers for announcements.

Collect the wedding license from the registrar.

Prepare responses to bride and groom.

Prepare toast to the bridesmaids.

Obtain registrars certificate if needed.

Book church bell ringers if required.

Arrange wedding gift lists with stores.

Check passport for validity & name changes.

Arrange necessary inoculations & visas.

Obtain traveller's cheques & foreign currency.

Practice speeches.

Arrange for collection of clothes, gifts & cake from the reception after the wedding.

Smile, Relax and have a Wonderful Day!

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HOW TO APPROACH YOUR BIG DAY

How to approach your big day Venues, music, dresses, menswear, caterers, photographers, cars, cakes…

The thought of a wedding inspires most people with excitement and warmth but for the couple making the arrangements, it can seem overwhelming. ith a list of suppliers and questions that just seems to grow the more you talk about it, it is easy for the initial excitement to give way to waves of panic. But if this sounds familiar, then now is the time to sit back and relax because with the help of Chique Events’ Wedding Planner Claire Bradbury, we have broken

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down this list into a step-by-step guide to planning your big day.

Setting the Scene The first thing to remember is that your wedding day is one of the biggest and most important days of your lives. Therefore, it is essential that the venue and tone of your

wedding matches your personalities and suits you as a couple.

Every decision you make should ensure that you both remain recognisable to your family and friends. This will also help you both to relax and get the maximum enjoyment out of your day.

To choose your venue(s), you first need to decide whether you want a church or civil ceremony. If you choose a church or Office of the Superintendent Registrar wedding, you will need to consider a separate venue for your reception.

If you opt for a civil wedding, you may be able to have the ceremony and the reception in the same place.

Booking your venue(s) is the first practical action to take as this will determine the tone of your wedding.

If there is a theme that you would like to apply to your wedding, this may help to dictate the venue you choose.

Catering If you choose a hotel or restaurant for your reception, then the catering is automatically taken care of although you will need to liaise with the venue’s representative a little later on to choose your menus and drinks.

For venues which require outside caterers, it is important that you book these as soon as you have secured the location. Again, your exact food and drink choices can be discussed closer to the day itself.

When sending out your guests’ invitations, it would be useful to ask whether anybody has any special dietary requirements. People can advise you of these with their replies which will enable you to give the caterer sufficient notice to plan alternative dishes if necessary.

Photography

Budget

Priorities

While the thought of juggling pounds and pence may not seem very romantic, it is essential that you set a realistic budget for your wedding as this will influence all the decisions you make later.

Once you have established your budget, you need to consider your priorities. For example, for a food or wine connoisseur, having fine wine and gourmet cuisine at the reception may be a priority while for another couple, the menu may be less important then the photography.

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Setting priorities at the beginning will help you to allocate your budget appropriately to ensure that on your day, you have everything that matters most to you.

Venue Key to ensuring that you feel ‘at home’ on your big day is choosing a venue in which you feel comfortable.

After booking your venue, one of the next priorities is to book your photographer. While there are several photographers in the Island, it is important to remember that most of them will only be able to cover one wedding each day so you need to get in touch with them early on.

As the photographs will be a permanent reminder of your big day, it is critical that you choose the right photographer for you. Again, your personalities will play a big part in making this decision. Do you want a more formal, traditional approach to your photography with lots of posed

©Mr & Mrs Dan Ferguson

shots or would you prefer a more casual reportage style?

To ensure the right match between you and your photographer, have a look at lots of different photographers’ portfolios and choose the one whose work you prefer. While the cost of the photography may seem daunting at first, most photographers offer several different wedding packages so make sure you choose a solution which matches your budget. Remember you can always order more photographs or a different album at a later date.

give many of your guests their first insight into the style of wedding you are planning.

Stationery

While in the UK invitations are typically sent out three months ahead of the wedding, it is advisable to allow slightly longer in Jersey, especially if you are inviting family or friends who live outside the Island as they will need to book travel and accommodation. For summer weddings, wait until the excitement of Christmas is finished and then send out the invitations in the new year to give people something to look forward to.

You are now making real progress and have already taken care of the most important and time-critical aspects.

By this stage, through your decisions regarding the venue, you have set the tone for your wedding and probably chosen a colour scheme or theme for your day.

(If you are worried about giving people enough time to plan their travel to your wedding, you can send out save the date cards before this.

Word-of-mouth or e-mailing a save the date notice to people is just as effective as a formal card.)

This means that you are now ready to choose your stationery. To maintain a consistency throughout your stationery, choose a supplier who can produce the full range of items in the design of your choice. Typical items of wedding stationery are the invitation cards, order of service booklets, place cards and seating plans for the reception, menu cards and thank you cards.

Do consider the design and style of your stationery as the invitations will

Other Suppliers Once you have ticked all these boxes, a lot of the pressure is alleviated. However, there are other suppliers who you will inevitably want and with a finite number of specialists in each field in Jersey, the sooner you contact people, the more chance you have of getting your first choice.

Some suppliers who you should think about contacting fairly early on are detailed page 12.

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HOW TO APPROACH YOUR BIG DAY

HOW TO APPROACH YOUR BIG DAY Musicians

Toast Master:

You will need to consider the sort of music you want for both the ceremony and the reception.

There are very few toast masters in the Island so if you want one at your wedding, secure his services early on in the planning stages.

Ceremonies typically include entry music for the bride and exit music for the couple. If you want a choir, soloist or quartet, for example, to provide this music, you will need to book them soon after securing the venue. As well as any music you may wish to intersperse with the readings and vows in the ceremony, choose two or three pieces of music which can be played or sung during the signing of the register.

For the reception, you will need to consider whether you want any pre-dinner music and also decide whether you want a band or DJ to provide music for dancing afterwards.

Don’t forget to choose the song for your first dance too.

If you are not familiar with any musical groups, decide whether you want vocal or instrumental music and then ask various groups for a demo CD or go and listen to them perform before you confirm the booking.

Florists This is less urgent as there are several florists in the Island and they can often cater for more than one wedding a day.

The Dress For many brides, wedding dress shopping is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the build-up to the wedding. While you may have an idea of your dream dress, try on as many different styles and shapes as possible.

Don’t rule anything out until you have actually tried it on.

Firstly, it is a rare opportunity to try on all sorts of weird and wonderful dresses and secondly, you may just get a surprise and fall for something totally unexpected.

Have fun with your dress shopping.

Take your mum and bridesmaids with you and enjoy a couple of girly days shopping around. After trying on a

myriad of different designs, you will usually find that one dress stands out from the others.

Bear in mind that unless you choose an ‘off the shelf ’ dress, it will probably take between three and six months for your dress to come down so don’t leave it until the last minute to choose. When you go for your dress fitting, make sure that you already have the shoes you are going to wear on the day itself so that the dress is altered to the right length.

It is also nice to have your hair and make-up trial on the day of the fitting so that you can see the whole look.

(Similarly, take any accessories such as veils or tiaras with you for the fitting.)

The Men’s Outfits While these do not take as long to come down, most menswear is delivered from the UK so it is advisable to choose your outfit and go for measurements approximately three months before the day.

While the groom is likely to be less enthused by the thought of clothes shopping, do make an event out of it and take your best man, ushers, father, the bride’s father and any other officials who are going to be similarly attired.

Rings Within the same time period as ordering the menswear, choose your wedding rings as again, it may take a little while for them to come down and then be resized if necessary.

Later Decisions While you don’t want to leave any decisions to the last minute, items that you can leave until a little later on are:

Transport Remember that traditionally, the bride travels to the ceremony with her father while the mother of the bride and the bridesmaids travel together in a separate vehicle.

The groom traditionally travels to the ceremony with his best man and ushers.

Acappella Brass 12 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

As well as transport to the ceremony, if your wedding spans more than one

©Mr & Mrs Dan Ferguson

venue, remember that the wedding party who travelled to the ceremony in the official vehicles will need transport from the ceremony to the reception.

of the footage with the videographer so that the style of the final film matches your requirements.

Cake Depending on your budget and the logistics, you may also want to consider providing transport for other guests from the ceremony to the reception. You can also consider transport after the reception for guests. And remember that if you are not staying overnight in the venue of the reception, you will need transport to take you to your destination for the night.

Video Whether you want to feel like a film star for the day, or just want a record of the day to capture those special moments, having a video of your wedding can provide a lovely memento for you and your family.

It is important to discuss the editing

Between three and six months ahead of your wedding, you should think about the style of cake you want and order it. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the traditional fruit cake and order an array of cup cakes or a tiered cake with perhaps one layer of fruit cake, one of chocolate cake and another of carrot cake, if you would prefer this. When you order your cake, advise the supplier of your colour scheme or theme if relevant so that this can be incorporated in the decoration. If you would like your cake to feature fresh flowers, make sure that your florist and cake designer liaise between themselves and the venue to ensure that your cake complements your overall theme.

Entertainment While we have already considered the music, you may also want to consider additional entertainment for your guests. This may be particularly relevant if there will be several children among your guests. If this applies to your wedding, you may want to consider a children’s entertainer or crèche in which case this should be booked between six and 12 months in advance.

Speeches Often part of the wedding which instils fear in those who have to deliver them, it is vital that these are not put off until the last minute.

If you have to make a speech, start planning it at least a month before the big day so that you have plenty of time to amend and fine tune it before delivering it. Try it out on some trusted family or friends first to get some feedback and practice The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

13

HOW TO APPROACH YOUR BIG DAY

Memorable Weddings Don’t Just Happen! the timings. As the bride and groom, make sure that you give your best man, father and any other speakers a time limit for their speech and if you don’t have a master of ceremonies or toastmaster, ensure that each speaker knows who to hand over to so that the speeches flow seamlessly.

While this list is not exhaustive, and will be different for each couple, this should help you to structure the planning process and break it down from one overwhelming challenge into smaller, more manageable sections.

And remember, this is your day and

you should enjoy the build-up and preparation just as much as the day itself. Setting yourself deadlines for each individual element and monitoring your progress as you go along will avoid any last minute panics and ensure that your wedding really is the day of your dreams.

The key to planning a fabulous wedding, no matter what scale of celebration you have in mind, is efficient organisation, attention to detail and most importantly, communication. The planning process should be as enjoyable for you both as the day itself; it’s all part of your ‘wedding experience’.

When we begin working with you to create the foundation for your celebrations, communication is paramount. The day should reflect you as a couple. We encourage your dreams by contributing ideas, expert knowledge and essential guidance and support throughout, to make certain that your day is personalised and unique in every way.

No detail is too small to demand our utmost attention and consideration; it is these details that go towards creating the overall effect and ambiance that will make your wedding celebrations so memorable.

During many years of experience in the events industry we have acquired a vast portfolio of leading suppliers both here on the island and on the mainland, along with a list of highly sought after venues with whom we have built strong reliable working relationships. Based on your specific requirements, we take away those long hours of researching on the internet and in magazines, by recommending suppliers best suited to your taste and budget, allowing you to make informed and stress-free decisions.

We work closely with you in regard to every aspect of the design, co-ordination and budgeting of your event, listening to your requirements and doing out utmost to ensure that the end results are exactly, if not beyond your greatest expectations.

Claire Bradbury Wedding Planner, Chique Events.

Chique Events Bespoke Event Design and Management

An Inspirational Bespoke Wedding Planning Service Preparation Time Lines • Wedding Design • Supplier Contracting • Etiquette Guidlines Budgeting Advice • RSVP Tracking • On Day Wedding Co-ordination

P.O. Box 828, St Helier, Jersey JE4 0UD Telephone: 01534 767755 Mobile: 07797 753891 Email: events@chique.co.uk Website: www.chique.co.uk

12 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 14

How could a Wedding Planner help me?

While many people may regard wedding planners as the preserve of the rich or famous, this doesn’t have to be the case.

P

rofessional wedding planners can help organise a wedding of any size or budget, alleviating the stress which can accompany the build-up to your big day and being a valuable source of advice and support throughout the planning process.

And if you are the sort of person who wants to be hands-on and make all your own arrangements, you can do this and employ a wedding planner just to oversee the day itself leaving you and your family and friends free to relax and enjoy the occasion.

With over eight years’ experience of running Chique Events, wedding planner Claire Bradbury offers four different packages to help couples plan the day of their dreams.

‘I do offer a full wedding planning service where I guide couples through every aspect of their day, book all their chosen suppliers and keep track of their budget for them,’ Claire

explains, ‘but I can also come on board at any stage of the planning process to give help if they are struggling with one particular element.’

For example, if you have planned everything, booked your venues and most of your suppliers but are struggling to find a DJ or band to play at your reception, you can contact Claire and she can take over the search for you.

Another service she offers is a two to three hour consultation which is available at any time, as many times as you wish, during the build-up. If you think that you have booked everything, you may find this service useful to run through suppliers’ contracts and query anything which is unclear. This is also an opportunity for Claire to check points with you and make sure that nothing has been overlooked.

Claire’s final package is an ‘on the day’ wedding planning service. This solution

is designed to prevent you and your families and friends, from running around on the big day trying to oversee suppliers and make sure that everything is in order.

‘The wedding day itself should be a day of pure enjoyment for everyone involved in the wedding and setting yourself or your families responsibilities can overshadow this enjoyment,’ says Claire. ‘With the on-day wedding planning service, you get the expertise and experience of a professional wedding planner to oversee all the suppliers and ensure that everything happens behind the scenes to give you a perfect day.’

With this service, you meet Claire a month before the wedding to brief her on your plans and expectations and she then becomes the central point of contact for all your suppliers leaving you free to enjoy yourselves.

Chique Events TOP TEN

Tips Allow yourself plenty of planning time.

You want it to be an enjoyable process, not a fraught one!

1

Sit down with your immediate family from the onset to see if anyone has any strong feelings about any aspect of the wedding. It is better to resolve any issues during the initial stages of planning.

2

But remember…

It’s your

3

16 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

wedding, so DON’T feel pressured to comply with what other people want or expect. You can’t please everyone all of the time.

DON’T forget

7

the power of

sound and lighting.

In their own right and when used correctly each can transform the look and feel of a room.

Set a budget.

It is very easy to overspend and get carried away so meticulous financial planning is a must!

4

Creatively think

8

out of the box to

make your wedding personal and unique to you.

Check the availability of BOTH your ceremony venue and reception location before confirming a booking.

5

Plan for and

9

expect the

unexpected. Even the most organised day can have accidents and mishaps.

In case of bad weather make a contingency plan for elements of your wedding that will take place outside i.e. the location of your photography or reception drinks.

6

10

The assistance of

a professional wedding planner not only saves you time but saves you money as well!

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

17

WHERE TO GET MARRIED

Where to get Married The first important decision to make once you have decided to get married is whether to get married in a church (your local parish church or another), the Register Office or another venue - couples have more choice than ever concerning where they choose to celebrate their wedding day. The date is the other very important decision. Other couples might also be interested in the date you choose.

Religious ceremonies If you wish to have a religious ceremony in a Church of England, you should speak to the Rector about the arrangements. If you wish to have a religious ceremony in a Church of any other denomination, you should first arrange to see the minister or priest in charge at the building to discuss your requirements, before contacting the Register Office about the legal formalities.

Please note - if you decide to have a civil ceremony, then there can be no religious content in the words or music used at the wedding.

Church of England weddings Legal formalities If you have a Church of England wedding you will be married either by banns or by licence of the Dean of Jersey and all arrangements are made through the Church. The Rector or Vicar will advise you on the procedures that have to be followed but generally couples marry in the home parish of one of the parties to the marriage. If marrying outside of your parish you will need to attend public worship at that church 'regularly' (usually for a period of at least six months before the wedding is due to take place). If this is the case, the banns will be read out on the three Sundays prior to the wedding both in your local parish church and in the one where you wish to be married.

The church which will not be holding the wedding will publish a certificate stating that the banns have been published and the banns will be valid for three months after publication. Equally, if you come from different parishes, banns must be read in both local churches.

Other religious denomination weddings Legal formalities If you have chosen to have a wedding in a Church other than the Church of England, once you have agreed the date and time of the marriage with the priest or minister, you will have to call on the Superintendent Registrar to arrange for your marriage licence.

Getting married in a non-Anglican

18 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

Church involves at least two, usually three visits to the Register Office. The first is to make the preliminary arrangements getting your wedding date in the Register Office diary and being issued with a marriage appointment slip which details the timetable and the fees. The second is to give formal notice of your intention to marry and the third is to collect your marriage licence usually three working days before the marriage. Either one or both of you will need to make these visits in person. Sometimes the first and second stages run together so that you give notice at the same time as making the appointment at the Register Office as the minimum period of notice for a wedding is two weeks. One of you is required to have lived at your current address for at least 7 days prior to giving notice. A fee will be charged for giving notice and certain documents will need to be produced (see the What documents do I need? section below). You will need to take your documents with you each time you go to the Register Office.

When she has issued your marriage licence, the Superintendent Registrar will ask you to take it directly to the Registrar of the parish in which the marriage will take place. She will have already asked you to contact the Registrar about your wedding on your first visit to the Register Office when you were given your marriage appointment slip. The Registrar will prepare the documents for the wedding and enter your marriage in their register.

Remarriage In the case of re-marriage, the church will officially allow both widow/ers and divorcees to remarry in certain cases but the ultimate decision for each individual case is left up to the local minister. It would be wise to contact your local minister as soon as you know that you wish to re-marry in a religious service. It is likely that the Minister will wish to discuss the reasons for your wishing to re-marry in church, as well as your view of marriage and even possibly why it was that the previous marriage came to an end.

If your Minister is unwilling to conduct a

banns being read in the Anglican church). Marriage is a legal business and your ceremony can not go ahead unless all the legal formalities have been completed.

The legal requirements are for there to be a minimum of two weeks between notice being taken and the wedding. The licence can be issued after the notice has been displayed for a minimum of seven clear days and the marriage may then take place no sooner than two days following the day on which the licence is issued but no longer than fourteen days after the issue of the licence. The Notice of Marriage is valid for a period of three months and the marriage must take place within that time and at the venue specified in the notice. The issue of the licence is the second legal stage of the proceedings and it is usually arranged to take place three working days before the wedding. This can make Wednesday mornings very busy at the Register Office if there is a busy Saturday ahead so it is advisable to avoid Wednesday mornings for giving notice if you can, especially in the busier time of year (April to October). You will take the licence from the Superintendent Registrar to the Registrar of the parish in which you will marry. S/he both registers your wedding in the parish marriage register and prepares the papers you will sign at your wedding.

religious marriage, s/he might be willing to offer you a dedication service or blessing after you have been legally married in a civil ceremony. You will already be formally married so there are none of the legal formalities associated with a church wedding to worry about and it will mean that after the civil ceremony has taken place, you go to the church for a blessing or a short service in which you dedicate your life together to God..

Arranging a Civil Marriage Civil marriages may take place either in the Register Office or in Approved Premises.

A list of Approved Premises is available from the Register Office at 10 Royal Square, St Helier (and of course can be posted to you) and at the Register Office for the Parish of St Helier at 3 Vine Street.

If you decide to marry in an Approved Premises you will need to make your own arrangements with the management of the premises concerned. Once this is done, you will then need to make arrangements for your marriage licence with the Superintendent Registrar and the procedures for this are described below in the Procedures section.

It is possible to have a civil ceremony in a private house (essentially the house becomes an Approved Premises for the occasion of that particular wedding). If you wish to have a civil marriage in a private house then you can either consult the Superintendent Registrar for advice on the procedures for acquiring Approved Premises status for a private dwelling or go directly to your parish/public hall.

Approved premises status is granted by the Connétable of the parish.

the consent may be given on a form which is provided by the Superintendent Registrar for this purpose.is provided by the Superintendent Registrar for this purpose.

General Summary In order to marry in either the Register Office, Approved Premises or in a non-Anglican church you must obtain a licence from the Superintendent Registrar by following the Procedures in the next section.

Procedures If you live in Jersey If you live in Jersey and wish to marry in an approved premises or non-Anglican church then you will marry by licence of the Superintendent Registrar. You can explore how to get your licence by ringing the Register Office (+44 1534 441335), by emailing marriageenquiries@gov.je) or by calling in to the Office during the week between 9.00am and 12.30pm. Juggling dates available at venues and all the other details of your wedding can be difficult, especially at busy times of year. The Register Office takes bookings for weddings up to a year ahead but the Superintendent Registrar is always happy to talk to you about weddings planned for more distant dates and will be able to advise you on what to do next.

Minors wishing to Marry

If you live in Jersey or happen to be visiting during the week, please call in at the office during the morning before 12.30pm. If you are going to call in person then it is advisable to take all your relevant documentation with you if you can (see What documents do I need? below) even if you are not yet 100% sure where you will marry.

Any one under the age of sixteen years is not permitted to marry. If you are between the ages of sixteen and eighteen years you must obtain written consent of both parents or guardians before a marriage licence can be issued. If your parents or guardian are living in the Island the consent must be given in the presence of the Superintendent Registrar. If they live outside the Island

Any member of the team at the Register Office will be happy to talk through what you need to do and to make an appointment in the Office Diary for you if everything is in place for this to happen. You will be given a marriage appointment slip to confirm your booking and asked to return to the office about a month before the wedding to give formal notice of your intention to marry. This is the first legal stage of the proceedings. It means that both your names will be displayed on the notice board in the Register Office as your public declaration of your intention to marry (this is the civil wedding equivalent of the

The Superintendent Registrar will have asked one of her delegates to come to your chosen venue to celebrate your marriage (a month to six weeks before your wedding) and she will need to be able to brief the delegate about your arrangements.

If you have chosen to have readings, it is advisable to take spare copies with you to leave with the Superintendent Registrar.

If you live outside Jersey If you live outside the Island, the easiest way to start to make the necessary arrangements is to email the Register Office on marriageenquiries@gov.je or to write to the Superintendent Registrar at 10 Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4WA. The legal processes are the same as if you lived in the Island, of course, but you will be arranging your wedding as a ‘notice by mail’ rather than in person. Again, bookings are accepted for weddings up to a year ahead. If your wedding is within the coming year, please send details of your names, your address(es) and the date, time and place you wish to marry. If it is further ahead, the Superintendent Registrar will be able to advise you about what to do next and when to do it.

Once the preliminary discussions have taken place by email, there will be a booking fee to be paid. Currently this fee has to be sent through the post; indeed the next stages of the arrangements – which involve the payment of monies and the sending of documents - are all made through the post. As a result, ‘Notices by mail’ need at least two clear months for all the necessary postal exchanges to be made. The Superintendent Registrar advises the use of a guaranteed next-day-delivery mail service whether you live in the UK, Europe or any other part of the world when you post any monies and when you send your notice form and documents to the Register Office.

A notice of marriage form is posted to you when you have paid your booking fee; this will need to be completed and returned to the Register Office during the three months preceding the date of the marriage. The Superintendent Registrar usually asks for the form to be returned so that it arrives approximately one month before the date of the marriage. If it is early, she will keep it on file until it is a month before the wedding. It must arrive no less than fourteen days before the date of the wedding The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

19

WHERE TO GET MARRIED or you will not be able to marry on the date you have arranged. You need to send the form along with the relevant documents (see What documents do I need? below) and the notice fee. She will enter your details into the Notice of Marriage book and display your names on the notice board in the Register Office as mentioned above.

She will usually keep your documents until you arrive at the Register Office – usually three working days before the date of your marriage - to collect your marriage licence and to talk through the arrangements for the big day. Unless your wedding is to take place in St Helier, you will have been asked to make contact with the Parish Registrar when you receive the final mailing from the Register Office, sent out following the notice of your wedding. This ensures that the Registrar knows to expect you on the day your licence is issued. The Parish Registrar not only produces your certificates and the returns signed at the wedding, s/he also enters your wedding in the parish marriage register.

Work is in hand to be able to deliver some of these processes for a notice by mail wedding through the States of Jersey website. Have a look at the Life Events pages on www.gov.je to see what is available.

Non-British Citizens wishing to marry in the Island If you are a citizen of a country other than the United Kingdom, you should ensure that laws in your country are observed to ensure that any marriage contracted in Jersey is recognised there. In this connection the advice of the consul or Consular Agency for your country should be sought. In addition if you are a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU) wishing to marry a British Citizen you should ensure that your immigration status permits you to marry. All non-EU citizens should check that they have the necessary immigration clearance before coming to the Island to be married. All enquiries about immigration status and visas should be made to Jersey Customs and Immigration, Maritime House, La Route du Port Elizabeth, St Helier, JE1 1JD, telephone (+44 1534 448000), email immigration@gov.je).

Please note – a Jersey marriage certificate does not provide a bride with the opportunity to state what name she will use after a marriage.

Jersey residents wishing to marry outside the Island This guide is designed for couples who choose to marry in Jersey. If you have

20 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

decided to marry outside the Island, you might need to apply to the Superintendent Registrar for a certificate of no-impediment [to your marriage].

Check with the local authorities in the country you have chosen as your wedding venue for information about what documents are necessary for you to marry there. If you do need a certificate of noimpediment please call the Register Office for advice on how to proceed.

What documents do I need?

Full birth certificates - a full birth certificate is the long-form certificate with parents’ names recorded on it; if you don’t have one, please seek advice about how to get one from the Register Office.

If you were born in the UK you can apply online for your birth certificate through the following link: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizens andrights/Registeringlifeevents/index.htm If either of you has been previously married, documentary proof of freedom to marry – a divorce decree absolute (or final decree) or the death certificate of your late spouse Any legal change of name documents (deeds poll or statutory declarations) Any documents in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by officially certified translations into the English language.

All these documents need to be ‘originals’ - that is either the document issued in the first instance from the Register Office or Court concerned or an ‘extract’ from that Register Office or Court which has its stamp. Photocopies, scans or copies certified by a lawyer are not acceptable nor are certificates or decrees which have been laminated.

Recognition of Foreign Divorces Divorce decrees issued in countries outside the United Kingdom are only recognised in Jersey if, at the date of the institution of the divorce proceedings in the country in which it was obtained, either spouse was habitually resident in or, if that country uses domicile as a ground of jurisdiction in matters of divorce, domiciled in that country, or was a national of that country; or if the divorce is recognised as valid in the country of the spouse domicile.

Fees The Superintendent Registrar will ask for each fee of the relevant fees at the appropriate time and can not accept a lump sum payment for the total in advance. NO FEES SHOULD BE

SENT IN ADVANCE. It is worth noting that additional charges may be made by the Church or Approved Premises. The fee for giving notice is £60, whether in person or by mail. Where application is made by post, the total fees and charges amount to £320, £390 or £410 for a marriage in the Register Office (depending on the time of the wedding), £330 or £350 for a marriage in Approved Premises (again depending on the time of the wedding) and £260 for a marriage in a non-Anglican church. All fees and charges are subject to regular increases.

Times Marriages may take place between 8.00am and 7.00pm. The Register Office is available for marriages from Mondays to Friday between 11.00am and 1.00pm, and on Saturdays between 11.00am and 1.00pm and sometimes later on application to the Superintendent Registrar. Half an hour is allocated for each marriage. The Register Office is closed for all business on Sundays and Public Holidays. This can affect the date your licence has to be issued if you decide to marry just after a Bank Holiday.

All marriages in the Register Office take place at the discretion of the Superintendent Registrar. Marriages in non-Anglican churches take place at the discretion of the minister or priest of the church concerned and marriages in Approved Premises take place at the discretion of the management of the Premises concerned.

Civil Partnerships in Jersey In 2012 the Civil Partnership (Jersey) Law will be enacted. It provides for couples of the same sex to form a legal partnership which will have a legal status the equivalent of a marriage. The processes for arranging a civil partnership will be the same as they are for arranging a civil wedding – getting a date in the diary, giving notice and issuing licences (see above) – but at the time of writing, we do not know exactly when the law will come into force. Currently it is not possible to solemnize a civil partnership in a church of any denomination. The Civil Partnership Law will be supplemented by a Premises Order which will make provision for premises to become approved for the celebration of civil partnerships (as they can for marriages). This approval is granted by the Connétable of the parish in which the premises is situated. For more up-to-date information about arranging a civil partnership in Jersey please look at the relevant pages of the States of Jersey website www.gov.je (via the Life Events pages).

List

of

Churches BAPTIST CHURCHES Vauxhall Street, St Helier

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879611

CHURCH OF ENGLAND The Deanery, David Place, St Helier . . . . . . . . . 720001 Parish Church, Church Street, St Helier . . . . . . 736734 St Andrew’s Vicarage, First Tower St Helier . . 734975 St Mark’s Vic., Springfield Road, St Helier. . . . 720595 St Paul’s Vic., Claremont Av., St Saviour . . . . . . 880393 Grouville Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853073 St Brelade's Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742302 St Aubin on the Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744009 St Clement Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 851992 St John Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861677 St Lawrence Parish, Millbrook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 869013 St Martin Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 854294 Gorey Hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853255 St Mary Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 851445 St Ouen Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481800 St Peter Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481805 St Saviour Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736679 Trinity Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861110

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND St Columba’s, St Helier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 730659

ELIM PENTECOSTAL Stopford Rd., St Saviour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721054

INDEPENDENT EVANGELICAL CHURCH Halkett Place, St Helier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743722 Belmont Road, St Helier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 726644 Victoria St., St Helier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 768957

Les Quennevais, St Brelade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744984 St Peters Valley, St Lawrence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510805

JERSEY JEWISH CONGREGATION Synagogue, St Brelade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 744946

METHODIST CHURCH St Helier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877517 Sion, St John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 739906 Bulwarks, St Brelade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743933 Communicare, St Brelade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743933 Samares, St Clement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481335 La Rocque, Grouville & St Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . 722093 St Ouen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 491877 Aubin Lane, St Saviour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722093

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS La Rue de la Vallee, St Mary

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482171

ROMAN CATHOLIC St Mary & St Peter, St Helier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722841 St Thomas, Val Plaisant, St Helier . . . . . . . . . . . . 720235 Sacred Heart, St Aubins, St Brelade . . . . . . . . . . . 863149 Church of our Lady, St Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853953 St Patrick, St Clement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853953 St Mathew, (St Peter & Trinity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863149 St Bernadette, St Brelade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863149

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) Meeting House, St Helier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766156

UNITED REFORM CHURCH Sion, St John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861386

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2011 |

21

WEDDING JEWELLERY

Wedding Jewellery

The Bench

It is traditional to mark the occasion of your engagement with a ring, but it is very rarely presented at the time of proposal, as the couple normally choose it together. he rings are traditionally the groom’s responsibility, but it is always nice for both the bride and groom to look for rings together, whether or not the groom chooses to wear a ring as well as the bride. To make them that little bit more special, personal and memorable, you could decide to have the rings engraved inside. Even just your initials and the wedding date are very romantic, and of course you can always discuss other options with the jeweller, that will send a more personal message to your partner every time they see it.

T

As for the wedding ring, these rings are generally gold and come in many variations differing in weight, width and colour. Choosing a ring can be a more complicated business than it may first appear, with jewellers offering more and more variations on the traditional ring styles all the time, so be sure to allow yourselves plenty of time to find that special ring that you always dreamed of!

For couples where the bridegroom prefers not to wear an engagement ring, the bride may wish to buy him a gift such as a watch or cuff links to mark the occasion. This gift could be chosen to be somehow linked to the style of the ring that she will wear, or perhaps also be engraved with a personal message of some kind, to make it that little bit more special.

Naturally, this could also be arranged together so as to find something that both of you looked for, found and decided upon to mark your special day.

Grooms often wear cuff links or tie pins of mother of pearl for that classical touch. If you wish to use existing pearls, perhaps the ones your Mother wore on her wedding day would be suitable and could be remoulded for a new generation, accompanying the two of you into your future.

22 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

Tiaras are still widely used in headdresses as part of the wedding outfit and come in many different designs and colours to suit any style you wish.

Jersey is a beautiful island, full of romantic settings and remarkable sights it is a wondrous place for weddings and the Catherine Best studio at the Windmill in St Peter reflects these ideals perfectly.

Bespoke jewellery and repair specialists

The Windmill, which Catherine fell in love with and made her own in 2003, is brimming with charm and beauty and offers the perfect setting to discover her jewellery and even a venue to celebrate the wedding itself. The new restaurant, now open in a separate part of the Windmill is a chic venue ideal for your wedding reception, a romantic dinner for two or a special function. See Page 60 for further details & Back Page.

TT-R collection

The Bench The Designers at the bench like to keep ahead of the wedding ring trends, famous for the TT-R collection and the Countries collection last year they brought us Candy Colours . 2012 sees the launch of Fingerprint wedding rings.

Fingerprint wedding rings

‘Our Fingerprints are our one truly original feature, our team at The Bench will take an actual ink copy of your finger prints and then hand engrave the impression inside or outside of your wedding ring.

Whether you choose gold, platinum or palladium for your fingerprint wedding rings you can keep your loved one close to you always. Simply call into The Bench for your personal fingerprint kit.

Whichever design you have in mind the Designers and goldsmiths at The Bench are dedicated to making the process of choosing your wedding rings a truly memorable experience.

Shaped wedding rings

As specialists in bespoke wedding rings and with a passion for handmade quality, their expert team will guide you step by step through the design process.

Giving consideration to your style, your personality and lifestyle and of course taking inspiration from your engagement ring.

Come along to The Bench at Lion Park,St Lawrence to meet the team, view the collections and discuss your dream wedding rings. All of our rings are handmade in our workshops in Jersey, we would love you to come a long and see how its done.

Open 7 days a week 9.30am to 5.30pm

Be unique Visit www.thebenchdesign.com for inspiration or to view the latest collections and meet the team visit The Bench Lion Park St Lawrence.

We are open 7 days a week 9am - 5pm

Email thebench@worldgold.com or call us (01534) 869926 Our fabulous new website will be online in Spring 2012 www.thebenchjersey.com

www.thebenchdesign.com Tel: 01534 869926 Fax: 01534 485183 Email: thebench@worldgold.com

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Printing Requirements The printing should be arranged at least three months in advance of the wedding date, particularly the invitations for the wedding, stag night and hen party, which need to be sent out two months beforehand.

There is a basic list of printing which the average wedding will require as follows: WEDDING INVITATIONS & ENVELOPES Do have at least 20 more than you need in case you need to ask someone at the last moment. Also consider whether you will invite everyone who comes to the ceremony and the reception or if some will just be invited to the reception afterwards since this will clearly affect what you will write on your invitations and how many invitations you will need.

STAG NIGHT/HEN NIGHT INVITATIONS Date, times, venue(s), required dress.

ORDER OF SERVICE Ask the Minister for assistance in choosing hymns etc.

PLACE NAMES For the Reception and Table Plan.

THANK YOU CARDS For the wedding gifts received.

GUEST CHECKLIST Makes life easier when booking numbers.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS..

For all your

Wedding Stationery printing requirements be they Bespoke or Pre-Printed Telephone Ian on 618166

BARNES PUBLISHING LIMITED Tel: 01534 618166 e-mail: ian@barnespublishing.com

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Invitations – response cards – envelope seals cake boxes seating plan – place cards – order of service sheets matchbooks – serviettes – serviette rings – coasters bridal favour boxes – guest scrolls – menus – thank you cards guest autograph album – adhesive bottle labels – seed sticks personalised ribbon – balloons – you can even have after dinner mints with personalised wrappers!

Alternatively you can have your stationery designed by Barnes Publishing’s Graphics Department for that touch of originality.

The publishers of this booklet Barnes Publishing Ltd will be pleased to quote you for your specific requirements, which can be simple but of high quality and not too expensive.

Telephone (01534) 618166 for a consultation.

Wedding Gifts & Lists rganising a wedding can take a long time and once you have decided on the date, venue and dress, there are still other things to sort out. Possibly one of the more exciting things is choosing a wedding gift list, which provides the unique opportunity for you to choose what you would like your friends and family to buy for you to celebrate your wedding day. But you do need to be mindful about the service you choose, otherwise this too could become less of a delight, and more of a chore!

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First of all you should make sure that you have started looking for your wedding list service at least two months before you plan to send out the invitations. Before you start, ask recently married friends where they had their list and whether they were happy with the service or what they would have improved. This will help you to ask the right questions when you check out the various options.

Most large stores will assist you in anyway possible to ensure that your day is perfect. From advice on selecting your stationery or wedding cake, choosing your bridal underwear or holding your wedding lists with them.

Most of the major local department stores, like Voisins, De Gruchy and Marks & Spencers offer a gift list service, and they are the traditional route. Department stores are great if you’re looking for a list of traditional household items, from someone your Granny will feel comfortable with. If this is your choice, you should set aside at least two full days to wander around the departments and compile your list.

Always remember to ask about delivery costs and any costs which your guests may be expected to pay when they buy you a gift.

In recent years quite a few online services have also appeared. This will give you an alternative list and offers you a convenient way to build your list from home, and give you plenty of ideas about what to buy.

Check out our partner website www.weddinginjersey.co.uk for more gift ideas.

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BE A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE

Be a Beautiful Bride Now on to the dress! When choosing the shade of your dress, do consider the colour of your skin. Pure white only really suits brunettes or dark skinned brides; blondes and redheads look better in ivory.

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ifferent styles of dress flatter certain shapes, for example, a push up corset will give you a small waist and good cleavage.

If it’s a restricting corset it will reduce a large bust or if you’re slightly pear shaped then go for a dress with a long full skirt, such as A-line or ball gown shapes, and avoid fishtail-skirts.

A scooped neckline will also enhance your bust whereas a slightly fitted flared dress with cut away sleeves will understate a curvy figure and will draw attention away from the hips and bust.

Try lots of dresses on to get the feel for them and don’t forget you will be wearing it all day, so make sure it is comfortable. You could consider a dress with detachable sleeves and/ or train if you want to have the full-length dress for the ceremony but are afraid it will be too hot or too cumbersome to wear all day. Also think about the type of wedding you are having, as a big fairytale princess dress may look out of place at a more casual wedding, while at a more traditional, big church wedding a little black dress may leave people asking who the bride is! If your budget is tight, consider looking at the bridesmaid’s dresses in shops as well; these can be just as beautiful, but are usually far cheaper. Whatever you

decide to do, it would be wise to start considering your options long before the wedding day itself, as made to measure dresses can take six months or more to be completely ready and some shops only stock sample dresses, so may need up to three months to order in a dress for you to buy. Wedding dresses vary immensely in style, shape, colour, fabric and type of decoration (in terms of lace, beading, sequins etc), so just look around, try dresses on and consider all you can to make certain you find the dress that you really want and will love to wear on the big day itself. Most importantly, don’t shop alone! If you take your mother or a good friend with you, you’ll have much more fun because you’ll have someone there who can offer you encouragement when you’re feeling tired, patience and understanding as you take them to yet another dress shop, and an honest opinion for every dress you try on. Also with someone (or even two or three people) with you, you can take a break and go get a drink or something in between going to shops; it could be a long day if you just keep going from place to place without a chance to stop and chat about what you’ve seen. Don’t be afraid of colour either, if you don’t want to wear a white dress. Many brides now go for coloured dresses, and the tradition of the white dress was only revived

relatively recently, when Queen Victoria chose it for her wedding dress (recent in terms of historical tradition, obviously, not recent as in yesterday).

Here’s a short, traditional guide to colours of wedding dresses, for those who want some kind of tradition but would prefer not to wear white:

Married in: White - You've chosen all right Blue - Your love is true Pearl - You'll live in a whirl Brown - You'll live out of town Red - You will wish yourself dead Yellow - You're ashamed of your fellow Green - Ashamed to be seen Pink - Your fortunes/spirits will sink Grey - You'll live far away Black - You'll wish yourself back It should possibly be noted that green was perceived to bring bad luck, except for Irish brides, and if you feel like being royalty for the day you should wear silver, as this was the traditional royal colour for wedding dresses before Queen Victoria! Today red and gold are particularly popular if you prefer to steer away from the white or ivory gown. In terms of current styles, asymmetrical cuts are still popular, while brides often add detail to their dresses in the form of diamante sparkles, beading and embroidery on selected bits of the dress.

This can be a clever way of adding some colour to an otherwise white, cream or ivory dress. Don’t forget as well that for the majority of the ceremony, most people will probably be behind so, so don’t forget about what the dress looks like from the back.

Not all wedding shops will let you take photos of their dresses, but it might be a good idea to bring a camera with you if possible, just in case.

Think about how many outfits you try on when you’re just trying to find a new going out top. Now imagine how long you might spend finding a wedding dress. The odds of you forgetting the exact dresses you have tried on (and where you did so!) are

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high, so at the very least try to take notes so you don’t end up trailing back around shops looking for a dress you vaguely remember trying on in a dressing room with red walls…

When you do go to try wedding dresses on, underwear will probably not be the first thing you’ll be thinking about, but do be aware that the shop assistants will help you in and out of dresses, so just make sure you’re wearing something you won’t be embarrassed to be standing around in while the shop assistant helps you into your dress.

Having found and ordered your dress, the first fitting should take place about six weeks before the wedding to allow plenty of time for any adjustments. As you will have discovered from ordinary clothes, no two people are exactly the same size and clothes off of the hanger rarely fit perfectly, so your wedding dress will almost certainly be altered slightly before you wear it. On the first fitting, you should find the things that will want altering. Listen to the person in the shop, also to whoever you have brought with you to help, but also mention anything you are uncertain about, even if you think it sounds stupid! Odds are the assistant will have heard it before and in any case, this is your dress for your wedding day; you have every right to make it as close to perfection as possible! Pay close attention to everything, so that you know how it will feel and look, and how you want it to feel and look on the day. You will have a least two fittings before the final one (so that the second time round you can check what was changed the first time and make sure there is absolutely nothing else that you want done) but you may have more if you need them - there are no hard and fast rules about it.

At the second fitting you should also bring along your shoes, your bridal lingerie and any accessories you are thinking about wearing on the day itself, so that you can see what it all looks like when put together. If you are still uncertain about accessories, bring a few along with a digital or Polaroid camera so you can think it over at your leisure. Also walk around the shop a bit so you can feel how it moves and if there are any potential problems when you stop standing still and start moving around! When it

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comes to the final fitting, you will want to know details about actually wearing the dress. If you will need help getting it on, make sure that whoever will be helping you on your wedding day knows what needs to be done. Ask what to do if the dress gets slightly creased: should you iron it or steam it? If you need to iron it, what setting should you use? Also find out what to do if you get a spot of make up or something on it: is there anything they would recommend to use, or not to use? Take the opportunity to try the dress on one more time as well, especially if it has been a while since your last fitting. You will feel more confident about it if you have tried it on and checked that everything is correct shortly before the wedding, and if anything does need altering at the last minute, now is the time to find out!

Bridesmaids Before you start considering outfits for your bridesmaids, decide on who will pay for them. If you are expecting them (or their parents) to pay or pay a bit, then this needs to be decided at the outset to avoid difficulty later on.

Also consider carefully who you will ask, so as to avoid accidentally asking far too many people in the first excitement of getting engaged and then are forced to ask some to drop out. Similarly, think carefully about having small children as part of the wedding party as you will need to consider how much they are likely to enjoy the experience, and consequently

how they are likely to behave. Sweet as they may look, you might consider letting them walk down the aisle with you but then sitting with their parents for the rest of the ceremony or another compromise that will hopefully make for the least stress and most enjoyment, particularly if your ceremony will be long. Go shopping with your bridesmaids to choose dresses that suit them all. If they are of varying ages, use a theme rather than asking teenagers to wear the frills and flounces that only look cute on the under-tens. If you have your heart set on matching dresses then, depending on the number of bridesmaids, you could always pick two different styles and let your bridesmaids choose who would be happiest wearing each one. Also if you have a few bridesmaids, one of whom will be more difficult to dress than the others, then find a few styles and colours she would be happy wearing and then see what the others look like in the same ones.

Most importantly, both you and they should be happy with what they are wearing. It is your big day, but if they hate their dresses, you’ll end up with awkward, embarrassed or sulky bridesmaids on your hands, none of which make for a good atmosphere on the day. Different gown styles can help create a shorter, taller, heavier, or thinner look. Here are some tips: A short, heavy figure: To look taller and slimmer, avoid knit fabrics. Use the princess or A-line style. Chiffon is the best fabric choice because it produces a floating effect and camouflages weight.

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A short, thin figure: A shirtwaist or natural waist style with bouffant skirt will produce a taller, more rounded figure. Chiffon, velvet, lace and Schiffli net are probably the best fabric choices.

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A tall, heavy figure: Princess or A-line are the best styles for slimming the figure; satin, chiffon and lace fabrics are recommended.

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A tall, thin figure: Tiers or flounces will help reduce the impression of height. A shirtwaist or natural waist style with a full skirt are ideal choices. Satin and lace are the best fabrics.

A skirt that ends just below the knee or a two-piece outfit will also help to disguise height.

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BE A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE any people, especially those getting married in the registrar’s office, choose something simple such as a suit, (which can be worn again). With the right accessories, a simple cream suit can be transformed into a chic and stylish creation.

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The Train If you decide to have a train on your dress, once again you will have a few options. The vast majority of brides prefer to have a train no longer than eight feet long, at most. The smallest common train is known as the duster or sweep, and extends only about a foot behind you, starting where the dress hits the floor. A medium length train is generally between three and a half and four and a half feet long, attached at the waist so that it doesn’t trail too far along the floor. The longest train is called the cathedral train and it extends from the waist to a length of six and a half to seven and a half feet. You may well want some help with this sort of train at various points during the day, when you don’t want it to trail along the floor and get dirty, at which point you can probably ask your bridesmaids or page boys to carry it for you. It is often possible to get detachable trains, so that you can have the effect of the train when you want it but don’t have to cope with it for the rest of the day, but if not trains should have some way of hooking them up to the dress when you want to. There are generally hooks as either the waist (bustle style) or the shoulder, where you can attach the train when you are not using it.

Occasionally you will find a dress where

the loop is held over the fingers instead, in an old fashioned, elegant style.

Gloves Gloves add a nice touch with either short-sleeved, three-quarter length, or sleeveless gowns. Consider whether you want them to match the exact shade of your dress or to be in a different colour, perhaps matching your flowers or the dresses of your bridesmaids.

They vary in length between having one button at the wrist up to sixteen buttons covering the arm right up to the shoulder, depending on your dress, style and personal preference. If you choose to wear gloves, your chief bridesmaid will be given the job of holding on to them during the service.

Veils Veils will have different effects dependant upon style. Short veils traditionally can drop to the shoulders; waist or fingertips and long veils will only be used if the wedding dress has a long train. There are many different types to consider, depending on your style of dress and your own preference. Most veils are made from a fabric called “illusion,” which is similar to netting but softer and finer, made from silk or nylon.

The most common styles are blusher (a loose veil that falls well forward over the face or back over a headpiece, which is often attached to a longer veil with two or three layers), fingertip length, chapel length (a veil falling about two or three yards down from the headpiece), ballet or waltz length (a veil falling to the ankles), cathedral length (a veil falling about three and a half yards from the headpiece, usually worn with a cathedral train) and flyaway (a veil with multiple layers that falls just to the shoulders, worn with a less formal outfit or a dress with a highly decorated back that you want to display).

Shoes Make sure you select comfortable shoes that complement your gown; and don't forget to break them in well before your wedding day. If you are worried about marking them by wearing them to break them in, put them on in the house then curl up with a book or sit and watch television! You could also find a pair of big socks to cover them so you can wear them without anything getting anywhere near the fabric. Tight shoes can make you miserable and ruin your wedding day, and if you’re not used to wearing high heels make sure you’re happy walking in them

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if you decide that’s the way to go! You could consider having a second, more comfortable pair of shoes to change into at some point later in the day if necessary, just in case. When shopping for shoes, the best time to go is in the afternoon, as by this time of the day your feet will have warmed up and will be similar to how they will be on the day. To help keep your feet cool on the day, you could put a little talcum powder in the toe of the shoe.

Head-dresses Head-dresses provide balance to the overall appearance and it is essential to have a dress rehearsal to ensure the design for the head-dress is in keeping with the dress. Also, again, make sure you will be comfortable wearing it for long periods of time, as few people wear head-dresses every day and you don’t want to wear something that will only give you a headache early in the day due to uncomfortable hairpins or unaccustomed weight on your head. Head-dresses can, in common with almost everything else involved in the wedding preparations, vary hugely in style, from a simple circlet of baby’s breath, to a hat with a large brim for the veil to hang from, or even a tiara.

This will also need careful thought, to find a headpiece and veil combination that add something to the dress you have chosen, without overpowering it.

Stockings There is specially designed hosiery for weddings which vary from intricate details on the ankles to delicate laces and silks. Always have a pair in reserve as such things always do ladder more easily than you expect.

Jewellery Arranging necklaces, bracelets and anything else that may occur to you can put the finishing touch onto the perfect outfit. Particularly remember to check the neckline and sleeve length of your outfit to determine what type of jewellery will complement the style best.

If your dress is very ornate then it will probably be best to keep the jewellery simple and vice versa. You may also want to consider the colour of your dress, of the decorations and of the outfits the bridesmaids will wear when choosing your jewellery. Remember to consider the bridesmaids jewellery in addition to your own; do you want them to be wearing the same, a similar style or colour, or just let them add their own individual touches to their outfits in whatever way they think best?

Flower Arrangements, Plants & Decorations If you are having your wedding in a church it is likely there will be more than one wedding held there that day.

It is a good idea to get together with the other couples and discuss your idea of what you might want in terms of floral decoration and what they had in mind and see if you can come up with a joint plan so as you can share the costs involved. y combining the cost you will be able to decorate more of the church than if you were doing it by yourselves.

The minister will be able to help with their names and telephone numbers.

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Our designers work to your specific requirements in any style of your choice.

Our expertise team will be pleased to inspire and assist you further with all your requirements.

Tel: 863451 / 865969

When it comes to floral arrangements there are no rules. It is advisable to employ a florist to supply the flower arrangements.

Most of the work with the flowers is done the day before and the morning of the wedding when the couple and their families are at their busiest. Therefore unless the floral displays are very simple it is wise to have them professionally prepared by local companies. Decisions regarding the flowers should only be made once the wedding outfits have been chosen. The style and colour scheme of flowers should be in keeping with the wedding and in particular reflect the personality of the bride.

Flowers can also be chosen keeping their symbolic meaning in mind, although do remember that meanings can vary from place to place, and that many people won’t be aware of what each flower symbolises! However many flowers do traditionally represent certain qualities and, if they match your colour scheme, could be selected on this merit. For example orange blossom, symbolising purity and chastity, is frequently to be seen at weddings, as are lilies, symbolising majesty. Red roses, and chrysanthemums of course, represent love, as do tulips, while snowdrops symbolise hope, ivy is equated with eternal fidelity and the forget-me-not represents true love and remembrance. Lily-of-the-valley is worn for happiness, and myrtle for joy. Peonies, on the other hand, are said to be for shame, so won’t be appropriate for wedding day flowers in terms of their meaning, and some people prefer to avoid the colour combination red and white, believing this calls to mind blood and bandages. Here are a few further examples of flower meanings: The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2011 |

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FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS • BABY’S BREATH; pure of heart, innocence • BLUEBELL; humility, ever lasting love • CAMELLIA (red); unpretending excellence • CAMELLIA (white); you are adorable, perfected loveliness • AMBROSIA; your love is reciprocated • FERN; secret bond of love, fascination, sincerity, magic

ceremonies taking place on the same day. Find out the quantities you will be ordering flowers for, as you will need buttonholes for the bridegroom and best man and any ushers you may have. Some family members may also wish to wear one. People often choose to echo in the buttonholes a flower or some flowers from the bride’s bouquet, at least for the groom. This recalls the old tradition of the knight wearing his lady’s colours in medieval times, in order to declare his love for her, so it is not surprising this custom has found its home in the midst of the wedding day celebrations.

• HEATHER (white); protection, wishes will come true

You will need bouquets for your mother and mother in law as thank you gifts.

• PHLOX; our souls are united

You will need to decide on the style and colour of your bouquet to compliment your dress.

• SUNFLOWER; adoration, sunshine • VIOLET (white); let’s take a chance on happiness

FLOWERS PLANTS & DECOR Lilies are a very traditional wedding flower (the florists remove the stamen so that they will not stain your dress).

They can be easily combined with other blooms to give you a wonderful creation. The bridesmaids’ posies are usually colour co-ordinated with their dresses, so that you can choose to either bring everything in to match an overall colour scheme with the bride’s bouquet simply as the biggest and best, or to make that stand out by dressing the bridesmaids in a different colour, complete with matching posies. At the end of the day, you can choose to arrange it as complicatedly or simply as you like, depending entirely on your personal taste!

Advise the florists of the colours you will be using and they will be able to suggest the appropriate flowers to compliment outfits, also taking into

consideration the time of year. For people with allergies, dried or silk flowers are a good alternative. With the range of dried flowers now available, you can have designed a magnificent bouquet, which is just that little bit different.

Your table arrangements need careful thought. You need to know how many tables you require arrangements for, and how large they can be. You may also want to consider whether you want all the tables to be exactly the same, or whether you prefer to mark the top table out with a particular table display, letting the other tables still belong to the same colour scheme but using far simpler arrangements.

You don’t want the tables to be over crowded and the colours should match the tablecloths and napkins.

When you first meet the florist it is a good idea to take along a photograph or picture of your dress and the attendant’s outfits, together with a sample of the dress material and wedding stationery.

Today, nearly anything goes: Strewn rose petals can replace formal centrepieces, and a single, perfect calla lily can function as a bridal bouquet. You could also choose a lush profusion of varied blooms in brilliant colours. Whatever your vision, strive for something imaginative, playful, and clever.

Most guests will notice whether you have been adventurous with your flowers or not, especially the ladies, so don’t worry that all your hard work will have gone to waste!

Finally, remember that it is your day, designed in a way that will make you happiest so if it all seems far too complicated and stressful, just choose something simple that you like; it’s your big day and nobody else’s!

Panache - Event & Wedding Plant Flower and decoration services

We provide a beautiful selection of plants, lanterns, room and table decorations and chair covers for weddings in Jersey. All floral decorations come from our own flower shop and we dress and decorate your venue as part of the service.

Panache Wedding Hire in Jersey is unique because we tailor our services to suit your personal requirements, however big or small they may be.

We understand that each function we undertake is very special. Each client, each budget, each location and each brief is different and our creative skills allow us to take this and bring your vision of your special day to life.

Please visit us at Panache, The Flower Shop, Classic Herd Farm Shop, La Route du Manoir, St Peter, Jersey, JE3 7DD. Web: www.panachehire.co.uk Email: romany@panachehire.co.uk Shop: 01534 861105 Mobile: 07797 736 965 Speak to Romany

• WATER LILY; purity of hear he florist should be given notice of the wedding approximately four months in advance so that they are free on the day. The florist will want to discuss precise details around six weeks before the wedding.

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The decoration of the church should be discussed with the minister at the first meeting to find out what the church's policy is. Some churches will not allow flowers to be brought in as the church supplies the floral arrangements and others will allow the couple to supply the flowers.

Because weddings take place in the Register Office most days, they are suitably decorated and will have at least one flower arrangement. The Registrar may also allow further displays to be brought in but this should be discussed at an early stage of planning with the Registrar's office.

The main concern is that setting up displays does not disturb other

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event & wedding plant, flower & decoration services Be inspired and excited by our wedding design solutions.Using flowers and plants, chair covers, lanterns and candelabras, we share your passion to achieve the perfect backdrop for your special occasion.

panachehire.co.uk 01534 861105/07797 736965 romany@panachehire .co.uk Classic Herd Farm Shop, La Route du Manoir, St Peter, JE3 7DD.

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Photography Photographs and videos of the day are very important; therefore it is worthwhile spending a little time considering what you require, as you only get one chance to get it right! Decide on your budget and then ask for some quotes and only use professional photographers, such as Stuart McAllister (front cover pic), If you would like a memorable video of your big day there is no one better than Laurie Stewart. inding a photographer may seem like a daunting task to those of us who usually have no need to do such a thing and simply take photos as the need arises, but at the end of the day the most important thing to remember is that this is your day, and the photographer should listen to what you want, regardless of how professionally or vaguely you phrase it! Try to book early (as much as 12-18 months in advance if you can!) to find a good photographer who will capture the exact spirit of your wedding. Also if you want photos or a video to be taken during the service, you should check that this will be ok with the person conducting the service.

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A professional photographer is one of the most important members of the wedding party, as it is their job to make sure that the day will be remembered forever, ensuring that every moment of your wedding day is captured so you will have an enduring set of beautiful images. Photos will remain as tangible echoes of the day, long after the wedding day itself is over and done. They will be the things you look back on, show to family and friends in later years and use as proof of a day you will always remember. All of this means that a good set of wedding photos will be a joy forever, so do take your time making a final decision to be sure you make the right one. A good photographer will make you look like a star, but still capture the real you. Another factor in modern wedding photography is time. None of us like to be kept standing around for hours when there's a party to go to, and a professional photographer will use their creative and technical skills to get the best results as quickly and smoothly as possible.

The "story book" approach to wedding photography (known as photojournalism) has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it's now rare to see only shots taken outside the wedding venue and at the reception. Not everybody is comfortable with having a photographer around for every minute of the day but once you've relaxed about your choice, it can really add to the enjoyment of the proceedings. And of course your album will be a genuine record of your wedding day. Here are some further ideas of what you may want to ask a photographer when you meet them: Firstly, find out if the person you are talking to will be the one who would photograph your wedding, and not just a representative from the firm. You will want to have met your photographer at least once before the day itself, and if possible have communicated in some way far more. If this

sounds like just one more thing to make time for, don’t worry too much, but do bear in mind that the more comfortable you are with your chosen photographer, the easier it will be to communicate to him what you want and the more fun it will be on your wedding day. If you can find a photographer that you genuinely get on with, can smile with and even laugh with, the photos on the day will be more natural and far less stressful than can otherwise be the case. This person will be spending a fair amount of time with you on the day, so do try to find someone that you will be happy to have with you on your wedding day.

Ask if you can see all the shots taken at a single wedding rather than (or as well as) a selection of the best from a few. This will allow you to have a better idea of how many great shots you will get of your day.

Find out if they have had an event at your location before.

If so, they will already have some ideas about what works well at your location as they will have some experience with it. See how far they are willing to adapt to what you want: are they willing to accept a list of photos from you that you particularly want? Are they happy to let others take photos at the same time as they are, or will this interfere with their work? If the event goes on for longer than expected, will they be willing to stay until the end?

If yes, then at what extra charge?

Ask which style they prefer to shoot in. The most popular styles today are the traditional wedding style, where the photographer will arrange groups of people in specific poses, to best capture portraits of people and family members, and photojournalism, where the photographer will be around throughout the day, usually from before the bride gets dressed up until the end of the reception, and will unobtrusively capture natural moments on film, creating a far more candid and natural look. You will need to consider which style you prefer and look at the photographer’s portfolio to decide which is for you. If you decide you prefer photojournalism but don’t want the photographer there all day, you could consider letting him/ her go home after the important moments are over (cutting the cake, tossing the garter, first dance etc.) and just leave disposable cameras on the tables for guests to pick up and take photos with during the reception. Just remember to have someone pick the cameras up at the end of the night!

Stuart McAlister You will need to have a good talk with the chosen photographer to give him an idea of what you would like from your photographs, and ask to see samples of their work from previous weddings. You need to consider where you want your photographs to be taken, such as at home before leaving for the church, arriving at the church, during the ceremony, (with the minister’s permission), or signing the register. After the ceremony you could visit an area of Jersey to have some scenic photographs taken.

Among some of the other things that need to be discussed are how the pictures are going to be presented to you, prices of the albums, how many photographs and copies you require, if you are going to have any framed and if so what size you would like them.

32 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

Stuart is the overall winner of the Kodak Bride of the Year Award. Established since 1992 he has covered many weddings on Jersey and knows where all the best locations are for that ultimate unusual wedding shot.

Life is made easy when choosing your final images for your album as they are all there to view on his website www.stuartmcalister.com, although confidentiality is ensured through the provision of a username and password.

Call Stuart on (01534) 888007 to discuss your requirements well before the happy day. Normal office hours are Monday - Saturday 9am to 5.30pm but always best to ring first for an appointment. Out of hours appointments can also be arranged.

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

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Choosing a Venue & Entertainment The wedding reception allows family and friends of the couple to offer their congratulations and celebrate the couple's new status. The style of reception will depend on the budget available and the number of guests as well as personal preferences. n average, people allot about 40% of their wedding budget to the reception, although this will of course depend on your own personal priorities. When deciding on what type of reception you are after, you should probably bear in mind that most people would prefer to have plenty of good food, than many fiddly little plates, fantastically decorated to within an inch of their lives!

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CHOOSING A VENUE & ENTERTAINMENT

Les Charrières Country Hotel

The choice is yours - whether you plan to have a simple, intimate ceremony or the elaborate wedding of your dreams, they have the perfect venue for your Channel Islands wedding. Take your pick from the following venues: Elizabeth Castle - this beautiful castle is an ideal venue for a spectacular wedding.

The Final touch to a perfect day!

Our ultimate aim is to ensure your function is a well organised event and a memorable experience for you and your Guests.

Licensed for civil ceremonies, tailor-made prices and menus, entertainment, delightful function suites with friendly service.

Now taking bookings for 2013 & 2014

As the wedding reception is one of the most expensive elements of any wedding, it is therefore very important to put a lot of thought into the type of reception you want.

Depending on where your ceremony is to be held, if you choose to have a civil ceremony you may find that it is possible to have your reception at the same place. If not then of course you will need to look at nearby hotels, heritage sites, halls or perhaps even pubs. There are basically three options available as follows:

1 2

34 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

Hamptonne House - located in the heart of the Island’s countryside, Hamptonne is an idyllic site.

Jersey Museum the Merchant's House - civil wedding ceremonies are held in the beautiful and historic gas-lit Victorian drawing room.

To find out more simply telephone: 633312, or email: weddings@jerseyheritage.org or visit www.jerseyheritage.org.

If your wish is to have another choice of unique venues Durrell Wildlife Park is the place for you.

Durrell work in partnership with Chique Events (see page 15) who between them can offer you a wedding of your dreams.

Modern Hotels would be delighted to welcome you and your guests to their function rooms at the Mayfair & Metropole Hotels for your Wedding Reception. Their hotels are ideally situated in the centre of St Helier with easy access for guests. (01534) 874666.

Les Charrieres Country Hotel offering tailor-made menus at tailor-made prices. Should you wish to stay the overnight the rates are very reasonable and include use of the Leisure Club facilities. Telephone (01534) 481480.

La Hougue Bie - small religious wedding ceremonies can be held in the historic chapel at La Hougue Bie. Civil weddings take place on the rose covered veranda with receptions held in a marquee in the shade of mature trees.

Moulin de Lecq also offer a wedding retreat with character and charm from a 12th century mill. Extensive grounds and large car park. Telephone (01534) 482818.

Mont Orgueil Castle - the perfect castle wedding setting, with spectacular views of the Island’s east coast and across the sea to France.

Nestled along the popular waterfront promenade, the stylish Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel in Jersey is the perfect venue for your wedding reception Overlooking St. Aubin's Bay.

Radisson Blu Hotel

They are licenced for civil ceremonies and their wedding co-ordinator will tailor a package to suit your needs and budget. Telephone (01534) 671172.

St Brelades Bay Hotel The hotel is steeped in history and has been welcoming guests for many years. The entire hotel was lovingly and lavishly refurbished in early 2011 to the highest standard.

In January 2012 they opened a state of the art DW Health Club, with indoor swimming pool, relaxing spa pool and steam room. Telephone (01534) 746 141

Hotel Reception - where all the catering will be done in-house.

Marquee Reception - but once this is booked you will need to get in touch with a caterer. Let them know how many guests are coming to the reception and let them know what your budget is, they can then come up with a selection of menus or buffets and the costings. If you decide to put on an evening buffet you will need to cost for that also, not forgetting that there will be many more people at the evening function. The caterers can arrange the most elaborate of menus, with exotic fruits and fresh lobsters to the more traditional meals of roast meats and local vegetables, (according to season). Caterers need to be told of any special dietary needs, so check with your guests to see if any are vegetarians or diabetics as the caterers are more than happy to prepare something suitable. You will want to discuss the table arrangements with the caterer as they will be setting the tables. Have a table plan so they know where everyone is seated and have place cards printed. Most caterers provide the crockery and cutlery but you may need to arrange the hire of your wine and champagne glasses from a wine merchant.

Heritage sites - The backdrop to your special day plays such an important part in creating memories that will stay with you forever. At Jersey Heritage they are able to offer couples a choice of beautiful and captivating wedding venues; from castles and a Victorian Merchant’s house, to a 17th century farmhouse and picturesque medieval chapel.

3

Westhill Hotel The hotel is ideally located within a 15 minute walk to St. Aubin's Bay and only a short 5 minute drive into Jersey's capital St. Helier.The Restaurant, which can cater for up to 80 overlooks their stunning, award-winning gardens.

Telephone (01534) 723 260

Dolan Hotels As Jersey wedding venues go, the Somerville Hotel is the perfect choice for you and your guests.

For your Free consultation & wedding pack call +44(0)1534 481480 enquiries@lescharriereshotel.co.uk www.lescharriereshotel.co.uk

The views, the food, and the service – they all add up to a truly extraordinary place, perfect for the bride and groom's special day.

The Somerville Hotel is a licensed Jersey wedding venue and their banquet and function rooms can all be transformed for your occasion.

Telephone (01534) 741 226

Small enough to care big enough to cope The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

35

Two Perfect Venues - One Special Day Choosing the right venue for your big day can prove to be one of the most time-consuming parts of wedding planning. That’s why Seymour Hotels would like to propose two perfect venues, each with their own unique style. Both hotels have award winning staff and facilities to guarantee that everything will go to plan with only the one... much awaited hitch.

Whether your dream wedding is small and intimate or large and elaborate, we would love to help you arrange your wedding with us.

The Greenhills Country Hotel and Restaurant is a charming 4 star country house hotel dating back to the 16th Century and an ideal venue for your wedding.

The Golden Apple Suite can accommodate up to 300 guests, and for smaller more intimate receptions you may like to consider the Orchard Suite or La Petite Pomme.

Renowned for our fine food our chefs can create special menus, which together with our extensive wine list offer a superb choice for all budgets.

With 143 stylish and comfortable bedrooms we can offer a relaxing and enjoyable stay for your guests whilst the bride and groom indulge in the luxurious Pomme d’Or Suite.

The hotel is licensed for Civil Ceremonies in the elegant Beaumont Lounge, and the newly refurbished Restaurant and award winning gardens provide a delightful backdrop.

We are also fully licensed for Civil Ceremonies.

With 31 comfortable bedrooms, we offer exceptional value rates for wedding guests.

T. +44 (0)1534 880110 E. events@pommedorhotel.com

T. +44 (0)1534 481042 E. reserve@greenhillshotel.com

www.pommedorhotel.com

www.greenhillshotel.com

Durrell D Durr urrrell e W Wildlife ild ld dl fe P dlife Par Park arrk Sett in n 32 3 acres a acres Durr Durrell ell is the e perfectt venue ve e for f your wedding y wed dding ng g or civil vil ceremony.

Contact Con ct us: us W:: durr durrell.org/weddings W urrell e l.or l rg/weddin g/weddin T : 01534 015 767755 7

Your Wedding Day is one of the most important days of your life, and at St Brelade’s Bay Hotel we have the perfect beach location and four star luxury to give you and your guests a truly memorable experience.

New function room with private entrance, bar and terrace with views of the beach.

Bespoke service to suit your requirements.

Stunning selection of rooms and suites for you and your guests.

Outdoor swimming pool and landscaped gardens.

Please pop in for a look around or call us on 746141 to discuss how we can make your day truly special.

36 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

La Route de la Baie, St Brelade, JE3 8EF Telephone: 746141 www.stbreladesbayhotel.com

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

37

CHOOSING A VENUE & ENTERTAINMENT

Let us do the hard work for you!

Visit www.westhillhoteljersey.com to download your Wedding Brochure

W For all wedding queries contact Jonathan on +44 (0)1534 723 260 or email jon@westhillhoteljersey.com

Marquee Solutions can offer the full package enabling you to choose your Marquee and other items such as flooring, matting, lighting etc. and they are happy to have a site visit.

This ensures that they will be aware of any possible problems the site may present. Marquees are usually erected two or three days before the wedding day. See their advert on the Inside Rear Cover & ring John on 07797 844 800 or 861005.

FabuLasVegas is a fantastic

The Weshill Country Hotel is the ideal location for your special day and is set amongst 5 acres of award winning gardens.

attraction to have at any wedding.

Each of your guests receives a $1000 gold credit card to exchange for authentic chips at the tables. Highly trained and immaculately dressed croupiers will run your roulette, blackjack and poker tables for 2 hours and at the end of gaming will call in the chips and write out dollar cheques for all those who have won (or cheated!) the most. The winner receives a bottle of champagne. All prices are inclusive of delivery, set up, professional croupiers, gaming for two hours and get out costs, plus GST.

x Civil Ceremonies held for up to 65 persons x Newly refurbished Restaurant & Function room catering for 90 persons x Stunning views overlooking gardens & woodland

Westhill Country Hotel

FabuLasVegas can also offer a themed Casino Royale evening with James Bond life size cutouts and Bond music of all the film titles for your in house CD system or for the DJ to play.

They also have Rat Pack music and background scenic flats, either of these at no extra cost.

One telephone call to 610000 will do everything and you will be guaranteed a wonderful time.

Lara Szabo is a harp player whose versatility equals that of her instrument. She has M.A / Hons, Harp Performance, Teaching and Chamber Music on classical harp, B.A. Piano, Music Theory in Practice and many years of live performance experience.

As an inspirational and wonderfully accomplished artist, Lara has an extensive repertoire of classical, traditional, contemporary and evergreen pop/Celtic harp music that can create the perfect atmosphere for absolutely any event.

Listen to samples or watch video clips by logging onto Lara's website www.magnart.hu. Lara's versatility is unique and will of course, add special magic to your already special occasion.

Call: +447700 736132 Email: info@magnart.eu

SOMETHING BLU The most elegant sur surroundings, roundings, with exquisite cuisine cuisine,, breathtaking sea views and a tempting ter terrace, race, what more could yyou ou ask ffor? o or?

For smaller civil ceremonies and dinnerss to chic receptions intimate dinner sparkling parties and spar kling par ties ffor o or up to 250 guests; our sole aim is making the perfect dayy ffor have perf feect da o or yyou. ou. All yyou ou ha ave to arrive time.. do is ar rive on time

Let our wedding wedding coordinator inspire you. you. Call 01534 671172 or email: events.jersey@radissonblu.com events.jer sey@radissonblu.com www. www. radissonblu.com/hotel-jersey radissonblu.com/hotel-jer sey

Hotels that LO LOVE VE to o say say YES! Y YES 38 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

WATERF AT RONT HOTEL JERSEY

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

39

LONGUEVILLE MANOR The Stuff of Dreams wedding venue in Jersey does not get more special than at the Channel Island’s finest hotel, Longueville Manor - a place where fairy tales come true. The hotel has witnessed the union of many happy couples and takes pride in creating magical memories that last a lifetime.

A

Longueville Manor, the only five red star AA hotel in the Channel Islands, is also the only member of the world’s finest collection of small luxury hotels, Relais & Châteaux and is now recognised as one of Europe’s most celebrated destinations. The 30 bedroom boutique hotel, at the foot of enchanted woodland, is a converted five hundred year old Jersey manor house which boasts charm and character in abundance.

Chic interiors, understated service and impeccable attention to detail make Longueville Manor a haven of absolute luxury for you and your guests to

© Christian Keenan www.ckpweddings.com

indulge in during your special day.

Whether the day is a small intimate gathering of six, or a larger celebration for 65, the Manor provides the perfect setting for the ceremony, the reception, and of course the all important photographs.

Saturday. Wedding receptions can also be held in either the bright and more open surroundings of the Garden Room (max 65 persons) or the intimate and beautifully furnished Bateman Room for a smaller affair (max 24 persons).

We appreciate that every wedding is truly bespoke. With the three options of rooms at Longueville Manor all catering for different tastes, sizes and requirements, the perfect wedding you have always dreamed of can be made a reality.

Stunning location aside, Longueville Manor offers delicious award-winning cuisine, impeccable service and a comprehensive wine list to ensure your guests have the time of their lives too. Menus can be tailored to suit your personal preferences and should you have any specific requests the Longueville Manor team will be delighted to discuss these with you.

The 16th century Oak Room located in the Manor’s most historic part of the building provides a stunning, memorable and atmospheric ambiance for your wedding; lending itself perfectly for that once in a lifetime ceremony. Candlelit and overflowing with the couple’s choice of fresh flowers, it doesn’t get more romantic.

The Oak Room has the capacity to seat 30 guests for a wedding ceremony and ceremonies are conducted from 12 noon between Monday and

For the wedding you have always dreamed of and more, contact Longueville Manor’s dedicated wedding co-ordinators on 01534 725501. To find out more about the hotel visit their new website www.longuevillemanor.com

FROM

this DDAY AY Yf forward

At the foot of enchanted woodland, Longueville Manor is the place to realise your dreams and create a wedding day elyy yours. that is uniquely f t champagne, Raise a glass of thee finest seduce your guests with mouth-watering cuisine and celebrate in your own way against the backdrop of our stunning manor house.

Start as you mean to go on. Marryy at Longueville Manor.

01534 725501 www.longuevillemanor.com 40 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

POMME D’OR HOTEL popular venue for wedding receptions, the Pomme d’Or Hotel has now been licenced to host civil ceremonies as well enabling couples to hold their wedding and reception under the same roof.

A

With three different rooms having been approved to host the ceremonies, there is something to suit all sizes of wedding; Decorated in a classic, traditional style, La Petite Pomme is the perfect setting for an elegant intimate wedding with the scope to accommodate a maximum of 40 guests. (Please note that there is no disabled access to La Petite Pomme.)

For a slightly larger scale wedding, which maintains a feeling of intimacy, the Orchard Suite can cater for up to 70 guests while The Wharf Suite can accommodate a maximum of 100 people.

After the wedding ceremony, the party can move to a host of different suites for the wedding breakfast.

The Golden Apple Suite is the perfect venue for your reception, seating up to 180 people and including a private bar and dance floor. Special touches include the ceiling lighting, which can be set to change the colour of the room to complement with your colour scheme.

The room also features an integrated sound system giving you the option of hiring a DJ or bringing your own iPod to dock and control from the computer giving you the freedom to create your own playlist and run your own disco.

The Golden Apple Suite also features giant screens on which photographs, video messages or family movies can be shown.

Any wedding receptions booked at The Pomme d’Or Hotel automatically include a late extension to the bar ensuring that this will be open until 0200. Bands are licenced to perform until 2300 while a disco can continue until 0100.

All wedding packages also include a tasting session giving you the opportunity to enjoy a sample of each dish selected for your wedding breakfast menu.

All couples holding their wedding at The Pomme d’Or will benefit from the experience of a dedicated co-ordinator who will be on hand throughout the planning process to ensure that everybody enjoys the day of their dreams.

They will also finish the day on a high in the indulgent Pomme d’or Suite which includes a luxurious bedroom, a separate lounge and exceptional views across Liberation Square and the Marina.

Your guests can also relax and enjoy a night’s comfort in one of the hotel’s 143 bedrooms.

For further information about weddings at The Pomme d’or Hotel, please telephone Vikki Speckleton on 751372 or e-mail vspeckleton@pommedorhotel.com.

REG’S GARDEN or a true ‘fairytale wedding’ experience, look no further than Reg’s Garden in St Brelade where you can tie the knot in the presence of no fewer than 900 fairies.

F

Founded by Reg Langlois as his ‘retirement project’ in 1995, Reg’s Garden is a haven of beauty, magic and tranquillity. For 2012, he has decided to make it available as a wedding venue following requests from visitors who have been charmed by the setting.

On entering the garden, you are first struck by the 180 foot fishpond filled with more than 300 coy carp.

A waterfall provides a magnificent backdrop to the pond when a bridge at the midway point provides a beautiful setting for photographs.

On one side of the pond are the aviaries, home to 120 cockatiels, parakeets and Lady Amherst’s pheasants. On the other side is a path lined with rhododendrons which cre-

42 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

ates a wonderful entrance to the amphitheatre.

It is the amphitheatre which has been licenced to hold weddings with the ceremony itself taking place in a covered theatre opening off the amphitheatre.

The covered theatre can accommodate up to 50 guests while a further 240 can sit in the amphitheatre which was built four years ago and has hosted concerts and carol services.

After the ceremony, couples can make the most of the beautiful grounds as the setting for their reception with a dining area that can seat 100 people.

The garden has barbeque facilities and would also make a lovely backdrop for picnics. There are also on-site cooking facilities if required. Couples are welcome to have music, either in the form of a choir or live band.

Guests young and old will be enchanted by the fairy garden which is home to over 900 fairies and features a

large toadstool house and there is also a film show facility to keep younger guests entertained.

For one couple who will be getting married at Reg’s Garden on 7 July 2012, the garden was the ‘obvious choice’ for their wedding.

Oliver Norman and Berenice Westwood first visited the garden a year ago and were charmed by its beauty and character.

Oliver explains: ‘When it came to choosing a location for our wedding, there was really only one place on the Island that we both felt particularly attracted to. We wanted to have a wedding in a venue that was more personal than a hotel which neither of us had ever visited or stayed in. Reg’s Garden was simply the obvious choice for us.’

To enquire about holding your wedding at Reg’s Garden, telephone Reg Langlois on 743756 or write to him at Reg’s Garden, Route des Genets, St Brelade.

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

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16 NEW STREET History lovers will be inspired by 16 New Street, which has been approved as a civil wedding venue for 2012.

Owned by the National Trust for Jersey, 16 New Street has been painstakingly restored to its original Georgian glory.

Built around 1730 by Philippe Patriarche, a former Connétable of St Helier and Jurat of Jersey’s Royal Court, the property remained a private house until 1850 when then owners the Journeaux family were forced to sell it owing to bankruptcy. Following its purchase in 1864 by the firm of A. de Gruchy & Co., shopkeepers, it was home to The Liberty Club, a gentlemen’s club, between 1870 and 1909 and was later rented to the Young Men’s Christian Association.

In more recent years, De Gruchy’s used the property as a curtain and blind workshop. By the late 1970s the building was little more than a store and, neglected for the next twenty years, fell into such a state of disrepair that it was in danger of collapse or demolition.

IN PERFECT HARMONY However, since being donated to the National Trust of Jersey in 2003 by the Merchant Retail Group, the new owners of the De Gruchy department store, the building has been secured structurally and completely repaired internally. Even the paint and wallpaper are based on analyses of paint samples and fragments of wallpaper salvaged from the property.

The paintings adorning the walls are also authentic representations of the Island during the Georgian period, many being on loan from Jersey Heritage. Notably, a number of items within the property, including a teapot and sugar bowl engraved with the letter ‘P’ for Patriarche, are on loan from the descendants of Philippe Patriarche.

In the early nineteenth century, 16 New Street was renovated in the Regency style. This work included the installation of new windows to the front of the building, a revision to the shape of the roof and the introduction of a marble fireplace to the drawing room.

If music be the food of love, then filling your ceremony with the sounds of Jersey’s only male voice choir has to be the perfect way to start married life.

bring your service to life interspersing the text with songs and providing a choral interlude while you and your witnesses sign the register.

you will be invited to meet the Musical Director Trevor Prouse and a member of the committee to discuss your tastes and requirements.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2012, The Harmony Men are famous in the Island for entertaining audiences at both formal concerts and impromptu singing sessions, the latter of which usually take place in one of the Island’s hostelries.

With 150 pieces of music in the choir’s repertoire, couples can choose music from any era or genre ranging from Mozart’s Ave Verum to When I’m Sixty-Four by the Beatles and the Whitney Houston classic One Moment In Time.

At this point, you will be given the opportunity to listen to tracks from the choir’s CDs or, if there is a particular song which you would like to hear which has not been recorded, you will be able to attend one of their weekly rehearsals for your personal rendition.

They have also helped numerous couples to fill their wedding services with music avoiding those embarrassing moments where the congregation falls silent as the vicar announces the next hymn to be sung.

‘Unlike a lot of UK male voice choirs, The Harmony Men has an extensive and wide-ranging repertoire because, being based in a small community, we are often performing to the same people. Therefore, it is important to keep our programmes fresh and exciting.’

‘As well as singing the hymns and a blessing during the ceremony, we would recommend that each couple chooses two or three songs to cover the signing of the register,’ said Les. ‘We can also sing outside the venue if required to entertain guests while the couple have their photographs taken.

And we will always throw in a surprise or two for the bride!’

As choir chairman Les Norman explains: ‘So often at weddings, the singing can be weak and disappointing.

By choosing The Harmony Men to take part in the ceremony, the whole service is lifted. As well as carrying the hymns during the service, we will also entertain the congregation during the signing of the register.’

And if you are planning a civil ceremony, The Harmony Men can help

The eclectic repertoire also ensures that there is something to appeal to everybody with songs from the shows and love songs taking their place alongside Church music and traditional male voice anthems.

To choose the songs which are most appropriate for your ceremony, once you have booked The Harmony Men,

To book The Harmony Men for your wedding, please contact choir secretary Peter Routier by e-mail at proutier@live.co.uk or telephone 07797 713862.

Lara Szabo ~Harpist For Beautiful & Enchanting Music

The room which has been licensed for wedding ceremonies is the Club Room, on the first floor, which retains its Victorian splendour. With its hand-grained panelled walls, period furniture and working fireplace, the room has the capacity to seat approximately thirty five for an intimate candlelit ceremony, accompanied by music from a grand piano. Afterwards drinks may be served by the fireside in the Regency Drawing Room, with the option to host a wedding banquet for a dozen guests subsequently.

Please note that this venue is not suitable for guests less than 25 years of age. In recognition of the property’s museum status, guests are also asked to refrain from wearing stilettos or drinking red wine and drinks containing darkcoloured fruit juices.

The other National Trust properties available for wedding hire are Câtel Fort, overlooking Grève de Lecq, and Le Don Hilton, otherwise known as La Caumine â Marie Best, beside St.Ouen’s Bay. For further information about all these properties, please telephone Chris Addy on 01534 483193 or e-mail chris@nationaltrustjersey.org.je.

44 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

LARA SZABO T: +44 7700 736 132 E: info@magnart.eu W: www.magnart.hu The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

45

Choosing a Caterer Niche Events.com provides stylish gourmet food together with champagne and cocktail bars, using modern equipment backed up with a quality service from their skilled workforce. From a simple Wedding BBQ with a lamb on the spit, a Gala Wedding Buffet or a full sit down three course marquee function, Niche Events.com can cater for any event large or small. Modern British Cuisine with a “twist”. Their motto is “for those who just love great food”.

Whatever your type of event, a marquee can be provided to suit the occasion! Traditional marquees, starclothed linings, chandeliers, dance floors, themed interiors and various floorings. They can also help you with venue recommendations.

Niche Events.com’s corporate event company have a styling section should you wish to have your wedding or event styled from start to finish.

Tel: 07797 729 292 and ask Trudy for further details and a wedding pack or look at their website www.nicheevents.com for further information.

E-mail

nicheevents@yahoo.com Whatever you choose to do, do remember who will be coming to your wedding and so who will be eating there. It sounds like an obvious point, but if you can only offer your guests one choice of meal, or even one of two, do try to make sure there is something there that most people will be willing to eat, not just something that looks and sounds impressive. Also, don’t forget to find out what drinks can be provided and consider what you will be willing to pay for. Most places will include a basic reception drink for each person on arrival, such as Bucks Fizz or sparkling wine, one or two glasses of house wine and a glass of champagne for toasts. On top of this you will need to think if you want to provide anything else (a soft drink, for example, more wine, beer or whatever you think best). With the meal most people serve wine (white wine for starters, white meats, fish and salads; red wine with red meats. White wine should always be served first as otherwise red will overpower the palate. For the same reason, a dry or medium wine would generally be served with a main meal in preference to a sweet one.)

46 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

For evening drinks, the most popular options are to put a certain amount of money behind the bar, so that people get free drinks up until that money runs out, at which time they start paying for their own, or to offer wine, beer or soft drinks free for guests, with anything else to be paid for separately.

Another option would be to set up a tab behind the bar, which would be picked up at the end of the night, the problem with this being that it is almost impossible to budget for. If the evening will end in a disco, it may be a good idea to provide plenty of soft drinks for those who want to quench their thirst. This may also cut down on the amount of alcohol consumed.

You may also want to find out before the day how the reception venue is usually decorated, and if you will want to add any further decorations yourself. Flowers have obviously already been mentioned, but also decide if you want any further decoration. Balloons, banners, ribbons and photographs of the two of you could all be considered if you do wish to decorate the hall further. Will you spread confetti on the tables, or use feathers and tea lights on the tables? If the event will last into the evening, lighting may be a further consideration. How is the

The Cake venue usually lit and are you happy with the atmosphere this creates? If not, depending on the style of your wedding you might think about bringing more candles in for the tables, hanging fairy lights around doors and windows, putting reflective surfaces like mirrors on the walls to create the effect of more lights, or putting disco lights and a disco ball up. As always, the options are many and varied so the choice will be completely up to you. As a final thought for this section, do also consider what type of entertainment you will want at your reception. Would you prefer a DJ, who will be able to play a large selection of recorded tracks and may be able to act as Master of Ceremonies throughout the reception, or a live band, playing your favourite type of music? Might you want a themed dance, such as an Irish ceilidh or a salsa night? Either way you will probably want to think about this as soon as possible since, as with many other things, good bands and DJs will get booked up far in advance. It’s always a good idea to try to hear your chosen band or DJ before your wedding day, either at another event or by asking them for their demo tape, and if you have any particular requests, it’s generally best to pass these along as soon as possible.

Your patisserie will recommend the best options when it comes to design and size, taking into account the number of pieces you require, which will obviously dictate the size and how many tiers will be on the wedding cake, and whether the top tier will be needed for that special christening event in the future. he traditional wedding cake is a two or three-tiered round or square fruitcake with marzipan decorated with royal icing.

The softer fondant icing is becoming increasingly popular. Some couples choose other cakes such as suitably decorated sponge or chocolate cakes, possibly designed to fit in with the colour scheme of the wedding, where there is one.

If you prefer you could decide to be that little bit different by choosing carrot cake, banana cake or another more unusual flavour for your wedding cake! You may even decide to have the top layer as a fruitcake, then the other layer(s) in a different flavour. It will be up to you to decide how traditional or unconventional you want to be. You may also want to consider whether you will want to serve the cake as dessert, if you will want to eat it later in the evening or if you would prefer to simply give people slices to take home. This should be decided before the day as it will have implications for when the cake will need to be cut by and how it will be presented once cut. If you will (as is very likely) be cutting the cake at the reception, try to remember to check whether or not the venue has a proper cake stand and cake knife. They almost certainly will if they are used to catering weddings, but it’s always best to check these things before you end up cutting the cake with a steak knife.

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You should allow eight to ten weeks when ordering the cake.

Bake me a Cake 48344 Cakes by Jo 07797 798763 Creative Confections 490952 Karyna’s Cakes 863920 Kelly’s Cakes 07797 729028 The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

47

BEAUTY TREATMENTS

Beauty Treatments Both bride and groom will want to look good on the big day so, regardless of your usual beauty regime, you may want to consider beginning your preparations some time in advance. t would be a good idea to have a hair cut about a month in advance (particularly if you want to change your style slightly), and then neaten it up slightly if necessary a week before hand. This will give your hair a chance to settle into place and gives you time to sort out exactly what you want done with it, or to restyle it if you really don’t like the cut. About the same time you may both want to start (if you don’t normally) using a shampoo that suits your hair type and a conditioner to give your hair an extra shine. Your hairdresser will advise and in most cases will be able to supply the product. If you want to treat yourself, you could also have a facial (yes, both brides and grooms if you wish and are comfortable with the idea) at a salon about a month before the wedding and again about a week before. Don’t worry if you come out in spots shortly after the first time; this is just your body’s way of getting rid of toxins.

Women who want to do so should wax their legs and pluck their eyebrows at least four days before the wedding day, to allow time for the redness to go down, as should men who wish to have their eyebrows tidied. Men may also

I

want to do a thorough wet shave (after a shower or bath to soften the bristles and make the process easier) the morning of the wedding, or possibly the night before if you feel this would be safer! Both members of the happy couple should probably remember that a lot of people will be wanting to look at their hands on the day itself to see the rings, so you may decide to treat yourselves to a manicure, or just look after your hands a little more carefully in the run up to the wedding by pushing back cuticles with a towel after washing your hands and putting on hand cream.

On the day itself, men who usually pay little attention to their appearance may consider putting a little light hairspray or gel into their hair (no one will be able to tell! Just experiment a little earlier to make sure you know how much to put on) to keep it in place throughout the day, or using soft wax if they will be wearing hats, as this is malleable enough to be simply pushed back into place once the hat is removed.

A woman’s wedding day is usually the most public display she will ever experience in her lifetime. It is the day that she wants to shine and be at her most beautiful.

As a make-up artist and holistic health and beauty specialist, I meet with many brides in the weeks before their wedding day. Usually the first time we meet is for their make-over trial.

I see very differing skin types and skin problems and with many brides to be feeling anxious about how their skin will be on the big day. With the correct preparation, care and make-up application, your skin can be at its best and most beautiful on this exciting day.

Bearing in mind that the skin is the largest eliminatory organ of the body – any toxic build up or burden in the liver, kidneys etc is going to create strain on the skin and cause blockages in the excretory system in the body.

With this in mind, I have put together a few very useful pointers to ensure you are beautiful inside … and outside too on your big day.

INSIDE

7

If you are suffering with digestive discomfort/bloating as well as problematic skin, then try a food intolerance test to pinpoint the trigger foods which are creating a burden on the body (home test kits are now available - see page 45).

8

Eat your evening meal early on as eating near to bedtime places extra strain on the liver and digestive organs.

OUTSIDE

9

Skin brush every morning all over the body for about three minutes, working towards the heart before you shower or bathe. This stimulates the lymphatic system to clear out loosened impurities and toxins.

10

Facials every 3-4 weeks up to the big day can be fantastic for improving skin complaints and texture. Opt for facials using organic products as most other products on the market are loaded with chemicals which make their way into our bloodstream. We still don’t know the detrimental long term effect of the

harsh chemicals in many of the products on the market in our world today.

11

Daily skin routine is important, especially makeup removal at night. Choose organic products to cleanse and moisturise.

12

Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to ensure that sebum does not get trapped beneath drier skin and cause breakouts. It also greatly improves the texture of the skin for the make-up application on the big day and aids the make-up in staying on properly.

13

Maria Barnicoat specialises in wedding make-overs and holistic health and beauty at her base of Earth Beauty, 12 Conway Street, St Helier and uses Miessence Certified Organic Products and the Cambridge Nutritional Sciences Food Intolerance Test kits. By combining the Test results with the unique ‘Holistic Food Empowerment Plan’, she has helped brides to lose weight and bring their health back into balance before their big day.

Tel: 722768 or 07797 832400 maria@earth-beauty.com and www.earth-beauty.com.

If you are suffering with stress (which affects our skin) treat yourself to a few therapeutic treatments in the weeks before to keep you calm and well.

Why not visit Tropical Tanning at 48 Don Street to help achieve a sun kissed look for your special day and prepare your skin for a honeymoon in warmer climes.

After following the above steps, you should be glowing on your big day and the make-up will glide on easily. It is also important to go for your make-up trial a few weeks/months before to ensure that you are confident about the look you will have.

This luxurious salon has upright and lie down, turbo powered, fast tanning sunbeds and is a member of the British Sunbed Association.

Alternatively you can achieve your desired colour by using Mystic Tan, the world’s number one spray tanning booth.

1

Start every morning with a glass of warm water and a squeeze of lemon juice (I know brides who have transformed their skin by doing this one step only!).

2

Drink 2 litres of water a day.

Drink most of this in the mornings to really flush out the toxins and set you up for the day.

3

Dandelion tea is a wonderful diuretic and tonic for the liver and kidneys, it helps to strengthen them and reduce your toxic build up.

4

Green tea is full of anti-oxidants, the Chinese have known about its secrets for thousands of years – a cup of this a day is a great habit to be in and helps to neutralise acidity in the body which can also contributes to poor skin conditions.

5 6

A Vitamin C supplement is very useful for aiding the immune system and supporting the skin.

Cut out all deep fried, salty and spicy foods if you have a lot of redness or spots on your skin (the eastern world know these foods increase heat in the body and burden on the liver).

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The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

49

BEAUTY TREATMENTS

Arriving in Style Whether you plan to arrive at your wedding on a tandem, in a vintage car or in a horse drawn carriage there are certain considerations, such as cost, distance and style, which may affect your choice.

A natural looking tan can be achieved in just one session with your skin being enriched with Aloe Vera for a softer smoother skin.

The salon will provide you with safe, hygienic and a totally responsible way to achieve the look you desire for your wedding day.

apture the romance and elegance of a bygone era and turn heads by arriving at your wedding in a Rolls-Royce, Daimler or Vintage Open Tourer.

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Call in or telephone their friendly highly trained consultants who will be delighted to advise you on all the aspects of your tanning requirements for that very special day.

With an inspirational collection of classic and vintage cars, Style Hire will ensure that the magic of the day starts from the minute you step into the car to travel to your ceremony.

To receive a 20% Discount on any course of sunbeds or mystic spray Tan simply mention the Guide to Jersey Weddings when you call into the salon.

You will have a tremendous amount of photographs taken, and as we all know we can look very different on film, so have a couple of trial runs of putting on all the make up and taking a couple of photos, that way you can see if it looks alright.

Anything you are not so keen on you can change, and if you go to a beauty therapist they will do a full trial first.

Try not to be too heavy handed with the blusher as with the excitement of the occasion and champagne flowing, you could end up looking very flushed.

It is always wise to go for the classical look with your make up, that way it will not look dated when you look at your photographs in years to come.

Some further precautions and tips listed below are necessary to enable you to prepare yourself in advance of the wedding day are as follows: Do not forget to protect your skin from the drying effects of the wind and the sun.

Do not go in the sun a couple of days before the wedding, as you do not want to glow red on the big day.

If the weather has been good, make sure you sort out any stray strap marks or other tan lines that will show once you have your dress on.

Cleanse your skin thoroughly every day using warm water and a mild facial wash finishing with a splash of cold water to close the pores and patting your face dry with a towel, trying not to pull the delicate skin around the eyes. Massage your face and neck with

50 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

Each car has been lovingly restored and maintained by owner and self-confessed car enthusiast Mark Salisbury whose passion for the vehicles is immediately obvious.

your fingertips to stimulate circulation and boost your overall skin tone.

Do not squeeze spots as this causes scarring. Drink plenty of water normally up to eight glasses per day to prevent dehydration and to assist in the elimination of toxins.

If you smoke, try giving up, many have and feel far healthier because of it!

Use a good moisturising conditioner every time you shampoo if you can.

Do not blow dry your hair with excessive heat and brush your hair regularly as this stimulates circulation.

Nails are similar to hair in composition and rely on nutrients from the blood stream for their health and growth especially calcium.

A regular manicure will keep your nails and cuticles looking neat. Remember above all regular exercise will stimulate your circulation, which will nourish your skin and scalp.

Getting plenty of sleep especially during the two weeks prior to your wedding is very important and if you feel you are not getting enough vitamins and minerals in your normal diet, consider taking a supplement.

The bride’s hair is as important as the dress and therefore needs a great deal of discussion with your hairdresser.

Consider whether you want your hair worn up or down, or whether you will

be wearing flowers woven into the hair.

Do You Need Your Colour Changing?

Browse through some wedding hair magazines or books to give yourself an idea of what you want, as the hairdresser can always tell you whether a particular style would be suitable for your hair.

It is always important to have a dry run with the style you have decided on, not only to make sure you like the style chosen but also to give you an idea of the time it took to do. That way you will know how much time to allow on the actual day.

Have a trial run at the hairdressers a week or two before the big day. Take along your headdress and veil and even a Polaroid or Digital camera to make recreating your wedding hairstyle easier.

Blades Hairdressing and Beauty have five salons to choose from in St. Helier and St. Peter.

They are happy to offer free wedding consultations and have a range of beauty and hair specialists to give you advice on your special day.

Telephone 735919

When Mark bought Style Hire five years ago, his ‘fleet’ consisted of a 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow which remains a popular choice for brides thanks to its spacious interior and stylish appearance. The coachwork is white while the seats are red leather with burr walnut wood surrounds.

‘The Silver Shadow is the most “modern” car in the fleet and is perfect for any bride who wants to enjoy a traditional luxury wedding experience,’ says Mark. ‘It is a very stylish car with a classic look. It also features full airconditioning, guaranteeing that the bride will arrive in comfort whatever the weather.’

Reflecting the romance and appeal of the Rolls Royce badge, Mark has since added another Rolls-Royce to his fleet.

This is a navy 1934 20-25 Limousine which features a spacious and comfortable cream leather interior.

‘As well as giving the bride and groom a truly luxurious journey, the Limousine offers opportunities for wonderful photographs,’ Mark explains.

The oldest car in the fleet is a 1928 Willy’s Whippet Open Tourer. Cream with a black leather interior, the car also has a folding roof and clip-on sides to protect you from the elements if necessary.

‘This car has absolutely no mod-cons,’ says Mark, ‘but is perfect for couples with a sense of fun. When transporting the bride to the ceremony, we keep the roof up but weather permitting, we remove the roof when taking the bride and groom from the ceremony to the reception.’

The most popular car in the fleet is the 1967 Daimler V8 Saloon, reminiscent of the Inspector Morse-style Jaguar. With its classical lines, the Daimler’s coachwork is white with a contrasting red leather interior.

‘The Daimler’s colour scheme means that it complements the Silver Shadow

perfectly,’ said Mark. ‘As such, the Daimler is popular both as the bridal car and as a support car for the bridesmaids where the bride has chosen to travel in the Rolls Royce.’

All the cars are fully insured and are inspected annually by DVS. They are driven by a carefully-trained team of chauffeurs all of whom are professional drivers who have been trained by Mark to ensure that no detail is overlooked.

Each driver wears traditional chauffeur uniforms and new for 2012, when driving the 1928 Willy’s Whippet Open Tourer, Mark will dress in full period regalia with a tweed suit and either a flat cap or straw boater to capture the full style of the 1920s.

All cars are decorated with white ribbons, bows and a silk flower arrangement. (Other colour ribbons can be supplied to complement your colour scheme if desired.)

Reflecting the attention to detail, which encapsulates Style Hire’s approach, each car is also stocked with two large umbrellas, a first aid kit, sewing kit, tissues and mints for those ‘just in case’ moments.

Each booking guarantees you the car for three hours, which provides transport to the ceremony and from the ceremony to the reception. The package is also designed to allow time for a 30 minute drive for the bride and groom and photo opportunities.

‘Of all the services included in the package, most couples are especially appreciative of the “breathing space” provided during the 30 minute drive after the ceremony as it gives them special time together before they start mingling with their family and friends at the reception,’ Mark explained.

For all booking enquiries, and to arrange a viewing of the fleet, please e-mail Mark at marks@jerseymail.co.uk or submit the enquiry form from the website – www.weddingcars.je. You can also telephone Mark on 869439 or 07797 722686 but please note that the landline is on answer phone during office hours so please leave a message and Mark will respond to you in the evening.

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

51

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HIRING aving decided on how formal your wedding is going to be, it may be appropriate for the groom to hire or buy a morning suit. The groom should select his formal wear based on the formality of the wedding.

Traditionally, weddings took place in the morning so the groom and his groomsmen wore morning suits, evening suits being worn if events went on into the evening. Today weddings take place at all times of day and the rules have become far more relaxed, as many feel the elegance of a morning suit to be ideally suited to weddings, regardless of the time of day. If the style of the wedding is formal, then this may well be the way to go. If the idea of a morning suit does not appeal, there are many other options to consider.

For a semi-formal or formal wedding, the groom may instead choose to wear a tuxedo, the formal jacket worn by men on special or formal occasions. The most popular options are listed below:

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Morning suit Usually worn for weddings which take place before 3pm, the cut and style of the coat is very flattering to the majority of figures and consists of a blue, black, grey or contemporary tailcoat, paired with matching or contrasting trousers either, plain or pinstriped. The outfit is completed with a white wing-collar shirt, a waistcoat of any colour, a cravat, Ascot top hat and gloves (not worn).

For a less formal wedding with a modern day slant, opt for a tailored jacket rather than tails and team with a classic white shirt. Knot your cravat as you would a tie and forget the top hat.

Lounge suite (Day Suit) This option may be suitable for a more informal or modern style of wedding. It can be two or three piece and single- or double-breasted. Shirts and ties can be matched to a colour scheme or left up to individuals.

Shoes can be of any style and colour, although naturally still matched to the suit; black trousers with brown

54 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

Guest lists & Speeches shoes or vice versa are not considered good looks, and trainers are not really suitable! Do make sure the shoes are comfortable, though, as you will be in them all day.

Black Tie (Dinner Suit or Tuxedo) This may be worn for weddings later in the day or those to be followed by a formal reception and is ideal for a grand evening reception or summer ball. It includes a black dinner jacket, either single or double-breasted, with ribbed silk lapels, preferably not satin, with no vents or covered buttons, tapered trousers (suitable for braces and, officially, with one row of braid), evening shirt (in cotton or silk, with either a Marcella or pleated front and a soft, turn down collar) and bow tie (black silk). You can choose to wear cummerbunds (with pleats opening upwards), but waistcoats are still much more acceptable and can be made as individual as you like with a colourful bow tie, matching waistcoat and pocket-handkerchief. Black, well polished shoes and plain black socks should complete the outfit.

White Tuxedo This may be worn as an alternative to the black tie suit, with much the same accessories only wearing a white jacket with black trousers and a white shirt, in the same style as above.

Again, a black silk bow tie, black shoes and black socks should be worn with this outfit.

Frock Coat This is a more unusual alternative but increasingly popular. It is available in many colours and fabric designs and is usually made in beautiful brocades. It looks great paired with a pair of plain black trousers and is worn with a winged-collar shirt and traditionally tied cravat.

Fitting At JEEP they pride themselves in getting it right. Your wedding day is as important to them as it is to you, and the Gents outfits are a massive

part of the day. If you are going for the traditional style of top hat and tails, lounge suits, or Formal evening dress, both the groom and best man will need a suit as will the bride’s father and any ushers you may have.

Ideally the groom, his groomsmen, the ushers and the father of the bride will all wear the same, although the groom may choose to be different.

The fit of the suit must be right, so whether you are purchasing or hiring you will need to go in for a fitting. When you come in for a fitting, they will need to take the following measurements from each person: chest, waist, inner leg, sleeve length, collar size and height.

At this stage, all shirts (To keep as part of the package) rouches, handkerchiefs, and other accessories will be ordered along with any additional outfits.

This will ensure a correctly fitting suit for the big day. It is generally wisest to start the process of buying or hiring a suit about 3 months before the wedding to ensure that they will be able to cater for you and to allow time to order any made to measure items or additional accessories.

Once all of the items are in stock, a minimum of 2 weeks before the wedding all gents will be required to attend the store for a final fitting and any minor alterations noted and made ready for the big day.

Civil Ceremonies Alternatively, if you have decided to go for a civil ceremony, the groom may decide to invest in a good quality suit in his preferred style, from any of the other brands JEEP have in store.

These include Armani Collezioni, made to measure or made to order, Torre and Saville Heaton, as a decent suit always comes in handy for future social occasions.

Compiling the Guest List can be the most contentious part of the wedding, since it is normally not possible to invite all of the family and friends of both the bride and groom due to space limitations and budget constraints. raditionally, the bride's parents organise the invitations, as they are the hosts of the wedding. The bride's mother usually sends out the invitations and receives the replies. This applies even if the groom's parents make some financial contribution towards the wedding. It’s generally a good idea to start compiling the guest list at least six months before the wedding to allow two or three months breathing space for disagreements, confusions, complications and finding address books! Having booked your venue, you will be aware of the numbers of people it will be possible to invite to each section of the day. From here you will be able to move on to working out who you will invite to your wedding.

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Since weddings are family affairs, you and your partner’s immediate families and relatives are always invited. These are normally one step removed such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and first cousins. Close friends and sometimes work colleagues should also be included. Close family friends of the parents should also be considered.

How far out you intend to go will depend completely on the couple concerned, as you will know how big a wedding you want and who will be the most important people to invite. If you have enough invitations to do so, it will be seen as a nice gesture to invite even those old friends and relatives who, due to distance, age or disability, will clearly not be able to attend the wedding. They will appreciate the thought, even if they won’t be able to attend the wedding itself.

It is also customary to send invitations to the bride’s attendants, the best man, the groom’s parents and the church minister, but do not include the registrar in the case of civil marriages.

A third each of the invites should be sent to the bride’s parent’s guests, the groom’s parent’s guests and the friends of the bride and groom, although ultimately the host who is paying for

the wedding should give their final approval. Obviously these rules need not be stuck to religiously; they are just a guideline. If one family is far, far larger than the other, it should not cause massive familial ructions if the larger family receives more invitations!

Equally, you will need to decide who you really want to be there as well as who your family will expect you to invite and, if these lists are likely to be slightly different, consider how you might be able to find a compromise.

Long term unmarried partnerships only should be considered when deciding on guest’s unmarried partners; short term relationships are not seen as equally important and do not need to be treated as such when wedding invitations are being sent out.

If you decide to invite children, you might want to agree on a lower age limit, or consider ways of keeping the children entertained throughout what to them could well be a long, tiring day. In the case that there will be many young children present, you might want to give some thought as to how to keep them from interrupting proceedings through boredom.

Suggesting that guests with young children sit on the end of a row or towards the back of the hall during the ceremony in case the child needs to leave may be welcomed by parents, who could well be worried about their child misbehaving. Parents will presumably know how to keep their own children occupied during the reception, although if you wanted to make arrangements, such as providing a small activity pack, or trusting them with some small responsibility (like taking round a few disposable cameras to take photos of people), you certainly could do so. If you are worried about children interrupting proceedings, perhaps you could find ways of tactfully suggesting to the parents that, for example, if their child is a fussy eater, maybe they could bring a sandwich or something in case the child doesn’t like the food. It may also

be possible to find someone to discreetly point out where the toilet is to guests with children, so that if small child needs to go during the service, he or she can be taken out with minimum of fuss. You could also mention that you wouldn’t mind in the slightest if the child occupied him or herself with a quiet puzzle or book during the service or during speeches, which a child may well find extremely dull. If there is a quiet room somewhere, you could also tell parents quietly where it is, just in case their child usually has an afternoon nap and is suffering for the lack of it. If you choose not to invite children, just ensure you have an inoffensive reply prepared to give to those with small children; citing budgetary constraints or lack of space would be perfectly acceptable (quite apart from being true in many cases!). Writing a personal note, or ringing them up yourself may also help to reduce any bad feeling, instead of just letting them read a printed note on the invitations. At the end of the day, these are your friends and family that you are inviting, so they will understand.

Traditionally it is the bride’s parents who host their daughter’s wedding and therefore responsible for sending the invitations, keeping track of replies and so on. On the invitation, you will need to include the date, time and venue of the ceremony and the reception, if there is to be a strict dress code, and if there will be dancing or some other kind of entertainment at the reception that people might want to know about before arriving (if you are keen salsa dancers, for example, and decide to have a salsa night for your reception, some people might like to have a bit of warning to learn one or two basic steps beforehand!). You could also include travel information, a map and information on local accommodation, or you may decide to distribute this information after guests have replied to you that they are The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

55

GUEST LISTS & SPEECHES planning on attending. Another consideration may be if the simplest way of receiving a prompt response from guests might be to send out a pre-prepared acceptance card, which people could then add their names to and send back. It is, unfortunately, very likely that there will be people that you have invited who for one reason or another will not be able to make it to your wedding. To save you from having to go through the whole process of making another list, or dredging up names one by one as people send their replies in, you might want to think about making a ‘reserve’ list at the same time as your main one.

To be on the safe side, this should probably be about a fifth of the size of your original list. As long as you don’t send invitations out insultingly late, making it very clear that these people were only asked after others refused, this shouldn’t be a problem as most people should have replied within a couple of weeks of receiving the invitation (and if they haven’t, by that point you have every right to ring them up and ask, just to make sure they received the invitation!). Children over the age of sixteen normally receive their own invitations, rather than being included on the same one as their parents.

While some couples do, it is not usual to send out a wedding list with the invitations. Some guests, older friends and family in particular, may find this slightly rude or insulting, so it is generally considered best to wait until guests come forward of their own accord. Generally couples will have made their list in advance of sending out invitations and handed it over to the bride’s mother along with their contributions to the final guest list.

Nowadays people can choose between making their own completely independent list, choosing to make their list through a store such as Marks and Spencers, which offers a great selection of goods, or making a list at a single product company such as Royal Doulton. Whichever option seems right for you, make sure the list is ready by the time people start asking what to buy and do put more on the list than you are hoping to get, so that even the people who look last will have plenty of options to choose from.

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GUEST LISTS & SPEECHES The Bridegroom thanks the father of the bride for his toast and thanks the guests for attending and their wedding presents. He also thanks both sets of parents, compliments his bride, and then thanks his best man. Finally he toasts and thanks the bridesmaids. If the bride is not speaking, then his speech should represent the both of them.

The Best Man thanks the groom for his toast to the bridesmaids, comments on the bride and (more particularly) the groom, reads any messages from absent friends and toasts the bride and groom.

If the Bride wishes to speak she would normally thank the guests for coming and thank her parents and bridesmaids. She may in turn compliment the groom and propose a toast of her own.

If the Chief Bridesmaid wishes to speak she thanks the bride, compliments the ushers and proposes another toast.

If people are not familiar with the area it may also be sensible to send a map out, either with the initial invitations or once people have replied and said that they will attend the wedding. If on the day guests are getting lost, and having to phone you to ask for help, it will add a great deal of unnecessary stress to the day! Do make sure that someone, if not you, has a constantly updated list of everyone who will be at the wedding. If you have a computer, it may be easiest to type up a spreadsheet (or even just a list of names) that you can edit quickly and print off easily if the old copy is out of date, lost, damaged or met any other fate that can happen to such things in the run up to such an event! If you have a list with people’s contact details on, so much the better, as then you’ll have just one reference sheet if you need to get in contact with anyone on wedding business.

The speeches traditionally follow the meal but are before the cutting of the

cake and include the following in their correct order: Sometimes people prefer to have the speeches before the meal instead, to minimise time spent worrying over the speeches, and also to minimise the chance that someone has a little too much “Dutch courage” before speaking!

• The Bride’s Father or close family friend • The Bridegroom • The Best Man THE BASIC CONTENT OF WEDDING SPEECHES IS AS FOLLOWS: The Father of the Bride (or Friend of the Family, if he walked the bride down the aisle) thanks the guests for coming and everyone who contributed to the cost of the wedding. He compliments and praises his daughter and welcomes her new husband into the family. Finally he toasts the bride and groom.

Once you have written your speech the most important thing is to practice it time and time again until it is word perfect. Remember when doing so that people tend to rush when they get nervous, so try to practice speaking more slowly and clearly than normal, as well as a little more loudly if you will be in a fairly large hall with many guests. All in all do remember that it’s a wedding, not an exam, and you’re surrounded by friends and family: keep calm and you’ll be fine. Decide early on how many notes you will want to have with you and how they will be presented to make it easiest for you to

remember what you are saying. Some people find using colours for different sections helps, the idea being that your eye will be attracted to the correct colour automatically so you’ll be able to find your place in your notes more quickly. Also consider how formal the wedding is, and therefore how long you will be expected to speak for. If you decide to add humourous elements into your speech, just be aware that you will be giving it in front of a wide range of people; if your grandmother would not approve, it may be safer to err on the side of caution! Also, while embarrassing the bride and particularly the groom on the wedding day may be a time-honoured tradition, again just make sure the embarrassment couldn’t be hurtful to anyone concerned.

Everyone will appreciate having a bit of a laugh, so if all the speech makers are considerate and careful when telling jokes and humourous anecdotes, the speeches should be a lovely part of the day.

If you really don’t like making speeches (and fear of public speaking is one of the commonest phobias!), find ways of making it easier on yourself. If there’s someone else who you know would be perfectly happy to turn him or herself into a stand-up comedian for a few minutes, then say your few words that need to be said, and then announce that your brother/ wife/ friend/ cousin/ whoever would like to say a few words. Alternatively get up with another of the speech makers so you can support each other through it, and neither of you have to stand up completely alone. If the father of the bride, the bridegroom and

the best man all strongly dislike public speaking, then you could all team up, arrange beforehand who will say what and go on from there. You could even try to set up some kind of projector slide show (obviously here you would need to speak to the reception venue to find out what they have and what you would need to bring) of photos, pictures or even cartoons and base a speech around them, so that everyone’s immediate focus will be on the slide show instead of the speech maker. At the end of the day just remember that nobody is expecting you to suddenly become an amazing public speaker; they just want to hear you say you are happy about the wedding and congratulations to the happy couple. Anything further is just icing on the cake!

Why do you need a TOASTMASTER ?

By David Lister M.N.G.T. A qualified Toastmaster ensures that your wedding goes just the way you want it to. From the moment of booking (don’t leave it too late), you will be personally guided through the planning stages with lots of ideas and useful hints. Help is also on hand for those in dread and panic of speech making.

On the day, you will have a 'friend' who is in control, co-ordinating every aspect and providing a focal point for help and advice. You will always be in the right place at the right time, with nothing left to chance.

You can relax and enjoy each precious moment while the Toastmaster does all the work.

Jersey’s Popular and Friendly

TOASTMASTER & CELEBRANT ...gently guiding you through every aspect of your Special Day

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The Honeymoon

ACAPPELLA BRASS • • • •

Formed in 1995 Talented Local Brass Musicians Stacks of Wedding Experience Perfectionists in their Approach

• • • •

Pride in their Appearance Friendly & Flexible Manner Absolute Attention to Detail Can Specially Arrange Your Favourite Songs

Relax and Enjoy!

Keilly Harvey - MD Amazing Travel Group It’s the holiday of a lifetime, so your honeymoon needs to be perfect from start to finish. With over 20 years experience in the travel business, and having had the privilege to book countless honeymoons (plus the happy couple’s anniversary holidays too!) I know that it can feel like a daunting task but this really is the fun part of the wedding plans.

As a truly independent travel agent, we are not linked to any tour operator or airline, allowing us to offer you professional and impartial advice. With the knowledge and experience of your very own personal honeymoon specialist, we will ensure we negotiate the best deal for you and who will be with you throughout your journey from planning to departure, through to your return home. As fully bonded members of ABTA, you have financial security and peace of mind.

So what’s it to be, an intimate and romantic beach resort, an exciting city break or maybe an adventure safari. Maybe you would like a one centre or a multi centre honeymoon, the world really is your oyster. We understand and appreciate that each and every honeymoon is unique. That’s why from our

free consultation, at a time when it’s convenient for you (be it at your office or home, evening or weekend) we will gather all the information we need to ensure we match you to the perfect honeymoon. Don’t forget there is NO extra cost for this exclusive service! As soon as you have set a wedding date, start thinking about honeymoon destinations, especially if you are getting married at peak time. Not only will you avoid disappointment but we can find you amazing early booking discounts too.

Complimentary room upgrades, free nights, spa treatments are just some of the amazing honeymoon offers around, which will not only add greater value but can help make your honeymoon even extra special. We will always find you the best offers available.

If you don’t fancy a new toaster or kettle and don’t want a traditional gift list, your wedding guests can contribute towards your honeymoon with our online “Amazing Gift List”. By logging on and making a simple online payment, your guests can easily give you the gift of travel.

Have fun and enjoy your amazing honeymoon!

Call Keilly on 865599 or 07797 812440

Do you want the most amazing wedding abroard or honeymoon ever?

Free Weddings | Free Honeymoons | Free Room Upgrades | Amazing Gift List | Stag & Hen Getaways We know that it can be a daunting task organising a wedding abroad or trying to book that amazing honeymoon.

Relax in the knowledge, that with over 20 years experience, we know all there is to know about booking that perfect wedding abroad or honeymoon.

Weddings & Honeymoons

Call us on 01534 865599 We’ll hold your hand, all the way.

luke@thetrumpetplayer.co.uk www.thetrumpetplayer.co.uk

Email: info@amazingtravelgroup.co.uk Visit: amazingweddingsandhoneymoons.co.uk

The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012 |

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CATHERINE BEST STUDIO AT THE WINDMILL Jersey is a beautiful island, full of romantic settings and remarkable sights it is a wondrous place for weddings and the Catherine Best studio at the Windmill in St Peter reflects these ideals perfectly.

The Windmill, which Catherine fell in love with and made her own in 2003, is brimming with charm and beauty and offers the perfect setting to discover her jewellery and even a venue to celebrate the wedding itself.

The new restaurant, now open in a separate part of the Windmill is a chic venue ideal for your wedding reception, a romantic dinner for two or a special function.

All Catherine Best jewellery is designed exclusively by Catherine herself and her Jersey studio is home to a variety of stunning pieces to help make your special day beyond compare. There are an elegant selection of wedding rings available in the precious metal of your choosing, with diamonds if desired and a wide range of designs which are perfect for your bridesmaids not to mention for the bridegroom and his best man.

The studio itself takes a relaxed approach where you can peruse all the jewellery in comfort whilst the friendly and knowledgeable team are on hand seven days a week to assist and help you in any way needed.

They appreciate that while planning the biggest day of your life is fun and exciting it can also be challenging and very, very busy! Bearing all this in mind they make the whole process thoroughly enjoyable and unforgettable allowing you the time to try on anything that catches your eye and helping you find that one piece that leaves you feeling like a million dollars. A lot of the details from your day will be committed to wonderful memories or captured forever in a photograph but your wedding rings are with you every day and serve as a solid reminder of your eternal love for one another.

60 | The Guide to Jersey Weddings | Feb 2012

you then Catherine can design a special one off piece and her jewellers, housed in their workshop at the Windmill, can bring it to life especially.

The opening of the new restaurant which is housed in a separate part of the Windmill, means you can afford to while away the hours wining and dining either in anticipation of your visit to the studio or afterwards so you and your party can marvel over your new treasures. If you have always dreamed of a particular piece, a bespoke item just for

So, for the most important, memorable and magical day of your life make it special, make it Catherine Best.

You’ll never regret booking a marquee for your function with Marquee Solutions.

We combine elegance with practicality, prime locations with accessibility and compliment all this with our extensive range of sizes and designs.

Forget the worries of not having enough space for guests or adverse weather conditions ruining your big day as with Marquee Solutions you’re in safe hands.

Whatever your type of event, we can provide a marquee to make it that extra bit special.

Email yourevent@marqueesolutions.je

Tel

Mob 07797 844800