Guides for Brides - Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Wedding Planning Guide - 2018

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Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 2018-2019

– see how they celebrated their day

TOP 10 PHOTO

MUST

HAVES!

Local SUPPLIERS

Arriving in Style -

know your wedding cars www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Weddings and Ceremonies at Mercure Milton Keynes Hotel

At Mercure Milton Keynes Hotel we’ll get to know you and your tastes – and help make those dreams come true!

Whether you are looking for a contemporary and stylish venue to host your wedding reception. or a beautiful place to hold your Civil Ceremony or Civil Partnership, our dedicated team are on hand to guide you through all the planning stages, right up to the big day itself!

Get in touch with our Wedding Planner: Mercure Milton Keynes Hotel The approach, Monks Way, Two Mile Ash, Milton Keynes MK8 8JE Tel: 01908 561 666 Email: h8876-sb@accor.com

Getting Started

Contents

08 Venues 12 10 Tips for Choosing your Venue

16 Planning your Country Garden Wedding 20 Real Wedding: Dreamy Hedsor House 26 The Savvy Bride 2018 30 Marquees 32 How do You Eat an Elephant?

36 Wedding Catering Trends for 2018 37 Catering 38 Real Wedding: Stowe House - Italian Style

Get Booking 42 Videography 43 Photography 46 Top Ten Photo Must-haves!

49 Transport 50 Arriving in Style 54 Honeymoon Inspiration: Riveria Maya, Mexico 56 Favourite First Dance Songs for 2018 57 Music & Discos 58 Real Wedding: A Rose & Gold themed Wedding

Dress To Impress 62 Bridal Wear 64 How to Plan for Your Boutique Appointment 66 Ultra Violet – Pantone Colour of the Year 68 Your Perfect Wedding Dress 71 Mother of the Bride 72 Menswear 74 Suits You! 76 Which Metal is Best for Your Wedding Band?

77 Jewellers 79 Beauty

Design Your Day 82 Florists 83 Vintage Crockery 84 Choosing Your Wedding Cake Designer 86 You’ve Got Mail 88 Entertainment

Finishing Touches 92 A Speech to Remember

The Final Countdown 96 Pick up a Spare Guide 102 Wedding Fair Diary

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GET SOCIAL WITH US Wedding inspiration Exclusive competitions Real weddings Amazing offers And much more… Find us on @guidesforbrides

page 50 ea rt f

po

Congratulations on your Engagement!

Now comes the fun part... the wedding planning!

on ture

from the Editor...

I

See o u r Tr an s

t’s an exciting time for the world of weddings gone are the strict rules and expectations of weddings past.

These days, couples are choosing to put their own modern spin on wedding traditions to create a day that’s truly unique to them. When it comes to your wedding, we are with you every step of the way to help you find the most perfect venue and suppliers to make your day really special for you and your guests.

This Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Guide covers every area of wedding planning, with handy checklists in each section to help you keep on track. As well as top planning tips and the very best local suppliers and wedding businesses, we also have beautiful wedding inspiration in the form of real local weddings, new groomswear ideas and a guide to wedding dress styles.

We’ve got you covered when it comes to searching online, too.

Head over to guidesforbrides.co.uk to see even more suppliers from your county and the surrounding areas, and sign up for our free online Wedding Planner to access our helpful planning tools, including a personalised task list broken down month-by-month, a budget tracker, guest list and table planner.

If you have any questions or wedding planning problems that need solving, just drop us a line on social media or call us on 01235 773461.

We are here to help.

dings -ated d e W l r R ea y cel e b t he see how y. t he i r da

Happy wedding planning!

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All you need to p your per lan f wedding ect ” Editor Alison Hargreaves Account Managers John Maddaford Ali Moore Amy Jaremchuk Christine King Denise Huff Elaine Rough Megan Wiffen Design Claire Rowland

Features Jennifer Brooks Helena Jones Holly Lucas Isabel Hicks Administration Jackie Melotti Trudi D’Angeli Hannah Bruce Lucia Prentice Jodie Jordan Distribution Bill Hargreaves

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

@guidesforbrides

Alison, Editor

This edition covers: Berkshire/Buckinghamshire Other editions are available for: Cotswold/Wiltshire Oxfordshire Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire Front Cover image: Photograph by David Bostock Photography

Guides for Brides Ltd Larkhill Farm Wantage Oxfordshire OX12 8PJ T 01235 770078 E info@guidesforbrides.co.uk www.guidesforbrides.co.uk © Guides for Brides 2018 Special thanks to David Bostock Photography for editorial images.

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Getting

started om r f p l e h e l t t i s l with a ides for Bride Gu

C

ongratulations, you’re engaged!

Now comes the exciting part: Planning your big day. But, before you get carried away with fantasies about the wedding you’ve been dreaming of, we’re here to make everything a little easier for you. From finding the perfect venue to creating the all-important guestlist, some of the biggest decisions you make will happen in the early planning stages. So, to make sure your wedding is as beautiful as you imagine it to be, we’ve created this simple checklist to help you every step of the way on your wedding planning journey.

First things first, before you even think about the details, you’ll need to decide on a budget. Sit down with your partner and think practically about how much money you’re able and willing to spend on your wedding.

After you’ve thought about how much cash you want to splash, it’s time for the tricky bit: Working out which lucky people get to

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Our Go To Checklist Ideally 12 – 24 months in advance Decide on a budget

Choose your ideal date and time Put together your guest list Choose and book your venue

come to your wedding! This important step needs to be tackled early on in the planning process so you can start looking at which types of venues are most suitable for your guests.

Once this is sorted, you can begin the search for the venue of your dreams, and even think about who you’re going to choose to be involved in the ceremony itself.

Choose and book your church, civil ceremony venue or celebrant Arrange marquee if required Look into catering options Take out insurance Choose bridesmaids, best man and ushers Start thinking about your honeymoon. www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/find/honeymoonsoverseas-weddings

Plan your wedding your way with the Guides for Brides online wedding planner. www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-planner

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VENUES Use our Guide to help you draw up your dream short list.

Then order brochures, make enquiries, arrange visits and secure your perfect venue.

Share your special day with us

For more information please contact our Wedding Co-ordinator, Emma Rose, on 07824 655199 or email info@millhallweddings.co.uk www.millhallweddings.co.uk

DITTON MANOR

Ditton Manor is a greatly sought-after venue for wedding ceremonies, receptions and special events.

PERFECT WEDDING VENUE IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Please contact our events team on: info@whiterabbit-events.co.uk 01280 816 666

Crowne Plaza Marlow is an exceptional AA Rosette-awarded Wedding Venue set in 5 acres of grounds with a stunning lakeside location, providing the perfect backdrop to your special day.

E: events@cpmarlow.co.uk | T: 01628 496 819 | W: www.cpmarlow.co.uk Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1GJ

SALTER’S STEAMERS Wedding Receptions on the Thames

Superb 2 AA Rosette 4 Silver Star Holiday Inn Reading M4 Jct 10 W:www.hireadinghotel.com/E: events@hireadinghotel.com

0118 944 4231 8

Oxford, Henley, Windsor and other Locations

01865 243421

www.salterssteamers.co.uk www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

We love a love story Set in 40 acres of majestic, beautifully landscaped grounds in Old Windsor lies De Vere Beaumont Estate.

A stunning wedding venue with a licence for ceremonies, De Vere Beaumont Estate offers luxury wedding rooms, 429 bedrooms and your very own dedicated Wedding and Events Team.

Ideal for a civil ceremony, private dinner or wedding receptions.

Our 19th-century chapel has an original stained glass window and altar, not forgetting our beautiful White House which is surrounded by picture perfect grounds. Here, you can enjoy Champagne and canapĂŠs as you share your big day with friends and family.

beaumontweddings@devere.com +44 (0) 1753 640 561 DEVERE.COM/DEVEREBEAUMONTESTATE Romantic wedding venues across the UK. View all our destinations at phcompany.com/weddings

Set amidst beautiful Chiltern grounds, this 12th Century medieval Abbey is the perfect setting for your special day.

Licensed for weddings and civil partnerships Complimentary honeymoon suite Bedrooms available for guests to book Marquee options available Dry hire for specialist weddings Space for live music or DJ All-inclusive or bespoke packages A variety of flexible catering options Memorable weddings happen at Missenden Abbey. Call us to arrange a showround on 01494 866811 or email weddings@missendenabbey.ltd.uk Missenden Abbey | Great Missenden | Bucks | HP16 0BD

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wedding or family celebration?

Planning a

A unique grade 2 listed venue offering a professional and flexible approach to all types of budgets and requirements. Whether you are looking to dry hire, create a bespoke package or to choose our fully catered package, we are here to assist and guide you through every step of the way.

Includes: • • •

For further information on hiring our beautiful venue please contact Michaela, our Weddings and Events Coordinator, on 01753 883759 or michaela@gxca.org.uk

Colston Hall, Gerrards Cross, SL9 7AD www.colstonhallgx.co.uk 01753 883759

• Civil Ceremony Room.

2 Course Wedding Breakfast • for 30 Guests.

Evening Buffet for 30 Guests.

Evening Disco & DJ. Overnight Accommodation with Breakfast for the Happy Couple.

We have lots of other options available, as well as African, Caribbean and Asian packages to suit all.

Call us on 01494 492 410 or email events@hihighwycombe.com, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Holiday Inn High Wycombe, Crest Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1TL

SHEEPDROVE ORGANIC FARM

A rural idyll in the Berkshire countryside with far more going on than meets the eye.

Sheepdrove Road, Lambourn, Berkshire RG17 7UU

01488 674747 - info@sheepdrove.com www.sheepdrove.com 10

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If you are looking for an urban, style-obsessed hotel with a highly individualised personality the pentahotel Reading is the venue for you.

Whilst our wedding offerings are anything but standard, style is a must, attitude is a constant and passion is essential here at Penta.

Our Function rooms create the perfect setting for small intimate to large extravagant weddings seating up to 160 guests. It’s really no surprise that we don’t do normal, but our ace wedding coordinators will guide you every step of the way for a day and a night to remember.

01189586222

event.reading@pentahotels.com www.pentahotels.co.uk Pentahotels Reading Oxford Road Reading RG1 7RH

Exclusive use of Donnington Grove for your wedding

THE EMERALD

ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE Arrival drink of red, white or sparkling wine Set 3 course meal - Glass of sparkling wine with speeches - Half a bottle of house wine per person Evening room hire with set finger buffet and disco - Complimentary classic double room for the bride and groom on the wedding night

£120 per person available November to March 2019

THE DIAMOND

ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE Arrival drink of Pimms of Champagne - Canapés on arrival - Set 3 course meal - Glass of sparkling wine with speeches - Half a bottle of house wine per person - Evening room hire with buffet or hog roast and disco - Complimentary suite for the bride and groom on the wedding night & first anniversary

£140 per person available April to October 2019

Terms & Conditions: rates correct at time of going to print. Offer applies to new bookings only, subject to availability. Includes vat at the current rate.

MENTION GUIDES FOR BRIDES AND RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE TO ENJOY DURING YOUR SHOW ROUND Donnington Grove Country Club, Grove Road, Newbury, RG14 2LA Tel: 01635 581000 Fax: 01635 552259 weddings@donnington-grove.com www.donnington-grove.com

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e u n e V g n i d d e W Tips for choosing your

When choosing your dream wedding venue there are many things you need to think about. Take a look through our checklist with the top ten things you need to consider when making your decision.

Checklist 1. Budget

One of the first things you need to do is decide on your budget for the venue and how much extra you may need for decorations.

2. Where?

Think about the type of setting you would like for your big day - this gives you a great starting point for booking visits.

3. License to Marry If you’re planning a civil ceremony then check whether the venue holds the appropriate license.

4. Capacity Who’s on the guest list?

It’s important to view venues that can accommodate everyone, whether that’s for the reception or the ceremony.

5. Catering Options If you’re looking at independent caterers then you need to check this with your prospective venue they may only allow in-house catering at their events.

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Checklist

6. Photo opportunities When visiting the venue take note of whether there’s plenty of natural light for beautiful photographs. Look at the backdrops available to you, especially for outdoor locations.

7. Restrictions It’s important to check whether there is a limit to how long the bar stays open and how long music can play for if you’re planning on dancing the night away.

8. Dressing the Venue If you’re keen to add a personal touch to the decor then remember to ask what’s included. This will allow you to plan for additional extras and whether this stays within your budget.

9. Room at the inn?

Many of your guests will be keen to stay overnight. Ask the venue about accommodation options and whether they offer discounts. Some venues request a minimum number of bedrooms to book so it’s important to find out.

10. Reputation Check out reviews from other brides who have used the same venue for their wedding.

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W E D D IN GS AT M AC DO NAL D COM P LE AT A N G LE R

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE Macdonald Compleat Angler is the perfect venue for your wedding celebration.

Whether you would like a small, intimate wedding or a grand affair, we are on hand to help you create your dream day.

Located on the bank of the River Thames, Macdonald Compleat Angler provides an idyllic setting for your wedding. With the picturesque backdrop of the Georgian town of Marlow, steeped in character. You can even take advantage of our onsite boat with a ride on the Thames in the summer.

To find out more and book a show round contact our Special Events team on 0344 879 9128 or email specialevents.compleatangler@macdonald-hotels.co.uk

W E D DIN GS AT M AC DO NAL D COM P LE AT A N G LE R

WEDDING OPEN EVENING Thursday 28th June, 5pm – 9pm Macdonald Compleat Angler, Marlow Come along and envisage how our suites could look on your big day, meet with our dedicated wedding team and find out how your dream can become a reality.

Planning Your

Country Garden Wedding

Essential Tips from Bijou Wedding Venues Outdoor weddings are simply divine in the UK during the summer months. If your chosen wedding venue offers a beautiful area to say ‘I do’ outdoors and you’ve always dreamed of an outdoor wedding, why not consider planning a country garden wedding? We’ve been chatting to the experts at Bijou Wedding Venues, and they’ve shared their collection of top tips when it comes to planning your outdoor wedding.

Think about your guests When planning the layout of your outdoor wedding, make sure that all of your guests will be able to hear you say your vows - think about how many guests you’re having and if those at the back will be able to hear. Perhaps instruct an usher to make sure your elderly guests and relatives have comfortable seats. Don’t forget to consider the weather (unpredictable in the UK as it is). Umbrellas at the end of seating arrangements may be good for wet weather, or personalised hand-held fans as favours on chairs for guests to use if they need to. If a marquee is available maybe that would be more suited to you - plus you could use your creativity to decorate the marquee for a beautiful setting.

Plan your footwear The ground leading up to your outdoor ceremony aisle may not be as easy to walk on compared to an indoor ceremony.

Consider wearing flat shoes to remain steady, wedges if you’re looking for height, 16

2018 The Wedding Directory GfB

or low heels that won’t sink. Alternatively, you can arrange to have an aisle of carpet laid down for you entrance.

Have a wet-weather back up plan The weather in the UK is unpredictable, so having a wetweather back up plan with your wedding venue is definitely advisable. Should rain start to fall at the last minute or if the temperature were to drop just ahead of your ceremony, you may not be able to proceed outdoors.

Choose a theme Aside from the naturally beautiful surroundings of your outdoor wedding setting, you may wish to add a certain style or theme to your ceremony. Consider a pretty woodland or rustic theme, ideas taken from the wedding of Bella and Edward from the movie Twilight, an enchanted outdoor wedding theme or even a summer floral theme. Not only will your wedding photography be absolutely stunning, but your guests will enjoy seeing your creativity too!

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Silchester House, located on the border of Berkshire and Hampshire is the ultimate outdoor wedding venue.

With its incredible country garden grounds and sensational backdrop, you’ll be sure to have a truly beautiful day during the summer months.

Thinking of a traditional indoor wedding during the spring, summer, autumn or winter months? Silchester House is available to host sensational country house weddings throughout the year, as are Notley Abbey, Botleys Mansion and Cain Manor.

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WEDDINGS at Downshire Golf Complex Celebrate your special day in picturesque surroundings‌ Downshire Golf Complex is the perfect venue for your wedding celebration, combining a stunning setting with reasonable prices, a flexible approach and personal service.

Contact us today to start planning your happily ever after!

01344 302030 downshiregolfevents@everyoneactive.com www.everyoneevents.com

11356_Downshire Golf Guides for Brides advert_146x107mm.indd 1

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MAKE IT YOURS Say ‘I do’ to Vogue’s ‘Dream Wedding Venue’. Set in 100 acres of private parkland yet a short drive from London, we invite you to make our exquisite Georgian home yours for the most important day of your life.

+44 (0)1628 819050 | INFO@HEDSOR.COM | HEDSOR.COM

Wedding Real

Their chosen wedding venue was the dreamy Hedsor House in Taplow.

Olivia &Martin Photography David Bostock Photography

A

mazingly, Olivia and Martin worked together for seven years before becoming a couple. “I couldn’t believe my soulmate had been there the whole time!” says Olivia.

After 18 months of dating, Martin proposed with a stunning diamond and sapphire ring, in the grounds of the church where Olivia had been christened.

Elegant colours of warm muted pinks, gold & cream.

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The couple didn’t waste any time - their beautiful February wedding was planned in just six months.

“Neither of us wanted a long engagement, and due to our dream venue’s availability, it ended up being an even shorter engagement than we thought!” says the bride.

Beautiful bride Olivia visited Ellie Sanderson to find her dream dress, and ended up picking something she never thought she’d like in a modern Francesca ballgown from Jesus Peiro. The high neckline with plunge cut and bow detail at the waist was the perfect match for the elegance of the wedding day.

Olivia and Martin’s wedding venue was the dreamy Hedsor House in Taplow, which the couple decorated with an elegant colour scheme of muted pink, gold and cream shades to complement their winter wedding date. They tied the knot in the light and airy Great Hall, before going on to celebrate www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

• Olivia and Martin’s luxurious honeymoon to Jamaica wasn’t for a few weeks after the wedding, so immediately after the big day they spent a romantic minimoon in a cottage in Weymouth. This is a great option for brides with children, on a budget or with delayed honeymoons!

Oliv

ia’s bouquet wa sm ad

e

u p lish roses in mute dp eng th i n ks wi -

we flo

y Ru rs b

by and Grace.

their reception with a delicious meal by caterers Caper and Berry.

The wine-loving couple paid extra attention to their drinks, naming their tables after their favourite varieties and giving each guest a miniature vial of that drink as a brilliant boozy favour. Of course, the top table was named after champagne, and each guest had a miniature bottle! We’re sure that this helped the guests get into the swing of the the evening entertainment all the more, especially the DJ set performed by the best man!

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Plan your wedding, your way with the Guides for Brides Online Wedding Planner • Checklist • Budget Planner • Suppliers List • Guest List

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-planner

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PICTURE PERFECT A B R E AT H TA K I N G R I V E R S I D E SETTING FOR YOUR WEDDING Phyllis Court is a beautiful private members club situated in an historic riverside manor, nestled 18 acers of manicured lawns on the River front. The Club, which is licensed for civil ceremonies has an expert wedding team who will ensure an outstanding occasion for you, your family and guests.

To request a brochure please call 01491 570500 or email enquries@phylliscourt.co.uk Marlow Road, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2HT phylliscourt.co.uk

27815h2_PCC_WeddingAdvert2018_A5_Landscape_v2.indd 1

12/12/2017 15:31

Photos credit: zoewarboysphotography.co.uk

Add a sprinkle of theatrical grandeur to your special day Weddings at South Hill Park Arts Centre and Wilde TheatreMONTH

Easthampstead Park Wokingham, Berkshire Celebrate with a complete wedding package at South Hill Park Speak to us about hosting your wedding, reception and party celebrations at South Hill Park Email sally.little@southhillpark.org.uk or call 01344 413514 For information regarding weddings in the Haversham Room contact the Bracknell Forest Registration Service bracknell-forest.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/ marriages/haversham-room

www.eastpark.co.uk 0118 9 74 75 76 24

SOUTHHILLPARK.ORG.UK/HIRE-US/WEDDINGS @SOUTHHILLPARK

/SOUTHHILLPARKARTSCENTRE

South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA

South Hill Park Trust Limited A charitable company limited by guarantee

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Make the best day of your life the perfect one with a wedding at The Oakley Court, Windsor.

A stunning Grade II listed Victorian mansion set within 33 acres of landscaped grounds on the banks of the River Thames.

Book an appointment to meet our team today: weddings@oakleycourt.co.uk www.oakleycourt.co.uk Windsor Road, Water Oakley, Windsor Berkshire SL4 5UR Tel: (0)1753 609988

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Savvy

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2019

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If you’re feeling on edge about the cost of a wedding, don’t worry, it’s totally normal! Couples can often be too focused on prices and end up compromising on areas of their wedding that they’d love at the beginning. Our savvy pointers will help you stay within your budget, keep calm and find ways to incorporate everything you want for your big day.

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How to be a Savvy Bride 2018 Pinterest is a great way to follow trends and gather inspiration for your big day. If you don’t have it already downloading it is an absolute must. It will soon become your best friend. Pinterest allows you to pin your favourite images, build a board and even share your ideas. This a nice way to involve your mum, bridesmaids and friends in the wedding planning process, plus it’s free!

www.pinterest.co.uk/guidesforbrides

Being organised is one of the most important elements in order to stay savvy. If you love spreadsheets, you’re going to be in your element! However, if spreadsheets aren’t your thing and you want someone to do the hard work for you, sign up for the free online Guides for Brides Wedding Planner. You can work through a checklist in the lead up, manage your suppliers and quotes, organise a guest list and table plan, all while keeping track of your budget! www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-planner

It sounds cheeky but everyone does it! Have a sneak peek at other people’s weddings and see what it is you like about them and what worked well for them.

The perfect place to do this is our Real Weddings section, where we feature endless beautiful weddings, oozing inspiration.

A personal touch is what makes a wedding your own. Being a DIY bride is no bad thing and can end up saving you hundreds of pounds! Friends and family are often happy to help, so why not organise a night in for you and your nearest and dearest to get creative! www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/find/wedding-greatideas-and-vintage A massive trend this year is couples creating their own wedding website. You can add your engagement story, collect your RSVP’s, share the menu choices and order of the day, all with your guests! You don’t even need to send physical invites but ‘e-versions’ – a great way to save on stationery costs.

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Prezola Gift List Inspiration

LSA Cakestand £75.00

Willow Direct Antique Wash Lidded 2 Person Hamper £105.00

Kitchen Aid from £499

LSA Edge White Wine Glasses. £42.00

must-have gifts for your wedding list

Wedgwood Vera Wang Pointilliste 4 Piece Place Setting. £80.00

Good Morning print £21.00

Emma Bridgewater Silver Toast Mugs £54.95

Apple ipad gold from £339.00

FREE GIFT

Use code GFB18 when you register your gift list at prezola.com/landing/guides-brides and you’ll receive a FREE Vera Wang for Wedgwood Cake Knife Set! 28

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

THE TYTHE BARN

A BEAUTIFUL 14TH CENTURY THATCHED BARN IN A PRIVATE LOCATION

Breathtaking outdoor civil ceremonies Personal, Professional and Flexible Approach Intimate candlelit indoor weddings and receptions Wood Fired Oven Superior Quality Sound and Lighting Introducing the brand new Bridal Preparation Area and The Bride and Groom Crash Pad Attention to detail, unrivalled and unlimited support and guidance, chilled and relaxed Come and experience the freedom of The Tythe Barn WWW.THETYTHEBARN.CO.UK GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

TEL: 01869 321442 29

MARQUEES

We cover your wedding beautifully

www.gpmarquees.co.uk 01295 722269

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Marquee Hire - Venue Transformation - Catering - Theming

0118 989 3329 - info@haremnights.co.uk

Marquee Hire - Catering - Full Event Management Furniture hire

0118 9785 383 - info@hmhire.co.uk

How do you eat an elephant?

W

hen dealing with a mammoth task, like a wedding, there are so many areas to think about and plan that it can soon become overwhelming.

But as many say, when eating an elephant all you need to do is take one bite at a time and the same rule applies to wedding planning; one bite at a time and you’ll get there.

As industry experts, we’ve put together the best top tips to help you and your other half tackle the task.

THE BUDGET Tackling the belly of the beast should be at the top of your list - allocating a budget. If you’re working with a strict budget, take some time to discuss your priorities as a couple. Break it down into two bite-size chunks; absolutely essential and nice to have negotiables. This is a simple way to help you focus on elements of the day that are the most important to both of you and finding areas where you can compromise.

Make sure you save some budget for unexpected extras - there’s usually an extra cost or something you hadn’t considered that can sneak up on you.

THE GUEST LIST Take a look at those pillars of strength; the legs. We all want to celebrate our wedding day with our closest friends and family, but they are expensive. Cutting down your guest list by ten people could easily save you more than £1000.

If you’re stuck, break your guest list down into 32

each leg; the essentials, the nice to haves and the maybes. Space and budget can be limiting, especially if you want a smaller ceremony venue. Don’t forget that last leg - children!

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE WEDMIN Luckily elephants don’t have long necks, but did you know it can take around 250 hours to plan a wedding? Consider how long it gives you to plan and how much time you can realistically dedicate to planning around your everyday www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Enjoy

it!

Remem ber, p weddin lanning a g is fu Take tim e to sit n! back enjoy th e proce and ss you’ll m iss it once it’ s over.

you can and unload some of the to-do list.

Just make sure you think carefully about the tasks you assign to them. The last thing you want is someone leaving something to the last minute, risking the unleashing of the “bridezilla”. schedule. It’s always worth calling on the rest of the herd to help, visiting a wedding fair together so you can tackle a lot of the planning in one day, or employing a matriarch (wedding planner) to do some, or all, of the work.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT HELPERS Your friends and family are handy trunks to have, and will likely be happy to help with your wedding planning, whether it’s arranging the hen do, making favours or helping out during the day. Take them up on their offers where GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

BOOKING SUPPLIERS Wedding suppliers often get booked up well in advance nowadays, so the sooner you make decisions on these the better - the tusks are the most valuable part after all. Make sure you also book them in the right order, for example, don’t book the musicians until you have your venue secured. Guides for Brides offer a free online wedding planner for couples with a handy checklist to help keep you on track - we’re all about the lists!

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MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR SPREADSHEETS Hidden at the back of the elephant is that comfort blanket - the tail, aka the spreadsheet.

The easiest way to keep everything recorded in one place is in a spreadsheet. You’ll need to record absolutely everything that happens from now on, including checklists for each supplier as well as a guest list with individual details and requirements (the Guides for Brides Online Wedding Planner is perfect for this). Most importantly, keep notes of conversations you’ve had with everyone that you can refer back to.

TRUST IN YOUR SUPPLIERS The elephant’s ears are one of the biggest parts - time to use them and listen to you suppliers advice. You’ll be employing around 30 suppliers to bring your perfect day to life, and they really are the brains of your operation. Choose people that you can rely on, that you enjoy working closely with and that you can trust to do the job.

Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or other suppliers you’ve already booked. Meet up or chat to them a few times beforehand, listen to their advice and talk openly with them about your vision. They want your day to be as special as you do, and their knowledge of the industry is invaluable to giving you the smoothest experience.

MAKE A TIMELINE FOR THE DAY An elephant never forgets, and not only will a timeline make your planning, supplier and guest communications a lot easier to manage, it will also help you relax on the day. Take advice from your suppliers on wedding timings (particularly your photographers - you want to make sure you capture everything and everyone you want!) If you’re planning on creating a wedding website, you can even pop your timeline on there so guests have plenty of time to see the order of the day beforehand.

Once you’ve broken it down, that elephant really is much easier to handle one bite at a time.

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The fun, quick and easy way to plan your wedding Swipe right for ‘I do’ Swipe left for ‘I don’t’ powered by the award winning website

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/planit

Wedding food and trends are forever changing and evolving.

We’ve been chatting to our local caterers to get the low down on the latest trends.

Every couple needs a starting block, so here’s 4 to kick off with, like a boss!

Middle Eastern and Asian BBQ

Street Food Pop-Ups

Couples are taking influences from their travels with a huge rising trend in Middle Eastern & Asian food. Persian influences have everyone talking and trying za’atar, cardamom, harissa, moroccan lamb and, of course, halloumi. Think pimped up BBQ’s served on sharing boards with delicious sustainable meats and vegetables, middle Eastern spices and rubs, all served with salads bursting with colour and flavour.

Everyone digs in, it’s less formal but more intimate and a talking point around the table. What’s not to like?

It’s a trend that’s sticking around and why not? Throw the traditional 3 courser out the window. With wedfests as one of the most popular ways to get married it’s the perfect opportunity to get amazing food vendors pitch up their gazebo or van allowing your guests to go up and grab what’s on offer.

Wow your guests with a Neapolitan Wood Fired pizza, pimped up burgers and dogs or some tasty steak & chips for your main or night bites! Competition is fierce and you certainly won’t be stuck for some highclass choices.

British Comfort Food Simple food & British classics are always timeless way beyond any trend.

Give us a bowl of stew & dumplings, a nostalgic pudding, or a plate of fish and chips any day. Simple, humble and utterly delicious.

At least one of those dishes above conjure up memories of childhood for the married couple. Feasting on these classics after an afternoon of toasts and laughter is the ultimate comfort.

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Bowl and Grab Some couples vote for no seating plans, with a chilled and relaxed vibe so guests can continue socialising with ease, avoiding the forced sit-down meal scenario.

Bowl & Grab food is similar to a canapé party, with a miniature bowl and fork or small plate. Instead these delicious mini meals provide guests with a more substantial and satisfying meal and they don’t miss out on the wow factor. Bang on trend!

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

CATERING Unless you are obliged to use your venue’s in-house or recommended caterers, the choice of catering options is huge, from cooking paella and hog roasts in front of your guests to antipasti sharing boards and creative food stations.

Whatever you choose,we would strongly advise using a specialist wedding caterer who will have the equipment and experience needed for catering for those numbers.

Cuisine Excellence Flexible imaginative menus presented with style

01296 397677

Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8TE

www.cuisineexcellence.co.uk GfB The Wedding Directory 2018 2018-19

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Wedding Real

Stowe House was the beautiful setting for their Italian foody wedding.

Selina & Rob Photography Richard Galloway

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elina and Rob got married in September last year at Stowe House in Buckingham.

The couple had been together seven years before Rob proposed in the Isle of Wight a year before their wedding.

The decorative touches were plum and grey, and whilst they didn’t have a theme, Selina’s Italian roots meant that there was plenty of Italian food and music.

They started with a champagne reception with a harp and flute duo playing in the background.

There was a five-course wedding breakfast and a buffet later in the evening accompanied by a live band which kept the guests dancing all night!

Decorative touches of plum and grey.

The couple didn’t have a gift list for their day, but simply asked for money towards their honeymoon in California. They jetted off to the States two days after the wedding for the road trip of a lifetime what a great start to married life together!

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Get

booking from p l e h le t t i l es d a i r h B t i r w fo s e d i u G

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o, you’ve booked the perfect venue and popped the big question to your bridesmaids and now it’s time to snap up your favourite suppliers. This crucial stage of wedding planning can be stressful, but it’s important that you start early (ideally 9-12 months before the big day!) so you can get all of the suppliers you want. The key to booking suppliers is to know what you’re looking for, so make sure you have an idea of what you want before you get started. We recommend attending local wedding fairs to get inspired (turn to the back of the guide for local wedding fairs).

The first supplier that you should think about booking is your photographer and any other supplier that can only do one wedding per day. When it comes to booking your transport, a lot of brides already have an idea of how they want to arrive at their venue.

So, whether it’s a gorgeous vintage car, or a stylish limousine, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Other key suppliers

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Our Go To Checklist Ideally 9 – 12 months in advance Choose and book your photographer

Choose and book your videographer Book transport to and from the wedding Book your DJ or band

to book at this stage are your DJ or band, evening entertainment, toastmaster, videographer, and your honeymoon.

Once you’ve organised all of this, it’s time to send your Save the Date cards!

Book entertainment for the day and evening Book your toastmaster Book musicians/choir/organist for ceremony

Lucy & D an

are ied marr g n i ett

g

Send Save the Date cards Book the honeymoon (using www.guidesforbrides/find/ honeymoons-overseas-weddings)

Plan your wedding your way with the Guides for Brides online wedding planner.

22 - 03 - 2018

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-planner

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VIDEOGRAPHY

“Capturing every single moment...”

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PHOTOGRAPHY Decide which style of photography you prefer, from relaxed to formal, as this will influence your choice of photographer.

Nigel Chapman Photography Award Winning Wedding Photography

0797 981 2970 01628 310 118 nigel@nigelchapmanphotography.co.uk www.nigelchapmanphotography.co.uk

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018

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Swale Photography

Steve Cook

07825005305

spcook@globalnet.co.uk

www.swalephotography.carbonmade.com

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Beautiful Wedding Photography from a QualiямБed Master Photographer

WWW.DAVIDBOSTOCKPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK 01865 400070 | 07967 078172

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There’s lots to think about during your big day and you want to make sure you capture it all so you can reminisce after the wedding.

Don’t miss out on these top ten photo musthaves!

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

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The ultimate resource of hand picked, exclusive and exciting wedding venues worldwide, for discerning couples looking for a wedding destination beyond their imagination.

www.beyondweddings.com

Beyond Weddings - Part of the Guides for Brides Group

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TRANSPORT

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Arriving in Style...

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hether you’re starting your big day with a grand entrance or heading off to your reception in style, wedding transport is an important element of the big day, for both you and your guests. From a classic vintage car to an exotic tuktuk, the choices are plenty, and we’ve put together a selection of ideas to help you make that all important decision.

Photograph courtesy Barringtons

Vintage Car… Vintage cars are an extremely popular choice of transport for weddings. They are perfect if you’re looking for a timeless, classy, elegant entrance. If you have a 50s or 60s theme for your wedding these would be a top addition!

There are SO many choices and something to suit everyone’s individual style.

A London Retro Bus… A signature, iconic red double decker bus is perfect for taking large numbers of guests to ceremonies and on to reception venues, and let’s face it, they do look very cool!

On Foot…

Keeping it simple can often be the key to success when it comes to wedding planning.

Why not arrive ‘New Orleans-style’ on foot with your very own brass band following you and your wedding party. That way everyone is involved as there won’t be any capacity restrictions and it guarantees you will be the centre of attention.

Tuk tuk…

Don’t fancy going down the traditional route? Why not try the exoctic, fun option of travelling in a tuk tuk. Whiz from the wedding to the venue in no time at all!

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... e l y t S n i g n i v i r Ar

Photograph courtesy Bramble Farm Carriage Hire

A Horse and Carriage…

An absolute favourite for many couples – when else are you going to get the chance to experience a horse and carriage ride? You can go GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

for a smart, classic black carriage reminiscent of the late 19th century, or have the princess arrival you’ve always dreamed of with an elaborate fairytale carriage.

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YOU’VE PLANNED THE WEDDING, SO NOW COMES THE FUN PART; PLANNING THE PERFECT HONEYMOON.

Our new honeymoon finder is the best way to plan that perfect trip.

We’re not tied to one tour operator, one hotel group or one region. Our website brings you the very best options for each honeymoon destination, so you can choose what is right for YOU. Browse by destination, flight time, month, honeymoon type, or be inspired by the top ten destinations.

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/honeymoons

HONEYMOON PLANNING - MADE EASY

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

Honeymoon Inspiration:

Riviera Maya, Mexico Tucked deep in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and home to descendants of the ancient Mayan people, you’ll find The Riviera Maya - a haven for honeymooners.

W

hite sand beaches, warm blue waters and luxury hotels line this beautiful stretch of coastline, as well as providing a home to the odd baby sea turtle or two.

Whether you’re planning on sunning yourself on the beach every day or hoping to explore the cultural side of this area, you won’t be disappointed. Riviera Maya is a paradise for tourists.

What to do If you’re looking for an adventure, Riviera Maya has everything you need to unleash the explorer 54

in you. A trip to the cenotes that fame the area is an absolute must. Found only on the Yucatan Peninsula, it’s easy to see why the Mayans consider these incredible sinkholes sacred.

Often referred to as “sunken caves”, cenotes boast crystal clear fresh waters and incredible scenery (make sure you take your snorkel as most cenotes boast incredible biodiversity).

Help protect these beautiful natural phenomenons by visiting one of the ecotourism centres, which are trying to protect the natural area from the effects of mass tourism.

There are plenty of dive and snorkeling sites where you’ll be met with a wealth of marine www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Honeymoon Inspiration: Mexico life. Most hotels offer specific diving and snorkeling trips, ensuring that you reach the best spots. Visit in the autumn and you might be lucky enough to witness turtle hatching, with many hotels boasting their own conservation teams.

You can even witness one of the New Seven Wonders of the World with a visit to Chichen Itza - a complex of breathtaking Mayan ruins with a rich anecdotal history.

How to get there Riviera Maya lies about an hour south of its rather more built up, streetwise sister, Cancun and is easily accessible from the airport via transfer. Enjoy taking in the swathes of jungle on your journey before reaching the crystalline waters just beyond.

Where to stay There are so many five star hotels in this area that’s it’s difficult to decide where to rest your head at night, but for us, there’s no truer luxury break than that found at UNICO 20°87°, where traditional, Mayan touches meet outstanding all-inclusive facilities.

The vast majority of rooms here boast a breathtaking sea view, with rooms tastefully decorated to remind you of the history and culture that fame the Yucatan Peninsula.

Enjoy champagne bubble baths on your balcony (almost all of the rooms have this facility) and mouth watering cuisine at the many a la carte restaurants on offer during your stay. A real luxury honeymoon escape.

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-2019

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Perfect

Ed Sheeran

Grow old with me

Tom Odell

How long will I love you

Thousand Years

Thinking Out Loud

Song Bird

Better Together

Have I told you lately

It Must be Love

All of Me

Ellie Golding Ed Sheeran

Jack Johnson Madness

Christina Perri Eva Cassidy

Van Morrison John Legend

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

MUSIC & DISCOS

Dave Seamer Disco Experienced Professional DJ Wedding Specialist 01865 240054 www.daveseamer.co.uk

The Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Tango Quartet, String Duo Baroque Classical Romantic Ragtime Broadway Beatles & Beyond www.cotswold-ensemble.co.uk 01865 242797 info@cotswold-ensemble.co.uk

Petrina HARPIST

Bucks, Beds, Berks and Oxon

Solo harpist for weddings and private functions 01494 771263

clayacre@live.co.uk

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

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Wedding Real

A super sweet wedding in dusty rose and gold.

Michelle &Ben Photography Nigel Chapman Photography

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ichelle and Ben met outside a nightclub while enjoying a night out, where Ben told Michelle that her shoes didn’t match her dress.

Obviously it was just an excuse to talk to her (super sweet). Soon after, the couple became friends and a few months later started dating. The proposal was the biggest surprise, according to Michelle. Ben planned it while the couple were on holiday and they had just returned back to the room after dinner. Michelle walked in to find candles and rose petals everywhere! It was private, extremely romantic and just perfect.

The couple made it official at St Mary the Virgin Church in Hurley.

The wedding reception was hosted at The Olde Bell, Hurley and they had a beautiful dusty rose and gold theme. While drinks and canapes were served at the reception, a guitarist played a selection of the couple’s favourite songs to entertain the guests.

The couple’s wedding favours were their favourite; Reese’s peanut butter cup and Oreo brownies handmade by one of their closest friends and individually wrapped by the girls

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M oment s

“

It sounds so cliche but it was definitely arriving at the reception drinks; holding hands as husband and wife to be greeted by all the people we love in one room. It was a pretty special feeling for us.

”

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at Michelle’s the night before the wedding! They apparently went down a storm.

The wedding breakfast was a traditional three course meal in the day followed by a hog roast in the evening. The couple said unfortunately they didn’t get to eat any of their own wedding cake - there was none left for them by the time they got round to it, so it must have been very good! A DJ entertained the crowd throughout the evening with a selection of music, including African songs added in as special requests for Michelle’s family.

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Dress to

impress om r f p l e h e l t t i s l with a ides for Bride Gu

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ow that you’ve got the admin sorted, it’s finally time for the best part of planning a wedding... deciding on your bridal wear! This is the most important dress you’ll ever buy, so make it count. Whether you’ve always known what you want to wear on your big day, or if you’ve got no idea, relax and enjoy this exciting step.

To begin with, start with buying your bridal gown, shoes, accessories, veil and underwear. Why not take your bridesmaids to a bridal wear shop and get their dresses at the same time? There are so many fabulous wedding dress shops, and this experience will last a lifetime. At this stage of planning, we also recommend encouraging your partner

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Our Go To Checklist Ideally 6 – 9 months in advance Shop for your bridal gown

Buy veil, tiara and accessories Buy shoes and underwear Take your mum shopping for her outfit Choose bridesmaids dresses Buy wedding rings Book hair and makeup for the big day Dress fittings and alterations

to get organised, however difficult that may be! Even though this can sometimes feel like a stressful step of wedding planning, make sure you choose bridal wear that makes you feel amazing. It’s your big day, after all.

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

Plan your wedding your way with the Guides for Brides online wedding planner. www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-planner

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BRIDAL WEAR

See our special features on: How to Plan your Boutique Appointment on P64 and Your Perfect Wedding Dress on P68

Beautiful collection of bridal gowns, mother of the bride outfits and accessories. t: (01865) 559272 e: thebridalbox@btinternet.com www.thebridalbox-oxford.co.uk

198 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7BY

Aston Clinton 01296 632 041 B R I D A L

High Wycombe 01494 258 403 www.thebridalhousebuckinghamshire.co.uk

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Dress by Willowby

THE BRIDAL HOUSE

A beautiful Buckinghamshire boutique offering the most perfect bridal experience

www.whitelaceandbutterflies.co.uk

Tel: 01494 257490 Email: info@whitelaceandbutterflies.com 76 High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 0AN

How to plan for your Appointment

Can’t wait to try on wedding dresses in front of your family and friends?

Having a mini freak out because you have no idea what you’re looking for?

No matter how you’re feeling, finding the perfect dress should be one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences in your wedding planning journey, and the Guides for Brides team have put together 4 top tips to help you get the most out of your wedding dress appointment.

Research It’s important to make sure you’re visiting a boutique that stocks designers that you love and are also in your price range. Search online and in magazines to find styles you like before choosing which boutique to visit. Take photographs with you of the styles and details that you like and would like to try on. Dress shopping can be quite exhausting, so you don’t want a wasted trip!

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Bring the Right People with You This could make or break your dress shopping experience.

You can take your parents, bridesmaids, friends and even mother-in-law to be. Bring people with you who are supportive and patient.

Think about whether you want honest opinions or people you can have a laugh with.

Your consultant will be able to recommend dresses to suit your body and style, your friends and family can offer their opinions, but ultimately the choice is down to you.

Don’t forget Accessories If you want to incorporate accessories into your look, make sure you take them along to the appointment. You need to make sure the colour and design suit your dress so don’t

miss the opportunity to see your whole look together.

Dress the Part Whilst dress shopping provides a fun day out with your family and friends, it’s important to wear something easy to change in and out of you’ll thank us later!

Try to find a nude bra and ideally strapless. Even if you’re not planning on wearing a strapless gown, you never know what you’ll be trying on when you get there.

Quite often brides go into their appointment with a vision, but end up trying on something completely different. Undergarments can also change the whole look of a dress (don’t we know it ladies!) so if you plan on wearing shapewear then bring this along too.

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Garlands

Ultra

t e l o i V

Vibrant & Vivacious

This year, Ultra Violet has been announced as Pantone’s 2018 Colour of the Year. We’ve come up with some stunning ways you can style your day with this hot new colour trend.

Expert event planners have been raving about ceiling potential and what better way to catch the eyes of your guests than with some statement floral pieces.

Weaving greenery or hanging garlands are perfect for creating a sense of wonder and enchantment. Why not try out this bold colour with a selection of succulent plants - eyecatching designs that require less water and look fresher for longer!

Jewellery Rather keep things subtle?

Why not try a dash of colour with a dazzling necklace or droplet earrings.

Tableware

Wedding Cake You could stick to a traditional white wedding cake with a few Ultra Violet accents, or why not challenge your cake designer with this show-stopping delight.

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Flower clippings, jars and jugs have been making a big appearance on Pinterest this year - something about that rustic barn feel!

Make it elegant and fill those centrepieces with delicate purple flowers, or add a bit of fun with some delicious lollipop favours in our new favourite shade. The colour of the year can’t be wrong! www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

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Dress by Watters Bride

One of the best things about wedding dresses is that they come in all shapes and sizes, so no matter your bridal style, there’s something to suit everyone. Here’s our guide to finding the perfect silhouette for your big day…

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

The A-line silhouette (so-called because the shape of the skirt looks like a capital A) is flattering on practically every body type, thanks to the fact that it’s fitted up top and flares out from the waist. The wider skirt gives you plenty of room to walk and dance without being too big, and the fitted bodice shows off your waist while skimming over your stomach. If you want something a little more fitted without graduating to a fit and flare, then a modified A-line flares out a little lower, at the hip rather than the waist.

Dress by Phil Collins Bridal

If you’re imagining a typical fairytale princess dress, then what you’re thinking of is probably a ballgown! The most voluminous wedding dress silhouette, a classic ballgown is fitted on the bodice, and flares out from the natural waist in a full skirt. This silhouette suits pear-shaped, hourglass and bigger busted brides, as it makes the most of your curves and still gives you a fairytale look; but it can also make apple shapes look wider. Taller brides will be able to pull off the large skirt, but petite brides may look swamped, so we’d recommend steering clear if you’re under 5’3”!

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

Dress by Lyn Ashworth

Dress by Willowby

It’s a classic for a reason!

If you love the curve-hugging cut of the mermaid but are worried about it being unforgiving (or difficult to walk in!), then we recommend you try a gorgeous fit and flare gown. The fit and flare is also known as a trumpet silhouette, and is becoming more and more popular with brides thanks to its flattering cut. Unlike a mermaid wedding dress, the skirt on a fit and flare starts at the mid-thigh, rather than below the knee, which gives you more room to move as well as a more forgiving cut on the thigh and a more understated silhouette.

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Main image & insert - Dresses by Willowby

Dress by Dando London

For a flowing Grecian style or a relaxed boho vibe, you’ll definitely be looking at a column wedding dress. As the name suggests, the skirt on a column is straight and falls away from the body, rather than being fitted, so it’s one of the most comfortable wedding dress styles to wear on the big day. This flowing style works perfectly on petite brides and apple shapes (particularly when paired with an empire line cut), but isn’t the best cut for pear-shaped brides. Not to be confused with the sheath gown, which is a sexier version of the silhouette that fits closer to the body.

Also known as a fishtail, the mermaid silhouette is closely fitted to your body and flares out from below the knee to give you that classic curvy shape. This can be a surprisingly flattering dress shape, so don’t be afraid to try one on at your boutique appointment - it balances out top-heavy brides and can really highlight curvaceous figures. Petite brides will also benefit from the structure of a classic mermaid gown, but pear shapes might look more bottom heavy.

Whatever your shape, this is glamorous silhouette, so be sure to wear it with confidence and you’ll feel like you’ve walked right off the red carpet.

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Louise Claire Millinery

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

01491 826244

Over 1200 hats and fascinators to hire or buy Bespoke Service Available

36 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford, OX10 0EU

www.louiseclairemillinery.co.uk

GET AHEAD HATS e: margaret@getaheadhats.co.uk t: 01344 306948 www.getaheadhats.co.uk Coppid Beech House, London House, Binfield RG42 4BS

Hats with style and elegance to design, hire or buy

Specialists in Mother of the Bride/Groom and Special Occasions.

Tel: 01628 528877 25 The Parade, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire SL8 5SB

Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm See website for Sunday Open Days www.No25ofBourneEnd.co.uk

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MENSWEAR Decide early on whether you’d rather buy or hire your menswear.

Hiring is a great option if you’re looking to save a few pennies, but getting married is a great excuse to treat yourself and purchase a made-to-measure suit.

Men’s formal wear to hire or to buy for Weddings, Ascot, Evening wear,Office suits, Designer Menswear www.elegansmenswear.com

Anthony Blay

Excellent service, competitive prices.

30 years of experience.

Wide range of up to date outfits, from slim to standard fit in a variety of colours and cuts from the ever-popular Blues to the new Tweed slim fit.

Special rates for clients of our resident sister company, Village Brides.

01189 781681

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Dressed by the Best

SUITS NEWBURY Suits Newbury is an independent formal menswear specialist, based in Newbury, Berkshire.

We have a comprehensive retail and hire stock, which is almost all held instore, and readily available.

Whether your need is evening wear, everyday suits, wedding attire, or accessories; we have what you need, for hire, or for purchase. We regularly update our stock, in line with current fashions, yet maintain the classic range of gentleman’s formal wear.

Suits Newbury also offer a comprehensive full make over service, assisting the client to choose the correct outfit for the that special occasion...

Saturday Strictly By Appointment 01635 33455 | www.suitsnewbury.co.uk | Old Bakehouse Chambers, Weavers Walk, Northbrook Street, Newbury, RG14 1AL

Jolliffes

Designer suits for hire Please call us for more information, to view our extensive range or to organise a suit fitting.

The Forge, Wycombe Lane, Wooburn Green HP10 0HD

Suit fittings by appointment only.

Made to Measure Service Alterations

MA887023

Menswear Hire/Retail

Fancy Dress Hire

01628 475757

www.jolliffes.co.uk GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

(01494) 673185 Hire Class, 1st Floor, 39 Station Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 1QG

www.hireclass.co.uk

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ENTERTAINMENT

ooks l e Th 19/ 0 2 r fo 2020

If you’re picking out your menswear, bear these handy tips in mind for a sharp suit…

Tailors are predicting that the next big menswear trend for 2019/2020 will be a move back to the formal tailcoat.

Traditional Morning Suits are definitely increasing once more in popularity, and we’re finding that grooms like to modify this formal outfit with contemporary twists, such as a contrasting waistcoat.

Watch this space!

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Buyvs Hire

It’s the age-old question; to buy or not to buy?

Both buying and hiring your suits come with pros and cons, but often it’s a matter of your budget and the number of groomsmen you’re kitting out.

The cost of hiring will always be lower, so if you have a large group of groomsmen or you’re on a tight budget, hiring may be a better option for you.

If your budget can stretch to it, we recommend that the groom buy his suit, as it gives the him the flexibility to have it altered for the perfect fit.

The most popular alteration by far is the slimming of the leg width. The current trend is to have a far narrower leg width and to have the trouser sat just on top of the shoe, rather than falling over the shoe to the heel as previously popular. Other options include nipping in the waist of the jacket for a closer fit, and altering the sleeve length for a more bespoke cut. It can take as little as three additional wears to make purchasing and tailoring a suit financially viable, so bear this in mind when picking out your menswear.

True Blue It’s official - blue is taking over from grey as the suit shade of the moment. Ranging from traditional navy to royal blue and lighter pastels, blue can be more flattering to the skin tone than grey and can be paired with plenty of tie and pocket square colours.

Blue tweed is proving incredibly popular, and a blue lounge suit with a contrasting waistcoat (such as green or grey) is a modern choice for stylish grooms.

Match your Maids When picking out colours for ties and pocket squares, looking to your bridesmaid dresses is a good start.

This year has seen a revival in pastel greens such as mint and sage, while classic shades like navy and blush shades are still going strong. If you’re unsure, let your menswear supplier know your colour scheme, and they’ll be able to advise you on what colour suit will be complementary.

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Which metal is best for your

WEDDING BAND? Why can’t I have a pure gold wedding band?

Pure gold is too soft for jewellery, so it’s mixed with metal alloys to create different colours and ensure that it is hard-wearing.

metal types Platinum Hard-wearing with a cool luster, this rare metal is perfect if you’re after a durable ring that won’t lose its colour or brilliance. Despite being a more expensive choice, a platinum ring will last a lifetime and is considered the most prestigious metal for jewellery.

White Gold If you’re looking for the natural white colour of platinum without the pricetag, white gold is a great option. White gold rings use pure gold alloyed with various other white metals and are plated with rhodium to give their brilliant white colour, which does wear away over time. Replating is a simple process, which will restore your band to its former brilliance.

Palladium This white precious metal forms part of the platinum group, but can be more affordable. Popular for its hardness and natural white colour that won’t fade, palladium rings are durable option that provide a stunning backdrop for diamonds.

Yellow Gold With its warm mixture of pure gold, copper and silver, yellow gold is once again proving a popular choice for wedding bands.

The carat of yellow gold you choose will make a difference to the colour and hardness of the band, so bear this in mind when matching your wedding band to your engagement ring.

Rose Gold Rose gold includes a higher percentage of copper, giving it its red tones.

An on-trend choice for wedding bands, it is surprisingly affordable and more hard-wearing than yellow or white gold. Like with yellow gold, the carat affects the colour of the ring: A higher percentage of gold will give the ring a lighter rose gold tone, while more copper will give more of a red colour.

Images courtesy of Peter Casey Jewellery.

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Handmade engagement and wedding rings.

0118 944 8844

www.woodleygoldsmiths.co.uk 55 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley, Reading, RG5 3JP

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Make your own wedding rings Other bespoke jewellery services available

rosalynsemporium@gmail.com rosalynsemporium.com Based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire

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For more on beauty, make-up, hair, health and fitness visit: www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/ find/wedding-health-beautyand-fitness

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www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Beauty

UNVEIL GREAT

SKIN

07946 225027 Reading, Berkshire

www.creativitybeauty.co.uk

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

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Design

your day om r f p l e h e l t t i s l e d a i r h t B i r w o f s e d i Gu

T

he big day is getting closer, so it’s time to begin organising the personal touches. These suppliers are the ones who are going to make your wedding day feel special to you, and help you bring your vision to life.

This is a great time to think about booking your florist. From white winter florals, to bright summer pastels, there are so many beautiful options for your wedding flowers, so choosing the right florist is a big decision.

It’s also time to choose your wedding cake, which means one thing: Cake tastings!

Most brides have a great time choosing their perfect cake, so make sure to prioritise this fun step. Whilst we’re thinking about food, we recommend organising your menu at this time.

Traditionally invitations are sent 6-12 weeks before the wedding day. Manage your RSVPs online with a personal wedding website:

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-planner

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%

Our Go To Checklist Ideally 3 – 9 months in advance Order your invitations and other stationery Choose and book your florist Choose and book your cake maker Book venue decorations Book a photo or video booth for guests Book wedding night accommodation Choose readings, poems, vows and hymns

Me g a

& Ha r r

We d d

n

Agree Order of Service with Vicar/Registrar/Celebrant

y

Decide on a menu and choose wines

i ng

es p Kin dly R

Send out invitations

ond

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

Plan your wedding your way with the Guides for Brides online wedding planner. www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-planner 81

FLORISTS

Let our team of skilled florists make your special day perfect

A family run flower shop, let our team make your dream wedding flowers a reality using only the highest quality flowers. Come along for a free consultation or visit us on our wedding flower open weekends.

Telephone our Amersham shop to arrange a free consultation.

01844 346445 thedaisychain@live.co.uk

Tel: 01494 721620/1

/TheDaisyChainPR www.daisy-chainflorist.co.uk 40 High Street, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 0AX

39 Woodside Road, Amersham, HP6 6AA www.shawsofamersham.co.uk

Bride Guide Wedding Ad 64 x 90mmv4.indd 1

14/06/2013 16:42

sales@willowandblooms.co.uk www.willowandblooms.co.uk @WillowAndBlooms facebook.com/WillowAndBlooms

01494 724933 Bridal Bouquets Bridesmaids Button Holes Corsages

www.floralcreations.info

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Available for bookings throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and surrounding areas

0118 988 6622 |

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

VINTAGE CROCKERY

Floral vintage crockery Set the scene for a memorable vintage wedding 07875 552132 www.floralvintagecrockery.co.uk /floralvintagecrockery /floralvintagecrockery

“Floral crockery to complete your Vintage Wedding...”

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018 2018-19

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CHOOSING YOUR

WEDDING CAKE DESIGNER Choosing your wedding cake designer can be surprisingly complicated – after all, creating a cake masterpiece to match a couple’s style, budget and tastes can be harder than you’d think!

Be Sure They Match Your Style These days, there are wedding cakes to match every couple’s style, from traditional tiers in royal icing to intricate sugar flower creations, and rustic naked cakes to modern drip designs in new flavours. When looking at your local wedding cake bakers, be sure to look through plenty of pictures on their portfolio, not just one or two, to be sure that they have experience making the kind of cake that will suit your wedding style. This is particularly important when it comes to complicated sugar work or custom designs!

Bear Distance in Mind We generally recommend looking locally for your wedding cake, as transportation costs (and potential complications) can easily start to mount up the further afield you go. Wedding fairs are a great place to meet potential cake designer, especially if they’re taking place at your chosen wedding venue.

This way you can see examples of their work,

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taste any samples, and chat to the designer in person in a low-pressure environment.

Check Availability and Reviews Before you get your heart set on a certain designer, it’s always worth checking out two things: their availability and online reviews.

Many designer’s will have testimonials on their website, but it’s better to take a look at a more impartial source for reviews (such as Guides for Brides!) to be sure that you’re getting the full picture.

Once you’re happy with your designer’s reviews, you’ll need to check their calendar or drop them a line to see if they’re available on your date before you start discussing prices and styles. We recommend choosing your designer around 6 months in advance, but if you’re marrying in peak season or on a weekend, you may want to start the search earlier than this, as good suppliers will get booked up quick.

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Consultations and Tastings Before you book your wedding cake designer, you may want to visit them for a consultation or tasting. As exciting as this is, be sure you have the major details sorted (such as the venue, date, flowers and budget) before you visit your designer,

as all these elements may affect your chosen style. Take inspirational images of cake styles you like, along with details of your flowers and colour scheme, with you on the day to help your supplier get an idea of what you’re looking for.

Bespoke wedding cakes to complete your unique day Call:

01280 823720

07913 356272

Email: vicci@victoria-sponge.net Visit: www. victoria-sponge.net :

www.facebook.com/viccisponge

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l i a M t o Yo u’v e g Save the Date

You’ve chosen the perfect date to tie the knot and now it’s time to make sure everyone you want to share it with can be there with you. Send save the dates six to eight months before the big day.

Invitations Sorted

Time to fill in your guests with all the important details from location to timings and dress code. The invite can capture your wedding theme and get guests excited for what’s to come.

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www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Stationery: You’ve Got Mail

Get your guests excited for the big by sharing a plan of the day including Order of Service, menus, place cards, table nos. and timings.

Friday 12 June 20XX St Helen’s Church

On the Big Day Post wedding thank You

Please go to our website for more online Stationery suppliers: www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/find/ wedding-stationery

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

Thank your guests for their thoughtful cards, presents and wishes with a picture of the happy couple and a meaningful note.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

*¾¾¾-¾¾¾1¾¾¾2 4¾¾¾#¾¾¾%¾¾¾ ¾¾¾1 O luxury authen�c casino tables are Our aalways a crowd-pleaser – Guaranteed!

FFun interac�ve entertainment for eeveryone, it’s a great ice breaker and ttalking point. The Lost Vegas family tteam provide a unique and unforge�able experience. u

Wow, where do I start!

We hired Lost Vegas for our wedding at Rivervale Barn and you guys were absolutely amazing!!

We never told our guests you were coming and all we have received is posi�ve feedback. The croupiers were absolutely brilliant with the guests, we highly recommend you guys and hopefully we will see you again at another func�on.

Thank you again for making our night special.

Sophie & John

ney mo venir n u u ed f so alisuniqueial day n o c s Pervide a ur spe pro of yo

Our Event Hire Packages include: Delivery, set up and collec�on Full size luxury gaming tables Full size casino roule�e wheel Roule�e and blackjack 3 hours gaming Professional croupiers in black�e Tutorials Casino quality cards and chips Personalised fun money (ideal as favours) 2 Themed banners Public liablity insurance Bo�le of champagne for the winner > £450.00 <

To find out more contact Catherine on

07859 344488 or 01344 441626 / lostvegasfuncasino@gmail.com www.lostvegascasinohire.co.uk GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

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Finishing

touches om r f p l e le h rides t t i l a with ides for B Gu

Y

ou’ve sorted out all the big things and it’s time to focus on the finishing touches. It’s often said that it’s the little details that make a wedding stand out from the crowd, so spend a little time organising the things that you’ve left until last.Whether it’s gifts for the bridal party and parents, or confirming the details with your suppliers, this is a wonderful opportunity to get a touch more organised.

To start with, why not organise your table plan for the wedding breakfast, or write a speech that won’t leave a dry eye in the house? Whilst you’re putting the last little bits together, a lot of brides choose to have a trial run of their makeup during this time.

This is a great way to ensure that your bridal look is exactly what you envisaged. We also encourage making sure that all your balances

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Our Go To Checklist Ideally 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 months in advance Gifts for parents and bridal party Decide table plan (Using our online wedding planner)

Buy cake boxes, confetti, sparklers and cameras Write and practice speeches

are paid before your wedding day.

No couple wants to spend their wedding day worrying about money.

Cut/colour hair, and trial run of style Trial run of make-up Confirm details of flower booking Check plans for hen and stag nights Confirm timings for transport Email all other suppliers to confirm plans Make sure all balances are paid

Plan your wedding your way with the Guides for Brides online wedding planner. www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-planner GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

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h c e e r e p b S m e m A to Re

There’s nothing worse than getting those pre-speech jitters.

Emotions are running high and you want the happy couple to be weeping with joy, not the other way around.

We’ve come up with some great ideas to get you prepped and ready to give them a speech to remember.

ive o g t ed ask dingn e d e e b the we v ’ u yo h at So c pee anic! a s P

’t Don

Be Prepared Some people are happy to leave the speech writing to the last minute - it’s easy, so they say. The couple will be expecting a beautiful speech, no matter what style you go for, and to avoid any disappointment on their part writing your speech in advance is the best idea. We’d suggest giving yourself a couple of weeks at least, leaving you plenty of time to make edits.

Go for Humour If the thought of pouring your heart out for all the guests to see fills you with dread, go for comedy instead. It’s a sure fire way to get everyone on side right from the beginning, leaving you the chance at the end of your speech for all the fluffy stuff.

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Make a Game Give the guests something to do during the speeches - Bingo! Sitting through a whole bunch of speeches for that long can sometimes get a little tiring, especially for the little guests, so why not give them a bingo sheet with some key phrases to listen out for; ‘I’m so proud’, ‘best day of my life’, ‘the stag do’...you get the idea. Even a comedy prize for the winner will go down a storm.

Rope in the Mates If you’d prefer to have a little support in the speech, why not ask the couple if you can give the speech with another close friend or www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

family member. You could rope in a whole group of friends to help you out if you like.

People have given speeches as pairs (which can be great for comedy value) and even written songs for the occasion. There are plenty of videos out there of barbershop quartets, dance-offs, rap battles - you name it, it can be done!

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018 2018-19

Record a Video Depending how much time you have on your hands, you could let the video do the talking.

It’s a nice way of allowing you to relax on the day knowing you’ve created something they’ll remember forever. Just make sure you organise a projector for the occasion.

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The final

countdown m o r f p l he e l t t i s l e d a i r h t B i w or f s e d i Gu

Y

our wedding is drawing near and excitement is in the air. You’ve spent so long organising every little detail and making sure that this day will be everything you dreamed it to be, and now it’s time to make sure everything is good to go.

Some couples find the last week the most stressful, but try to relax and enjoy every single moment.

Use this time as an opportunity to ensure that you have everything you’ll need with you on the day. No bride wants to spend her wedding morning frantically searching for her veil, so spend some time making sure that everything is accounted for. It’s also a wonderful time to arrange some time together before you say “I do”.

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Our Go To Checklist The final week Sort some “getting ready” provisions

Arrange time together Collect hired menswear

Make sure outfits are ready Arrange someone to return hired items Pack a “going away” bag Manicure and Pedicure Rehearsal for church wedding Brief best man, bridesmaids and ushers Enjoy your day!

Thank you for using Guides for Brides.

Don’t forget to leave a review for the companies you choose. www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/reviews GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

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Need a spare copy of this Guide? Pick one up from any of these Berkshire & Buckinghamshire wedding businesses.

Berkshire Beauty, Hair & Make-up Five Star Nails 171 Farnham Road Slough Berkshire SL1 4XP 01753 676768 Five Star Nails 97 High St Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 1JX 01628 676768 Bridal Wear Bride To Be 106/107 Broad Street Mall Reading Berkshire RG1 7QA 0118 9575115 Rosedene Bridal Rosedene House 162 Windsor Road Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 2DW 01628 788123 Sophie Grace Bridal 17 (B3) Oaklands Business Park Oaklands Place Wokingham Berkshire RG41 2FD 01189 771715 Village Brides 27 Rose Street Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1XS 0118 9799873

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Cars & Horse Drawn Carriages Christopherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wedding Cars Stonehaven Reading Road Arborfield Berkshire RG2 9HP 0118 9760845 Florists Croppers In Bloom 38, High Street Theale Reading Berkshire RG7 5AN 0118 930 2166 Flowerz 58 Thames Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1QW 01753 641590 The Flower Loft Ladds Garden Village Bath Road, Hare Hatch Twyford Berkshire RG10 9SB 01189 403804 The Flowerstalk 166 Hyde End Road Shinfield Reading Berkshire RG2 9ER 0118 988 6622 Willow & Blooms 36 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5LL 01635 528900

Honeymoons Eton Travel 10-12 Denmark Street Wokingham Berkshire RG40 2BB 0118 979 2555 Jewellers Jason Charles Jewellery 24 High Street Sunninghill Berkshire SL5 9NE 01344 874496 Woodley Goldsmiths 55 Crockhamwell Road Woodley Reading Berkshire RG5 3JP 0118 9448844 Menswear Anthony Blay 27 Rose Street Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1XS 0118 978 1861 Elegans Menswear Moss End Garden Village Maidenhead Road Bracknell Berkshire RG42 6EJ 01344 302780 Suits Newbury Old Bakehouse Chambers Weavers Walk Newbury Berkshire RG14 1AL 01635 33455

Mother of the Bride Get Ahead Hats Coppid Beech House London Road Binfield Berkshire RG42 4BS 01344 306948 Spas & Treatments The Stables Spa High Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1PH 01753 848560 Tourist Information Windsor Tourist Information The Old Booking Hall Windsor Royal Shopping, Thames Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1PJ 01753 743900 Wokingham Tourist Information Town Hall Market Place Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1AS 0118 978 3185 Venues Bearwood Lakes Golf Club Bearwood Road Sindlesham Wokingham Berkshire RG41 4SJ 0118 979 7900

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We thank all these businesses for their support.

Best Western Calcot Hotel 98 Bath Road Reading Berkshire RG31 7QN Best Western Plus Reading Moat House Mill Lane Sindlesham Wokingham Berkshire RG41 5DF Bird Hills Golf Centre Drift Road Hawthorn Hill Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 3ST 01628 771030

De Vere Wokefield Estate Reading Berkshire RG7 3AE 01189334378 Ditton Park Manor Ditton Park Road Datchet Berkshire SL3 9LL 01280 816666 Donnington Grove Golf & Country Club Grove Road Newbury Berkshire RG14 2LA 01635 581000

Bracknell Leisure Centre Bagshot Road Bracknell Berkshire RG12 9SE

Donnington Valley Hotel Old Oxford Road Donnington Newbury Berkshire RG14 3AG 01635 528770

Bracknell Register Office Time Square Market Street Bracknell Berkshire RG12 1JD 01344 352052

Downshire Golf Complex West Drive Easthampstead Park Wokingham Berkshire RG40 3DH 01344 302030

Castle Hotel Windsor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MGallery 18 High Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1LJ 01753 851577

Easthampstead Park Conference Centre Off Peacock Lane Wokingham Berkshire RG40 3DF 0118 974 7576

De Vere Beaumont Estate Burfield Road Old Windsor Berkshire SL4 2JJ 01753 640000

Harte and Garter Hotel High Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1PQ 01753 848552

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

Holiday Inn Reading M4 Jct 10 Wharfedale Road Winnersh Triangle Wokingham Berkshire RG41 5TS 0118 944 4230 Lillibrooke Manor & Barns Ockwells Road Cox Green Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 3LP 01628 906050 Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa Bagshot Road Sunninghill Ascot Berkshire SL5 9JH 01344 293036 Macdonald Windsor Hotel High Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1LH 01753 483 125 Mercure Newbury Elcot Park Hotel Elcot Newbury Berkshire RG20 8NJ 0844 8159060 Mill Hall Pigeons Farm Road Greenham Newbury Berkshire RG19 8XA 07824 665119

Penta Hotel Reading Oxford Road Reading Berkshire RG1 7RH 0118 958 6222 Regency Park Hotel Bowling Green Road Thatcham Berkshire RG18 3RP Reading Museum & Town Hall Blagrave Street Reading Berkshire RG1 1QH 0118 937 3400 Royal Berkshire, an Exclusive Venue London Road Sunninghill Ascot Berkshire SL5 0PP 01344 298032 Sheepdrove Organic Farm Sheepdrove Road Hungerford Berkshire RG17 7UU Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa Thames Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1PX 0207 5895151 Sonning Golf Club Sonning Golf Club Limited Duffield Road Sonning on Thames Berkshire RG4 6GJ 01189 693332

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South Hill Park Ringmead Bracknell Berkshire RG12 7PA 01344 413511

The Vineyard Stockcross Newbury Berkshire RG20 8JU 01635 528770

Stirrups Country House Hotel Maidens Green Bracknell Berkshire RG42 6LD 01344 882284

Windsor Guildhall High Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1LR 01628 796284

The Bear Hotel Hungerford Charnham Street Hungerford Berkshire RG17 0EL 01488 682512

Windsor & Maidenhead Registrars The Register Office Town Hall Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 1RF 01628 796238

The Chequers Hotel 6-8 Oxford Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 1JB 01635 38000 The Forbury Hotel 26 The Forbury Reading Berkshire RG1 3EJ 0118 9527 770 The Grange Bracknell Hotel Charles Square Bracknell Berkshire RG12 1DF 01344 474000 The Mill House Hotel Old Basingstoke Road Swallowfield Reading Berkshire RG7 1PY 0118 988 3124 The Oakley Court Windsor Road Water Oakley Windsor Berkshire SL4 5UR 01753 609988 98

Wokingham Town Hall Town Hall Market Place Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1AS 01189 783185

Buckinghamshire Beauty, Hair & Make-up Vision Creative Hairdressing 12d Packhorse Road Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire SL9 7QE 01753 883116 Bridal Wear Bride & Joy 19 St. Mary’s Avenue Bletchley Buckinghamshire MK3 5DT 01908 377122 Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique 1 London End Beaconsfield Old Town Buckinghamshire HP9 2HN 01494 674440 Pure Couture 3 Holtspur Parade Heath Road Beaconsfield Buckinghamshire HP9 1DA 01494 672700 Sweet Dreams 19 Castle Street Buckingham Buckinghamshire MK18 1BP 01280 812507 The Bridal House 10a Weston Road Aston Clinton Buckinghamshire HP22 5EG 01296 632041 The Bridal House 25 Crendon Street High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP13 6LJ 01494 258403

White Lace & Butterflies 76 High Street Great Missenden Buckinghamshire HP16 0AN 01494 257490 Florists Floral Creations 41 Hill Avenue Amersham Buckinghamshire HP6 5BX 01494 724933 Fullers Flowers White Lion House Bell Street Princes Risborough Buckinghamshire HP27 0AD 01844 345426 Secret Garden 16 High Street Burnham Buckinghamshire SL1 7JH 01628 603555 Shaw’s of Amersham 39 Woodside Road Amersham Buckinghamshire HP6 6AA 01494 721621 The Daisy Chain 7b High Street Princes Risborough Buckinghamshire HP27 0AE 01844 346445 The Flower Bar Unit 4 27/29 Bakery House Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 2LA 01296 423233

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The Flower Boutique Nightingale Corner Little Chalfont Buckinghamshire HP7 9PY 01494762760 The Flower Cabin Westside Clay Lane Booker Buckinghamshire SL7 3DJ The Flower Gallery 15 High Street Wendover Buckinghamshire HP22 6DX 01296 620062 Gift List Services John Lewis Holmers Farm Way High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP12 4NW John Lewis Gift List 11 Field Walk The Centre:MK Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK9 3EP 01908 325302 Guest Accommodation The Red Lion Hotel 9 High Street Wendover Buckinghamshire HP22 6DU 01296 622266 Jewellery D.J Warner 35 Woodside Road Amersham Buckinghamshire HP6 6AA 01494 726319

Menswear Buckingham Tailors 7a Castle Street Buckingham Buckinghamshire MK18 1BS 01280 812636 Hire Class at Country House 1st Floor 39 Station Road Beaconsfield Buckinghamshire HP9 1QG 01494 673185 Jolliffes The Forge Wycombe Lane Wooburn Green Buckinghamshire HP10 0HD 01628 475757 Suitors Of Buckingham 20 Market Hill Buckingham Buckinghamshire MK18 1JX 01280 823958 Mother of the Bride Echoes 19 Nightingales Corner Little Chalfont Buckinghamshire HP7 9PY 01494 764174 No. 25 Of Bourne End 25 The Parade Bourne End Buckinghamshire SL8 5SB 01628 528877

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

Tourist Information Buckingham Tourist Information Centre The Old Gaol Market Hill Buckingham Buckinghamshire MK18 1JX 01280 823020 Venues Abbey Hill Golf Centre Monks Way 2 Mile Ash Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK8 8AA 01908 562566 Bisham Abbey NSC Bisham Buckinghamshire SL7 1RR 01628 402589 Buckinghamshire Golf Club Denham Court Drive Denham Buckinghamshire UB9 5PG 01895836801 Buckinghamshire Registration Service County Hall RB70 Walton Street Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 1XF 01296 331441 Burnham Beeches Hotel Grove Road Burnham Buckinghamshire SL1 8DP 0844 736 8603 Colston Hall 8 East Common Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD 01753 883759

Chicheley Hall Chicheley Newport Pagnell Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK16 9JJ 01234 868654 Court Garden House Pound Lane Marlow Buckinghamshire SL7 2AE 01494 523162 Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross Oxford Road Beaconsfield Buckinghamshire HP9 2XE 01753 893891 Crowne Plaza Marlow Fieldhouse Lane Marlow Buckinghamshire SL7 1GJ 01628 496 831 Danesfield House Hotel & Spa Henley Road Medmenham Marlow Buckinghamshire SL7 2EY De Vere Latimer Estate Latimer Chesham Buckinghamshire HP5 1UG 01494 545556 Grovefield House Hotel Taplow Common Road Burnham Buckinghamshire SL1 8LR 01628 603131

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Harben House Harben Tickford Street Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK16 9EY 01908 215600 Hartwell House & Spa Oxford Road Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP17 8NR 01296 746501 Hedsor House Hedsor Park Taplow Buckinghamshire SL6 0HX 01628 819050 Hilton Milton Keynes Timbold Drive Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK7 6HL 01908 694433 Holiday Inn High Wycombe M40 J4 Handycross High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP11 1TL 01494 492410 Holiday Inn Milton Keynes 500 Saxon Gate West Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK9 2HQ 0871 9429057 Huntswood Golf Club Taplow Common Road Burnham Buckinghamshire SL1 8LS 01628 667144

Kings Chapel (Kings Arms Hotel) 30 High Street Amersham Buckinghamshire HP7 0DJ

Taplow House Hotel Berry Hill Taplow Buckinghamshire SL6 0DA 01628 594972

Macdonald Compleat Angler Marlow Bridge Marlow Buckinghamshire SL7 1RG 01628 484444

The Best Western Buckingham Hotel A421 Ring Road Buckingham Buckinghamshire MK18 1RY 01280 825442

Mercure Milton Keynes Hotel Monks Way Two Mile Ash Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK8 8LY 01908 561666

The Bull Hotel Oxford Road Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire SL9 7PA 0207 5895151

Missenden Abbey London Road Great Missenden Buckinghamshire HP16 0BD Monkton Barn Marlow Buckinghamshire SL7 3RF 01494 523162 Stoke Park Country Club, Spa & Hotel Park Road Stoke Poges Buckinghamshire SL2 4PG 01753 717171 Stoke Place Stoke Green Stoke Poges Slough Buckinghamshire SL2 4HT 01753 534790

The Dairy at Waddesdon Manor Waddesdon Buckinghamshire HP18 0JW 01296 653331 The Kings Hotel Oxford Road Stokenchurch High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP14 3TA 01494 609090 The Swan Revived Hotel High Street Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire MK16 8AR Woughton House MGallery by Sofitel Woughton on the Green Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK6 3LR

Stowe House Stowe Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH 01280818280 100

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#WEDDINGWEDNESDAY Every Wednesday, Guides for Brides are proud to host #WeddingWednesday on Twitter!

So head on over and join the conversation, tweeting us about all things wedding by tagging @guidesforbrides and hashtagging #WeddingWednesday Find us on @guidesforbrides

Wedding Fair Diary 2018-2019 Berkshire 02 September 2018 Crowne Plaza Reading, Reading, Berks 09 September 2018 The Coppid Beech, Bracknell, Berks 09 September 2018 Cantley House Hotel, Wokingham, Berks 09 September 2018 Bracknell Hilton Hotel, Bracknell, Berks 16 September 2018 Trunkwell House Hotel, Reading, Berks 23 September 2018 Hillfields Farm Estate, Reading, Berks 30 September 2018 The Donnington Grove, Newbury, Berks 30 September 2018 The Olde Bell, Hurley, Berks 30 September 2018 Hilton St. Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manor, Wokingham, Berks

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07 October 2018

The Berystede Hotel, Ascot, Berks

07 October 2018

Shaw House, Newbury, Berks

14 October 2018

Lillibrooke Manor & Barns, Maidenhead, Berks

21 October 2018

The Oakley Court, Windsor, Berks

21 October 2018

Taplow House Hotel, Taplow, Berks

21 October 2018

South Hill Park, Bracknell, Berks

28 October 2018

De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading, Berks

13 January 2019

Crowne Plaza Reading, Caversham, Berks

3 February 2019

Taplow House Hotel, Taplow, Berks

27 January 2019

Trunkwell House, Beech Hill Road, Reading, Berks

10 February 2019

Lillibrooke Manor, Ockwells Road, Maidenhead, Berks

17 February 2019

The Olde Bell, High Street, Hurley, Berks

www.guidesforbrides.co.uk

Wedding Fair Diary 2018-2019 Buckinghamshire 18 June 2018

Chicheley Hall, Milton Keynes, Bucks

05 July 2018

Chicheley Hall, Milton Keynes, Bucks

20 August 2018

Chicheley Hall, Milton Keynes, Bucks

09 September 2018 Holiday Inn Milton Keynes East, Milton Keynes, Bucks 16 September 2018 Horwood Estate, Milton Keynes, Bucks 16 September 2018 The Bull Hotel, Gerrards Cross, Bucks 27 September 2018 Chicheley Hall, Milton Keynes, Bucks 30 September 2018 Holiday Inn Milton Keynes East, Milton Keynes, Bucks 07 October 2018

Bisham Abbey, Marlow, Bucks

14 October 2018

The Pavilion at Lane End, High Wycombe, Bucks

21 October 2018

Hilton Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes, Bucks

21 October 2018

Stowe House, Buckingham, Bucks

21 October 2018

Taplow House Hotel, Taplow, Bucks

29 October 2018

Chicheley Hall, Milton Keynes, Bucks

10 November 2018 Taplow House Hotel, Taplow, Bucks 25 November 2018 Chicheley Hall, Milton Keynes, Bucks 20 January 2019

Bisham Abbey, Marlow, Bucks

3 February 2019

Taplow House Hotel, Taplow, Bucks

GfB The Wedding Directory 2018-19

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