Gifts for everyone including the cat

As a local wedding planner we see how much money is spent on all the important things for the Wedding. of course the venue and catering and outfits, even the little favours on the table but now more and more money is being spent on gifts.

Back in the 90s we gave a bouquet to each mother

 

This was more than satisfactory, we did this at the speeches with each giving the new mother in law the flowers.

the best man would get a tankard or a hip flask with his name engraved in times roman font, he of course would never use it but he would nod gratefully  

The bridesmaid would receive the traditional item of jewellery, which they would treasure, we hope!!

Of course we have moved with the times and presents have become a bit more thoughtful and personal and pricey!

The best men and ushers are now getting personalised cuflinks and tie pins, Buy Here

The mothers are being gifted with Jewellery now too, 

Find me a gift 

And now here is the trend of buying the groom a present
I have an idea, how about something he can unwrap later.....

You are the present, it also saves a few pound too after spending it all on your special day.

Another idea is both buying each other your favourite perfume/aftershave before the big day to wear at the wedding 

I am not  a humbug, just think about all that extra money you spend on gifts, when its not necessary

for some good gift websites check out below 

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/weddings/

http://www.findmeagift.co.uk

https://www.etsy.com/uk/c/weddings/gifts-and-mementos/groomsmen-gifts

http://www.personalisedweddinggifts.co.uk

Photo of bride  http://marypkarnes.com/2016/02/name-change-new-brides/

 

 

 

Time to get married

What time is a good time get married?
Well I believe its important not to have long boring gaps but equally you do not want a rushed day
A ceremony at 1pm is a good choice, even earlier if this is at a church or venue that's further away from your reception venue

Leaving a long relaxing morning to get yourselves ready and also allow time for guests to travel

Finishing ceremony 1:30-1:45 and time for some pictures


Welcome drinks 2:30pm with some light canapes gives a chance for family and friends to mingle generally you do not want more than an hour for this, it can start to get boring or relatives may start getting drunk

3:30pm sit for the wedding breakfast, now this time is neither lunch or dinner but its also not too late that people start thinking about going home if children are in attendance or older people

Depending on what you having to eat depends on how much time to allow, if you are having alot of guests is a buffet could mean that people are waiting a long time before they eat so have several serving tables so this can be achieved swiftly, with a large number of catering staff or go for the direct to table service, this would mean a veggie option or non veggie and no further options, people wont mind its a free meal, just make sure its something simple that most people like or that they can choose the vegetarian if need be,


Why not have a dessert table, this means people can stretch their legs, if you've had the main served to you then this is also possible to then have choosing for dessert

Allow 2 hours for your 3 course meal, so now its 5:30pm people have been sat for a while so why not give a ten minute warning for speeches, as I am sure when dessert is finished they will hop to the loo or cigarette break,

Its even better to start with the speeches before the meal or half and half
The Best Man, Father of Bride, Groom and Bride but try not to go over five minutes and start having slide shows or props, it may seem funny but its actually quite boring .. sorry
If you are having a speech before the meal, an allocated time will need to be made so the staff can be ready to serve once the speech is finished

6pm its drinks time, you could take the first dance or you could wait until late if you are having evening guests, it depends how much you like tradition, if not take this as a time to freshen up before the evening party, get that DJ on

7pm a good time to invite evening guests from and cut the cake before everyone gets drunk
8pm get the band to start and have that first dance to your special song


9pm is a good time for a light tea, like a supper, hot/cold buffet, cheese and crackers etc, get it put out with plates then people can help themselves, make sure its announced though as guests may miss it


If you having a coach to collect then midnight is perfectly acceptable time and you will be knackered, mentally drained, A coach is a good way to get people to leave, if your not a late bird why not have the big departure with the bride and groom leaving first in a wedding car and to some fireworks, just make sure theres a responsible adult to clear away the cards and presents

Wedding pastels 2016

Pastels for Wedding Colours are beautiful, so soft & sweet, delicate and springlike
mint, pale blue, blush pink & peach such a fresh pallet

 

Using several different pastel colours 

 

Even a groom can look gorgeous in pastels

 

Add some gold to glam your pastel pallet up

 

These colours are so complimentary to each other

 

Even your cocktail hour can match

Pink Mojitos with a sprig of mint.. Fresh

 

A pastel wedding dress is so refreshing

 

Adding the pastel details in flowers is so spring like and realy pretty too

 

I am so in love with coloured wedding dresses and this is so pretty and dreamy 

 

Of course even the transport can match

 

Baby blue bridesmaids if you are not keen on the pink is beautiful, especial on these floaty dresses 

Dont be shy to try mixing pastels 

Please do look at our pinterest for more inspiration

 https://www.pinterest.com/VivaciousUK/

Vivacious Events can help with any styling of your wedding, including for the bride and groom so do contact us for more information 

Credits

wedding cake by Hillmountaintown on Flickr

Found on ruffledblog.com

Found on tulleandchantilly.com

Found on indulgy.com

Found on borrowedandblue.com

Found on luvandido.wordpress.com

Found on lovemydress.net

http://marilynskeepsakes.com

Planning Christmas Parties

Its that time of year again when we start to get ourselves ready for the works christmas do, Of course we will go if the company is paying, but yes we come away disappointed that all the firm could muster up is a cheap local hotel with a grandad dj and cheap crackers, but then the whole event was organised from Julie in accounts & she was really busy with the day job...

 

So why not persuade your boss to hire an event planner to arrange the festive cheer...

They will never agree to such frivolities 

Julie from accounts loves this job...

Event Planners have contacts with quality suppliers who they know will save them money & be quality tested by the Event Planers ie Vivacious Events 

Vivacious Events will make sure the party venue is decorated beautifully for you christmas event, The location is in easy reach of public transport & town centre or a coach to be laid on. Guests won`t want to come if they have to drive

Taste testing can often be agreed by the venue, this means we can make sure that the food is of high quality

We also will provide a DJ/Band that we know will get everyone on the dance floor 

We will also make sure that the venues bar prices are not a huge rip off, we can negotiate with suppliers on cost too.

Is the Venue going to be decorated in a festive way, if not we can do that too.

We can also source some entertainment, Dancers, Magicians etc to add a bit of fun to the evening

 

 

Do you want a party just for your company or to share with other local businesses, both ways are available 

We will save money from using the venues & suppliers as make multiple bookings, that saving we pass on to the client.. The client pays us with the money they have saved, but will still ending up saving money plus will have had their christmas event arranged by a professional events company

Leaving the companies staff to concentrate on their day job 

Vivacious Events can use their creativity to style & theme your christmas event 

Contact us to arrange your office christmas party, spaces still for 2015

The Intimate Wedding

We are Event & Wedding Planners covering Sussex area, Based near Brighton.

A lot of couples are struggling with the who to invite decisions, with increasing pressure from family members, i.e parents on who they should invite, if you are inviting Aunt Pat then you must invite her grown up kids & their partners and their kids adding 30 more people to the guest list at at least £50PH ..

If you and your intended are not quite strong enough to point out its your wedding day & not your parents then you either remortgage to pay for the wedding or you make some firm decisions.

Why not opt for the low key wedding day, The intimate wedding.
In Sussex we are lucky to have lots of lovely venues that can accommodate such wedding ceremonies.

Our August 2015 Bride & Groom Kelly & Eddie opted for such a Wedding.

This is also a real budget saver, why not spend a good amount on really close family & friends and having a perfect day. So with their children and both sets of parents, one Grandma and 2 friends (The wedding planners) for witnesses Kelly & Eddie had a beautiful ceremony at The Old Tollgate, Upper Beeding, West Sussex. This venue is licensed.

We sat in the room which was nicely decorated with chairs either side & Kelly was walked in with her Popsey, looking stunning in a beautiful full wedding dress, hair & makeup had been applied by a make up friend at home. Kelly had even been surprised by a luxury Limo to collect her & Popsey.

Eddie & Kelly made their vows in front of the 10 guests, did it feel empty & sad? No way, it felt beautiful & real, As a wedding planner we normally await outside or near the exit guiding buses etc, but to be there with the very close family was a true privilege.

 

Its a very nerve racking experience The Wedding Day, so to do this without a huge audience can help you enjoy the whole  experience.

 

Just because its a small wedding does not mean traditions cannot be kept.

After The ceremony, we chatted & drank 

Then we had a gorgeous 3 course meal (carvery) in a private room, where we could be loud and laugh and joke. 

It was also great as the children did`nt need to stay seated as it was just us.

Kelly & Eddie were able to speak to all their guests too, and looked so much more relaxed without 150 people watching them eat.

 I would thoroughly recommend an intimate wedding, it saves arguments of who you have or have not invited and saves thousands of pounds.

Our gorgeous couple opted to have a wedding party 2 days later on the saturday night, which also is a good solution to those relatives who want to see you in your wedding attire.

The party was in a local hall, which is really nice inside The Barn, Southwick. Starting from late afternoon Kelly & Eddie and the wedding party re wore the lovely wedding attire, They were very relaxed too.

With a buffet and photo booth, speeches and a wedding cake this was the wedding day party,  This also would be good to have if you married abroad

Another wedding we had the bride and groom sent invites out on their wedding day saying the got married join us (2weeks later date ) to celebrate.

Not everyone wants to get married in front of lots of people, or invite the whole family.

or spend so much money you don't really have.

So make sure you have the wedding you both want, not what everyone else wants

Wedding Planners are not just for huge weddings

Save the Groom

I first married in 1996, yes I was young and stupid, But it was a big wedding and the groomsmen wore grey tails and top hats, with burgandy waitcoats and cravettes, This style (not actual image )

Twenty Years later not much has moved on with suits, its not that they have come back in fashion, its just they havent gone out of fashion.

 

We have the morning suit look is still a traditional formal wedding attire.Its very ascot or the day at the races.

 I just think more effort and imagination could be used, not this though

Ewww

But maybe a bit james bond like with a gorgeous Tux.

Very suave

Navy has been big the last season or so, 

 

John Maher here in 2013 rockin the look with a blue velvet jacket & dickie bow

I love this & would look fab on a groom

 

Marc Wallace London

This suit is certainly not boring and its a favourite

It says I am the groom and its just as much my day as its is the brides...

A groom should shine his personality its a very special day

Great wedding attire

Groomsmen can still look formal 

There is even a Navy take on the formal morning suit if you want to keep tradition but add a bit of spice, Waistcotas and Cravettes

 

A 3 piece Harris Tweed suit, very country gent

So Please grooms, do not just pop in the local suit shop 2 months before the wedding and make do, Let your personality shine through, Its your special day too.

 

And I am not rubbishing Grey suits, just bring them up to date.

Websites sourced images from:

 https://www.marcwallace.com/

www.weddingdresspreston.co.uk

 http://www.dinner-suit.co.uk

 khianastillpretty.blogspot.com

 www.weddingandweddingflowers.co.uk

Christmas Entertaining at home

Christmas time blog




Christmas time is a great time to get together with families or friends, but how to add some excitement without breaking the bank, or spending the day cooking?


We have compiled some easy options, some exciting recipes.








Mulled wine is great at Christmas, especially warmed up, check here for a fab recipe http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8143/mulled-wine-cocktail or why not grab a readymade bottle at your local supermarket, co op have bottles for only £3, you could even just pour this into a saucepan and simmer on the hob, no one will ever know.




The Classic Snowball.


Buy a bottle of Advacaat or similar brand, Add 1 1/2 OZ Advocaat, top up with lemonade, on ice cubes,

Add a drop of lime juice, For decoration why not add some whipped cream and cinnamon stick.


An exciting Christmas Cocktail to impress your guests is The Christmas Cookie Cocktail.

Perfect for after dessert, use an equal measure of Baileys, Kahlua (or Tia Maria) and Peppermint Schnapps, add these ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice, then strain and serve in a chilled martini glass









How about an exciting non alcohol drink, A Mulled apple juice, serve warm to war up the guests, http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/13370/mulled-apple-juice










A hot buffet is perfect for guests to pick at, but how not to spend a fortune, add part baked oven rolls, they are cheap but also very effect, have plenty of these with cold meat as fillings & pickles.

Rolls are filling & cheap too.



The Classic jacket potatoes', cheap but filling,







These are hearty and warming, they are perfect for serving a lot of family & friends

http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1046653/brisket-and-cheese-stuffed-jumbo-potatoes-recipe



Love these easy winter canapés






 



These are an old favourite but easy to make & add a bit special to the party.




 
Mix together crème fraiche, horseradish, Tabasco and juice. Spoon a little on each blini, top with salmon and garnish with cress.




Dessert, easy to serve and keep portion control & comes across a bit quirky, serve your guests dessert in a glass.
Desserts are always fab served in glasses, a bit posh hotel, this recipe can be made to suit.

http://thecozyapron.com/cozy-cameo-rich-dark-and-handsome/



















Why not make these with the children, edible snowballs, easy to make & yummy too, there are a few easy variations of the recipes.


Some easy desserts get the kids to help and make these up


http://allrecipes.com/recipe/snowballs-i/





Have a very Merry Christmas, Make life easy for your self.

Last tip, buy some lovely looking mince pies, take out from silver foil wraps and place in the oven to warm, lightly dust with some icing sugar & serve on a cake stand, scoop some shop bought brandy butter into a pretty sugar bowl... oh you the domestic goddess.



Save time, money & stress this Christmas





FunkyLush Events offer a bar staff, waitress hire service perfect for those bigger house parties, see previous blog



www.funkylushevents.co.uk