The modern wedding present: what to buy and what to avoid

Now that we have marriage equality, is it okay (yet) to say marriage is out-dated? I don’t mean the legalities, rights and protections it brings: but the things that go along with it. I’m all for a brilliant party, and wouldn’t begrudge a loving couple their dream holiday, but what about the white wedding dress, the giving away of the bride, and most of all, what about the wedding presents?

 In the distant past, by which I mean a generation ago, wedding presents made sense. You were helping a couple setting up home to get started, with essentials including toasters, best china, candlesticks and carving knives. Who needs any of this stuff now, when most couples have been living together for ages already?

 I remember being quite shocked to discover that large stores which offer wedding lists will also let the couple swap items for vouchers later. So that pretty dotty bowl or epic chopping board you’re happily imagining your friends using for the rest of their lives, could well have been parlayed into just about anything else.

One couple I know decided to spread the love, and on their wedding invitation said they had everything they needed and would prefer donations to charity. “If you do want to give us a present,” they added, “that’s fine too.” It was a risky strategy and it didn’t pay off – for anyone. They got just one charitable donation, a small forest of candlesticks, and an enormous gaudy samovar.

 So what do you give the couple who has everything? Money towards the honeymoon or a new car? – it adds up pretty quickly. It’s unromantic but usually well received.

You could add imagination: try a case of wine from the year of the wedding, buy en primeur (ie before the wine has been bottled) with any of the major wine merchants; a piece of Irish craft or design from the couple’s home county (search makers by area at dccoi.ie); or commission a portrait of their house (from €441 at paintfor.me).

 On the other hand, the Daily Mail reported that 82 per cent of newly-weds admitted to selling their wedding gifts on eBay, so maybe the best present is either money, or something that can be easily, and lucratively sold on afterwards – or regifted when the next wedding comes around.

8 Wedding Decoration Ideas To Fall In Love With

The best finishing touches for your big day...

So you’ve picked a date and booked your venue. Now all that you need is to turn that Pinterest board into a reality and choose the decorations that will make your wedding what you always dreamed it would be.

The problem is where do you start? Decorating a venue can seem pretty overwhelming when you’re presented with a big blank space. But it really only takes a few touches to turn it into something special. Here are a few of our favourite wedding decoration ideas to give you a helping hand.

1. Add a little twinkle

If you’re not having a country wedding or don’t like that cute, twee vibe, fairylights can be a great alternative to bunting. More cost-effective than flowers, they’re great for adding a twinkling touch when the sun goes down.

2. Don't be scared of succulents

Not the most obvious choice for wedding flowers, but bear with us. Sweet little succulents make both chic centrepieces and pretty hanging decorations. Plus you don’t have to worry about them wilting before the guests arrive, either.

3. Pimp your jars

Been collecting glass jars for months? Excellent idea. Now give them your own personal touch by gluing lace ribbon or a hessian trim around them depending on your scheme. Alternatively, wrap a bit of twine around them to give a simple, rustic edge.

Sound waaaaay too fiddly? Spray painting jars is an easy way to tie them into your overall colour scheme. Extra points for plastering them in glitter.

4. Give glasses a pop of colour

Worried that your tables might end up looking a little too white? Try tailoring your tableware to add a pop of colour. Choosing wine glasses in one of your bouquets accent colours is an easy way to make a statement and tie your scheme together.

5. Blow up some balloons

Balloons divide people – some think they are the naffest decoration on Earth, others love the sense of fun they bring. If you’re on the fence, try incorporating them into your floral displays. They’ll save you money on expensive flowers without compromising on any of the wow-factor.

6. Let it all hang out

What with all the glasses, menus, napkins, tableware and name places, things can get a little crowded on your tables – even more so when you factor in your centrepieces.

Keep your tables fuss free by suspending your flowers overhead instead. Perfect for bringing the outdoors inside, hanging flowers also encompass large empty ceiling spaces to make bigger venues feel that bit more intimate.

7. Make room for moss

People spend so much money on flowers and trinkets to use as centrepieces when there’s probably a free alternative on their doorstep. Moss makes an amazing decoration for tables at weddings, especially if you’re going for that magical, woodland vibe.

All you need to do is head out into the woods, find a shady spot and pick as much moss as you can find. Once you’ve got it home again, simply lay it out to dry out and voilà: your own free table decoration.

8. Factor in some fun

We get that marriage is a serious commitment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little fun to your wedding. Adding a few quirky decorations, like these gold pineapples are a great way to reflect your personality and stop the celebrations from feeling too formal.

How To Grow Your Own Wedding Flowers

Because having a florist is like so last season...

If you've found the dress, booked the venue but are panicking over having yet to find a florist then well, don't. It turns out although having one is traditional it isn't actually essential. Instead if you've got a garden or an allotment or simply friends with a spare plot you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself. Think an average of £200 compared to a whooping £800. Plus gardening is said to burn an average of 400 calories per hour so you can save on the bridal gym membership too.  We spoke to the experts at Wyevale Garden Centres to find out all about the DIY option. Here's how to do it...

Consider the season

The range of flowers you’ll be able to choose from for your wedding displays is of course going to depend on which season you’re holding your ceremony. While you’ll have an abundance of choice when it comes to your flowers in spring and summer, a winter ceremony is obviously going to be more restricting. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to create some stunning arrangements, just take a look on Pinterest for some inspiration.
Plan your colour scheme well in advance

For maximum impact, you’ll want to match your bouquets to the colour scheme of your wedding. This will create a gorgeous end result, but requires a lot of forward planning, as your flowers will of course take a while to grow. You may even want to choose the colour scheme of your wedding based on your favourite in-season flowers. If this is the case, make sure to check out our gardeners colour wheel, which will help you choose tones that complement one another perfectly.

Plant more than you need

Even the most experienced gardeners can struggle to get certain plants to thrive, even when providing them with their favourite conditions and lavishing them care and attention. With this in mind, it’s essential that you plant up a lot more flowers than you’re going to need, as you’ll no doubt encounter a few problems along the way. You may even consider asking a few close friends and family members to help you grow some of your chosen flowers, which will also give them a chance to get involved and contribute their own personal touch to your ceremony.

Keep your flowers fresh for longer

Once you’ve gone through all of the trouble of planting and caring for your wedding flowers in the build-up to your big day, the last thing you want to do is mess up at the final and most important stage: cutting. If they’re properly prepared, most flowers last around a week on display before they begin to wilt. Ideally, you therefore want to cut your flowers three or four days before your wedding to ensure they look their best. You should do this in the morning or evening if at all possible, as this is when your plants will be at their freshest, and you should get them straight into water. For the best possible results, make sure to follow the RHS’s guide to conditioning cut flowers.

What to Look For When Hiring a Wedding Car?

Your wedding day is certainly the most important day in your life, and you want it to pass flawlessly, without any blunders. Hiring the finest wedding car for this day is as critical as selecting the perfect dress. Here are some tips to help you find the ideal wedding car hire in Manchester.

Consider the Overall Journey

It is imperative to first think of the pick-up points as well as the people who will be in the vehicles. How many flower girls, pageboys, and bridesmaids will you have? This is to determine the exact number of vehicles you will need.

If you are considering hiring a traditional car, you can pick a classic seven seat Daimler Limousine, for example. You can also ask a relative or friend to help you with any bulk luggage as not all vehicles have adequate storage space.

Think of the Car Colour and Model

Nowadays, wedding car hire firms ensure that they list all cars they have in their list of rentals. If you want to hire a wedding car for the bride-to-be, you should keep in mind her favourite car model and colour. You can also consider hiring a car that compliments your wedding venue's theme. If the theme colour of the wedding is blue, for instance, then you should book a car in the colour that compliments that theme.

Consider Being Classic

Luxury radiates from quite a few models that include the classic limousine. Most people prefer these models over any other car as wedding transportation. Other than the classic limousine, you can also shop around for cars that are regarded as ‘sophisticated' or ‘elegant'.

Examine the Vehicle

Some vehicle models are used regularly with minimal maintenance. Hence, they are fragile and unworthy of hire. It is advisable to always examine the car before making any payments. A wedding car is a reflection of affluence and class; you cannot afford to choose the wrong vehicle.

Compare the Options

There are many wedding car hire companies out there. Thus, you need to compare their charges and offerings. With the stiff competition, you will have a wide range of options with regard to the major models in wedding cars, from which you can make your choice. You can shop around for different companies, noting down their offers. Afterwards, you will compare the mdels and select the ideal model that fits your needs and budget.

Check for Insurance and Security

You need to look for a well-established wedding car hire company with fully licensed chauffeurs. Also, ensure that the firm has public liability insurance. Be careful not to select one of those hobbyist wedding operators out there, who don't operate as proper businesses.

Survey the Vehicle Interior

Wedding cars ought to have a sparkling, comfortable and magnificent interior for your relaxation while enjoying the ride. There are wedding hire companies that provide extra services and accompaniments like customised ribbons with the wedding couple's names, soft drinks, water, as well as free champagne. Take this into consideration when looking for a wedding car hire.

Conclusion

The wedding day is naturally the most cherished day in a person's life. This is why everyone would go to great lengths to make the day as great as they can possibly imagine, including hiring the finest wedding transport. To those looking for wedding car hire in Manchester, you have no cause to worry. Opulence Executive Travels, a Truly Great Luxury Car Company, offers a wide range of prestigious vehicles from which you can choose the one that perfectly fits your taste and budget.

Wedding industry gives same-sex marriages a mixed reception

More than 15,000 same-sex marriages have taken place in England and Wales since it became legal to do so, but the wedding industry still has far to go in catering for them, say experts.

There were 7,366 ceremonies for couples not already in a civil partnership, and 7,732 who converted their existing civil partnership into marriage, according to the Office of National Statistics. Yet as the business around same-sex marriage grows, there was criticism that the wedding industry as a whole has been slow to respond to this lucrative market.

“It is still waking up. There is a long way to go,” said Gino Meriano, founder of gayweddingshow.co.uk, which organised six gay wedding fairs across the UK last year. “If two women go into a bridal shop, do not assume one is the bride and one is the chief bridesmaid. Which happens. A lot,” he added.

Since the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act was introduced on 29 March 2014, with the first ceremonies taking place moments after midnight, 15,098 same-sex couples legally married during the period up to 30 June 2015, with 55% of ceremonies being between women, and 45% between men.

The number of civil partnerships fell by 70%, from 5,646 in 2013 to 1,683 in 2014. In December 2014, just 58 civil partnerships were carried out.

Laura Metayer, who founded Mrs & Mrs Products, specialising in same-sex wedding cards, invitations, personalised gifts and cake toppers, started her website four years ago when she and her partner had a civil partnership “because we couldn’t find any products ourselves”.

Today, business is booming, she said. “We specialise in things specifically for same-sex marriages. One of our new products is congratulations cards that say “to our daughter and daughter-in-law” or “son and son-in-law”. Even “sister and sister-in-law”. We have had some card companies make them up specially for us and they have sold really well. Especially to parents, as they like to get something special for their children,” she said.

“This has been our best year. Most of our business comes from guests rather then the couple themselves.

“We have done gay wedding fairs and have contacts with a lot of other people in the industry, and I think it has definitely increased.”

Gay wedding planner Petra Truneckova, who has published a guide to same-sex weddings, said: “The market is getting bigger and bigger. It’s virgin territory and I think we are creating a gay wedding etiquette right now.

“I love the creativity. There is much more flexibility. You can have the grooms entering the room together. You can have so many different options, which is what I like. And the magic is you have room to create.”

She is now expanding her business to promote destination weddings for gay couples. “Especially gay men. They tend to have a bigger budget, and are travelling more, and generally don’t have children, and are bigger spenders than straight couples,” she said.

“The market, generally, all around the world, is increasing a lot. It is a millionaire industry now,” she added. “I wouldn’t be opening my markets and expanding if that was not the case.”

But, she cautioned, the wedding industry still discriminated against same-sex couples by often using terms such as “bridal suite”, “bridal car”, “bridal favours” and “bridal party” in their literature. The terminology needed to be updated, said Truneckova, founder of Bellus Events.

“Many venues are still using these terms, and then the two grooms get really upset. I get that constantly. Wording is really important,” she added, saying she always checked such details before forwarding on to her clients.

The ONS figures showed the number of same-sex marriages peaked at 844 in the month of August last year. “Historically the most popular time for marriages to take place is during the summer months, with ceremonies being less popular in winter, “ the ONS said. “Marriages of same-sex couples are following this seasonal pattern.”

The majority of those who wed a partner of the same gender had never been married or in a civil partnership before. Just over 14% of women and 8% of men had been divorced. The ONS said: “The majority, if not all of these previous marriages, will have been with a partner of the opposite sex.”

According to a survey by marketing and research company Out Now Consulting, a total of 868,000 gay men and lesbians in the UK are expected to marry over the next 15 years. Taking an average of £20,983 per ceremony, “that implies the UK gay and lesbian weddings market to be worth £18.2bn during the next 15 years”, CEO Ian Johnson said.

Meriano, whose company produces Pink Weddings magazine, distributed at the gay wedding fairs he arranges, said the indications were that there would not be a dramatic rise in the number of same-sex weddings. The market was worth an estimated £570m between 2005 and 2013, before the legalisation of same-sex marriage, and an estimated £62m in 2013, he said.

“The wedding industry is five or six years behind,” he added. “Many of those who exhibit at the gay wedding fairs do not have products specific to same-sex weddings. It’s got to wake up,” he added.