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Unique Wedding Traditions across the World

5th September 2022 by Dyana Dessar Leave a Comment

There’s nothing more special than a luxury wedding abroad. It is a universal celebration of two people coming together and declaring their love for one another. Although the purpose behind a wedding is the same across the globe, it is the traditions that differ. If you plan on having a luxury wedding abroad, you might be curious about the traditions in other countries. According to theory, each of the following traditions is supposed to help you experience eternal joy.

1. Shooting the Bride (China)

The groom has to use a bow and arrow to shoot his future bride in Yugur culture in China. He has to shoot the arrows three times and break them to ensure eternal love. It is a tradition that continues to be practiced to this day. So, if you want to do something unique, it might be worth considering. However, you should consider other traditions if your eyesight isn’t the best.

*Wikicommons – Chinese wedding traditions, shooting the bride*

2. Fat Farms (Mauritania)

Women are expected to be heavy when they marry in Mauritania as men tend to prefer a bulkier partner in this part of the world. It is quite common for girls to be sent to a fat farm once they turn 5. They have to gain some pounds to ensure that they are ready for the wedding. In fact, the fatter the bride the better as overlapping thighs, stretch marks, and stomach rolls indicate wealth.

3. Blackening of the Bride (Scotland)

Friends of Scottish brides take them by surprise before the big day and pelt all types of rubbish onto them such as feathers, tar, spoiled food, dead fish, and curdled milk. Then, she is tied to a tree after which the bride has to enjoy a night of booze. The reason why the tradition is honored is that the treatment prepares women for marriage and encourages them to handle just about anything that comes their way.

4. Marrying a Tree (India)

Speaking of trees, women are married to a tree in certain parts of India. The tradition is practiced if the bride happens to be born in an astrological combination, with Saturn and Mars in the 7th house, and needs to be cured of the prominent “curse”. Otherwise, they are thought to cause the early death of their husband. Therefore, the only way to break the curse is by marrying a tree and having it cut down after the rituals have been performed.

In the video below, experience more of common traditional Indian wedding – Insanely beautiful is an understatement!

5. Beating the Groom’s Feet (Korea)

According to Korean tradition, the groom needs to have his feet beaten using a cane or fish before the night of his wedding. It is practiced to test the character and strength of the man. It’s definitely one of the most unique wedding traditions in the world.

6. Drinking from the Toilet (France)

Although the practice has been replaced by champagne and chocolate, French tradition dictates that newlyweds have to drink wedding leftovers out of the toilet bowl. The idea behind the practice is that both the bride and groom need to be strengthened. So, you might want to skip out on this one unless you prefer something nasty.

7. Brides Wear a Crown (Norway)

Norwegians believe that brides should wear a crown to keep evil spirits at bay. It is quite common for Norwegian brides to wear an ornate gold or silver crown with some charms dangling. Every time she moves, the sound of these charms is expected to deflect the evil spirits and ensure prosperity.

The Norwegian wedding preparations for a new bride” by Norwegian painter Adolph Tidemand, displays the wedding tradition of providing a crown to the bride.

8. Wedding Lasso (Mexico)

To represent eternal love, the wedding lasso is a tradition steeped in Mexican culture. The couple is expected to have a lasso made of flowers and rosary beads draped around the shoulders to represent the figure “8” during the wedding ceremony. The reason behind the practice is that the lasso symbolizes the infinity sign which ensures that the marriage lasts forever.

9. Balanced Bread (Armenia)

Armenians are just as superstitious as many other countries in the world. In order to keep evil spirits away from the marriage, flatbread has to be balanced by the couple on their shoulders. In addition to this, the bride and groom also have to break a plate at the groom’s house for good luck. The groom’s mother also offers honey to the couple. As the couple balances bread to ward off evil, they get to eat honey to ensure happiness. Then, everybody parties to celebrate the special moment.

10. No Smiling Throughout the Wedding Day (Congo)

Unlike other soon-to-be newlyweds across the world, Congolese couples need to ensure that they are not bursting with excitement and happiness as it is considered bad luck to smile on the wedding day. This means that both the bride and groom have to avoid smiling, from the ceremony all the way to the reception. In fact, couples who smile are thought to take marriage lightly.

11. Presenting of a Whale’s Tooth (Fiji)

Another unique wedding tradition that is observed is the presentation of a whale’s tooth in Fiji. In order for a man to get approval to marry a woman in Fiji, he has to present her father with a whale’s tooth. It is only after this gesture that the father would even consider giving his daughter away in marriage.

Traditionally, whale teeth are important cultural objects throughout the Pacific. In Fiji, tabua (sperm whale teeth) are given ahead of an engagement or at weddings, funerals and births. They are also used to seal an apology.

12. Shaving the Groom (Greece)

Things get a bit crazy in Greece. The groom’s best man is supposed to become his barber and use a razor to shave his buddy’s face. There is also a sweet side to the tradition as his mother-in-law feeds him some almonds and honey after he has been freshly shaved. It is a practice that allows more people to get involved in the fun.

13. Breaking a Bell (Guatemala)

The groom’s parents are expected to smash things at the wedding reception in Guatemala. It is quite common for the groom’s mother to break a ceramic bell that has been filled with flour and rice once the newlyweds arrive. The belief behind the tradition is that breaking a bell can help bring prosperity to the couple and ensure that they have a happy marriage.

14. Wearing a White Tsunokakushi (Japan)

In Japan, the bride has to wear a white Tsunokakushi as it is a Shinto marriage tradition. She has to be dressed in white, from head to toe. The reason why white is important is that it symbolizes the bride’s maiden status. As for the hood, it signifies the horns of jealousy towards the mother-in-law.

Japanese Wedding Day – The Japanese bride-to-be is painted pure white from head to toe, visibly declaring her maiden status to the gods. The bride wears a white kimono and an elaborate headpiece covered with many ornaments to invite good luck to the happy couple.

Luxury Weddings & Celebrations

15. Music and Dancing before the Wedding Ceremony (Lebanon)

The wedding celebration in Lebanon starts with lots of belly dancing, shouting, and music. Everyone gets together to mark the occasion including family, friends, and colleagues. In fact, professional musicians and dancers are even hired to perform. As the event progresses, everyone heads to the bride’s house where flower petals are showered on the couple just before the main ceremony.

16. Placing a Baby on the Newlywed’s Bed (Czech Republic)

Before the bride and groom can tie their knot in the Czech Republic, a baby is placed on their bed. The practice is thought to enhance fertility and bless the couple. As soon as the wedding ceremony is complete, everyone showers the couple with lentils, peas, or rice to promote fertility.

17. Karavay (Russia)

Russian couples have to participate in the sweet tradition of Karavay. It involves the sharing of a wedding sweetbread known as Karavay. It is decorated with interlocking rings and wheat to ensure faithfulness and prosperity. The person who takes the biggest bite (i.e. wife or husband) is thought to become the head of the household.

18. The Money Dance (Cuba)

Every Cuban man who gets to dance with the bride has to pin money on her dress. The purpose behind the tradition is to help pay for the wedding and cover the expenses incurred by the couple for their honeymoon. If you want your friends and family members to show their support, you could incorporate this tradition into your destination wedding.

19. Releasing White Doves (The Philippines)

Once the bride and groom have tied the knot in the Philippines, they have to release a male and a female dove into the air to ensure a harmonious life. The pair of white doves signify new beginnings and are thought to bless the marriage.

20. The Wedding Entrance Dance (Niger)

Niger takes things to the next level with a camel dance. Chances are that you might have heard of the chicken dance. The West African nation has plenty of deserts. So, a camel dance is performed at the reception to start things with the right rhythm. Wedding guests get to watch the humpback animal perform while tuning in to the drumbeat.

Conclusion

After you have gone through our post, you will know about the most unique wedding traditions across the world. For the perfect destination, you should consider using our service. Dyana Dessars’ Luxury Weddings & Events specializes in luxury weddings abroad, as well as Jewish weddings, Indian weddings, and more. So, if you want a wedding to remember, we are your best option.

Little Bubbly Truck for Weddings Blog

7th December 2021 by Sarah Rick - Harris Leave a Comment

“Let us bring some fizz and sparkle to your big day”

I’ve always been a big sparkling wine drinker, in fact I love wine and have been told on many occasions that I should become a Sommelier.

Hi, I’m Ushi one half of the Little Bubbly Truck, the other half is one of my sisters Paanisha. I’ve always loved being in the event management space and used to organise singles nights across London, Manchester, Birmingham and New York. However, after a few years out of the space I realised I wanted to get back into helping make people happy through events (but not back to singles parties!).

Having a big love for Europe and wine, you can imagine my holidays were always surrounded by vineyards and wineries or champagne cellars. I’ve stayed under the Tuscan Sun, I’ve champagned in Reims, and I’ve enjoyed Rioja on the beach, but one thing is for certain, I’ve always loved a glass of fizz especially when sat in an Italian Piazza.

I came across the idea of owning a prosecco truck after seeing a few of them at festivals. I loved the little Italian Piaggio Apes (ah-pay) that had been converted into something spectacular (and totally Instagram-able). Every time someone saw a mobile prosecco bar there would be smiles on their faces… and that’s where the Little Bubbly Truck was born and I roped in my sister!

We knew that a little prosecco truck could make peoples weddings, events and parties a little bit quirky and fun and the truck would become somewhat of a talking point, and so we set out to find the perfect van. We could have built her from scratch but we knew the time that would inevitably take and we’re not really that handy with a hammer (nor had I ever built a bar before!). Luckily, we actually came across a truck that was already built but had not really been used due to covid and her last owner getting pregnant. It seemed pretty perfect, so we went to see her all the way in Hull and fell in love immediately. Within two weeks we’d picked her up and brought her back down south, rebranded her and we were ready to get going.

We’ve already booked in some weekend festivals, birthday parties and weddings, which is super exciting for us both and I can promise you, when you see her you’ll want her (and yes we will be naming her soon too!)

The Little Bubbly Truck is available to hire nationwide across the U.K. for weddings, pre-weddings, hen parties and so much more. Whatever you can think of, we can do! If you want to add a theme to her, then be sure to send your ideas our way and we can aim to source it for you.

Our gorgeous Italian truck can offer three different kegged products at the same time. Prosecco Frizzante comes out cold and refreshing, but we can also offer Aperol Spritz, Pimms and Peroni from the taps on the truck. Additionally, if you’re looking for a few more addons to the truck, we can offer Gin Fizz’s with our partners Warner’s Gin, together with Fever Tree mixers and a Bottled Beer Bar as well.

We offer a minimum of a three hour service time, but you can always book us for longer if you would like. We offer either an all-inclusive package or a package which includes hire and service with guests paying for their own drinks.

We’re here to make your big day special so if you’re looking for a quirky drinks reception or an all night open bar we can make that happen.

You can contact us through Dyana Dessar Weddings or follow up on Instagram and Facebook @littlebubblytruck

A Guest Blog with One of Our Beautiful Marbella Bride’s to Be…

1st August 2021 by Sarah Rick - Harris Leave a Comment

Weddings are returning after what seems like the longest time. Seeing beautiful couple’s getting to walk down the aisle and say “I do” is more than just heart-warming, it’s the sign of hope which we have been waiting for.

What better way to embrace this new stage of hope and the beginning of the return to normal for weddings than with one of our very own beautiful brides’ to be!

Third time lucky

Marbella bride to be — Shelby and Toby were due to get married in Marbella summer 2020

Shelby and Toby were due to get married in Marbella summer 2020. They will now be getting married in August 2022, having postponed to enable them to have their dream wedding. “Third time lucky” or so the saying goes! Shelby and Toby met on the dating app JSwipe, they live by the beach (this definitely feeds into their wedding venue location!) and they both love Disney World.

We can’t wait for Shelby and Toby’s long-awaited wedding and to share their inevitably gorgeous photographs on our website for you all to see after the big day. Our couples who have been with us throughout this pandemic really have become that bit more special to us as they have been with us far longer than the standard year! On that note, we are going to pass you over to our wonderful bride to be Shelby who is going to share some details about how she met the love of her life and her upcoming nuptials.

How and when did you and Toby get engaged?

We got engaged in 2019 in the Bahamas. I didn’t think it was possible for him to surprise me on a trip that I had planned down to the minute! We were on a Caribbean cruise after a busy week in the Disney parks and I almost spoilt it by trying to book a trip to the Atlantis the night before. All I was told, was no I have plans tomorrow. He then proposed to me on a private Jetty over a delicious breakfast!

When and where is your wedding going to be?

Our wedding is going to be at Tikitano by Besaya, a beautiful beach restaurant in Marbella, Spain

What made you decide to have a destination wedding?

We chose to have a destination wedding purely because we don’t like the formalities of an English Jewish wedding. Additionally, we both spent many of our family holidays in Marbella!

How did you know when you had found your perfect venue?

We knew as soon as we saw it! It was everything we wanted! Near the beach, small, intimate and the décor was exactly how I was trying to decorate our house at the time!

What made you decide to hire a wedding planner and what made you chose Dyana Dessar Weddings to be your planners?

We had tried for about a month to organise our wedding ourselves, and we were just getting nowhere. No one would get back to us or take us seriously. The tipping point was a caterer telling us his food was kosher but having prawns on the menu! Several people told us to call the team at Dyana Dessar Weddings, and after the first call with Dyana the rest was history!

How would you describe your wedding day?

Casual and laid back! A bit like our personalities. We really want our guests to relax, and so do we!

Were there any must haves which you knew you simply had to have for your big day?

We definitely did not want a long drawn out meal and also a casual dress code was a must for us!

What made you decide to postpone your wedding as opposed to go ahead with a smaller one?

We have watched both our older siblings and cousins all have their dream weddings and we didn’t

Want to compromise on ours and ultimately regret it.

Marriage means having a partner for life to help you through hard times! Both of us have had a hard few years health wise and we couldn’t have made it through without each other!
Shelby & toby

What are the most important aspects of your wedding?

That all of our family and friends arrive in Spain safe and well, and that they enjoy celebrating with us.

What does marriage mean to you?

Marriage means having a partner for life to help you through hard times! Both of us have had a hard few years health wise and we couldn’t have made it through without each other!

Enjoy more great content from Dyana Dessar Weddings & Celebrations…

How have you coped with postponing your wedding twice and what advice would you give to other brides who have been affected by the pandemic and subsequent restrictions?

Surprisingly, I’ve coped well. My fiancé not so much. I’m more laid back than he is, I go with the flow and whatever will be, will be. Whereas, he took it to heart and found it hard to accept that we would be having a long engagement, which was the only thing he never wanted.

My advice to other brides affected by the pandemic would be to not get hung up on the small things. As long as your family and friends are healthy and well that’s all that matters.

What part of your wedding are you most excited about?

The party and the holiday, but mostly seeing our four baby nieces and three baby nephews walk down the aisle. Three of them were not here when we got engaged and three would have only been two months old on our original wedding date!

Wedding Fashion Fever

28th July 2021 by Dyana Dessar 1 Comment

Following the historical pause of 2020 where weddings became almost defunct, we are looking ahead with glee together with everything and everyone connected with weddings. Brides and their families can actually begin to plan weddings with a little more certainty. The designers are once again at liberty to create their designs and wedding planners can start beavering at what it is they do best – planning, creating and making dreams come true!

The minimalist appeal of 2022 will not disappoint any bride when planning her ultimate day of a lifetime, but with so many styles on offer it’s good to start planning ahead! Here are the top ten fun things we spotted following Brides Fashion Week, which you’ll be able to choose from when you plan your shopping trip.

Two piece wedding dresses – Confetti Day Dream’s Wedding Blog

1. Taking The Plunge

The V neckline will be in abundance but still with poise. It doesn’t offend to go the extra mile with a neckline, so long as we don’t cross the line and spoil the look or need to supply sunglasses to the vicar. Will Mother approve? If it looks spot on then go for it…but if not…leave well alone!

Split Wedding Dress, Thigh High – Credit Milanoo

2. Separates to Play With

The increase of non-traditional bridalwear, most notably by Scorcesa, Nordeen and Yolancris has brought more options for brides in general. The option to separate and co-ordinate is by far the most fun in any lady’s wardrobe and with the increase of non- traditional bridalwear, this is the time to seize that opportunity if you prefer to wear multiple pieces, whose longevity will give you far more value as a purchase.

3. Reach For The Thigh

Dare if you must, but it will all depend on your ceremony location as to the dress code etiquette. Slits levelled up to the thigh can either be a disaster or a sensation. Good styling advice is required to nail that look, so carpe diem! Note to self – a sculpted leg that is going to almost bears all, is far better having been walking or exercising prior to embarking on that look!

4. Short Look Bridal

From demure to all out cute, the shorter bridal styles that we now have added to the menu are by far the best for a long time. If it’s a second time around ceremony or a younger lady’s wedding day, then head for short because it’s fun… but keep an eye on that hemline ladies please and ensure you have a tan to show off those lovely legs of yours!

5. Sheer Capes and Coats

Embarking down the aisle with a silhouette of sheer chiffon, either as a cape or as a veil, the options are all to go for. If you’re looking for that regal look, then head over to the designer Mira Zwillinger for some unique ideas, where you’ll see full length capes just hovering above the floor line. If you like the on-trend embroidery, then capture the embroidered look from Alexander Grecco’s shorter versions.

Explore more blogs from Dyana Dessar Weddings…

6. Whip Them Off Sleeves & Gloves

Quite literally, if you find the right designer or handy dressmaker, you can add a touch of theatre to your bridal creation. Although tried and tested, detachable sleeves have been made a touch more unique. From bow sleeves to sleek long satin sleeves they are all beautifully engineered to sit perfectly in mannequin mode. Ines by Ines Di Santo has taken the detachable look to new heights with the balloon sleeve for next season and it is truly divine!

Gloves – An elegant yet bold look for the fashion-forward bride! The weather will always be a huge factor on the day of any wedding, but sheer gloves suited for breezy spring days and blazing summer ceremonies alike, are an accessory which can always be added or declined. Gloves however, are a very elegant accessory for any outfit.

7. All Essential Feathers

The drama of wearing feathers on any gown will ultimately ensure the bride of a theatrical sensation, just like an Egyptian goddess! Designers have been keen to extend the theme and such as Elie Saab, Naeem Khan, and Marchesa Notte Bridal will be your port of call, if you’re heading for that look. Feathers have again become an indispensable accessory in a period where fashion trends appeared more gallant than ever. Use them to adorn or simply decorate and they will magnify that sense of luxury, whilst holding a spiritual significance with their organic beauty that has anchored them as touch of sartorial splendor.

Vintage inspired short cape Davie and Chiyo Lace Cape found on Etsy

8. Pearls

Woven into the designs of many bridal gowns, pearls have a neutral yet elegant appeal. A soft yet powerful message to the congregation, they have always featured on headbands, but now we’ve seen them appear in belts and delicately decorative veils. A droplet earring made of pearls, gives such a romantic appeal and goes perfectly with so many bridal gowns.

9. Floral Motifs, Appliques and Veils

Every option has been created, in order to delight every bride. With three-dimensional floral appliqués stunningly presented by Markarian, there will be gowns full of sequins, florals and lots of beading from brands such as Alyne, Rita Vinieris & Marchesa, displaying exquisite femininity in the season ahead.

Stunning feather wedding gown found on Fabulous Ruffled blog pinterest

10. Belt Up for the Ride

We know what you’re thinking and you may take some convincing: But why wouldn’t belts and bridal go together? This season has made that match possible and there will be heavenly looks walking down so many aisles. Accessorized with pearls and be prepared for a sash, or even white leather …yes leather! Adding a touch of sparkle on a thinner type belt won’t hurt either and it may just be the element that seals the deal for you on THAT dress. Finishing touches are all in the detail ladies!

Finally…

It’s best to always be open minded and patient. You need to be kind to yourself because it’s your special day. Try on LOTS of dresses, in order to find just exactly what it is that is going to make you feel like a Queen!

Wedding Etiquette – Your Questions Answered!

7th May 2021 by Admin 1 Comment

Weddings are slowly but surely returning and with that comes all the excitement and questions around planning your big day. Wedding etiquette is something which comes up multiple times throughout the planning process and when considering what to do and what not to do on the day itself.

Firstly, we want to point out that this is your wedding and it should be your way. Essentially, any past unwritten rules can most often be nullified or at the very least updated to accommodate your vision. Especially after the pandemic, most couples have reassessed their values and their priorities, and to this extent there is so much more flexibility when it comes to creating a wedding which is both personal to the couple and considered traditional at the same time.

The Guest List

Selecting your guestlist is going to be one of the hardest planning aspects of your wedding and whilst we are not involved with this, we can give you some words of wisdom to help guide you. Back in the “old days” it was considered necessary to invite people because they were a second cousin or because you or your parents went to their wedding. Nowadays, the unspoken rules around who you should invite are far more flexible.

The guestlist will initially likely be based upon a combination of two factors, and that is your budget and the size of venue. There is no point in deciding to invite 200 people if you have a venue that will only accommodate 100 people and equally, if you have a budget which you want to adhere to, then just remember that guests are expensive!

Once you have factored your guest count into your budget and venue size, then the question is who should you invite? Three factors to help you decide are: was the guest in your past; are they in your present; do you see them in your future? Quite honestly, if they do not fit all three of those criteria or at least the present and future one, then you should ask yourself if they should really be there.

Should You Invite Children to Your Wedding?

Inviting or not inviting children to a wedding can often cause a lot of disagreements between a couple and also their guests. In an ideal world where venue size and budget were not an option then yes, you could invite all of your cousins and friends’ children. However, the reality is that by doing this, you would likely end up with an additional fifty guests to accommodate!

It is quite common to have siblings’ children at the wedding (often as bridesmaids or paige boys) but again this is not compulsory. When it comes to the children of extended family members and friends then it is always a good idea to set a general rule where children are concerned. This way, you are eliminating the possibility of your guests feeling like some of them were afforded the privilege of bringing their children whilst others were not.

If you are having a destination wedding and you are worried that your guests might not want to travel without their children, then a great option is to recommend some qualified babysitters who can look after their children in the hotel room. Alternatively, if you are having a big wedding and you want your nearest and dearest to bring their children to the event, then it might be worth looking at hiring an entertainer or even setting up some type of creche area where the children be entertained, thus allowing their parents to have some kid free fun!

How to Involve the People You Love in Your Big Day

When it comes to giving out responsibilities for your wedding, not only will it make your life easier as delegation is the key to hosting any large event, but it is also a fabulous way to include the people that you love. Giving someone the honour of being a bridesmaid or groomsman is wonderful, but unless you intend to have an army of them, then there will likely be people left out who you still want to include in some way.

One of the best ways to give people a special honour is to give them a toast, speech or reading at your wedding. This will enable them to be involved and feel special, whilst also filling a crucial role. Additionally, you could break from tradition and ask a friend or family member (as opposed to one of the bridal or grooms party) to be the ring bearer for the ceremony.

Another auspicious honour is to ask them to witness you and your husband sign the Marriage Certificate, and if you are having both a civil and religious one, then this gives you four witness vacancies to fill! If you are having a Jewish ceremony then you could also ask four of your special friends or family members to be Chuppah holders and hold each of the four poles. This would be a truly intimate experience to have them close to you as you say “I do”, as well as being a big responsibility, the memory of which they will likely cherish for many years.

Ultimately, there are so many different aspects of a wedding that it is not difficult to find a role or responsibility to allocate to someone and it really is a great way to make them feel involved and also allow you to feel less guilty about not necessarily having that person in your bridal party.

The Order of the Ceremonial Procession

This question will largely depend on the country in which you are getting married and also the religious aspect of the ceremony. In a Jewish ceremony for example, the men tend to be on the left and the women on the right when they walk down the aisle together and this rule extends to underneath the Chuppah, where the groom and his parents will be on the left and the bride and her parents on the right.

The ceremonial procession will ordinarily start with the grandparents of the bride and groom, followed by the groomsmen (the best man goes last), and then the groom and his parents, followed by the flower girl and bridesmaids and finally the bride and her parents. This can of course be modified to fit the beliefs of the couple. For example, it is not uncommon for a bride to be walked down the aisle by just one parent or another family member.

In a traditional Christian wedding ceremony, the groom tends to walk down the aisle first, usually on his own but sometimes with his parents, followed by the groomsmen and then the bridesmaids and flower girl and finally the bride and her father. In contrast to the Jewish wedding procession, the men are usually on the right and the women on the left when walking down the aisle together.

This varies slightly for UK weddings, where the bride and the father of the bride tend to walk down the aisle before the bridesmaids, flower girls and pageboys.

Realistically, you can adapt these rules to make them more meaningful and suitable for you. For example, it is not uncommon to have members of the bridal party escorted down the aisle by the groomsmen. Equally, it is quite common for the groomsmen not to walk down the aisle and instead help by handing out ceremony booklets or showing guests to their seats.

Ways to Honour Deceased Loved Ones

One of the hardest parts of a wedding can be the stark reminder that sometimes the people that you love are no longer around to celebrate with you. That said, there are multiple ways to include the people you love who can no longer be with you on your wedding day.

For a bride who is missing a parent or grandparent, then having a locket with their picture in tied to her bouquet or sewn into the inside lining of her dress is a way to make her feel that they are with her throughout every part of the day. Additionally, you could wear a family heirloom, a piece of the deceased’s jewellery or even their favourite handkerchief.

A very common way to ensure that dearly departed loved ones are remembered is to include them in the toasts and speeches. You could opt to have a memorial table with their pictures on, leave a dedicated chair empty with just their picture on for the ceremony, or print a dedication to them on the back of wedding programme.

Another lovely way of remembering someone is to include their favourite flowers either in the overall florals or the bride’s bouquet, to light a candle in their memory or even to include one of their favourite songs in the ceremony or at the reception. There really are no right or wrong ways to honour a deceased loved one, and the key is to do whatever you feel is right.

The List Goes On!

We could spend all day talking about the various different types of wedding etiquette (yes there are many different aspects), however we have tried to address a few of the main concerns which our couples often ask us about.

At optimum weddings, we are great believers in the saying “your wedding, your way” and to this extent we really do believe that you can pretty much adapt any past wedding rules to suit you. The idea that a wedding should be governed by strict codes of etiquette is outdated, especially after this pandemic which has seen all previous rules surrounding weddings abandoned.

Yes, there will undoubtedly be rules which you have to adhere to if you are having a religious ceremony. However, when it comes to who you should invite, how to include your guests in your wedding, how to honour a deceased love one and all the other personal decisions which you will have to make, then throw out any preconceived rulebook because it is up to you and you alone!

Let Us Help You! The Benefits of Hiring a Wedding Planner

25th March 2021 by Dyana Dessar 1 Comment

You have just got engaged and you may well have been planning your dream day in your head for many years. However, dreams and reality don’t always go hand in hand! Planning a wedding will undoubtedly come with an element of stress, but there are ways to minimise your stress levels, and one is to hire a wedding planner.

Wedding planners have a wealth of experience planning weddings, communicating with vendors and bringing even the most unlikely dreams to reality. You might well decide to fly solo and plan your wedding alone, and if that is the case then be sure to head over to our website or Amazon and invest in our comprehensive wedding planning bible. It will answer most if not all of your questions and make your planning journey that bit easier. However, if you are undecided, then read this blog and it will explain the main reasons why hiring a wedding planner is a very wise decision.

Bringing in the cultures and styles of each couple is our speciality.
Dyana Dessar, owner & events coordinator

Experience Goes A Long Way

As wedding planners, we have many years of experience planning everything from the quaint and beautiful small beach wedding in Marbella to the jaw dropping extravagant hotel wedding in Central London. You might think that you know what you want and that is a great first step, but actually planning an event for over a hundred people can be tricky and full of logistical hurdles, and that is not to say that planning a smaller scale event is any easier!

The actual wedding is only one day, but the admin side of planning starts from the get go. So, when it comes to keeping track of your suppliers, payments, making sure that you sign the right contracts, helping you to navigate the legal side and relevant legal marriage documents, and just being able to manage your event from start to finish, this is what we do best!

A Little Bit of Inspiration

When it comes to bringing your dream wedding to life you will undoubtedly get a lot of inspiration from social media, Pinterest, the internet and bridal magazines.

Whether it’s turning a UK warehouse into the Dubai desert, having a pop-up beauty bar for your guests, fireworks at midnight or arriving up to your wedding on a speedboat, we have quite literally done it all! As wedding planners, we aim to make any dream a reality and one way or another, most things are possible and sometimes you just need some inspiration.

You may have scrolled through hours of online ideas and not quite found what you are looking for, but by having a wedding planner, you can be sure that you will have a bespoke event created just for you which ticks all of your boxes and makes your dream wedding a reality.

Every Penny Counts

You probably think that hiring a wedding planner is simply an additional cost. This one of the biggest reasons why people often choose to plan their own wedding. However, planners have long standing relationships with many suppliers in many different countries and often this enables them to negotiate better deals on your behalf, than had you contacted them directly.

Due to the nature of this business, planners and suppliers have existing relationships which provides potential discounted rates for the planners’ clients. One thing that you will come to realise early on is that weddings are expensive and if you can save a percentage along the way as a result of insider relationships, then you will be grateful at the end.

Sticking to the Schedule

The word schedule pops up in wedding planning from day one! Whether it’s the schedule of events and activities on your big day, or the payment schedule for your suppliers, it is all about the schedule! At optimum weddings we have a passion for planning, schedules, details and spreadsheets and so through our daily work, we will make sure that everything runs according to plan, and that you don’t miss out any small detail of your wedding.

Sometimes it is incredibly easy to get so consumed with the bigger picture that you forget the smaller details that can mean so much on the day.

Additionally, especially when planning a destination wedding, you will need to co-ordinate the transport for your band if you are flying them over, the transport of your guests if you are hiring coaches and so much more. This might sound like a daunting task, but this is where having a planner is incredibly beneficial as they will handle all of these details for you.

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Ultimately, a wedding planner will help ensure that every detail has been accounted for and that everyone is where they need to be on time, thus eliminating a lot of unnecessary stress for you.

A Destination Language Barrier

Your dream destination wedding might be getting married in the beautiful vineyards of Italy surrounded by lush vegetation or maybe on a stretch of beach as the sun sets in Spain with the sound of the waves behind you, but have you considered the language barrier?

So often people underestimate how important it is to be able to speak the local dialect in order to communicate with suppliers. The language barrier can also be a problem where the legal side is concerned as every country has different legal marriage requirements and documents in the native language which might leave you spending a lot of time on Google translate!

By hiring a wedding planner, they will not only know about the legal requirements in whichever country you have chosen, but they will also either speak the relevant language themselves, or have consultants who do.

This will mean that you don’t need to worry about misinterpreting a contract, misunderstanding the florist and ordering the wrong flowers or any other issues which could arise due to you not speaking your chosen destination’s language fluently.

Time is A Luxury

Have you ever considered the logistics of planning a wedding whilst working full time? The truth is, it can be tricky to be available on the phone to speak to suppliers, and reply to urgent emails whilst holding down a full-time job. Fortunately, wedding planning is our full-time job, which it means that you can carry on with your daily work life and leave the wedding admin and supplier communication to us.

You will of course need to make time to speak to your planner, but we speak from experience when we say that we can accommodate you and fit in around your working day.

The same cannot always be said for suppliers as they often also work nine to five jobs and if you don’t speak to them during those hours then you might find yourself having to take time out of your work day to make some essential calls.

Keep Calm and Enjoy Your Big Day

All the aforementioned reasons aside, one of the biggest benefits of having a wedding planner is that they can take away a lot of your stress. Your planner will be there to make sure that everything on your day runs smoothly and they will quite literally send you down the aisle on time with your beautiful train carefully positioned so that it cascades behind you.

As with any event, there will always be last minute hiccups between the suppliers and a guest drama or two, but if you have a good wedding planner then they will be there to extinguish any fires before they take hold and most likely, you will never even know that there was ever a problem to begin with.

A wedding planner will also attend all your supplier meetings with you, help you navigate site visits and food tastings and get to know you and what you want. Ultimately, having a planner allows you to enjoy the leadup to your wedding and the day itself.

Planning your wedding might seem like a daunting task but it is something which we take in our stride at optimum weddings. Whatever your vision, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we will make sure that you have your wedding, your way.

Finally, if experience is anything to go by, then we can say with one hundred percent certainty that we will have a lot of fun on your unique and magical wedding planning journey with you.

For more information then please head over to our website where you can scroll through our beautiful wedding archives and choose to contact either our UK or Destination Wedding office. We cannot wait to make your dream a reality!

Guest Blog from a Master Florist based in Belgium

4th March 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

The optimum Weddings blog welcomes Max Hurtaud, an incredibly talented and Master Florist from Belgium. Max gives his personal insights into how the virus has effected us all no matter what you do or where you are from…

How Covid 19 has affected us all…

Coronavirus, Covid-19, virus, variants… Such a lot of words to scare us, to put everything on hold and postpone all our wedding plans. What we planned in 2020 is now in 2021 and maybe in 2022.

Who knows yet?

We heard about the vaccines being approved and we could finally see the light to the end of the tunnel. However, if everything that we had in mind has completely changed then what about the floral trend for your wedding?

Your new wedding date may even be in a different season.

New floral trends not to be underestimated, what are the new trends for your wedding now?

Ideas and colours may have changed, so which colours might be at the top for the upcoming year?

We all know that people need love, happiness and flowers. Their wedding day is their Day! As a master florist, I always do my best to create your floral dreams and set the best atmosphere with my beloved ones (my flowers). Using a mix of colours which suit perfectly your wish and current trends. Some pastel shades of course (peach, brownish, light yellow…) added with some very bright touches to wake up the final result!

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I’m already looking forward to seeing these colours together in reality! (Go away Coronavirus, just go away!)

A mix of these colours would match to perfection your vision and even give you an amazing vitamin dose!

So as a bride, you have in mind the kind of colours you want for your wedding? But you have no clue about the flowers that I could combine to create the most wonderful effect? Let me give a non-exhaustive list:

Light blue: Delphiniums, Oxypetalums, Scabiosas, Hydrangeas, Clematis.
Light pink: Serruria, Vanda orchids, Ranunculus, Limonium, Sweet peas.
Light yellow: Matthiola, “Buttercup” Roses, Gloriosa, Miscanthus, Craspedia.
Peach: “Peach Avalanche” roses, Eremurus,” Cappuccino” carnation, Sandersonia, Hypericum.
White: Gypsophilia, Phalaenopsis orchids, Astrantia, Eucharis, “Arctic Ice” protea.
Brownish: Scabiosa stellata, Carrot bloom, Bohemian Choco lisianthus, Pampa grass, “Café au lait” Dahlia. Just to name a few!

Of course, all weddings must be amazing and yours will certainly be. Trust me, I know what I’m saying.

With all the restrictions that we get from almost every government, we cannot invite hundreds and hundreds of guests (and that’s a pity). I saw that, for now, weddings are smaller but more powerful. What does powerful mean to me?: concentrated, abundant and luxury.

Concentrated signifies getting whatever you want but just for a smaller guest list.

Abundance always says more… As you deduct guests from your list, you can multiply on what you have already booked (for example Flowers!)

Luxury for the elegancy, add some extra details that could make the difference. And that difference will make your wedding the most beautiful of the year.

To summarize, the actual wedding mindset, for now, it’s less (people) for more (pleasure)!

For your wedding floral decoration, I suggest you have an amazing ceremony and ballroom decoration and do not to forget your bouquet.

The bridal bouquet should fit perfectly with your dress and give you highlights. Trust me, that’s why I spend some time thinking about every design, just to answer perfectly your dreams, requests and desires.

Intimate wedding to remember a maximum and to keep on this way, most brides want an intimate wedding. Something cosy and cheerful. Something that will make you happy.

Keep that in mind, your wedding day will fly so fast. Making a smaller one will help you to enjoy your time and all details to remember well later on when you will celebrate your first anniversary.

And to conclude, don’t neglect flowers for D-Day, they especially express love and happiness. Could you imagine, looking at your wedding pictures on your anniversary and there are no flowers? This could be a big regret.

Let’s get blooming up your wedding together! 😉

Your Re-Imagined Intimate Garden Wedding in the UK

18th February 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

With the vaccine rollout picking up speed in the UK, we now have hope that weddings in some capacity will be allowed to go ahead this summer. Many couples who had planned to marry this summer have already postponed until next summer, but that is not for everyone. The good news is that since this pandemic took over, the quintessentially British summer garden wedding has become increasingly more popular.

Last year’s intimate garden weddings were just as glamorous as many of the larger more traditional weddings, they just had a slightly more relaxed feel to them. The choice of whether or not you should postpone or go ahead and have an intimate garden wedding this summer is entirely personal. Hopefully this blog will give you some inspiration if you do decide to go ahead and have a magical midsummer wedding this year.

A Magical Oasis of Summer Beauty

In recent years, the UK has been blessed with warm summers and this has made garden parties ever more popular. For their wedding, a lot of couples want a location which is unique and also beautiful and this is where private gardens have come into their own. A private garden is secluded, beautiful and will undoubtedly make for the most stunning photographs.

Another reason why choosing to have your nuptials at home in your garden is magical is because it will likely have a lot of sentimental value to you. Whether it is the garden which you have fond memories playing hide and seek in as a child or whether it is special because it belongs to you or someone close to you, it will be a deeply personal wedding.

Everyone knows that summer is the most wonderful time for stunning colourful flowers such as roses, peonies and hydrangeas to name but a few, but by choosing to have your wedding in your garden, you will likely have a unique variety of stunning florals to choose from. You can then choose to match any additional floral displays to the theme already in the garden or you could add some other beautiful varieties.

Either way, flowers can be a large part of any wedding budget and by getting married surrounded by a host of natural beauty which is already there, then you will be saving a pretty penny when it comes to buying floral arrangements! Additionally, choosing the backdrop for your ceremony is always difficult and what could be more stunning than saying I do in front of a huge oak tree or underneath the delicate branches of a weeping willow tree? Ultimately, you can tie in the underlying floral theme to every aspect of your wedding day, from the floral lace appliques on your wedding dress to the decorative fondant icing flowers on the wedding cake and so much more.

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It’s All in the Detail

There are so many additional touches which you can include to make your garden wedding that bit more special. If you are lusting after something which is reminiscent of a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream then adding some draped fairy lights between the trees and foliage will ensure that the magical vibe continues as the sun goes down. You could also use tall bamboo garden torches to act as an entrance to your event if it is in the evening or opt for some rustic hanging lanterns. Additionally, there are no set rules with seating if it is in a garden and so you could add a relaxed picnic theme to the day with blankets and luxurious piles of soft decorative cushions if that is your style!

Taking into consideration the smaller number of guests then you could do away with the traditional idea of catering and have something more modern such as a food truck which would give off a festival vibe and make your day truly unique. If tradition is more up your street then wooden tables with beautiful flower displays and family style dining would create an intimate setting. We feel it would be wrong not to remind you that one of the best parts of summer are the wonderful garden BBQ’s and what better way to kick back and relax than to have a delectable BBQ feast as your main dining option.

Are You Newly engaged? Check out our new eBook, a guide to planning the perfect wedding, written by Dyana Dessar, award winning Destination Wedding Planner.

Buy it here…

optimum Guide to Planning Your UK or Destination Wedding eBook

Whilst summer garden weddings are truly beautiful it is always worth remembering that in the UK, the weather can be somewhat unpredictable. A good backup option would be to book a marquee so that you can relax in the knowledge that your wedding day can go ahead come rain or shine. This is also a great option if you want to look into hiring some outdoor heaters to keep your guests protected against the chilly night air.

It goes without saying that a wedding would not be a wedding without music and fortunately there are multiple options available to you. Most of the big showbands have smaller groups of select musicians and singers who play at ceremonies and cocktail parties and it can be a wonderful immersive experience as the musicians make their way around the party. This is a great way of adding a more laid back and less regimented feel to your musical entertainment.

Matching You Dress to the Occasion

You may have already purchased your wedding dress and it might be perfect for your new reimagined wedding day. However, if it was bought with a formal winter wedding in London in mind then you still have options! A lot of dress boutiques will work with you to customise your dress should you want to. Taking out layers of tulle or simply adding some ethereal style lace to it might not be as complicated as you think.

If you are sure that you do not want your original dress then you can speak directly to your dress providers to see if they can help you sell it or if they might want to buy it off you. Alternatively, there are plenty of websites which will act as a platform for you to sell it on.

Traditionally, dresses need to be ordered anywhere from nine to twelve months in advance of your wedding day. However, you don’t need to worry if you have only just decided to change your wedding plans as you have “off the rack” dresses. Most dress shops will have a selection of dresses which are available in a small selection of sizes which you can buy and have altered to fit you, thus eliminating any fears of you not getting your dress in time!

Safety First

It goes without saying that whilst one of the biggest advantages of having a garden wedding is the beauty, it is also practical for the time in which we are living. We are hopeful that small intimate weddings will be allowed in some form during this coming summer, but social distancing and limited numbers will almost certainly still be in place.

By having your wedding outside you are keeping your guests safe, which they will thank you for! It also means that should the guidelines change from one week to the next, you will not have to worry about your indoor venue suddenly having to be being cancelled. It really is not difficult to make an outdoor wedding look positively “normal” and beautiful even with the chairs spaced apart as it works well with the environment and setting. You can even add some unique touches to make it feel like any other wedding, such as rustic handmade signs to set the scene.

Embracing the Now

If you have chosen to go ahead and get married this year and, in the process downscale your wedding, then embrace it. These are unprecedented times and there is no set manual on what you should do or how you should do it. You can plan any wedding which complies with the relevant guidelines at the time, and it will be both beautiful and unique to you.

Changing your wedding in every sense of the word might seem daunting and overwhelming but it is completely possible. If you have a wedding planner then they will be able to organise all of this for you very easily and if not then at optimum weddings we are always happy to offer you a one-off consultation via our service optimum support, which will help to get your plans off the ground. Failing that then you can always head to the optimum weddings website or Amazon and download our trustworthy e-book to help you plan every aspect of your re-imagined wedding on your own. One way or another, you will have the most beautiful day because love cannot be cancelled.