Trends, Tips, & Ideas For Your Next Big Event

As soon as you start planning your wedding you’ll find people who are eager to tell you what they consider the right way, and the wrong way, to go about things. Do you have to follow the rules? That’s up to you – but it’s probably best to be aware of them before your get into the discussions with family and friends. We can’t cover all the finer points in this post but hopefully it will serve as a useful starting point.
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Engagement announcements

The father of the bride should publish an engagement announcement in the newspaper as follows… The engagement is announced between Ryan, elder son of Mr and Mrs Paul Mason of Nailsea, North Somerset, and Melanie, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Graham Hudson of Cullompton, Devon. Just change the names, as required of course.
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Walking down the aisle

It is traditional at British weddings for the bride to stand to the right of her father (or whoever else is giving her away). They are at the head of the procession, followed by the bridesmaids and pageboys. There is a new trend for sending the bridesmaids in first. This actually works very
well because it ramps up the sense of anticipation amongst the guests and gives you a few more moments alone with your Dad before making your grand entrance.
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Dresses for the Bridesmaids

The traditional role of the Bridesmaids was to act as decoys and ward off jealous suitors and evil spirits. They wore exactly the same dresses as the bride to confuse those who might cause trouble! In modern times this idea has become less popular and bridesmaid today tend to be dressed the same – but different from the bride. The last thing you want to do is confuse the groom!
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Access all areas for kids?

Children are usually included in the ceremony and the celebrations, unless it’s a very formal or evening based affair. If you are not inviting children simply don’t put their names on the invitation. If you’re inviting an 18-year old who lives at home, they should receive their own invitation.
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Veils

Strictly speaking, veils are inappropriate for second marriages or brides who are pregnant. Having said that, things are more relaxed these days so it’s a case of what works best with your dress and forget the symbolism!
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The first dance

Daunting as it may be, the bride and groom are traditionally supposed to start the dancing with just the two of them doing a twirl. You are well advised to have a dance in mind and to put in a little practice beforehand! Etiquette also dictates the groom should dance with both mothers, while the bride should dance with both fathers.

What’s more, the mother of the bride should dance with the father of the groom and vice versa. The best man should also step out with the chief bridesmaid too!
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Giving Favours

The giving of wedding favours is a way of saying thank you to your guests; a small token of your appreciation for their sharing in your special day. Guests would traditionally receive a small bag or box containing five sugared almonds. These were supposed to represent the five blessings of Health, Wealth, Happiness, Long Life and Fertility. Now, of course, your wedding favours can be almost anything to reflect your own taste, budget and personality.
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The Gift List

Wedding gifts originated from the notion of a bride price or dowry that was paid to the bride's family. In ancient times it would probably include land, animals and money. Today it is customary for guests to arrive bearing gifts. It is normal practice for a couple to send a list of presents from which to choose – many large retailers offer a wedding gift service to make this easier for all concerned.
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Invitation Etiquette

Traditionally, invitations should be sent six to eight weeks before the wedding, giving guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make the necessary arrangements. Most couples also send out save-the-date cards, six to eight months ahead of the big day. If an invitation hasn’t been received it’s the height of rudeness to ask for one, and the same goes for asking about a plus one. Some traditional rules shouldn’t be broken!
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Rings and things

The bride should not wear any rings, apart from the engagement ring, which should be worn on the right hand to leave the wedding ring finger free. The engagement ring goes back on the left hand after the ceremony.  However, many brides now choose to not wear their engagement ring at all during the ceremony but wear it afterwards for their reception.
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The giving of Keepsakes

It is traditional to give gifts to the mums. Bouquets presented by the groom or best man during their speeches work well, as do jewellery or even hand-written letters thanking them for their help with the preparations.
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Order of the Garter

This is a very old tradition – in the Middle Ages, the groomsmen would rush at the new bride to take her garters as a prize. This strange practice still continues but in a modified form. The bride is supposed to wear a garter, to be removed towards the end of the reception by the groom, who will then toss the garter to the unmarried male guests. This is performed after the tossing of the bouquet, in which the bride tosses her bouquet over her shoulder to be caught by the unwed female guests.

According to superstition, the lady who catches the bouquet and the man who catches the garter will be the next man and woman among those in attendance to be married (though perhaps not to each other). The ceremony often continues with the man who catches the garter obliged to place it on the leg of the lady who caught the bouquet. Traditionally, the pair is obliged to share the next dance.
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Morning Coats

In years gone by weddings took place in the morning and gentlemen wore their morning attire, hence the tradition of wearing a ‘morning suit’. These days “black tie” is the norm, meaning a white dress shirt with a black bow tie, an evening waistcoat or cummerbund, and a dinner jacket.
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Order of service

A typical order of service for a church wedding will run as follows:

• Entrance of the Bride
• Welcome and Introduction by the celebrant
• Hymn
• Readings
• Sermon
• Exchange of Marriage Vows
• Prayers and a Hymn
• The Signing of the Register
• The Final Blessing
• Exit

However, in a civil ceremony the hymns and sometimes readings will be omitted.
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Order of Speeches

The first wedding speech is given by the father, ending with a toast to the bride and groom. The groom then thanks the bride’s parents and the guests, before making a toast to the bridesmaids. Finally, the best man gives his speech.
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Table Plans

Wedding etiquette dictates that the top table should be, from the left: Chief bridesmaid, groom’s father, bride’s mother, groom, bride, bride’s father, groom’s mother, best man. However, if parents have remarried and there are stepmothers and stepfathers involved, this can prove a nightmare! Sometimes it’s best to try a non-traditional plan with two or three ‘top’ tables with parents hosting their own tables, leaving the bride and groom to sit with their friends.
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Ushers

The traditional role of the Ushers is to make sure guests are in the right place at the right time. They also set the tone as they are the first faces guests see – so they need to be polite and cheerful, but firm.
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Let them eat Cake

The traditional wedding cake is a grandiose, tiered, white-frosted fruitcake. These days, however, anything goes! You could have a cheese wedding cake, a macaroon tower, a brownie stack, a cupcake board, a dessert table or a doughnut pyramid – whatever you fancy…
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The Honeymoon

Etiquette says the groom should organise the honeymoon as a surprise for his bride.  However, some brides don’t like surprises and would rather have a say in the destination. So, you decide between you how to approach this one.
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That’s just for starters…

So, that’s a lot to be thinking about – and there are more traditions, superstitions and rituals besides. Our experienced team are always available to answer any questions
and to guide you through this minefield – all you have to do is ask!

You want your wedding to be a celebration of your own unique love story, your particular personality and your own individual sense of style. But there’s no harm in being aware of the latest ideas, looks and trends – you can then embrace them, or ignore them, as you wish! So here you go, a collection of predictions from a variety of magazines, wedding planners, dress designers and style gurus.

The colour purple

Last year the “in” colour was green, with lots of brides opting for the back-to- nature tones of fresh foliage for their tablescapes, installations and bouquets. However 2018 is all set to be the year of Ultra Violet Purple – so expect it to be providing the theme for floral inspiration as well as invites, napkins, plates, coasters and name places. Twinned with accents of gold it creates a look that’s luxurious, sensuous and slightly decadent.

Let them not eat cake

At the wedding breakfast it is traditional to cut the cake after the speeches and serve this as the dessert. More recently, however, some couples have begun to opt for a buffet dessert table – and in 2018 it looks as if this trend will really gather momentum. There’s a lot to recommend the idea. A dessert table is adorably pretty making a great focal point which is also a helpful conversation starter for guests. It also tends to cost less than a wedding cake, freeing up some budget for other touches and ideas. But the plus points don’t end there. Guests have more choice and variety, depending on their individual tastes and preferences. People can help themselves to more, or less, as they wish. A dessert table allows you to cater for both ceremony and reception guests - people can pick and choose what they want throughout the wedding. Finally, it’s a wonderful opportunity for you to get creative and have some fun – you might want to tie it in with your overall theme or come up with something quirky and unique that’ll really get people talking. How about a big spread of doughnuts, or macaroons, or cupcakes, or profiteroles, or chocolate brownies, shot glass sweets…even bowls of brightly coloured jelly? Let your imagination run wild!
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Invitation innovation

Stationery plays a big part in setting the scene – not just the initial invitation but RSVP cards, seating plans, signage, menus, place cards, thank you cards and the like. In 2018 you can expect couples to become more creative and adventurous. Look out for envelopes lined with colours or eye-catching designs, calligraphy and handwriting inspired typography, custom created monograms, beautiful hand drawn maps, gold foil and bold geometric details. One trend is to move away from traditional paper and incorporate fabric or natural materials such as wood, leather, suede, slate and even transparent acrylic, perspex or lucite - laser cut and etched it makes for a very very chic look.  There’s even a suggestion that edible place cards will be all the rage in 2018…
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What’s new in dresses?

If the latest wedding dress collection reveals at New York Bridal Fashion Week are anything to go by you can expect a number of romantic twists on classic styles. Sheer sparkle looks like reigning supreme, but with the addition of capes, feathers and off the shoulder shapes becoming very popular. A cape is well suited to modern and vintage-inspired bridal looks. Go full length for drama, short and beaded for retro glamour, or sleek and simple for super cool. Thanks to Pippa Middleton, expect to see a lot more high-necked wedding dresses on the runway in 2018. This elegant bridal trend is a departure from the plunging necklines that have been popular in recent years and works for weddings in every season.
The biggest surprise, however, is likely to be in the form of colour. Prepare yourself for everything from dark reds to pale blues, and even black accents incorporated into the traditional white dress – sounds crazy, but many dress designers achieve it very successfully with great dramatic effect.
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https://unsplash.com/photos/69epvVgm0Ws

Make a whole weekend of it

Your big day doesn’t have to be just one day – a lot of couples are extending the event over a whole weekend. It makes a lot of sense, not just for those who have travelled from afar. Everyone always agrees that the day passes in a blur and is over much too soon. Also, it’s wonderful for the happy couple to arrive a day or so early to settle in, and then tarry awhile to prolong the enjoyment. At Clevedon Hall we have 25 wonderful bedrooms for those who want to stay the night before and/or the night afterwards. For the couple themselves, we also have The Cottage, a beautifully secluded property that’s perfect for those who would to take things at a more leisurely pace.

Whatever Harry and Meghan decide to do!

The pair's nuptials will take place on Saturday 19th May 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle – and every tiny detail is sure to set a new trend in motion. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s epic 2011 celebration is still inspiring lace bodice gowns, elaborate fascinators and white bridesmaid dresses a whopping seven years later! Whatever Harry and Meghan decide on (and it is rumoured that they may have a banana cake – very popular with the prince!) their style will be reflected in thousands of other weddings around the globe.

What have you got planned? We’d love to know

It’s your big day, so you can do it your way. We’ve love to help you celebrate it at Clevedon Hall – so if you have any questions, or are looking for expert advice of further inspiration, just get in touch.

A few months ago a couple caused a bit of a stir by asking each of their wedding guests to contribute to the cost of their wedding. This begs the question – who is traditionally supposed to pay for what? In this post we give you a few pointers that we hope you’ll find useful.

Tight or right?

When Ben Farina asked partner Clare Moran to marry him he knew she’d be worried that they couldn’t afford a dream wedding. So he drew up what he described as a “business model” where he suggested to the 60 guests that they might like to contribute up to £150 each to attend, promising the event would be "like an all-inclusive holiday" involving a three-night stay at a luxurious venue in Derbyshire. Ben’s idea was widely reported in the media, with some suggesting he was being tight. The guests, however, were all happy enough to pay, with Ben’s parents also stumping up extra for a hog roast on the wedding day. Clare’s stepdad, who is a chef, also offered to cook a roast dinner for everybody the day after.

Tradition is going out of fashion

There was a time when the bride’s parents were expected to pick up the bill for most of the expenses, at least those for the ceremony and the reception. However, times have changed and the old rules have fallen by the wayside. These days the couple themselves will often bear much of the cost, with their parents contributing in whatever way is felt to be most appropriate. So maybe Ben was not quite so out of order and just taking the next logical step!

The important thing is for the bride, groom and the respective parents to sit down at the earliest opportunity to discuss plans, budgets and sort out all the issues around who is happy to pay for what. You don’t want to leave any room for possible misunderstanding that could cast a shadow over the big day!

The groom was expected to find the money for..

• In the past there were certain things the groom was expected to pay for. However,in this day and age many couples are actually living together before they tie the knotand so effectively they’ll jointly find the money for some or all of these items.
• Bride's engagement ring and wedding ring
• Ceremony fees, organist, choir, bell ringers
• Marriage licence or registrar fee
• Bridal flowers, flowers for bridesmaids, flowers for the church, buttonholes, corsages
• Presents for the bridesmaids, usher and best man
• Transport to church for the groom and his best man, plus to reception for the newlyweds
• Bouquet for the mothers during his speech
• The honeymoon

The parents of the bride used to pay for…

The biggest expenses were traditionally borne by the bride’s family – but the modern convention is for both sets of parents to cover these cost between them.

• Reception venue hire, cost of food and drink, entertainment and decorationsat the reception
• Wedding cake
• Invitations, order of service sheets
• Announcements in local press
• Bride's dress
• Bridesmaids' dresses and gifts
• Bride's transport to and from the wedding ceremony
• Church flowers
• Flowers at the reception
• Photographer/Videographer
• Toastmaster

Other things to bear in mind

If you, the bride and groom, pay most of the expenses then you have more freedom to create the kind of day you want. By the same token, the bigger the parental contribution the greater say they’ll have in the proceedings. If you both fancy a goth inspired wedding, or a punk band for the evening bash, or a collection of street food stalls instead of a traditional wedding breakfast, you’ll either need very understanding parents and in-laws, or be picking up the lion’s share of the bill yourself!

What about a wedding planner – who pays for her? Traditionally that was paid for by the bride’s side of the family, but now the cost is more likely to be shared. The stag party – the groom, the best man, everyone chip in? The hen party – the bride herself, bridesmaids or everyone pays their own way? What if you are getting wed abroad – who pays the travel and accommodation costs? The answers may seem obvious to you, but you need to be aware that others might see things differently, or feel financially embarrassed.
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Reality check

The modern trend is for the costs to be shared out, by one means or another. Couples are increasingly getting friends and relatives to pay for the honeymoon and asking for cash instead of physical presents. If you are a celebrity you can always sell your wedding photos to OK! Or Hello magazine, but for most of us that’s obviously not an option. So, all things considered, Ben and Clare’s idea of getting all the guests to chip in is not quite so radical as it might have originally sounded!

So, you are getting married – congratulations!  Over the coming months you are going to be doing a lot of planning, talking and thinking on the subject of weddings.  Sometimes it can all get terribly serious, with one decision after another – I thought this was supposed to be fun?! In this post we lighten the mood with some wedding trivia.  Quirky facts from times past, foreign cultures and ancient folklore.  Hopefully, they’ll give you amusing food for thought and enable you to show off a surprising encyclopaedic knowledge that’s sure to impress family and friends - enjoy!
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Lucky you…

• Why does the groom carry the bride over the threshold…what’s all that about?  Ancient tradition has it that this will protect her from evil spirits lurking below.
• In Finland brides-to-be would go door-to-door collecting gifts in a pillowcase.  They would be accompanied by an older married man who represented long marriage.
• Sticking a sugar cube in your glove will sweeten your marriage – or so the Greeks think.
• In olden times if you found a spider lurking in your wedding dress that was a good omen – but scary none the less!
• In Holland a pine tree is planted outside the newlyweds' home as a symbol of fertility and luck.
• According to English folklore Saturday is the most inauspicious day on which to wed – that one has obviously been forgotten in the mists of time!  Wednesday was considered the "best day" to marry, although Monday was for wealth and Tuesday for health.
• Ancient Romans studied pig entrails to determine the luckiest time to marry.  Yeuch!
• In Sweden the bride puts a silver coin from her father, and a gold coin from her mother, in each shoe (uncomfortable?).  This is supposed to ensure that she'll be richer rather than poorer.
• Hindus believe that if it rains on your wedding day this is actually a good sign.
• Moroccan women bathe in milk to purify themselves before their wedding ceremony.

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Ring of truth

• Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because in ancient times it was believed that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.  
• Each gem stone has its own symbolic meaning.  A sapphire in a wedding ring means marital happiness.  A pearl engagement ring is thought to be bad luck because its shape is said to resemble that of a tear.  Aquamarine represents marital harmony and is said to ensure a long, happy marriage.
• Priscilla Presley's engagement ring was a whopping three and a half carat rock surrounded by a detachable row of smaller diamonds.
• Diamonds set in gold or silver became popular as betrothal rings among wealthy Venetians toward the end of the fifteenth century.
• One of history's earliest engagement rings was given to Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII. She was only two years old, so it was very small!
• How many tons of gold are made into wedding rings each year in the United States?  Seventeen!
• Snake rings dotted with ruby eyes were popular wedding bands in Victorian England—the coils winding into a circle symbolized eternity.

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Fashion facts

• Queen Victoria started the white wedding dress trend in 1840 - before then, brides simply wore their best dress, whatever colour that was.
• Where did the veil idea come from?  Ancient Greeks and Romans thought the veil protected the bride from evil spirits…and the rest is history.
• In Asia, wearing robes with embroidered cranes symbolizes fidelity for the length of a marriage.
• In Korea, brides like to take their vows adorned in bright red and yellow.
• In Denmark, brides and grooms traditionally cross-dressed to confuse evil spirits – can’t see that catching on over here!
• Wearing or carrying "something old" on your wedding day symbolises continuity with the past, while "something blue" in a bridal ensemble symbolises purity, fidelity and love.

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Food of love

• Get married in Egypt and the bride's family traditionally does all the cooking for a week after the wedding, so the couple can relax – sounds good, but you might want a bit of time to yourselves?
• In South Africa, the parents of both bride and groom traditionally carried fire from their hearths to light a new fire in the newlyweds' hearth.
• Where did the wedding cake tradition come from?  It is thought to have started in ancient Rome, where guests broke a loaf of bread over a bride's head as a symbol of fertility.
• Queen Victoria's wedding cake weighed a whopping 300 pounds – she liked her food!
• How’s this for an old wives' tale?  If the younger of two sisters marries first, the older one must dance barefoot at the wedding or run the risk of never landing a husband.

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So, there you go – everything you never really needed to know about weddings!  However, if there is more useful and practical information you need then just ask us.  We’re more than happy to share our knowledge and experience to make everything run as smooth as silk on your big day.

It’s the biggest day of your life, so there’s the temptation to say “hang the expense!” Everyone, however, has some kind of budget in mind. And the million dollar (£773,000) question is “Am I above average, or doing it on the cheap?” In this post we talk around the subject to give you a better idea of whether you are throwing the cash around like confetti or tiptoeing towards the mean side of frugal.
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Who has got the maths right?

So, what do most people spend? It rather depends on who you ask (or what you read). Cosmopolitan reckons the UK average for tying the knot in 2017 will be £16,842. In 2015 Brides Magazine put the figure at a rather more extravagant £24,000. The same year, however, Nationwide Building Society suggested £7,500. Harper’s Bazaar reckoned on £27,000 in 2016, with the figure in London reaching £38,000.  So take your pick!
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Pippa raises the bar

But forget what most people spend – what do famous people, the celebrities, spend? We know we shouldn’t compare ourselves with those on the A List but most of us just can’t help ourselves.

The most recent headline-grabbing nuptials were those of Pippa Middleton, who married hedge fund manager James Matthews (who is presumably worth a bob or two). Nobody knows for sure (even Pippa?) but leading wedding planning website and app Bridebook crunched some speculative numbers. Based on an analysis of over 170,000 weddings, and a review of over 70,000 wedding industry suppliers’ price estimates, they came up with a cool estimate of £246,949.

If you’re wondering about the maths (while you get your breath back) the estimate for the venue was £65,000 (they did the reception in the garden at her parents’ place but a super luxury marquee for 350 guests, another for the drinks reception, plus one for the caterers don’t come cheap. Catering £75,000, dress £10,000, drinks £17,720, photography and video £7,500, cake £2,600, stationery £5,125.

If that’s not enough to make your eyes water there’s music and entertainment at £8,250, wedding rings £19,000, outfits for the rest of the bridal party £10,000, veil £2,000, hair and makeup £1,500, decorations £6,000 and toilets £4,000, as well as wedding favours, church fees and transport – phew!
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Big sister goes one better

Compared to her sister, however, that’s peanuts. Kate and Will racked up a bill for around £20 million.  The Australian newspaper Herald Sun estimated that A$32 million went on security, with A$800,000 just for flowers.  Still, they did invite a lot of people - about 1,900 guests attended the ceremony in the local church (Westminster Abbey) approximately 600 were invited to a little luncheon reception at his granny’s house (Buckingham Palace), and about 300 sat down for evening dinner hosted by his dad (also at granny’s).

Talking of dad, his wedding to Lady Di cost more than three times more than William and Kate’s, when you allow for inflation. They really pushed the boat out with little indulgences such as 10,000 pearls hand-sewn into Diana’s gown, 27 wedding cakes, and a dress with a 25ft train…oh, and a two week honeymoon on Britannia, the family yacht.
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Wedding of the millennium?

Mind you, royals have always liked to go over the top when tying the knot. Way back in 1468 Margaret of York (sister of Edward IV and Richard III) married Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy (after lengthy negotiations undertaken by his half-brother Anthony, who went by the colourful title of Grand Bastard of Burgundy). The celebrations, which took place in the town of Bruges, were estimated to have cost £250 million in modern money. The festivities included a four-day joust between the most prestigious European knights and a crown built for the bride coated in pearls and diamonds. Widely regarded as "the marriage of the century" it is re-enacted at Bruges for tourists every five years with the next event taking place in August 2017.
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A heavenly day that doesn’t cost the earth

So, how about you - what kind of festivities do you have in mind? Summer or winter, indoors or out, Rock ‘n’ Roll or old fashioned romantic, a quiet affair with a few close family and friends or a big blow-out, formal wedding breakfast or a relaxed al fresco affair? The options are endless but one thing is certain - at Clevedon Hall we have the setting, the facilities and the expert team to create a celebration that would do a royal couple proud…but without breaking the bank!

We’d love to hear your ideas, and to discuss ways we can make things even more magical – come and see us soon.

This may sound crazy but there are so many exciting things to think about when planning your wedding that deciding what kind of ceremony you’d like can sometimes get pushed way down the list.  There are quite a few different options to choose from as well as some important issues you’ll want to address – and you don’t want to leave these until the last minute.  In this post we provide a few pointers that should help you make the most of the “I do” bit of your big day.
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Church or civil?

This is probably the first question to ask – do you want to get married in a church, or have a civil ceremony?  This may sound like a relatively simple choice, but that’s not always the case – it raises loads more questions.  Are you and your partner both religious?  Is one of you religious and the other not?  Are you both religious but of different faiths?  And what about your respective parents – do they have certain expectations or wishes based on their particular beliefs?   These are always sensitive issues that are better discussed early in the planning process!

If you go for a civil ceremony do you want religion to play any part at all?  Maybe you want to have some mention of God, or none at all?  Are you and your partner from different cultures or backgrounds, and if so to what extent do you want to honor your heritage and give due respect to the feelings of your respective families?

How traditional do you want to go - and what does that mean for you and your partner?  Do you want the emphasis to be on romance, or would something fun and offbeat be more your style?  The most important thing is to create a ceremony that’s right for the two of you, rather than just trying to please others.  

If you go down the civil route you don’t have to settle for a conventional register office.  You can get married anywhere that, like Clevedon Hall, is licensed.  As well as holding the ceremony in one of the stately rooms on the ground floor of the house you can also say “I do” under our specially created gazebo, against the gorgeous scenic backdrop of the gardens and Clevedon Bay.
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Love and the law

Your wedding, as well as being a hugely romantic occasion, and a massive celebration, has its serious side.  It is an arrangement recognized and governed by the law.  Whether you have a civil, religious or humanist ceremony there is a legal requirement that the marriage must take place in legal premises: a register office, a religious building such as a church or synagogue, or a licensed venue such as Clevedon Hall.

The marriage must also be officiated by a registrar or, depending on the couple’s faith, an authorized person such as a vicar, priest, rabbi or pastor.  In the unlikely event that you decide to get married at sea the ship’s captain can act as registrar! You do need two witnesses for your wedding in addition to the person legally officiating.

Some aspects of the ceremony are more traditional than legal. For instance, you don’t have to exchange rings, the bride isn’t obliged to wear white, nor does she have to walk down the aisle ready to be ‘given away’.

You must book your wedding at a register office at least 28 days in advance, but you can’t book it more than 12 months in advance. With a Church of England ceremony, you must announce your intention to marry through the reading of banns.  Your minister will read these on three Sundays in the three months before the wedding. They must be read in your parish church, as well as in the church where the ceremony is to take place.
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Decisions, decisions

You can create whatever kind of ceremony you’d like but to help you decide what will work best for you here are the most popular approaches:

• Traditional.  Faith-based in line with the religion that the bride and groom were born into.
• Non-denominational.  A spiritual ceremony with reference to God but not linked to any religious faith.
• Inter-faith.  Blending two or more faiths by including religious rituals or readings that are symbolic of each faith.
• Non-religious/humanist.  A ceremony where there is no mention of God or faith.
• Intercultural. This is a blending of cultures but can also blend religious aspects.
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Vows that wow – adding a heartfelt personal touch

The Church of England requires that the statutory words must be used in order to make your marriage legally binding, so in traditional religious wedding services it is not possible to write your own vows.  However, you can personalize your ceremony in other ways by choosing readings, hymns, or poems that have special meaning for you.

In a civil ceremony you can create your own vows to make the words truly personal to you as a couple.   Having said that, talk to your Registrar first before you get too carried away - some ceremonies will require you to stick to the traditional vows. Your Registrar will tell you what is and what is not allowed!  

If you want to write your own wedding vows then it’s probably best to start with the traditional vows to provide a basic structure, then go wherever your feelings take you.  Speak from your heart but don’t go over the top as some of your guests may become uncomfortable if you get too carried away.  

Clevedon Hall – perfect for your ceremony and your celebration

As well as providing a wonderful setting for your reception we are also licensed for conducting the ceremony for weddings and civil partnerships. Most of the ground floor is licensed, as well as our beautiful outside gazebo.   We partner with North Somerset Registry Office and their staff conduct all the ceremonies at Clevedon Hall.

However, although many couples love the fact we can host the ceremony and reception together this is not obligatory.  If you want to wed in a church, then come to us for your reception, evening celebrations and overnight accommodation, that works brilliantly too!

If you have any further questions about creating a ceremony that’s perfect for you our event management team will be only too happy to help – just give them a call.

Wedding venue, check.  Wedding dress, check.  Wedding cake, check.  Oooops, nearly forgot the hen party!  There’s so much to think about when organising your big day that this part of the proceedings can easily be overlooked.  Big mistake!  The hen party is an essential part of the preparation process.  You’ve got to get all the girls together to discuss important details that might otherwise be overlooked – over a few bottles of Prosecco, naturally, and with some fun activities to ensure that everyone has a chance to bond properly before the main event.

What kind of activities, though?  There are so many to choose from!  Our event management team can provide you with some inspiring ideas – but here are a few imaginative ones to get you going.
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Cocktail mixing masterclass

Don’t know your Mojitos from your martinis, your White Russian from your Moscow Mule or your Woo Woo from your Chi-Chi?  There may be a test at the end but if you don’t remember a thing that just means you’ve got full marks for entering into the spirits of things.  There’s nothing like a round of Sex on a Beach (vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice) or Between the Sheets (white rum, cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice) for breaking the ice!
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Pamper party

Head to the spa for a few hours of indulgent, sensuous, and pleasurable chillaxing with your friends.  What’ll it be – hot stones massage followed by a deep cleansing facial then champagne in the hot tub, a warm up in the steam room followed by an aromatherapy massage and a nourishing body wrap, or a full body chakra massage followed by an invigorating exfoliation then a pedicure?  Afterwards, you’ll all be feeling, and looking, a million dollars – just in time for a night on the town.  
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Fun and games

Just a few miles inland from Clevedon Hall is Gatcombe Farm, home of West Country Games, a playground for grown-ups who want to rediscover their inner child.  Hens can put themselves through their paces with nine different west country themed activities, including the cider run, drunk pub skittles, welly wanging, pitchfork duel, Vicky Pollard handbags, Wurzel knockout and even bar skittles with humans being knocked off cider kegs.  Great selection of fancy dress costumes to make sure everyone looks and feels equally silly.
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Let them eat cake

Treating everyone to traditional afternoon tea in a posh hotel is a wonderful way to add a bit of class to the proceedings.  It’s also a great excuse for a good old gossip – while tucking into dainty sandwiches, gooey éclairs, sticky tartlets, yummy cupcakes and melt in the mouth macaroons.  And if tea in a delicate china cup sounds a bit too…well, ladylike…the perfect accompaniment to freshly baked scones, home-made preserves and dollops of clotted cream is a glass or two of bubbly!
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Cheeky - but all in the best possible taste.

Fake firemen, raunchy policemen and butlers in the buff – it’s all a bit passé.  But if you fancy something slightly saucy, with a cultural and artistic twist, a life drawing class is just the thing.  The organisers will provide drawing materials, an art teacher, and a finely sculpted male model.  Grab a stick of charcoal, and a glass of what you fancy, then set to work on your masterpiece.   You might find you’re not much of a Michelangelo but loads of laughs are absolutely guaranteed.
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Get your diploma in flirtology

As the bride to be you don’t need any help in this department - but what about your mates?  After a masterclass in flirtation, they’ll be positively dangerous, educated in the science of seduction and adept at the art of attraction.  After some rigorous modules on body language, eye contact and conversational gambits, with expert input from a flirt coach, everyone will be given some assignments so they can put their new-found skills to the test.  Perfect for those keen to come out ahead in the dating game, as well as anyone worried about always being a bridesmaid but never a bride.
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We’re here to help hens!

These are just a handful of ideas for hen parties that are sure to go down a storm – and all of them are readily available locally.  If you’d like some further details or have any questions at all regarding any aspect of your wedding, give us a call or pop in.  Our expert event management team would love to share their experience with you.

You obviously want your wedding to be a joyous occasion where you and your guests celebrate the best day ever.  But then you begin the seating plan for the meal and realise that this part of the proceedings poses a few problems.  

Your parents have remarried, your sister has never found the true love of her life and is hyper-sensitive about any perceived attempt to introduce her to Mr Right, and your husband-to-be has invited a couple from abroad that only he knows. These might provide great plot ideas for a good Hollywood movie - but you could do without them at your own wedding!  

In this post, we share a few thoughts that, with a little diplomacy and tact, should help you come up with a plan that has everyone sitting comfortably.
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A plan is usually better than no plan

Why not keep everything loose and informal, let people go with the flow and just provide enough seats so it all feels free and easy?  Although this may sound like a great idea it’s probably not so smart in practice, especially when you have more than 50 guests.  People like to be led, and don’t want to make a faux pas by sitting somewhere they shouldn’t, or ending up amongst people they don’t get on with.  If you provide no guidance you’ll probably end up with a crowd of people all stood around and puzzling over which tables are for family (which family?), for friends (of the bride or the groom?), for kids (and does that include those over 16 but going on 30?) and who qualifies to sit with the happy couple.  

Do you need a seating plan if it’s a buffet?  That’s probably advisable, for the same reasons – you don’t want the same melee and confusion when people are juggling plates and glasses, plus half your guests can’t even get to the food as the buffet table is ringed by those unsure of where to head next.

A final reason for having a seating plan, and place cards, is that it makes everyone feel special – it shows you’ve thought about them, and taken the effort to make them feel welcome personally.
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Fewer guests give you more freedom

If you have less than 50 guests a detailed plan is less essential.  You might want to pick one or two head tables for the two of you, best man, parents, bridesmaids and ushers (with name cards) then leave your other guests to seat themselves.  

Or you could choose a cocktail party or buffet format so that people drink standing up, eat sitting down, and alternate between the two.  If you opt for this format make sure you have enough seats and tables for older members of the party.
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The Wedding Party Table

The newlyweds should sit at a long head table or round table, placed at the focal point of the room and usually identified by grander decorations and floral displays.  However, if the style is less formal another idea is to leave a few seats empty at every table so bride and groom can leave their places to spend a little time with each group.

The groom traditionally sits to the bride's right and the best man sits to her left. The maid of honour sits to the groom's right.  If the table is sufficiently large the other attendants can also be seated on this table.  In years gone by their partners would sit on other tables but this is seldom the case now.
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Where do close family sit?

There is usually a large table for the immediate family with your parents and the groom’s parents sat opposite each other, accompanied by grandparents, the officiant and maybe some especially close friends.  Alternatively, each set of parents can host their own table, with their family members and close friends. When parents have divorced each may host his or her own table to avoid any possible issues or awkwardness.
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Tips for guest tables

The dilemma here is whether it’s better to put groups of friends together or to split them up.  Use your judgement but the best idea is probably to mix a group of friends with a few fresh faces.  The chances are that a single bunch of good mates won’t fit on a single table so divide them into two and then add people they aren’t familiar with.

People are most comfortable when they are seated with those they know, so don’t ask an individual or couple to share a table where all the others are total strangers.  Even the most outgoing will struggle in these circumstances so at the very least try to place them next to an acquaintance or two.   In the case of guests who have never met any of the others try and pair them up with an individual or couple who share their interests or whose personalities are likely to be compatible.

Try to avoid creating a separate “singles” table as this might embarrass some guests.  A “children’s” table, however, is fine.  
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We’re here to help

Whatever size or style of wedding you have in mind we have a wealth of experience we’re happy to share with you.  Arranging a seating plan that works for your family and friends can be stressful - but with our assistance, you can be sure we’ll find a way to make it all go swimmingly!

Your wedding day will go past in a blur and be over before you know it – because you are the centre of attention and everything revolves around you.  For your guests, however, there can be moments where not a lot is happening and it feels like there’s a bit of a gap, perhaps between the ceremony and the reception or between the wedding breakfast and the evening celebrations.  In this post we provide you with some inspiring ideas to keep everyone entertained right the way through the day.
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Wedding wizardry

A close-up magician always works wonders as an ice-breaker, drawing people out of themselves, getting them laughing and keep them chatting.  Spreading amazement and entertainment at different times throughout the day they’ll really get the party going and create moments of magic that guests will treasure for years to come.  They can mingle when people are enjoying a few drinks and are great for livening things up between courses when everyone is seated.
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If music be the food of love

You’ll probably have a band or disco in the evening but you can also add a touch of class at other times of the day with a string quartet, solo guitarist, harpist, or cocktail pianist. The music won’t be so loud that it interferes with the conversation but it will create a sophisticated and relaxing ambience.
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OMG, is that who I think it is?!

You can create a buzz, and a lot of laughs, by inviting faux-celebrities to your wedding.  Is that really Posh & Becks, Johnny Depp or Kim Kardashian?  This idea is definitely going to liven up the wedding photos and video!
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Want some ice with that?

An ice sculpture makes a fascinating centrepiece for an evening buffet.  Or you could go for a full-on vodka luge.  A what?  A vodka luge - an ice sculpture with a hole or channel carved through it, down which you pour your vodka or other spirit of your choice.  By the time it trickles into your glass at the bottom it’s chilled to perfection – how cool is that?
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Congratulations on camera

Guest books are a bit old hat.  One of the hottest ideas for on-trend weddings is the video box – guests can tell stories, sing their hearts out or dance like no-one is watching and, of course, as the night goes on and the more drinks they’ve had, the funnier everything gets.  It also provides hours of entertainment after the big day as everyone relives those moments in front of the camera.
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You will meet a tall dark stranger…

Hire a fortune teller to read palms or tarot cards to keep people amused between courses during the meal or when guests are enjoying the drinks reception.  Enthralling and entertaining, it’s a great way to get people talking as the predictions are sure to be a subject of conversation for the rest of the day.
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Let the games begin!

Provide a range of traditional indoor and outdoor games to keep people occupied and amused for hours on end – great for the kids too (including the grown-up ones too!).  Croquet, outdoor skittles, twister, ping pong, jumbo jenga or giant board games like chess, draughts, snakes and ladders, scrabble, mini golf.  The list is endless (anyone for a penny chuffing competition, a spell on the bouncy castle, a bit of sack racing?!) and you can be sure there will never be a dull moment.
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Service with a song

Add some extra fun to your wedding breakfast or evening meal by hiring a couple of singing waiters – see your guests fall about in amazement as the person who has just served their soup suddenly starts to serenade them!  Definitely adds the WOW factor to avoid things getting a touch too formal.
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Let’s do Vegas!

Hire a pop up casino, complete with croupier and give your guests a ton of chips to play with – roulette, blackjack, poker…everyone is a winner because it’s such a fun way to get people mixing, talking and laughing.  
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Get that festival vibe

Throw some street entertainers and wacky performers - stilt walkers, living statues and comedy jugglers soon get people into the party mood.  And as the sun goes down and the night sets in there’s nothing like a fire eater, juggler or dancer to add a dramatic magical touch to the proceedings.
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Inspired?  Let’s talk

At Clevedon Hall we’ve seen it all – even a full on military enactment of the English Civil War!  So, whatever kind of entertainment you have in mind to make your big day totally fabulous, we have the contacts, the gardens and a wonderful house in which to make it all happen!

Planning a wedding can completely take over a couple's life. There seem to be so many different and crucial things to do - yet never enough time to do them! Often, brainstorming sessions and appointments that are scheduled to take place outside of the office can intermingle with work commitments. This means that instead of focusing on sending emails and completing tasks, you're day-dreaming about catering and trying to fit in quick phone-calls with bands and venues. Here, Rebekah discusses some of the biggest concerns facing new brides and grooms, and what you can do to manage wedding stress in the workplace.
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Know who to invite

By far, the most stressful part of planning a wedding is deciding who to invite. In the workplace, you're bound to be hounded by questions from people wondering if they're going to get an R.S.V.P to your big day, and many people simply don't know what’s best to do.

OfficeGenie.co.uk conducted a survey of 2,000 working people, and found around 77% would want their co-workers to be present, with 3% claiming that they'd invite everyone from the office. However, there were a significant number of people, 20%, who felt that inviting guests from the workplace was a bad idea. After all, the more people you invite, the more you pay (17% cited worries about expense), and having too many people from the office present can make the whole occasion feel more like a work event than a wedding. Around half of respondents (59%) felt work might end up interfering with their big day.

Only you can decide who you want to have at your wedding, but my advice is to go with whatever leads to less stress. If concerns about not inviting people wake you up at night, then expand your guest list and grab the invitations. If you want to keep your work and personal lives separate, that's fine too! After all, it's your big day.
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Schedule planning time throughout the day

When you're planning a wedding, you often start with the best of intentions. You tell yourself you'll only think about the wedding when you're home from work in the evenings, or away from the office on a weekend. Of course, it's rarely that simple.

An easier, and more realistic way to keep your planning urges reigned in, is to schedule quick sessions throughout the day. For instance, you could get out of bed an hour earlier than usual to make a wedding to-do-list before you visit the office. Alternatively, make the most out of your lunch break! Studies show that only 30% of UK workers are taking ‘proper’ lunch-breaks, with 7 out of 10 Brits spending the time online instead. Lunch breaks are your time, so why not use them to get the wedding fever out of your system, so you can concentrate for the rest of the afternoon?
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Consider remote/flexible working opportunities

Struggling to fit wedding appointments in around a hectic professional schedule? Remote or flexible working opportunities might be the answer. A recent survey undertaken by the British Chamber of Commerce and BT Business found that around 91% of polled firms in Britain have at least one employee working from home. The same research suggests that 19% of those businesses have more than 50% of their employees working away from the office.

Discussing even a temporary remote working situation with your boss could be a great way to free up some of the time you need to focus on wedding arrangements. Just make sure that if you are working remotely, you don't allow yourself to become too distracted from work. The chances are you'll still need to manage a pretty strict schedule if you want to be productive.
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Involve and delegate

Finally, if you want to reduce the amount of wedding stress you have to handle, why not simply share the load? Perfectionists and control freaks are often in for wedding stress, but if you learn how to delegate and involve others - just like you would with a tough work project - you can relieve some of the pressure you might be feeling.

Asking friends and family to handle something you consider to be particularly stressful is a great way to give yourself a chance to relax, something that many of us forget to do when planning a wedding. Just be careful about who you ask for help. Surveys show that 24% of people consider overbearing family members to be a source of stress in wedding planning, while 23% note that mothers-in-law are the biggest issue.
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Staying sane when planning a wedding

Planning a wedding around a hectic work life can be a stressful experience, but you don't have to let tensions and anxieties ruin the magic of your big day. The tips outlined above should help you to get a handle on some of the most trying aspects of planning your wedding, so that you can find your own perfect balance between creating a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and staying on top of your career.

AUTHOR BIO

Rebekah Carter writes for the desk and office space marketplace OfficeGenie.co.uk.

Summer is the most popular time of the year for weddings, simply because the warmer weather presents so many delightful opportunities to create a magical occasion in the great outdoors.  Clevedon Hall is the ideal venue for a ceremony and celebration in the fresh air and in this post we share some great ideas that you will hopefully find useful and inspirational. Tie the knot in the garden

Holding the ceremony outdoors, weather permitting, of course, is a wonderful way to wed – and at Clevedon Hall, we have just the right setting.  As well as gorgeous gardens with a tranquil lake, sweeping lawns ringed with mature trees and dramatic views over Clevedon Bay, we also have our very own gazebo.  You can exchange your vows in this most romantic of spaces with seating for up to 150 guests on the circular surrounding terrace.  Brides can make a stunning entrance as they walk down the curved pathway through the grounds.  And of course, it makes a marvellous feature for fabulous wedding photos.
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Cocktails and canapés alfresco

There’s nothing quite like chilled drinks and delicious nibbles served on the terrace outside a quintessential English stately home – and at Clevedon Hall, we know how to do it in style.  Just beyond the traditional Victorian orangery is a circular patio with a central fountain and immaculate lawns rolling down to the picturesque lake.  Topping the fountain is a classical statue of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth and cupbearer who served her elders with nectar and ambrosia.  Nowadays guests prefer Pimms, Mojitos and fizzy Proseccos but the setting is hard to beat for sheer atmosphere and sense of occasion.  It’s also a great spot for taking group photos and video from the vantage point of the house.
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Afternoon tea with all the trimmings

Our Orangery, overlooking the terrace and fountain, is the perfect space in which to serve that most traditional of treats, classic afternoon tea.  Some guest, of course, will want to continue with the alcoholic beverages (and who can blame them?!) but others will love the opportunity for a refreshing cuppa served with delicate finger sandwiches, sticky pastries, rich cakes and freshly baked scones with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam.  Plus there’s nothing to say that a glass of bubbly cannot be enjoyed as a naughty but nice accompaniment!
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Let do barbeque

The summer months, with their long warm evenings and clear starlit skies, just cry out for a barbeque – and our chefs don’t need much encouragement to oblige.  Whether it’s classic case of burgers and hot dogs or a full on hog roast with mountains of crispy crackling and dollops of tangy apple sauce, a Tex-Mex affair with spicy chicken wings and racks of ribs, or a street food fest with the fresh flavours of the Caribbean, Far East or South America, the choice is yours.  
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Fun and Games

A popular summer wedding theme is the mini fete or festival.  You can let the guests (and we’re talking grownups here, not just the kids) entertain themselves with everything from a coconut shy to giant Jenga and treasure hunts to space hopper races.  When you have acres of lovely lawn, as we do at Clevedon Hall, the possibilities are endless – rounders, croquet, apple bobbing, boules, horseshoe tossing, limbo dancing, twister, lawn scrabble…    It’s a great way to break the ice for friends and family who might be meeting for the first time, and certain to get everyone involved and having fun – plus you’ll get loads of priceless photo moments too.

So if you are thinking of getting hitched in the summer make sure you think outside the box a bit and pick a venue that isn’t going to cramp your seasonal style!   Clevedon Hall has it all – and if you are quick we may even be able to find you a date this summer.

The photography is only a part of your big day – but very important none the less.  Obviously, you want to focus on enjoying the occasion itself, as do your family and friends.  However, it’s also about creating memories that everyone can return to, as well as preserving the moment for future generations. The photographs shape the story, so you want to make sure they tell it in a way you are happy with.  As the famous photographer, Ansel Adams once said “You don’t take a photograph, you make it”.  There are conscious decisions to be made, and the biggest one is to settle what style you want.

It’s important to think about this early on, as you need to find a photographer who offers the approach you’ve chosen.  And when talking to photographers they’ll be anxious to know exactly what you have in mind.
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Formal portraiture

Do you want classic staged shots of the two of you, posing against a variety of different backgrounds – in front of the altar, signing the register, cutting the cake, on the lawn or kissing in the gardens before the reception starts?  And do you want formal group shots where everyone is neatly arranged and smiling to camera – the bride and bridesmaids, the two of you with your parents, the groom with the best man and ushers, including a few of the entire party?   There’s a lot to be said for this approach – but you might want to consider some others as well.
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Documentary

Perhaps you’d prefer a more relaxed, candid and spontaneous style with shots that are not posed but catch fleeting moments - people talking and laughing, champagne corks popping and glasses being raised, tears being brushed away and confetti being tossed into the air?  This style is more akin to photojournalism and you’ll rarely see people staring directly to camera. It’s about telling the story of the day as it happened, with all the emotion and energy, laughter and fun, that made the occasion so magical.
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Fine Art

This approach is similar to documentary photography but the photographer is given greater artistic licence to add their own interpretation and vision.  While they shoot what actually happened they may use filters, effects or different colour tones to heighten the sense of drama or mood.  Objects or people in the foreground may be sharply in focus, while those in the background may be slightly indistinct.  Quite often there will be motion blur, as people dance, children run about or glasses are raised in a toast.  Some photographers who lean in this direction may still shoot on film, and they may favour black and white pictures.  If you go down the more artistic and creative route be aware that the photographer may not shoot formal portraits – so if you really want some of those (or your parents do!) be sure to get someone who can do both, or hire a separate person to provide those shots.
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Edgy and Brave

This style is a more extreme form of fine art photography.  This approach is characterised by unusual compositions, tilted angles (called Dutch angles) and unconventional framing. So instead of a straight-on shot of you exchanging vows at the altar the whole thing will be tilted, with an object like an altar arrangement or a candle in the foreground.  Or you might have a picture where you are having your makeup done, but shot from above, perhaps with an emphasis on the eye shadow brush rather than on your face.  Then again you might have a portrait of a bridesmaid, but cropped so that her face only fills one corner of the shot and the rest is taken up by the background.

Some wedding photographers specialise in just one approach, but many are more flexible.  They might blend formal portraiture with documentary style shots, or do the conventionally posed stuff mixed in with images that are a bit more imaginative and surprising.  The important thing is to be absolutely clear about what shots you want to end up with, and the style or styles you’d like.  It’s your day, your life, so you decide then find a photographer who can do exactly what you want!

The choice of venue is perhaps the most important decision you have to make when planning your wedding – that’s because it sets the tone for the entire event.  So what are some of the key things to consider when comparing the different options? Atmosphere.  Does it have enough character?  There is nothing worse than a venue which is soulless, as no amount of decoration and effort on your part will disguise the fact that it is bland and dull.  You want somewhere with sufficient grandeur and majesty to immediately create a sense of occasion.  And yet at the same time it’s important to that there’s a certain warmth and homeliness so that everyone feels comfortable and at ease.  What’s more, your wedding is a historic occasion, so it’s nice to hold it in a setting which has a bit of history itself.
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Photography.  It’s vital to pick somewhere that’s going to provide a suitably romantic and picturesque setting for the photographs.  Weddings are about many things but one of the most important aspects is about making memories.  The photographs capture and shape these so you need to make sure the venue provides a range of ready-made backdrops and scenes, both indoors and out, for pictures you and your family can treasure for a lifetime.
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Space.  Is it big enough to accommodate all your guests?  You don’t want to choose somewhere then find, when you’ve agreed the guest list, that the venue is going to struggle to squeeze everyone in – the last thing you want is somewhere that cramps your style.  By the same token you don’t want somewhere so large that you rattle around in it, or which intimidates people.  It’s not just about the building as a whole, but about the proportion of the individual rooms that you will be using for welcoming guests, for the ceremony itself, for the wedding breakfast, for partying and dancing in the evening, as well as quieter and more intimate spaces where people can relax and chat.  You need to think about how you’ll be using the different spaces during the course of the day and night and consider how well they are going to work.
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Gardens.  This is an especially important consideration if you are planning a wedding in the warmer months.  You don’t want your guests cooped up inside if it’s a gorgeous day - so pick somewhere that provides the opportunity for drinks on the lawn, photographs in the gazebo, for kids to run around and let off steam and for guests to stroll and stretch their legs.  Having said that, even in the colder seasons we often get gorgeous days and if your wedding is fortunate to be blessed with one of those you’ll be delighted you had the foresight to pick a venue that allows you to make the most of your good luck.
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Cuisine.  The wining and dining experience is incredibly important as wedding celebrations have traditionally revolved around some kind of feast.  In many ways we’ve become a foodie nation and guests’ expectations are much higher than in years gone by.  You not only need to provide a magnificent multi-course formal dinner but canapes and snacks at various different stages throughout the day and on into the evening.   Perhaps you fancy a barbecue or hog roast, street food or a garden party tea service?  It’s important to find a venue capable of carrying this off with aplomb.

Whatever you decide to do in the way of food everything must taste fresh and delicious.  However, the presentation is equally important.  On the one hand a wedding celebration is a theatrical occasion and the food plays a huge role, while on the other we taste food with our eyes before it passes our lips – so it has to look dramatic and tasty at the same time!

The drinks offering is equally important so you need a venue that can provide everything from vintage champagnes to fruity cocktails and fine wines to exciting mojitos, martinis and pina coladas.
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Accommodation.  Ideally you want a venue that provides accommodation for the bride and groom, as well as the most important family and friends.  What’s more, the rooms need to be to the same standard as the rest of the venue.  You want your wedding night to be totally romantic and utterly magical – so the room must be grand yet cosy, impressive yet homely.  Equally, you want those who are staying with you to feel really special, and so their accommodation needs to suitably luxurious.  A further consideration is the availability of ample local accommodation for other guests – you don’t want to pick a venue out in the middle of nowhere where they’ll have a long taxi journey before getting to bed.
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Wedding planning.  There’s so much to think about and organise that you want to pick a venue that employs experienced staff who can genuinely give you all the advice, help and support you need.  Ideally you want somewhere that is not so busy that those helping don’t have time to really get into the spirit of the unique event you have planned.  You want people who are as excited about the day as you are and who can make it even better by sharing their wealth of knowledge, contacts and ideas.

If you’d like to see just how well Clevedon Hall ticks all the right boxes arrange a time for a visit - it will be our pleasure to hear your plans and discuss how we can help create the most magical day possible!

Anticipation is a big part of the pleasure with a wedding.  Visiting different venues, attending wedding fairs, choosing the ring and the dress, deciding on a theme, selecting menus and tasting different wines all add to the fun – and of course the stag and hen celebrations really ramp things up.  But what else can you do to heighten the sense of expectancy?  Watch a wedding themed movie – and there are plenty to choose from!  Here’s our pick of the bunch: Four Weddings and a Funeral.  No list would be complete without this classic starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell.  Charles, a good-natured but socially awkward man living in London becomes smitten with Carrie, an American whom he meets at four different weddings and then a funeral – you probably know the ending already, but in case you don’t…our lips are sealed!
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Bridesmaids.   Annie’s singleton life is a mess, and things go from bad to worse after being asked to serve as maid of honour for her best friend, Lillian.  A painfully funny journey through all the stages of the wedding planning process, more raunchy than romantic, perfect for your inner ladette.
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Mama Mia.  The action revolves around the arrangements for a wedding on a Greek island, most especially the guest list.  The bride to be, unsure of who her real father is, invites all three candidates to see if she can solve the mystery.  A lot of fun if you love musicals, and ABBA, but are able to ignore the fact that Pierce Brosnan can’t sing!
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Cousins.  In this American remake of the popular French romantic comedy "Cousin Cousine" wedding guests dabble in marital infidelities both real and pretend.  The pretenders, played by Ted Danson and Isabella Rossellini, become friends, then fall in love – with awkward consequences.  Great cast and very romantic.
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The Princess Bride.  Classic fairytale fare, it tells the story about a farmhand named Westle, who must rescue his true love Princess Buttercup from the odious Prince Humperdinck.  Described as an intelligent mix of swashbuckling, romance, and comedy that takes an age-old damsel-in-distress story and makes it fresh, it’s a film that few will fail to fall in love with.
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My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Toula Portokalos is 30 years old and still not married, which means as a nice Greek girl she’s a failure. Then she meets the ultimate unattainable guy - tall and handsome but definitely not Greek.  Cue a courtship that’s a hilarious culture clash.
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Runaway Bride.  Starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, who had such success with Pretty Woman, keep the chemistry going in this slightly off the wall romantic comedy about a girl who likes to jilt her partners at the last minute….so what’s not to like?
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Muriel’s Wedding.  Socially awkward Muriel fantasises about the unlikely prospect of a glamorous wedding and moving from her dead-end home town, the fictional Porpoise Spit, to Sydney.  A fun reworking of the classic ugly duckling story, with ABBA songs for good measure.
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The Five-Year Engagement.  One year after meeting, Tom proposes to his girlfriend, Violet, but unexpected events keep tripping them up as they look to walk down the aisle together.  A hilarious cautionary tale for those that find it hard to stick to a schedule.
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The Wedding Crashers.  John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey, a pair of committed womanizers who sneak into weddings to take advantage of all the romance that’s in the air, find themselves at odds with one another when John meets and falls for Claire Cleary.  It successfully manages to be both raunchy and sweet, and features top-notch comic performances from Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.

Those are top 10 picks but what are yours?  Let us know if we’ve missed some off that you think should be included!

Your wedding is a celebration of your love for each other as a couple and a huge day for the two of you.  However, it’s not just about that – it’s also an excuse to throw an amazing party that absolutely everyone enjoys and talks about for years! With this in mind we’ve come up with a few tips for making sure all your guests get truly involved and you really ramp up the fun.

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Keep the ceremony short

The ceremony is obviously a hugely important part of the proceedings, and adds to the theatre of the occasion – but your guests, many of whom will have travelled a long way, want to spend time with you, not watching you.  Aim for a ceremony of around 30 minutes (not including entrances and exits) and nobody will feel the time is dragging.
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Make sure you greet every guest

This might strike you as obvious but it actually takes a conscious effort to accomplish – the day and night will pass in a blur and it’s all too easy to get caught up in events.  Every so often during the course of the celebrations you have to mentally step back and ask yourself “who haven’t I talked to yet?”  Whether it’s chatting over a drink, visiting their table of circulating on the dance floor, you must make every individual feel personally welcome and appreciated.
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Don’t let the speeches drag on

Speeches are an essential part of the proceedings and add to the fun – provided you don’t let people go on and on!  Keep the toasts brief too, upto 10 minutes for each should suffice.
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Be smart with the music

You and your partner have your own musical tastes, and you want the occasion to reflect your unique personalities, but you also have to consider your guests.  Heavy rock might be your thing but that probably won’t be appropriated early on when people are chatting over cocktails.  Likewise, if you have a penchant for soft jazz that’s not going to get people up and dancing.

The best way to encourage your guests to strut their stuff is to play the songs they actually want to hear!  Arrange for your DJ to make an announcement that they'll be taking requests, then watch the dance floor fill up as the favourite tunes just keep on coming!
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Get social media savvy

Use a Wedding App or Hashtag to ensure every last moment is captured and shared to best effect.  There are some interactive apps that make it easy for everyone to upload their shots into a single curated location, while others keep your friends and family up on any wedding-related news.  An even better idea is to create a crafty hashtag and ask guests to tag all of their photos using it.
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Get the seating sorted

Put some serious thought into how best to group people so that everyone gets along.  Try to create a seating plan so that people with shared interests, similar ages or well matched personalities are next to each other.  Likewise, if you know certain characters are unlikely to gel make sure you seat them well apart!  Then have a very clear seating plan so it’s easy for people to see where they are supposed to go.
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Don’t let the bar break the bank

If you have a budget for the drinks keep things simple by just offering beer and wine, possibly with a couple of signature cocktails.  This will keep the costs down and speed up the service.  As far as cocktails are concerned don’t go for anything too way out (or lethal!) – try to pick ones that will appeal to almost everyone, like mojitos or margaritas.
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Late-night nosh

Your guests have been well fed earlier in the day but it’s surprising how peckish people can get after a few hours of drinking and dancing.   If you want to revive your revellers you could serve anything from mini burgers and fries to coffee and donuts, tacos and nachos to samosas and bhajis.   Just keep the potions bite-sized - big enough to satisfy without having to use any utensils.
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Come to our Wedding Fayre in January

It’s a great way to pick up more great ideas and see what the latest trends are for 2017.  We’ve assembled a collection of the very best wedding suppliers from the local area and they have a wealth of experience and inspiration to share with you.

Our super talented Head Chef Alan Jones and the Front of House team will have a great spread of goodies for you to sample - but be sure to get there early to make the most of all the treats.

You can also explore our wonderful wedding venue, see example wedding breakfast setups, view the different public rooms, discover the wonderful selection of individually designed bedrooms and benefit from a host of special offers on the day.

Our Wedding Fayre is being held on Sunday 23rd April 11am – 3pm.