Planning Your Engagement, Wedding or Anniversary Party!

Well, firstly, CONGRATULATIONS!!You should ensure that your venue is suitably
Engagements & Anniversariesdecorated to continue your theme, and there is a
You're on the way to Wedded bliss, or areplethora of ways in which to do this. From
celebrating having done the hard work of gettingmagnificent Balloon Arches and Ice Sculptures to
married, so what better reason to celebrate yourFloral Decorations and Favours, there are many many
nuptials than throwing a Party for all your closestways of decorating your venue to your taste. Don't
friends and family!forget that there are Venue Decorators who can
Firstly, decide on who to invite so that you canbook everything for you, giving you one less thing to
organise entertainments that are appropriate; if youworry about!
are inviting children do ensure that there are suitableThe food you choose to provide will also add to the
facilities to keep them entertained. A circus act suchatmosphere of your Reception; do you wish to have
as a clown or a juggler would keep them amused!a formal A La Carte sit down meal, or a more
Select your choice of entertainment for the adults;relaxed Buffet style supper, or indeed both - one for
such as a live band, disco or karaoke. Remember todaytime and one for the evening? Also consider
send invites out as soon as possible to ensure thatwhether you need to hire additional linens, crockery,
more guests are able to book your do into theircutlery or glassware. You will need to ensure that
diaries. Book a local hall, function room or restaurantthere are drinks available for everyone; alcoholic
and a caterer and bar.beverages can be supplied by a Mobile Bar if your
For your Engagement party, there is no need to govenue doesn't provide one. Don't forget soft drinks
wild with a massive do, as you will need to be savingfor children and designated drivers; you could even
up for your Wedding, and don't forget your Stag orprovide a Mobile Juice Bar to really impress the kids!
Hen parties too. Your Anniversaries should beWhen choosing your Wedding Cake you will need to
celebrated as often as possible in our eyes!decide whether you wish to serve it as a dessert.
Stag & HenThere are many options available as well as the
This is where the fun is! Your Stag or Hen party cantraditional fruit cake, including chocolate cakes,
be as wild, or indeed as tame, as you like. There arecroquembouches (traditional French profiterole
a massive range of activities available, from Bungeetowers) and chocolate fountains.
Jumping, Paint-balling and Driving Adventures throughContinue your theme by your choice of
to relaxing Pamper Days. Don't be alarmed by theEntertainment. Organise a Crèche for the little
vast array of 18+ gifts that you will undoubtedlyones so that Mums and Dads can enjoy your big day
receive from friends, and do join in the fun bytoo. Whilst you're eating consider having some
wearing L-plates, personalised printed T-shirts or giantbackground music - a soloist, or duet such as harpists
chicken outfits so that everyone knows who you allor pipers can create a beautiful ambience without
are! This party, whether it be an evening out in yourbeing too intrusive. Wandering Entertainers are a
local town or a weekend in a European Capital, isbrilliant way of keeping guests entertained during a
your chance to let your hair down and do what youlull, for example between the day and evening
really want to do. If you are bewildered by theentertainment, whilst the bride and groom get
choices available, contact a Party Organiser who canchanged or during the meal.
help you narrow down your options to findChoose from many many options including
something suitable.caricaturists, hypnotists, mind readers, look-a-likes,
Weddingmagicians, stilt-walkers, fire-eaters, or even tarot or
This should be your dream day to be fondlypsychic readers. In the evening, remember that you
remembered for the rest of your life, so ensure thatwill be pretty busy chatting to guests, but don't let
you don't settle for second best. Select a venue (ifthat take over. Make sure that some time is spent
you wish to have a civil ceremony and reception inwith your new spouse, not just the first dance!
the same place, check that the venue is Licensed forChoose a suitable entertainment such a Country
Civil Ceremonies). For your reception party, the& Western or Celilidh Band to get guests
choice is endless. It's up to you whether you choosedancing. Remember that if you are having live
to celebrate your Wedding on a Riverboat cruiseperformers, they will require a rest from singing or
with 50 handpicked companions or hire out theplaying so you may need a Disco to play all your
worlds biggest Hotel and invite everyone you havefavourite classic records or another form of
ever met. Marquees are used more and moreentertainment to fill in the interim periods. Jazz or
frequently; long gone are the days of ratty old smellyBlues bands are frequently booked to add to
tents used by the Scouts, options now include aatmosphere, and Tribute or Original Bands are brilliant
varied assortment of colours and styles, lighting, withfor die-hard music fans. Why not draw the evening
optional furniture, stages and dance-floors. Don'tto an end with an impressive firework or laser
forget portable toilets!display?
If your Ceremony and Reception are in differentYour Wedding Night suite; if your Reception is at a
venues, you will need to decide on transportHotel, do ask to see if you can book the Bridal Suite
between the two for yourselves and your guests.and see if they will allow you to book rooms for
You may wish to use the same vehicle that tookyour Guests. You may wish to add Guest
you to your ceremony, for example a horse &Accommodation details, such as local hotels and
carriage, vintage car or limousine. You may also wishB&B's to your Wedding Invitations. If you are
to consider hiring taxi's, a mini bus or a coach to ferryspending your Wedding Night away from your
your bridesmaids, close family members and elderlyreception, you will need to have booked suitable
or disabled guests.transport, and have contact details of local taxi firms
Capture the day professionally; good photographsavailable for your Guests.
and videos may seem expensive but are somethingConsider booking a Toastmaster. As well as adding
that you really will treasure for years to come. Andsome glamour to your day, your Toastmaster is also
just incase, get Insurance. This doesn't cover you ifan invaluable source of Wedding Etiquette will help
your spouse fails to show, but can save the day ifwith speech writing and will make the day run
one of your suppliers goes bust in the run up to yoursmoothly. If it all looks too daunting, book a Wedding
big day...Planner! These guys are brilliant and most will do as
The theme of your Wedding is initially shown to yourlittle or as much as you require.
guests by your choice of invites and other stationery.