Wedding Cake Ideas
Wedding Photography Ideas
We love when you capture that amazingly perfect wedding photo!
We’ve put together some of the greatest pre- and post-ceremony photos shot by our very talented wedding photographers. Enjoy!
If you’ve fallen in love with any of these photos and want to know more about the photographer, please do not hesitate to contact us here or call us on (0034) 653 642 208
Pre-ceremony photos
Post-ceremony photos
SHE SAID YES!
SHE SAID YES!
Congratulations, you’re getting married!
There is so much to think about when planning a wedding,
in fact you might be wondering “Where do I start?”
There are a few basic steps that are essential to follow to ensure you’re heading on the road to being a happy and stress free bride rather than the dreaded ‘Bridezilla’ or equally a ‘Groomzilla’.
Just follow these 6 simple steps and you’ll be well on the way to wedded bliss!
STEP 1 – Wedding Style
Imagine how you want your wedding to be:
- Formal or Informal
- Religious or Civil
- Location – Local, countryside or abroad
- Climate – Hot or cold
- Size – How big do you want your day to be and who do you want (and not want) to be there
- Wedding party – Best man & Bridesmaids etc. How many and who?
STEP 2 – Set a Budget
This is a vitally important factor, you need to be realistic as to how much you want or, most importantly, can afford to spend on your wedding day. Calculate how much you can save, and if applicable, how much family members will be willing to contribute – then stick to that calculation.
STEP 3 – Location
The location of your wedding will be a determining factor as to how many guests will be attending.
Weddings abroad can cost as little as ½ of a wedding in the UK, so it’s important to research various locations that will fit into your budget and style of wedding.
STEP 4 – Legal requirements
Find out exactly what paperwork will you need and how long will it take to obtain and process.
STEP 5 – Set a date
When setting the date remember to take into account any local holidays and special events, as these are factors which might increase the price of venues, hotels or flights.
Always check family and friends’ schedules to ensure they can all attend.
STEP 6 – Consult a Wedding Planner
Before you go ahead with planning any aspect of your special day invest some time to meet with a wedding planner from the area you are looking to get married in.
Choosing a wedding planner could save you lots of time, money and stress when planning your perfect day and may be more affordable than you imagine.
Bernadette Garside
Contact me today for a free consultation or advice on planning your big day
Tel Nº: (0034) 653 642 208
Email : info@perfectweddingcompany.com
10 wedding day bridal beauty don’ts
10 wedding day bridal beauty don’ts
1. Don’t eat or drink food and beverages that stain your teeth on your wedding day.
Avoid any teeth staining food and drinks such as red wine and red berries. You don’t want the stains ruining your pearly whites on your wedding day photos.
2. Don’t tan or spray tan.Although many of us love a sun kissed glow to our face and body, having a very dark tan can look unnatural on wedding photos. Even worse is burnt or post burnt peeling skin or unsightly white strap marks.
Spray tans are also a very precarious arena to enter into for a wedding day look. Of course it all depends on your taste, but remember, a spray tan gone wrong is very hard to fix.
If you’re looking for that all over face and body glow, why not try daily body moisturizers with subtle gradual self-tanners such as Dove.
3. Don’t change your skin-care program, medication routine or washing detergent etc; less than 8 weeks before the wedding.
You don’t know how your skin is going to react to new treatments, so avoid any type of changes to your body
routine in the months leading up to the big day.
4. Don’t have any beauty treatments within 1 week before the wedding.
Eye brow waxing, facials, teeth whitening, haircuts or colors and any other similar beauty treatmentsshould all be done at least 1 week before the wedding to give you time to correct any minor mishaps.
5. Don’t ingest salt (sodium) in the days before the wedding.
Sodium holds 50 times its weight in water so avoid foods with lots of sodium such as salty meats, dressings or sauces at least 7 days before the wedding. Also avoid adding salt to your food. You could drop around 1 to 2 kilos with this small change in your diet.
6. Don’t wear a bra with straps the morning of your wedding.
Avoid the pink indents on your skin by wearing loose clothing and a strapless bra or even no bra at all, the morning of the wedding.
7. Don’t forget to drink lots of water!Drinks lots of water weeks before the big day to keep your skin clear and glowing. On the day, ensure that you drink lots of water between each alcoholic drink to avoid getting too tipsy!
8. Don’t forget your beauty SOS kit.
Ensure you have to hand while you’re getting ready some double-sided sticky tape, different sized safety pins, packet of tissues, a small sewing kit, small scissors, a bleach pen, blotting papers, chewing gum or mints, razor, plasters, tampons, deodorant, nail polish remover, hair spray, nail clipper, emery board, clear nail polish, makeup remover wipes, gel foot cushions, and anything else you feel you may need on the day.
You probably have most of what you need at home, but buy in what you don’t. It won’t go to waste even if you don’t use it on the day and it may even save a wedding day disaster and the stress which goes along with it.
9. Don’t forget to touch up your make-up.
Let your hair down and have a great time by all means, but don’t forget to take moments out for yourself to head to the bathroom and touch up your make-up. There will be lots of pictures taken of you all day and way on into the evening and you want to look your best.
10. Don’t forget to practice how to wipe away those tear correctly!
Avoid the tears from running down your face and washing away your beautiful make up by pressing a tissue into the tear duct of each eye and let the tears roll into it.
For more make up and wedding advice, please feel free to contact me!
Bernadette Garside
Phone: (0034) 653 642 208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Same-sex marriage in Spain
Same-sex marriage in Spain
Same-sex marriage in Spain was legalized on the 3rd of July 2005 by the social democratic government led by President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
It followed in the footsteps of the Netherlands and Belgium making it the third country in the world to recognize same sex marriages. Although the ratification of this law came up against some criticism, 66% of the population were in favor, along with the King of Spain who gave his Royal Assent.
Under Spanish law, the country’s same-sex marriage law permits a Spanish citizen to marry a non-Spaniard irrespective of whether the partnership is recognized in that persons homeland.
In order to marry, at least one partner must be a Spanish citizen. However, two non-Spanish citizens can legally marry if they both have legal residence in Spain.Unfortunately, two non-resident foreigners cannot legally marry in Spain.
There is fear however, that Rajoy and his conservative Popular Party could pose a serious threat to the nation’s same-sex marriage legislation.
Rajoy has said “he supports civil unions for same-sex couples, but does not think they should be called marriages”.
The Popular Party has lodged an appeal against the nation’s 2005 law allowing gay marriage in the Constitutional Court.
This has caused a rapid increase of same sex marriages in Spain due to fear of the legislation being changed.
Gay marriage is recognized in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Sweden.
It’s also recognized in some states of the USA, Brazil and Mexico.
Civil unions and registered partnerships are recognized in Andorra, Austria, Brazil, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay and some states of Australia, Mexico, United States and Venezuela.
Why choose Gran Canaria for your Same Sex Wedding?
Gran Canaria is perfectly placed as the ideal location for a same sex union abroad. The island is renowned for its liberal, open-minded attitude towards the gay & lesbian community and the vibrant gay tourism sector on the island has flourished as a direct result of this. The cosmopolitan and wide reaching gay communities and social scene, coupled with the blissful year-round sunny weather, make Gran Canaria the perfect choice for a same sex wedding ceremony.
You will also find apartment complexes, bars, restaurants and beaches in Gran Canaria, which are focused around the gay and lesbian community.
There are two options for a Same Sex Wedding in Gran Canaria:
1) A Legal Civil Partnership/Same Sex Marriage
If you cover all the previously mentioned requirements to legally marry in Spain, a legal civil ceremony conducted at the Civil Registry Office or Town Hall can be arranged.
Requests can also be made for authorized Town Hall personnel to conduct ceremonies in establishments other than the town hall buildings.
2) A Blessing after a Civil Partnership or Marriage Ceremony
A blessing is a short ceremony that takes place after a legal civil partnership or same sex marriage ceremony, which would take place here or your country of origin.
Unlike a ‘gay marriage’ or civil partnership, a blessing is not legally binding; it’s a way of publically symbolizing your commitment to one another.
Many people view a blessing ceremony as their ‘actual wedding’, as this is the moment they express their love and union to one another in front of their family and friends.
Why choose a Blessing Ceremony?
You would choose a blessing ceremony in Gran Canaria if you or your partner are not Spanish citizens or are non-residents of Spain, but would like to hold your wedding ceremony on the island. A blessing ceremony is the perfect way to introduce a spiritual or religious element to your celebrations after a legal civil ceremony. Blessings in Gran Canaria can also be conducted in a multitude of venues, from onboard luxury yachts, to country hotels, private villas, or even overlooking a white-sand beach, giving you flexibility and endless options.If you are looking to express your love and commitment to one another in an open-minded and non-judgmental environment, with sunshine, beautiful beaches, stunning local scenery and a rich local culture alongside, Gran Canaria is the perfect choice for your same sex wedding abroad.
If you would like more information regarding same sex ceremonies in Gran Canaria then please contact me on the following email and I would be more than happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
Bernadette Garside
Phone: (0034) 653 642 208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Wedding Guest List – Survival Guide
Wedding Guest List – Survival Guide
The wedding guest list can become one of the biggest areas of stress for a bride and groom when planning their wedding.
It can also cause unnecessary friction between family and friends, causing upsets and strained relationships as a result.
Choosing your wedding guest list is something a wedding planner can’t do for you, although we can certainly offer you advice. Check out my tried and trusted survival tips that will help you come out of the whole process unscathed and with a smile on your face.
How do I cut my wedding guest list without feeling guilty?
Most of us would love to invite everyone we know to our wedding to share this joyous occasion with us. However for the majority of bride and grooms, this isn’t realistic.
How do you cut down your 200 wedding guest list into you 100 guest budget?
Firstly, sit together with your fiancé and organize your guests into 2 groups, the “Must haves” (group A), who are family and friends that must come to the wedding and the remaining guests into “The not so must haves” (group B).
Begin to make your way through group B asking the following questions, ‘How close are we to this person?’ ‘When was the last time we saw them?’ and ‘Would their attendance to our wedding affect our enjoyment of our big day?’
Once you have honestly answered these questions, move onto the next area.
Maybe you could consider, making the wedding adults only, asking your parents to limit the amount of their personal invites (unless your parents are contributing to the bill), limit the amount of work colleagues or business associates you invite, and invite single people without a guest. Leave off distant relatives you can hardly ever see, the same should go for old school and university friends.Also don’t feel pressured to invite people to your wedding because you were invited to theirs.
They had their reasons and possibly the budget to be able to do that, you don’t.
How do I let people know children are not invited to the wedding?
Although some parents would jump at the chance of having a day or evening out without the children, some might be offended or unable to attend without them. Understanding needs to be on both sides here.
It is also quite common for bride & grooms to only allow the children closely related to them to attend the wedding; if this is the case you must explain that to your other guests instead of saying no children are allowed.
Here are some methods you can use to transmit the right message effectively.
Tell your wedding party, parents, close family and friends what the situation is and ask them to spread the word.
Writing on the invite “adults only” is not an option, but stating clearly on the invite who is invited is. According to wedding etiquette, the names of the people on the invite are the only people invited to the occasion (i.e., Mr & Mrs John Smith).
If you state on the invite “Mr & Mrs John Smith and family” it generally means the children are invited too. I would recommend however, that the name of each person be stated on the invitation individually, so its meaning is not open to interpretation by the guest and will not encourage them to invite family members other than those stipulated.In the event that you do have an RSVP for more than you invited, then it’s acceptable to make a polite call to them, explaining that the number of guests you invite is restricted due to budget constraints.
Try not to make exceptions. Other families will probably notice and might take offence.
Should I allow single friends to bring a guest or date?
Of course it is only polite to enable single people to bring a guest to your wedding so they don’t feel uncomfortable in the event they don’t know anybody. However, if your budget won’t permit this luxury you can take each situation on a case by case basis.
If any of your close family or friends are unmarried but in long term relationships, you might want to add their partner to the guest list.
You can then invite your single friends and explain your budget constraints to them – good friends will understand. Equally, if the invite is declined due to the financial constraints of coming alone, and not sharing accommodation or transport costs etc, then you must also understand.
What if invited guests don’t RSVP?
Never assume guests are not coming if you don’t receive their RSVP. I know it can be a little time consuming for you, but call or drop them an email to double check.
It could be that the RSVP got lost in the post, or they thought they had replied but hadn’t. They may have even verbally confirmed their assistance with your fiancé or a family member who forgot to let you know.
It’s always better to be sure exactly who is turning up on your wedding day, than for people to turn up and face the embarrassment of not being catered for.
How far in advance should I send invites to guests?
The general rule is that invites should go out four to six weeks before the wedding. I however find this a little bit last minute for people to prepare so I’m a big fan of sending out a “Save the Date” invites or email up to one year in advance, especially if you’re having a destination wedding or inviting guests from far away to your local wedding.You want to make sure they don’t book anything else around that date which causes them to miss your wedding. So in addition, you can then send the invites out approximately 2 months before the actual wedding date.
Remember to be polite and understanding when transmitting any message that you feel might offend.
Also don’t forget that it is your wedding, so stand your ground on your decisions and don’t be swayed by difficult guests who try to persuade you otherwise.
Hopefully we’ve covered the main guest list issues you may have. If however, you want more advice or information on how to organize your guest list or any other aspect of your wedding
don’t hesitate to contact us on the email or telephone number below.
Bernadette Garside
Phone: (0034) 653 642 208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Destination Weddings – 13 Top Tips
Destination Weddings – 13 Top Tips
Organizing a destination wedding, blessing or renewal of vows ceremony can be much more complicated than organizing an event in your local area. Here are a few tips that can help you along to ensure your day runs as smoothly as possible.
1 – Get Help
If you haven’t already, check out the local wedding planners to see what services and packages they offer.
Organizing a wedding in your local area can be daunting enough but in a different country can be a minefield.
A Wedding Planner will shoulder the burden of researching, interviewing, and securing local suppliers especially if the said suppliers do not speak your language. They are also the behind-the-scenes fairy godmother, vetting special requests such as hair and beauty, dry cleaners, and so on.
They also get everyone where they need to be on time and ensure that you have a “go to” person to send your guests when all the itinerary queries get a little too much.
2 – Itinerary
Unlike a wedding in your local area, guests are dependent on you once they reach the destination. Create an itinerary of pre and post wedding events along with an itinerary of the day, important contact numbers and addresses. This will avoid them asking you when & where they need to be and will help them in the event they get lost or delayed.
3 – Pre-wedding visit
You’ll need to take a trip to the destination to visit local venues and suppliers such as the church, reception venue, hotels for you and your guests, rehearsal dinner venue and local suppliers such as florists, photographers and hair and beauty salons.
Food tastings and hair and beauty trials can be organized in this trip or a second trip may need to be made depending on the size and complexity of the wedding and the arrangements. You can also take advantage of organizing activities (golf, spas and excursions) for everyone while they are in the destination.
4 – Supplier checks
If you’re hiring a supplier without any experience of their work, ask for a portfolio of pictures and references from previous clients who held a similar event as yours.
5 – Build up a relationship with your suppliers
Building a relationship with your suppliers is paramount. They are not local businesses that you can pop in and see whenever you wish, so stay in contact with them as much as possible with updates and thank you emails or calls.
A little goes a long way; the level of service they offer you can make or break your wedding day so building a rapport can help you deal easier with any issues that may occur or even help you negotiate little extras.
6 – Bring your own professionals
Don’t be afraid to fly in your own pros for important aspects of your day such as hair, makeup and photography.
7 – Inform guests of the destination
Before you invite your guests to join you on your very special day, give them a well informed explanation of your destination of choice to enable them to politely decline should finances be tight. Gran Canaria is great destination for your wedding, blessing or renewal of vows. Flights and accommodation are available to accommodate all budgets and tastes. It’s a great holiday destination, enabling your gues
ts to combine your wedding with a fantastic holiday for all the family. It’s only 4 hours from most European countries and it’s known for its all year round sunshine, making it the perfect winter and summer wedding destination.
8 – Be realistic
Try not to be too upset if some of your closest friends or family cannot attend. Although you are footing the bill for the wedding, the cost of travel, accommodation and car rental costs can mount up. Your chosen destination might be the perfect holiday for you; but it may not be the type of holiday that they want to take.
9 – Dress to impress not stress!
Take into account the climate when choosing that perfect wedding dress. Choosing a satin ball gown to get married in the summer sun may have you more stressed than impressed.
Check out the average temperature and weather conditions for the chosen month in the local town where you plan to get married. Remember, temperatures can vary from resort to resort so don’t just take the temperature rating for the capital of the country if you’re to marry in a totally different area.
10 – Relax & enjoy!
One advantage of marrying on an island or in a tropical destination is its relaxed and laid back atmosphere.
Keep an open mind on slight punctuality differences and minor mishaps; they can even make for some of the best memories.
Also take into account that supplies available on islands can be limited so slight differences in the products you order may occur. Flowers are a great example of this; their availability differs from season to season.
11 – Packing your suitcase!
Be sure to pack lots of strapless tops if you’re wearing a strapless dress or wedding gown and slap on the suntan cream. You would be surprised how much you can catch the sun by just walking to the local supermarket in the
morning. You don’t want noticeable strap marks or post sun burnt peeling skin on your wedding pictures.
Also don’t forget to leave ample room for your wedding gown and contact your airline to get advice as to how your gown will be transported so you can pack it accordingly. It’s very disappointing to get to the check in desk carrying your perfect wedding dress only to find that it needs to be checked in with your suitcases or will be thrown in the overhead compartment with other passengers bags.
Always pre arrange for your wedding dress to be steam when arriving at your resort, 9 times out of 10 it will get slightly creased in transit no matter how much care you take.
12 – Wedding gifts
Organize for all wedding gifts are sent directly to your home address. If you do happen to have some gifts brought to the destination, arrange for family and friends to take them home with them to keep until you come back from your honeymoon. Alternatively pack an extra bag to bring them home yourself just in case.
13 – Welcome Your Guests
It can be customary to leave a wedding basket of destination essentials for your guests that have travelled a long way to share your special day with you. It can include samples of local cuisine or artisan goods, sun cream, local wines or spirits and can be adapted to your own budget. Coupled with a thank you note, it’s a lovely way to show your appreciation to your guests for taking the time and effort to come and stand alongside you on such a memorable day in your life.
If you’re interested in Gran Canaria for your perfect destination wedding, blessing or renewal of vows ceremony,
contact me, I’m more than happy to answer any questions or queries no matter how large
or small.
Bernadette Garside
Civil Ceremonies – The legal paperwork
In a former blogpost on “How to get married in Gran Canaria”, we explained that in order to legally marry in Gran Canaria via a Civil Ceremony, one or both of you need to be a resident on the island.
I’m now going to go into greater detail as to the legal paperwork required in order to go about this.As we have a multi-national readership we’re going to cover all nationalities as the necessary paperwork varies between countries.
If you follow this step by step guide, organizing the paperwork for your Canarian wedding isn’t as daunting as what you might initially think.
First you need to make an appointment to transmit all the necessary paperwork at the Civil Registry Office in your borough. They will give you a list of all the paperwork you need to bring to the appointment with you. It’s important you collect this list from them as processes and requirements may change from year to year.
As the appointment can take between 2 to 3 months to take place, it is advisable to make the appointment first and then prepare all the necessary paperwork.
Appointments can be made at the Civil Registry offices by calling between 09.00h and 13.00h Monday to Friday.It’s also important to remember that Spanish is spoken in all official offices on the island so if you do not speak Spanish you are required to take a translator along with you.
If all the paperwork is correct by the date of your appointment, it takes around one month to receive the authorization to marry.
Once receiving the paperwork, it is then valid for up to
6 months so bear this in mind when setting a wedding date.
Citizens of France, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Italy, Portugal, Holland, Dutch Antilles, Switzerland and Turkey need to present:
1) Certificate of capacity to marry from your country
of origin (according to the Munich signed agreement 5 of September 1980), you can contact your consulate for more
information regarding this document.
2) An International Birth Certificate or an original Birth Certificate in its own language with the Hague Apostille Stamp and a legal translation into Spanish.
3) A Certificate of registration on the electoral role in your borough (municipio) “Certificado de Empadronamiento” in Gran Canaria.
4) The original and photocopy of your passport.
For citizens of other countries including the UK and Ireland you need a few more documents:
1) The original legalized and translated Birth Certificate (issued within one year of the wedding date).
2) A Certificate of being on the electoral role in Gran Canaria for at least 2 years, or a Consulate Certificate accrediting your residency for the last 2 years whether in Spain or another country. At least one of the couple wishing to marry must be registered on the electoral role here in the borough where they wish to marry and this must be proven with a “Certificado de Empadronamiento”.
3) A Consular Certificate accrediting the publication of the EDICTS (proclamations/bands) of civil marriage in Spain (if this applies to the law in your country).
4) A Certificate of marital status, applied for via your consulate or the appropriate authorities in your country.
5) The original and photocopy of your passport and residents certificate (the green A4 paper or the older plastic ID card).
6) A witness with their original and photocopy of their passport, DNI or residents certificate.
7) If you are divorced you need your legalized and translated marriage and divorce certificates.
8) If you are a widow, you need your legalized and translated marriage certificate and partners’ death certificate.
It’s important to remember that all the documentation that is not in Spanish needs to be translated by a “Traductor Jurado Oficial” (Official Sworn Translator) and legally authorized by the corresponding authorities.
More information can also be obtained from your corresponding embassy or consulate or visit our website www.perfectweddingcompany.com
If you have a Wedding Planner, they will help you with all your paperwork, the legalization and the official translation of all documents.
Gran Canaria is such a beautiful island to get married on. It’s well worth taking the time to organize the legal paperwork and celebrate your special day with your family and friends in
this magical place!
CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICES
San Bartolomé de Tirajana – 928 72 32 18
Las Palmas – 928 32 53 89
Telde – 928 13 87 38
If you have any questions or want more information about weddings abroad, please do not hesitate to contact us, we love to talk weddings!
Bernadette Garside
Phone: (0034) 653 642 208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
How to get married in Gran Canaria
If you’re thinking about getting married in Gran Canaria, you’re probably thinking ‘How exactly do we go
about this?’
Let us explain…
Non-Residents
There are two options available to non-residents in Gran Canaria; one is to be legally married via the Catholic Church and the other is in the form of a blessing, which would follow-on after a civil ceremony back in your home country.
Legal marriage via the Catholic Church
- One of the couple must be of the Catholic faith.
- Both persons must not have been married previously.
- If you choose this option you will need to arrange a meeting with your local Parish Priest, a minimum of 6 months prior to your preferred wedding date.
- Relate your plans to your Parish Priest; he will then forward the relevant information to your local Diocese.
- This information will then be transferred to the Diocese here in Gran Canaria.
Religious Ceremony (blessing) in Gran Canaria
- In most cases a small civil ceremony service is conducted in the couple’s home country, often with only 2 witnesses.
- A religious or spiritual ceremony is then conducted in Gran Canaria and is considered as the actual wedding day by all involved.
- There are many advantages to choosing this option; in particular, your legal paperwork will be in English. This avoids translation and legalization issues.
- This tends to be the preferred option, as it allows the couple to tailor-make their wedding ceremony, location and overall theme. It offers you and your guests the utmost in flexibility and allows you to create the wedding of your dreams. It is also generally viewed by the wedding couple and their guests as their ‘true wedding day’, the one which they will remember for years to come.
Residents
If one of you is a resident here in the Canaries you can legally marry here via the civil registry office or town hall. We’ll be entering into this in more detail in the next edition of the Canary News.
Same sex marriages are also legal on the island. As with heterosexual marriages one of you needs to be a resident. If not, a spiritual union can be organized following a civil ceremony in your own country.
Your wedding ceremony is going to be one of the many highlights of your day so finding the best option for you is vital.
We can help you with all the paperworks and we will be guiding you through the process. If you have any questions or if you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Wedding Speeches – Survival Guide
Public speaking is one of the number one fears in a person’s life. If you’re one of those people then fear not, you’re not alone.Even famous public speakers get butterflies in their stomach before speaking in front of a crowd.
Anyone that has previously made a wedding speech, may remember the nerves leading up to the speeches, and the feeling of wanting it all to be over so you can get on and
enjoy the day.
Here are some helpful tips to combat those pre-wedding speech nerves, that will help you enjoy the whole day, and at the same time deliver an outstanding speech.
Before the Wedding
Practice the speech at least 5-7 times before the wedding.
Start by writing it down word for word, and then practice reading it out loud at least 2-3 times in front of a friend or a mirror.
Then make small index cards and write down all the keywords you will need to help you remember the speech.
For example if you want to tell a story of when your daughter was born, you could write the word “birth” on the index card. That word should then help you remember the whole story.
Using this method you will only need to write down around 5 to 8 words in order to remember a speech that is 5 to 8 minutes long.
Then practice the speech with the index cards another 2-3 times in front of your friend or a mirror.
On the wedding day, it should be enough to practice only once in the morning with the index cards and then you should be good to go.
How to overcome the nervousness
Whether you are standing at a table or up on a stage; stand straight with equal weight on both feet.
Look around at all the guests and establish eye contact before you start. This will display confidence.
If you’re prone to shaky knees then lean onto a table or hold onto something, but don’t sit down. By standing you show the newlyweds your respect and you make yourself visible to the guests.
If shaky hands are an issue, then keep them behind your back, leaving the index cards on the table where you can see them. You can also try and hold on to something.
If you are very nervous, then you can also try being forthright and tell the guests. You might say something like “I’m not used to public speaking, so please bear with me”.
As most people are afraid of public speaking they will understand.
Opener
The beginning of your speech is when people are focusing on you and really hearing what you say. A good speech has a good opening and a good closing.
Begin by introducing yourself. Then follow your introduction with something interesting or funny, whatever suits your style.
Middle
In the middle of the speech you could tell a nice or funny story about the couple. Keep it short and straight to the point though, excluding unnecessary explanations; this way you
keep their attention at all times. Try to keep it between 3 to 4 minutes long.
Closing
Most wedding speeches are closed by raising your glass to toast the happy couple and wish them the very best for the future.
You could also try to be a bit different and read them a poem or a famous quote.
If you’re still struggling, here are some tips of what to put in your speech according to your role in the wedding party.
Master of Ceremony
Their job is to call for the guest’s attention and either introduces each speaker in turn or just the first speaker
The Bride’s Father.
They will also finalize the wedding speeches by encouraging the guests to enjoy the rest of the evening.
The Bride’s Father
A bride’s father would say how proud he is of his daughter and welcome his new son-in-law and the groom’s parents to his family. He would then give some advice and well wishes to the couple.
The speech would be finished off by proposing a toast to the happy couple.
The Groom
The groom traditionally speaks next. He would thank the guests for their attendance and also thank the bride’s parents for giving him their daughter in marriage.
He would then go on to compliment the bride and pay tribute to his own parents.
Then acknowledgement would be made to everyone that had helped with the wedding arrangements, along with the best man.
Finally he would propose a toast to the bridesmaids, complimenting them and recognizing their help and support throughout the wedding.
The Bride
Although the bride is not expected to make a speech, she may choose to say a few words now if she wishes to do so.
The Best Man
Officially, his duty is to reply on behalf of the bridesmaids.
He would thank the groom for making him best man at his wedding and also say a nice compliment of appreciation to the bridesmaids.
This would then lead into an informal speech about the bride and groom, adding in some nice or funny stories.
If there are additional speeches or toasts to be made, they are done so at this time.
When delivering a speech at a wedding it’s important to remember most of the guests will be your family or friends, and in some cases know you very well.
They are not there to judge you, so try to relax and enjoy the special occasion.
If you would like any help or advice on any aspect of organizing your wedding, then please do not hesitate to contact me on the email below and I would be more than happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
Bernadette Garside
Phone: (0034) 653 642 208
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Wedding Day Hair Styling Tips
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and a day that you are sure to be centre of attention. Everyone will be looking at you and the photographs will be everlasting memories, so you want to ensure you look your very best.
Your chosen hairstyle will complete your whole look, so investing time into creating the right style is just as important as shopping for the perfect dress.
Start with ensuring your hair is in it’s best possible condition. If you don’t already, start to use a good shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair a few months before the day.
This also gives you a chance to test the hair products in advance; you don’t want anallergic reaction on the day.
If you colour your hair, then have it topped up 2 weeks before your wedding day to ensure all roots are concealed. At the same time you should take the opportunity to have your last final trim. Also, help the hairstylist by washing your hair at
least 24 hours before the time of the wedding; it will enable it to be styled easier.
You should choose your hairstyle before you choose your head dress or veil. Then once your head pieces have been bought, don’t forget to try out the whole look with your stylist.
If you’re opting out of wearing a veil, why not consider decorating your hair with accessories such as tiny flowers, jeweled hairpins, tiny flower studs, headbands, or a tiara. Tiaras are a great choice as they suit both long and short hair. However, subtle decoration is the key, a large head piece or too much decoration will take away the emphasis from your face on photos.Your style should not be too bold or modern unless you really want this. A timeless contemporary style is tried and tested and you won’t have to worry about looking foolish.
If you have short hair, a simple and well polished look worn off the face will suit you best. If you have a fringe, this should be the only hair on your face.
If your dream wedding look requires long hair and you haven’t had time to grow yours, don’t despair, your look can be transformed by adding hair extensions or a hair piece which add volume and length.
If you’re considering wearing your hair up, consider very carefully not to choose a style that will age you. If its pull back too tight, it will show in your face and in the photos. A simple pulled back chignon is much more complimentary for your face and head.The half up, half down look, as worn by Kate Middleton, is very popular at the moment. It can create a softer illusion than wearing it all up.
Be careful not to use too much product in your hair, but none at all can also cause your style to look too loose and messy and may not last the whole day.
Whatever style you choose, ensure it suits your whole look. It needs to compliment your dress, jewelry and veil, not compete or clash with it.
And last but certainly not least, sit back and enjoy your special day knowing that all eyes are on you and you’re looking your finest.
Next week we will be giving you lots of essential make up styling techniques that will finish off the overall look and have you looking spectacular.
For more advice or wedding information, feel free to contact us anytime!
Bernadette Garside
Phone: (0034) 653 642 208
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Beach Weddings in Gran Canaria!
Want a dream beach wedding in Gran Canaria?
Well now you can!
The Government delegate to the Canary Islands has welcomed the idea of weddings on the beaches allowing the islands be sold to tourists as a wedding destination.
Beach weddings have long been a dream on Gran Canaria, that national laws prevented from happening officially.
We have many people enquiring about beach weddings, but until now it simply has not be legally possible, if all goes well we should now be able to offer The Perfect Wedding on the beach in certain areas designated by the local town hall in conjunction with the coastal authorities.
Great news for couples planning to marry here and great news for Gran Canaria
Permission has been sought for years, both by the tourism sector as well as some municipalities of the Islands.
The new Costas act, according to news reports, could make such events now be possible in certain areas, provided that “they have no negative impact on the public domain”.
“To celebrate a wedding on a beach in the Canary Islands would mean needing to apply to the provincial department for demarcation of Costas and the payment of a deposit and a fee for the occupation and utilisation of public property” Bento explained in an audio file released this week.
The Spanish Government’s delegate in the Canary Islands, Maria del Carmen Hernandez Bento, underlined the need to find a balance between such activities and requirements to ensure that the public can freely enjoy the beaches.
Wedding authorizations for a beach wedding would need to have favourable reports from the relevant municipalities and the regional Ministry of Territorial Policy, added Bento.
There are still a lot of items to clarify, and possibly some bureaucratic red tape but in the very near future we hope to be turning many couples dreams into reality on our beautiful beaches.
We can help you with all the paperwork process, holding your hand every step of the way, ensuring your wedding planning and wedding day itself is a stressfree and enjoyable day to remember!
Watch this space and we will keep you abreast of all the latest updates.
Alternatively, we love to talk weddings, so feel free to contact us for more indepth wedding information.
Bernadette Garside
Founder of The Perfect Wedding Company, Gran Canarias Wedding Specialists
Tlf.: (0034) 653 642 208
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Fordele ved et bryllup i udlandet
Da vi arbejder med bryllupsplanlægning, kan man forvente af os at vi selvfølgelig vil reklamere for fordelene ved et bryllup i udlandet.
Men jeg har det usædvanlige privilegium at jeg er førstehåndsvidne til den overvældende bekræftelse at et bryllup i udlandet skaber uforglemmelige minder og ekstraordinære oplevelser, ikke kun for bruden og gommen, men også for deres familie og venner.
Tillad os at forklarer jer hvorfor flere og flere personer vælger at holde deres bryllup i udlandet, og hvorfor de lige netop vælger vores smukke ø som vært til deres unikke dag.
Varmt vejr året rundt
De Kanariske ø’er er kendte for at have det mest favorable klima i verden.
Med solskin året rundt sammensat med den blide atlantiske brise som bruser over øen, er du næsten garanteret at blive velsignet med godt vejr når du holder en udendørs ceremoni og en efterfølgende fest.
Fantastiske billeder
Gran Canaria tilbyder en bred række alternativer af fotografiske muligheder til at tilpasse alle slags stile; strande, hav, havne, hyggelige landsbyer, byer, haver og bjerge.
Det fantastiske vejr, den altid blå himmel og den tætte nærhed af alle disse fantastiske lokationer, både i den nordlige og sydlige del af øen, sikrer jer nogle fantastiske udendørs billeder med levende lys og farve.
Fantastisk “bonding experience” med familie og venner
Der er ikke nogen bedre måde at lære hinanden at kende, end at tage på ferie sammen.
Massere af før- og efterbrylluppet sammenkomster, kombineret med det at være en del af bryllupsdagen, skaber et bånd mellem de to familier som varer en livstid.
Fri drinks i banevis
Her på Gran Canaria er der altid inkluderet en flydende strøm af vin, øl og sodavandsdrikke når man holder en event. Både under velkomst cocktailen og under bryllupsmiddagen.
Noget som vi nordeuropæer ikke er vant til
Det vil med sikkerhed imponerer dine gæster og det er en god måde at takke dem for at rejse så langt for at komme og fejre din specielle dag sammen med dig.
Flere ledige datoer
De fleste par vælger at holde deres bryllup i udlandet på en hverdag, da brudeparret og deres gæster er på ferie. Derfor er der så mange flere datoer at vælge mellem!
Mere økonomisk
Bryllupsservices på Gran Canaria har nogle meget konkurrencedygtige priser uden at sænke kvaliteten. Vi sætter stolthed i at være hjemsted til nogle af de højst respekteret professionelle på bryllupsmarkedet.
Disse var bare et par af de mange grunde til at brude og brudgomme vælger at deres holde bryllup i udlandet.
Hvis du eller en du holder af overvejer at blive gift, vil i altid i være velkomne på Gran Canaria. Alle vores samarbejdspartnere vil byde jer velkommen med åbne arme og vil være stolte af at være med til at gøre jeres drøm til virkelighed.
Vi elsker at snakke om bryllupper så kontakt os gerne! Vi vil med glæde besvarer dine spørgsmål!
Bernadette Garside
Tlf.: (0034) 653 642 208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Religiøs velsignelse
Går i og drømmer om et perfekt bryllup på tropiske Gran Canaria? Vi kan hjælpe jer!
Hos The Perfect Wedding Company kan vi hjælpe jer med at planlægge jeres bryllup og vi sørger for at brylluppet indeholder alt hvad jeres hjerte begærer.
Som dansk statsborger er det dog, desværre, ikke muligt at foretage en legal bryllupsceremoni på Gran Canaria – dvs. at en bryllupsceremoni foretaget i Spanien ikke er gyldig i Danmark.
Men lad endelig ikke dette holde jer fra at få et perfekt drømmebryllup.
Der er nemlig andre muligheder, som er mindst ligeså romantiske!
Få en religiøs bryllupsvelsignelse på Gran Canaria.
Hvad er en religiøs bryllupsvelsignelse? En religiøs bryllupsvelsignelse er et symbol på din og din elskedes kærlighed til hinanden! Det foregår ligesom en rigtig ceremoni
ville, og du har stadig mulighed for at tage din familie, dine gæster, brudepiger og forlover med!
Hvordan fungerer det? I skal inden afrejse til Gran Canaria besøge rådhuset og her skal i foretage de legale aspekter af jeres ægteskab – altså underskrive de nødvendige papirer sådan at i officielt er gift i Danmark.
Herefter kan i rejse til Gran Canaria og få foretaget bryllupsvelsignelsen og fejre jeres bryllupsfest sammen med jeres gæster.
Hvordan foregår den religiøse velsignelse?Bryllupsvelsignelsen kan faktisk foregå præcis som i vil have det! I kan gøre det som en almindelig ceremoni, hvor bruden, omringet af romantiske bryllupstoner bliver ekskorteret til alteret af sin far. Der vil være en præst, som kan tale dansk, til stede og i kan sige ja til hinanden foran det smukke dekoreret alter og derefter holde bryllupsfesten.
Skræddersy din bryllupsvelsignelse så den passer til jeres personlige ønsker!
Det gode ved en bryllupsvelsignelse af alle de mange alternativer! I kan nemlig holde bryllupsvelsignelsen lige hvor det passer jer!
Har du altid drømt om at sige ja til din elskede under palmetræer i en smuk tropisk have? Eller måske drømmer du om at udtrykke din kærlighed med udsigt over en smuk hvid sandstrand? Ligemeget hvordan dit drømmebryllup ser ud, kan vi gøre det til virkelighed!
Udover lokationen, kan i også selv vælge hvordan bryllupsvelsignelsen skal foregå.
I kan vælge at gøre det som en traditionel kirkeceremoni, eller i kan vælge en simpel velsignelse hvor i sammen går op til alteret og synger en salme i kan lide, eller lytter til en romantisk sang som i personligt har valgt.
Alt ved en religiøs bryllupsvelsignelse kan blive skræddersyet, så det ser ud præcist som i gerne vil have det!
Vi elsker desuden at snakke om bryllupper, så kontakt os gerne for mere dybdegående bryllupsinformation!
Bernadette Garside
Tel: (0034) 653642208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Strandbryllupper på Gran Canaria
Drømmer du om et bryllup på en af Gran Canaria’s smukke strande?
Nu har du muligheden for at få dit ønske opfyldt!
Den spanske regerings afdeling på Gran Canaria er nu velkomne overfor ideén om at afholde bryllupper på stranden, så øen også kan blive solgt til turister som en bryllupsdestination.
Strandbryllupper har længe været en drøm på Gran Canaria, men nationale love har forhindret dette fra at ske offentligt.
Vi modtager mange forespørgsler om strandbryllupper, men indtil nu har det simpelthen ikke været muligt. Hvis alt går godt, burde vi snart have muligheden for at tilbyde jer det perfekte bryllup på stranden i diverse områder udpeget af det lokale rådhus i samarbejde med kystmyndighederne.
Gode nyheder for par som planlægger at gifte sig her og gode nyheder for Gran Canaria!
Tilladelse til strandbryllupper er blevet søgt i årevis, både af turistsektoren og af visse kommuner her på øen.
Den nye Costas lov kunne, ifølge nyhedsudseendelser, gøre strandbryllupper muligt, i visse områder, forudsat at det ikke har nogen negativ indvirkning på det offentlige område.
”At holde et strandbryllup på Gran Canaria, ville betyde at man er nødt til at søge om tilladelse hos den afdeling som tager sig af kysterne, og at man skal betale et depositum og et gebyr for besiddelse og anvendelse af offentlig ejendom” forklarer Bento i en lydfil som blev udgivet denne uge.
Den spanske regerings repræsentant, på Gran Canaria, Maria del Carmen Hernandez Bento, understregede behovet for at finde en balance mellem sådanne aktiviteter og krav for at sikre at resten af offentligheden stadig frit kan nyde strandene.
”Tilladelse til et strandbryllup ville kræve favorable rapporter fra relevante kommuner og det regionale Ministerie af Demografisk Politik”, tilføjede Bento.
Der er stadig mange emner at klarlægge, og muligvis også nogle bureaukratisk administrative byrder, men i den nærmeste fremtid håber vi på at opfylde mange par’s drøm på vores smukke strande.
Hos The Perfect Wedding Company kan vi hjælpe jer med alt papirarbejdet, vi holder jeres hånd gennem hvert skridt i processen og sikrer at jeres bryllupsplanlægning og selve bryllupsdagen, bliver en stressfri og behagelig oplevelse.
Se med her på siden, vi vil løbende holde jer opdateret!
Vi elsker desuden at snakke om bryllupper, så kontakt os gerne for mere dybdegående bryllupsinformation!
Bernadette Garside
Grundlægger af The Perfect Wedding Company, Gran Canaria’s bryllupsspecialister!
Tel: (0034) 653642208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Anfi-hjerteformede ø
Hvis du leder efter en moderne og sofistikeret bryllupslokation, er det ikke nødvendigt at kigge længere end Maroa Club de Mar, hos Anfi, det luksuriøse strand resort, placeret i den sydlige del af Gran Canaria.
Maroa Club de Mar er placeret på Anfi’s hjerteformede ø, omringet af palmetræer, bougainvillea og det glitrende atlantiske ocean.
Også, nærliggende til øen, er Anfi’s hvide sandstrand, hvor du og din partner kan gå barfodet langs strandkanten, mens fotografer foreviger øjeblikket i smukke billeder, som du kan altid kan hive frem og værdsætte.
På Anfi’s hjerteformede ø findes der et elegant sten alter som er bygget specielt til bryllupsceremonier, hvor du og din elskede kan udveksle jeres løfter før i sammen går mod Maroa Club for at fortsætte jeres bryllupsfejring.
Jer og jeres gæster kan begynde aftenen med at sippe drinks i det stilfulde Chill-out område, hvor store hvide sofaer og elegante overdækkede drømmesenge ligger godt puttet på det flotte karibiske sand.
Det sofistikerede spiseområde har et fristende udvalg af menuer, som bliver serveret af jeres egen personlige tjenere. Der er også et bredt udvalg af champagne – den klassiske Tipple, som du kan skåle i, med lyden af havets rolige bølger omkring dig.
Hvis du drømmer om et fint og moderne bryllup, i et eksklusiv 5-stjerners venue med gode muligheder for at tage nogle betagende billeder og en service som matcher de luksuriøse omgivelser, så har Maroa Club de Mar bestemt alt hvad du leder efter.
Hvis du ønsker mere information eller billeder af forrige bryllupper, må du meget gerne kontakte os!
Bernadette Garside
Tlf.: (0034) 653 642 208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Homoseksuelt ægteskab i Spanien
Homoseksuelle ægteskaber blev lovliggjort i Spanien d. 3 Juli 2005 af den socialdemokrate regering ledet af Præsident José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Regeringen fulgte i Hollands og Belgiums fodspor, og Spanien blev derefter det tredje land til at anerkende homoseksuelle ægteskaber.
Selvom at godkendelsen af denne lov blev kritiseret, var der alligevel 66 % som stemte for, sammen med Kongen af Spanien, som gav sin royale samtykke.
Den spanske lov om homoseksuelles ægteskab, tillader at en spansk registeret borger kan gifte sig med en ikke-spansk registreret borger.
For at gifte sig i Spanien, skal mindst én af parterne være registreret som spansk statsborger. Men, to ikke-registrerede spanske statsborgere kan godt blive gift i Spanien, hvis de begge har lovlig opholdstilladelse i Spanien.
To udlændinge, som ikke er registreret i Spanien, kan desværre ikke blive gift legalt i Spanien.
Der er dog frygt for at Rajoy og hans konservative Populære Parti, vil være en seriøs trussel mod nationens lovgivning af homoseksuelle ægteskaber.
Rajoy har udtalt at han støtter civile forbund for homoseksuelle par, men at det ikke burde blive anerkendt som et ægteskab.
Det Populære Parti har indgivet en klage til forfatningsdomstolen mod nationens lov fra 2005, som tillader homoseksuelle ægteskaber. Dette har skabt en voldsom stigning af homoseksuelle ægteskaber i Spanien, pga. frygt for at loven bliver ændret.
Homoseksuelle ægteskaber er anerkendt i Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Island, Holland, Norge, Portugal, Sydafrika, Spanien, og Sverige. Det er også anerkendt i Brasilien, Mexico og visse amerikanske stater.
Registrerede partnerskaber er anerkendt i Andorra, Østrig, Brasilien, Colombia, Tjekkiet, Danmark, Ecuador, Finland, Frankrig, Tyskland, Grønland, Ungarn, Irland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Slovenien, Schweiz, England, Uruguay og visse stater i Australien, Mexico, USA og Venezuela.
Hvorfor vælge Gran Canaria til jeres homoseksuelle ægteskab?
Gran Canaria er perfekt placeret som den ideelle lokation til homoseksuelle partnerskaber i udlandet. Øen er berømt for deres liberale, åbensindede attitude mod homoseksuelle og den pulserende homoseksuelle turistsektor på øen er vokset pga. af dette.
Den brede række af homoseksuelle lokalsamfund og de gode sociale muligheder for at feste, sat sammen med det skønne solrige vejr, gør Gran Canaria til det perfekte valg til en homoseksuel bryllupsceremoni.
På øen kan man også finde lejlighedskomplekser, bar, restauranter og strande som fokuserer på homoseksuelle kunder.
Der er to forskellige muligheder for et homoseksuelt bryllup på Gran Canaria.
- Et legalt civilt partnerskab / Homosekuelt ægteskab
Hvis i passer til de før-nævnte krav for at blive gift i Spanien, kan vi arrangere en legal civil ceremoni udført på det civile regestreringskontor eller på rådhuset.
Hvis i ønsker det, kan vi også arrangere at en authoriseret ansat på rådhuset, kan udføre ceremonien et andet sted end rådhuset, fx. et flot hotel eller en smuk grøn have.
- En velsignelse efter et civilt partnerskab eller en bryllupsceremoni.
En velsignelse er en kort ceremoni som finder sted efter et legalt civilt partnerskab eller homoseksuelt ægteskab, hvilket ville tage sted enten i jeres hjemland eller her på Gran Canaria.
En velsignelse er, i modsætning til et civilt ægteskab, ikke legalt bindende; det er en måde hvorpå man kan udtrykke sin kærlighed til hinanden.
De fleste par ser dog velsignelsen som deres rigtige bryllup da det er i dette moment at de udtrykker sin kærlig og forening til hinanden foran deres familie og venner.
Hvorfor vælge en velsignelsesceremoni?
I vil nok vælge en velsignelsesceremoni på Gran Canaria, hvis du og din partner ikke er registreret som spanske statsborgere, men alligevel gerne vil holde jeres bryllup på denne ø.
En velsignelsesceremoni er den perfekte måde at introducerer en spirituel eller religiøs del til jeres fejringer af det civile ægteskab.
Velsignelser på Gran Canaria kan også blive udført i en lang række af venues, alt fra en luksuriøs yacht til hoteller, private villaer, grønne haver osv. Der er endeløse muligheder på Gran Canaria.
Hvis i drømmer om at udtrykke jeres kærlighed og engagement til hinanden, i en åbensindet og fordomsfri miljø, med solskin, smukke strande, forbløffende lokal landskab og en rig lokal kultur, så er Gran Canaria det perfekte valg til jeres homoseksuelle ægteskab i udlandet!
Hvis du ønsker mere information omkring homoseksuelle ceremonier på Gran Canaria, så kontakt os gerne.
Vi elsker at snakke om bryllupper og vil med glæde besvare alle spørgsmål i har!
Bernadette Garside
Tlf.: (0034) 653 642 208
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Bryllupsgæsteliste – Overlevelsesguide
Gæstelisten til et bryllup kan blive en af de største grunde til stress for brud og brudgom, når de planlægger deres bryllup.
Det kan også skabe unødvendige uoverenstemmelser mellem venner og familie, som kan føre til et anspændt forhold.
At vælge hvem der skal med på gæstelisten, er et af de få områder, som bryllupsplanlæggeren ikke kan klare for dig, men vi kan til gengæld altid give dig råd!
Tag et kig på disse afprøvede og betroede råd, som vil hjælpe dig med at komme ud af gæsteliste-processen, uskadt og med et smil på dine læber.
Hvordan kan jeg skære min gæsteliste ned uden at føle dårlig samvittighed?
De fleste af os vil gerne invitere alle vi kender med til vores bryllup så de kan dele denne fantastiske dag med os. Det er desværre, for de fleste brude og brudgomme, ikke realistisk.
Men hvordan skærer du din 200 personers gæsteliste ned til dit 100 personers budget?
Først sætter i jer ned sammen, og deler jeres gæster op i to grupper.
- Gruppe 1 – Dem som absolut skal med.
- Disse gæster er oftest de tætteste venner og familiemedlemmer, altså de gæster som i vil have med.
- Gruppe 2 – Dem som ikke absolut skal med.
- Dette er de resterende gæster. Alle dem som i overvejer at inviterer, men hvis deltagelse ikke er livsnødvendigt for jer.
Start med at gennemgå gruppe 2 og stil jer selv de følgende spørgsmål; hvor tæt er vi med denne person? Hvornår så vi dem sidst? Vil deres deltagelse til vores bryllup påvirke vores glæde på vores store dag?
Når i har svaret ærligt på disse spørgsmål, kan i gå videre til næste punkt.
I kunne overveje, om i udelukkende vil invitere voksne til jeres bryllup og bed derefter jeres forældre om at begrænse deres personlige invitationer, begræns også jeres egne invitationer til arbejdskollegaer, forretningsforbindelser, osv. Til gæster der er single, kan i sende en invitation uden mulighed for at medbringe egen gæst. Lad være med at invitere fjerne slægtninge, som i næsten aldrig ser, og det samme for gamle skolekammerater.
Husk også, at i ikke skal føle jer presset til at invitere folk, fordi i var inviteret til deres bryllup. De havde deres egne grunde, og muligvis et budget, som kunne holde til mange gæster.
Hvordan fortæller jeg mine gæster at deres børn ikke er inviteret til brylluppet?
Selvom nogle forældre ville være lykkelige ved chancen for at have en dag eller aften uden børnene, findes der forældre som muligvis ville blive fornærmet eller som ikke har mulighed for at deltage uden deres børn. Her er det vigtigt at der er forståelse fra begge parter.
Det er desuden også meget normalt for brud og brudgomme, at de kun tillader at børn, som er tæt relateret til dem, deltager. Hvis dette er tilfældet, er det vigtigt at i forklarer det til jeres andre gæster, i stedet for bare at sige at børn ikke er velkomne.
Her er nogle metoder du kan bruge til at sende den rette besked effektivt.
Fortæl dine forældre, tætte venner og familie hvordan situationen er og bed dem om at sprede budskabet.
At skrive kun voksne er ikke en mulighed, men at gøre det klart på invitationen hvem der er inviteret, kan til gengæld være en mulighed. Ifølge almen bryllups etikette, er det kun dem, hvis navne er på invitationen, som er inviteret. (fx. Hr. & Fru Jensen).
Hvis i, i stedet, skriver ”Hr. & Fru Jensen og familie”, på invitationen så betyder det oftest at børnene også er inviteret.
Vi anbefaler, at navnet på hver person bliver skrevet individuelt på invitationen, for at gøre det klart at det er børnene man mener, og ikke andre familiemedlemmer.
Hvis der er flere, end dem som er inviteret, der ønsker at komme, må i kontakte vedkommende og høfligt forklare, at antallet af inviterede er begrænset for at tilpasse budgettet.
Prøv at lade være med at lave undtagelser. Andre familier vil muligvis lægge mærke til det og blive fornærmet.
Skal jeg tillade at enlige gæster medbringer en date?
Det er selvfølgelig høfligst at tillade enlige gæster at medbringe deres egen gæst, så de ikke føler sig ubehageligt til mode eller ensomme, hvis de ikke kender de andre gæster. Men, hvis jeres budget ikke kan klare det, kan du selv bestemme dig for hvilke gæster må og hvilke ikke må.
Hvis nogle af dine familiemedlemmer eller venner, ikke er gift, men til gengæld er i faste forhold, vil i muligvis også gerne invitere deres partner.
Derefter kan du invitere dine enlige venner, og forklarer dem at budgettet ikke rækker til at de også kan invitere dates – gode venner har forståelse for dette.
Hvis invitationen, af denne grund, bliver afslået, pga. de finansielle begrænsninger ved at rejse alene, skal i også vise forståelse.
Hvad hvis inviterede gæster ikke svarer på S.U.?
Du må ikke bare gå ud fra at inviterede som endnu ikke har besvaret invitationen, ikke har tænkt sig at komme. Det er selvfølgelig en smule tidskrævende for dig, men ring til dem eller skriv en email for at dobbelttjekke. Det kunne jo være at deres besvarelse, blev væk i posten, eller de troede at de havde fået besvaret jer eller måske havde de bare helt glemt det.
Det er altid bedre at være på den sikre side, og være helt sikker på hvem der kommer til din bryllupsdag – og hvem der ikke gør, så i ikke risikerer at der kommer gæster som, i troede, ikke ville komme.
Hvornår skal vi begynde at sende invitationer ud?
Den generelle regel er at invitationer skal sendes ud 4 – 6 uger før jeres bryllup. Vi anbefaler dog at i sender ”Sæt kryds i kalenderen” invitationer ud, op til et år før brylluppet, især hvis i planlægger et bryllup i udlandet, eller inviterer gæster, som bor langt væk.
I vil jo gerne sikre jer, at de ikke laver andre aftaler på denne dato. I kan også sende invitationer ud ca. 2 måneder før brylluppet.
Husk at det er jeres bryllupsdag, så hold fast ved jeres beslutninger og lad ikke besværlige gæster prøve at få jer til at ombestemme jer.
Nu har vi forhåbentligt dækket alle problemer der må opstå når gæstelisten skal laves. Hvis du gerne vil have flere råd eller information om hvordan man bedst organisere gæstelisten eller andre bryllupsrelaterede problemer, skal du endelig kontakte os!
Vi elsker at snakke om bryllupper, så besøg vores hjemmeside, ring til os eller skriv til os på nedenstående website, tlfnummer og email.
Bernadette Garside
Tlf.: (0034) 653 642 208
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
Bryllup i udlandet – 13 tips og råd
Planlægningen af en bryllupsvelsignelse, fornyelse af løfter eller et bryllup i udlandet, kan være meget mere kompliceret end at planlægge et bryllup i jeres lokale område.
Her er et par tips og råd som muligvis kan hjælpe dig i gang, så du kan være sikker på at din bryllupsdag går perfekt.
1 – Få hjælp
Hvis du ikke allerede har gjort det, vil det være en god idé at tage kontakt til de bryllupsplanlæggere som arbejder i det område hvor i gerne vil giftes.
Undersøg hvilke services og pakketilbud de kan tilbyde dig.
Det kan være udfordrende nok at planlægge et bryllup i jeres lokale område, så et bryllup i udlandet kan virke endnu værre!
En bryllupsplanlægger sørger for at lave research, interviews og tage kontakt til lokale leverandører. Dette er især en positiv ting, hvis de lokale leverandører ikke snakker dit sprog. Bryllupsplanlæggere fungerer også som bag-kulissen lykkesmede som tager sig af specielle efterspørgsler, som hår og make-up, renseri, osv. De sørger også for at alle dine gæster, og andre vigtige medlemmer af brylluppet, er hvor de skal være til tiden og sikrer at der er en person til stede som i kan sende jeres gæster hen til, hvis de har mange spørgsmål.
2 – Rejseplan
Jeres gæster er, i modsætning til et bryllup i jeres lokale område, afhængige af jer så snart de når frem til destinationen. Lav en rejseplan over før- og efter bryllupsevents, sammen med en tidsplan over bryllupsdagen med vigtige telefonnumre og adresser. Med dette kan du undgå at dine gæster stiller spørgsmål om hvornår og hvor de skal være, og det hjælper også jeres gæster, hvis det skulle ske, at de farer vild eller bliver forsinket.
3 – Før-bryllups besøg
Det bliver højst sandsynligt nødvendigt for jer at rejse til jeres bryllupsdestination for at besøge bryllupslokaler og leverandører, som fx. kirken, modtagelse, hotel for dig og dine gæster, lokaler til prøvemiddag og lokale leverandører som fx. blomsterbindere, fotografer og frisørsaloner.
Prøvesmagning af bryllupsmiddagen og prøve af hår og make-up kan ordnes under denne rejse. Du kan også bruge denne rejse til at organisere diverse aktiviteter (golf, spabesøg og udflugter) til dine gæster, som de kan lave, mens de er på bryllupsdestinationen.
4 – Kontrol af leverandører
Hvis du hyrer en leverandør uden at kende til deres arbejde, kan du spørge efter en portfolio af billeder og referencer fra tidligere klienter.
5 – Opbyg et forhold med dine leverandører
Det er altafgørende at opbygge et forhold til sine leverandører. De er ikke lokale forretninger som du kan kigge forbi når du har lyst, så sørg for at holde kontakten med dem så meget som muligt med updates og takke-emails og opkald.
Niveauet af den service de tilbyder er altafgørende for din bryllupsdags succes, det kan derfor være en god idé at lave en rapport, så du lettere kan tage dig af problemer som måske kunne opstå og det kan måske endda hjælpe dig med at forhandle om små ekstra ønsker.
6 – Medbring dine egne professionelle branchefolk
Vær ikke bange for at tage dine egne branchefolk med, som fx.en frisør eller en fotograf, som du foretrækker.
7 – Informer dine gæster om destinationen
Inden du inviterer dine gæster til brylluppet, burde du give dem en velinformerende forklaring af den valgte destination for at gøre det muligt for dem at give jer et høfligt afslag hvis det bliver for dyrt for dem.
Gran Canaria er en god destination til jeres bryllup i udlandet, bryllupsvelsignelse eller fornyelse af jeres løfter. Flyrejser og hotelophold kan tilpasses alle slags budgetter og smagspræferencer. Det er en fantastisk feriedestination, som gør det muligt for dine gæster at kombinere jeres bryllup med en god ferie for hele familien. Det er i forholdvis kort afstand fra Danmark og andre europæiske lande, og øen er kendt for at have solskin året rundt, hvilket gør det til den perfekte vinter- og sommerbryllups destination.
8 – Vær realistisk
Prøv at lade være med blive alt for ked af det, hvis nogle af dine tætte venner eller familiemedlemmer ikke kan deltage. Selvom at i betaler for brylluppet, kan omkostningerne for rejsen, hotel og billeje, godt blive høje. Din valgte destination, er muligvis den perfekte feriedestination for dig, men det er ikke sikkert at det er den type ferie, dine gæster ville foretrække.
9 – Tænk over din beklædning!
Tag klimaet med i dine overvejelser, når du skal vælge den perfekte bryllupskjole. At vælge en silke bryllupskjole til at blive gift i i sommervejret kan muligvis stresse dig mere end forventet.
Tjek den gennemsnitlige temperatur og generelle vejrforhold på den valgte måned i det lokale område hvor i planlægger at gifte jer. Husk, at temperaturen kan variere fra resort til resort, så husk at tjekke vejrforholdene i det lokale område fremfor i landets hovedstad.
10 – Slap af og nyd dagen!
En af fordelene ved at holde bryllup i udlandet, er at det er afslappende og der er en tilbagelænet atmosfære. Hold et åbent sind ift. mindre uheld eller forsinkninger, selv disse kan blive til sjove minder.
Husk også, at varer der er tilgængelige på øer, godt kan være begrænset, og derfor kan der godt opstå mindre ændringer ift. valgte produkter. Blomster er et godt eksempel på dette, da deres tilgængelighed kommer an på hvilken sæson vi er i.
11 – Pak jeres kuffert!
Husk at pakke massere af stropløse toppe, hvis du skal have en stropløs bryllupskjole på og tag masser af solcreme på. Du vil blive overrasket over hvor meget sol du kan få, bare ved at gå ned til supermarkedet om morgenen. Du vil helst undgå iøjefaldende solforbrændinger på dine bryllupsbilleder.
Husk også at sørge for rigelig plads til din bryllupskjole og kontakt eventuelt dit flyselskab for rådgivning omkring hvordan det er bedst at transportere sin bryllupskjole.
Sørg for altid at lave en aftale for at få din kjole damprenset når du ankommer. 9 ud af 10 gange vil din kjole bliver mere eller mindre krøllet under rejsen, ligemeget hvor forsigtig du transporterer den.
12 – Bryllupsgaver
Sørg for at alle bryllupsgaver bliver sendt til din hjemmeadresse. Hvis jeres gæster har medbragt gaverne på rejsen, skal du sørge for at arrangere at dine gæster kan tage dem med hjem igen så du kan få dem igen når i kommer hjem fra jeres bryllupsrejse. Derudover, kan du eventuelt også pakke en ekstra taske så du selv kan tage dem med hjem, bare for at være sikker.
13 – Byd dine gæster velkommen
Du kan byde dine gæster velkommen til bryllupsdestinationen, ved at give dem en bryllupskurv med alle de vigtigste ting som dine gæster vil få brug for efter en lang rejse, fx. prøver af den lokale madlavning, solcreme, lokale vine eller andre lokalproduceret produkter. Tilsæt et takkekort og nu har du den perfekte velkomstgave, så du kan vise at i sætter pris på at jeres gæster har rejst så langt for at fejre jeres unikke bryllup i udlandet.
Hvis du er interesseret i Gran Canaria som den perfekte destination til jeres bryllupsvelsignelse, fornyelse af løfter eller jeres bryllup i udlandet, kan du kontakte mig på den følgende email. Jeg er mere end glad for at besvare dine spørgsmål eller forespørgsler, ligemeget hvor små eller store de måtte være.
Bernadette Garside
Tlf.: (0034) 653 642 208
Email: info@perfectweddingcompany.com
Website: www.perfectweddingcompany.com
