Bristol Wedding Planner Steph Allison comes to the rescue to solve all those little Wedding problems. Today it's Post Wedding Blues.

Planning a Wedding takes a lot of time and focus and though it can be stressful at times all of your input is rewarded with a fantastic day that you will remember for the rest of your life. However one thing we often don't think about is what to do after the confetti has been swept up and your honeymoon tan has faded.

Often you are left feeling a bit deflated after your Wedding is over. Suddenly the stoplight is no longer on you and you have no exciting projects on the horizon. So here's a few tips to get you through this post Wedding lull.

1. Look through your photos and select which ones will go into albums or be framed
2. Send out hand written thank you cards to everyone who sent you a gift.
3. Watch your Wedding DVD if you have one to relive the day
4. Plan a new project together like a holiday or day trip somewhere fun
5. Have your dress cleaned, wrapped in acid free tissue paper and stored safely
6. Have your Wedding shoes dyed and wear them on a fun night out
7. Eat any left over cake (ask someone to freeze it while you are on your honeymoon)
8. Share your new Wedding expertise and help friends plan their big day
9. Make a Wedding box to store your garter, jewellery and other memories in
10. Make some photo books for family as they make great gifts. Try photo box for this

I hope these tips help and if you were wondering, it is still perfectly acceptable to buy Wedding magazines and read Wedding blogs after you are Married. Maybe just don't tell anyone!

The National Wedding Industry Awards are held annually to recognise and reward excellence in the Wedding Industry. As the UK Wedding Industry is not regulated it's a great way to find quality suppliers as Brides nominate in each category and winners are picked by a panel of expert judges, based on Customer Testimonials.

The Regional winners have recently been announced and some of the South West winners are based here in Bristol. This year Kirsten Butler, The Little Wedding Helper won the Best Special Touch Catergory for her fabulous Venue Styling. You can read Kirsten's hugely popular article for Bristol Wedding News on styling Village Halls here.


  

Michelle Jetzer also won Best Wedding Coordinator (Venue) for her work at the Riverstation. We recently featured one of Michelle's lovely Weddings, and you can read about all of the gorgeous details here.



Congratulations also go to Kingscote Barn who won Best Wedding Venue. We also featured this great venue recently, which really does go to prove that Bristol Wedding News tells Bristol Brides about all the best local venues and suppliers. Keep checking back for more fantastic Bristol suppliers and wedding news, tips and ideas.

Also well done to Ambience Bristol who were nominated in the Special Touch category. The Regional Winners will now go on to compete for National Awards at a glitzy ceremony in London in January. Good luck to Kirsten, Michelle and Kingscote Barn at the Awards.

Learn more about the awards here.

The Occupy Bristol protest is still making its mark on the usually picturesque College Green, transforming it from an attractive Bristol landmark into a muddy camp full of colourful tents, discarded pallets and ramshackle wooden structures.

College Green is surrounded by Wedding Venues such as The Marriott Royal, Bristol Cathedral, The Council House and The Lord Mayors Chapel. This has got us thinking about how this occupation is affecting Weddings at these Venues. Most couples spend a lot of time thinking about their venues and probably don't dream of a site such as this on the door step when they pay large sums to book their ceremonies and receptions.

Bristol City Council describe College Green as "an ancient and peaceful city green space". Interestingly their site also says "due to the sensitive nature of the site, any proposal to hold an event...will need to be approved by the Landowners, Bristol Cathedral as well as by the City Council. This image shows how College Green normally looks.


It would normally make a lovely backdrop to Wedding photographs and I'm sure many photographers have had to seek new locations for romantic shots.

I would be interested to hear from any Brides, venues or suppliers who have been affected by the protest. Do you think the protesters should be moved on to protect this ancient space or should we be allowing them freedom of speech. Please share your views in the comments below.

Image Credits Wikimedia Commons

As if you really need reasons for a little trip to Clifton with it's gorgeous buildings, great cafes and fantastic shops but you are in for a real treat with Christmas at the Orangery on Saturday and a Christmas Wedding Fair next Sunday.

Love Actually are hosting a fair at Clifton Pavillions on Sunday 4th December, which has great views as it overlooks the zoo gardens. Pop along to meet some great suppliers and you can also take a look if you still need a venue for your big day as its fully licenced for civil ceremonies and makes a great reception venue.

Another brilliant Clifton Venue you can visit is The Clifton Club which hosts this years Christmas at the Orangery. Why not pop along and pick up some amazing and unique gifts and meet some top Wedding suppliers too such as Bristol Vintage, Chocolate Delores and Rachel Goodchild.

We had a post on fireworks and sparklers to celebrate bonfire night recently but how about this for another great alternative to entertain your guests. Smoking Hot Productions offer a range of stunning fire shows to suit all budgets from one performer to a full 10 person show.

Once you enter "The Wedding Years" in your late twenties and early thirties you can feel like your always at a Wedding. How many have you been to with a traditional three course meal. Was it pate or soup to start, chicken for the main course and then dessert? Probably as that's what hotels and venues offer and you end up going for something safe to please the masses.

However, it doesn't have to be this way. It's time to think fun and original and best of all, doing something different could actually save you money. Here's some different ideas.

• Burritos
• Moroccan Tagine
• Afternoon Tea
• Fish and Chips
• Tapas
• Hog Roast
• Barbecue

                                        
                                        


Another way to make your food and drink more fun is to hire a van, There are many available locally serving ice cream or drinks. How about A Couple Of Mugs, who have a vintage tea van that can be hired as part of your Wedding celebrations. Park him (he's called Cedric) outside the church or at your reception venue and use it to serve pretty much anything from tea and cakes to sweets, cocktails or G&Ts.


                               

Photo Credits: Fish and Chip Catering A Couple Of Mugs

Finally after months of speculation the biggest dress since Kate Middletons has been revealed. Twilight Breaking Dawn part one was released on Friday and cinema goers had the chance to see the beautiful woodland Wedding of Bella and Edward.

If you love the romantic look of their Wedding you can recreate it by buying a copy of Bella's gown. It was designed by Carolina Herrera and has been reproduced by Alfred Angelo and sold under the banner of Twilight Weddings. The dress is available in either ivory or white.


                             

The gown is made of lace and satin with a revealing back featuring 100 satin covered buttons. Bella wore hers with a long veil held in place with a vintage silver hair clip. If you want to recreate your own Twilight Wedding, think a Midsummer Nights Dream theme with lots of flowers, rose petals and romance.



                              

                          

                           

I have been researching paper lanterns for a party I am planning next year and I had to share them with you as they are a really cheap and effective way to add some real wow to your Wedding decor.

                                          

The lanterns themselves cost just a few pounds each depending on size and you can buy battery packs to go inside that last 48 hours for another couple of pounds each. They are very light and therefore easy to suspend from ceilings with clear wire or ribbon.


                                      


                                         

I think these would be perfect to create a romantic atmosphere in any venue and they look great in outdoor locations and marquees. The only thing to make sure of is that you have a friend or decorator with a ladder and good sense of balance to hang them all for you.

Image Credits Big Wedding Tiny Budget, Ian Michellepham Blog Tara Getting Married

Words by Stephanie Allison

As today is Follow Friday (#ff) on Twitter I thought a little post on Twitter was a great idea. If you are getting married and don't use Twitter, you are missing out as there is a huge and thriving Wedding community on there from bloggers to magazines and individual suppliers who all regularly share tips, ideas and pictures to inspire you.



If you are new to the world of Twitter it can be a little confusing at first so here's a little guide.

RT: Retweet -when you like someones tweet and want to share it, just retweet it
@: All usernames begin with @ and are up to 15 characters such as @brisweddingnews
#ff: Follow Friday -If you want to recommend people to follow use #ff and their username
#ww: Wedding Wednesday -Say hi to friends and share wedding stuff



                                                


Twitter will recommend some people for you to follow. You can search for people too such as your fave celebrities. There's so many great Wedding people on there and I could spend hours listing my favourites, but here's just a few to get you started...

Love My Dress Blog @LoveMyDressBlog
How 2 I Do @how2ido
The Little Wedding Helper @weddinghelperuk
Wedding Ideas Magazine @wimagazine
Emma Woodhouse @cloggins
Rachel Goodchild @RachelGoodchild
Bridezillas @bridezillasltd
Bristol Wedding News @brisweddingnews

If you love Twitter or it has helped you plan your big day, please let me know in the comments below.

Words by Steph Allison

I was having a little browse on Marry Me In Somerset recently, which is a great resource for people marrying in Bristol, Bath and Somerset. It was on there that I came across The Original Fete Company and it's such a great idea, I had to share it on here.

It was the brainchild of married couple Simon and Ethne who wanted to find some ways to make their Wedding fun. You can hire a whole fete including bunting, hay bales and assorted stalls from hook a duck to bash a rat that you will remember from childhood fetes.

                               

I think this is such a good idea to make your Wedding stand out and also to fill the gap when you are off having photos done.  It's also a great icebreaker for guests to get stuck in and get some healthy competition going.


                                 

The added benefit of finding suppliers on Marry Me In Somerset is that they only recommend suppliers who they know within the Wedding Industry or who come highly recommended, so you know that you are in safe hands when booking suppliers for your big day.


                                                       

Visit Marry Me In Somerset here or click here to visit the Original Wedding Fete Company website.

Image Credits: The Original Wedding Company Marry Me in Somerset

It's getting to that time of year again with Starbucks rolling out the red cups and M&S showing their Christmas adverts (though does anyone else feel a bit cheated that instead of the usual celeb packed ads we are getting the X Factor lot?)


                                                  

Anyway, to celebrate the festive season we are devoting December to all things Christmas with Winter Weddings, Christmas Weddings and Christmas gift ideas.


                           

If you are a Bristol Wedding supplier or photographer and have any great Winter or Christmas Weddings to share please through as we'd love to feature them. If you also make Christmas gifts or items that you would like to share, please send them through as long as they relate to Weddings in some way.

Remember there's only 38 shopping days left until Christmas!

Photo Credit: Pop Cult Junky Winter Wedding Tips

I have it on good authority that Kate Middleton has been stocking up on jam jars and will be giving home made jams and preserves to the Royal family this Christmas. This got me thinking about all of the ways you can use jam jars in your Wedding.

The great thing about them is that they are cheap and can look really effective. First off they make great favours filled with jam or sweets.

                               

                                

                                                          

For a fun favour to get your guests talking, how about a cupcake in a jar. You can order these from GDesserts or Lullabelles Cakes (below) or try and make your own using the recipie here. The first one shown below is Victoria Sponge fom GDesserts but they have an array of great flavours to choose from.


                                              


                                

Don't understimate the power of the jam jar in making cheap but stylish centrepieces. Stuff them full of flowers and arrange them in groups or wrap them in lace and fill with tea lights. You can also wrap wire around their necks to make hanging lanterns. Take a look at my Pinterest board for more ideas


                                              


                                              


                                        

Words by Stephanie Allison


Photo Credits (From Top) Manolo Brides Get Married Favours Pinterest GDesserts Lullabelles Cakes Pinterest

At Bridezillas launch party recently I tried one of Cupcake Cabaret's "experimental" Cherry Cola flavour cupcakes and it was absolutely delicious so today an entire post is dedicated to their moist yuminess.


                          

Cupcake Cabarets motto is that cakes "should always taste as good as they look" which is important when splashing out for a cupcake tower for your Wedding.

The movie Bridesmaids is out on DVD this week and I would wholeheartedly recommend it as it perfectly captures the way that Weddings can dominate the lives of all involved and not always in a positive way.


                                         

The film had me in tears several times as it follows the plight of Maid of Honour Annie as she is regularly upstaged by her childhood best friend Lillian's new friend Helen who is prettier, richer and appears to be perfect in every way. Meanwhile her life is unravelling following the failure of her dream cake business and a precarious love life.

It's got me thinking about other great Wedding films and here are some of my favourites.

1. Father of the Bride: Hilarious and worth watching to see Steve Martins Father of the Bride, George (Bonks) fall apart as his Daughters Wedding becomes more and more OTT thanks to the wonderfully camp Wedding Planner Franck.

2. Muriels Wedding: Made 15 years ago (where has the time gone?) this is the amazing tale of Abba obsessed Muriel. She is frumpy, overweight and very unpopular with the cool girls but turns herself into beautiful swan Mariel to marry a handsome swimmer who needs a visa.


                                   

3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Carrie's nicest Ex Aiden (John Corbett) stars as the very sweet Ian who meets Greek girl Toula and becomes part of the biggest Fattest Greek Wedding ever. Did you know the Greeks invented everything and Windex not only cleans windows but can cure an array of medical inflictions. Fact!

4. The Hangover: More Vegas stag do than Wedding based but laugh out loud hilarious especially if you have ever woken up after a rough night to find you have acquired a screaming baby oh and a tiger and lost your memory, one of your friends and a tooth!

5. The Wedding Singer: Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler star in this 80s wonder. Worth watching for the 80s music and fashion alone.

Words by Stephanie Allison

Image credits: IMDB and Muriels Wedding Movie Studio Briefing

As a Bride, you also often face a dilemma over inviting children to your Wedding as you may prefer not to have any crying or screaming ruining your precious exchange of I Dos. However you may also feel torn by wanting to see your friends little ones enjoying the day too.

There is an ideal solution that is becoming more popular. Why not set up a mobile creche in a quiet room in your venue and allow parents to bring their kids but also have some time to relax and let heir hair down. A great time to have the creche in operation is during the ceremony, drinks reception and meal. This means that the vows and speeches can take place with no interruptions and parents can enjoy drinks and canapes without having to chase toddlers around.

Local company Elf Sitters offer a service in Bristol costing around £375 for 10 children to be cared for. Prices vary depending on the number of children and the time required. Parents can also pay for evening baby sitters separately. If the cost seems high you could even ask parents to chip in as you may find they are struggling to arrange a childcare solution and may be happy to contribute.

Photo Credit Elf Sitters Mobile Creche

Words by Stephanie Allison

Rachels Wedding contacts have meant that lots of Bristol's top Wedding suppliers will be there, plus a range of hand selected local business selling design led Christmas gifts. The event will also raise money for Penny Brohn Cancer Care with a percentage of the £1 entrance fee being donated to the charity.

Find out more about the fabulous event here

Image courtesy of Rachel Gooldchild: Christmas at the Orangery

When thinking on transport for your Wedding there's lots on offer from the romance of a a traditional vintage car to something a tad more bling like a strecth limo or Hummer. However if you want to try something fun and unique, how about a Karma Kar?



Karma Kars have imported traditional Indian Ambassadors. They arrive to take you to your ceremony with both bumpers beautifully adorned with flowers, which makes a refreshing change from the traditional ribbon.

The sumptuous interiors are lined with shimmering red and gold fabric that glistens on a sunny day and makes a fabulous backdrop to any photos taken in the car.

To find out more visit their website or email Suzie form Karma Kars here.

This bonfire night has got me thinking about fireworks for your Wedding and thought they are expensive they can add an amazing touch to your celebrations. Even the humble sparklers can have a stunning effect and look great in pictures.

                                 

Another alternative is sky lanterns though I would advise extreme caution if using these as sadly a lady was recently burned by the fuel cell. If you do decide to use them, make sure someone sensible and sober is in charge of proceedings and use them away from buildings or trees where they could become lodged. Look for ones made of fire retardant paper for extra safety.

One thing that may persuade you of the beauty of sky lanterns is the Disney film Tangled as shown below.

                             

Photo Credit: Weddingsparklersonline.com Shannon Ho Photography. Tangled Wallpaper from fanpop (Tiffany88)

The gorgeous Bridezillas Bridal Accessory Boutique opened it's doors on Tuesday on Keynsham High Street and last night many of Bristol's top Wedding suppliers helped Bridezillas owner Amanda celebrate.

                                   

Bridezillas stocks everything a Bride to be could want and need for her perfect big day from tiaras and jewellery to sparkly shoes, veils and umbrellas. The shop displays and windows had been beautifully arranged and styled by venue stylist, the Little Wedding Helper to really show off the sparkly pieces. There's even a shabby chic dressing table transformed by Creative Chic where brides can sit and try things on.







Guests were treated to some yummy sweeties in pretty glass and crystal jars from Bristol Candy Buffet as well as cupcakes by Cupcake Cabaret including a delicious cherry cola flavour.





Amanda said "We aim to offer you a top class & friendly service that you cannot get when shopping online. Being able to touch, see and try on your accessory is vital when wanting everything to be perfect for your special day."






Bridezillas can be found on Keynsham High Street and is already expecting a busy first Saturday with lots of Brides visiting to choose their perfect accessories. You can also buy accessories online and find out more about the shop here.

Bijoux Wedding and Event Floristry, owned by Becci Hobbs, is a fantastic local business who do some really gorgeous floral displays.

                                

Their stand at the Vintage in the Park Wedding fair was really stunning and Becci is already getting bookings roll in from the Brides she met there. Becci offers a bespoke service to Brides in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Somerset.

"From lavish weddings and private parties to a subtle, understated affair, Bijoux can create the perfect floral designs to suit and compliment the ambiance of the event. Bijoux will work closely with you to ensure that your flowers are representative and individual as you are"