Local business Romantic Type has launched a new website which creates personalised wedding logo design for couples to use as part of their wedding or civil partnership celebrations. There are many ways that the personalised wedding logo design can be used to great effect from every stationery item to decorations for the venue, from embroidering clothing to the icing on the cake.







At Romantic Type, the designers will integrate the couples initials and first names into one of the stylish "Off the peg" wedding logo designs. Digital files will be provided that can then be used on any home made wedding stationery or sent to a printer/supplier. Alternatively, the “Bespoke” service allows a couple to create something even more unique – they can have a completely exclusive design produced to their own specification.




Trevor and Zoë James are the founders of Romantic Type. They say "We started Romantic Type in March 2012 because we realised people were becoming increasingly interested in having an individual look for their wedding celebrations. Many couples would like to have a hands-on role in producing their own stationery but need some guidance with the artistic and technical side. We believe that our online service offers something new to the UK wedding market."

To find out more about Romantic Type and examples of the "off the peg" logos available, visit the website or blog

With all of the recent appearances by the Royal Family as part of the Royal Jubilee celebrations and with Royal Ascot taking place, hats and fascinators are currently big news. The Duchess of Cambridge has really put fascinators into the spotlight but the new strict dress code at Ascot has meant that larger headpieces and hats are back in vogue too.

This nude beaded cocktail hat by Jane Taylor Millinery is the same one the Duchess wore at the Jubilee service and costs £790.



                                        
If you don't quite have a royal budget but still want something unique, check out local business Just Fascinating who have a great range from just £29.99. Just Fascinating's owner Carrie Jenkinson can make stunning bespoke fascinators to match any outfits, so this is ideal for wedding guests or the mother of the bride.




                                                


                                                 

Carrie says on her website "We are contacted constantly, particularly with people who are looking for something really unusual, its great to be given the opportunity to design and create fascinators and hats that they cannot get anywhere else. I love being sent pictures of outfits and being given the opportunity to work with people to design and create their perfect fascinator and something that is really personal to them."


                                               

Visit the gallery to see the range in full or visit the Just Fascinating website to order or enquire about a bespoke fascinator online.

Most women look forward to wedding dress shopping as one of the most fun parts of planning a wedding. You may dream of the moment when you step out of the changing room in the perfect white gown, met by tears and sighs of admiration from your Mum and bridesmaids.

                                             

For some lucky brides this magical moment happens with the first dress they try on. However, many brides can be left feeling slightly overwhelmed by the choices available as well as the cost of the dresses and numerous accessories. It's such an important dress and the pressure to get it right can make decisions difficult.

For any of you about to start wedding dress shopping, here are a few top tips:

• Make appointments well in advance as most wedding dress shops are very busy, especially on Saturdays
• Take a couple of people with you who will be honest with you like your Mum, Sister of best friend
• Don't leave dress shopping too late as many dresses take 6 months to arrive in the store and may require several fittings and alterations.
• Wear good smooth and neutral underwear as you will need to be helped into the dresses by the shop staff and don't want a black bra under a white dress.
• Do your hair and makeup and try on veils and tiaras to get the whole bridal look. The pretty jewellery featured below is by Bridezillas

                                         

• Try on lots of different dress shapes and listen to the shop staff as some dresses will look nothing special on the hanger but can be amazing on.
• If you are curvy, a dress built on a lace up corset will give you a great hourglass shape
• Choose boutiques that will give you a private appointment so you have time to try things on
• Never feel pressurised by sales assistants into buying something that you don't totally love
• Don't feel you have to go strapless as there are dresses available now with sleeves or illusion necklines offering more coverage.

There are some great wedding dress and accessory boutiques in Bristol. For beautiful designer dresses, try The Mews of Clifton Village (shown above), who offer a stunning range including Amanda Wakely and Temperley. A Class Brides is regularly nominated by brides for numerous industry awards and Bridezillas in Keynsham is the place to go for veils, jewellery and gorgeous accessories.

Local Wedding Planner Steph Allison of How 2 I Do Wedding & Event Planning answers all of your wedding questions. Today its all about invitations.

Question: When should we be sending out our wedding invitations and what's the difference between an invitation and a save the date card? Beckie, Stoke Gifford

Answer: Traditionally the brides parents, in their role as hosts, would send out formal invitations around six weeks before the wedding. These days it's much less formal with many couples paying for and hosting their own weddings. Most people now choose to send out invitations around 12 weeks before the wedding as there is lots of information to give guests so that they can book accommodation and make travel plans.

Save the dates are also becoming more popular as people lead such busy lives and could risk being away on holiday or planning another event on the same day. Save the dates can be sent out around 12 months before the wedding. Here's a really fun ways to pass all of the required information to your guests. How about a fun wedding tea towel?

These Wedding Tea Towels from The Original Wedding Tea Towel come in black and white or a range of colour options to match your theme.


                                                      

Visit the website to find out more.

If you are looking for a venue slightly outside Bristol with a country feel, but that's still easily accessible for your guests, then the Hare and Hounds near Tetbury could be your perfect venue. Accessed easily just 15 minutes from Junction 18 of the M4 and close to Westonbirt Arboretum, the Hare and Hounds offers modern neutral interiors combined with a cosy country feel, on site accommodation and lovely grounds.

                                                 

They are fully licenced for civil ceremonies and has 48 rooms for guests to stay on site. There is also an on site bar and restaurant, making a great space for guests to mingle before the ceremony. There is also the option to marry outside in the new thatched Breeze House.

Find out more about weddings at the Hare and Hounds here.

It's been a year since Bristol Wedding News first launched in early June 2011. I started it as way to promote all of the great stuff happening in the wedding industry in Bristol. It's really taken on a life of it's own with input from local suppliers and is regularly viewed up to 6500 times per month.

As I'm shortly expecting a second baby I have been thinking about ways to balance work and family life and how to take some maternity leave to enjoy time with the new baby and our gorgeous toddler. However I really want to keep the blog going, as I think it's worth investing time and effort in. It's strong presence on google means it will continue to be found by more and more engaged couples under many different categories relating to Bristol Weddings.

I have decided to dedicate one working day each month to planning, writing and editing around 12 to 14 new blog posts to be scheduled three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the following month. This allows me to make the most of my permitted "keep in touch days" and also take some time off. To make this work I still need as many guest posts and submissions as possible to keep the blog interesting and varied.

Please can Bristol or locally based wedding suppliers continue to submit useful articles, real weddings, news, competitions and press releases to add into the schedule of posts. If you are reading as a Groom or Bride to Be, please think about submitting your wedding or perhaps a guest post about how you chose your venue or suppliers or how you are managing your planning.

Thanks to everyone who has supported Bristol Wedding News over the last year and please keep coming back and sharing the blog with other Brides and Grooms.

Steph

Clifton Pavillions will be hosting a Summer Special Wedding Fair this Sunday, 10th June. The Pavillions are a fantastic licenced venue that allow you to get married in Clifton, overlooking Bristol Zoo Gardens. An amazing feature of choosing this as your venue is that your guests are also allowed free access to the zoo, which is a great way to make your Wedding stand out and keep your guests entertained.



The fair is run by Love Actually and starts at 11:30am and runs until 4:00pm. There will be free champers, goodie bags and models walking around in fantastic Wedding Dresses. For more information visit the Love Actually Website.

Image taken from www.bristolzoo.org.uk/the-venue

When you are a small self employed wedding business Tweet Ups provide a great chance to mingle, network and exchange business cards as well as having a glass or two of bubbly and some treats provided by the venue and attending suppliers such as cupcakes, candy buffets, cookies and live entertainment.

                                

The next Goldbrick House Tweet Up is the Summer Soiree, which will be held in the loft and on the terrace this Thursday, 7th June from 6pm to 9pm. There will be live music from musician Matt Bee as well as drinks, canapes and more.

Visit the Little Wedding Tweet Ups facebook page for more information. Please note this event is for wedding suppliers only.