Wedding venues – five top tips

Trying to find the perfect venue is one of the most stressful and time-consuming parts of organising your big day. It is also undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions you'll make when planning your wedding, which is why it must be right. Follow my five tips to help make your decision easier.

1) When choosing a venue, take into consideration your style, passion and likes. Your venue should be a reflection of your personality and must feel right for you.

2) Is the venue within your budget? It can be easy to get carried away, but one of the biggest costs you will incur will be the venue, followed by the food and drink. Can you really afford it? Shop around before you make your decision and make sure you visit the sites in person to get a real feel for the place.

3) If you’re having your ceremony off-site, consider the length of time it takes by car to get to the reception. Your guests may have already travelled a fair distance and may not be familiar with the area. Keep the journey time to a minimal – no more than 20 minutes is advisable. It may be worth arranging transport for your guests from the ceremony to the reception – an old London Routemaster bus is a quirky, but practical alternative.

4) No dancing allowed. You’ll be surprised how many venues prohibit dancing; especially country properties and those within National Trust or belonging to English Heritage. If this is the case, you’ll be required to hire a marquee for the evening reception, which costs yet more money. Also check bar restrictions while you’re at it.

5) Finish times. Many venues have to close at midnight due to licensing laws. However, if you want the party to go on longer, check if the venue is able to apply for a late license and what the restrictions are on continuing to serve beverages. No-one likes to leave a wedding party early!

A bed of roses

Autumnus

Cool Britannia

Something blue

Wedding day make-up

With your husband to be and all those guests to impress- not to mention all those photographs to pose for- its vital you look the best you can. This is where make-up comes in.

We've all got our own unique style, and this should be reflected in your make-up on the big day. To look your best, aim for a more polished version of your everyday look without going over the top. Keep it simple and natural without appearing washed out; nothing too dramatic.

If you plan to do your own make-up, visit various beauty counters at department stores such as John Lewis, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols for a free consultation and some advice on what best suites you and how best to apply. Clarines, Bobby Brown are just a few of the brands that offer this service.

If your not too confident in doing your own make-up, use the services of a professional. Speak to your local beauty salon, who may already provide this service or know someone in the industry. Alternatively, search your local directory or google for one in your area. Visit Sacha and Fraser who offer hair and make-up styling.

Veil, or not to veil

Although a traditional veil might seem the right thing to do, it might not be your style. Thankfully there are many different options to choose from today, mixing tradition with chic sophistication. Take a look at these boho-chic classics by veil me.

The wedding veil: A short history

A veil is one of the key items of a woman's wedding outfit.

But veils have been worn by women in non-matriomonial circumstances for millennia. Thirteen centuries before Christ's birth, upper class Persian women wore them, while to this day, the religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism use veils as an outward symbol of female modesty. Mary, Jesus’ mother, is never depicted without one.

In Roman times brides wore veils to guard themselves against evil spirits, while in Jewish culture, veils have always been part of the marriage ceremony. Even today, the lifting of a veil is still considered a symbol of what will happen when the marriage is consummated.

In Britain, veils were an everyday item of dress for non-married women until the Tudor era, but today the only time a non-religious woman in this country will wear one is for her wedding. Since Queen Victoria's marriage
to Prince Albert in 1840, a white veil has been a standard item of clothing for British women getting married and today it's seen as more of a fashion accessory than anything else. However, with its roots in ancient history, the veil – and it subsequent removal – has its roots in long-forgotten civilisations and their practices. Something to remember, when your first pin it on.

Gift ideas

I stumbled across these fabulous handmade natural skincare products whilst Christmas shopping in Manchester. Pringle and Fairweather Natural Skincare offer beautifully wrapped, gorgeous smelling well crafted soaps, creams and bath salts, which could make the perfect favour for your guests or gift for your ushers and bridesmaids.

Shoes, beautiful shoes

These elegant, beautifully custom made shoes are a must have for your wedding day. The Emmy collection offers a variety of shapes, styles, heel height and materials, to allow you to create a unique personalised product to match that dream wedding dress.