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Here is a selection of Q&A's from Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding magazine. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yourbristolsomersetwedding.com.
To view more Q&A's on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
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 Hot topic: Gifts |
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| Whatever worries you have regarding your big day, our experts are here to guide you through |
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A photo thank you
Q. We won't be having favours at our wedding reception, but we would like to thank our guests for attending the day in some way. We thought it might be nice to send them a photographic record of the wedding when it's all over, if possible. Do you have any suggestions of what we could give everyone?
A. Jodie Howe says: There are some great websites where you can get photo gifts created at reasonable prices. Try www.snapfish.co.uk as it has lots of products to choose from, including flip photo books or small printed albums. Some other good sites include www.vistaprint.co.uk or www.bagsoflove.co.uk, which has the option to create mugs and mouse mats, bumper stickers and bags. You could even select your favourite wedding images and create a jigsaw, or another idea would be to create a collage poster from a few photos. Memento magnets and key rings would also prove popular. Good luck! |
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Charity begins at home
Q. We have everything we need for our house, but our guests are keen to give us something for our wedding. We like the idea of donating to charity - what are our options?
A. Andy Hickey says: An increasing number of couples are looking for ethical alternatives when it comes to their wedding, and charity gift lists are becoming a popular choice. There are two main options: If you have a favourite charity you know your guests would like to give to, then support them through a simple donation website, such as www.JustGiving.com
Alternatively, you can use one of the small number of services more tailored to weddings, the best of which are provided by Oxfam Unwrapped and Cancer Research UK.
If you would rather give your guests a choice though, opt for a wedding list that offers a selection of charities. The Alternative Wedding List, for example, offers a range of charities including Barnardo's, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Save the Children. For African-based charities, choose The African Wedding List, and The Green Wedding List focuses on environmental charities. Do your research and you're sure to find the perfect charity for your big-day guests to give to. |
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Help us buy on a budget
Q. We have a rather large bridal party for our wedding next summer: four bridesmaids, three ushers and two best men. We'd love to get them all something special as a thank-you gift, but at the same time it has to be something that won't blow the budget. Have you got any affordable suggestions?
A. Kerry Heathcote says: Traditionally, the bride and groom buys jewellery for the bridesmaids and cufflinks for the best men and ushers. These gifts not only ensure everyone is wearing the same accessories on the day, but they can also be worn again and again.
There is also a huge choice of personalised gifts available online, such as engraved hip flasks or pens for the boys, photo frames or mirrors for the girls and wine glasses which you could get for everyone. You can even get personalised bottles of wine and scribe individual messages to each of your attendants on the label. However, if you're on a very tight budget a lovely thing to do is to buy good food and wine and have a dinner party for the bridesmaids, best men and ushers to say thank you. Not only is this very personal, it also brings everyone together and doesn't have to cost a lot of money. |
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Gifts for the garden
Q. My mum and soon to be mother-in-law are both avid gardeners, so we'd really like to get them gifts based on what they love to say thank you for all their support. Can you suggest some ideas?
A. Vicki Summerill says: Lots of brides and grooms like to give presents that will forever be a reminder of their big day. Some couples have plants as centrepieces, which can actually be given away as thank-you gifts to people that have helped make their wedding special - lavender plants in particular are perfect for this, as they smell so wonderful and are easy to care for.
Alternatively, you may be able to find a plant that matches some of the blooms you decide to include in your arrangements, such as hydrangeas or roses. Fruit trees are another great idea and apple and plum trees are fantastic for mums who love to make their own preserves. After all, what could prove a more fruitful reminder of your special day? |
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Contact our experts... |
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Andy Hickey, Charity gift website
www.giveit.co.uk |
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Jodie Howe, Photographer
www.photographybyjd.co.uk |
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Kerry Heathcote, Wedding planning
www.snapdragonweddings.co.uk |
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Vicki Summerill, Flowers
www.cliftonflowers.co.uk |
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