We've asked wedding expert (and former You & Your Wedding editor) Carole Hamilton for her must-read advice for brides-to-be.
You can also ask her advice in person in our live wedding planning web chat this afternoon between 4-6pm... see you there!
Carole's also written a fab new book for You & Your Wedding - called The Bride's Book, it's packed with tips and advice from her 13 years as editor of You & Your Wedding. For your chance to WIN a copy, simply click here and enter your name and address in the email. Closing date for entries is 31 May 2007.
You can also buy the book online and receive a discount of £2.50 off the normal price of £9.99, just click here entering code N82 at checkout.
What's the most-asked question that brides planning a wedding approach you with - and what's your answer to it?
'Why are weddings so expensive!' My answer is they don’t have to be, it’s more about spending what money you do have to good effect. Planning a day that reflects your personalities but suits your purse. A stylish cocktail party or quirky afternoon tea with cupcakes and champagne will be much more memorable than having an inferior sit-down meal at a second-rate venue.
What would you advise couples to do in the run-up to their wedding when the stress gets too much and they find themselves niggling at each other?
They always say planning a wedding is a good test of how you’ll cope with stress in your married life – if you can get through the engagement without coming to blows it bodes well for the future! Accept that you will get stressed with each other but don’t let it get out of proportion. Talk about anything that’s bothering you as soon as you can, little things quickly become big things if not addressed. Keep in mind that the wedding is just the beginning of your fantastic new life together.
What are the loveliest personal touches you've seen at weddings you've attended, that have stayed with you as memorable moments?
A touching reading, well performed by the reader was one highlight– my best friend had ‘The two of us’ from Winnie the Pooh and the girl reading it put so much emotion into her voice that the whole room was in tears by the time she had finished. Other nice touches I still remember from various weddings were a good friend singing an aria at the ceremony (none of us knew she could sing), the bride’s horse decked out in flowers joining the photographs, the bride and groom foregoing gifts and planting 175 trees, one for each guest, and a bride announcing that she was expecting twins as part of her bride’s speech (at 13 weeks she didn’t even have a bump, everyone was in shock).
What are your 3 top tips for making the most of your wedding budget?
1. Put the majority of your budget into the reception – quality food and drink will be remembered most by your guests.
2. Only invite people who really matter to you – partners you have never met and distant cousins should take second place to workmates you see every day.
3. Keep it simple, complexity and details tend to cost the most money. And in my view simple usually looks best.
What 5 photo opportunities would any couple be mad to miss on the day?
1. The bride with her mum
2. The wedding reception, before the guests arrive and trash the room
3. The exchange of rings
4. Getting at least one relaxed shot of every guest
5. The first dance
What are your favourite wedding flowers and why?
I love peonies. Pink is my favourite colour and they have the relaxed, old-fashionted look I really like. They’re romantic but don’t look like they’re trying too hard. I would love to have had them for my bridal bouquet but since I got married in Mauritius, I had white orchids instead.
What special touch would you advise a groom to plan for the first night or honeymoon, that's guaranteed to make his bride fall in love with him all over again?
Weddings are exhausting, both physically and emotionally and many couples underestimate how drained they will feel once it’s all over. A nice touch is to plan a romantic breakfast to be delivered to the room complete with champagne, roses and her favourite nibbles for the morning after the wedding. A late checkout is also a must! On the honeymoon, to pack CD’s of her favourite romantic ballards to play while sipping cocktails on the terrace and as the background track during long leisurely baths together.
What fragrance would you recommend for a romantic honeymoon dinner date?
Whatever the bride wore on her wedding day – fragrance evokes memories and the groom will remember this one for the rest of his life.
Which celebrity's wedding (past or present) would you have loved to be a guest at and why?
As a journalist, I would love to have been at Madonna’s wedding – probably because so little is known about what she wore and the style details. She is such an innovator I am sure it was spectacular. From a personal point of view, I would love to have been at Grace Kelly’s wedding, she was the ultimate beautiful bride.
If there's one piece of advice you'd give to a newly engaged woman what would it be?
Enjoy the fuss and attention but remember, the wedding day is just the beginning and your married life is actually what really counts.
