Visit Official Blog - Spanish Wedding Planner

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me….

Thursday, 12 November 2015 00:00

Christmas. Even the word conjures all sorts of images and feelings, and, love it or hate it, it is hard to ignore Christmas in the western world. Mid-November, the festive season is almost here with tv adverts, Christmas offers, parties and presents lists. For couples it can be a stressful time with a great deal to do, lots of people from both families to see and long lists of presents and cards to buy.

Don’t despair though! If you have a wedding planned for 2016 you can use Christmas as way of really reconnecting with your intended with a wedding themed Christmas present. It sounds strange but amid all the family bustle it can be hard to get some “alone time” with your partner, let alone talk about the wedding and the underlying reason for it all - the love you share. Whether or not you are going all out for a big Christmas or keeping things small and simple a thoughtful present can be a fantastic reminder of your Big Day to come.

Wedding related presents need not be expensive or elaborate. In fact there are two ways of making them super special and wedding related. You could save your pennies and wow your partner with a wedding day gift or activity (eg: fireworks, an incredible band, a classic car).

Alternatively you can buy something your partner will love which is also makes them think of your wedding, or something which can be worn or used on the day. The list is huge but here we look at a few ideas to get you started….

Jewellery - We know this isn’t an original idea but a simple pair or earrings or cufflinks which your intended can wear on your Wedding day are more than just things of beauty - the can be worn on the Day and treasured forever - bonus points all round!

Cutting board - this is not only truly beautiful but useful too. If your partner loves to cook then this could be the perfect gift...

Canvas guest tree - a beautiful picture in its own right, this canvas tree also doubles as an incredibly cool guest book for your wedding day so that’s two in one with this present!

Bottle stoppers - A little something to keep the wine fresh at Christmas and a great way of looking forward to your Big Day too!

Christmas Stockings - probably not a main gift, these Christmas stockings are a fabulous bit of fun and a great reminder you will soon be man and wife!

For these gifts and 1000's more visit www.etsy.com or ask your planner for more information.

When things go wrong... it can still be happy ever after!

Friday, 30 October 2015 00:00

You've dreamed about your wedding for years and want everything to be perfect - but what happens when things go wrong? In the months leading up to your Big Day it is only normal to imagine your wedding day as 100% perfect and so good that it will be remembered by you and your guests for years to come. However, what if, because of human error, act of God or totally unforseen circumstances something goes wrong either beforehand or on the day itself? It is not a popular topic for discussion but sometimes the unexpected does happen so here our are key tips for riding out the storm and coming out smiling with a happy ending after all....

Buy insurance: Wedding insurance is often neglected by couples who do not want to pay for something they will probably not use. For the sake of a small sum of money (packages start at 30 euros) however you can have the peace of mind of knowing you are covered if you have to cancel unexpectedly, make new plans in the event of financial failure by a supplier, must delay travel or other unforseen difficulties . While this does not make up for the worry and additional work caused in these cases it can help you recoop some of the money which can make a big difference.

Speak to your planner: Your Wedding Planner cares as much about your Big Day as you do. She wants everything to go well and has years of experience planning events. Don't treat her like a competitor therefore, but as soon as you have a problem talk to her, ask her advice and use her expertise and contacts if she suggests they can help resolve the situation.

Be realistic: When you get married in Spain the customs, food and culture are different to those back home. Aside from the sunshine, the up side of this is the great Spanish food, love of dancing, willingness to welcome children everywhere and traditions such as flamenco dancing, all of which can bring even more sparkle to your Big Day. The red tape and "do it tomorrow" attitude can be frustrating however. Somethings do work differently here and a wedding in Spain will not be the same as a wedding in Ireland, the UK, Scandinavia or the States. Celebrate the differences and you will be better equipped to laugh at the stuff which you thought would be easy but turns out to be far more complicated.....

Take a step back: Some problems are truly disastrous - an absent groom or flooded reception venue. Others however are a matter of perspective. Will your wedding really be ruined if your flowers come in a slightly darker shade of pink or if town regulations mean can't arrive at the church in a horse and carriage? Before calling it a disaster take five minutes to sit quietly and think about the important things in your life and why you are marrying in the first place. You are making a public declaration of your love in front of family and friends so don't let insignificant details change your appreciation of the Big picture....!

Wine Bottle Inspiration for your Wedding!

Friday, 23 October 2015 00:00

You are probably planning to have wine at your wedding. What you may not be planning (yet!) however is all the incredible things you can do with wine bottles to make your Big Day decoration even bigger and better! In this week’s blog we look at five fantastic ideas using wine bottles that you can do even on a shoestring budget. (As an added bonus you even get to drink the contents before using the bottles!).

Twine decorated bottles. Simple to create, effective and easy to do in a colour and style to fit with your wedding theme. These can add an additional wow to your Top Table or Candy station or even stand alone as a beautiful addition to your reception decor.

Chalkboard bottles. Instead of a chalkboard or sign at the entrance of the dining area try these chalkboard decorated wine bottles for a fun twist on the still-popular Chalkboard trend.

Personalised wine. Now for this idea you can’t drink the contents, but personalised wine bottles are still a fantastic and relatively unusual way to go. Ask your wedding planner to organise this with a Spanish company in good time for your wedding day and you will be able to get a good price on regional wine to add to the Spanish flavour of your Big Day!

Table number wine rack. We’ve all seen Table number wine bottles in the centre of tables but this is a new take on the idea with a Wine rack table plan showing guests where each table is in the room! Fun and great for a rustic themed, relaxed wedding day in the sun.

Wine bottle guest “book”. Guest books are great but why not take it one step further by buying some special wine (or champagne) for your guests to sign when they arrive at the reception. Unlike guest books which are rarely opened and read once your wedding day has ended you can display your “guest book bottles” back home and create a fun talking point too!

Ministering to you! Know the facts about Wedding Day ministers in Spain

Friday, 16 October 2015 00:00

Photo credit: Bob Long Photography

Before you made the decision to marry you probably didn’t give much thought to the kind of minister you wanted for your wedding ceremony. Once you have set the date and booked your venue however choosing a minister is a decision which can have a huge impact on your Big Day here in Spain.

A CATHOLIC CEREMONY

If you are having a Catholic ceremony then the decision is simplified as you must have a practising Catholic priest. Even here however there is room for maneuver and it is worth knowing your options….

*Use the Catholic priest at the church you have chosen. You need to check if the priest speaks English. If he does then you could use the priest at the church which is usually the cheapest option.

*If the priest at the church you have chosen does not speak English then ask your wedding planner for help finding a translator. The best translators will work alongside you and the priest to create a ceremony with the hymns and Bible readings you have chosen and make sure all is clear before your Wedding Day.

*Bring your own priest! If you, your partner or family know a priest then this can be the option which really adds sparkle to the ceremony as the priest will know you prior to your Wedding Day and be able to work with you to make the ceremony very special. It is usual however to organise (and pay for) flights and accommodation for your priest in this case so is a more expensive option. In addition to this you will need to ensure the priest has a letter of Recommendation from his superior and permission to conduct the service as the local priest at the church will need to see these along with the usual church documentation.

A BLESSING CEREMONY

If you are having a symbolic blessing ceremony then you have a great deal of scope when it comes to the person who will conduct your ceremony as they do not need to be specially qualified as a minister to perform a blessing. That said it pays to use someone reliable and confident at public speaking to help relax the two of you and make the ceremony more special for your guests.

*A family friend. If you really (yes really really) have a family member or friend who is suitable to perform a blessing then you can use him or her. Do ensure however that they really are happy to do this, have some experience or confidence in this area and are committed to working with you prior to the day and on it. Using “Uncle Jim” may seem like a cheap option at the start, but if he has no experience of performing weddings, may change his mind or has a sudden attack of nerves then it will be far more stressful than using a professional!

*A professional minister. These ministers fall into various categories depending on the types of ceremony they perform. Secular ministers perform ceremonies with no mention of God or spirituality, and the content focuses on your love and commitment to each other. Interfaith Ministers will perform secular ceremonies or those which incorporate elements from one or more faiths (Christian, Jewish etc) along with your own ideas and vows. Christian ministers (eg Church of England or Evangelical pastors) will do Christian ceremonies but will generally be more willing to incorporate readings or songs which Catholic priests will not permit.

The important thing is to talk to your partner and planner and work out what suits you and is possible given your choice of ceremony venue and budget. In this way you can get the best minister for you, regardless of what suits someone else….

Before you get into your Wedding Dress - the essential checklist!

Friday, 09 October 2015 00:00

On the morning of your Big Day you are likely to be nervous. After long months of planning and organisation THE day has finally arrived. It is all too easy therefore to get a bit flustered or forget the simple things you should do prior getting into your Wedding dress. Never fear however because Spanish Wedding Planner is here with a go-to check list of things you should do BEFORE slipping on THAT dress...!

1) Moisturise - It sounds silly but soft, moisturised skin will give you an additional boost on your wedding day and, if you match the moisturiser to your perfume, make your chosen scent last longer. Just be sure to rub it in well and leave plenty of time before putting on your dress to avoid greasy marks!

2) Don't forget to eat - a fainting bride is not a good look! You may not feel very hungry but there's going to be several hours until you eat again and you don't want to spend the day feeling light-headed and hungry as that can really put a damper on your spirits!

3) Brush your teeth - you are going to spend a lot of time smiling and chatting to people during the day so the last thing you need is dragon-breath! Give your teeth a through clean before your ceremony, floss and use a mouth wash or spray for extra freshness.

4) Go to the loo! In the excitement it is easy to forget the call of nature until you are laced into a complicated dress or even standing at the altar. Before you get dressed make sure you use the bathroom and then go easy on the caffinated drinks and alcohol before the ceremony or concentrating on your vows can be tricky!

5) Take a few deep breaths. It is your day. You've dreamed, planned and organised and now your are here. Take a few moments to appreciate the pre-wedding time, remember the friends and family who have travelled to be with you, and why you are doing this - for love! Then go - have an amazing day!

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