Wedding Fayres

Below are details of just a few of the forthcoming Wedding Fayres to be found on the County Bride website. (email and web links for the fayres can be accessed from the County Bride site)

18th February 2010
Open Evening
The Gables Hotel
Bristol Road, Falfield, South Gloucestershire GL12 8DL
6.30pm - 8.30pm FREE Admission (Ticket only - from Hotel)
Lisa orJuliette 01454 260502

21st February 2010
Orchardleigh House
Orchardleigh Estate, Orchardleigh Park, Frome BA11 2PH
1pm - 5pm
Eve or Karen 01373 466 477 or 07923 633 486

28th February 2010
Val Slater Associate Event
St Fagans National History Museum
St Fagans, Cardiff CF5 6XB M4/J33
11am - 4pm
David Lewis 05601 640047

7th March 2010
Lackham Countryside Centre
Wiltshire College Lackham, Lacock, Chippenham SN15 2NY
11am - 3.30pm (Free Admission)
Sonia Blackbourne 01249 466831

Visit the Wedding Fayres page of County Bride for a full list of regularly updated Fayres and Open Evenings.
Also, find a complete list of wedding services for Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, N Somerset, SE Wales and Wiltshire including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Hen & Stag, Wedding Cakes, Florists, Wedding Catering, Wedding Venues ...and many more.

Planning Your Wedding: 8 - 6 months before

Some more guidelines from County Bride to help you plan your wedding.

8 - 6 months before
* Order your Wedding Dress, Shoes and Accessories
* Select your Best Man and Attendants
* Book your Honeymoon
* Order your Wedding Stationery, (Invitations, Place-cards etc)
* Order the Male Outfits . Order the Bridesmaids Dresses
* Order Bridal Favours and Table Decorations
* Organise Wedding Balloons Supplier
* Check that your Passports are in order

Visit the County Bride website for full details on Planning Your Wedding, also find a complete list of wedding services for Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, N Somerset, SE Wales and Wiltshire including:
Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Hen & Stag, Wedding Cars, Florists, Wedding Catering ...and many more.

Planning Your Wedding: 18 - 12 months before

It is important when Planning Your Wedding that you contact services and wedding venues in good time to secure bookings. It is advisable to do this in a chronological order.

18 - 12 months before (or as soon as possible)
* Book your Photographer and/or Videographer
* Visit Wedding Fayres
* Choose a Colour Scheme
* Browse for Dresses for the Bride and Bridesmaids and Male Outfits
* Browse for the Wedding Rings
* Select and Book a Toastmaster
* Book Wedding Cars or Carriages
* Contact Travel Agents for Honeymoon Destination ideas
* Organise Music/Entertainment for the Wedding Reception and Party
* Book the Firework Display
* For Register Office Weddings give Notice of Marriage
   (Allow 17 clear days before wedding date)

Visit the County Bride website for full details on Planning Your Wedding, also find a complete list of wedding services for Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, N Somerset, SE Wales and Wiltshire including:
Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Hen & Stag, Wedding Cars, Florists, Wedding Catering ...and many more.

County Bride Brochures

County Bride produced their 1st Wedding Services Brochure for the Gloucestershire area, having chosen this beautiful county to pilot a comprehensive online Wedding Services Directory in the year 2000. With the success of both the Internet Directory and the Brochure, the 'County' format of Internet and Brochure marketing was taken to three additional areas: Bath, Bristol, and Wiltshire. (Click here for more information on the brochure)
The brochures are produced annually and distributed Free of Charge to key outlets. They generate positive feedback from future brides with regard to their convenient ‘Handbag Size’ and easy-to-navigate source of information. County Bride have always strived to give value and good exposure to the advertiser and to this end are merging their Four 'area' brochures into Two. The two NEW brochures will cover the same four areas as previously covered. The ‘Bath & NE Somerset’ and ‘Bristol, S Glos & N Somerset’ brochures will become ‘Bath & Bristol’ – and ‘Gloucestershire & SE Wales’ and ‘Wiltshire’ will become ‘Gloucestershire & Wiltshire’.

Visit the County Bride website for a complete list of wedding services including Chair Covers & Sashes, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Wedding Cakes, Florists, Licensed Wedding Venues,
Hen & Stag, Wedding Cars ...and many more.

Wedding Etiquette: Traditions & Customs - The Cake

The Cake:
Historically it was the custom to shower the bride with small cakes (like confetti) or even break the cake over the brides head! An old English custom included the placement of a ring inside the cake, with the lucky guest who found it being ensured happiness. The Wedding Cake containing fruit and nuts was originally produced to symbolise fertility. The wedding cake was developed over time into a tower of several cakes placed on top of one another. Originally the bride and groom would stand on opposite sides of the cake and attempt to kiss. If the kiss was carried out without toppling the cake, good fortune could be expected. This tradition has been continued and modified into today's multi-tiered cake with the kissing couple on top.
The top tier of the cake is often kept for the christening of the couple's first born.

Visit the County Bride website for full details on Wedding Etiquette, also find a complete list of wedding services for Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, N Somerset, SE Wales and Wiltshire including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Hen & Stag, Wedding Cars, Florists, Wedding Catering ...and many more.
View a regularly updated list of Wedding Fayres for the County Bride areas.

Wedding Etiquette: Traditions & Customs - The Rings

The Rings:
The tradition of wearing a ring to show a persons marital status dates back to Roman times and is undoubtedly the most symbolic piece of jewellery anyone will ever wear. Wedding rings are traditionally made of precious metals like gold to express the true value of a relationship. The unbroken circular band symbolises the eternal commitment from one person to another and the lasting nature of marriage. Originally a ring bearer carried the ring on a cushion, it was shown to the bride at the altar to illustrate the grooms sincerity. Today the rings are paid for by the groom and are usually carried by the best man until required during the ceremony.

Visit the County Bride website for full details on Wedding Etiquette, also find a complete list of wedding services for Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, N Somerset, SE Wales and Wiltshire including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Hen & Stag, Wedding Cakes, Florists, Wedding Catering ...and many more.

New Category - Dove Release

County Bride have added a new Category to their already extensive list of Wedding Services headings, that of 'Dove Release'.
The release of White Doves, often by the Bride and Groom, has gained in popularity and is a spectacular alternative to the throwing of confetti and rice.

White Doves have long been a symbol of peace, love, fath and fidelity, and their release signifies a romantic and everlasting new life together for the new couple. Whether a single Dove, a pair of Doves or a flock of Doves, this will be one of the most talked about events of the wedding day - a magical moment to be captured forever on camera.

Visit the County Bride website for more on Getting Married, also find a complete list of wedding services including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Wedding Cakes, Florists, Fireworks, Hen & Stag ...and many more.

Wedding Etiquette: Roles & Duties - The Ushers

The Ushers main duties are:

Showing people to their seats at the ceremony.
Distributing orders of service.
Distributing buttonholes.
Distributing hymn books.
Assisting the best man in organising the photographs.
Assisting the best man with organisation of the Wedding Cars.
Generally looking after the guests.
Escorting the bride's mother to her seat.
Introducing guests to each other.

Visit the County Bride website for full details on Wedding Etiquette, also find a complete list of wedding services for Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, N Somerset, SE Wales and Wiltshire including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Hen & Stag, Wedding Cakes, Florists ...and many more.

Wedding Etiquette: Roles & Duties - Best Man (1)

The Best Man (part 1 of 2):
A supporting role to the groom. A position of huge responsibility that should not be undertaken or indeed offered lightly. His duties include:

The arrangement of the Stag Party (this should not be the night before the wedding)
Ensuring a punctual and sober arrival of the groom at the wedding venue.
Issuing of Buttonholes.
Issuing of Orders of Service.
Organising the seating with the wedding venue.
Responsibility for the bringing of rings to the wedding venue.
Presenting rings to the clergyman when required.
Witnessing the signing of the register.
Organisation of the Ushers.
Payment of Church fees on behalf of the groom.
Escorting the chief bridesmaid down the aisle.

Visit the County Bride website for more on Wedding Etiquette, also find a complete list of wedding services including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Wedding Cakes, Florists,
Hen & Stag ...and many more.

Wedding Etiquette: Roles & Duties - Best Man (2)

Continuing the duties of the Best Man (part 2 of 2):

Organising the transport from the ceremony to the reception.
'Best man' speech at the reception.
Reading out any telegrams and messages.
Delivery of going away outfits to bride and groom at the reception.
Organising somewhere for the bride and groom to change prior to going away.
Ensuring the bride and groom's luggage leaves with them on their honeymoon.
Organising the collection of wedding presents.
Having first dance with the chief bridesmaid.
Ensuring guests' transport arrangements are organised.
'Breaking down barriers' among the guests to ensure the party moves into full swing.

Visit the County Bride website for more on Wedding Etiquette, also find a complete list of wedding services including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Wedding Cakes, Florists,
Hen & Stag ...and many more.

Wedding Etiquette: Roles & Duties - The Groom (1)

The Groom (part 1 of 2):
Contrary to popular belief the groom's role in organising a wedding extends far beyond the acceptance of congratulatory drinks and deciding what to wear at the stag party. Firstly there is the small matter of an engagement ring to choose and buy. He has joint responsibility in the major decisions such as choice of wedding venue, photographer and reception. His contribution taking some of the pressure off his bride to be. Then there is the compiling of the guest list (with the help of his parents) for both the wedding ceremony and the reception. When finalised, he would present both lists to the bride's mother. He also chooses the attire of the ushers.

Visit the County Bride website for more on Wedding Etiquette, also find a complete list of wedding services including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Wedding Cakes, Florists,
Hen & Stag ...and many more.

Wedding Etiquette: Roles & Duties - The Groom (2)

Continuing the duties of The Groom (part 2 of 2):

On the day of the Wedding the groom and his best man should arrive at the wedding venue a good 20 minutes or so prior to the ceremony. Following the signing of the register he walks back up the aisle, with his new wife on his left, to begin the formal photographs. Then it's onto the reception where the bride and groom prepare to greet their guests as they arrive. The groom is expected to introduce his new bride to friends and relatives who have not previously met her. Following the bride's father's speech, the groom should thank the bride's parents for his 'new bride' - and all those involved in the organisation of the wedding. The speech should include a toast to the bridesmaids. After the speeches and the cutting of the cake, it's time for the first dance. Traditionally the groom would invite the bride's mother to dance, the bride's father would then take over, allowing the groom to dance with his bride.

Visit the County Bride website for more on Wedding Etiquette, also find a complete list of wedding services including Chair Covers, Wedding Photographers, Marquee Hire, Wedding Cakes, Florists,
Hen & Stag ...and many more.