A great flower arrangement can make the difference on your wedding’s day.
We bring you a selection of our all time favorites, right here at instyledress.co.uk.
You’re getting married, you’ve got your heart set on hiring a live wedding band, but you don’t have the foggiest where to start. There’s no need to develop a case of wedding-induced stress, Entertainment Nation are here to offer 10 expert tips on how to hire the perfect wedding band at the right price.
Make sure you book your wedding band with a trusted wedding entertainment agency. Working with an established wedding entertainment agency has a number of benefits. First and foremost, reputable agencies only offer acts they know to be talented and reliable, so you can be confident you’re getting a band who can do the business on the biggest of big days.
Booking through a trusted agency gives you the peace of mind that contracts, PAT-Testing certificates and PLI insurance are all taken care of and that any payments you make are made securely.
Wedding entertainment agencies also know a thing or two about what works well at a wedding reception, so can offer you expert advice and guidance on everything from potential band choices to working with sound limiters (more on which later).
Hunt down independent reviews. Given that your choice of act can make or break your wedding reception, you only want to hire recommended wedding bands. As well as the reviews you find on the agency or band website, search for independent reviews through sites like Facebook, Google and Trustpilot, where you’ll get the unvarnished truth about the wedding band you’re about to book.
Don’t wait around! All of these tips are important, but if there’s one we’d rate above all the others, it’s this one. Simply put: hire your wedding band as early as you can. Just like with in-demand wedding venues, the most popular wedding bands get booked for peak dates up to 2 years in advance. The peak wedding season seems to kick off earlier each year too, so don’t risk missing out on that whimsical folk band you’ve got your heart set on, get them booked ASAP!
Book out of season. This is more of a general wedding planning tip that’s also applicable to hiring your wedding band. If you’re on a budget and want to get the most for your money, then opting for a date between October and April will leave you with more room to negotiate on prices. Sure, you aren’t guaranteed good weather, but then you wouldn’t be during the Great British summertime either! Another benefit to booking out of season is the larger selection of available bands to choose from.
Book a date during the week. If you simply must have a summer wedding, but don’t want to pay the earth, then choosing a mid-week wedding is the perfect solution. As with booking out of season, you’ll save money and have a bigger selection of bands available to you. Your family and friends may be a bit put out that they have to dip into their annual leave to attend, but they’ll get over it once they see the bargain of a wedding band you managed to snap up!
Leave booking your wedding band until the last minute. Yes, this is the complete opposite to what we said a few expert tips ago but bear with us. If you’re the kind of bride or groom who likes to fly by the seat of their pants, then booking a wedding band a few weeks before the big day could be a great way of securing a hefty saving on the total fee. You won’t have the same amount of choice as you would if you’d booked early and, if you’re getting married on a Saturday in August, there’s a chance ALL the good bands will already be booked. But if you’re a bargain-hunting thrill-seeker, the saving you’ll make is worth the risk.
Go local
. While most bands happily venture up and down the country every weekend, if you’re keen to keep costs in check it’s a good idea to hire a wedding band that doesn’t need to travel too far to your venue. Every mile on the road is money out of your pocket, so the closer the better. Plus, you’re saving the environment. Win win.
Make sure your wedding band is self-contained. Self-contained? Like, the band comes in a capsule or something? No – a self-contained band is one that supplies everything necessary to put on a top-notch show at your wedding reception. This includes (fully-insured and PAT-tested) equipment such as PA and lighting, as well as a DJ service to keep your party in full swing while the band is recharging between sets. Most good wedding bands bring along everything they need to perform to a high level, but it’s worth making sure.
Be clear about when you want your wedding band to arrive (and to leave). Individual wedding bands may vary, but the unwritten rule is that a wedding band will arrive at your venue and start setting up at around 5pm or after, and then finish playing at midnight. The price you are quoted will be based upon these standard timings. If you want the band to set up early for any reason, or you want them to play on until the early hours, you need to arrange this with the band at the time of booking or well in advance of the event. Early starts and late finishes incur a fee to cover the extra working hours of each band member.
Check whether your venue has a sound limiter before you hire your wedding band. This may be our final tip, but it’s a biggie. Before booking a band, make sure you’ve spoken with your venue about any restrictions on live music they have in place, whether the venue is fitted with a sound limiter, and at what decibel level the limiter is set to. Most professional wedding bands are able to work with sound limiters, but they need to know in advance, so they can bring appropriate equipment.
Some bands are unable to work within tight decibel limits, especially larger bands with live horn sections. You don’t want to be faced with a wedding day disaster of hiring a band who are unable to perform to their full potential (or at all), so be certain to check.
That wraps things up for our top ten wedding band hire tips. We hope you’ve found it useful. If you need any further advice or you’d like to get on with the fun of booking a band, visit Entertainment Nation and give our friendly team a shout. They’ve helped hundreds of happy couples find their dream wedding entertainment and are around from 10am until 10pm every day of the week.
Norfolk has something truly beautiful sites for having a fairy tale wedding. Set in the most stunning views of the Ormesby Broads and 11 acres of private parkland gives you the real wow factor of the surrounding beautiful waterways of the broads and the outstanding venue.
The Old Eels Foot Pub and Boathouse have been fully refurbished to offer a fairytale setting for a wedding venue. To offer on your special day is a choice of fine cuisine with luxury accommodation and fully equipped wooden lodges for your guests to reside in.
Visit website: www.theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/TheBoathouse
Twitter: twitter@TheBoathouse
Nestled in Norfolk lies the answer to “Downton Abbey”, within a private estate surrounded by parkland and formal gardens sits Somerleyton Hall. This is like escaping back in time with its large maze to lose yourself in while you take in the beauty of the scenery.
Somerleyton grows its own produce which will be included in your reception and there is also a choice of a wedding breakfasts.
Civil ceremonies are also licensed here so there is an overall emphasis on catering to everybody’s needs. There are various reception rooms to hold your service in and the option of being outside in the Winter Gardens. There is also an option to hire the main Hall for a 2 night house party or to have a more intimate experience there is the use of the boutique style State bedrooms.
Visit website: www.somerleytonweddings.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/SomerLeytonHall
Twitter: twitter@SomerleytonHall
Norfolk is the perfect place to escape to to find the English Gentleman’s countryside, here the backdrops are perfect for wedding venues and beautiful estates surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes.
After a 2 years Bressingham Hall and High Barn have been immaculately restored to its former glory and is a Grade 2 listed building.
The venue is set in 12 acres of land with a backdrop to collaborate with photographs for your wedding day. The Hall and Barn are full of countryside character to give that extra special feel to your already special day.
Visit website: www.bressinghamhall.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/BressinghamHall
Twitter: twitter@BressinghamHall
As picturesque as Norfolk settings can be, with all its history in various Churches and Abbeys in the region, there lies in a 35 acre estate a 14th century Pentney Abbey. This countryside holds a jewel in its crown with this timeless beauty ready to be shared on your special day.
The Grade 1 listed Gatehouse is the entrance to the estate with giant wooden doors that open to reveal the courtyard which presents a rose garden and water fountain to make a perfect backdrop for photography.
If you are looking for a serene venue with accommodation and local places for your guests to stay this is the perfect stay and only an hour drive from Norwich so close enough for your guests to venture out to the city.
Visit website: www.pentneyabbey.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PentneyAbbey
Twitter: twitter@PentneyAbbey
In the centre of Norwich and literally a stone’s throw from the breathtaking Cathedral lies a beautiful Tudor building steeped in history and local folklore.
Here you will find the Maids Head Hotel, the exterior painted in the traditional Tudor colourings with ample parking space at the rear of the building.
A wedding planner is available to help cater for every bespoke need with the traditional wedding through to civil ceremonies, wedding themes and decor vary throughout the year including a tree and trimmings if you were attracted to a Christmas wedding.
Visit website: www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/MaidsHeadHotel
Twitter: twitter@MaidsHeadHotel
If you’re interested in a personal touch with a family run business, in the pretty rural setting of Crostwick, close to Norwich lies The Old Rectory Hotel.
A personal wedding co-ordinator is on hand to assist with all your needs and to show you around the various locations around the venue. Inside there is the conservatory restaurant which is available for receptions and civil ceremonies and holds up to 150 guests or 110 seated. For smaller parties there is the Victoriana suite which caters for up to 60 people.
A wedding Butler is also on hand for your special day to co-ordinate and announce events.
Visit website: www.oldrectorycrostwick.com
Facebook: facebook.com/OldRectoryCrostwick
Twitter: twitter@OldRectoryCrostwick
Throughout Norwich there is an array of historical buildings, one of the most important and renowned in the area is The Assembly House that dates back to 1754. This Grade 1 listed building is opened up by a sweeping driveway that leads you to this grand venue.
An in-house wedding planner is on hand to guide and assist with every detail of your day. There are a selection of rooms to choose from or you can book the house in its entirety.
There are picturesque gardens which make the perfect backdrop for your wedding photography, alongside many of the grand rooms available.
Visit website: www.assemblyhousenorwichco.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/AssemblyHouseNorwich
Twitter: twitter@AssemblyHouseNorwich
Nestled away inside the beautiful countryside of North Norfolk lies Gunthorpe Hall, an immaculate Georgian Victorian country hall.
The formal gardens, parkland and private lake cushion this stately home into the perfect setting for your special day.
As you enter the building you are greeted by a long carved staircase which leads you into the Oak Hall and Sitting Room for your choice of service. There is also the option of having your service in the gardens by the lake in a marquee, yurt or wigwam.
Catering for your guests are carried out by an in-house team using the halls own home produce.
Visit website: www.gunthorpehall.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/@GunthorpeHall
Twitter: Not on Twitter
If you wanted to be just on the outskirts of Norwich with just a 15 minute journey away and yet also be within the heart of Norfolk then look to Hockering House.
The real emphasis here is with the house is to have your day your way and for your every need to be catered for. The owners, Sam and Oliver Berney are there to assist with your bespoke wedding to ensure the day fits you and your partner perfectly.
Hockering House is licensed for both civil weddings and partnerships, duo ceremonies, vow renewals, naming and humanist ceremonies.
Visit website: www.hockeringhouse.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/HockeringHouse
Twitter: Not on Twitter
In the crown of Norfolk there are many hidden jewels, laying in the heart of the area is Hunters Hall. It consists of a beautiful stunning brick and wooden beamed Victorian barn, to which there is room to accommodate 120 guests for your ceremony or 70 guests for a wedding breakfast.
There are also other venue choices with the Park Room and the Marquee Lined Barn. Being set in such a specific rural location provides the ideal setting for capturing your wedding photography.
Only one wedding is booked per day so you have exclusive use of all the facilities at the Hall.
Visit website: www.HuntersHall.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/Huntershall
Twitter: twitter@Huntershall
We’re sure you’ve already heard it a lot recently but, congratulations! You’ve found the one, mission complete. Level 2 – buy an enchanting engagement ring that will dazzle the mind of your soon-to-be fiancée or fiancé.
We’ll go through what the four main terms used for diamonds mean and how to know if they are of high quality or not.
Carat
The carat is a way of measuring the value of the ring you decide on. It can give you a price tag because it’s actually a weight. The heavier the stone the more expensive it’s usually going to be. Hence, the higher the carat of a ring, the more it will cost.
So, as you can imagine, the larger the stone is the higher the carat it’s usually going to be. With this said, some diamonds may seem larger but weigh less than a smaller one. This will be because the cut is shallower than the smaller yet heavier one.
Cut
This doesn’t describe the shape of the diamond, it’s referring to the way the stone has been cut. The better the cut, the better the sparkle, the better the diamond.
If you’re unsure then hold the diamond to the light and see if it reflects the light internally and externally well. You just want to see how bright it shines, to put it in other words. The cut also tells you how deep or shallow in shape the stone is.
Colour grade
If you’re set on buying a diamond ring, you should consider the colour grade. Each diamond is rated on a scale starting at D to Z. A diamond grade D is the most popular because they are considered colourless.
The Z grade means the diamond is a light-yellow colour. Though you can also buy diamonds of green, red, blue, yellow and pink, clear is the most popular for engagement rings.
Green and red diamonds, however, are extremely rare so if you see one that’s in your price range, snatch it up while you still can.
Clarity
The clarity pretty much tells you if the diamond has any inclusions, imperfections and specks. No diamond is perfect, so don’t expect a completely clean clarity. But doesn’t that make each stone so much more precious and unique?
The style of the ring
If they love all things antique, you could choose from antique rings London. An antique ring usually is gold and often has a more unusual engagement stone, like an emerald or ruby for example.
The shape of the stone
There are 12 main shapes you can buy for an engagement ring:
Round
A round diamond is the most traditional shape for an engagement ring.
Radiant
Along with a beautiful name, the radiant shape is truly unique. They are square-shaped with flat corners.
Oval
Oval shaped diamonds allow light to reflect through easily, which effectively makes it sparkle more.
Emerald
The emerald shape is called this because it was once only used to cut emeralds specifically, however, you can now get diamonds and other stones shaped the same way.
Princess
This shape is square and sharp, though they look elegant and princess-worthy.
Pear
Also called the teardrop, it takes the form of a perfectly even droplet of water.
Trillion
Trillion cut diamonds are triangular and usually are used as accent stones to the main stone. With this said, they do also look stunning as the main-show stone.
Baguette
Baguette diamonds are rectangular and thin, so they are the best choice for those who have a minimalistic style.
Heart
Of course, you know what a heart shape is. This is the most symbolic shape for love.
Cushion
Similar to the princess shape, the cushion is square but has softer edges.
Asscher
These diamonds have more step-cuts than radiant diamond shapes, which allow the stone to sparkle extremely well, but the overall shape is very similar.
Marquise
Also referred to by the name navette (little boat), the marquise is shaped like a small boat – hence the name.
Did this help you decide?
We hope it did! Let us know what engagement ring you decided on in the comments.
Now more than ever, there’s room to personalize your wedding and make it your own special event, and closely following suit is wedding recep...
