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Big weddings are not for everyone. Some couples prefer to celebrate their ceremony with just a handful of their family and friends. This allows them not to get swayed by the pomp and fanfare and focus on what the day is about. Another benefit of having a small wedding there are no massive costs and you do not have to worry about dealing with a big guest list. To help you with the planning we have put together 4 of our top tips on how you can plan an intimate wedding.

1. Write a Guest List

This is probably the hardest part of planning a small wedding. Deciding who to invite and who to leave off the guest list can be stressful. To make this part easier for you as a couple, you need to keep in mind what your motivations were for having a small wedding. This will help you not lose sight of what you want and ultimately you can pick a small number of people to attend your wedding. Anyone that is not close to you automatically gets excluded.

2. Allocate Your Resources Accordingly

The fun part of having a simple wedding celebration is that it allows you to have extra funds available. You can use this money on things that are important to you as a couple. If you have a shared hobby or particular interest, why not highlight this on the wedding day. For couples that love fine dining, this is a great opportunity to upgrade the meals that will be served on the day and give your guests quite a treat.

3. Consider a Destination Wedding

Do you have one place that you have always wanted to visit but have not yet had that chance? Why not have your wedding there? The great thing about having intimate weddings is that it allows you to have a destination wedding. This is because there aren’t a lot of guests and the few that you choose will be able to make the trip.

4. Choose the Right Venue

A lot of venues are only suited to large weddings. This will narrow down your options. You need to find a venue that will be perfect for a small gathering. At clarence house, we have beautiful wedding venues that would be perfect for small weddings. The picturesque views and lush gardens will make your wedding day magical.

To make sure that your wedding day is fun, here is a blog on the most hilarious questions for the wedding shoe game. We have more blogs to help you make your big day special for you to check out. Our clarence house team is on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

As you get closer to your big day, the excitement is palpable. A lot of the big decisions will have already been made and all the vendors will have been set for the day. The wedding day can be a whirlwind with many things happening. With family and friends involved as well as nerves and emotions, it can be hard to keep things well organized and on track. To help you with that we have put together a checklist that includes all the wedding day essentials for the bride and groom that you can use to make sure that all is in place for the day. To find out more, read on!

1. The Bride’s Checklist

Below is a list of wedding day essentials that a bride will need to have available or use on the day. Remember that a bride needs something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

• A button-down shirt for when you are getting your make up done
• Dress and veil as well as any shapewear and undergarments
• Hairstyling, make up, and beauty tools
• Deodorant as well as a toothbrush and toothpaste
• Gifts for bridesmaids
• A comfortable pair of flat shoes as well as the heels for the day
• Accessories and jewelry for each outfit change
• A beautiful hanger for photos of the wedding dress

2. The Groom’s Checklist

Below is a list of wedding essentials that a groom will need to have available or use on the day. In as much as people think that the wedding day is for the bride, a groom must also make sure that all his things are in place.

• Wedding suit, shoes, tie, socks, and underwear
• Lint roller, shoe polish kit
• Shaving tools and hair styling products and tools
• Deodorant, toothbrush, and toothpaste
• Fragrance
• Gifts for the groomsmen
• The marriage certificate and wedding rings

3. A checklist for both the bride and the groom

Below is a list of essentials that both the bride and the groom will need on the day. Some of these you will need to delegate because you may not be able to get them for yourselves.

• Fully charged cell phones as well as chargers in case you need to recharge
• An itinerary for the wedding day so that you stick to the set timeline
• Your wedding vows written down somewhere
• Checks and cash for all the vendors that will need to be paid after the wedding
• Some water to drink as well as snacks and juice

Are you looking for more wedding day advice? We have a number of blogs to help you make your big day special. Our Clarence House team is on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

Are you excited about planning your wedding and making sure that every detail is just perfect? Leaving anything to chance can ruin the day. A good wedding stylist will help you in each step of the way to make sure that on the day everything looks amazing and the day goes smoothly as you’ve always wanted. Choosing a wedding stylist requires enough time and special attention. To make this easier for you, we have compiled a list of handy tips that will help you choose the best wedding reception stylist for your wedding day. To find out more, read on!

1. Take a Look at Their Previous Work

When it comes to wedding stylists, the truth is in the pudding. You need to take a look at photos of all the previous work the wedding stylist you are considering hiring has done. This will help you visualize how they approach different clients and whether or not they will be able to give you exactly what you want.

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2. Know What You Want

Having a solid idea of what you want and what you do not want when it comes to your décor will help you choose a wedding stylist. Different stylists specialize in different aesthetics when it comes to their designs. There is no point in hiring a stylist that specializes in rustic weddings when that is not what you want. This will cause clashes later on.

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3. Set a Budget

Before you start shopping around for wedding stylists, you need to have a budget in mind. This will help you eliminate some stylists that may be out of budget for you. If you are set on a particular wedding stylist but they are out of your budget range, check and see if they offer any special discounts. This may make it possible for you to work with that particular wedding stylist for your big day.

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4. Discuss Ideas in Person

When you have narrowed down your options and now you must choose between a few potential candidates, set up appointments with all of them. Meeting someone in person allows you to get a unique perspective on how they work. During these meetings, you will be able to gauge if you can be able to work well with them. If you see any red flags at this stage, move onto the next one.

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Are you looking for a comprehensive last-minute guide that you can use during your wedding planning? Read our ultimate last-minute wedding checklist blog. We have a number of blogs to help you make your big day special. Our clarence house team is on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

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Do you want to give your hubby to be a sweet surprise on your wedding day? It does not need to be over the top or expensive, remember it’s the thought that counts. A wedding day is filled to fill with photos, dancing, cake and so many other activities that can make it hard to enjoy the moment as newlyweds. To make sure that your hubby to feel special on the day, we have compiled a list of our top 6 romantic ways to surprise him on the day. Read on!

1. Make Him a Memory Box

On the wedding morning, you can have someone close to him gift him with a box of memories that you two have shared. You can include photos, handwritten notes, and even a letter expressing how much he means to you. This will definitely make him feel special and give you yet another fond memory.

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2. Give Him a Handwritten Journal

If writing prose is right up your alley why not use those creative juices to write a journal of a hundred times when you knew he was the one. You can keep track of every moment that reaffirmed your love for him and he will know just how much the wedding means to you.

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3. Leave a Letter in His Pocket

It is common for couples to write love letters for each other and read it on the morning of your wedding day but you can make this a surprise. Leave an unexpected love letter in his suit jacket and get one of the groomsmen to ask him to check his pockets.

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4. Make a Short Video for Him

You can use a collection of your favorite pictures together to make a short video for your future husband. If you want to take this a bit further you can visit a few places where you shared special moments and film some reasons why you love him in those locations.

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5. Send Him a Love Note

As he is waiting for you to walk down the aisle, you can have the flower girl hand him a love note. This will probably be the most nerve-wracking moment of the day and getting an affirming letter of love from you will be something he can remember forever.

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6. Surprise Him with a Dance Tribute

This is a fun way to get your wedding party involved in your wedding surprise. You can pull together a short dance to a meaningful song with your bridesmaids. This will be a big highlight of the day for him and he will never forget it.

Would you like to discuss any wedding plans with a qualified wedding planner? At Clarence House, our team is on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

Getting to the ‘one week to go’ mark is as exciting as it is tense for a lot of brides. Months and years of planning will have gone into making sure that everything is in place for the wedding day. Even if you have thoroughly prepared for the day, the last-minute tasks cannot be avoided. To help you with these, we have compiled a checklist of the most common last-minute tasks. Read on!

1. Check the Weather Forecast

Do this daily for the last week or so to make sure that there are no weather surprises on your wedding day. And seek additional plans as a backup plan for example plan certain things indoor e.g. Your wedding photo location in-case if it rains.

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2. Make Sure the Wedding Licence Is Correct

This is to make sure that you have peace of mind. Just double-check that all the details on it are correct while there is time to fix the errors. You can also start practising your vows prior to ensure that you have summarised them by heart so your nervous are controlled on your big day.

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3. Finalise the Schedule with All the Vendors

Re-confirm details like the playlists, menus, shot lists. Your final schedule must have vendor delivery times, set up times and contact numbers. Finalise everything with your vendors prior to the wedding day so nothing will go wrong.

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4. Finalise the Seating Plan

The bulk of this is probably done at this stage it’s a good idea and time to make sure that it’s finalised can be shared with the wedding planner, caterer and venue manager prior to the wedding day.

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5. Collect the Dress and the Suit

When you are picking up the dress or the suit, have one final fitting so that you are sure that all the alterations have been done.

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6. Confirm Honeymoon Plans and Finish Packing

If you are going on your honeymoon straight away, get all the details in order in good time. Check your flight schedules and weather forecast for your destination so that you can finish packing. Or have a plan of activities to do during your honeymoon so you will know exactly what outfits to pick.

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7. Give the Place Cards to the Wedding Planner

They should be distributed on time. You can also hand over the guest book or cake knife at this point.

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8. Confirm the Wedding Night Reservation

Confirm the reservation for the room you will be using to get dressed in on the day as well as the suite for the wedding day.

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9. Get Your Manicure and Pedicure Done

Get this done about two days before the big day. To be extra careful, buy the same colour nail polish so that you can cover up any chipping that may occur.

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10. Secure the Wedding Rings

This may seem unnecessary, but wedding rings have gone missing on the day. To make sure they do not get lost, hand them over to whoever will be responsible for them on the day.

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Still, want to learn some more? Read our blog on the most common wedding fears and how to deal with them. Our clarence house team is on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

Alright, guys, you’ve gone past most of the wedding preparations and it is now close to the big day! You may feel like all the attention will be on your bride but remember you’re just as important as she is. This is why you must be prepared for what is ahead. To help you be in the right headspace for your big day, we have put together a list of our top tips for grooms. Read on!

1. Get Involved, Have an Opinion

This wedding is as much about you as it is about your bride. The only way you can make sure that your own personal aesthetic is reflected in the day is by getting involved in the planning. You do not have to be involved in the small things but it’s important to give your opinion in the big decisions, why not give your opinion.

2. Have Some ‘Me’ Time

Your wedding day will be spent with so many people, it is important that you get a moment of calm before all the festivities begin. You can slot in a few minutes in the morning for your alone time. Take the extra time to be alone and soak in the day and the major life change it will bring.

3. Smile and Smile Some More

You may end up feeling like you have a broken jaw because you will be required to smile a lot during the day. It isn’t much you can do about this as everyone will want to get a photo with you to commemorate the day. This is just a heads-up so that you are not surprised by it on the day.

4. Take Some Time to Eat

This is an essential piece of advice. You must eat whenever you get the chance to. The day is going to be so packed and you will be running around making sure you’re ready. To make this easier, you can speak with your best man beforehand so that he can keep you fed and hydrated during the day.

5. Follow the Plan

Wedding planning takes a long time. After all that planning, all you need to do is execute the plan. You absolutely need to stick to the game plan if you are to avoid any mishaps. Any last-minute ideas may seem like a good plan but don’t give in to that temptation. You do not want your bride to be surprised by any unplanned events.

Are you looking for more advice for newly-wed couples? We have a number of blogs to help you make your big day special. Our clarence house team is on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

Pre-wedding fear is something that all couples have to deal with while preparing for the biggest and most important day of your life. Read on to find out how you can put some of the most common wedding fears to rest.

Wedding angst is real and out of control at times. A study showed that 96% of newly engaged couples freak out when thinking about their wedding day and all the details and involvements that come part of wedding planning. There is so much to plan for and a million things that can go wrong. This can make you lose sleep, stress both financially and mentally but make sure you won’t take the fun out of what is supposed to be the most magical day of your lives. Below is a list of the top 5 things that couples worry about and how you can deal with them.

1. Rain on Your Wedding Day

It is widely believed that rain on your wedding day it’s known to be considered as good luck but it can also ruin the day. This is why a lot of couples worry about what the weather will be like and will constantly check their forecasts. There’s little that can be done to control the weather, but you can be prepared for any eventuality. Have a back-up plan for rain, wind, cold temperatures, and whatever else that Mother Nature brings your way.

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2. No Guests on the Day

After spending a lot of resources to make sure that the wedding goes off without a hitch, a common wedding fear is that no one will show up now that’s every couple’s worse nightmare. You must remember that your wedding guest list has your close friends and family that will do anything to support you. To be extra sure, send your save-the-dates early and call up those that delay to RSVP to make sure that they will attend.

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3. A Bad Hair Day

All eyes are on the bride on the wedding day. This puts pressure on brides to look picture perfect the whole day. A lot of brides fear is that they will have a bad hair day or their make-up will be anything less than flawless. To make sure that this does not happen, schedule a bridal trial run of your hair and make up a few weeks before your big day. Feel free to make any changes in advance so that you have no stress on the day.

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4. Stuttering During the Vows

Speaking in front of a crowd is not everyone’s cup of tea. Many people find it intimidating. To ease the fear of public speaking, practice reciting your vows beforehand. You can get help from your close friends and family. Recite in front of them until your vows flow easily. Remember that even if you end up making a mistake on the day, it will not be the end of the world. Laugh it off and continue saying your vows.

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Do you have more wedding worries that you want to discuss with a professional? Our Clarence House team is on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

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The special things in life are sometimes best-kept secrets. This also applies to weddings. It’s not every couple that wants to deal with the hustle and bustle of a public wedding. There are many types of secret weddings such as civil weddings in which the couple does not disclose their marriage to their families. A judicial secret wedding is conducted by a judge in a closed court session and is mostly only allowed under special conditions. If you have chosen to have a secret wedding, below are some secret wedding ideas.

1. Choose What Type of Secret Wedding You Want

As stated above there are different types of secret weddings available for different locales. Do your research on which type of secret wedding is allowed in your jurisdiction. If there are certain criteria to be met to qualify for a secret wedding, find out what these are and see if you are eligible. If you are not sure where to get such information, speak to a wedding celebrant in your area and they should be able to give you a comprehensive list of what you need to qualify.

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2. Get Your Papers in Order

If you are planning a secret wedding, there are some important documents to get in order first. You need to find someone to officiate the wedding. For this to happen you must produce your identity documents, prove that you are not married to someone else and prove that there is no prohibition that stops you from getting married. This is done by completing a notice of intended marriage form and signing it in front of a celebrant. This form will be valid for 18 months.

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3. Get a Venue for Your Secret Wedding

After getting the paperwork out of the way you can start planning your secret wedding. Some couples prefer having it at the courthouse with just the judge in attendance. You can have the secret wedding officiated at your home or hire a wedding venue that can cater for a secret wedding. If you choose to use a wedding venue, speak to the venue manager and ask for a secret wedding ceremony ideas. They should be able to advise you accordingly.

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4. Keep the Secret Wedding a Secret

There’s a simple rule to follow if you want to know how to plan a secret wedding. Keep the wedding a secret. You may feel tempted to tell a special friend or one relative but resist this urge. Once it is out there that you are having a secret wedding it will stop being a secret wedding and you can expect the family interference that comes along with everyone knowing.

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At Clarence House, we have a long-standing tradition of hosting beautiful and unique weddings. Contact us today and we can help you have a beautiful secret wedding.

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When it comes to your wedding concept no one can tell you how it should be or what sort of things you should do or not do. Your wedding is all about you and should be all about you and your partner and every aspect about it should have some meaning to you. Let’s take a look at some of this year’s new wedding concepts. 2020 promises to offer unique wedding concepts. Here are six of our favourite concepts.

1. Rustic

Whether you’re looking for pre-wedding concept ideas for your engagement shoot or searching for actual wedding concepts and themes to consider for your big day, you can never go wrong with a rustic concept. It’s one of those themes that never go out of fashion. Think mason jars, lace, pallets, and string lights. The best way to make this concept work is to choose a wedding venue that’ll accommodate your ideas and makes sure that you’ll get the wedding of your dreams.

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2. Bohemian

If you’ve ever revelled in the idea of throwing a bohemian-themed wedding then you’ll be happy to know that it’s a concept that’s very strong among brides this year. Carefree and simple, you can really do a lot with this theme. Keep things low-key and budget-friendly by opting for macramé decorations and oriental rugs to line the aisle.

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3. Whimsical

There’s been a growing trend for whimsical weddings. This concept involves the use of quaint décor and design. There is often a playful look and feel about the entire affair. You can expect an open buffet at such weddings. Multi-coloured balloons, mismatched chairs, and even streamers are a norm at such events.

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4. Nautical

Now, this is truly one of 2020’s adorable wedding concepts. Perhaps it’s because it takes us back to childhood and conjures up familiar memories. If you’re thinking of having a destination wedding somewhere with a beach this concept will complement your venue perfectly. You can never go wrong with a classic blue and white colour palette. For your wedding décor consider using mini anchors, miniature sailboats, and exquisite shells.

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5. Celestial

We have seen the celestial concept make a comeback. There’s something ethereal about this theme that we absolutely love. Whether you’re going for a dark galaxy-inspired look for your reception ceremony backdrop or a tiered-cake with stars and planets circling around, we think there is a lot that can be done with this concept.

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6. Romantic

No list is complete without a romantic concept. From the engagement shoot to wedding, you can have this as your solo concept and it’ll work fine. There’s a tonne of inspiration online of what you can do in terms of décor, dress, flowers, right down to the way you choose to style your hair! A romantic theme is probably one of the biggest and most diverse concepts you could ever choose.

Would you like to discuss wedding concepts and themes with a qualified wedding planner? Our clarence house team is on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

It’s no secret that wedding planning has some mixed emotions to it as we all know it can be a stressful and also fun task to take on board. In fact, according to insider.com, quite a number of engaged couples are turning to wedding therapists who can help take away the stress of planning their wedding. From getting the date they want, the venue of their dreams within a reasonable budget, let’s not forget the large amount of stress that comes along with the months leading to their big day. So, what are some of the best ways to deal with the tension, anxiety, and pressure that may arise so you can have a stress free wedding?

1. Increase Your Contingency by 30%

According to a report published by easyweddings.com.au, the average original wedding budget for most couples is $21,236. The couple often has a contingency of a few extra thousand dollars and many set their final wedding cost at $25,540. However, the final average wedding cost is usually around $31,368. That’s almost an extra $10,000 – talk about wedding budget stress! It’s no wonder money is one of the biggest stress factors during wedding planning. Looking at these figures it’s wise to set aside an emergency fund with 30% of your total wedding budget.

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2. Don’t Let Wedding Planning Consume All Your Time

If you’re looking for how to reduce wedding stress then don’t let wedding planning be all you think and talk about with your friends, family, and partner. So, make it a point to stay away from discussing anything to do with the wedding except during designated times especially with your partner. As excited as you may be about the wedding, talking or thinking excessively about it can lead to a lot of stress. Find ways to relax can go for a run, take up a pilate’s class, plan dates with your significant other.

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3. Ask for Help When You Need It

Getting a wedding planner is one of the best ways to reduce wedding planning stress during this time. If you can afford it why not let someone else handle the pressures that come along with wedding planning? It’s okay to ask for help. You’ll be more than surprised to find out that many people are there for you and are more than happy to give a helping hand.

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4. Give Your Immediate Family Regular Updates

Tired of constantly being asked how things are going? Then learn to communicate with your close friends and loved ones about it to take some stress off your shoulder by simply talking about it and taking it off your chest. Some useful and helpful ideas if by creating a shared google drive document for example where you can simply update it every time you’ve achieved a good outcome or have completed a task. That way it can help you be more organized and understand what’s pending, highlighting areas you need help with, will reduce the back and forth between yourself and family members. You won’t have to constantly repeat yourself. You’ll all be on the same page.

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5. Get Your Priorities Sorted Out from Day 1

Being organized can help you plan your big day? There are plenty of tools and resources available from sites like Pinterest to help you figure out the order of things. For example, the wedding venue and date are usually the very first items on the list to secure. With these booked everything else can fall into place and chances of wedding dress shopping stress and other issues will be significantly reduced.

Do you need help coping with wedding stress? Our clarence house wedding planners are on hand via telephone and other electronic means to help you with wedding preps. Get in touch with us today.

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Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. This famous quote works in many aspects of life, weddings included. There are many ways to have a simply elegant wedding. Many themes lend themselves to simplicity. Even though planning an elegant wedding ceremony and an elegant wedding reception takes time, the results make it worth the while. You must find the things that matter most to you and invest in them and the rest is just details. We have put together a list of 5 great ideas to have a simple and elegant wedding.

1. Decide on a Size and Budget

Before you can start worrying about the venue or what color chairs you will have, set a realistic budget, and decide how many guests you will have at your wedding. Just because you want to have a simple wedding does not mean you must have a limited guest list. Try accommodating the number of guests that best suits you. Deciding to spend within your means will make this whole process less stressful.

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2. Personalize Your Wedding Inspiration

We all love getting inspired by people’s weddings online. This is a great way to get ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own wedding. When looking for elegant wedding ideas for receptions, for example, focus on borrowing ideas that work well with your theme as opposed to adding things just because. Remember the aim of a wedding isn’t only to impress people, you want to celebrate your love. This keeps things in perspective.

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3. Get Rid of Unnecessary Things

Simplify your life. If you have chosen a delicious wedding cake already, will you need to add a dessert table as well? Stop yourself from adding unnecessary things that just add to your stress without improving the wedding experience. Be picky about what you choose to add to your wedding and don’t be swayed by people’s opinions. Remember when it comes to simplicity, less really is more.

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4. Use One Venue for the Whole Day

When looking for elegant wedding ideas for reception, bear in mind of the venue you have chosen can allow you to have the ceremony there as well. Having both events at the same venue will save you the hassle of having to ferry people from the wedding ceremony venue to the wedding reception venue. By so doing you can also save money as you will only have one venue charge and not two.

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5. Make the Wedding Memorable

Finally, if you want your wedding to be simple yet elegant, focus less on what the extras on the wedding day will be and more on what the overall experience will be. By so doing you can save yourself a lot of stress and have a simple yet stunning wedding that does not need all the bells and whistles for it to be memorable.

At Clarence House, we have a long-standing tradition of hosting beautiful and unique weddings. Contact us today and we can help you have a simple and elegant wedding.

Have you ever wondered why wedding cake trends are always evolving? This is because the wedding cake is very important and symbolizes future sweetness in the marriage. Some have even gone on to say that the wedding cake is the only guest with its own table, that’s how important wedding cake is. We have put together a list of wedding cake ideas you can use to choose yours this year.

1. Floating Tier Wedding Cakes

Traditional wedding cakes are always tiered. But why not take it up a notch in 2020? These wedding cakes are a clever way to add the illusion of height to your wedding cake. Instead of having a tall 7-tiered cake why not have the classic 3 tiers but with a luxurious twist that adds some extra height. This is one of the wedding cake trends in 2020.

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2. Luxurious Pearl Wedding Cakes

Pearls are known to be the queen of gems. They have been a part of the bridal culture for a very long time. Instead of leaving the pearls in your grandmother’s jewelry box why not use them to make your wedding cake glow. New wedding cake trends incorporate edible pearls in the wedding cake. You can have this as a standout feature at your wedding as well.

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3. Grand Multi-Tiered Wedding Cakes

These wedding cakes are showstoppers and are the pinnacle of luxury wedding cakes. They are usually tall and have many tiers, some going as high as 10 tiers. Because of their large size, these become the focal point of the wedding reception. Lore has it that the number of tiers reflects how long the marriage will last so the sky is the limit with this one and have as many tiers as you please.

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4. Redefined Carved Wedding Cakes

This is one of the latest wedding cake trends. Art can be incorporated into your wedding cake to give a visually stunning result. Sculptured cakes can take any form that you like and cake makers have fun creating one of a kind cakes. Some new sculptured wedding cake designs are gravity-defying and are a great way to express the couple’s individuality during the wedding reception.

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5. Watercolor Wedding Cakes

Paint has been incorporated into wedding cakes for a very long time. This wedding cake trend, however, takes painting wedding cakes to the next level. With watercolors, you can have pretty florals added to your wedding cake or have contemporary graphics. Scripted calligraphy with special messages can also be done. You don’t have to stick to light colors, dark watercolor will make any cake pop.

At Clarence House, we have a long-standing tradition of hosting beautiful and unique weddings. Contact us today and we can help you have a uniquely Australian wedding.

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Did you know that for a long time, couples in Australia threw stones into the water instead of exchanging wedding rings? This is a classic example of how Australian wedding traditions and customs have always been unique. There are many other Australian wedding traditions that can be traced down to the settlers and the aborigines, below are some of them.

1. A Classic White Wedding Dress.

Whenever people imagine Australian dream weddings, this comes to mind. The white wedding dress tradition has been there for many years. It symbolizes hope and future joy in the marriage. Now brides opt for many different colors, but this remains a well-loved tradition.

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2. Something Old and Something New

As the old rhyme goes, for marital bliss a bride must have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Australians have a tradition of being gifted something old such as a piece of jewelry from a parent to commemorate the day.

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3. Waiting to Unveil the Bride

This old tradition is well-loved and is still followed by many couples even now. The groom does not get to see the bride on their wedding day until she walks down the aisle. He only sees her face as he unveils her. This gives an exciting element for the couple on their wedding day.

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4. Parents Walk Down the Aisle

When it comes to accompanying the bride down the aisle, both parents get to do this. In many other cultures, this was traditionally done by the father but that’s not the same in Australia. The mother’s role in the wedding is respected by allowing both parents to walk their daughter down the aisle.

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5. The Wedding Smoking Ceremony

It is well known that aborigines and settlers shared the land for a long time. This tradition is a miscegenation of their two cultures. The couple gets fanned with the smoke of burning plants or herbs. This was supposed to ward off ill spirits and bring healing and blessing to the relationship.

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6. Lamingtons Instead of Wedding Cake

We all love wedding dessert and for many European cultures, traditional wedding cake takes pride of place. Australian wedding receptions have a tradition of having lamingtons. This is a traditional vanilla cake that is cut into squares, covered in chocolate, and then sprinkled with coconut flakes.

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7. Having a Wedding Unity Bowl

This heart-warming tradition has been passed down for many generations. Family members and close friends put stones in a bowl, and this represents their support for the couple’s union. The stones have the names of whoever has put them in the bowl, and they can also have different colors to represent the different families.

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At Clarence House, we have a long-standing tradition of hosting beautiful and unique weddings. Contact us today and we can help you have a uniquely Australian wedding.

Did you know that in 2019, average couples spent between $32,000 and $53,000 at their weddings?. This was a significant increase from the average prices 5 years ago. In such a climate it is prudent to find ways to reduce your wedding expenses so that you do not incur any debt. We have put together a list of money-saving tips you can use to make sure that your wedding does not break the bank but is still a day to remember.

1. Start with a Set Budget

It may seem like it’s not important to mention this but write down a list of common wedding expenses. From this, you can craft your wedding budget. Remember to include sundries and unexpected costs. You can then start to look for ways to save. It’s hard to save by doing just one thing but with a combination of different saving methods, you can reach your target goal.

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2. There’s Always Room for Negotiation

On your list of estimated wedding expenses, you will have put down quotes you received from different vendors. When vendors give quotes there’s almost always a little wiggle room in their pricing. Don’t shy away from negotiating with your vendors. A little off one bill and a little off the next bill adds up to big savings on your wedding expenses breakdown.

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3. Give Yourself Enough Time

Many couples have realized this too late. The earlier you start to plan your wedding; the easier it is to get bargains. If you book your wedding venue and catering early, its most likely going to be cheaper. With more time on your hands, you can do more research and get vendors that are the least expensive without sacrificing quality.

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4. Serve Your Food Buffet Style

Catering is almost always one of the biggest bills on the average wedding expenses breakdown. Reducing it even by a little can take off a significant amount of your total wedding budget. One way to do this is to serve your meal buffet style. This ensures that you will not need a big complement of the wait staff and there’s less waste than a sit-down meal.

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5. Consider Non-Traditional Flowers.

Florals can cost a pretty penny but this need not be the case. Instead of using traditional flowers such as roses and tulips, opt for non-traditional flowers. Many couples have been embracing greenery in their floral pieces. This has a rustic feel to it and you can save at the same time. Other ideas include brooch and button arrangements and ornament bouquets.

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6. Get Creative with It

There are many more ways to save money. You can make your own photo booth, get a friend to DJ, borrow instead of buying some things and choose a wedding venue that does not need a lot of décors. Some couples have used dummy cakes just for the pictures and had one cake to be cut for the day. Having your ceremony and reception in one place will reduce transport costs.

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If you find these ideas inspiring, we have many ideas you can incorporate into your wedding day. Read our other blogs.

Did you know that a wedding reception seating arrangement chart can take weeks and even months to perfect? On top of being time-consuming, it is almost always impossible to please all your guests. It is not always possible to seat everyone with their favorite people so there has to be a way to compromise. Below are some tips to make your planning stress-free.

1. Give Yourself Enough Time

When you have received the bulk of your RSVPs, it’s time to start working on the table seating chart for the wedding reception. It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to take your time arranging your guests in a cohesive manner. Many couples have made the mistake of trying to get this done the night before the wedding and been overwhelmed. Do not make that mistake.

2. Get Your Numbers in Order

The best way to start your wedding reception seating chart is to decide how many people will sit on a table. You have to take into account the table shapes and their capacity. You can then start a rough draft of guest placements. You can put this into a new spreadsheet or use free wedding seating chart templates. If you have this done, then you’re well on your way to getting the ultimate seating chart.

3. Prioritize Your Placements

Different families have varying dynamics and these should be respected in your placements. If you have divorced parents, it may be a good idea to keep them on separate tables. Quarreling aunts are also best kept on opposite sides of the wedding venue. Once you have placed the important people on their tables then you can fill in the blanks with people they get along well with.

4. If Overwhelmed, Get Help

It may not always be so clear cut who to place on what table. In such cases, you can call for backup. Parents can be invaluable in this situation. They can help you figure out how to seat their friends and how to diffuse any potential conflicts that may arise on the day. If you are still not sure that the seating arrangement will not cause problems on the day, inform your wedding planner in advance so that they can deal with any problems on the day.

5. Keep Your Wedding Venue in Mind

Now that you have assigned all your guests to a specific table, you can then decide on the table arrangement. Important guests must have a clear view of all the wedding festivities. It may be a good idea to place them close to the dance floor or next to where the bride and groom will be. Guests that have special needs such as those in wheelchairs and the elderly can be put in a central place where they can easily move around.

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Who doesn’t love an unforgettable wedding? Weddings bring families together in a celebratory mood. If you’re wondering what could be better than that… imagine a whole wedding weekend of festivities.

Planning a wedding weekend can seem daunting but it does not need to be. Welcome parties and good-bye brunches are just the icings on the cake, there are many more ideas we have put together below that you can use to keep your wedding guests entertained all weekend long.

1. Plan Your Wedding Weekend

Have a wedding weekend checklist that you will use to ensure that you make all the necessary reservations in good time. Listing all your planned activities will help you come up with a packing list for a wedding weekend for your guests. Circulate this list well on time.

2. Gift Your Guests with a Welcome Bag

This is a fun way to make sure that your guests get in the mood for the weekend. You can put together small gifts that are personalized for your wedding. You can also include the wedding itinerary with important dates, specific times and transportation details.

3. Have a Welcome Party

This is the perfect start to any weekend. Members of both families and friends that may not be as familiar with each other can use this time to get acquainted. If you are planning to have an extravagant weekend, make this part a bit more laid-back so that all your guests are at ease.

4. Book a Hotel Hospitality Suite

If you are planning to have your guests staying in one place, reserve a hospitality suite. Wedding weekend venues may also have accommodation for large groups, these are also a great option. Having everyone in the same place makes it easier for planning group activities.

5. Plan ‘Other Activities’

Yes, everyone will have traveled to celebrate with you but incorporating other activities that aren’t part of the standard celebrations can make it more fun for them. This can become a mini-vacation where people get to relax as well as enjoy the wedding weekend.

6. Have a Rehearsal Dinner

This is a must-have event that people will be looking forward to all weekend long. It is a great chance to thank important people that have been involved in your wedding planning. You can gift them with a bottle of wine or flowers and also have speeches or toasts from loved ones.

7. Have a Farewell Brunch

At the end of a great weekend of festivities, this is the perfect send-off for your guests. It will be the perfect time to thank all your guests. It does not need to be a big expense as you can host it at a family home or a friend’s backyard.

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Did you know that the average couple spends about 8-10 percent of their wedding budget on photography and/or videography? There are many reasons for this, more than enjoying the photoshoot on the day, photos are what your children and grandchildren will see. This is an art that you can enjoy for a very long time to come as it documents the beginning of your new family. We have compiled a list of unique photo shots for your big day.

1. Ask for Drone Pictures

This will literally take your wedding photos to new heights. Photos were taken by a drone to give a beautiful bird’s eye perspective to your day. You can have some aerial photos taken as you walk down the aisle. This will show your wedding dress in all its splendor and capture that beautiful moment for years to come. Add this idea to your wedding shot list.

2. In Rain or Shine

The weather may not always cooperate with your planned shots but take it in stride. Capturing unexpected weather changes will give your shots a very unique style. These unexpected shots are the most memorable and you will always have a story to tell. Use the changing weather as a backdrop for very unique photos.

3. Make a Splash

This for the more adventurous couples that want to compile a unique wedding photo shot list. If there is a pool at your wedding venue you can take a dive at the end of the day. Talk to your photographer and see if he can capture some underwater shots. These quirky water photos will be a hit with whoever gets to see them.

4. Utilize Negative Space

Ask your photographer to go wide and make use of whatever negative space you have available at your wedding venue. This can be in the form of a brick wall or a very high hedge. Negative space photos will make you and your entourage stand out and make the pictures more memorable. Make the background composition of these shots very simple for the extra flair.

5. Capture Beauty in the Chaos

Candid moments that can be considered as ‘messy’ can make for very beautiful pictures. Imagine a shot that captures the moment when confetti is billowing around you and your loved ones. If you decide to have a cake fight, capturing this moment can be fun. These shots are made for the wedding album. Add them to your wedding shot list ideas.

6. Capture Action Shots in the Festivities

While your guests are dancing or walking from the ceremony to the reception, ask your photographer to capture these live-action shots. These candid moments can be breathtaking especially in photos. Finally, talk to your photographer and make sure he captures candid moments of those that are near and dear to you.

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