Wednesday 28 December 2011

Things to think about when choosing your wedding transport


When thinking about your wedding transport you should always view the cars so that you are clear in your mind how things will look on the day and ask questions.  All reputable companies will understand how important these details are to you and be only to happy to help.




Questions could include:
Can the car(s) be decorated with ribbons and bows and fresh or silk flowers to match your colour scheme?
What will the drive wear?
Will the car(s) be required for other weddings on the day?  If so, how long is given between each wedding?
Will there be the right size and colour umbrella available, just in case it rains?
Is the car that you decide upon, the one that you will have on the day?
Finally always ask for full details of all charges in writing when making the booking.
Can we use the car for two trips to the church?
How many can we seat in each car and can they accommodate child seats?
Do you provide a refreshment pack in the car (water, tissues & mints etc)?


Spirit Wedding cars is a family run business and provide a tailored service to your requirements.

Our cars include:
4 Door White 1930’s Style White Beauford Convertible
2 Door White 1930’s Style White Beauford Convertible
1981 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit
Seafrost Green Jaguar XJ8
Kingfisher Blue Jaguar XJ8



We always drive the route of the wedding the week before so that we know exactly where to go and will often search for a more scenic and quieter route for the wedding party journey. Stopping for photos if the weather’s fine is all part of a tailored package that we provide so that you get the wedding day of your dreams.


To see more pictures of the cars available please visit our website www.spiritweddingcars.co.uk and for information on pricing and availability please email us at spiritweddingcars@hotmail.co.uk or telephone us on 01934 516728.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Local Wedding Network Group Offers One Stop Shop to Brides to Be

Daunted by the prospect of organising your forthcoming wedding? Not sure who to contact? Want a recommendation on a local supplier?

A group of local wedding suppliers and Reverend Andy Bryant of St Peter’s and St Nicholas’ Churches in Portishead have joined forces to form the Portishead Wedding Network.  Group member, Georgina Hunter of Inspiral Parties says, “Planning your own wedding is time consuming and stressful. It can take hundreds of hours to organise and then there is the added worry that suppliers won’t deliver. The aim of Portishead Wedding Network is to help take the stress out of organising the big day.  Couples can waste arduous hours in front of the computer researching venues, bridal shops, florists, cars, planners, photographers and other suppliers and do not often realise that there are many top quality suppliers right here in their local area.” 

At Portishead Wedding Network all new members are vetted and have been recommended and invited to join by other group members who have previously worked together. Jo Ashman of Jo Ashman Weddings comments “Our group offers reassurance to couples that its members will provide a quality service so the couples can relax and enjoy their special day.  Our members offer a personal approachable service with honesty and integrity being of the upmost importance.”
Despite the name, the Portishead Wedding Network is open to any wedding suppliers within the local North Somerset area. "We are always looking for new members to join our growing Network”, says founder member, Joanna Brown of Katherine Jo Bridal Design. “Portishead Wedding Network offers couples a full range of wedding services from dresses to venues”.

Portishead Wedding Network will be holding a wedding fayre for all future wedding couples on 25 February 2012 at St Peter’s Church in Portishead.  If you are a supplier in the wedding industry and would like to exhibit at the fayre please email your contact details to info@pwnweddings.co.uk and one of the members will contact you or alternatively telephone 07775 783 059. 

Brides to be can find local suppliers by viewing the Portishead Wedding Network directory at www.pwnweddings.co.uk



Photograph (L –R)
A few of the Portishead Wedding Network Members: Jo Ashman of Jo Ashman Weddings, Rev. Andy Bryant, Joanne Brown of Katherine Jo Bridal Design, Matthew Thorne of Spirit Wedding Cars and Georgina Hunter of Inspiral Parties.

Photograph taken by Chris Clarke of Perception Photography, PWN Member.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Choosing a Wedding Photographer

There are so many wedding photographers and photography packages to choose from that it can be challenging to choose one.  To help you make that decision why not meet with several photographers and see what each one has to offer.  The most suitable candidate should be able to understand what you are looking for and provide the necessary service for what you are paying.  Considerations when comparing packages may include:

1. Price / Budget:
How much of the budget has been allocated for the wedding photography package.  The price can be a major factor but should not be the most important.  As an event that happens once in a life time, it is recommended that you find the best photographer and package that you can afford within the budget.  Some factors that can change the fee or be negotiation points include the location, time of year, day of the week, available time, distances between multiple locations, weather and the number of guests.  Be sure to inform the photographer about these to determine whether it can affect the final price.


2. What’s Included:
Some of the items included in a wedding package are the photo album, number of photographs or proofs and the enlargements.  You can choose from a variety of album types to suit your taste and budget or choose to make their own for a cheaper price.  Photographers can choose to hold on to the originals and you have to order reprints or they will provide you with original digital copies for you to reprint at will – make sure to check this.

3. Style:
The style of photography varies for different photographers.  You may choose to have photos taken using a traditional, candid or photojournalistic style.  A traditional style involves capturing the mood of the event, presented in a romantic fashion.  Candid photography involves a more casual feel while the photojournalistic approach tells a story.

There are many excellent local photographers that Spirit Wedding Cars have worked with, a small selection are listed on our website directory.  Click here for more information.

Saturday 19 November 2011

Choosing A Wedding Bouquet That Is Right For You

Most brides will try and avoid it as long as possible, but choosing a wedding bouquet is something that all brides-to-be will have to do eventually.  It's not an easy task though!

You have to pick a wedding bouquet that is right for you, and the rest of the bridal party, and suits the style and theme of your wedding.

And then you have to choose a bouquet that suits your body shape.  Get this wrong, and rather than show off your best features, the bouquet will highlight your worst flaws.  Definitely something you should avoid if you don’t want to be cringing every time you see the wedding photos.

Start by looking through some bridal magazines, and getting a sense of what you like, and what you don't like.

While looking through the magazines and photographs, try and answer these 6 questions in your head:

1. What colours do you want?
2. What flowers do you want?
3. What shape do you want?
4. What size bouquet do you want?
5. What type of greenery do you want?
6. Would you like fresh flowers, or silk flowers?

Other things to consider may be:
• Silk flowers are cheaper than fresh flowers, but look just as good, and can be kept after the wedding without preserving.
• The type of stems you choose (natural or wired), will limit the types of bouquet you can make.
• You should try and keep the flower girl bouquets in a similar style, but try to make them smaller. After all, it's YOU who is the star of the wedding.

Another important thing to consider though is choosing the right style of bouquet for your body shape:

1. Short ladies:
A large teardrop or sheath bouquet, as they need to add height.  These two types of bouquets give the illusion of length, were as a posy would make you look more compact and  potentially shorten you.

2. Tall Ladies:
A large posy or a medium teardrop bouquet.  A large posy will draw the eye down and give people a focal point so that they won't be focusing on your height.  A medium teardrop will also draw the eye down so that your height looks a little more even.

3. Large Ladies:
A large bouquet.  A small bouquet will exaggerate your width, and make you seem larger than you really are. Use a large bouquet, which will make you seem much slimmer.

The trick is to choose a wedding bouquet shape that flatters you, but at the same time, make sure that it doesn't take too much focus away from you.  After all, you want to have a beautiful wedding bouquet, but you want people to be looking at you, not your flowers!

Friday 23 September 2011

Choosing Your Wedding Theme

Your wedding day should and can be anything you want it to be. When I meet a happy couple for the first time we always talk about how they would like their wedding to look and feel. Some couples have a clear idea of a theme others have no idea at all.
The first step  is to capture your ideas,  get a piece of card or a scrap book and stick on pictures you like from magazines, books, the internet, even photos from other weddings. Keep all your ideas in one place and this will help you decide which bits you definitely want and which bits not to include.
Look at the colours that stand out. Colour can be all you need for a theme and it can be linked to most aspects of your wedding, the dresses, flowers, stationery and the decoration of your venue. You may have chosen classic colours such as summer pinks or the earthy colours of autumn, or your timeless deep reds, or you may see you have gone for the “it” colour, the one that will be seen in the magazines. You can literally use any colour or combination of colours; just make sure you like it.
So you have your colours, now look at your ideas. What stands out to you, have you chosen formal and traditional pictures or casual and humorous ones?  Do you have a big idea, like the country fair theme, a beach theme, or something more conceptual like shabby chic? These ideas can then start to form a plan of how your wedding will look and feel, what venue you want even the time of year.
Remember a wedding is about you as a couple, your personality, your hobbies, your interests. Think about what is important to both of you, it’s easy to just let one half of the couple take the lead! Have you both had your say? You can have table plans based on breweries or Harley Davidsons, and with the right touches of colour and some simple styling you will have a day that represents both of you.
One of the most important things to couples when planning their wedding is budget. It is important to be realistic, (fireworks, ice sculptures and a castle don’t come cheap!) but if you plan carefully you don’t have to compromise on other more important elements of your wedding, like the dress and food.  Any venue with the right touches and planning can be made to look fabulous, those little touches that really add to the feel don’t have to cost a fortune,  how about asking all your friends on facebook who has a candelabra for that stylish table look, you’ll be surprised what you can beg or borrow!
One couple I knew wanted a fun filled wedding on a small budget, so they just ordered the shell of a marquee without all the frills (just in case it rained), asked all their guests to bring a picnic and then spent all their money on a live band.  Not everyone’s choice but it was their day and they got exactly what they wanted, which is exactly how it should be!
Whatever theme you choose, whether it’s just a colour or a big idea remember the first time a lot of people will get a glimpse of your wedding is when they receive your invite.More is revealed when they visit the venue, and then as the day unfolds they see what this day means to you. So make sure you show your theme throughout. Pick the right style of invite, tease them with the colour or the words you choose, make sure the decoration ties in with the flowers, the dresses, the invites and the venue.
Most of all remember make sure you actually like it. A wedding can often make all kinds of well-meaning friends and relatives give advice on what you can or can’t do and what must be done. It is your day, your memories and yours time to celebrate so do whatever feels right for you!
Written for Spirit Wedding Cars by Jo Ashman of Jo Ashman Weddings

Monday 19 September 2011

Choosing Your Wedding Cake

Your wedding cake will feature in a lot of wedding photographs, which you will be looking at for years to come.  Thus, you should take some time to choose the perfect cake for you.

A few things that you should think about considering for your wedding cake includes, size, taste, colour, filling and decoration.

The Look – In terms of the look and appearance of the cake the best places to look for inspiration are magazines, books, wedding fayres and of course the internet.

Function – What are the reasons for having a wedding cake, if it is simply decoration for your wedding reception, the taste and how many portions is not important however if you have 500 guests and the cake is to be given as deserts then make sure you have enough cake to go around.

Style and Colour – Think about if you want the style and colour of the wedding cake to match the colour scheme or theme of the wedding. Think about subtle touches of colour in the decoration.

Shape & Size – You can have a from 1 tier to 10 tiers, a round, square, hexagonal or diamond shape or even cup cakes to make up the display.

Taste – Fruit filling is tradition however there are plenty of options to choose from in terms of filling and make sure you remember to accommodate all guests with allergies.

Accessories – Make sure you have your sugar flowers, ribbons, flowers, cake toppers and candles included in your budget as your cake will not look so special without one or more of these.

Budget – How much do you want to spend?  Always important when planning any aspect of your wedding.

Potential Suppliers – There are many local wedding cake suppliers with a large range of options and prices.  If a family member is a particularly good baker and skilled decorator then why not ask them for example Mum made our cake and Sister did the icing and decoration.

We hope you find this useful, please leave us a comment.

Wendy & Matthew Thorne - Spirit Wedding Cars

Wednesday 31 August 2011

Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Dress

Your wedding dress should the most fabulously flattering outfit you have ever bought.

It should make you feel the centre of attention, make all your guests green with envy and make you smile all day long at how happy you feel in your best dress ever.

Which is all very well… but how on earth do you know what style to choose and where to start looking for this fabulous dress?



The main aspects to consider when choosing your ideal dress are:
  • the neckline – does it flatter your body shape and enhance your features?
  • the material – does it cling unforgivably to every lump or skim your line to perfection?
  • the length – does it elongate you if you are on the short side or serve to make the most of your elegant stature if you’re tall?
  • the skirt shape – does it fall elegantly to the floor?
  • the colour – does it lift your skin tone and make you look like a well-lit film star or drain you of colour and leave you looking unwell?
  • the detail – do you want to sparkle with beading and crystals?

Here at Spirit Wedding Cars we may not be able to help with the dress but we have a list of excellent local wedding gown and wedding dress suppliers listed on our website.  Please click here for more information.

Wendy & Matthew

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Venue

Choosing the right wedding venue is key to your big day. And there’s thousands of wonderful wedding  venues, from candle-lit castles to chic hotels in the South West area.

The number of people you want at your reception may well dictate your choice of venue or vice versa! It is usual for everyone who has been invited to the wedding ceremony to be asked to the reception.

Did you know that each council that issues licences for civil ceremonies list those licenced venues on there websites?  Please see below links to these lists in our local area.

North Somerset Council
Bristol City Council
South Gloucestershire Council

There is also a selection of venues listed on the Spirit Wedding Cars website, please see below link:
Spirit Wedding Cars - Wedding Venues


Tuesday 16 August 2011

Top 10 Wedding First Dance Songs

I'm sure we all have our own favourites, but here are some of the most popular wedding first dance songs:

1  Aerosmith – Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing
2  Bryan Adams – Everything I Do (I Do It For You)
3  Lonestar – Amazed
4  Shania Twain – You’re Still The One
5  Shania Twain – From This Moment
6  Van Morrison – Have I Told You Lately
7  James Blunt – You’re Beautiful
8  Savage Garden – Truly Madly Deeply
9  Robbie Williams – Angels
10  Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You


Our first dance was to the Bee Gees & Celine Dion - Immortality.

Matthew & Wendy - Spirit Wedding Cars
Spirit Wedding Cars Website

Tuesday 9 August 2011

Planning Your Wedding, by Spirit Wedding Cars

There are many things to think about when you are planning your wedding amongst what seems to be a never ending list you many have the following:

  Budget
  Method of Payment
  Number of Guests
  Style, theme, colours
  Likes / dislikes
  Who’s going to be involved

When talking to clients a frequently asked question is “how long in advance do I book ....?”, every magazine, wedding planner and wedding service provider will have a different opinion.  Here at Spirit Wedding Cars we have been through many magazines and opinions and come up with the following recommended wedding planning time frame list:

  12 months plus
       Decide of style of wedding
       Decide on date
       Book venue
       Book registrar / minister
       Book catering
       Insurance
  6 to 12 months
       Book honeymoon
   check passports if going abroad
       Book entertainment
       Book cars
       Book florist
       Book photographer / videographer
  3 to 6 Months
       Buy / order rings
       Buy / order dresses
   bride, bridesmaids etc
   accessories, veil, shoes etc
       Buy / order outfits for groom, bestman, ushers, brides father etc
       Book hairdresser
   Discuss styles as may need to grow hair
       Order cake
  1 to 3 Months
       Lingerie
       Hair accessories
       Jewellery
       Make-up
       Send out invitations
       Book first night accommodation
       Buy going away outfits
       Stationery for wedding day e.g. Order of service, menus etc
       Fittings of dress
       Hair / make-up trials
       Stag / hen nights
       Wedding list
       Favours
  Less than 1 month
       Rehearsal
       Double check arrangements
       Arrange timings

Wedding fayres are an excellent place to find out more, for a list of wedding fayres please click here.

If you are planning your big day in the Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire area we hope to see or speak to you soon.  Good luck from all at Spirit Wedding Cars.


Thursday 7 July 2011

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something green…….

A wedding is a all about tradition.  From cutting the cake to cracking open the confetti, it’s a time when you share all of these magic moments with your nearest and dearest. 

Whats more your wedding or civil partnership can also be an opportunity to support Macmillan and help change the lives of people in your community who are living with cancer.  What better way to make your special day a little more special?

You and Macmillan the perfect match
There are oodles of ways you can support Macmillan at your special day.  Have a look through some options below, tell us what you would like and then relax, we will take care of the rest.  We will organise and create whatever package you choose and deliver it directly to you.

Options:
1.       Macmillan donations
Whether you are looking for an alternative to a gift list or something to compliment your existing list, it’s a piece of cake for your guests to make donations to Macmillan.  We can help you set up a just giving webpage – or event a tribute fund site in memory of a loved one.  Not only is it the quickest and easiest way for your guests to give online before the big day, but it also allows you to keep track of who has contributed to your gift fund.

2.       Macmillan place setting cards and wedding favours
If you would like to thank your guests for sharing your special day with you, why not do it in the most memorable of ways?  We can provide bespoke card for each place setting explaining why you’ve chosen to support Macmillan.  You can also choose to add wedding favours for your guests such as a Macmillan pin badge or trolley key ring.

3.       Macmillan fundraising collections
Say “I do” to raising money for Macmillan on the day of your ceremony.  We can provide collection boxes or donation envelopes to put on tables during the wedding breakfast, or even on the bar.  Just let us know what you need and we will arrange it for you.

4.       Macmillan Wedding Gifts
If Macmillan gift lists and wedding favours aren’t your thing, you needn’t worry.  There are lots of other ways you can support us at your wedding, just have a chat with us.  We can tailor-make packages to suit your requirements, from balloons and banners to Macmillan stationary that’s ideal with sending out with thank you cards.

For more information contact:
Claire Coles
Area Fundraising Manager, Somerset & Dorset
Mob: 07734 384459  Tel: 01823 352079
Macmillan Cancer Support, Victoria House, Victoria Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3FA

Spirit Wedding Cars is proud to support Macmillan Cancer.

Wednesday 29 June 2011

The Wedding Gift List Debate

When Matthew and I got married nearly 10 years ago I resisted having a wedding gift list as I felt embarrassed to "ask" for presents and felt it was rude to expect friends and family to spend lots of money on us even though present buying is a normal custom and part of the big day celebrations.

Many people got very annoyed with me as I dug my heals in further they got more frustrated with what to buy so my mum decided that to tell anyone that asked her that we were collecting Crystal, which is all very lovely but is always packed away in the cupboard and never used as we are too scared of breaking it.

Others decided to buy vouchers or give money which some people do not like because in a way it puts a price on the friendship or feel they have to give more money then they would spend on a present or can afford to spend as they don’t want to be seen as stingy.

When my sister tied the knot 10 year before me her gift list was things that she needed to set-up home as they had not previously lived together but these days most people do live together first.

There are many options for Wedding Gift Lists including department stores, garden or DIY vouchers and some people register with a travel agent for a collective gift from all guests of the all important honeymoon!

What did / would you do?

Wendy
Spirit Wedding Cars

Sunday 15 May 2011

Wedding Congratulations

Congratulations to Robert and Teresa pictured here with our Kingfisher Blue Jaguar XJ8 and 2 Door White Beauford Convertible at Chewton Place, Keynsham.

Thursday 28 April 2011

Preferred Supplier for Top South West Venue

Spirit Wedding cars is pleased to announce that we are now the preferred wedding car supplier for Tracy Park Golf & Country Club.
For more information please see our Wedding Venues website page:
http://www.spiritweddingcars.co.uk/wedding_venues.html

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Honeymoon UK

The royal wedding is less than a week away and speculation is growing on where Wills and Kate will honeymoon. Rumours have been flying on the chosen destination, with guesses ranging from Jordon to Africa, where Will's proposed. One speculation has been Scotland, and wouldn't it be great for the country's tourism industry if they did indeed stay in the UK....................

To read the rest of this article please click here.

For great UK and Great Britain accommodation visit the Blue Bells & Sea Shells website:
http://www.bluebellsandseashells.co.uk/

Thursday 24 March 2011

Wedding Congratulations

Congratulations to Melissa and her new husband, hope you have a wonderful life together.

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Wedding Shows this Weekend

Spirit Wedding Cars will be exhibiting at the following events this weekend across Bristol:
  • Saturday 19th February 2011 - Debenhams Instore Wedding Event
    Broadmead, Bristol
  • Sunday 20th February 2011 - Charisma Wedding Fayre
    Kingswood, Bristol
  • Sunday 20th February 2011 - The Ship Inn Wedding Fair
    Alveston Bristol
If you need a wedding car or are interested in other wedding services why not pop along.  For more details please see the Spirit Wedding Cars website (Click here).

Friday 21 January 2011

Bridal and Menswear



See our brand new bridal and menswear suppliers website page, including Grander Grooms and Graceful Gowns of Weston-super-Mare.
http://www.spiritweddingcars.co.uk/bridal_menswear.html

Saturday 15 January 2011

4-Door Beauford Wedding Car (White Convertible)

The 4-door White Beauford Convertible has now been collected from it’s respray and will be available to view tomorrow (16/01/11) at The Webbington Hotel, Loxton. Watch this space for photo’s coming next week.

Wedding Venues


Another great local venue The Avon Gorge Hotel added to our wedding venues website page.