Does your Wedding need a Toast Master?

I am sure that many of us have been to weddings where the organisation  – shall we say – "left a little to be desired". Perhaps the wedding was very well organised but the agenda wasn't being communicated and so effectively it all fell apart.

Portishead has its very own Toastmaster and Paul Maltby is happy to share his thoughts on the way in which a toastmaster can make your wedding run smoothly:

These include:

• Ensuring the venue is ready.
• Receive and greet your guests as they arrive to the reception and organize the receiving line, announce guests to the hosts.
• Liaise with the caterers to ensure the meal is served on time.
• Ensure that all guests are seated at the appropriate time for the meal.
• Co-ordinate acceptance of gifts.
• Organize and announce the cutting of the cake.
• Announce the toasts and the speakers.
• Assist in the presenting gifts or bouquets.
• Announce and escort the retiring couple at the end of the wedding breakfast.
• Say Grace if required or introduce the guest who is to perform this duty.
• Introduce the formal speakers and assist with any presentations.
• Make sure that everything runs according to plan.

If you would like to know more contact Paul please click here.

Paul will be at the Portishead Wedding Network Wedding Fayre on Saturday 25th February 2012 if you would like to meet him.

Wedding Costs - How much is enough?

Industry sources state that the average cost of a wedding in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since it peaked at over £20,000 in 2008 and is now estimated to be £15,541 (that includes £3,000 for a honeymoon).

You don't have to spend a fortune though to have the wedding you want, many get wed for much less than £10,000 and we have met brides who did it for £5,000.

The mere fact of contemplating a wedding with all its unknown and associated costs, can be enough to put the idea on hold and that would be a shame. Many of get wed for much less with the help of careful planning, family and friends. So we know that you can have the day you want without breaking the bank.

As couples get savvy with their cash, it is often not always discounts they are looking for, but a bit of guidance, a few tips and hints on what to do, and what is the 'norm' these days? The truth is anything goes these days and we have found that there's no set figure and it's a question of priorities, but as more couples now pay for their own wedding it can be useful to know how the costs can stack up and what you can do about it? There are simple areas where savings can be made, and no-one need even notice!

The vast majority of the cost of a wedding is spent on food and drink and the hire of the wedding venue. The easiest areas to cut costs are to reduce the number of guests and to take advantage of late deals offered by venues.

Source of article : Wedding Whispers (http://www.wedding-whispers.co.uk/)

The Value of Wedding Fairs

When planning a wedding you are often talking to a large number of suppliers from cake to dress makers. This can become overwhelming when looking for ideas, comparing suppliers and negotiating prices.  Newly engaged couples quite often look like a small animal caught in the headlights of a car.

With the wedding industry booming on the internet, it’s a good source of information when researching into ideas, especially with the multitude of directories and blogs.  Magazines also provide inspiration as does watching many of the wedding television programmes – such as “Don’t tell the Bride”.  However, when looking to meet local suppliers, face to face, a wedding fair is the best place to do so.

Wedding fairs take place throughout the year.  They are often hosted at wedding venues, giving you the chance to look at the venue as well as meeting lots of different suppliers.

To get the most out of a wedding fair, it is worth thinking about why you are attending:
• Is it to get general inspiration?
• Is it to look around the venue?
• Are you looking to source a specific type of supplier?
• Have you made an appointment with one of the suppliers?

Take time to research in advance, as it will help you to bench mark what is on offer, negotiate, and compare the value of any special offers that many suppliers put on at wedding fairs. Sometimes, it is possible to get a good discount at these events.

The real value to be gained from a wedding fair is getting to meet the actual supplier(s) up front.  With something as personal as a wedding, it is important to establish a good relationship with all your suppliers.

You want them to be confident and professional, make you feel relaxed, listen to your requirements and be able to offer advice when required.  Talking to suppliers at a wedding fair should give you a good indication as to whether you want to hire them.

Many suppliers that come to wedding fairs have something unique to offer, and feel that by showcasing their products and services, the wedding couples will feel inspired and want to find out more.


Couples often bring friends or parents with them to wedding fairs.  This is a great idea as it can help to give the family the feeling of being part of the big event when looking at ideas and options.  Often suppliers will provide samples (e.g. a taste of wedding cake), as you go around the fair, so getting a second opinion can be useful.  Spirit Wedding Cars like you to take a seat in the cars so you can visualise where your dress will go and your arrival photograph opportunities.

If you are thinking about attending a wedding fair, take a look at our Wedding Fair page (http://www.spiritweddingcars.co.uk/news.html) for information on local events or Like our Facebook page for regular updates on upcoming events (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit-Wedding-Cars/22566959876).

Matthew & Wendy

Spirit Wedding Cars

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.

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.

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.

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!