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Nadine Williams
Nadine Williams of NKW Weddings has been coordinating couples' celebrations since 2005, and has recently added a wedding accessories shop to her portfolio.
Contact: 01305 269 911 or visit www.nkwweddings.co.uk |
Nadine Williams answers all your Wedding Planning related questions |
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Time to Dine
Q. I love the idea of a rehearsal dinner the night before my wedding. Do you think this take the shine off the big day?
A. Nadine Williams says: Not at all. Rehearsal dinners originated in America and can be a very valuable way of introducing families before the wedding. As lots of people may be travelling some way to see you get married, it also creates another chance for everyone to get together.
The evening can be used to prepare for the big event too. People with roles in the day, such as the best man, bridesmaids and father-of-the-bride, can go through their duties and then relax with dinner and drinks. There may also be a few toasts, which will put any speakers in good stead for the wedding breakfast.
Rehearsal dinners needn't be too large either. Why not just extend the invitation to your wedding party and closest family? This way everyone who is close to you will know each other for the big day and it is sure to be a more relaxed celebration as a result. |
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Presence Wanted
Q. We don't want our guests to buy us presents for our and would like to put a note on our invitations to say so. I don't want to sound presumptuous or rude, how can we ask in a nice way?
A. Nadine Williams says: This scenario has become quite common among couples who have lived together for a long time or are getting married for a second time. Traditional wedding lists consist of household items to help a young couple set up their first home together. If you are in a position where you don't need such gifts and you simply want your guests to enjoy the day my suggestion is to include a card saying: "It is your presence we require, not your presents", or "your presence at our wedding is present enough".
To enclose a card with an nicely phrased explanation would not seem rude at all. Alternatively, some couples nominate a charity for their guests to make a donation to instead of buying a wedding gift. |
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Toast of the Town
Q. I would like to make a speech at my wedding but I realise it isn't tradition for a bride to do so. After the groom, best man and fathers, will there be anything left for me to say?
A. Nadine Williams says: There are lots of things a bride can say if she feels inclined to do so. Talking directly after the groom can be a good time as you can then speak in response to the wonderful things he will have said about you. If you're unsure why not keep it a secret, perhaps with a nod to the best man who will know your plans to speak before him? If you don't feel up to it on the day you can then just wave him on.
If you're stuck for ideas on what to say, simply say a few thank yous or focus your speech on your husband, this way you can be sure not to replicate anything other members of the wedding party may say. You could mention how you've looked forward to becoming his wife, how much you're looking forward to your life together and of course how handsome you think he looks. Finish with a toast to the groom and there won't be a dry eye in the house. |
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An Intimate Affair
Q. We are having a very small wedding with our closest friends and family and have decided not to have traditional speeches. We would like to involve all of guests at the wedding breakfast in some way though. Do you have any suggestions?
A. Nadine Williams says: Using a 15th century Celtic tradition known as a 'loving cup', could work well for you. This is a pewter tankard filled with punch or wine which a bride and groom share their first drink from as husband and wife. The cup is then passed around the wedding party to celebrate the coming together of two families. To add a modern twist, you can inform your guests of your intention to pass a loving cup around each table and give them time to prepare a few words. On the day the bride and groom will start by saying a few words or a speech before taking a sip from the loving cup and passing it on to their neighbour. Some guests will prepare a long speech and others will want to simply say 'congratulations' and sit down quickly. You?ll be surprised how much thought your guests will put in and hopefully there will be a mix of funny tales and tear jerking speeches which everyone will be sure to enjoy and remember. |
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Seating Scenarios
Q. My fiancé and I are having problems arranging the top table at our wedding as both sets of parents are divorced. What can you suggest so that we can have a peaceful day?
A. Nadine Williams says: It's very difficult to keep with tradition in these circumstances. Traditionally the bride's mother would sit with the groom's father and vice versa. However, if your parents have a new partner there is the dilemma of whether to include them on the top table, or risk upsetting them by seating them elsewhere. For this reason the top table can become a very long one. I would suggest having round tables for your reception, including the troublesome top table. Your table can just seat you and your husband for intimacy or you could add the best man and bridesmaids, possibly with their partners, to fill a whole table. You can then ask your respective parents and their partners to host a family table each. This can work well as everyone can enjoy the day with both sets of parents feeling more relaxed at the same time as being involved in the wedding by playing host. |
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Week Day Weddings
Q. My fiancé and I have picked our venue but are thinking about holding our wedding on a week day to keep costs down and do more with our budget. My only concern is that we may lose guests who would love to be there. Do you think people will attend a week day wedding?
A. Nadine Williams says: Saturdays have long been the most popular choice for weddings as most guests will be free this day. However, now that civil ceremonies at venues rather than churches are so popular, it can be difficult to book a Saturday of your choice. As a result many couples are now choosing week days, which are often offered at reduced rates by venues who can not meet the weekend demand. Give your guests plenty of notice and I think they'll be prepared to take one day off work to attend your wedding and be understanding of your reasons, especially in the current economic climate. Of course it is possible you may lose one or two guests but this could happen on a Saturday too.
A Friday can be a wonderful day for a wedding as you can host the main ceremony and reception then and spend time with your loved ones on the Saturday at home with a brunch or barbecue, picnic or day at the beach. You could extend the celebrations in the evening and then leave for your honeymoon on Sunday or Monday having had a 'wedding weekend'. |
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