Finding that unique song that talks to you as a couple can be a tough task. If you or your partner do not already have ‘your song,’ then don’t worry as Ireland’s Wedding Journal is here to help!

Whether you are after an upbeat tune or something a little more romantic, we are revealing 33 of the best first dance wedding songs to celebrate your union to your new husband or wife!

33 Of The Best First Dance Wedding Songs

1. At Last by Etta James

Lyrics we love: “At last, my love has come along / My lonely days are over / And life is like a song.”

2. Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers

Lyrics we love: “My love, my darling / I’ve hungered for your touch / A long, lonely time.”

3. All Of Me by John Legend

Lyrics we love: “You’re my end and my beginning / Even when I lose I’m winning.”

4. I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing by Aerosmith

Lyrics we love: “‘Cause even when I dream of you / The sweetest dream will never do / I’d still miss you baby / And I don’t want to miss a thing.”

5. Perfect by Ed Sheeran

Lyrics we love: “When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful / I don’t deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight.”

6. The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra

Lyrics we love: “Yes, you’re lovely, with your smile so warm / And your cheeks so soft / There is nothing for me but to love you / And the way you look tonight.”

7. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

Lyrics we love: “I have loved you for a thousand years / I’ll love you for a thousand more.”

8. Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley

Lyrics we love: “Take my hand / Take my whole life too / For I can’t help falling in love with you.”

9. The Way You Are by Bruno Mars

Lyrics we love: “And when you smile / The whole world stops and stares for a while / ‘Cause girl, you’re amazing / Just the way you are.”

10. Make You Feel My Love by Adele

Lyrics we love: “I could make you happy, make your dreams come true / Nothing that I wouldn’t do / Go to the ends of the Earth for you / To make you feel my love.”

11. Wonderwall by Oasis

Lyrics we love: “Because maybe / You’re gonna be the one that saves me / And after all / You’re my Wonderwall.”

12. You’re My Best Friend by Queen

Lyrics we love: “Oh, you’re the best friend that I ever had / I’ve been with you such a long time / You’re my sunshine and I want you to know / That my feelings are true / I really love you.”

13. Stand By Me by Ben E King

Lyrics we love: “When the night has come / And the land is dark / And the moon is the only light we’ll see / No, I won’t be afraid / Oh, I won’t be afraid / Just as long as you stand / Stand by me.”

14. Love Song by The Cure

Lyrics we love: “However far away / I will always love you / However long I stay / I will always love you / Whatever words I say / I will always love you.”

15. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

Lyrics we love: “If I lay here / If I just lay here / Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”

16. The Power Of Love by Celine Dion

Lyrics we love: “‘Cause I’m your lady / And you are my man / Whenever you reach for me / I’ll do all that I can.”

17. You’re Still The One by Shania Twain

Lyrics we love: “You’re still the one that I love / The only one I dream of / You’re still the one I kiss goodnight.”

18. Flying Without Wings by Westlife

Lyrics we love: “Well, for me it’s waking up beside you / To watch the sunrise on your face / To know that I can say, “I love you” / In any given time or place.”

19. The Sweetest Thing by U2

Lyrics we love: “You know I got black eyes / But they burn so brightly for her / Mine is a blind kind of love.”

20. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran

Lyrics we love: “So honey now / Take me into your loving arms / Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars / Place your head on my beating heart / I’m thinking out loud / Maybe we found love right where we are.”

21. Nothing Else Matters by Metallica

Lyrics we love: “So close, no matter how far / Couldn’t be much more from the heart / Forever trusting who we are / No, nothing else matters.”

22. Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

Lyrics we love: “You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be / And I don’t want to go home right now.”

23. You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker

Lyrics we love: “Can’t you see / You’re everything I hoped for / Everything I need / You are so beautiful.”

24. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Andy Williams

Lyrics we love: “Pardon the way that I stare / There’s nothing else to compare / The sight of you leaves me weak / There are no words left to speak.”

25. How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding

Lyrics we love: “How long will I love you? / As long as stars are above you / And longer if I can.”

26. Your Song by Elton John

Lyrics we love: “I hope you don’t mind / That I put down in the words / How wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”

27. Perfect Day by Lou Reed

Lyrics we love: “Oh, it’s such a perfect day / I’m glad I spent it with you.”

28. She’s Electric by Oasis

Lyrics we love: “She is electric, can I be electric too?”

29. Grow Old With Me by Tom Odell

Lyrics we love: “I’ll pull the sheets / When it’s cold on your feet / Cause you’ll fall back to sleep / Every time.”

30. Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur

Lyrics we love: “I’ll wake you up with some breakfast in bed / I’ll bring you coffee with a kiss on your head / And I’ll take the kids to school / Wave them goodbye / And I’ll thank my lucky stars for that night.”

31. I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz

Lyrics we love: “When I look into your eyes / It’s like watching the night sky / Or a beautiful sunrise / Well there’s so much they hold.”

32. November Rain by Guns’N’Roses

Lyrics we love: “If we could take the time to lay it on the line / I could rest my head just knowing that you were mine / All mine / So if you want to love me then darling don’t refrain / Or I’ll just end up walking in the cold November rain.”

33. All You Need Is Love by The Beatles

Lyrics we love: “All you need is love / Love is all you need.”

The post 33 Of The Best First Dance Wedding Songs appeared first on Wedding Journal.

It can be a long day for your guests, with a lot of waiting around after arriving at your venue, especially if your photographer has taken the bride and groom off for a photo session.

So don’t let your guests sit around twiddling their thumbs!

Here are some great ideas for ways to keep them entertained while they’re waiting for the bride and groom to join the party!

Hire A Singer

Get the mood going before you arrive and entertain your guests with a sweet musical interlude. We love wedding singer Jamie Brown’s romantic versions of some very well-known classics – contact CT Entertainment to find out more!

RELATED TO: 75+ Unique Wedding Ideas For The Unconventional Bride

Light Up A Cigar

It’s time to kick back and relax, so why not offer your guests a cigar? After all, it is a special occasion! This cool cigar bar idea comes from Look Events NI.

Cocktails And Jazz On The Terrace

Who doesn’t love to chill out with their friends and family, cocktail in hand, listening to a cool jazz band? Keep it classy on the terrace! You can find a huge array of musicians with wedding entertainment experts Entertainment Nation who will match you up with whatever style of musician you need for your big day.

RELATED TO: 10 Creative Wedding Games Your Guests WiIl Love

Roll Out The Red Carpet

If your wedding reception is movie-themed, why not roll out the red carpet and have some fun with it? Get a trusted friend with a knack for photography to capture images of your friends and family posing on the red carpet as they arrive. You can hire your very own red carpet from SBD Events.

RELATED TO: How To Create Your Own Rocktastic Festival Style Wedding

Hire A Photobooth

Don’t under-estimate the fun your guests will get from dressing up in silly hats and wigs and snapping themselves having fun – and it gives them a fun memento of the big day to bring home! You’ll have a hit on your hands if you hire a photobooth like this one from Munster Photobooth.

RELATED TO: 15 Creative And Fun Ways To Entertain Kids At Your Wedding

Entertain The Kids

If you’ve a lot of children coming to your party, the day could be a long one for them, so why not come up with some ways to keep them having fun? You can hire a small soft play area and ball pit from Party Town Marquees which should go down well with your littlest guests.

Even better than a drinks reception – this lovely idea from Look Events NI for a Pimp Your Prosecco bar where your guests can personalise their own drinks!

RELATED TO: 10 Songs For The Father-Daughter Dance That Will Bring A Tear To Every Eye

Hire A Cellist

You may have something big planned for the evening, but don’t forget about the musical accompaniment to the earlier part of your day. A string quartet or harpist is always lovely to have playing in the background when your guests arrive. Or we love this refreshing duo who will perform a romantic wedding setlist- The Cellists.

Offer Caricatures To Your Guests

We love the idea of having an artist walking around offering caricatures to your guests that they can take home and frame to remember your day. Mick O’Dell of Inkwell Cartoon and Caricature offers a caricature booth which is perfect for weddings!

RELATED TO: 13 Socially Distance Approved Wedding Reception Games

Hire A Fun Camper Van

No, really! Gino the camper van is not only a cool means of transport but doubles up as a campervan photobooth which comes decorated with flowers and bunting, complete with state-of-the-art DSLR photogaphy equipment and a selection of props, so that your friends can hop in, strike a pose and make some memories. Available from The Quirky Camper Booth.

RELATED TO: 11 Alternative Entertainment Ideas For Your Guests

Keep Them Sweet

Everyone loves a candy cart! Keep them coming back for more with a range of childhood classics with a candy cart like this cute one from Sweet Life NI.

Sprinkle A Bit of Magic

Why not hire a wedding magician who can go around entertaining your guests with off-the-cuff card tricks and sleight of hand, like Carl Campbell?

RELATED TO: Top Questions You Can’t Forget To Ask Your Wedding Venue

Still searching for the perfect entertainment for your big day? Check out our musicians and entertainers HERE.

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The post 11 Fun Ways To Entertain Your Wedding Guests While You’re Getting Your Photos Taken appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Let’s face it – a wedding can be a long day, even for adults! We’ve all been there as a guest, waiting around for hours for the next thing to happen, so just imagine what it can be like for a small child whose reserves of patience are much smaller.

So if the thought of screaming toddlers and tantrums under the table is bringing you out in hives, it’s best to be prepared with some games and activities that will keep child guests distracted – and maybe even give them a day of fun that will live on in their memories!

I mean, if the kids are enjoying themselves, then their parents will also be having fun and getting to let their hair down with friends and relatives they may not have seen for a long time. Everyone’s a winner!

1. Games corner

You can never predict the weather, so set aside a little corner where there are plenty of board games and jigsaws to entertain them. That way you can include a range of games suitable for different age groups, from Hungry Hippos, the Gruffalo game and Kerplunk to Monopoly and Snakes and Ladders. And maybe some Fuzzy Felt for the littlest ones – yep, it’s still a thing!

RELATED TO: Five Ways To Style Balloons On Your Wedding Day

2. Activity book

Whether you decide to simply print out a few sheets of coloring pictures or supply some activity books, this is one great way to keep little ones occupied at the table with crayons and colouring pencils when the speeches are going on. Think colouring in, word searches and puzzles! There are even loads of wedding-related activity books out there – we love this Personalised Wedding Activity Pack from Amazon which includes hilarious wedding award stickers for the worst dad dancer and funniest person!

3. Personalised activity kit

Alternatively put together your own kit in one of these cute personalised gift boxes from Ava Graceful Designs on Amazon – think fidget toys, colouring books, puzzles, bubbles, stickers and little origami kits!

RELATED TO: 75+ Unconventional Wedding Ideas For The Unique Bride

4. Outdoor Games

Fingers crossed, the weather will be good on the big day and that could be an opportunity for some outdoor games for children and adults alike! We’ve seen a few weddings lately that featured giant Jenga and giant Connect Four on the lawns – perfect to keep the fun vibe going for your guests while you’re off having your pictures taken.

RELATED TO: 10 Creative Wedding Games Your Guests Will Love

5. Kids Table

If there are enough kids of the same age at your wedding and they’re old enough, why not set aside a table where they can be seated together and can have their own fun over dinner? You could set a special kids menu for them (pizza, pizza, pizza, all day long!) and include some games and entertainment – it might even be worth hiring a babysitter who can keep an eye on them.

6. Movie room

If there’s space, you could talk to the venue about setting up a quiet area where kids can watch a movie, filled with comfy pillows, bean bags and maybe even mini bags of popcorn – especially useful in the evening when you want them to wind down. An animated movie is probably your safest bet, but Harry Potter is always popular and the Princess Bride could tie in beautifully with the day!

Or maybe bring out your old console to set up your own video game station! They’ll be fighting the adults off…

RELATED TO: 10 Incredibly Magical Harry Potter Themed Wedding Ideas

7. Arts and crafts

Why not set aside a little craft area where children can make craft items and come away with something to remember the day? Put together a mini area with pots of crayons, craft supplies like stickers and pipe cleaners. NO home-made play dough, though, unless you want your dress ruined…

The children could make DIY masks for a photo booth, cards for the bride and groom, dress up doll books – and we love this cute kit for making paper windmills!

RELATED TO: Personalised Wedding Favour Ideas

8. Professional creche

If you have enough children at the wedding, it could be worth hiring a professional childminder who can bring their own activities along and set up a creche in a separate room. Find your perfect babysitter on mindme.iet or NICMA in Northern Ireland.

9. Go scavenge

Create an I Spy game of scavenger hunt to put on the table for the children – your list could include items like a guest in a funny hat, something blue, a moustache, a black bow tie and a red dress!

RELATED TO: 13 Socially Distance Approved Wedding Reception Games

10. Explore the garden

We love this nature detective kit from The National Trust, complete with a magnifying glass and whistle (in case any bears show up in the rhododendrons!). You could adapt the scavenger hunt idea by giving them a printable of things they might spot in the gardens – a pink flower, a pine cone, a sundial – and tick off everything they find.

RELATED TO: How To Plan The Perfect Outdoor Wedding

11. Bubbles

Who doesn’t love chasing bubbles round the garden? You can supply a simple bottle of bubble mix or go for a bubble gun or even a giant bubble kit – your photographer will love this too!

12. Hire a professional entertainer

We can guarantee that a few adults will be sneaking in on the action if you hire a children’s entertainer – maybe a magician, a caricaturist or a balloon modeller!

RELATED TO: 11 Alternative Entertainment Ideas For Your Guests

13. Fidget toys

If any of the kids are neurodiverse, a wedding is more than likely a bit of a challenge for them, with unexpected colours, sounds and textures, so this grab bag of fidget toys could be just the thing to get them through the speeches. Lots of neurotypical kids and adults love them too! This Sensory Fidget Kit from KeepEmQuiet includes 20 fun touchy-feely items, including super squishy mochi characters, stretchy caterpillars, pea pod poppers and acupressure finger massage rings.

14. Origami

The Japanese art of paper folding is a great way to keep children occupied and we really love this Harry Potter themed origami book from Scholastic (Origami: 15 Paper-Folding Projects Straight from the Wizarding World) – perfect for a castle wedding! For younger ones, stock up on pretty gift paper and scissors, and print out instructions for some simple projects, like paper planes or fortune tellers.

RELATED TO: 11 Wedding Expenses Every Bride Forgets To Budget For

15. Dress up box 

The dress-up box is back! Stock up a trunk with a few weird and wonderful bits and pieces – masks, funny hats, feather boas, capes, colourful wigs and let them loose. You could even ask a few trusted guests to bring some unwanted and quirky items along! Combine this with a photo-booth, like this one you can hire from Munster Photobooth, and you’ll have a hit on your hands!

RELATED TO: Quirky Wedding Reception Entertainment Your Guests Are Going To Love

Still searching for the perfect entertainment for your big day? Check out our musicians and entertainers HERE.

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The post 15 Creative and Fun Ways To Entertain Kids At Your Wedding appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Boho is having more than just a moment – it’s here for the long-term, or so it seems.

The relaxed hippyish style comes in a wealth of versions, from demure to gypsy queen, and has been on the radar for a few years now.

But it seems as though boho has been going from strength to strength in the past couple of years, thanks in part to the trend towards intimate weddings that resulted from the pandemic.

RELATED TO: 11 Most Iconic Celebrity Wedding Dresses Of All Time

The laid-back vibe of boho lends itself perfectly to that desire for a relaxed and intimate wedding with just a few friends and family.

So here are a few of our favourite celebrity boho looks from the last few years – and find out how you can get the look right now!

Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder

The Twilight actress wed Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder (everyone’s favourite vampire bad boy) in a small surprise wedding in 2015, wearing a backless boho-inspired gown by Claire Pettibone with an illusion neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves.

Steal her style with this dreamy Azalea dress from Rosa Clara Boheme, with exquisite all-over lace, modest boat neck and delicate bracelet sleeves.

RELATED TO: Small Weddings: How To Wed Like A Celeb

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock

Singer Kelly Clarkson eloped with her fiance to wed in a luxury hotel in Tennessee in 2015, opting for a relaxed but stunning lace long sleeve wedding dress by Temperley. Get the look with this stunning Drita boho lace wedding dress with deep scalloped training from Maggie Sottero.

Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook

Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco looked super-bohemian at her wedding to Karl Cook in 2018, wearing a Reem Acra dress and matching cape. If you love this look, try the minimalist Bevan bridal gown from Maggie Sottero with its jewel neckline tulle jacket and illusion lace long bishop sleeves.

RELATED TO: Steal Their Style – Celebrity Inspired Wedding Dresses

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince

Supermodel Kate Moss set the boho tone for a thousand weddings when she married The Kills frontman Jamie Hince at a ceremony in the Cotswolds in 2011, donning a slinky vintage-inspired bias-cut Galliano gown embellished with twinkling golden sequins. We think you’ll love this simple Augusta slinky satin slip dress from Rebecca Ingram with its sexy open back!

Chiara Ferragni and Fedez

Super-influencer Chiara Ferragni walked down the aisle at her Sicily 2018 wedding to X Factor judge Fedez in a crochet jumpsuit by Maria Grazia Chiuri, featuring long sleeves and high neck with a full bodied tulle skirt over the top. It took 400 metres of fabric and required more than 1600 hours to make the striking ensemble! Mimic the style (for less!) with this unusual cotton stretch lace and organza long-sleeve gown, style 221151 from Enchanting by Mon Cheri.

RELATED TO: Princess Diana’s Niece Wears 7 Dresses At Her Stunning Fairytale Wedding

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas

Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra wore several outfits for her wedding to singer Nick Jonas in 2018 which took in a week of festivities  in India. For her Christian service, she wore a long sleeve fitted A-line dress by Ralph Lauren, featuring more than two million sequins.

Create this demure high-necked long-sleeved style with the enchanting Elba tailored dress from Rosa Clara Couture with its romantic round neckline, lace detailing and full tulle skirt flowing from a floral lace body.

RELATED TO: The 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Wedding Dresses In The World

Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor

Former Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh wore a gorgeous gown from Halfpenny London for her wedding to showmate Hugo Taylor in 2018, featuring big statement sleeves – a style that is huge right now. Indulge your inner hopeless romantic with this A-line Brooklyn gown by Madi Lane, with its divine blouson sleeves, tiered sleeves, 3D florals and voluminous skirt of soft tulle.

RELATED TO: Ariana Grande Shares Sneak Peek At Fabulous At Home Wedding

Storm Uechtritz and Ronan Keating

Boyzone singer Ronan Keating wed Storm Uechtritz on a Scottish estate in 2018, with his three children, Jack, MIssy and Ali playing key roles in the ceremony.

The bride’s Chantilly lace gown, by Aussie designer Steven Khalil and embroidered with silk and organza petals, was particularly memorable and gorgeously romantic. Get the sweet and relaxed cap-sleeved look with this gown, style 2352 from Mikaella by Paloma Blanca, with its detailed lace bodice and waist and light mesh tulle skirt.

RELATED TO: Boris Johnson’s Wife Rented Her Wedding Dress For £45 – Why Don’t You?

Hannah Cooper and Joel Dommett

When the model married The Masked Singer UK host Joel Dommett in 2019 at a stunning beach wedding in Mykonos in Greece, she wore a gorgeous off-shoulder Ash gown from Rue De Seine with deep sweetheart neckline and intricate French lace. Feel oh-so-pretty in this floral English dress with off the shoulder straps and slit from Lillian West, with its soft sweetheart neckline and  bodice with English net that criss crosses over the bodice.

RELATED TO: Gwen Stefani Releases Stunning Images Of Her Wedding To Blake Shelton

Still organising your perfect day? Check out our gallery of fabulous suppliers HERE.

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The post 10 Gorgeous Boho Wedding Dresses Worn By Celebrities – Get The Look! appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Tonight’s the night where Islanders will be tested with the long-anticipated Casa Amor with new singletons ready to mingle and ‘step on toes’.

RELATED TO: Love Islanders Marriages – Who Made it to the altar and who jumped ship?

We know this year’s Love Island has had a bit of stick for being a little on the boring side, but tonight we’re ready to see some of our new home contestants shake things up!

The coupled up islanders will be split up after weeks together, with the men in one villa and the and women in another. Both villas will greet six new stunning contestants with many at risk of having their head turned and ‘jumping ship’.

From models to football stars and DJ’s there’s a variety of contestants getting ready to ‘crack on’ – and the luck of the Irish may come in handy as two women from Dublin and one Belfast man are set to appear on our screens.

Here’s what we know about our Irish contestants so far…

Matthew MacNabb

Belfast man Matthew MacNabb is a handsome 26-years-old strategic marketing consultant who is already rumoured to have his eyes set on Kaz.

Matthew says the main reason he decided to enter Love Island is for “the adventure” as “it seems like a really fun thing to do.”

Matthew describes himself as “very chilled and adventurous” and says he doesn’t care much about what other people think. His family and friends also describe him as “very relaxed and laid back, positive and optimistic”.

RELATED TO: How To Throw The Perfect Love Island Hen Party

With Matthew’s eyes already on fan favourite Kaz who has just happily coupled up with Tyler, do we think Matthew could turn her head?

Salma Naran

21-year-old model and influencer Salma Naran from Dublin is another one of our hopeful Irish contesters looking for love in the villa.

She admits she’s “never been in love” ahead of her debut on the show and says: “what better place to have a tunnel vision and really finding your one? It’s the perfect atmosphere, you don’t have the outside world distractions.”

She also describes herself as “the bubbliest person in the room” and doesn’t give the impression that she’ll be holding back or ‘playing it safe’.

RELATED TO: How To Know If He’s ‘The One’

Her family and friends have described her as confident and chatty and say although she isn’t a confrontational person, she can be fiery when she needs to be.

Kaila Troy

Blonde bombshell and fellow Dublin Kalia Troy is a 28-year-old international DJ who is set to take the villa by storm.

Kalie says she is going on Love Island as real-life dating has not been doing her any favours and she’s “had enough!”

She also says she is “looking forward to meeting everybody and finding somebody” and describes herself as “very competitive”. Her family and friends describe her as energetic, outgoing and independent.

So what Islanders do we think will have their heads turned and who will stay loyal? Don’t forget to tune in tonight to find out as Love Island continues on Virgin Media One and ITV2 at 9:00pm.

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The post New Belfast & Dublin Islanders Set To ‘Turn Heads’ in Love Island’s Casa Amor appeared first on Wedding Journal.

As the new season of Love Island gets juicy with tears, drama and arguments galore, it’s hard to believe any of the new castmates will ever find true love in the Villa.

But as they all love to say, ‘it’s still early days’ and some previous cast members actually did find their soulmate on the show, resulting in quite a few Love Island weddings and engagements!

From fan favourites who have been coupled up since day one to those who left alone and went on to marry someone on the outside – we’re giving you the complete rundown of all the weddings that have been and those to come from past Love Islanders.

READ OUR LATEST MAGAZINE ISSUE – SUMMER 2021 OUT NOW

Olivia Buckland & Alex Bowen

We’re throwing it waaay back to season two when Olivia and Alex become the first ever Love Island couple to say ‘I do’ after being the runners up in 2016. The two were fan favourites and after a summer romance in the villa, they got engaged that same year on New Year’s Eve in New York.

RELATED TO: How To Throw The Perfect Love Island Hen Party

The pair had a pretty lavish ceremony in Essex in 2018 with fellow Islander Tina Stinnes as one of the bridesmaids and even got their own TV show ‘Alex and Olivia Said Yes’ on TLC.

Jessica Shears & Dom Lever

Moving on to season three and we have Dom and Jessica who were the next to become Mr and Mrs after coupling up in the villa. They quickly announced their engagement in September 2017 just three months after leaving the show together.

They originally got ‘married’ on Valentine’s day a year later on Good Morning Britain, ironically wearing matching white swimwear as a nudge to their Love Island roots. It was in Mykonos October 2018 that officially tied the knot and just one year later, they welcomed their first child into the world!

Cara De La Hoyde & Nathan Massey

Going back to 2016, second season winners Cara and Nathan have had a pretty wild journey since leaving the Love Island villa. In December 2017 they had their first child, a baby boy called Freddie, but broke up whilst Cara was pregnant.

RELATED TO: How To Know If He’s ‘The One’

After the birth of their first child, they soon got back together and announced their engagement in July 2018. They became the third Love Island marriage when they held their wedding in Kent 2019. During lockdown in March 2020, the two announced their next baby and were soon showing off their baby girl, Delilah.

Camilla Thurlow & Jamie Jewitt

In 2017 Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt stole our hearts when they came runners up after Camilla’s testing time in the villa. After leaving Love Island, their love stands strong and last year they welcomed their first child into the world together – a baby girl called Nell Sophia Jewitt. They recently announced that they’re engaged!

Tom Walker

If you’re a true Love Island fan, you’ve got to remember the famous Tom Walker from the 2019 show – he’s the one who had the worst day when he was about to head into the hideaway with Irish contestant Maura Higgins before showing off to the lads saying ‘it’ll be interesting to see if she’s all mouth or not’.

RELATED TO: Steal Their Style: Celebrity Inspired Wedding Dresses

Needless to say this didn’t go down well with Maura or any of the Love Island watchers to be frank, but it seems Tom is a new man and has since married his ‘secret’ on-off girlfriend of 10 years, Chloe Rayner, in January of this year.

Olivia Attwood

Olivia Attwood was all loved up with Chris Hughes after leaving the villa back in 2018 and the two even started their own reality TV show, which came to a quick end after their messy breakup.

Olivia is now engaged to footballer Bradley Dack who proposed in October 2019 whilst they were on holiday together in Dubai. The couple are said to have had an on-off relationship, having dated before Olivia went on Love Island in 2017.

Jessica Hayes

Jess Hayes and Max Morley were the first ever winners of Love Island back in 2015. Although the pair broke up after the show, Jess got engaged to her new boyfriend Dan Lawrey in January 2019 after six months of dating. In June 2019, Jess revealed she had a baby boy named Presley James Lawry with her new fiancé.

RELATED TO: Gwen Stefani unveils stunning images of her wedding to Blake Shelton

Sam Bird

The iconic Sam Bird and Georgia Steel coupling which caused many of the dramatic TV moments we all loved unsurprisingly came to end with rumours of Georgia cheating on Sam after leaving the villa.

However, Sam is now engaged to another reality TV star, Kailah Casillas, after they announced last year they’d be getting married! Sam popped the question whilst they were on holiday together in Zante, Greece.

Marcel Sommerville

We all loved Marcel and Gabbie from Love Island 2020 series, but of course this relationship came to a messy soon after they left the villa.

RELATED TO: 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Engagement Rings You Need To See

Marcel has since moved on with his new girlfriend Rebecca Viera and the pair announced they were expecting their first child after one year of dating. Marcel popped the question at Rebecca’s baby gender reveal party and they have now welcomed their baby boy Roman into the world.

Who will be next? Keep watching this season to find out…

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The post Love Island: Guess What Couples Wed & Who’s Newly Engaged appeared first on Wedding Journal.

While crowded dancefloors are still on hold (thanks, covid!), there are still plenty of fun and creative ways to entertain your guests and get the good vibes flowing on your big day!

RELATED TO: Have you bought your tickets for The Wedding Journal Show? Get exclusive VIP & discounted tickets online now!

Wedding reception games are the perfect icebreaker to get your guests mingling whilst also creating laughter and unforgettable memories for both you and your guests.

So, if you’re looking for some wedding game inspo to liven up your evening reception, we’ve rounded up our favourite wedding games your guests are sure to love…

RELATED TO: 13 Socially-Distance Approved Wedding Reception Games

1. Bride & Groom Trivia

For all those trivia lovers out there, you’re going to love this newly wed trivia game which lets you find out what your guests really think of you! At each guest’s seat, leave a printed sheet of personalised trivia questions about you and your bride/groom – this could be multiple choice, true/false question or fill-in-the-blank.

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Ask your family and friends to answer these during your reception and get your MC or DJ to read the answers out loud later in the evening – whichever guests get the most answers correct can take home the centerpiece and the title of knowing you and your partner best!

2. Photo Scavenger Hunt

What better way to get those cute candids than setting your guests up for the task! Provide each table with a disposable camera and send your guests on a challenge to capture 20+ specific wedding moments. Or, if you want to post on social media you can get guests to use their phone use your personalised wedding day hashtag!

RELATED TO: Personalised Wedding Favour Ideas

This can be the bride and groom sharing a kiss, someone proposing a toast or even just two unlikely guests mingling and having fun in the moment – this is a great way to get people mingling, and will also provide you with even more adorable snaps of special memories from your big day!

3. The Shoe Game

If you haven’t seen the hilarious wedding shoe game, then you’re in for a treat! This is a huge wedding trend where the bride and groom sit back-to-back while both holding each other shoes as the guests find out how well they really know each other! Someone reads the questions out loud and the bride and groom raise the shoe of who is best represented by the answer – some example questions to ask are…

Who has the better shower singing voice?

Who is most likely to fall asleep during a movie?

Who is the better dancer?

Who made the first move?

You can make these as innocent or as scandalous as you like and even swap seats with your other guest couples, such as your mum and dad, to crank up the laughter even more!

4. Mr & Mrs

It’s your wedding day, so don’t be afraid to be the center of attention! No doubt you’ve seen those viral videos where couples are asked ‘Mr and Mrs’ questions about each other in a bid to prove they know everything about their other half – usually with hilarious results!

RELATED TO: 75+ Unconventional Wedding Ideas for the Unique Bride

The Mr & Mrs quiz is the ultimate wedding activity to find out how well your partner really knows you and vice versa. The bride and groom can sit at the top table with whiteboards while guests come up with a list of questions such as ‘what would he/she grab first in a fire?’ or ‘if you’re partner could have a dinner with anyone who would it be?’ Ask a reliable guest to sort out the questions and get creative with it for some funny answers!

5. Newly Mad Libs

This classic ‘fill-in-the-blank’ game is sure to get your reception venue erupting with laughter! If you’re not the DIY type, you can ask your wedding stationary supplier to design up some Mad Libs cards to match in with your wedding invites and theme.

Prompt your guests to complete their own Mad Libs version of your proposal story, wedding vows or well wishes for the future – be sure to collect the finished versions which you can read out loud for an extra laugh and take home to add to your wedding memory box!

6. Giant Jenga

Everyone loves a classic game of Jenga, but how about a giant version of this block-stacking game to spice things up? This is perfect for an outdoor wedding reception and only needs a flat area like a tabletop or some grassy ground.

RELATED TO: The Hottest Wedding Invite Trends of 2021

Watch your guests taking turns trying to remove one block at a time from the giant wooden tower, and after a few drinks it’s sure to create some hilarious moments! We’ve seen many Giant Jenga games swarming the internet and even couples getting creative by getting their own wood blocks cut and painted!

7. Cards Against Humanity (Wedding Style!)

If you love the hilariously outrageous game that is Cards Against Humanity, you’re going to love ‘Cads About Matrimony’, which is all over the internet for having the same ridiculousness of Cards Against Humanity but tailored specifically to weddings and marriage!

This is a great table game for your guests and top table, and will get your guests laughing and mixing (your granny might not always get the PG-13 humour though!)

8. Speech Bingo

Add (even more) pressure to the speech makers of the wedding by giving your guests a copy of wedding speech bingo! You can personalise these with a DIY version or ask your wedding stationary supplier to create some cute bingo cards to match your wedding invites and theme.

It’s easy for guests to drift off during the speeches, but this fun wedding bingo game will keep them engaged the whole way through! Simply mark the sheet with words and phrases that may creep up during speeches and whichever one completes their card shouts BINGO! (which will totally throw off the best man as he gets deep into his embarrassing story!).

9. Guess Who

This is one for the crafty couples out there who love a bit of DIY! If you love the nostalgic game ‘Guess Who’, why not make your own version by replacing the characters with pictures of your wedding guests?

RELATED TO: Quirky Wedding Entertainment Your Guests Are Going To Love

If you don’t have time to make multiple boards, guests can pass the game around table-by-table and have fun getting to know each other while one guest tries to find out who the chosen person is!

10. Find Your Match

If you see your wedding as the perfect opportunity to match up your single friends, then you’ve got to try this Make Your Match place cards game. On the back of each guest’s place card, write one half of a famous couple – this could be an iconic celeb duo or even basic pairings such as Salt & Pepper and Gin & Tonic.

Your guests must then scan the room and mingle, trying to find their perfect match! If you always thought your work bestie would go well with your fiance’s best man, now’s your chance to get things in motion!

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The post 10 Creative Wedding Games Your Guests Will Love appeared first on Wedding Journal.

If you’ve been dreaming of a romantic vacay with your beau after saying ‘I do’, you want to make sure it’s full of love, romance and steamy memories!

Our recent article, How Many Couples REALLY Have Sex On Their Wedding Night?, talked about how there’s so much hype surrounding sex on your wedding night, so if your first night as Mr and Mrs didn’t go to plan don’t worry! You can always spice it up during your honeymoon, so today we reveal some sexy secrets that are sure to give you a happy ending!

Of course, it’s not all about the sex – it’s also about creating all those intimate moments you’ll both never forget, and what better way to make some memories than trying something new *wink wink*.

RELATED TO: The Perfect Sex Playlist

Now you’ve made that big commitment and you finally get to call him your hubby, the honeymoon is the perfect time to surprise him with all those kinky moves and naughty ideas you’ve been thinking about, and we’re here to make sure you knock his socks off (amongst other clothing)…

Wet N’ Wild

If you’re jetting off on a destination honeymoon, why not try skinny dipping with your significant other? Before you turn this down, just think – it’s spontaneous, wild and sexy, and will definitely give you some laughs in the future! Strip down every bit of clothing and dive into the vast ocean like a pair of teenage lovers. It’s such a turn on to take a naked swim with your new hubby, and it will give you an experience to remember forever.

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Role play is SO hot!

A little role play goes alongway when it comes to having a hotter honeymoon sexperience (see what we did there?). We know this can be a bit of a tricky task back home, so your getaway is the perfect time to try on some new characters! You can play it safe by pretending to be strangers who just met or get a little bolder with a sexy outfit such as nurse, teacher or any other fantasy you think he’ll love.

An erotic novel

Grab a copy of your favourite steamy book and tear out some pages you want to re-enact. And if your partner rolls his eyes at the thought of reading on holiday, then read the sexiest parts to him slow and sensual-like, and he won’t be able to resist. So, make sure to pack that copy of ’50 Shades of Grey’ to cosy up in his arms with a glass of champagne and let the erotic reading session begin!

RELATED TO: Top 5 Freaky Sex Positions You Need To Know

Make a homemade movie

A fun way to spice things up and make some memories is making your own ‘homemade movie’ if you know what we mean *wink*. You might be thinking HELL no, but hear us out! You can make this as classy or raunchy as your heart desires – it’s all about creating the moment and setting a sensual atmosphere that you can always look back on to remember those good old honeymoon days. A hot tip is making a sexy little script or dialogue to get into the act and also, it’s sure to get your man’s heart racing!

Go commando!

On your honeymoon, most hotels will arrange for a private dinner for the newly wed couple, so make sure you take advantage of this! Imagine a little dinner by the beach or quiet table outside at a luxury resort and subtly let your man know you’ve ‘forgotten’ to put on any panties. Trust us, this really can toy with a guy’s emotions…in the best way that is!

Get in position

There are so many sex positions out there and what works for one may not necessarily work for another. We know the thought of trying something new can feel a little daunting, but there’s something sexy about experimenting together, especially as husband and wife! Some couples love missionary or cowgirl where you can gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes, so have a little play and stick with what works for you.

OR…if you’re feeling a little saucy, mix it up! We give you the complete run down on saucy sex positions in our article Sex Positions Couple’s Have To Try For An Unforgettable Night. All you need for this is a good communication and a great sense of humour with your partner as it should be zero pressure and a good time – so just have fun with it!

A new you (every night!)

Now’s the time to show off all your sexy new lingerie for your new hubby! Make sure you pack a different set of nightwear for every night of the honeymoon. We know it may sound like a lot, but trust us it’ll make a big difference. Rock a flirty pink three-piece Monday, a lacy red bra and panties Tuesday and a sleek black night gown Wednesday – you get the gist, the options are endless! Wearing a different style of lingerie each night will show him all the sexy sides of you and can even set the tone for what kind of sex you’ll have that night.

RELATED TO: Get Sexy: Lingerie To Wear On Honeymoon

A sexy photoshoot

A boudoir shoot can be the sexiest way to start off your honeymoon. This is when you get to dress up in your hottest lingerie, light some candles, slip on some killer heels and have your new hubby drool as he takes some sexy snaps. Not only will this heat things up in the moment, but If you can, we recommend taking some polaroids or saving your favourite pics for later so you can always look back and remember that special night!

Saucy game nights

If you think we’re talking about Monopoly, you’re reading the wrong article! But before you go, when was the last time you played strip poker? Never? Well, for this version you won’t be needing a stack of cards. Basically, you both take turns to ask each other the naughtiest questions you want to know, and for every question they don’t have the answer for, you strip off an item of clothing. And you know what will really drive him crazy? If you wear a lot of layers, this will get his thoughts racing and create the ultimate build up!

RELATED TO: Sexy Lingerie Based on Your Star Sign!

Slow and sensual

We get it, it’s your honeymoon and you might want to get stuck right in as soon as you get through the hotel room door! Although we promote getting lost in the moment during your honeymoon, if you want to build a sensual and arousing tension, maybe trying slowing things down in a bit in the beginning – you can start with a blindfold and slowly kiss, caress and blow on certain parts of their body as this will heighten all their senses and have their imagination running wild as you make your way through every stage of play.

Soak up the love

To create a sensual atmosphere, it’s important to set the scene – run a hot bath with some rose petals, essential oils and light some candles while you slip into the bubbles together with a glass of champagne. Sink into his arms and feel your bodies gliding together – the hot water, the dimmed lights and feeling of skin on skin…there’s only one place this is heading!

Happy Honeymooning…you’ll thank us later

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The post 11 Sexy Secrets For A Hotter Honeymoon appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Whether you’re newly engaged, in the midst of wedding planning or still looking for the one, you’re bound to find some fashion inspo from some of the world’s most iconic wedding dresses worn by our favourite celebs.

From vintage ball gowns seen on Audrey Hepburn to sexy and modern styles worn by supermodels like Miranda Kerr, celebrities have given us some pretty memorable fashion moments over the years.

So, today we’re giving you some food for thought by taking a deep dive down memory lane with the world’s most iconic celebrity wedding dresses of all time!

Audrey Hepburn

The Audrey Hepburn wedding dress in Funny Face is up there with the most iconic wedding looks of all time, be they real life or on film! If you’re a bride with traditional and vintage taste, you’ll probably agree this dress is timeless and classy.

RELATED TO: Steal Their Style: Celebrity Inspired Wedding Dresses

The designer of this iconic wedding dress was none other than Hubert de Givenchy. Audrey and Givenchy had a unique, decades-long friendship that transcended fashion, and he is the mastermind behind some of her most famous looks, including THAT Breakfast at Tiffany’s little black dress!

Kiera Knightley

Sometimes, simple is best and Keira Knightly proved that to us when she ditched the big white dress for a minimalistic and chic Chanel tulle dress and matching tweed jacket at her wedding to James Righton in 2013.

She was even seen rocking this classic blush number on the red carpet a second time (we love a reusable-fashion moment, and who wouldn’t wear Chanel again?!)

Jennifer Lopez

If there’s one celeb who always makes a unforgettable fashion statement it’s our girl, JLo! She kicked off her year-long marriage to backup dancer Cris Judd in 2001 with an extravagant wedding that included her wearing this gorgeous lace gown by Valentino.

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Unfortunately, news recently broke that Jennifer and Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez called it quits on their engagement this year, so it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting another iconic JLo wedding look anytime soon.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham said ‘I do’ to David Beckham back in 1999 in Ireland’s Luttrellstown Castle. And of course, her wedding dress was as glamorous as you would expect from a former Spice Girl!

She looked breathtaking in a backless silk ball gown designed by Vera Wang with a corseted waist, a full skirt and a 20-foot train. She also topped off her royal look with an 18-carat gold and diamond tiara.

The designer revisited the dress to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her eponymous brand in a British Vogue issue where Victoria rocked her iconic wedding wardrobe once again (looking as fabulous as ever, we must add!)

Miranda Kerr

We all know a supermodel can look good in almost anything, but Miranda Kerr took her wedding wardrobe to the next level in 2007 when she married Snapchat founder, Evan Spiegal in a jaw-dropping Dior gown designed specifically for her by Maria Grazia Chiuri.

RELATED TO: How to Choose The Best Wedding Dress Style For Your Body Shape?

From the satin finish and the ballgown skirt, to the embellished floral detailing – it’s no wonder this dress is one of the most iconic wedding looks of all time!

Kate Middleton

If there’s one dress that defined a decade of bridal style, it’s got to be Kate Middleton’s lace wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

This sophisticated ivory and white satin gazar dress featuring long sleeves and a bodice covered in couture lace is said to be a nod to Princess Grace’s wedding dress and is still inspiring many brides today!

Kate Moss

If you’re a bride looking for some embeliished and glamour inspo then you’ll fall in love with Kate Moss’s custom-made gown by John Galliano. The supermodel went for a classic couture dress for her 2011 wedding to musician Jamie Hince which was also exhibited in the Victoria & Albert museum in 2014.

RELATED TO: Boris Johnson’s wife rented her wedding dress for £45 – why don’t you?

We always knew Kate Moss’s wedding wardrobe would be effortlessly cool, and of course her dress reveal did not disappoint with a dreamy sheer skirt, soft, frayed edging and lots of sparkle!

Salma Hayek

Actress Salma Hayek’s iconic Balenciaga dress turned heads in 2009 when she married French billionaire, François-Henri Pinault in Venice.

This iconic ball gown with an embellished bodice designed by Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquière was one of our all time favs for an effortlessly chic and princess inspired fashion statement!

Kate Upton

Our jaws dropped when supermodel Kate Upton revealed her stunning Valentino ball gown at her 2017 wedding to Justin Verlander in Tuscany.

This truly is the wedding dress of dreams, covered in a intricate lace, princess-style bottom and delicate sheer appliquéd sleeves!

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrated their wedding in 2018, and we couldn’t get enough of the bride’s killer looks throughout the build-up to the main event. However, our favourite has to be her custom-made Ralph Lauren wedding gown which truly deserved an event of its own!

RELATED TO: Ariana Grande Shares A Sneak Peak of Fabulous At Home Wedding

With an allover pearl embellished, crystal beading and Swarovski crystal detailing, this extravagant dress was the culmination of 1,826 hours of work! And just when you thought the wedding couldn’t get more over the top, the bride wore the most epic veil we’ve seen ever seen that measured an incredible 75ft (if that’s not making a fashion statement, we don’t know what is!)

Ellie Goulding

Last but not least, Ellie Goulding, gave us another classic and timeless bridal look when she wore a bespoke Chloé gown for her wedding to Caspar Jopling in 2019.

The high ruffled neck and long sleeves created a dramatic silhouette, and the gown was embellished with beaded White Roses of York, to pay homage to the city where the two tied the knot.

Still looking for your dream wedding dress? Check out all our bridalwear suppliers HERE

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The post 11 Most Iconic Celebrity Wedding Dresses Of All Time appeared first on Wedding Journal.

1. The Party Animals

It could have been creepy – and yeah, it kind of was. Two divorce lawyers lie their way into a string of strangers’ weddings every summer, partying with the in-laws, becoming the life and soul, dancing their heads off, all in order to tumble into bed with a series of women. Only at the end does it start to dawn on them how sad and predatory their hobby is becoming, but let’s face it, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) and John (Owen Wilson) genuinely love a wedding and there’s no doubting the pure joie de vivre they bring to the big day.

2. The Joy Of Weddings

That five-minute wedding crash at the start was based on a single page of script and took a week to film, but we love that montage in which we see Jeremy and John working their magic across a series of weddings, including an Indian and Jewish wedding. You’d swear blind they were the closest of friends with everyone there, and the scene just encapsulates everything that’s fun about weddings – the wild mismatch of party-goers, the hilarious asides, the bonkers speeches and just the pure unabashed emotion.

RELATED TO: The Wedding Movies You Need to Watch

3. The Mad Relatives

The guys inveigle an invitation to a weekend party at the home of the US Secretary of the Treasury, played by the ever intimidating Christopher Walken – but the longer they stay, the harder it becomes to keep up their fake personas and the lie begins to unravel. They’ve met their match in the rich and bonkers Cleary family after John finds himself falling for sharp-as-a-tack daughter Claire (Rachel McAdam) and the pair soon find themselves outstaying their welcome, thanks to an array of bonkers relatives, including the tiny homophobic granny, the Secretary’s cougar wife (played by Jane Seymour) and Claire’s unhinged sister Gloria (Isla Fisher).

4. The Wedding Crasher Rules

The guys have formulated their own set of more than 100 rules for crashing weddings – and these have gone down in history.  There’s #19: ‘Toast in the nature language if you know the native language and have practiced the toast. Do not wing it.’ And there’s the astute: ‘Don’t waste your time on girls with hats – they tend to be very proper.’ And of course rule #55: ‘If pressed, tell people you’re related to Uncle John. Everyone has an Uncle John.’ And the one every toddler knows, rule #12: ‘When it stops being fun, break something.’

5. The Wedding Crashers Legacy 

Weddings have always been a great way to meet people, but the movie brought it to a whole new level. In fact, after it came out in 2005, it became something of a guide for single men chasing women, providing tips on how to be a womaniser, sneak into strangers’ weddings and hook up – so much so, that the movie actually inspired an uptick in real-life wedding crashes.

RELATED TO: Date Night Ideas For Couples In Lockdown

6. The Wedding Speech That Goes Horribly Wrong

We’ve all been to a wedding where a speech went down like a lead balloon, but it’s refreshing that in this case it’s maid of honour Claire whose attempt at wry humour goes extremely awry – even when she’s been warned off beforehand by John. That speech kicks off with the immortal line: “I never thought my sister would find someone who cared about what other people thought as much as she did until I met Craig.” As the room falls silent, Claire realises her speech is bombing and pulls off a quick U-turn…

7. Gloria

Isla Fisher was a revelation as the more-than-a-little unhinged sister who turns out to be the perfect match for Jeremy after absolutely scaring the pants off him. A bipolar nymphomaniac, first she pretends to be a virgin, then she pretends to be obsessed with Jeremy and then she plays him like a wedding harp – and in the end he realises how unpleasant it is to be lied to. At first terrified, he ends up embarking on a relationship with his newfound love with the immortal words: ”I’m not perfect, but who are we kidding, neither are you. And you want to know what? I dig it.”

RELATED TO: Does Anyone Actually Have Sex On Their Wedding Night?

8. Will Ferrell

Cast at the last minute, WIll Ferrell played the guys’ mentor Chazz, who taught them everything they know about wedding crashing – but when we finally meet him, he’s living in the basement of his mother’s house, wearing a kimono and a set of nunchucks strung around his neck. It’s only when he sees Chazz crashing a funeral to hook up with women that John begins to reconsider his career as a wedding crasher.

9. The True Love Ending

Jermey ends up with his perfect match Gloria, John breaks up Claire’s wedding to her obnoxious and controlling fiance Sack Lodge (Bradley Cooper) and the two guys end up falling in love at long last. And it seems like wedding crashing is behind them forever – until the two couples drive off into the sunset, planning to crash another nearby wedding disguised as folk singers from Salt Lake City. Who knows where a sequel will take them…?

RELATED TO: 25 First Dance Songs Your Guests Won’t Expect

RELATED TO: 9 Naughty Night-In Ideas

Planning your big day? Check out our experts HERE.

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The post 9 Reasons Why We Loved Wedding Crashers appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Everywhere you look, there are rules about weddings – who you have to invite, what you have to buy, gifts you have to give. If I had a penny for everyone who said some version of ‘You absolutely mustn’t forget to do this’, I could probably have paid for the wedding all in one go!

But when the honeymoon’s over and you’re looking back on your big day from a position of newlywed bliss (we hope!), it can all look very different, and things that loomed large in the run-up to the wedding may now seem quite trivial!

RELATED TO: 9 Ways To Save On Your Venue And Catering Costs

So we asked our friends and families what they wish they’d known before they organised their weddings – who knows, this might help you to relax and go with the flow a little when you realise how unimportant some things end up being!

1. Shoes are not that important 

I had the loveliest shoes – in a delicate Mary Jane style with double straps – but before anyone even saw them, the photographer had taken us out onto the damp grass for pictures and the heels sank deep into the mud, leaving a mucky watermark that was never to be removed. Another bride I spoke to says no-one ever sees your shoes and they can end up lasting about five minutes: “My gorgeous shoes got stuck in decking after 10 steps and it was bare feet from that moment onwards!”

RELATED TO: 15 Affordable (And Gorgeous) Flat Wedding Shoes

2. You’ll look amazing

We all spent months fretting about our weight and our skincare in the run-up to the big day and do you know what? We all looked brilliant. I planned out a punishing gym schedule in a bid to fit into a size 12 dress, but luckily the very experienced dress shop owner advised me to go for a 14, and she was absolutely right – I soon pulled my hamstring in a spin class and the gym schedule had to go out the window. But thanks to my gorgeous dress and perfect make-up and hair, I felt wonderful. So don’t sweat it if you’re struggling with less than perfect skin or weight before the wedding – you will feel magnificent when you walk down the aisle.

RELATED TO: How To Choose The Perfect Bridal Make-Up Artist

3. You need to double check the DJ has the right song for your first dance

One bride revealed her DJ was calling her during the wedding ceremony itself to ask what the back-ups were because he didn’t have their first song : “Download from iTunes, buddy!” And we erroneously thought our wedding band would be playing our first song and had sent a couple of versions of the Led Zeppelin song ‘Thank You’ to be helpful – it ended up with the DJ playing the rather ropey Tori Amos cover instead of a gorgeously jazzy Lizz Wright version. There were raised eyebrows in every direction, but we ended up laughing about it!

RELATED TO: How To Create The Ultimate Wedding Reception Playlist

4. Deal with the big issues first

Prioritise your venue, caterer, dress, photographer and flowers – these are major big-ticket items that may have to be booked a long way in advance. Get these crossed off your list early on and then look again at your budget to see what you can afford for the smaller things.

RELATED TO: How To Find Your Dream Wedding Dress In Our Dress Finder

5. Half the favours will end up lying around the tables at the end of the night

They may seem like little inexpensive items, but multiply them up by 120 or 250 and the cost soon stacks up. So make sure your favours are something your guests will really love and appreciate. Ours were heart-shaped chocolates in filmy net with tiny paper flowers – which you’d expect to be popular – and they were still left. So think hard about favours before you spend all that money.

RELATED TO: Personalised Wedding Favour Ideas

6. You’ve got to eat first thing in the morning 

Do NOT skip breakfast, even if you have to get up earlier. Bring snacks with you that are non-messy and can be tucked away in a small bag – even better, get your bridesmaids to bring something. What people forget about weddings is how long the hours are during which everybody sits around not eating before you actually get to sit down to dinner. And your guests will probably have time to order a sneaky plate of sandwiches at some point, but you won’t. The last thing you need is a blood sugar crash or a migraine.

RELATED TO: How To Calm Those Pre-Wedding Nerves

7. You’ll spend a lot of time with your wedding suppliers

You’re going to be talking a lot to your hairdresser, your make-up artist, your photographer and your videographer, so make sure you trust and like them. You want to be spending time with people you get on with on your big day, not someone who sets your teeth on edge. Former bride Julie says: “Choose only positive people and make sure you’ll want to be around them on the day – mine slightly ruined the vibe at times.”

RELATED TO: Talk to our tried and tested suppliers

8. You’ll need a Plan B for every aspect of the day

Make sure you have put together some kind of contingency plan and make sure your bridal party is well aware of it. One groom had to come up with a quick plan change when the photography venue fell through: “We wanted photos in Botanic Gardens in Belfast and it was a five-minute walk from the venue. However, it wasn’t available and we had to hurriedly book transport to an alternative location, Lady Dixon Park.”

RELATED TO: Bridal Checklist – Your Ultimate Planner

9. Honestly? No-one will remember the decor

Guests may admire your flowers or chairs or table settings, but they won’t remember them. So make sure you do what makes you happy if you’re spending so much money. Pick what you love, rather than what you think fits in with a particular style, or you think others will like.

RELATED TO: 15 Alternative Wedding Table Ideas For Your Dream Reception

10. You’ll never get your time back

Wedding planning is extremely time-consuming, but this is your life and your time is valuable. You wouldn’t spend money frivolously so don’t spend your time frivolously either – you’re not trying to win any awards. If you find yourself getting too bogged down in tiny details, then rein it in. There are loads of free online resources online that can help you with the wedding planning, including our free wedding planner, so don’t reinvent the wheel!

RELATED TO: 8 Easy Wedding Planning Tips For The Disorganised Bride To Be

11. Expect the unexpected

It doesn’t matter how perfectly you organise everything – there will always be something that doesn’t go perfectly to plan, be it the wrong colour of ribbons on the cake, the song for the first dance or the weather on the day. So don’t sweat the small stuff! My bridal shop forgot to put on the fastener on my dress that should have kept my train up off the ground and I had to improvise with nappy safety pins. Then we arrived to find the venue had put up a welcome board that named another couple instead of us! But those are the things that you leave to your wedding party members to deal with – you’ll be up to your eyes being photographed and talking to guests. You might not even notice some of the things that go wrong. It’s the little hitches that you’ll laugh and reminisce about in years to come, especially when the people you love are no longer around. Wouldn’t life be boring if everything was perfect?

RELATED TO: How To Find Your Dream Wedding Team

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The post 11 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Planning A Wedding appeared first on Wedding Journal.

You may have heard of some of these wedding traditions and superstitions which have played a huge role in weddings all over the world over the years.

If you’re in the midst of planning your perfect day, you’re probably wracking your brain trying to think of something borrowed and something blue, or making sure your groom doesn’t see you before the big reveal – but do you know why these traditions are a thing and what they mean?

RELATED TO: How To Break Traditions In Same Sex Weddings

For such widely known wedding traditions, many people have no clue what the real reason behind them is, so we’ve done a little digging to bring you the truth. Then you can decide if you want to keep or ditch them!

“Something old, something new, something borrow & something blue”

This saying is widely known and dates back to an age-old Victorian rhyme. Something old relates back to bride’s family and represents something from her past life as she starts her own family – many brides choose something nostalgic and sentimental such as a jewellery from their grandmother or incorporate an element of their mother’s wedding dress into her own.

Something new represents good fortune and success for the bride’s new chapter. Often this is the wedding dress or the bride’s new shoes as she walks into her new life with something new for good luck!

Something borrowed is said to be a symbol to remind the bride that her family and friends will always be there to support her whenever she needs them. This can be something as small as a hair pin, a lace handkerchief or even a piece of jewellery.

The something blue relates to loyalty and faithfulness – this tradition dates back to biblical times when blue represented purity. You will often see brides who include this in their garter with a blue ribbon!

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Another less heard of tradition is a ‘silver sixpence in your shoe’, which was originally a sign that the bride’s father approved of the marriage and was seen as a good luck charm to bring the couple wealth and happiness in their new life together.

The big reveal: why can’t he see you before the big day?

This is a commonly known wedding tradition in which the groom is forbidden to see the bride before she makes her big appearance down the aisle and we wait for that all-important reaction!

This dates back to the days of arranged marriages, when marriage leaned more on the business deal side of things rather than love (thank God for modern times, eh?).

RELATED TO: The Perfect Songs To Make An Entrance As You Walk Down The Aisle

Back then, couples were not allowed to see each other in fear that they’d pull out of the marriage! Luckily, today it’s not that serious (phew!) and is simply seen a symbol of bad luck to see the bride on the morning of the wedding before the big reveal. It’s also a cute way to build the suspense for when you walk down the aisle looking drop-dead gorgeous and hopefully get that teardrop reaction from your groom or bride-to-be!

Why does the bride throw the bouquet?

Did you know that the bouquet wasn’t originally carried down the aisle just to add to the pretty wedding aesthetic? The real reason it was introduced was actually to mask the bride’s odour (gasp!).

Rumour has it that floral scents of fragrant flowers were said to ward off evil spirits with brides even adding herbs and garlic to the bouquet… if this isn’t quite the vibe you’re going for (and we don’t blame you) check out all our trusty wedding flower suppliers to find the perfect bouquet for you!

We’ve all been to weddings where the bride throws the bouquet and the single bridesmaids would rush to catch it to see if she would be the next to walk down the aisle – this is actually a more modern remake of a French 14^th century tradition in which the groom would throw the bride’s garter into the crowd.

Why does the bride get given away?

Again, this tradition is a very old one which dates back to the business arrangement-type marriages. Brides would quite literally be handed over to a ‘new owner’, usually in exchange for some type of payment.

RELATED TO: 33 Non-Religious Ceremony Readings That Will Leave You Speechless

Fast forward to 2021, and a lot has changed! In these modern times, brides can decide who gives them away and it’s now more about creating a special moment with your father, but this can be anyone significant in your life such as a grandparent, mother or sibling.

Did you notice the bride always stands to the left of the groom?

This is one that we probably see at a lot of weddings, but never noticed or paid any attention to. Well, rumour has it that this wedding tradition started back in medieval times so the groom could protect the bride with his left arm and use his sword on the right for anyone who tried to steal her away.

So now that we are in the 21^st century and women can certainly protect themselves, why do we still do this? I guess old habits die hard and it is a little romantic to feel protected by your man, but wherever you stand it’s totally up to you and your beau!

Why do we wear the ring on the left hand & fourth finger?

This tradition is believed to be started by the Romans, who thought a vein from the fourth finger on the left hand led straight down to your heart. Others simply say it began because most people tend to be right-handed, so therefore having your ring on your left hand is a more practical choice.

It is said that the Egyptians favoured the middle finger on the left hand, while ancient Britons and Gauls preferred the pinky finger. Roman Catholics were believed to use the right hand for wedding rings right up until the 18^th century.

There are also some conspiracy theories regarding the ring, for example, its bad luck for a bride to try her ring on before the wedding or that the couple who drop the ring in church shall be the first to die (gulp!).

It is also said to be unlucky to remove your ring before the first seven years of marriage – these are all a little out there, but if you are a superstitious type of bride then you’ve been warned!

Why are wedding cakes tiered?

We’ve all seen some marvellous wedding cakes in our time, like those in our recent article which shows all the fabulous tiered wedding cake trends – but why is almost every wedding cake tiered?

Guests used to bring small cakes and place them in front of the newly-weds who would kiss over the pile of cakes to guarantee future prosperity. The tiered wedding cakes we know and love today are said to be stacked cakes from this tradition started by Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, in 1882.

RELATED TO: 10 Alternative Wedding Cake Ideas To Make You Drool

The cutting of the cake is also a big moment at every wedding celebration and comes from a tradition rooted in history when the first cut was made by the bride to ensure the marriage would be blessed by children – a little outdated, we know, but’s always cute to let the bride go first!

Why the white wedding dress?

We’re sure you’ve probably all heard the old belief that wearing a white dress is to represent being pure and a virgin before marriage. Yes, that was once one reason for it, but it was also closely linked to wealth as only rich people could afford to wear white. Despite all of this, the trend came about much later than you may have expected.

It was actually Queen Victoria who was the first to start the white dress trend – before her wedding in 1840 to Prince Albert, many brides would wear the most expensive dress they owned, no matter the colour. In one of her diary entries, the Queen wrote:

“I wore a white satin dress with a deep flounce of Honiton lace, an imitation of an old design, and my jewels were my Turkish diamond necklace and earrings and dear Albert’s beautiful sapphire brooch.”

RELATED TO: Why You Should Never Rule Out a Black Wedding Dress

There are also some questionable superstitions linked to the bridal look you may not have heard of. For example apparently, it’s bad luck for a bride-to-be to see her completed bridal look before walking down the aisle. These days it has evolved into the bride only seeing her complete bridal look once (even we’re not sure we could stick to this one!).

Where did the veil come from?

Apparently, this one isn’t just for the pretty wedding aesthetic either. Although we do love a gorgeous veil, this was actually believed to hide the bride’s beauty and ward off evil spirits. Another reason is in the times of arranged marriages, the bride’s face was often covered until the groom had already committed to the marriage.

So, we know this  may have been the meaning behind them then but brides these days have taken their power back and, evil spirits or no evil spirits, if you feel like wearing a veil for fashion reasons alone, we say go for it! (and it’s a cute surprise for your groom to see that gorgeous makeup reveal!)

If you are a little superstitious though, maybe don’t let your friends try on your veil after the wedding – it apparently means they’ll run off with your man and we sure can’t have that!

Why do we give our wedding favours?

Wedding favours have been a wedding tradition for hundreds of years as a way of giving your guests a token to remember the day. Many couples still put a lot of thought and symbolism into the favours with five sugar coated almonds to represent fertility, health, wealth and a long happy life together.

RELATED TO: Alternative Wedding Favours

Today, many couples don’t stick by this and decide to get a little creative with their guest favours like giving out little bottles of spirits, mini treats or anything fun and cute as a little thank you to their guests!

Why does the bride get carried over the threshold?

Yes, you guessed it – it’s the evil spirits again! Carrying the bride over the threshold was believed to protect her from any evil spirits that may be lurking in the couple’s new home – especially since the soles of her feet were said to carry the greatest risk of evil (spooky stuff!)

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The post Wedding Traditions & Superstitions: Everything You Didn’t Know appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Watch a romantic movie – or a scary movie, for that matter – and you’d be forgiven for thinking sex is an absolute given on your wedding night.

Brides can spend a humongous amount of time and money planning for that first sexual encounter as a married couple, defuzzing absolutely everything and investing in something seductive when it comes to lingerie.

After all, it’s the crowning glory of years of planning, the moment a loving couple will finally relax into each other’s arms and create sensual fireworks following a hectic day of celebrations.

RELATED TO: Sex Positions Couples Have To Try For An Unforgettable Wedding Night

Or is it? According to one survey, just over a third of newlyweds in Ireland (37%) say they had sex on the night they got married.

Another survey by lingerie brand Bluebella said 52% DON’T do the deed on their wedding night – which to me seems a little low, considering the rollercoaster of a day they’ve just had.

I mean, think about it. You’ve probably been dieting frantically for weeks and running yourself ragged as you organise this, that and the other in the run-up to the big day.

RELATED TO: The Perfect Sex Playlist

Then you’re up with the larks for the longest hair, fashion and make-up session you’ve ever had in your life, before embarking on an unforgettable and hugely emotional experience followed by a packed schedule of eating, drinking and dancing the night away.

And after all that you’re expected to mistily melt into each other’s arms before embarking on a night filled with sexual Olympics?

Let’s face it, after a day like that, it would be weird if you had the energy left to do more than unpin your tiara before sinking into the king-size hotel bed and snoring like an adenoidal wrestler.

Not to mention your other half, who could well be feeling under extreme pressure to perform after a lengthy session of having pints bought for him by 60 or so very friendly guests.

RELATED TO: One in 20 Irish People Check Their Phone During Sex

We carried out our (not at all scientific) poll on Twitter, and found the results were even more telling – 24% say they did have sex on their wedding night, while a resounding 62% said they didn’t because they were just too tired or drunk.

Intriguingly, we discovered an enthusiastic 13% of couples admitted to having sex at the reception itself, and we really, REALLY want to know where. In the gardens? In the bridal dressing room? Behind the curtains? Well played, guys, well played – we salute you.

But it’s not just food, drink and exhaustion that can kill the erotic vibe – sometimes the sheer architecture of the wedding dress and lingerie can defeat even a willing couple by the very small hours of the morning.

One of our respondents laughingly says: “I won’t even start on the 32,000 buttons on the dress at 3am.”

Another says she fell asleep in the hotel bed in her dress, while eating room service chips: “Really set the tone for the marriage!”

RELATED TO: The Phrase That Leads To Better Sex Revealed

Meanwhile, one couple who travelled to Florida to marry had their one-year-old son with them.

“In a five-bedroom villa, he slept between us both. We were knackered anyway from a great day,” they say.

And many couples who decided to just ‘power on through’ the exhaustion admit it ended up being an anticlimax – often saying it felt forced and the weight of expectation resulted in a monumental let-down.

One bride who posted on Reddit says: “We had sex, but it almost felt like an obligation. We had been on our feet for 12 hours, dressed up in more clothes than we’d ever worn in our lives, talking to people, dancing. By the time we got to our room, we’d have both been content to just go to sleep, but we powered through it.”

But just remember that the whole emphasis on the wedding night is a throw-back to the time when historically it was the first time a couple had ever shared a bed, so it’s understandable that newlyweds might have been willing to power through.

RELATED TO: Spice Up Your Sex Life

These days, however, many couples may have already built up a strong intimate relationship over the years before their wedding day, and may feel less under pressure to stage a super-steamy wedding night. Many admit to dozing off in the bath after their exhausting day or simply curling up in each other’s arms.

So don’t feel at all concerned if the wedding night turns out not to be filled with sexual fireworks – it’s perfectly normal to just conk out with exhaustion.

The morning after, however – well that’s a whole other thing. The pressure’s off, you’re waking up in each other’s arms as newlyweds and what could be more romantic than drowsily launching an exploration of each other’s bodies? That will be the moment when your sensual lingerie really comes into its own.

RELATED TO: Get Sexy – Lingerie To Wear On Honeymoon

As one Redditer says, following an anti-climactic wedding night in which he and his new wife showered and then crashed out: “The next morning , however…. In the immortal words of Jackie Gleason, ‘Bang! Zoom! To the moon, Alice!’”

RELATED TO: 9 Naughty Night-In Ideas

RELATED TO: Top 5 Freaky Sex Positions You Need To Know

Still searching for that perfect lingerie? Check out our bridalwear experts HERE.

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The post How Many Couples REALLY Have Sex On Their Wedding Night? appeared first on Wedding Journal.

We’ve all heard the term ‘bridezilla’, describing how the bride-to-be becomes a little controlling and demanding as she plans everything to a T to create her dream day. Well, it seems these days more and more grooms are getting very particular about the planning details too.

We understand the importance of planning your perfect day, so it’s only natural that you get a little stressed. However, if you feel like your man is becoming a little hard to deal with during the planning process, here’s how to spot the ‘groomzilla’ and what you can do to help things run a little more smoothly…

Groomzilla signs

If you notice your man being a little extra picky and wanting to change every detail, then you’ve most likely got a groomzilla on your hands. But don’t worry, because in a way this is not the worst thing in the world.

This type of behaviour usually comes from a good place – it shows he cares about creating an unforgettable and memorable day with you, even if he’s being a little hard to handle in the process.

RELATED TO: 13 Stress-Free Steps To Help Plan Your Ultimate Wedding

Some example of celebrity groomzillas are Kanye West – the rapper not only shut his bride-to-be, Kim Kardashian, out of the wedding planning process for their Italian affair, but it was also said he had a temper tantrum on the day, demanding that lights (which took four days to set up) be taken down along with a very expensive music system.

Justin Timberlake was also reported as a groomzilla when he married actress, Jessic Biel, who had no say whatsoever when it come to her engagement ring OR wedding dress (yikes!). Justin was said to have chosen both of these major factors before their big Italian celebration (which he also choose the venue for at the luxury hotel in Puglia, by the way!)

READ OUR LATEST MAGAZINE ISSUE – SUMMER 2021 OUT NOW

How to handle the Groomzilla

We recommend dealing with these ‘groomzilla’ tendencies upfront and early on so you can ensure you both have an enjoyable overall planning experience. Although the planning process can naturally cause some bickering and disagreements, no one wants to be fighting the entire way through.

It’s important to remember that planning a wedding takes two which means a joint effort from both of you – if he’s becoming incapable of compromise on what you BOTH want, then it’s time to have a chat.

You need to have an open and honest conversation where you can hear each other out, have a brainstorming session and make a list of things you feel are most important to you.

RELATED TO: Ultimate Wedding Checklist: 6 Months To Go

This is the best way to make sure you’re both on the same page and aware of what your wedding wants and needs are.

Here’s the some important topics to discuss:

• Budget: How much do you have to spend, what is your maximum and where are the funds coming from?
• Guest List: Who are your must-have people on both sides, and who is second tier?
• Venue: Your venue has a huge impact on so many factors of your wedding, so it’s crucial to choose somewhere you both like
• Wedding Wardrobe: You both want to feel your best on your big day, so if fashion is his forte, then make sure you allow him to express his style fully with his dream suit (just like your dream dress!)

Duties for the groomzilla

Whatever stage of wedding planning you’re at, it’s important to remember that compromise is key – you both should have delegated responsibilities and be able to put each other’s opinions in without completely taking over.

A great way to keep the groomzilla in check is to play to his strengths. Let’s say you have a man that has great organisational skills or a great eye for design  – why not let them plan the transport for you and your bridal party or sort out which venue styling suppliers would be best suitable to your desired theme?

There are so many duties to keep the groomzilla feeling involved and occupied such as choosing which honeymoon destination works best for your budget, making spreadsheets/lists of all your wedding costs, organising which venues work better for a ceremony or reception.

The list goes on and on – just make sure you both have equal responsibilities and input on the wedding planning, and organise some regular (and fun) meetings to ensure you’re on the same page.

Happy planning!

For more planning tips and advice, view details HERE

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The post Has Your Man Turned Into A Groomzilla? appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Whenever we talk to couples with a happy and healthy marriage, they can always tell us the story of when they knew they found ‘The One.’

Although it’s great to have that moment of clarity when everything just clicks, sometimes it’s harder to determine if it’s true love even when it’s right in front of you!

Luckily for you, we’re here to help! If the following signs apply to your current relationship, then you may just have found your soulmate…

RELATED TO: Studies have found the ONE quality women love the most in men…

1. They Feel Like Home

Knowing whether you’ve found ‘The One’ will feel different from person to person, but an inner sense of calm and feeling of being ‘home’ is a great sign that you’re on the right track! Ever heard the saying, ‘home is not a place, it’s a feeling?’, Well, that goes for finding your life partner too.

2. They Fight For You

Relationships can be tough – we’ve all been there. It takes two to tango, so if one person stops putting the effort in, it won’t be long before things start fall apart. Pay attention to how he handles an argument – does he walk away or does he fight to keep you? Even the happiest relationships take work, so make sure you’re with someone who doesn’t give up easily.

RELATED TO: Top three relationship deal breakers revealed

3. You Argue (sometimes!)

Yes, you read that right! While we’re on the topic of fighting, let’s normalise arguing in a relationship – we’re not talking about every day (as this could definitely be a red flag), but having trivial arguments here and there is actually a healthy sign that you care about each other!

4. You Can Be Your FULL Self

This one sounds like a given, we know! But, before you say ‘I do’, you need to make sure they know every part of you – that means the good, the bad and the ugly! It’s all going to come out in married life at some point anyway, so don’t be afraid to bare it all. The right one will accept you for who you truly are, and you should feel like you can express yourself freely and safely in their presence.

READ OUR LATEST MAGAZINE ISSUE – SUMMER 2021 OUT NOW

5. You Motive Each other

Even before you meet the one, you both have different goals and dreams you want to achieve in life – and the right person should root for you always! There might be times when you’re working a little overtime or traveling somewhere solo, which may result in not having as much downtime with your beau. If he truly loves you, he’ll be understanding and motivate you to reach your goals, even if it means spending a little less time with him.

RELATED TO: Seven traits that are relationship deal-breakers

6. You Both Have Separate Lives

Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean you should lose your sense of self! We know how exciting true love can be and sometimes it’s easy to want to be around them 24/7, but when you can both still enjoy your different goals and hobbies outside of each other, this is a great sign of a healthy relationship that may last a lifetime.

7. You Talk in Cute Voices

If you ever find yourself doing baby talk with your beau, don’t cringe! This is actually a sign that you’re both really in love and is said to relate back to the love we learned as a child growing up (hence, the term ‘baby talk’). It may sound insignificant, but if you both find yourselves talking in cute voices together, or even have your own language that no one else would understand, this is special and he could be the one for you!

RELATED TO: 5 Signs You’re Marrying ‘The One’

8. You Can Do Nothing Together (and it’s still fun!)

Have you ever had those friends you always feel you have to do something with when you hang out? Well, when it comes to your significant other, a great way to know you’ve found the one is if you can actually have fun being bored together! Hear us out – sometimes we don’t always have the energy for an exciting activity, so if you can both chill together doing your own thing and the silence doesn’t feel awkward, this is very telling and a subtle sign of true love.

9. They Talk About Your Future

When your significant other talks about their future plans, pay close attention – if they mention your name in these hopes and dreams, this is a great sign that they’re serious about you! They’re already starting to picture their life with you later down the line, and this is a great sign that you’re both on the same page and you’ve found your perfect person.

For more help and advice – view details HERE

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The post How To Know If He’s ‘The One’ appeared first on Wedding Journal.

With life moving back to normal, there’s no better way to get back on track with your wedding planning than by visiting The Wedding Journal Show – book your tickets here and get an exclusive 50% off discount code for this weekend only, when you join our brides Facebook Group!

Our Spring 2022 shows are now full steam ahead at the start of the year and we can promise a serious wedding extravaganza, with inspiration, style and industry experts – everything you need to make sure your big day goes perfectly!

You’ll get to see the newest styles in our thrilling live catwalk shows and our specialist stage areas. And even better – because we love you so much – we’re offering a 50% off the ticket price for anyone who joins our wonderful Wedding Journal Inspo group on Facebook – a fabulous community where brides-to-be trade tips and ideas and you can chat to others about new trends and solving your wedding dilemmas.

RELATED TO: Wedding planning tasks you can complete during lockdown

All you have to do is join the group and you’ll have access to an access code that will guarantee you a 50% discount off the ticket price for The Wedding Journal Show – all the inspiration at half the price. 

Just join the Facebook Wedding Journal Inspo group, get your access code and enter it in the coupon code box at the checkout when you’re purchasing your tickets.

RELATED TO: 13 Best Wedding Planning Podcasts

Limited spaces are available, so book now for the ultimate experience! We’ve got amazing bridal catwalks (reserved seating only), VIP packages and amazing cash prizes – you really don’t want to miss it!

We’ll be at Citywest Dublin on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 January 2022 and TEC Belfast on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February 2022. We can’t wait to see you there!

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The post 50% off your ticket for The Wedding Journal Show (CLOSED) appeared first on Wedding Journal.

With social media these days it can feel like there’s nothing new under the sun, so choosing your wedding theme can be easier said than done. After all, you want a day that is truly memorable and stands out from all the rest.

Everyone’s wedding day is special, but when it comes to thinking outside the box these couples have outdone your average ceremony celebration. Taking an unconventional approach will win the day, make magic memories – and create unforgettable photo opportunities.

Love Is In The Air

Meet Patrick and Melaine Russell who took their love to new heights (literally!) when they decided on a hot air balloon/sky dive wedding. Yes, you read that right – Patrick, who is originally from Cork, met his wife Melaine on a skydiving adventure in America and the rest is history.

“We met at Skydive the Ranch in Gardiner, NY,” Melaine says. “I was working there when he enrolled in the student training program to earn his license in skydiving.”

And it wasn’t long before the two adrenaline junkies found love in each other and started dating in 2017 – the same year they had their wacky sky dive and hot air balloon wedding.

“We never actually got formally engaged,” Melaine explains. “We’ve both been married before, so we were super casual about it. Patrick just looked at me one day and said something like, ‘I could picture having you as my wife’ and I said, ‘me too.’

“He followed that by asking if I wanted to get married and I said ‘sure’. I specifically asked him not to bother with an engagement ring because we didn’t want to make a big thing of it.”

Although they went for a casual engagement, Melaine and Patrick went above and beyond for their wedding celebration which they held on their one year anniversary, 11^th July 2017.

“What we did make a big deal of was getting married on our one year anniversary,” Melaine shares. “Given that skydiving is already a weather-dependent sport and flying a hot air balloon additionally requires low winds, we were really taking a big risk by narrowing it down to one specific day.

“We decided to get married in a hot air balloon because it’s much more peaceful than jumping out of a plane and we had both made balloon jumps before, but the experience was definitely surreal given that we climbed into the basket as boyfriend and girlfriend and jumped out of the basket as husband and wife!

RELATED TO: ‘We Planned A Pandemic Wedding in 1 Week’

“Our family and friends had an unforgettable experience. Our friends Kevin and Rahul were stoked about making another balloon jump – they jumped right after us. My mother, on the other hand, was concerned that she wouldn’t have the courage to even ride in the balloon, but she became ordained just for the purpose of marrying us, so I told her that she’d have to suck it up and ended up loving it!

“We were pleased that the space in the balloon was limited because we didn’t want to have a big wedding. Little did we know our video would go viral and we’d be recruited for interviews all over Ireland, and even a television show, “Outrageous Weddings”, which we have yet to see!”

Parachute Plunge

We love an adventurous couple who go above and beyond for their big day. Meet professional skydivers David and Christine Duffy from Dublin, who are members of the Irish Parachute Club and took their guest experience to the next level.

“Me and Christine actually met in 2014 when we were stunt doubles for a movie and enacted a mid-air kiss as part of a wedding scene – little did we know, years later we would be the ones to marry!” David shares.

After saying ‘I do’ in Glassan Lakehouse Hotel in Westmeath, David and Christine surprised their guests with a parachute plunge over the golf course from their skydiving friends.

“After the ceremony, during the drinks reception, our friends from The Irish Parachute Club dropped in with gifts of Milk Tray and Jagermeister. The best part was that they were in full tuxedo wear and looking the part. They dropped in, successfully and safely creating a great surprise show for the guests.

“It was quite spectacular for some of the guests who had never seen this type of thing before – it was great craic and something we’ll never forget,” David says.

Marathon Matrimony

RELATED TO: First Ever Mourne Mountains Wedding

Meet the owners of We Run Wild NI, Gillian and Gary Connelly, who swapped out their wedding attire for running gear to celebrate their marriage with a marathon. “Running is what really brought us together, so we thought why not!” Gillian says.

“We both met at our local running club and it’s what we’ve always loved doing together ever since. We never really had a desire for a traditional church wedding, so we thought we’d do something different and get all our friends and family involved in something we enjoy!”

Gillian and Gary held their ceremony in their hometown at Carrickfergus Castle before family and friends came to join in the 10k marathon to Loughshore. They even had specially made running gear, with a little wedding glamour of course!

“Our friends and family loved it and they joined us and did what they could on the laps,” Gillian explains.

“I had got married in my long dress and then quickly got changed into a short wedding dress for the run, which was not designed for running at all, but it was short and sleeveless and the weather was reasonably kind to us.

“Gary got married in his suit before changing into running shorts and a specifically designed running tuxedo shirt as well! We are so glad we did it – it was a great day for everyone and one we’ll never forget.”

RELATED TO: Wedding of the Week: Nikki & Stephen’s Romantic and Relaxed Galgorm Ceremony

Festival Fiesta

Festival loving couple, Helen Keys and Charlie Mallon from Moneymore, wanted an intimate wedding with a twist.

“Charlie and I were always festival goers, we’ve been to Glastonbury and Electric Picnic and we loved that kind of relaxed vibe,” Helen explains.

“Neither of us wanted anything too formal, we just wanted everyone to come together, enjoy themselves and have a relaxed evening.”

Helen and Charlie transformed their garden venue into a festival wonderland with everything from marquee tents, food stands and a disco barn to festival inspired tickets!

“We did our invitations like tickets and called it ‘the hitching’ and made sure to tell people to bring their wellies,” Helen laughs. “For food, we approached St George’s Market and arranged little food stalls – we had paella and crepes, so the guests had plenty to choose from, and my aunt also organised an ice cream van so everyone could get their 99s!

“My dad also has a barn in his garden and my friends who run a bar brought staff to help out and they gifted us a keg of Guinness which ran out in about five minutes. We then had tents all around the garden and Charlie is a blacksmith, so he made fire baskets and we lit fires in the evening, and everyone was dancing and having fun!”

To find out more about quirky and unique wedding venues – view details HERE

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The post Unique Unions: 4 Real Life Quirky & Unconventional Weddings appeared first on Wedding Journal.

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for since the news broke about Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez’s secret at home affair.

Ariana Grande tied the knot earlier this month to her real estate agent beau, Dalton Gomez, with a surprise ceremony at her home in Montecito, California, holding an intimate celebration of 20 family and friends.

The pop princess just took to Instagram to share her stunning wedding photographs and they are everything we dreamed of and more.

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A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande)

RELATED TO: Ariana Grande Holds Secret Wedding at her California Home

Ariana looks breathtaking in a sleek and sexy Vera Wang gown with a short veil as she passionately kisses her new husband, Dalton Gomez.

We’re loving this figure-hugging and silk charmeuse dress which also features a chic low-cut back and exposed bra-strap closure.

Ariana stuck to a traditional white veil but added a touch of her cute and sweet style with a large and trendy bow, and of course she had her signature ponytail which tied the whole look together!

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A post shared by Vera Wang (@verawang)

Rumour has it that Ariana planned her dream dress long before her and her newly wed husband, Dalton Gomez, first went public with their relationship in February.

Grande reportedly asked iconic designer, Vera Wang, to create a custom gown for her back at the Met Gala a few years ago and of course the dress did not disappoint.

The photos also gave us a sneak peak of Ariana and Dalton’s stunning wedding décor of their stylish at home ceremony – a chic white aesthetic, hanging florals, and candles galore!

The newlyweds looked to be in a world of their own as they locked lips inside amongst the beautifully decorated space and candle ambience.

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A post shared by Vera Wang (@verawang)

RELATED TO: Steal Their Style: Celebrity Inspired Wedding Dresses

Dalton also looked dapper in a Tom Ford Suit standing beside his blushing bride underneath the draping flowers as they entered their new exciting chapter together.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

If you haven’t already, sign up to our newsletter HERE to stay up-to-date on all things news, style and wedding inspo

The post Ariana Grande Shares A Sneak Peak of Fabulous At Home Wedding appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Congratulations to Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez who just got married over the weekend!

Although Grande herself did not share news of the wedding just yet, it is now confirmed that the two sealed the deal with an intimate at-home wedding in front of 20 family and friends.

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A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande)

The pair reportedly met during the pandemic last February when they were spotted kissing at a bar and first appeared in Justin Bieber’s “Stuck With You” music video featuring Ariana.

After dating the luxury real-estate agent for around 18 months, Grande first shared her engagement news with fans on Instagram, flashing her unique pearl and diamond engagement ring.

RELATED TO: 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Engagement Rings You Need To See

Fans went wild for the ring which had sentimental value with the pearl being from her late grandfather’s tie pie which her grandmother gave to her to always keep her safe.

We can’t wait to see Ariana’s iconic wedding wardrobe, stayed tuned for more details and congratulations again to the happy couple!

If you haven’t already, sign up to our newsletter HERE to stay up-to-date on all things news, style and wedding inspo

The post Ariana Grande Holds Secret Wedding at her California Home appeared first on Wedding Journal.

We’re back with our Spring 2022 shows in Belfast and Dublin – get everything you need under one roof from wedding inspiration, style and industry experts so you can get ahead for your big day!

CITYWEST DUBLIN – Saturday 8th & Sunday 9^th January 2022

TEC BELFAST – Saturday 5th & Sunday 6^th February 2022

Limited spaces are available, so book your tickets now for the ultimate experience! We’ve got amazing bridal catwalks (reserved seating only), VIP packages and amazing cash prizes – you don’t want to miss it!

The post The Wedding Journal Shows Are Back appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Regardless of price, everyone’s engagement ring is special, but have you ever wondered how much some of the biggest stars’ rings go for? Well, we did a little digging and rounded up some of the most beautiful (and biggest) rocks out there from our favourite celebrities!

Ariana Grande

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A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande)

In case you’ve missed the headlines lately, Ariana Grande recently shared her exciting new engagement to Dalton Gomez on Instagram, sharing pictures of her enormous diamond and pearl ring (scroll right on the post for a close-up.) Her successful realtor beau didn’t hold back on the price point either, with the ring rumoured to be a whopping $750,000! What also makes this ring super special is its sentiment – the pearl is from her late grandfather’s old tie pin which her grandmother gave to her to keep her safe (we’re not crying, you are!)

Meghan Markle

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)

We all know the Duchess of Sussex was going to have a phenomenal ring, but we were still blown away by its beauty when she revealed her diamond at Kensington Palace back in 2017. The stunning trilogy ring is said to weigh around 6-carat and go for as much as $350,000! Although it is clearly a showstopper, it appears it was redesigned a few years later, changing the yellow gold band for a dainty pave diamond one (making it even more beautiful!)

Hailey Bieber

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A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber)

We’ve all been gushing over newlyweds Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber, but what we really want to know is – how much did that rock cost? Sharing her recent wedding photos on Instagram, Hailey showed a close-up picture in a sliding post where you can see just how gorgeous this ring really is. It reportedly cost around $500,000, which sounds about right if you’re dating Justin Bieber.

Lady Gaga

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A post shared by Lady Gaga (@ladygaga)

Unfortunately, Lady Gaga never got around to saying, ‘I do’, but she did say yes to a dazzling heart-shaped 6-carat ring from Taylor Kenny back on Valentine’s day in 2015. This striking diamond with a micro-pavé platinum band is said to cost roughly a jaw-dropping $500,000. It also has a super sweet feature relating to Gaga’s real name, Stefani Germanotta, with their initials ‘T ♡ S’ engraved on the back.

Kim Kardashian

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A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian)

We’re all heartbroken over the latest news of power couple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announcing their divorce, but let’s look at the ring that had the whole word talking when it was stolen from Kim’s hotel room in Paris 2016. The 15-carat sparkler by Lorraine Schwartzis is apparently in the $4 million region and we see why – just look at the size of that thing!

Katy Perry

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A post shared by KATY PERRY (@katyperry)

The internet went wild gushing over pop princess Katy Perry and TV heart-throb Orlando Bloom, when they took to Instagram to share their engagement news in 2019 and just look at that diamond! It is up there with being one of most expensive rings as it is estimated to be in the $5 million category! Its gorgeous pink 4-carat stone surrounded by 8 white diamonds, gives it a floral shape and definitely makes it stand out from all the rest!

Chrissy Teigen

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A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen)

When model, Chrissy Teigen, and singer, John Legend, got engaged back in 2011, we all couldn’t wait to see her engagement ring and it did not disappoint! If you look closely at the Instagram post, you can catch a glimpse of the dazzling cushion cut diamond with a pavé eternity band which is reported to be somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000.

Lily Collins

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A post shared by Lily Collins (@lilyjcollins)

Emily in Paris star and famous actress, Lily Collins, got engaged to her director boyfriend, Charlie McDowell, during lockdown in September with Lily sharing to Instagram, ‘The purest joy I’ve ever felt…’ (aww!) If you look closely you will see a light pink diamond with a bezel setting which is super unique and is rumoured to be anywhere between $75,000 to $100,000.

Paris Hilton

We expect nothing more than luxury from real-life barbie doll, Paris Hilton, and of course that’s exactly what her now fiancé, Carter Reum, delivered when he proposed in February! Paris comes close to JLo for being one of the most proposed-to celebrities out there, but nothing compares to her fourth and newest ring which is said to be around $2 million! The one-of-a kind ‘Paris’ ring created specifically for her, features two trapezoidal stones framing the centre diamond as well as dozens of smaller stones giving it extra sparkle!

Watch the video below to see how it was designed…

The post 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Engagement Rings You Need To See appeared first on Wedding Journal.

The post 10 Alternative Entertainment Ideas For Your Guests appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Whether loud and proud or elegant and refined, deciding on your wedding entertainment is an important part of the overall planning process. Not only does your wedding entertainment reflect the theme of your whole day, but it adds atmosphere and ensures you are throwing the best party for your guests.

When To Have Entertainment

As a couple, you will not see the day go in, but this might not be the case for your guests. Unfortunately, lag times can happen, so put yourselves in their shoes and find out when they should be occupied!

1. On Arrival – having a string quartet or harpist playing as guests arrive and take their seats sets the tome for the day and also builds up anticipation for the bride’s arrival and pending exchange of vows.
2. Drinks Reception – after the ceremony there will be a couple of hours when you are having photographs taken, so keep guests entertained with live music, outdoor games, a caricaturist, etc.
3. During Dinner – a mellow playlist softly playing in the background will create a lovely atmosphere for when guests are eating and talking over the day. You might also want to have a performer to go between the tables at this time
4. The Evening Reception – decide if you want a live band, DJ, playlist, or all of the above? You could also hire a Photo Booth for this part of the celebrations.

Before booking your entertainment, read our list of tips you should definitely consider…

Think About Your Theme

What is the overall theme of the day? Is it something broad such as ‘summer’ or is it something more specific such as ‘festival’? Your entertainment can be centred around your theme. For example, if your theme thrives off the festival vibes, you could have a live band serenade guests as they enjoy their canapes, or have a magician to entertain the kiddies (and the young at heart too!)

Time and Space

Anyone who’s been to a wedding will know they rarely run on time, and that is okay! Just roll with it. Something to note is that the drinks reception after the ceremony lasts longer than you would think – don’t underestimate the time it takes to capture your photographs! This is definitely a time when you will want to have some form of entertainment for your guests.

When it comes to the evening entertainment, look at the space you have and imagine your guests and chosen act filling that space – will it be a tight squeeze or too big? Speak with the venue about the best course of action, especially if you have your heart set on a particular act!

Read More: Top 10 Tips For A Fabulous First Dance

Restrictions

Before booking an act, have an initial chat with the venue in case there are any restrictions you should be aware of. Not only should you be aware of the standard health and safety issues, but more recently sound restrictions have come into play. Check if this is the case and inform your act of any restrictions.

When To Book

The best time to book your entertainment is between twelve to ten months before your big day, that way you’ll not miss out on a high demand act, who get more expensive the closer you leave it to the date of the wedding. Like any part of wedding planning, you’ll have to think about your budget too; most entertainment acts stem £400 to £700.

During the summer, when weddings are at the highest, wedding acts can see themselves overbooked. In the off-peak times from October to February, not only are they struggling to fill their diaries, but they reduce their prices too.

Book Through An Agency

You want the best, someone you know will get the party started, appeal to all ages and have the dance floor filled at all times…not just for the macarena! Ask friends family and those that know the best in the industry. Our trusted online directory is full of the hottest and most popular wedding entertainers in Ireland, be sure to check them all out!

A benefit of booking through an agency is the professional help and advice, back ups in case of an emergency and all the necessary insurance details. By going through a good agency, you’ll be able to trust the descriptions and reviews from other customers.

Contract

Like most professionals, your act will probably come with a contract. With the money you’re handing out, you would want one! You need to sit down and discuss what is being agreed – such as times of arrival, how and when you should pay and their cancellation policy. Make sure to read all the terms and conditions so there can be no room for misunderstandings.

Read More: 25 First Dance Songs Your Guests Won’t Expect

Provide Refreshments

Your entertainers may have travelled quite far, but regardless of this, provide a space for them to relax, change and enjoy some refreshments before working hard to entertain you and your guests.

Trust The Professionals

Once all of the planning is done, it’s time to kick back and relax! This may be your first time, but these guys have done hundreds of weddings before. They know this performance is personal to you and will make sure you and your guests have the best day ever!

Set Featured Image: Green Antlers Photography

The post Week 11: Prepare To Be Entertained appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Not all of your guests will be interested in the music played at a disco, and more often than not, guests can often be nervous on the dance floor. But not at a Ceilidh.

Originally the word Ceilidh (kay-lee) descended from the Gaelic word for ‘gathering’ or ‘party’… However, these days when people think of a Ceilidh, they think of a fun filled night of wild dancing, good music and great company!

1 – Everyone Joins In

You and you’re guests will be under the watchful eye of the professional caller who’ll be with you every step of the way – walking you through the moves before each dance and continuing to call out helpful hints through out the rest of the dances.

The key to a great ceilidh band is to encourage guests onto the floor in a friendly, tongue-in-cheeky and informal way.

2 – Support Local Talent

There’s something so special about a live band, and Ireland hosts some of the world’s greatest musicians.

You’ll be providing a living wage for passionate people who play simply because it’s important to them.

3 – It’s Different

If you are looking to surprise your guests with something fun, this is your best bet!

Every dance is different so every dance takes a minute or two to learn. There’ll be clapping, singing, laughing and most of all, fun.

Ceilidhs (or ceilis) have been growing in popularity at weddings in particular, as the dances involve everyone – from the young to the not so young.

4 – There’s No Competition

Nobody is ever an expert at it, the emphasis is on having fun and being sociable. This is the perfect icebreaker, especially if guests are meeting for the first time!

The worst part about any disco is the awkward (and inevitable) comparisons you make with other people. However everyone dances the same moves in unison during a ceilidh.

5 – Party All Year Long

Best of all, cèilidhs are great for any time of year, they work for all social occasions.

In short, a ceilidh is a hilariously brilliant slice of wedding entertainment as it guarantees laughter and it gets people talking and interacting with guests whom they never would have otherwise.

If you’re looking to book a ceilidh band then why not get in touch with McStoker Ceili Band, a trusted supplier in our online directory!

The post 5 Reasons Why You Need To Have A Ceilidh At Your Wedding appeared first on Wedding Journal.

We chatted to Darryn McGary from Wedding DJ NI, we asked him his top 3 questions you need to ask before booking your evening entertainment supplier.

Do You Have Music To Suit All Ages?

A good DJ will be able to read a crowd and blend different musical styles together. It is always a good idea to discuss what music you want to hear.

Be aware that a DJ who plays only the latest chart-topping tunes might be enjoyed by a younger crowd but it may mean older people leave early. If you’re looking for a DJ who can mix well ask him or her for a demo CD of their own mixes.

Darryn shared how his passion for music started from a young age; ‘I have collected music a full library of music, in formats including cassette, vinyl, Cd and now the ever more popular digital MP3 & Wav. This has allowed me over the years to accumulate an impressive music catalogue that is updated weekly to accommodate even the most unique of requests.’

What Makes You Different To Other DJ’s Out There?

When you book Darryn with Wedding DJ NI you can also include anything from just great music to dance the night away, to optional entertaining party games, karaoke and wedding quiz.

You can even add an elegant white LED dance floor or fun photo booth. Times can also be adapted to suit with ceremony music starting from the moment you walk down the aisle to the final song of the evening. You can also add optional extras such as party games including the infamous Mr & Mrs, karaoke, and our lip sync battle where your guests perform for you dressed up as well known pop stars.

Are You Happy To Take Requests?

A few DJ’s out there don’t enjoy requests from guests, they prefer to stick to their own playlist. Darryn offers a bespoke service, others out there don’t – producing playlists curated by you and your guests.

‘Each booking receives access to my online playlist builder giving me an insight into your individual music taste that may otherwise get ignored by your average wedding DJ. I then take your playlist, as well as guest requests and my own selections and build a truly personal soundtrack to your special day. All playlists are discussed beforehand and carefully tailored to ensure all guests will not only enjoy your wedding reception but will remember it forever.’

To chat to Darryn on all things wedding entertainment

Call: 07749150216

Email: info@weddingdjni.co.uk

The post 3 Questions You Need To Ask Your Wedding DJ appeared first on Wedding Journal.

From your initial booking, till the moment we invite you onto the dance floor for your first dance as a married couple, booking your wedding entertainment has never been easier with The Prenups.

In a few easy steps you can have your full wedding reception entertainment booked with a professional group, leaving you peace of mind to continue your wedding planning!

We play a wide range of floor filling dancing music, that will appeal to all ages and tastes alike. Our energetic and fun sets (the band plays for 3 hrs) are designed for maximum fun.

We work very hard to get people dancing, play party games and ensure that everyone is having the night of their lives when we perform. From conga lines to some serious poses with inflatable instruments, we will have your guests partying all night.

We can also provide a DJ service to continue the party into the early hours! Booking your band and DJ in one easy package also ensure there is zero interruption between the band and DJ sets.

Our short set up time (45 mins) also ensures we get things up and running quickly. Our audio equipment is unsurpassed, delivering a clear, crisp sound that while powerful, is easy on the ears and will not deafen people.Our qualified sound engineer will also tailor the sound to suit the room.

With The Prenups you also get a few things you may not have considered when booking a wedding band: we are punctual, we always show up and we are always on time!

So get in touch with us today to check our availability on your date and we’ll get right back to you with a competitive quote!

Call the team on: (087)1354610  

Email: theprenups@gmail.com

The post Let The Prenups Entertain You appeared first on Wedding Journal.

The Garb

It goes without saying that you and your partner will be spoken for outfit-wise, but that’s not to say you can’t set a theme for your guests to have fun with.

The sharp suits and smart dress styles that emerged in the jazz era tend to be striking and colourful – a perfect way to honour your wedding and make sure it’s memorable!

You can go as far as you want with this theme, from smart suits to Zoot suits for the guys and from any amount of pearls and feathers to a full on Flapper outfit for the gals. Just ensure that everyone knows they’re to turn up in their absolute best so you can all enjoy the illusion together – you can find more inspiration here.

The Grub

New Orleans is famed for many exports: one being jazz, and another being its distinctive cuisine. As with the music that arose from the cohabitation of people of differing cultures, so too did local recipes take a little of this and a little of that from the Spanish, West African and French families that converged there. Creole and Cajun delicacies such as ‘slow and low’ barbecued meats Jambalaya, shrimp and Gumbo are known to be spicy and satisfying, and soul food such as macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and the cornbread-based ‘Hush Puppies’ will fill your guests with a warmth of a different kind. Louis Armstrong was even known to sign off his letters ‘Red beans and ricely yours’!

Alternatively, if you want to put on a more ‘Great Gatsby’ inspired spread, then the aim of the game is the fanciest finger food you can muster. Oysters, olives, salmon mousse on sliced bread, individual servings of mashed potatoes and pig sausages and tea and lemon cake are all authentic snacks of the jazz age elite.

The Drinks

As jazz was born in a dark and dingy downstairs dive, it stands to reason that it has its very own cocktail menu. Smooth, aromatic flavours were the fashion at the time, which spawned such classics as the Whiskey Highball, with its notably tall glass, the floral gin-based Aviation with its signature sky-blue hue, Franklin D Roosevelt’s unique take on the gin martini he devised to celebrate the end of Prohibition, and many more delicious yet seldom seen concoctions. Make sure you let the bar staff know what your theme is in good time, and they might just play along!

Don’t forget to include you underage guests too – for every cocktail for the fun-loving adult sat at the bar, there’s a mocktail for the disappointed adolescent who can’t get served. You could whip up a Grasshopper Ice Cream Drink, an alcohol-free Ginger Mickey, or even just a delicious Coca Cola or root beer from a vintage glass bottle.

The Decor

The decor you want for a jazz-themed wedding is most definitely Art Deco, the style that reached its creative peak during Great Gatsby author F. Scott Fitzgerald’s heyday. Characterised by its severe geometric designs and futuristic effect, Art Deco is the perfect style to honour the past while looking forward – a perfect analogy of your wedding! Backdrops, napkins, tablecloths, menus and your wedding invitations are all easy enough to adorn with the Art Deco curlicues and filigrees, but if you want to splash out a little further (which would be very much in the spirit of one of Jay Gatsby’s lavish parties), you could get hold of some fancy candelabras, cushions, cutlery and other tableware to really treat your guests like royalty.

You might like to leave assorted items from the time around, too, such as old typewriters, vintage corded telephones, double basses, or even classic cars if you can get hold of them. And how about projecting some of the best black and white movies ever committed to celluloid (such as the Jazz Singer or the comedies of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd) onto a blank wall, to bring to life the birth of cinema?

The Music

As any jazz nut who’s hip and who’s happening will tell you, there’s no singular kind of jazz – it’s as diverse and multi-faceted as music itself. For your wedding, you’re probably going to want a more beginner-friendly breed, so steer clear of free jazz and bebop. Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and all the other big names will have plenty of jazz standards in their repertoires that even the most casual listener will recognise and enjoy.

Depending on your budget and the style of ceremony and reception you and your partner really want, you could opt for anything from some gentle instrumental jazz provided by a solo jazz guitarist or jazz pianist to a full-on swing band with a brass section and backing singers. You may also like to chop and change between these two extremes – background music is perfect for such moments as the prelude, the bridal procession and the wedding meal, whereas more engaging performances fare far better at the reception. This is the jazz singer’s and the jazz drummer’s time to shine!

Strike up a dialogue with your jazz band in good time, and you may well find that they can fulfill all of these needs and more. If, for example, you hire a larger band which features a piano player, the piano player may be willing to provide the instrumental music for you earlier in the evening, then have their band mates join them onstage for when you and your guests are ready to dance the Charleston.

The post How To Jazz Up Your Wedding appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Sure, wedding guests love looking at all the fabulous decor of your venue, but the majority of people remember not all the little details of your day, but how your wedding made them feel. This is where entertainment comes in! We look five reasons at why you should hire a professional band to make your celebration an unforgettable occasion…

1- A variety of musical acts to choose from

This is especially true if you book through a wedding entertainment agency such as Entertainment Nation! There are lots of bands of every genre imaginable, that you can incorporate throughout your day. Blow away your guests with a spectacular performance from a pop and rock band or hire a jazz and swing function band for your sophisticated soiree – whatever you’re preference there’s something for everyone!

2- Audience Interaction

With wedding bands, you won’t just get music, you’ll get a performance – encouraging guests to get up, enjoy themselves and dance the night away. Having guests feeling good on your big day is a fantastic way to ensure you have the best time, too! Great performers generate a real connection with their audience, and showing real warmth and energy is the sign of a great entertainer that will have everyone’s nights ending on a high.

3- You can trust the professionals

Once you know what sort of musical style you are looking for, you can let your band look after all your musical needs – leaving you stress free to enjoy the big day! Liaise with your band to let them know the songs you love, as well as the songs you hate and they’ll advise on just what your party needs. The professional bands at Entertainment Nation have performed at hundreds of weddings and can give you the benefit of their years of experience.

4- A memorable experience

A live band is much more memorable than a wedding playlist. Not only can your band perform a bespoke set list, but they can also add a personal touch and twist to suit your wedding theme. Whether you’re after a vintage vibe or a 20’s feel Entertainment Nation can make your set-list unique to you.

5- A live band can go with the flow

Not all weddings run strictly according to plan, and if you have any last minute changes or you’re running late, a live band can adapt to your schedule or make announcements between songs. The bands at Entertainment Nation can be flexible and supportive on one of the most important days of your life.

From exhilarating wedding bands to serene string quartets to uplifting acoustic duos, the wedding entertainment experts at Entertainment Nation will match you with the perfect act to make your special day unforgettable. Watch acts online and book them simply, safely and securely. Entertainment Nation’s advisers are on hand from 10am until 10pm every day to help you discover your dream wedding entertainment.

Email: info@entertainment-nation.co.uk, Phone: 0800 53 000 35

The post Five Reasons to Hire a Wedding Band appeared first on Wedding Journal.