The
history of Valentine’s Day is a mystery that has yet to be solved. However, we
do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance. In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly
celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it was common
for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of
affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace
written letters due to improvements in printing technology.
Did
you know that approximately 150 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged
annually, making Valentine's Day the second most popular card-sending celebration
after Christmas?
Although celebrating a wedding
on 14th February is less popular these days (due to the day it falls
on – often during the week – or because people are averse to the
commercialisation of the day), it can create a wonderfully romantic day for a
Bride & Groom. Here are some reasons why a Valentines wedding is actually a
great idea:
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No-one wants to
spend Valentines alone so you will give all your friends and family the perfect
opportunity to enjoy an amazing party surrounded by everyone you love.
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Marrying your
soul mate is the best possible way to celebrate the day of love. It could not be
more romantic.
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Forgetful Grooms
will never have to worry about missing their wedding anniversary.
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You can go overboard
with heart-shaped decorations. Who doesn’t love carefully placed love hearts at
a wedding. Keep it elegant using stone or metal or why not have heart shaped
cookies for favours?
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It is a great excuse
to have red velvet cake - this flavour is more and more popular and could not
be better suited than at a valentine wedding.
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There are fabulous
colour theme options for your day from bright vintage reds, to soft blush
pinks. The more flowers the better for a Valentine wedding – roses are a must!
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Stay on trend with a
romantic dessert table full of sweet treats like pink rock candy and cake pops.
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You can treat your
guests to the perfect valentine cocktail hour with drinks such as True Love’s
Kiss sure to be a hit.
With our New Years’ Resolutions sorted (or completely
binned!) it is now time to look ahead at what is trending in 2018. If you need
a little inspiration for your big day, look no further.
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The colour to look out for this year is ultra
violet. From floral displays to stationary, and even linen, purple will be the
colour choice for many of our 2018 brides.
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For brides who would like to make a statement,
black is the new white! Monochrome details on bridal wear will be a big trend
this year.
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Let’s not forget the Grooms. Velvet is having a
major come-back at the moment and a statement velvet jacket will go down a
treat this year. Why not go completely wild and choose purple velvet to be
‘bang on trend’!
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The Bridesmaid dress will soon be a thing of the
past as ladies are now opting for separates. This gives your bridesmaids much
more flexibility as they are able to choose a neckline that suits them best, or
a skirt length that accentuates their curves. Bridesmaid strops will be a thing
of the past!
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The Metallic look will be staying with us in
2018, but we will be seeing a move from rose gold to copper accessories. Why
not chose some beautiful copper candle holders or lanterns to decorate your
table?
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Forget about the traditional pudding, this year
we will be seeing an explosion of wonderful dessert ideas from donut walls,
macaroon stacks and whole desert tables filled with meringues, cookies and
other sweet treats.
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It is not only desserts that are going ‘off
piste” this year. Gone are the days of the 3-course meal, now Brides and Grooms
are thinking outside the box and opting for more imaginative food such as
sharing platters, paellas and Pie Master! A great way to entertain your guests
during your wedding breakfast.
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Marbled wedding cakes will be huge this year,
literally and metaphorically! These simple yet elegant designs are the perfect
choice to fit any theme or colour scheme.
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To really wow your guests this year, why not
consider an animal encounter? Alpacas, peacocks and even turtles will be a fun
addition to any wedding in 2018. Alternatively, if you have a special pet,
bring it along to your drinks reception so they can be included in your special
photos.
Although the New Year is well and
truly under way it’s not too late to make some New Year’s Resolutions.
Here are our top 5 “Wedding
Resolutions” every bride should consider for 2018.
1.
I Will Get Organized...with a Wedding To-Do List
There are so many things involved in putting together a wedding, so it's
important to make sure you've got your act together. Create a ‘master list’ of things to do, take
a step back and figure out when they need to be done and which ones you can
delegate to others. This will help you manage your time and keep you from
feeling overwhelmed. Once you start crossing things off that list, you'll feel
a whole lot better about everything.
2.
I will not be afraid to ask for help
When it comes to planning your own wedding, of course you want to be in
control but sometimes you have got to trust and hand stuff over. Delegate
planning tasks to your helpful hubby-to-be (after all it is his wedding too),
and use your bridesmaids’ skills to their full potential. After all, what are
bridesmaids for? When people genuinely
ask “is there anything I can do to help?” check your ‘master list’ and give
them something to do.
3.
I will trust my wedding suppliers
Have faith! You have chosen and
hired some fantastic suppliers to do a professional job – let them do it. Communicate well and trust that they will do
a great job, you do not need to take on extra stresses.
4.
I will make time for no-planning time
Of course you want your big day to be perfect but give yourself a break!
Make sure to schedule in a regular date night with your fiancé so that the only
relationship you have is not just between you and your wedding planning book.
5.
I will Help Others...with a Charitable Wedding
What better way to celebrate your love than to share it with everyone
else? It doesn't take much to make a difference in the world and there are so
many ways you can do it. Interested in saving the environment? Print your
invitations on recycled paper or hire a stationer that uses ethically sourced
products. If you are passionate about a particular charity, why not give
wedding favours that benefit your favourite organisation. Don't want to be
wasteful? Why not donate your flowers to a hospital or care home after the big
day. With a little creativity and thought, your special day will have a lasting
effect for a very long time.
6. But …… above all ……
I will not become a bridezilla
Last but certainly not least, spare yourself, your husband, your family
and your friends and don’t become a bridezilla. Following the above resolutions
will help. Be calm, be positive, be happy!
As we approach the winter season, we can once more look
forward to a totally different wedding at the Castle. With the roaring fires,
mulled wine and beautifully lit candles adorning our Great Hall, the
autumn/winter season is a romantic and magical time of year.
As the leaves begin to fall, and the days become shorter and
shorter, the Castle transforms into a rich and vibrant venue, the perfect place
to share your dream wedding.
Gone are the days when summer weddings are the most sought
after, indeed we now find our autumn months just as popular. The vivid autumnal
colours, and the stark white frosts of winter create a magical setting to say
‘I do’.
Here are some reasons why we love our upcoming season at the
Castle:
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Without the pressures of needing a perfect sunny
day (as is often the way in the summer), you can relax knowing that The Great
Hall and Drawing Rooms are just as spectacular as our Grounds & Gardens. The
huge roaring fires in all our rooms create a beautifully cosy and intimate
setting.
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The catering choices for autumn and winter are
endless with stews, dumplings, pies and soups being a fabulous and warming
treat for your guests. Why not try mulled cider, or toffee apples for extra
fun!
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The smells of cinnamon and spice heighten the
autumnal ambience and create a cosy and comforting feel to your special day.
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Why not consider a dusk wedding, creating a
wonderfully atmospheric experience for you and your guests. Choose warm candles
and fairy lights to enhance the mood.
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Branches, twigs and even small trees can make
fantastic decorative centre pieces, using russet leaves and berries to really
make a statement.
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The Castle is a photographer’s dream, and with
the cold frosts and magical mists that descend, they are sure to capture some
breath-taking shots for you to treasure forever.
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The festive period is always a popular time to
get married and the Castle is the most splendid venue for a Christmassy experience
with our 12 ft tree decorating the Great Hall.
The British love their
traditions, and this is no more apparent than during a wedding. It would seem
that many of the little details that make up your special day actually have an
historic reason and are rituals that have spanned centuries. Here are a few
traditions, some you may not even be aware of.
Your father ‘giving you away’
This significant part of your
day stems back to the Ancient Romans where arranged marriages were the norm,
and fathers literally handed their daughters over to their new husbands.
Usually a dowry was given as exchange for the bride. These days, it is still
seen as a symbolic and highly emotive part of the ceremony.
Wearing a veil
While many people
believe that wearing a veil was seen to ward off evil spirits (and this is a
correct assumption), there is actually another far more controversial
explanation. It is thought that a veil was worn to cover the bride’s face so
her groom could not be ‘put off’ by her potentially unfortunate looks and refuse
to marry her. It does beg the question as to why the groom didn’t have to wear
a veil too!!
Where to stand
The groom traditionally
stands to the right of the bride so that he can draw his sword at a moment’s
notice to defend his love. Thankfully, this rarely happens in the 21st
Century!
Confetti
Throwing confetti over
the bride & groom is a fun part of the wedding day and can make for
brilliant photos, but it was originally thought to encourage fertility and
prosperity. Top tip: make sure the confetti throwing happens before you serve
the bubbly, as you may find yourself covered in champagne!
The threshold
There are two reasons
to explain the tradition of carrying the bride over the threshold. The first is
that the groom is protecting his love from any evil spirits which may be
lurking in the house. The second, and rather more sinister story, is that the
bride was occasionally reluctant to leave her family home, and so had to be
dragged over the threshold into her new abode! Thankfully today it is just for
fun!
Bridesmaids
These days, your
bridesmaids are your best friends and family members who help you prepare for
your special day. However, in the Roman
times the bride would have up to 10 ladies, all dressed identically to her, and
they would act as a decoy to any evil spirits who wanted to harm the bride.
They were also seen as extra protection in case anyone tried to kidnap her!
Bouquet
Nowadays, a bouquet is simply
a beautiful bunch of flowers which decorate the bride and can be a lovely
keepsake. However, centuries ago brides would carry aromatic bunches of herbs,
spices and garlic to ward off evil spirits. Each herb had a different significance,
for example, sage stood for wisdom. Flowers then replaced herbs, but they
continued to have a significant meaning: Ivy stood for fertility, lilies for
purity and orange blossom for happiness. It is also thought that the beautiful
smells from the flowers disguised the potentially unsanitary odours coming from
the bride!
It is hard to believe that we are almost half way through our 2017 season but for those brides who need a little inspiration, here are the fashions and themes that are trending this year
Brides
2017 is all about soft sensuality for our brides. Mystery
has prevailed over blatant sex appeal, as seen in previous years. Translucent
fabrics such as tulle and organza, textured with embroidery and lace are the
key looks this year.
Grooms
If you are a
Groom who likes to wow, you will love this new trend for 2017. Pattern and
prints are huge this year, giving our men a chance to experiment with a
different style, and stand out amongst the guests. Look out for 3D-effect and
floral motifs.
Bridesmaids
It’s good news
for all bridesmaids out there, mix and match is a key style in 2017 with
different colours and styles to suit each individual.
Flowers
2017 is seeing
a big rise in the use of orchids and succulents. The deep green of a cactus,
contrasting with the vivid colour of an orchid makes a real statement.
Cakes
Ever heard of
a drip wedding cake? Well you soon will, with these stunning creations being
high on the most wanted list at a 2017 wedding. These creative cakes look
sensational and add a real wow to your wedding.
Alcohol
Gin is the
booze of choice for 2017 with gin tasting and cocktails featuring at many
weddings this year. Did you know there was a gin called ‘Berkeley Square’ –
with its unusual botanical flavours, it is perfect when making a martini!
Wedding Invites
Greenery is huge this year, and that isn’t just when it
comes to floral arrangements. Simple, illustrated leaves decorating invitations
is a huge trend in 2017.
Photography
Drones are a must for high-end
wedding films this year, creating magnificent footage for any bride and groom
hoping to keep their wedding memories alive.
Transport
Creating a memorable entrance
or exit at your wedding is a big trend this year, with unexpected transport
such as horse & carriage, supercars or even helicopters being a popular
choice.
Whatever style or theme you would like, Berkeley Castle
can cater for almost everything. Book a viewing at the Castle and begin your
journey towards your perfect day.
With spring drawing to a
close and winter a distant memory, we can look back fondly on all the wonderful
weddings which have taken place at the Castle so far in 2017. From small,
intimate ceremonies, to great and elegant receptions, we have enjoyed a real variety
this year.
The wonderful diversity of
the Castle can be fully appreciated as the cold, frosty months of January &
February make way for the rain showers and startling sunshine of March &
April. With the roaring fires warming the Long Drawing Room and Great Hall,
guests were kept cosy and snug whilst they witnessed their loved ones embark on
a new life together. The stunning, seasonal food produced by Napier catering,
warming the soul and bringing the room to life during the fabulous wedding breakfasts.
As the music started in the evenings,
the twinkling tea-lights and stunning up-lighting created a truly magical party
enjoyed by all.
As the year galloped on, we
were gifted some beautiful sunny days, which equally surprised and delighted
our brides and their guests. Drinks receptions were held on the Gun Terrace
throughout March, with an exceptionally warm day at the beginning of April.
Champagne flutes sparkling in the glorious sun rays, their bubbles mesmerising
and full of promise. As dusk approached, guests were able to enjoy the idyllic
sun sets over the Lilly Pond, before heading back to the music and dancing.
We now embark upon a long and joyful
summer, as we are witness to some of the most important moments in a couple’s
life, whilst striving to create their perfect day here at Berkeley Castle.
