From Motown to Soul and 80’s disco classics, to house and pop music, the team at Moonraker Disco are experts in how to get your wedding party started.
DJ Ben Pike has more than 30 years’ experience filling dance floors at weddings and has been on the decks since the age of 12.
DJ Ben and his army of 30, host discos at many wedding venues, but love to please a crowd here at Wasing.
“The beautiful terrace outside The Castle Barn is often a distraction from the dancefloor as people love to sit outside,” says Ben who has a trick or two up his sleeve to get people moving.
70’s disco, 80’s classics and popular artists like Bruno Mars appeal to all the different ages of your wedding guests from your grandparents to the flower girl and almost always get everyone up dancing.
Floor fillers
The classic theme from New York, New York by Frank Sinatra might not be top of your playlist but experience dictates that it’s a classic wedding dancefloor filler.
Moonraker Disco work closely with you on your preferred play list, taking into account not only your favourite songs and artists but also those tunes you don’t wish to hear on your wedding day.
Image by Studio Rouge
First dance
Music trends and genres come and go but one tradition that never fades is the Bride and Groom’s first dance.
John Legend’s All of Me was a popular first dance for many wedding seasons, as was Ed Sheeran’s Perfect and Thinking out loud, but often more obscure tracks headline the evening.
However, if you prefer not to be in the spotlight for too long, the Moonraker team can orchestrate it so that as soon as the photographer has a picture of the two of you together, they invite your guests to join in with the first dance.
Image by Studio Rouge
Image by Benjamin Stuart
Goodnight
No-one wants the wedding party to end but Ben and his team have perfected the way to ensure the night finishes on a high. Beyonce’s Love On Top and Take That’s Never Forget ensure your guests will go home with a full heart, having had a great evening and probably with sore feet too.
But it’s not just the music you can rely on Moonraker for, they have a large stock of lighting and sound equipment including dancefloors, star cloth back drops, a full alphabet of Bespoke LED letters and all numbers too. They also have a large stock of staging and outdoor canopies.
As an alternative to having your dance floor in the Castle Barn, it’s now possible to move the party outside onto the terrace which is covered by a stretch tent.
I came into millinery in an unorthodox fashion really, having worked in the hospitality industry for my entire career and founding a successful event management company which I later sold to enable me to spend time with my family. It was at this point that I embarked on a millinery course at Bath University before producing hats for the ITV Production of Downton Abbey. My first creations were showcased by the delightful Kim Vine Boutique in Marlborough before I met a fellow mum at Stockcross School, Amanda Denton, who had also trained in millinery. Together, we now operate a successful hat shop in Lambourn, which conveniently, is located in the very heart of the racing community.
What do you love about it?
I love meeting people, so for me customers are at the very centre of my business and you do get to meet such interesting characters which I adore. I often talk at local events, Ladies lunches and W.I Meetings and the fact that people are generally interested in millinery techniques is always fascinating.
All of my hats are totally unique pieces – no two hats are ever the same. That gives me the freedom to really capture a customers’ personality in a bespoke creation.
Some customers are experienced hat wearers who enjoy bold designs and more flamboyant styles and this provides more scope for creativity, whilst other customers may be new to wearing hats and it is just as rewarding in finding a unique style to suit them so that they are comfortable and confident and do not feel “over-hatted”.
Often, mothers of the bride or groom come in for a consultation and I can dye the straw to match the fabric of their outfits. It is lovely for them to think they have a totally unique hat which they can wear without the fear of another guest turning up in the same hat! One lady even had one of her late mother’s earrings sewn into her hat so that she could be part of her granddaughter’s wedding day –that’s the beauty of having a uniquely crafted piece.
Image by Studio Rouge
Customers
I have been very fortunate during my millinery career so far to have created hats for both television productions and members of the Royal Family, but I am equally as proud of creating unique pieces for any of my customers to whom these hats often have more significance. It is nice to know that one day your hat might be off to a local Christening and another day it might have an outing to Buckingham Palace!
What do you enjoy about Royal Ascot?
I love a challenge. Trainers’ wives in particular have often been known to place orders for numerous hats all for Royal Ascot, so I need to ensure that every hat is very unique in style for each different day of the Royal meeting. That can be interesting, especially when in recent years the weather has changed unexpectedly at the last minute and therefore the outfits change. I am often working into the early hours of the morning in the week leading up to and often during Royal Ascot, but this is always rewarded when you get to see your hats on the TV!
Many of our customers have initiated a “hat pool” now where a group of friends might purchase various hats and then swap them around between them which encourages maximum use when we are all focused on sustainability.
How has coronavirus affected millinery this year?
2020 has been a challenging year for milliners equally as it has been for a wide range of industries as the coronavirus pandemic brought everything to a stop. For me personally I have really missed making hats – as all of my wedding customers postponed their events until 2021. Normally I would be making over 150 hats during the course of the year and so far this year I have made just three bespoke orders. I am fortunate that as an independent milliner, I can flex my commitments and reduce my overheads to compensate for this unexpected downturn, but everything has realistically come to a grinding halt.
I hope that 2021 will see some degree of weddings being able to return once again. Personally, I think that many weddings might be smaller celebrations but with more effort to make them even more memorable. Members of the wedding party will always want to look their best, so hopefully having a unique hat created to finish off an outfit will still remain as a high priority.
Trends & Fashion
I have seen in recent years the trend moving towards smaller hats even for mother of the bride pieces, a trend probably driven by the younger members of The Royal Family such as The Duchess of Cambridge, The Countess of Wessex and Zara Tindall. These smaller base cocktail hats can have a huge amount of detail in them and they are so easy to wear. They also avoid casting shadows under a large brim – a photographers nightmare. It’s better actually being able to see your face clearly in photographs, there is no movement of your hat on a windy day and for the greeting of guests. Plus, there is no “hat bump” either!
Purchasing
Customer consultations for bespoke orders can take place either at my home in Newbury or in the hat shop in Lambourn. Customers normally bring their outfit and accessories so that colours can be matched and different designs tried on. For the shop stock, I will continue to create a capsule collection of hats in classic colour combinations which people will be able to walk-in and purchase off the shelf at late notice if required, therefore still providing customers with a bespoke service but adapting to this ever-changing situation. A small selection of hats are also available to buy online at www.butterflyhats.co.uk
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle Boyt, owner of Butterfly Hats Email: michelleboyt@btinternet.com Telephone: 07962 154896
Award-winning bridal retailer, Sass & Grace are the experts at finding the right wedding dress perfect for you and your special day.
Trends come and go, but as the owner of the bridal boutique in Winchester, Sam Walsh, told us, she would much rather find a dress to suit your personality than it just being one that is bang on trend.
“I like to make sure the dress is a reflection of them. We can make bespoke, beautiful couture dresses by adapting them and adding or taking off sleeves, for example, or lifting a bodice,” says Sam.
But sticking with a style that suits you, is not to say Sam’s team at Sass & Grace don’t have one eye on what’s new to the bridal catwalk. Detailed dresses and sexier looks are in for this year and beyond. Plainer dresses have made way for lots of sparkle, lace and 3D appliqués and many brides are going for a sexier look with dresses featuring sheer fabrics and long splits.
Image by Neale James
Image by Studio Rouge
“In Winchester we have a lot of girls that don’t follow the trends. Our brides tend to go with what suits them rather than a ‘Kate’ dress or a ‘Meghan’ dress,” says Sam, adding: “Many of our designers offer classic and timeless styles with a modern twist, but essentially it is something that’s you.”
One trend that doesn’t seem to have gone away is the veil. According to Sam, 90% of brides opt for a veil despite not all of them wanting one when they first walk through the door. Bespoke headpieces are also still very much in fashion but Sam admits that you can never second guess what footwear a bride might choose.
Image by Neale James
“We are always excited to see the shoes. I have fitted everything from cowboy boots for a wedding in Colorado to Converse trainers, flip flops, Manolo’s and Jimmy Choo’s,” adds Sam.
Sass & Grace is no ordinary bridal boutique and that’s why they are on our list of preferred suppliers. They offer the full service from your first private appointment to try wedding dresses on, with no obligation or pressure to buy, to fitting in-house and storage ahead of your big day.
Sam explains: “As far as she is concerned she is the only bride in the world and we offer as much or as little hand-holding as they would like.”
Sass & Grace occupies a huge bright and airy space on a converted dairy farm just outside Winchester. From the bespoke seven-foot mirror to the Empire French chandelier hanging down from the huge oak beams, it’s a peaceful place to find your perfect dress.
Sass & Grace
The Old Dairy, Burcot Farm, Stratton Lane East Stratton, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3DZ
Planning your wedding is a lot of fun but there is also so much to consider. Most of us aren’t flower experts or have ever had the need to hire a professional photographer or commission bespoke invitations before. Here are Wasing Park, as well as organising your actual wedding day, we hope to help lighten your load a little by making some helpful suggestions when it comes to advising you on some of the exceptional local suppliers we have worked with for many years.
We want you your day to feature the very best from cake designers to make-up artists. Looking for a photo booth? We’ve got it covered! Need an executive coach to transport your guests? We know just the company for you…
Should you want a rustic wedding theme or luxury wedding feel, we know that they’ll be able to turn your special moments into cherished memories, whatever your colour scheme or theme.
Our event management team are on hand to arrange everything from your ceremony in The Garden Room, Victorian Summerhouse or St Nicholas Church, to helping you choose a delicious menu to surprise and delight your guests; but we would also be delighted to introduce you to some our talented suppliers.
Wasing Park was the first venue they visited and they booked their wedding for the 4th October 2020.
“We instantly fell in love with the stunning grounds and charming character. We loved how it had everything all in one place. We knew we wanted a church wedding, so having the beautiful St. Nicholas onsite, sealed the deal.”
Planning
With the perfect autumn wedding date, they were looking for warm colours and cosy evenings. Using Pinterest as a starting point for their wedding planning, they decided on a burgundy, navy and blush colour scheme.
Hannah chose burgundy floor length dresses for their four bridesmaids, and Ben and his Groomsmen wore a tweed three-piece suit in navy blue, the Groomsmen had burgundy ties and pocket squares which matched the bridesmaid’s dresses perfectly!
Hannah and Ben used Wasing’s authorised suppliers list. Lulabee designed their stationary, which she personalised with their own monogram.
“We chose our suppliers through Wasing as we knew such a fantastic venue would only have the best on their approved supplier list – this turned out to be 100% true.”
They knew recommended photographer Studio Rouge would be perfect for them after seeing the photography in Wasing’s brochure and on the website.
“We loved their style and felt confident they would know the best spots around the venue as they are so familiar with it.”
Planning and getting married during a pandemic meant Hannah and Ben had to make a number of changes they never expected. There were many moments where things where unknown, meaning last minute and sometimes stressful decisions had to be made. When weddings were permitted again, with reduced numbers, they made the difficult decision to go from 70-day guests to 30, (in keeping with the guidelines at the time).
“The most important thing to us always was having our closest friends and family at the wedding and it actually worked out for the better, as the day was intimate and it all felt so relaxed.”
Ten days before the wedding, the government reduced the numbers allowed for weddings, from 30 to 15. This seemed disastrous at the time, especially after all of Hannah and Ben’s planning. They contacted the Church and then Wasing to see if their wedding could be pulled forward by a week, so they could still have 30 guests. Lo and behold and within 4 days, Hannah and Ben’s wedding went ahead on Sunday 27th September 2020!
“Getting married in a pandemic and moving the day meant we had to make a number of compromises. However, our amazing suppliers and the wonderful team at Wasing made sure our day was even more perfect than we could have ever imagined.”
Top Tips from Ben and Hannah
To help reduce stress, start early then you are prepared if something unexpected happens.
Break things down into mini tasks and complete them a bit at a time so you are not overwhelmed – make lists!
Trust your suppliers to do their job, they are the experts.
The Big Day
Hannah and Ben wanted a traditional church service and St Nicholas at Wasing was perfect for them. Due to COVID-19, face coverings were required and they purchased clear face shields for all of their guests.
“Seeing people’s smiles as I walked in, was a big thing for me”
Singing wasn’t allowed, so they chose violin music for entering the Church and for the signing of the register. They exited on an instrumental version of the Beatles classic, “All you need is love.”
“Our very own Love Actually moment”
After the ceremony, they had a seated drinks reception with delicious canapes in the Garden Room, followed by a traditional wedding breakfast in the Castle Barn.
“Being big foodies, the extensive and fine dining menu was exactly what we wanted for our big day.”
With dancing, singing and throwing a big party banned, Hannah and Ben weren’t able to have the DJ they originally planned.
They wanted to have a first dance, which had to be COVID safe. So, just after sunset they headed out to the Castle Barn terrace and danced to Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”. Their guests surrounded them with sparklers, which looked so beautiful, especially with the candlelit backdrop of lanterns.
For the evening entertainment they came up with the idea of an outdoor cinema. They hired the cinema equipment from Go Cinemas, which was set up in front of the Victorian Summerhouse, under a stretch tent, provide by 10×15 Structures. They hired bean bags and supplied blankets which created a warm, cosy feel.
“We had messages from friends and family which were played before the film on the big screen of our outdoor cinema.”
Wood fired pizza was delivered, (in pizza boxes), to the wedding party whilst they enjoyed the film, and the all-important gin and beer bars kept them well refreshed!
“This for us was so much more enjoyable than a DJ and everyone said how fun and different it was. We are glad COVID made us think outside the box – it certainly helped us create a memorable day for everyone.”
Top Tips from Ben and Hannah
Don’t worry about everything being absolutely perfect because as long as you have each other, your day will be perfect – especially if Wasing Park is your chosen venue.
Eat more. All the emotions meant we didn’t have the appetite to fully enjoy all the delicious food. Other than that, we wouldn’t change a thing, even the smaller numbers!
“A final thank you, to the incredible team at Wasing Park. The support given to us throughout the whole planning process was second to none. Nikki and her team helped keep us calm and pull everything together. It was a dream of a day, at the most perfect venue.”
Wedding Postponed; something none of us thought we’d have to endure when early wedding planning started, but here we all are in this together, on this new journey that life has sprung upon us.
It’s heart breaking for the wedding industry, there is no doubt in that. But with this sad news comes hope. Although having to postpone your wedding is initially devastating, there are positives to focus on, and we must remember that love always wins! When this is over, I truly believe weddings are going to be even more special than before – what a perfect opportunity to bring everyone together!
Since postponed weddings started making their way into my inbox, postpone e-invites seemed like the perfect little uplift to give to my couples. Once you are ready to come to terms with the date change, having something to send on to your guests creates a little excitement and buzz for your new date and it’s an uplifting and positive message to send on to your guests too!
I’ve since designed many new invites for couples and for any that have already purchased a stationery design with me, I am creating these free of charge and in keeping with their existing suite. For any new or existing customers who would like a bespoke postponed design made, I can create these for a small fee, to include a full PDF with one round of changes.
I’ve also recently created a template design that I am happy to send out free of charge for anyone to use – just get in touch and I will create this for you!
It’s important to remember that, even if your date has changed, the information and detail provided on your original invitations will remain much the same, not to mention the sentimental value they hold. Please don’t feel as though your previous invitations were a waste.
My dear friend was due to get married on the 4th April this year, and has therefore also had to postpone her wedding. She wrote a beautiful poem especially and I want to share it on here for any future couples to read.
‘Wedding postponed’ we had to declare
With no other option, resigned to despair
The planning, the build-up, the details in place
To have it all crumble; fall flat on its face
But nothing has ended; we still have forever
When this has blown over, we’ll all get together
With love in our hearts, and smiles on our faces
Coming together, from our different places
To celebrate more than the union of two,
But the joy of our freedom, once this is all through
There is a certain amount of anticipation and excitement surrounding the first night shared as a married couple. Traditionally, the wedding night would have been the very first spent together and this sense of occasion and expectation has carried through to present day. Although these days the majority of people cohabit before tying the knot, we think it is paramount that your suite is as special as the day itself.
So the question is, what would be your dream Honeymoon Suite look like?
A huge bed with sumptuous furnishings and a big luxurious bathroom boasting two sinks and a double shower? A haven of peace and privacy? A space for you to relax and enjoy surrounded by the warmth of newlywed bliss?
Image by Studio Rouge
The great news is our famous Honeymoon Suite has just got even better. Named as one of the top 10 from around the world, our Honeymoon Suite has just been unveiled following a beautiful makeover.
This former stables hay loft, which retains its original features including magnificent beams, now has an elegant new bathroom with a cast iron free-standing bath — perfect for soaking those dancing feet at the end of the night!
The Honeymoon Suite also has new soft furnishings throughout including curtains, carpets, cushions and rugs. Softer light fittings and new lamps have been installed to create an even more romantic ambiance. Artwork of birds and plants have been added bringing the beauty of the 4,000- acre parkland estate into the room.
You are guaranteed an unforgettable stay in the lap of luxury at Wasing Park, this breathtakingly beautiful bedroom still boasts quite possibly the ‘biggest bed in Berkshire’.
Image by Studio Rouge
With wonderful views of the private gardens, this suite is an exquisite space perfect for your wedding morning preparations and the wedding night celebrations alike, making this venue a dream come true.
For further information about weddings at Wasing Park visit www.wasing-weddings.co.uk and to book a visit including a tour of the Honeymoon Suite telephone 0118 907 0199.
With a rich, opulent colour scheme, live music, beautiful décor and fabulous menu, the autumn wedding of Jenny and Steve was truly romantic.
Finding the perfect venue
With an October wedding date in mind, Jenny and Steve were looking for their dream wedding venue that was both characterful and offered a lot of space. Wasing Park ticked all the boxes.
“The surroundings and the accommodation for our guests to stay in, as well as the contemporary Garden Room and the Castle Barn, were exactly what we were looking for. As soon as we visited, we knew it was the perfect venue for our wedding and we didn’t bother looking anywhere else!” – Jenny
Design and Décor
The happy couple chose an eye-catching colour scheme of greys and yellows, selecting yellow as it is Jenny’s favourite colour and the charcoal greys and burnt oranges to embrace an autumnal theme.
“We had glittery pumpkin toppers for our cakes, a photo ladder transformed into a table plan and signage painted in our yellow theme. We also had a photo montage, home grown gourds scattered around the venue and beautiful red oak leaves in our centrepieces.” – Jenny
“We wanted to reflect the beauty of the venue and hope that everyone was able to appreciate the little gems we added to make our day special.” – Jenny
Bridal Style
Jenny chose a stunning coffee-coloured wedding dress with white overlay by Essence of Australia. “The subtle colour made my skin glow and the piping elongated my body which, at 5’2” made me feel amazing!” – Jenny
The beautiful bride completed the look with pretty jewellery and glittery shoes from Rainbow Club.
Meanwhile, Steve looked the part in a grey three-piece suit from Slaters, accessorising with a burnt orange tie and pocket square.
“He finished his outfit off with ASOS tan monk shoes and, my present to him, a distressed tan Daniel Wellington watch.” – Jenny
Finally, Jenny’s bridesmaids wore charcoal grey dresses from Little Mistress, accessorising with pearl jewellery and oversized scarves.
“I think they were very grateful for the scarves! Honestly, they looked stunning.” – Jenny
Order of the Day at Wasing Park
Following their romantic ceremony in the Garden Room, a drinks reception was held, with amazing canapés and Winter Pimms.
In the Castle Barn, the wedding breakfast commenced with a smoked bacon Scotch egg starter, moving on to fillet of beef with potato dauphinoise and a delicious trio of desserts.
“The pudding was a real stand out for me. I have a sweet tooth and it was so yummy.” – Jenny
Evening Celebrations
After the sun went down, Jenny and Steve performed their first dance to ‘You Make My Dreams Come True’ by Hall and Oats.
Live band, The Fiction, filled the dance floor and wood fired pizza proved a popular choice for evening dining.
Memorable Moments
“Marrying my best friend and being able to declare our love for each other in front of our family and friends. Steve’s favourite moment was the evening where he felt he could really relax and take in all the wonderful moments of the day.”
If you’ve yet to visit Wasing Park, we would love to show you around. Simply give our friendly Events Team a call on 0118 907 0199.
With an elegant colour palette, rustic touches and wonderful flowers, the late-spring wedding of Mickayla and David was romantic in every way.
Planning a wedding in early June, Mickayla and David wanted to find a venue with elegance and rustic style that had a church nearby. Wasing Park simply couldn’t have been more perfect!
“We viewed four venues in one weekend – Wasing Park was the second and we immediately knew that it was ‘the one’! The long drive up to the estate was gorgeous, and then the stunning church on site, the Garden Room, the Castle Barn and plenty of quirky accommodation all in one place.” – Mickayla
Design and Décor
The happy couple chose a demure, stylish colour palette of light mauve and silver, adorning Wasing Park with silver lanterns, fresh rose petals, candles, icicle drop lights and fabulous flowers and foliage.
Exquisite seasonal flowers played a key role in the décor with hand-tied bouquets featuring white roses with pale pink astilbe and eucalyptus. Low centrepieces included pillar candles and silver pots with foliage and flowers while glass vases filled with white delphiniums, grasses and hydrangea created taller arrangements.
“There was a hint of blush to it and we added an embellished belt. I loved everything about it and the delicate buttons down the back were gorgeous. I need to wear it again!” – Mickayla
She completed the look with Swarovski accessories and Kurt Geiger shoes.
Meanwhile, David chose a blue three-piece suit from Ted Baker and the bridesmaids were beautiful in mauve dresses from TFNC.
Order of the Day at Wasing Park
Mickayla and David were married at St Nicholas Church in the grounds of the Wasing Park Estate. Following their romantic ceremony, drinks and canapés were served in the Garden Room.
“During the service, singers sang ‘Higher Love’ and one of our groomsmen, a professional opera singer, performed ‘Red Red Rose’. We then had a wonderful pianist to entertain during our drinks reception and wedding breakfast.” – Mickayla
Moving in to the Castle Barn to dine, the wedding breakfast commenced with melon and Parma ham, moving on to fillet of beef with dauphinoise potatoes and, for pudding, a duo of chocolate brownie and Eton mess.
“The fillet of beef was perfect!” – Mickayla
Evening Celebrations
As day turned to evening, the newlyweds danced their first dance to ‘Earth Angel’ and a DJ filled the dance floor.
“David’s family and I love ‘Back to the Future’ and his sister also had this as her first dance!” – Mickayla
Casino tables made for great evening entertainment while delicious pizza from the wood fired pizza oven proved a popular choice for evening dining, especially when followed by ice cream from a vintage style cart.
Memorable Moments
“We loved the entire day. Just having everyone you love, all together, celebrating, is amazing. Seeing each other for the first time in church was emotional and the songs in church were so special.”
If you’ve yet to visit Wasing Park, we would love to show you around. Simply give our friendly Events Team a call on 0118 907 0199.
With a May wedding date in mind, Leah and Phil were looking for a country wedding venue where they could also have a church ceremony. Wasing Park couldn’t have been more perfect!
“With a church in the grounds of the estate, we could have the best of both worlds without any travel in between ceremony and reception. The venue was faultless.”
Design and Décor
The happy couple chose a subtle grey colour scheme that would act as the perfect backdrop to an array of colourful wild flowers.
They also used rustic and recycled decorations including pallets and crates as great props for the table plan and table centres.
“We wanted to create a relaxed but classy atmosphere so that everyone felt comfortable amongst beautiful surroundings.”
Bridal Style
The beautiful bride wore a fishtail gown by Maggie Sottero.
“I knew it was the one as soon as I saw it. It was subtle and classy from the front, but the detail on the back was unreal. It looked as if I had pretty vines going up my back and the pearl buttons just finished it off.”
Phil and his groomsmen also had their suits designed and made by Happily Ever Lawther Weddings and the bridesmaids looked stunning in dresses from ASOS.
All About Flowers
Glorious seasonal wedding flowers created a beautiful ‘just picked’ look with the bride’s bouquet including pink lisianthus, purple veronica, blue thistle, blue delphinium, purple clematis and yellow freesia. The bridesmaids carried smaller versions of the bridal bouquet and the same fabulous blooms sat in jars on crates for the table centres.
Order of the Day at Wasing Park
Following the romantic wedding ceremony in St Nicholas’ Church, a drinks reception was held in the Garden Room and the surrounding lawns as a steel band entertained the newlyweds and their guests.
Music was a big part of the day, from the choir in the church to the steel band and evening singer.
Moving in to dine in The Castle Barn, a starter of crispy duck salad was followed by pork tenderloin and, for pudding, chocolate brownie.
“All of the food was amazing. I can’t believe they produced 110 dishes to that standard.”
Creative Cakes
A pretty wedding cake decorated with buttercream featured iced pearls to co-ordinate with Leah’s dress and fresh flowers to match the wedding bouquets. The three tiers each contained a different, delicious flavour – rocky road, carrot cake and lemon cake
Evening Celebrations
As day turned to evening, Leah and Phil danced their first dance to ‘Endless Love’ by Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross. “It was the first dance song at Phil’s mum and dads wedding.”
Music from a fantastic singer filled the dancefloor and the evening dining proved hugely popular – spit roast lamb and a fun popcorn machine.
Memorable Moments
“Saying ‘I do’! A standout moment for me was when we were signing the register in the church. The choir sang ‘Love is all you need’ and everyone started swaying from side to side. It was so lovely to see.”
If you’ve yet to visit Wasing Park, Berkshire, we would love to show you around. Simply give our friendly Events Team a call on 0118 907 0199.
Once rice and grain, traditionally thrown over newlyweds couple as a symbol of fertility; now Confetti is available in all shapes, sizes and various colours and is used for all kinds of celebrations and festivals – not just weddings!
One of our most trusted suppliers is Shropshire Petals, supplying confetti to many of our weddings here at Wasing. This fantastic supplier can accommodate all of your wishes, providing the most beautiful confetti and holders for your big day. Shropshire Petals grow all their flowers and dry the petals to ensure the highest quality so there is no need for imports from other countries.
Not only this but they will ensure the colours and types of petals used help reflect your theme and style to create a memorable day.
The petals are 100% natural, sustainable and eco-friendly.Here is a picture of the flowers being hand-picked ready to be turned into confetti and thrown over one very lucky couple on their special day.
Shropshire Petals talk about how to capture the perfect confetti photo…
Getting married is one of the most exciting days of your life. Whether you’re planning a big venue wedding or a small intimate affair, make sure you don’t forget the confetti!
When someone mentions confetti to you, what do you think? Do you imagine horseshoe and heart shaped paper or synthetic coloured shapes? Confetti is so much more than this. Many churches and venues now only allow natural petal confetti. Shropshire Petals grow and produce 100% natural petal confetti on their Shropshire farm and they would like to share their top tips for capturing that ‘wow’ factor confetti shot.
After choosing your perfect confetti mix, you will want to capture that perfect confetti moment. The confetti shot is one of the most requested by wedding photographers and capturing that moment isn’t as easy as you may think. Here are 6 top tips for how it should be done!
Choose the right confetti
There are different colours and sizes of natural petal confetti. The best petals for throwing are small petals such as delphiniums or wild flowers as they are light and fall delicately to the ground. Choosing small petals will ensure your photographer has plenty of time to capture the magical moment. If you are set on a colour only available in larger petals, you can add some of these to smaller ones, which will also give a lovely textured effect to your photos.
Choose the right colour mix
The colour might sound simple – be sure to consider where your photographs are being taken – is the background light or dark? Choose colours that will stand out, for example, if you are using church walls as a background, pale colours will be enhanced on a photograph and use darker colours like Cadbury purple or cerise pink on a light background for a bold colour splash.
Work out how much you will need
Depending on the type of shot you want – a confetti shot full of petals or a delicate confetti shot – you will need to know how much confetti you will need. For a full shot, make sure you have plenty for your guests to throw; one or two large handfuls per guest will be perfect. For a more delicate shot, one handful per couple will work wonderfully. Usually only half of your guests will throw confetti (this tends to be just the ladies), so make sure you have enough depending on the number of guests you are having. You can use the Shropshire Petals confetti calculator to help.
Discuss your confetti shot with your photographer
Make sure you plan your confetti shot with your photographer before the big day. Ask to see some photos they have taken previously to give you an idea of their style. Your photographer will probably know the wedding location, ask them where they think is the best spot to have your confetti moment. The will be able to discuss options with you according to the time of day, light and surroundings.
Make sure your guests know how to throw!
This might sound simple, but you only get one chance to capture the perfect confetti moment and the key is in the throwing. Delegate a bridesmaid or usher to organise the shot by getting them to ask your guests to stand close to each other and throw their confetti as high as they can to create a perfect flutter. You don’t want guests throwing confetti directly at your faces!
Throwing high
If you want your confetti shot to capture the whole moment – you surrounded by all of your guests throwing confetti – then ask your photographer to take the shot from a ladder or somewhere high to ensure they can get everyone in. As you will probably be looking up towards your confetti, taking the photo from a higher spot will give it an interesting angle.
And it’s as simple as that! Remember to relax and enjoy your perfect moment and cherish the confetti shot forever.
Here at Wasing we only allow real petals to be thrown on the terrace and in the barns, this is to align with our green ethos. Petals are biodegradable so there is no paper left on the grounds and patio. We love the use of confetti and think it is a special touch to your day!
It’s a must that the bride has the perfect pair of shoes. Whether you opt for towering heels or comfortable flats, they are an essential part of your look. Your choice of wedding shoe can determine the way you feel after dancing the night away and can be the perfect way to finish off your look.
Image by Studio Rouge
Choose an elegant heel to ensure your dress stands out. Soft ivory and blush tones can be a great way to allow your dress to do the talking. Alternatively, an embellished heel can be a great way to inject some sparkle. One of our Wasing Park brides opted personalised blue adn white stilettos to bring some colour to her ivory dress. Regardless of what you opt for…make sure you can wear your wedding shoes all day and feel comfortable!
Image by CP Photography
Once you have decided on your perfect heels do not let the challenge of dancing the night away be an obstacle!
How about a personalised flat sandal or trainer? They are a great way to let your hair down in your evening reception, and you can wear them as a memory after your wedding is over. You could purchase some all white plimsolls and embellish them with your initials and ribbon laces? This doesn’t need to cost the earth, with options ranging from Primark to Converse. Alternatively opt for unique touches such as detailing on the soles of your shoes.
Image by CP Photography
On a budget but still want beautiful wedding shoes? Many of our brides opt for high street favourites such as New Look and Office to enable them to allocate their budget to different elements of their day.
In comparison, and if your budget allows, you can treat your feet and splash out on a pair of designer heels. A winter bride at Wasing Park opted for show stopping Chanel heels adding a touch of elegance to her stunning bridal look.
Image by Benjamin Stuart
Whichever you decide, don’t forget to wear your shoes around the house in the weeks leading up to your big day, and always bring them with you to your dress fittings.
Image by Benjamin Stuart
If you want to treat your guests to a bit of relief come 10pm, opt for a basket of flip flops to ensure dancing continues well into the night…your guests will be grateful! The high street is a great place to pick up multiple pairs for a great price…
For more bridal shoe inspiration visit the Wasing Park Pinterest page and look at the ‘bridal shoe board’.
If you’ve yet to visit Wasing Park, we would love to show you around. Simply give our friendly Events Team a call on 0118 907 0199.
