Planning Your Mother of the Bride Outfit

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Kim Rix

Your daughter’s wedding will be one of the most important and happiest days of her life. Finding perfect mother of the bride outfits for her ‘big day’ is just one part of a long list of things that can be stressful, but don’t necessarily have to be! Keeping a couple of guidelines in mind as you plan your purchases will save both you and your daughter quite a few headaches and arguments.

Dress Codes

You might want to start by asking the bride what sort of dress code she wants to establish for her wedding. As a member of the wedding party itself, she may want you to wear a certain colour, or she may even want to suggest wearing a certain style of outfit for the wedding. However, as the mother of the bride you have a bit more room to negotiate than your daughter’s bridesmaids do in terms of outfits. For example, if you feel that you will look inappropriate in bright red, but it’s the colour scheme of the wedding, ask the bride if you can wear scarlet, crimson, or cranberry tones, which are less harsh and look better on older women.

Whose Day is it, Anyway?

As the mother of the bride, you will want to present yourself in an age-appropriate and fashionable manner. If your daughter has not asked you to stick with a particular colour scheme or outfit, then choose something that is tasteful and does not ‘show up’ the bride’s dress. You should probably avoid floor-length dresses or gowns for that reason. A good choice is a well-cut suit dress with a matching jacket, which would be perfect for a daytime wedding in the spring or summer. Shop around for accessories that don’t age you, but instead complement you and your sense of style. Above all, you should aim to look tasteful and refined. Big statement pieces, such as loud prints of fabric, or oversized or oddly-shaped hats, should probably be avoided.

Above all, remember that the day is not about you. It is a celebration of your daughter and her love for her partner, and it is her day to shine. By carefully selecting appropriate mother of the bride outfits, you will have gone a long way towards ensuring that no matter what happens, you will both be dressed to impress.

Guest Blog: http://www.jacques-vert.co.uk/

Posted in Bridal Attire, Mother of the Bride | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Destination Weddings: Favours around the Globe

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Kim Rix

It’s a new year, wedding season is in full swing in some parts of the world and at ExtraOrdinary Destination Weddings.com, we’ve been discussing the topic of wedding favours.

Today, gifts to guests are shared in cultures worldwide and have become an integral part of wedding reception planning. Around the world wedding favours are known as Bomboniere, Bridal Favours or simply favours.

Here in the UK, it is evident that the days of the traditional favour of giving five sugar-coated almonds representing fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness is somewhat passé. Today’s twentieth century bride is looking to make her wedding favours much more original and personal.

As a UK wedding planner I am constantly being asked for suggestions which I’m happy to share with my brides, but believe me, coming up with original ideas is becoming increasingly difficult – it has to be different from or, better than the next door neighbour’s wedding favour who got married last year! So I thought it might be helpful to share some cultural ideas via the blog, with some input from my esteemed colleagues at Extraordinarydestinationweddings.com.

Personally, I was very curious to find out how wedding favours in other countries differ from UK wedding favours. Follows, wedding favours in Aruba, India and sunny Dubronik.

Aruba – Bethsarim van Koetsveld
Party favours on Aruba used to be very unique. Sadly, over the last decade I have observed people utilising foreign trends and making use of imported ideas. Brides are using ready-made favours and gluing on the personalisation.

In Aruba, we still see the basic elements:
- A gift like a porcelain vase or candle holder (see attached picture)
- Almonds in sheer colourful fabric with a bow
- Fruit and rum black cake, we call Bolo Preto in a foil or wax paper, presented in a matching container like a cake box, shell shaped plastic box or in the gift/favour.

Brides used to have their favours hand-painted with the names and wedding date of the couple. I have not seen those in the last 7 years of weddings. At the last wedding I attended, the favour was the centrepiece – at a table of 12 guests, only one person could take it home. Everyone else was given a white cake-box with the “bolo preto”.

India – ‘Lakshmi Rammohan’
Indian favours vary from region to region, religion to religion, state to state, so on & so forth.  As there are multiple ceremonies in an Indian wedding, each ceremony is accompanied by a suitable favour. Some of these favours are traditional practices, now given contemporary form. For example, during a “Mehend” ceremony (application of henna on the hands & feet of the bride & on the hands of guests) the favour would be a little cloth pouch with bangles, bindis (colourful stick ons worn on the forehead), anklets, kajal (eyeliner), silver back hand mirrors, little brass containers for kumkum (vermillion) and so on. While this is quite the traditional list of favours in the goody bag, the contemporary version would be to put in spa products (this is an all ladies affair normally).

Sweets, dry fruits, savoury edibles & chocolates are all popular & conventional favours. Here it is the packaging that counts – elaborate boxes, bags, etc are crafted to hold the above mentioned.

Other favours are:
- Incense sticks & holders with little diyas (small lamps that u can light with wicks & oil or that might have wax)
- Religious figurines (little statuettes of Lord Ganesha are very popular favours among the Hindus)
- Indian handicrafts like jewellery boxes with miniature paintings / enamel / marble / metal / wood work
- Sandalwood items (elephant statues, pens, paper cutters)
- Brass / Silver lamps
- A typical South Indian favour would be a bag (paper or fabric) containing a coconut, kumkum (vermillion), chandan (sandalwood) or haldi (turmeric) powder, a piece of silk fabric (usually used to make a sari blouse by the receiver), betel leaves with betel nuts and a non-perishable sweet

The list goes on! India is one of those countries where one manages to find a balance between what was & what is…so that throws up some interesting wedding favours.

Croatia – Ines Nanic
In Croatia the most common favour from the newlyweds for their guests is a photo thank you card with a small memento of appreciation such as a small personalized homemade grappa bottle, or, more traditional in continental Croatia would be a box with homemade cakes that is given out as guests leave the reception and say goodbye to the couple.

Would you like to know more about wedding favours across the world? If you’re a New England bride, be sure to visit the Wedding Spectacular Bridal Show on February 19th in Boston. At ExtraOrdinarydestinationweddings.com, we’re planning on having a display table of favours from across the globe – so you might just pick up some inspiration.

Here’s the link for all the information: http://www.weddingnewengland.com/the-wedding-spectacular/

Until next time, may all your wedding dreams come true!

Kim Rix
Your London Wedding Planner
“Keeping your Wedding Original”

Posted in Destination Weddings, Wedding Favours, Wedding Gifts, Wedding Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wedding Gifts: What is a Tanac?

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Kim Rix

When it comes to giving weddings gifts, the big question is, do you buy the bride & groom something they actually WANT and have asked for, or do you surprise them with something completely different – hoping that they will be touched by the time and effort you have put in thinking about it?

I’ve heard so many stories over the years from friends who have struggled with this dilemma when it comes to giving wedding gifts. For some people, they seem to think it will be a friendship-breaker if they don’t get it right. Others have asked ‘must I buy something from the wedding gift list or can I express my congratulations my own way?’

But the dilemma that seems to trouble most people, is what to give the couple who either already ‘have it all’, or say they don’t need anything because they’ve already been living together. For the bride & groom’s perspective, is asking for cash as a wedding gift rude or sensible?

Giving (or not, as the case may be)Wedding gifts is such a tricky one to advise so I decided to ask my esteemed wedding planners at Extraordinary Destination Weddings what is the cultural etiquette for giving wedding gifts in their country? I received some very interesting answers – and all surprisingly different. Here’s what they said:

In Chicago: Cash. Although at least in America good etiquette states that asking for any gift is in bad taste. Registry should never be mentioned in an invitation. The information can be passed along in a wedding shower invite because it is not coming from the couple but rather the host of the shower. It should only be passed on verbally, if someone asks directly, or in this modern age most wedding websites can include a link.

In China: Don’t bother looking for the registry to pick out the perfect the china dish to give to the happy couple. Don’t even ask them what they want or need as gifts. They will always reply with “we don’t need anything”. At a Chinese wedding, cash in a red envelop is typically the only choice of wedding gift. Any household items are traditionally purchased by the bride’s family as dowry.

In Aruba: we usually give an envelope with money, but it is rarely applicable that the couple has an actual wedding gift registry.

In Italy: the tradition of giving wedding gifts is very strong. It used to be typical to give to the Bride all the necessary items to set up the new home, from blankets to cutlery. These days however, it is more popular to have a “wedding list” at one of the superstores, so guests can choose something the couple has put in a list. However, due to the fact that many couples already live together before the wedding, even this custom is not as popular as it used to be. The latest trend is that the bride & groom choose a very expensive honeymoon, and the guests contribute towards the cost. The romance has gone, but the gifts have become more of a treat rather than a need.

In Croatia: it has become a tradition to give money as a wedding present, giving the bride and groom the option to buy whatever they need. The wedding registry lists have never been our thing in Croatia. However, up until only maybe 5-10 years ago, most couples would receive presents from their wedding guests, and that would be whatever the guests thought the couple may need entering their new life together as a husband and wife. A Bride would then, at midnight, have to dance a so called “Tanac”, which is a dance with every one of her guests (yes you read right!) should they wish to dance with her, for about half a minute. The same song plays for the duration of the dancing – usually an English waltz to make it easy on everyone but the Bride, of course. Once they have danced, their present is given to the Best man (who is accepting presents on behalf of the couple) or, if they have a money envelope, they give it to the Maid of Honour who holds an empty and big champagne bucket or soup bowl for the envelopes – whilst kicking rhythm on it with a silver spoon.

Nowadays, some brides opt not to dance the Tanac, as it can take a long time, preferring to spend time with their guests differently.

In California: Southern California has the reputation for over-indulgence and self-absorption, so it’s very rare that we come across a couple that say “We don’t need anything”. Having said that, we have had a few couples do just that. In both cases, they included a note with their invitation that explained something along the lines….”Your presence with us on this special day is truly a gift and we don’t need anything beyond that. But if you feel that you must give us a gift, then please honour us by giving a donation to one of the charitable organizations that we support or one of your own choosing.”

Nowadays in the UK, with the impact of the recession, the tide has definitely turned -the trend definitely seems to be moving towards giving cash gifts rather than traditional wedding presents from a gift registry list. Speaking with other London wedding planners, it is felt that the number of brides & grooms setting up a gift registry these days has gone down considerably. Contrary to what everyone thought would happen, very few bride & grooms followed Kate & William’s example – asking for money to be donated to charity. And a survey by First Direct earlier this year, says that 20% of bride & grooms are not asking for anything (hmmm, could they just avoiding the awkward question of etiquette: how do you ask your nearest and dearest for money on your wedding day?).

So there you go. If you are planning a destination wedding in the UK or abroad and have a question concerning cultural etiquette, call me on 0208 989 4886 or visit www.extraordinarydestinationweddings.com

Kim Rix
Your London Wedding Planner
“Beautiful, Seamless Weddings”

Posted in Bride & Groom, Destination Weddings, Wedding Etiquette, Wedding Gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Get Married In Tuscany – The ExtraOrdinary Way!

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Kim Rix

ExtraOrdinary Destination Weddings Invites You To Get Married in Tuscany, Italy! Interested? We will be selecting three couples to join us in Tuscany during the week of May 14th, 2012 to say “I Do” in one of three fabulous locations.

1. Castel-Pietraio in Monterrigioni

2. Fattoria-Poggio-Alloro in San-Gimignano

3. Petriolo Spa and Resort just outside of Siena

What we will provide at no charge to you….

• Wedding Planning Services both locally and in Tuscany
• Professional Photography by internationally renowned Photographer Robert Nunez of Artistic Expressions Photography and all photos on a high resolution disc
• Accommodations for the couple at the wedding location for two nights
• Symbolic ceremony and an Officiant to oversee the nuptials
• Decoration of the ceremony site
• Bouquet and boutonniere for the couple
• Hair and Makeup for the bride
• Wedding Cake and champagne or wine toast for up to 15 people

What you need to provide or pay for….

• A signed photo release allowing us to use your photos in our media campaigns
• Airfare to Florence, Italy
• The cost of meals and accommodations (other than the two complimentary nights offered by the property hosting your wedding)
• The reception (if you want one) and any entertainment that may interest you
• The cost of ground transportation to and from the airport and properties
• The ability to travel to Italy the week of May 14th, 2012
• A willingness to be flexible about the appearance of your ceremony. In other words, you will allow us to do the decorating for you.
• Possess a passport and be of legal age to get married
• Have a minimum of 15 guests willing to join you for a 6 night stay in Tuscany*
• Photos of you as a couple and the completed application received by us prior to November 1st, 2011.

Approximate costs involved

There are many factors outside of our control such as the cost of airfare and exchange rates, but as of September 25th, 2011, we estimate that the cost to the couple including airfare from Boston or New York, accommodations, ground transportation, and meals including the cost of a reception dinner for 15 guests, will be no more than $10,000 U.S. The cost for your guests to join you including airfare from Boston or New York, accommodations, ground transportation, and meals will be approximately $2585 U.S. per person. Pricing is not guaranteed however until the time reservations are made.

Each wedding group will stay at all three properties listed above for two nights each so that you can fully experience all that Tuscany has to offer. Additional sightseeing tours will be available at an additional cost. You and your guests can also extend your stay in Italy if you so choose. We can arrange for you to visit other areas of this beautiful country such as Lake Como and Venice to the North, Rome and the Amalfi Coast to the south, and all points in between. Either standard tours or an itinerary tailored exclusively to your interests can be arranged.

How to apply

Email back to EDWNewEngland@aol.com or via U.S. mail to: Something Borrowed, Something New Events, 9 Hollis St. Uxbridge, MA 01569. For more information, please contact Terri at the email address above. Alternatively, call Kim Rix for more information on +44 (0) 208 989 4886.

*You and your guests must agree to stay at all three locations that have agreed to host these weddings with us for a period of at least two nights at each property. We are required to guarantee that at least 8 rooms will be reserved each night for all six nights while you are in Italy. If the eight room minimum is not reached, the cost to the couple will increase to offset that loss of income to each property. A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking for each property. Once a reservation has been made, any cancellation may involve an additional penalty determined by each property. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and highly encouraged.

Posted in Destination Weddings, Luxury Weddings, Marriage & Relationships, Wedding Professionals | Tagged , | 5 Comments

7 Hen Party Activities For Mature Hens

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Kim Rix

I was recently asked by a friend to suggest some Hen Party activities for a small group of mature Hens. Today I’m going to share some of those Hen Party suggestions that I came up with and perhaps inspire some of your own ideas. Here are my Top 7 suggestions for a Heavenly Hen Party:

ONE: Visit a top private spa and get a fabulous makeover. Enjoy a relaxing massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. Indulge! Eat whatever you want and drink lots of champagnes all weekend!

TWO: Are you a chocoholic? Have a private chocolate tasting session lead by a leading chocolate expert, a chocolatier. Champagne is the best drink to quench and refresh your palette between each piece of chocolate – as if you needed an excuse!

THREE: Want to do something unusual at home? Throw a Champagne and oyster party. If you don’t fancy Champagne, a good Chardonnay goes brilliantly with fresh Whitstable Oysters.

FOUR: Enjoy a top day out in London. Go to Harrods and enjoy afternoon tea and indulge in a little shopping. Dine at one of London’s foremost restaurants and then go on to one of the leading London nightclubs for cocktails and dancing.

FIVE: Another way to really enjoy a Hen Party at home is to get a private chef in to cook you dinner whilst you and your private party guests sit back, drink champagne and celebrate the Bride’s last nights of freedom!

SIX: See the Sights and Sip Champagne at the same time! Hire a limo and get a guided tour of London by night whilst you let the bubbles go to your head. Finish the evening off by dancing the night away at an exclusive London nightclub.

SEVEN: Fancy something a bit more sedate? Afternoon Tea at Claridges in Mayfair is a simple way to have a special time in style. From there, you can go on to eat at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant for a superb evening of cuisine. End the day with a trip to a West End musical. Sedate doesn’t need to be dull!

Look after the Bride, have fun and be sure to let me know how it goes!

Kim Rix
Your London Wedding Planner
“Delivering the Personal Service”

Posted in East London Wedding Planner, Hen Party, London Wedding Planner, Luxury Weddings, Top Tips | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How To Get Married In Vancouver

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Kim Rix

Dear Brides and Grooms,

Doesn’t time fly? It’s hard to believe that this time two years ago, I was in Vancouver with my husband. We made a holiday of it, so that we could attend a friend’s wedding. Happy 2nd Wedding Anniversary Fay and Scott!!

I remember the trip well, for two reasons. Firstly, there was a heat wave. Temperatures reached 40++ degrees Celsius and Wednesday 29th July was the hottest day ever recorded in Vancouver. Secondly, it was the year before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and memorabilia like key rings, mugs and T-shirts were being sold on every corner!

Vancouver is one of those places where anything goes (this week being Pride Week in Vancouver). Fay and Scott’s wedding was held in their parent’s back garden. The setting was stunning – the garden extended over the sea, and if it hadn’t been for the extreme heat causing a misty haze, I’m told that you can see San Francisco across the ocean. It was a memorable wedding for many reasons in addition to which I loved cosmopolitan Vancouver. If you are a bride and groom trying to choose a wedding destination, I would, without hesitation, recommend Vancouver as a first rate choice.

I’ve asked my colleague at extraordinarydestinationweddings.com, Faye Xuan, for some information to help you through the legal process. As you’ll see, getting married in Vancouver is relatively straightforward. Here’s what you need and what follows next:

* Proof of identification such as a Driver’s License, passport, or birth certificate. You also need to know the full names (maiden name) and birthplaces of your parents.

* You do not have to be a British Columbia resident to be married in the province. However, you are required to get a Marriage Licence which is valid for a term of three months and only valid in British Columbia.

* The marriage commissioner or religious representative who will perform the wedding ceremony will help complete the Marriage Registration Form. Within 48 hours of the wedding ceremony the form will be sent to the Vital Statistics Agency, where the marriage will be registered and a legal record will be kept.

At the time of the ceremony, your marriage commissioner or religious representative may provide a statement of marriage, which can be used temporarily as proof of marriage. However, it is not a legal document.

You will receive a legal Marriage Certificate from the Vital Statistics Agency after the registration of the marriage.

If you’d like to discuss ‘getting married in Vancouver’ or any other extraordinary wedding destination you might have in mind, simply drop me a line. Telephone 0208 989 4886.

Kim Rix
Your London Wedding Planner

Posted in Bride & Groom, Civil Ceremonies, Destination Weddings, Wedding Legalities | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Most Romantic Wedding Destination – Northern Italy

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Kim Rix

Dear Brides & Grooms,

At the end of last year, experts in the industry were predicting that destination weddings would continue to rise in popularity. It would seem that the prediction is coming true. Extraordinary Destination Weddings.com is just a few months old now…and we’re already starting to see a steady flow of enquiries coming in from brides across the globe.

Also predicted was a rising demand for remote and private locations, and this too is happening. People are now going for intimate villas, private islands and picturesque towns around the world to host their weddings in.

Earlier this week, I was speaking with my colleague, Massimiliano Russo (known as Massi) from the destination wedding planner’s consortium. Massi is based in the lakes region of northern Italy. I asked him to describe the most memorable wedding he had organised in the region. He replied:

“If you mean the most romantic wedding ever, an al fresco wedding in a villa on Lake Como is what immediately comes to my mind.

“It took place in a fine old mansion spectacularly located on the Varenna waterfront.
“Even if the location is so perfect that it doesn’t need anything to make it better, no detail was forgotten; as always, every little particular makes a difference: colourful ribbons tied to chairs, flowers to match the bridesmaid’s’ dresses – and a path of rose petals preparing the way for the bride to join her beloved on the waterfront.

“In late morning, before the mayor declared the couple man and wife, a violinist entertained the guests with music chosen to create an idyllic atmosphere. It was such a touching ceremony that everyone was deeply moved (wedding planners included!).

“Then, while the couple and guests were posing for pictures in the gardens, a splendid buffet of Italian dishes was served on tables beautifully decorated with flowers: Parma ham, mountains of grana, salami, olive ascolane …. With a glass of chilled prosecco … wonderful!

“During the afternoon, we laid on a boat tour. From just a little way out on the water you can see all round the lake. Everywhere the shore is dotted with charming villas and quaint little towns. Meanwhile the other guests strolled around the town centre for a while, then went to Vezio Castle. It is a lovely place, soaked in history and surrounded by nature, with a magnificent view from the tower.

“Later the whole party had dinner on a terrace at the water’s edge. Again the view .. at sunset!

“To make the atmosphere even more romantic, the place was illuminated by lanterns and hundreds of candles, reflected in little white crystals. The happy couple cut the wedding cake (what better than an Italian style cake to end this perfect day?!) and began on the first dance of the night. And what a night!

A perfect happy ending…for a “fairy tale” wedding!”

Kim Rix
Your London Wedding Planner

PS: we are looking for a wedding planner in Australia to join our team at Extraordinarydestinationweddings.com. Interested? Contact Terri Altergott on 001(508) 277-6597.

Posted in Bride & Groom, Destination Weddings, Marriage & Relationships, Pain-free Weddings, Wedding Venues | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

7 Facts You May Not Know About Getting Married in Chicago

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Kim Rix

Dear Brides and Bridegrooms,

Time to meet a couple more of my colleagues, this time based in Chicago. They are experienced wedding planners Lori Stephenson and Lauren Carter, and both belong to the consortium of Destination Wedding Planners accessible at www.ExtraOrdinaryDestinationWeddings.com.

To vary the format this time, I asked Lori to share with me some less well-known facts about getting married in Chicago. Here’s what she said:

  • Far from the industrial backwater of long ago, Chicago is now widely admired as the “Second City” of the US. And rightly so – it’s a world-class international destination with the very best in public buildings, hotels, restaurants, culture, popular shows and of course shopping.
  • Lying at mid-point between the East and West coast, and with two fine airports, Chicago is ideal for those wanting to make travel costs more affordable for their guests.
  • Chicago is a sophisticated city, home to such internationally respected institutions as The Museum of Modern Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Science and Industry, and a full range of orchestras, opera houses and theatres.
  • A long-standing centre of fine and avant-garde architecture, Chicago boasts hundreds of notable buildings by the likes of Daniel Burnham, Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, including the Willis Tower, the tallest in the country.
  • Chicago’s superb lake front embraces 24 miles of public parks and space that can be enjoyed year-round.
  • The nation’s oldest zoo continues to offer free admission; the museum campus includes the delightful Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium.  Soldier Field is home base to the Chicago Bears, while Navy Pier, the many public beaches and boating marinas can be reached by a cycle path that runs the length of the city.
  • Chicago’s great sporting events are not to be missed, even if you are not a follower. At the historic Wrigley Field you might take in a Cubs Game, in the summer.  Or you might sample Sox Baseball, Bears Football, Blackhawks hockey, Bulls Basketball, and Fire Soccer.
  • And here are some of my favourite Chicago movies – to put you in the mood to start planning your wedding in “Sweet Home Chicago”:
    The Blues Brothers
  • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  • High Fidelity
  • The Fugitive
  • The Dark Knight
  • Public Enemies
  • My Best Friend’s Wedding – of course!


As you will know if you’ve been reading these blogs, the Consortium offers a service for those planning to marry abroad. There are two stages. Initially you and your partner make the preparatory arrangements under the guidance of a locally-based wedding planner. Then the focus moves to the proposed wedding destination, where a second planner takes over, working to ensure that all those carefully crafted dreams are made reality. At all times your planning team will be in communication with each other, and with you, to ensure that you really do enjoy the wedding you’ve always envisioned, one that is customised and personalised to reflect who you are as a couple.

So, if you are a bride or groom living in London, the UK or Ireland and wanting to get married in Chicago, why not drop me a line? We can discuss the ways in which I can help you lay the groundwork, and then put you in touch with Lori and Lauren in Chicago. They will help with further recommendations, sort out the paperwork and provide all the second-stage organisational services. My direct line is 0208 989 4886.

“Freeing up your time and delivering the personal service”
Posted in Bride & Groom, Destination Weddings, Luxury Weddings, Pain-free Weddings, Stress-free Weddings, Top Tips, Wedding Coordinator, Wedding Planner Role, Wedding Professionals | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TABLE MANNERS & ETIQUETTE

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Kim Rix

Dear readers,

Where has the year gone? I can hardly believe that we’re two days away from July. Here in the UK, wedding season is in full swing!

No one likes a perfectionist, but often, when I’m coordinating the wedding breakfast, I see that guests are either unaware of the correct table manners to use, or unsure of the best course of action when it comes to a matter of table etiquette.

OK, so what do I mean by ‘correct’? In one word, behaviour that is built in to the occasion, behaviour that doesn’t offend or let your hosts down. Obviously, we are talking here about the rather more formal type of celebration, but in truth every wedding is a consciously formal event.

The most common questions I have to field focus on the seating arrangements: Cousin Sally doesn’t want to sit next to Uncle Bob – can someone swap? But you would be surprised at just how often people also, sometimes very indirectly, and nearly always with embarrassment, ask about table etiquette.

In a short blog I clearly can’t begin to cover the whole field. So here are just a few of the more common points, as a guide to a much larger question.

QUESTION: If I need to leave the table during the meal, where do I put my napkin?
ANSWER: Good thinking– it looks a bit messy left on the table. Some may disagree with this advice, for hygiene reasons, but I would be inclined to leave it in the centre of your chair – and remember to pick it up again when you return!

QUESTION: At the end of the main course, where do I place my knife and fork?
ANSWER: The most common practice is to place your knife and fork side by side on your plate, at 12 o’clock, with the blade of the knife facing inwards. This is a courtesy to the catering staff, as well as your hosts – and has one practical benefit: we’ve all had a half-finished plate whisked away from under our eyes by confused, or over-eager, waiters. However, if you notice that those around you are following some other guideline, say, setting them out at 10 to 4, you’d better follow suit. This ‘watch-and-conform’ tip should set you straight in many other situations too.

QUESTION: Is there a ‘correct’ way to butter a bread roll?
ANSWER: Believe it or not, there is. Break the bread with your fingers into small piece so that you can eat it in small bites. Butter a small piece and then eat it. Never butter the whole roll. Doing so implies a kind of unseemly desperation – like tucking into your food as soon as it arrives, and not waiting for those around you to receive theirs.

QUESTION: When serving port, is it passed to the left or the right?
ANSWER: Simple, Port is always served from right to the left. So the person on your left will receive the bottle next. This makes sense, at least for right-handers.

So these are just a few of the more common questions I’ve been asked recently. More importantly, knowing about them will alert you to the larger need to behave just a touch more formally and considerately than you might in the comfort of your own home. The display of courtesy to those around you is all part of the nature of the event. A wedding is nothing if not a public celebration of private feelings, and etiquette is our way of reassuring one another that we all share the same values.

Kim Rix
Your London Wedding Planner
“Freeing up your time and delivering the personal service”

Posted in Wedding Celebrations, Wedding Coordinator, Wedding Etiquette | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Destination Wedding: Top five reasons to get married in Israel

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Kim Rix

Dear Brides and Bridegrooms,

In this week’s blog I would like to introduce you to another of my colleagues. She is Joan Summerfield, a wedding planner who works in Israel. Joan is a fellow member of the consortium of Destination Wedding Planners accessible at ExtraOrdinary Destination Weddings.
As you will know if you’ve been reading these blogs, the Consortium offers a service for those planning to marry abroad. There are two stages. Initially you and your partner make the preparatory arrangements under the guidance of a locally-based wedding planner. Then the focus moves to the proposed wedding destination, where a second planner takes over, working to ensure that all those carefully crafted dreams are made reality. At all times your planning team will be in communication with each other, and with you, to ensure that you really do enjoy the wedding you’ve always envisioned, one that is customised and personalised to reflect who you are as a couple.

To give you a flavour of what Joan has to offer, and a sense of Israel as a place to be married in, I asked Joan to give me her top five reasons to get married there. Joan’s response was as follows:-

1. Historical (and religious) associations
With its immense and venerable antiquity, Israel attracts a wide range of visitors – Jewish, Muslim, Christian and others. Those wanting to build a religious dimension into their wedding will find a wealth of material to hand. It includes an unrivalled spread of sacred locations (Jerusalem, Safed, Tiberias (The Sea of Galilee) and elsewhere) complemented by hundreds of ancient historical sites (Jewish, Greek, Roman, Crusader and Ottoman), and surrounded by desert landscapes soaked in biblical history.

2. Fine Climate
Israel, like the rest of the Mediterranean, is blessed with sunny and warm weather. From the start of May to the end of September you can be pretty confident your big day will NOT be ruined by rain.
The winters too are mild, and even in the cooler months it is usually possible to have the wedding ceremony outside.

3. Awe-inspiring locations
Israel offers a huge variety of stunning locations, ranging from the archaeological to the geological. The Dead Sea, for example, is the lowest place on Earth, and one of its great wonders. Most of these attractions can be enjoyed from luxury hotels, including those overlooking the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, which enjoy year-round sunshine, sandy beaches, luxurious hotels, coral reefs and dolphins.

4. Gourmet Food
Israeli cuisine today is on par with the best found anywhere in the world. With international influences in menus, an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruit, incredible cheeses, world class wines and 5-star kosher catering Israel is quickly becoming a recognised gourmet destination.

5. Competitive prices
Weddings in Israel can be much less expensive than in other parts of the world. There is a well-established infrastructure, connected to a thriving tourist industry and able to cater to the widest range of aspirations, tastes and budgets.

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So, if you are a bride or groom living in London, the UK or Ireland and wanting to get married in Israel, why not drop me a line? We can discuss the ways in which I can help you lay the groundwork, and then put you in touch with Joan in Israel. She’ll help with further recommendations, sort out the paperwork and provide all the second stage organisational services. My direct line is 0208 989 4886.

Shalom!

Kim Rix
Your London Wedding Planner
“Freeing up your time and delivering the personal service”

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