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Avoiding The Ultimate Groom Mistakes!

the groom

Weddings often overlook the groom; there we said it, it’s out there! With this in mind, we understand only too well that many grooms either decide to step away from the planning process entirely or in some cases, simply don’t know where to start or what to do. Thankfully, we thought we’d step in and help by explaining the biggest mistakes that grooms often make and how best to avoid them.

Leaving The Bride To Do All The Work – we know only too well that often, it can seem like the better, safer option to simply take a step back but that couldn’t be further from the truth. No doubt, your partner has been dreaming of their big day for years and most likely has a few ideas about how it’s going to go; from what they’re wearing to how everything will look but that isn’t a ticket to sit back and relax. Not only do you need to take charge with certain organisational matters but you also need to have some input into your day too. Trust us, your bride will thank you for it. From the guest list to the venue, these are areas that you’ll need to work together on and you’ll be pleased you did in the end. You’ll also need to discuss your wedding day together too. This isn’t just a random pick as most seem to think it is. You first need to choose a season and then a specific date unless you already have a special date that means something to you both?

Joining In At The Last Minute – it’s never a good idea to dive into the planning at the very last minute. Never let the bride deal with every little thing before you decide to start changing things around and changing plans. As we mentioned above, stay involved from the very beginning, be enthusiastic and keep on top of planning.

Becoming Groomzillas – on one hand we have grooms who choose not to get involved at all and on the other, we have grooms who appear to turn into groomzillas the closer they get to the big day. To counteract any groomzilla tendencies, try not to obsess over the details, divide up the amount of things that need organising and hand over the reins when you feel it’s getting too much. Here at That Amazing Place we have the fabulous events manager Angie, always on hand to give help where and when possible.

Getting Too Serious – planning a wedding is stressful, period but let’s not forget you’re planning the biggest day of your life, one you’ll want to enjoy and look back on with fond memories. Try not to take things too seriously and when things start to get on top of you, take a step back, breath and remind yourselves why you’re doing this.

If you’d like more information on That Amazing Place, or how we can help ensure your wedding planning is smooth sailing from start to finish, simply contact us today.

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You’re Engaged. So What Now?

engaged

You’re Engaged. So What Now?

So, your one true love has finally popped the question and you’ve never felt so happy in your entire life; the question is, you’re engaged, so what now?

Well first and foremost, it’s time to take a breath. This is a huge moment in anyone’s life, agreeing to spend the rest of your life with just one person and no doubt something that won’t necessarily hit you straight away. You need to give this time to sink in. Grab your friends, family or even your dog and take some time away from the engagement train. Grab a manicure, enjoy a lunch or simply take Fido for a few extended walks in your favourite place. Try not to worry about your wedding planning and instead, simply indulge in the moment. Then of course, it’s on to who to tell first and how to tell them. Are you the sort of person who likes to make announcements or would you rather tell your loved ones in a more intimate manner? Don’t forget, you could, like many, use this as a way of holding that much needed family gathering and telling everyone at the same time.

Marriage, (that’s the part after the wedding) takes two people and of course, a lot of big decisions along the way so it’s worth discussing your wants and needs from the day itself with each other. What are you both searching for on your big day? We’re talking absolutely everything from general feel and look to the specifics such as location, venue and even the food. Try brainstorming sessions together, making the wedding planning much more exciting and importantly, collaborative.

Budget is another area in which struggles can arise and as such, after an adequate amount of time of indulging in the glory of your engagement, budgets need to be discussed. This should be discussed first and foremost. While some may have saved for their big day, others may have to start saving from the day they say “yes” so budgets will always be a topic of discussion worth taking some time over. With this often awkward subject out of the way however, you can get back to enjoying those super special moments that come with a new engagement.

Last but most certainly not least, we suggest you keep an open mind, when it comes to all aspects of your big day. From the venue to the budget, your guest list and of course, the big day itself; things can change and as such, it’s important to remember the reason you’re doing it. It’s not a day for show and tell, it’s a day to declare your love for one another and really, when all’s said and done, that’s the most important thing right? For more information on our country house wedding venue, and how we can help you not only enjoy your engagement, but enjoy a wedding day you never thought possible, contact us today.

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Grooms…it’s time to start wedding planning!

wedding planning

If you’re reading this, then you’ve already taken the biggest step when it comes to wedding planning, you’ve sought the help and advice of someone in the know. Now, here at That Amazing Place, we aren’t afraid of blowing our own trumpet every now and then. We’ve been hosting weddings for happy couples here at our country manor house, from up and down the country for quite some time now and as such, have gained some invaluable knowledge when it comes to wedding planning itself. We know that a great deal of brides take on much of the organisation however, grooms are becoming more and more involved so we thought we’d share a few wedding planning tips for the grooms out there to make things easier on the bride and help with that all-important big day!

Let’s get suited and booted – so many men think they’ll walk into a shop, grab a suit to buy or hire and that’s it. They do however, usually find themselves pleasantly surprised at the array of different styles available. For some, one style and/or colour will jump out immediately, for others however, it can feel a little daunting. This is where going to the right place will help.

Tinker, tailor…you catch the drift – going to a professional will make this process so much easier. Not only will you have access to some of the best designs out there but you’ll also be privy to a well-trained eye who’ll be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to dressing your shape, height and size. Nothing says perfectly finished groom quite like a professionally dressed man. Lastly, we know there’s always a great debate when it comes to whether to hire or buy. Just remember, choosing to buy your groom’s suit doesn’t mean you can’t hire them for your groomsmen.

What about your wedding ring – it’s a question asked by many grooms, whether you’ll be wearing a wedding ring or not. While some choose not to, others absolutely want to. If you are, then you need to decide whether you’d like having coordinating rings with your partner or having a ring of your own personal choice. You also need to make sure you buy your rings in plenty of time to allow for any size adjustments necessary. No one wants to be fumbling at the alter with a ring that’s too small or too big for that matter.

Speech! Speech! – while a bride always seems to escape this nerve-wracking task, the groom must make a speech, whether it’s a short, sharp and to the point effort or a longer, more in-depth heartfelt speech. Depending on the type of person you are, you’ll want to plan in plenty of time. For those who find public speaking easy, then an off-the-cuff effort may be just the ticket but be sure to jot down a few notes to show yourself an order in which you’ll want to make your thanks and references.

For more information on wedding planning, where to start and what to focus on, contact us today at That Amazing Place, the finest country house wedding venue in Essex.

Bridal Nails – What You Need To Know!

So you’ve booked the venue and found your perfect dress but do you have the finishing touches finalised; say for instance your wedding nails? While these may not seem like the most important aspect of your day, it’s finishing touches like this that make you feel all the more special. Let’s take a look at the 2017 trends for bridal nails…

Bridal nail colour – your nail colour is the perfect way to experiment a little on your big day without venturing too far from tradition. From brighter colours such as reds, fantastic for adding an injection of colour while also working great with fifties or sixties inspired dresses to blues; this can be your “something blue”. If you’d like to stick with tradition then you may want to stick with the popular request for sheer, glowing, natural nails. Neutral colours are always a good place to start if you’re unsure such as neutral pinks; think ballet slippers if you’re looking for inspiration. If you’re struggling to find one that you really want, try layering different shades to create the perfect one you want. If your dress is white, you’ll want a much warmer pink however, if your dress is ivory, you’ll want a cooler pink.

Gels or natural polish – natural polish has been fantastic for years however, gels are quite literally unbeatable. They’ll not only sail through your big day without a chip or care in the world but they’ll also most likely last your entire honeymoon too. You can also forgo the need for drying time, the risk of smudges and of course the need for carefully sculpted enhancements such as tips.

Nail art – when it comes to nail art, we suggest you approach this with the same attitude you would your wedding make-up and hair. Will you still like the look in 20 years time when you’re looking back through your wedding pictures? While minimal nail art won’t look too gaudy, a bold print could prove a little testing over time. Remember not to give someone permission to “do as they please”, this never ends well.engagement rings

Nail technicians – as with any wedding service, it pays to do your research. You wouldn’t let just anyone tend to your hair and make-up so why let just anyone fix your bridal nails? Many of our brides have a nail technician they use on a regular basis and will undoubtedly use for their wedding however, for those who may not treat themselves to manicures on a regular basis, finding the perfect nail technician can be a tough task. Thankfully we have a fab list of suppliers who’ll be only too happy to help. For more information, simply contact us today.

A Wedding Videographer – The New Must-Have

That Amazing Place wedding venue Harlow Essex | wedding photographer – Scott Miller photography

If you follow our blog or social media platforms, then you’ll probably know already that we’ve used wedding videographers in the past. We’ve had a number of happy couples document their big day on video as well as with a regular wedding photographer, yet in spite of this, so many seem unaware of this amazing new option available to them.

We understand that having a videographer film your wedding may not be for everyone but for some, it really could be the best decision you make. When it comes to actually booking one however, it can be a hard call to make. Luckily for you we have the “who” sorted as we have an array of wedding videographers listed on our suppliers page. Right now, however, we’re going to clarify the “why”.

What would a Wedding Videographer add to my day?

Ask any bride or groom what they remember most about their day and we guarantee they’ll tell you it raced by so quickly, in such a blur that they struggle to remember everything. There will always be things that you’ll miss such as the arrival of the groom, the arrival of the bridesmaids or you may even wonder about your own entrance from your wedding guests’ perspective. A wedding videographer however, will catch all of this…and more.

It may not be a necessity, especially when taking into consideration your wedding budget however, a professionally produced wedding film is without doubt the ultimate way of encapsulating your entire day from everyone’s perspective. Think of it as a kaleidoscope of memories from visual to sound that you can share with family, friends and yourself for years to come.

While photographs are an incredibly important aspect of your wedding day, priceless in fact, a wedding video is something you’ll find captures the spontaneous moments that photos may not have done. There’s no denying the fact that the first look back a couple will have on their wedding will be nothing short of magical so to have that on film would be even more spectacular. Who wouldn’t want to watch their big day back in all its glory and relive such a special moment in time?

Expression Photography

Will a wedding video fit within my budget?

Wedding budgets are there for a reason. They stop us spending way beyond our limit and remind us to spread the cost of different suppliers evenly and fairly. Fitting everything into your budget can therefore be quite the tricky task and may lead you to asking yourself whether you want a wedding video or not. Investing money into a wedding photographer or wedding videographer is of course hugely important. Having at least one will ensure you capture those important memories on your day however, you may have to ask yourself which of the two you’d prefer. Simply ask yourself whether having good quality photos or a professional film is more important to you.

There’s no exact science to it all; no way to find out which would be better for you however, there are of course ways around it. A number of happy couples here at That Amazing Place have chosen wedding videographers and simply asked guests to take photos with the disposable cameras lying around the venue that they’ve strategically placed. For more information on the wedding videographers we’d recommend or for ways to help decide, simply contact us today guys.

What To Wear To A Wedding

When it comes to our blog page, we’re aware that we focus on the brides and grooms that attend our country house wedding venue and of course, why not? After all, they are the ones who’ll choose our venue in which to marry. Let’s not forget however, they aren’t the only ones attending the wedding so this blog is dedicated to you, the wedding guest and the biggest conundrum facing most wedding guests very year – what to wear to a wedding?

We all walk a fine line when it comes to deciding what to wear to a wedding. You want to look striking but not too striking in that you drag attention from the most important people of the day and let’s not forget, you too want to be remembered, if only as one of the best dressed guests.

Luckily for you, there are a few ground rules to stick to in order to ensure you’ve got everything covered. We’ve got the ultimate do’s and don’ts to ensure you’re the best dressed guest at all manner of wedding ceremonies this side of Essex and beyond.

A dress is a safe choice – struggling to come up with the perfect feminine tux a-la Victoria Beckham? Then reach for the trusty statement dress. Add some fabulous heels, a little lippie and you’re good to go.

No short hemlines – this isn’t just out of respect for the bride but the ideal way to ooze a little conservative sexiness. Irregular hemlines are great for keeping things appropriate while still allowing you to flash a little leg. Just remember ladies, keep it on the classy side.

Try bold lace – lace is the ultimate statement right now but white or cream lace and embroidery are major no-no’s. Instead opt for coloured lace and clever layering with a few sequins thrown in.

Black isn’t a total no – for years, the colour black would never been seen at a wedding as it once marked the doom and gloom of grievance but recent times have brought a change. Black is now considered chic so wear it to weddings with pride.

Carry a small clutch or bag – large shoulder bags or totes will not only ruin your look but will become quite cumbersome to carry; and let’s face it, they don’t exactly scream “special occasion” do they? Think minimal and cut loose from your usual heavy accessories. Think of it as a detox of your usual essentials.

Wear comfortable heels – there’s nothing worse than wearing a pair of heels that look fabulous but cripple you within five minutes, especially when you consider the fact that you have an entire day ahead of you and the bare foot look just isn’t in. Whether it’s a chunkier heel or a comfier sole, find that perfect pair of shoes to take you through the day with ease.

Just ask the bride or groom – if you’re really not sure, then we suggest you just ask the bride or groom. We know they’ll have a million and one things to think about but we doubt they’ll mind you sending a quick message to ask for any guidelines, colours advice etc. It’s their big day after all. Just remember to keep it all in good time, not an hour before they’re about to walk down the aisle.

NEVER WEAR WHITE – despite changes in modern day formal wear it will never be ok to wear white, or off-white or even cream. In short, never make it look like you’re trying to over-shadow the bride.