by Hanami Dream | 1, February, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 1st February 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week’s theme is ‘wedding cakes’. With thanks to The Pretty Cake Company #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: The price of a cake is primarily dependent on three things: size, flavour and decoration #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Tell cake designer your guest numbers (& if you’ll keep top fruitcake tier) to work out what size tiers are required #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Think about using polystyrene dummies to add extra tiers but help reduce the cost #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Simple sponges tend to be cheapest – make a simple flavour more exciting by making the filling more interesting #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Book 9-12 months in advance- incorporate themes like colours, flowers, fabric, stationery etc #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Think about how and where you want the cake displayed (out of direct sunlight or heat or cluttered background) plus how you’re going to cut it #UKWedLunch
This week’s #toptips are taken from ‘Have your (wedding) cake and eat it!‘ With thanks to The Pretty Cake Company #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘Real life proposal stories’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
by Hanami Dream | 25, January, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 25th January 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week’s theme is ‘Changing your name’ – if, how, what, where and when! #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Decide if one or both will change surname when married. Who’s surname to take? Double barrel? Mesh? Brand new? #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Legally you can use any name but to use new name on documents you need marriage certificate or deed poll to prove it #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Can change passport before wedding (but can wait until it expires) – just remember name on tickets must match name on passport #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Must change name on driving licence asap to avoid a fine – its free #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Update your details on electoral roll so you can still vote #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Should be free to update your details with banks, utility companies, employers, doctors, dentist, sports clubs, loyalty cards etc #UKWedLunch
This week’s #toptips are taken from ‘All change – checklist when changing your name’ #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘wedding cakes’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
by Hanami Dream | 18, January, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 18th January 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week’s theme is ‘finding the right stationery for your budget’ – what things affect pricing? Thanks to Paper Tree Design #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Differences in service, technique and embellishments are what makes your stationery either basic or premium #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Level of service will effect pricing: the more bespoke and more time spent making it will make it expensive #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Weight (thickness), texture and finish of card will affect how much it costs, as well as how it’s printed #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: For every finish (especially ones done by hand) you add cost: hot foil, spot vanish, embossing, paper cut, trims (ribbon, twins, crystals etc) #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: DIY or stationery in kit form will save on price – get wedding party to help make them together #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Buy in bulk – think about all your stationery in one go from the outset rather than separate pieces at different times #UKWedLunch
This week’s #toptips are taken from ‘first impressions count‘ with thanks to Paper Tree Design #UKWedLunch
Take a look at more wedding stationery #toptips
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘Changing your name’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
by Hanami Dream | 11, January, 2017 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 11th January 2017
As well as general wedding planning chat, this week’s theme is ‘TV & film weddings’ – what are your favs & which will affect trends in 2017 #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 1: What is your favourite wedding film? I love 4 Weddings and a Ffuneral, 27 Dresses & Bridesmaids!#UKWedLunch
QUESTION 2: What is your favourite tv wedding? For me, it’s Scott & Charlene’s in Neighbours! What entrance music! #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 3: Which wedding have influenced you the most? Gotta be royal weddings for me esp as Kate & Will for married same year as us #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 4: Which film genre will influence weddings the most in 2017? Comic book, romantic futurist, beach, medieval, 1920s? #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 5: 2017 looks set to be a year of blockbuster films & tv progs. Which will affect wedding trends? #UKWedLunch
QUESTION 6: What influence do you think the new Beauty & the Beast film will have on wedding themes? #UKWedLunch
This week’s #toptips are taken from ‘New Beginnings‘ #UKWedLunch
Take a look at more wedding trend predictions #UKWedLunch
As well as general wedding planning chat, next week’s theme will be on ‘finding right stationery for your budget’ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
by Hanami Dream | 28, December, 2016 | news
I hope you’ve had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas. At this between and betwixt time, I often take the time to reflect on the past year. And what a fantastic year it’s been for Hanami Dream weddings and special occasions in 2016!
I’ve continued to study with UKAWEP and was proud to be picked as Student of the month in October. The course has (and continues) to open my eyes up to a whole world of weddings beyond just wedding planning.
My focus has changed this year and I’m concentrating on making the blog work commercially as well as providing inspiration to brides and grooms in the Cotswolds. This feels like a fantastic evolution, which really excites me and fits in with my current family life, plus combines my experience within the scope of the wedding industry.
I enjoyed working with a great venue and local businesses on a stunning Wind in the Willows styled photo shoot which featured on the blog as well as on Bride Magazine.
I also worked as a consultant with a local venue to help them with their first wedding open day where I held a wedding planning drop in clinic.
Plus I launched #UKWedLunch in August – a Twitter hour for brides and grooms to be who are planning their weddings in their lunch breaks.
I’m delighted to have enquiries for different aspects of the business including venue styling and consultancy, as well as such lovely testimonials from happy couples and suppliers I’ve worked with in 2016.
The blog featured posts on different elements of wedding planning, local wedding venues, catering vans, a series titled ‘the holy trinity of wedding planning’ and some wonderful guest posts from local wedding professionals (with top tips and an insight in to different elements of wedding planning from their area of the wedding industry). See the top ten posts of 2016.
My blog has had an exciting year and continues to go from strength to strength. The highlight of 2016, was being a finalist in two categories of the UK Blog Awards in April and I was delighted to get a highly commended award.
I was also chuffed to have some of my articles (on seating plans and stationery) published on Bride Magazine online too.
I’m pleased to add to my honoured collection of accolades with #QueenOf Wedding Inspiration by The Royal Connection, the #SmartSocial award from Marketme, #BrightPig’s Business of the Week and I was also picked by Jacqueline Gold CBE to be a WOW Winner.
I’m really proud to have won the UK Academy of Wedding and Event Planning’s Greenery (SS17 and colour of the year) Pantone® mood board competition again this year.
If all this wasn’t enough, I’m over the moon to have found out last week that I’ve been shortlisted for the next round of the West Oxfordshire Business Awards #WOBA2017. So I’m looking forward to meeting the judges in the New Year and to seeing what other exciting things 2017 has to hold for Hanami Dream.
Now is also a great time to look forward to the brand new year ahead. I’ve lots of plans afoot including focusing the blog on supporting and promoting local wedding professionals, services and venues #keepitlocal. And I can’t wait to produce more styled photo shoots and have more opportunities to collaborate with local suppliers.
Many thanks for your support in 2016 and here’s to an exciting and very Happy New Year!
by Hanami Dream | 7, December, 2016 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 7th December 2016
As well as general wedding planning chat, there’s some #toptips as well. This week’s theme is ‘guest book ideas’ #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Get your guests to contribute and colour in a giant poster mural @fancyfeatures #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Ask people to sign decorative, keep sake items for your home such as quilt, globe or Christmas baubles #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Have a recipe book where everyone contributes a favourite recipe to be printed in a book @recipegiftbook #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Get guests to put their best wishes on to labels to hang from a wish tree @treeofhearts #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: Frame an illustration of your venue which guests can sign @illustratedinvites #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Have hand written messages on various hearts placed around a cut out framed tree @papertreedesign #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips taken from Hanami Dream blog ‘Alternative wedding guest book ideas‘ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
Next week’s theme is ‘2017 wedding trends’ #UKWedLunch
by Hanami Dream | 7, December, 2016 | #UKWedLunch, testimonials
“We’re having a great time chatting to all of you!”
My Tomorrow – December 2016
by Hanami Dream | 7, December, 2016 | #UKWedLunch, testimonials
“I love joining in with #UKWedLunch and chatting to lots of other friendly suppliers!”
Carrie O’Donnell, Wedding and Event Pianist – December 2016
by Hanami Dream | 30, November, 2016 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 30th November 2016
As well as general wedding planning chat, there’s some #toptips as well. This week’s theme is ‘thank you gifts’ #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Gifts for guests can be great mementos of the day showing your appreciation & matching your theme or colour scheme #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Sugared almonds are traditional (give an odd number) they represent Health, Wealth, Happiness, Long Life & Fertility #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Couples are choosing unique, personalised, dated & themed gifts to eat, meet, keep or have as a treat #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Give gifts to thank the wedding party for their support – these can be really personalised to the individual #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: You might want to buy your new spouse a 0 anniversary gift to celebrate your wedding day #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Whether you give favours or not, don’t forget to thank all your guests for their presence and their presents #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips taken from Hanami Dream blog ‘Thank you gifts at weddings‘ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
Next week’s theme is ‘guest book alternatives’ #UKWedLunch
by Hanami Dream | 23, November, 2016 | #UKWedLunch
#UKWedLunch – Wednesday 23rd November 2016
As well as general wedding planning chat, there’s some #toptips as well. This week’s theme is ‘dietary requirements’ #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 1: Ask your guests as early as you can – include a section on your RSVP cards #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 2: Customise your menu so that anyone can enjoy the main aspect of the meal #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 3: Consider: Vegetarian, Vegan, Non dairy, Gluten free, Kosher, Halal, Hindu, Diabetic, Nut free, Child friendly #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 4: Establish elements of the menu – confirm with guests & show them specific ingredient lists from the chef #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 5: How you serve food can have an impact on offering alternatives (sit down vs buffet) #UKWedLunch
TOP TIP 6: Don’t forget about all meals and beverages that are going to be consumed during the day including your wedding cake #UKWedLunch
This week’s top tips taken from Hanami Dream blog ‘Catering for special dietary requirements‘ #UKWedLunch
JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY! on Twitter between 1-2pm GMT
Next week’s theme is ‘thank you gifts’ #UKWedLunch
