How to Change the Name in Your Passport Before You Get Married

While there are no official statistics, around 70-80% of people due to get married intend to honeymoon abroad.? Only 1 in 33 couples planning to get married prefer to honeymoon in the UK.? Honeymoons abroad often make financial sense.? Accommodation, food and entertainment are often cheaper abroad and with the budget airlines ready to whisk you off to exotic destinations in under 2 hours it’s often quicker to get there and a more affordable experience.? No doubt the weather is also has something to do with it.Image courtesy of Beachcomber ToursThe honeymoon is a welcome break to the hectic planning and constant organisation involved in pulling a wedding together.? Shortly before your trip you’ll probably?look at?your passport and give consideration to a few things: the photo (yuck! no one looks good in their passport photo), the expiry date (will you need to get it renewed before you fly?) and, most glaringly, the NAME.Over 80% of UK brides intend to change names after marriage, with most assuming the use of their husband’s name immediately after their wedding ceremony.? The first few weeks after your wedding can feel strange as you make the transition from your maiden to married surname.? It can feel a bit odd taking an overseas trip with a passport that is just about to become redundant, but did you know you can get the name on your passport changed before you jet off overseas?? It’s a great way to get a head start on your name, change paperwork and start bonding with your new name from the very beginning.Always think carefully if you should apply to change the name in your passport before you get married.? If you plan to visit a country that requires you to obtain a visa before you fly, you should leave your name change until after your trip as countries will not issue visas to post-dated passports.? It is also essential your flights are booked under the exact same name that is to appear in your passport at the time of your departure.? If the names don’t match you won’t be cleared to pass through immigration and your flights will not be refunded.Once you’ve made the decision to get a head start by arranging a passport in your new married name, and having determined you don’t expect any issues on arrival abroad, the application itself is a relatively simple process.? You can apply for a married name passport within 3 months of your wedding, but we recommend no later than 4 weeks before your wedding date if applying by post.? Your current passport is returned with your application, so you’ll be unable to travel abroad until your wedding day.Brides-to-be can lodge a standard passport application along with a Post Date Form 2 (PD2).? Form PD2 is completed by both the bride and the person conducting the ceremony.?? The remainder of the application process is the same as that of a normal passport.? Full passport fees are payable and your new passport is valid for a 10 year period, and up to a further 9 months depending on the validity of your existing passport.?? Your new passport is only valid from the date of your wedding ceremony.            You can access both the passport application form and form PD2 from the UK Government Directory site.? Alternatively, Confetti can provide these passport forms, along with all the remaining name change forms, letters and paperwork you’ll need as part of our new personalised name change service.If you are planning on getting married abroad you will be unable to apply for a post-dated passport as you will need to begin and end your trip abroad with a passport in your maiden name.? Of course, any bride could wait until after their wedding ceremony to change the name on their passport, and then take care of all their marriage name change paperwork on their return.For brides who decide to put a little extra organisation into their married name change before their wedding it can be a great relief to get that one extra job done and they can kick back on their honeymoon as Mrs Newname.? And on her return it’s an extra bit of motivation to tackle the whole name change task.Name change can be a daunting experience, both in terms of feeling a loss of identity, and the extra mountain of paperwork that it creates. For those brides who go onto change names, it is very common to feel a bit anxious as you take on a new name.? There’s typically a period of readjustment as you continue to sign your old name out of habit, and you?may mourn the loss of being detached from your prior name.? Take relief in that this will inevitably pass.? As time goes on your new name will roll off the tongue and start to feel your own.UK brides typically have to notify around 16 organisations when changing names, and each company will have their own policy and procedure in place.? This alone can be a deterrent in making the change, but there are simple ways to knock your name change paperwork out in a fraction of the time.? Experts recommend setting the time aside to get all your records updated into your new name at once.? Name changes that drag on for months, or even years, can weight on your mind and cause a great deal of frustration.Confetti’s name change kit?service saves brides the effort of calling around, researching and letter writing.? If you’re planning on changing names, enter your old and new names, contact details and select who you need to notify of your new name, and we’ll take care of all your paperwork.? Confetti provides any forms from your nominated companies, plus ready to send name change letters and faxes.? In many cases you can just sign and send.? If an organization has a different procedure, we’ll let you know what to do so you don’t need to undertake any research in your own time.Expect to save about 6 hours of time and effort with?the Confetti name change kit.? You can apply any date to your name change notifications, so if you want to take care of all your name change paperwork before you get married you can get the information now, apply for a post-dated passport, then have all your documents ready to send when you return from your honeymoon.Bon voyage!See more advice on Confetti’s wedding planning pages!

 

 

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Your Guide to Getting Married in France

If your dream wedding destination is France, then you have great taste as it is one of the world’s most romantic settings. With a superb choice of chateaux, gastronomic delights, fine wines, delectable desserts and plenty of sunshine, France is an ideal place to be married.?This expert advice is?provided by Chateau de Lisse – one of France’s best and most popular wedding venues, in the enchanting region of Gascony. Images courtesy of Chateau de LisseThere are a few legalities you must keep in mind and attend to, before you start booking your venue and your plane tickets.Your choicesIn simple terms, you have two options available:Legally marry in the UK through a civil ceremony then come to France and choose a religious or humanist wedding ceremony.Legally marry in France through a civil ceremony, and then also hold a religious or humanist wedding ceremony on the same day or a couple of days later.It is not as straightforward to get married in France as it in England, as the French law only recognises civil marriage. One of you also needs to be resident here for over a month with proof of address, and then make an application at the town hall. You will also be required to obtain a list of legal documents including your birth certificate and passport.If you can satisfy the criteria and are happy to do the paperwork, then you will need to contact the Mairie (Mayor) and the British Consulate who will assist you in the processing of your application.All documents must be certified by the British Consulate and translated by a sworn translator with an official seal, the Certificate of Apostille of the Hague, prior to being presented to the Mairie. You can get a list of approved translators from the Mairie or local police station. Here is a quick overview of what you will need:One member of the couple must be resident in France for a minimum of 40 consecutive days, proof of address is essential normally 2 documents such as telephone or electricity billCertificate of celibacy for non-French nationals to prove your single statusCertificate of law for non-French nationals living in the UKPassportA solicitor’s certificate (ask the British Consulate for details)Birth Certificate less than 3 months old supplied by a bureau of records, not a hospitalDeath or Divorce certificate if one or both of you have been married beforePrenuptial agreement otherwise the couple are automatically married in community of property. A notary (solicitor) will advise on thisA child born prior to the marriage may be legitimisedThe marriage ‘banns’ are displayed approximately 10 days before the civil ceremonyOnce married you will be given a “livret de famille”, which is a recognized document in France to log all future births, deaths, and divorce or name changes.In France, couples are required to first marry in the town hall (Mairie) before any civil or religious service can take place.What you will need to do, in all your finery, is go to the town hall where the town’s mayor, or his legally authorised replacement, will perform the ceremony and tell you about your responsibilities to each other. You then sign the register and walk out a married couple. Only then you can go to the church or your chosen venue and do your walk-down-the-aisle ceremony.The ceremony is conducted in French and a translator may attend, but a word of caution – if your witnesses are deemed by an official not to understand sufficient French – the Mayor can refuse to perform the ceremony.Now you will have your wedding certificate and this is required for any subsequent religious service, this does not need to take place on the same day – so you could wear the dress twice!            Images courtesy of Chateau De LisseHow to get married in France without all that fuss and nonsense?Very simple: don’t.You can avoid it all by simply having a civil ceremony in the UK before your wedding in France and this removes all of the legal and administrative complications of the French system.Just make an appointment at a registry office in your local UK town and get pre-wed there, sign the papers and for all intents and purposes you are now legally married, but you don’t have to tell anyone! Most couples only regard their marriage valid and real once they have said their vows and exchanged rings in front of friends and family on their wedding day in France.Most couples don’t celebrate their UK ‘wedding’ and save their Euros for their celebrations in France – their ‘real’ wedding day. It is a simple way to avoid the paperwork and no-one will be any wiser! Just remember to bring your marriage certificate to France as proof that your civil ceremony has taken place.Which Ceremony?You may have a humanist wedding ceremony, which allows you to choose any desired location and they are individual and can be more personal and non-religious.You may also choose a religious blessing; this is a popular choice if you do not want the formal church wedding. Here, couples can compose the service, readings and music and is more of a ‘spiritual’ blessing of your marriage.Lastly, you can choose a personalised wedding which is more based on the couples’ views on life, marriage and your faith in each other rather than an outside belief. It is possible to have a friend or relative to conduct the service and the service is often very informal and relaxed.The Weather!In France average temperatures can vary from city to city, with northern cities much colder than the southern cities. You can choose from the glamorous French Riviera with its Mediterranean climate; the temperate climate of the wine regions of Dordogne and Aquitaine; Central France experiences slightly more extreme conditions but can boast the picturesque French Alps, and finally Paris and north and western France which have a pleasant climate of warm summers and cool winters.The most popular months for weddings in France are May, June and September and venues are normally booked up to two years in advance. It is important to get detailed weather data on the major French cities to help plan your perfect destination.Images courtesy of Chateau De LisseOne Last Thought…If you have not yet been seduced by the idea of coming to France for your wedding, here is la piece de résistance: the traditional French wedding cake an impressive pyramid of filled choux buns (chocolate, vanilla or coffee) with a delicate cobweb of caramel spun outside and decorated with fresh flowers, or more traditionally, sugared almonds.France is symbolically the country of love and a perfect way to celebrate and begin married life. Ensure you prepare any questions that you wish to have answered when visiting venues and research the most suitable area, and please remember you have decided to celebrate in a different country so you will discover that some things are done differently, but that is all part the charm and excitement that France has to offer.Chateau de Lisse is a stunning 14-th century castle in Gascony, set in 450 hectares of?luscious landscape.? The Chateau is available to hire exclusively for weddings and other events, it offers a magical and fairytale setting to relax, unwind and getaway for your own private wedding. Chateau de Lisse has it’s own exquisite chapel available for weddings. We have lots of great weddings abroad advice on Confetti!

 

 

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Josie Nick’s Glamping Picnic Wedding-Fest With A Touch Of Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Josie & Nick were incredibly blessed on their wedding day – not only because they got to say “I do”, but also because the whole family and friends pitched in to make their wedding really and truly DIY and one-of-a-kind! The food, the decor, the favours, the bunting, the cake… and the end result was absolutely stunning. Inspired by the many festivals they attended, they created a day like no other – 250 miles away and done almost entirely by email! Their best advice? Don’t hesitate to ask anyone and everyone for help with anything you need – you will save yourself hours of work, and the people you ask will be delighted! As a finishing touch, they asked Rebecca Douglas?Photography to capture their day’s special spirit in her striking photos.Bride and Groom: Josie & Nick, clothing company ownersWedding date:?16th June 2012Wedding ceremony: Church of St James the Great, Staple, KentWedding reception: The back garden of Nick’s parents houseWedding photographer:?Rebecca Douglas PhotographyWedding theme/colours: A glamping picnic wedding-fest with a touch of the Mad Hatter’s tea party. And a bit of vintage. And maybe a touch of Lovecraft-y steampunkness too!

If you are looking for photography that breaks away from tradition, captures emotion and tells the story of your day, then Rebecca Douglas might just be your girl! She shoots in a discrete way to create natural images with a beautiful vintage feel, ones that have real retro-sparkle. She works creatively and gives you an alternative approach to capture your day with images to cherish for years to come.You’ll find more at http://www.amormoda.nl/

Cho Enio’s Perfectly Romantic April Showers Wedding in Kent

Cho and Enio’s knew exactly what kind of wedding they wanted – beautiful green landscape away from London where they both live,?small number of guests, and as many?individual touches as possible. Their special day was planned in only?five months and included a lot of DIY! The end result was soft, romantic, and truly personal.?It took Cho exacly 25 minutes to find her perfect wedding dress, the?bouquets came from the New Covent Garden Market and were?arranged by her friends, and the bride and the groom decorated the reception venue themselves on the morning of? the wedding! Even the rainy April came in handy for their romantic railway photos – all beautifully captured by Rebecca Douglas photography.Bride and Groom’s names: Cho, accountant?& Enio, teacherLength of engagement: 2 yearsWedding date: 29th April 2012Wedding ceremony: Tonbridge Castle, KentWedding reception:?The High Rock, Royal Tonbridge Wells, KentWedding photographer: Rebecca Douglas PhotograhpyWedding theme/colours:?all things?pink, white,?

If you are looking for photography that breaks away from tradition, captures emotion and tells the story of your day, then Rebecca Douglas might just be your girl! She shoots in a discrete way to create natural images with a beautiful vintage feel, ones that have real retro-sparkle. She works creatively and gives you an alternative approach to capture your day with images to cherish for years to come.You can see more at http://www.amormoda.nl/Bruidsjurken-c2/

Your Wedding “Pretty In Purple

Confetti Survey for 2012/2013 shows that purple is by far the most popular colour for British brides – and we agree it’s an excellent choice! From the beloved Cadbury purple, to deep majestic shades, and all the way to soft lilacs, it’s such a versatile colour for all your wedding decor! Here are our top choices for everything from invitations to candles – and Shop by Colourto find many more items you’ll just love for your purple wedding theme!Above, lasercut heart shaped place cards for glassesAbove, clockwise from top left: butterfly dreams table numbers | pinwheel poppy table numbers | purple carnival table numbers | expressions table numbersAbove, butterfly decorative cake sets in 5 coloursAbove, clockwise from top left: butterfly filigree lacy paper cupcake wrappers | expressions die cut sign label | flourish monogram?luminary mini candle wrap | elegant expressions hand fanAbove, mini organza bag with heart frame in 8 coloursAbove, clockwise from left: foil wrapped chocolate balls favour pack in 10 colours | oranza favour bag with drawstrings in 21 colours | wedding favour boxes with lids in 19 coloursAbove, ‘Just Married’ rock sweets pack in 3 coloursAbove, clockwise from top? left: laser expressions paper straw slides | fabric topiary tree table centrepiece in 8 colours | heart detail metal tealight holder in 11 colours            Above, diamante table gems mixed size pack in 18 coloursAbove, ‘Just Married’ metallic table confetti pack in 8 coloursAbove, clockwise from top left: butterfly wedding table plan kit in 4 colours?| purple grace invitation outer pack | fancy monogram ‘Thank You’ card | pinwheel poppy folding place card in 6 coloursAbove, elegant border wedding table numbers in 6 coloursAbove, clockwise from top left: garden wedding theme card in 5 colours | sweet silhouettes candy bag inserts in 10 colours | felt butterfly ring candle holders in 4 colours?| ‘Fall in Love’ coaster favour gift setAbove, heart shaped sand ceremony setAbove, clockwise from top left: sweet silhouettes wrap stickers in 10 colours?| swirl heart single use disposable cameras in 5 colours | wedding bubbles in 11 colours | mini filled tea light holder in 5 colours Above, personalised ring cushion with wedding date design in 21 coloursVisit our Inspiration pages for even more wonderful ideas!
You will find more informations about wedding at http://www.amormoda.fi/Morsiuspuvut-c2/

Much Ado About Wedding Marian Mike’s Globe Theatre Real Wedding by GM Photography

A traditional wedding in one of the most beloved yet unusual venues not just in London but in the UK – it was exactly what Marian and Michael were looking for! Keeping in theme with the colours and the Elizabethan décor with romantic candlelight, the couple and the guests had a most wonderful day,?charmingly captured by GM Photography.Bride and Groom: Marian, solicitor, and Michael, engineerLength of engagement: 18 monthsWedding date: 8 October 2011Wedding ceremony: St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church, Kensington, LondonWedding reception: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, LondonWedding photographer: Julian?at GM PhotographyWedding theme/colours: Colours – deep purple and white to fit with the décor at the Globe Theatre. Elizabethan / candlelit / romantic / magical themeWedding dress by: Madeline Garner New YorkFirst dance song: You Make It Easy by AirYour favourite wedding story: We spent three months looking at venues all over London, wanting something a little bit different to the standard hotel format. We looked at museums, country houses, galleries and even courthouses – but the moment we stepped inside the Globe, it was exactly what we were looking for after all those weeks – magical, romantic and unique – perfect!
If  you want to know more, you can look at http://www.amormoda.nl/Galajurken-c18/

10 Questions To Ask Before Buying Wedding Rings

I want you to get the best value for your money when planning your wedding and one of those significant purchases will be your wedding rings. Here’s a short check list of questions to help you with your initial wedding ring research!1. What’s my budget?You should hopefully have set something aside for your wedding rings, but your budget will largely depend on how much of a priority (over other wedding essentials) you feel your wedding rings are. Once a budget is set, it will likely dictate all other factors, such as the precious metal, weight & style. However, if you’re short for your dream ring, don’t be disheartened and read on as much can be done to get close to what you have always wanted.2. Which precious metal shall I choose?You might have already pre-decided this based upon matching your wedding ring with your engagement ring. However, there is no rule to say they must be the same metal, nor the same carat of gold. Metals can be mixed and will not ‘harm’ each other when worn together (although you might not like the slight difference in hue between 9ct & 18ct gold). Your traditional metal choices are gold, white gold or platinum, however also consider rose gold or palladium. The gents will like palladium for its similarity to platinum but without the price tag, and rose gold is seeing a significant and fashionable comeback.3. What styles are available?These days thanks to ever developing manufacturing techniques, all sorts of unique and beautiful styles are available. But remember you’ll hopefully being wearing these rings every day for the rest of your lives. My recommendation is to keep it simple. Plain wedding rings in either a traditional Court or D-style (rounded on top) or more contemporary Flats and Flat Courts (flat on top) cover the majority of core wedding ring styles. Thereafter you are free to ‘express yourself’ further by adding elements such as special finishes, engravings, diamonds and more. For those brides trying to match their wedding and engagement rings, make sure that you have a good chat with your jeweller for their recommendations, as they might be able to offer a suitable standard style without the expense of a bespoke ring.4. What about the weight of my ring?Most jewellers should offer their range of wedding rings in varying weights. Weight usually affects the height (known as ring depth) and the comfort of a wedding ring when worn. While you might like the idea of a weightier ring, something too chunky could be uncomfortable when you close your fingers together or lean on your hands. Again if you are trying to match your engagement ring, look for rings whose weight and therefore depth are close to the shoulder height of your engagement ring (either side of the center diamond mount).5. What’s my finger size?Measuring ones ring finger is more of an art than a science. While UK ring sizes follow a set formula (reading from A to Z+), measuring equipment can differ slightly between jewellers. Add to this different finger shapes, and how external temperatures can affect your ring size and you could get quite confused. If possible, check the size of your finger at different points on the same day to see if there is a fluctuation. Bear in mind that if you are buying in the summer and you’re having a Christmas wedding, your finger size might shrink in the cold. You might also loose a little weight prior to the wedding. The width of your chosen ring can also affect the size needed (as a general rule, allow a ? size extra for any rings over 6mm in width). A good tip is to order a small ring sizing tool in the form of a plastic belt. Most reputable online jewellers will post you one for free. Finally, always check your jeweller’s sizing policy. Some jewellers will include a free initial sizing or may charge a small fee to cover costs.            6. How do I match my engagement and wedding ring?If you’ve read this far then you’ll know about the various elements which pre-determine a good match between your engagement and wedding ring. If you’re reading this prior to choosing your engagement ring, then consider purchasing a special matching set of rings, made to fit together perfectly. If you’re the proud owner of a whacking great big diamond solitaire ring, then a tailor made option might be more suitable. If not and you need to find a match, remember to ask your jeweller for their recommendations and also if they can measure the depth of your current ring. Good online jewellers will happily advise you based upon emailed pictures of your engagement ring.7. Do I want to add an engraving?Engravings are a lovely way to subtly personalise your wedding ring. Many choose to have their partner’s name and the wedding date engraved on the inside of their ring. Most jewellers will offer an engraving service with a choice of styles (block text or script). Do bear in mind that once a ring is engraved, while it can be sized, you might have to pay for a re-engraving too.8. Can I add diamonds?Of course you can and many do! However, wedding rings will require a minimum depth (and therefore a certain weight) to ensure that diamonds will sit comfortably and safely without pinching the wearer’s skin or unexpectedly pop out of place. A hint of sparkle in your wedding ring can really set off your engagement ring when worn together, so do consider this option but discuss it with your jeweller first.9. Who should I trust to make my wedding ring?While you might see a large range of samples at your local jeweller, most wedding rings are made to order. Retailers will likely have the ring made by a local workshop or a large manufacturer. In either case, the responsibility on getting it right falls upon the vendor and not the manufacturer. Make sure that whoever you purchase your ring from is a member of the British Jeweller’s Association (BJA.org.uk). If you are buying online, you can also look for other trust marks such as ‘Assay Assured’ (assayassured.co.uk). If you buy your rings using a credit card you should also have some level of protection from your bank should anything go wrong.10. How should I approach negotiating the final price?Precious metal prices usually dictate the overall price of a wedding ring and can sometimes be outside the control of the jeweller. However the styling of a ring and the addition of diamonds and special finishes might offer more room to maneuver. Get a good idea of prices for plain wedding bands by looking around, especially online, where there are some superb deals to be had. It may be difficult to compare like-for-like as ring weights and finishes will vary from vendor to vendor. If you’re mathematically inclined, see if you can work out the price per gram of any certain ring. This can really help get a good idea on which jeweller is most competitively priced. Also once you’ve chosen your rings, if you’re slightly over budget, let your jeweller know, they might want to meet your price to close the deal.I hope that’s a helpful introduction to buying a wedding ring! My team at Bands of Love is here to help – please also visit Confetti’s Wedding Rings & Bridal Jewellery forum if you’d like to pose any questions for me, or leave a comment below!

 

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A pressing concern: how to preserve your wedding bouquet at home

After you’re married, what happens to your wedding bouquet? Do you give it to a bridesmaid or just accept that it will have to be thrown away? Wouldn’t it be better to keep your bouquet as a reminder of the happy day? Confetti looks at the modern trend of bouquet preservation and discovers your options and the costs involved.image courtesy of SurFeRGiRL30 from Flickr via Creative Commons.First establish a budget. If you’ve got several hundred pounds to spend or money is no object, then look out for our professional wedding bouquet-preservation article. Alternatively, if you want to preserve your bouquet but money is tight then your best bet is to do it yourself. The following are the most tried and tested approaches.Pressed FlowersFor those who don’t want to preserve the bouquet completely but would like some individual reminders in flat relief, the traditional book-pressing of flowers is a good option. Put each flower between some wax paper, sandwiched between the pages of a large book, and then stack heavy objects on top of it. This works best when just pressing a few flowers rather than the whole bouquet and is dependent on the size and kind of flowers you decide to press. Try not to use a book that is valuable as the pressing process may stain or ruin the pages. Change the wax paper regularly and leave to flatten and dry over six weeks. You could then mount these flowers yourself (perhaps in a small frame) or leave them in books of poetry or prose that have special significance. Total cost (for the wax paper and frame) around ￡10.

DIY DryingAnother flower-preservation option, and one that will work for the whole bouquet, is to dry them yourself. Unfortunately bouquets can loose their vibrancy and much of their colour this way. The technique involves fastening groups of flowers together with twine or string and then hanging in a well-ventilated area.?Firstly, separate the flowers from the ribbons, keepsakes and any other special items you may have put with your bouquet. The flowers should be hung upside down, out of direct sunlight and in an area where the air can freely circulate – preferably an area low in humidity. Separate large flowers and dry separately. Try to dry flower varieties in bunches together: all your daisies in one bundle, all your peonies in another. Strip the stems of any leaves as these will retain moisture and interrupt the drying process. Leave plenty of room between the flowers for the air to circulate, otherwise your flowers may rot or succumb to mildew. You may have to retie the bunches, as stems and bundles inevitably shrink as they dry. The drying process can take up to three or four weeks depending on ambient conditions. The result: brittle yet preserved flower specimens. You could then arrange carefully into a bouquet using the ribbons and keepsakes you separated earlier. Mount your bouquet on a plinth, topping it with a clear acrylic display cube. Total cost (for the acrylic display) ￡30.GlycerineThe glycerine method leaves bright and flexible flowers but the effect may appear artificial to some. Mix in a large tub one-part warm glycerine to two parts warm water (some recipes call for two parts glycerine to one-part warm water). Submerge only the freshest leaves, flowers and stems (make sure you crush the stem ends to encourage the solution to travel inside the flowers). Remove from the solution when the petals are supple and all signs of brittleness are gone.? Re-arrange into a bouquet. Total cost (for the glycerine and display) ￡20.

 

 

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What to Do When Your Venue

Despite all the attention to detail and stress that goes into wedding planning, certain things can go wrong on your big day that just won’t matter in the end. Maybe the flowers are the wrong color. Oh well – no one knows but you. Maybe the cake falls over. No problem – it makes a great story and tastes just as good. Or maybe your DJ plays Top 40 when all you asked for was old-school rhythm and blues. Who cares? Your beloved said  I do. But what if your beloved isn’t able to say  I do  because there is no venue at which to say it? In February, Travelers Insurance announced that more than 40 percent of all their wedding insurance claims filed during the past two years involved unforeseen problems with vendors, including venues that went out of business or experienced some other financial setback in the worsening economy.

And in Chicago, a fire at the wildly popular Holy Name Cathedral had a few late-winter-wedding couples scrambling for Plan B.Whether it’s due to an  Act of God  or because a business has gone bankrupt, when catastrophe strikes your ceremony or reception site, it most definitely matters.

Figuring out to handle it, logistically, is why it pays to hire a wedding planner. For Marina Alexandra Birch, owner and principal event designer for Birch Design Studio, Ltd. in Chicago, if a venue suddenly became  unavailable  for a wedding already booked there, the first step would obviously be to find a suitable alternative.  But the definition of ‘suitable’ changes drastically depending on the timing of this information,  says Birch. If she finds out months in advance (i.e. before the invitations are sent out), it’s simply a matter of finding an appropriate alternative. You might be a little disappointed if the initial space held personal meaning for you, but at least it will be easy for the rest of your vendors to adjust and your guests are none the wiser.Things get a little tougher if the change happens last minute, such as the actual day of the wedding. If the issue is the ceremony site, Birch’s first approach would be to host the ceremony at the reception site, as you know that venue is available. It’s likely you would already have a lot of décor on hand, such as fabric and flowers, which you could easily manipulate to create an intimate ceremony space. To keep the event running smoothly, Birch would station several of her staff at the original venue, ready to direct guests to the new one, or even arrange for transportation. As an added precaution, Birch also is ordained, just in case an emergency with the venue or the officiant were to arise and the  show  needed to go on. But this sort of thing is totally unforeseeable and really happens so rarely,  says Birch.  Except for in the case of outdoor weddings that necessitate an indoor or sheltered alternative for inclement weather, it isn’t cost-effective to have a plan B for your wedding ceremony and reception venues. That may be fine for a separate ceremony site, but what if your reception venue disappears day-of?

Moving a 100-plus person event to another space, complete with catering, dancing and décor, is next to impossible. It’s in these instances that wedding insurance sure comes in handy.One prominent provider, WedSafe, a division of AON insurance, offers 10 different levels of Event Cancellation/ Postponement insurance. Customers select the level based on the expected cost of their wedding.

According to Sharon Cohen, senior vice president, Level 3 ($25,000 of coverage) is the most popular selection and costs $235. This covers cancellation or postponement due to severe weather, unexpected illness, withdrawal of military leave or situations beyond your control, as well as provides reimbursement of non-refundable deposits due to bankrupt or no-show vendors.  We’re finding that this coverage is particularly interesting to couples based on the current economy,  says Cohen. In addition, Level 3 also covers lost or damaged photographs, jewelry, gifts or invitations.Timeframes for processing claims are highly dependent on the type of claim and how quickly the insured provides the necessary information. A customer who has reported a claim is contacted within one business day.

Once all necessary paperwork is received from the customer on a covered claim, payment is issued the following business day. If, for example, your venue disintegrates a week before your wedding, the circumstances would be reviewed and assuming it is a covered claim, WedSafe would reimburse your deposit so that you could reschedule with another venue or postpone your wedding. The insurance might also cover extra expenses associated with things like reprinting the invitations due to the change in venue or date change, up to the limits for the selected level. We recommend that couples buy the coverage as soon as they start putting down their deposits,  says Cohen.  Once a couple knows of a potential disaster, it’s too late to get the coverage. Being proactive is the best course of action.

 

 

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Small Plate Style

From Venetian cichetti to Mediterranean meze, Japanese izakaya to Spanish, French and American “tapas,” serving small plates of delectable tid-bits has taken the nation by storm. Get in on this latest foodie trend by hosting a wedding reception that forgoes the traditional dinner in favor of a few hours of heavy hors d’oeuvres. Whether you opt to have all the trays paraded around the room or combined with stations, your guests will love the chance to DIY their own tasting menu.But first you need to determine if serving a cascade of canapés is the right fit for your fête.Heavy hors d’oeuvres receptions do tend to be less formal, says Michele Stump, managing partner of Boston-based East Meets West Catering. For example, instead of assigned seating at dining tables, there would likely be a variety of tall and short cocktail tables and low chairs, couches or benches scattered around the room. As a result, guests are free to eat on their own timeline and typically move around and mingle more.Serving OptionsAs for the edibles themselves, be sure to provide both hot and cold items in a variety of colors and shapes that include a few protein choices as well as multiple options for vegetarians, says Bridget Pelster, a sales & catering manager for the St. Louis-based Butler’s Pantry. For couples on tight budgets, she recommends taking a lighter approach, such as offering different kinds of petite gourmet sandwiches and fresh fruit kebobs, in addition to a handful of hot appetizers. Just be sure you notify your guests on your wedding website or by word-of-mouth (not on the invitation) if the dinner won’t be substantial.However, if you still wish to provide a hearty meal, Pelster suggests mixing a DIY salad, ceviche, antipasto, mashed potato, pizza, pasta and/or risotto station in with plates of elegant nibbles like tuna Ni?oise on potato wafers, mini wild mushroom soufflés and seared Asian potstickers.In Boston, Stump’s clients are big fans of fun American favorites, like stations for sliders and mini-hot dogs, or passed hors d’oeuvres that present fun twists on regional favorites, such as mini-lobster rolls or soup spoons of deconstructed clam chowder. Carry that style into dessert with a cappuccino station and trays of cupcakes and ice cream cones.The options are as boundless as your imagination – and your budget. “In general, you should plan for five to 10 pieces per person for the first two hours, and five pieces per person for each additional hour,” says Stump. But pricing will vary widely depending on your venue and region, as well as what you serve and for how long.Either way, in a world of foodies, vegans and gluten intolerants, serving a wide variety of small plates will up your chances that every guest will go home happy and well-fed.

 

 

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