Wedding Help Northern Ireland: Planning & Advice

Wedding Help NI and a checklist in Northern Ireland, you are free to download the PDF for couples planning their big day, including some supplier ideas. Unfortunately, the checklist is not completely 100% finished as there is always something being added, so please come back to this page from time to time.

If you are a bride or groom in need of suppliers and vendors who have worked in the industry, please join my friends’ Facebook group, as there are over 4000 members. If you are supplier or vendor, you are free to join the group. I don't run the group.

Table Contents

• Things to Consider

• Planning

• First Dance

What happens at a Wedding Ceremony in Northern Ireland?

The ceremony is an important part of your day as it’s the marriage and can involve several things happening depending on where it is and what type of a ceremony it is, i.e. catholic, protestant or neither in a chapel, church or hotel, (there are more places you have your ceremony too) including readings, vows, singing, music, handfasting plus lots of other things too. You couldn't ask for better weather, but the proceedings were slightly behind schedule. The music commenced, and soon after, the bride arrived with her father. The ceremony was great fun, telling the story of how they met.

Ceremony in a Chapel and Church

Two examples of what happens in a catholic chapel and also a church. The chapel ceremony goes on for a little bit longer, depending on the priest, and is a bit stricter than a church ceremony. The church example below is interesting as it has two ministers, as one was training.

Consider these Vendors

So great you’ve decided to get married, what do you book first after your reception venue and the place you're having your ceremony in? Here are a few things to consider in no particular order

• Venue

  This most likely would have been one of the very first things to consider.

• Ceremony

  Are you having it in a church, chapel or having it in your reception, such as a hotel?

• A seamstress

• Alterations

• Cake

• Entertainment - band or/and DJ

• Flowers

• MUA

• Hairstylist

Surprise Wedding Dance

One popular trend that has taken the world by storm is the surprise dance. They are a joyous celebration of love and commitment. Bringing together family and friends to witness the union of two individuals. While traditional elements like vows, cake cutting, and first dances are an integral part of any day, couples nowadays are looking for unique and unforgettable ways to make their special day even more memorable. In this article, we will explore ideas and inspire you to create a surprise dance that will leave your guests in awe.

It’s a delightful twist that adds a touch of excitement and entertainment to the traditional reception. It typically involves the couple and sometimes their party or close family members performing a choreographed dance routine to a carefully selected medley of songs. The key to a successful surprise dance lies in the element of surprise itself. The dance should be unexpected and completely catch the guests off guard.

When planning, the first step is to choose the right song or song for your routine. Consider selecting a medley of songs that hold significance for you as a couple. This could include songs that remind you of memorable moments in your relationship or tracks that reflect your personality and interests. Mix in some upbeat, dance-worthy tunes to keep the energy high and get your guests on their feet. It's important to choose a combination of songs that flow well together and allow for different dance styles and tempos.

You'll want to decide on the style and theme of your surprise dance. Are you looking to wow your guests with a perfectly synchronised routine, or go for a more fun and casual vibe? Think about your comfort level and the amount of time you're willing to dedicate to practising. If you and your partner have little to no dance experience, opting for a simple routine with easy-to-follow steps might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you're a confident dancer or willing to take on a challenge, you can explore more intricate moves and lifts to impress your guests.

Routine: Consider incorporating a surprise element into your dance routine. This could involve unexpected costume changes, the sudden appearance of a flash mob, or even inviting select guests to join in the dance. These surprises will elevate the excitement and keep your audience engaged. Remember to rehearse these surprise elements thoroughly to ensure they go off without a hitch.

It's also worth considering the role of your party and close family members in your surprise dance. Including them not only adds more depth to the performance but also allows you to share the spotlight and create cherished memories together. Depending on your vision, you can involve them in the entire routine or incorporate moments where they join you on the dance floor.

Once you have the songs, style, and surprise elements sorted, it's time to start practising. Enlist a professional choreographer who can assist you in creating a dance routine that suits your abilities and captures the essence of your relationship. Practice regularly, ideally with your entire party or family members involved, to ensure everyone is in sync and comfortable with the routine.

On the big day, executing the surprise dance successfully relies on coordination and secrecy. Keep the details of your routine confidential, and make sure the music is cued at the right time. Work closely with your DJ or band to ensure a seamless transition from the traditional reception activities to the surprise dance performance.

Bride's Surprise Dance for the Groom A bride's surprise dance for the groom is a beautiful way to showcase your love, personality, and creativity while adding an element of surprise to your day. It creates a lasting impression on your guests, leaving them with a truly unforgettable experience. So, whether you're looking to bring tears of joy or laughter to your guests' faces, a well-executed surprise dance is sure to do the trick.

In conclusion, planning a surprise dance can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. By carefully selecting the right songs, deciding on a style and theme, incorporating surprise elements, and practising diligently, you can create a surprise dance that will amaze and entertain your guests. Remember, the key to a successful surprise dance is to keep it a secret. Avoid sharing any details with your guests or anyone who might accidentally spoil the surprise. This will ensure that the element of surprise remains intact and enhances the overall impact of your performance.

Additionally, don't forget to communicate and coordinate with your venue and vendors. Let them know about your surprise dance plan in advance so they can assist you with any necessary arrangements. For example, you might need to coordinate the lighting, sound, and even the positioning of tables and chairs to create an optimal space for your dance.

Furthermore, consider capturing your surprise dance on video. Hiring a professional or asking a trusted friend to record the performance will allow you to relive those special moments and share them with those who couldn't attend. You can also consider creating a highlight reel of your surprise dance to share on social media or include in your album.

Final thoughts Lastly, keep in mind that the surprise dance is not only about impressing your guests but also about expressing your love and enjoyment on your special day. Have fun with it, let loose, and embrace the joy of dancing together as a couple. Your enthusiasm and genuine emotions will shine through, making the surprise dance even more heartfelt and unforgettable. Thanks to First Dance Academy for the article, which is aimed at the Irish market but can be applied anywhere.

Plan Alternative Wedding Confetti

Need some confetti alternatives as you're getting married soon, and your venue has a no-wedding-confetti policy even outside? Read on. I always loved the confetti photos, so wondering if there is an alternative that I can do instead of using confetti. There is, indeed!

• Bubbles

  Note: bubbles can stain fabric

• Ribbon wands

• Sparklers

Still want that confetti photo?

Even though a venue might not allow confetti for whatever reason, what about a confetti photo when away and the bridal party pops over the bride and groom? Some venues won’t allow paper confetti but will allow it as long as it’s biodegradable.

Wedding To-Do List: Irish Planning

I have decided to join my To-Do List Ireland Irish page with my Northern Ireland page (this page) as the two cover the same topic. Above is a wedding to-do list in Ireland and information you might find useful for your big day.

Wedding Speech Planning Ideas

Some bride and groom speech ideas, as I’ve heard a few with varying degrees of success and info on a bride's speech at the top table during speeches.

Groom Speech and what to do

It is advisable to type your groom’s speech using bullet points and bold text to you can read it in case you get flustered and lose your place. If you can, don’t handwrite and scribble notes. When you look up at your guests, you may miss the place you left off, so headings and bullet points throughout.

Groom Speech and what NOT to do

I’ve heard a few people say they can drag on a bit as the groom takes out two A4 sheets of double-sided paper, so it's better, in my opinion, to keep it short and sweet. I’ve been to a couple where this has happened. Just as long as your guests aren’t sitting there waiting three hours for their food.

Help

If you are a Bride looking for some support with the groom’s speech, have a read through this. You may have a great paragraph for your parents, but have no idea what to write for his parents, who, unfortunately, may not be supportive in any way towards you both getting married and have not made you particularly welcome into his family since you’ve been together. The groom may not want to write a load of rubbish just to say something good about them.

Ideas

What about if you, the bride, don’t get on too well with the groom’s side? Thank them for being there today and raising their son, but don’t go over the top, as it’s best to just celebrate with us; we appreciate it. Just thank them for coming, tell them they look well and have a wonderful son and leave it at that.

Wedding Bride Speech Planning Ideas

There are a few questions you might have, like whether it is strange for a Bride's speech after or before the groom’s two-minute speech, which doesn’t sound long, but for some grooms, this is long.

Reasons to make a speech

Many years ago, you never heard the bride making a speech, but it’s not a big deal now. You might not want someone like a relative or friend under pressure, as you could be a calm and chilled type of person. You should do whatever you're happy with, as you're paying for it, so go for it if that's what you want to do. Some brides are excited, and some others think it’s nice. It’s your day, too, so do whatever you're comfortable with, but most importantly, have fun.

There are various reasons to make a speech, such as possibly your father has passed away, and you want him to be mentioned, so you still feel like he is a part of your big day. The same could be said about your mother, granny or another close relative. It is about your comfort zone. I have been before where the groom didn’t make a speech, only the bride, the bride’s father, the groom’s father and the best man. It’s not unusual at all.

I’ve heard before that a best man refused the position as he didn’t want to make a speech due to fear. Fear of making a speech in front of a crowd of people. In this case, I would make a small speech, something like I’ll make this short and sweet, literally one line. If you can’t do this, then maybe someone else can make the speech.

Reasons why not to make a speech

There is no reason why a bride should not make a speech in today’s society; why should three or four lads be the only ones to speak? I can’t think of a reason NOT to make a speech, and the reasons why you should far outweigh the reasons why not to.