Extra details for added sparkle on your big day

Unfortunately, some memories cannot be bought. For example, all the hugging and tears from Mum and Dad, the buzz of excitement and heady and surreal feeling from the constant refilling of your champagne glass.

However, there are some small things that you can add to your wedding day to make it more memorable and original.

For example, if you have decided to marry in a church, perhaps ask the bell ringers to let everyone in the community know that your big day has arrived. This will add some extra excitement to the day.

Furthermore, if you would prefer your guests to be a bit more musical when singing hymns, why not ask the church choir to join in the singing to boost the congregation.

Beautiful stationary always bodes well with guests and will often be kept as souvenirs afterwards. So why not try handmade stationary for your invites and menus at the reception?

It has been said that a chimney sweep will bring good luck to all newlyweds. If you don’t know any, check your local directory for contacts. However, a word of warning to the groom, the sweep is supposed to kiss the bride to bring her luck.

Although it is traditional to have flowers at the wedding, perhaps consider using balloons as well or instead of? Helium balloons in the colour of your bridesmaid’s dresses can have a great impact on the reception.

Considering that the transport to the reception can add a considerable amount of magic to the day, you could hire out a Rolls Royce or a sleek black Mercedes. Some come with a fully uniformed chauffeur, and even a bottle of champagne for the bride and groom to enjoy on the way to the reception. White wedding cars and vintage cars are also a popular choice.

Alternatively, if you are planning a country wedding, you could bowl along a country road in a horse drawn carriage.

Gifts to give to all those involved in the wedding are important also. The mothers of the bride and groom would have been very supportive and helpful in the stressful run-up to the wedding and would love to be surprised with a big bouquet of flowers or a gift as a thank you from the newlyweds. Bridesmaids’ would appreciate something small also; a piece of jewellery is traditional.

Music choice can have a great impact on the overall tone of the reception. There are many different preferences for music. Some would like a disco, to end the night on a high, and others feel this would be too loud and that a band or an Irish ceilidh might be the better way to go.

Go Continental and decorate each table with a bowl of coloured sugared almonds (bomboniere as they are formally known). They make a great going home gift for people if they are tied up in net and ribbons.

These extras will, of course, cost money and may not be an option if you are on a tight budget. However, that does not necessarily mean you cannot have any of them. Individually, they can each add a little extra sparkle to your wedding day, making it even more of a happy memory.