1. A wedding veil can transform the simplest dress into a stunning Bridal outfit. 

2. If you are having a wedding veil then you need to consider its colour, style, length, number of tiers and the material which it’s made from. 

3. Try lots of different styles and lengths of wedding veil in different fabrics to find the one that best compliments  your  outfit. 

4. Don’t  have a heavily patterned wedding veil with a very ornate dress as one will ‘fight’ with the other. 

5. Don’t have a wedding veil that cuts across detail at the back of the dress.  Let the Wedding veil finish below the decoration.  Silk tulle is sheer enough to allow decoration to show through. 

6. If you are petite, don’t  have a veil that swamps you such as a high bouffant veil. It will only make you look smaller 

7. Think of adding colour, eg. embroidery, to the veil to link in with your bridesmaids and/or bouquet. 

8. Remember the wedding veil is part of the bridal outfit, not something that is ‘plonked’ on your head as an after thought.   

9. If practical,  take your veil with you when you have your hair trial. Your hairdresser can help you decide where to place your veil and choose a suitable size comb.

10. If you are nervous of pressing your veil, ask the store where you bought it if they will  steam it a couple of days before the wedding. You can transport it home covered in a pillow case or duvet cover depending on its length. 

11. Don’t wear something because you think you should, wear what YOU want. 

12. Don’t  make a decision about whether to wear a Wedding veil or not until you have tried some on  with  your dress.  A long veil can create a wonderful ‘aura’ around you. 

13. Don’t  forget you can have a veil made to measure just as you can a dress.  You can have the exact length and decoration that YOU want. 

14. Your guests should say ‘YOU look stunning’ not ‘your outfit looks stunning’. 

15. You only wear a wedding veil once so make the most of it and enjoy it !!

    Copyright  Ann Guise 2004 www.annguise.com

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Most of us have heard at least one best man’s speech that has made us wince with embarrassment. Sam and Emily have been examining exactly why some speeches are so appallingly cringey.

Don’t:

Make it too long. We reckon 7 minutes is maximum.
 
Tell inappropriate stories regarding past lovers - in fact, do not even mention them

Tell inappropriate stories regarding any happenings on the stag night

Talk about illegal substances or use swear words

Forget to compliment the bride

Tell mother-in-law jokes

Drink too much before you make your speech as you will probably do all of the above

Remember, you are likely to be addressing an audience of all ages. What the speech needs to be is entertaining, affectionate, funny, and maybe a little bit moving. It pays to do your research properly....

Once you have agreed to speak, start thinking about what you want to say. If you have had a long friendship with the groom, you will probably have many stories from which to draw from. Just bear in mind the above ‘do nots’, and do not go into too much detail, as you’ll lose your audience half way through. It is probably best not to include more that one anecdote or reminiscence as you’ll be talking about characters that half of your audience has never met!

Speak to the groom’s friends and family and ask them for any funny tales of him as a child / adolescent that might be good in a speech. What is he known for? Any strange quirks in his personality? (lovable ones obviously!)

Find out who else is making a speech and what the bride and groom will want you to say in yours, regarding thanking people.

Think about the structure - can you break it down into manageable chunks?

To make it funny, you will undoubtably be including friendly digs at the bridegroom. But it should also include the same amount of complimentary remarks! Don’t be nasty. People won’t laugh.

It doesn’t matter if you feel you need to read the speech out but make sure you look up at the audience frequently. As with anything, the more you rehearse, the better it will be. Practice in front of friends, video yourself if you must!

Speak loudly and slowly and listen to the audience. After a joke or anecdote,  wait until they have finished laughing, to speak again.

The final section of the speech is what people will the remember the most so think about your conclusion carefully. You want to end with a flourish. It could be a toast and that also signals that your bit is over.


Good Luck!

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