A quick blog to update you on the music that’s been chosen by Catherine Middleton and her Prince William.

The pair have opted for two choirs, an orchestra and a fanfare. Nice hey! So, what do you think? Will you take inspiration and go for a similar musical setup at your wedding?

Do let us know on the comments below.

And don’t forget you can keep fully abreast of the wedding plans on the official royal website here.

So it seems there’s a new competitor in the wedding planning world… Google!

It was announced today that the internet giant has announced a new wedding planning portal for brides (and grooms to be!). You can visit the site here, I particularly like the fact that couples can create their own wedding website and mail it out to all of their guests, what an easy way to send information out to them!

It looks like its going to be a great resource for happy couples, especially the function that allows you to plan your photos!

If you plan on using it let us know what you think!

Had an absolutely joyous weekend planning a wedding for the delightful Jade and Nick (pictured) at Cheshire’s Mottram Hall

We started working with the couple in late 2009; their venue was booked but they hadn’t been able to arrange any of the other aspects. It was at this point that we developed a couple of themes; either a shocking pink oriental-esque theme based on orchids or a ‘Roman Empire’ theme with hints of creams and golds.

After much debate, the bride and groom chose the shocking pink theme. We started off by visiting fabric shops and florists to pick out the right colours that we wanted for the big day, and orchids which would complement it perfectly. We then chose the entertainment (a saxophonist for the drinks reception and a DJ for the evening – both suppliers we have worked with many a time and they’re affordable and ace!)

Then we went through a process of getting some bespoke stationery made; the typeface was our chosen pink colour and each aspect (including menus, invitations and the order of service) had our chosen orchid printed on them. Moving on a couple of months and we chose some stunning centrepieces which were designed using tall vases, pink gel balls and orchid flower arrangements on the top (very grand!) – we also used our favourite lighting supplier to create a shocking pink ambience around the perimeter of the room.

Our bride looked beautiful, as did her surrounding bridesmaids, all of whom were styled by our favourite makeup artist and hair stylist Rachael Bottomley.

The organisation since that initial meeting was a joy for thegreatestday and it was a pleasure working with such a fantastic couple. What started as a great working relationship culminated in a wedding that we’re extremely proud of!

To take a look at the pictures from this spectacular wedding click here!

As great as they are for wedding and event inspiration, don’t you find that programmes like Four Weddings and big wedding articles in OK Magazine just make you envious? Whether it was David Walliams’ rooftop pool synchronised swimmers or the Beckhams’ thrones, you’re probably looking for an equally unique way to make your day standout..?

Recently we’ve been tasked doing this through finding lots of unique kinds of entertainments. One of the best companies we’ve come across is Spinoff, a company we’d thoroughly recommend to any bride, groom, or anyone organising an event for that matter!

They’ve recently updated their website and on there you can look at the whole range of services they offer; from fire performers to glow performers to stilt walkers we think their website is a great place to start looking for entertainment with a difference!

If you like the look of Spinoff get in touch. Or if you want anymore ideas about unique ideas for your wedding or event, drop me a line!

I’ve been glued to the online coverage of Sweden’s Royal wedding this afternoon as the beautiful Crown Princess Victoria married Daniel Westling at a cathedral in Stockholm.

Inevitably the reports so far have been of a lavish affair, with carriages, brass bands and a stunning duchess silk satin dress. No doubt if you’ve read the reports then you too are dreaming about a wedding just like it…

With that in mind, here are my top tips on how to steal her style and emulate Crown Princess Victoria’s day (even on a fraction of the budget!)

The dress:

You can just about see in the picture above (one of the first images to be released of the wedding) that the dress is cream-coloured with short sleeves and  a rounded neckline and v-shaped back. Finishing touches include a five metre train and a silk sash to the waist.

I can’t begin to imagine how much a dress like this would have cost but luckily similar vintage options feature in many current collections; Maggie Sottero’s Casablanca dress is a similar style, as is Caroline Castigliano’s Electra. Ian Stuart’s ‘Storybook’ collection also features similar designs.

If you still can’t find what you’re after you can source the material yourself and speak to a local tailor to get something made according to your budget.

The accessories:

Princess Victoria’s shoes are made out of the same duchess silk satin as her dress. If this is something you want to achieve (on a more sensible budget) then get in touch with a company like Emmy whose custom made creations are out of this world! The designer’s credence is supported by regular collaborations with Jenny Packham too!

Then there’s her absolutely stunning vintage veil! For a similar design check out US based Helene Bridal.

The flowers:

One of the main flowers in Princess Victoria’s bouquet is the Lily of the Valley, a flower that although popular amongst European brides can be quite expensive. For an affordable alternative why not look into something like classic lillies or white gladiolus. As always though, check what’s in season and that will help reduce the cost.

The transport:

An open carriage took the couple through Stockholm so that the masses of people waiting near to the royal palace could get a quick glimpse of them. If this is something you want at your wedding contact the Wedding Carriage Company or for a full directory of companies offering this service click here.

The music:

At the wedding service the couple had a great mix of entertainment. There was a flute, string quartet and a choir! If you want a similar musical backdrop to your service there are plenty of great musical groups available , but if you want to try and do it on a budget why not speak to your local music school (like Manchester’s Chetham’s School of Music) to see if you can get some students to play on your day instead.

So there you go! We’ll update the blog as and when we hear more about the wedding! In the meantime we’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to leave a comment below or drop me a line if you want any advice on planning your royal wedding!

One final thought… Doesn’t her groom look exceptionally handsome too..!

For a nosey at all of the wedding photos have a look at the Sky News gallery here.

So the story in today’s press about Katie Price/Jordan panicking over her guest list (or lack of it) might well be tabloid fabrication, but it did get me thinking about the numbers games us brides play.

So many couples obsess over the list, the politics, inviting exes, work colleagues – even adding mere acquaintances to make up the numbers (as the press are alledging in the case of Jordan!) but when it boils down to it it really does not matter as long as the faces you see on the day are the faces of people you know you’ll still be friends with in years to come.

My top tips for your guest list are:

1) The golden rule and title of this blog – its about the quality of your relationships with these people. Not the quantity

2) Its YOUR wedding. Your immediate families will no doubt be relentless when it comes to adding names onto the list but when it boils down to it it remains the choice of the couple getting married. Indeed its tricky if the parents or another relative are paying but you still have the grounds to politely make the final decisions

3) Partners..! Often a tricky subject. Your bridesmaid might have just got a new fella and suddenly wants to bring him along… Again this is YOUR decision but I’d advise against it particularly as he’ll be so lonely that your bridesmaid will be too busy keeping him company than enjoying your day. I often recommend a blanket rule; if couples are living together, married or have kids they come to the wedding together, of not its your discretion. That may sound harsh but just remember how much it costs to feed and water people on your big day!

4)  Consistency… If you invite one cousin its probably fair that you invite them all. If you invite one person in your department at work to the evening do, its probably fair again that you invite them all. Consider these things carefully, you dont want the politics of dealing with a left out colleague when your wedding is looming. Make life easier for yourself with blanket rules.

5) Be organised. Make sure you know exactly who’s on the guest list, their addresses, whether they’re with the ‘bride’ or ‘groom’. Manage their RSVPs so your numbers are just right. Still struggling?  Try an online guest list management tool like this or drop me a line; thegreatestday will happilly manage this element of your wedding for you – and at an affordable rate!

Went to see the newly relaunched Bijou in Marple Bridge, Stockport the other day.

You might know it in its former guise as Pineapple , a long standing shop on Marple Bridge’s Town Street.

Their work is absolutely stunning. The team there, headed up by a lovely lady called Gill, really do know their stuff.  The vibrancy of their arrangements, particularly bridal bouquets, is absolutely stunning. They also have a real nack of choosing complementary foliage to just finish off a bouquet and I can’t recommend their work highly enough.

As I mentioned earlier in the post they’ve recently relaunched and are now called Bijou. The shop’s had quite and overhaul and the front part features some amazing gifts; birdcages, vintage clocks, vintage ornaments, I think that they might even inspire some of our brides who are struggling for centrepiece ideas!

Anyway, if you’re in the Stockport area and are still looking for your florist, drop me a line and I can put you in touch with the team.

Whilst Hollywood’s waking up to an Oscar’s hangover brides to be should take advantage of their parade of stunning couture and take from it some sartorial inspiration for their weddings.

From JLo’s stunning detail (and Amanda Seyfried’s similar creation) to Cameron’s encrusted full skirt to Sarah Jessica Parker’s contemporary neck detailing, there was an array of dresses on show last night that may help any bride determine their style.

I’d recommend brides to be to scour the showbiz websites this morning and make the most of the inspiration on offer. There are plenty of high street equivilents; if Cameron’s dress caught your eye have a look at Suzanne Neville’s Royal Collection, similarly Suzanne Neville’s Bourgeois Collection features silmiarly detailed dresses as Amanda Seyfried’s red carpet dress by Armani. Meanwhile if Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock’s modern gown caught your eye take a look at Caroline Castigliano’s ‘Indulgence’ Collection or the stunning Jenny Packham Collection - her Allegra style is very similar to Sandra’s actual dress!

It’s also a great source of ideas for your bridesmaid dresses, particularly if you’re getting them made. Check out Dessy for styles similar to those sported last night by Penelope Cruz, George Clooney’s girlfriend or who could forget the beautiful grey number sported by the Academy’s first ever female ‘Best Director’ winner Kathryn Bigelow.

And if you want help with any bridal retailers or advice on styling yourself and your wedding, drop me a line.

Just got back from an amazing day at the stunning Gorton Monastery.

Having been deconsecrated, the Grade II listed Monastery is now a charity and funds itself through donations. Recently it was granted a civil license in order that all weddings can be held here.

It is stunning, unbelievably beautiful, the most striking feature being the intact alter in the room where wedding breakfasts and ceremonies take place. I’m actually stunned that Manchester has this amazing little venue tucked away in the streets that are probably most associated with being home to the Shameless set, but its just breathtaking.

Upon arrival the Monastery’s gothic architecture immediately strikes you. A small entrance leads to ample car parking in the foregrounds with Chapel gardens, perfect for summer wedding drinks, nestled away behind high walls, giving wonderful photo opportunities.

Inside, long walkways are made light by whitewashed walls and superb stained glass windows. The long corridor leads to the original church building which houses the aforementioned alter. When we visited today the room was uplit using orange uplighters and looked absolutely stunning (to see what we mean, have a look at our photo album from the visit). This room, thanks to the deconsecrating, can host any wedding, even civil partnerships, giving less religious couples the chance to let traditional church themes play a small role in their big day. This room can host large weddings and would be ideal for anybody with 70 guests or more. Moving upstairs, there’s a smaller chapel perfect for smaller ceremonies of upto 50 guests.

The Monastery has its own preferred caterers Chapman Holmes who can tailor menus to any couples taste. I hope to have price lists from both them and the Monastery soon at which point I’ll update this blog to help give you guideline costs. Today I met their director Sue Elmore, pleasant, lovely and helpful I imagine she and her team would be an excellent pair of hands for any wedding.

The downsides? Well, anyone with preconceptions of Gorton may have an issue, but it is honestly beautiful and the location if anything makes the venue more accessible than most. It’s also just a couple of miles from Manchester City Centre, meaning that anyone wishing to can stay in the City’s ample offering of hotels.

Our rating:

Appearance: 8/10

Photo opportunities: 9/10

Food and drink: TBC unfortunately as the Monastery uses caterers we were unable to sample their delights on this occasion…

Overall: 17/20

For more information drop us a line.

Valentine’s Day this weekend then – what better a time is there to show your loved one exactly how you feel, particularly if it’s your first one as a married couple (or maybe your last one before you get married!)

I know that there’s a lot of cynicism about the commercial aspect of Valentine’s Day, but why not have a day where we can just remind eachother how we feel. It’s not all about the money; there are plenty of ways to show your loved one how much they mean this Valentine’s Day.

Here are our top tips on making it special and celebrating your romance;

1) A simple wake up call: On Sunday morning, make the first thing you say a heartfelt few words for your loved one. Whether it’s a simple “I love you” or a “Morning beautiful” just start the day off thinking about how you feel – and why you feel that way!

2) Write your own poem. Forget the works of Hallmark, write your own love poem in a handmade card that’s pertinent to you and your loved one. If you’re not feeling that creative call in the services of our fave writers at I Want A Poem

3) Spend some time in the kitchen: make a nice meal together (check the BBC for some great recipes). Perhaps one of you cook the starter and the other the main, make it a treat for your loved one by putting love heart shaped food on the plate or a little note rolled up in the napkin

4) Music maestro! Have an iTunes or Spotfiy playlist ready to listen to over dinner, all of the songs that mean everything to you and your partner

5) Capture the moment: Get your favourite photo of you and your partner printed off and framed as a present. Maybe it’s the first ever photo of you together? A photo of you on your favourite holiday, maybe even a scenic photo of the place you got engaged?

And a little reminder to all of our brides to be… Put the stress of the wedding planning aside for the day and just enjoy the company of your fiancé! Have a great weekend x