Advent Calendar 2016 - all the links, offers and tips are here!

I hope you enjoyed Creating Ceremony’s Christmas Countdown for Cool-Cat Couples advent calendar. A mahoosive THANK YOU to all my wedding supplier chums who came to hide behind each door with a festive surprise, tip or offer for you.

Lots of people had problems seeing the advent calendar on their devices, so I’ve compiled a list of all the doors for you to see here. No way near as fun as finding the right number and seeing what’s inside of course, but still access to the wisdom of many wedding sages – as well as some money savers too.

So here goes:

Day 1

Featuring me in a very silly hat indeed, telling you what all this malarkey is about…

Here’s the poem, in case you’re somewhere you can’t have the sound up:

This advent, don’t leave it just
For kids to have fun – it is a must
To join right in with all things seasonal
So an advent calendar seems reasonable.

This one’s for you if you’re getting wed
Next year, the one after – or just in your head
Every day there’ll be a funny,
Or a tip or something to save you money
From me and my wedding supplier pals
– we’re dedicated guys and gals
For your wedding we’ll do our best
To make it better than all the rest
But right now please don’t get restive
It’s December 1st so let’s be festive.
I intend to do just that
By wearing this fantastic hat.

www.creatingceremony.com/weddings

Day 2

These gorgeously festive holly earrings were made by the mega talented Carron Dymond of Dymond Jewellery. Carron also makes bridal jewellery, from remodelling sentimental jewellery into newly made forever rings, to new bespoke or traditional wedding bands and other sparklies for your big day.
Carron is doing us a special advent calendar offer of 10% off of any bridal jewellery order placed for a wedding that takes place before the end of 2017 and is being conducted by Creating Ceremony.
Check out Carron’s website here: http://dymondjewellery.co.uk/bridal/
I wrote a blog post about Carron and her work here.
And if you’ve fallen in love with those earrings, you’d better move fast if you want them before Christmas! They’re £24 plus p&p, made from silver and Swarovski pearls and available to order until 11th Dec. Give Carron a call on 07958 166468.

Day 3

Singing ‘Santa Baby’ for us today is the effervescent force of nature that is Dawn Gracie.

If you’re looking for some alternative entertainment for your wedding, hen do or other event, Dawn’s your one-woman singing jukebox, loaded with 50s and 60s songs and bags and bags of personality and fun. If you mention this advent calendar, she’s also promised to do you a bespoke deal!

Check out Dawn’s website at http://dawnsvintagedo.com/what-i-do/vintage-entertainment/

And if you like things a little saucier, ask her about her burlesque offerings too – they could make for a very memorable hen party…

Also – you can see this Santa (THE Santa, obvs…) at the Guildbourne Centre in Worthing from now until 15th December – have you been good boys and girls???? https://www.facebook.com/events/1672686439690134/

Day 4

Sick of unflattering Christmas party pics? Dread the same thing happening at your wedding? Fab photographer Jenny Rutterford has a top tip for you: create angles with your body. Here’s what she says:

“Whether you’re slim or curvy, bringing your arms away from your body will create a more flattering photo. Simply turn your body 45 degrees from the camera and place one or both hands on your hips, or hold your bouquet or clutch with elbows slightly out. And for extra points, put your weight on your back foot and bend your front leg. It may feel exaggerated, but the camera will love it!”

So go out and wow them at the office party this year – and see it as a dress rehearsal for your big day picture posing! And if you want further practice, Jenny includes a free engagement shoot with all full day wedding packages to help you feel more confident in your wedding photos. Check out her website at http://www.jennyrutterford.com/

Day 5

Today’s treat is from the lovely Jana at Mode Bridal in Hove. She has put together 7 top tips on how to shop a wedding dress sample sale, just for our little calendar – thanks Jana! You can read her tips here.

Mode Bridal are holding their own sample sale starting on 2nd January. Jana is also giving an amazing promotion exclusively to us – Mode will be giving away FREE Veil* worth £120 with every purchase of a full price dress made in December 2016 and January 2017 when you mention www.creatingceremony.com. For full details, click here.

Day 6

The first five people to like and share today’s advent calendar post and PM me on my Creating Ceremony facebook page with their postal address will be sent the awesome Doily Days Gold Edition magazine plus a copy of issue 8 as well – a prize worth around £6!

The Doily Days magazine is one seriously stylish addition to any coffee table – you’ll get cool points just for having it in your house.

For more about Doily Days, visit their website at www.doilydays.co.uk or find them all over social media. You’ll be glad you did!

Day 7

Today we’re teaming up with the lovely Holly from Perfect Settings, who have offered Creating Ceremony advent calendar followers 10% off sign bookings for 2017!

For more information about Perfect Settings, check out their website at http://perfectsettings.co.uk/

Day 8

Today’s fab tip comes from the lovely Charlotte at Best Day Ever Wedding Planning.

If you’re on a teeny phone you might not be able to read it, so here’s her message (I love her for making it rhyme):

As Christmas is just around the corner
(And my favourite time of year!)
I would like to share an important tip
For planning – so let me be clear.
Get guests giggling with fun and games
Before alcohol gets into their veins.
So much choice awaits you
At every step and turn
But entertainment is an aspect of planning
You will not want to overturn.
Magicians, lawn games and even photo booths
Have all passed the test
So now you know entertainment is key
You can be less stressed!

Happy planning and Merry Christmas love from Charlotte.

www.bestdayeverweddingplanning.co.uk

Day 9

Today’s treat is a top tip from Miss Whippy herself – the gorgeous Georgia of Pink’s Vintage Ice Cream Vans and Tricycles:

“If you are planning your wedding you will know how important it is to stick to that budget no matter how big or small it is. Our advice would be to look at what it is that is REALLY important to you. Whether that be garden games, photo booths, extra accommodation for your guests or of course ice creams!

Find out more about how we can help you celebrate on your special day at: www.pinks-vintage-icecream.co.uk

Merry Christmas from Pinks!”

Day 10

Today we have a double treat – 2 tips AND and amazing offer from the force-of-nature and all-round amazing wedding planner, Bev Seal from Panda and Owl Weddings.

Do watch the video Bev has made for us – there is some real been-there-helped-with-that wisdom in there. Also, Bev has made an amazing offer of a FREE 1 hour consultation with her in January or February 2017 (and what this lady doesn’t know about weddings really isn’t worth knowing, so you’ll have an hour’s access to ALL her know-how), when you mention the Creating Ceremony Advent Calendar. Check out her website at http://www.pandaandowl.co.uk/ and make your appointment today!

Day 11

Some gorgeous wintery themed pictures today – a visual tip from the super talented Amanda of Hire Your Day.

As a Christmas treat, Amanda is offering you lovely advent calendar opening couples a whopping 15% off her services if you’re a new enquiry and you quote ‘ADVENT’ – thanks so much Amanda!

Do go and check out the site – there’s loads of inspiration to be had and Amanda’s just a phone call away! http://www.hireyourday.com/

Day 12

Today’s Christmas countdown treat for you cool-cat couples comes from the wonderful Illy of Illy Elizabeth Weddings. Here’s her message to you:

Illy Elizabeth Weddings are offering 10% off any new bookings before January 2017! We offer full, partial and on-the-day coordination packages to suit you and your style.
We’d like to wish you all a very festive Christmas and Happy New Year!

Check out Illy’s website at http://illyelizabethweddings.com/.

Day 13

These gorgeously festive pics come from a recent Christmassy ‘do’ at the new and fabulous woodland venue near Pulborough, Two Woods Estate. Two Woods is fast becoming the ‘go-to’ venue for cool-cat woodland weddings – go and check it out if you fancy walking down an imposing aisle of redwoods to a magical ceremony under the trees… https://www.facebook.com/Twowoodsestate/

Day 14

If you’re looking at this advent calendar, you’re probably looking for quirky options to make your wedding different from the standard ho-hum stuff you see at everyone else’s nuptials.

Well, if you’re looking for quirky chair covers, look no further. These ones are lovingly handmade by the gorgeous Marsha of Quirky Covers. Check out her website at www.quirkycovers.co.uk and say hello to her on facebook at www.facebook.com/quirkycovershire.

Day 15

In today’s video, I’m talking about the amazing work of the charity Safe in Sussex and all the fabulous work they do for women who are in or who have been in abusive relationships. Find out more about their work and donate at http://safeinsussex.org.uk/ Or to make your donation by SMS, text SISW01 £1/£3/£5/£10 to 70070.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a kooky Christmas hat to hand this time… #sorrynotsorry

Day 16

These gorgeous guys are (left to right) Marc, Sam and Chris from the Little Wooden Bar Co., who will not only provide your wedding with delicious drinkies but will also be generally lovely chaps to have around as they’re super fun and smiley.

Here’s their festive tip for you: “This Christmas we’re skipping the wine and going straight for a nice hot mug of Mulled Cider. Take your favourite and add an orange, a few cloves, a couple sticks of cinnamon and a helping of sloe gin to keep you warm and merry this Christmas.”

Yum! Don’t mind if I do! Thanks guys!

Check them out at www.thelittlewoodenbar.co.uk.

Day 17

Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree! Well, Viv from Lambert’s White Dove Release does the dove bit anyway…

Watch Viv tell you all about her doves and the amazing 10% off that Creating Ceremony advent calendar viewers get. I know some people are uneasy about using doves for ethical reasons but I can tell you that Viv cares for her doves like they’re her children and they are totally free to come and go as they please, so please don’t be worried about them. You can find out more about Lambert’s Dove Release here: www.facebook.com/LambertsWhiteDovesBrighton.

Also, if you’d like to see the doves in action, Viv and I will be holding a New Year Dove Release on 1st January at 1pm on Devil’s Dyke. Come and set your intention for 2017 and let one of her beautiful doves make it take flight. For more information, click here.

Day 18

Now for something completely different! The lovely Helen from Accounts Assured has this message for us today:

“Budgets aren’t always boring, with festive wishes from Accounts Assured this free wedding budget planner can help you plan your big day.”

Thanks Helen! To download Helen’s awesomely useful budget planner tool, click here.

And for more info about Accounts Assured, visit Helen’s website at www.accountsassured.co.uk.

Day 19

Today’s offering is a little pause for thought from Sara at To Have and to Hire:

“Christmas is not about gifts and toys
It’s the time when people rejoice
Christmas is not about food and drinks
It’s not about this world as everybody thinks.
Christmas is about everlasting love.
We would like to wish all our clients suppliers and friends a very merry
Christmas.

Don’t forget to check us out on www.tohaveandtohireweddings.com and remember
if you receive a quotation from another company, give us a call and we will
aim to match it or beat it!

Thank you Sara!

Day 20

Today’s treat is some Christmas catering wisdom from the very capable Becky Cook of The Garden Chef.

What Becky doesn’t know about creating amazing food isn’t really worth knowing – and her food is not only delicious but stonkingly beautiful too. Today she gives us tips about making Christmas food but still being able to enjoy Christmas without being chained to the kitchen.

To check out Becky’s tips click here.

And check out her website here: www.thegardenchef.net

Day 21

I’m super excited about today’s door as we have a fab giveaway from the awesome Miss Millar’s Marvellous Mallows. I SO adore these yummy pillows of gorgeousness and they make lovely wedding favours, as well as amazing Christmas presents.

So to get your hands on some yummy mallows of your very own, you need to share this video/advent calendar link, plus Miss Millar’s Facebook page and Creating Ceremony’s page and you may just find some loveliness coming through your letterbox very soon.

Day 22

Tip of the day from the award winning style experts at Not Your Average I Do – the hot trend for 2017 is to reflect your personality at the altar. The day is all about you as a couple after all!

What better way to do this than by creating your altar using a beautiful wooden arch and decorating it to reflect your personalities? Why not try draping in gorgeous different fabrics, beautiful floral displays, foliage arches or even add a bit of sparkle by using fairy lights?

For more inspiration please go to our website: www.notyouraverageido.com

To hire our beautiful new silver birch wedding arch and get a 10% discount please contact us at kelly@notyouraverageido.com and quote ADVENT ARCH.

Day 23

This gorgeous Christmassy weddingy picture (by Velvet Storm) just about sums up what this whole advent calendar has been about! It was taken in front of the Christmas tree at the most stunning new wedding venue, Little Thakeham.

When I attended a suppliers’ evening there recently, there was a huge log fire roaring, balconies above the main room, a harpist playing in the corner… it was the stuff of wintery wedding dreams (although I’m sure it’s just as gorgeous in the summer months of course!)

Check out the Little Thakeham website on www.littlethakehamweddings.com or their Facebook page here and prepare to be blown away.