Let Kingswood People help you plan the wedding of your dreams

Planning a wedding? It can be a huge and daunting task - from finding the right dress, venue, car, invitations and flowers, to the entertainment, photographer and videographer,you'll need the honeymoon to recover!

Luckily you don't have to go too far afield to find wedding suppliers and services as we are well catered for in the Kingswood area. And let us know of any you recommend.

WEDDING PLANNER

If the whole prospect is overwhelming, you could hire a wedding planner.

Elaine Dick, of Kingswood firm Always & Forever Weddings, says it can take over 250 hours to plan a wedding so with busy schedules, more and more couples are turning to the professionals for help with initial planning and budgeting, sorting out a venue and invitations, a theme, transport, food and drink and entertainment and photography and advice on wedding etiquette.

Sherrie Hicks, who runs Hanham wedding services firm Aisle Be Yours, is offering a 10 per cent discount to Kingswood People on any of their services.

They do everything from laying up the tables, arranging favours, placecards, confetti, table plans and balloons to setting up your cake.

Says Sherrie: "We design and make the majority our products and can therefore tailor them to your requirements.

"We have everything involved in venue decoration, from fish bowls to fairy lights, bows to balloons, and can advise you on style, colours and themes."

You can hire items from them and they have an in-house florist who does real and silk flowers.

THE DRESS

Head to Silver Bridal in Downend Road, Kingswood, for a wonderful selection of gowns and accessories. They will be having a ladies' night on Thursday, September 16 to show off their new underwear garments (as seen on TV's How To Look Good Naked) which help you drop at least two dress sizes.

There's also Charisma on the Kingsway. Above the hairdressing salon of the same name you'll find stunning bridal wear and formal wear.

VENUES

The Hayfields at Cossham Street, Mangotsfield, home to Cleve Rugby Club, is the only venue in the Kingswood area that's licensed for civil weddings. They have a professional personal wedding co-ordinator to give you a tailor-made package.

For the reception there's also Centurys Club in Two Mile Hill Road which has the George Suite and the Samuel Suite to choose from. And at Shortwood Lodge Golf Club you have the choice of the Shortwood Suite or The Blue Room for wedding receptions.

Hanham Community Centre has two function suites, each with their own private bar and stage area. The Elbrow Suite can hold 200 people and the smaller Wessex Suite holds 120.

You can also hire Kingswood Community Association for receptions or Lincombe Barn at Downend.

We've also heard of somone who had a marvellous wedding reception at Italian restaurant Bottelinos at Emersons Green.

And if you fancy pushing the boat out, how about a hiring a marquee in the romantic grounds of Hanham Court, which is right next to St George's Church. Could there be a more romantic setting?

TRANSPORT

To arrive at your wedding in style there'sEngland's Finest Wedding Cars, based in Oldland Common, while Drive-U, based in Kingswood, offer luxury Panther De Ville and silver Mercedes cars for weddings.

BALLOONS AND FAVOURS, ETC

The brilliant Party FX in Kingswood work wonders with balloons! From table arrangements to balloon sculptures, trees, pillars and arches, they can meet you exact requirements. They can also supply favours, ribbons and bows.

RINGS

For your enagagement and wedding rings, Kingswood firm Zahringer has been serving the town since the 19th century. There's also a branch of David Christophers in Kings Chase.

PHOTOGRAPHY

There are several photographers in Kingswood who specialise in weddings, including Hannah Timm Photography, James Nicholas Photography, and Tony Curtis Photography.

VIDEOGRAPHER

To capture all the special moments of the day, we've heard good things about award-winning Adam Huckle, based in Downend.

FLOWERS

Rose Harris in Two Mile Hill Road, Kingswood, do beautiful wedding flowers as do Petals in Moravian Road where hand-tied bouquets start from £45.

THE CAKE

If you don't fancy traditional wedding cakes how about a tower of cupcakes, piled high on several tiers? Vogue magazine rate luxury homemade cupcake firm Yummy Days, based in Oldland Common.

INVITATIONS

Give MPS Printing in Kingswood a call for your stationery needs.

HONEYMOON

You will need a relaxing break after all that planning! Particularly helpful travel agents are First Choice in Hanham. First Choice's top honeymoon destinations include Ibiza, Cyprus, Greece and Malta, while favourite further-flung destinations include the Dominican Republic, the Maldives and Sri Lanka and Mexico.

ENTERTAINMENT

A close-up magician adds a magical touch to a wedding.

David Willmott, from Downend, is hailed as one of the UK's best.

And Messa Soul are a six-piece function band, based in Longwell Green, who perform classic soul, blues and R&B.

Let us know if there are any bands/discos in the Kingswood area that you rate.