They say that girls have been planning their wedding day for as long as they can remember. This may be the case for you too, but if it isn’t, then here are some hints and tips to help you play your part in the planning of your wedding.
There are certain areas that were traditionally organised by the bride such as the theme or colours and flowers, but recently you men are becoming more hands on. Whether you are splitting the planning or sharing the experience together, there are certain aspects that you may like to focus on. Below are some tips for helping you to organise your wedding day but before you read on you may want to consult our glossary of wedding terms to familiarise yourself with the ‘wedding language’. You never know, you may even impress your new mother-in-law!
Speeches
Writing your speech is the one aspect of your wedding that you will have to do alone! Here is some information to help you and the other speech makers in your wedding party.
Traditional Order of Speeches
There is no set time that is considered to be more appropriate for the speeches, whether it is during the post-ceremony drinks reception or before or after the wedding breakfast. At Dundas Castle you can choose whether you would like to do the speeches on the stairs in the hallway or in the room where you will enjoy your dinner. If you have any other suggestions we are happy to discuss them with you. We have handheld and free standing microphones that we will set up for you upon request.
First Speech
Person who gives the bride away ~ says a few words about the bride and groom and proposes a toast to the happy couple.
Second Speech
Groom ~ begins by responding to the toast on behalf of the bride and himself. Following on, the groom proposes a toast to the bridesmaids.
Third Speech
Best Man ~ he replies on behalf of the bridesmaids, gives his speech and reads out any emails and cards from absent family and friends.
Speech Delivery
The speeches should be brief and typically should take no more than 5-15 minutes each. If you are a nervous speaker who would like to do the bare minimum you can simply concentrate on the main purpose of the speech which is to propose the toast and thank people. It is becoming increasingly more popular for the bride to say a few words if she wishes but it is seldom expected of her. It is always a good idea to practice quite a few times with a friend before your big day and even if you don’t think you will use them, bring some notes on what you plan to say. You should also consider whether you would like a free standing microphone if you need one hand for your speech and the other for your glasses!
Attire for the groomsmen
Some couples may decide that it is the groom who will look after this area of the planning but it should be remembered that the bride may expect that there is some element of colour match between the groomsmen and the bridesmaids. This could be in the colours of the kilts or the tie or cravat that is worn. Whether you choose to wear a traditional Scottish kilt (click here if you require some help with understanding the workings of a kilt) or a morning suit there are plenty of options for personalising the colours and style.
Entertainment
For something that little bit different, there are plenty of options for making your wedding stand out from the rest. You could choose to have a surprise fireworks display, an unexpected music act or a roaming casino to wow your guests. If you have any other ideas, please feel free to contact us.
Activities
In partnership with Maximillion Events we are able to offer MadMax - a high energy activity package that is perfect for a stag event or a fun way to spend time with friends and family. Taking place on the Dundas Castle estate you are able to enjoy exhilarating 4x4 driving on our specially designed course or quad biking on our bespoke track. There is also the option for clay pigeon shooting, archery and highland games events on the lawns. Maximillion will provide all of the kit you need to take part and expert instruction, supervision and insurance. Throughout the day competition scores will be taken and winner’s medals awarded! Please contact our wedding coordinators for further information on packages. Prices start from £50 per person for 2 activites.
Finally, a note from our wedding coordinator, Lisa Muxworthy. “If I had to give one piece of advice to you gents, apart from not letting your best man forget the rings(!), it would definitely be to ensure that you and your fiancee are supportive of each other. Many couples find planning a wedding a bit challenging as it is new territory so compromises may have to be made and some ideas may have to be sidelined! Dont' worry though, the team at Dundas Castle are on hand throughout the entire planning of your wedding to assist in any way we can." If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call us on 0131 319 2039 or email weddings@dundascastle.co.uk”
