Question 1

The day after our wedding is full of activities with our friends and families. How can we combat the wedding hangover?

Accepted Answer

No one wants their special day tainted by a nasty hangover the next day, especially if you have a hotel full of guests to go down to. Luckily, there are plenty of simple hacks that can help combat a sore head. Drinking alcohol impairs sleep quality, so those celebrating should allow themselves plenty of time to sleep in after the celebration. Sleep deprivation will also make the hangover more intense, worsening symptoms like irritation and tiredness, so avoid setting an early alarm if the party is on till late. Dehydration is one of the main causes of horrible hangover symptoms like headaches, so try to drink a couple of glasses of water before bed. This can help to rehydrate the body, flush out the toxins and curb the effects of alcohol in the morning. It's important to replenish the body promptly after waking up from a heavy night of drinking, so head to the breakfast bar. Try to eat a balance of carbs, protein and fats because it will help regulate blood sugar spikes and restore lost nutrients and vitamins. Avoid eating greasy foods, as they can cause fatigue. Getting some fresh air is a great hangover cure and it can help ease some symptoms like headaches and sickness. Take a brisk walk outside to get your endorphins pumping and you'll be feeling better in no time. Certain sleeping positions can help alleviate hangover symptoms. Sleeping on the left side helps with acid reflux, which can be triggered by alcohol consumption. Sleeping at an incline can also help reduce the chances of headaches and nausea.

Question 2

Our friend suggested that we incorporate our dog into our wedding. Is this something that most couples do?

Accepted Answer

Did you know that over 70 per cent of dog owners admit they would rather have their precious pooch at their wedding than friends and family? That shows just how much we love our dogs! Our interest in having dogs at our weddings has increased in recent years, and research shows that 94 per cent of those of us who own a furry canine friend plan to involve them in our wedding. If you're planning to incorporate your furry friend into your big day, keep in mind that #DogWeddingOutfit currently has over 152,000 views on TikTok and #DogRingBearer has over 10.5 million views. We also discovered that 49 per cent of dogs attending their owners' weddings will be dressed for the occasion and 58 per cent of dog owners say they would change their dream wedding plans if it meant their pup could attend.

Question 3

My wife-to-be and I are thinking of getting wedding insurance. How do we go about this?

Accepted Answer

While everyone, of course, hopes that their wedding day will go without a hitch, unfortunately, things can and do go wrong. And when they do, it can leave you significantly out of pocket if you don't have insurance. With the average cost of a wedding coming in at around £20,000, it's a major financial commitment that you want to make sure is protected. Wedding insurance covers you for things such as cancellation and rearrangement, failure of wedding suppliers, personal liability, damage or theft of your ceremonial attire, wedding gifts, rings, photography and more. Here are a few things to be aware of when you're shopping around for a wedding insurance policy for your big day: Getting the right amount of cover: Many wedding insurance plans offer different levels of cover. So, work out the cost of your wedding by including all your planned expenses, such as venues, catering, photography, flowers, attire, cakes, entertainment, transport, etc. Once you have an approximate budget in mind, choose the level of cover that covers this planned expenditure. For instance, if you are planning to spend around £20,000 in total on your wedding, then you will need to get cover that will compensate you up to that level should you need to cancel the wedding. Don't delay: While the wedding to-do list may seem never-ending, it's important to not delay when it comes to buying wedding insurance. An ideal time to buy is as soon as you've paid for any part of the event and you have a venue and date arranged so that your deposits are covered. Make sure to check the policy details, as each insurer approaches this aspect differently. Cheap isn't always best: Make sure to shop around and compare policies. Look at things like the details of the cover, customer reviews and the reputation of the insurance providers. Sometimes the best deal isn't the one with the smallest price tag. Double check the cancellation policies: Cancellations are never fun, but they unfortunately do happen, so reviewing the cancellation policy is important. Make sure you understand the terms thoroughly and ask questions if needed. A clear understanding now can save you from any nasty little surprises down the line. Tailor your cover: Whether it's an extra layer of protection for unforeseen circumstances, cover for elements of the celebration, like a marquee, or public liability cover should there be any 'slip-ups' on the dancefloor. Make sure to check the standard policy and review any of the add-ons so that you get the cover you need. While no one ever thinks about having to claim, things can and do go wrong, and so protecting your special day is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Question 4

We want heartfelt vows that we will remember for years to come, but we both struggle to put the words together. Do you have any suggestions?

Accepted Answer

Your vows will not only play an important part on your day but are also a reminder of the promises and commitments that you're making to each other. A good starting point is to think about the type of ceremony you're having, i.e. is it a traditional religious ceremonies, civil ceremony, humanist celebration or a non-legal wedding ceremony? Churches are more willing to be flexible and will include some personal vows as well as the traditional format, however, the content is at the discretion of the minister marrying you. Many couples are now choosing to have two ceremonies, a legally binding civil ceremony followed by a bespoke service with family and friends, which is led by a celebrant or a person who is special to the couple. When it comes to the vows, think about elements that are important to you both, for example, family or cultural traditions. Start your vows by setting the scene, addressing each other by name and confirming your feelings for each other. Next, explain what you know and adore about your partner, their qualities, how they inspire you and the characteristics that you love. Thirdly, what is special about your relationship, and what distinct things do you share? Think about what promises you want to make to each other, go for a minimum of four and a maximum of six and mix up the serious promises with playful ones. My advice is to then move onto the visualisation of your marriage. What will you do for each other? How will you help each other through challenges? What will this look like? Lastly, finish your vows with a confirmation, a traditional blessing or a simple declaration to each other. This could even be your favourite words from a song, a book quote or your favourite poem. Vow writing can be tricky, however if you follow this format, you will soon find that the words begin to flow.

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