#best wedding venues england

[prestedhallo7]

The Sehra Bandi at North Indian, Punjabi, and Pakistani Weddings

A Sehra, or a groom's headdress, is more than just adornment. Tying a Sehra, also known as the "Sehra Bandi" in Punjabi weddings, includes a lengthy process of preparing the groom for his new life as a married man. Other Asian wedding customs similar to this can be found in other Asian communities. So, what is this Sehra tradition? Who does it, when, and how? Continue reading to learn about this wedding tradition!

[astromancy-divinare]

Every relationship & marriage you'll ever have is predestined in your natal chart. Don't believe me?

Here are the 7 Upapada Lagnas that accurately describe each of Elizabeth Taylor's 7 marriages from her sidereal natal chart.

Elizabeth Taylor was technically married 8 times but she had 7 husbands. She married actor Richard Burton twice.

The Upapada Lagna is a Vedic astrology technique that reveals details about your future marriage. Your Upapada Lagna can tell you how you'll meet your spouse, what the quality of the marriage will be, whether or not you'll have children together and the longevity of the marriage. This technique is best used in the sidereal natal chart, also known as the D1 natal chart. You must use Whole Sign house system.

To find the first Upapada Lagna in Elizabeth Taylor's D1 natal chart, we locate how many houses away the 12th house lord is from the 12th house. Her 12th house is in Libra. Venus is in the 5th house, so the 12th house lord is 6 houses away. We then count 6 houses from the 12th house lord in the 5th house and end up in Leo in the 10th house.

In Vedic astrology lagna is another word for ascendant, therefore the Upapada Lagna is considered to be the "1st house" of the marriage. We can move the house the Upapada Lagna is in to the 1st house position by selecting it in the 1st House From option above the chart on Astro-Seek.com. The natal chart will then be turned and we'll be able to read this "new chart" to get information regarding her first marriage.

TW: Mention of DV and miscarriage.

1st Upapada Lagna: Leo 10H

First husband: Conrad "Nicky" Hilton Jr. Wedding: May 6, 1950

Neptune is in the Upapada Lagna in Leo: Nicky was a violent alcoholic, which Elizabeth didn't discover until shortly after they got married. The way he portrayed himself beforehand was an illusion. Neptune = addiction & illusion.

Neptune is opposing Sun in the 7th house: The marriage was a disappointment that left Elizabeth feeling disillusioned.

Neptune is opposing Mars in the 7th house: Nicky was very insecure, which made him act aggressively to make up for it.

Malefic planets Sun and Mars are in the 7th house: Divorce indicator.

7th house lord is in the 6th house: Divorce indicator.

5th house lord is in the 12th house: Elizabeth suffered a miscarriage after Nicky kicked her in the stomach. 5th house = children. 12th house = loss.

The house next to the Upapada Lagna shows the longevity of the marriage.

Ketu is in the next house in Virgo: This is a divorce indicator. Ketu is considered to be a malefic planet because it represents detachment.

2nd Upapada Lagna: Pisces 5H

Second husband: Michael Wilding Wedding: February 21, 1952

To find the next Upapada Lagna we count 8 houses away from the first Upapada Lagna and end up in Pisces in the 5th house.

Rahu is in the Upapada Lagna in Pisces: Rahu can represent a spouse from a foreign country. Michael was from England. Having Rahu in the Upapada Lagna is also an indicator of divorce.

Uranus is conjunct Venus in the Upapada Lagna in Pisces: This conjunction can indicate that there was something unusual about the marriage. Michael was 20 years older than her. She was 20 when they got married.

Ketu is in the 7th house: Divorce indicator.

4th house lord is in the 12th house: Divorce indicator.

Cancer is in the 5th house with Jupiter: Elizabeth gave birth to two sons. 5th house = children, Jupiter = male offspring.

5th house lord is in the 8th house: Elizabeth had a cesarean section for both of her pregnancies. 8th house = surgery.

1st house lord is in the 5th house: This marriage was destined to produce children.

The house next to the Upapada Lagna shows the longevity of the marriage.

2nd house lord is in the 12th house: Divorce indicator.

3rd Upapada Lagna: Libra 12H

Third husband: Mike Todd Wedding: February 2, 1957

Moon is in the Upapada Lagna in Libra: This was a happy, loving marriage. Moon is the lord of the 10th house, which means they were both very loyal and dedicated to each other.

8th house lord, Venus, is in the 6th house conjunct Uranus: The 6th house is associated with the loss of marriage because it's 12 houses away from the 7th house. The 8th house is associated with sudden events and death. The 8th house lord is conjunct Uranus in the 6th house, which indicates that the marriage ended suddenly and unexpectedly. The marriage ended when Mike was killed in a plane crash.

Sun, Mars and Mercury are in the 5th house in Aquarius: Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter in this marriage. The 5th house lord is in Capricorn, which indicates that the child born from this marriage would be a girl. Sun and Mars in the 5th house represent Elizabeth's two sons from her previous marriage. The 9th house represents the third child and its lord Mercury is also in the 5th house, representing her daughter from this marriage.

The house next to the Upapada Lagna shows the longevity of the marriage.

2nd house lord is in the 5th house: Mars is the lord of the 2nd house and it's in the 5th house conjunct Mercury. Mars is the significator for accidents and Mercury is the significator for air travel = The marriage ended when Mike was killed in a plane crash.

4th Upapada Lagna: Taurus 7H

Fourth husband: Eddie Fisher Wedding: May 12, 1959

Upapada Lagna lord, Venus, is in the 11th house conjunct Uranus: The 11th house is considered to be the 5th house from the 7th house and therefore can represent affairs. This marriage began as an affair after Elizabeth's third husband died. She and her third husband Mike Todd were friends with Eddie Fisher and his wife Debbie Reynolds (Carrie Fisher's parents, AKA Princess Leia). After Mike died, Eddie comforted Elizabeth and it resulted in them having an affair. Eddie quickly divorced Debbie and married Elizabeth.

Upapada Lagna lord, Venus, is in the 11th house squaring the 7th house co-lord Pluto in the 2nd house: Pluto represents sex, secrets, death and transformation. And the house next to the Upapada Lagna shows the longevity of the marriage, so to have Pluto in that house shows that this marriage began as an affair due to the death of Elizabeth's previous husband, but it also shows that this marriage ended because of an affair Elizabeth had later on with her next husband Richard Burton.

7th house co-lord Ketu is in the 5th house and its dispositor Mercury is in the 10th house: Elizabeth's affair with Eddie Fisher and later her affair with Richard Burton were both VERY public and much talked about.

Ketu is in Virgo in the 5th house: Ketu in the 5th house can indicate adoption and having Mercury or Saturn as the 5th house lord can also indicate adoption. Elizabeth began the process to adopt an orphaned girl from Germany while she was still married to Eddie. She completed the adoption process with her next husband Richard Burton.

5th Upapada Lagna: Sagittarius 2H

Fifth husband: Richard Burton Wedding: March 15, 1964

Upapada Lagna is in Sagittarius: This can indicate a spouse from a foreign country. Richard was from Wales.

Saturn is in Capricorn in the house next to the Upapada Lagna: Saturn can make the couple stay together for a long time when it's in the house next to the Upapada Lagna, especially when it's in the sign it rules. This was Elizabeth's longest marriage. They were married for 10 years and then divorced in 1974 but remarried in 1975 and divorced for the final time in 1976. This Upapada Lagna represents both marriages because Elizabeth wasn't with anyone else in between.

This Upapada Lagna is in Elizabeth's natal 2nd house: This shows that her affair with Richard Burton was the cause for her last marriage with Eddie Fisher ending.

Pluto is in the 7th house in Gemini: This can indicate a powerful and intoxicating romance that is also prone to major transformative highs and lows. Elizabeth had a tumultuous yet passionate relationship with Richard. They had irresistible chemistry with each other. Richard was the second love of her life after Mike Todd who died in a plane crash.

4th house lord is in the 8th house: Divorce indicator.

6th house lord is in the 4th house: Divorce indicator.

6th Upapada Lagna: Cancer 9H

Sixth husband: John Warner Wedding: December 4, 1976

Upapada Lagna lord is in the 4th house: This placement indicates there being a necessity to keep the identity and personality of the marriage and/or spouses private. John Warner was a senator for Virginia at the time and Elizabeth was told to "tone down" her personality and the way she presented herself for the sake of his political career. She was told to get rid of her yacht and Rolls-Royce and to change the way she dressed. She was specifically told to never wear her favorite color purple because it represented royalty and she wasn't supposed to outshine John.

Neptune is in the house next to the Upapada Lagna: Having to fill the role of a senator's supportive wife and hob-knob in Washington D.C. made her incredibly depressed and disillusioned. Elizabeth later said that being a senator's wife turned her into a "drunk and a junkie." Neptune = alcohol/drugs/addiction.

Saturn is in the 7th house in Capricorn: Elizabeth wanted someone to help her get over Richard Burton and she thought she wanted the "normal" life of a farmer's wife (John had a farm) but she soon realized that lifestyle was incredibly restrictive. The marriage felt very Saturnian.

6th house lord is in the Upapada Lagna: This marriage was mostly for the benefit of John's career because Elizabeth brought him a lot more attention and star power. He needed her help in his 1978 bid for Virginia's U.S. Senate seat. Voters clamored to meet her at political rallies.

8th house lord is in the 7th house: Divorce indicator.

2nd house lord is conjunct a malefic planet: Divorce indicator.

7th Upapada Lagna: Aquarius 4H

Seventh husband: Larry Fortensky Wedding: October 6, 1991

Upapada Lagna is in natal 4th house: This was Elizabeth's last marriage, so it's fitting that the Upapada Lagna is in her natal 4th house because the 4th house represents "the end."

Neptune is in the 7th house: Larry was a construction worker that Elizabeth met in rehab. Neptune = addiction.

Malefic planets Sun and Mars are in the Upapada Lagna and are opposing Neptune in the 7th house: Having malefic planets in the Upapada Lagna can create obstacles in the marriage that lead to divorce. Sun and Mars are opposing Neptune in the 7th house = Elizabeth got a divorce because Larry started drinking again and her friends were unimpressed by him.

Saturn is in the 12th house: Elizabeth and Larry met at rehab. The theme of their marriage was trying to stay sober. Saturn = restriction, 12th house = addiction.

Rahu is in the house next to the Upapada Lagna: Divorce indicator.

Uranus conjunct Venus is in the house next to the Upapada Lagna: The differences between Elizabeth and Larry in age, career and life experiences were too vast and too many, which also led them to divorce.

I'm now including a detailed analysis of your Upapada Lagnas in my Future Spouse readings for an additional $5USD!

Future Spouse reading is now $30USD and explains:

If you have placements that promise marriage.

If you have indicators of divorce.

If you have indicators of having more than one marriage.

The characteristics of your future spouse(s) and how/where you'll most likely meet them.

Your most promising Dasha periods for getting married, including the dates when transiting Jupiter and transiting Saturn will aspect the necessary houses and/or planets in your D1 natal chart to activate marriage during a promising Dasha period.

If you would also like to know the approximate year and dates when you'll most likely meet your future spouse(s), it's an additional $15USD.

All of my readings are typed in report format and emailed to you in a PDF file.

DM me if you're interested 💕

[music-orthemisery]

Pre-Folie Release Madness of (p)2- A Timeline

After spending a few days in cuckoo bananas world thanks to the video re: Patrick's best man speech, @grandtreeangel and I have some things to slide across the table.

Between October 19, 2008 and November 7th, 2008, FOB played a series of shows leading up to the release of Folie a Deux. Each show featured a Pete/Patrick banter moment that, when put together, creates a very...interesting narrative.

October 19th - Birmingham, England show

Pete making a Top Gun reference to the $20 bar bet scene while Patrick plays the Top Gun theme song.

The scene in question: "Total carnal knowledge...of a woman this time, on the premises"

October 22nd - London, England show

First live performance of Patrick's "Love Lockdown" cover

Please see @grandtreeangel’s post HERE for more context on this totally normal thing Patrick did.

October 25th - Lille, France show

OG "my little cabbage" moment Pete, in French, says to Patrick, "You are beautiful, my little cabbage."

October 27th OR 28th - Blog post

Pete posts this on his Tumblr . It says 10/27, but there's some disagreement on time zones so it may be 10/28. EITHER WAY...

Originally, this linked to a clip from the movie Love, Actually. In this scene, a man confesses his love to a woman who is married to his best friend.

There's plenty of debate about this movie, scene, and storyline in general, but we aren't here for that right now!!!

Let's just focus on the facts:

Woman. Married. To BEST FRIEND.

The man was the best man AND the videographer at the wedding.

This whole moment is done secretly. He confesses, they kiss, she goes back inside and tells her husband it was just some carolers.

In general, this whole story arc is ripe with longing and unattainable love due to a marriage keeping the man from being with the woman.

I...wonder what this sounds like...

October 28th - Toronto, Canada show

Love Lockdown cover where Patrick says, "That's for you, Pete."

Again, Patrick being very normal!!!

October 29th - Blog Post

Pete contributes an entry to Bill's "Mondayeyes" poetry club on friendsorenemies.com:

Credit to @alphadog's post for this HERE

The entire poem is quite impactful, but a few lines of interest:

"Where do you get off?" or more like "how"

and...

"You chose this"

When Pete uses quotes, it's noted that this indicates things that have been said to him.

There are scents and spells that keep us coming together, there are sparks that keep us forever

The art of keeping up disappearances

Also, big hello to some Rat-A-Tat lyrics

Whenever I could make the sweat roll backwards and your pulse stream in reverse

(Big thank you to @dykeandyhurley for sending this to me)

November 6th - Boston, MA show

Pete shares the story about Patrick's best man speech.

Huge props to @predoom for finding this moment!

If you haven't seen Top Gun (?!), the context here is very important:

The line "Ice, fire, or clear," is said in the scene where Goose dies.

Scene: "Ice, Fire or Clear!"

Also, it should be noted that, to Pete, he is Goose and Patrick is Maverick.

The fact that Patrick picks this quote to say to Pete...in his best man speech...at PETE'S WEDDING. A quote said when Maverick LOSES Goose.

AND...apparently no one else in the reception quite...get's it. Pete is the only one who does. That line was just for Pete. From Patrick.

Of all the lines in that movie, he picks that one, from that moment.

Then, of course...

We have "The Kids Aren't Alright."

Featuring the lyrics:

Stuck in the jet wash Bad trip I couldn't get off And maybe I bit off more than I could chew And overhead of the aqua blue

Along with Pete's annotation:

November 7th - Philadelphia, PA show

Patrick sings Lullabye.

Take a peek at this post for all of that mess.

"Well, Bronx was about to be born!"

Sure, sure. I'm not DENYING the relevance there. Just. Go look at the post, damn it. Trust me.

And then...?

Nothing. They take a break, Bronx is born, and then they play a show in Columbus, OH on December 1, 2008. This whole little back and forth ends. Folie a Deux is released on December 10th and...well...we all know what happens after that.

[vivwritesfics]

No Need To Ask - CS55

Chapter Four - Touching Down

The Norris' were a notorious crime family in the UK. One of many. With Norris, the head of the family, running operations with his son, Lando, they work to keep Y/N Norris, Norris' daughter protected. Life in a crime family wasn't something they wanted for her.

But with tension with one of the Spanish crime families rise, Norris and his now deceased wife come up with only one plan, offer their daughter to the Sainz's or risk an all out war.

2K words

Requests Open

You can leave me in peace now bc here it is 😭

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There was a week of disputes over who would host the wedding. The Sainz wanted it to be them, for the wedding to be in Spain, but Lando wanted his little sister to get married on his grounds.

A wedding hosted by the Sainz family would be incredible. Set in the sun with a candle lit dinner to follow. Lights would be strung up over the reception and the best food would be served. Traditional Spanish dishes, and anything Y/N requested.

Carlos’ mother had been planning the wedding since Y/N’s mother first proposed the idea to the Sainz family. She had a scrap book full of ideas for the flower arrangements, the venue, the dress. She’d seen it all play out in her head, her Carlos standing there in a suit, looking handsome as he recited off his vowels.

But Lando was insisting the wedding happen in England. But Lando didn’t know the first thing about planning a wedding.

So, he had to concede. Reluctantly he let the Sainz family take control of planning the wedding. It was going to happen in Spain, with very few members of the Norris family present. That was putting Lando on Edge more than anything. He couldn’t have much protection there for him or his sister, leaving him to trust in the Sainz family.

And, in this line of work, you don’t trust easy.

While Y/N was in England, she did the one thing she could do for the wedding and picked out her dress. It was elegant, figure hugging, with floral patterns stitched into the skirt. There were two straps that went around her arms, sitting off the shoulders.

Her veil hadn’t yet been made. Mrs Sainz had insisted that the veil be left up to her, that she would have it made for her.

So, Y/N and Lando sat on their family’s private plane, her leg bouncing. Lando had a drink in his hands, cool and relaxed. But, inside, he was losing it.

His little sister was getting married. In just a few weeks, she was going to be married. Lando and Oscar, a rookie in his organisation, and Y/N were the only people flying to Spain for the time being. Oscar was to be left in Spain with Y/N, there to protect her while Lando flew back to England until the wedding.

He wasn’t keen on leaving his sister in Spain. But he didn’t have much of a choice. The Sainz were giving him much of a choice.

The plane touched down in the Sainz’s private hangar. Carlos was waiting for them, his sisters and a group of their men behind him. he wore black trousers and a white shirt, missing the suit jacket and tie that Y/N expected to see. She watched them out of the window of the plane; she looked at Spain, at the sun and the palm trees.

Y/N had always wanted to go to Sain. She had when she was very little, before the feud with the Sainz family started, but she couldn’t remember that.

“Ready?” Lando asked, putting his drink down. He’d had maybe six on the short plane journey, which was worrying to Y/N. Thank God this line of work had raised his tolerance to such a level; the whisky barely affected him anymore.

He didn’t stumble as he stepped off of his jet, his sister stood between him and Oscar. Y/N’s legs were wobbling as she stepped down onto the warm pavement. She stayed close to Lando as he led her over to Carlos.

Carlos said nothing to Lando. He looked past him, at the girl who seemed to be cowering behind him. He gave her a smile, one that was either kind or sinister, Y/N couldn’t tell. “Welcome to my home,” he said with a thick accent.

Y/N said nothing in response. She looked up at Carlos with wide eyes, waiting for somebody to say something more.

“Carlos,” said Lando, his stance protective in front of Y/N. “You wanted her here early, so here she is.” He glared daggers at the older man in front of him.

Behind Carlos, one of his sisters mumbled something in Spanish, something Lando and Y/N couldn’t understand.

“Who is the man behind the both of you?” Carlos asked for her, looking past them at Oscar.

Oscar had never been around the Sainz family before. He didn’t go to the last meeting with Lando, and he wasn’t there when Carlos and his father came to dinner. Oscar didn’t know what to expect. He wasn’t Lando’s first choice of protection for his sister, but he was the man Y/N was most comfortable with.

“Protection,” Lando answered shortly.

Carlos let out a laugh. “Your sister will not need protection in my house,” he answered.

“I’ll decide that, thanks.”

Things were incredibly tense. Y/N couldn’t help but glance back at Oscar, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Carlos. He cleared his throat. “Come,” he said and walked away, his sisters behind him.

Lando kept his hands in his pockets as he followed Carlos. Y/N and Oscar walked behind him, Carlos’ men surrounding them. Sparing a glance behind him, Oscar stayed close to Y/N, almost close enough to touch. It was almost his way of saying ‘you’ll be okay, I’ve got you.’

There were several cars waiting for them. Y/N, Lando, Carlos, Oscar and one of Carlos’ men got into one and everybody else spread themselves out between the others. Things were quiet as they drove away from the plane hangar. Y/N kept her gaze staring out of the windows.

They drove through the Spanish countryside, passing by fields full of horses and orange groves. There were quaint houses dotted about and mountains in the background.

And then there was nothing. Y/N looked forwards, at what they were approaching.

Huge black gates blocked the view of the house. The first car pulled up in front of the gates and said something into the little black box attached to it. And then the gates swung open. “Wow,” Y/N found herself whispering as they pulled up in front of the house.

It was gorgeous, with a huge fountain in front. The cars parked around the fountain and several men rushed forward to pull open the doors. Y/N stepped out, with Oscar behind her, and looked at the house.

It was massive, unlike anything Y/N had ever seen before. She thought her house was massive, but this was twice the size. There were stone steps leading up to a set of rounded, double doors. The house at had least four floors and the two rooms on either end of the house had huge balconies overlooking the front of the house.

One man rushed forward to push open the front door, but, with nothing more than a raise of his hand, Carlos stopped him. He wore a smug grin of his own as he walked up the steps and pushed open the door.

“Welcome to my home,” he said and held out his hand for Y/N to take.

She was nervous, not meeting his gaze. Y/N didn’t want to put her hand in his. She looked at her brother, but, from the look he was giving her, Y/N knew she had to. So, she placed her hand into Carlos’ and allowed him to lead her into the foyer.

The floor was white marble, with a compass in the middle. Above the compass was a brilliant chandelier. Against the left wall and winding up was a grand staircase, white with black railings. Y/N looked forward, where the compass pointed north. There were a set of doors and past those doors was a brilliant garden.

Y/N let go of Carlos’ hands and strode forward. Some of his men went to move forward, to direct her back towards him, but Carlos held up his hand once more, stopping them in their tracks. He watched as Y/N walked over to the set of doors, made entirely of glass. She twisted the handles down and pushed open the doors.

She stepped out into the garden, onto the patio. The patio floor was smooth stone. To the left there was a large table surrounded by incredibly comfy looking chairs. The table was surrounded by foliage, flowers and shrubbery, it was beautiful. An umbrella was up, shading the little area.

To Y/N’s right was a fire pit. A low stone wall that doubled as a seating area formed a small circle around the fire pit, with cushions covering the seats.

Directly in front of her was a pool. The patio went directly into stairs that led down into the square shaped pool. Plants and trees, some baring fruit, some not, surrounded the patio area. Behind the patio was a grass area. No, not a grass area, but a golfing green.  

Y/N turned back to the house, looking at the people stood in the foyer. She didn’t know what to say, if she could bring herself to say something to Carlos.

At their dinner he had been polite, sweet, even. But he’d shown just how powerful he was.

Y/N walked back inside. She left the doors open as she joined her brother back in the foyer. “This place is crazy, Lan,” she whispered.

With the room silent, everybody heard it. But they didn’t acknowledge it.

Carlos sent some of his men to take Y/N’s, Lando’s and Oscar’s things to their rooms while he slowed them the entirety of the house. “Can’t believe this is your place,” Lando muttered, his hands shoved into his pockets as Carlos took them into the kitchen. He still remembered the little Spanish boy who he used to play with while their parents did business. And now Carlos lived in a literally castle while Lando still lived in his father’s house.

“So, it’s yours? Not your family’s?” Asked Oscar.

All three of them stared at him. Oscar’s job was to be seen, not heard. “Osc,” Y/N squeaked as she stared at him, her eyes wide. Yes, she wanted to know the answer to the question, but she didn’t want to see her only friend die for asking it.

Carlos cleared his throat. “Yes, this is my home,” he said, not giving away anymore information. He turned his attention to Y/N. “My men will show you to your room while I talk to your brother,” he said and two men strode forward, away from the walls.

They said nothing as they escorted Y/N and Oscar away.

Pulling open his fridge, Carlos pulled out two beers. He opened them and walked outside, sitting himself at the table by the pool. Lando followed. Spain was hot, as it usually was, and he found himself pulling off his suit jacket. Lando placed it on the back of his chair and sat opposite Carlos, who passed him the beer.

“You know I am not keen on one of your men staying in my house, Lando,” he said and sipped his beer.

Lando swallowed the lump in his throat. “I know how it looks,” he began. “Oscar is young. He’s good at what he does, but he doesn’t know the etiquette yet. I would have brought somebody more experienced in this line of work, but Y/N is comfortable with him.”

“She will learn to be comfortable with me.”

“Carlos,” Lando practically growled. His beer remained untouched. “She’s not like us. You can’t ask her to just be comfortable with you.” His expression softened. “Please, Carlos. If I could stay here with her, I would. Please, let Oscar stay, for her sake.”

Carlos sipped his beer.

Taglist (open): @multi-universe21 @formulas-bitch @gills-lounge @weasleyswizarding-wheezes @carlossainzwho @f1lov3r @samaib11 @charli123456789 @queenofmanydreams @ironmaiden1313 @vellicora @glitterf1 @80sloverry @lightdragonrayne @moonayu @bellsalabanccini

[gimmiesophiebaek]

VBPS (Daphne’s Wedding)

Rated: G Staring: All of the Bridgertons + partners Party #1: Daphne and Simon’s Wedding (2011)

Daphne Bridgerton woke up with a start, her heart fluttering in excitement. It was her wedding day, a day she had dreamed about for as long as she could remember. After a whirlwind romance and over a year of courtship, she was finally marrying Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. Her brother Anthony had been reluctant at first—Simon was his best friend, after all—but Daphne’s persistence had worn him down. And now, today, they would all stand together as Simon and Daphne became husband and wife.

As sunlight filtered through her curtains, she couldn’t help but smile. The whole of England’s high society would be in attendance, from commoners to dukes. The only notable absence would be the royals themselves, but honestly, who cared? Prince William’s wedding had been the previous weekend, and she couldn’t exactly compete with that. Not that it mattered. She wasn’t marrying for spectacle; she was marrying for love.

And love was what she felt as she rushed out of her bed and into the hallway. She sprinted down to Eloise and Francesca’s shared room, flinging the door open and letting out a delighted scream.

“IT’S MY WEDDING DAY!” she yelled, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Daphne, for heaven’s sake, it's barely morning.” Eloise groaned, pulling a pillow over her head. 

“Argh!” Francesca merely stirred, blinking up at the ceiling. “An hour more,” she mumbled, before turning over to try to steal a bit more sleep. Both of them had just returned from their respective schools—Eloise from Newcastle, where she had taken her final exams, and Francesca from the Royal Conservatoire in Scotland, exhausted from weeks of preparation.

“I’m getting married! Can you believe it?” Undeterred, Daphne twirled around the room. 

Eloise groaned again, muttering something unintelligible, but Daphne was already halfway out the door. She decided to channel her energy elsewhere and made a beeline for her youngest sister, Hyacinth’s room. Hyacinth was, at the very least, a little more receptive to her excitement. Daphne burst in and bounced on the bed.

“Hyacinth! I’m getting married today!” she practically sang.

“I know, Daph.” Hyacinth, ever the supportive little sister, grinned sleepily. “You’ve only mentioned it a thousand times.”

“Only a thousand? I should be saying it at least a million times! It’s the best day of my life!” Daphne exclaimed, giving Hyacinth a playful shake before leaping off the bed again to continue her whirlwind morning.

Meanwhile, in the downstairs parlor, Violet was a picture of calm, though inside she was anything but. Being both the mother of the bride and the de facto wedding coordinator had proven to be more of a task than she had imagined. After all, Daphne had left most of the planning to her, trusting her mother’s impeccable taste to handle all the details. Violet had arranged everything perfectly: the grand ceremony, followed by an elegant luncheon and dancing at the Royal Museum in Greenwich.

It was going to be beautiful—if everything stayed on schedule.

She sighed as she arranged the final seating chart, the sound of Daphne’s exuberant declarations echoing through the house. 

"It's her wedding day," she murmured with a smile, shaking her head. 

Violet had seen all her children grow up so quickly, but this felt like a new chapter for Daphne. She hoped her daughter would find as much joy in her marriage as she had in planning this special day for her.

“Mother!” Daphne burst into the room, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Is everything ready?”

Violet nodded calmly, though she felt a twinge of stress. 

“Yes, my dear. The venue is set, the guests are confirmed, and the flowers are being delivered as we speak.”

“And Simon?” Daphne’s eyes sparkled. 

“Simon is already preparing at his townhouse.” Violet smiled, remembering how in love her daughter was with the dashing duke. “You’ll see him at the ceremony.”

“I can’t believe it.” Daphne clasped her hands to her chest, practically floating. “I’m actually going to be his wife. After all the years of dreaming about a wedding, it’s actually happening!”

“You deserve all the happiness in the world, darling.” Violet stood and smoothed her daughter’s hair. “Today is your day.”

Daphne smiled, her heart full, as she let her mother’s words sink in. Today was indeed her day, but it wasn’t just about the grand event or the famous guests or even the beautiful gown. It was about her future with Simon—the man she loved, the man she’d convinced her family to embrace. And in a few short hours, she would walk down the aisle to him, sealing their love in front of everyone who mattered.

As she turned to leave, Daphne called out one last time to anyone within earshot: 

“It’s my wedding day!”

And despite the laughter, groans, and eye-rolls she received in return, everyone who loved her couldn’t help but smile too. Because today was, without a doubt, Daphne’s day.

Read more on AO3

[pure-ablution]

I just got engaged. Now what?

As I think pretty much all of my 28 beloved followers know, Alajos and I got engaged last month. I’ve been requested to make a post about what I’m planning on doing over the next few months in the run-up to our wedding, and this is going to be my very best attempt at that. I’ve had this ring for less than a full calendar month at this point, so I’m no expert on the matter and I’d actually be really grateful if any other engaged or married girls out there were to chime in with their own advice! But this is what I’m working on doing and scheduling right now, and it’s a combination of advice from my friends and relatives who have been engaged/married for much longer than me, and conversations and decisions had jointly with my darling fiancé.

First of all, and maybe most superficially, there’s the actual wedding to be sorted out. I have a nice little timeline checklist of things to arrange, but I’ll just run through the main bits now, else I’ll be writing for hours and boring everyone totally senseless! Alajos and I are going to have a traditional Latin wedding Mass and ceremony at his family’s parish in Austria, and the first thing we did after he proposed (after we finished crying and excitedly telephoning everyone we could possibly think of!) was to contact the church and book the date of the wedding. This was actually really important to do as soon as possible for us, because we planned to participate in the rite of betrothal soon after proposal, and that requires an already-set wedding date. We paid the church a visit and met with everyone there, and spent a long time discussing our plans for the wedding itself. In some respects, we have it quite easy, because with the wedding itself being held in Alajos’ family’s parish and the reception at the home estate there, there’s no real venue and catering difficulties for us. Still, we’ll need to plan out exactly how we’re going to transport and host our guests for the duration of the wedding. We’re fortunate enough to be able to pay for our guests who will need to travel a long way for us, and I’m really glad that we can do that and make sure that everyone we love will be able to attend without worry, but the logistics will definitely need to be sorted and finalised properly over the next few months. Also, I’m anxious to give our two families more of a chance to get to know each other before the wedding, and hopefully I’ll be able to coordinate ample opportunity to make that happen soon!

Of course, I think that every soon-to-be bride is worried about how she’ll look on her big day, and I definitely feel it! I’m going to have my braces removed next month, when I’m back in England, and I’m going to book my rhinoplasty for January, so that I’ll have ample time to recover and for swelling to go down before the wedding—for any engaged girls planning surgeries, I’d really recommend no later than 6 months before the wedding day! I’m going to get my lip filler re-done in Seoul whilst I’m in Asia over Christmas, I have a luxury skincare regime planned in stages over the next few months, and I’ve already booked my hair and makeup, and I’ll have several discussions and rehearsals with the artists and stylists before the day itself. I’m going to have my wedding dress made up by my very trusted seamstress, and I’ve booked that in with her already and bought the shoes and underwear I know I’ll be wearing on the day before I go for my first fitting. It’s so, so important to go to fittings with your underwear and shoes already sorted, otherwise you’re just wasting your seamstress’ time!

Aside from the wedding itself, though, I’m focusing mostly on the idea of marriage as a complete whole. The Catholic Church places a huge emphasis on checking and resolving potential stumbling-blocks in a relationship before the point of marriage, because, quite sensibly (in my opinion), it wants to minimise the chance of divorce. When I get back to England, we’re going to be doing a marriage preparation course with our church, and I’m actually really looking forward to it—Alajos has already picked up the workbooks that we’re going to be using, and from the photos he’s sent me, they’re very sensible and focus a lot on secular questions and topics which I think would be beneficial for any couple to consider. Before marrying anyone, I really do think that you need to discuss everything under the sun, and although Alajos and I have talked about almost everything there is to talk about, and several times over at that, there’s something very reassuring and something intimate about doing an actual course together and filling in a workbook in writing, I think. We’re also going to be mentored by two lovely married couples—one close to our age, and one who have been married for a long, long time—and, of course, by our reverend, too. I know I’ll spend a lot of time thinking, praying, and talking seriously with Alajos over the next few months; I’m aware that this is the end of a part of my life, and the beginning of another, and it feels important to me that I take the time to reflect on things and embrace the transition for what it is.

There’s a lot of paperwork that comes in the run-up to marriage, and it’s important to stay on top of it and not feel overwhelmed or confused. I think the most crucial thing to discuss is the prenuptial agreement. Prenups get a bad rep, but I fully agree with them, when they are done right. Of course, you don’t want to think about the prospect of divorce, but much like you wouldn’t buy a house without insurance (even though you don’t want to think about it burning down!), you also really shouldn’t get married without a prenup. It’s an opportunity to discuss and decide on the worst at a time when you love and care for one another deeply, rather than when you’re feeling bitter and horrid after a difficult marriage and divorce. If either of you have any family money, then a prenup is basically a given, so you need to make sure that both of you are represented by very good and capable lawyers. If he loves you, he shouldn't ever be trying to screw you over. Alajos has offered to pay for my lawyer as well as his own, and I’m strongly considering it, although I think we’ll decide on that for certain when we’re back in England together. In the same vein as prenups: make sure that you’re both straight on things like mahr or any other bridewealth, dowry/dower, pin money, and your will and testament, too. All of these things can, and should, be done and sorted with excellent lawyers and love in your hearts, and the engagement period is a perfect time to do that.

This is all the important stuff I can think of off the top of my head, but I’m always happy to gush about my wedding (and future husband) to anyone who even looks as though they might possibly be listening, so please do just ask if there’s anything else you’d like to know! If you have any advice yourself, as I said, I’d be really very grateful if you were to share it—I’m really very new at this whole engagement thing and I know I’m not going to be any good at it just yet!

[tommarvoloriddlesdiary]

Harry inhaled a deep, full breath of saltwater air.

The night was in full swing, and, really, Percy had outdone himself. Harry had no idea Ron’s brother was such a natural at decor, but he truly had an eye for it. When Hermione entered the hall earlier to take in the anticipated damage, it took a good fifteen minutes to help coax her jaw off the floor.

Though, in her defence, Harry supposed it was rather important that the bride-to-be loved her wedding venue.

When Ron finally popped the question, and it was time to get into the nitty-gritty of planning, he and Hermione couldn’t sit down and settle on a colour palette to save their lives. For starters, Hermione never had enough time. Harry thought she was far too busy as Head of the Department of International Magical Co-operation to even get married. And he’d seen her one too many times hunched over a two-way parchment, no doubt responding to countless questions or confirmation of approvals for tens (Harry wouldn’t dare flirt with the idea of hundreds) of documents while getting ready this morning.

On the other hand, Ron wasn’t too pressed, which was quite a shock considering his no less prominent position as Head Auror. When Harry questioned why that was, Ron had simply shrugged and confessed to putting a twenty-four-hour block on all owls and Ministry correspondence. He’d looked Harry dead in the eye and said, “It’s my damn wedding, mate. I’m marrying the woman of my dreams—no emergency is important enough. Not today.” And, well, Harry could hardly blame him for that.

Still, the intricacies of wedding planning were something that definitely seemed to elude both of Harry’s very bright, very in-love friends. Hermione had gone as far as to ask if pink was a poor choice in colour because, “Well… Pink is a cheesy romantic colour… right?” But when pressed to pick a shade, she nearly drove herself to an early grave sifting through swatches. Needless to say, Harry never wanted to see another shade of pink ever again.

Ron seemed baffled by the idea of weddings needing colour to begin with, “Isn’t everything meant to be white?”

When Percy had overheard that comment halfway through the floo, he stepped right back out of it, threw his robe on the Burrow table, and promptly declared that he would be the one to oversee Hermione and Ron’s wedding arrangements.

This led to the tasteful shades of navy blue, ivory, and gold all throughout the carefully selected venue. The building sat on a charming little border coast in a shared wizarding sect of England and Wales. Its interior had ample space for more than a few tables, each thoughtfully adorned with magical flowers that shook every so often to release a soft shimmer in the air and all the accompanying tableware to hint at a fine meal planned. Throughout the day, the airy floor-to-ceiling windows and welcoming French doors (that led out to a beautiful patio similarly decorated and had a spectacular ocean view) had ample light shining into the venue. And now that night had come, the soft glow of bluebell flames and their warm amber counterparts lit an all too inviting path out to the sandy shore.

Harry had been standing in the sand, watching Ron and Hermione laugh and clumsily sway back ‘n forth, her head pressed against his, when a sudden weight on Harry’s shoulder made him flinch.

Harry turned only to come face to face with someone he’d never met. But that hadn’t been unusual today. Harry was accidentally designated the bride and groom’s bloodhound. If you found Harry, you found Ron and Hermione. He seemed to have a keen sense of where they were at all times, and word spread quickly. As the evening was slowly but surely ending, and people were determined to wish well and congratulate the happy couple for a final time, Harry was in high demand.

He wouldn’t lie, it was a little awkward meeting so many new people. Hermione and Ron may be Harry’s best friends, but they certainly didn’t share his content with just having each other. They were social butterflies in a way Harry would never entirely be, and Merlin, it was impressive. He’d thought Bill and Fleur’s wedding was big.

So, the unknown face was expected; what wasn’t expected was what the unknown face said, “Mr Potter. It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Ms Granger has told me a great deal about you, and though she intended to introduce us earlier, I couldn’t bring myself to disrupt her happy day.”

“It’s Granger-Weasley, now.” Harry couldn’t help himself; a slight grin tugged at his face. He had been waiting for today just as long, after all, and he’d be damned if he wasn’t going to milk it for all it’s worth.

Mr Unknown hadn’t thought to introduce himself, though he clearly knew Harry well enough to pick him out of a crowd. The man had a classically handsome face, with the most ridiculously charming swooping curl of hair that hung just so over his forehead and warm mahogany eyes that glowed like dying—wow, how many glasses of champagne did Harry have today?

Harry continued, “And um, I’m sorry. Please don’t take this the wrong way. I have no idea who you are,” and immediately regretted it. Way to go, scarhead; you’ve just blown this to hell and back.

But Mr Unknown didn’t storm off all offended and pretentious like his pretty face and careful words implied he might. Instead, he simply laughed (and damn, it was a nice laugh) and said, “Of course, Ms Granger-Weasley. And that’s quite all right; she mentioned that you weren’t very involved in Ministry affairs.” Mr still Unknown held out his hand, “My name is Tom Riddle, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister.”

Harry’s brows inched up and up until he was sure they’d left his face and were floating to join the stars. He switched his drink to his other hand and carefully took Riddle’s, despairing at the cold touch he no doubt passed from the chilled champagne glass.

Tom Riddle. Hermione had mentioned him more times than Harry could count. Sometimes in angry mutters under her breath, but more often as a person she strongly thought Harry should become acquainted with. Something about similar backgrounds and similar odd senses of humour and, “Really, Harry. I have eyes. He’s goddamn good-looking, and I think you two are a perfect match.”

However, Harry was nothing if not stubborn and did his damnedest to avoid a dreaded introduction at all costs. He wasn’t looking for a relationship.

Right?

Suddenly, Harry couldn’t quite remember.

“Yes, yeah, Undersecretary Riddle.” Harry nodded, maybe a little too fast, “A pleasure. Hermione has mentioned you. I didn’t know you two were close?”

Actually… Harry used his every last sober brain cells—brain cell—to think. They weren’t close, he was pretty sure, and it was odd that Hermione would invite a random (let’s be honest, coworker) to her wedding. Especially one she didn’t necessarily have a great working relationship with.

Harry remembered how strict she was with picking invites for colleagues versus friends and family. She had developed a very efficient system of columns and rows from people I work with and would like to have in attendance to people I work with that need an invitation for politically advantageous reasons all the way to people I work with, who, if I see at my wedding, there will be blood. Harry thought it was pretty solid. And Tom Riddle hadn’t made any of the lists, last he checked.

Then it dawned on Harry that Riddle’s missing name was most likely intentional. He had been bamboozled. If Hermione weren’t looking the happiest he’d ever seen her (and that included her absolutely ecstatic reaction to her N.E.W.T.s), Harry would tackle her to the ground in an all-out brawl. Muggle style.

“We’ve had an accommodating and understanding working relationship over the years,” Riddle responded. And Harry knew enough political jargon translation to hear that we barely tolerate each other, but somehow a grudging respect remains, loud and clear. “I certainly hope good words were exchanged.”

Good words? Harry wanted to cry. If good words were a desperate attempt to get Harry into Riddle’s pants, then, yes, good words—great words, even—were exchanged.

Harry downed a bit more champagne for his suddenly parched and dry throat, “Well, you know Hermione.” His laughter was a touch strained, “When she gets started, it’s a full-on report. Everything from a to z.” Oh no… “Hope she didn’t say anything too embarrassing about me.”

Riddle nodded with an air of wry understanding, “Yes. Rest assured; Ms Granger-Weasley did not give me your entire life story.” Harry couldn’t believe Riddle was going to continue saying Hermione’s name like that, but hearing it gave him a warm and fuzzy feeling. “I have wanted to meet you for quite some time. Outside of just her influence.”

What? Harry thought.

So, “What?” Harry said.

Riddle’s eyes widened for a moment, and he blinked once as though caught off guard by himself. Which, Harry thought, was pretty unfair because no one should be more caught off guard than Harry right now. Riddle quickly corrected his slip and diligently started to backpedal his way out of what he’d just said, “What I mean by that is, I’ve been a long-time fan- admir- or, I suppose, supporter. Of yours.”

Riddle was not doing a very good job explaining himself. And, Harry had a feeling, judging by the flustered fluttering of Riddle’s now rapidly blinking eyelashes, that Riddle wasn’t too used to not explaining himself well. He continued, “Not in any untoward way, of course. Merely, your research into Death and its adjacent forms, magic or otherwise, and your published findings in the scientific journals as well as your extensive work into broadening wixen understanding of Defensive Magic along with your tenure as Hogwarts’ Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor are astoundingly impressive.”

By the end of Riddle’s explanation, he’s nearly panting and out of breath. Hell, Harry’s breathless too, but probably for different reasons.

Not too many people acknowledged Harry’s…odd hobbies. But, honestly, it was kind of nice. Everyone hated to talk about Death and its use in magic and how it generally affected wixen at large. The only people he could happily pull into a conversation about it were the Unspeakables in the Death Chamber, but even then, it was a small pool to pick from. And Harry didn’t get access to Level Nine often.

Don’t get him wrong, people reached out to Harry regarding his Defense work, and that was all fine and well, but it was his job. Mostly. Yeah, he put in a few extra hours, and he did like his job, of course, but Death magic was definitely his passion project. So as much as he enjoyed talking shop about Defense, the pure excitement he felt delving into his other known pursuit was unparalleled.

He managed a small “Oh,” before a shout of his name pulled his attention.

“Harry! Mate! Come over here and help me throw my wife into the ocean!” Ron yelled out, laughing and holding Hermione by the waist as she desperately tried to break out of his grip.

“Harry James Potter, if you even dare—“ Hermione broke her threat with a started scream when Ron picked her up and spun her in a dizzying circle.

Harry sighed and shook his head, a smile wide and pleased taking over his face. His eyes strayed back to Riddle, who was watching him with rapt attention. “Mr Potter, you are understandably occupied. It is an important day for your friends and family, and I wouldn’t want to keep you,” Riddle didn’t seem like he meant that. He looked like he didn’t care at all about the day or time or place or anything. Harry felt himself turning red at the realisation that he wouldn’t mind spending the remainder of the night talking with the very handsome Undersecretary Tom Riddle, either.

“However, I’d like to continue our conversation if you’re amenable. Perhaps you’d allow me to owl you...,” Riddle suggested, trailing off deliberately.

Harry was nodding before Riddle was even done speaking. “Absolutely,” Harry said, “Please do.”

Riddle’s answering smile could hang the moon and the sun and all the other stars. “It’s settled, then. Have a pleasant evening, Mr Potter. And please give my regards to the bride and groom.”

Harry stuttered his way through a similar goodbye and watched Riddle return inside the venue and meander to the designated apparition point. Harry caught himself sighing wistfully and wanted someone to slap him. What was he doing acting like a love-sick teenager for a man he’d just met?

Hermione’s giggle in his ear warned him with enough time not to flinch as her head gently rested against his shoulder. Her arm slipped around his waist as Ron appeared at his other side and copied the gesture around Harry’s back. Ron’s head knocked Harry’s own as the three of them settled into a familiar hug.

“Soo, Harry,” Hermione started. She was clearly drunker than ever, but her brain was still sharp as a tack. “That was totally Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, Tom Marvolo Riddle, that you were chatting to for an awfully long time. Anything you wish to share with the class?”

Ron made a confused sound, “Wait. That was Riddle? Bloody hell, I hardly recognised him without that stick up his ass.” Ron sounded significantly less drunk, and Harry was nearly impressed.

Hermione scoffed delightedly, “Ron! You can’t say that about the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, Tom Marvolo Riddle; the sand has ears, shhh.”

“Guys,” Harry sighed, “He was just being nice because you—“ Harry side-eyed Hermione’s far too innocent face, “forced him to chat me up and have been an absolute menace about getting us together for ages now.”

“Sue me for trying to get you an advantageous match, Harry.”

“This isn’t the eighteen hundreds, and you aren’t my ma’-ma set on finding me a diamond of the first water, Hermione.”

“What’s a diamond of the first water?”

“He means a hot debutant ready to be wed, Ron; keep up.” Poor Ron had never looked more confused. “And I know, Harry, but you’ve just spoken with him, right? So you’ve gotta see what I’ve been saying after all…” Hermione swung her free arm up and down in a sort of squiggly line, “that.”

Harry hated that she was absolutely right. And he wouldn’t have ever believed her before actually meeting Riddle like this. But, “Like I said, he’s just being nice. He offered to owl me. But I doubt he’ll follow through.” There was no chance in hell that someone with Riddle’s face and Riddle’s connections and Riddle’s position in the ministry would seriously be interested in someone like Harry.

Hermione lifted her head and looked at Harry very deliberately. She slowly combed over his expression, lingered on his eyes for a while, and frowned, “You really think that.”

Ron moved and patted Harry on the back. “Listen, mate. I don’t know anything about water diamonds or debutants or whatever it is that you two are going on about with Riddle,” He started walking into the venue backwards, arms held out wide as he continued, “But! I do know that whoever you were standing over here and talking with was not the notorious ministry hardass to the Minister. That bloke definitely had the hots for you.”

Hermione whooped, “That’s my husband!” And as soon as the words left her mouth, Ron’s eyes got all soft and watery like they did during the big reveal, the ceremony, the ring exchange, the magical vow, the—like they did all day, really. She trailed after him, and they walked back in together, their broad smiles lighting up the night far brighter than any of the bell flames.

Harry chuckled to himself as he followed them in. Who cared about anything else right now? All that mattered was his two best friends, happy, hand in hand, glowing like stars in the sky.

He’d worry about Riddle tomorrow.

[berryflavouredkoolaid]

Wilhelmina Jenkins - OC

~ General ~

Full Name: Wilhelmina Colette Jenkins

Nickname(s): Billie (By everyone), Will (By her family), BJ (Mary)

Birthdate: January 28th, 1960

Blood Status: Half-Blood

Residence: London, England/New York City, United States | Ottery St. Catchpole, England

~ Physical Appearance ~

Hair Colour: Light brown

Eye Colour: Amber

Skin Tone: Tan

Height: 5’9

Body Type: Mesomorph

~ Background ~

Hometown: London, England

Born and raised in London, Billie spent much of her childhood on the streets of London with her brothers. From stealing sweets from the corner store, to sneaking into music venues to see concerts, Billie’s childhood was full of fond memories.

~ Family ~

Mother: Jeanette “Jeanie” Carr

Jeanie Carr, an American aspiring journalist, spent the summer after her college graduation in London, hoping to expand her horizons. While there, she explored museums, concerts and met Thomas Jenkins. The pair fell hopelessly in love. Jeanie learned of Thomas’s magical heritage after their wedding, only 6 months after meeting. Needless to say, Jeanie stayed in London for much longer than just a summer. Twelve years, actually. Until, she received an offer of Editor-at-Large for Vogue. Thomas refused to follow her, adamant that their three children attend his alma aater. The pair separated, and divorced officially a year later. The custody agreement dictated that the three Jenkins children would spend at school in England and spend summer holidays with their mother. Jeanie visits for Christmas every year.

Father: Thomas Jenkins

An archivist for the Ministry of Magic, Thomas Jenkins met Jeanie Carr 4 years after his graduation from Hogwarts. For him, it was love at first sight. However, it wouldn’t last. Adamant that their three children attend Hogwarts, Thomas refused to make the move across the pond to America with Jeanie. This culminated in their divorce. Thomas has the children Christmas and Easter break.

Eldest Brother: Thomas Jr. “Tommy” Jenkins

The eldest of the Jenkins children, Tommy was the first to attend Hogwarts. He was sorted into Hufflepuff. There, he met Ruth Cole, a Ravenclaw. Initially a harsh rivalry, By the time their 6th year rolled around, the pair were hopelessly smitten for each other and married the summer after their graduation. They have two children, Lorelai and Carter. Tommy owns an apothecary in Diagonal Alley.

Older Brother: Edward “Ed” Jenkins

Ed Jenkins, the first Gryffindor in the family, marked the beginning of a trend for the Jenkins children. Often the leader of their little gang, Ed became an Auror after his time at Hogwarts. He was killed in 1980 while fighting against a group of Death Eaters.

~ Magic & Schooling ~

Wand:

Wood: Red Oak

Core: Dragon Heartstring

Length: 12”

Flexibility: Rigid

House: Gryffindor

Best Class: Defence Against the Dark Arts

Worst Class: Potions

Patronus: Mongrel Dog

Patronus Memory: When she scored the winning goal for Gryffindor in the Quidditch Cup finals

Boggart: A giant snake

Riddikulus: It turns into a confetti streamer

Amortentia (what she smells like): Cinnamon, smoke, warm spiced perfume, maple syrup

Amortentia (what she smells): Parchment, chocolate, something smoky, tea (earlier: cedar, campfire, firewhiskey)

Mirror of Erised: She and all her friends and family together, alive and happy, like they were while at school

Quidditch: Yes—Gryffindor Chaser

Prefect: No

Clubs: No

OWLs:

Transfiguration: Outstanding

Charms: Exceeds Expectations

Potions: Exceeds Expectations

Defence Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Herbology: Acceptable

Muggle Studies: Outstanding

History of Magic: Dreadful

Care of Magical Creatures: Exceeds Expectations

NEWTs:

Transfiguration: Exceeds Expectations

Charms: Exceeds Expectations

Defence Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Muggle Studies: Outstanding

Care of Magical Creatures: Exceeds Expectations

~ Career & Affliations ~

1991-1998:Student at Hogwarts

1978-1981: Auror-in-Training, Member of the Order of the Phoenix

1981-1995: Auror

1995-1998: Auror, Member of the Order of the Phoenix

1998-Retirement: Auror

~ Personality & Traits ~

Personality: A Gryffindor through and through, Billie is as impulsive as she is brave. A combination with frequently lands her in Professor McGonagall’s office. Despite her normally cheery and friendly demeanour, Billie’s temper is short and hot. Billie is a social butterfly and, more often then not, is the organizer of the majority of Gryffindor house’s most legendary parties. Never one for self-doubt, Billie prefers not to dwell on negative emotions and work through them by herself.

Strengths: Loyal, outgoing, brave

Weaknesses: Impulsive, short-tempered, snappish

Fatal Flaw: Quick to anger

Likes: Pepper Imps, Quidditch, red, mini skirts, parties, Defence Against the Dark Arts, black tea, Pall Malls, plummy lipsticks, sweaters, winter, making fun of the Marauders, cars, dancing, going to hogsmeade

Dislikes: Excessively self-confident people, monotony, seafood, country music, reptiles, camping, musicals, exercise, brussels sprouts, humidity, eggs

Hobbies: Playing guitar, dancing, partying, hanging out with her friends

Favourite Place: The Three Broomsticks or the Gryffindor common room

~ Relationships ~

Best Friend(s):

Mary MacDonald

Friends:

Lily Evans

Marlene Mckinnon

Molly Weasley

Arthur Weasley

Fabian Prewett

Hestia Jones

James Potter?

Rivals:

Sirius Black

Ludo Bagman

Severus Snape

Enemies: Antonin Dolohov

Lover(s):

Gideon Prewett (D. 1981)

Billie and Gideon were close friends for almost their entire time at Hogwarts. Gideon was in the year ahead of Billie and the one to tell her about the Order when he joined up. They always had a will-they-won’t-they sort of relationship. In Billie’s 6th year, Gideon asked her to Hogsmeade on a date and she accepted. They went to Madam Puddifoot’s, although it was so horrifically awkward that they snuck out without paying and went to The Three Broomsticks. They were together until Gideon’s death in 1981 at the hands of the Death Eaters. They had one child, Clara Jenkins-Prewett

Remus Lupin

Billie Jenkins hadn’t seen Remus Lupin in over a decade when she offered to let him stay in her home. She’d heard the stories from the Weasleys about the disastrous ending to his only year teaching at Hogwarts and before she knew was she was doing, had sent him a letter. After several weeks of back-and-forth correspondence, Remus was worn down by her persistence. Billie enchanted a room to the specifications she had read up on and Remus came to stay. The pair quickly found themselves falling for each other, and by the years end were hopelessly in love. They were married in a small ceremony two years later with only a few friends and family.

Children:

Clara Jenkins-Prewett

Clara Jenkins-Prewett was born on April 19th, 1980. Born to Billie Jenkins and Gideon Prewett, Clara was a surprise. Clara’s father was killed less than a year after her birth. Raised in Ottery St. Catchpole, Clara spent much of her childhood with her cousins in The Burrow. At Hogwarts, she was sorted into Gryffindor and, like her mother, joined the Quidditch team.

~ Misc & Notes ~

She has terrible allergies and is practically dead for 3 weeks straight in the spring.

Billie has never missed a Hogsmeade weekend. It’s one of her favourite places in the world.

She never forgave Ludo Bagman for cheating her out of her winnings for a bet they made. The bet was that she couldn’t do 3 consecutive loop-de-loops on her broom while drunk. She did it, and immediately puked on the quidditch field.

She rooms with Mary, Lily and Marlene and has since first year.

Billie has really unique handwriting. It’s sort of a mix between cursive and regular handwriting. It’s practically unreadable to anyone who isn’t practiced in deciphering it.

She’s a weekend smoker. She doesn’t make it a habit but when she’s deep in thought or drunk, she’ll bum one.

She makes mixtapes for her friends. Every year, she and Mary exchange summer mixtapes before leaving Hogwarts.

She likes to do her homework outside by the Black Lake when it’s nice out.

She spends every summer in New York. She met her first boyfriend there when she was 14.

She and James are sort-of friends. They’re both chasers on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and necessity dictates that they be friendly. They also are both the ones behind a large chunk of the infamous Gryffindor parties. Honestly, even Lily thinks they’re too similar for their own good.

She and Molly Weasley are still close and have tea regularly. Billie is sort of aunt-like figure to the Weasley children.

Billie swore a solemn oath she would never curse her children with a terrible name like hers had. She stayed true to that vow.

Molly Weasley and Billie became very close following Gideon’s death. Billie relied on Molly for guidance raising Clara. They are still dear friends.

{probably my favourite oc i’ve written so far!!}

[prestedhallo7]

BISTRO - A HIDDEN GEM OF PRESTED HALL

The Prested Hall Bistro is a hidden gem nestled within the walls of a bustling members-only club at Prested Hall. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, the bistro offers an exquisite selection of healthy and sumptuous food options, catering to the diverse palates of its patrons. The Bistro is open for members of the public and is a perfect fit for locals to catch up on conversation over cup of coffee.

The bistro’s commitment to providing top-notch culinary experiences is evident in its menu, which boasts a wide array of dishes that cater to various dietary preferences and restrictions. By focusing on locally sourced, fresh ingredients, the bistro ensures that its offerings are not only delicious but also nutritious.

One of the key features of the Prested Hall Bistro is its dedication to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for its patrons. The bistro’s elegant ambiance, coupled with its attentive and friendly service, makes for a truly memorable dining experience. 

The bistro’s menu is thoughtfully curated, featuring an assortment of healthy yet sumptuous food that showcase the culinary talents of its skilled chef, Sam. Dishes such as the pan-seared sea bass with saffron risotto and the wild mushroom and truffle risotto are just a few examples of the delectable offerings that await guests at the Prested Hall Bistro.

[sednonamoris]

oooookkaaaayyyyyyy you’ve convinced me i’ll post houndprice wedding content (no one asked) 💒💘

starting off with what we already know. gaz helped pick out the ring and price proposed

i think he went for the classic wine and dine proposal route - either he took hound out for a very expensive dinner and proposed with candles and dessert and flowers and even more wine at home afterwards OR he simply did the whole nine yards at home bc there is No Chance of a public proposal from this man. he’s not that guy. just a bonus that it’s an easy access ravishing after they say yes

the rest of the 141 and laswell and her wife are of course invited + the many other friends made during service both together and apart. price figures he’s doing this once and he’s doing it right so it ends up a pretty big wedding

the venue is the little chapel down the road from where price grew up, in fact the same one he attended from a young age

hound’s one concession is an english wedding since they’ve already made price move to ireland. he would’ve done the whole thing there if they asked. they know this and chose england anyway. (he loves them so much.)

hound wears white and their granddad walks them down the aisle, price wears a deep navy tailored tux with gaz as his best man

price cries when he sees hound start down the aisle, and he sniffles through his vows. hound laughs and cries equally during theirs, which had to be edited heavily by laswell beforehand to remove most (but not all) of the dog puns

price cannot resist dipping hound for a dramatic kiss at the altar. what can he say? he’s an old fashioned romantic at heart. the mood is only slightly killed by ghost’s wolf whistle from the front pews

soap cries during his toast at the reception. the microphone has to be wrestled from hound’s granddad when his toast goes off the rails and he starts giving out about those bleedin’ brits. hound does not help matters by shouting free the north! to egg him on…

hound insists on twirling price during the first dance, and he patiently tolerates their nonsense. it’s all worth it when he gets to watch them spin soap and gaz and ghost around the dance floor later

there are plenty of beautiful staged photographs on the day, but price’s favorite is one the photographer snuck of hound lighting his cigar for him in a quiet moment away from the crowds of the reception. it’s the one he keeps framed on his office desk

[mylutteoheart]

Playing Cupid (chapter 9)

And finally a new unedited chapter. I'm sorry it took so long. The edited version of this one will be posted on ao3 tomorrow. I'm determined to finally finish this so expect updates every 2 weeks from now on. I don't know how many chapters are left but things are finally happening with gastina in this chapter. Also, at the end I was inspired by a certain creddie scene in the icarly revival so if you've seen the last episode of the show, you might recognize it. Luna and Matteo have been building their lives together slowly. Fresh out of college, they’re planning their future. But by planning this, they have an underlying plan no one knows of. Bringing their best friends together after 4 years of not being happy without the other. How well will their plan of playing Cupid work?

Prologue | chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 | find my other fics here

Chapter 9: A Bump in the Road

This was a bad idea, Nina knew it but she had to go through with it. She promised Luna to spend the day finishing up the details for the wedding. Gastón would help and that's the part that made her the most nervous.

They decided to meet at the Jam & Roller. Being in a public place might make this meeting less nerve-wracking. Plus, Luna was closeby, training for the next skating competition with the team. If they needed help with anything, she could be here soon.

"Hey, sorry, I'm late. I was discussing some details with Matteo about the duet we're doing," Gastón said in a way of greeting.

"I heard about that, Luna said Matteo was very excited about this," Nina answered, "He's really happy you're back."

"Me too, I have to admit that I missed Buenos Aires. England isn't quite the same," Gastón said quietly.

Nina smiled and answered: "I imagine so."

Gastón felt the awkwardness and changed the subject even though he wanted to say so much more.

"So what do we have to do today?" he asked.

"Well, Luna and Matteo have everything booked and sorted out. We just need to check that the things they ordered will be delivered on time," she said as she looked through all the papers with all the orders on them, "We have to make some phone calls then."

Gastón nodded in answer and said: "Sounds easy enough. What's their wedding date again? I want to make sure I get it right."

"It's exactly 4 weeks from now," Nina looked down at the date.

"Then we better hope everything is okay because arranging anything on such short notice would be impossible."

"Let's get started then."

That's what they did, for the next few hours, they make phone call after phone call. Nina was relieved to know that everything was going smoothly so far. With something else to focus on, there wasn't any awkwardness between them. But sooner or later, they'll have to have a serious talk.

***

"Are you sure this is true?," Gastón asked the lady on the phone.

"I'm afraid so, the venue was destroyed by a heavy storm. We can't repair it in time," the owner of the venue answered patiently.

"Is there any alternative?" he asked a little panicked and turned around to look at Nina to show how he felt.

"If there is, I'm afraid you need to find it yourself. We have to put all our resources in the repair of the venue."

"Alright, we'll have to find something then, thank you," he answered, disappointed.

"What's wrong?" Nina asked, clearly in panic.

"We have to find a new venue," he sighed. Feeling hopeless this problem will be solved.

***

"Finding a new venue on such short notice is going to be impossible. We're never going to find the perfect place again. How on earth will we pull this off when we don't even have time to breathe until the wedding?" Luna said exasperated, pacing back and forth in the locker room.

Nina and Gastón stood near the counter, looking worriedly at their friend while Matteo is rubbing his neck. He clearly didn't like seeing his fiancée in distress.

He gently took her hand when she waved with them and pulled her in for a hug.

"I know this wedding is stressfull, chica delivery. It doesn't help the skating competition is close but just take a breath. We can solve this, I just need you to calm down," Matteo said while rubbing her back in soothing circles.

Her shoulder fell at his words and she started to relax.

"Okay, we can do this. No worries, it's going to be fine," Luna said to no one in particular.

"Listen, you don't have to worry, okay? Gastón and I will take care of this. We'll find the perfect venue for you. We're your best friends, we know you two well enough to know where you'd like to get married. Leave it up to us to find a better location," Nina interrupted. Wanting to help her friends as much as possible.

"We will do this?" Gastón said surprised.

"Yes, we will. We can definitely do this," she answered confidently.

Luna leaves Matteo's arms to give Nina a bone crushing hug and said: "Thank you so much, Nina. That means the world to us."

When they pull apart, Matteo lays a hand around her waist and said: "Yes, thank you. I know we made the right choice when we chose you to be in the wedding."

"I don't want you to regret it," Nina just said with a shy smile.

Gastón didn't answer, he just stood there frozen. Looking for a venue for a wedding could imply so much. It could bring his feelings to the surface due to all the romance that comes with wedding shopping. This day isn't going to be as easy as he thought.

"We should get started as soon as possible, I'll go get my computer to check out some locations," Nina said, "Gastón, are you coming?" 

She looked up at him and he just nodded. She was waiting for him to come.

"Do you mind if I talk to Gastón first?" Matteo interrupted and put a hand on his best friend's shoulder.

"Sure, I'll get started without you then," Nina answered and left the room.

"I should meet up with the team to discuss some things," Luna excused herself and left the room as well.

"Are you sure you're okay with doing this? You'll be spending a lot of time with Nina this way," Matteo asked.

"I am. Of course I'm nervous about this, I know my feelings will surface but that just might be the push I need to really talk to Nina," Gastón said, confident.

"If you're sure, I trust you know what you're doing," Matteo said with a smile, "I should get back to Luna, make sure she's okay."

***

"Okay, so we have a few location sightings lined up for today. It wasn't easy to find many locations available that day but I think we managed just fine," Nina said, looking down at the list of venues they made together.

"It's mostly because of you. We wouldn't have found so many without you," Gastón smiled at her.

Nina looked down, trying to hide her blush.

"We should get started right away," it was all she said.

So they did, they planned to visit 5 locations today and they couldn't find a good one until they arrived to the last one. It was next to the Japanese garden that Luna and Matteo knew all too well.

"This was one became available at the last minute," Gastón said while looking around.

They had a great view of the stream with the red bridge over it.

Nina looked around in awe and said: "This looks beautiful."

"Yeah, it's magical," he said while looking at Nina.

"I can already see it. Right here," she said as she stepped near the edge of the grass the place where the best view of the stream is, "Matteo and Luna should say 'I do' right here. It's a perfect place. I can already see it. It would complete the circle."

"Yeah, it couldn't be more perfect," he smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Imagine this...," she said and took his hand so he could stand right in front of her.

He was surprised by her sudden touch and felt the warmth radiating of off her. He reluctantly let go and put both his hands in his pockets to avoid giving in to his want to touch her again.

"The bride and groom standing here, face to face. Both radiating with happiness. It would be so romantic. They'll start their life together right here. Matteo saying I never expected to fall for you, you came out of nowhere. Then Luna would say she can't wait to spend the rest of her life with him," she said with a faraway look on her face.

Gastón could do nothing but stare at her. While saying all of this, he was imagining them standing here. Her walking down the aisle.

When Nina opened her eyes, she saw him staring right at her and she said breathless: "Isn't that romantic?"

"It truly is," he said quietly and looked down at her lips. 

She noticed where his eyes landed and started leaning in.

[samsinghhinwick]

Hinwick For A More Memorable Wedding

London is one of the most romantic places to spend your special events, especially weddings. However, with so many dreamy and idealistic places to choose from, you may need help to select the right one. One amazing place to consider is Hinwick. This place is not just romantic and peaceful but also has a lot of things to offer, especially when it comes to the venue.

Hinwick is a village or settlement in northwest Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom. It is approximately nine miles northwest of Bedford and approximately 0.6 mi or 1 kilometer east of the country border with Northamptonshire, which is also the postal country. The village is in the Podington rural community, sometimes called Hinwick and Podington, and this township was within Hundred of Willey.

The perfect location of Hinwick makes it favorable to those planning an intimate wedding in the United Kingdom. If you have decided to spend your time in Hinwick but have yet to learn of the venue, Hinwick House is the best choice.

[tania-marasbridal]

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wedding Veil

When it comes to wedding planning, every bride dreams of looking stunning as she walks down the aisle. One of the key accessories that adds grace and elegance to any bridal look is the wedding veil. But with so many styles, lengths, and fabrics available, selecting the perfect veil can feel overwhelming.

This blog will guide you through everything you need to know about wedding veils, from the different styles and their meanings to the practicalities of wearing one. Whether you're a traditional bride or looking for something more modern, we've got you covered.

Understanding the History of the Wedding Veil

The wedding veil has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Traditionally, veils symbolized modesty and purity, especially in religious ceremonies. In Roman times, brides would wear flame-colored veils to ward off evil spirits, while in Victorian England, a veil's length and fabric were symbols of wealth and status.

Today, while the meaning behind the veil may have shifted, it still carries a sense of romanticism and timeless beauty. Brides often wear veils to add an air of mystery and sophistication to their overall wedding ensemble.

Common Types of Wedding Veils: A Breakdown

Choosing the perfect veil for your big day can feel like a challenge, but understanding the types available will make the process easier. Here are some of the most common types of wedding veils and what makes each unique:

Birdcage Veil A playful and vintage style, the birdcage veil is typically short, covering only part of the face. It's a popular choice for brides who want a retro or whimsical look.

Blusher Veil The blusher is a short veil that covers the bride's face as she walks down the aisle. It's often combined with a longer veil to create a more dramatic look when lifted.

Fingertip Veil As the name suggests, this veil extends to the bride's fingertips. It's a versatile option that adds elegance without overpowering the dress.

Chapel Veil Slightly longer than the fingertip veil, the chapel veil reaches the floor, creating a stunning look that complements both traditional and contemporary gowns.

Cathedral Veil For brides looking to make a statement, the cathedral veil is the ultimate choice. It extends several feet beyond the bride’s gown, often requiring assistance to manage. This veil exudes grandeur and is perfect for formal, large-scale weddings.

How to Choose the Right Wedding Veil: Key Considerations

1. Match Your Veil to Your Dress

Your wedding veil should complement, not compete with, your dress. If your dress is elaborate with lots of embellishments, a simpler veil may be the best choice. Conversely, if your dress is minimalistic, you can afford to go for a more detailed or elaborate veil.

2. Consider the Length of the Veil

The length of the veil plays a significant role in your overall bridal look. Shorter veils like the birdcage or blusher offer a fun, vintage feel, while longer veils like the chapel or cathedral veils provide a more formal and dramatic appearance.

3. Think About the Fabric

Wedding veils come in various fabrics, including tulle, lace, chiffon, and organza. Tulle is the most popular choice as it's lightweight and versatile, but if you prefer something more luxurious, lace and chiffon can add intricate detail and texture to your ensemble.

4. Take Your Hairstyle Into Account

Your wedding day hairstyle will impact how your veil sits and flows. For example, a birdcage veil works well with shorter hairstyles or vintage updos, while a cathedral veil pairs beautifully with long, flowing locks or elaborate buns.

5. The Wedding Venue and Theme

The formality of your wedding and the venue can also guide your veil choice. A beach wedding may call for a shorter, lighter veil, while a grand cathedral ceremony could be the perfect setting for a sweeping cathedral veil.

Challenges When Choosing a Wedding Veil

Choosing the perfect wedding veil is no easy task, especially with the sheer variety of options available. Brides often face several challenges during this process:

1. Overwhelmed by Options

With so many different styles, lengths, fabrics, and embellishments to choose from, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Brides may struggle to narrow down their choices without a clear understanding of what will work best for their specific dress and wedding theme.

2. Balancing Tradition and Modern Trends

Many brides want to strike a balance between a traditional look and something more modern. Deciding whether to follow time-honored customs, like wearing a blusher veil, or opting for a contemporary design, can be a difficult choice.

3. Working Within a Budget

A wedding veil can range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Brides who have a limited budget may need to find ways to compromise on certain aspects, such as fabric choice or embellishments, without sacrificing their vision.

4. Veil and Hairstyle Compatibility

Brides often struggle with ensuring that their chosen veil works well with their desired wedding day hairstyle. Some veils may not sit properly with certain updos or short hairstyles, making it difficult to achieve the perfect look.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Choose and Style the Perfect Wedding Veil

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you choose and style the perfect wedding veil for your big day:

Step 1: Set Your Budget

Before you start shopping, set a clear budget for your wedding veil. Knowing how much you're willing to spend will help narrow down your choices and prevent you from falling in love with a veil that’s out of your price range.

Step 2: Understand Your Style Preferences

Think about the overall look you want to achieve on your wedding day. Are you going for a vintage, modern, romantic, or classic vibe? The style of your wedding gown and the theme of your wedding will heavily influence your veil choice.

Step 3: Choose the Length

Once you’ve decided on your style preferences, consider what veil length will suit your gown and venue. For formal weddings, longer veils like the chapel or cathedral veils are ideal. For more casual weddings, shorter veils like the birdcage or fingertip veils work well.

Step 4: Select the Fabric and Embellishments

Choose a fabric that complements your dress. For instance, if your dress has intricate lace detailing, a lace-edged veil might be the perfect complement. Additionally, decide if you want any embellishments such as pearls, crystals, or embroidery on the veil.

Step 5: Try It On With Your Gown

Always try on your veil with your wedding dress to see how they look together. This step is crucial in ensuring that the veil complements your gown rather than overpowering it.

Step 6: Coordinate With Your Hairstylist

Work closely with your hairstylist to ensure your veil sits well with your chosen hairstyle. Whether you're going for an updo, half-up style, or loose curls, your hairstylist can help you position the veil for maximum impact.

Step 7: Practice Walking with Your Veil

If you’ve chosen a longer veil, practice walking with it before the big day. It’s especially important for cathedral veils, which can be difficult to manage without assistance. Practicing will help you feel confident and graceful as you walk down the aisle.

Case Study: From Overwhelmed to Stunning – How Sarah Chose Her Perfect Veil

Sarah, a bride from Brisbane, was initially overwhelmed by the number of veil options available. She had her heart set on a cathedral veil to match her grand ballroom wedding but was worried it might be too dramatic for her modern gown.

Sarah followed a similar step-by-step process outlined above. She started by narrowing down her budget and identifying her style preferences. After discussing her concerns with her bridal consultant, Sarah opted for a cathedral veil with delicate lace trim that complemented her gown’s minimalist design.

On the big day, Sarah’s veil added just the right amount of drama without overshadowing her look. Her hairstylist helped her position the veil securely with her loose, romantic curls, and Sarah practiced walking with the veil before the ceremony. When the doors opened and she began her walk down the aisle, her guests were in awe of her breathtaking look.

This case study shows that with the right approach and careful consideration, any bride can find the perfect veil to complement her unique style.

Conclusion: The Final Touch to Your Bridal Look

The wedding veil is more than just an accessory—it’s the finishing touch that can transform your bridal look from beautiful to breathtaking. From understanding the historical significance of the veil to overcoming the challenges of choosing the perfect one, the journey is well worth it.

By following this guide and considering the different styles, fabrics, and lengths, you'll find the veil that not only complements your gown but also reflects your personality and the theme of your wedding. Remember, this is your special day, and the right wedding veil will make you feel confident, radiant, and ready to walk down the aisle.

Make sure to practice with your veil, work closely with your stylist, and most importantly, choose a veil that makes you feel like the bride you've always dreamed of being.

[vivablackpoolonline]

Finding Your Perfect Wedding Venue in the North-West of England

Planning a wedding is a thrilling adventure, and finding the perfect venue sets the tone for your big day. Here’s a friendly guide to help you navigate the process and make the best wedding venue Blackpool choice for your wedding in the beautiful North-West of England.

Location Matters

Pick a venue that's easy for guests to reach. Whether it's a cosy countryside spot, a seaside gem, or a bustling city space, ensure it’s accessible and has nearby accommodation for those traveling from afar.

Size and Space

Make sure the venue can comfortably fit your guest list. Consider different areas for the ceremony, reception, and dancing. Versatile venues like estates or hotels can often offer adaptable spaces to suit your needs.

Date and Availability

Popular venues book up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Start your search early and keep a few date options open. Flexibility can sometimes mean better availability and even discounts.

Style and Atmosphere

Choose a venue that reflects your wedding theme and personal style. From bespoke bars/suites to rustic barns, elegant manors or modern lofts, the North-West has a variety of options that can set the perfect ambiance for your special day. You can also book for wedding shows in July.

Budgeting Smartly

Establish a budget and keep track of all potential costs, including venue hire, catering, and decorations. Some venues offer all-inclusive packages, which can simplify planning and help you stay within budget.

Included Services

Check what services the venue offers. On-site catering, furniture, décor, and AV equipment can save you a lot of hassle. Venues with these amenities make planning smoother and less stressful.

Guest Accommodation

For out-of-town guests, having accommodation on-site or nearby is convenient. Many North-West venues offer beautiful bridal suites and guest rooms to keep everyone close to the celebration.

Weather Plans

North-West England's weather can be unpredictable. If you’re dreaming of an outdoor wedding, ensure the venue has a lovely indoor alternative in case of rain.

Visit and Review

Always visit potential venues to get a real feel for the space. Meeting the staff and reading reviews from other couples can provide valuable insights and help you make a confident decision.

Personalisation and Flexibility

Find out how much flexibility the venue offers for personalizing your wedding. The best clubs in Blackpool are more accommodating to unique ideas and decorations, ensuring your wedding feels truly yours.

Final Thoughts

Choosing your wedding venue in the North-West of England is a delightful part of your wedding journey. By keeping these friendly tips in mind, you can find a venue that perfectly matches your vision and ensures a memorable celebration for you and your guests. Happy planning!

For more details, visit https://www.vivablackpool.com/

Original Source: https://bit.ly/4dyMf4K

[kidzkastleri]

Discover the Best Party Venues and Balloon Services in Rhode Island

Planning a party in Rhode Island? Whether it's a birthday bash, a corporate event, or a family gathering, finding the perfect party venue and balloon services is crucial. Rhode Island offers a plethora of options to make your event memorable and spectacular.

Top Party Venues in Rhode Island

OceanCliff Hotel & Resort

Located in Newport, OceanCliff Hotel & Resort provides a stunning backdrop for any event. With breathtaking ocean views and elegant ballrooms, it’s a popular choice for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. The professional staff ensures your event runs smoothly, making it a top-tier party venue in Rhode Island.

The Dorrance

Situated in the heart of Providence, The Dorrance offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern elegance. The venue is perfect for intimate gatherings and grand celebrations alike. Their gourmet catering and impeccable service make every event extraordinary.

Aldrich Mansion

For those seeking a venue with historical significance and architectural beauty, Aldrich Mansion in Warwick is an excellent choice. This 19th-century estate provides an exquisite setting for weddings, corporate retreats, and private parties. The grand interiors and manicured gardens add a touch of sophistication to any event.

Best Balloon Services in Rhode Island

Balloons Over New England

Specializing in creating stunning balloon arrangements, Balloons Over New England caters to all types of events. From colorful balloon arches to intricate balloon centerpieces, their creative designs can transform any venue into a festive wonderland. Their professional team ensures timely delivery and setup, making them a go-to for balloons Rhode Island.

Twisting Fun

Known for their exceptional balloon twisting skills, Twisting Fun offers a range of balloon services for parties and events. Whether it’s creating balloon animals for kids’ parties or sophisticated balloon decor for corporate events, they add a fun and whimsical touch to any celebration.

Balloon Creations

Balloon Creations is renowned for their innovative and customized balloon designs. They provide services for birthdays, weddings, and corporate events, ensuring each balloon arrangement is unique and tailored to the client’s needs. Their commitment to quality and creativity makes them a preferred choice for balloons in Rhode Island.

Combining Party Venues and Balloon Services

Selecting the right combination of a party venue and balloon services can elevate your event to new heights. Imagine hosting a wedding at OceanCliff Hotel & Resort adorned with elegant balloon decor from Balloons Over New England. Or, celebrate a birthday at The Dorrance with creative balloon twists from Twisting Fun. The possibilities are endless when you have access to the best party venues and balloon services in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island offers a variety of exceptional party venues and top-notch balloon services to make any event memorable. Whether you're planning a wedding, a corporate event, or a birthday party, the options are plentiful. For more information and to find the perfect match for your event needs, visit kidzkastleri.com.

[johnaldersonphotography]

Top Reasons John Alderson Wedding Photography should Capture Your Dream Day

When it comes to capturing the most important moments of your life, you deserve nothing but the best. As an award-winning wedding photographer, I, John Alderson, am dedicated to providing you with stunning, high-quality wedding photos that you will cherish forever. With years of experience and a passion for storytelling through imagery, I offer a range of professional wedding photography services designed to fit every need and budget. Why Choose Me? Voted the best wedding photographer in the North East of England 3 times, I combine technical skill with an artistic eye to create timeless wedding photography. My unique approach ensures that every shot is not just a picture but a piece of art. Whether you are looking for affordable wedding photography or luxury wedding photography, I have you covered. Professional Wedding Photography Services I offer top wedding photography services that cater to different styles and preferences. From candid wedding shots that capture spontaneous moments to elegant wedding photography that exudes sophistication, my portfolio showcases my versatility and creativity. My wedding photography packages are designed to meet various needs, ensuring that you get the best value for your investment.

Wedding Photography Packages My wedding photography packages are comprehensive and customisable. Whether you are planning an intimate elopement or a grand celebration, there is a package for you. Each package includes high-quality wedding photos, ensuring that every precious moment is beautifully preserved. For those looking for budget-friendly wedding photography, I offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality. Destination Wedding Photographer Dreaming of a destination wedding? I am an experienced destination wedding photographer who can travel to any location to capture your special day. My ability to adapt to different environments and lighting conditions ensures that your wedding photos will be stunning no matter where you tie the knot. Engagement Photography and Bridal Portraits In addition to wedding day photography, I also offer engagement photography and bridal portraits. These sessions are perfect for capturing the excitement and romance leading up to your wedding day. My creative wedding photography approach ensures that these photos are unique and reflective of your love story.

Wedding Photo Albums A wedding photo album is a beautiful way to showcase your favourite moments from your special day. I offer exquisite wedding photo albums that are custom designed to tell your wedding story. These albums are crafted with high-quality materials, ensuring that your memories will last a lifetime. Artistic and Fine Art Wedding Photography For couples looking for something truly special, my fine art wedding photography and artistic wedding photography styles offer a unique perspective. These photos are not just documentation of your wedding day but are pieces of art that capture the emotion and beauty of the moment.

Documentary Wedding Photography My documentary wedding photography style is perfect for couples who want a more natural and unposed look. This approach focuses on capturing candid moments as they happen, creating a genuine and authentic record of your wedding day.

Modern and Natural Light Wedding Photography I stay up to date with the latest trends in modern wedding photography. I am also a master of natural light wedding photography, using the beauty of natural light to create soft, romantic images. This style is perfect for outdoor weddings or venues with plenty of natural light.

Full-Service Wedding Photographer As a full-service wedding photographer, I handle every aspect of your wedding photography. From initial consultation to the final delivery of your wedding photo album, I am committed to providing a seamless and stress-free experience. My attention to detail and dedication to excellence make me the ideal choice for your wedding day. Wedding Photography Editing Studio My wedding photography editing studio is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment, ensuring that every photo I work on is of the highest quality. Timeless Wedding Photography My timeless wedding photography style ensures that your photos will never go out of style. My classic approach focuses on capturing the elegance and beauty of your wedding day, creating images that you will cherish for generations. Elopement Photographer For couples planning a more intimate ceremony, I am also an experienced elopement photographer. I understand the unique dynamics of elopements and am skilled at capturing the intimate and personal moments that make these ceremonies so special.

Wedding Photography Deals I frequently offer wedding photography deals to help couples get the most value from their investment. Keep an eye out for special promotions and discounts on my professional wedding photography services. Contact Me Today If you are looking for a high-quality, professional wedding photographer in County Durham, look no further. My award-winning wedding photography, creative approach, and dedication to excellence make me the perfect choice for capturing your special day. Contact me today to learn more about my wedding photography packages and to schedule a consultation. Let me help you create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you are planning a grand celebration or an intimate elopement, I am the best choice for capturing your wedding day in all its glory. Testimonials Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what some of my clients have to say: - “John captured our wedding day perfectly. The photos are stunning and we couldn’t be happier!” – Sarah & Mike - “The best wedding photographer in County Durham. John’s work is truly exceptional.” – Emily & James - “John made us feel so comfortable and the photos turned out amazing. Highly recommend!” – Laura & Chris

Visit my website today to view my wedding photography portfolio and to find out more about my services. Your dream wedding deserves the best, and with me, John Alderson, you can be sure that every moment will be beautifully captured.