Welcome to County Bride 'Internet Directories of Wedding Services' for: Bath & NE Somerset Bristol, S Glos & N Somerset Gloucestershire & SE Wales Wiltshire * The Gloucestershire directory now includes businesses from the Chepstow and Newport areas

As many 'organisers of weddings' will tell you, no wedding runs smoothly 'by chance'. Behind every successful day lies extensive planning and co-ordinating, and just a little fretting. The organiser will also be required to have total confidence in the many businesses chosen to provide their services before, during and after the big day.

The expertise and experience of the service providers are essential qualities in ensuring the event runs smoothly and efficiently, allowing the bridal parties to relax and enjoy the day.

Early in your campaign you will be deciding on the type of wedding - church or civil - and booking the church or civil ceremony venue. With so many licensed wedding venues to choose from today, couples really are spoilt for choice.
You will be checking out photographers and videographers - who will provide those all-important photo and video reminders - caterers, stationery suppliers, bridal wear outlets, and entertainment such as mobile discos and live bands. The cake will be chosen and the reception venue selected and booked.

You may decide to visit one of the many wedding shows in your area to obtain ideas and information and perhaps employ the services of one or more of the exhibitors. Most fayres have fashion shows or walk-around models during the event. These greatly assist in the choosing of dresses for the bride and bridesmaids - and of course the outfit for the groom.

The journey to and from the ceremony is a very public one, so much importance is placed on the method of transport to be used. You may wish to use traditional travel such as a limousine or open tourer convertible car - or you may prefer to experience the gentle motion of a horse drawn carriage. Whatever method you decide on you will be looking to secure a booking 12 months or so prior to the event.

Approximately 4 - 6 months before the day you will be contacting florists to plan your floral displays and order all the flowers. Flowers for the ceremony and reception venues are a pre-requisite, especially for traditional weddings. In addition to the flower arrangements, your florist will provide bouquets and headdresses for the bride and her attendants and buttonholes for the groom, best man and the immediate families.

There are of course many other arrangements and decisions to be made including: organizing the hen and stag parties (nights or weekends); selecting and purchasing gifts for parents and attendants; ordering the bridal favours and table decorations; selecting the hairdresser and beautician for that 'special day' make-over; purchasing the going-away outfit and honeymoon clothes.

Because of the nature of the occasion, most, if not all of the arrangements and decisions will be pleasurable ones. High on the list will be visiting the jewellers to choose the rings; compiling the gift list; booking the wedding night accommodation; and contacting the travel agent to book the honeymoon.

You may decide not to organize the event yourself and choose instead to employ a wedding planner or co-ordinator. With their knowledge, contacts in the industry and attention to fine detail you will be released to enjoy the run-up to the big day.

Whatever your requirements, be it 'a wedding dress for the bride' in Bristol or 'marquee hire' in Wiltshire; 'balloons and decorations' in Bath or 'mens formal hire' in Gloucestershire, County Bride have compiled a comprehensive directory of services whose business it is to ensure a Wedding Day that is memorable for all the right reasons.