Our experts solve your problems HOT TOPIC: WEDDING WORRIES MAKING AN ENTRANCE What questions should we ask a vintage bus company before booking? When hiring a vintage bus, make sure that your supplier has an Operator’s Licence. Anyone can own an old bus, but those who supply them commercially must operate within the government’s strict licensing system. This gives you the confidence that there will be a competent transport manager making sure that the vehicles pass regular safety checks and that drivers are properly qualified. You can check your supplier has a licence at www.gov.uk but most reputable operators will provide a link from their own website. Think about your chosen route and the practicalities of where to stop, pick up, set down, and turn around. Even a vintage bus will be around 30ft long, and it’s surprising how often we get asked to go into a tiny space designed for cars! There can be other physical restrictions too, such as overhanging trees or a low railway bridge, which a single decker can get through, but taller coaches can’t. Meanwhile, don’t forget that groups of people take longer to move around than a car full, and vintage buses travel at a more leisurely pace, so you can reduce stress on your special day by allowing extra time. If your bus journey is short, it might be practical for the same bus to double back for a second trip: this can usually be done at a much lower cost than hiring two buses. Finally, bearing in mind that most vintage bus suppliers will have set aside their day and come out specially, you might be able to get added value by asking for a trip before the ceremony to bring people from a hotel or station. This could often be done for just the extra time and fuel, so it’s always worth asking! Richard Shirley www.1950s-Vintage-Bus-Hire.co.uk DANCE SQUAD My bridesmaids and I are thinking of creating a surprise dance routine. How do we go about this? We love flash mobs and we’ve organised and taken part in quite a few including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. For anyone looking to create their own surprise routine, then we suggest the following: Music choice – Choose something that will suit the moment. Will the dance take place on the hen party or on the wedding day itself? It could mean two very different song choices. Plan rehearsal times – Like the hen party and wedding date itself, plan and work out times that people can learn the routine. We are all busy people, so try your best to accommodate peoples’ diaries. At least three one-hour sessions work best spread out over a few weeks or months. The first hour will be getting to know the track, the second will focus on the moves and the third is to practice, practice and practice. Less is more – Everyone has different dance abilities and so working out a routine that looks great doesn’t mean going overboard with complicated dance moves. It can be super simple but give the wow factor when it’s performed. The team at First Dance Studios www.firstdancestudios.co.uk FRESHLY PICKED IDEAS What should I ask a florist before booking? Before booking you should find out how long the company have been in business. It’s essential that your supplier has a high level of training and experience to make sure your day runs smoothly. A good florist will usually have a website as well as social media pages. These should include reviews and recommendations from previous clients and photos of their previous work. Make sure they are local and don’t have to travel hours to your venue. Be very wary of companies online that don’t show their location or are based hours away. Find a knowledgeable and understanding supplier. They should listen to what you would like and put your ideas into reality. Have an initial phone call, then meet up or video call to give them a detailed list of your requirements. Provide the supplier with any pictures that you like or colour samples and ask what they would suggest, and see if their ideas are what you’re looking for. Provide details and pictures of the dress you have chosen – this can affect the shape and style of your bouquet. Ask what flowers are in season to keep the cost reasonable, and if you have an unusual colour scheme, ask what the florist recommends. I recommend mixing silk flowers that are not in season with those that are to help keep the cost down. Annabel Grange www.butterfliesandbows.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 55
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