Unusual ideas for the big day

10:13am Tuesday 3rd January 2006

PLANNING a wedding is said to be one of the most stressful things in life, but what about helping others to organise their dream day?

It is all in a day's work for Swindon housewives Sonia Pawley and Helen Selwood-Starr, both of Stratton, who have set up their own wedding magazine to help couples looking for something unconventional.

The aim behind the magazine, called Something Different, was to produce an informative but alternative wedding publication which gives an idea of some of the different and unusual ideas on offer to couples for their big day.

Helen, 39, and Sonia, 37, came up with the idea of producing the magazine after their husbands showed them a wedding booklet.

"Between us we thought we could do something similar, but bigger and better," said Helen.

The pair, who have seven children between them, now work from home compiling stories and advertising for each edition.

Sonia said: "We are always looking for stories from brides who are having something that little bit different for their wedding that we could put into the magazine.

"This time we have a woman who got married in a chateau in France and a couple who had a fairy wedding."

The plan had been to produce a magazine every six months, but with things going from strength to strength it looks like it will become a quarterly publication.

"We are getting companies from all over the country contacting us and asking to advertise in the magazine," said Helen.

"We are getting invitations to wedding fairs all over the world. It's just a shame we can't go to them."

And they are getting a lot of interest from companies overseas.

"The only problem is a lot of them don't understand it is literally just us two, and that we work out of my home," said Sonia.

"I'm forever trying to keep my children quiet when I'm on the phone to clients."

The second edition looks at the delights of Star Trek-themed weddings, green weddings and catering ideas from celebrity chefs Anton Edelmann and Valentina Harris.

But Sonia wouldn't have fancied something different for her own wedding.

"I'm quite traditional so would still stick with the white dress and church.

"These days you can have 80s style weddings, school disco weddings and all sorts, but I think I'd stick with the traditional wedding."

And the best advice the pair could share with couples preparing to tie the knot is to just relax.

"It's your day. Make sure you enjoy it," said Helen.

"Just enjoy everything happening around you and go with the flow."

And Sonia encouraged brides to pause during the day and look around the room.

"Just take a moment to stop and look at everyone enjoying themselves," she said.

"Take in all the smiling faces and have a good time."

Helen and Sonia are now working hard to produce issue three of the magazine, due out in April.

For more information, or to order a copy of the magazine log on to www.somethingdifferent.biz