Wedding High

Five { Wedding } Minutes with... Ann Guise from Silk Wedding Veils

2012-03-01T09:00:00.000Z

1. Tell us about you and your company?

I’m the only designer specializing solely in designing and hand making bespoke silk wedding veils. I decided to make silk wedding veils because of the limited choice in the bridal shops. I want all brides to have the choice and opportunity of wearing a bespoke silk wedding veil. I made my own silk wedding veil because I didn’t like the feel or look of the polyester ones and I couldn’t find anywhere that sold silk veils. I’ve always loved the feel of beautiful fabrics. Being a trained fashion designer, friends would often ask me to make their bridal gown and I always suggested a silk wedding veil. Also, a standard size shop bought veil doesn’t suit everyone. No one else that I know of specialises solely in making couture silk wedding veils.

2. Do you make bespoke pieces for brides? If so, how do we start the process?

I don’t have a range as such. Each veil is bespoke and individually made to order. I start with a length of silk fabric and as I receive each order I cut the required length of fabric and put it safely in a bag with the order form, until I’m ready to make the veil. The word ‘bespoke’ originally meant ‘spoken for’. The customer would go to the tailor to order a garment, the fabric would be cut and put aside for them. This is what I do with my orders, I make veils to a bride’s specific required length and style. My veils are made to measure so the bride can have the correct length to suit her. Shop measurements can sometimes be confusing because the length of the veil usually includes the length of the blusher.

The style of veil is a bride's choice. She should have the veil she wants and never feel pressurised into wearing something because it is the ‘proper’ or ‘right’ way. Each bride is an individual and should do her own thing. I make suggestions and work with the bride on her ideas. I also take into account a bride’s budget. Decoration on the dress and length of train need to be considered when deciding on a style. A veil shouldn’t distract from the total look of the outfit. The eye should centre on the bride with the veil creating an aura around her. I can add lace, silk ribbon, Swarovski diamante, crystals, pearls, bespoke embroidery – just about anything the bride wants. One bride had a design around the edge which echoed her engagement ring and another had a replica of her Grandmother’s vintage 1940s silk veil.

3. Do Have you any new products or services coming online in 2012 that you would like to share with us?

I’ve had a considerable amount of interest in my veils from retailers, as far away as Australia, so I’m considering designing a range which can be made to order and bought through selected retailers. I would still continue with my bespoke work. I’m always developing new embroidery and appliqué designs.

4. Can you share some pictures of past weddings you’ve done?

Dennis Mok

Philip Fearnley

Steve Ramsden's Studio

5. How can brides get in touch with you?

I’m happy to speak to Brides on the phone or correspond by email. If they live fairly close I can visit.

ANN GUISE fscd
Silk Wedding Veils
www.annguise.com
Tel: 02920750723

Email: enquiries@annguise.com

The Legends of the 'Leap Day Proposal'...

2012-02-29T09:00:00.000Z

I couldn't let today go by without a feature on Leap Day Proposals now, could I? ~ a once in every four years opportunity after all :)

Source

So where { or how } did Leap Day Proposals or a woman's right to propose to her man all start?

As you would expect a few countries lay claim to the tradition or have a variation of it! Of course, being a proud Irish Woman ;) I am going to say it all started here, in Ireland, in the 5th Century :) ...

St. Bridget, the romantic soul she was, apparently felt greatly upset for her fellow 'sisters' and how long it took for some of their 'beaus' to propose, so she took it upon herself and complained to St. Patrick { who had done such great work for us, ridding all the 'snakes' in Ireland } and brought the matter to his attention, that it should be a woman's right to choose and propose to a husband too...

However, it appears that St Patrick was rather a traditional sort and liked the idea of a man proposing to a woman, but saw that St. Bridget had a point and so ' decreed ' that yearning { don't you just love that term ?} women could propose to their beaus on February 29th { every four years }. ~ how very kind of him!!

In Britain,, a similar 'Leap Day Proposal' exists for women... according to Old English law, February 29th had no legal standing, it existed merely to 'fix' a problem in a calendar and only occurred every 4 years. As it was also law that only man could propose to women, it became tradition on February 29th, that as the date no legal stance, other problems could be 'fixed' also... such as women waiting too long for a proposal could take matters into their own hands and pop the question to their time-wasting beaus! { Note to self... must find out what the average age was a bride was back then... cause these 'beaus' must have been taking YEARS! }

Interestingly traditions exist in the case that a man refuses a Leap Day Proposal...

In Finland a man must buy a woman fabric for a skirt if her refuses her proposal.

In Denmark, the 'fine' is 12 pairs of gloves { presumably to hide the woman's 'shame' of no wedding ring. }

On the flip side, in Greece it is considered bad luck to get married during a leap year and often engaged couples will avoid a leap year wedding because of this superstition.

So are you planning to pop the question today? If so I would love to hear how it went!!

Tuesday's Wedding Ring Treat

2012-02-28T16:47:00.002Z

As its 'Oscar Week' ~ this week's 'Tuesday's Wedding Ring Treat' has {tenuous} link to the world of acting and is actually a replica of Reese Witherspoon's engagement ring given to her by {the gorgeous} Ryan Philippe.

This vintage art deco sterling engagement ring is just gorgeous { and so different } and I am sure was among many reason Reese found it so easy to say yes to Ryan :)

What do you think?

Source: evesaddiction.com via Tonya on Pinterest

For more details on this ring check out Eve's Addiction

'Get the Look' Wedding Make-Up by Helen Kalli

2012-02-27T09:00:00.000Z

Looking picture perfect on your wedding day is a must for all brides! Working with a professionally trained make-up artist is an excellent way of staying picture perfect but many brides prefer to do their own make-up themselves!

We spoke with Helen Kalli of The Bridal Make-Up Artist about what to use to create a picture perfect bridal look.

Her top make-up products for creating a perfect bridal look are:

Primer:

Nars Multi-Protect Primer £24 Primer is a very important first step as it evens and smooths out the skin preparing it for foundation. It also helps make up in giving it staying power.

Foundation:

Face Atelier Ultra Foundation is fab, it gives a good buildable coverage without any tell-tale signs or looking heaving. I apply this foundation with a brush.

Concealer:

I use two separate concealers one for under eyes, and one for the face. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage £26 is an oil-free concealer that is great for covering up redness, blemishes, pigmentation (anything on the face that needs to be hidden) apply with a small nylon brush use a tiny amount as a little goes a long long way!) Secret Concealer £18.50 goes under the eyes, this is a rich emollient concealer that doesn’t cake or look heavy.

Highlighter:

Becca Opal £30

Eyes:

All Laura Mercier;

Wheat eye base all over lid and under brow to secure eye make-up all day!

Peach Shimmer bloc £30 on the lid (can be used to highlight cheeks)

Brown Copper pencil lash-line and outer corners to smoke the eyes up!

Brows:

Laura Mercier Brow duo in soft blonde £20.50

Cheeks:

By Terry Gel blush in Fresh Rose £40

Lips:

Laura Mercier £18.50 Rose Glace

Big shout out to Helen's lovely bride Jennifer who you see featured above and who was snapped by the lovely Jo Curtis of Jo Curtis Photography.

Helen Kalli has built up a reputation for excellence in make-up artistry, both in the UK and internationally. With over 12 years at the top of the industry and her impressive client list includes huge names such as Dannii Minogue, Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, Lily Cole, Antony Costa, Jasmine Guiness, Alek Wek, Claudia Schiffer, Paloma Bailey, Jade Jagger, Maggie Jagger, Jerry Hall, Sean Jean (Puff Daddy), Kim Porter, Kim Cattrall, Salma Hayek, Agynes Dean, , Sophie Dahl, Fearne Cotton, Plum Sykes (Vogue), Jennifer Ellison, Jo Whiley and Terri Seymour.

Friday's Wedding Photo Fix

2012-02-24T16:24:00.000Z

Am feeling a little crazy today... it could be the fact that I am 'doped up' on serious amounts of cough medicine, { I am battling one serious chest infection this week } or that I am just {abso -friggin -lutely} in love with this picture!

Forgot a trash the {wedding} dress photo shoot... would you be brave enough to do this on your wedding day? { Hands up if you are!}

I just love the juxtaposition { Yes, Ms O' Hanlon*, I do know big words... and auto-spell can spell them for me too! } of the wedding dress against the crashed cars and rust! The cowboy boots are kind of awesome too!

Source: Uploaded by user via Sam on Pinterest

{ *Ms O' Hanlon is my old Secondary School English teacher... she didn't care much for my abilities in English...;)... }

Five { Wedding } Minutes with Caroline Hendry of Hitched.ie

2012-02-23T09:00:00.000Z

1. Tell us about you and Hitched.ie?

Hitched.ie is part of a global family of wedding websites, the first of which started in the UK in 1997. Using the skills and expertise gained over a number of years – hitched.ie has developed into one of Ireland’s fastest growing wedding websites.

Hitched.ie was officially launched in 2010 and gives wedding planning couples one simple place where they can search for their venue, wedding suppliers and gain insight and inspiration from our features, blogs and planning articles. Combined with excellently crafted wedding planning tools and a bulging bridalwear section, hitched.ie has everything a newly engaged couple would need to plan their perfect Irish wedding.

I have been the site editor at hitched.ie for just over a year now and it has been fantastic to see the site grow into what it has become today. In the past year we have seen our wedding inspiration galleries expand vastly and we introduced monthly newsletters and monthly themes for the articles on our sites. I’ve had a fantastic year with hitched.ie, a warm welcome from Irish wedding professionals and am excited to see how we move forwards with the site for 2012.

2. What’s different about Hitched.ie? Why should couples sign up and use the site?

There are a number of things that make us different, not only are we there to inspire couples planning their wedding, they can save all their ideas, budgets, to-do lists and more in our members section. Meaning they can log in to the site wherever they are and have all their planning and ideas right there in front of them, be they at home, at work or elsewhere.

3. Do you have a top wedding planning tip you would like to share with our readers?

The key to wedding planning is simply that – planning. By keeping organised and knowing what you need to do, you will eradicate half your wedding planning stress immediately. Also, in the midst of all your planning it can be easy to get caught up in it and forget what that special day is really about. So make sure that you take a few minutes every now and then to remember what the day means and what really matters.

4. Have you any new products or services coming online in 2012 that you would like to share with us?

We recently launched our scrapbook and moodboard tools on hitched.ie. The scrapbook tool is a great way for couples to keep a collection of all their favourite wedding pictures and inspiration. We have extensive inspiration galleries with everything from cakes to hair ideas and as a member you now have the option to save all your favourite images into your personal wedding scrapbook that you can look at any time you want. We also recently launched the moodboard tool. Our members can now click and drag all their favourite images onto a wedding moodboard to see how all they come together and what colours work well together. Both tools have been a big hit with brides so far and we look forward to more development on the site in the coming months.

5. As one of the world’s major wedding website what do you see as some key wedding trends for 2012?

Pastel colour blocking has been a huge trend on the catwalks for 2012 and as always, we see these trends trickle down into the wedding industry. Expect to see bridesmaid gowns in baby blue, lemon yellow and mint green. Pastel shades can work beautifully as a single uniform shade influencing your day. Or you can even be more creative and mix and match from a pastel colour palette.

6. How do brides & grooms sign up to the site?

Signing up to the site is free, easy and simple. When you go to www.hitched.ie you will see a button to register, you then simply fill in your details, click submit and then you are a full hitched.ie member with access to all the great features on our site.

How to Plan the Dream Honeymoon

2012-02-22T09:00:00.000Z

As a married woman, one of things I would LOVE to do each year is going on my honeymoon... over and over... its was spectacular! And if Mauritius would ever like to invite me back... I will be only too have to oblige! For those of you who are in the midst of planning their own honeymoons here is some great advice from Claire on how to plan your dream honeymoon!

Source:

No two couples' dream honeymoon is alike. Everyone wants a holiday that expresses themselves and their relationship: adventurous, stylish, fun, luxurious, glamorous, or some combination of the above. Some people want to relax and unwind after all the stress of planning and carrying out a wedding but some may be yearning for something new and exciting, to start the marriage as they mean to go on!

Whatever it is that you want, it's not going to be exactly the same as what any other couple wants, and nor should it be! You fell in love with one another because of your unique individual characteristics. Yours isn't a package relationship or a package marriage, so why should you settle for a package holiday as a honeymoon?

If you choose a company that creates bespoke itineraries on your behalf, you will never have to settle for second best. With a holiday that’s tailor made, you can go where you like, do what you want, travelling and returning when you want. And because you will have an expert on your side making it all happen, you will be able to get the best deals too.

Source: guarda.pt via Brandy on Pinterest

Whether you prefer relaxing on a Caribbean beach, going on safari in Kenya, exploring the historical cities of Europe or the ancient cultures of India, a bespoke honeymoon will open the door to your dreams as these experts can tell you where in the world you can combine all of these passions without having to fly from one country to another! Whether you prefer fine dining, or quirky roadside cafés, or a mixture of the two; camping adventures, poolside spa luxury, or some of both, you can have whatever you want.

Your honeymoon will last many times longer than your wedding day, which by its nature needs to be about your family and friends as well as about yourselves. Make your honeymoon a time for just the two of you, a time to create memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy coming up with ideas together, but leave it to the experts to do the boring bits, then set off for the beginning of your new life together as husband and wife.

Author Bio: Clare Wallace realised her love for all things wedding related back in 2007 when preparing for her big day and has been blogging about bridal topics ever since. Clare works in the fashion industry so has a particular passion for bridal gowns, wedding underwear and luxury accessories.

Tuesday Wedding Ring Treat

2012-02-21T09:00:00.000Z

How fun are these wedding rings? If you are looking for something different and unique this might be totally up your street!!

Source: popgloss.com via Maria on Pinterest

Check out Popgloss for more details!

How to choose a Maid of Honor

2012-02-20T09:00:00.000Z

Your wedding is no doubt one of the most important events of your life. Therefore it is crucial that you select the perfect maid of honor, with the right credentials to stand by your side as you vow to commit yourself to your true love and soul mate, on a day sure to go down in history, as your best. And if you have a gaggle of sisters or best gal pals not only fighting for the bouquet, but also fighting for the most coveted position in your bridal party, it can be tough to decide who’s got what it takes to fill, the seriously fabulous shoes, of your maid of honor. So that you don’t have a meltdown in the selection process, be sure to check out our tips that will help you come to the right conclusion:

Think about family first. They say that sisters are our best friends from birth. And if you consider yours to be more than someone who just stole your favorite pair of jeans or even your 6^th grade boyfriend, then you might think about, handing over to her, the duties of your maid of honor. If you have a few sisters from which to choose, etiquette guidelines say that it’s right to pick the one who is closest in age to you. But if you aren’t particularly close to a sister or another family member, then move on to a friend who might be better fit for the role.

Review your list of friends. Most brides have a group of girlfriends who would be eager to be the maid of honor but if you can’t think of one right off the top of your head, consider who will be willing to take on the responsibilities and will most enjoy helping you with wedding planning tasks—and of course who’s going to plan the most outrageous bachelorette party! { Kidding (sort of).} Choose the girl who has been there for you through thick and thin, knows you better than anyone else and will wear the title the most seriously.

Consider responsibilities. It’s no secret that a maid of honor holds the weight of some heavy responsibilities on her pretty little shoulders…so you’ve got to pick someone who is going to be able to stand it. There is the responsibility of attending appointments with you, planning an array of showers, being there for emotional support and taking on financial obligations. And a top contender would be someone who is reliable, organized and has a flair for handling stressful situations. So be sure that you choose a maid of honor who will not only make the process of getting hitched fun, but will be able to excel in all areas so that you can rest assured and breathe easy before heading down the aisle.

Be sensitive. Even though your wedding is supposed to be all about you, don’t forget that the position of head bridesmaid requires a lot of time, energy, dedication and money…so be sensitive to these factors when picking your perfect maid of honor. Be realistic about what you expect from whomever you choose and make sure that you are careful not to hurt the feelings of others biting at the bit for the job.

Cindy McDonald is a guest post author who enjoys writing about weddings and the planning that goes into the big day. In addition, Cindy also writes for Free Catholic Dating Sites where she provides information about safe online dating for Catholic singles.

Friday's Wedding Photo Fix

2012-02-17T09:00:00.000Z

Ladies & gents have I got a wedding photo for you today... actually have I got a wedding you just HAVE to check out today... I was totally blown away by this when I stopped by a good friends and fellow Wedding Planner's blog to have a look...

Absolutely stunning I think you will all agree... no?

Source: aislinnevents.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

I can't stress enough how much each and everyone one of you needs to check out the full wedding over on Aislinn Events blog and of course after you do that, you need to head straight over to the wonderful { Photographer's site } Shane O' Neill of Aspect Photography and book him for your wedding ASAP! :)

Five { Wedding } Minutes with Sell My Wedding

2012-02-16T09:00:00.000Z

1. Tell us about you and your company?

Hi there, My name is Rebecca Aspin and I live in Beverley a beautiful market town in East Yorkshire. A thirty-something public sector press officer, I juggle the day job with being a wife, mother and founder of Sell My Wedding – a new UK-based online marketplace of pre-loved wedding items.

As a newlywed myself I was looking for a way to share all the beautiful items and fabulous finds from my wedding with another bride. Three years on, many of the items from my wedding were still in bags and boxes. It seemed such a shame and waste to banish such beautiful items to the loft, never to be used again. On investigation, I couldn’t find a UK website that specialised in selling second hand wedding items. Although there were websites for selling second hand wedding dresses, there was nothing out there where you could sell everything to do with your big day. I thought that such a marketplace would not only be a great way to help make a wedding more affordable but it would also enable brides-to-be to gain inspiration from newlyweds, who had already done the hard work by trawling websites, magazines and shops to find the perfect items for their wedding.

2. So what is Sell My Wedding?

Sell My Wedding is an online marketplace dedicated to the buying and selling of used or pre-loved wedding items; where you can sell everything to do with the big day from the dress to dressing the reception.

Sell My Wedding puts newlyweds who are looking to recoup some of the cost of their big day in touch with brides-to-be who are not only looking for inspiration but a way to make their wedding affordable. Unlike other websites that specialise in selling second hand wedding dresses Sell My Wedding lists everything to do with weddings; from veils to vases. It also features items for the whole wedding party from grooms to pageboys, ushers, bridesmaids to the mother-of-the bride.

The benefit for brides-to-be is that if they know what they are searching for they can search via an extensive category list or by theme; from traditional or vintage to seasonal. Brought together under one website the aim is that brides will be able to find everything they need for their wedding and as everything is second hand or pre-loved, the beauty is that it will be at a fraction of the original cost.

3. How does Sell My Wedding Work?

How the website works is that sellers simply pay a one off fee of £20 to list an unlimited number of wedding items (although it is currently free to sell for a limited time). There are no individual listing fees, no sales commission and items won’t expire until they have been sold. Sellers can upload their own items, including photos and manage their listings, they also have a profile page so that they can add details about their own wedding to help inspire other brides.

Buyers can then search the website via an extensive category list, by season or by theme. To contact a seller directly they simply need to register as a seller and then they will be able to access the seller's email address to contact the seller directly. So in effect the website is a noticeboard - a wedding marketplace to put buyers in touch with sellers.

4. Have you any new products or services coming online in 2012 that you would like to share with us?

As we have only been live for a few months, there are still lots of empty categories however brides-to-be should keep checking back. We already have a fantastic vintage lace dress for £125 and a tiara priced at £1.99! We are also hoping to attract more vendors to the website – those who sell second-hand, vintage, handmade, hired or sample wedding items.

Over coming months we are going to introduce a noticeboard feature so that brides-to-be can list what items they are looking for as well as making improvements to the sign up process following some suggestions from users.

5. Can you share some pictures of items available on Sell My Wedding?

I have attached a spring mood board of fantastic pre-loved items that are all for sale on Sell My Wedding.

6. How can brides get in touch with you?

To register as a seller go to http://www.sellmywedding.co.uk/sellersignup.

If anyone has any questions you can drop me a line at hello@sellmywedding.co.uk

Fun Wedding Facts & Trivia

2012-02-15T09:00:00.000Z

Some interesting fun facts and wedding trivia to start your Wednesday off with :)

Tuesday's Wedding Ring Treat!

2012-02-14T09:00:00.000Z

First off... BIG CONGRATS if you are just engaged!

And a BIG happy valentines to all my readers!

Now I know there are many who think that Valentine's day is a huge, overly commercialised day, and perhaps in some senses it is... but ultimately its about love... giving and receiving. And for someone who loves so many people and so many things, there is nothing in life greater than love... so of course with that attitude, I absolutely LOVE valentines day and what in stands for:

So whether you are in a relationship, single, coming out of a relationship, want a relationship or don't want one... today is the day to celebrate all your love... not just your romantic kind. Remember {at least} 15 people in your life truly love { the amazing person } you { are }... that is such a huge thing to celebrate!

Now of course there is a lot of romantic love going on today... and it is a rather fitting day to have a Wedding Ring treat, considering many will be getting lovely new, shiny sparklers so with out further a do...

you can all simply swoon at this...

Source: voltairediamonds.ie via Bláithín on Pinterest

If someone has just popped the question, or you are feeling exceptionally kind to yourself hand on over to Voltaire Diamonds to learn more about this beauty or any of their other FANTASTICALLY GORGEOUS rings...

5 Gorgeous Bridal Lingerie Ideas for Your Wedding Night

2012-02-13T12:20:00.000Z

For the week that is in it! I thought we would do something a little bit sexier on the blog today! I am really excited to share this guest post with you because I think the lingerie featured is absolutely gorgeous and hopefully might inspire some of you to nip out and buy something special for tomorrow night! { As well as your wedding nigh!! } :)

When a girl comes to choosing her wedding lingerie, the main thing to consider is when you'll be wearing it. For during the day time, lingerie may not be required as so many dresses contain internal corsetry that holds everything in and pushes everything up but in the evening, you may want to change into an entirely new outfit altogether! Here is the guide to bridal lingerie according to designer lingerie company Fox & Rose.

If you are on the lookout for lingerie to go underneath your dress, most people will assume that this needs to be practical and therefore boring but this simply isn't the case! The best example of this is Stella McCartney's bustier bra named the MariaBouncing Bra. The delicate colour, smooth-line finish and detachable straps make it practical for wearing under most dresses but the vintage pattern makes it highly desirable and alluring.

For those who want to get changed in the evening into something a little more comfortable, why not slip into a longline, sheer, silk nightdress such as the adequately named 'SeduceMe Gown'. Great for draping yourself around the honeymoon suite. Perhaps the ultimate in loungewear is the Naked Boudoir Gown in its soft, delicate hue of blush silk that creates an extraordinary shape from the exposed neckline to the nipped in, lace panelling at the waist.

The CremeFouette Shoulder Bra comprises of a delicate lace adorned with crystals that's delicate yet striking with a matching brief. Perfect for throwing on under your normal outfit as a sexy surprise for your husband when you arrive at your honeymoon hotel!

Don't want to wear anything under your dress or get changed in the evening? Just slip the Aphrodite Bridal Garter on your leg for a sexy surprise when your new husband takes your wedding dress off at the end of the night.

Big thank you to Clare Wallace for sending this in!

Claire realised her love for all things wedding related back in 2007 when preparing for her big day and has been blogging about bridal topics ever since. Clare works in the fashion industry so has a particular passion for bridal gowns, wedding underwear and luxury accessories.

Five { Wedding } Minutes with Bish Bosh Becca

2012-02-09T09:00:00.000Z

1. Tell us about how Bish Bosh Becca came about?

I started over 6 years ago. My Mother had a lot of her jewellery stolen and I knew I could not replace it. I saw in a craft magazine a cheap crochet bracelet with plastic beads aimed at children. I thought I could make it in gold plated wire with the stone used in her favourite bracelet that was stolen. She loved it.

Then my husband made the mistake of going overseas for 6 months and he came home to a house full of beads. So Bish Bosh Becca was born!

2. What’s in the range? What can a bride choose from?

I design and make jewellery both contemporary pieces and also more traditional designs. You will find dainty pearl and sterling silver pendants to cluster necklaces with crystal charms, delicate chain bracelets to chunky cuff bracelets, stud and drop earrings plus many, many more.

If they are looking for the perfect gift for the smaller members of their bridal party, then I also offer many of the items, available in our main range, in miniature. These also make perfect gifts at Christenings.

Neither do I neglect the Mother of the bride! I hope she will also find that perfect piece of jewellery to finish off hr outfit

3. Do you make bespoke pieces for brides and bridesmaids? If so, how do we start the process?

Yes!

If someone sees something they sort of like but want it in a different colour or length, or they want this part of that necklace and part of another, then I can work them to create the perfect piece.

Initially I would ask the bride to have a look at the website and see if she can see anything she likes. Even if it is that crystal from that necklace and that pearl from another. This will give me an idea of what she is looking for. I am also happy for her to email me any images she has come across.

Often I will also send out crystals and pearls as samples. This is important, especially when matching colours for bridesmaids. Or I will be sent a sample of fabric to match.

4. Have you any new products or services coming online in 2012 that you would like to share with us?

I have just introduced two new ranges that I am quite proud of. The friendship bracelets, that can be personalised by colour as well as silver charms added. I have made these for children and adults so they make perfect gifts for the whole bridal party.

The second range is the swarovski crystal and pearl necklaces. These add an affordable finishing touch for both brides and bridesmaids. They are available in many different colours from white, ivory to vintage pink, garnet, deep purple and jet black. There are 3 different designs to choose from, 12 different colours and 2 finishes, either sterling silver or gold plate. The best bit is they range in price from £15- £19

5. Can you share some pictures of work with us?

I sure can...

6. How can brides get in touch with you?

The best way is to email me at info@bishboshbecca.co.uk or contact me through the website www.bishboshbecca.co.uk

10 Super Cute Wedding Place Settings

2012-02-08T15:14:00.001Z

For me at a wedding I always think that your place setting is a little like your invite... the invite is a sneak peak at the style of the wedding to come, and the place setting is like a sneak peak at the meal and the evenings entertainment yet to come.

So treat & excited your guests, do something fun with yours...

Top Tip: If you are going to go to this extra expense, make sure that your design & theme { props etc } are reusable... either that they double up as wedding favours or can be collected up afterwards and turned into something else.

{Like napkins/ runners to quilts or cushion covers. Flowers into bouquets for the sick or replanted in your garden.}

Here are 10 great pics to inspire you!

Source: weddingchicks.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: ritzybee.typepad.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: ilovehoneylace.tumblr.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: deliacreates.blogspot.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: niemierko.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Source: beautifulcliche.tumblr.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Tuesday's Wedding Ring Treat

2012-02-07T09:25:00.000Z

Lovely treat for you today guys, this is a gorgeous diamond engagement ring made buy the very talented guys at Barry Doyle Design.

I love the way this engagement ring looks and feels very modern & contemporary, yet seems to have strong Celtic influences.

Perfect for the bride -to-be who would like something that little bit different for her engagement ring.

What do you think?

Check out Barry Doyle Design for even more stunning wedding & engagement rings!!

How to Keep Wedding Plans from Straining Your Relationship

2012-02-06T15:18:00.000Z

Something super important for you all to read today guys... and another great guest post to boot... this time by the lovely {and very witty} Cindy McDonald... take it away Cindy...

Your fiancé popped the question and you couldn’t be happier! So now you are wrapped up in veils, floral arrangements, cake samples and other activities that go into planning a fairytale wedding to rival that of Kate and Will’s—but wait! Are you also wrapped up in your fiancé?

Planning your dream wedding is likely one of the most exciting things you will do as a couple. But because of all the stress that goes along with making sure that getting hitched goes off without a hitch, much of that stress can often find its way into your relationship. So to keep wedding plans from straining the bond between you and your future husband and to guarantee that he is there at the end of the aisle on the big day, don’t miss the following tips:

Stick to a budget. Money is one of the biggest reasons why couples fight…and so that you don’t blow all of your money before you tie the knot, it is necessary that you and your other half are on the same page and come to a mutual agreement on a budget to which you can easily stick. Sure, that Vera Wang dress makes you look like a vision right off the catwalk…but before you ring it up at the cash register, make sure that it fits into your financial plans for the wedding. Being honest about your purchases and always keeping your fiancé in the know about what the two of you are spending for your nuptials will keep your relationship as well as your bank account intact.

Spend quality time together. Of course, your world is bound to get a lot more hectic with a wedding in the works; and the planning that goes into it is a sure-fire way to keep you so busy that you don’t even have the time to put on your socks in the morning, let alone spend time with your man. But the key to keeping your relationship from suffering from the craziness is to make sure you block out dates in your calendar not just for tastings and visiting the perfect venues—but also for spending quality time with your fiancé. So put down the bridal magazines and step away from the do-it-yourself center pieces! Planning date nights at a new restaurant, to go see a movie or even just to spend a quiet evening at home cooking together can be romantic and will be a much needed break to refocus on each other and what made you want to marry each other in the first place.

Include your fiancé in plans. The wedding is all about the bride, right? Wrong! For there to actually be a wedding, typically a groom needs to be there. Quite often with weddings, all of the attention gets put on the wifey-to-be and the hubby-to-be gets lost in the shuffle. Even if your guy says he doesn’t care to be involved in the wedding plans, show him that his opinion is important you and share some of your spotlight by including him on portions of the event planning that matter to him.

Remember, it’s about the marriage—not just the wedding. Many brides often get caught up in the idea of a fairytale wedding and lose sight of what the wedding actually symbolizes: a marriage. Sure, you want to throw a fabulous ceremony and reception that will go down in history and be talked about for ages—but remember the reason you are even throwing a wedding is so that you can spend the rest of your life with your soul mate. Keep this in mind so that your groom feels special and not like his role could just be filled by any old guy in a tux.

Cindy McDonald is a guest post contributor who enjoys writing about planning weddings. In addition, Cindy also owns Best Christian Dating Sites where she educates visitors about the importance of safe online dating.

Friday's Wedding Photo Fix

2012-02-03T09:23:00.000Z

Oh I love this one... I think its so creative and awesome and fun and everyone should have a photo like this in their wedding album :)

Source: baltares.blogspot.com via Elle on Pinterest

In the interest of full disclosure I don't know who the super Photographer is who took this... I know it came from this blog and I am waiting to hear back from the Author if its their own or whose it is... so if this is yours please do let me know so I can give you full credit and please do the same if you know whose it is... mucho appreciated! :)

Five {Wedding} Minutes with... My Chocolate Explosion!

2012-02-02T09:00:00.000Z

Recently I met the lovely Stephanie Myles from My Chocolate Explosion and she's taken the time to answer some questions and tell us all about her fabulous products! {Yummy! }

1. Tell us about how My Chocolate Explosive came about?

I started My Chocolate Explosions – Ireland North West at the end of November 2011 and it started because I was looking for a new innovative idea that was easily affordable and would appeal to a wide range of customers. I had seen the idea on-line as it is very big in England and thought it would easily translate to the Irish market. Once I had seen the product I loved it and believed that other people would feel the same and see have diverse it can be so I purchased the franchise for the north-west of Ireland.

2. What’s in the range? What can a bride choose from?

There are two main products in the range – My Chocolate Explosion and a Celebration Ball. The Chocolate Explosion is made up of bars and sweets that are mounted on stems and then creatively mixed by hand with brightly coloured accessories exploding from inside colourful containers. The Celebration Balls are literally a giant ball of treats which again are individually mounted on stems and they are custom made with either one particular treat or a mixture of sweets, whichever a bride would prefer. Both products are custom made using quality branded sweets/bars and can be colour coded to suit any occasion. The Celebration Ball in particular is perfect for combining as a table decoration and wedding favours.

3. Where do My Chocolate Explosion’s work best at a wedding?

The ideal location for My Chocolate Explosion’s at a wedding is for table decorations/party favours but we have also had people book them for placing in guests rooms in the hotel as a surprise when they book.

4. Have you any new products or services coming online in 2012 that you would like to share with us?

All our products are available throughout the year but as they are custom made we do need two months notice for any orders over twenty.

5. Can you share some pictures of past weddings you’ve done?

6. How can we get in touch with you to make a booking for our wedding?

Our contact details are:
Mobile: (after 3pm): 086-0517244
Email: brightsmyleschocbouquet@hotmail.com
Facebook: My Chocolate Explosion – Ireland North West
Website: ireladnorthwestmychocolateexplosion.eu

Believe me guys these Chocolate Explosions look fabulous! Ideal on or in a candy buffet, as a special treat as the kiddie's table centrepiece or if you are a real 'choc-o-holic' as centrepieces on every table ~ no that would be hard core ;)