Perfect White Wedding

A Flower for All Seasons

Editor — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 12:21:02 +0000

Do you know which flowers will be in season when you get married? Wedding flowers can be a costly business and although most flowers are available to import all year round, it's worth planning ahead and considering which blooms are in season locally to keep the price down.

Spring wedding flowers
Some of the prettiest and most fragrant flowers are around in spring in fresh yellows and warm pinks. Tulips, hyacinths, narcissus, mimosa, arum lily, lisianthus and sweet peas are all strong wedding favourites. Peonies, my favourite wedding flowers are also in season now as well as Lily of the Valley.

Summer wedding flowers
Country garden flowers sum up summer perfectly in beautiful shades of blue and hot pink. Blue delphiniums, snapdragons, dahlia, sweet william, gerbra, gladioli, iris, cala lily, hydrangea and of course the classic of all wedding flowers - roses! Sweet peas, lisianthus, arum lily, peony flowers are still in season as well.

Autumn wedding flowers
Autumn introduces the beautiful russet palette and many of the summer favourites are still available. In season now are sunflowers, dahlias, chinese lantern, ornamental cabbage, ranunculus, gerbera, snowberry, cala lily, arum, lily, roses, chrysanthemum and amaryllis.

Winter wedding flowers
Festive berries, deep reds and crisp whites are perfect for winter floral displays. Gladiolus, anemone, dog rose, amaryllis, winterberry, grand prix rose, chrysanthemum, ranunculus, flamingo flower, ornamental cabbage, avalanche rose, hyacinth, liliumorchid.

Category:

The Wedding Day

Flowers

Celebrity Wedding Locations

Editor — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 09:54:06 +0000

Getting married abroad is increasingly popular with celebrities and mere mortals. Maybe it's the guaranteed weather or the need for a more exotic touch to make that special day unforgettable, here are a few venues popular with celebrities going abroad to tie the knot.

Italy
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes married in a romantic ceremony at 15th century Odescalchi Castle in Lake Bracciano, Italy. The medieval castle boasts a palace and fortress, as well as a museum for guests to visit. Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt chose the same venue for their nuptials in 2011.
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski also exchanged vows in Italy, choosing an intimate service at the Villa D’este in Como.

Spain
Spain is a popular destination for celebrity weddings, including Gemma Arterton and Stefano Catelli who married in a hill-top ceremony in the picturesque village of Zuheros in Andalucia. Kirsty Gallacher and Paul Sampson chose the historic town of Arcos de la Frontera for their romantic ceremony and Camilla Dallerup and Kevin Sacre wed at the Amante beach club in Santa Eulalia in Ibiza.

India
Russell Brand and singer Katy Perry got married far from prying eyes in an exotic jungle sanctuary. Aman-e-Khas sanctuary, Rahambore, India is a luxury resort located 10 kilometres from the Ranthamobre Wildlife Sanctuary and wedding guests can expect accommodation in the form of luxury tents, spa facilities and twice daily safaris.

Scotland
Madonna and Guy Ritchie famously tied the knot at Skibo Castle, a century old, 7,000-acre estate which is built on the former site of a Viking settlement in Scotland. The estate is owned by exclusive, members-only The Carnegie Club.

California
Actress Hilary Duff married hockey player Mike Comrie in a candlelit evening ceremony in August 2010 at the exclusive San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, which was also the destination for John and Jackie Kennedy’s honeymoon.

Barbados
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren married at the luxurious Sandy Lane Golf Resort on Barbados in 2004, while Liv Tyler and Royston Langdon married in 2003.

Hawai
Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green tied the knot on a Hawaiian beach with only Green’s eight year old son and a local priest as their witnesses.

Where will you go?
If all this talk of weddings in the sunshine has inspired you, take a look at the Kuoni website for weddings abroad and honeymoon ideas. Also the Sandals website for tailor made wedding packages by Martha Stewart.

Category:

Travel

Weddings Abroad

Vintage Wedding Invitations

Editor — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 12:00:56 +0000

There's a vast choice on the market when it comes to wedding invitations, but if you're feeling inspired you could make your own vintage wedding invitations. What better way to personalise your wedding and cut costs at the same time? You can use anything, but here are some ideas of things to get you started:

Manilla, rose or pale grey card and envelopes
Parchment paper
Scrapbook paper with vintage designs
Lace strips
Ribbon
Pearl embellishments
Doilies
Small buckles
Sepia photos

You can find most of these things in craft shops, such as Hobbycraft or on ebay. Making your own invitations also means you can tie your colour scheme in and don't forget to use a vintage calligraphy font for your text.

Invitations shown are from www.bstudioweddinginvitations.com

Category:

The Boutique Hotel Wedding

Editor — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 10:36:34 +0000

If you love the City life and are looking for somewhere intimate, contemporary and chic to get married, then a boutique hotel could be your perfect venue. You can have a beautifully intimate and romantic ceremony and your reception under one roof and you can dance the night away and head upstairs at the end of the evening. You can have exclusive use of many boutique hotels, or just hire a dining room depending on your numbers and budget. Boutique hotels are often located in the heart of a City which is great for convenience, transport and being in the centre of it all. What more could you want?

Take a look at some of our favourite boutique wedding hotels:

The Soho Hotel – London

The most glamorous hotel in the world - Tatler magazine

The Soho Hotel has 91 individually designed bedrooms, suites and apartments and is situated in a quiet street in the heart of London's entertainment neighbourhood. It is surrounded by some of London's best restaurants and bars, vibrant cafes and most exciting theatre and nightlife. The Soho Hotel is a beautiful venue for a wedding. It has several stylish spaces for a variety of wedding celebrations from small and intimate, to a larger more spectacular party. It will be a day to remember.
www.firmdalehotels.com

Malmaison – Leeds
Romantic candle light and oversized cushions make this trendy and quirky Leeds hotel a perfect wedding venue. Once a bus and tram depot, this beautiful building is located in the very heart of Leeds. A unique hotel with chic Chateau lounge area, choice of three rooms for your ceremony and intimate private dining rooms for your reception.
www.malmaison.com/leeds

Jesmond Dene House – Newcastle
With grand or intimate rooms in which to marry and celebrate - from the hideaway Apartment Suite with its roof terrace to the Great Hall with its magnificent panelling - gardens and woodland for photographs, plus creative dining options, Jesmond Dene House lets you design your own wedding day, whether for 4 or 100 guests. Licensed for civil ceremonies or you can just come here for your wedding reception. A wedding co-ordinator will help you with all the details - flowers, table decorations, music - plus there are 40 bedrooms, so plenty of space for you and your guests to stay.
www.jdhweddings.co.uk

Hotel Missoni – Edinburgh
A new kind of 5 star luxury in Edinburgh. Hotel Missoni is a stunning, contemporary landmark, and the only 5-star hotel on the historic Royal Mile in the heart of the Scottish capital. This hotel offers the perfect blend of iconic design and warmth of family hospitality. You can be certain of a very special day here with outstanding touches and sublime comfort, not to mention a sensational spa.
www.hotelmissoni.com

One Devonshire Gardens – Glasgow
Set in a tree-lined Victorian terrace in the fashionable West End of Glasgow and only 30 minutes from the Loch Lomond, Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens is a luxury boutique hotel. This luxurious hotel has an enviable reputation for service and style, with 49 stunning bedrooms and suites, bistro, bar, cigar shack and whisky room. This hotel couldn’t be more romantic, with it’s exquisite private rooms, a hidden garden, heavenly dining and your own dedicated events organiser. Hotel du Vin is the perfect venue for weddings and civil partnerships.
www.hotelduvin.com

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One Devonshire Gardens

Hotel Missoni

Malmaison Leeds

venue

Bridal Headwear

Editor — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:47:43 +0000

Vivien Sheriff's 2013 bridal collection is a dazzling array inspired by the glamorous era of the silver screen. Embracing influences from Aztec designs and ancient Egyptian patterns, the collection could be described as enchanted fairytale nymph meets art nouveau goddess. The creations are distinct contemporary pieces that emanate a timeless vintage elegance.

I love the bridal traditions, so our pieces have a timeless feel but also bring a new take with their freshness and drama. I want the individuality of the bride to shine through and we design with that thought in mind

See the full collection at www.viviensheriff.co.uk

Image - Lady Grey by Vivien Sheriff

Category:

Fashion

Wedding Dresses

The Sweetest Bridal Designs

Editor — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:50:41 +0000

In celebration of the good old fashioned British street party, leading bridal designers have given in to sweet temptation to dream up confectionary inspired couture creations made from sweets.

The dresses
A powder puff fantasy for a sweet celebration! Inspired by 1950's Beauty Parlour glamour, poodles and clouds, Ian Stuart created a short fun dress from a mountain of marshmallows in cotton candy and banana pastel tones that portrays cartoon kitsch.

Stephanie Allin's Truly Scrumptious dress really is a sweet delight! A tea length, vintage tea party inspired dress made with dainty Dolly Mixtures to create an exotic paisley pattern to match the colourful and zingy flavours of the sweets used!

Millinery
Two stunning hats - the first a sweeping wide-brimmed style piece by Vivienne Sheriff, featuring a graduated colour scheme of fun foam sweets in pastel shades, the crown covered in contrasting sweet and signature sash made of brightly coloured wrappers carefully stitched together.

The second a celebratory calypso style piece in sugary pastel tones in soft pink and white featuring a firework display of colourful confectionery.

Dresses displayed at White Gallery London, sweets courtesy of Tangerine Confectionery, images courtesy of White Gallery London.

Category:

Fashion

Bridesmaid Dresses

2013 Bridal Collections Straight from the Catwalk

Editor — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:34:55 +0000

This week the White Gallery showcased 2013 collections from some of finest UK and international bridal designers. The event, which is open only to trade and press, welcomes new talent alongside the award winning designers of the bridal world, and firmly sets the trends for what brides will be wearing in 2013.

More than 20 bridal collections from top designers were unveiled including; Stuart Parvin, who designs for the Royal family, award winning Ian Stuart and British favourites Alan Hannah, Anoushka G and Stephanie Allin. Designers highlighted as the ones to watch showcased their designs in the British talent preview show and finally we had the International flavours preview. The designers presented their collections on the catwalk with drama, style, sophistication and a few surprises!

My favourite show was the Ian Stuart Supernova collection. Ian is world renowned for his creativity and innovative style and his 2013 collection did not disappoint. Drawing inspiration from a recent break in Paris, Ian has used his masterful draping skills to recreate the rippled fondant textures he saw used by couture confectioners, and created a sugary pastel colour palette as seen in the finest Parisian tea-room decor. In true Ian Stuart style, different eras are depicted and reworked for the modern bride. The 2013 collection includes hints at the Edwardian and Jacobean era as well as the style iconic 50s and 60s.

I also loved the Alan Hannah collection. Marguerite Hannah, the designer behind this award-winning label, has looked to romantic escapism for inspiration. Her new collection includes fluid, slim-line gowns with a 1920s feel, alongside a 'Gone with the Wind' look with voluminous tulle and organza skirts nipped in at the waist. The debutante styles are also back with a real sense of drama and presence - cowl necklines in silk slipper satin with plunging backs, and gorgeous accessories to give maximum sophistication and timeless style.

A couple of 'new talent' designers also caught my eye, namely Sadoni and Claire Mischevani. Sadoni, a husband and wife design duo, unveiled their Nordic fusion line which is modern, pure and natural with a romantic flair. Displaying slim, simple cuts created in pure silk with superior craftsmanship and a light, fluid construction that guarantees a comfortable and feminine fit, the Sadoni expression is truly elegant and luxurious. The dress pictured above is from the Sadoni collection. Claire Mischevani, launched her second bridal collection, Inocenza. Claire combines timeless and elegant designs with meticulous detail - all with a witty touch of British eccentricity. In her new range of two-way dresses there are six, perfectly-cut, beautiful base dress styles which each team up with three to four separate overlays in lace or tulle, and many accessories, creating a unique way to transform your dress and your look throughout your special day.

Floaty florals, pastel colours and vintage designs were the key trends that emerged for 2013 in the captivating and dazzling collections on show at the White Gallery.

Dress pictured above by Sadoni.

Category:

Fashion

Wedding Dresses

Wedding Blog

Mauritius

Editor — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:33:47 +0000

On your holiday in Mauritius, you can expect paradisiacal sweeps of tranquil white sands, backdrops of rainforest-carpeted mountains and some of the world’s finest hotels.

Recommended tour operator: Kuoni

Mauritius holiday highlights

Play a round of golf on one of the island's breathtaking championship courses
Take an exhilarating deep-sea fishing expedition to catch marlin and shark
Head to Port Louis' market, with its intoxicating smell of spices and fresh tea leaves
Take your pick of luxury resorts including world class Le Touessrok and contemporary Long Beach
Upgrade to private transfers at a selection of hotels and you'll be able to check-in for your flight at your hotel

Not to be missed
Board Aquarelle for a catamaran cruise across Mauritius’ west coast lagoon. Start on Black River as you sail to coral island Ile aux Bénitiers, gliding past casuarina-lined beaches and surfers’ paradise Tamarin Bay, where you might spot dolphins. Marvel at the clear turquoise lagoon as magnificent Morne Mountain seems to rise out of the sea before you. The rocky landmark was apparently once a refuge for slaves fleeing their masters and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dip into the clear water for swimming and snorkelling before savouring a barbecue lunch on board the catamaran.

Follow the Tea Route to Les Aubineaux, a colonial house with authentic period decor. Continue through tea fields to Bois-Chéri for a guided tour of the village’s factory. Visit the Tea Museum and enjoy a tea-tasting session at the chalet overlooking panoramic views. Next is Le St-Aubin, a plantation house dating back to 1819 that boasts a vanilla house, rum distillery and greenhouse. Savour lunch prepared with estate-grown products in a Creole dining room. The second part of your tour is to the wild south to visit Domaine de Bel Air. Northwards is La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes, a farm home to Nile crocodiles, geckos, monkeys and giant Aldabra tortoises. Board the original Mountain Train for a ride through Paradise Valley’s lush tropical vegetation before enjoying refreshments as the sea crashes against lava-block cliffs at idyllic La Baleine Viewpoint.

Discover a diverse range of Mauritian scenery on this fascinating tour. First stop is Trou-aux-Cerfs, an extinct volcanic crater thick with vegetation, to admire stunning views over the island and its mountains. Continue to Voiliers de l’Ocean where craftsmen work on genuine 18th-century model sailing vessels, perhaps purchasing a miniature replica to take home. Drive south to Ganga Talao, the Ganges reincarnate and a Hindu pilgrimage site, and continue to Plaine-Champagne, a forest reserve overlooking the spectacular Black River Gorges. Enjoy a typical Mauritian lunch at Varangue-sur-Morne, a former game-keeper’s lodge perched amid Chinese guava groves with coastal views. Head past sugar cane fields and pineapple plantations into the fertile valley for a guided tour and tasting at Rhumerie de Chamarel, an authentic distillery. Next see Chamarel’s spectacular waterfall and unique seven-coloured earths before heading back, stopping at a viewpoint overlooking Morne Mountain, Benitiers Island and the west coast.

Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, created in 1767 on the estate of French governor Mahé de Labourdonnais and home to 500 rare plants including Victoria Regina waterlilies and 80 varieties of palm. Continue north via Grand Bay to Cap-Malheureux. See the red-roofed village church and take in a stunning view on Gunner’s Quoin before enjoying lunch at Restaurant Le Reve d’R. Your last stop is Port-Louis, where you’ll visit the Blue Penny Museum, browse Caudan Waterfront’s boutiques and markets and wander around Dias Pier with its shops, bars and cafés.

Embark on a two-hour walk through Ferney Valley, a breathtaking natural reserve located in one of Mauritius’ last indigenous forests. This wonderful haven has been saved from destruction by ecologists and is supported by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. After your walk, enjoy a typical Creole lunch before continuing to the coastal village of Mahébourg.

Embark on a one-day retreat to the idyllic island of Ile-aux-Cerfs, located off the fishing village of Trou D’eau Douce on Mauritius’ east coast. The 79-hectare island is blanketed with casuarinas, coconut trees and flowering bushes and boasts powdery white beaches and clear azure waters. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant Paul & Virginie and hire waterskis, pedalos, sailboats and laser dinghies from the boathouse (extra cost). There’s also a bar where you can relax over a cooling drink.

Find full details and many more great honeymoon destinations on the Kuoni website.

Category:

Travel

Destination Guide

Honeymoon

Finding Your Perfect Wedding Dress

Editor — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:12:30 +0000

Buying a wedding dress is definitely one of life's best shopping experiences. Make sure you're prepared by using our step-by-step guide to finding your perfect bridal gown.

First things first, you need to set a budget. Generally the dress takes up 10-15% of your wedding budget so you should be able to work out approximately how much you've got to spend. Then start by browsing wedding magazines and make notes on things you like. Tear out pictures of dresses you like and note any particular designers you're drawn to and then you can look up their full collections on-line and usually see local stockists. If you can, try to go to a wedding show, there's nothing like watching a catwalk show of the latest designs to fire your imagination!

The only way to choose your dress is to try on lots of dresses and see how what suits you the best. So make appointments at wedding boutiques and take along all your notes and pictures to help show the stylist what you have in mind. The stylist will help you choose the right style, colour and neckline for your figure. If you're curvaceous or pear shaped a full or A-line skirt will bring out the best in your shape and if you're tall and slim try a slinky column or fishtail style. In terms of colour 'white' comes in more shades than you would believe! Pure white looks amazing on olive or black skins and a softer ivory works well on pale skin. For the neckline, scoop necks suit a fuller figure; high necks work well for smaller busts and halter necks flatter a thin frame. The most important thing is that you feel good in your dress! Often the a bride knows the perfect dress as soon as she tries it on, but make sure to take someone along with you for a second opinion.

Don't forget to look on the high street as well, Coast, Phase Eight, Debenhams and Bhs have some lovely dresses at a lower price.

Finally, make sure you know what's included in the price, do they add VAT? Are there extra charges for alterations or fittings? Find out how long it takes to order a dress in and when you should schedule fittings.

Most of all, take the time to enjoy the experience!

Category:

Fashion

Wedding Dresses

Choosing Your Wedding Venue

Editor — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:57:29 +0000

There are so many choices of venues from a fairytale castles, stately mansions, country house hotels, cosy pubs to barns! But before you start looking at venues there are a few things you need to consider:

Are you having a religious or civil ceremony?
If you are having a religious ceremony you probably already have a church in mind, so you’ll need to look at venues for your reception. It’s always nice if guests don’t have to travel too far, generally up to 20 minutes travel is acceptable.

If you don’t want to get married in a church, you might want to look for a venue where you can get married and hold you reception in the same place. Your local registry office can provide you with a list of venues licensed to hold civil ceremonies in your area. Don’t forget you’ll need to co-ordinate a date between the registrar and venue.

Decide on your budget & guest numbers
Once you’ve worked out what you can afford to spend on your wedding and have made a budget, stick to it! Look at places with a suitable sized room for the number of guest you want and within your budget. Your venue and reception can be a whopping 55% of your budget. Many hotels now offer all inclusive packages if you are on a tight budget.

Do you want something formal or informal?

Image of Sefton Palm House in Liverpool
There is such a wide choice of venues available if you dream of a formal wedding you could look at stately homes, golf & country clubs, castles and hotels.

If you want a more informal feel then take a look at hotels, pubs, halls and even barns. Remember to check your venue is licensed to serve alcohol and that they’ve got facilities for preparing and cooking food.

Most importantly, visit lots of venues before you decide.

Category:

The Wedding Day

Venues