View the whole collection at http://www.benjaminroberts.co.uk/

Images from http://www.benjaminroberts.co.uk/

What do you think? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, or Repin your favourites on Pinterest.

While men can choose from a range of thousands of sparkling diamond solitaire engagement rings for their women,  what should us girls choose to offer our beau when we pop the question?

House of Williams has come up with a lovely solution in these simple bands, engraved on the inside with the words “Marry Me…?”  Ideal for a woman proposing to a man,  the rings are available in both male and female versions if you wish matching rings, and can be purchased in silver or gold plate.

Even better, these rings are surprisingly affordable,  just £39.95 for silver, or £49.95 in gold plate.  But if you are hoping for that traditional diamond in return then perhaps you better keep quite on the price!

More information at http://www.howweddingrings.co.uk/

Sareh Nouri wedding gowns are available at select bridal shops in the US.

Learn more at http://sarehnouri.com and become a fan on theSareh Nouri Facebook Page.

Bride & Groom:
Jo and James

Date:
26th June 2011

Venue:
The Walled Garden, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex, UK -

The garden dates back to the Tudor period (16th century), and was visited by both King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. Some of the brick walls you see in the photos are nearly 500 years old.

Some photos were taken in and around the adjacent ruins of Cowdray Manor House, which was built in the 1520s, replacing an earlier 13th century house – it was destroyed by fire in 1793.

Images by Chris Mann Photography – www.cjmann.com

One of Britain’s leading wedding gown designers, Ritva Westenius has been designing wedding dresses for over 35 years and has grown to become one of the go-to names for couture wedding dresses, with her gowns regularly gracing the pages of magazines such as Hello, Perfect Wedding, You & Your Wedding, and Your London Wedding.

Her latest bridal collection has quickly become adored by the wedding fashion press and distinguishes itself from the crowd with clean lines and soft, feminine details. The gowns steer clear of the mainstream bodice/A-line skirt combination and instead take inspiration from the romantic, sexy silhouette of a more natural female shape.

Clever tailoring more than makes up for the lack of structure which most brides rely on to create a flattering shape and never has the designer’s motto of ‘cut not clutter’ been more apparent.  Carefully selected fabric is fitted, draped and gathered in precise ways to give a truly luxuriously appearance to these wedding gowns, and this high level of tailoring means that there are styles that will suit most body shapes.  (In fact, if you are thinking that you body shape limits you to a specific style of gown, I dare you to try on a few from this collection and prepare to be amazed at the difference that a couture gown can make to your appearance.)

The extended, gathered empire waistline of "Delightful" will accentuate curves on voluptuous brides. The skirt will skim forgivingly over hips, while the shoulder straps offer support for larger busts.

I had to show you a close-up of the detail of the belt on this gown to give you a better idea of the attention to detail that makes these gowns so lust-worthy:

"Heavenly" has become an almost immediate press hit with the wedding fashion industry, and it's not hard to see why it is so loved! Extravagant, asymmetric ruffles add flair and shape for super-slim brides with boyish figures.

A scoop back with elegant draping, coupled with fitted hips and softly flaring skirt make this dress ideal for tall brides.

This new collection will be showcased at the Luxury Wedding Show at Grosvenor House, London on
Sunday 29th January.

“I felt the Luxury Wedding Show would be the perfect opportunity to showcase my 2012 collection”, said Ritva
Westenius, “The show epitomises all that I believe to be intrinsic to delivering a perfect wedding day, style, class and
luxury!”

Whether or not your budget can accomodate a luxury designer wedding gown the show is an ideal place to find breathtaking inspiration and is a wonderful experience for any bride.

Tickets can be purchased on the door or you can pre-register in advance at: www.luxuryweddingshow.co.uk

For more information about Ritva Westenius wedding gowns, visit http://www.ritvawestenius.com/designs.html

1. Hair Pins
   Whatever your style, length or hair type pins and kirby grips are essentials for your wedding beauty kit.  Make sure they match your hair colour and have soft tips – nothing worse than a scratched scalp when a pin is jammed in your updo in a rush!  I also recommend keeping a few different types such as traditional kirby grips, open hair pins, and tornado style.  Each serves a different purpose and all are handy on the day.
2. Hair Spray
   Test, test and test some more.  Do not just opt for the cheapest hair spray for your wedding day!  Look for something that will work well with your wedding day hair style.  Some hairsprays have cement-strength hold, others will add sheen while still others boost volume.   See which one(s) work for your hair and your hairstyle, giving you peace of mind of a solid style without creating “helmet hair”.
3. Heated Hair Tools
   In case you didn’t already know, style added to your hair with slow, steady heat lasts far longer than style added with products such as hairspray, mousse or gel.  If ever there was a time to invest in high quality heated hair tools it is for your wedding.  Again, the tools you choose to have to hand will vary with your wedding look, but the two basics are straighteners and curlers.  Choose either with the size of plate or barrel that will give you the desired effect.  Do a bit of research to see which tools heat up fastest and are easiest to use.  What you save by scrimping on purchase you may end up paying for in time and stress later. (You’ve been warned!)
4. Variety of Combs and Brushes
   As with the hair grips, I advise keeping more than one brush to hand on your wedding day.  A pick comb is great for replacing straying strands escaped from an updo; a wide-toothed comb can tame flyaway hair without damaging a style; a flat, natural bristle paddle brush will smooth sleek hair in an instant.
5. Dry Shampoo
   Not just great for touching up greasy roots, dry shampoo is also fab for adding body and volume with a quick spritz.

This elegant and luxurious jewelry company was founded by Los Angeles based jeweler Jean Dousset, who is also a descendent of the famed Louis Cartier.  The brand aims to design stunning engagement rings that bring together the best of historic and timeless styles with cutting edge (pardon the pun) trends.

If you’ve been curious as to what some of the spring 2012 ring trends will be, you’ll be happy to know that the classic raised diamond center stone will continue to be popular.

Vintage rings that steal anyone’s breath away with their intricate details are also still touted as a hot trend.   Look out for pave set bands, halo surrounds and large solitaires in round and cushion cuts.

What are a few sophisticated rings from Jean Dousset Diamonds to consider? Well, besides all of them (because let’s face it…all of them are gorgeous,) here are few of my favourites:

Nina was inspired by the time era of the 30s through the 50s and is a timeless engagement ring with just the right amount of vintage glamour. Pull up the ring online or show your boyfriend this blog article and he’ll be impressed with the fabulous design and how much it makes you smile!

Sasha is another gorgeous ring from this designer that’s both trendy and very stylish. It is designed with a lovely diamond center stone and also features sparkly diamonds that surround the center stone and band. This classic engagement ring might suit you if you love the vintage look.

The founder Jean Dousset prides himself in having a zero-tolerance policy toward conflict diamonds. This means that they only purchase diamonds through the largest suppliers who stick to and enforce the strict ethical standards established by the Kimberley Process.

If you are on the hunt for a ring that will last you a lifetime with your love, check out ultra-feminine engagement rings, wedding bands, and more at Jean Dousset Diamonds’ website.

So are you impressed by the Jean Dousset Diamonds’ sparklers?  Let us know on Facebook.

Layering

Layering is a great way to add both warmth and options to any style. Even a light summer dress can be made suitable for cold weather by wearing clever undergarments, high denier tights or layers of warm fabrics such as cotton, jersey or silk.

One key note here is that Mother of the Bride outfits should be planned out prior to the wedding so that last minute rushing around does not take place. A stressed out mother is never enjoyable, not for the mother and especially for the bride.  This is especially true when layering is involved; think about every detail from tights to tank tops to hat so that you aren’t searching for anything last minute.

Skirt and Jacket Combo

A mother can look well put together in a matching skirt and jacket combo. If the weather is overly cold on the wedding day she can pair the skirt with tights for some added warmth. A skirt and jacket combo complement one another and look great on the Mother of the Bride.

Many Mother of the Bride gowns also come with matching jackets.

Elegant Wrap or Shawl

Having a stylish wrap or shawl on hand the day of the wedding will keep your arms covered and bring in extra warmth.

Opt for a pashmina or even a cape for luxurious softness and heat without sacrificing style.

Comfortable Shoes with Insoles

Let’s not forget about comfortable shoes, inside and out.  Insoles can help to insulate your feet from the cold ground and keep you comfortable throughout the wedding. No one wants to trip or slip when it’s cold and wet outside!

Celtic Tradition – Where it All Started

Lovely Celtic wedding rings have one of the strongest symbols of marriage that exist
today. They came from an ancient culture full of traditions dating back from the 1st
Century BC. During the Middle Ages the Celts moved to the British Isles, where most
people today recognize their traditions, culture, and art. In Medieval times, however, the
Celtic tradition was more dispersed and was located in a variety of locations, such as
Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and some parts of France.

History as to Where Celtic Rings Originated

Here’s a little bit more history to explain how the Celtic rings came to be. The
main element you should understand about the rings is their meaning of faith and
Christianity. The Christian faith was well-known in Britain by the 4th century AD
and after the Saxons invaded Britain, the Celtic people moved to Wales and the
surrounding areas. That is where the Celtic designs came to be. You can see Christian
thought conveyed on Celtic wedding bands. The designs were thought up by Christian
missionaries and the Irish church when they migrated out of mainland Britain.

A Combination of Christianity and Celtic Culture

Even though it is known that Celtic myth and druid priests were a huge part of the
Celtic people, later Christianity became the main influence. Wedding rings with
Christianity were co-mingled with primeval Celtic culture. Together, Christianity and
Celtic culture created what would become a diverse ring design that’s embraced by
people in many cultures today.

Examples of Celtic Ring Designs and Their Meaning

There are several ring designs that you can choose for your wedding ring. One
example is the Celtic trinity knot. It is an example of Celtic Christianity, and the three
interwoven strands symbolize the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of the Christian faith.
This makes sense for this ring pattern because marriage is supposed to be never ending,
lasting forever. Find a trinity knot ring on the House of Williams website, where they
have the Open Celtic Plait Wedding Ring.

If you love, admire, or even understand the Celtic language, a ring with engraved
wording may be another beautiful option. The House of Williams Ladies Celtic Wedding
Ring comes engraved with “”mo anam cara” meaning, “my soul mate.” Whatever you
decide for your wedding ring, Celtic rings are not only unique, they symbolize the true
meaning of love combined from tradition and Christianity.

All images courtesy of WWW.HOWWEDDINGRINGS.CO.UK

Glass Ornaments in a Vessel

A beautiful way to glam up your festive wedding is to place glistening glass ornaments
in a glass or silver vessel. Place them on every table in your reception room or make
them a focal point on your wedding table. After the wedding when it’s time to sit down
and eat dinner, you’ll enjoy looking at a vessel with pretty bobbles. Glass ornaments are
beautiful decorations for a wedding and will remind you and your guests of the wonderful
Christmas moments in the making.

Pine Cones Dusted with Snow

Scented pine cones flocked with snow would look gorgeous tied to the back of festive
chairs in a wedding venue. If you have church pews you can have the cones tied to the
end of them for an outdoor and dreamy effect. Pine cones are natural and easy to retrieve
in a near by forest and are also a creative way to reuse nature.

Hot Chocolate with a Whipped Cream Topping

During the reception spoil your guests with delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream
and yummy marshmallows. Pair the hot chocolate with snow ball and snowflake shaped
confectionaries. Your guests will feel like they are in a winter wonderland and will love
staying warm as the evening goes on.

There are countless of other ideas to consider for a Christmas wedding, such as a cozy
fireplace at the reception site and warm and fluffy blankets for your guests to grab before
they sit down. Enjoy planning for your festive wedding and remember to not only enjoy
the wedding memories, but the magic of the Christmas season.

Author Bio: Sierra is a freelancer and writer. She enjoys being a fashion blogger for
JoeShopping.com, a social shopping site. Discover wedding inspiration on
JoeShopping.com and save money on your ring with Diamond.com coupons. Sierra also
runs her own personal blog at Ocean Dreams.