Category Archives: Beauty

How to lose a few pounds before the big day

Posted on by

If you’re not particularly thrilled with your body, you’ve probably been dieting as your wedding day approaches in an attempt to reach your desired weight before the walk down the aisle.  Many brides do this but find that they are lacking a few pounds a week or so before the wedding.  If this sounds familiar, here are some important wedding tips to lose those last pounds. 

Eat More Often
Wow – didn’t know it would be so easy, did you?  That’s right.  If you want to lose those last pounds before your wedding day, eat more often but eat much smaller portions.  By doing this, you will be giving your digestive system a break as well as speeding up your metabolism.  As your metabolism kicks into overdrive, you will burn more fat and calories – and lose more weight.

Drink More Water
Another important thing that will help you lose those last pounds is drinking more water.  Most experts recommend that you drink 8 glasses of water each day.  Not only does this help you feel full for a longer period of time, but it aids the body in the natural fat and calorie burning process. 

If you find it difficult to drink so much water each day, there are a few different things you can do.  Go to bed after drinking 4 ounces of water and drink 4 more when you wake up.  This is one glass gone – only 7 more to go.  If you don’t like the taste of water, slip a wedge of lemon in to create a more palatable drink.

Cardio Exercise
Don’t neglect your exercise as you try to lose those last pounds.  Anything that gets your heart pumping and makes you break a sweat is an excellent exercise to do.  For instance, jumping rope, skating, dancing and even jogging can help you lose those last pounds.  While most people aren’t overly fond of exercise, doing it regularly will boost your energy and even your sense of well-being!  Exercise each day for about a half an hour to forty-five minutes at a time.

Skip the Sugar
In the last week before the wedding, don’t indulge in processed sugar at all.  Instead, fill your rumbling tummy with fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans and lean meat.  This will help get rid of those last stubborn pounds and you may notice that you feel a lot better too!  These foods are great for your health and provide important nutrients and vitamins.

By following the tips above, you can lose those last pounds and feel beautiful and confident in your wedding dress.

An Introduction to Wedding Fitness

Posted on by

It’s no surprise that brides often feel a crazy amount of pressure to look good on their wedding day. Not only is there the worry of fitting into your dream wedding dress, but an endless amount of pictures will also be snapped over the course of the day.

Unsurprisingly, over 90% of brides hope to shed extra pounds before getting married. However, perhaps more shockingly, as many as one in three will resort to crash dieting in an extreme bid to get their ideal bridal body.

The good news is that crash dieting is completely unnecessary – which is great seeing as it has no benefit to your overall health and is unlikely to give you the results you want anyway.

When Should I Start My Fitness Regime?

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to when you should start your wedding fitness regime. It really does depend on your starting point and how much weight you want to lose. The sooner you start the better. Don’t wait until the last minute to try and lose weight and then expect miracles.

You should be thinking about your diet and exercise plan as soon as you start your wedding planning, so that you don’t end up resorting to a crash diet in a bid to lose pounds at the last minute. Ideally you should aim to reach your weight loss goal within 4 weeks of your wedding, in time for the final dress fittings. That way you’ll be able to focus more on the finishing touches of the wedding planning rather than worrying about fitting into your dream dress.

Set Yourself Short Term Goals

Make sure you take regular exercise over the first four to six weeks for general fitness, then start to target specific areas such as your stomach, thighs and bottom. Keeping a fitness diary will also monitor your progress and help you to feel good about your achievements.

What if I’m Short on Time?

Finding the right kind of exercise regime to suit your needs and schedule can vary from a brisk walk to a full workout in the gym or an exercise video that you found online.

If you have a demanding work and life schedule that rarely allows you to fit exercise in, then try to make lifestyle swaps wherever you can. For example, ditch the car and walk to work or the shops and try to take the stairs instead of the lift – even just taking up small exercises like this will help you keep trim.

High intensity interval training (known as HIIT for short) is great for a busy bride. This consists of short bursts of intense exercise mixed in with small rests, which could benefit you more than a long session in the gym.

You need to start sweating and exercising alongside a healthy diet to make great changes to your body but this doesn’t mean that you need to spend hours on a treadmill.

Above all, have fun and don’t beat yourself up if it takes a while to get the results you want. Getting fit and losing weight healthily takes time, but stick with it and you’ll feel fabulous inside and out when you finally get into that wedding dress. 

Grooming The Groom

Posted on by

So much of the build up to the wedding is about the bride and her beauty regime, whether she decides to do her own wedding makeup or opt for amazing nail art, but what about the groom?

The groom will appear in plenty of pictures on his wedding day, so it’s important to be looking your absolute best. 

Consider Your Scent

You’re pretty much guaranteed at least one kiss on your wedding day, but to guarantee you get a few more make sure you smell incredible. Look for an aftershave that comes with a matching moisturiser and shower gel – by using products that all have the same scent, the smell will be stronger. It’s also worth investing in a decent deodorant – test run it ahead of the big day!

Top tip: Invest in a new aftershave so every time you use it you’ll be reminded of your big day. Why not look for a his’n’hers scent? 

Peak Facial Hair

If you’re clean shaven, make sure you invest in a proper shave. If you want to DIY it here is some tips:

Have a hot shower, and layer on some pre-shave oil, which will soften the hairs and moisturise your skin. This also acts as a lubricant so the razor can glide more easily across your skin, especially when combined with shaving cream. Use a decent shaving brush to whip up your shaving cream in a bowl and lather it on your face – by using a brush each hair will be lifted and your skin will get exfoliated too. Follow up with a soothing post shave balm to moisturise and avoid rashes.

Moustache: To make sure your moustache is in perfect condition, start growing it ahead of the big day. Avoid trimming it above the lip until you’re pleased with the length, and comb through it regularly, brushing the hairs outwards. Invest in moustache wax to style it, twisting the ends upwards and outwards for an on-trend look.

Stubble: Designer stubble is set to be a big trend for 2016 – it’s great news if you struggle to grow a full beard, or can’t be bothered to shave regularly! To make the most of your stubble, allow the hairs to grow until it starts to feel itchy and follow the natural lines on your face to create the shape. Wet shave any of the areas that don’t fit the template. If your face is quite chiselled, fade or taper the stubble so there’s not such a defined outline.

Sideburns: Sideburns are having their time in the sun in 2016 – why not join prestigious sideburn fans Elvis, Tom Jones and Bradley Wiggins and grow some of your own? However, this time they’re part of the full beard – sport them solo if you’re feeling truly edgy.

Tight Beard: If want to be on trendy with a beardy look but can’t deal with feeling unkempt, the tight beard is for you. Keep your facial hair trimmed short for this look, as it gives a well-groomed feel. Set your trimmer to 2-3 millimetres and trim evenly all over, before wet shaving the surrounding areas for a well-defined, sharp look.

Short Long Beard: A long beard isn’t for everyone – that trend may be best left to the hipsters. A long beard can appear quite straggly so for a tidy take on the look go for the short long beard. Follow the shape of your face to style this beard and use sharp, groomed lines. Don’t let the beard go past a couple of inches below the chin and leave the hair under the chin and on the neck to grow for a fuller look.

Style Your Hair

Don’t get so caught up in your facial hair that you forget about the hair on your head. See a barber in the run up to your wedding – around two weeks before – to make sure your hair is tidy and in top condition. You may need to trim your neck and hairline just before the big day. Now is not the time to change your trusty hair products in case they don’t result in the desired effect. Stick to your usual style and products – unless your usual look is inspired by Gareth Gates circa 2001.

Get a Manicure

We’re not talking about French tips or a bit of glitter on your ring finger – but instead consider getting a masculine manicure to make sure your nails are looking their very best for the big day. It’s quite likely that your hands will feature in a lot of photos – as you place the wedding ring on your partner’s finger, and as the two of you show off your shiny new rings after the ceremony. By getting a manicure you can make sure your nails look neat, tidy and buffed ready to be captured on camera.

How to avoid being ill on your big day

Posted on by

Many brides fear about getting sick in the run up to the wedding day. With heightened stress and emotion, don’t forget to take the time to relax, stay healthy and look after yourself.

If you are looking to prevent a cold or just want to kick-start a new healthy lifestyle. Here are some of the ways you can avoid getting sick in the run up to your big day:

Up Your Fruit and Veg Intake

Wedding planning can sometimes feel like a full time job! So keep your body happy and healthy by giving it the right fuel – not only will you feel like you have more energy but you will also be more prepared to fight off infection. Some simple ways to up your fruit and veg intake is to add a small glass of fruit juice to your day, sprinkle some berries on your morning cereal and keep things like carrot sticks, cucumber and celery to snack on at your desk.

Drink More Water

We all know this but making sure you drink enough water is important for pretty much every aspect of your body. If you struggle to drink enough water, then consider filling up a jug and keeping it on your desk – with the aim to finish it before you leave work. If you are always on the move, then keep a bottle of water handy so you can stay hydrated throughout the day.

Include Probiotics in Your Diet

Introduce probiotics into your diet – probiotics are live bacteria that are good for your health and can be great for keeping a healthy lifestyle. If you are looking for a natural source of probiotics, then include yogurt into your diet – try and opt for more natural low sugar options rather than the highly sweetened variety.

Have Breakfast

Not only will having a healthy breakfast get you energised for the day, it will also stop any reckless snacking mid-morning. As your sugar levels crash you risk reaching for the sweet stuff, keep those hunger pangs at bay my making sure you have a good breakfast.

Get into a Good Hand Washing Routine

Regular hand washing can help keep germs at bay – particularly if you have friends or colleagues around you who are sick! When washing your hands. Hand washing with soap works by removing bacteria and viruses from hands before they get a chance to cause infections or spread to other people. When you wash your hands make sure you use soap and warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Start a Wedding Workout

If you don’t already have a regular exercise routine, then now is the time to introduce one. Walking, swimming or cycling daily can not only give your immune system a helping hand, you will see an overall improvement in your health both mentally and physically. If you are not used to high impact exercise, then start off slowly and go for walks in your lunch break. If you are starting a dramatically different routine them, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor.

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Hen parties, stag dos and general pre-wedding celebrations can see your alcohol intake soar. As well as being packed full of empty calories and sugar, alcohol is also a drain on your immune system. Make sure you see alcohol as a naughty treat to be enjoyed in moderation rather than a regular occurrence.

Consider the Flu Jab

If you are classed as a high risk category, then you will receive a flu jab free of charge from the NHS. Even if you don’t come under a high risk group you can still have a flu jab at your local pharmacy, if you are concerned about flu in the lead up to your wedding then speak to your local pharmacy.

If you are planning on kick-staring a healthy diet filled with good fats, protein and lots of fruit and veg then here are some fantastic foods to introduce into your diet:

Green Tea

Swap your morning latte for a green tea, we know it doesn’t go quite so well with a pain au chocolat but you will cut you calorie intake massively. Green tea is also loaded with polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants and can protect your skin against harmful free radicals (yucky stuff that ages your skin!).

Avocados

It seems like you can’t go on Instagram without seeing an avocado smiling back at you! Whether it’s smashed on toasted, whipped up into a smoothie or chopped up into a salad. This popular fruit is packed full of healthy fats and vitamins and can be a great addition to perk up a sad lunchtime salad.

Blueberries

These little low calories berries are packed with antioxidants and they are so easy to incorporate into your diet. Add to your morning cereal or porridge or keep a little pot handy on your desk to snack on during the day.

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and can be a fantastic addition to your diet. Eggs cooked in coconut oil can be a great start to your day – add some chopped tomatoes and steamed spinach if you want to also use your breakfast to up your vegetable intake.

Sweet Potatoes

Swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes for an added boost of beta-carotene. They also contain lots of magnesium which is essential for nerve function. Swap your usual mashed potato for sweet potato mash or make some delicious sweet potato wedges.

Nuts

Add a sprinkling of hazelnuts, walnuts or almonds to your breakfast cereal for a boost in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Just don’t forget that nuts are also calorific so enjoy in moderation if you are trying to lose weight.

Oily Fish

Oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel will give you a great source of protein and vitamin D and long chain Omega-3s.

Soup

Adding soup into your diet can be a great way to increase your vegetable intake and the high water content in soup will mean you are left feeling fuller for longer. If you want to swap your lunchtime sandwich for a bowl of nutritious soup, then consider making your own batches of soup as many shop bought soups have high levels of salt and sugar.

Spinach

Popeye’s favourite vegetable! Spinach has high levels of chlorophyll which is great for your health. Spinach is also low calorie and really easy to introduce to your diet – add a handful to your favourite smooth, swap your usual lettuce leaves for the dark green stuff or add a steamed portion to your dinner a few times a week.

Coconut Oil

Swap processed cooking oils for organic coconut oil– as well as being a great healthy fat to add to your diet coconut oil also works well as a lip balm or a body oil. If you are adding coconut oil to your diet just remember to consumer in moderation as it’s high in calories.

Are you planning a beach wedding?

Posted on by

Once you find the perfect wedding dress and booked an amazing seaside wedding venue, you need to start thinking about your look. 

What constitutes beachy wedding hair for you? Braids, texture with waves. A fresh unstructured playful look.

What should a bride do if she’s marrying on a beach in a humid climate and is prone to frizzy hair?

The best thing to do would be to have braids or twists in the hair, or have the hair pulled back fairly tightly. Always embrace the texture and using salt spray to add to it, perhaps have some braids around your face for some pretty detail and then it doesn’t matter so much if the rest of the hair gets a little frizzy as it adds to the look. You can also use a strong hairspray to seal the hair but it can look quite fixed so although it seals away moisture it may not fit for a relaxed look as much.

What styles work for a breezy beach in the UK and why?

It depends on how warm it is, but if it’s really breezy, a loose chignon of some sort to keep the hair away from the face. A look with loose tendrils and texture would be ideal, nothing too fixed and neat. Then if it isn’t too structured the odd hair being blown about will add to the look and it will not look as though anything is out of place.

How can a bride master boho, beachy waves?

The conical wand is best to create natural looking waves in the hair, and salt spray for adding texture is brilliant. Adding a few fishtail braids woven through or around the face can look very boho; a fine floral crown looks amazing with this style or a few small flowers dotted through the hair also will look beautiful.

What type of wedding hair accessories would you recommend for a beach wedding?

Definitely a flower head crown– Or a few faux flowers dotted through the hair.

Stress free wedding hair

Posted on by

Although we all hope to be thoroughly organised for the big day, it’s always a good idea to have a back-up plan and do as much in advance as possible, especially when it comes to children’s hair!

Before the big day

The dreaded visit to the wedding hairdressers – it can sometimes be a battle to get children onside when it’s time for a haircut but you’ll likely to want their locks looking fresh for the wedding day.

Try chatting to your children about their impending haircut in the days leading up to the event – treating a haircut as a grown-up treat can help to get children excited about the experience. It can be worthwhile to spend a few minutes in the salon with your child before their appointment. Allowing them some time to watch other children in the salon chair can help them to feel more comfortable. 

A little snack often works wonders for keeping little ones still in the salon chair, and small rewards such as a lollipop or a play in the park on the way home can help to make their experience a positive one. 

If your child finds the salon environment particularly stressful, it might be worthwhile looking into a mobile wedding hairdresser, since your child is much more likely to feel at ease in familiar surroundings.

The night before

Washing hair, the night before can help relieve pressure on the wedding day, and gives you at least one less thing to worry about!

Brush through any tangles before bed, and wash and dry their hair before they go to bed. Using a 2 in 1 shampoo can help to reduce the stressful process too by keeping hair washing time to a minimum whilst also easing any tangles. 

To help reduce tangle – try to squeeze as much water from their hair as possible after washing, and try not to rub it with the towel as this can encourage tangles.

A little conditioning spray can help so try to do this when combing through wet and through dry hair using a wide-tooth comb, always starting at the ends. If your child has longer hair it can be beneficial to plait it back or tie it into a loose ponytail as they sleep.

On the wedding day

There are lots of simple styles that even dads can help with! If your daughter has static hair, before diving right in with a bucket of product, he can lightly spray a hairbrush with some low strength hairspray and brush through to tame any fly-aways. 

Plaits can be a little tricky so unless he sees himself as a secret hair wizard, try gathering two pieces of hair at the front, twisting them individually to the back of your child’s head. Secure the twists with a couple of bobby pins – if you put them wobbly side down, they’ll grip better. Spraying a clean toothbrush to deal with any tricky flyways can also help. 

If you are feeling adventurous, you can create some additional twists using the remainder of the hair, and remember – cute accessories can cover all manner of sins so don’t be afraid to keep things simple and let a couple of nice clips or matching ribbons do the talking!

Bridal beauty dos

Posted on by

You’re going to want to look your most beautiful on your wedding day and you’ll want your groom to gasp as he sees you arrive. To help you achieve this we’ve asked some top beauty experts and wedding make-up artists for their advice. Because you don’t want to be making any mistakes with your big day look.

Natural beauty

Try all your make-up on before your wedding day and view it in natural daylight, make-up can look very different indoors and outdoors. Wear waterproof eye make-up where possible, especially mascara for the emotional I Dos!

A good foundation

Have your foundation colour matched to your skin tone and bear that in mind if you’re having a spray tan for the big day. Moisturise your face 30 minutes before applying your make-up, to allow time for your moisturiser to sink in and do its magic.

Always wear a primer before applying foundation to give a smoother appearance and keep your make-up on for longer. Also always wear an eye make-up primer to hold your eyeshadow in place and prevent creasing. Keep a small powder compact to hand to touch up any shiny areas towards the evening.

Set in place

Use a setting spray when your make-up is finished to give it lasting power. If applying your own make-up on the day, try to have a professional go through it with you before the big day, to show you how to do the best application.

Look after your skin

Begin a good skincare routine. If you have any issues book a series of facials to get your skin in tip top condition. Get a skin consultation with a professional so they can advise you on which products will suit your skin type.

Use an SPF daily to protect your skin from the sun and keep shoulders covered if you’re wearing a strapless dress on your wedding day as strap marks are difficult to hide.

Get in shape

Have your eyebrows shaped two days before the wedding as shaped eyebrows make all the difference to the make-up.

Hands up!

Do have manicures because everyone will want to see your ring. Soft silky hands and manicured nails will look amazing in your photos.

Beauty don’ts for brides

Don’t risk a break out

Don’t have a facial too close to your wedding day, You’re risking your skin breaking out just before the big day. Also don’t try new products on your skin in the month up to your wedding. It takes a good 30 days to see results on skin. Don’t over exfoliate your skin, some products can be too harsh and aren’t made for daily use. Don’t have a fake tan if you’ve never tried it before – it’s always best to have a trial run first so you can see how long it lasts and always ask if it will rub off on your dress.

Bad hair day

Colour treatments or cuts should be avoided in the week approaching the wedding. The last thing any woman wishes to worry about is unnecessary hair troubles on such a gorgeous, picturesque occasion.

Make-up don’ts

Don’t wear foundation with SPF included as this can sometimes reflect light off your face in professional pictures.

Don’t over powder your make-up, or layer on too much as this can give a ‘cakey’ appearance and don’t try any new make-up looks on the day. Also avoid using heavy eye make-up with a strong lipstick, always choose to emphasise eyes or lips. And lastly, don’t forget to wash your hands before putting on your dress!

Plan a Mini-moon

Posted on by

Mini-mooning is a growing trend among newlyweds and just 1.5 hours from London by train, the New Forest is fast becoming a top mini-moon destination and with its stunning landscape, range of activities and beautiful couples’ accommodation, it’s easy to see why. Here, we explore what makes the New Forest so special.

Honeymoons are the perfect remedy to the busy and exciting wedding day. They give couples the chance to getaway and recuperate together and enjoy a well-deserved break month, if not years, of planning and organisation.

While traditionally a couple was sent off on their honeymoon straight after the reception, and therefore had no chance to chat with their guests until two weeks later, today’s newlyweds are choosing to postpone the longer break, or to substitute it entirely in favour of a shorter mini-moon. The New Forest is a world away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and provides the ideal setting for a romantic break.

Amazing accommodation

Let’s face it, you don’t want your run of the mill hotel for your mini-moon. A once in a lifetime event, it deserves accommodation that wows, and there’s plenty of that in the New Forest.

If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, Beaulieu River View is a gorgeously secluded bolthole for two. Stood on stilts above the Beaulieu River, it certainly has the wow factor and mini-mooners have been visiting for years, drawn by The Wind in the Willows reminiscent surroundings and the open plan living inside.

Grab a kayak from the local hire shop and take a trip down the river, enjoy walks in the local woodland or simply relax on the cabin’s wraparound balcony and watch the world go by.

For something equally special, couples can now stay on the famous Beaulieu Estate, home to Beaulieu Abbey, in the Old Telephone Exchange. Once the main exchange for the village of Buckler’s Hard and the Estate, today the Old Telephone Exchange is a delightfully renovated retreat for two, surrounded by enchanting landscape and local wildlife.

Or venture a little further inland to Jenny Wren’s, a holiday cottage just for two. Located in an authentic forest setting, with ponies, foals, donkeys and cattle making their daily foraging trips along the hedgerows, it’s the ideal escape to help you relax and rewind.

The New Forest is home to an abundance of stunning holiday cottages, offering something for every taste.

Fantastic activities

A mini-moon in the New Forest gives couples the chance enjoys a wide range of activities together. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a novice looking to try something new, there’s something to suit everyone.

Walking is a very popular pastime in the New Forest, thanks to the miles and miles of exquisite landscape, approved walking route and plenty of wildlife to spot en route. What could be more romantic than rambling through the woodland, chatting away and getting a bit of post-wedding cake exercise thrown in too?

Other outdoor pursuits such as cycling, horse-riding and water sports like kayaking are also popular and there are lots of activity centres offering rental of equipment and organised trips. Take a look at New Forest Activities for their range of days out and shorter trips, including foraging trails and kayaking.

Delicious food

Minimooners will be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating in the New Forest. From local markets selling fresh produce for you to cook yourself, through to local tea rooms and lots of AA rosette and Michelin star restaurants, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for a romantic meal (or two!).

Self-catering in the New Forest is really easy. Stray away from the supermarket and head to one of the food markets in the area. Setley’s Ridge is popular with locals for its food and also its wine selection which comes from its own vineyard, or try Tatchbury Manor Farm for homemade jams and a fantastic selection of meats.

Eating out is also a real pleasure and the New Forest is scattered with foodie gems. There are some lovely pubs which are fantastic as a respite for walkers and cyclists, or book a table to enjoy some locally sourced dishes in the warmth of traditional pub settings. The Royal Oak at Fritham comes highly recommended, as does The Oak Inn at Bank.

The Haven restaurant, set in the heart of Lymington Marina, is another excellent choice – more modern in style than the pubs and with views over the waterfront. If you’re for something extra special, try one of the many Michelin and AA rosette awarded restaurants, which can be found on the New Forest’s official visitor website.

The New Forest offers something to suit all tastes and is the perfect choice for minimooners seeking a romantic break, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

A Hot Pink Wedding!!!

Posted on by

Stand out from the crowds with a hot pink wedding theme! This colour looks lovely with ivories and creams so will compliment your dress perfectly, and is an easy theme to stick too!

Beautiful bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids will stand out from your guests in hot pink bridesmaid dresses! Team them with simple pink and cream bouquets and let the dresses do the talking

Stunning stationery

Your stationery is the first glimpse of your wedding day that your guests will get; impress them with a bright design that will give the wow factor!

Fancy footwear

To add a pop of colour to your wedding outfit with amazing pink shoes which will be the perfect finishing touch!

Pretty petals

Lovely petals make the perfect biodegradable confetti to hand round to your guests. We love the two toned pink and cream colour!

Decorative details

Personalise candleholders with bespoke vinyl stickers from with decals. You can also have vinyl stickers designed for on the dance floor, walls, table centres, favours or anything you want! Add a hot pink candle to fit in with your theme.

Make your own

Posted on by

Most guests love to see a bit of a handmade touch in weddings, and that’s why there is no surprise about how many people are DIYing their wedding these days…

A survey conducted found that fewer than one fifth of weddings do not feature any do-it-yourself touches, with the vast majority of newlyweds relying on the method to save a bit of money, add that oh-so-special personal touch, and to make sure everything is done the way you want it.

When the newlyweds were asked to reveal which items were made or altered through do-it-yourself means, they found the most common DIY details to be the favours, wedding invitations, and the wedding cake. The more unusual answers included the wedding dress (9%), the music or entertainment (6%), and even conducting the service or ceremony (2%)!

Here are the top 10 DIY details at weddings:

Favours – 41%

Invitations – 38%

Wedding cake – 24%

Venue decorations/styling – 21%

Photography – 19%

Flowers – 18%

Wedding Catering – 15%

Order of service prints – 14%

Guest book – 13%

Beverages – 11%

It’s great to see that so many brides and grooms-to-be are drawing on their own talents, and no doubt those around them, to make their big day their own. It is lovely to be able to make your wedding special and unique to you by having real input into it.

DIY is not for everyone, though, and if you’re starting to feel a little overloaded or panicked, you need to make sure you have time to put your feet up too! It’s okay to get some outside help, but be sure you can trust the suppliers and that they can help you make your dreams a reality.