Tag Archives: big-day

Don’t make these mistakes!

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SummerWedding1

Mistake 1: Not dealing with debt

Money is the number one thing couples fight about. Set up a financial plan to conquer any debt.

Mistake 2: Alienating your friends

Having separate interests is key to a successful marriage, so tag along on your friend’s nights out.

Mistake 3: Neglecting the bedroom

Did you know that over 60% of newlyweds are in a sex rut! Initiate sex, even if you don’t feel like it. If you get in the habit of having it, you’ll start wanting it (and liking it) more.

Mistake 4: Outlawing the in-laws

Did you know that 50% of couples have a problematic relationship with their in-laws? Even if your spouse is moaning about his family, resist the urge to join in. Stay neutral at all times!

Mistake 5: Letting yourself go

Take pride in your appearance and weight even if you’re ‘off the market’ now – you and your partner will feel better for it, trust us!

Mistake 6: Becoming baby-obsessed

The average couple has a child within three years of marriage. Savour the moments and the travel you can do now!

The ‘after the wedding’ to-do list

Get your dress professionally cleaned and store in a cool, dry place.

Leave helpful reviews about your various wedding suppliers.

If you wish to change to your married name, do them all simultaneously to avoid confusion.

Check your tax situation as a married couple – you may be entitled to tax relief in some situations.

Send thank you notes for wedding gifts – aim for 10 a night!

Finalise your wedding album and video – if you leave it too long, you may forgo it!

Discuss finances: should you have a joint bank account?

Figure out things like joint health insurance plans and discuss changes to life insurance details

To Pre-nup or not?

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It may not be the most romantic of topics, but pre-nuptial agreements are an important part of many couples’ big-day planning.

A whopping 48% of ladies said they would, or would at least consider, signing a pre-nuptial agreement.

It seems a sensible idea, especially if you already have children from a previous relationship, or if you or your family have a lot of financial assets. Going into a relationship with a clear arrangement in place could in fact make for a more stable marriage

Don’t like the idea of discussing finances? 

You could draw up an agreement between yourselves about promises that you want to make to each other during the marriage – a romantic twist on the traditional pre-nup!

Each of you should take independent legal advice.

Tell the other frankly about what you own, earn and expect to receive.

Download and complete a Form E. Your solicitors will use this information to create a schedule for each of you respectively so that the ‘pre-marital assets’ can be ascertained.

You will also need to ensure that you make a will to reflect what you are stating will happen in the event, not only of divorce, but of death.

Ideally these should be drawn up and signed six months before the wedding. This helps to avoid what’s known as ‘late pressure’ on either party. If you do leave it too late you can of course create a post-nuptial agreement.

When celebrities tie the knot, a pre-nuptial agreement is often talked about. If financial wealth is at stake, then many would consider this controversial agreement a necessity.

Jessica Beil may have got Justin Timberlake to settle down, but not before she slapped him with a pre-nuptial agreement that entitles her to at least $500,000 if Justin ever decided to play away.

In order to protect his Playboy assets, Hugh Hefner recently had his new wife Crystal Harris sign a pre-nuptial agreement. Apparently, it states that if the couple divorce, or if Hefner dies, Crystal would have to vacate the mansion, and has no legal rights to the iconic Holmby Hills estate.

Pre-nuptial agreements aren’t for every celebrity, though. When Wayne Rooney married Colleen McLaughlin, the couple decided against the legal agreement because they thought it was un-romantic.

Be careful not to kill the mood

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When you begin that walk down the aisle towards your fiancé the atmosphere is going to be electric. So make sure the music you choose is not going to kill the mood.

Will you be classical or a little bit rock’n’roll?

So what sort of music do you think you’ll walk too?

We suggest that you don’t choose anything too cutting edge. That doesn’t mean to say you can’t show off your taste in music but if you choose that week’s number one hit, you might regret it in years to come. Just as you might regret wearing a wedding dress that’s heavily styled for the moment. Go a little classic and you’ll never be out of style.

There are also some things you’ll need to bear in mind when making your music choices.

You need to consider just how long it’s going to take you to walk down the aisle. It usually takes about one to two minutes for most brides to walk the aisle. So choose a piece that doesn’t have a long intro or is instantly recognisable. If you’re planning a religious ceremony, some churches won’t allow you to play non-classical music or your own music. So you need to check your choices with the vicar.

Next, you should be thinking about how your music is going to be played. If it’s in a religious building, keep it classic and have it played on the organ. Alternatively, you could organise your own musicians to full the hall with romance.

Four pieces of music to play when you walk down the aisle;

The wedding processional from the Sound of Music.

Not a religious piece so you can use it in a civil ceremony. It’s majestic, grand and dramatic all at the same time. You’ll feel like a princess when you walk down the aisle to this.

Clair de Lune by Debussy.

This is a gorgeous tune to have played on the piano. It’s quiet, atmospheric and very romantic. Also not religious, so you could have it played while your guests are being seated.

For The Love of a Princess from Braveheart.

An atmospheric folk tune that’s emotional and sentimental in the right ways. Bound to bring tears to the eyes as your guests watch you start your walk.

The Bridal Chorus by Wagner.

Well this is the most traditional of traditional music to walk up the aisle to. Everybody will know you’ve arrived when this starts to play!

Four songs to play as you’re leaving;

Now what about after you’ve said your vows? When you’ve signed the register and you’re legally man and wife and starting the first steps on your new life together?

Here you can change the tempo a little bit, and have something that’s celebratory and uplifting.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours by Stevie Wonder.

 

This says it all really. You’ve said your vows and you’re on your way. A timeless piece that’s joyful, catchy and instantly recognisable.

Mairi’s Wedding by by John Roderick Bannerman.

If you’re getting married in Scotland or one or both of you are Scottish, then this is foot-tapping folk piece will surely get your guests in the mood for dancing at your reception.

Only You by The Platters.

A slow, dreamy melody that will probably take some of the older generation back to their ‘courting’ days and make them feel misty eyed.

Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring from Bach.

A traditional masterpiece for you to walk along to starry-eyed as a Mrs, whilst beaming at your friends and family as you take your first steps as newlyweds.

Your wedding photography checklist

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You don’t want to forget anything. All those important moments need to be captured.

  • The Photos You Really Don’t Want to Forget on Your Wedding Day
  • Before the ceremony
  • Shots of the bride and bridesmaids getting ready
  • The bride and father in the wedding car
  • The groom preparing
  • Wedding dress hanging on a beautiful hanger
  • Wedding Shoes
  • Groom waiting (nervously!) outside venue
  • Shot of the bridesmaids
  • During the ceremony
  • The bride’s grand entrance
  • The guests’ faces on seeing the bride
  • The groom waiting at the altar
  • The ring exchange
  • The kiss
  • Register signing
  • Bride and groom leaving
  • A confetti shot
  • It’s traditional to have photographs of:
  • Bride, groom, best man and ushers
  • Bride, groom, and both sets of parents
  • Bride and groom as new couple
  • Bride and groom with bridesmaids
  • Bride and groom with brothers and sisters
  • Bride and groom with grandparents
  • Bride and her mother
  • Groom and his father
  • Bride and groom with friends
  • Whole bridal party and guests

 

Reception

  • The decorated room and table plan before the guests arrive
  • Bride and groom entering
  • Speeches
  • Cake cutting
  • First dance of the bride and groom

Of course, you can add to and amend this wedding photography checklist however you want. But these are the classic images to build around. Enjoy your big day!

Drop a dress size in eight weeks!!

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Do you want to drop a dress size before your big day? We know that, as brides-to-be, you’re going to be pretty busy with all that wedding planning and the thought of embarking on a strict, time consuming weight loss plan in the run up to your big day can seem too much to bear.

Losing weight doesn’t have to involve a huge overhaul of your daily diet. Instead, making small and simple changes to the way you shop, cook and eat can equal a huge difference – and could even see you drop a dress size slip into a smaller wedding dress.

Week 1

Don’t portion with caution – trying to live on small portions will leave you feeling hungry and more likely to snack on unhealthy foods. Enjoy regular meals and eat to satisfy your appetite by tucking into filling, lower-calorie foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit and veg, lean meat, poultry and fish. Week 2

For every meal, fill a third of your plate with vegetables. They’ll fill you up, increase your nutrient intake and help you drop a dress size.

Week 3

Take away your takeaways and cook your own low-fat curries, burgers or chips. You’ll save pounds as well as drop a dress size and tighten your belt in more ways than one! Eating healthily doesn’t cost anymore, because you pocket pounds you’d previously have spent on convenience foods and takeaways.

Week 4

Choose whole fruits ahead of juice. Fruit contains lots of sugars (albeit natural). Whole fruit is also full of bulky fibre that helps satisfy your appetite and keep you full for a long time. Juice, however, doesn’t fill you up and it’s easy to have lots of it so you quickly consume more sugar and extra calories. Think about how full you would be after six oranges compared with how easy it is to drink the juice from six oranges without feeling full.

Week 5

Cool swaps are key when you want to drop a dress size – so use extra-lean meat, trim off all visible fat and remove skin from poultry, swap cooking oil for light sprays, sugar for sweetener and calorie-laden salad dressings for fat-free vinegar and see the pounds fly off!

Week 6

Keep a piece of fruit close to hand in case you fancy a snack, plus an apple or a banana won’t melt all over your purse like chocolate! But if you do really want to drop a dress size and fancy a piece of chocolate, don’t deny yourself. Depriving yourself will only see you crave treats more and end up giving in, most likely giving up on your slimming campaign, too. Enjoy in moderation.

Week 7

Use skimmed or semi-skimmed milk instead of whole milk in drinks, on its own or in cooking. You’ll still receive the calcium that you need without any extra fat.

Week 8

Take your lunch to work – that way you know what’s gone into it. Pre-packed sandwiches and salads can be loaded with hidden salt and fat. Plus, making your own lunches will work out cheaper, saving more money for the wedding!

Winter Wedding Hair

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It’s a given that every single bride wants to look beautiful on her wedding day, and while some may argue that winter hairstyles are no different from looks at any other time of year, there are some things you really ought to consider for winter weddings.

Get the right tools

Looking radiant in the winter will take some extra work and care – however, armed with the right products, preparation and mind-set you can ensure you look perfect on your wedding day. Winter weather plays havoc with our hair and causes it to dry out and become frizzy – especially in cold, less humid climates. Moisture is sucked away from your locks, causing hair to become static, so it’s best to use a natural bristle brush or a wide tooth wooden comb.

Embrace the updo

Winter brides also need to think about their natural hair texture and type more than summer brides. I strongly recommend that you let your hair be itself and work with it instead of fighting against it. You can try to a degree to force your hair into unnatural shapes, but what with cold winds outside and central heating inside, fine straight hair will be more prone to drop curls, while naturally thick hair may frizz.

Updos are your best bet if you’re trying to tame unruly hair, as they’re more likely to withstand changes in the climate. Choosing an updo will mean that your hair will be neatly tucked into a beautiful style that won’t budge throughout the day.

Choose the right products

Ensure that your wedding hair stylist uses premium products to really help you avoid hair disasters on your special day. Hair products will vary depending on the style you choose, but for curls we recommend a good volumiser also a good helping of a high-quality hairspray to stop it losing its shape.

Consider your outfit

A lot of winter brides will wear a beautiful faux fur stole or shrug to keep warm while walking down the aisle and having their pictures taken outside. If you are considering a shawl, you must take this into consideration when choosing your hairstyle.

If you decide to wear a low bun at the side or back, the bottom of the bun may rub against your stole – this will not only make your hair look windswept, but will also weaken the hairstyle and cause it to fall out. You can still wear a bun, but just make sure that your hairdresser is aware that you’ll be wearing something to cover your shoulders so that they can make your hair high enough.

Many brides go for heavy luxurious fabrics when choosing their winter wedding dress and these may have many buttons at the back which you could get your hair tangled on. I would recommend having your hair up if you are going for this option so that you can avoid this nightmare scenario and also fully show off the intricate detailing on your wedding dress.

Brides choosing a high-necked dress should also try and wear their hair up as high as possible to create height – this will elongate your neckline and make you feel tall and slender. You could opt for hair to be swept to the side if you feel uncomfortable with all your hair up, and have a few loose strands to frame your face.

Add some sparkle

Winter brides can indulge not only in rich colours and fabrics but plenty of sparkle too. As the winter light fades and the crisp cold night starts to fall, a winter bride will look stunning with a glitzy hair accessory. Flowers may be a little more limited at this time of the year, but brides can experiment with feathers, diamantes and beautifully coloured jewels.

These days’ brides have a wide range of hair accessories from headbands, combs, tiaras, fascinators, skull caps or hair pins to choose from – there’s something for everyone, regardless of whether you want an extravagant statement piece or a simpler accessory. Enjoy finding the right thing for you and don’t forget to show your hairdresser what you want to use so they can factor this into your wedding hairstyle on your special day.

Losing a few pounds before your big day

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There are more myths about dieting than any other subject. So we are here to help separate the facts from the fiction and get on the road to super slimming success to lose weight for your wedding day.

Myth 1 – Small portions are the key to losing weight

The truth; It’s an out of date myth that dieting has to mean deprivation. We now know it’s not the size of your portion that counts – it’s the kind of food on your plate.

The latest research into healthy eating shows that it’s possible to eat satisfying, filling meals, do light exercise and still lose weight by choosing foods that are low in energy density. Energy density is the amount of energy (or calories) per gram of food which means we can eat more of them while consuming fewer calories. Foods that are low in energy density include fruit and veg, lean meat, rice and pasta.

Brides-to-be should fill their plates high with fresh fruit and veg, pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and still see great results on the scales.

Myth 2 – It’s harder to lose weight when you’re older

The truth: You might think it was easier to stop a dress size in your teens or 20s, but that’s really your memory playing tricks on you.

There’s actually no evidence that the ability to lose weight for your wedding is any more difficult as you get older.

In fact, it could be a little easier if you’ve swapped partying, takeaways and eating-on-the-run for home cooking and healthy snacks as you’ve got older.

Follow a healthy eating programme and support it by staying as active as you can and you’ll be able to lose weight at almost any age.

Myth 3 – Diets only work short-term and you always put weight back on again

The truth: If you’re talking about your diet in the sense of faddy, restrictive, short-term, quick fixes then this is true because with those types of diets as soon as you go back to the way of eating that made you put on weight in the first place, you’ll gain weight again, meaning that even though your wedding photos look great, you’ll be putting weight back on soon after. Not a good boost for your self-esteem either!

Ban the ‘D’ word. It has so many negative associations for most people, making them think of being deprived and not being able to share meals with family and friends and enjoy social events.

Myth 4 – Healthy eating is expensive.

The truth: It’s true that more often than not it’s processed food like frozen chips and pizzas or packs of crisps and chocolates that are on cut-price offers. And a trolley full of fruit and vegetables along with fresh meat and fish may cost more than one loaded with all these processed food deals, but your healthy trolley will provide the ingredients for many more family meals.

Your weekly shop will go further, your overall food bills won’t go up – and neither will your weight.

Although they may be spending more on fruit and veg, the savings they make by cutting down on takeaways and processed foods mean their food bills come to less overall.

Top tips for a relaxing Wedding day

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You’ve spent tireless hours planning, crafting, revelling, and swooning over your wedding and the fact that you get to marry the person of your dreams. But guess what? When your wedding day finally arrives, all of your plans are going to be set in motion, and it is time for you to sit back and enjoy! Sadly, not everyone gets to do this for one reason or another… but if you adhere to the following things, you WILL get to fully enjoy the entire experience of your wedding day:

1. Hire A Planner.

At the very least you should enlist the help of a Wedding planner. This way, you can let your planner finalize and secure all loose ends in the weeks leading up to your big day so you can relax and enjoy the fun stuff – like your Hen party, and the final dress fitting! All you have to do is communicate with your planner, and she/he will take care of everything! Finalizing numbers, arrival times, and even making any changes- your wedding planner will take care of it all. This will also eliminate the confusion that can happen in the days leading up to your wedding. It’s so important that you and your planner, are all on the same page- and a planner will ensure this.

2. Limit your activities on the morning of your wedding.

Want to get a morning session of yoga in? Get in your workout? Great. But don’t plan an activity that doesn’t fall within your normal routine. You don’t want to end up sore from a 7-mile bike ride that you wouldn’t normally do on any other day. Or you don’t want be late for the rest of your day because you decided to go get pedicures on your wedding day. Getting ready on your wedding day will take time, so enjoy it. There is also no need to add any stress of completing tasks before the wedding, so make sure you have all your projects done! Be smart and be reasonable with yourself and make sure you’re not over doing anything.

3. Eat and stay hydrated.

Seems like a no brainer but not eating and drinking water can ruin your wedding day. Staying hydrated will help your skin glow in your pictures. And in case you need US to mention the obvious… staying hydrated will also hopefully prevent you from over-drinking and getting sloppy from too much Champagne in the morning!

4. Turn off your phone.

Or at least only answer your planner’s calls. Live in the moment. Your wedding day will pass by so fast- you don’t want to regret spending it on your phone. Plus, if you’ve hired someone to help manage your day, there is no reason you need to be directing people or making calls on what needs to get done. Direct everyone to your planner, but also friends and family- so you can enjoy your wedding day!

5. Trust your vendors.

You spend tireless time researching, vetting, studying, interviewing, and choosing your vendors. So you should definitely feel confident in them by now. You have been working with them side-by-side to plan this big day, so why stop trusting that they will do the best job for you on your wedding day? Give them space and have confidence they’ll handle everything for you. Especially your wedding day planner. She is there to represent you and will do just that, but you have to trust she’s got it covered! Intervening and not allowing her to do her job creates confusion, chaos, and wastes precious time! You hired your planner (and all your other vendors) for a reason – remember that. Also, if there is a vendor who you feel like isn’t on par, discuss it with your planner and she can handle it for you. The whole goal is to not have to worry about anything, right?

So with all of this said… RELAX! Your wedding day will go smoothly with your team of highly experienced professionals. No need to worry about the table cloth colour or whether it will rain. Remember that some things are out of your control and there is nothing you can do to change that. For the things that are changeable and manageable, you’ve assembled your A List vendor team to take care of it. This day should be a celebration and an exciting time filled with love and happiness! Take in every moment and be happy- it will indeed pass by faster than you could’ve imagined! Now go forth and enjoy your wedding day!

Wedding Colours for Winter

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Reds and greens certainly reflect the season, but overdo this colour combo, and your wedding may seem more holiday-oriented than you intended.

Consider a less-is-more approach to your colour: Silver and white with crystal accents can add some serious glamour to your winter wedding. For your ceremony, try a white velvet aisle runner trimmed with white satin ribbon, or decorate the altar with a crystal curtain backdrop adorned with hanging strands of elegant white orchids. If you’re exchanging vows outdoors, get your guests in on creating the ambience by giving out clear umbrellas to friends and family members as they arrive.

The Wedding Flowers

Red roses, lilies, and amaryllis are decidedly winter wedding flowers, but if you step outside the flower box, and you’ll find a variety of options for winter blooms.

Consider fuller wedding flowers, such as white hydrangeas. White boutonnieres can be perfect when they’re accented with greenery, but they also look great with a simple white ribbon. Add sparkle to your bouquet by wrapping the stems in ribbon embellished with crystals.

Centrepieces

Go beyond glowing candles to add both warmth and romance to your reception site.

If you want to heighten the drama, bring in the icy outdoors with ice-carved vases on your reception tables. Have your florist fill the vases with tall winter-white branches and hanging crystals to reflect the light from the tables. Surround the centrepieces with candles, and top your tables with white table linens and frosted glass china.

Place Cards

Miniature sleighs and holly motifs stamped onto your place cards would spell out the season pretty clearly, but they might not dazzle your guests.

Leave everyone amazed as they retrieve their place cards by making the entire table sparkle. Have the cards hand-calligraphed in silver ink and attach them to individual crystals with a ribbon. Hang each from an oversized crystal candelabra centrepiece for a new take on the popular place card tree.

The Music

A classical pianist playing during dinner is a sure way to create an elegant ambience, but consider a more unexpected accompaniment.

For a twist on the tunes, consider hiring a Capella quartet to sing background music at your reception. Have the group sing your favourite jazz and pop songs to set a welcoming and festive tone for the evening. If you’re into a more classical sound, hire a cellist and ask that Vivaldi’s “Winter” be included in the repertoire.

Cocktails

A winter cocktail calls for warm, comforting drinks. You really can’t go wrong with hot chocolate and warm cider, but it’s your wedding — why not take every opportunity (drinks included) to add an element of surprise?

Serve up white hot chocolate in small espresso cups and advocar in small punch glasses for your guests as they arrive. At the bar, offer saketinis (Japanese rice wine and sweet-flavoured vodka) in glasses rimmed with sugar crystals.

The Cake

A wedding cake trimmed in red or green ribbon or topped with roses looks pretty, but bakers who are willing to push the fondant envelope can reflect the winter in totally creative ways.

Play up the season with a white, vintage-style cake, dusted with edible silver powder. For accents, have your baker add a white sugar ribbon and crystal drops cascading down one side of the cake.

Honeymoons

While many couples flee the blustery weather for warmer (and sandier) destinations for their honeymoon, a winter wedding can segue perfectly into a snowy escape.

Embrace the season and rent a cosy log cabin, or join the jet-setters at a luxurious hotel in Aspen for some serious skiing, wining, dining, and snuggling.

Life after the Big Day

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As your wedding day approaches, it’s only logical to start thinking about all the things you have to do to prepare for the day. But it’s a good idea to squeeze in some time to work on the details of your life after the wedding, and organizing your finances with your partner should be on that list. (We know it doesn’t sound fun, but hear us out!) One of the most popular options newlyweds choose is to open a joint bank account together; you’re already sharing everything else, so merging your finances together almost seems like a no-brainer. But is it really the best choice for you and your partner?

Money is a touchy topic for a lot of people, so discussing the nitty-gritty details of your financial status with your soon-to-be spouse might not exactly be painless. That said, despite how difficult it may be, it’s a good idea to make the money talk a priority before the wedding, if you’re considering opening an account together, start by reviewing salaries, bonuses and the like. Then move on to sharing your credit ratings, assets, student loans and other parts of your financial portfolios. If you’ve already done a check of each other’s financial baggage (and you’re both comfortable with what you’ve found), that’s great! But double-check that you haven’t glossed over anything—it can sometimes take multiple conversations for all the little details to be covered.

You already feel like you’re on the same team. But before you open a joint bank account together, make sure you’re both taking a joint approach to your finances as well. It often doesn’t work when newlyweds add money to their personal bank accounts first, then put the remaining cash in the joint account.

Instead, pool all of your and your soon-to-be spouse’s income into the joint account first, and give out an “allowance” from that lump sum to spend each week. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your own account on the side. But ideally, your joint account should be more of a communal money pot in which you both initially deposit your entire salary—then get to dividing it up for food, phone bills, mortgage payments and savings. “There’s no more ‘your income’ and ‘their income’ once you’re married. It’s ours’

If you and your soon-to-be spouse are working toward post wedding financial goals, like a deposit on a house or retirement, opening an account together might actually help you reach them. For starters, it’s easy to keep track of how much you’re saving when your money is in one account. And because you both have shared participation in the account, you both have equal responsibility for making it successful. Most importantly, though, having a joint account will make it easier for you to talk about money with your partner. When you’re both able to see how much you’re each contributing every week, you’re more likely to talk about your finances in a healthy, constructive way.