Tag Archives: marry

Find the right music for your wedding

Posted on by

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 of your wedding day.

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!

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.

Still look fabulous when you spend less

Posted on by

Hair accessories

Hair accessories can be a big outlay for something that you will only wear once. Instead of one expensive tiara, why not opt for a lower cost small bridal comb and a few pins or clusters of grips? These can be arranged in groups to create a high-impact look for less. Mix and match the styles to create an elaborate big day finish.

Make an investment

Why not spend your wedding accessories budget on a few key pieces of bridal jewellery that you will wear again and again long after your wedding day? Even a statement and more expensive piece of bridal jewellery will effectively cost less if you wear it lots of times!

Perfect presents

It is wonderful to include family members and friends in your wedding planning so why not ask them if they would treat you to your bridal jewellery for your next birthday or Christmas present? People are often stuck for gift ideas and love to be part of your wedding preparations.

Double up!

Make your bridesmaids’ accessories their thank you gifts. Simply tell them you have their jewellery sorted and give them a wonderful surprise on the big day. It also ensures that your girls will be wearing accessories which fit in with your wedding theme.

Borrow

If you loved your Auntie’s or best friend’s wedding dress, then why not ask if you wouldn’t mind borrowing it? 

Wedding dresses can always look different if the veils are changed and the wedding bouquet is a different colour. We are sure that the person you borrowed it from would feel very happy that the dress has been put to good use and will bring back some good memories of their special day.

We are sure you can think of many more money saving ideas for your big day – just remember less is more…

Summertime entertainment

Posted on by

Make the most of the sunshine and delight your guests with the best in British summertime wedding entertainment for your wedding day and evening party. Let the fun begin!

Forget high priced tickets for muddy fields and distant views of so-so bands bring the festival to your wedding instead. Set up a stage or two, pop up a beer tent and start booking your acts. The famous festival mixes its music, so you can hear an up and coming bad one set, then opera the next! Do the same; mix rock and jazz, acoustic and electro, DJs, opera singers and solo sax. Remember, that gospel choir who performed at the ceremony and the function band you’ve booked for the evening would probably love to be part of your wedding too!

Turn your wedding into a traditional fete on the lawn, with lots of activities for all ages, and a slap-up tea on vintage china in the marquee instead of a formal sit-down meal.

Give your wedding a contemporary twist with a roving street magician ready to thrill anyone with card tricks and logic-defying illusions anytime, any-place, no table required.

Keep the little ones amused for hours with the help of professional children’s entertainers. Kids can twist and turn with balloon modellers, fall about laughing with a clown, get artistic with face painters. Warning; adults always want to join in too!

Bring a sense of theatre to your festival with unusual acts, such as stilt walkers, living statues, mime artists, themed walkabout and more.

Hire some paparazzi desperate to take your guests’ photos, and get the latest scoop. Give your guests a taste of celebrity fame when the pics get posted online to a private micro-site, to view and buy if they wish.

OK, we know the weather is even more unpredictable than the best man’s speech, so choose wedding entertainment that works just as well in your venue as outside on the lawns, such as micro-illusion magicians, caricaturists or a small jazz band.

Getting it right

Posted on by

If you are experiencing these feelings, then you know you are marrying the right person…

You love waking up to them in the morning

Despite spending the entire night nudging him to make him stop snoring, you still love to wake up to their face in the morning. And that’s a good thing. If you can both look past the bed hair and the morning breath, you’re bossing those relationship goals.

You’re always excited to see them

Whether you’ve got fun plans to go away for the weekend, or just planning a cosy night in after work, you’re excited to see them. Number one: because you miss them, and number two: because you have fun together, even if you’re doing absolutely nothing at all.

You can’t imagine yourself with anyone else

Thinking of your past dates, you wonder how you did it. You just cannot picture yourself sitting across a candlelit table to anyone else but him or her. The fact you ever went on blind dates absolutely baffles you – you don’t even remember how to flirt anymore.

You miss them when they’re gone

Even if you have to go your separate ways for just a couple of hours or to go to work, you’ll miss them. Before they’ve gone, you’re begging them to stay and wondering why you both can’t just stay in bed forever; when you realise they (and you) actually need to go, an unnecessary number of goodbyes are said; as soon as they are gone, you’re not shy to send an ‘I miss you’ text the moment they’ve walked out the door, and several more times throughout the day.

It’s the little things

When two people know each other when, they know exactly how to tick each other’s boxes and make each other smile. It’s the little things like bringing your favourite chocolate home when he knows you’ve had a bad day, or you making sure you’ve got his favourite series on record (because you know that he’ll forget), that make a relationship that extra bit special.

You’re always on the same page

Spending the rest of your life with someone is a big commitment and it means you’ve got to be on the same page as each other. You talk about everything and know exactly what each other’s life plans are – so much so that you’ve either got the same life plans or that you’ve had to make compromises so they fit with each other. That’s love.

You’re each other’s best friends

You treat each other like you treat each of your best friends. They’re the first person you ring when something interesting happens or you’ve got some gossip to tell, and you can rely on them to respond in exactly the way you want.

So if you feel any of these things, you are indeed on to a good thing… 

Looking for hotels that ooze romance?

Posted on by

Ahead of the most romantic time of the year, Macdonald Hotel Ltd, one of the UK’s largest independent hotel groups, is encouraging love birds to indulge in some ‘we time’. With almost 50 luxurious hotels to choose from, each with its own unique charm, couples can cosy up in some of the UK’s most romantic spots. From Shakespeare’s birthplace, to the town which inspired a royal love story, Macdonald Hotels are the perfect place to spend time together this Valentine’s Day. Here are seven of their most romantic hotels where love will definitely be in the air this February;

Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews

In the town which kindled the flame of romance between Kate and Wills, Macdonald Rusacks Hotel is perfect for a luxurious and indulgent break this Valentine’s. St Andrews is a must-visit destination with its world renowned university, quaint Scottish terraces and famous West Sands beach immortalized in the Oscar-winning movie Chariots of Fire. Ideal for those couples who share a passion for golf, Macdonald Rusacks Hotel is one of the greatest golfing hotels in the world, within a sand wedge of the 18th hole of the famous Old Course and with a dedicated Golf Concierge.

Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath

For couples seeking 5-star luxury, Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel offers a romantic get-away in the heart of historic Bath. With landscaped gardens, four poster beds, and a ‘bath butler’ this town which was home to Jane Austin, can create a weekend that even one of the world’s best known romantic fiction writers would be proud of.

Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa, North Berwick

Just half an hour from Edinburgh by train is the beautiful seaside town of North Berwick; renowned for its dramatic coastline as well as independent boutiques and ice cream vendors. Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa is housed within a glorious 19th Century building; reflecting a time when Romanticism swept through the British art world. Guests can take a windswept walk along the beach or stay cosily indoors and watch the coastline from behind the windows of one of the hotels’ 83 individually styled, luxury rooms. For couples looking to be pampered, the award winning thermal spa boasts a heated indoor pool as well as an outdoor hydro pool.

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, Lake District

Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa on the shores of Lake Windermere has unrivalled views over mature lawns to private jetties and moorings on the lake. The luxury four-star hotel proves a popular choice for romantic getaways and weekend breaks. This Valentine’s Day the hotel is offering a proposal package for guests looking to pop the question. Couples will be able to stay in a suite where they will be greeted with a chilled bottle of Prosecco and chocolates in the room on arrival. The Macdonald team will also be on hand to surprise loved ones with an engagement ring hidden inside Champagne glasses, and beds will be strewn with rose petals as an extra romantic touch.

Moving away from tradition

Posted on by

From the dresses to the huge floral arrangements, more and more brides and grooms are moving away from the usual traditions associated with weddings. Mismatched bridesmaid dresses, cupcakes, sweet tables and mason jar centrepieces; we have seen more couples break free from traditions over the past few years, and it seems that couples are set to push the boundaries even further in 2016!

Gifts for the groom

A trend that is really taking off this year; more brides are choosing to purchase a sentimental keepsake for their husband-to-be for the big day.

Grooms will often purchase an extra something for their bride, but now we are seeing this trend in reverse. Cufflinks have become a hugely popular choice. Practical yet still sentimental and very classic; they allow the groom to wear them on the day, and then they can be worn in the future too. 

More personality

Websites such as Pinterest have encouraged brides and grooms to put their own stamp on their wedding. More couples are incorporating their own style into their big day, doing things differently, having their own wedding ideas and giving their guests a day to remember.

Weddings have changed. They want personal touches that show off their personalities: they want vintage tea parties, rustic country settings, to wear Converse with wedding dresses and to dance in barns with bunting and hay bale seats. They are creating whole weekend events – mini festivals, almost. The traditional wedding rule book has gone and brides and grooms to be now do whatever they want.

The non-traditional dress

The overarching theme for weddings this year is “being yourself”, and this is no different when it comes to the dress. This year designers have focused on adding small details and embellishments to dresses that have never been seen before, from sheer skirts to bodice illusions, that help brides feel like one-of-a-kind.

How to include your Mum in the ceremony

Posted on by

Mums teach us a lot. They’re by our sides through thick and thin, and, with any luck, have been the major helping hand in many of life’s biggest moments like planning a wedding. Sometimes it seems near impossible to pay Mum back for all her love and support, but she is your Mum. And because she’s your Mum, we guarantee she’ll be as pleased as punch from even the smallest of gestures. 

1. Have her walk you down the aisle!

Don’t think you need to find a male replacement for that Moment if Dad’s no longer in your life then the perfect choice will be your Mum, or if Dad is still around why not have both parents walking you down the aisle?

2. Give her a flower before the altar. 

Dad still doing the giving away? Take a Moment before you step onto the altar to give your mother a flower from your bouquet. Purposefully singling her out right before you say your vows will show her (and everyone in attendance) how crucial her support has been in getting you there. The gesture will become even more special if you tuck one of her favourite blooms into your bouquet and present her with that. 

3. Set aside a space dedicated to her memory. 

If your mother has since passed, place a framed photo of her and her favourite flowers on the chair where she would have sat.

4. Include Mum in the getting ready fun. 

Book her a seat next to yours while you and your bridesmaids are getting your hair and makeup done. Involving her in this girls-only tradition will let her know that you see her as a friend and confidant, which is the ultimate compliment.

5. Recreate a moment from her wedding day. 

Sort through Mum’s wedding pics and select a photo you find particularly striking. Surprise her by bringing the shot to your wedding and recreating the pose with your photographer—we guarantee she’ll be touched by the gesture.  

Plan you Wedding Cake

Posted on by

One of the highlights of every wedding; the cake!  Guests might forget your first dance song or the colour of your table runners, but your friends and family will always remember what your wedding cake tasted like — and looked like.

Whether you prefer sugar or fresh flowers, pretty blooms are the perfect accessory for your wedding cake!

Wedding cakes with flowers are one of the most popular big day desserts, and for good reason! Pretty blooms add vibrancy to an otherwise simple cake at a relatively low expense. It allows the bride and groom to skip pricier decorative techniques — like fondant or hand-cut details — in favour of floral adornments.

And though sugar flowers cost more than fresh, the fake buds are still a cost-effective way to upgrade your wedding cake without bursting your budget. The best part about going the faux-flower route is that the colour and design options are endless.

If you prefer to use real flowers (which look absolutely gorgeous on a big cake!), choose a bloom that’s currently in season and complements your wedding theme.

One of the most popular ways to include flowers on a big-day dessert; the topper! Many couples are forgoing traditional cake toppers in favour of fresh blooms. But if you can’t image skipping the classic bride and groom, consider other options, like sugar petal details or scattered buds at the cake’s base or between layers.

With countless options, including hand-painted, cascading, single-bloom, and overloaded-floral styles, it’s impossible not to find a delicious confection you absolutely love.

Don’t deny it

Posted on by

Has he just proposed? Have you just said yes? Well then, these thoughts and feelings might sound familiar to you guys and all other newly engaged couples – don’t deny it!

Facebook status

Once you’re officially engaged, then comes the time to update the Facebook status. But wait – before you go from ‘In a relationship’ to ‘Engaged’, you need to ring the important people first! We doubt your mum will be very impressed to discover that she’s found out after your second cousin twice removed that you’re getting married. Big no! But updating it is always a good, and easy way to help make sure you’ve not forgotten to tell anyone.

YES, we’ve got so many likes

Here’s where all the likes come in, and both of you have got to admit – you’re feeling pretty popular right now. Your relationship status got tons of likes, and don’t even get us started on your Relfie (relationship/ring selfie) on Instagram…

Perfecting the proposal story

Especially when you’re newly engaged, you’re going to have to tell your proposal story again and again and again and again, and again. Like, so many times. You’ll start to get a bit of a pro at story telling in fact – you’ll learn how to impress the crowd, and maybe even embellish it here and there. Who will ever know that it wasn’t the real Elvis that serenaded you after your new h2b proposed? And no one will blink an eyelid at the mention of that unicorn…

Do we get presents?

Any excuse to compile a huge list of presents you want, and then to be, only slightly, disappointed when your post-box is filling up with vouchers for house and homeware shops and you suddenly become the owners of four toasters. But then you realise that his request of a new Xbox and yours of a pair of Jimmy Choo’s may not be that practical for a soon-to-be married couple.

Third wheeling

All this lovey-dovey stuff might mean that you’re too loved up to realise that your friends might be missing you a little bit. And the way you deal with that? Invite them over… to third wheel! Don’t deny it, you know you’re guilty! Whilst it’s not okay to make your besties third wheel all the time, it’s fair enough to say that when you’re newly engaged, it’s a prime time in your romantic relationship so it’s allowed. But beware!

Hen/stag party excitement!

Is it bad that one of the first things you want to do is to plan the hen and stag nights, and not the actual wedding? Don’t worry, it’s quite common. Especially when the first thing that every single one of the groom-to-be’s friends say is “what are we doing for the stag weekend?”. They fuel the excitement! It’s all part of the process after all. Other engagements?

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.