Tag Archives: wedding

Accessorise, accessorise

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From the bride’s bouquet to the groom’s boutonnière, the couple can enjoy wonderful embellishments on their wedding day. A lot of couples strive to have matching designs or colours across their accessories too, which makes for a wonderful harmonized look. So here are some of our favourite traditional wedding jewellery and accessories for him and her.

Headwear

Traditionally, the bride tends to have far more choice concerning headwear. Wedding veils seem to be the norm, for they come in a range of lengths and styles depending on fashion and culture. Similar to the veil is a decorative net or art deco style bonnet, which also come in an array of designs. But many brides also opt for headpieces such as tiaras, headbands, hair clips and combs. For the groom, there does not tend to be any jewellery headwear pieces available, so the groom and his groomsmen typically wear hats.

Head-wear for the bride and groom, including veils, tiaras, hats, and headpieces.

It’s safe to say that the style of headwear depends on your desired theme. In truth, the bride could wear a hat if she wished, but the wearing of hats and fascinators are usually left to the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, and other female wedding guests.

Face and Neck

For the face and neck, the groom is well-known in western culture to wear a classic necktie or bowtie, and no other jewellery. Ties, coming in all manner of colours and materials, will fit any wedding. In other cultures there is also the option of wearing a cravat.

Often the bride completes her look with a pretty set of earrings and a necklace and in some cultures facial jewellery like nose piercings are common too. Like with headwear, the chosen wedding theme (and personal taste) goes a long way in helping the bride decide on the style—some pieces of jewellery are rather discreet, and others are far more overt. Some brides even wear a garland around their neck.

Torso

On the torso, grooms can wear pocket squares and handkerchiefs. Depending on personal choice, these can be purely decorative or intended for use. Pocket squares and handkerchiefs are available in a variety of colours, designs and patterns and are an ideal way to inject personality and personalisation into groom’s wear.

For more of a traditional look, the bride may opt for a brooch. Brooches come in all shapes and sizes, and can fit any theme or colour scheme. They can be used for anything, be it accessorising a jacket, the wedding dress, or the bouquet. Also, some couples dress in bright, rich fabrics covered in gems and sequins, which makes for a truly striking wedding look.

Arms, Wrists, and Hands

On his wrists, the groom traditionally wears cufflinks, and such a small and simple accessory works wonders to add style and decoration. Available in a range of styles and materials, from plain silver or gold to intricate engraved, bejewelled or rhinestone studded options. The groom might also wear a wristwatch as a finishing touch, but the more traditional wedding watch option for a groom is a classic pocket watch.

Wrist wedding accessories for the bride and groom, including bracelets, corsages, cufflinks, and watches.

The bride often wears a bracelet, and these too come in numerous styles. You may want a simple band, or a chain with pretty dangling charms. A growing trend is to wear a corsage as well.

The most important wedding accessory of them all: wedding rings!

But the most important wedding accessories for the bride and the groom are the wedding rings! The giving of rings is a traditional part of the wedding ceremony! No doubt a lot of thought and consideration has gone into choosing your engagement rings and your wedding rings from deciding on the optimum metals, gems, engravings, etc. Steeped in tradition, the practice of giving rings can be traced back centuries.

How to get great photo’s at your Wedding

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While there is a place for staged shots that look exactly that and the obligatory group photograph, there is also plenty of opportunity to make your group photographs more natural and fun!

As couples continue to break from tradition in almost every element of their wedding days, here are five ways to do it with your group photographs…

GET MOVING

Whether you walk, run or jump, moving while your photograph is being taken will help you to feel more natural and relaxed. Rather than holding a rigid smile and pose, you’ll have something else to distract you with, so, even if you’re jumping on cue, your expression will be more natural. Let’s not forget the greatest moving group photo of all – the confetti shot!

PROPS TO YOU

Don’t be afraid of introducing props into your group wedding photographs. While this again involves a staged element (would you be holding a heart shaped umbrella like that normally?), it gives you something else to interact with. Have your wedding photographer keep snapping while you arrange yourselves, and just have some fun! Let the shots capture your high spirits as newlyweds

TURN YOUR BACK

Group photographs might traditionally mean a carefully lined up arrangement of the bride, groom, bridal party and family members, front on, but that’s not the only way to do it. And, while this may be a useful photo to look back on to recall each of your guests, but it can also appear overly formal.

Mix things up a little in your group photographs with smaller numbers by turning your back or turning towards each other rather than facing the camera directly. Not only does this add another dimension to your photograph, it will also give you the chance to show off the gorgeous details on the back of your and your bridesmaids’ dresses! And remember, you don’t all need to do the same thing here, in fact, it’s better if you don’t!

LAID-BACK POSING

You might have noticed a bit of a running theme here – subtle staging in a more relaxed, natural style can really help to give the more boring staged shots the boot while still getting everyone in that needs to be. It can be as simple as arranging your group members in a variety of more casual poses, some sitting, some standing, and with a mixture of people looking and laughing with each other and others making eye contact with the camera.

And if we’re talking bridesmaids-only photos, these are the ones you just have to get with your best girls.

Bridesmaid Dresses of the future

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The rules for dressing your bridesmaids have changed. They no longer expect to be asked to all wear the same dress, in the same style, in the same colour… Which is great news for you!

Today the mode is much more geared towards the individual figures of the girls. Gone are the days when brides uniformly put their attendants in the same dress, all in the same colour and style – with no consideration given to different figures, ages, skin tones and personalities.

We think that’s a real step ahead. At the end of the day, you want your maids to look happy and smiley in the wedding photographs, not awkward and pulling down their skirt to cover their knees or pulling up the strapless frock they’re having trouble keeping in place.
Mix it up!

Keeping girls over ten happy when it comes to bridesmaid dresses can be tricky. They don’t want to look ‘girly’ but grown up styles are not right for teenage figures. Involve them in your decision-making and they’ll love you for it! Choose a matching or coordinating fabric that will sit well with the flowergirls’ dresses.”

There’s no rule any longer that says bridesmaids have to wear exactly the same shade. We love it when brides mix it up a bit. It’s telling that the promotional poster for the comedy film ‘Bridesmaids’ showed all the girls awkwardly dressed in one size fits all hot pink taffeta, with ruffles.

Whilst we love hot pink, it’s a very distinctive colour and doesn’t suit everybody. The best way to decide what’s going to work is to look at real life weddings with real life bridesmaids.

There’s no one style suits all you can see that different styles of neckline feature – strapless and one shouldered. If one of your girls has a small bust she might feel uncomfortable wearing a strapless dress and a sweetheart neckline would be more suitable (actually a sweetheart neckline suits all busts). Or if one of your maids is better endowed then choose a dress with straps.

The same goes for lengths. Some of your girls might be happy with the shape of their legs, others would rather wear something below the knee. It’s always best to talk your ideas through with them and give them some options (but not too many).

Day to night dresses.

The recent law amendment that now lets you marry at any time up to 6pm has opened up new possibilities for bridesmaid dressing. If you’re having a late afternoon wedding (which in the darkness of winter will seem like the evening anyway) then why not dress your girls in dramatic deep shades? Dark blues, purples – don’t be afraid of dressing your maids in black either.

Your girls can then stylishly go from day to night in evening frocks. Talk to them about what you have in mind and let them be involved in the choice because this is certainly a time when they can choose a frock they could wear again and again to parties (particularly important if they’re paying for their own gown). It doesn’t matter if you go for cocktail style or something a little longer – just make sure that the colour blends the whole effect together.

Bridal Countdown

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Six months to go

This is the time for any professional or cosmetic treatments to take place. Teeth-whitening is a great pre-wedding treatment as there’ll be lots of smiling and plenty of photos. If you can afford it, a professional teeth-whitening treatment, six months before the big day, will ensure teeth are pearly white, while giving you a chance to adjust to any increase in sensitivity and get used to how much whiter your teeth look. If the end result is too white, six months is the perfect amount of time for the brilliance to fade to a more natural shade. If a professional teeth-whitening treatment is not within your budget, find a good quality teeth-whitening toothpaste or whitening strips and start using now, on a regular basis.

Three months to go

See a brow specialist at least three months before your big day for an initial consultation and shaping. A brow professional will be able to assess your face shape and natural brows and can determine the most flattering brow shape for you. They will be able to wax, thread, tweeze and tint your brows, regularly, over the next few months, helping you to grow in any new hairs where necessary. Wait four weeks in between each session and then schedule your final shaping for a week before the big day so your skin has time to settle.

One month to go

Start using a regular facial exfoliator and skin oil. By regularly buffing and oiling your skin now, it will be silky smooth on your wedding day. Find an exfoliator and oil that are specific to your skin’s needs; there are so many different types, from daily bead exfoliators, to chemical exfoliators, designed to be used less frequently. Layering an oil under your daily moisturiser and night cream will help to retain moisture and will encourage a natural, dewy glow to the skin. Massage the oil in for a few minutes each day, to boost circulation and further encourage your skin to glow.

Two weeks to go

Make any hair removal appointments for this week. If you are planning on waxing any areas of the body that will be on show, you will need to allow a fortnight for any associated reddening or skin reactions to settle down and / or pores to close.

One week to go

Book in for professional lash extensions. Ideally you will have trialled these at least two months beforehand, to know which length and style suits you. You will also need to know which type of extensions you will be wearing, so that you can adjust your wedding makeup accordingly. For your big day, it’s ideal to have them applied a week before. Individual lash extensions should last 2-3 weeks, before needing to be filled in, so they should last until you return from your honeymoon.

 

Two days to go

If you’re planning on fake tanning, whether you are applying it yourself or are opting for a professional spray tan, this is the time to do it, to allow the colour to settle on the skin and develop a more natural hue with no tell tale aroma. A good wedding beautician with experience in spray tanning will be able to match the right colour, brand and formula to your skintone. If you would rather apply the fake tan yourself, spend time researching brands to find one that suits you. Remember hands and feet soak up more colour than the rest of your body, so dilute the tan with moisturiser before applying to these areas, and wash it off sooner than you would for the rest of the body. For lighter skin tones or winter weddings, wash the colour off after six hours rather than the recommended eight-12 hours. Exfoliating the skin, as well as hair removal, is a pre-tanning essential: We’d recommend doing both 24 hours before tanning.

One day to go

Leaving your manicure and pedicure until the day before will leave less opportunity to chip the nail varnish or break your nails before the big day. For a longer-lasting and glossier colour that will see you right through your wedding day, to the end of your honeymoon, opt for a professional or home-use gel polish, which can last for up to three weeks.

About Your Engagement

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Your engagement is a promise to marriage as well as the period of time between the proposal and your marriage. During your engagement you are said to be affianced, betrothed, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Future brides and bridegrooms are often referred to as fiancées or fiancés respectively (from the French word fiancé).

Long engagements were once common in formal arranged marriages and it was not uncommon for parents betrothing children to arrange such many years before the engaged couple were old enough to marry.

Origins Of Engagement

The concept of an official engagement period in Western culture may have begun in 1215 at the Fourth Lateran Council, headed by Pope Innocent III, which decreed that “marriages are to be … announced publicly in the churches by the priests during a suitable and fixed time, so that if legitimate impediments exist, they may be made known.”

Such a formal church announcement of the intent to marry is known as banns. In some jurisdictions, reading the banns may be part of one type of legal marriage.

Engagement Rings

A woman displays her engagement ring. The modern Western form of the practice of giving or exchanging engagement rings is traditionally thought to have begun in 1477 when Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring as an engagement present.

In the United Kingdom and many other countries, an engagement ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. The tradition of wearing a ring for engagement originated from the Egyptians, who believed the circle was a bond between the two people who were to be married, but was initially first practiced on the fourth finger/ring finger by the Romans, who believed this finger to be the beginning of the vena amoris (“vein of love”), the vein that leads to the heart.

In the modern era, some women’s wedding rings are made into two separate pieces. One part is given to her to wear as an engagement ring when she accepts the marriage proposal, and the other during the wedding ceremony. When worn together, the two rings look like one piece of jewellery.

Engagement Parties

Some engagements are announced at an engagement party, traditionally hosted by the bride’s parents. These parties are given in the family’s usual style of entertainment. Traditionally, engagement parties were normal parties at which a surprise announcement of the engagement was made by the father of the bride to his guests. Therefore, it is not a traditional gift-giving occasion, as none of the guests were supposed to be aware of the engagement until after their arrival.

In modern times, engagement parties often celebrate a previously publicised engagement.

A Brief History Of Weddings

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The word wedding derives from Anglo-Saxon times when the bride’s father led a public ceremony, called a “wedding”, at which the groom offered guarantees to the bride’s guardians that she would be looked after. These offerings were called “weds”. The occasion is one of life’s primeval and surprisingly unchanged rites of passage. It celebrates the union of two people in love with the sharing of vows and is traditionally witnessed by friends and family.

There was originally no state involvement in a wedding until 1753 and it was only in the 1500s that people started making their vows in church. Almost all of the customs we observe today are merely echoes of the past; from the giving of rings (an ancient Egyptian belief that the circular shape of the ring was a sign of undying, never ending love without beginning or end) to the fact that the groom stands on the bride’s right so his sword arm is free to fend off would be suitors.

 

Whether your special day is a small registry celebration, a large church gathering or a more personal, non-religious ceremony, start as you mean to go on by making the first day of the rest of your lives the best day of your lives.

Popular first dance songs

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Your wedding is going to be one of the happiest of your life. Unless you’re taking part in Don’t Tell the Bride, that’s just a guaranteed fact. A big part of planning your wedding day is that all important first dance and deciding which song you will share with your new husband or bride. Do you want to go for a classic, a current top 40? Here to offer up some inspiration in the form of the most popular first dance wedding songs.

Before we list them here, we feel we should point out that this is as close to scientific as it gets because the data comes from Spotify, who analysed over 12,000 wedding playlists on their streaming service to find out just what newlyweds are dancing to. Without further ado then, in order, here is the global list of the most popular first dance wedding songs.

You’ll notice that Ed Sheeran has two songs in the top ten, whilst ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ features twice, sang by two different artists.

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

“At Last” – Etta James

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Elvis Presley & the Jordanaires

“Marry Me” – Train

“Tenerife Sea” – Ed Sheeran

“You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne

“First Day of My Life” – Bright Eyes

“Make You Feel My Love” – Adele

“Everything” – Michael Bublé

“Lucky” – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Ingrid Michaelson

“Better Together” – Jack Johnson

“God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton

“Come Away With Me” – Norah Jones

“The Luckiest” – Ben Folds

Perfect venues in London

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Your wedding venue is another way to make the exchanging of vows a truly personal experience. Here we look some  venues that we absolutely adore.

Cutty Sark

Some venues are beautiful and historic, but not many venues are beautiful, historic and used to move. That is the case however, with the gorgeous Cutty Sark, one of only three remaining original composite construction (wooden hull on an iron frame) clipper ships from the 19th century. Sat upon a permanent dry dock in Greenwich, this is a venue that many might not first think about when planning their wedding (or even events in general) but as soon as the idea is mooted, you’ll be hard pressed to forget it. A space that is surprisingly flexible when it comes to weddings (dinner, entertainment…both are possible!), this is perfect for a couple who perhaps have a seafaring background or love the iconic, historic and unique!

Hedsor House

Some venues are beautiful and historic, but not many venues are beautiful, historic and used to move. That is the case however, with the gorgeous Cutty Sark, one of only three remaining original composite construction (wooden hull on an iron frame) clipper ships from the 19th century. Sat upon a permanent dry dock in Greenwich, this is a venue that many might not first think about when planning their wedding (or even events in general) but as soon as the idea is mooted, you’ll be hard pressed to forget it. A space that is surprisingly flexible when it comes to weddings (dinner, entertainment…both are possible!), this is perfect for a couple who perhaps have a seafaring background or love the iconic, historic and unique!

Hedsor House

We’re heading back to Greenwich to highlight this venue, the centrepiece of Maritime Greenwich, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not bad! Used by the Royal Navy up until 1998, the Old Royal Naval College is now free to visit, so you could perhaps enjoy a tour whilst imagining walking down the aisle in such a gorgeous venue. The focal point of this architectural masterpiece is undoubtedly the Painted Hall, which is always a majestic sight no matter how many times you see it. A fantastic back drop for the beginning of your marriage.

Asylum Chapel

When you first heard the word ‘asylum’, you might not think that it’d be the perfect venue for your wedding day. But if you’re after a rustic feel to your big day, then it’s probably the best choice you could make with the Asylum Chapel offering a large space for a multitude of guests, exposed brickwork beyond your wildest dream and expectations, and a stripped back ceiling that exposes the beams above.

Somerset House

One of the most popular places in London, the grounds of Somerset House are a sumptuous setting for a wedding, especially in summer when the fountains will be on and it’s possible for newlyweds to walk through them for their wedding photos! A number of packages are available for your big day, with many couples booking for the vows rather than for the whole day. Whichever you decide to do though, rest assured that you will undoubtedly have a wedding photo album to die for!

Gibson Hall

A stunning converted banking hall, Gibson Hall is a gorgeously converted wedding venue in the heart of the City of London that comes complete with a secluded garden, which may be used for drinks receptions in the wonderful summer weather! Able to accommodate large wedding parties as well as small, it is a beautifully romantic venue that can be lit in a stunning way. Well worth a look!

Kew Gardens

One of the most popular wedding venues, Kew Gardens is a must for anyone interested in flowers and gardens, not least because it is a World Heritage site of outstanding natural beauty! The venue allows a multitude of buildings to be available to you for your big day including The Princess of Wales Conservatory, Cambridge Cottage, the Nash Conservatory and the Orangery (pictured), all of which offer an elegant setting in which to be married.

Be creative with Engagement photos

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You’ve met the love of your life, have a little sparkle on your finger, and you’re ready to shout it to the world! That can mean only one thing: it’s time for engagement photos. Make sure your pictures are everything you’ve been dreaming about since the day you said yes! Draw some inspiration from these adorable engagement photo shoot ideas.

1. Be Passionate

Well, not like that. Engagement photo shoot ideas should obviously be centered on you as a couple, so include the things that you both love! Do you both love coffee? Your cat? Movies? Snowboarding? Whatever passion you both share, representing that in your engagement photos is guaranteed to make them original.

2. Stay At Home

Keep things simple with your engagement photo shoot ideas. There is no rule saying that you have to pose in a field of flowers for your photos. Break from the usual and set up a comfortable photo shoot in your own home! This where you and your significant other can really be yourselves. You’ve created a perfect space for both of you, so celebrate that!

3. Get Artsy

Tap into your creative side with these artsy engagement photo shoot ideas! Break out paint, chalk, paper, paintbrushes, or glitter. Whatever you need to get a little messy with colour! You can keep it classy and imaginative, or just go crazy and cover each other in paint or powder.

4. Celebrate the Season

Getting engaged in summer, spring, autumn, and winter all have their perks! No matter what season you’re in, you can take advantage of what’s happening outside. Incorporating nature into your engagement photo shoot ideas is a failsafe way to end up with gorgeous photos.

5. Go Glam

Something about being all dressed up really brings out the romantic side in couples! High-fashion is great for fashionistas looking for engagement photo shoot ideas. If you’re planning a sophisticated or evening wedding, glam engagement pictures can give your guests a peek at what to expect on the big day.

6. Include Props

Do you and your fiancee feel awkward in front of the camera? Bring in some props! They can help you interact with each other in a playful and natural way. Getting your photos taken can be intimidating. Take some of the pressure away with fun items like bicycles, bubbles, sparklers, coffee cups…whatever strikes you! Your photographer can usually help with this, too.

7. Use the Golden Hour

Good lighting is the number one thing to consider when thinking of engagement photo shoot ideas! Any top wedding photographer will tell you that the “golden hour” is a beautiful time for photos. Take advantage of early morning or late afternoon times to create truly stunning engagement pictures.

Booking great entertainment

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After your guests leave your wedding and have returned to their daily routine, they’ll remember two things about your special day: the interaction between you and your spouse-to-be, and the rockin’ band or DJ. Details like centrepieces, name cards, and dinner selections will trail far, far behind in the memory banks of your friends and family. That’s why you should look at all your options and carefully choose the most amazing wedding entertainment out there.

Tips for Booking the Best

When you’re searching for that perfect wedding entertainment, it’s important to do your homework. If you’ve never heard or seen their performance, you can do a little research to see what they offer. Reviews are always a great option as you can hear from some of their happy past clients. However, in some cases, reviews may not be available. If you’re interested in hiring a performer but you want to dig a little deeper to make sure they’re the perfect fit, then you should do the following:

  • View their website.

  • Look at their social profiles to see how they interact with fans and followers.

  • Have a contract with clear and precise terms.

  • If at all possible, go see a live performance.

  • Reach out to the entertainer to discuss their prior performance experience. They may be able to connect you with clients they’ve worked with for a referral.

  • Most importantly, you must trust and like who you are dealing with while negotiating the booking.

This is a very special day in your life, and like any milestone event, planning a wedding can get hectic. It’s wise to be prepared for last-minute hiccups and do everything you can to make sure the entertainment is what you’ve always dreamed it would be.