Friday, April 30, 2010

Are you planning on a honeymoon in Thailand?


If your wedding or honeymoon plans involve travelling to Thailand in the near future, then we would advise you to take advice from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office who have issued a travel warning due to the current unrest in Thailand.

For further help advice visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

Monday, April 26, 2010

WIN, WIN, WIN a handmade Wedding Garter by Laura George


Are you planning on doing something different for your big day? If so - share it with us and get the chance to win your own little slice of tradition courtesy of Laura George Exquisite Bridal Garters.Laura's beautiful wedding garters are unique, elegant and modern with a touch of glamour. Products are of the highest quality and only use the finest silks, soft tulles and antique style laces. Garters are embellished with swarovksi crystals and pearls, hand tied bows and beading. All products use plush backed elastic for added comfort. Each garter is individually hand made in the UK to give a luxurious finish that will compliment any brides gown and lingerie.
These garters are available in a number of designs and Laura George has very kindly offered to give one garter away up to the value of £35 inc free P&P to the winner. Please read our terms & conditions here. We will select the winner from those who leave a comment so please be sure to leave your contact details when you post your comment (these will not be made public!).

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Trash the Dress or Rock the Frock


There is a rise in the phenomena that is "Trash the Dress" or "Rock the Frock" (I prefer the latter description) - but what exactly is it?

Allegedly started in 2001 "Trash the Dress" is an opportunity to get some really great edgy photographs of you in your wedding dress in settings that are in complete contrast to everything that a wedding dress symbolises.

When you think of a wedding dress you think of delicacy, and finery but place this in a setting that exudes harshness, rough terrain, mud and more and it is like putting salt on your cup cake!

But, it can be extremely artistic and produce some stunning photos though it is not for the feint hearted! If your wedding dress as a possession is important and you plan on keeping it for future generations, you may not want to go down this route!

Choose your photographer carefully - one of our favourites is Jose of J Cardoso Fotography. Jose's work is urban, contemporary and edgy as you can see from the photograph shown here. But don't take my word for it - go on over to J Cardoso Fotography and see for yourself.

Happy Planning

Nicky ♥

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Wish Trees - Hire Yours Today


I love these as an alternative to the more traditional guest book. Not only do they look beautiful but they really get your guests involved. Each one is handmade.

Our sister company Sugared and Spiced can create a wish tree to suit your specific requirements and wedding theme and colours. To make life a little easier - there are a couple of package options available for you to view on the sugared and spiced website.

This particular example is a natural wood wish tree but they also come in white & silver as standard and can be created in a specific colour for a small additional fee.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Volcanic Ash Causing Honeymoon & Wedding Chaos

Many couples have found themselves in the terrible position of being left unable to travel to their wedding or honeymoon destination because of the erupting volcano in Iceland which has grounded planes to and from the UK due to the volcanic ash in the air.

Some couples have spent 12 - 18 months planning their big day only to have it quashed by something they could never ever have planned for as this situation is unheard of in the UK before.

One lucky couple however, were able to beat mother nature by exchanging their wedding vows via webcam. The couple Sean and Nathalie Murtagh were stranded in Dubai while 100 wedding guests waited in the UK. The hotel they were staying out pulled out all of the stops by arranging the live link, a stunning wedding cake and even a red carpet. The groom even borrowed his wedding outfit from other guests.

However, before you all go thinking this could be a great way forward - the couple we already legally married! They had planned a replica wedding back in the UK which is what they were on their way back for.

Let's hope the wind of change is upon us so that all our couples can enjoy their honeymoons and destination weddings as planned.

Happy Planning ♥

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Who Says The Welsh are Un-Romantic?

The Welsh Lovelies Gavin Henson and Charlotte Church are officially engaged and I for one think Charlotte looks absolutely fabulous. Gavin doesn't look half bad either though!

But oh how romantic was the proposal? Gavin whisked Charlotte of in his boss' helicopter on her birthday to the Nare Hotel in Truro. The couple enjoyed a "lush" lunch (Charlotte's words - not mine!) and then embarked on a romantic walk on the beach where Gavin popped the question.

Not only that - but he had managed to order and pay for a beautiful heart shaped diamond ring while the couple were on holiday in Dubai without Charlotte knowing.

And they are not planning on hanging about either - the couple apparently plan to marry this year. Good luck Gavin & Charlotte and best wishes for the future.

Nicky ♥

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Brynkinalt Hall - Venue of the Month

Brynkinalt Hall is a beautiful stately home owned by the Trevor-Hill family which is nestled in the estate's parklands in Chirk, Near Wrexham.

Personally I feel this wedding venue is one of North Wales' best kep secrets! So, I decided to make it Venue of the Month for April 2010!

You can relish the grandeur of this beautiful house as you sweep down the main staircase of the Great Hall in your wedding dress - it really is picture postcard stuff.

Click HERE and see for yourself by visiting our main website and reading all about Brynkinalt Hall as a Wedding Venue.

Friday, April 09, 2010

Will They, Won't They?

Announce their engagement we mean! Who? Why who else, Prince William & Kate Middleton of course!

Though if Jan Moir of the Daily Mail is to be believed, then the answer to that is no - at least - certainly not on the weekend it was rumoured to be happening because Prince William is a little busy that weekend as is The Queen.

A Royal Wedding would be so lovely and just what the country needs to lift the mood - personally I feel we are riding on a crest of a patriotic wave right and this would be cherry on the cake.

Not only that but Vintage is so in this year and how lovely would it be to see a vintaged theme Royal Wedding? Our friends over at Sugared & Spiced say

"Bunting and all things British are very popular right now. I can just imagine a Royal Wedding with a contemporary take on the whole vintage theme incorporating an Eco-Friendly element to it.

Prince William is known for his championing of all things Green so I would expect to see this incorporated into elements of the day from wedding favours to table decorations.

I can also see the young contemporary couple bucking the trend in some small way though I am sure Royal protocol will keep a pretty tight hold on what they do."

What do you think they will go for?

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

New Takes on Old Traditions - The Best Man

The Best Man

More and more grooms are opting for 'Best Men' rather than a singular Best Man. This often solves the problem when a groom has a number of good friends to choose from and the way in which he can include them all in his big day is by giving each of them one of the tasks normally performed by a singular Best Man. So for example one friend will take on the role of handing over the rings during the ceremony itself. Another will then give the speech during the wedding breakfast while another will be tasked with escorting the Chief Bridemaid during the day and the wedding breakfast (lucky so and so).

Father of the Groom

Another popular option is for the Groom to have his Father as his Best Man, often the Father of the Groom gets a little forgotten during the big day so this is a great way to bring him to the forefront again. Of course, this could then be combined with the idea above so that you then have another Best Man who escorts your Chief Bridesmaid and may or may not give a speech.

A Best Woman

Of course, there is nothing to say you have to have a Man as your 'Best Man' there are many occasions where a groom chooses to have a lady as his right hand 'man' on his big day!

Do you have any other interesting ideas for new takes on the role of the Best Man? Comment us!

Happy Planning!

Nicky ♥