Will the Royal Wedding hail an increase in weddings?

The Office for National Statistics published figures in February 2010 which showed that the number of marriages taking place had fallen to its lowest in England and Wales since records began in 1862.

We for one are waiting with baited breath to see whether there has been a rise in weddings when the Office for National Statistics publishes further figures this year.

The wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton takes place on April 29th 2010 and maybe this has encouraged a few more romantic proposals this Christmas! Some are even describing 2010 as "The Year of the Wedding"!

We will just have to wait and see!

Happy Planning ♥

Financial Wedded Bliss

When a couple get married there are a number of factors they will explore together for the first time and one of those is money management.

Money and relationships can sometimes be a tricky course to navigate and really needs to be properly discussed before the big day to avoid any nasty surprises.

Remember as well that your work/career situations may not always be as they are now so think ahead and think about scenarios that could possibly arise in the future and how you might deal with those. These could include having children, starting a business or one partner losing their job.

So, with that in mind, we have found a fabulous website designed to help you. SavvyWoman.co.uk is the brainchild of Sarah Pennells. Sarah is a renowned personal finance journalist and broadcaster who has appeared regularly on TV and writes for a number of magazines including She, Marie Claire, Ideal Home and others.

Sarah is also a published writer and has written a book specifically to help couples to avoid arguing about money and make better financial decisions. The book is aptly titled 'Financial Bliss: How to grow wealthy together' and is available from Amazon.

Happy Planning ♥

An Invitation they will never forget!

If like many brides and grooms you are looking for new and unique way to invite your guests to your wedding, a wedding invitation with the wedding wow factor, then we think we may have found it for you.

Not only are these invitations unique and pretty but they are environmentally friendly too!

The idea is the brain child of Karen Brown who was looking for something special for their wedding invitations and so came up with the idea of a Wedding Tea Towel as a wedding invitation.

You have the choice of a bespoke design service which would enable you to create something totally unique to you and your other half , or choose from a range of designs. You can can edit the words and colour to co-ordinate your invitation with your wedding colour scheme. You can even have your very own "Royal Wedding" tea towel invitation as seen here!

With prices from £2.75 each - they are not only fabulous and unique but they are also cost effective and will not end up in the card recycle bin once your wedding day has passed!

Your guests are certainly not going to forget to RSVP easily either!

For more information and to see more of the designs available visit www.weddingteatowels.co.uk or call Karen Brown on 07739 034331 or you can email karen@weddingteatowels.co.uk.

Happy Planning ♥

BBC3 - Need YOU!

BBC3 Pilot Looking for Engaged Couples to Test Drive Their Marriage

Have you ever wondered how people view you as a couple? Would you like the chance to delve into somebody else’s engagement and see what they’re planning for their big day, and their future lives together?

So much focus goes into the wedding day that sometimes the big questions get buried beneath the flower arrangements and seating plans. We are looking for young couples who are interested in taking a voyage of discovery with their partner before the big day - an experience designed to give their marriage a better chance of lasting the course.

You need to have your wedding plans underway and be willing to explore your relationship with your partner. You will need to be open with one another about what you want from your life together – your strengths and weaknesses as a couple. You will also be interested in finding out more about what makes people’s relationships tick.

If you’re interested in taking part or just want to find out more in a confidential chat, then please email Sarah at sarah.pickering@lovewest.co.uk or call 0117 906 4350.

Personalise Your Wedding Cake

Mrs2Be.com is delighted to feature the fabulous work of Jane Finnerty of CakeFigures.com.

If you want to personalise your wedding cake then these gorgeous handmade cake toppers are a great way to do it.

Jane Finnerty of CakeFigures.com is a professional artist and confectioner who designs and makes the most stunning cake toppers for couples to their own design and requirements.

You can inject a little bit of your personalities and touches that reflect your lives by adding props for example. Jane has designed and made many different cake toppers that reflect the lives of her clients such as the example here which was created for a couple where the Groom was a rugby fanatic.

For more information on Jane's work and to read testimonials from satisfied customers visit www.CakeFigures.com