Here at Bridebook we believe your wedding day should be the happiest day of your life. For all your lovely brides to be out there we have come up with a ‘On The Day’ tick list. Follow our top 5 steps:
Fuel Your Day
Start the day off right with a filling and energising breakfast, such as a bowl of porridge or a bagel and Greek yogurt. If the weather is nice, take yourself off for a 15-minute stroll. This will really help calm your nerves and give you a little ‘me time’ before the celebrations commence. Freshen up with a nice cool shower. Gently exfoliate and moisturise your body.
Preparation
You may be tempted to start on the champagne early. Only allow yourself one glass. You want your skin to look fresh, not blotchy. Read more about making your skin look flawless in our article written by Bobbi Brown. Lay out your wedding dress and get everything ready including your survival kit so you are prepared for any emergency situations. You’ll most likely be wearing heels all day so remember to pack a pair of flats, and savour the moments your feet can relax.
Stay Calm
Take a minute to yourself to breathe and calm down. Do some simple relaxation exercises to help manage wedding day stress. No one should be phoning you on your wedding day, but if it does ring make sure to forward your calls on to your maid of honour or a bridesmaid.
Thank Your Parents
Your parents probably had a lot to do with making this day special; by helping fund your day and all the time and advice they put in to help make your vision happen.
Go Get Married!
And breathe! You’ve been dreaming of this day since you were a little girl, so go and enjoy it!
On Friday September 30th, the Bridebook team were lucky enough to attend the fabulous Brides The Show – and what a treat! We were blown away by the outstanding quality of exhibitors and stand management. After spending all night at the show (no seriously, we were the last to leave!) we got to meet some of the best of the best of the wedding industry.
So if you were unable to attend or aren’t from the London area, don’t fret! We’ve put together a list of all of our favourite stands and brands in attendance at this year’s show. And even better, we got them each to write us a little description of their experience so you can really feel like you were there! A big, big thank you to Brides Magazine in particular for hosting such a fabulous show.
The Wedding Shop
The Wedding Shop not only had some of the loveliest ladies at their stand expertly walking us through all of their features, they also sponsored the gorgeously decorated VIP area – or VIB for those in the know (Very Important Bride!).
“The atmosphere at Brides The Show is like no other bridal show, the Conde Nast team put on such an incredible production curating inspirational ideas for every aspect of wedding planning. We love to be there as it enables us to showcase our services and product in an creative environment that seems to only gets better and better every year.”
Philippa Craddock
Philippa Craddock’s stand blew us away the moment we walked through the doors. Decked head to toe in the most beautiful and ethereal flowers and plants it was the perfect haven amongst the excitement of the show.
“The weekend was an enormous success. We love Brides the Show as it gives us the opportunity to meet, face to face, a huge number of brides and to receive direct feedback on the things that are most important to them. It is also a super opportunity to catch up with everyone at Brides, fellow suppliers, planners who we might not have seen for a few months over the busy summer and to meet new planners who are just starting their journey into the wedding world.”
Twobirds Bridesmaids
Twobirds Bridesmaids has such a stunning array of different dress colours and materials it was only natural that their stand lived up to their reputation! Whether you want your bridesmaids classical or mix-matched modern, Twobirds is for you.
“Brides the Show is always spectacular and this year was no exception. With luxury suppliers from every facet of the wedding industry under the same roof, couples were treated to wall to wall inspiration. We always have a fantastic time at Brides the Show and it’s always fantastic to introduce ourselves to people who haven’t yet seen our beautiful gowns in person.”
Prezola
Prezola may have been one of the favourite brands at this year’s show! Their gorgeous Prezola Bar serving champagne all evening was a hit with most of the attendees and really captured the fun and excitement that wedding planning and gift lists are all about!
“We love being a part of Brides the Show as it’s so inspiring to see all corners of the wedding industry come together and everyone is so creative! This industry is ever-changing and we’re always excited to see what happens next! We thought having a Prezola Bar this year was the perfect opportunity to reach out to brides-to-be in a fun and whimsical way, as boring is something we never do!”
David’s Bridal
The legendary American bridal brand is making quite an impression on the UK industry! Brides are falling for their countless gorgeous designs and range of pricing and, if their wonderful show staff are anything to go by , their spot on customer service too!
“David’s Bridal loved exhibiting at Brides The Show as it was the perfect opportunity for us to meet so many lovely Brides and Bridesmaids and have them experience a selection of our newest styles of David’s Bridal Designer Gowns and Bridesmaids collections. The show is definitely one not to be missed as it provides inspiration and ideas for women who want the very best expertise, advice and to see all the latest style trends. It has a fantastic atmosphere and really brings the magazine to life.” Terrie Kasianczuk, David’s Bridal UK Regional Director
Wedding Smashers
Keeping the party alive from start to end were the wonderful Wedding Smashers. A personal favourite of the Bridebook office, any party with a Wedding Smashers’ DJ in attendance is sure to be a blast!
“Wedding Smashers has been providing the sound track to BRIDES for the past 3 years and our stand is positioned at the entrance to the show. We love being able to DJ to guests as they arrive and exit the show and it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our technical DJ skills to potential Bride & Grooms’ as well as chat to couples that have already booked us and just want to come and say hi! We love the social aspect of the weekend and being able to network with other suppliers in the industry is a great way to work out what trends are going to be popular next year!”
Richard Murgatroyd
With some of his most jaw-droppingly gorgeous imagery on display it’s no wonder Richard’s stand was such a hit. I guess that’s what you should expect of an award winning and National Geographic featured photographer!
“What I love most about Brides the Show is that they have managed to keep a lovely, informal and fun feeling to the show whilst assembling the finest wedding suppliers in the country. You’ll not meet a nicer group of people, all totally dedicated to helping you realise your dream wedding.”
Zita Elze Flowers
Zita Elze’s stand blew everyone away. Decked head to toe in the most gorgeous flowers, it felt like walking through a magical fairytale! Truly a sight to see and any bride would have been lucky to book them!
“This year’s concept for Brides The Show was pure white, modern chic with sparkling transparent notes, a 21st century fairytale – I was so thrilled to win a gold design award for the stand! The show is such a great opportunity to connect with brides and their grooms and also to mix with friends and colleagues from the wedding industry. Among our latest wedding ideas we included some finely scripted engraved perspex discs, hung from a tree laden with blossom, to announce the wedding guests’ seating. The wedding design was completed by Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium‘s elegant and romantic 6 tier petal shaped wedding cake which I dressed in fresh white flowers.”
Domino Purchas
Domino Purchas’ cakes are the sort that capture your imagination in staggering ways. With a perfect balance of contemporary visuals and classic elegance, brides were flocking to this stand!
“The vibe at Brides was wonderful! There was a wide range of potential clients with varying budgets and very different tastes, which made for a fascinating and engaging three days. It was also great to be exhibiting with a range of leaders in this industry, from exciting new venues to some staggering dress designers.”
Happy Planning!
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
You’re engaged… congratulations! Now it’s time for the fun stuff. Before you start planning your wedding day (using all of Bridebook.co.uk’s free wedding planning tools, of course) you must remember to take that all important engagement selfie. Follow our fail safe tips to ensure you capture the perfect one:
Perfect Excuse For a Mani
Moisturise, push back those cuticles and apply a nice colour to compliment your engagement ring. And if you only do the one hand for the photo, we won’t judge – just remember to do the correct hand!
It’s All About That Lighting
Natural light is the best way to show off your bling, but beware of shadows ruining your shot. Alternatively, use artificial light to your advantage and show off your rock’s shine and sparkle.
Relax
We’re trying to avoid Chandler’s “claw” – no creepy hands here please. Natural relaxed hands look so much nicer, so find a prop to rest your hand on. If you are finding the whole thing too stressful (who knew you could worry so much about hands that have got you through your whole life so far?!), forget about hands altogether and maybe just use your ring box to display your ring instead. Obvious, but effective.
Mind Your Surroundings
Choose a background that is visually interesting but fairly simple (like a cool texture or colour). There is nothing worse than a cluttered backdrop for a photo with a specific point of attention, as it’s super distracting and detracts from the main point (you’re getting married!).
See No Price Tag
If you know how much your partner splashed out on your ring, try not to include it in the caption. It’s not what it’s about, after all, and not what you’re trying to convey with your photo. You want to share joyful news with your friends, family and loved ones, not share smug information on how much your partner saved up to ask you to marry him.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Filters
Remember Instagram have made it easy for anyone to take share-worthy photos, so if you have tried all the tips and tricks and still don’t love your ring selfie, don’t be afraid to add a filter! Cool, fresh filters tend to work better, so unless you want to set a heady, dramatic tone to your upcoming nuptials, avoid dark and heavily-saturated filters.
And now, share away! This is your moment to show off your brand new bling and let all your family and friends know your incredible news. Then it’s time to start planning the nitty-gritty; move over filters, enter finance. But don’t fret, we’re here every step of the way – let our free budget tool become your best friend.
This article is a beauty based must read for all you brides to be. When the big day arrives, and all those months of meticulous planning have paid off the last thing you want to worry about is smudged mascara ruining your photos or risk being too heavy handed and making you look less blushing bride and more over-blushed bride!
As the beauty editor of My Beauty Matches the first (and smartest) personalised product matching site for beauty, as well as the largest beauty retailer in the world, I’ve picked up some incredible tips from some of the best makeup artists out there. Not only am I a dab hand at creating the perfect palette of bridal nudes for all skintones, I am also privy to makeup tips from what can only be described as the makeup oracles (Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury to name a few). But I’ve also whittled down my kit to the products that I know will last the distance; and outlast even the most energetic bride on the dancefloor.
MyBeautyMatches.com
These tips are a bride-to-be must read. From necessary pre-wedding preparations to knowing what products will give you a gorgeous glow (even if sleep has been somewhat lacking in the run up) and are sweat, crease, smudge resistant and let’s not forget waterproof. Because who doesn’t love a good cry at a wedding? Read on for my tried and tested wedding makeup tips:
Do a trial run with a makeup artist
Never try something new on the big day, you are just asking for a disaster. Take photos of the look you want to your makeup trial and check the results in a few different lighting settings to ensure the colours match your skintone.
Don’t skip the moisturiser
This is an essential wedding makeup tip. Worried about getting a shiny face in photos, and think skipping the moisturiser will help? Wrong for so many reasons. If you have dry skin, the products will settle in the fine lines and wrinkles, making you look tired. If you are going to be indoors most of the day we recommend using a moisturizer without SPF as too much can leave you with a ghostly sheen. La roche Posay Hydreane Light 40 £13.50 is a light, oil free moisturiser that will nourish your skin leaving it comfortable and shine free all day long.
MyBeautyMatches.com
Do use a silicone free primer
Silicone based primers can be slippy, especially in the heat and your makeup will just slide right off. Try Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance £28.50 which will give your more base staying power. Don’t let eyeshadow creases ruin your big day and use a primer for your eyes too, pat on Clinique All About Shadow Primer For Eyes £16.00 before your eyeshadow to give it lasting hold even through the happiest of tears.
Do use long – lasting formulations
Being camera ready all day is demanding enough, so make your products work hard, so you don’t have too. Look for crease proof, sweat resistant, long lasting and waterproof for products for some serious staying power. Armani Lasting Silk Uv Foundation 6.5 £36.50 is a high resistance, fresh foundation that will give a luminous semi-matte finish that lasts all day.
MyBeautyMatches.com
Do blend
One of the biggest wedding faux pas is having a different colour face to your neck and chest, wearing white will only make this show up even more. Use a damp sponge to blend your foundation all the way from your face to your decolletage for a soft, airbrush-worthy finish then use Daniel Sadler Invisible Veil Face Powder for a flawless finish that won’t rub off on your dress.
Do use a concealer that matches your foundation
Don’t go one shade lighter in an attempt to brighten the under eye area. You will just end up looking like a panda in photos. Shiseido Perfecting Stick Concealer £24.00 camouflages blemishes and dark circles without creasing or drying out the delicate eye area.
MyBeautyMatches.com
Don’t contour, Nontour!
Your wedding is not the time to go for a heavy contour. Think ethereal not Kardashian. Use a highlighter on the areas that would naturally catch the light for a gorgeous bridal glow. This is one of my favourite wedding makeup tips and I’m currently obsessed with this one shade suits all (literally EVERYONE) Perricone Md No Highlighter Highlighter £29.00. Apply to the top of your cheekbones, down the middle of your nose, cupids bow, between the brow bones and the middle of your chin and blend with a fan brush to diffuse it beautifully into your skin. For those wearing a strapless dress blend a little on your collarbones and shoulders to catch the light as you move.
Do use a powder
Prevent shine ruining your fun by dusting a little translucent powder. Daniel Sandler Invisible Blotting Pressed Powder £18.50 has a permanent place in my makeup kit. It doesn’t cake, dry out the skin or change the shade of your foundation, or natural skintone. It’s so super lightweight, that the only thing you will notice whilst wearing it is the shine free results.
Do set your makeup
Use a makeup setting spray for makeup that won’t budge an inch until you want it too. NYX Cosmetics Make Up Setting Spray Matte Finish/long Lasting £8.00 is a professional product at high street prices and all my makeup artist friends swear by it on shoots as even under hot lights, makeup won’t melt, smudge or crease.
Ready to find the perfect make-up artist for your dream wedding? Search through all of the U.K’s best suppliers by what matters most to you on Bridebook today! Just check out our state-of-the-art supplier search tool.
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
A wonderful winter wedding adorned with glittery gowns, bouquets of frosted fir cones and christmas crackers. Fiona and Richard embraced the festive time of year with a beautifully themed wedding at Warwick House in Warwickshire.
West Midlands | Warwickshire | Winter | Christmas | Pink | Gold | Country House
Congratulations to Fiona and Richard on a wonderfully festive winter wedding and many thanks to Kayleigh Pope for capturing some beautiful moments and for sharing them with us.
I wanted to write to you about something I feel is important, especially in our world today.
I would like to encourage you, as the bride, to make a speech at your wedding. Whether this is something you’d never dream of doing, or something you’ve been toying with, I want to share with you why I think there is no better time than now.
Why am I, a groom and man, writing to you about brides’ speeches? A recent experience has made me believe that here at Bridebook, a wedding platform with access to 1 in 3 engaged couples, we have a duty to do the most we can to encourage growth, change and empowerment amongst our users.
I recently attended my great friend Katie’s wedding. Katie has never liked being the centre of attention and surprised us all by making a speech. It was so heartfelt and meaningful, and left us all bursting with pride seeing her do it. (The pic I took of her is below). She is still gushing how happy she was she did it. It being her opportunity to say how much she loved her husband and her family, and a chance to say thank you.
Most striking to me, though, was the effect it had on the other guests. The room was blown away by her speech. It also ignited discussion of why it is so rare to hear a bride’s speech? Many recently-married brides were incredibly frustrated for not giving a speech themselves. They had just “stuck to tradition”.
Well, this tradition of only having the men give speeches at weddings is ready to be challenged by brides like you. Brides that have just as much to say and to express as the groom and the father of the bride. Brides that have just as much love to share and thanks to give.
It’s time for change.
Please, think about breaking the mould and making a speech at your wedding. It doesn’t need to be long. It doesn’t need to be side-splittingly funny. It can just be a special moment of gratitude that you share with your closest friends and family. And you might just inspire and empower many people in the room to feel free to speak up in the future. Whether that is other brides-to-be in the room. Or your beautiful little flower girls in their futures.
And this follows for all wedding traditions. You don’t have to feel entrapped by them, you can feel confident to select whichever appeal to you. If Meghan Markle can have a gospel choir singing Stand By Me in front of the Queen, you can do whatever you want : ) Whether that is making a speech, or being walked down the aisle by your mother, or something much bolder. Go for it! Your wedding is a just one big party celebrating you finding each other and falling in love, with all your nearest and dearest cheering you on for the future. Embrace it!
So I would love you to make a speech. To be part of a great change to wedding tradition for the future. It has the potential to inspire, empower and make your guests and partner burst with pride. And I would love you to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.
If you are up for it – say so! Just add your name here so we can keep a tally of our change makers!
And if you want to encourage others, do share this letter, and the hashtag #BridesSpeakUp
Wishing you the happiest marriage ahead,
Kind regards,
Hamish Shephard
Founder of Bridebook.co.uk
Katie, the beautiful bride mid speech! Taken by Founder Hamish Shephard.
How better to spend your wedding day than on a secluded farm in Marlborough, on a beautiful summer’s day? Well that is exactly what Hannah and Andrew did, and what an amazing day! The rustic outbuildings, tractors and surrounding meadows provided the perfect backdrop for some incredibly dramatic shots. The reception was held in a beautiful marquee decorated with a combination of natural grasses and roses, staying true to the country theme.
Outdoor | Farm | Barn | Rustic | Barn | Marquee | Tractor | Summer | Marlborough | Pink
Congratulations to Hannah and Andrew on your marriage and your wonderful farmyard wedding, and a huge thank you to Peter Smart for sharing your amazingly beautiful and dramatic photos from the day.
Our Jewish wedding expert is back again to share some of her wisdom with all of our wonderful Bridebookers! Karen Cinnamon’s, founder of the amazing blog Smashing the Glass, last guest post guided us through the top Dos and Donts for a Perfect Jewish Wedding and this time she’s going even more in depth with all of her expert insight into what makes a truly great Jewish wedding. So whether you’re planning a Jewish wedding or not, read on to get some tips from a pro who really knows her stuff!
Karen Cinnamon in action by Babb Photo
“Simply put, a great wedding is about two people, in love, declaring that love in an individual way. So the short answer to what makes a truly fabulous wedding is don’t have a cookie-cutter day! Try and make decisions based on what makes you happy, not what friends, family, or the rabbi / priest recommend or what’s perceived to be sensible, suitable or the done thing.
Stay True to Yourself
During the planning process, do your very best to cut out the ‘white noise’ and tune into what’s really important to you and your partner. Think about the things you really love, not those you simply like, and if thats’s a certain style, colour, era, or even a piece of music, build a theme around it! The best weddings capture the heart, soul and style of the couple, so give your guests a glimpse into your life, and allow them to feel that that they’ve had a one-of-a-kind experience and were part of something special.
It’s OK to take inspiration from a blog, magazine, or another bride’s amazing taste, but add a pinch of your own magic to make it your own.
My Jewish wedding blog, SmashingTheGlass.com, showcases hundreds of creative and original Jewish weddings, and whilst each one is amazing and wonderful in its own way, I’ve selected 5 weddings that will always stick in my mind for their brilliance. Each wedding has a gorgeous story, personal details, and two people hopelessly in love.
Jessica and David
Jessica and David incorporated so many personal touches into their wedding… and it shows. From the patchwork chuppah made by all their friends and family, and sewn together by the groom’s mum, to the “Balkanistic” boogie band and the jukebox filled with 100 of the couple’s favourite songs that guests played between sets. This was a Smashing The Glass wedding to remember.
By Alex Brenner via Smashing the Glass
Danny and Aaron
Danny and Aaron both work in the music and television industries, and loved the idea of riding down the aisle to their chuppah atop a tallit-wearing unicorn (or Jew-nicorn, as they dubbed it!) to the tune of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’…so they did! What’s more Joss Stone (yes, THE Joss Stone) undertook the role of chazan, and a 16 person gospel choir was on hand for a few of the ceremony songs as well. Danny says, “you can create new traditions by adding a personal flare to the more traditional Jewish wedding rituals, making your wedding unique to you as individuals and as a couple.”
By Maya Myers Photography via Smashing the Glass
Sarah and Nick
Sarah and Nick got married in a smoked salmon factory in London’s Olympic Park, and traveled through the streets of the capital from their synagogue to reception in a red convertible Mustang. Oh and Sarah rocked a leather biker jacket and Ray-Bans over her Pronovias dress. These two have serious style.
By Reportage By via Smashing the Glass
Stacey and Jono
Stacey and Jono’s Jewish wedding was held on New Year’s Eve in an old arthouse cinema (the oldest still operating in the UK) and they invited their guests to sport fancy dress which made for a very inclusive, and genuinely special, atmosphere.
By Martin Beddall via Smashing the Glass
Gena and Tony
Gena and Tony used an assortment of tissue paper honeycomb shapes, as well as paper garlands and a calico roof to create a chuppah that truly represented them. Gena also went for a supersize bouquet filled with flowers of every possible hue, glitter, ribbons, and pom poms, and what’s more, their very cute dog took centre stage during the ceremony too.
By Lara Hotz via Smashing the Glass
I’ll close with a brilliant piece of advice from Shiri, another Smashing The Glass bride who invited just 20 of her and her husband’s closest family members for brunch and then surprised them with a chuppah! Shiri’s brilliant words of wisdom are “the spiritual significance of a Jewish wedding is often lost in all the madness of putting it together. If there is one piece of advice I would give a bride it would be to try to experience the pure and blessed side of a Jewish wedding as much as possible”.
Happy Planning!
Ready to find the perfect suppliers to make your dream Jewish wedding a reality? Search through all of the U.K’s best venues and suppliers by what matters most to you on Bridebook today! Just check out our state-of-the-art supplier search tool.
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
Let’s face it – who runs the wedding world? Bloggers. Wedding bloggers are the ones who tirelessly provide us with endless wedding inspo to swoon over, give us tips on the best venues and suppliers, and pick up on the biggest trends long before any of us could. They are the mavens of the wedding world, our knights in pearly armour.
So when we held our Bridebook Blogger’s Summit we were incredibly excited to get all of the UK’s top wedding blogger’s top trend predictions for the 2016 wedding season. Read on to get an insight into what it’s like to be a trend setter – and keep your eyes peeled to see if you or a friend’s wedding are a la mode this season!
1) More Involved Grooms
By Margherita Calati Photography
The days of bridezilla are over! Now more than ever, grooms are getting in on the fun of wedding planning. You’ll be a team in your marriage, so you may as well be a team in the planning right? And with Bridebook, it’s now easier than ever to share your planning with your fiancée, family and friends so everyone can get in on the action.
Jumpsuits are set to be a permanent feature in the wedding world, so keep your eyes peeled. Whether you splash the cash on a designer jumpsuit, or take advantage of Bridebook partner House of Ollichon’s gorgeous pieces, dress-less is the way to go!
Not ready to take the plunge and wear the trousers yet, but still want to go non-traditional? Then you’re in luck as short dresses take center stage. The best part about short dresses is that you get to show off your gorgeous shoes.
The tropical theme is making quite the splash this year and we couldn’t be more excited. Tropical themes are perfect for colour-obsessed couples and it’s near impossible not to have a great time in paradise.
Tip-off courtesy of Etsy’s own blogger, Jenny Gresham
5) Healthy Canapés
Canapés by Blissful Basil
We’re all too familiar with those overdone wedding canapés and menus. Lucky for us, a sure fire to keep your guests grateful is to keep your canapés light and fresh. Not only is healthy, delicious food super on trend at the moment, but it keeps your guests from getting too sluggish or filled up before the wedding breakfast.
A double-punch trend here, as it both looks beautiful and budget friendly – perfect! Check out this gorgeous naked cake by Bridebook’s very own expert contributor and Great British Bake Off winner Frances Quinn.
We’re lucky to live in a country with so many beautiful and historic wedding venues, but if you want to take it up a notch, why not opt for a less traditional venue? Industrial spaces are perfect for couples who want to add their personal stamps on a relatively blank canvas while still keeping a stylish edge.
In line with both trend 2 and 3, colourful wedding shoes are now more in than ever! Whether they’re your ‘something blue’ or rainbow coloured, this is your day to show off killer shoes. Sorry dress, but it’s not all about you anymore! Be sure to get more shoe tips from Bridebook’s expert contributor Jimmy Choo.
One of our personal favourites. While we all love a wedding hashtag, the last thing you want is for you or your guests to be so pre-occupied with snapping pics and snapchat that they miss being present in what is one of the most important days of your life.
Rose gold has been hot in the fashion world for a while now, and we’re excited to see it finally making it into the wedding world! We all know how flattering rose gold can be on certain skin tones, so we don’t blame you if you’re excited to have a chance to wear it every day.
Another Bridebook favourite! Not only do pockets lend themselves nicely to effortlessly cool wedding photo poses, it’s also incredibly practical. Never be unprepared and have a tissue and your lipstick always at the ready.
Talking of glamour, another theme that is set to be hot this season is old school hollywood glamour. Boho brides are old news now, and who can resist a bit of show?
Another great trend that is both stylish and cost-efficient. With looser bouquets becoming more and more popular, foliage and herbs have also started making their stand by adding beautiful lush colours to any bouquet.
We can’t seem to get enough of all these dress trends! This trend is perfect for those of you who want something a little different but still maintaining that touch of femininity. We especially love this trend when paired with a full skirt on the bottom.
Talking of femininity – what’s more princess-like than a tiara? Flower crowns are out and the more refined tiara is most definitely in. Now you can really complete your fairytale wedding from head to toe.
Another trend that is steering us away from boho and more towards glam. But the best thing about this trend is that you can embrace it as little or as much as you want. Whether it’s the staple of your theme or just incorporated with subtle accents, it ‘s sure to look great!
Our very own Founder and CEO, Hamish Shephard (certified wedding planner and on his own wedding planning journey!) is tipping off pink champagne as his top trend of this year’s wedding season. As more and more couples invest more time, effort and money into their weddings no stones get unturned. So why not extend your styling to your beverages for the night? Cue pink champagne for the ultimate final touch!
Tip-off courtesy of Bridebook’s Hamish Shephard
20) Bridebook!
By Mike Garrard
Last but certainly not least… Bridebook of course! With our state of the art digital planning toolkit, thousands of UK suppliers and amazing expert articles by the likes of Bobbi Brown and Mary Berry – Bridebook is the wedding trend of 2016!
Happy Planning!
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
Worried about crying too much on your big day? Bracing yourself for the tropical temperatures of your wedding destination? Well this beauty trick may just be perfect for you! More and more brides are turning to the incredible technological developments in the beauty industry to ensure they look absolutely perfect on their big day, and for many days after. Semi-permanent makeup is leading the pack as it looks more natural than ever. So if you’re considering semi-permanent makeup for your big day, read on to get the complete low down on the treatment by one of the greats – winner of the 2015 London Hair and Beauty Awards, Sian Dellar.
“Every bride wants to look perfect on their wedding day. After months of planning and preparing, the big day can seem overwhelming. Plenty of tears, kisses and high temperatures can hinder maintaining a flawless look all day.
Enhancing your natural beauty, permanent makeup can be your answer to flawless makeup on your wedding day. Whether you need a few subtle touches or prefer a full glamorous effect, our permanent makeup treatments address all of your makeup needs on your big day. Allowing you to enjoy your day and forget about touching up your makeup, our treatments can avoid the early morning bridal rush and ensure you look flawless all day long.
Helping to replicate everyday makeup, permanent makeup is great way to boost confidence on your special day.
What Is Permanent Makeup?
Perfect for any bride that is looking to enhance their natural beauty on their special day, permanent makeup is a new and manual method to create a natural look using a needle to place pigmented granules beneath the upper layers of the skin.
Using similar cosmetic techniques to tattoos, permanent makeup can help to define eyebrows, contour lips and enhance the eyes. Using fine and natural strokes, our permanent technicians work closely with your colour shade, along with the natural contours of your face.
Helping to correct imperfections from scars, permanent makeup can also benefit those who suffer with alopecia, trigonometrical or any other condition that causes hair loss. Creating a natural hair stroke to suit your facial symmetry, our permanent treatments can enhance the face, lips, and eyelids.
The Process
Delicately adding hypo-allergenic pigments in a range of shades to the outermost layers of your skin, most commonly the eyebrows, eyes and lips, our permanent makeup address all of your makeup needs.
With everyone’s routine and beauty styles varying, here at Sian Dellar we ensure a specifically tailored look is provided to each bride to achieve your desired results. We work along the natural contours of the face and with your hair colour, however this can be altered if you would like something different to your current appearance.
Completely safe and effective, permanent makeup works by implanting pharmaceutical grade pigments of your choice into the chosen treatment area. The treatment is often described as ‘permanent’ makeup due to the colour is being introduced into the upper dermal layer of skin and although the pigment will fade over time, it will often remain in the skin even if not completely visible.
Eyebrows
Helping to define and shape the natural contours of your face, eyebrows can help to enhance your facial features. Along with previous trends and ageing, overtime eyebrows can begin to lose shape and appear thin and shapeless.
Especially on your special day, we want eyebrows to look flawless, without looking too shaped using eyebrow products. With our permanent eyebrow treatment, we ensure we create the most natural looking eyebrows. Using crisp, thin strokes, we can fill and shape brows, imitating added hair growth using a natural look.
Lips
Throughout your wedding day, every bride desires the perfect pout. A plump shape along with a soft outline, our permanent lip treatment helps to create a gentle flush of colour to lips. Staying put during all those kisses and in particular when sealing your marriage, our permanent lip treatment can create volume and shape to lips.
We can also correct any imperfections on lips, as well as minimise ageing on lips and loss of colour.
Eyes
Especially on your big day, eyes are one feature that many brides want to accentuate on their wedding day. Eye-liner is a perfect way to define the shape of eyes, but also to accentuate your eye colour. However, with many brides being particular about their eye makeup, many find their makeup artists can’t quite achieve their look and it can also be prone to smudge and wear off during the day.
In particular, during a few emotional speeches and special moments, we want our eyeliner to stay put. Our permanent eyeliner treatment can make your eyelashes look thicker and more defined by applying soft, natural colour between your lash line
After-care
Important after-care instructions will be given to you after your treatment to ensure you take care of the treated areas for the following 7 days. You will also be given an after-care leaflet and balm to be applied for 7 days.
Here at Sian Dellar, we specialise in permanent makeup treatments and strive towards making every bride feel beautiful. So if you’re ready to transform your beauty regime, contact us today“
Finding the perfect make-up artist can seem like a daunting task. But luckily for all of our Bridebook users, we have the champion of all things inclusive in the wedding industry here to help! Introducing Nova of the Nu Bride blog, the one stop shop for the modern couple packed with fun and informative posts for women and men of all ethnicities. So read on to get expert insight to guide you through finding the perfect wedding make-up artist for you.
One of the most frequent requests I am asked from readers is to recommend a make-up artist who can work with all skin tones. At first I used to find this request quite ironic. I mean, a lot of professional makeup artists are able to transfer their skills, techniques and work on ALL skin tones, especially with the body of make up products available. Skin is skin right?
Choosing an inclusive make-up artist for your wedding should be simple, but for some it can be a frustrating and unexpected challenge, often struggling to find examples of what make up looks will look like on your own skin tone. Most of us search for wedding make up ideas and inspiration online. A quality and inviting website with diverse examples of an make-up artists’ work is so important. Research has proven over and over again that, as consumers, we are more likely engage with a product or service if we see a ‘version’ of ourselves in the marketing. We often need to see an example of ourselves to feel confident in booking or purchasing a product or service. Without it, this is where some are left feeling stuck.
Below I’ve put together some tips to help you find an inclusive make-up artist who know their craft and can effortlessly rock their make-up brush on ALL skin tones.
Before booking any supplier, always do your research and compare three like-for-like services. The world-wide-web is your oyster, take your time to do your research. Read reviews, follow their social media and always view their portfolio to get a feel of their work. If you like what you see, enquire. A make-up artist’s website and social media are indeed their shop window, so many professional makeup artists will use this to showcase various examples of their skill set in their portfolio. This is a good way to check if they have experience working on brides with diverse skin tones.
Explore the make up look you want to achieve. Use magazines or websites such a Pinterest to gather examples of make up looks that appeal to you, taking into consideration my point above! Always look for a make up artist whose individual style represents the overall look you want for your wedding day.
By AO Photography via Nu Bride | Makeup by NARS Cosmetics
Hit the High Street
Another way to search for a reputable make-up artist is to hit the high street and head to a make up counter like MAC for example and ask for a demo and book a make up lesson to test them out, if you like what you see enquire about booking their services.
You cannot go wrong with word of mouth referrals. Taking another bride’s word that has experienced the service in full, is a great endorsement. Ask friends and family or colleagues. If you have attended a recent wedding and loved the bride’s look, ask who their make-up artist was and, more importantly, if they would recommend them. Aside from their talent, their personality and work ethos also have a huge bearing on whether or not you want them to be surrounding you on what is likely to be one of the most important days of your life.
Once you’ve seen their work, try to meet with them and / or book a trial. Their professionalism, manner and personality also matter. Keep all of these factors in mind and you’ll find the perfect make-up artist for you in no time!
Nova is founder and editor of Nu Bride: a modern wedding blog for the stylish bride, offering planning advice, a pinch of personality and a splash of diversity. Founded in 2012, Nu Bride is now a multi-award-winning wedding blog, dedicated to encouraging the UK mainstream wedding industry to be more visually inclusive with the way it markets bridal beauty. Nova is also an established wedding expert, freelance writer for national wedding publications and Life Coach.
The wonderful Nova herself! Photo via Nu Bride
Ready to find your perfect make-up artist? Search through all of the U.K’s best beauty experts by what matters most to you on Bridebook today! Just check out our state-of-the-art supplier search tool.
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The fourth and final part of our Real Bride column exploring Bodyism’s fitness and health classes for pre-wedding grooming is here! Our wonderful real bride, Rosie, is back to give the final verdict on her experience with Bodyism. If you’ve read the last 3 columns on this series it will likely come as no surprise that Rosie only has good things to say about her Bodyism experience and is feeling refreshed, healthy and slim for her big day! Read on to find out exactly how Bodyism has Rosie looking and feeling fabulous for when she walks down the aisle.
Our amazing Real Bride columnist superman-ing her way to her dream bridal body!
“The biggest news from the past few weeks with Bodyism is that it has totally worked! And in all the right ways too. My goal was to loose 6lbs, tighten my flabby tummy, firm up my arms (bingo wing syndrome) and reduce inflammation in my face (which has tendency to be chipmunky) caused by fluctuation of sugar levels. Not only have all of those things happened, but I feel like I have gained a whole new approach to my health and fitness. This has left me feeling like I have undergone more of a lifestyle change than a bootcamp.
My favourite part of my experience at Bodyism was the signature group class called ‘Clean and Lean’. This was a frightfully civilised affair with only 2 other people (who literally looked like Victoria Secret models!!). Pilates meets Yoga meets ballet style combination, all with the aim to tone and sculpt into a beautiful body.
This style of exercise could not be more different to my usual rough as ready circuit training and I leave the studio feeling refreshed, rather than retched. If you think you can only see results with intensive cardio bursts you’re wrong! Remember the flabby tummy and puffy face I’ve been trying to battle? Well it turns out that a big reason for this is stress and increased levels of Cortisol. And what could be more relaxing than planning a wedding!?! Said no one ever. This is why most of Bodyism experience – be if training or Pilates or classes is gentle exercises, ensuring that You don’t produce additional cortisol often creates with excess intensity in exercise.
So with me and my scale happy, as well as my overall feeling of glowing health it is fair to say that I am officially hooked to the Bodyism experience and I can now understand why it’s all the top models’ fitness go to. Though I won’t be walking down a catwalk any time soon, I can’t wait for my own big moment down the aisle!”
What happy and refreshing workouts should feel like!
Be sure to read Rosie’s past three articles in our Real Bride column here!
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
Welcome back brides! Part III of the Real Bride Bootcamp with Bodyism will take an in-depth look at the gym and exercise regime – AKA the one part of shaping up that everyone dreads. Why is it that being told to cut out sweets seems relatively manageable, but 20 burpees and running? Actual physical exertion? Even the thought has us running to the snack cupboard. So when Rosie, our wonderful real bride, couldn’t stop gushing about her incredible workout experiences at Bodyism, we had to learn more. Could this really be the bootcamp to end all bootcamps and have us actually enjoy getting fit? Read on to find out!
“And so to the gym! Or the very swanky private studio designed purely for 1-2-1 personal training. Instructor number one, Berti, was firstly so good looking, I considered calling off the wedding right there and then! (Sorry Hamish!)
The one and only ‘Gorgeous Bertie’
We started with an extended warm up called Movement Preparation designed to prevent injury. To my surprise, this took around 25 minutes of rolling out muscles using foam rollers, stretching as you would usually when cooling down, and some Pilates style postures- all really quite relaxing!
We then jumped into circuits covering 30 seconds each of intense training- squats, lunges, mountain climbers and planks with a two minute rest in between- less relaxing. Gorgeous Bertie then introduced me to a piece of apparatus called The Climber- a sort of suspended step machine meets ladder. The never ending 30 seconds felt like I was fighting for my life.
Real Bride Rosie in action in the gorgeous Bodyism studio.
This meant two things. Firstly, that I started turning pink, red and finally purple and secondly, my light glow turned into a full on deluge of sweat. Gorgeous Berti was very encouraging, standing over me like a living billboard for this lifestyle, but the marriage is certainly back on- Berti will never have me!
But in regards to the workout? Despite the not-so-pretty-picture that was me by the end, I really felt like this was a workout I could get behind. The commitment to loosening and prepping my muscles at the beginning of the session made sure that I didn’t injure myself in the strenuous portion of the workout, as well as helped me with my form. This in turn ensured I got the most out of each exercise so therefore an even better work out! The sets themselves, though exhausting, really felt like I was targeting, blasting and tightening all of my problem bits (tummy, bum and arms). So all in all, the perfect combination of therapeutic warm ups and real hard work that are sure to get my body aisle worthy in no time!”
Up Next in the Real Bride Guide series:
Bodyism’s amazing ‘Clean and Lean’ classes and the final verdict!
Be sure to read Rosie’s past three articles in our Real Bride column here!
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
Welcome back! For Part II of our Real Bride Bootcamp with Bodyism, our Rosie will be dishing the deets on what it’s really like to undergo a complete menu revamp in the weeks running up to your wedding. Our favourite part? You won’t find any completely ridiculous or unrealistic crash diets here. Both Rosie and Bodyism prefer the “lifestyle change” route, with a particular focus on de-stressing. A perfect formula for a bride-to-be who wants to relax amid flurries of wedding planning while also making sure that they look glorious long after the big day!
Our favourite part of the Bodyism studio? This glorious and deliciously healthy spread of course!
“Bodyism wouldn’t be the full, pampering, celeb-worthy experience without a head to toe nutritional guide included in your body blitz. Though I walked into my nutrition session fully bracing myself for a meal plan of carrot sticks and cottage cheese, I was very pleasantly surprised! My prescribed diet, although not hugely exciting, is very do-able and I will certainly not be hungry. Fish, vegetables, eggs, lean meats- turkey or chicken, avocado, nuts, blueberries, humour. And repeat. In different variations each week.
Beyond just the menu, my nutrition session also gave me a lot of insight into how you can read your body to know exactly how to change your diet for a healthier you. My goal was to loose 7lb, tighten my flabby tummy, firm up my arms (chicken wing syndrome) and reduce inflammation in my face (which has tendency to be chipmunky). It was explained to me that you can read a lot about the body from where your body deposits fats. A fat tummy indicated emotional stress (and I thought it was the Kitkats!) whilst fat on the arm can indicate toxicity from metals, plastics or poor food choices. I am also told that my double chin and often puffy face can be directly down directly to insulin spikes in the body as a result of eating too much sugar (this IS from the Kitkats). It’s actually fascinating.
So combining my bridal body goals with a thorough reading of my fat deposits (such a flattering term), I was set on a strict clean and lean diet plan.
And so to the kitchen!”
Straight from Bodyism’s nutrition experts: channel your inner zen to cut out that tummy flab.
Up Next in the Real Bride Guide series:
Gym Time! Bodyism’s Banging Workouts. Keep your eye out for our next Real Bride article.
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
Ah, the man, the myth, the mystery… the best man. That special enigma of a wedding party member who can make or break a wedding. He may not realise it, but a lot hinges on him. After all, behind every groom is a best man, and a best man’s responsibilities cannot be underestimated. So what happens when things don’t run quite as smoothly for the best man as they should? Or, to put it more bluntly, when he messes up the single, most important job he has? This Best Man experienced a rom-com worthy moment when he forgot the rings to his best friend’s wedding. Incredible, cringe-worthy hilarity ensues as he desperately tries to salvage his tiny little blunder. A major shout out to the bride and groom for keeping their cool!
So that all best men can learn from his mistake, Bridebook has compiled the top ten most important Don’ts – and guess what our number one is….
1.DON’T FORGET THE RINGS!
2.Don’t mention past “conquests” or ex-stories in your speech.
3.Don’t forget to mention the bride in your speech.
4.Don’t get the groom drunk the night before the wedding.
5.Don’t forget to have a “mankerchief” at the ready for the groom at the altar.
6.Don’t let any harm come to the groom on the stag-do, particularly visible and over the collar. And yes shaved eyebrows do count as harm when the poor man is about to get married.
7.Don’t be “that person” at the party who is too drunk, but still try and be the life of the party.
8.Don’t forget to sand the bottom of your groom’s new shoes to help him avoid any embarrassing slippery situations.
9.Don’t perform your speech without rehearsing it in front of a trusted buddy first.
10. And remember… DON’T FORGET THE RINGS!
You don’t want your groom giving you this look… Credit: lbuckworth
Want even more amazing wedding tips, tricks and inspo? Be sure to check out Bridebook for expert articles and state-of-the-art free wedding planning tools!
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
While we all appreciate our Mum, Sis and BFF’s well-meaning tips and suggestions through wedding planning, sometimes they just don’t cut it (we still love you though!). Sometimes what a bride-to-be really needs is another bride-to-be to hash things out with. Someone who really gets what you’re going through. So if you’re not lucky enough to be going through engagement bliss (and stress) with your best friend, we have our own bridal hero here to help. Introducing the lovely Rosie, a real-life bride to be, here to walk us through what it’s really like to experience a model-worthy workout and diet like Bodyism in her final 4 week count down to the altar. Follow this 4-part series to share your muscle aches and sugar craving battles with someone who gets it – and learn a couple of tips and tricks too!
Introducing our Real Bride columnist, Rosie, ready and raring to go!
“The wedding diet – three simple words that excite fear, dread, excitement and a uncharacteristic determination. I am getting married in just 4 weeks and I really did think by now that I would be at Personal Best, Optimum, Rosie Model 101 – the best possible version of myself. I have talked a LOT about the wedding diet, and thought even more about it, and yet there has always been a reason to put it off until next week. On top of that there is of course the cake tastings, seemingly endless champagne (still working through the engagement stash), the DELICIOUS bread basket (carbs are a girl’s best friend, am I right?), all of which have until now seemed FAR more exciting!
So here I am determined to lose 8lbs in 4 short weeks. Luckily for me I have the amazing team at Bodyism, a London based studio that promote ‘Clean and Lean’ living to try and beat the clock and whip me into shape in time for the big day. The Bodyism lifestyle, favoured by celebrities such as Rosie Huntington Whiteley, Elle McPherson and Lara Stone (…er yes please!) focuses on cutting out bad carbs and processed foods (bye sugar and flour) and eating as organically as much as possible.
My first day with Bodyism was visiting their (very swanky and gorgeously pristine) Westbourne Park studio. I felt “cleaner and leaner” just stepping into the place! Goes to show, just getting yourself to the gym can be a huge motivator. Once there, a member of Bodyism’s team of top performance coaches and fat loss specialists then had a go at prodding, poking, weighing and measuring me using their ‘Body Oracle’ system. This system is a great way to kick-start the Bodyism program. It gave me a ‘body blueprint’ identifying key focus area for me specifically so that every effort going forward would benefit me and my problem areas. This will cover both eating and exercise regimes twice a week.
Now I really have NO excuse!
Wish me luck….”
Bodyism Founder, James Duigan, working out with his wife Christiane. We all wish we looked that good in the gym….
There is more to wedding stationery than just beautiful wedding invitations! Our amazing resident expert Stationer, Papeterie Eugénie shares all you need to know to make your wedding menus positively delectable…
Menus have become a hot wedding topic. Traditionally each round table would have a couple of menu booklets, to be shared amongst seated guests. Today there are a number of fashionable alternatives, which surprisingly may even help trim your budget! Read on, to see which option best suits your special day.
Traditional
Booklets are classic, elegant and what you would expect in refined circles. Choose these if you like graceful tradition. As a general rule, provide two booklets for round tables of six-eight guests, stretching to three booklets for 10-12 guests if possible. Long tables need more, plan on one booklet for every third guest.
Informal
Posters are a great way to make a statement and inject a bit of fun. Use for buffets, an outdoor reception or for less formal affairs. Judge quantities according to your number of guests and entrances to your dining area. You will need to place placards in visible locations; normally two-three prove sufficient and require easel display.
Fashionable
Bookmark menus are all the rage. Create one menu per guest and tuck neatly within the serviette. Personalise with their name at the top and it doubles as a place card. Not only do these make lovely mementos, they can be more cost-effective than menu booklets teamed with individual place cards.
Contemporary
Create a feature on your tables with double-sided postcard menus, displayed in a clasped holder. Mount onto a glitter border to add a touch of luxe or sense of occasion. One or two per table is sufficient as guests can view easily from all sides.
Modest
Trimming back? Choose postcard menus but put the table number/name on the reverse. Request smaller versions as less paper means lower prices. Or display a couple of 8×10 inch menus, in frames on the reception bar. You can still create impact with more limited funds, just think creatively!
So as with all your wedding stationery, choose what you really love – then modify as closely as possible to fit within your budget. That way you retain your personality and stay true to your wedding style!
Happy Planning!
Inspired by Papeterie Eugénie’s beautiful designs and helpful tips? Be sure to check out their Bridebook profile profile and website!
There’s no doubt that wedding music can truly make or break a wedding. There’s nothing better than that wedding band that ticks all of the right boxes, and that gets every guest partying on the dancefloor. But how is a couple supposed to know where to start to find that perfect performer? This is where the likes of Eight Ray Music come in. Representing some of the best wedding performers in the country, who better to guide you through the ins and outs of choosing the perfect music for you wedding than Eight Ray Music‘s very own Tom Sandall. Read on below to get his expert insight into the world of wedding music!
There’s a famous saying that everyone will remember a bad wedding breakfast and bad music at a wedding. Time and again, these two factors are highlighted as imperative to a weddings success. In my experience, the food’s important but the music is critical. From the emotive classical act for the ceremony to the dance floor filling party band, music will set the tone and tempo for your wedding day.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing your wedding music: the budget, the type of act, the guests, your schedule and, it’s easy to forget, your personal preferences need to be considered too.
I hope this guide acts as a useful resource to those looking to gain a better understanding of the available options when it comes to wedding music. One thing to always remember is that everyone’s needs are unique, at Eight Ray Music we tailor the entertainment to suit the individual. So take this as a rough guide and get in touch if you would like more advice!
The Ceremony
The Ceremony is an emotional and memorable moment. To truly capture the immensity of the occasion, I would always advise brides to choose a live musician.
Traditionally, people choose a classical act during the ceremony. Classical musicians add an emotive touch to proceedings and their elegance greatly complements and enhances the occasion. I favour using harpists and violinists, especially if the bride would like the Wedding March played.
You don’t have to stick to classical acts, however. Many people choose to have a more contemporary sound. It’s amazing how many people choose Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud and this means many elect for solo singers, which can be incredibly moving to witness.
For a vocalist I would choose either Mike Newfield (singing below) or Celine of To The Sun. The beauty of hiring these two is the fact that they can also provide the evening entertainment too, helping to cut costs.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=iK9-BeDCfEs
Drinks Reception
As people mill into the drinks reception it’s time to lift the mood without proving too intrusive. People are rightly excited, it’s wedding day!
It’s early, however, and people are still in the meet and greet phase. They want to chat and catch up with everyone, there’s no need for an overpowering band.
My two favourite options here are to use a classical act or a roaming band. The latter is more upbeat and will generate a more invigorating atmosphere, but the former is better if you’re looking to keep it a more refined affair at this point.
Every bride is working on a budget. If you want to have music throughout your day but it’s stretching the wedding budget, consider choosing versatile bands.
Using the same classical act for the drinks reception as you did for the ceremony is one way to keep costs down. Some roaming bands, such as the The Roaming Revue, can also provide an evening party band. By booking the same band for both, you will save money on the budget, compared to hiring two different bands for each.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=KApZI9nrLZ0
Wedding Breakfast
Generally speaking, people don’t tend to have music whilst they’re eating. If you do, I would recommend a string quartet. String quartets work well because they’re not too intrusive, people need to breathe, relax and have a chat during dinner.
If a string quartet isn’t for you but you would like music, a roaming band can work well in-between courses as a feature. It helps to lift the dinner and generates a bit of atmosphere.
Novelty acts can also work well during dinner, singing waiters are one of my favourites. As the name suggests, they are musicians disguised as waiters who break out into song. They serve and then they suddenly start singing. And while it’s on the pricier side, it’s an incredibly cool and unique idea.
Suggested Eight Ray Music Band: Soprano Bella (singing waiters), Siren.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=1_FLuaxVneM
Evening Band
Live music is so engaging, a top band will create a memorable atmosphere. The mistake some people make here is being too specific in terms of the band they want.
I think when you’re selecting a band you need to consider a few things. You need to find a band who can mirror your character and represent you as people, yet they need to appeal to the majority too. You want as many people as possible inhabiting the dance floor, for as long as possible.
Guests at weddings tend to be a diverse bunch. Older guests are unlikely to be as enthused at hearing modern tracks, just as the younger ones among the crowd may not react well to an evening filled solely with classic hits. That’s why party bands can be a good solution. One thing top party bands have is versatility. Most of the bands on our roster are able to cater to a wide variety of audiences, playing both classic and modern tracks, which helps to please each of the various demographics.
The best part of hiring a live band or musician is that they can read the audience, finely tuning their set throughout the night to suit the mood of the evening, ensuring that the dance floor remains full until the early hours.
When it comes to employing a DJ or soliciting the use of an iPod playlist I think it’s a no-brainer and would reiterate the above point:
Live musicians can read the audience, a DJ will chop and change their playlist to suit the audience; if they are dancing to Motown then the next song is not going to be Skepta. You don’t want to spend your evening skipping tracks, a great DJ takes the pressure off.
In regard to cost, a lot of party bands will offer a package deal with a DJ. It’s always worth asking for this when you enquire, it might mean you have enough budget left for something else – which is always a pleasant surprise!
Bio: Tom Sandall is Eight Ray Music’s Business Development Manager. He specialises in providing exceptional entertainment for weddings and events. Feel free to get in touch with Tom if you would like to explore music for your wedding.
Happy Planning! Inspired by Eight Ray Music’s suggestions? Check out their Bridebook profile.
Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!
Rachel Khoo is a British cook, broadcaster and writer with her own food television cooking series, and regarded as an all round food expert.
Photos by David Loftus, Laura Edwards and Keiko Oikawa
The Bridebook team definitely had a fan girl moment (or two!) when we heard the inspiring Rachel Khoo would share with us her wedding food tips. The brains behind the online lifestyle magazine Khoollectand multiple critically acclaimed cookbooks including The Little Paris Kitchen, Rachel is a tour de force in the foodie world to be reckoned with.
Pair that with on trend culture and style tips to the plenty and we officially have a major girl crush. Read on to get some awesome tips on how to get creative with your wedding breakfast that will make even the most traditional bride rethink her menu…
With so many delicious canapé options and ideas out there, what are your recommendations to couples in deciding what they serve on their wedding day?
My philosophy on catering is ‘always keep things simple’ and stay true to your own ideas (rather than trying to please each individual guest). You’ll never manage to please everyone’s palates and tastes, but if you choose a broad selection of dishes or options to pick from then no-one will go hungry.
I also think it’s super important to stay in tune with your surroundings and pick food to suit your overall theme. For example, if you’re getting married in Italy, then plan a rustic family-style dinner at a long table, with Italian fare to match.
If you want to keep things casual, then why not go for a barbecue in the backyard – that way, you don’t even have to think about canapes. It’ll just be salads, delicious barbecued meats, and fresh fruit popsicles.
By David Loftus
Always bare in mind what’s in season. Using seasonal produce will make it easy to source ingredients, keep the price down, and also make for a better tasting end result.
Simple is best. With any kind of entertaining I always say focus on getting the best produce possible and it’ll do the work for you.
By David Loftus
Pick foods that represent you and your husband. You don’t have to be fancy for the sake of it. This will make the menu more personal. I love the fact that Kate Winslet did bangers and mash at her wedding.
Remember: the food isn’t the most important part of the wedding, you and your guests are. So if everything doesn’t go your way, don’t stress – your guests honestly don’t care too much. They’re there to celebrate your special day and not to get a slap up meal.
By David Loftus
What are some ways couples can get creative with their wedding day food to avoid the traditional and sometimes boring fillet and salmon dishes?
Some people love those boring fillet and salmon dishes, but I think most are far more adventurous in their eating these days and see weddings as an opportunity to sample new and exciting dishes.
Find a really great catering company, or venue with a brilliant kitchen, and allow them to be creative on your behalf (with your own input of course). Seek out your own inspiration – via food magazines, Pinterest, blogs, and your own heritage and traditions – and bring your ideas to the table. Make sure you incorporate local ingredients in your menu.
It’ll make your wedding unique rather than following a cookie cutter formula. You could use a local product for your wedding favours (e.g. a locally made candy), or serve fish caught by the local fisherman.
By David Loftus
With your patisserie expertise, what are some good ideas for wedding cake alternatives that are perfect for a wedding celebration but still practically feasible?
Sometimes I think brides get a little carried away with their wedding cake, when infact, it’s often the most high-stress but often overlooked part of the wedding. So many times I’ve seen the dance floor full of guests, with a sad lonely cake left in the corner with barely a bite out of it.
My suggestion is to keep your cake simple and low-stress OR opt for smaller, delicate hand-held sweet items instead.
By Lara Messer
Here’s some nice alternatives that you and your friends can either make yourself, or can easily be assembled by your caterers:
Cream puffs or filled choux pastries (and no, you don’t need to stick these together with sugar syrup to create an elaborate croquembousch).
Mini cakes or cupcakes.
A tower of cheese (explained more below)
A pile of macarons (these keep for ages if stored correctly) A tiered cheesecake, or small cheesecakes.
A beautiful pyramid or pile of fresh fruit.
By Keiko Oikawa
What are some tips you can give to a bride who wants to make her own wedding cake?
Plan the flavour and style of cake you want to make well ahead of the big day.
Practice making the cake once or twice before you commit to making the ‘wedding’ cake. This also gives you the opportunity to perfect your decorating and icing.
Find a recipe that freezes really well – that way, you can bake it days or a couple of weeks ahead of the event, then simply thaw and decorate just before the big day.
If you’re not so hot on the decorating side of things, then enlist a friend to help. OR just bake the cake and pay a talented cake decorator to do the rest. You could also keep it naked and dress it up with flowers from your bouquet. A home-made victoria sponge with jam and cream can be just as stunning as a fondant covered traditional cake…and probably tastes better.
By David Loftus
Choose flavours and textures that have universal appeal. Wedding guests range in ages and tastes, so it’s important to offer flavours that don’t just suit you.
Make sure your cake has a sturdy crumb to it and will stay fresh for at least a couple of days. There’s no point making something like a sponge cake that’s best eaten within hours of baking, or a crumbly number that will fall apart in your guests’ hands.
What is the most creative way you have seen food incorporated into or served at a wedding or event?
I’m a huge fan of cheese, so always get excited when I see a simple wedding cake that involve a few large rounds of the stuff piled on top of each other.
By The Cheese Shed
Want even more trendy inspo? Be sure to check out Rachel’s online lifestyle magazine Khoollect for everything from city tips, to produce growing guides, to irresistible recipes for the modern gal.
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Informal
Modest
