Wedding Expert Advice Guides

Everything You Need To Know About Semi-Permanent Makeup

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“

Read more about our Bridal Make-Up tips here.

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Nu Bride’s Guide to Finding the Perfect Make-Up Artist for Your Skin Tone

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.

Bridebook.co.uk brides of all skin tones — John Nassari | Nu Bride Bridal Beauty Shoot | Makeup by Joyce Connor

“Hello gorgeous,

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.

Bridebook.co.uk beautiful bride holding bouquet — Photo by Binky Nixon via Nu Bride | Makeup by Natalie Danielle

Research

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.

Bridebook.co.uk asian bride and black groom smiling — Photo by Helen Russell Photography via Nu Bride | Makeup by Kasia Fortuna

Consider Style

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.

Bridebook.co.uk bride and groom walking hand in hand — 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.

Bridebook.co.uk bride and groom in front of door — By Victoria Mitchell Photography via Nu Bride | Makeup by Nelson Catarino

Word of Mouth

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!

Go forth beautiful one!”

Bridebook.co.uk gorgeous laughing bride — By Vitae Photography via Nu Bride | Makeup by Nikki Makeup

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.

Bridebook.co.uk Nova of Nu Bride — 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 Real Bride Column: Bridal Bootcamp with Bodyism

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.

Bridebook.co.uk Bodyism workout — 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!”

Bridebook.co.uk Bodyism pilates workout — What happy and refreshing workouts should feel like!

Be sure to read Rosie’s past three articles in our Real Bride column here!

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The Real Bride Column: Bridal Bootcamp with Bodyism

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!)

Bridebook.co.uk Bodyism fitness instructor Berti — 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.

Bridebook.co.uk Real bride Rosie at Bodyism — 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!

Shortlist and book all of your favourite suppliers in one place

Stay on track with our live checklist

Keep your wallet happy with our state of the art budgeting tool

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Why You Shouldn’t Have Drones At Your Wedding!

Tired of being warned about becoming the dreaded Bridezilla? Worried that you’ll never be able to pull off your dream wedding with everything else going on in your life? Convinced there must be an easier way to stay on top of your planning? Luckily for you, Bridebook is here to solve every single one of your wedding woes! And not only that, but we’ll make sure your engagement is as fun and stress-free as it deserves to be – all for free.

Banish the nerves and endless spreadsheets and stay on track with Bridebook.co.uk – the world’s first free online wedding planner. With our state-of-the-art planning tools, your wedding is sure to go off without a hitch (or shall we say without any drone-induced bruises?). With Bridebook’s budget, guestlist, and checklist tools every stage of your wedding planning is covered. Browse thousands of the UK’s best wedding suppliers, filtering your search by what matters most to you, to put together your dream team in no time. Want a break from the planning? Let our amazing experts, from Mary Berry to Jimmy Choo, inspire and guide you with their insider tips.

So what are you waiting for? You have absolutely everything you need to plan every detail of your dream wedding all in one super easy to use place with Bridebook. And the best part? It’s completely free.

And if you need any more inspiration, just check out this video. Don’t let anything catch you by surprise – in drone form or otherwise – and plan your dream wedding today!

Can’t resist these fantastic wedding blooper videos? Check out this one where the Best Man forgot the rings! Amazing hilarity ensues – and well worth sharing with your best man to make extra sure he doesn’t make the same mistake!

Happy Planning!

The Real Bride Column: Bridal Bootcamp with Bodyism

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!

Bridebook.co.uk healthy food spread — 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!”

Bridebook.co.uk mountain top yoga meditation — 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!

Shortlist and book all of your favourite suppliers in one place

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Keep your wallet happy with our state of the art budgeting tool

Add your nearest and dearest to your guestlist

The Top 10 Don’ts for Your Best Man

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!

Bridebook.co.uk bride and groom looking a little worries — 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!

Shortlist and book all of your favourite suppliers in one place

Stay on track with our live checklist

Keep your wallet happy with our state of the art budgeting tool

Add your nearest and dearest to your guestlist

Wedding Menus Solved by Papeterie Eugénie

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!

Browse other similar articles:

In Tune: Choosing the Perfect Music For Your Wedding

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.

Suggested Eight Ray Music Acts: Siren or Camilla Pay.

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.

Suggested Eight Ray Music Acts: The Roaming Revue, Kat Eaton Duo, Siren or Camilla Pay. The Roaming Revue and Kat Eaton Duo can also provide the evening band too, saving on costs.

bridebook.co.uk camilla pay sitting with harp — Eight Ray Music’s wonderful Camilla Pay

Cost

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.

Suggested Eight Ray Music bands: Kat Eaton Band, FREEMAN, Coyote, To The Sun or The Revue Band.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oFmBJhU-x-Q

DJ

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!

Suggested Eight Ray Music DJs: AJ Odudu, Baller Sounds, Patrick Hagenaar.

bridebook.co.uk wedding dj smiling — Aj Odudu in action

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!

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Rachel Khoo On Getting Creative With Your Wedding Menu

Written by Rachel Khoo

Rachel Khoo is a British cook, broadcaster and writer with her own food television cooking series, and regarded as an all round food expert.

bridebook.co.uk collage of rachel khoo's food — 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 Khoollect and 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…

Ready to start booking your catering? Make sure you check out Bridebook’s catering price guide before you do!

bridebook.co.uk-rachel khoo portrait — By Lara Messer

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.

bridebook.co.uk pork belly dish by rachel khoo — 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.

bridebook.co.uk lentil salad by rachel khoo — 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.

bridebook.co.uk chicken roast dinner by rachel khoo — 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.

bridebook.co.uk egg dish with tomatoes by rachel khoo — 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.

bridebook.co.uk strawberry sponge and cheesecake by rachel khoo — 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.

bridebook.co.uk tied ice cream sandwiches by rachel khoo — 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.

bridebook.co.uk pistachio and pomegranate cake by rachel khoo — 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.

bridebook.co.uk cheese tower with white flowers — 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.

Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!

Shortlist and book all of your favourite suppliers in one place

Stay on track with our live checklist

Keep your wallet happy with our state of the art budgeting tool

Add your nearest and dearest to your guestlist

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6 Steps to Achieving Your Dream Bridal Body

Here at Bridebook, the world’s leading free online wedding planner, we firmly believe that every bride is gorgeous and that every love story starts from the inside out. But we also believe in the power of feeling your absolute best as you walk down the aisle – and on that front James Duigan has got you covered. The brawn and brains behind Bodyism, the go-to fitness program of supermodels Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Elle Macpherson, Duigan knows exactly how to get you down that aisle – aka catwalk – feeling your absolute best!

bridebook.co.uk james duigan portrait by the sea — The brains and brawn behind Bodyism, James Duigan

Bridebook prides itself in working with the best of the best to give our brides-to-be advice they need from experts they want. See for yourself by checking out Bridebook’s Q & A with legendary dress designer Phillipa Lepley for all the best dress tips, or Jo Malone’s guide to scenting your wedding – Bridebook has every detail covered!

1. Set Realistic Goals

Please allow yourself plenty of time to achieve realistic and safe goals. Many brides tend to panic a couple of months before the wedding leading to unnecessary stress. They hardly eat and over-train and when the big day arrives they just look tired and worn out. It’s important to plan ahead, and really think about what you realistically want to achieve before the big day. There’s no use putting your body through immense stress because you think you are going to drastically change the size or your arms or the shape of your waist.

bridebook.co.uk bride walking in a field in a two piece wedding outfit — Photo by Jana Williams Photography

Did you know the average bride spends 300 hours planning their wedding while at work? Now with Bridebook’s amazing, free planning tools you won’t be able to resist either!

2. Move Every Day

Our bodies are designed to move, so move every day! It doesn’t have to be strenuous, but look to get variety into your week such as a yoga class, a brisk walk, a pilates class etc. You will be surprised how quickly you will start to see results. This will keep you motivated and you are more likely to reach your goal!

3. Work Your Whole Body

Some brides-to-be find it tempting to jump on the cardio train and spend hours slogging it out on the treadmill, which is a huge strain on your body and to be honest, not as effective as you may think. Cardio is a form of aerobic training which will burn fat while doing it, but as soon as you stop, the fat burning stops too. Just doing cardio alone is extremely unlikely to get you a flat tummy! The fastest way to burn that ‘stubborn fat’ is with resistance circuits using AMG movements (working all muscle groups). For example, combining squats, lunges and press-ups to strengthen your core and target all areas of the body. This will increase metabolism, switching the body into a fat burner for up to 72 hours after the workout!

Want to be able to play with your guestlist wherever you want without the hassle? Check out Bridebook’s smart and handy Guestlist tool – sign up is free!

4. Eat Clean and Lean

I always tell my clients to eat ‘Clean and Lean’ which means to cut the C-R-A-P: that being caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol and processed food. These are the four main toxins that cause our bodies to cling to fat. If you are wanting to safely get in top shape for your wedding, try to eat five healthy meals a day, two of which should be smaller snacks. I would recommend having the snacks in-between breakfast and lunch and then again between lunch and dinner. Healthy snacking ensures you don’t overeat when you have main meals and will also help you to speed up your metabolism. When choosing snacks make sure you avoid the sugar packed treats; muffins, croissants and sugary smoothies are a no-no! Excellent snacks would be raw nuts, turkey slices, berries and sliced vegetables.

5. Don’t Stress!

It sounds simple and is easier said than done, but the most effective way to get a flat tummy is to stress less. The stress hormone cortisol can cause your body to store stubborn fat around the belly button. Get proper sleep, it will reduce your stress and make you a nicer person in general!

Stressed about your budget? Don’t worry – Bridebook is here to help! Sign up for free to take advantage of Bridebook’s state of the art wedding budget tool.

6. Be Kind To Yourself

We live in a world of ever growing body image pressures, sometimes promoting unrealistic body ideals. It may sound simple, but keeping oneself motivated is about positivity and listening and accepting your body. Do not see fad diets as a ‘quick fix’ to fitting into a wedding dress. I always recommend living a healthy lifestyle and embracing this as part of your life and who you are. Being confident shows in your posture and body language, so accepting yourself and having confidence in your body will definitely show on the big day!

bridebook.co.uk young woman doing yoga in the mountains — Check out @bodyism on Instagram for even more inspiration!

Check out all of the best bridal boutiques in your area using Bridebook’s innovative new supplier search!

Bonus Q&A with Bodyism’s James Duigan!

What was your favourite memory of your wedding?

Chrissy and I actually had four weddings. Two of my favourite memories from these include the one on a island with just me and her which was completely romantic and beautiful. The other favourite memory was at our one big wedding with our family in Australia and that moment of watching her with her dad and the love and pride he had for her was such a touching moment to witness. I also loved watching my dad speak because it was so heartfelt. Overall it is the feeling of love which is the most important memory to take away.

What is the one thing you wish someone had told you about planning a wedding?

If I am completely honest we didn’t really plan our weddings because we had already taken advice from friends who advised us to remember that all that matters is that you end up married and everyone has fun. It was the best advice we got as we took a step back and enjoyed the moment.

bridebook.co.uk-james-and-christiane-duigan — The happy couple, James and Chrissy Duigan

Want more of Bridebook’s amazing wedding day inspiration?

Book your favourite makeup artist to complete your gorgeous wedding day look.

Be blown away by Bridebook’s incredible real wedding selection – just like Natasha and Charles’ stunning summer wedding!

Want to learn how to pull together a fresh and creative wedding menu that won’t make your guests yawn? Who better to guide you than food aficionado Rachel Khoo!

Take advantage of all of Bridebook’s amazing free wedding planning tools today!

Shortlist and book all of your favourite suppliers in one place

Stay on track with our live checklist

Keep your wallet happy with our state of the art budgeting tool

Add your nearest and dearest to your guestlist

Your Guide To Choosing the Perfect Bridesmaid Dresses

Who better to guide you through the bridesmaid dress choosing process than the bridesmaid’s favourite? We’ve called on the wonderful pros at twobirds Bridesmaid to share their top 5 tips on how to keep you and your bridesmaids happy while completing your wedding party look.

bridebook.co.uk twobirds steel dresses in different styles — Universally flattering styles with endless ways to wrap equals happy bridesmaids!

Choosing the perfect bridesmaid dresses for your favourite girls can be very stressful. With different skin tones and body shapes to cater for it might feel like an impossible task! Luckily, at twobirds, we like to keep things as stress free as possible… We understand that every woman is different so our gorgeous range of customizable multiway dresses offer the perfect solution to ensure happy bridesmaids and – essentially – a happy bride.

Colour Scheme

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to finalising your colour scheme and if – like many brides-to-be – you’re struggling to choose it may help to consider other elements of your wedding as a starting point. If your venue has a strong colour palette or your partner’s outfit has a dominant colour, that may inform your choice.

bridebook.co.uk-twobirds bright full length dresses — Be sure to keep in mind every aspect of your day when picking your bridesmaid dress colour scheme

Go shopping

Why not make a day of it and gather your favourite girls together for a day of trying bridesmaid dresses, a lovely lunch and then finish off the day with a cocktail in your favourite bar? Dress shopping should be a fun experience so do your research before you go and make sure the dresses you have your heart set on are within your budget.

bridebook.co.uk-twobirds navy dresses smiling — Any excuse to spend a day with your girls and some bubbly!

Mix & Match

A lot of couples are choosing a tonal mix of dress colours for their bridesmaids which can look really striking on the big day. Tie it all together with the bouquets or ribbons for a cohesive and glamorous look.

bridebook.co.uk-twobirds multiple dress colours — With the extensive range of colours available, it’s easy to embrace the tonal trend

Flattering Fit

One size most definitely does not fit all and it’s tricky to find a structured dress to suit every body shape. Multiway dresses are a great option as each bridesmaid can choose their preferred neckline and wear the dress exactly as they wish – subject to bride’s approval, of course! twobirds dresses cover sizes UK 4-24, can be wrapped in endless different ways and we use a huge amount of premium quality, luxurious fabric to ensure a flattering and feminine silhouette.

bridebook.co.uk twobirds champagne dresses — Win instant points with your bridesmaids by letting them pick their most flattering neckline

Hair & Make up

Lots of couples decide to give the bridesmaids freedom when it comes to hair and make up and – depending on the chosen neckline – hair can be up or down. For example, an off-centre fishtail braid looks amazing with a one-shoulder style while a high ballerina bun will show off a backless dress perfectly.

bridebook.co.uk-twobirds pink full length dresses — Remember the hairstyle can be just as important as the dress!

About twobirds

twobirds Bridesmaid is an award-winning retailer, wholesaler and manufacturer of adaptable wrap dresses – offering a beautiful collection of stylish gowns engineered to create a flawless feminine silhouette. Designed to be worn on the wedding day and time and time again, the fluid and comfortable luxurious gowns offer an effortless shopping experience – creating a unified, yet individual look for the entire bridal party.

Launched in 2007 by New Yorker Ariane Goldman, twobirds Bridesmaid has fast become one of the leading bridesmaids dress manufacturers both in the UK and worldwide and has been worn by numerous celebrities including Lady Gaga and The Saturdays’ Mollie King.

The ingenious ‘adaptable’ design concept – inspired by a 1970’s Norma Kamali ‘Infinity’ dress – features bodice straps that can be twisted, tied, knotted  and folded to create over 15 neckline and sleeve options. Constructed to maximise assets and minimise imperfections the beautiful gowns create a flattering finish for each and every body shape.

One Dress. Endless ways to wrap. For the wedding day and forever after…. Two Sizes, Universally Flattering and Maternity Friendly.

bridebook.co.uk twobirds two girls in champagne dresses — Cover all your bridesmaid bases with twobirds

Happy Planning!

Want to get your hands on these gorgeous dresses and become an instant favourite with your bridesmaids? Check out twobirds’ Bridebook profile and website to book a fitting!

Looking for something else? Here’s our Bridesmaid Dresses Comparison List, to help you find the perfect fit for your special day.

O.P.I Expert Nails for Your Wedding Day

Recommended nail and toe-nail colours depending on dress, season, venue, style etc.

Brides now actually tend to stay well away from French and try colours that match their dress/bridesmaids dresses/flowers, etc. typically spring/summer weddings stick to pastel or taupe shades as this doesn’t take too much attention away from their wedding dress.

Creative ways to rock non-traditional wedding day nail colours

Some brides love to take it that step further and wear bold, bright colours or even try out designs with gems and crystals. There is no rule for brides and no look is frowned upon which is what gives them so much freedom in their choices! A coat of glitter over a soft colour or full glitter on ring fingers is also a popular look.

Being a nail technician myself I do find brides go bolder on toe nails. Red is the most popular choice as it suits every skin tone, every age.

A lot of brides honeymoon a day or 2 after their wedding day so they choose to have a colour that they will want to wear on holiday too.

Choosing the Perfect Bridal Hair Accessory

Rose is a freelance hair and make-up artist who also works closely with the Liz Earle Beauty brand, celebrities and international bridal clients. Rose is based in London, but travels far and wide and knows how to get you walking down the aisle looking like an absolute goddess. See also the amazing guide she wrote for Bridebook on making the decision between hair up and hair down here. Enjoy!

bridebook.co.uk-rose magnall half up floral do — Love these photos? All of these hair dos are done by Rose herself!

From clips, combs and hair-pins to flower crowns and wreaths, there are many ideas to consider, and it can be a lot of fun exploring the options available. You want to ensure that the hair accessory you choose compliments your dress, your hairstyle and your jewellery.

The overall theme and setting of the wedding also plays a part; for instance, if your wedding features a country garden setting, soft floral hair accessories can work beautifully. For an evening do, you may wish to choose something more dramatic and sparkly to catch the light. Some brides choose to make their hair accessory a main feature, opting for bold and colourful floral wreaths and flower crowns, a perfect choice for hair down styles and boho brides.

That said, if you want the focus to be purely on the dress, the jewellery and the veil (not to mention your beautiful bridal hair style) – you can choose not to have any hair accessories at all, or just add one in for the evening before your first dance.

The following considerations should help you to decide the type of hair accessory that’s right for your day.

The Dress:

Look at the fabric in your dress, are there any ‘sparkly’ or ‘pearly’ elements, or is the material matte? It’s lovely to tie in your hair accessory with the types of fabric in your dress. For example, lace bridal hair combs can really compliment a lace gown, while a crystal hair accessory will work beautifully with a dress with featuring any crystal detailing. The colour tones of your dress can also be used as a guide for selecting a complimentary hair accessory.

bridebook.co.uk-rose magnall half up with crystal hair accessory — These romantic curls and beautiful hair piece would go perfectly with a crystal detailed dress.

The Bridal Party:

Hair accessories can work with all bridal hairstyles; up, down and half up. Once you have chosen the perfect bridal hair accessory, you can select similar complimentary hair accessories for your bridal party. If your bridesmaids are having different hairstyles, a hair accessory could be a lovely way to unify them and maintain your look and feel across the board.

bridebook.co.uk-rose magnall up do with flowers — Pair this gorgeous bridal up do by sprinkling complementing flowers in your bridal party’s hair dos.

The Jewellery (and veil):

Any hair accessories you choose should work colour tone wise with your jewellery. As with your dress, it can be nice to match up elements of the detail (pearls, crystals, diamonds) between your jewellery and hair accessory. If you decide to wear a veil, make sure that the hair accessory you choose can be worn with the veil, or have one of your bridesmaids on duty to help you out it on once the veil is taken off.

bridebook.co.uk- rose magnall up do with crystal hair piece — This Jenny Packham pearl and crystal alice band would go perfectly with some pearl drop earrings…

In love with any or all of these gorgeous hair styles? Check out Rose’s very own Bridebook profile and book her for your big day!

Happy Planning!

How To Deliver Your Wedding Speech Like A Pro

For many people, speaking at a wedding can seem like a total nightmare. For help, we chatted to Lawrence Bernstein at Great Speech Writing who, together with his team of writers, has written 1000’s of wedding speeches for brides and grooms over the past ten years. He shared a few simple tips with us to ensure that your speech on the big day is remembered for all the right reasons.

bridebook.co.uk-best man gives speech black and white — Courtesy of Guy Hearn Photography

Preparation is key.

Start planning early. Know your speech well enough so that by the time you stand up to deliver it, you only need to glance at your paper to remember what comes next. You don’t want to be ‘reading’ it, however well written the speech is.

Talk slowly…

and take your time. An average wedding speech is 8-10 minutes long. Day-to-day, you’ll be talking at about 220 words a minute. In your speech, aim for 120 and allow for pauses to breathe. It’s a good idea to write these into your script for maximum effect. It may feel like you’re delivering it at a snail’s pace, but your audience will be able to digest it much better.

Speak clearly and loudly!

The audience will be on your side and eager to hear what you are saying.

Emphasize key words.

You do this in conversation, but it’s easy to forget in a ‘formal’ setting. If you’re telling people you’re “so happy”, make it clear – “I’m so happy!”

Remain calm!

Try not to let nerves (or shaky hands) show. Adrenalin can be a positive and enhance your delivery.

Make eye contact with your audience.

Looking up will give you extra confidence and engage your audience.

Body language is vital.

Gesticulate to emphasise a point, don’t forget to smile, and if you are addressing someone, look at them.

Check your posture.

Good posture can make you look and feel more in control. Stand tall, feet shoulder-width apart and project your voice.

Anticipate interruptions.

Pause for applause and laughter, rather than continuing through it. Be prepared for hecklers by having some responses up your sleeve – even if it’s just an ironic “thanks for that…”.

Stay off the booze!

It may be tempting, but getting drunk will not help you deliver a great speech… save the drinking for when the speeches are over and everyone’s toasting you!

bridebook.co.uk-father of the bride gives speech black and white — Courtesy of Guy Hearn Photography

If you would like any help on writing your wedding speech or improving your delivery contact Great Speech Writing on

0208 245 8999.

Happy Planning!

Squarespace On How To Create The Perfect Wedding Website

If you ask anyone on the Bridebook team (the gentlemen included!) what their favourite thing about planning a wedding is, creating a gorgeous wedding website is sure to be high on the list. There is something so exciting about being able to combine the romance of your story with the efficiency of a website! So when we had the chance to chat with the ultimate pros in the personalised website business, we were very, very excited. Here Squarespace spills all on how to approach putting together your very own wedding website. We hope you enjoy – we sure did!

www.bridebook.co.uk-squarespace — Photos courtesy of Squarespace

You’re a 21st century couple planning a 21st century wedding — complete with all the romance, elegance, and charm that a perfect website can provide. In this digital day and age, the wedding begins before your big day, and with easy website building platforms like Squarespace, you can create a one-stop destination that takes all the guesswork out of this exciting (yet occasionally stressful) time.

A wedding website is the perfect place not only to document memories that will last a lifetime, but also a great way to collect RSVPs, mailing addresses, share information, and even create a customised gift registry. With Squarespace, you can turn your love story into a website — one that can be easily shared with your closest friends and family.

bridebook.co.uk-squarespace-wedding-website — Turn your love story into a website that you can share with the whole family.

1. Pick a template

With six beautiful templates dedicated to weddings, Squarespace is sure to have the right starting place for you and your partner. Best of all, you can always change your mind, so whether it’s love at first sight between you and your template or a more gradual relationship, you’re sure to end up with the right one.

bridebook.co.uk-squarespace-wedding-website-templare — Six beautiful templates to choose from, each ready to make your own.

2. Tell your story

Your website is a series of blank pages just waiting to tell your love story. Let the world know how you fell in love, how you got engaged, and how excited you are to spend forever with one another. Whether you do so in a series of letters to each other or in a narrative, you can make your guests feel like they’re a part of your history, and make your wedding all the more special. Check out the Alex template, snapshot below:

bridebook.co.uk-squarespace-tell-your-story — The best way to make your wedding special is to include your guests in your story…

3. Add your photos

All our templates are designed to play host to your stunning photographs, so put those engagement pictures (and all the other photographic evidence of your relationship) to good use during this time. From your first date to the day the big question was popped, your Squarespace site will serve as a beautiful digital album for everything leading up to, during, and even after your big day.

bridebook.co.uk-squarespace-include-photographs — Show, don’t just tell!

4. Have guests RSVP online

Not only is it environmentally friendly but it’s also much easier to keep track of digital RSVPs rather than paper invitations. With Squarespace’s elegant form options, you can customize an invitation that seamlessly provides you with all the information you need including meal preference, dietary restrictions, date’s name, and so much more!

5. Register for wedding gifts

Make the days after your wedding even happier with great gifts from your thoughtful guests. Let them know what you need most — whether it’s donations to your new apartment fund, a new set of knives, or even a honeymoon, you can set up a donation block or integrate your Squarespace site with wedding registries.

bridebook.co.uk-squarespace-wedding-website-registry — Don’t forget one of the best parts – gifts!

Eager to get started on your wedding website? Visit Squarespace to start obsessing over all those gorgeous details (we know you want to).

Happy Planning!

ASOS’s Bridal Store Has Launched!

An ASOS Bridal Store? Too good to be true right? Wrong! We are jumping for joy over the news that ASOS has launched their brand new online bridal store. We’ve always been fans of ASOS’ extensive and gorgeous bridesmaid dress collection but by adding a wedding dress line and compiling all of their wonderful wedding accessories, shoes, lingerie and outfits in one place, ASOS has really upped their bridal game!

Luckily for us, ASOS has shared with us some great photos of their new wedding dresses to share with all of you, and we think it is safe to say that you will be just as impressed as we are. With none of the pieces exceeding £400, but by no means skimping on quality of design and materials, these are sure to become the go to for brides looking for affordable dress options. And keeping with the style-savy reputation that is synonymous with the ASOS brand, the collection covers every dress (and non-dress) trend, so there is something for everyone!

Happy bridal browsing everyone!

bridebook.co.uk-asos-wedding-collection-jumpsuit — This jumpsuit with the on-trend cape is perfect for the fashion savy bride.

bridebook.co.uk-asos-wedding-collection — Intricate beading in a sharp geometric pattern modernises this dress…

Introducing Rupert Sanderson’s Stunning New Bridal Collection

Style mavens – we have some very exciting news for you. Legendary British shoe designer, Rupert Sanderson, has now added a gorgeous bridal shoe collection. Too good to be true? We thought so too! Luckily for us though, the Bridebook team were invited to his flagship London store to see it for ourselves. The collection is everything we could expect from the royal and celebrity favourite – and more! From elegant and classic, to bold and stand-out – this collection has everything a bride could possibly want.

www.bridebook.co.uk-rupert-sanderson — The Calice shoe in a gorgeous nude satin – a Bridebook team favourite!

Rupert Sanderson’s style ethos is one many brides can relate to and appreciate, particularly for their wedding day. Rupert’s Head of Marketing, Rosanna Hill, described to us how, “with Rupert it’s all about less is more, focusing on lengthening the leg, and making the woman feel confident and sexy at the same time.” One of our favourite pieces from the collection that perfectly epitomizes this ethos is his Floria shoe (pictured below). Its unique way of framing the foot, acting both as a a sandal but also providing graphic coverage over the foot, makes it both light and airy, as well as having a raw edge, giving it a pronounced individuality.

One of our favourite things about Rupert’s bridal collection was his attention to the brides themselves. As much as brides want to stun on their wedding day, one always has to remember that you’ll be on your feet most of the day, so comfort and practicality is key. Rupert incorporates practicality so seamlessly into his collection, it would be easy to miss. From different heel heights to personal delivery of any Rupert Sanderson shoe to partnering dress boutiques Alice Temperly and Bruce Oldfield – Rupert has you covered. Hearing that Rupert is particularly known for bridging the gap between sexy and comfortable only made us want to play bride and try on the shoes for ourselves even more!

It is safe to say that Rupert Sanderson’s gorgeous bridal collection is now one of our favourites. Whether you want to keep it minimal and classic, like with the Pinka, or go bold, like with Rupert’s personal favourite and 50s inspired Cassandra, you are sure to not only find a shoe that fits your personal style, but a shoe that enhances your style to a new level of fashionable.

Want to know more about Rupert Sanderson? Check out some great personal anecdotes from chatting with the man himself:

What drew you to put together a formal bridal collection?

To be honest, the whole process happened quite organically. I always had several bridal styles that were incorporated into my classic collection. However, I noticed that a lot of our customers that came into our stores were looking for wedding shoes. One idea led to another and I decided to design a full bridal collection.

What is your favourite thing about designing bridal shoes in particular?

Whether it’s bridal, my classic line or seasonal collections, for me, it’s all about keeping things simple and designing by my “less is more” philosophy. I’ve always had a passion for creating the perfect pair of shoes by focusing on cut and line, and using the best quality materials. I love designing silhouettes that give a woman confidence.

What kind of bride wears Rupert Sanderson shoes?

I don’t believe in fixating to a specific type of bride. I like to think my collection is rather versatile and that my designs will speak to a variety of brides. The brides who wear my shoes will have their own story to tell. The most important is that they feel confident, comfortable and beautiful in a pair of my shoes.

What is your number 1 planning tip for brides and grooms?

Invest in a great pair of Rupert Sanderson shoes and the rest will happen naturally! A beautiful and comfy pair of shoes will take you through the big day, and you can wear them after the wedding.

Have you fallen in love with Rupert’s shoes as much as we have? Check out his Bridebook profile here!

11 Photographs That Will Transform Your Wedding Album

As a Husband and Wife wedding photography duo, The Springles understand your wedding day from both sides of the camera. Their truly heartfelt approach captures each wedding day authentically, creating absolutely beautiful, natural photographs. Both talented wedding photographers in their own right, their work blends their individual professional skill with their unique synergy as a married couple. With this distinctive approach in mind, Bridebook was excited to chat to Ash and Kat about the 11 photographs no wedding album should be without.

bridebook.co.uk the springles portrait — The Springles, Courtesy of Ed Peers

As wedding photographers specialising in candid natural photography, we are often asked by Brides what our top ten wedding photos are. Thanks to the amazing diversity of the human spirit, no wedding day will be the same as another, but as a couple takes their first courageous steps into their future together, these are the photographs which we believe no wedding album should be without.

1. Sisterhood

On the morning of the wedding bridesmaids, mother of the bride and girlfriends coalesce in this gorgeous display of Sisterhood. We love to capture the intricacies of these female relationships as the Bride gets ready for the biggest day of her life.

bridebook.co.uk bride getting ready with bridesmaids — Courtesy of The Springles

2. Gentlemen

Working as a couple means we can always capture the morning of the wedding from both the Bride and the Grooms perspectives, with heart-warming results.

bridebook.co.uk men getting ready for a wedding — Courtesy of The Springles

3. Presence

As the Groom waits for his Bride, he is immersed in the here and now, not focusing on the past or future, but rooted in the present. It’s a wonderful example of how every day of marriage should be.

bridebook.co.uk man waiting at the top of the aisle for bride — Courtesy of The Springles

4. Perspective

We only have our own perspective until we are shown another. We love to present more than one side to the story wherever we find the opportunity.

bridebook.co.uk bridesmaid fixing bride's train — Courtesy of The Springles

5. Joy

There are many moments of true, unfiltered joy on a wedding day. In marriage, we experience all that life has to offer, both the highs and the lows, and this captured moment of pure joy is a reminder that the best is always yet to come.

bridebook.co.uk happy couple being showered in confetti — Courtesy of The Springles

6. Humility

Our favourite thing about wedding speeches is how friends and relatives who have been with the Couple along the journey humbly offer their thoughts and feelings. We love the honesty of these moments. These photographs are a true reminder of the support and love of good friends.

bridebook.co.uk bride crying during speeches — Courtesy of The Springles

7. Identity

Every couple is made up of two unique individuals who have joined their lives together. These shots honestly reflect the Bride and Groom’s relationship, and showcase their individuality.

bridebook.co.uk happy bride and groom dancing — Courtesy of The Springles

8. History

There is such importance in the relationships that that have brought the Bride and Groom to their wedding day. The sense of family history in this image is a reminder that we are all here, at this exact moment, for a reason.

bridebook.co.uk mother and bride — Courtesy of The Springles

9. Influence

Marriages have the power to inspire the next generation about the power of love in the world. That’s why we adore these photographs of children enjoying the day.

bridebook.co.uk little boy at a wedding — Courtesy of The Springles

10. Nature

Because there is simply nothing more beautiful than two human beings celebrating their love against the backdrop of nature’s rich tapestry.

bridebook.co.uk couple in a wheat field — Courtesy of The Springles

11. Journey

At the end of the wedding day, we love to capture a final shot of the couple as they have a chance to reflect on the start of their journey as Husband and Wife.

bridebook.co.uk happy couple outdoors — Courtesy of The Springles

Happy Planning!

Love The Springles? Book them for your own wedding through their Bridebook profile or website!

You’re engaged! Now what?

Your partner popped the question. Hooray! Now what? Tiffany Wright, Proposal Planner extraordinaire and founder of The One Romance, begins the wedding planning journey by creating unique and tailored proposals that no one could ever say no to! Engagement do’s and don’ts start the moment you say yes, and Tiffany’s advice will get you on track to planning the wedding of your dreams.

Visit Your Parents

After all they have done for you over the years, you owe it to your folks to give them the honour of hearing the news first. And make sure there’s a bottle of champers on ice as they’ll no doubt be eager to kick start the celebrations!

Tell Your Friends

Before taking to social media to announce your engagement to the world and his wife, make sure your nearest and dearest receive a phone call and hear the news from you personally first.

Get Insured

After contacting your loved ones, this is the most important phone call you can make. Insuring an engagement ring is not as expensive as you might think and it is priceless should the absolute worst happen.

Get A Mani

All eyes will be on your finger and its brand-new bling, so ensure it is looking its level best by investing in a little pampering session!

Don’t feel bamboozled!

Planning a wedding can cause hot sweats. There’s not doubt about it. But you don’t have to feel intimidated by all of the wedding planning – especially when you have Bridebook to help you find everything you need in a simple and easy way -from Guestlists and budgets to venues…they’ve got your sorted.

Capture The Moment

When you do decide to make your engagement public, share a snap that captures the moment and tells your story. As much as your friends want to see your brand-new sparkler, they also want to hear how he proposed (and preferably with no details spared!).

Party

Last but by no means least, celebrate! This is such a pivotal moment in your life and one that only comes round the once, so don’t let it pass you by. Take the opportunity to raise a glass (or three!) surrounded by all those that you and your fiancé hold most dear.

Start planning THEIR surprise

If your now-fiancée has just planned a spectacular proposal for you, then why not start thinking about something fabulous you can do for them on your wedding day? The One Romance are the UK’s only Romance Planners and they specialise in planning unique and romantic surprises for couple that will leave your other half speechless. Anything is possible.

About Tiffany Wright

Tiffany is Founder and Director of UK and Europe’s first Romance Planning company ‘The One Romance’ where she helps plan all sorts of romantic experiences – from marriage proposals and dates to wedding anniversaries. The One Romance has won numerous awards (including the prestigious Jacqueline Gold ‘Women in Industry’ award) and have gathered a strong celebrity following. It is fast becoming the ‘go to’ company for anything romantic.

Tiffany is a regular on the TV/Media circuit offering advice on all things “romance”. She has her own TV show on Sky planning marriage proposals and has regularly written for magazines and national newspapers.