Top 10 ways to involve family (and save a fortune)

Wedding Cakes.

These are a DIY favourite, and mums usually have a great family recipe that's been passed down for generations. This could save you a big chunk of the budget - just make sure she has a few trial runs!

Wedding video

Many real-life brides agree that having a wedding video is an absolute must. If your budget won't stretch to a professional videographer, ask a brother, uncle or friend to take charge, even if it's just for the important moments like vows and speeches.

Green-fingered friends

Got any? If so, treat them to a flower-arranging workshop so they can help you create your big day blooms at home. You may even be able to grow some of your own flowers, saving a tidy sum. See glily.co.uk for workshop classes.

Dress altering friends?

If you've just blown the budget on your bridesmaids' dresses and don't fancy paying even more for alterations, ask a friend with dress-making skills if they can make the adjustments as a wedding gift.

Flash cars and tractors!

Friends or family with flashy cars could help out with transport on the day and save you even more money. Think outside the box here too - weddings in the country for instance, equal farmers - with tractors!

Tea-party trends

English tea-party themes are bang on trend (and budget friendly too!). Ask mums, nans, aunties and cousins to bake their favourite cakes, scones and biscuits and serve as a mid evening treat.

Unique entertainment

More and more brides are using iPods for their wedding music. Add in a friend who can DJ and you've got inexpensive entertainment that's unique to you!

Hair and make up

Ask your best friend to do your hair and make-up - she knows you as well as anyone and you can be really honest with her during the trials (you must have trials!). But at least you'll know that you'll get the look you want without spending a fortune.

Crafty Girls nights in

You can save a fortune on your stationery and favours if you've got crafty friends. Have a girlie night in and get creative!

Honeymoons

Do you know someone who lives abroad, or who has a holiday home? This could provide the budget-friendly break you've been looking for.

Top 10 tips on perfect wedding planning

Don't panic!

I know the thought of planning one of the most important days of your life is daunting, but simplify it. Make a list of what you think you want and tackle each item at a time.

Ask for expert advice.

Log on to weddingideasmag.com; you will find all sorts of help from suppliers. The real brides on the forum are also great to swap ideas with.

Remember you are the client.

Do not be pushed into having things you don't really want by suppliers. Listen to their advice but ultimately put your own stamp on the day.

Check out the internet.

There are lot's of sites to help you and this is a quick and productiove way to compare costs, find items and get reviews on suppliers and ideas.

Choose your venue wisely.

There may be room to negotiate especially if you're getting married out of season. If you can move quickly try lastminuteweddings.co.uk Alternatively, hitched.co.uk has a comprehensive list of licensed venues around the country.

Keep focused

On what you, as a couple, want for the day. Everyone will have on opinion and they will voice it; but this is your wedding so make sure it is about you and your dreams!

Don't let budgets take a nose dive

And get out of control. Be realistic about what you have to spend and stick to it, cutting back in some areas if you want to splash out in another.

Choose a theme for your day

and work around that. If you do this before you begin buying such things as table decorations, you will save money in the long run and not end up with a box full of stuff you don't use.

Don't set your heart on the weather.

This is the only thing you can't control so don't let a spot of rain destroy your mood.

Hire a wedding planner.

A good one will be worth their weight in gold - negotiating with suppliers, keeping the planning process stress free and running everything on the day itself.

Tips for keeping you and your guests cool

With temperatures set to sour this weekend, here are few tips for all you brides to help keep you and your guests cool.

Dehydration

Whilst the sun is shining and it's fabulous for your photographs, the heat can leave you feeling exhausted. Be careful not to dehydrate and make sure that you and all your attendants have little bottles of water to hand. Sipping little and often is better at keeping your body hydrated than thirsty gulps.

Handbag size everything!

From little cans of deodorant, to miniture bottles of Evian water spray, ask your mum, Grandma, aunty if they can fit these into their handbags so you have absolutely every minor drama covered.

The pregnant and the elderly

This may seem obvious but it's worthwhile making sure there is an emergency chair or 2 in constant easy reaching distance for any elderly relatives or friends that are pregnant.

Sun cream

Apply this well before dressing and make sure it's completely dry before stepping into your gown.

Well that's our top tips for the moment, but we'll continue posting over the course of the weekend, and if you need any help or advice at all just get in touch.

Happy wedding day to all those beautiful brides out there.

Caught on film by s8

s8films - are the leading Vintage Style Wedding Videography company
offering a stylish and cinematic approach to document your special
day. Their unique style is much in demand and they have produced many
high-profile wedding films including Rachel Stevens wedding at
Claridges last year as well as the Royal Wedding of Sophie Winkleman
and Lord Freddie Windsor at Hampton Court Palace.


Here, Roland talks with us about wedding filming, new trends in the industry and how to get the best out of your videographer.

JT: Why have a wedding videographer?

Roland: Your wedding day, without a doubt, will fly by and you will be
suprised by how little of it you actually remember! By having your day
captured on film you will have the opportunity to experience all the
key parts of your special day that were missed or forgotten. The
camera will catch moments you did not even know existed and will be in
places that you were not on the day. It's also one of the few times in your life when all your friends and family will get together and having a videographer there makes sure that the
memories of your fabulous day are preserved.

JT: What are the current trends in Wedding Videography?

Roland: Super 8 Cine Film is becoming more and more popular, clients
come to s8 films looking for that timeless vintage feel to document their
day. Also, with the current trend for vintage themed weddings from the
1930's through to the '70's the S8 films cinematic style is a perfect
complement to these stylish events. People are also exploring the use
of DSLR which is something we have been using alongside the Super 8
this year. The cinematic 'movie film' look is also very on trend right
now to tell the full story of the day from the preparations through to
the end of the evening.

JT: Can you give us your 'top tips' for the bride and groom to ensure
they get the best film possible?

Roland:
1.Try to relax and and be as natural as possible in front of the
camera. You don't want the day to look too staged. Don't be afraid to
play with the camera, have fun with it and be spontaneous! All this
will make for an interesting finished piece.

2. Make sure you have lots of dialogue before your big day with your
videographer so you both know exactly what you want to achieve on the
day. Detailed timings and locations are critical to ensure all parts
of the day are fully covered.

3. To tell the whole story of your day you must make sure that the
preparations of the day are shot, all the aniticipation and build up
of you getting ready and the groom preparing really make for a great
film.

4. Lastly, make sure your Videographer is aware of who the 'key'
people of the day are (other than yourselves!), a special 'Aunt' or
Grandparent or a dear old friend, it's important to make sure that
they know who you want to have a good 'presence' in the final edit!

With thanks To Roland @ s8 Films
Take a look at their work http://www.s8films.com

Essentially You was founded in 2005 by Julie Tooby, as the natural progression to the success and reputation for excellence gained at one of Berkshire's premier wedding venues. Since inception Julie has worked tirelessly to be able to offer prospective brides the best care and attention to every detail.

Recently Julie and Essentially You were awarded with Wedding Ideas magazine "Wedding Planner of The Year" for the second year in a row.

Here's what Julie had to say about it.

Congratulations, 2 years running is amazing, what does this mean to you and your business?

On a personal level to win the award twice is a great achievement and one for which I have worked tirelessly. As it is actual couples etc that vote means that on a business level myself and team do a great job. We are there to take the stress away and manage the day so that our couples and their families can relax and winning this accolade shows that we do what we say we can.

How were you nominated?

The awards are done by the public and so you need a client / fellow supplier to nominate you.

How are the awards voted for?

By the public, all our lovely couples, fellow suppliers and generally all who think we do a good job.

What makes Essentially You unique (apart from you of course!)

We take weddings to another level, by showing an enormous amount of care, love and attention to everyone we deal with. We deliver what we say we will on time and correctly and are always on the end of the phone to chat.

How do you start to plan a wedding?

Our clients get a consultation with us, where we really listen to what they want and need from us to make their wedding dreams a possibility.

What can a bride-to-be expect when you work with them?

Tireless enthusiasm, and a genuine caring manner to make their dreams come true.

How many weddings have you planned?

Hundreds and we hope to get into the thousands!

What future plans do you have for Essentially You?

Wedding world domination and to keep giving the service we have so far for many years to come.

If you could give one piece of advice to any bride-to-be, what would it be?

Relax, and you will enjoy the day to the full.

The gloves are off... Helpful hints for lovely looking hands

Hands and nails can be tale tellers. You may be dressed in the best clothes with perfect accessories and look really hot with the latest make up.
If your hands and nails look dirty or uncared for the entire look is wasted.
Taking proper care of hand and nails should be a part of your beauty routine.
It not only helps them stay clean but makes them look beautiful. Good-looking nails reflect on your personal hygiene and health.
So don’t ignore your nails. Use these simple yet effective tips for hand and nails care.


1. Wash frequently

Keep your hands clean by washing them regularly. Use the right kind of soap to cleanse your hands. It should not only cleanse but also get rid of harmful bacteria. You need a soap which is tough on dirt and yet gentle on hands. Bar soaps are fine for cleansing purposes but they may dry your hands.

2. Use a nail brush

Nail brushes are useful accessory to keep your finger nails healthy and clean. Try and use a nail brush every time you wash hands. As you brush your nails you cleanse and massage them. You are indulging your finger nails and yourself. Your nails will love it and so will you.

3. Moisturize after every wash

Each time you wash your hands with soap bar it dries the skin. You need to replenish the lost moisture to maintain the youth and smoothness of your hands. Remember to use a hand lotion or cream after you wash your hands. These products will help moisturize your hands and keep dry skin away. Before long you will notice that your hands remain soft and silky all the time. This also means that they are looking great.

4. No nail biting

If you are a habitual nail biter then it high time you did away with this bad habit. Nail biting leads to ugly nails which are uneven and ragged. Sometimes a nail biter will bite them past the skin making them look ugly and unsightly. You can choose from many over the counter products to treat nail biting. Having Acrylic Extension may help prevent biting, allowing your natural nails to grow.

5. Colour/Acrylic them

Last but need not the least make your nails look beautiful with nail polish. Well painted nails or Acrylic Nails look good. They add glamour to your hands and nails, if you have the time and energy treat yourself to a manicure. Take special care of your cuticles to maintain beautiful looking nails.

Just as you take care of your body with a regular beauty regime it makes sense to take care of your hands and nails. These simple tips will help you maintain good looking hands and nails. Each time you look down at your well maintained nails you will see them smiling back in gratitude.

with thanks to Lisa Black,
Director Fingers and Toes

Top tips on booking entertainment

Timetable: start looking around at least a year in advance. The best musicians and entertainers will be booked up months in advance especially on a Saturday.

Testimonials: ask the agency or bandleader for some testimonials or if possible, go and see them perform live before you book them.

Timings: live musicians cannot play for hours on end, they will usually play 2 x 60 minute sets or 3 x 40 minute sets. Agree set up times and performance times in writing before the booking date and expect to pay a deposit to secure your chosen artistes.

The weather: think about the weather in advance and choose your artiste accordingly. A grand piano cannot be moved and your guests won't hear a note if they are outside enjoying the grounds and sunny weather. String ensembles and harps can be moved and you will get better value for your money if you can move them around after the ceremony.

The music: Talk to the agency or bandleader about your chosen music in advance and to take their advice. If they tell you Pachelbel's Canon won't work on the bagpipes, it won't!

Above all, choose the music you want. If you want a caricaturist - have one, if you want to have a barn dance, book a fabulous ceilidh band with a professional caller to help your guests learn the steps. It's YOUR BIG DAY..........make it memorable with the right music and entertainment.

With thanks to FAB Music Entertainment Agency
www.fabmusicagency.co.uk

For further information, call Fiona Bennett at FAB Music Entertainment Agency on (01635) 201700.Fiona has access to hundreds of different musicians and entertainers and prides herself on helping each bride book the right music and entertainment for their big day.Call now to discuss your requirements.

All that glitters is .... Simply Stunning

Top 10 Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Jewellery

Your wedding day is the single most important day of your whole life, especially if you are the bride. Months and months and often years and years are spent planning for the perfect day. Each and every detail is meticulously chosen and one of the biggest details when it comes to the bride’s outfit is the Wedding Jewellery. The right Wedding Jewellery will complement the wedding dress perfectly and will complete the bride’s outfit. Here are our top tips when it comes to choosing your Wedding Jewellery.

1. Don't start to think about your Wedding Jewellery until you have chosen your dress. Your gown will influence the style of your accessories and you don't want to spend money on something that doesn't match.

2. Use wedding magazines and wedding websites for inspiration for your Wedding Jewellery and to get an indication of the range of styles, trends and the latest prices.

3. Set a Wedding Jewellery budget but allow a 10% leeway just in case you see the perfect pieces, which might be a little over budget.

4. Leave yourself plenty of time to find your Wedding Jewellery. We would recommend at least a month of searching if you timescale permits. Finding the right sparkles to finish your wedding look can often take a lot longer than expected.

5. Bespoke or ready to wear Wedding Jewellery? Having a bespoke creation is a wonderful experience but might cost more than buying a ready made set and it will invariably take longer for you to get your jewellery.

6. Colour? Don’t think that you have to choose Wedding Jewellery, which matches the exact colour of your dress. This is often impossible anyway given the many different shades of white, ivory, champagne and other coloured dresses available today. If you are going for pearls, then ivory freshwater pearls will go with both white and ivory dresses perfectly. They will also look fabulous and contrast wonderfully with other coloured dresses as well.

7. If you can’t decide between several different sets of Wedding jewellery, or you are worried about whether a particular set will go with your dress, see if it is possible to take all of the jewellery along to a dress fitting so that you can try each piece on with your dress before you make a final decision.

8. Decide how you will be wearing your hair and if you will be wearing a veil or not. This will help you to decide whether or not you are going to need a tiara or other bridal hair accessories as many Wedding Jewellery retailers stock tiaras and hair accessories to match their Wedding Jewellery or can make them to match for you.

9. Don't forget your bridemaids’ jewellery! Give them their jewellery as a thank you gift on the morning of the wedding. It will allow for some special moments between you all and it also means that you don't have to buy both their jewellery and a thank you gift.

10. After your wedding day, make sure that your Wedding Jewellery is clean and in tact before wrapping it carefully and storing it away somewhere safe. It is best to keep pearls and sterling silver jewellery wrapped in a soft cloth or jewellery pouch placed inside an airtight plastic bag. This will prevent it tarnishing.

With thanks to Chezbec an outstanding and award winning company and a lovely team.
www.chezbec.com