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

Look and smell as beautiful as you feel

With only 2 months to go until your wedding you should now be putting the finishing touches to your wedding fragrance, perfecting your make-up and even keeping your feet in good condition!

Something that often get's overlooked in all the preparations for the big day is the the brides fragrance. Think about it though, all day guests will be greeting you with kisses and moving in close for that well meaning hug. Here's a few tips to help you choose the right one for you.

• Match it to the theme of your wedding day.

• Timelessly traditional? Floral scents are a great choice.
• Small and intimate? Go for romantic, oriental scents.
• A raucous party? Try bold oriental or fruity scents.
• An outdoor affair? Floral or woodsy will blend well.

Layer your chosen scent. Use the bathing bubbles, then the talc and the body lotion (allow to soak in thoroughly) of all the same fragrance, and remember to walk through a mist of your chosen fragrance before you slip into your dress.

You'll look and smell as beautiful as you feel.

Wedding beauty tips - 3 months to go

So it's a step closer to your dream day, we give you advice on everything from manicures to tanning.

3 Months to go

• Plan ahead and book your treatments.

The beauty salons and beauticians often get booked up months in advance. If you use the same salon regularly then tell them your wedding date as soon as you can. If you are trying a few then now is the time to make the choice and book them before they get snapped up

• Book a course of facials.

Don't leave it until the last minute to book a facial. As with the beauticians we mentioned earlier, the best ones tend

to book up months in advance. Also, if your skin needs a specific treatment, it will need time to settle

and return to it's healthy glow.

• Test your tan.

Whether you're going for the full Saint-Tropez or a bronzing gel, choose your shade with care.

Choosing your shade

Fake tans come in different shades and choosing one that’s too dark is a big mistake. You will find that tans come in two basic types.

Golden – This is a yellow-based tan best for blondes, redheads, those with black hair, those with Asian-type or very pale skin, and anyone whose brown hair gets golden lights in summer

Bronze – This is for everyone else. Remember that your face never goes as dark as your body; keep it one to two shades lighter for a natural look.

Healthy, glowing, sun kissed skin set off by your ivory wedding gown - gorgeous!

In our next instalment we look at choosing your wedding perfume to help you smell as beautiful as you look.

Top 10 Wedding Beauty Tips

In the first of our series of wedding beauty tips we look at what all you gorgeous brides to be should be doing to make sure that you are in peak condition for the biggest day of your life.

6 months to go

• Drink water! Preferably 8 glasses a day, but don't rush to drink it all at once. Slowly sipping over an 8 hour period allows your body to absorb the excess fluid. Your skin should start to shine and take on a healthy complexion.

• Find the perfect skincare regime for your face. Many of the big department stores will offer a free consultation giving you the chance to find products that are perfect for your skin.

• Start scouting for a make-up artist. Word of mouth is best for finding one, the referral from another bride he / she has made up is the best advertisement a make-up artist can get! But make sure you're comfortable around them and that they understand what you currently wear.
• Establish a skincare routine for your body. Ex foliate at least twice a week and dry brushing in circular motions before a daily shower clears away dead skin and encourages blood flow and circulation. Also, remember that you're getting your skin ready for the honeymoon too - ex foliating helps to maintain a tan!

In our next post we'll be looking at treatments, facials and giving tanning advice.