For all those brides looking for a dress they will definitely wear again, check out DePLOY’s sample sale.

DePLOY’s dresses are adaptable and can be worn again as a skirt or a blouse or on the reverse!

Some wedding dresses are reduced by up to 50% and bridesmaid’s dresses and outfits for the mother of the bride are also included in the sale.

The sale takes places at DePLOY’s lovely boutique in Marylebone (34 Thayer Street, W1U 2QX) from Tuesday, 11th to Sunday, 16th August.

For opening hours and more info, please visit www.deployworkshop.com

Afternoon tea is a long standing English tradition and the perfect way to indulge with family and friends in the stressful lead up to a wedding. Whether you are looking to spend an intimate afternoon with your fiancé or a champagne filled afternoon with the girls, I have spent the last 2 months visiting all the best establishments in London so I can report back to you on the latest interpretations of this timeless treat…

Brown’s Hotel

From the moment I stepped in to this traditional tea room I knew I was in for a treat! The pianist was busy playing and the waiters were serving up the most delicious looking treats, I even spotted an old-fashioned cake trolley piled high with goodies.

For those of you who don’t know Brown’s Hotel is the original and oldest tea room and has recently been awarded the Tea Guild’s very prestigious ‘Top London Afternoon Tea 2009’. I have to say that it definitely deserves it, everything about the afternoon tea was fabulous from the extensive choice of teas, including their delicious own blend (they also have two tea sommeliers for those who would like a little advice, I had the gorgeous fresh rose bud tea), to the beautiful presentation of the cake stand! Read on…

Mark Badgley and James Mischka have been hailed by Vogue as one of the “Top 10 American Designers” and the darlings of the Hollywood set. The design duo have made their mark over the past two decades with glamorous, stylish and wearable evening wear and accessories. Their stunning designs have been worn by a number of celebrities such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Sarah Jessica Parker and Ashley Judd.

They have now extended their talents and have designed a stunning range of bridesmaids dresses exclusively for Browns Brides! The dresses are gorgeous and perfect for Spring/Summer weddings, one of my favourites is this slinky pink number (left).

Badgley Mischka designs are sold in the most prestigious stores in the world including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Badgley Mischka bridesmaid dresses will be sold exclusively to Browns Bride.

www.brownsfashion.com/cm/bridalhome.htm

We all know that couple who are impossible to buy for, the couple who have so many friends that you want to make sure YOUR gift stands out from the crowd.

Well bridesmaids, help is at hand with brand new radio service FauxShow. FauxShow is an individual radio show created especially for your loved ones.

Take two FauxShow radio professionals, a list of the couples favourite tracks, add some anecdotes, tantalising tales and drunken details of debauchery and FauxShow will hand make you a radio show dedicated especially to the bride and groom.

A quick telephone chat with the FauxShow girls is all it takes to get your (Faux) show on the road! Recorded to CD and packaged in a gorgeous presentation box, this really will make a fantastically unique wedding gift

Your gift will also stand the test of time as the couple can download it onto their MP3 players and listen to it for years to come.

You can find out more and listen to examples at www.fauxshow.co.uk

I love Christine Kendall’s gowns and now due to the launch of her 2010 Couture Collection, selected designs at Christine Kendall now feature in their sample sale at up to 50% off. Your opportunity to purchase an exquisite, couture dress designed by one of Britain’s few true Bridalwear Couturiers, at a fraction of the cost. For example this stunning full corded lace gown currently featuring in their sale at half price – £1,600!

Veils and Tiaras are also in the sale.

By appointment only.

0207 434 0555

www.christinekendall.com

Are you looking for something really different and innovative for your wedding invitations?

Well I have just come across this awesome new company called Invite-You they create the most fantastic online invitations/wedding sites.

As most of you know there are companies out there that let you create your own online wedding site but if you are looking for something a bit more sleek and special then look no further…

Launched by Aseem Sheikh and Adam Stephens, London based Invite-You provides a service to help you share and organise your special day in a uniquely personal and pragmatic way. Read on…

Please help me, I’m looking for someone who can make me a unique corset for my wedding, I want something which is made especially for me and completely individual that no other bride will have!! Do you know of any good people who do this that I can discuss my ideas with?

Katie

Hi Katie

I love the idea of having a unique corset made and recently I heard about a company called Twin Cheeks who offer this service. They are an exciting new design label offering a range of elegant and sophisticated corsets. Exquisitely made, all of their corsets are designed to make you look and feel fabulous on your big day.

Twin Cheeks is happy to provide help and advice regarding style, colour and fabric choice to create a design that suits you best. They also offer more bespoke services where they can create a completely unique piece just for you!

They use the best quality materials, from silks and velvets to delicate chantilly lace. Their range of corsets is available in standard sizes or can be created in bespoke sizes for the perfect fit. They also offer a range of matching attire such as waitcoats.

Everything in their range is individually handcrafted in Ascot.

Twin Cheeks charge £180 for a basic bridal corset. Any additional work, detailing etc that you requires is added on top of that price – a fantastic bespoke service for any bride who is after something really unique and individual.

Find out more from their website www.twincheeks.biz

Exciting news girls, Chanticleer The Wedding Shop Cheltenham Sample Sale Starts August the 1st. You will find huge reductions on ‘Chanticleer’ silk designer bridal gowns and ‘Guest Designer’ wedding dresses.

Also discounted sample bridal and bridesmaid dresses from leading designers including Charlotte Balbier, Forget Me Not, Marylise, Angel and Novia D’Art.

To see their existing sale dress selection go to www.chanticleerbrides.co.uk and be sure to check out their wedding accessory site for up to 75% off shoes, tiaras and gifts www.accessoriesattheweddingshop.co.uk

You can make an appointment to try on with one of their qualified consultants to assist you free of charge.

Telephone: 01242 226502 or E-mail: info@chanticleerbrides.co.uk

Chanticleer The Wedding Shop
21 Regent Street
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire

Recently I attended a fantastic burlesque and show girl workshop at Frame in East London. It was a 2 and a half-hour workshop taken by the Whoopee Beaux Belles and Amber Topaz.

Knowing very little about burlesque I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was asked to bring along a pair of heels and an open mind…
The first hour taken by legendary Amber Topaz who has performed and taught burlesque all over the world was just brilliant, she put us all at ease straight away and before we knew it we were shimmying and shaking all over the room. She taught us some simple moves such as the bump and grind as well as techniques for seductively using props to add a bit more life and humor to our routine and of course we were encouraged to develop our flirting and teasing skills, but most importantly she taught us to let go of our inhibitions and have some fun!

We then took a half hour break where we were served tea and cupcakes on beautiful vintage china and toasted our success as burlesque protégés with a glass of chilled bubbles!

Read on…

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to go along to the Mac store in Kings Road London to meet with MAC Senior Artist Neil Young  for a fantastic make-up lesson and to talk bridal beauty!…

When I arrived at the store I was taken to their back room which was a lovely area covered in mirrors, lights and fabulous Mac make-up everywhere you looked!

Mac offer two different bridal beauty packages, the BRIDAL BEAUTY is a 90 minute lesson which is perfect for the bride who is doing her own make-up or who wants to work on a look that her make-up artist will be able to re-create on the day!

When you book your lesson they will ask you to bring in a scrap book of ideas showing the theme for your wedding, make-up looks, colour schemes, wedding theme etc, if you don’t already have a something like this then I would suggest at least bringing along a few magazine cuttings of make-up looks that you like, the more you can show them the better they can create a look that will be perfect for your big day!!

Read on…

Listen up girls, this Sunday at 11am Browns will be having an amazing sample sale giving you the chance to purchase a beautiful gown from designers such as Oscar De La Renta, Alberta Ferretti, Peter Langner and many more with up to 70% off!!

Browns

11am – 5pm

12 Hind Street, London, W1

www.brownsfashion.com

Hi Wedding girl. I am hoping you can help me, my daughter is getting married in September and I haven’t found an outfit that I like, I really don’t know where to look, have you any ideas?
Karen – Bucks

Hi Karen

As the mother of the bride it is important that you find a special outfit for your daughters big day. I am a big fan of Jacques Vert and they have just launched their fabulous Autumn/Winter collection. I love the Cascading Fan collection which epitomises the range with exquisite embellishment and alluring colour combinations. Aquatic shades of lagoon turquoise and midnight blue flow through the story, complemented by stand out shantung accessories.

I also really like the Powder Pink Petals collection which has a selection of stunning dresses, skirts and jackets in soft Mallow and pink shades. I love this Shawl Collar Jacket with a gently draping shawl collar and front with the beautiful co-coordinating flare panelled skirt.

As ever, this season Jacques Vert has a great selection of accessories including beautifully designed and coordinating hats, shoes and handbags which all cultivate the polished, head to toe look!

You can view the Autumn/Winter collection at www.jacques-vert.co.uk

Picture an island paradise with cloud-shrouded green hills and palm lined white beaches and chances are you’ve just pictured Tobago. The island, once known as ‘The Secret Caribbean’, is a self contained paradise and was the setting for Daniel Defoe’s tale of adventure ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Some local guides will even show you the exact cave that was included in the book.

Totally unspoilt, this paradise isle has no high rise horrors or beach enclaves hiding behind perimeter fences and it is outside the hurricane belt. It’s real charm lies in the fact that it is the only island where you can experience the spirit and lifestyle of the Caribbean as it must have been 50 or 60 years ago when only the rich and famous visited such exotic destinations.

Wooden shacks, fishermen selling their catches, roadside stores and women carrying their loads above their heads are as much a part of Tobago as the luxury hotels. This is a friendly island where the hummingbird population outnumbers the human one and the pace of life is slow to static. Read on…

Any Sex and the City fan worth her Manolos would jump at the chance for her own ‘Carrie’ necklace, well now you can have one!!

I love these personalised necklaces from Kendi Jewlz!! They sent me this fabulous Wedding Girl necklace which I adore!

Kendi Jewlz was created after trying without success to get a unique tag for a close friend. Something that is so popular in the States was nowhere to be found in the UK and so Kendi was born. Read on…

Us women are used to being spoilt and pampered but what about the men!! I have had numerous emails recently from brides who are wanting to treat their future hubby to some well deserved pampering in the stressful lead-up to the big day! So, after much research, I found the cream of the crop when it comes to men’s grooming….

The Refinery is London’s one-stop grooming emporium for men. Established in January 2000 they offer an extensive list of treatments exclusively for men from their traditional wet shave to the luxurious Refinery One Day Package. They dedicate themselves to providing men with unparalleled service and level of attentiveness. Combining the comfort and atmosphere of a gentlemen’s club with the vitality and sense of well-being of a health spa, The Refinery provides an environment where their clients can relax, unwind and feel revitalised.

I went along with h2b to find out if it really is as good as it sounds…
Read on…

Listen up girls, Caroline Castigliano, the UK’s leading bridal and evening wear designer is holding an amazing sample sale and summer promotion. Their fabulous sale is on now, so if you have dreamt of walking down the isle in a Caroline Castigliano designer gown, visit  www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk to book your appointment today!

We are getting married in July next year and we really want our guests to contribute to our honeymoon instead of buying us gifts, we know that some people are not very comfortable with this and feel it is a bit impersonal, is there a good way to ask or should we just put something in the invitation? Also is there a good company we should use for organizing this?
K – Middlesex

Hi K
Asking for money towards honeymoons instead of gifts is becoming more and more popular with couples, especially for those who already live together and have set up home. How you ask the guest is always a bit of a tricky one and yes some guests can find giving money a little impersonal. I would recommend using a company who specifically deal with these sort of gift lists as they can help you present it to your guests in a way that will make them excited and really let them see what their money is going towards!!

I really like this new company called Honeymiles, they are really young and modern and get what couples want from their honeymoon and their gift list!!
Read on…

Hi wedding girl, I thought you might be able to help me with something, i’m trying to find a company who can make me a custom tiara, I have some beads from a necklace that my late grandmother left me, the necklace is quite old fashioned and not something I would wear but the beads are quite beautiful so I would really like to incorporate them in to my tiara for my wedding day. Do you know of anyone who offers this sort o service?

Lorraine – Cardiff

Hi Lorraine,

What a wonderful idea, I think that would be a really lovely way to take something of sentimental value with an old feel and modernize it for your big day so that it does not sit gathering dust in a jewellery box!

I recently came across this new company Kinkajoules, they are a gorgeous online bridal accessory boutique who specialise in beautiful individually handcrafted tiaras and bridal hair adornments. Read on…

I just came across this fab company called Eat Your Words who do a great range of yummy little chocy bars which can be printed with your own message and photo, these would make brilliant favors or  why not add a sweet tooth touch to your reception tables and add your guests names to one of their funky designs and use them as delicious place cards.  I also love their Mini Photo Chocs – After dinner size chocs featuring your photo or design, so cute! Read on…

I just wanted to tell you girls about this gorgeous new book, Cake Chic, that’s just been released by Peggy Porschen. I’ve just had a copy sent to me and couldn’t contain my excitement, it’s just stunning!

I am an absolute cake fiend so have completely fallen in love with this beautifully presented girly book.  After the enormous success of her books Pretty Party Cakes and Romantic Cakes, Peggy now focuses her considerable creative talents on creating cookies, mini cup cakes and super stylish cakes for all manner of occasions. In this book Peggy has combined her acclaimed gift for matching charming design with striking colours and her amazing flair for accessorizing cakes like fashion outfits to produce her most striking and elegant collection of cakes yet. Read on…

I was hoping you could help me, I am trying to find something interesting to do for my hens weekend, I would really like to go away for the weekend to France or Italy but I really have no ideas of what we could do when we get there and I am also aware that not all my friends can afford to spend as much the others, we have decided on a budget of £300-400 each for the entire weekend, this would need to include flights, accommodation and spending money! Any suggestions you have would be much appreciated.

Beccy – Lancs

Hi Beccy

I know it can be difficult to come up with original ideas for a hens weekend, especially when you are trying to accommodate different budgets. I have a suggestion for you which I think could be perfect! It is an exclusive weekend course in France where you’ll learn to make your own unique wedding tiara and jewellery for you and your bridesmaids! Read on…

I’m really excited about this collaboration between The Met Bar and luxury seductive lingerie brand, The Modern Courtesan! They have created the perfect afternoon date – sassy ‘Seduction Classes’ served with a delectable slice of cake on the side. What more can a girl ask for!

Whether you want to tempt your partner along or have a giggle with your hens, the classes are open to everyone interested in uncovering the secrets to seduction.

The afternoon includes a welcome Modern Courtesan cocktail, an aphrodisiac-inspired Afternoon De-Light menu and titillating entertainment in the form of short s-educative experiences from leading experts on the subject. Read on…

I am really struggling to work out what to dress my 6, 5 and 3 year old nephews in.  They are walking up the aisle with me (I am not having any adults) and it is near Christmas (19th Dec).  I was thinking of dressing them up as 3 kings but their parents are that keen! Any ideas? I absolutely hate the idea of mini suits! Gemma – London

I agree that children in miniature mens suits look awful, and this sartorial faux pas must be avoided at all costs!  Fancy dress is also a mistake, and one which you will regret when you are looking at your wedding photos in a few years time. So the problem is how to dress 3 boys of varying ages in something that is age suitable & that they are happy to wear?

I would recommend a collarless shirt tucked into long shorts & worn with lace up shoes, in a colour that compliments the brides dress. You can buy off the peg from Little Bevan, or if money isn’t an issue, they will make up designs and will individually fit the boys so that there aren’t sizing issues (from £55). If you are on a budget, try Zara kids, French Connection, or John Lewis for simple shirts, smart long shorts & blazers.

www.littlebevan.co.uk

I just heard about this awesome company called PictureBlast which sounds really fun!

PictureBlast hire out their funky glitter photo booths for your wedding where you and your guests can take unlimited colour or black & white pictures to keep!

For the personal touch each booth comes complete with a designed poster to theme the exterior, and photographs can be branded with a footer label such as the bride and grooms name and wedding date.

To get creative the booths also come complete with a range of props ranging from feather boas and hats to weird and wonderful masks. Guests can walk away with the momentum from the event and also view other images on the online gallery set up to enjoy the photographs for up to six months.  You will also receive a CD of all the images, a guest message book completed at the end of the evening, and your very own PictureBlast expert to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Picture Blast photo booths are available from just £495 for three hours. For further information or to book a photo booth for your event, call 0800 7879825 or visit www.pictureblast.co.uk

Hi, my daughter is getting married at the end of the Summer and she will be 7 months pregnant when she walks down the isle, she is finding it tough to find a nice maternity wedding dress, especially one that she is not going to be too hot in as it will be the end of August. The budget is around £300, any advice you could offer would be great!

Karen – Aberdeen

Hi Karen

Finding nice maternity wedding dresses can be really hard! Luckily I have spotted two that I really like from Pretty Pregnant, the first is this silk cream Nicola dress (left) this beautiful champagne dress is just £210 which for a silk wedding dress is a great price!

The second dress also from Pretty Pregnant is the silk crepe Galina vintage inspired dress, it is just beautiful with delicate embroidery and knee length skirt £220.

Pretty Pregnant actually have a boutique in Edinburgh as well as a handful in London so it may be worth making a trip to try them, alternatively you can order from their online store www.prettypregnant.co.uk

I’m really excited about the new series Four Weddings starting on Living TV this Monday!!

This ten week battle of the brides commences this Monday as each week four competitive couples go head to head in out-and-out wedding warfare. Four Weddings sees four brides-to-be put their special day under scrutiny, inviting three rival brides to critique their nuptials, all in a bid to win every newly wed’s dream prize – a luxury honeymoon.

Whilst one of the four couples heads up the aisle, the other three will be watching in envy or outrage, as they set about scoring the service and the judging the festivities. Everything is under contention, with dresses, venues, catering and presentation praised or pitied by the eager to impress couples, all vying to stage the winning wedding.
Read on…

Whether you are doing your own make-up on your big day or you just want to know which is the best moisturiser or lip gloss, look no further! Every month I try out countless beauty products so I can report back to you on the must have products for your big day…

SAVE ‘In a New York Minute..quick dry polish’  in Soho

This shimmery pink nail polish was a great colour for the big day, it was a pearly pink with a subtle shimmer, so not to over the top! It went on nicely and just needed two coats, it stayed chip free for 3-4 days. £2.49 available from Superdrug

SPLURGE Chanel Le Vernis in 64 Rose Baby

I love this frosty baby pink nail polish, as with all Chanel nail polishes, it goes on like a dream and stays chip proof for well over a week, it did need two coats as it’s quite a subtle colour, but it is really gorgeous and long lasting! £18 www.chanel.com

SAVERevlon Powder Blush in Blushing Berry £7.33

This cute little compact is fantastic for having in your bag, it has a little mirror that pops out the side, ideal for those last minute touch-ups before you walk down the isle or between photos! Blushing Berry is a gorgeous romantic pinky colour. £7.33 www.boots.com

SPLURGE B Never Too Busy Too Be Beautiful Powder Blusher in Bliss

I have always been a sucker for sexy packaging but this brand really wins the race when it comes to gorgeous pots and tins for their make-up, I love their blushers that come in these beautiful bejewelled pots! Bliss is the perfect colour to create a rosy cheek and it really stays put! Another little tip, when you finish your blusher take out the empty tray and lining and you are left with a gorgeous little box to keep trinkets in, which I think makes the £10.75 a pretty good price! www.bnevertoobusytobebeautiful.co.uk

Read on…

Every month I will be searching high and low to bring you the best products for your Honeymoon! I have spent the last 4 weeks trying out all the best hair and beauty products so I can report back to you on which are the must-have, can’t-live-without products!

SAVE L’oreal Resist & Shine in 120

This is a fabulous colour especially with a tan! It dried within 60 seconds and only needed one coat. It lasted all week without any chips and had a lovely wet look finish! £4.88 www.boots.com

SPLURGE Ciate Paint Pot in Knickerbockerglory

These gorgeous little pots of nail polish are really lovely, it needed two coats for a perfect wet look finish and it dried really quickly in about 3 minutes, it stayed put with no chips for about 5 days! The colour Knickerbockerglory is a bright pink and will instantly transform the most neglected feet to look super sexy! £9 www.ciate.co.uk

SAVE Rimmel Lipstick in Bronze Beauty

This is a really gorgeous lippy, it is perfect for that bronze goddess look, it has a sexy gold shimmer that looks amazing with a tanned face! I found it quite moisturising and it stayed put even after eating and drinking! £5.49 www.rimmellondon.com

SPLURGE Mac Lipstick in Madly Creative (Limited Edition)

I really adore this limited edition lipstick, it is perfect for day time as it’s quite subtle but adds a pretty nude shimmer to lips that makes your tan really stand out, just add a little gloss over it at night for a sexy shimmery pout! I found it really moisturising and long lasting and it only needed one application! £12 www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Read on…

Dear Wedding Girl, I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I live in Scotland and at the end of September me and my 4 bridesmaids are planning to come down to London for my hens weekend. We have no idea where to stay as none of us are too familiar with London, we have a budget of about £150-£200 each for the hotel so would like to stay somewhere nice, perhaps somewhere that has a spa where we can have a bit of pampering. Also we would like to be somewhere quite central so that we can go out and have some fun without having any hassle getting back to our hotel in the evening.

Sara – Aberdeen

Hi Sara

I have a great suggestion for you. One of my favourite hotels the Halkin in Park Lane (10 minute walk to Oxford Street) has just introduced a fantastic package for brides called Brides Maid-up at. 

The hotel has teamed up with a hot new beauty company Pampalicious to present the perfect package for brides who wants to celebrate theiir prenuptials in style with a group of friends.  

Read on…