Aruna Seth will be having a shoe event at the Ritz Hotel on Thursday the 12th of November 4pm – 9pm

The Ritz Hotel

Marie Antoinette Suite

150 Picadilly

London

W1J 9BR

Invitation only, you must RSVP to: Nia Thomas info@arunaseth.com

My Sugarland are hosting an evening for budding brides-to-be, engaged couples and wedding guests alike, to help prepare for the big day. Join them for an inspirational evening hosted by shop owner and former stylist to the stars, Zoe Lem. Alongside her will be Penny Merrick, Director and Founder of Tiger Lily Wedding Consultancy to advise with all aspects of the wedding arrangements.  Tiger Lily are at the forefront in wedding planning, making preparing for the special day an enjoyment rather than a strain. 

My Sugarland is a gem in the world of boutiques, not only in womens and menswear, but also in elegant bridal wear. The stunning dresses, separates and accessories are suitable for a range of clients; discerning brides as well as wedding guests. The unusual selection of bridal gowns and evening wear on offer at My Sugarland sets this bridal range apart from other bridal shops, including delicate vintage creations and beautiful dresses and separates from hard to find designer labels including Reem and Steve J and Yoni P among others. Zoe’s highly developed aesthetic ensures she is able to find a stunning selection of unusual creations from the deepest of treasure troves and understands the necessity for a truly vintage bridal look.

On this special evening, discount will be offered on all products at My Sugarland as well as complimentary bubbly and canapés. And of course, it’s not just about the dresses. Photography is a key part of any wedding day so Pippa Mackenzie has been enlisted to advise on capturing the most sentimental memories.  The Vintage Bridal Evening encapsulates all elements of wedding planning including hair, makeup and nails. Zoe has arranged for a team of beauty experts to consult on this area, specialising in looks from the 40’s and 50’s. There will also be a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy a mini nail treatment in preparation for that special day. And all evening there will be a retro DJ as well as incredible jazz singer Kate Winter; the perfect way to entertain at any wedding reception. 

7.00pm – 9.30pm, Thursday 26th November 2009 

Charlotte Casadéjus will be exhibiting at the Spirit of Christmas fair at Olympia in Kensington from Wednesday 4th until Sunday 8th November.  You can visit them on stand A47 where they will be showing a wide selection of unique gifts.

They will have everything from their ever popular monogrammed and embroidered cushions, to antique mirrors, vintage china and beaded bags. They will also have a selection of lavender bags, antique crystals and vintage jewellery.

This year they will be showcasing their antique lace tea dresses from their debut collection of evening, cocktail & wedding dresses. These will sit along side Charlotte’s famous antique lace skirts.

Visit their website www.charlottecasadejus.com

or www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk

A contemporary beach addition to Northern Mozambique’s wild and rugged coastline

Opening December 2009, Coral Lodge 15.41 is a unique barefoot beach retreat situated on a peninsula within the wild and rugged untouched Varanda nature reserve in Northern Mozambique.

La Varanda, the area surrounding the lodge, is a privately owned nature reserve full of untouched beaches, dunes and mangroves. It lies only a short distance from the historical UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilha de Moçambique (Mozambique Island), the former capital of the country. Since the end of the civil war in 1992, tourism has fast become one of the country’s key resources but the area around Coral Lodge 15.41 is still largely untouched and the rugged unspoiled terrain and friendliness of the locals are a true testament to this.

This unique boutique beach retreat, comprising of only ten villas, has been designed by the renowned Dutch designer Edward Van Vliet who has tastefully combined the latest in luxury and comfort with the authentic feel of Mozambican style and pureness. He has skillfully incorporated the colours of the surroundings by using a mix of wood and textures to ensure the lodge sympathetically blends in with its surroundings.

Read on…

Hi,

I am getting married in December and one of the things I really want is to have some stunning jewellery to wear on my the day. Obviously I can’t afford to buy beautiful diamonds, it crossed my mind that maybe I can rent jewellery from somewhere, is this possible and if so do you know anywhere that offers this?

Karen – Manchester

Hi Karen, you are actually in luck, it is becoming increasingly popular to rent jewellery for your big day so that you complete your dream look without bankrupting yourself!! You can literally drape yourself in thousands of pounds worth of jewellery for only hundereds of pounds. Whether you are looking for a glamorous diamond necklace to accompany your wedding dress or a pair of elegant drop pearl earrings, www.RentYourRocks.com will probably have what you are looking for.

Rent your Rocks is the brainchild of Sophie Croydon, who after several years of working in the family fine jewellery business came up with the genius idea to loan jewels for those wanting a bit of bling without the financial commitment. Rental starts from £50 a week and delivery is within 24 hrs. All rocks arrive in a beautiful box with a pre-addressed return package making diamond wearing pure heaven.

Rent your Rocks provides the perfect solution for all those brides who want the chance to don a breathtakingly beautiful piece of jewellery without the exorbitant price tag.  From designer diamond necklaces to pretty vintage drop earrings and chunky cocktail rings, the selection is very impressive. I love this divine 4 strand cultured pearl choker. It is interspersed with white gold and diamond bars and has a stunning white gold and diamond Vintage style clasp that can be worn at the back or the front. Our tip: Wear this with your hair up to give the full effect of the diamond bars and the clasp. £1,995 Retail Value; £150 Rental Cost Per Week.

There’s also 50% off if you hire the utterly divine diamond Fleur de Lys Earrings. These new 18ct white gold diamond and pearl Fleur de Lys earrings are an elegant design which is right on trend and will complement any dress to perfection. Retail Value £2,300 ; Rental Cost Per Week £150 .

Visit their website www.RentYourRocks.com to see the full collection or call 0845 30 80 990

Surely it is every bride-to-be’s dream to start married life in the most romantic of locations, against a breathtaking backdrop of English countryside at its most dramatic and in one of the country’s most critically acclaimed castle hotels.

Well for a short period of time the wedding team at the uber luxe Bovey Castle – voted England’s Finest Castle and without a doubt one of the UK’s most idyllic and indulgent wedding locations – has an exclusive one-off promotion, that means that any couples booking and hosting their wedding ceremony and/or reception between the 1st of January and the 31st of March 2010, will receive a 50% discount off civil ceremony room hire, and a further 15% off all wedding packages! (Applicable only to new enquiries).

*As a result Civil Ceremony Room Hire starts from just £250 and Wedding Packages at just £93.50per person! Read on…

Hi Wedding Girl

I wonder if you can help. A friend of mine is getting married and she is looking for some shoes, she’s seen a few, but all the ones she likes are IVORY, but her dress is CRISP WHITE!
Can you suggest a good shop/website to check out on a budget!

Annonymous

Beleive it or not this is quite a popular question from brides. Finding White wedding shoes can be a bit of a difficult one, as you pointed out most wedding shoes come in ivory. I noticed that Elegant Steps have quite a lot of styles that come in white. Their prices also start from just £29.99

You can view all their wedding shoes at www.elegantsteps.co.uk

A new website has been launched by the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, dedicated exclusively to helping brides and grooms plan their dream Aruban wedding.

From elegant, intimate beachfront ceremonies to grand ballroom extravaganzas, the www.weddings.arubamarriott.com website is a time-saving, one-stop shop where planners and do-it-yourself brides can find information about: the various wedding locales on property (beachfront, gardens, ballrooms); packages (from traditional ceremonies to à la carte services); group rates and reservations; key staff profiles; an image gallery; and Aruban marriage requirements.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino boasts 411 guestrooms (the most spacious on the island), each with large, private balconies overlooking lush landscape and the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea; a 6,500 square foot spa; a free-form swimming pool with cascading waterfalls; seven restaurants and cafés; and the largest casino in Aruba.

Wedding girl, please help me. I am looking for a wedding clutch bag to go with my 1920′s wedding dress. I am pretty opento any ideas, I just don’t even know where to start looking.

Please help!!

Lisa – Slough

Hi Lisa

I love the vintage handbags at Birdy Num Num, BNN is a a fantastic online emporium of vintage handbags and accessories. Each bag is lovingly restored to perfection and each given its own “style story note”, beautifully packaged in a pink silk dust bag and gift box.  There are hundreds of styles updated daily on the website including lots of amazing beaded styles that are perfect for a brides.

Pieces date back to the 1920s and the best news is that prices start from just £20!

You can view all their bags at www.birdynumnum.com

The bridal boutique your credit card dreams about…. the moment you peer through the window of White Mischief in West Sussex you know the experience of buying your bridal gown will be fun from start to finish. Trend setting and contemporary designs have been carefully selected from top European designers. Stylish accessories including bridesmaid, lingerie, shoes, headdresses are topped off by the professional service provided by a mature, dedicated team.
Squishy leather settees, air conditioning, comfy slippers and tissues for emotional mums – nothing has been left to chance!!

White Mischief will be holding a 1 day sample sale on Sunday the 1st of November. Over 100 dresses available in store from £200 from Augusta Jones, Pronovias, Solo Sposa, Carol Li, Bruidesmode Brinkman and more. Plus sample veils and tiaras available from £10.

Appointments are avaiable by calling 01273 495566

You can visit their website at www.whitemischiefbridal.com

It’s the little details that count and Boutique Souk have that notion down to a tee. They provide the ultimate in luxury travel and concierge in Morocco; their bespoke service coupled with their knowledge of the area is the perfect recipe for creating exceptional experiences and magical memories. From sourcing locations to selecting menus, organising accommodation to arranging photography, everything you require for your wedding is thought of while you embrace the magic of the moment.

Morocco is a sensory overload at its most intoxicating, from the scents and sounds that permeate the medinas of Marrakesh to the astonishing sights of the landscape. The abundance of mountains, the mud-brick kasbahs that turn blood red with the setting sun, the vibrant labyrinth souks and the tranquil, wistful riads, create an overwhelming sense that one has stumbled into a fairytale. Boutique Souk makes that Fairy tale wedding a reality, incorporating the setting with an unparalleled service.
Read on…

This month instead of my usual Hair & Beauty Hot picks I am passing you over to my other half for a low down on all the best products for grooms….

SAVE Rehab – Revive and survive £18.50
I am a big fan of the Rehab products, created by Strictly Come Dancing hair and make-up artist Lisa Hilton, they are 100% ethical and free of parabens, SLS’s and sulphates, which means they don’t harm the skin, and leave behind no chemical residue. All packaging is made from recycled glass containers and 100% recycled paper.
Rehab’s Revive-Survive is an eye-catching and stylishly packaged product for use as required, day or night. The cream is infused with tea tree and lemon giving it an invigorating, lively smell and it absorbs quickly without leaving an oily residue. Definitely one of my favourites!
www.asos.com

SPLURGE  The Organic Pharmacy Ultra Light Moisture Gel £29.31
This gel moisturiser was definitely one of the few that stood out from the crowd. Infused with a light, slightly spicy but definitely manly smell, this product felt great on and lasted throughout a busy day in an air conditioned office. With extracts of Aloe, Green Tea and Liquorice to soothe, this is perfect for peaking up tired skin. The moisturiser is also free from petrochemicals, preservatives and colourants and contains a boatload of antioxidants to protect the skin throughout the day.
www.theorganicpharmacy.com

Read on…

Burghley House, near Stamford in Lincolnshire, is playing host for the second year to the Essential Wedding Show on Sunday, 8th November 2009.

The Essential Wedding Show organised by EME chose one of the most spectacular wedding venues in the UK to launch its show last year and with 1,400 visitors through the door, it was a great success. With over 120 of the region’s finest wedding specialists exhibiting, visitors will be able to choose from wedding dresses and outfits to flowers, cakes and photographers to name just a few.

The Essential Weddings show will make a grand return in 2009 with the additional feature of a stylish and stunning marquee complimenting the backdrop of Burghley House and making the show one of the largest and most prestigious regional wedding shows in the UK, covering East Anglia and the East Midlands. Visitors will be able to enjoy a stunning professional catwalk show together with a canapés & drinks reception and to finish a classical firework display on the front lawn.

The show will be open from 10am to 5pm, with various catwalk shows during the day. Tickets cost £5 in advance and £7 on the day.

http://www.burghley.co.uk/html/event-details.asp?ID=17

Browns Bride will be previewing the latest collection from designer to the starts Oscar De La Renta, who trained in the Houses of Belenciaga and Lanvin.

Try the collection flown direct from New York whicst receiving advice from Oscar De La Renta’s representative during a champagne appointment. Plus receive a luxurious goody bag of gifts and ideas at the end of your appointment.

To make an appointment please contact brownsbride@brownsfashion.com or call 0207 514 0056/57

There is a £25 charge redeemable against any purchase.

You can visit their website at www.brownsfashion.com

So ladies, you’ve seen the show, now join in the fun. If you have organised the wedding of your wildest dreams but haven’t got as far as arranging your honeymoon yet, then the idea of winning the honeymoon of your dreams could be just the happy ending you are looking for!!

ITV Studios and Living are looking to recruit brides for season two of Four Weddings. If you’ve seen the show you’ll know they are looking for fun loving brides-to-be to judge and be judged on their big day for the chance to win a luxury five star honeymoon.

If you’d like your wedding to be considered then email: 4weddings@itv.com to receive an application form.

Further details will be provided if you are contacted by a representative of ITV productions.

The Designer Wedding Show is all about you. About indulging your natural sense of style. About finding every exquisite detail to make your wedding day blissful.

Everyone you’ll meet at the show has been carefully selected because they share your passion for design, style and luxury. The beautiful designer fashion show, the bars and restaurants, the whole ambience are designed to make the most valuable, inspiring and enjoyable way to source everything you need. In a single day you’ll meet more that 130 of the finest specialists and creative spirits who can help you realise your vision.

To book tickets call 0871 230 5579

Freya Rose will be showcasing her gorgeous new styles at the Designer Wedding Show this week (9th-11th of October), she has also launched this stunning 100% silk bag with a brass and mother of pearly frame!!

Freya Rose is offering an exclusive 15% off at the show and if you purchase a pair of shoes you can get the bag half price! Which is normally £119 so you will save £60!!
You must print off this offer and bring it to the show with you.

www.freyarose.co.uk

Hi

I’m getting married next year in Greece – Rhodes. We are marrying on the 3rd of September and I don’t know what flowers are in season at that time of year and what websites I can go to have a look at bridal bouqets as I live in Australia. I would like plain and simple white flowers for the day. I hope you can help or direct me in the right direction

Many thanks
Michell – Australia

Hi Michelle,  I spoke to the Flowers & Plants Association and they told me that the flowers growing in Australia are very different to the ones florists will have in their shops in Greece so it is definitely a good idea for you to do a little research. Holland is the biggest flower supplying nation in Europe and Greece import some of their flowers from there. If you want simple, white flowers, roses will always be a good choice and you will be able to buy these in Greece.

You can look at other flowers you might like to use by searching the database on flowers.org.uk, you can search for flowers by colour: www.flowers.org.uk/public/flower_search_by_colour.php
Not all the flowers on this database will be available in Greece, but it’s a good starting point, and you will be able to gather together pictures to show the florist in Greece.

You may  benefit from organising your wedding flowers through the wedding venue you have chosen in Greece. Many wedding holiday destinations have all the facilities needed to cater for brides for their big day and can organise everything required from the flowers to the catering. You should check to see if they can send you a catalogue or a list of recommended forists.

The London outpost of Parisian caterers, Nomad Food and Design, is bringing to the UK’s wedding market the super-luxe styling it is synonymous with in France.

Renowned as the caterer quite literally at the ‘cutting edge of taste’, Nomad Food and Design is adding molecular gastronomy and espuma dishes to its menus.  The experimental cooking techniques are sure to guarantee brides and grooms a day to remember and bring the meaning of a frosty reception to life!

The molecular dishes, using liquid nitrogen, add a theatrical wow to a wedding as head chef Patrick Collas dips the menu items into a ‘boiling frozen’ pool of liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -180C. Headlining Nomad Food and Design’s liquid nitrogen menus include; ‘Foie gras with maple syrup and pecan nuts’, ‘Salmon with cream and pea mint’, ‘Frozen ball of tangy lemon meringue pie’ and ‘English strawberry covered in a light tiramisu cream’.

Read more…

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK with nearly 46,000 people diagnosed every year. Every 11 minutes someone is diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK.

This month for my Hair & Beauty Hot Picks I am looking at all the fabulous products that are helping to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness month (1st-31st October).

OPI nail polish in ‘Pink Positively’
This stunning hot pink nail polish is perfect for your honeymoon! It is an amazing vibrant colour that would look stunning against tanned hands or feet. It went on really nicely and dried in about 3 minutes, I would recommend 2-3 coats for a perfect finish, depending on how strong you want the colour!
Cost:  £9.95, Donation: £2 per bottle
www.lenawhite.co.uk

Jane Iredale Christina PureMoist Lipstick in ‘Christina’
This lovely lipstick with spf 18 will not only make your lips look and feel gorgeous it will also protect them from the sun. This romantic pink colour with it’s subtle shimmer is perfect for both weddings and honeymoons. One application is all you need to achieve a perfect pout!
Cost: £15.00, Donation: £1
www.JIProducts.co.uk

Prestige Fresh Glow Baked Mineral Blush £7.99
This mineral blusher from prestige, is perfect for creating a soft natural glow, simply sweep the blush across your cheeks for a long lasting romantic flushed cheek!
Cost £7.99, Donation: £1
www.boots.com

Read on…