On Friday the 8th and Saturday the 9th of October, Browns Brides will be inviting brides to come and meet with wedding dress designer Akira.

Akira is recongnised for his intricate designs, which infuse the elegance of classical Japanese fashion and delicate detailing with a modern edge.

Akira has designed a collection of gowns that will be exclusive to Browns Bride, this wil be Akira’s very first excusive collection.

To book a champagne appointment call 0207 514 0056. There is a £25 charge redeemable against any purchase, each bride will also take away a luxury goody bag.

Browns Bride

12 Hinde Street

London

W1

Do you dream of having your wedding on a remote beach in the sun or in New York’s leafy Central Park or in a fairytale castle? Meet The Bridal Consultant who can make your dream wedding a reality.

In a tough economic climate where the average UK wedding costs over £15,000, couples are now switching from having a large traditional wedding in the UK and are downsizing to have a destination wedding combined with a luxurious honeymoon abroad, for a third of the cost.

The Bridal Consultant has just launched a new specialist ‘Jet Set Weddings’ tailor made package, which includes a destination wedding, honeymoon and wedding travel in one. This allows couples to make all their wedding, honeymoon and travel arrangements in one place and the Bridal Consultant can arrange both wedding and travel insurance. Each package is fully protected by ATOL to ensure peace of mind. Couples can choose from a selection of destinations from all over the world from the Caribbean, Maldives, Australia, New York to popular European destinations such as Cyprus and the Greek Islands. Read on…

Though Switzerland may be famous for its winter skiing, it doesn’t mean everyone else can’t enjoy the breathtaking towns such as the 19th century St Moritz . Towns such as these are more popular as spa towns, so even if you’re not a winter sports fan or your new husband isn’t a skier – there is still plenty to inspire you to these stunning mountains.

At the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina for example, only about 50% of their winter guests actually ski, the rest come for pure R&R. Attracted to the “best Alpine spa”*, newlyweds can take advantage of packages such as the “Break Away”, which includes three nights’ accommodation, a sumptuous breakfast buffet and gourmet dinner daily, unlimited access to the Kronenhof Spa, a 20-minute relaxing alpine wild herb bath, a 25-minute regenerating body wrap, a 50-minute Kronenhof anti-stress massage, a 60-minute Carita Express facial for ladies or a 60-minute personal training session for men and a daily Fit & Fun sports programme. Prices start from CHF 1225 (approx £790) per person.
Read on…

Freya Rose will be holding their big shoe sale extravaganza on Thursday the 21st of October and Wednesday the 24th of November. Not only do they have lots of bridal shoes with 40-80% off, they also have many of their special occassion shoes on sale and a chance to purchase their new collection featuring the goregous ‘new cinderella slipper’ in time for Christmas, with 25% discount!

The Freya Rose and team will be on hand if you also want to talk about customising your shoes.

Thursday 21st October 3-8pm and Wednesday 24th November 3-8pm

The Business Design Centre

52 Upper St, Islinton

London, N1 0QH

Please contact Freya Rose to confirm your attendance 0207 288 6311 / info@freyarose.co.uk

I’m super excited about the eighth edition of Inspired by Food that has just hit the shelves, packed with great ideas for all your seasonal entertaining. This glossy annual is the ultimate reference guide for 2010/2011, offering a whole host of innovative ideas, food and equipment for those of you wanting to do some of  your own catering for your big day.

What’s inside:

You will find tons of  ideas for weddings, including cakes, cupcakes and favours, as well as festive recipes for autumn and winter, chocolate decorations and coverings, cookery and cake decoration courses for 2010-11, all your sugarcraft essentials and some great recommended reads.
Read on..

Listen up ladies, on the 16th and 17th of October The Designer Bridla Sale is taking place ar the Thistle Hotel in Marble Arch! This is a not-to-be-missed event if you haven’t already purchased your wedding dress and want to save a whopping 70% off a designer gown.

With over 1000 stunning dresses available from leading designers including Designers include Amanda Wakeley, Amy Michelson, Anna Christina, Annabel B, Atelier Aimée, Caroline Castigliano, Christiana Couture, Galit Levi, Lyn Ashworth, Max Chaoul, Oleg Cassini Icon, Sharon Hoey, Toi Creazioni, and many, many more…

The tickets to this event are FREE; however, you must log onto www.bridaldesignersale.com to register your details and to select a time slot.

I am loving the hottest new trend to come out of the states… Cake Pops! Cake Pops are this season cake trend and are set to overtake the Whoopie Pies and Cupcakes.  They are a bite size flavoured cake, coated in candy chocolate and put on a lollipop stick. Scrumptious!!

They make fantastic wedding favours and can also look fantastic as centerpieces for your tables.

The Kooky Cake Company sent me a selection to try and I am now hooked!! The fab flavours include: Chocolate, Vanilla, Carrot and Cinnamon, Coffee Bean, Luscious Lemon, Chocolate and Caramel, Rocky Road, Blueberry, Oreo, Mint Chocolate, and my absolute favorite Coconut Cherry Top.

Cake Pops from The Kooky Cake Company can be designed individually to suit your theme or ideas and can be designed to match your main wedding cake, they are priced from £1.80 each. They are also happy to offer bespoke flavours on request. They are carefully packaged and can be sent for delivery nationwide.

To find out more about Cake pops visit  www.thekookycakecompany.com

With Winter well and truly on its way, it was time for me to try out some great new products for your Winter weddings. I have spent the last month trying out all the best beauty buys, so I can report back to you on which are my must-have, can’t-live-without choices.

Laura Mercier – Tinted Moisturiser
I really love this tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier, it melts in to the skin and gives a flawless sheer finish with a touch of colour. It feels incredibly light on the skin and stayed put all day long. It also has SPF 20 to protect your skin. £32
www.johnlewis.com

MeMeMe Beat the Blues Complexion Illuminator & Enhancer
This is a fab little skin illuminator from MeMeMe, it will perk-up your complexion and add a gorgeous iridescent shimmer. Simply dot to areas like your cheekbones to make them pop, or mix in with your moisturiser for all over radiance. £4.50
www.mememecosmetics.co.uk
Read on…

As always I  have been searching high and low to bring you the very best products for your Honeymoon! I have spent the last month trying out tons of beauty products so I can report back to you on which are the must-have products for you to take away with you on your honeymoon!

Pixi – Illuminating Tint & Conceal
I simply love this product from uber cool make-up brand Pixi. It is one product that does it all. In the tube is a gorgeous illuminating tinted moisturizer that gives you a gorgeous complexion with a touch of shimmer . In the cap is a concealer that will help hide all those little blemishes and dark circles. It also contains SPF 20 so will keep your skin safe from any sun damage. At £20 this really is a fantastic buy!
Available from Boots Nationwide or online from www.pixibeauty.com

Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint SPF 15
This sheer tinted mosituriser is perfect for when you are on holiday, It is a really lightweight cream-gel that feels like it’s not even there. It is great for evening out skin tone and giving a touch of colour. The SPF 15 will protect your skin and you can just add a touch of lip-gloss in the evening and you will be ready to go!  £20
www.clinique.co.uk
Read on…

The event has already seen an art installation created in Westfield Shopping Centre London, using 5,000 cupcakes to depict the face of Olympic boxer James de Gale. The cakes were baked by Lily Vanilli and organised by blogger Ms Cakehead for National Cupcake Week’s television media partner, Food Network UK. Food Network will be screening the coverage of National Cupcake Week throughout this week.
Read on…

Cheaper than the Caribbean whilst still offering beautiful beaches, azure seas and warm tropical weather… it is little surprise that Phuket, Thailand has been dubbed the “Jewel of the Andaman” and “Pearl of the South”.

Whilst many areas of the island have suffered from overdevelopment and tourism driven commercialisation, the past few years have seen a renaissance of sorts, thanks mostly to the opening of a number of luxurious and exclusive resorts such as the fabulous Evason resort and Six Senses Spa.

The Evason Phuket is located on Rawai beach which lies on the islands South Eastern shore, around an hour’s drive from Phuket airport, we went to find out if it was a fantastic as it sounded…

The sleek, shining new 5-series, complete with cold towels and chilled water, that arrived to deliver us from the airport to the Evason resort very much set the tone for what was to be an experience of utmost luxury. On its way to the reception, the car passes through the 64 acres of landscaped tropical gardens that surround the resort. Here we found giant palm trees swaying gently in the sea breeze and a series of picturesque ponds sprinkled with lily pads and a healthy population of colourful little frogs. The reception itself has an incredible view over the Andaman and is made up of four open-air salas (pavilions) which surround a mirror like lotus pond. At night, two burning braziers in the pond cast the whole area in a wonderful dancing orange light.

Read on…

As most of you know I am a big fan of wedding accessories designer Olivier Laudus, everything from his gorgeous wedding cushions to his tiaras and jewellery. This morning I was browsing the website and just spotted these gorgeous hand painted white and silver enamel effect shoe and handbag photo holders, they are beautifully crafted with with inset crystals. I think these would make a fantastic gift for your bridesmaids or any other female members of your wedding party that you may want to thank, or what about as table centerpieces, you could put a cute picture of you and your hubby or if you have a theme you could find fun postcards or something to put in them. However you decide to use them, at £19.99 these are a must-have for any girly girl brides like me!!

For gorgeous wedding accessories check out their website www.olivierlaudus.co.uk

I am really excited to let you know about a project I have been working on over the summer. Luxury travel company Rex Resorts and myself have been putting together a fabulous guide to Beach Weddings, covering everything from stunning destinations and overseas wedding legalities to all the best beach wedding fashion and accessories. As well as all that I even managed to interview world renowned make-up artist Bobbi Brown to get all her top tips on doing your beach wedding make-up, as well as interviewing some of the countries top wedding planners and getting them to spill the beans and share all their trade secrets!

Enjoy x

ps: To celebrate the launch of the Beach Bride Guide we’re offering one lucky couple the chance to win a seven night honeymoon to the beautiful Island of St Lucia. Check out our competition page to enter.

Click here to read the Beach Bride Guide

Brides At Work…

The National Wedding Show is calling on all Brides to wear their wedding dress to work to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

It doesn’t matter if you were married in 2010, 1910 or even if it’s still a work in progress… if you can find a dress (and fit into it!) Breakthrough Breast Cancer need you to get sponsored to wear it to work on Friday 17th September 2010.

The whole of the wedding party can get involved too.  Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to take part.  Whether they are the bride, groom, bridesmaid, bestman, mother of the bride or usher they can wear their outfits to work too.

To get involved simply register  by clicking the button below to receive your fantastic fundraising pack.

http://breakthrough.org.uk/get_involved/raise_money/brides_at_work/register.html