lace bridal magazine issue 1

LACEbridalSpring 2011 £4.50

Find the perfect wedding dress

Your twelve month wedding planner

Beautiful Spring venues

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Spring

LACEbridal

Emily RockallGrace RicciardiSamantha Pretorius

The Editors’ Letter

Welcome to the NEW SEASON.

CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement. Planning your wedding should be a fun and exciting time and LACE BRIDAL is an invaluable source of inspiration and guidance in the run up to your wedding celebration.

Our aim is to cater for you, the fresh, fashionable bride, so inside our SPRING edition you will find original ideas for your BIG DAY and HONEYMOON, stunning fashion from exciting designers, such as VERA WANG, and excellent advice from our wedding experts, from writing your own vows to CUTTING EDGE wedding planning.

We have a passion for BEAUTIFUL weddings and we know you do too. Your wedding planning starts here.

E Rockall S Pretorius

G Ricciardi

Issue

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weddingplanner08 m weddingapps11 m weddingvenues12 m bridalmake-up14 m

lingerie16 m flowers23 m cakes25 m brideoftheseason26 m

weddingdresses28 m verawang34 m gifts35 m som

ethingold,new,borrowedandblue37 m vows38 m lovequotes40 m finishingtouches43 m photography48 m honeymoon51 m

forthegrooms55 m

Contents

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iwww.laceweddings.com

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fPlanner

You cannot wait for your big day, but where do you start? Our twelve month planner will guide you from fiancee to wife.

12 months to gomDetermine your budget. Are parents contributing? Do you have savings? u Civil or religious ceremony? When you have decided, contact your minister or registrar and choose an official date.mDetermine the guest list and then start visiting reception venues to cater for that number. If you are already tearing your hair out, it is time to hire a wedding planner.

your notese

your notese

11 months to gou Book a marque if you are having one.mBook your wedding dress fittings.u Book the caterer, entertainment, photographer and additional features.m It is time for you to send out ‘save-the-date’ cards to all your wedding guests. u Made to measure dresses can take up to four months to make, so start considering a design and order what you want now.

Wedding Planner

8 months to gomConfirm decisions on readings and music choices for the ceremony and confirm with your minister or registrar.uOrder stationary and invitations.mOrder the wedding cake and any wedding favours if you are having them.u Book transport for the wedding.mChoose gifts for the bridesmaids, ushers, best man, maid of honour and parents.

7 months to gou Remind your fiancé to get his and the usher’s tuxedos or suits for the wedding.mBook a colour, style and cut consultation with your hairdresser, or try a new one.u If you are changing your name, it is time to renew your passport for your honeymoon. Check they are in date too.mAsk your minister or registrar to sign the passport application forms for you.

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10 months to gou Start browsing the web or visit a travel agency for honeymoon destinations.mChoose your bridesmaids, maid of honour, ushers and flower girls for the day.u Choose and order bridesmaid dresses. mBook a florist and decide on buttonholes, bouquets, arrangements and table centres.u You might want to take your older bridesmaids along with you to help.

9 months to gomConfirm food and drink choices with your caterer and remember to consider a vegetarian option for any of your guests.uOrder stationary and invitations.mDecide on your preferred readings and your music choices for the ceremony.uDiscuss the possible readings and music choices with your minister or registrar.m Start considering the order of service.

Wedding Planner

your notese

your notese

6 months to gou Confirm order of service and guest booklets with your minister or registrar. mRemind your fiancé that it is his duty to book the wedding night arrangements.u Find out whether or not you need visas or innoculations for your honeymoon destination and go shopping for clothes.m Both of you should discuss your hen and stag nights with your friends.

5 months to gomTime for your make-up and hair trial.u Book your make-up and hair stylist for the day or ask a friend for her help.mChoose a company to register your gift wish list. John Lewis, Debenhams, House of Fraser or any travel agency are the most recommended stores and businesses.u Buy your accessories, shoes and something old, new, borrowed and blue.

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fPlanner

your notese

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3 months to gou Try on your entire outfit, along with accessories and shoes to check for any alterations in time for the wedding.mBook any pedicures, manicures or spa treatments for a week before the wedding.u Chase up any RSVPs that have not got back to you and call up your caterer with a confirmed number of wedding guests.mExchange your honeymoon currency.

2 months to gou Write up a seating plan for the reception venue and consider any family disputes or single friends or family members.mDiscuss any special requests and your first dance song with the band and groom. uTry to calm down and not get too overwhelmed by all the planning of the big day, it is important not to get too overwhelmed by all the stress of planning.

1 month to gomLet your hair down for the hen party.u Have a final cut and colour about a week or two before your wedding day.mDo not forget to attend your pedicure and manicure booking, consider getting a wax too for your honeymoon destination. u Double check your dress fits perfectly and sort out any last minute blips.m Get there on time and get married. u

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4 months to gomIf you are having a religious ceremony, you must attend a reading of the banns.u Send your guests their invites and keep a written list of acceptances and declines.mCheck the groom has done everything you have asked him to do for the wedding.u Also, make sure he has bought the rings and has kept them in a very safe place.mPractice your first dance with your man.

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Technology f

Wedding appsUse these crafty wedding

apps to help you plan and organise the day of your

dreams.Good luck.

iWeddingPlan every detail of your dream wedding, such as your

guest list, seating plan or party favours with this clever app. It is the perfect wedding planner that will organise, guide and inspire you when planning your big day.

Wedding Bridal Binder Developed by a celebrity wedding planner, this app

provides you with insider tips and tools. You will also find hundreds of perfectly co-ordinated weddings; it is your perfect guide to focussed and fun wedding planning.

My Wedding Use this app to manage every aspect of your wedding

from booking your rehearsal dinner to organising your wedding playlist. It is customisable to you and your wedding specifically and provides a wedding checklist.

Wedding Dress Look BookThis is the perfect app for finding your dream wedding

dress. You can browse hundreds of different dresses, customised to your own specific body type and wedding style, whenever and wherever you would like. This special app makes wedding dress shopping easy and enjoyable.

Wedding Organizer This is a handy list maker to prepare you for your

wedding day. This app allows you to quickly add or delete items from the list, which therefore enables you to stay on track. Being very organised is key to perfect planning.

Wedding DateThis is an essential app for any bride or groom. It

allows you to count down the seconds until your big day, it can also keep count from the moment you get married and will notify you of all your anniversaries.

iBridal Gown Designed by a bridal boutique owner, this app will

enable you to enter information about dresses you have seen and store them for future reference. It also explains bridal dress jargon such as, “what is an empire line?”

SmartStudio This is a great app for keeping a photography business

organised. It is a personal assistant in planning and keeping track of upcoming weddings. It can also track payments due from clients and uses integrated Google maps to locate wedding locations easily and efficiently.

WeddingScan This app allows you to register for any item, at any

store by simply scanning the barcode, making registering for gifts easy. You will even be notified when someone buys one of the products that you have chosen. u

Use your iphone as your personal wedding planner

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Still cannot decide where to have your wedding? Here are a few ideas to help you out.

Spring venuesBeautiful

I f you love a beautiful sandy beach and the sun beaming on you, then a wedding abroad is for you. It could be a little difficult to get all

of your family and friends there, but it is a great excuse for a holiday. One of the top spots for a wedding on the beach is Dubai. A staggering amount of people opted for

a wedding in Dubai last year, and the trend is continuing this year. It can cost a lot more than getting married in England but it is a day you want to remember for the rest of your life and as you are already abroad, it can be your honeymoon too. The best thing about it, you have not got to worry about it raining on your special day.

Beach wedding in Dubai

fVenues

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If you are a fan of tradition, then a classic church is the place for you. Churches are brimming with history and they all tell a story, with their carvings on the walls and stain glass windows. Most girls dream about having a big white church wedding, filled with their family, with the organ playing the wedding march and their father

If you love tradition but are not religious, then getting married in a stately home is for you. They are beautiful places, which are usually surrounded by rolling hills and stunning gardens that go on for miles. The best thing about getting married in a stately home is that you can also have your reception there too, although not all have

struggling to walk them down the isle because their dress is so big. Churches are a great choice if you and your partner have large or small families as they differ in size. Also, they differ in price ranges too so they are good for all budgets. The only downside is, if you are a different religion to your partner, or not religious at all.

the facility for both, but many do. Your guests will not have to travel any more once they are there, as everything is under one roof and the people that work there will transform the ceremonial room into the reception whilst you can be outside having your photographs taken in the rose gardens, or sipping champagne at the bar. u

Beautiful church wedding

Ragley Hall stately home


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Bridal make-up

Paying for a make-up artist can be costly, so why not do it yourself? After all, this will be the most photographed

day of your life so you want to look your best.

MoisturiseStarting with moisturiser, choose one that has not got

an SPF because this can cause an unsightly, sweaty glow when the camera is flashing away. Oil of Olay is the best for all skin types and leaves your skin smooth rather than greasy and blotchy throughout the day and evening.

FoundationYou do not want too look fake tanned or be sporting

an orange glow, it is okay to wear dark foundation on a night out but for your wedding day you should use yellow toned foundation and concealer. Most make-up brands have at least four shades of foundation so choose a shade or two lighter than your usual choice. If you are not sure, ask someone at the store’s cosmetics counter.

fMake-up

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Cheeks & LipsUse two shades of blusher; a neutral one applied along

your cheekbones and a rose shade for the apples of your cheeks. Neutral colours for lips create a washed out look in photos so choose pink, rose or plum shades. You could even opt for a lip stain rather than lipstick or gloss.

Chest & NeckMake sure your face matches your neck and chest by

dusting with a non shimmer bronzing powder. To define your collarbones and to achieve a slender appearance, apply a dab of Benefit’s High Beam. If you want to achieve a darker look but still keep it natural, use Rimmel’s summer bronze fake tan and add some Nivea moisturiser to avoid streaks and soften the dark tone of the fake tan.

Neutral colours and rose tints are perfect for a blushing bride

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EyesThere is a chance of weeping eyes so insure your eye

make-up by wearing water resistant brands. L’Oreal have an excellent smudge and water-resistant mascara and the No7 range produce varied colours of gel eyeliner.

If you are wearing eye shadow, go for neutral colours, like bronze, brown or cream, do not invest in anything too dark because it can blacken out your eyes in photographs. Use cream eye shadows as opposed to powder because if they get wet they will not budge or create dark blotches around your eyes and face.

EyebrowsDefine your eyebrows with a soft matte

colour to match your hair colour and apply a smudge of High Beam on your brow line and cheekbones to accentuate the eyes and brows. u

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Use natural coloured cream eye shadow

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fLingerie

Lingerie

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On the facing page, Heatons embroidered glamour bra and brief, £10.

This page, New Look broderie longline bra and broderie brief, £19. All available at Debenhams.

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fLingerie

This page, Marks & Spencer embroidered bra and knickers set, £24.

On the facing page, Heatons ivory lace bra and brief set, £16. All available from Debenhams online.

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iFlowersf

lowers

W hen choosing

your perfect florist, ask for recommendations from friends or see first hand arrangements at wedding fairs to find a good, trustworthy florist.

Try having an idea about what colours or themes you want at your wedding and look for inspiration in magazines to ensure you get the perfect look

FGet the wedding look that you invisage by

choosing the perfect florist.


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that you wish to create. The florist will then have a clearer picture of what you wish your flowers to look like. Also note where you would want the flowers; are there doorways or mantelpieces? This will help with costs.

To keep expenses down, book a florist close to your wedding venue. It is also vital to check every aspect of the florist’s fee before signing the contract to

avoid any nasty surprises. Remember to book a date to meet with your florist four weeks before your wedding to check last minute details and discuss any forgotten extras, such as a corsage to put in your hair.

The florist will deliver your flowers on the day and set up the ceremony and reception. You just need to enjoy throwing your beautiful bouquet.

Sxc.h

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Peach roses are a great trend for a Spring wedding

The throwing of the bouquet dates back to Medieval Europe. The bride’s dress used to be thought of as a fertility charm and girls would tear a piece off. It was decided that brides would throw their bouquet instead.

The tradition of wearing button-holes for the groom on the big day stems from heroic knights wearing their ladies colours as a declaration of their love. u

Flower traditions

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Wedding cakesWe speak to Wow Cupcakes about the popularity of wedding cupcakes and

impressing Estee Lauder.

C upcakes at weddings provide a Wow factor. A stunning cupcake tower is incredibly impressive at a very affordable price and the

variety of flavour possibilities and unlimited designs also means that you can cater for every wedding. We find many couples choose cupcakes as a way of saving money by dropping the dessert option on their wedding meal and choosing from our extensive dessert range at a very affordable £1.65 per cupcake instead. We can also offer a delicious rich fruit cutting cake that fits perfectly at the top of our cake stand. This really suits the weddings of more traditional brides and looks fantastic.

We think the most popular flavour would have to be the classic all vanilla, which suits everyone along with our rich chocolate fudge cupcakes that contains over 25g of luxury Belgium chocolate in just one cupcake. We find the most popular design with brides tend to be pink and sparkly. We often create themed cupcakes for a

wedding and we actually prefer this so we can perfectly tailor the cupcakes accordingly. The idea is to produce a product that the customer wants and will look great on the day. Prices often start at £1.65 for muffin-sized cakes, which match a wedding’s colour theme and up to £3.50 for fondant cupcakes with the most intricate of designs. We have many secret touches that make our cupcakes so special. We have spent many years creating fabulous recipes, we only use the finest ingredients: Organic Nelson Massey vanilla extracts, luxury dark chocolate and freshly squeezed organic fruits. Many cupcake makers go for profit, we definitely like to go for Wow.

If you do not trust us, ask Estee Lauder. The renowned fashion brand recently discovered our cupcakes and fell in love with both their pretty design and great taste. They originally asked us to reward their staff with 500 individually boxed cupcakes with logos, yet after a taste, they changed their minds and asked for an order of 2000 cupcakes with four different flavours. Hopefully we impressed them as we received fabulous comments from the Estee Lauder team, which was really fantastic. u

“We have many secret touches that make our cupcakes so special.”

Sparkling peach cupcakes with black lace cases make a striking combination

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Wedding onthe beach

Melanie De St Aubin and Mark Risdale, 2009.

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fBride of the season

Melanie and Mark on their happy day

Every issue we speak to a pair of newly-weds about every detail of their special day.

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the beach

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M elanie wore a white satin Alan Hannah dress, with a tight fitted bodice and a full-bodied skirt. Her jewellery was kept

simple and she only wore her wedding band.

Mark opted for a black morning suit with a white shirt, cream waist-coat and a maroon tie. The suit was hired from Moss Bros but he bought his own shirt and shoes.

The couple married on the beach in Tuscany, Italy, as they wanted a small, secluded wedding. The only people that attended were themselves and their witnesses. They did not want any family or friends there so they invited people from their hotel to be witnesses for the day.

For their reception, they went to the hotel they were staying in, Tombolo Talasso, and invited their witnesses for dinner and drinks, which the couple paid for as a thank you. The hotel kitchen staff made the couple and witnesses mini cupcakes to celebrate their wedding.

The wedding was a small but beautiful celebration. It was kept simple because the couple wanted to marry in private. They knew that few of their family and friends would be able to afford to fly to Tuscany, or get time off work. They were adamant on marrying there because it is where they first met five years ago whilst on holiday. u

The details


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The groom looking handsome in his suit. Top to bottom; the bride in her stunning dress, the hapy couple enjoying the scenery, and the rings.

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fDressesf

This page, Monsoon Spring season, pleated white gown with spaghetti straps, available in store and online.

On the facing page, white lace dress, designed by Vera Mont, available only online.

Mon

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Wedding dressesAmazing wedding dresses and

bridesmaid gowns.

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This page, Long Tall Sally halter strapped, red bridesmaid dress. Available in red, black and cream.

On the facing page, ivory gown, designed by Frank Usher, available online.

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fDresses

This page, River Island yellow gown and maroon dress with floral feature.

On the facing page, a simple pleated bridesmaid dress and cream shoes. All available in store and online.

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Designer showcase f

WangVera

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V era Wang, 61, is renowned for pushing

boundaries; this has made way for a career that spans 20 years in the industry with her runway-inspired gowns being requested by A-listers all over the world for their wedding day.

Vera’s interest in bridal fashion was kick-started after failing to find the perfect dress for her wedding, aged 40. Vera then recognised a void in the market for fashionable wedding dresses and set up her own bridal boutique. The boutique took off after a story on the opening was featured in Vogue, a magazine Vera was fashion editor at, for 17 years.

Vera believes the fact she did not come from the bridal world helped when she began designing, as she was “unshattered” by traditional bridal rules. A concept that shows through in her love of

using black on her wedding dresses. Vera is set apart by her use of creating shapes that go against what people are doing, often focussing on a bride’s shoulders or back and she does not find perfection interesting, instead choosing more fashion forward concepts.

Vera’s dresses are exquisite, often with an abundance of lace and tulle. The price tag is also often in budget, with Vera’s dresses ranging from £4,000 to £13,000 in her new London flagship store. With precision-cut gowns, amazingly detailed lace, and cutting-edge techniques, the dresses are practically handmade and well worth the price tag.

If you want to be amongst high profile stars, such as Chelsea Clinton, and Sharon Stone and want to walk down the isle with everyone’s eyes on you, then Vera Wang could be your perfect designer. u

“Vera’s dresses are exquisite, often with an abundance of lace.”

Vera Wang is famous for bringing a

fashion edge to bridal gowns,

why should a bride not love fashion?

This Vera Wang bridal dress is perfect for a simple and elegant Spring wedding

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“With certain stores

you can also receive

money donations towards a holiday.”

fGifts

I t can be confusing deciding what to register for. Do not worry, we are here to guide you. Follow this guide on how, what, where and

when to register for your wedding day gifts. It is simple.

Where should I register?Make sure you consider all your options

and do your research on the best places to register for wedding gifts. Choosing an outlet with varied price ranges and varied products is the best option. Debenhams, John Lewis and House Of Fraser are the best stores for a varied selection of gifts. Register somewhere, where guests can buy gifts in store and online. With certain stores you can also receive money donations towards a holiday and receive additional gifts, such as vouchers for weekend breaks.

What should I request?It all depends on what stage you are at in your

relationship. If you are yet to move in together or generally want to revamp your home, then register for homeware. If you are planning a family, then register for baby clothes and cribs. If you cannot afford

a honeymoon, why not register at a travel agency? However, if you do this, you may want to consider all inclusive because spending money will not be included in the price. Look online for package holiday deals.

How do I inform my guestsYou do not want to sound too demanding,

so subtly add the registering list card in with the invite. These cards will be supplied to you by the store you register at and will have all the details your guests need. You should also keep the list open a few weeks after the wedding. You can organise a date after the honeymoon for the gifts to be delivered to your home and most places allow you to exchange any gifts you have changed your mind about. Remember to send out thank you cards to all your wedding guests and

remember to close your list with the registered store.

When should I register?Shop assistant Michael Croft, from John Lewis says:

“Start your list at least two months before the big day. Speak to an in-store gift list advisor and they will help you with every aspect of their amazing gift list.” Have fun shopping and try not to get too carried away. u

Registering for gifts is the best part of the wedding planning process, so make sure you choose the right shop.

Gifts

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The perfect gift for newly-weds

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The tradition has been around for many years, but how did it all begin?

Old, new, borrowed and blue...

T his wedding tradition is very British, and many sources say it began in the Victorian era. Each item in the poem is meant to

bring the bride good luck. If she has all of the items on her wedding day, it is said that she will be happy for the rest of her life and good luck will follow her.

“Something old,” is meant to come from the bride’s family, and preferably from a former bride in the family. It symbolises continuity with her family’s past and keeps their tradition going, which a lot of brides like as it keeps the family bond even though she is changing her name.

“Something new,” can be anything, and it is more often than not that the bride would have bought a lot of new things for the day, such as her dress. It is said to symbolise optimism and hope for the bride and groom’s future.

“Something borrowed,” is usually an item from a close friend or family member, but a lot of brides put the old and borrowed tradition together and just have one thing to symbolise both. Borrowing an item from a family member or friend is meant to carry the good fortune that the previous bride had and pass it on to the new bride.

“Something blue,” has been a wedding tradition for years, which began in ancient Rome. Blue symbolised love, fidelity and modesty, which is always important.

There is another part to the saying that no one really remembers: “A silver sixpence in her shoe,” is meant to represent wealth and financial security. Apparently for optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe, these days a penny is substituted, but many companies still sell a keepsake sixpence for weddings. u


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Wedding vows f

riting your wedding vows

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Many couples now choose to create their own wedding vows, follow this guide to writing the perfect vows for your big day.

Notes

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W riting your own wedding vows is a daunting but rewarding task. These steps

will help you with creating your own personal vows which are unique to your relationship.

Traditional vows?

When deciding on your vows for the wedding day, you have to consider whether to use traditional vows. Some religions require this, you may need to retain certain phrases within your personalised vows, however, in some cases you may have complete freedom. You must also decide whether to write your vows together as a couple or individually.

Analyse your relationship

To help you get started, try answering some questions about your relationship and your future bride or husband, such as, what is the single greatest thing about the person you are going to marry? When did you know that this was the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? It can be hard but try not to think about what answers to give and just write what you feel to get real, honest vows.

Gather inspiration

Look at a variety of existing wedding vows, as well as passages of poetry or famous musings about love and marriage. Choose

passages that you feel specifically relate to you and your spouse. You can incorporate them within your own vows and explain what they mean to you regarding your relationship for a heartfelt ceremony.

The order of your vows

Putting your vows together can be difficult but the order is very important. You could start by using a sentence or two from a romantic poem or a quote. Then add your own passages inspired by answering the

questions mentioned above and then add a nice touch by finishing with a more traditional vow, for example: “I promise” or “I vow”.

Practice makes perfect

When you have completed your vows, try reading them to a trusted friend or family member. Reading your vows aloud can help you identify any areas that could be improved. Once happy with your vows, practice them until you feel comfortable but do not worry about learning them off by heart. Also, give a copy of your notes to your maid of honour or best man to look after.

“Look at passages of poetry or famous musings about love and marriage and choose passages

that specially relate to you.”

In sickness and in health...

To have and to hold...

To love and to cherish...

Till death us do part..

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“Lovequotes”The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more;that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds ....That’s what you’ve given meand that’s what I hope to give to you forever.

The Notebook

Hearts will never be practical, until they are made unbreakable.

The Wizard of Oz

Love quotes

It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other.

Good Will Hunting

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.

Aristotle

I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for their religion - I have shudder’d at it. I shudder no more. I could be martyr’d for my religion Love is my religion And I could die for that. I could die for you.

John Keats

They do not love that do not show their love.The course of true love never did run smooth.Love is a familiar. Love is a devil. There is no evil angel but Love.

William Shakespeare

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www.furrer-jacot.com

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Finishing touches

bridaldesignsweddingjewellery.co.uk

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Finishing touchesfEntertainment

A few things you might like to add to your day.

An Ice cream van has become a

popular choice at Summer weddings

about fireworks ?

Hire a magician to keep the kids entertained

A photobooth is a great way to

get plenty of funny snaps

Adding some extra entertainment will

have your guests remembering

your special day forever...

How

bridaldesignsweddingjewellery.co.uk


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www.furrer-jacot.com

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www.seychelles.travel

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fPhotography

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C apturing your big day is vital to creating a

lasting reminder of your wedding. It is important to find a photographer you like and whom you trust with this special task.

To find your dream photographer, ask for recommendations from friends or look out for a photographer advertising and make enquiries. Once you have your date confirmed for your wedding you can enlist a photographer, the earlier the better, but do not book before you see plenty examples of their work. It is vital to check your photographer is qualified and experienced and has the ability to capture the essence and feel of your wedding celebrations.

When looking at a photographer’s work, ask to see complete albums of individual weddings to get an idea of how your album would look. Check that the shots are all taken well and professionally and that the guests look at ease. Ask to see a range

of work to gauge how the photographer adapts to the different venues and clients. Most importantly, you should ask yourself if you would feel happy owning these pictures if it were your wedding?

Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want your wedding photographs to look like and have an idea of style and specific shots. For example, would you like traditional or a more journalistic style of photographs? Would you prefer colour photos or black and white? You can always opt to have two photographers with different styles if you wish. Remember, it is important to discuss all aspects of your wedding and the photography. Leave as little to chance as possible.

Also, tell your guests to bring their own cameras and it is a good idea to have disposable cameras lying around your reception venue. Another new trend is also to have a photobooth, you can end up with some fun, spontaneous photos. u

How do you want to capture your wedding day?

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Ask guests at your wedding to bring cameras

Wedding

photography

Take some great photos of the two of you

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www.victoriassecret.comVictoria’s Secret

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Honeymoon fashionGold disc earrings, £6,

Matalan

Butterfly bikini, £32.50, White Stuff

Nautical bikini, £20, Next

Oversized sun-glasses, £10, Next

Turquoise drop earrings, £16, Tallulah TU

Gold bangles, £22, Monsoon

Sunglasses, £15, Ac-cessorize

Tan and black wedges, £50, Monsoon

Scarf, £12, Accessorize Butterfly jelly sandals, £25, Schuh

Honeymoon f www.laceweddings.com

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Nail varnish, £2.99, Barry M

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Your dream honeymoon destinations.

HoneymoonsHoneymoon f

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The Maldives is one of the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the world. It has private bungalows, clear blue seas, and fringing green palm trees. The Maldives is made up of stunning little islands. Looking at the Maldives from a birds-eye view, it looks like a ring of little gems floating on the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is renowned for peace and tranquillity, which is why it is the most popular of all the honeymoon destination. It is the ultimate in an exclusive honeymoon destinations.

All of the resorts in the Maldives offer a wide selection of water sports, which this island is renowned for. Whether you choose to dive or snorkel you will see the tropical fish and the intriguing sea turtles that fill the ocean. A number of resorts offer spa treatments suitable for the both of you. This is the number one place where you can feel relaxed and revitalised. They offer a wide selection of cuisines in the Maldives to cover all dining tastes, which makes the experience more pleasurable. Dinner is usually served under the stars by the beach. It is the ultimate romantic getaway for newly-weds.

MaldivesBarbados

If you like traditional Barbados rum, then a tour around the Malibu visitors centre in St Michael is a must. Once the tour is finished, you can sit on the beach with a glass of Malibu, and enjoy the sweet taste and the glorious sun beaming on your skin. If you are thinking of spending most of your time on the beach then there is plenty to choose from. Barclays park is said to be the best to have a romantic picnic, whereas Mullins beach holds a variety of water sports for the more active honeymooners.

If lazing on the beach is becoming a bit tedious, and you want more excitement then Barbados is full of things to do and places to see. Explore Harrisons Cave, or take a trip to a zoo or wildlife park where you will find a whole host of exotic animals. Barbados has plenty of water sports, which consist of; diving, sailing and snorkeling, which is the best way to see the sea turtles. Barbados is the most well known island within the Caribbean as it is famed for its pristine sandy beaches. Few people will expect to visit Barbados and not experience the vibrant night life and culture that the locals are renowned for.

Enjoy the tropical breeze Relax in a floating bungalow

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Mauritius is the perfect place if you want to celebrate your honeymoon surrounded by luxuries and beautiful beaches with romantic sunsets. Mauritius is extremely popular with honeymooners and has been for years, as it combines stylish and elegant hotels and the beautiful sandy beaches. The island has a mixture of cultures, which you can see in the architecture that is all around. Mauritius also offers a wide range of sports if you feel like getting active on your honeymoon, including golf and tennis, and there is also a wide variety of water sports for you to enjoy as a couple or in groups of honeymooners. If you are not a fan of lazing around on the golden, sandy beaches, then there are plenty of places for you to explore, as the island is steeped in plenty of historical culture.

Mauritius is brimming with; palm trees, clear blue waters, coral reefs, breathtaking mountains, blooming vegetation and renowned resort hotels, which make the island ideal to hold a wedding ceremony, or to celebrate your honeymoon there. Mauritius has a small population, which is what makes the place seem so peaceful, but the place is filled with history, which is reflected in its wide range of cuisines. Indian, Chinese, Creole and European are just a few dining tastes that Mauritius cater. It is also reflected in the architecture that surrounds the island. It is a place that you will probably only experience once in your life so you should make the most of it and lap up the beauty that will surround you in the island of Mauritius.

Mauritius Seychelles

The Seychelles is the ultimate honeymoon hideaway. As the legend goes, this tropical paradise was born from the creator’s tears of overwhelming emotion when gazing at his masterpiece. Most of the hotels are located on the two largest islands, which are, Mache and Praslin. The outer, smaller islands often just hold a single beach lodge. The main islands are great for exploring the Seychelles and the smaller islands are used for a more secluded hideaway break. Immaculate white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, swaying coconut palm trees, warm breezes, lucious vegetation and tropical sealife. Describing the Seychelles, or seeing photographs, does not do the 115 islands justice; it is a place that will have to be seen to understand the true beauty of the Seychelles.

The overall look of the Seychelles is a secret garden, with hidden sandy white beaches and clear blue lagoons; a tropical paradise. The Seychelles has plenty of experience in arranging weddings and hotels are happy to take care of making your special day as memorable as possible. They have special wedding packages at several of the resorts and the staff will help you choose which is best suited to you and your guests. The best thing about this is you do not have the stress of planning everything for months, as you will be at home as the staff set everything up for you. Also, you do not have to worry about it raining on the big day, just as long as you remember to arrange your wedding out of the monsoon season. u

Book into a five star resort Explore the sea front

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For thegrooms...

The suits...

The speech...

The stag do...

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fGrooms

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The stag do

T his perhaps is the most nerve-wracking part of your day. Your best man will probably be feeling worse than you as he is expected

to get up and give a half hour speech that will not only make your guests laugh, but shed a tear too. Do not forget the old fail safe of complimenting your bride and saying thank you to both of your families and friends as this is a must, especially if you have possibly, by accident of course, insulted them in your speech or on the day.

Tradition goes that the father of the bride will go first. He will talk about his daughter and will then toast the bride and groom. Next up is you, the groom, who should end with a toast to the bridesmaids and this is usually when the bride and groom give out the bridesmaid’s presents. Finally, the best man will tell a few tales about the groom and his past, making sure he embarrasses him as much as possible, and then talk about the newly-weds and how happy they will be together in the future. u

I t is the best man’s job to arrange the stag do so you need to be prepared for what he is going to arrange for you. To be on the safe

side, make sure what he arranges is going to be a week before the wedding. You do not want to be in Amsterdam tied naked to a pole in the red light district the night before the wedding, the bride would not approve.

For a stag do abroad, the top destination seems to be Prague. For this you definitely want it to be at least a week in advance so you have plenty of time to recover for your big day. Also, make sure it is only a couple of days, as the costs mount up and you do not want to be over budget due to your stag do, as the future Mrs will not be happy.

If you are staying in the UK for your stag there are plenty of activity weekends that are a lot of fun and extremely popular so book well in advance as you do not want to miss out. If you are in charge of booking a place to stay for that night, book yourself into a spa hotel. After getting down and dirty for the day, it will be a nice relaxing treat to be pampered in preparation for the big day, and do not worry, loads of guys do it. u

The speech

Grooms f

A toast on your big day

A bit of adventure on your stag

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Suits you...

All suits available to hire from Moss Bros, prices vary.

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Austinreed.co.uk

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jennypackham.com

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lace bridal magazine issue 1

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