Archive for the ‘Tips & Advice’ Category
Wedding Day Details – Involving your Guests
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
I just love it when I hear friends and family at weddings say how special the day was and how they felt involved. I know I wanted everyone at my wedding to go home and smile whenever they thought of our day. It was important to me to know that my friends and family really felt part of the wedding. Its true that the people you invite to your wedding really do make the day special for you and your new husband. Who wants guests sitting around bored and wondering what is going to happen next? Spending a little time and effort in involving your guests in your special day will pay off dividends. Everyone will go home talking about the best wedding they have been to and your wedding pictures will be full of happy smiling people.
Over the last few months I have seen and thought of some great ideas to help you create a wedding day that everyone will remember. Over the next few days my blog will be jam packed with them.
- First of all give enough notice to the people you really want to come to your wedding. Especially if its in the height of the holiday season. Send out Save The Date Cards. They will also set the tone of your wedding day so think about how they look and what they portray. One of my lovely clients sent out a fabulous picture of her and her fiance and little boy wearing false noses and fake moustaches. Straight away it said to me wow what a fun day this is going to be. It really showed their personality and I bet everyone they sent them to smiled when they opened them.
- When you send out the Invitations to your wedding why not ask your guests to send back a favourite song they would like to be played at the wedding. If you are using an Ipod for your disco you can personalise the music so everyone gets to dance to something they like. If you are having a live band then you can give the list to them to work into their session.
- Another idea I like is when you send out invites ask your guests to write down why they think you two are perfect together. At the wedding whilst everyone is seated you can pop these in a little box on each table and your guests can read them out and try and guess who wrote each comment. Its a great way of introducing guests to each other too.You can even ask your best man to read a few out and give out a bottle of wine or champagne for the guest that guesses the correct person.
- Its always good to have an order of service booklet to hand out. This should include the running order of the day. This will help with lots of things, one is, being sure that your guests know when they are going to eat. Long periods of time sipping drinks, especially when its hot, with no food, does not make for the best reception if everyone is more than a little tipsy. Also it’s nice to write a thank you to everyone. Identify your wedding party too so that guests who have never met before at least know the names of your Best Man, Mum, Dad and Bridesmaids etc. If your wedding is in one of those lovely old stately homes or quirky venue, its a really nice idea to explain its origin and give a bit of history. Orders of service don’t have to be expensive. Confetti do great templates you can download and personalise yourselves. It does take a bit of time and effort but your guests will love it. Its also a great memento of your day for everyone to take home and keep.
- Ask your closest friends or member of your family to do a poem or reading at your ceremony. Civil services are the perfect medium to personalise your ceremony. As long as the readings are not religious its fine. If you trust the person you have asked to read you can always let them choose so its a lovely surprise for you and your new husband.
- If there are children at the wedding who are that bit older why not ask them give out your order of service booklets along with confetti perhaps to each couple. That way they will feel responsible for something and have something to keep them occupied. They will feel really important and part of the wedding.
I will have plenty more tips and advice over the next couple of days so pop back for a little inspiration. In the meantime, I know that our Brides who we work with, and definitely many more have the most fabulous ideas, why not send them to me and I will publish them and credit them to you. Lets have some fun and help spread the inspiration!! Email me or call me I love hearing from you.
Until Tomorrow, happy planning.
Tags: Inspiration, Lovely things!, Personal Touches, Planning, Tips & Advice
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Wedding Planning Heaven
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Planning a wedding is fun and exciting, but at times frustrating and overwhelming. Being organised is key to your wedding planning, but how do you keep everything together in one place? What happens to all the endless lists of “Things to Do”? where did you put that number of that fabulous florist you saw and what was the website where you found that fantastic centrepiece? The guest list can be a life force all of its own, especially if you have over a hundred people to send invites to and then follow up on RSVP’s
Well, I have found this wonderful software from Google who has teamed up with Style Me Pretty. Its free and it contains all the templates that you need to keep all your wedding plans together in one place. You can document your guest list, all your To Do”s , your budget, and each template gives you tips and hints from famous wedding planners.
Whats more you can access it anywhere you go and share it with your fiance or wedding helpers. There are even templates for your music list. If you are computer savy then this is for you. If not then get someone to help you download and print them out.
Wedding Planners are so good at what they do because they are very organised people who love lists. You can organise like a professional with some of these tools. Then if you want to hand your wedding plans over to someone like me to help coordinate your day you can share with me all your information. Why not give me a call to see what I can to to help kick start your wedding plans and help you with my tips, advice and Inspiration.
Until next time, happy planning.
Tags: Planning, Tips & Advice
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Wedding Day Makeup Tips
Sunday, February 28th, 2010
Today is the last in our series of makeup treats and great makeup recommendations. They say the eyes are a mirror to your soul, they certainly need to look good on your wedding day. I am afraid that Mascara and lipstick are a permanent fixture for me. I wanted them perfect for my wedding day. Check out Claire’s top tips below.
Eyeshadow
For long lasting eye colour start by applying a colour-free lid foundation or oil free concealer, being careful not to apply too much, or else it will crease. Dab loose powder around your lashes and on the cheekbones so you can brush away any eye shadow that falls from your lids as you apply it, if the colours you are using are of neutral tones. (If you are applying stronger shades with a deeper pigment, try applying the eye shadow first, then clean up any specks that have fallen under the eyes and then apply your base etc). Apply a little light reflecting powder to the eye sockets near the nose to open up your eyes.
Now you can apply your colour starting with a natural shade on the lid. Build up and out using slightly deeper shades finishing with the darkest shade at the outer edge of the eye socket, or in the socket and blended to create the illusion of larger eyes. The secret is to build up the colour gradually and blend as you go, for long lasting makeup.
MAC – Pearlematte Eye Shadow, Mineralize Eye Shadow
All shades and deep pigment.
Chanel Les 4 Ombres
Mystic Eyes, Smokey Eyes more shades available. Wonderful quad of colours in Chanel’s signature packaging, perfection!
Aveda Petal Essence
Single eye shadow in a pretty delicate shade, suits all skin tones, nice as highlighters too.
Bourjois Little Round Pot
Amazing quality, and excellent range of colours.
E.L.F Duo Eyeshadow
Two complimentary shades, a great choice of colours, excellent durability.
Mascara
For a fuller lash take the brush to the base of the roots and wiggle from side to side as you slowly run the mascara wand through the lashes to the ends. For a more natural look, take the mascara wand and remove excess with a tissue and pply to lashes but not from the base but just from half way.
Aveda Mosscara
Thickening mascara, doesn’t clump, great brush, doesn’t dry out easily.
YSL Faux Cils
For the false eyelash look, if you want to build up a set of lashes to flutter this is the mascara for you. Apply a waterproof top coat though for your wedding day.
E.L.F Earth and Water Mascara Duo
Excellent value, this regular or waterproof mascara is long lasting and smudge proof, ideal factors for your wedding day makeup bag!
Well how do you all look, I hope your weekend has been fabulous. If you are planning on doing your own makeup then I hope this has helped. If you want more advice then why not check out Claire’s blog site. or email to ask her a question.
Until next time, happy planning.
Tags: Supplier, Tips & Advice
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Wedding Day Makeup Tips
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Today our makeup tips from Claire are all about having a fabulously healthy glow and luscious lips.
Bronzer
For a healthy glow apply a little bronzer on the forehead, nose and chin. Use sparingly to avoid a shine. A cream bronzer can work really well on dry skin, blended again with a brush, adding a little at a time.
Claire’s Top Recommendations
Bobbie Brown Bronzing Powder
Various shades, in a great silky smooth compact powder in lots of shades, also great used on the eyes for an overall sun kissed look.
Lilly Lolo Bronzers Loose Powder
Fabulous mineral makeup range in four wearable and versatile shades, great on eyes also!
E.L.F Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder
A touch of sunshine, this lovely soft and easy to blend bronzer is value for money and easy to pop into your bag.
Cheeks
Use a large brush to apply to your cheeks, temples and forehead. To create contours apply a little lighter shade to the top of the cheek bones, blending out. On the apple of the cheeks, using a smaller softer rounded brush, apply either a sheer colour to give a feeling of light reflecting properties, or a soft pink to give a healthy pinched cheek look, very pretty for your wedding day.
Nars – Orgasm
Made wih transparent pigmens that never look heavy for a soft and sheer look, a faourite wih all my clients. It look stunning on my brides just on the apple of the cheek.
Nars Highlighting Blush Powder
Had to add another of my favourites from Nars, its essential for adding sheen to any part of your face,makes a great highlighter above cheek bones and over the eyes.
MAC Powder Blush
Amazing pigment, and an array of shades and tones to suit everyone. A favourite of mine. Great as eye shadow too.
Now ladies they see how we get those fabulous eyes to mesmerise our gorgeous husbands to be.
Lips
Line your lips with a dab of foundation to help fix your lip colour or apply a lip plump. Then apply a lip liner in a shade that’s similar to your natural lip colour. Don’t use a lip liner if you’re wearing a nude gloss or sheen. finally apply your lipstick using a lip brush.
Benefit Lip Plump
Great for a base for lipsticks, also gives them a little plumpness.
Avon Glazewear Intense Lipgloss
Medium full coverage that doesn’t bleed or feather and there is a great range of colours.
MAC Lipstick
My favouries are: Hug Me, On Hold and Sweetie. Great with MAC Lipgloss over the top for the ultra sexy lips, apply the gloss after the ceremony for your pictures.
Two complimentary shades, a great choice of colours, excellent durability.
Well another fantastic lesson, I am so glad I am having my husband to myself all weekend. He is going to be blown away with my transformation.
Until Tomorrow, happy planning.
Tags: Supplier, Tips & Advice
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Wedding Day MakeUp Tips
Friday, February 26th, 2010
I love makeup and this week we have got a really excellent guest featuring on our blog. Claire Hanson is a leading Makeup & Hair artist with over 15 years experience, she has worked with people such as Lionel Richie and Jon Bon Jovi and featured in leading magazines such as Marie Claire and Elle.
If you have a copy of The Wedding Bible you will have seen her work in there too. She has now bought this passion and knowledge to my pages here….. Over the next three days we will be offering the very best advice on all things makeup. Today its all about Foundation and those dark circles we sometimes get, especially when wedding planning attacks in the middle of the night! So if you are thinking about doing your own wedding makeup read on.
Foundation
Foundation can be a mine field…. The right colour of foundation will blend well and you won’t notice at the jaw line. Remember, foundation shades often changes once on the face so always ask for a trial at the sales counter, and ask if you can, to apply it yourself. This way you’ll know how it feels to apply and to blend. Then leave it for a while before buying to see how it wears. Some makeup houses will give you a small sample to try at home. Always look at yourself in natural daylight too – the department store lights aren’t the most flattering. Ideally try and leave the jaw line area clear if your skin is OK, including the cheek area. This is the area of the face that you notice first and if the cheeks have too much base, it will show the added makeup such as blusher or bronzer much more. The aim is to create a flawless base in which to highlight and add contours so keep your skin as fresh as you can. Add a liquid sheen to the foundation if you want the dewy look, or if you are prone to dry skin. Buff the base after with a Kabuki brush in circular motions to blend and remove excess foundation. If you don’t like wearing foundation mix a little with your moisturiser to create a slightly heavier more durable tint. Warm it on the back of your hand before applying it and don’t apply it to thick or all at once or it can look streaky.
Claire’s recommended Products
Mac Strobe Cream –
Great product for a dewy base is mix with base, or apply alone to freshly cleansed skin.
Narrs – Sheer Glow Foundation
Used on many of my clients for an exquisite coverage, not too heavy, and giving a healthy appearance, the skin looks alive.
Avon Ideal Shade Fresh and Light Foundation
Brush on liquid foundation with light adjusting pigments.
Circles
It can actually be the vein in the inner corner of the eye that gives the impression of darkness. This applies also to the outer corners, where once a small dab of concealer is applied can take years off your eyes. Try this first before applying it under the eye area. Light reflecting powder is also excellent for reducing darkness. Apply with a brush sweeping it just beneath the eye.
Sante Natural Concealer Pencils
Are amazing, natural and totally free of parabens and synthetics.
Disappear Smoothing cream concealer
By Estee Lauder is an all time favourite of mine.
Secret Camouflage by Laura Mercier
Another all time essential in my kit – covers everything!
D’un Coup De Pinceau by Borjois
Excellent at covering blemishes and has a handy brush applicator.
Well ladies I am off to practice. Tomorrow its all about getting that lovely glow and those fabulous lips! Don’t miss it.
Until tomorrow, happy planning.
Tags: Supplier, Tips & Advice
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Creative Wedding Photographer – Featured Supplier
Friday, February 19th, 2010
I was so excited to meet Steve Gerrard last week at his studio in The Custard Factory, Birmingham. His style of photography is really refreshing and edgy. You can see from this picture straight away what I mean. Steve is also a thoroughly nice man and very easy to be with, I can’t wait to work with him.
We chatted about how he became a photographer and I asked him how his style and technique is different from that of many of his contemporaries, and what advice he could give newly engaged couples looking for a photographer. I think its much better if you read what he has to say for himself in his own words.
Hi Folks, this is Steve Gerrard. I’m a wedding photographer based in the Midands but I travel all over the UK and beyond to shoot weddings and I love my job. We’re not your typical wedding photographers. We hate cheesy, forced pictures. We love couples who want to have fun and are after something different with their wedding photography. We’re on a mission to make wedding photography cool again!
Our style is a mixture of styles. We’ll capture those candid shots of your mates laughing, your parents getting emotional and, of course, the first kiss. We also want to show off that dress and the cool suit and create the best pictures of yourselves you’ve ever seen!
Everyone has different tastes and wedding photographers vary massively in stye and approach and also what you get for your money, so we recommend taking time to browse lot of sites until you find something that excites you and suits your own style. Meeting the photographer is a huge benefit too. After all, this person will be with you on your wedding day. You want to get on with them and enjoy having them around.
You should also check how long your photographer will be there on the day. We think its important to cover the day in full so don’t limit our time at all. We’re often still there at midnight!
You may even find your venue won’t allow any photography during the service. This happens all too often and is a real shame in our opinion. Don’t find this out on the day. Check beforehand.
We want our couples to have the best of everything which is why we only use Queensberry wedding albums as well as using the finest printers and craftsmen for all our products. It means we’re not the cheapest photographers in town but our clients tend to see their photography as something extremely important and appreciate our attention to detail and quality. After all, once the main event is over, the flowers are dead and the cake is eaten, your photographs are all that remains. Imagine showing your album to your children in ten years time….
There are plenty of great photographers out there. There are also some terrible ones! Find the photographer which suits you best.
As a Wedding Planner I have to say that photographs are one of the most important things for me when brides ask for advice on what to spend their budget on. Once the day is over your photographs last a life time and you can relive your memories over and over again as you turn each wonderful page of your album. I would really recommend the best photographer that you can afford to capture your day. I hope you love these pictures as much as me. It makes me want to go and get married all over again.
Until next time, happy planning.
Tags: Inspiration, Photographer, Supplier, Tips & Advice
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Wedding Genie Loves Hearts!
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Today I just have to take the opportunity to talk “Hearts”, well it is Valentines weekend. I just love them, my own wedding featured them everywhere. Here are a few for you to love yourself. They are all reasonable to buy and would look great at country weddings, and Vintage themes too. Since Vintage is part of the 2010 wedding trends how can you resist?
This gorgeous zinc heart shaped basket would look stunning filled with simple flowers dotted around your venue.
How about these cute hearts! Brighten up an area in your venue or tie them in trees or drape on bushes that lead the way to your reception.There are so many variations on the theme buy them from Giddy Kipper.
How about Hearts you can leave messages on around your venue?
And how about ones you can eat!!! I love this idea for a wedding reception
Finally, I “heart” this one for the bride and groom, maybe tie to the backs of their chairs at the reception.
Well thats my indulgence for Valentines, now I am off to go and share the day with my gorgeous husband. Have a fabulous Sunday. Don’t forget our Valentines Day offer. A Genie for An Evening for everyone when booked before the end of March. Call or Contact us to check our availability.
Until next time, happy planning.
Tags: Inspiration, Lovely things!, Photographer, Planning
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Wedding Trends for 2010
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
This year will see brides indulging in DIY decor for their venue. Everyone wants their wedding to be unique and to reflect their style and personality. Not only can it be a lot less expensive than hiring someone esle to do it, but you can certainly put your stamp all over your big day. We are certainly fans of that at The Wedding Genie.
I love this idea of making paper pom poms of various sizes to add a touch of uniqueness to your wedding reception. In fact one of our lovely brides is going to use beautiful paper garlands to make her wedding venue come to life.
Check out the pictures below to see how gorgeous this can look. For instructions on how to make the pom poms click here.
How pretty is this?
This is so fresh and striking. Very suitable for barn venues as well as marquee weddings.
Until tomorrow, happy planning.
Tags: Inspiration, Tips & Advice, Wedding Trends
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Wedding Trends for 2010
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Our blog over the next few days is all about what is hot in the world of weddings for 2010. Part of my role is to keep up to date on wedding trends so I can offer the most current advice and inspiration.
It would appear that despite the credit crunch many couples are still determined to carry on with their wedding plans. We may be adapting for the financial climate but it seems we are doing it with style and panache.
Here are some of our favourite trends this year
Lets Go Bridal
Short wedding dresses are very on trend at the moment especially ones with 1950’s inspired looks. It seems brides are opting for dresses with sleeves and straps. Although strapless dresses will never go out of fashion, of course, there may be more demand for the latter in 2010. Birdcage veils are the accessory of choice adorned with jewelled clips or feathered headpieces. For todays modern brides they are less fussy and easy to wear. They also bring that touch of glamour to the event.
This is from Etsy -
Bridesmaids
More and more brides are allowing their bridesmaids to choose their own dresses instead of dictating style and fabric. Multi colour dresses and different styles will be popular this year. High street shops such as Monsoon and Coast are great places for bridesmaid shopping. I also love the dresses from Dessy, they are fabulous and their colour range is incredible. As we strive to be practical and stylish at The Wedding Genie we love the idea that these dresses can be worn again and not pushed to the back of the wardrobe once the wedding is over.
Check back tomorrow to see what else will be on trend in 2010.
Until next time, happy planning.
Tags: Tips & Advice, Wedding Trends
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Surviving Your Wedding Planning
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Is wedding planning taking over your life? Are your waking hours spent surfing and worrying about the exact details, the absolute shade of a colour that is so incredibly important that your life nearly depends on it! Please Stop! take a break and think about what is really important for your wedding day.
I was inspired to write this blog because of a phone call from a very stressed groom to be. The whole wedding experience was getting too much and he just wanted the day to be over. This is not the way to build a good foundation for your marriage or to get your fiance to look forward to your very special day.
Your wedding is about telling the world that you are devoted to the man of your dreams and you want to spend the rest of your life with him. Its not about making sure that your guests note the hues of the various colours of flowers, or that the wine has to be the most expensive, or the entertainment has to be better than the wedding you went to last week. The day of your dreams should be about declaring your love and showing your friends and family why you are so great together. I totally understand you want it to be wonderful and magical and that your guests enjoy the whole experience. But! its much better that your guests went home saying wow! how fantastically happy they were, the wedding was so them!
So here is my advice for surviving the whirlwind of wedding planning.
- Make sure you have one night a week to spend with your fiance that is wedding free. No mention of “W” word at all.
- Make a list of your priorities. What you really want for your wedding. This will focus your attention and may help stop you surfing for hours and then wondering what you have just been doing.
- Make sure you keep all your paperwork together. It will keep you organised and you will feel in control. I can highly recommend the Wedding Bible Planner. My best friend bought me one of these and I just loved it. (It was before I became a wedding planner).
- Bite sized chunks is the way to attack wedding planning. Put three or four things that you need to do on a list and then focus on them. Making a huge list is very daunting and you won’t know where to start. Keeping your list short and updated will focus your attention.
- Enlist the help of your friends and family. Involving them will really make them feel part of your day and reduce the amount of work for you.
- Remember keep perspective!! Take a break when it gets too much. Do something completely different or make yourself take a few days off from the wedding planning.
If you are recently engaged and don’t know where to start with your planning. Why not consider booking one of our Genie For An Evening Sessions. I guarantee at the end of it you will have the confidence to plan your own wedding. Its a fun way of getting started and you will receive your very own road map designed around your wedding day plans. Call or contact us to book a date.
Until next time, happy planning.
Tags: Planning, Tips & Advice
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