Surrey Wedding Planning Essentials

Surrey Wedding Planning Essentials

The question has just been popped and after the celebration of a soon-to-be wedding, it begins to sink in that there is a great deal of planning to be done. In some cases this could lead to a panic of sorts; however, it is best to think things through and strategise in order to make things run smoothly.

Wedding Plan

 As a couple you need to come up with a plan that lists down all that it to be done and the amount of time required to complete all the preparations.  There are several template plans that can be found in bookstores or you can buy wedding planning software that you can install on your computer. This kinds of plans put almost everything into consideration and it is simply a matter of following up on issues and ensuring that deadlines are met.

Checklists

The best way to follow up if certain tasks have been done to completion is to always have a checklist within the wedding plan. By doing this you will be easily able to determine what has been done and what is remaining.

Attachments

Whether you have a manual or digital wedding plan it is important to attach any documents that pertain to the event. This includes things such as receipts, permits, licenses, fabric samples. Color scheme samples, card designs etc. having these items in a central place will make it easy when referencing. 

Personalize

If you are using a wedding plan template you should be able to customize it in a way that makes it more personal for you. Do not be afraid of making any additions where you feel necessary.

NB: As you prepare for the big day make sure that you put some time aside to relax because you may burn out before that big day arrives!

Things to Ponder when Planning a Wedding

Planning of a wedding can be complicated or simple depending on what preparations you make for the big ceremony. If you decide to make a logical plan well in advance, you will find that things tend to fall into place and any eventualities can be dealt with in good time. Preparation is the best way to make sure that a wedding ceremony is a success.

Wedding Planner

As much as it may sometimes seem unnecessary to hire some help for the planning it is wise to hire a wedding planner/coordinator if you can afford it.  This person will assist greatly in making your dream wedding come true. This is especially so when you do not have enough time to attend to certain issues and you have to let the coordinator follow up on things. 

Finances

It is vital to decide the amount you are willing to spend and this will be the basis of how big or small the wedding will be. Try to keep within your budget and make compromises if you can because some people have lavish weddings only to be steeped in debt after all the festivities are done. A good tracking record for expenses should be in place and this will help you not to overshoot your budget.

Location

Finding the right venue could be hectic but you will need to look around. Ensure that necessary bookings are done well in advance and if required get the necessary licenses or permits.

Bookings

There are a host of services that need to be booked in advance and these include: catering, D.J/Band, Photographers, transport and florists. Make all confirmations before hand to avoid any surprises.

Guest list

Sit down and come up with a list of expected guest and make sure that it is in line with the expected budget.

As long as a detailed plan is formulated and adhered to, you are good to go.

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

Surrey Wedding Make-up Steps

As the big ceremony approaches a lot of the bride’s thoughts concern how she will look on the wedding day.  The outward appearance is a major aspect of any wedding and wedding makeup plays a great role in the overall bridal outfit and there are several steps that need to be followed to when applying wedding makeup.

Face Preparation

• The face has to be properly cleaned and moisturized before the application process and make sure that the moisturizer used is specific to your skin type.
• The next step is to pick out the right foundation that will go with the tone of your skin. In case you are having a summer wedding, consider using   water resistant foundation.  It is also important to use foundation that is streak-proof to prevent makeup lines from showing.

Wedding Makeup for the Eyes

• Make sure that the area to be applied with make-up is hydrated using cream and then apply neutral eye shadow on the eyelid and on the lash line
• Use some mid tone hue on the outer corners of the eyes for some accentuation
• You can now apply some eyeliner and when doing this try apply it in a straight line
• If you have thick eyelashes use a curler and use a double mascara coat. If you are the type who cries a lot them the waterproof mascara would be the best option

Lips and Cheeks

• Make sure the colours chosen go well with the gown and uses some blusher for enhancement
• The lips should be prepared by first using lip balm. Moisturize and  exfoliate on a regular basis before the
• Use lip liner to mark the area where the lipstick will reach
• Apply the lipstick appropriately to fill in the marked area and choose a brand that ensures your lips are moisturized

Make sure that you do some trials before the big day so that you can be sure of the outcome and avoid any surprises.

Wedding Makeup – Things to consider

For anyone getting married the thought of what to expect on the big day constantly runs through the mind. Walking down the aisle, cameras flashing and generally all eyes on you! Along with a perfect gown hair and accessories, the bride’s wedding makeup should be totally up to scratch. It is important for your face to look its best on one of the most memorable days of your life.

Solar Effect

Make sure that you try as much as possible to keep of direct sun for prolonged periods of time. Sunburn, skin peeling or tan lines are not very flattering. If you need a tan on that day you can try a self tanner, tinted moisturizer and some bronzing powder.

Lights… Camera…

Always keep the cameras in mind and to begin with consider foundation and moisturizer with yellow undertones which works well for flash photography. Try as much as possible to avoid make up that is excessively glittery or foundation that has a light refracting properties because it could turn many of your photographs into a shimmering mess.  A matte finish for wedding makeup is more desirable for photos because it does not cause any reflection of light from the flash.

When powdering try and use a brush rather than a sponge or pad which could cause you to over-powder due to the smearing effect.

Eyes

Try as much as possible to use natural contouring colors together with brown or black eyeliner which gives a naturally sensual look. You can smudge the eyeliner a little bit so that it looks natural.

Lashes

Before anything make use of a lash curler which will help to add some length and neaten up the eye lashes. Add a single or double coat of water-resistant mascara. Let the initial coat set in first before adding the next one. This will help the lashes not to clump up.

Brows

Fill in any possible gaps in the eyebrows by using a high standard eyebrow pencil. Keep away from excessive use of eye shadow or eye pencil on the eyebrows because that is not their use.

Cheeks

Rosy tones are the best but use in moderation and do not add shimmery creams or powders.

If you’re looking for a wedding makeup artist in Surrey to help you with your bridal makeup, visit the Surrey Weddings directory to find a list of them waiting to help you.

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

Find your Perfect Wedding Dress – Part 2

In the first installation we had a look at several wedding dresses that can be considered by a bride on her big day. And just like the previous list I will combine traditional designs as well as some unconventional pieces.

Trumpet Silhouetted Gown

The modern wedding dress generally has a modern cut and a typical example is the trumpet silhouetted dresses which hug the hips and are flared at the bottom. They are incredibly sexy and they tent to complement the female shape very well.

High Hemline Gown

The brides of today are bolder and do not have qualms about expressing their style and femininity through their wedding dresses. The high hemlines are very sassy and fit the female form very well with great focus on the lower torso and hips. They are able have a sexy appeal without necessarily looking trashy. The varieties range from minis to sweeping gowns and it is up to the bride to decide which one fits best.

Tiered Dresses

This is probably the kind of dress every girl fantasized about getting married in and it would not harm to make the dreams come true.  Layering of fabric however has to be done professionally in order to confidently pull off the fantasy wedding look.

Strapless

The modern woman is hardly afraid of showing off some skin which has made strapless wedding dresses a favourite with many brides.  This is a stylish design that gives a woman confidence and while complimenting the curves of the body and giving a feminine touch.

Getting the right cut and fit is very important because it will determine whether it will drape well or not. Trying different gowns on is recommended because it is only when it is on your body that you can tell if it’s the right one for you or not.

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

10 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Surrey

When it comes to preparing for your wedding, you are probably up to your elbows in magazines, paperwork, bills, and glitter. But even though there seems to be a never-ending list of things to do in order to be properly prepared for the big day, you have to make sure that you are not skipping certain details.

Here are 10 questions to ask when checking out wedding photographers. This is not just about making sure that you are spending your money wisely but it is also about making sure you are going to end up with photos you will be able to proudly cherish for the rest of your life.

1. Will he or she be the exact person at your wedding taking your photos?

If he or she cannot guarantee that, you will want to look somewhere else. You want to make sure you are interviewing and reviewing the work of the exact person who will be at your wedding taking photos. The last thing you want is to be surprised on the day of your wedding and end up with photos that are not worth a dime.

2. What styles does he or she specialise in?

Photos are not just photos. Every photographer out there has their own special style or way of doing things that you want to be familiar with. Do you like the photographer’s style? Is it your style? In order to be a happy bride, make sure that you are getting a photographer that is capable of taking the shots you want on your wedding day.

3. What kind or type of camera will be used for your photos?

It is important to make sure that some inexpensive 35mm camera available at any superstore is not being used. There is nothing wrong with an everyday camera for everyday photos, but your wedding is special. You want high quality photos so make sure that your photographer has the right equipment.

4. Is there a backup plan?

What happens if that camera breaks? Make sure the photographer has a back up plan such as having spare cameras on hand and an assistant who is qualified to work in his or her place should an emergency occur.

5. How large is the photo package and what is the price breakdown for each photo?

By understanding all of the pricing and what you get within each package you will be able to make an educated decision on what you should be going with. Ask questions if you don’t understand. It’s better to not be surprised when the bill and the proofs come in.

6. How long before the proofs are ready?

You will want to know how long it will take for the proofs to be finished for your review.

7. Do they automatically give the negatives or is there an extra charge for this?

Some will give you the negatives free of charge while others will not unless you ask for them and then there is an additional charge.

8. Is he or she covered by liability insurance?

In case something goes wrong or there is an accident, the photographer needs to have liability insurance to cover costs.

9. Can you request specific types of photos to be taken?

This will help to ensure that you are getting exactly what you want. If the photographer seems rigid and uptight about your input, you should look elsewhere.

10. Is there an additional cost for staying longer then scheduled?

If there is a delay or the event simply lasts longer than you expected you probably want the photographer to stay. Is he or she available to stay longer, and do they charge extra for doing so?

Your wedding photographer can be like a magician creating beautiful photos of your very special wedding. Don’t hesitate to ask questions when you’re deciding who to hire – it’s that important.

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

Choosing a Wedding Dress for Your Body Type

Choosing a Wedding Dress for Your Body Type? No Problem

Almost every woman wants to get their wedding day right. It is a very special occasion and most have imagined exactly how the big day will be when it finally comes. For this reason, it’s a must for women to get every detail of their wedding right- from the food to the invitations to the venue for the reception, and of course, their wedding dress.

If there is one detail about a wedding that a woman feels most attached to, it is the dress she will wear on the big day and how to choose one is an important thing to learn in the whole process. No bride should have to look less than her best on her wedding day and her gown must be something that compliments her although it is true that not every type of gown made suits just any woman.

Women come is varying shapes and sizes and there is a different type of dress that looks best on certain body types. The first and most important thing to do is to determine your body type. Are you slender or full figured? Bottom or top heavy? Small or large chested? Women will usually want a wedding dress that accentuates their best parts and hides those that they aren’t too happy with.

If you are a full figured or petite woman, you might be best off with a dress that has an a-line skirt. This type of dress will help create a slimmer silhouette for the fuller figured woman, while a petite bride will be given the illusion of added height.

Women who are full figured on the bottom are advised to go for dresses that are more form fitting in the upper body area. This way, the upper half is accentuated with no attention being drawn to the lower area. As for those who are full chested, a strapless is best avoided as those who have more bust need more support from dress straps, plus a strapless dress will draw attention to your chest area.

Necklines are also an important part of choosing your wedding dress. This is the best way to accentuate your chest, neck, shoulder, or collarbones, or mask and hide certain areas. Women with a fuller bust can certainly carry a sweetheart neckline, although this also works to further accentuate or create a bust for those who are not too well endowed. If you plan on emphasizing your collarbones or shoulders then an asymmetrical top or an off shoulder neckline would be the best choice. However, this is not recommended for women with very broad shoulders.

A halter neckline, on the other hand, works well to accentuate the shoulders for such women and those with a larger bust. There are necklines, though, that generally go well with any body type, such as the square neck or the scoop neck and these are usually the necklines on most general dresses.

When it comes to choosing your wedding dress, remember too that you are the one wearing it – not your guests. So if you don’t feel comfortable in it despite all the advice, it is not the dress for you. Make sure you pick a dress you will love wearing while at the same time, will make you look the best you can on your big day. Good luck!

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

Gift Ideas For Women On Valentine’s Day

For most men, picking out the perfect Valentine’s gift for their wives or girlfriends can be a tedious task. Since not all women are very particular about what they really want, men spend a lot of time finding that elusive gift and end up confused and frustrated when they can’t decide which one to choose for their special someone.

To avoid confusion, you must mentally review the interests of your wife or girlfriend and create her profile in your mind when you go out shopping for that gift.

If your wife or girlfriend is logical and humble, avoid giving her items that are extravagant and super expensive. Give your “practical” partner extremely practical gifts that may include a new coffeemaker, vacuum cleaner, magazine subscriptions, furniture items, towels or sheets, and a few gardening items. Make sure she definitely is a practical person before giving these gifts, otherwise you might get a reaction you don’t expect!!

If you have a romantic partner, give her sentimental stuff like journals with pen set, perfumes, tickets to the special ballet, art show, or theatre performance, a pampering bath and body set, reservations at a fancy fine-dining restaurant, a relaxing out-of-town or out-of-the-country weekend getaway, jewellery like necklaces and earrings, or a designer watch.

If your partner is into sports or fitness, give her what a “sporty” wife would be interested in. That may include tickets that feature her favourite basketball, hockey, baseball, or football team, team spirit items like collectible shirts, hats, and memorabilia, fitness stuff like hand weights, yoga mat, workout DVDs or a pre-paid gym membership.

Romantic gift options for women

Giving her a unique gift on Valentine’s Day would definitely rekindle that special bond. If you are still clueless what gifts you can give your wife or girlfriend, here are the top Valentine’s Day items that men usually give out to their partners on this special day.

- A selection of her favourite flowers. This is a surefire hit because women cannot resist the charm of flowers. Just make sure that the flowers are her favourite variety to create more impact.

- Jewellery and unique accessories with matching jewellery boxes. Women love jewellery so if you can afford it, she would be extremely delighted to have it as a Valentine’s Day gift from you.

- A special pencil sketch or a portrait of your wife or girlfriend. This is a unique gift to give her especially to those who are inclined with the arts.

- A personalised CD or audio cassette of her favourite singer or artist. Women take pride if their men know their tastes and preferences when it comes to music so this will be a hit.

But before you go out on that gift-buying spree for your Valentine, make sure that you stick to your price range. If possible, buy her the things she specifically asked for to avoid hassles. Also, take time to look for gifts that suit her style, taste, and personality and lastly, wear comfortable clothes and shoes so you would be comfortable even if you spend the whole day looking for that special gift.

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

Choosing Your Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

We have all grown up with the wedding poem, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” But did you know the next line is “And a silver sixpence in her shoe”?  A sixpence is a British silver coin minted from 1551 to 1967.

All these items – old, new, borrowed, blue and a sixpence are supposed to be tokens of good luck for a happy marriage.  And knowing that, don’t you want to follow this nice tradition and enhance your own wedded “luck”?

 

Old
Something old has to do with the bride’s family continuing on and on; from the past and present into the future. It can also mean you are leaving your old life and joining your husband in a new life together. 

• A lace handkerchief from your grandmother that you can carry tucked in with your bouquet up the aisle. It will come in handy if you become joyfully teary.
• An old piece of jewelry from your mother or grandmother.  For example, you could wear an old wedding band on your other hand, or wear her brooch.
• Use your parent’s cake topper on your wedding cake.
• Wear your mother’s wedding dress or veil.

New
Something new represents hope and an optimistic outlook for the bride’s new life with her husband.

• Many of the items you are wearing are probably new – your wedding dress, your veil, your shoes.
• Wear new silky undergarments.
• Purchase jewellery just to go with your wedding dress.
• Get a new charm bracelet with charms that represent all that you and your fiance have experienced together so far.  Then you can add to it over the years and you’ll always remember where it came from.

Borrowed
Something borrowed should be something loaned from a happily married person – family or friend. They are loaning you the item with good wishes for your own happy marriage. It also reminds you that you can depend on them in the future.

• Ride to the wedding in your grandfather’s antique roadster.
• Wear a garter that your best friend wore.
• Borrow your mother’s pearl necklace.
• Use the hairpins your sister used in her wedding hairdo.

Blue
Something blue has a variety of meanings, but the colour blue has been associated with weddings through the ages.  Blue represents the Virgin Mary and virginity, staying true to your loved one, constancy, and modesty.

• Jewellery set with sapphires.
• A blue garter.
• Pale blue undergarments.
• One blue flower in your wedding bouquet.
• For fun, paint your toenails blue.

As far as the sixpence, it means a blessing for prosperity and future wealth.

• Tuck a symbolic coin into your shoe.
• Slip the coin into your purse.
• Or put it in the shoes you will wear upon leaving the reception.

Some items may fit into a couple of different categories and that’s perfectly fine. They should still bring you luck.  Here’s an example that could cover the first four categories:  wear an old, borrowed, blue garter and tie a miniature picture frame to it with a new picture of you and your beloved.

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

Disposable Wedding Cameras

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

Surrey Weddings Continues To Support Breast Cancer Research

We at Surrey Weddings have decided to continue our efforts to raise money for breast cancer research. We started this in October 2009 in aid of Wear It Pink (October is Breast CancerAwareness Month), and it worked really well.

So, from now on, for every new advertiser who signs up to our site,  we will donate £5 of the initial fee to Cancer Research UK.

The site is mainly geared up for women to browse, as they tend to be the ones who do most of the wedding arrangements. Sorry,  guys, but it’s true!

Plus, we wanted to give something back to the community. We only charge £25 per year for our advertising slots anyway, so to give 20% to this worthwhile charity is a great feeling.

So, pass the word. If you’re thinking of signing up, do so now and help cancer research.

Thank you

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

Choosing Your Honeymoon Destination

There are many factors that come into play when deciding where to go for your honeymoon.  You want to go somewhere fun and possibly exotic, but especially romantic.  You also want a destination that has activities you two like to do, whether it be scuba diving, bargain hunting, beach walking, or museum visiting. The decision has to be made whether to go somewhere near or far and usually the amount of time you can take away from work plays into this.

One other big factor is the cost of the honeymoon. If you have your heart set on going somewhere that’s farther away than the other side of town, then consider the “high season”, “low season”, and “shoulder season” of your possible destinations.

High season is the time of year when your destination is the most popular. Consequently, it’s also the time of year when the airlines and resorts can charge the most money because everyone wants to go there then.  It’s an example of supply and demand.  Think spring break time in Florida, Palm Springs or Hawaii in the winter, or many parts of Europe in the summer.  You have to carefully consider whether you want to pay bigger bucks to go to the popular destinations during high season, and if you can handle the crowds that will be there at that time.

Low season is when a location is at its cheapest price.  This is Europe in the winter or Arizona in the summer.  There is a reason why it’s less expensive at these times – people are not inclined to go there, usually because of the weather.  Also note if it’s hurricane season during low season, or if it’s the time for monsoon, high winds, etc.  Otherwise, this can really be a perfect time to go if you’re into winter sports or like really steamy heat.

Another time to consider is the shoulder season.  This is the time between high and low season with either fall or spring-like conditions.  As you might have figured out, the cost will be somewhere less than high season but more than low season, and the crowds should be in direct ratio with the season.  Europe in the spring or fall is still perfectly nice, although not necessarily tanning-in-a-bikini weather.  In fact, you may need to wear a light jacket and carry an umbrella, but at least it shouldn’t snow on you.

The bottom line is that you will be able to afford more honeymoon if you pick a destination during the less popular months.  It may be that your first choice of perfect locations is too costly.  What you can do is go with your second or third choice, or if it’s still early in the wedding planning stage, you can change the date of your wedding to a month that coincides with the best prices of your first choice for your honeymoon.

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings

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