Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Win a personal shopping experience to find your perfect gown, plus a Wedding Concierge for the day

Here at Clare Beckwith Weddings, we have teamed up with Your Herts and Beds Wedding magazine to offer their readers the chance to win a personal shopping experience and wedding concierge service worth over £800.


The winning bride will be treated to an initial consultation to discuss ideas on the dress, followed by a shopping trip with us, either locally or in London.  We will arrange all dress fitting appointments, and offer our advice on the right style for you.  We will also throw in a spot of lunch to discuss all the options.

On your wedding day itself, we will act as wedding concierge.  We will finalise all the finer details with your suppliers two weeks before your wedding day and be on hand throughout the day to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

To enter, and for full terms and conditions, visit http://www.yourhertsbedswedding.com/

The closing date is 17th September 2010.

Photo credit:  http://www.lordandleverett.com/
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Thursday, July 22, 2010

Find us in Your Herts and Beds Wedding - August/September Issue


We are always delighted to offer our advice to the team at Your Herts and Beds Wedding magazine because they are such a lovely bunch, and in the August/September issue we feature a number of times with hints and tips for their readers.

Here's what we have to say...

First Song Confusion

Reader question:  I want my first dance to be special, but my partner and I have never really had a song that's personal to us, so it's proving to be difficult. We've gone through all the usual lists of songs, but nothing ever seems quite right. Are there options we haven't explored yet?

Clare Beckwith Weddings say:  If you've already gone through all the usual options, perhaps you should consider commissioning a bespoke song for your first dance.  This will allow you to have your track tailor-made to suit you both, and everything from the musical style to the lyrics can be especially constructed around your shared memories. 

Try Jenna Myles at Pocket Songbird.  Pocket Songbird offers a personalised song writing and production service to make your big day extra special.   Whether it’s a bespoke song for your first dance together, with lyrics written especially about the two of you, or a very special surprise gift, delivered to your partner on the morning of your wedding, Pocket Songbird works with you to say it all in a song.

After talking through your ideas, their experienced songwriters will write and produce your very own song in your preferred musical style … package it beautifully and deliver it directly to you. They can also arrange a live performance of the song at your wedding, if you are looking for a truly personal first dance!

Call Jenna on 07855 357580.





I want our personalities to shine through

Reader question:  Having been to lots of traditional style weddings, I'm desperate to make my own big day more original, but I'm finding it difficult to think of ways to inject my personality into the proceedings. How can I add all the special touches that my partner and I want without 'theming' the whole wedding?

Clare Beckwith Weddings say:  You and fiance have been evolving your personal styles since you were young, and what better occasion than your wedding day to let your personalities shine through?  There are hundreds of ways to add character to a wedding, starting with the date itself.  Why not schedule it for a date that's special to you?  The anniversary of the proposal, or when you first met each other is ideal. 

Other ways in which you can add your own individual touch is to ask your florist to attach a piece of sentimental jewellery, like a broach to your bouquet, or personalise your favours by hand writing and attaching a heartfelt message for each guest telling them why they are so special to you.  Writing your own vows is also a popular way to persoanlise the service.



But whatever you decide on, remember that your day is an extension of your personal style so don't put on an East End inspired day complete with a red London bus and jellied eels if you are more of an uptown girl.

Photo credits.  My very special thanks to the gorgeous Mark and Tristan at Lord and Leverett, and to Mark and Rachel at eXpression photography.

First dance:  http://www.lordandleverett.com/
Flowers with broach:  http://www.expression-photography.co.uk/
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Monday, July 19, 2010

Honeymoon Wardrobe Essentials

With the wedding season in full swing, and luxurious honeymoons on every bride’s mind, we took the opportunity to ask our guest blogger, top stylist Isobel Kershaw from the NHJ Style Consultancy, what every style-conscious bride should be packing in her suitcase this summer. Here are her top style tips for a honeymoon wardrobe that’s bang up to date:

Isobel says:

Your honeymoon is a wonderful time to relax after the excitement of the wedding with your new husband, and so it is important to look and feel great at all times.

Writing a list of honeymoon essentials is a great way of ensuring you can mix and match your clothes without packing too many! We all have a penchant for packing those ‘maybe’ clothes, and then getting to the airport to find that our luggage is overweight!!

So here is a list of the items you should consider.

1. The swimwear

This is one of the most important pieces to take as you will be wearing your swimwear the majority of the time. The great thing is that it is a very small piece of clothing, so you can take 4-6 options.

If you are a bikini wearer think about intermatching your tops with your bottoms. Go for colour and flattering shapes to suit your body.

Small busted girls should consider wearing swimwear that has padding in the bust or ensuring that the top has alot of fabric to give the illusion of a bigger bust.


Ted Baker Oceano Bikini
 
Bigger busted girls should choose bikinis that are bra sized to ensure the perfect fit.
 
2. Cover-ups

We may think of the sarong as the only cover-up option, or some of you may just don an old t shirt!

This season, however, is very much about the jumpsuit and the maxi dress and so we can bring these options to the beach as well as dress them up for dinner!

Sweaty Betty Kiyoko Jumpsuit

3. Shorts

Trying to find a sexy pair of shorts can be challenging. White denim can look good and there are many options on the street now. If you prefer a longer short opt for a slim fit style to flatter the leg.


4. Tops

Instead of packing your regular boring t shirt, think about a top with interest i.e. that has colour, detail fit and femininity. They should be versatile to go from day to dinner and work with your trouser and skirt options.

Mint Velvet Hydranga Top

5. Footwear

As well as taking the usual flip-flops and comfortable shoes, ensure that you pack at least one pair of sexy heels to complete your evening looks. If you find heels uncomfortable, practise in them before you go!

6. Underwear


This is the time to indulge in some sexy underwear so head off to Selfridges and get yourself a free fitting and some romantic sets to show off to your new husband!


Elle McPherson Spree Set
 
7. Accessories


Accessories are a great way to finish off an outfit as well as changing the look of it, so if you want to repeat an outfit, accessorise it differently.

Top Shop Lace detail belt





And finally, grab yourself a pretty summer bag to carry around all those essentials such as your sunglasses, perfume, suntan lotion and essential summer chic lit.


Ted Baker Poppy Bag with Flip Flops
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Saturday, July 17, 2010

Stamps to put a smile on your face!

We always say that it's the little touches that add that extra something to your big day, so we just love this nifty idea from the Royal Mail. 

'Smilers' allow you to combine beautifully designed stamps with your own photographs.  They are perfect for putting on your wedding invitations - you could use your favourite pic from your pre-wedding shoot.  Or you could use an iconic shot from your wedding day and use it on your thank you cards.

They are reasonably priced, really easy to order online and they say that you receive your Smilers within 5 working days of ordering.  A really novel way of personalising your day!

Credits: http://www.royalmail.com/
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Friday, July 16, 2010

Meet us at Latimer Place's Wedding Fayre!

Sunday 12th September 2010, 11am-4pm

Wedding Fayres are a great way to meet prospective suppliers and gather ideas for your wedding, so why not pop along for a chat with Clare Beckwith Weddings on Sunday 12th September at the stunning Latimer Place in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

Tickets are £5.00 per couple and all proceeds from the day will be donated to the Variety Club. For more information about Latimer House’s Wedding Fayre or any other wedding enquiries please contact the lovely Caroline on cheavisides@deverevenues.co.uk or 01494 545550.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Say it with 'Love Letters'

Here is a great idea that we came across today – especially if you want to give your wedding day a completely personal touch. They are beautiful bespoke wooden letters from a lovely company in Dorset called Jonny’s Sister http://www.jonnyssister.co.uk/

The letters can be made in any size and come unpainted so that you can tie them into your own colour scheme.


We also love their large wooden letters and can think of endless ways to use them. You could use them to decorate your gift table for instance – using the words ‘Mr & Mrs’. Or you could have words like ‘Love’ or ‘Cherish’ around the venue.



Their hand carved Little Wooden Letters are cute too.  They are just 6 centimetres tall and come with a white satin ribbon. You could use them around your napkins to decorate your place settings!


They also do bunting – isn’t this a fun idea for a proposal!


As well as the colours they show on their website, the bunting can also be made up in any colour scheme provided they have fabric in that colour. We also understand that they are happy for customers to send in their own fabric for them to use. How’s that for fantastic customer service!
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Friday, July 9, 2010

Elegant, sexy, glamorous, sassy – what’s your style?

It’s always wonderful making new discoveries and I made a really exciting one the other day when I stumbled upon the website for ‘State of Grace’. It’s a bridal destination like no other you will experience in London, with bespoke wedding dress design, styling and personalised hair and make-up all under one roof. The new website is stunning and the bridal imagery really caught my eye, so I just had to go there myself.


Old School Glamour

The private and extremely gorgeous atelier is in London’s vibrant Notting Hill and I was invited there by the very elegant founder and creative design director, Lucia Silver. I also met her lovely head of production, Claire Grey who oversees quality control and the bespoke services for clients.

French Chic
State of Grace is truly unique.

It’s for women who know what they want for their wedding day and can’t find it, or for those who really don’t know where to start and need professional guidance.

Shopping for wedding dresses on the high street can be a daunting task. There is so much choice, and after a day pounding the streets, the dresses can all morph into one leaving you feeling exhausted and confused. And then you’ve got to organise your shoes, accessories, hair, make-up....

In the calm and sumptuous surroundings of State of Grace, you are in the hands of a highly skilled team of experts to help you look the way you want – from head to toe. Lucia told me that when they researched the market, they found that many modern brides don’t want to look like vestal virgins. She says, “Women are getting married later and are often paying for their own weddings – they know their own minds and how they want to look on their big day. Some just need a helping hand to achieve this”.


Innocent

You just have to make an appointment and experience it for yourself. They offer a completely personal service and you honestly feel like you are in someone’s home, among friends who want the very best for you! With the added bonus of being in dreamy surroundings adorned with bespoke jewellery, hats and head pieces, shrugs and evening coats, shoes and bags...

Photo Credits: http://www.thestateofgrace.com/
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Heavenly Hanbury

Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire is very special to us as one of our first brides, Nila, chose Hanbury's beautiful Garden Court to host her wedding.  A few years on, we are really pleased to let you know that Clare Beckwith Weddings has been invited to be one of their preferred suppliers.


It's an opulent 5 star venue with a choice of banqueting rooms to suit weddings, big or small. Poles Hall, the original chapel belonging to the Manor House is one of our favourites. It's got bags of character, high ceilings and a minstrel gallery.




For a summer wedding, Garden Court is the perfect setting. We particularly love its walled gardens and beautifully manicured lawns.

Credits:  http://www.expression-photography.co.uk/
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Thursday, July 1, 2010

A gift for your groom

What gorgeous gift are you going to give your groom on his wedding day? Maybe a Mont Blanc pen? Perhaps a drive day in an Aston Martin... Both lovely ideas, but I think I can help you out here with something just a little bit special and totally unique...

One of my favourite photographers, Julie Lovegrove of Lovegrove Weddings was so inspired by Gok Wan’s ‘How to look good naked’ programme, that she now specialises in her own style of classic nude and boudoir photography and is currently celebrating the launch of ‘Reveal Portraits’.



She offers packages where you can ‘Reveal Less’ (either fully clothed or showing a peek of your underwear), ‘Reveal More’ (gorgeous, classy boudoir shots), ‘Reveal All’ (I probably don’t need to explain this one!), or ‘Reveal your Bump’ (gorgeous pregnancy shots when you are in full bloom).


If you are looking for the perfect, personal and intimate gift for your future husband to unwrap on your wedding day, then this has to be just the thing. I promise you, he will adore it! It’s timeless, elegant and something for both of you to treasure for years to come.

Julie also told me that she has an introductory offer of £50 off product for any bookings received before the end of July 2010.

Go on, contact Julie for an appointment and give him a gift that will knock his socks off – and empower yourself at the same time!

Photo credits: Julie Lovegrove, http://www.revealportraits.co.uk/
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