Innholdsfortegnelse for March - April 2016 i You and Your Wedding

Several years back, when cupcake towers were just emerging as a trendy new wedding option, an engaged friend of mine ended up in tears because her mother (who was financing the operation) had vetoed her plan to have one. Even worse, a battle then erupted over whether additional flavours beyond the standard fruit cake would be permitted. Fast forward to last summer, when I found myself beside a moonlit lake at midnight, dancing to ’90s R&B with a plateful of key lime pie in one hand and waving a dessert fork overhead with the other. (Forks are the new glowsticks, don’t you know?) It was my cousin’s wedding, and in a total shake-up of convention, she and her husband had opted for a display of sweet American-style pies in every…

ALISON YAU Fashion & beauty co-ordinator The big, bold and colourful floral shoot we did was stunning – amazing Frida Kahlo-esque headdresses, really lovely pictures and floral-detail gowns (my fave was the Naeem Khan). RACHEL DAVID Web editor The Caribbean travel special has got me daydreaming about sunnier climes and my own honeymoon plans – much more fun to tick that off the list before the registrar chores! ELLIOTT WILMOT Art director I couldn’t resist shooting these delicious doughnuts for Bride Candy – I love how unusual the toppings are. Every wedding needs sweet treats for the guests. HOLLIE BOND Features writer Unless you’re an events organiser by day, planning a hen do can be seriously stressful. So don’t buy a single willy straw until you’ve read Hen Party Essentials…

PURR-FECT gift for the girls... or you? Cat ring, Aamaya by Priyanka, £213 THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT This sweet collection by Mum’s Girl includes dresses and accessories from £30 to £200, for tiny flower girls right up to hard-to-please pre-teen divas. Bag it! Boxy shapes are the must-haves of the moment. We love these by Lamb 1887: there’s nowhere cooler to stash those tissues on the big day. FEELING high Block heel or razor-sharp stiletto Which shoes do you choose? Get your something blue with this limited-edition L.K.Bennett and Bionda Castana collaboration, from £274 Loved by Victoria Beckham and Anne Hathaway, now you can buy Casadei’s skyscraper heels exclusively at uk.casadei.com. Blade heels, £550 The wait is OVER! Four new fast fashion collections promise style in a hurry at prices…

Outdoor venues lend themselves to multiple party spaces, from chill-out tents to this bohemian picnic set-up – ideal for reclining “A grazing station provides a wonderful opportunity to mingle and interact” – stylist Ela Aksoy Dip-dyed macramé plant hangers let flower arrangements dance in the breeze THE BRIEF MOOD Bohemian-meets-woodland vibes with a love-in of hippie-inspired macramé details PALETTE Vibrant magenta plus hints of yellow and turquoise VENUE The apple orchard at Browning Bros., a glamping and wedding location set on an Essex riverside meadow Sure, boho style has been a firm favourite for a fair few wedding seasons now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it fresh for 2016. We fell instantly in love with Bochic Weddings and Events’ original spin (featured over these five pages), which started…

Beer Mark Niemierko, events planner and author of The Ultimate Wedding Guide for Beer Lovers Is beer really suitable at the wedding breakfast? Absolutely – the word “bridal” comes from the medieval “bride-ale”, a beer brewed for weddings! Pair different beers with each course, and serve beer in chalices for toasts. Any personalisation possibilities? Visit a brewery to create your very own wedding ale, which you can use for favours, too. Or choose beers to represent romantic times – a beer from the area where you got engaged, for example. Quirky ways to build in beer? Create a unique save the date by sending out customised beer mats. Then follow up with personalised-label invites on beer bottles with the details on scrolls inside. And you can create a delicious chocolate…

“Our ‘blue botanicals’ theme merged our love of that colour with the gorgeous, flower-filled grounds of the magnificent Syon Park” THE COUPLE Marga & Bikash Marga Stofberg, 28, and Bikash Tako, 27, held their ceremony and reception at Syon Park, Brentford, Greater London Something blue – that was the initial brief Marga and Bikash gave to event designer Susie Young of Knot & Pop, who transformed a simple palette suggestion into a full-on botanical extravaganza. Wedding staples such as bouquets, buttonholes and centrepieces were just the starting point, with flower power infusing every last detail, from the stamps used on the save the dates (a blue floral design from the Royal Mail Archive, FYI) straight through to the edible flowers dotted on the canapés. “We really played to the botanical…

“We knew Barnsley House was the perfect place for us because it had such amazing gardens and inspiring landscape designs” THE COUPLE Joyce & Stephen Joyce Li and Stephen Lai held their ceremony and reception at Barnsley House, Gloucestershire “I’m a floral stylist and Stephen is a landscape architect, so our wedding look was very much about flowers and plants,” says Joyce. The couple’s passion for blooms even influenced their choice of venue. “We knew Barnsley House was the perfect place for us because it had such amazing gardens and inspiring landscape designs.” This 17th century country manor has a Gothic summer house for outdoor ceremonies, which meant that the couple could exchange vows amid the stunning grounds. The varied flower-filled settings were also the ideal backdrops for Joyce and…

Four ways to STYLE THE AISLE SO HOT! REVERSE BRIDESMAIDS Your maids wear white, you step out in the colour of your choice – see how real bride Som worked the look on p76. INDOOR SAFARI We heart the new animal-inspired pieces in Joy’s SS16 Oola homeware collection; the trinkets make fab thank you gifts. SUBTLE PERSONALISATION Upload your wedding snaps at colourstoryapp.com and it’ll pick out the main shades to create a pattern that can be used on lampshades, mugs or phone cases. UNUSUAL COLOUR POPS You need this on your gift list: the classic Brabantia bin in one of Pantone’s 2016 hues of the year, Rose Quartz. SO NOT! FULL NUDITY It’s all about semi-naked cakes now: scrumptious sponges finished with a dash of…

DRESS FOR SUCCESS All you need is loo roll, the stopwatch on your phone and some tape (ideally glittery). Divide your hens into teams, ask them to nominate one person as the model, then give them five minutes to create the dress of the bride’s dreams (or nightmares). The MoH or b2b chooses the winner. PHOTO-FIT Print a large photo of the groom’s face, along with the faces of the guests’ partners, and the bride and groom’s dads. Cut each into strips: hairline, eyes, nose, mouth and chin. The bride has to put her beloved’s visage together by identifying his features one at a time and sticking them on a board – with a little help from her hens, of course. SAY MY NAME A twist on the classic “Who…

STYLING TIP This relaxed two-piece silhouette becomes instantly bridal with the addition of a short trimmed veil that pairs perfectly with your other hair accessories STYLING TIP A silk flower belt adds a hint of colour to an all-white gown or extra impact on a floral print…

“Temporary tattoos are easy to apply and can be used as a super-cool alternative to jewellery” Sally Kvalheim, hair and make-up artist SPECIAL THANKS The Y&YW fashion team stayed and shot at the Alymra hotel and also shot at the Annabelle hotel, Cyprus Situated next door to each other, you can have the best of both worlds with these two luxury hotels. Set on the seafront and spanning 14 acres between them, both feature stylish surroundings, pools and restaurants that dish up delicious Cypriot treats with plenty of charm.almyra.com, annabelle.com.cy THE THEME A relaxed, beachy-boho vibe on gorgeous sandy shores framed by deep blue waters THE DRESSES We packed light and floaty dresses, perfect for a seaside ceremony THE ACCESSORIES We piled on showstopping stacking rings, and added contrast with…

It’s official: we’re on a mission to ban frumpy dresses from the mother of the bride wardrobe! So, for any type of skin tone or wedding, go for simple shapes that are fitted in all the right places, in a flattering and fabulous modern shade of silver grey. (Still have no-show areas? Just add a wrap or jacket.) TOP TIP These looks pair best with nude tights STATEMENT SHOES CATWALK INSPIRATION…

PURE GOLD Get glowing with gold-infused products to illuminate and radiate, smooth and firm – just to add a bit of bling!…

BEST FOR… REDUCING REDNESS Darphin Seriously Soothing Facial at Spa Illuminata, £105 for 1 hr The strain of endless W-day planning is bound to leave your skin stressed. Step forward the Darphin Seriously Soothing Facial. Designed to reduce redness for a smoother, more even complexion, in addition to being the go-to treatment for sensitive skin, it’s also the perfect run-up-to-the-big-day facial when you’re in need of a harsh-peel-free, pampering experience. Still not sold? We have one word for you: Darphin. If you’ve never heard of this Parisian skincare brand, you’ve been missing out big time. The heavenly scented products will have you drifting off into a blissful sleep (if not, the neck and shoulder massage will do the trick). CHEAT AT HOME Darphin Chamomile Aromatic Care Oil, £45 BEST FOR……

The new spring season is all about renewal, so I’m thrilled to share our latest Beauty Box with you – packed with the essentials you’ll need for a full skin reboot. The You & Your Wedding team has hand-picked and tested this luxe selection of products, from an anti-ageing serum that fights those first fine lines to a rejuvenating body scrub and indulgent foral hand cream scented with garden-fresh English Rose and lavender. Best of all, they’re full-size – no minis like some other beauty boxes – so you get £125 worth of products for just £29.99. How refreshing! Úna Brennan Probiotic Skin Recovery Day Cream (RRP £14.99) This day cream is like having an expert facial every day. It helps balance, hydrate and soothe the skin, giving you a…

WHERE TO START Write your guest listDecide on the budgetSet the dateBook the venueMake it legal*Send save the datesTake out wedding insurance * The official bits Unless you’re having a Church of England ceremony, you both need to give notice at your local register office at least 28 full days before your wedding. If you’re having a civil ceremony, you need to book a registrar at the office closest to your venue. Specifics depend on location (outdoor weddings are allowed in Scotland, but in England and Wales you need a licensed structure) and different religions have different rules. For further information, see gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships, yourchurchwedding.org, humanism.org.uk and gov.uk/marriage-abroad. 12-9 MONTHS Photographer Videographer Florist Dress Suit Guest accommodation 9-6 MONTHS Bridesmaids’ dresses Best man & ushers’ outfits Flower girl and pageboy outfits…

A few months back, while doing my mad dash from one bridal capital to another, I bumped into Martine Harris (head designer and chief creative officer of Australia-based bridal brand Essense) on the front row. Afterwards, we grabbed a latte and started chatting about how brides actually begin the process of choosing the dress. The accepted planning wisdom goes that you book the venue and set the date first, as the other details – including the gown to end all gowns – are very much inspired by the “where” and “when”. Will you go for thick duchesse satin or lighter-than-air tulle, for instance? Are sleeves part of your bridal vision? And how about short vs long? So began the planning of this special bonus magazine, dedicated to four seasons of…

DALTON WONG Founder of Twenty Two Training, personal trainer Dalton has worked with royalty and Hollywood elite including Jennifer Lawrence. To coincide with the release of his new book (The Feelgood Plan by Dalton Wong and Kate Faithfull-Williams) he reveals his tops tips for feeling your very best inside and out and for achieving an A-list glow just in time for your big aisle reveal. See page 192 SARAH KERSHAW We’ve loved hearing all about the ups and downs of our columnist Sarah’s planning. This issue sees her final bride-to-be column – she and Tom have tied the knot! “Our wedding went better than I’d ever dared to hope it would. I wasn’t even slightly stressed on the day a miracle, if you know me – and just grinned…

Ring the changes Sweet news: doughnut design has reached cupcake-like proportions, with pretty pastel icing and fun adornments such as Lucky Charms, colourful popcorn and beautiful edible flowers now topping these cool creations. With flavours including Eton mess, pistachio and white chocolate pretzel, they’re guaranteed to be tastier than a basic dry sponge cake and much too gorgeous to simply stack! Doughnuts, from £3.50 each, Vicky’s Donuts. Edible flowers, from £11, Maddocks Farm Organics…

Last year it was all about quitting sugar and Spiralizing every vegetable you could get your hands on. But you can’t fail to notice, as you scroll through Instagram, that everyone from Deliciously Ella to Kourtney Kardashian is now #cleaneating (that’s consuming food in the most natural form possible FYI). It’s a lifestyle revolution that’s taken the health and food industries by storm – and we predict it will be coming to a wedding near you very soon. If you’re already a convert to clean, conscious eating, then it’s a no-brainer to reflect your foodie philosophy at the most personalised day of your life. And even if you haven’t given it a go yet, adding some clean treats to your wedding breakfast is the perfect way to make guests with…

THE COUPLE Nina & David Nina, 34, and David, 44, held their ceremony at St George’s Hanover Square and reception at Dartmouth House, London Nina’s silk-crepe Sassi Holford fishtail gown is the kind of dress you never want to take off, but that didn’t stop the bride from rocking individual day and night-time looks at her spring wedding to David. When guests hit the dance floor, she was ready to party, too, by swapping her demure lace shrug – the ideal accessory for the couple’s church ceremony – for an evening-perfect black sash belt with a flower embellishment at the front. The wedding breakfast and dance party took place at Dartmouth House, a Mayfair institution with interiors that needed little extra decoration. Pink, coral and ivory roses, peonies, sweet peas…

Burley Manor, Hampshire April will see the unveiling of a freshly refurbished barn in the grounds of this exclusive New Forest manor house, ideal for elegant ceremonies and receptions.burleymanor.com Wringer & Mangle, London Industrial chic is the order of the day at this Hackney bar and restaurant. Unusually for a city venue, there’s a great outside space in the shape of a heated, covered terrace.wringerandmangle.com Wickham House, Berkshire The exquisite 12th-century chapel in the sumptuous grounds of this beautiful country house is perfect for romantic religious ceremonies. Going civil? Exchange vows in the luxurious barn.wickhamhouse.com…

“I barely knew the bride – she was a uni friend of my boyfriend – so when the MoH asked us to talk about our memories of her. I had nothing to say. Nothing. Mortifying.” GEORGIA THE LESSON: Avoid unnecessary awkwardness “At afternoon tea in a posh London hotel, a bridesmaid whipped out willy-shaped items – including a large inflatable. I thought the bride’s mum was going to kill her.” STEPH THE LESSON: Read the crowd “The MoH organised a scavenger hunt based around the bride’s time at uni. It was so difficult that it took hours, and everyone was hot and irritable. The mood at dinner wasn’t great, and we all left straight after pudding.” DEBORAH THE LESSON: Don’t overdo it “My best friend’s sister was obsessed with all…

STYLING TIP For a fresh twist on a traditional veil, work with your hairdresser to drape it around your shoulders STYLING TIP A super-sleek dress is crying out for bold accessories like cuffs and stacked bracelets STYLING TIP Measure four finger widths back from your hairline – that's your perfect headband position…

Bridesmaids’ dresses can be tricky territory, but look to 1950s-style shapes for figure-flattering chic. Nipping in at the smallest part of your waist, they also cover any lumps and bumps, and a flared skirt helps to give the illusion of an hourglass shape. For an oh-so-now take, team with an embroidered bomber jacket. TOP TIP Add a petticoat for fullness, or go without for a slimmer style THE PERFECT COVER-UP TURN IT UP! Rock a quirky clutch like this retro radio bag from Accessorize, £35 CATWALK INSPIRATION…

Glowing, healthy skin is the foundation of a beautiful wedding day look. That’s why your beauty regime prior to your wedding is just as important as the make-up you choose for the big day itself. Using natural ingredients, ARK Skincare’s gentle yet effective formulations can transform your complexion in just six weeks for a picture-perfect finish. But which products are best to get you aisle ready? Help is at hand, courtesy of celebrity make-up artist Alice Theobald, who relies on the range to perfect the skin of her celebrity and bridal clientele. Here are her top picks: Skin Protector SPF30 Primer (£36 for 30ml) This versatile miracle worker primes skin for make-up so your skin looks perfect all day long. Skin Perfector De-Stress Serum (£42 for 30ml) Use this calming…

TAKE IT HIGHER For a cool twist on the classic ballerina bun, add texture and movement at the top, so it doesn’t feel overly prim. “I kept the hair soft and romantic, for a glamorous but not too formal style,” says hair and make-up artist Heidi Vince. Plaits and waves are also perfect for this look. JUICY HUES Natural eyes with a striking berry lip are a winning combination. “I used a different shade for each model – Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Cassis (£20) and Lip Color in Red (£20) – which I smudged on to the lips with my fingers to give a stain effect.” GLOW ON Bold lips look best against a flawless base. But that doesn’t mean you need perfect skin to carry this off –…

By Terry Cellularose Nutri-Pure Comforting Balm Cleanser, £42 The USP The indulgent way to take off your slap How it delivered You’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve applied a super-luxe moisturiser – gorgeous! Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Rose & Cedrat Limited Edition, £20.75 The USP A cream cleanser with exfoliating muslin cloth How it delivered This smells amazing and dissolves make-up with ease Sanctuary Spa Warming Detox Charcoal Wash, £9 The USP Transforms from gel to oil to remove excess oil and impurities. How it delivered It brings dirt to the surface and leaves skin fully cleansed Dr Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser, £27.50 The USP A gentle no-rinse cleanser How it delivered Great for freshening skin in the morning Elemis Nourishing…

A good wedding gift is… “something that’s useful but has thought behind it. A group of our friends clubbed together to buy us a Thermomix as our wedding gift, which transformed my life!” My top gift list advice is… “Lamps, rugs, picture frames, mirrors etc are perfect if you’re setting up home. If you’re already living together, consider having a list at a garden centre, for beautiful plants that you can watch grow over the years of your marriage.” youandyourwedding.co.uk 197…

SEND INVITES EIGHT TO 12 WEEKS BEFORE THE DAY CONFIRM FINAL NUMBERS WITH VENUE DRAW UP A RUNNING ORDER & DISTRIBUTE TO SUPPLIERS ORDER THANK YOU CARDS FINALISE MENU RECONFIRM ALL BOOKINGS CHOOSE READINGS, HYMNS AND CEREMONY MUSIC CHOOSE FAVOURS & GIFTS FOR WEDDING PARTY SET THE SEATING PLAN MAKE FINAL PAYMENTS (TRACK THE TOTAL ON A SPREADSHEET) REMIND BRIDESMAIDS, USHERS ETC OF ANY ON-THE-DAY DUTIES SEND READINGS TO SPEAKERS (AND BRING EXTRA COPIES ON THE DAY)…

Planning confession: we started thinking about our honeymoon long before we’d even booked the wedding venue. Choosing the continent was easy. We knew we wanted to return to Asia, a part of the world we both love. But we needed to decide on a country neither of us had visited before, where we could relax but also find things to do other than sunbathing – we’re both far too prone to sunburn to spend all our time lying on the beach! The destination that kept coming up was Bali. DAYS 1 – 4 Far, far away We began our honeymoon on the unspoilt northern coastline, known for its stunning black-sand beaches. This added to the travel time from the UK – the only airport is on the island’s south side…

THE HEAD DESIGNER AND CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER OF MARTINA LIANA TALKS ABOUT HER NEW COLLECTION: “This season we are thrilled to introduce our new line of Martina Liana Separates: Together. Forever. Keeping with the superb traditional gowns, each separate is meticulously designed to the utmost detail. Every piece allows a bride to be seamlessly shaped and feel secure while wearing the gown, but also experience a high level of comfort on her skin and with every movement. Martina Liana truly believes that luxurious fabrics combined with a comfortable fit are the key to looking and feeling flawles on your wedding day.” To view the full collection and for more inspiration, visit martinaliana.com…

“ This sparkling gown makes a statement on its own but pairs beautifully with glittering earrings and a blinging ring!” PETA HUNT, EDITOR-AT-LARGE ON THE COVER DRESS, £1795, CATHERINE PARRY. EARRINGS, £89, AMISHI. RING, £59, CARAT. BRACELET, £67.99, OLIVIER LAUDUS. BOUQUET, £95, AMIE BONE. PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRIS BRACEWELL. HAIR AND MAKE-UP BY DENISE LILLEY USING PAUL MITCHELL AND COSMETICS À LA CARTE. STYLING BY PETA HUNT ASSISTED BY ALISON YAU…

TELL US, FACEBOOK BRIDES! Who gave the best reaction to your engagement news? Lucy S My maid of honour. I rang her while she was teaching at primary school and she said, “I’m running around my classroom – the kids are laughing at me”. Sara W The waiter in the restaurant insisted on taking our photo when he realised what had happened. Emily H When I texted my best friend, she said she was crying happy tears on her morning commute. MOOD BOARD of the month “The Pantone colours of the year are Rose Quartz and Serenity – the perfect combination for a spring or summer wedding celebration” Katie Phipps, Y&YW designer Go to youandyourwedding.co.uk  every Monday for an inspiring new mood board THE FORUM CONVERSATIONS YOU NEED…

How do you turn a plain old jam jar into a statement table decoration for your wedding? With a generous helping of glitter, of course. In a project so simple that even the most craft-phobic bride can earn her DIY badge, we show you how to create the entire centrepiece from the vase to the flower arrangement. The result will suit any style of wedding, too. If you’re having a rustic theme, just place the jars on top of wooden tree slices. And for a more glam do, add a scattering of romantic mercury tea lights. The best bit is that they’re quick to do and won’t dent your big-day budget, so that’s more time and money to spend elsewhere. What you’ll need: • Masking tape • Mod Podge glue…

THE COUPLE Som & Jonny Som Sowani, 30, and Jonathan Holliday, 34, held their ceremony and reception at Borgo di Castelvecchio, Italy When it came to finding their wedding style, Som and Jonny took a practical approach. “We thought back over the weddings we’ve been to, trying to understand which really stood out for us,” explains Som. “We realised that our favourites were those that took place over a few days. It felt as if the guests and couple had more time to relax and enjoy the occasion.” Decision made: a whole weekend of fun and festivities. With the venue chosen – a Tuscan estate with plenty of on-site accommodation – the couple put together a programme of events that incorporated their cultures and family traditions, as well as the…

THE COUPLE Kirstin & Lewis Kirstin Reid, 30, and Lewis Mackay, 29, held their civil ceremony and reception at Bradbourne House, East Malling, Kent Kirstin and Lewis began their engagement in glittering style with a Parisian proposal overlooking the Eiffel Tower. So it was only fitting that warm lighting played a starring role in their wedding at a grand 17th-century country manor. “The room was full of oil paintings that lit up individually, so we kept decor minimal, with two illuminated trees at the end of the aisle and fairy lights in the fireplace,” Kirstin says. Subtle Art Deco flavour helped to unify the other details, from the chevron pattern on the wedding cake to the font used on their stationery. But nothing channelled 1920s glamour quite like the bride’s…

As a guest, I’ve never understood the etiquette of not dancing before the bride and groom’s first dance. We are having a band, and I don’t want to have no one dancing during the first set because they’re waiting for us. Michelle1985 Y&YW says: The first dance traditionally kicks off the festivities, but remember, this is your day, your way. If you’d prefer guests to warm up the dance foor for you, go ahead! An “order of the day” would come in handy here. You can either give it out after the ceremony, place on the tables, or write onto signs around the venue (note the plural – if you just have one sign, some people will probably miss it). You could also make an announcement during the speeches that…

ZEN HENS Celebrations with a wellness twist are on the rise, and a healthy hen could help you to get in shape for the big day. To celebrate abroad, see thehealthy holidaycompany.co.uk; closer to home, go for surfing, yoga or outdoor adventures such as Jollydays. AMUSE YOUR BOUCHE Nothing says decadence quite like a sumptuous spread. The classic afternoon tea is always a winner, particularly for a mixed-age group. To combine activity with eating, how about an artisan chocolate-making workshop (darlinghens.co.uk), or make macarons (try ohlala.co in London). PLEASING PAMPERS Instead of going to a spa, why not bring the spa to you – check out blossomandjasmine.com. Or you could book out a chic blow-dry bar (duckanddry.com). A perfume-making class is always a winner, too (henheaven.co.uk). COOL AND UNUSUAL Amaze…

THE “I DO” This has to be my number one; it’s kind of the whole point. Without this bit it wouldn’t have been a wedding, just a great party where one girl had misunderstood the theme and come way overdressed. We exchanged the vows we’d written, had a reading by my brother-in-law and did the whole dressing each other’s fingers in gold thing. We even did the part where you sit at a table and have photos taken while you pretend to sign a fake document with a fake pen, like an absolutely terrible book tour. There was a moment, just after all the legal words, when Phoebe looked at me and whispered, “You’re my husband.” That will echo in my ears forever. The flower girl’s entrance We’re not above…

STYLING TIP You can still wear statement shoes for a wedding by the sea – just remember to pack a pair of Havaianas for photos on the sand STYLING TIP Dangly earrings paired with long necklaces are so on trend right now. Wear against a clean neckline to showcase the jewellery…

READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP? Check out these products created with the camera in mind... 1 Smashbox is known for being a beauty brand born out of a photo studio, and its new Photo Finish Primer Oil (£28) can be worn under and also over make-up – use it to create the perfect, radiant base or pat above cheekbones for dewy, healthy skin. The lightweight oil is super hydrating, too. 2 NIOD’s Photography Fluid (£18, QVC) is an Instagram filter in a bottle – a couple of drops illuminate the face, giving that soft glow both in real life and on camera. 3 For fushed cheeks, try Make Up For Ever’s HD Blush (£29, Debenhams). It’s specially formulated to give that soft-focus effect, ensuring a fawless finish that diffuses light to…

1 FOCUS ON THE AISLE The most important thing for diet success is mindset. You need to know why you’re doing something. On your wedding day all eyes are focused on you – that’s a powerful incentive when you need motivation to eat well and exercise. When celebrities have a red-carpet event they’re completely driven, as it’s something to work towards. It’s the same for brides – the big day is your very own Oscars moment. 2 CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE, NOT YOUR DIET Ask yourself simple lifestyle questions and make sustainable changes. Often diets stipulate exactly what to eat, but if it’s a far cry from what you’re used to, you won’t be able to follow it. My new book, The Feelgood Plan, is an all-encompassing lifestyle guide and not…

Calling all brides-to-be! We know that choosing your dream dress is all-important, but finding the perfect bridesmaid dresses to complement your aisle style is an essential task, too. And with different tastes and body shapes to consider, you need a stylish solution to meet everyone’s needs. This is where the new Jacques Vert Bridesmaids Collection comes in. In a feminine colour palette of soft pinks, oysters, champagnes, powder blues and classic navy, this flawless and versatile edit features intricate embellishment and lace detailing. Choose matching numbers or a combination of different looks for a showstopping bridal party. And let your bridesmaids shine with Jacques Vert’s range of co-ordinating accessories and matching cover-ups – ideal for an elegant head-to-toe ensemble. As an exclusive pre-wedding gift to you, Jacques Vert is offering…

1 Is there any better way to celebrate the big day than with something decent to sip on? With two bottles of Veuve Clicquot for just £55 and six bottles of Kumala Western Cape for £16 onboard a P&O ferry from Dover to Calais, the answer is obvious, and won’t hurt your wallet. 2 Smelling as beautiful as the bridal bouquet is an absolute must. But it needn’t break the piggybank. Make the congregation’s nostrils thoroughly jealous with Paco Rabanne Olympéa EDP 80ml for £55.20 (RRP £69) and Jimmy Choo Illicit EDP 100ml at just £62.40 (RRP £78) onboard. 3 Why not show the bridesmaids some love without burning a hole in your (wedding dress) pocket? Elegant Orelia Thank You Gift Cards are the perfect way of saying, well, thank…

1 90% of everyday conversations end up being about weddings (perhaps because you start 90% of sentences with “For my wedding…”). 2 On a recent hen do, the limo driver MISTOOK YOU FOR THE BRIDE when you talked his ear off about your big-day transport arrangements. 3 EVERY TIME YOU START A WORD BEGINNING WITH W your best mate finches. (You’re guessing she’s just bored of talking about work?) 4 YOU SEEM TO HAVE LOST 50 Facebook friends in as many days and, to your horror, the “like” count on your planning posts is dwindling even faster than that. 5 At social events you surround yourself with other brides-to-be and can’t believe it when it’s SUDDENLY 2AM. Time really does fly when you’re talking about table plans. 6 Your circle…

Whether the wedding dress of your dreams is something chic and simple, a romantic gown with lots of detail and texture, or a combination of the two, there are beautiful pieces to suit every bride in the new Martina Liana Separates collection for Spring 2016. Called Together. Forever., the range features multiple styles of each piece, so you can mix and match them to create the wedding look you’ve always wanted – and that is entirely unique to you. With 11 different top styles from corsets to bodysuits, six skirt styles, seven belts and a classic jacket, there are over 100 custom combinations possible. Each separate element is designed to the finest detail. Only the highest quality fabric, is used, and every piece is made with your comfort in mind,…

Spring Cool pastels sum up the season perfectly. Add a co-ordinating cardie to keep warm on chilly nights Summer Go for bold colours and plenty of floral prints, mixing and matching maids’ looks for a co-ordinated bridal party autumn Work warm, rich colours in satin, velvet and chiffon for an opulent look. There’s a shade to suit every skin tone Winter Mix deep, sumptuous shades like emerald green with statement accessories; or go for a bit of festive sparkle…