Coast Collection from National Trust

Escape to the seaside with the beautiful scent of the

Coast Collection from National Trust

   

Be transported to the seashore, along sandy beaches and rugged coastline with the National Trust Coast Collection. 

The collection is made in England using fragrance extracts from British fruits, flowers and plants, features four distinct fragrances inspired by the coast, countryside, gardens and woodland looked after by the National Trust.

Every purchase will go towards supporting the National Trust’s work as an independent charity preserving special places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

National Trust Coast – Rock Samphire and Driftwood reflects the stunning setting of Holnicote Estate in Somerset, with its spectacular coastline and panoramic views from some of the most dramatic cliffs in England.

Rock Samphire grows on the shingle beach which sweeps around Porlock Bay.  Its fleshy, aromatic leaves deliver an invigorating aroma with a spicy kick that encapsulates the fresh sea air and rugged coastal beauty.  

Driftwood creates a full scent that adds depth and blends with refreshing Rock Samphire to produce a richly aromatic fragrance.  

The National Trust Coast Collection is available now at selected National Trust shops, leading Department Stores and Premium Garden Centres and Gift Shops or Online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk .

Beauty Weddings Review: 

I have tried the hand and body lotion and I have to say I absolutely LOVE it, not only does it smell absolutely gorgeous, it leaves your skin soft and silky too,  it absorbs beautifully.  I actually love it so much that it is now my everyday moisturiser.  If you are looking for a lotion that smells great, does the job and every purchase goes to helping preserve those special places and towards the hard and deserving work of the National Trust.

Our Rating: 

Beauty Weddings Product Reviews

It's been a busy time over the past few months for Beauty Weddings and we are in full swing of the wedding season.   Whether you are getting married in 2012 or in the next couple of years we can help with your planning and accessories.


Over the next few weeks, I will be reviewing a variety of products that may provide you with inspiration and ideas for your wedding needs.  


There are some very exciting things to have a look at and every product I have tested myself, so you can be sure that the review is honest and reliable.


Also Beauty Weddings website is getting a complete redesign, which I am very excited about, it will be more interactive and user friendly, as well as special offers and competitions coming up in the future.   Its all very exciting stuff.    I am happy to share with you the new banner for our new website

Why not subscribe to our blog to make sure you don't miss out on any of our exciting and inspirational updates.


Fiona

Planning Your Wedding - Part 6 After the Wedding

All your hard work planning and organising has now reaped its rewards and the wedding is over and you are now a married.   You may have had your honeymoon, so what now?   Many couples don't realise just how intense the whole planning of a wedding can be until its all over and you might be feeling a little deflated and at a loss of what to do next. 


There are still some things to be done, your photographs will be ready to view and your favourite images need to be chosen, your thank you notes need to be sent out to your guests, your dress needs to be cleaned and stored, it's time to tie up the loose ends as life returns to normal.


Photographs & Video
Whether or not you had a professional photographer and videographer, you will still have hundreds if images to go through and you will have fun doing this, choosing your favourites and creating your wedding album.    Watching any videos that may have been taken throughout your day, you will see many things that you missed, this is a fun part of reviewing your day and over the coming weeks you will look back fondly on your day.

There are a number of ways that you can let friends and family have a copy of your favourite images, one of mine was to create a photobook from Kodak Galleries . This allowed me to upload my favourites and create this delightful photo album for our parents and family.  Not only is it affordable (starts from £5.99) it is a wonderful keepsake.  I also made an extra copy for myself so I could show friends and colleagues.  This allows you to show off your images without your wedding album getting worn and possibly damaged. It also allows you to include images that maybe friends and family have taken too.


Thank You Notes/Cards
You have hopefully taken careful note of the gifts you have received and from whom on the run up to and just after the wedding.  It's so important to do this, after all, your guests have taken the time to think about and choose a gift for you.  It's only right that you thank them properly after the wedding.   There a whole range of ways that you can do this, you can buy pre printed notes, but I always think it is nicer to add a personal message to each guest.  You might get stuck with what to say, here are a few ideas .

Whatever you choose to do, try and send these out within a month of your wedding, don't leave it too long.


Dress Cleaning
Many dry cleaners will offer to clean your dress, wrap it and box it up for you to store, the cost can be from around £65 upwards, depending where you get it cleaned.   The cleaners should be insured and reputable and take advice from friends and family who may have used them in the past.   What should you expect?  Your dress should be cleaned by an expert team, pressed and folded into acid free tissue paper, to avoid discolouration of the fabric then placed in a specially made box to protect your dress from light but allow the fabric to breathe.  I know that this might seem like another expense, but the likelihood is that you have spent a significant sum  of money on your dress, it's not a huge sum to pay to have it cleaned.

I will share with you what I did with my dress although I would not recommend it as a normal course of action.   My gown cost £1200 and after the wedding it had red wine stains, fake tan stains and under the train was grubby.    One evening about a year after the wedding I had the mad idea of putting it in the washing machine!   I turned it inside out and rolled it into a ball, put the washing machine on a gentle wash, after they cycle was finished I took it out and it was absolutely fine, I hung it up on a coat hanger to dry over night.  The next morning it was like new again (phew!!). It is now stored away in my wardrobe.   As I said before I took a risk with my dress and have to say that 45 minutes  it was in the machine were the longest of my life!  Would I do it again?  Not in a million years, which is why I will always recommend having it cleaned professionally.  I got lucky, but I do know that if it had gone horribly wrong I would have been devastated.


So what next?
All your loose ends are now tied up you have found a home for all your gifts and life is settling down.  If you are still feeling at a loss, take on a new project like decorating a room, taking up a new hobby (or picking up an old one), catch up with friends, invite them round for dinner.  Most of all spend quality time with your new spouse, after all that's what the whole event was all about, both of you starting your new life together.


I hope you have enjoyed our series on Planning Your Wedding and that you have picked up some useful hints and tips along the way.   Beauty Weddings are here to assist, advise and guide you through one of the happiest and exciting phases in your life.   Don't get married without us! 

Planning Your Wedding - Part 5 The Wedding Day

The big day is here at last! This is your day, where you and your future spouse start out on your new lives together as a married couple.  This is a day of celebration and it should start as it means to go on.

Available to buy from Gorgeous Gifts

For the Bride
Get up early, shower and have a light breakfast.   Breakfast on today of all days will be the most important meal that you eat, as it could be hours before you get to eat or drink again, and this will provide the much needed energy you are going to need.  

Do not start stressing about things that might be going wrong, there is very little that can't be sorted, replaced, rearranged in the worst does happen.  My previous post titled It's my wedding day what could go wrong addresses this.  What you need to do is delegate and it will be taken care of.





Enjoy having your hair and make up done, have a glass or 2 of bubbly but not enough to get your tipsy, you don't want to remember your wedding day for the wrong reasons! 





Cherish the moments when getting dressed, if you are calm and relaxed you will be surprised by just how emotional and special the moment can be, as you share a special moment with your friends and family, and remember those who maybe can't be with you, in the last minutes before you make a life transition by creating a family of your own.


Many brides have a few jittery moments in the hours leading up to the wedding, this is the day that you have been meticulously planning and organising and its finally here and you start to panic hoping that it all goes to plan,  just take a moment, take deep breaths and it will pass. Everyone knows what they should be doing, trust them to get on with it.


You are dressed, have your flowers in your hand and you look and feel beautiful, the car has arrived and its time to go. (or if getting married in the venue, its time to join your guests! )    Before leaving, take a deep breath, relax and SMILE.  


Walking down the aisle can be a very emotional moment, no matter where you get married.  The ceremony may be the shortest part of the day but it is the most important and most meaningful part of the day.  When you say your vows to each other, face each other and look into each others eyes, its each other you are making those promises to, to the celebrant.     I have seen so many couples over the years that don't look at each other when saying their Vows, they have missed out on such a special moment where it feels as if it's only the 2 of you in the room.   I know that sounds soppy and romantic, but isn't that how it should be on your wedding day?  The rest of the day is going to go past in a flash, enjoy every second of your wedding ceremony that you can.


The Groom

Exactly the same as the bride: get up early, shower and have a light breakfast.


You should have everything ready the night before so that there is no last minute panics, your attire is hanging up and ready to wear (Tip  if you have a new shirt wash it a few days before - this will avoid any irritation caused by over starched collars and smell fresh too!)  You have the rings, your speech prepared, never leave it to the last minute, have everything laid out the night before that way you won't forget anything.


Avoid going to the pub before the wedding, have 1 or 2 of course, but don't get drunk,  there will be plenty of time for that later on in the day.   This is your wedding day too, enjoy every moment of it.

At the ceremony, when you hear the music begin, turn and face your bride as she walks down the aisle towards you, it's okay to shed a tear when you see her, you are making the woman you love your wife in just a few minutes and the moment can be very emotional.





As she arrives at your side, tell her how beautiful she looks and that you love her, she will appreciate it more than you will know.






After the ceremony if you plan on drinking, try not to consume too much before making your speech, nothing worse than a drunken groom trying to tell his new wife how lovely she looks as he tries to stay upright.  I don't think I have every come across a Groom who isn't nervous before making his speech.  Hoping that he has covered everything and has practised enough.   If you make a mistake just laugh it off.  My husband referred to me as "my bride to be & I"!  which resulted in much heckling from family and friends, we just laughed it off, what he was meant to say was "my wife and I".  I still tease him about it sometimes.


Dinners over and now its time to party... enjoy.


Both of you
When you say your vows to each other, face each other and look into each others eyes, its each other you are making those promises to, to the celebrant.     I have seen so many couples over the years that don't look at each other when saying their Vows, they have missed out on such a special moment where it feels as if it's only the 2 of you in the room.   I know that sounds soppy and romantic, but isn't that how it should be on your wedding day?  The rest of the day is going to go past in a flash, enjoy every second of your wedding ceremony that you can.



The Ceremony is over, it's time for photographs, videos, cocktail reception, wedding breakfast and of course the wedding reception itself.   You will probably only come together occasionally throughout the rest of the day as you mingle with your guests and pose for many more photos as the day progresses.   Take time out with your new husband for half an hour, whether that's finding a quiet spot in the venue, going for a short walk in the grounds or going to your room, just to enjoy a few precious moments of quiet and share your thoughts on the day so far.


Enjoy every moment of your wedding day, it about both of you and the promises that you make to each other as you start out on your married life together.






Next Week:  Planning your Wedding - Part 6  After the Wedding

Planning Your Wedding - Part 4

The Lead Up to the Wedding

The final 6 weeks before the wedding is the most stressful for any couple.   All those plans that you have been putting into place now need to be pulled together.

I am going to give you a few hints and tips to make this time just a little bit easier.

• Forget the previous lists that you have done, and create a new one!   you might want something like this:

Dress fitting appointment made
Dress fitting -  let everyone know that needs to be there
• Shoes found 
• Shoes bought 
• Underwear search done 
• Underwear bought 
• Make up purchased
• Rings ordered 
• Rings collected
• Groom and Groomsmen outfits ordered and fitted 
• Marriage licence 
• Officiant booked/confirmed
• Venue for both ceremony and reception confirmed (by phone if you like) 
• Timings checked and finalised
• Reception - food chosen and confirmed 
• Cars booked and confirmed 
• Flowers chosen and confirmed 
• Cake Chosen and confirmed 
Invitations sent and system to collect RSVPs in place
• Photographer booked and confirmed
Hen night and stag night arranged
Gifts for bridesmaids
• Flowers for mothers ordered (optional)
• Evening entertainment booked/confirmed
• Hair Trials booked 
• Fake Tan appointments booked (don't forget to have a trial run approx 6 weeks before so you can check that the colour of the tan is right) 
• Nail Appointment booked
• Make up trial booked
• Honeymoon confirmed (if applicable) 
• Glass of something strong and preferably of the alcoholic nature in hand after you have ticked stuff off this list! :D 

I always find it useful to colour code it so that you can see at a glance what you have completed.   Like this

Dress fitting appointment made
Dress fitting -  let everyone know that needs to be there
• Shoes found 
• Shoes bought 
• Underwear search done 
• Underwear bought 
• Make up purchased
• Rings ordered 

Red = Urgent   Amber = Needs to be done soon   Green = done

The most important thing is to make sure you make a start on the confirmations and appointment bookings as soon as possible, so in the case that anything might have to be changed then you will have plenty of time to do this.    Many brides will employ a wedding coordinator at this point as it can be very overwhelming to try and pull it all together, especially when you are working full time and it feels that there just isn't enough time in the day.  This is also the time when you as a couple need to spend as much quality time together as possible without discussing wedding plans.

Delegation is something that you really need to do at this point, you will be surprised at just how many people are willing to help out at this time, even if it is a small task.  You don't have to do it all by yourself! 

This is the time that should also be the most exciting, you have your hen/stag nights to enjoy with your friends and its a great time to let your hair down and have some fun.   

You will be starting to receive some wedding gifts from your guests, either write your thank you notes now or make sure that you have a list of who sent you what and when.   Never send a generic thank you note, always make it personal, don't forget that person has given some thought and effort into choosing your gift, returning the favour in your personalised thank you notes is the least you can do.   You don't have to start these before the wedding itself, it's something that can wait until after the wedding.   

Most of all its important that you stay organised and relaxed, if something does go wrong, take a deep breath and relax, don't go off in a panic as you will most likely make a rash decision that could be worse in the long run.

Next Week: 

Planning Your Wedding - Part 5    The Wedding Day

Planning Your Wedding - Part 3 Choosing your Suppliers

Planning Your Wedding - Part 3

Choosing your Suppliers

Your suppliers can be anything from your florist, photographer, videographer, cake, cars & transport, venue decoration, fireworks, entertainment, bridal wear, groomswear, caterers and of course your venue.

Choosing the right ones can be a minefield when you start looking, here are a few bits of advice that I can offer to help you make the right choices at the right time.

• First, don't be hasty in making your decisions, take your time, it's much better to wait and make the right decision than rushing in, paying your deposits, then finding something you like better later on.  Most deposits are non refundable so mistakes can be costly.
• Shop around, speak to suppliers, go and visit them, see and touch (where you can) what you will be paying for.  
• Recommendations from friends and family who may have used suppliers in the past is normally a good sign, it means that they have received good customer service and have tried and tested their products or services already.
• When you have decided what suppliers you are going to use, make sure you get something in writing and a receipt for any deposits paid and how much is left to be paid and by when.    Read Terms and Conditions carefully before you commit, this can save a load of headaches later! 
• If you are using a wedding coordinator make sure that they have a list of all the suppliers, contact names and phone numbers, this will allow them to coordinate the suppliers on the run up to and including your wedding day.
• A wedding coordinator/planner will also have a range of suppliers that they use and have worked with closely in the past, who they know are reliable, affordable and deliver only the best service to their clients.  It might be worth having a conversation.   Some planners will charge for this Supplier Sourcing at Beauty Weddings we do this free of charge.

Photographers/Videographer

I would advise looking for your photographer as early as possible.   It's all very well a friend saying that they will take your photo's for you, but, there is always a risk that the images won't turn out as you would expect.  Speak to several photographers, find out if they are available on the day of your wedding, look at their websites to see examples of their previous work, go and visit them and see how you get on with them, all these things are so important to make sure that you get the best images of your day.  Photographers and Videographers get booked up quickly which is why it's so important that you do this early.

Florists

Think of the time of year that you want to get married, what kind of flowers are in season?   Do you have a colour scheme in mind?  What style is your dress?  all these things are factors to consider when choosing your bouquet.  Go into florists, see, touch and smell the flowers, ask them to show you examples of their work.  Find out when they would have the bouquets ready, will they deliver them on the day of the wedding and when.  Again shop around and don't rush in.

Wedding Cakes

The choice of cakes out on the market is huge.  There are so many different styles, textures and flavours to choose from.   Decide how much you want to spend on your cake.  Do you have a style in your head.   Many of the wedding shows and fayres will have several stands where you can look at cakes and get an idea of what is on offer, and at the shows there are usually offers available if you book on the day.  

Cars/Transport

It depends on your needs, you might want a vintage car, limo, horse and cart.  Whatever you have your heart set on you need to do this early, as they will be booked up well in advance.  Never just book over the phone!   Go along and have a look at the cars, are they clean and presentable, what is the chauffeur like, are they interested in you and your wedding, when will they arrive, what route will they take, how do they charge - by the hour or 4 hourly?   

Entertainment

Choosing your entertainment can be fun, it depends what you are looking for.  Do you want a band for the evening, or maybe a DJ or a mix of both.   It's a great excuse for a few nights out with your betrothed, to have a look at bands playing in venues, visit websites and listen to their music, and have a chat with them to find out their availability.    

Venue Decoration

You will want your reception venue to have the WOW factor when you and your guests enter the room.  Prices can vary hugely across the industry so shop around look at testimonials, look at photo's and meet with the person that will be decorating your venue for you.  Do they understand what it is you want?  are they able to visualise it with you?   Do they offer advice and ideas?  This is your wedding, you are paying for a service, you can have it any way you want it. 

Caterers

Regardless of whether you are having a wedding in a big hotel or a community centre, your food is something that you want to be right.  If it's your venue that is going to be providing the catering, go there for lunch or dinner before you book anything, bit like a secret shopper if you like, see what the service and food are like before making your decision.   If it's an outside caterer, find out if they are preparing the meals / buffet on site or if they will be bringing it with them, sample some of their menu's, is their attention to detail the way you want it.  All these things are important when making your final decisions.

Finally

Remember to set your budget before you book anything, speak to several suppliers to see what special offers they may have, see, touch, feel and taste as much as possible, and never put a deposit down on anything until you are absolutely certain you have the right person for the job.  If in doubt.... don't!

Next Week.... Planning your Wedding  - Part 4   The Lead up to the Wedding

Planning Your Wedding - Part 2 The Bridal Party

Planning Your Wedding - Part 2

The Bridal Party

Your bridal party are the ones who will be the biggest help and support to you on your wedding day, it is so important that you get this right.    When trying to decide it can bring up all sorts of issues and pressure from the family, and before you know it there can be tension generated.     

First and foremost, This is YOUR wedding!     Couples can get tangled up in the thinking that they have to have their 2nd cousin etc as a bridesmaid, usher etc.    No you don't!  You can have whoever you want, and it really shouldn't be up for discussion with anyone else.  

Brides attendants

Your Maid of Honour/Chief Bridesmaid is one of the people that you will rely on most.  So its is vitally important that you choose wisely,  this person will most likely be the one who you will laugh, cry and rant with during your planning process, they will be honest but never condescending when you ask for advice and will listen when you are just talking weddings!     Whoever in your mind fits that description is the person you should choose.   

Your Best Maid really has a joint role with your Maid of Honour doing all of the above and should have similar qualities, this person will also be responsible for the younger attendants on the day up until the end of the ceremony, but they will also be looking after you.  

If you are having more bridesmaids/flower girls have who you want to have, you don't have to have your nieces or cousins, this is your wedding you can have all your best friends if that's what you want.   

Whoever you choose, someone, somewhere is going to feel put out.   You have to be clear right from the outset that whatever decisions you make in the process of planning your wedding, they are Your decisions and they should be respected.   It's all to easy to lose sight of what your wedding is all about while others wound up.  

Grooms Attendants

The Best Man!   This is the grooms choice, it can also be a difficult one.  The Best Man is responsible for ensuring that the Groom gets dressed, and turns up on time and also have the responsibility of looking after the rings until they are safely deposited on your fingers.!  Some grooms will choose their best friend or brother and what if the bride to be doesn't like that person, well that's where compromise comes in.  That person is important to the Groom, it is his wedding too, so why shouldn't he have the person he chooses.

Ushers/Groomsmen

These again are the Grooms choice, he might just want all his best friends to be at his side, or if he has brothers he might want them, he can give them jobs to do on the day so that they feel included and valued in being chosen to stand by his side on what will be one of the most special days in his life.

How to get the best out of your Bridal Party

Now you have selected everyone, what does that mean for you and for them.  For you its the people who are going to be with you every step of the way, until you say I Do.   For them its special, and they will want to do what they can to help.   Have everyone involved so that they feel included in the planning process.  Delegating some tasks, giving your party roles on the day itself can make your planning so much easier.  

For example you could ask the most confident of the Groomsmen if they will be MC for the day.  That would be ushering guests into the ceremony venue before the bride arrives, announcing the speeches, just being the voice of the day.  Make sure you give plenty of notice that this will be his job, not 2 days before the wedding!

You could assign the role of the younger members to hand out Orders of Service as guests arrive, or at the wedding breakfast instead of having favours on the tables, have the youngsters pass them out personally.  They will be wearing their lovely outfits, why not let them show it off.

You could ask if they would like to do a reading at your wedding ceremony? this can add that extra special touch to their role.  

This is your Wedding Day, the day that you make your promises to each other and share the love that you have for each other with your friends and family, making it a day to remember. 

Next Week - Part 3   Choosing your suppliers