A Best Man’s Guide to Planning an Awesome Stag Night

-

26/04/2014

Designed exclusively for Moreland by Margaret Moreland. The collection includes timeless, beautifully tailored gowns with lean clean lines and combines glamour and sophistication. The collection is available in many variations of necklines and skirts shapes and offers a diverse range of fabrics, such as the finest silks, luxurious satins and laces. The unique attention to detail in every Moreland design makes each gown individually special. Moreland offer a bespoke design service which ensures the most flattering shape for every individual bride.

Moreland are here to help you find the perfect wedding dress that will capture your individuality and ensure you the grace and beauty that every bride, deserves to have on her wedding day.

Moreland Dublin

Unit 8 Abbey Business Park

Baldoyle Industrial Estate

Baldoyle

Dublin 13

Grooming the Groom

By

-

24/04/2014

With all the emphasis on the bride and her beauty regime, it’s easy to forget that the husband to be should also be thinking of a few grooming extras to ensure he looks his best on his wedding day. After all, you want your bride to be as proud to see you at the altar as you are when she starts walking up the aisle…

There was a time when nothing was really expected of the groom beauty-wise except a good shave, a neat haircut and a splash of aftershave. Now, however, thanks to the metrosexuals like David Beckham and co who place as much emphasis on grooming as their female partners, the groom is generally expected to make much more of an effort in the days and months leading up to his wedding. Even the toughest and most macho of Irish men are beginning to embrace the importance of looking after their skin, hair and body, especially for the biggest day of their lives so far.

Skin

If you haven’t already, begin a good skincare regime immediately. If you’re confused about what products to use, enlist the help of a therapist or a beauty consultant. There are plenty of men’s salon-only grooming ranges that are excellent for skincare, yet are boxed in masculine packaging and feature manly fragrances. At a minimum, men should be cleansing and moisturising twice a day. Shaving gives you a daily exfoliation, so it’s important to use a product after shaving to reduce irritation and restore moisture in the area.

Make sure to shave after a shower or bath, as the bristles are softer and it should be easier to shave. Use a good-quality shaving gel or foam, preferably one with an ingredient to help prevent irritation, such as aloe vera. On the day of the wedding, think about getting a professional hot towel shave in a grooming salon. If you decide to go ahead with this, it’s a good idea to try out the salon and treatment a few weeks before the wedding to ensure you are comfortable with the treatment and products.

Your moisturiser in the morning should be gentle enough to apply after shaving, be strong enough to restore moisture in the skin, and contain a sunscreen to help prevent damage from ultraviolet rays.

If you have specific skin problems such as acne or excessive oiliness, get yourself along to a beauty salon that offers male or unisex treatments. Try to begin a treatment programme six months before the big day if possible.

Hair

Make sure to get regular trims in the run-up to the wedding. If you are planning a new style, talk to your barber at least three/four months before the wedding to ensure that the style can be grown out if it doesn’t work out. This will give you time to also work with the style and get comfortable with it before the big day.

Start using good products on your hair a few months before your wedding. If you’re not sure what you should be using, consult your barber or stylist for advice. If you suffer from dry scalp or dandruff, begin treating it now with products designed to help the problem.

Begin experimenting with styling products like wax and serum. Remember that a lot of your pictures will be taken outside (depending on the weather), so if you don’t have a very tight haircut, you may need to use something to keep your style intact. Again, your barber/stylist will be able to advise you on suitable products for your hair type.

A week or two before the wedding is not the time to adopt a new style. Make sure you and your wife-to-be are comfortable with your style, whatever it might be. Remember that your wedding pictures will serve as a memory long after the day has passed, so opt for classic if possible – hair can really date pictures if you go for something too trendy.

Body

The most important thing is to watch your diet! Try to drink one-and-a-half to two litres of water a day, along with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Limit the beer and takeaways, and get down to the gym three times a week. If you smoke, try to stop.

Consider getting a professional manicure done. A lot of focus on the day is on your hands within the ceremony and when greeting your guests, so a good manicure is a great idea. Many leading nail salon brands have products specifically for men and are well-used to the male “MAN-icure”. If in doubt, go to a salon that offers a specific men’s treatment menu.

If you are conscious of unwanted hair on parts of the body such as the back, consider investing in a series of waxes. Waxing salons specialise in men’s treatments and will be able to guide you in terms of a series of treatments coming up to your wedding. If you don’t have access to a specialist waxing establishment, opt for a salon that has a specific men’s treatment menu.

For a longer-lasting hair removal treatment, try permanent hair reduction using an IPL or laser machine. A course of 6 to 12 treatments is necessary for a full back, and with each treatment about three weeks apart, it’s essential to begin treatment at least six months before the big day. IPL and laser work on the pigment of the hair and skin, so dark hair is only suitable for treatment. Also it’s essential that you don’t get any sun on the area being treated for the duration of the course (as a tan will affect the absorption of the light beams). Book in for a consultation before committing to a treatment series.

Take a close look at your eyebrows and if necessary, consider a professional eyebrow tidy. Again, make sure to try this a good two months before the wedding to make sure you like the look, and make sure to keep them as natural as possible – the emphasis here is on the word “tidy”! Have your final eyebrow tidy at least three days before your wedding day to make sure you lose that tell-tale redness that accompanies such as treatment!

Finally, on the day itself, make sure you slip a packet of breath-freshening mints into your pocket. You’ll be spending much of the day kissing people and talking with them, and you will want to ensure your breath stays as fresh as possible. But a warning, definitely avoid chewing gum!

Image credits:

Groom Two Pair Photography via Style My Pretty

The Gent Grooming Kit Whiskey Ink and Lace on etsy

Natural organic cologne The Old Tamarack on etsy

Woodsman bears oil on etsy

Groom Emily Blake Photography via Style My Pretty

Couple Of Wedding Photo Poses to Just Avoid Altogether

By

-

21/04/2014

As fabulous as it is to look at other people’s wedding photos—because so many of them are spectacular—this is always something that’s important to remember: For every gorgeous picture, there’s one that went awry. Case in point: me and my husband. Let’s try to figure out why we thought this was a good idea on our wedding day, shall we?

…right. Unintentionally hilarious, which is definitely an upside (I laugh whenever I see this pic—and the good news is that there were tons of lovely photos to supplement this one). So that’s the first pose to avoid: looking like the floating heads of woodland elves, far from your spouse.

Photographers often work with you based on certain time constraints, so it’s good to have an idea of what might make for a great pose—while remembering what make for a bad one too. Luckily, pro photographers will know the difference. Bearing that in mind, here are some poses you might consider not striking during your wedding photo session.

The Jumping-in-the-Air Pose: It can be done—and it can be done well!—but think about the physics at play, here. You’re in a dress; action shots are challenging (especially when there are two people to coordinate); gravity.

The Groom Peeking-Out-of-Your-Dress Pose: Just…no.

The Bride-Lying-Down Pose: I’ve never understood the appeal of this one, but lots of people seem to like it. A bride lying in the grass at her attendants’ feet—or anyone’s feet, for that matter—is a little awkward. (Plus: grass stains. Right?)

Any Pose That Makes You Uncomfortable: Seriously, if you’re not into facing away from the camera while holding your bouquet next to your shoulder blades because your strapless bra is digging into your back and it hurts—it’s OK not to do it!

Still, these aren’t hard-and-fast rules: My theory is that it’s worth trying every and all poses you can think of—what one couple may love, another may not like at all, It completely depends on the personalities of the newlyweds you’re shooting and how crazy, refined, traditional, or out-of-the-box they are. It’s always OK to be fun and be creative!”

Are there any poses that you’ve got marked down as ceremony dont’s?

4 Lovely Things From Vera Wang’s Latest Collection for David’s Bridal

By

-

18/04/2014

02-vera-wang-wedding-dresses-wedding-gowns-bridal-market-spring-2018

There was a lot of prettiness happening when I swung by the showroom yesterday to check out the latest from White by Vera Wang, Vera‘s collection for David’s Bridal. Here are four of my favorite things:

THE LASER-CUT FLOWERS ON THIS BALL GOWN Vera’s people tried to explain how this fabric was made, but I still don’t get how she’s making a dress with so much detail work AND a $1,898 price tag. I suspect there might be witchcraft or elves involved.

THIS MUTED BLING Here’s a subtle way to do sparkle: Veil outsize gemstones in tulle, so they’re bling-y without being blinding. (Close-up on the right.)
2-new-white-by-vera-wang-davids-bridal-market-wedding-dresses-0418

THE HEMLINE ON THIS BRIDESMAID DRESS My photo kind of stinks, but trust me when I tell you this bridesmaid dress is formal and fun. Peek-a-shoe!
3-new-white-by-vera-wang-davids-bridal-market-wedding-dresses-0418

THESE SHOES, SHOES, SHOES
I own the big-bow shoes, so I can tell you they’re seriously wearable. (And cute. Who doesn’t love a giant bow?) I’m loving them and pink, and I’m loving the white tassel shoes. Such a fun detail. And the shoe/bootie (shoo-tie?) on the right would be so cute with jeans.
4-new-white-by-vera-wang-davids-bridal-market-wedding-dresses-0418

Which pretty thing is your favorite?

HONEYMOON ESSENTIALS

By

-

16/04/2014

Honeymoon, like a wedding needs a lot of preparation. You need to choose the right place, a warm place or the mountains? You have to answer the question whether you prefer to spend that time relaxing on the beach or rather more actively? The choices are endless with many interesting places but in the end you need to decide on one. If you have selected the warm place there is a few necessary items which you can not forget. My dream wedding has created a list of essentials to make your life easier.

Before you leave home for a honeymoon make sure you have all sun holiday necessities!

Here’s a list of things we think is a must- have:

1. White floral print bandeau maxi dress, New Look

2. Big white floral print bandeau maxi dress, New Look

3. Loose Sundress, Next

4. Denim insert dress, perfect for a evening dinner, Primark

5. Loose waist cargo shorts, River Island

6. Lurex lace cami, Primark

7. Floral print shorts, Primark

8.Comfy toe thong sandals, Next

9. Black and white stripe buster bikini top, River Island

10. Refreshers Trilby, Accessorize

11.Susie Cat eye Sunglasses, Accessorize

12. 3 x beaded disc anklet pack, Accessorize

13. Long stud drop earrings, Accessorize

14. Sun Care Cream High Protection UVB/UVA 30, Clarins

15. Fowlera Quilted zip detail Leather jacket, Missguided

16. GPS app

Is there anything elese you think you could add? Share with us in a comment section below.

HERE COMES THE GROOM: FINDING THE PERFECT ATTIRE FOR YOUR BIG DAY

By

-

15/04/2014

The wedding day is one of the most important days of any man’s life and will require you to be at your best to make it memorable. However, the day has mostly been associated with the bride more than it has with the groom. While it more of a ladies affair than it is a mens one, it is important that we do not forget about the person (the groom) making it happen.

As a groom, you may be having tonnes of questions. Who do you invite? Where will your wedding take place? What about food and catering? While these are essential questions, its most probable that your soon-to-be wife will be handling most of these issues- its ingrained in their instinct. Nonetheless, you have to ensure that you are a part of the decision making process. However, there is one thing that you need to work on to ensure that your day is perfect and that you complement one another as you stand on the alter and about to say I do- finding the right attire for your big day.

As simple as it seems, finding the most befitting style and attire to adorn on your big day could be a complicated and rather hard task. The biggest issue may be finding the best style that will let you stand out yet complementing your love. With different options and styles to choose from, question is what do you wear? Do you go for the classical formal tuxedo style? Or do you get a well-tailored suit for that sharp wedding look?

To make the right decision, it is important that you consider several factors that could help you decide on what to go for.

1. Colour Coordination

It’s quite obvious that you have already settled for a colour scheme for your wedding right. To make sure that you stay relevant and sharp on your wedding day, getting attire that will colour coordinate with the whole scheme will be essential. Basically, it is the accessories you go for that will determine this. This on the other hand will make it easier to make a decision on what you are going to wear. Is it a tuxedo with matching colour bow ties or cummerbund or a two piece suit with the vests and ties colour matching to those of your groom, that will be up to you.

2. Jacket style

The jacket style you go for will matter a lot. It is the jacket that will determine your overall wedding look and the flair you will have as the groom. As it is there are about seven jacket styles available and which you can choose from. Nonetheless, finding the most befitting style and one which will complement your soon-to-be-wife should be top priority. Of all jacket styles available, these two are the most common and highly rated styles for any groom to go for- the tuxedo and the suit.

These are just two simple tips on what to look for when planning on what to wear to your wedding. For more tips, tricks and advice on what to get, where to get them and things to consider when choosing wedding attire as the groom, visit my dream wedding today.

Image credits:

Boutonnieres BE paperie on etsy

Mint bow tie ARB Boys on etsy

Cuff link Over The Moon Bridal on etsy

Men suite Michele Nassaney on etsy

Boutonniere Crafty Frills on etsy

Tips for Dressing the Flower Girl

By

-

03/04/2014

Let’s face it, planning a wedding can be a pretty confusion, chaotic, and tedious task at time. Couples must constantly work so hard to ensure that they are organising the perfect wedding. Every little detail is placed under the microscope of love, from the choice of wedding cake all the way down to the flower girl’s dress. Each aspect of the wedding must reflect your style, choices, and dreams for the evening. For all of this chaos, confusion, and hard-work, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable, perfect evening and hopefully a life full of happiness with that special someone.

Until then, you’ve got to continue organising, planning, and orchestrating the big night. Flower girls are a big deal at any wedding. At some weddings, there may only be one or two flower girls between the ages of 4 and 8. However, there are also weddings that have up to a dozen or more flower girls. The quantity of flower girls will probably be the first decision you need to make. After that, it’s on to choosing the proper dresses for all of these little angels. Here are a few very important factors you need to keep in mind when choosing a dress for your flower girl or flower girls.

Fabric.
The first thing you’ll want to consider is the fabric of the dress itself. Remember, most of these flower girls are likely between the ages of 4 and 8. This means you don’t want dresses that are too lacey, too long, or too heavy for children to wear. Kids often have very short attention spans and they don’t like sitting around too long in a terribly uncomfortable dress. You should focus on finding something that is comfortable and doesn’t itch. This way they’ll stay in their dress for the entirety of the wedding and you won’t have any embarrassing accidents.

Weather.
The weather plays a big factor in what everyone’s wearing for the evening, the flower girls included. For example, a nice spaghetti-strapped dress on a hot summer’s day would be much better for a young girl than burying them beneath layers of lace, cotton, and fabric. Try adding a short sleeved bolero to the mix during the summer months, but replacing it with a long sleeved bolero during the winter months. This way the kids can still wear their dresses in accordance with the rest of wedding guests, but stay comfortable when it matters the most.

Style.
You might not believe it, but style is almost as important to most little girls as it is to the grown up girls. There time as the flower girl at the wedding may be some of their first memories of a real wedding and could set the framework for the rest of their lives. For this reason, you’ll want to find dresses for the flower girls that are as close in style to the bride’s gown as you can find. Help the child feel like they are a real part of the wedding and fit in perfectly with the adults. They’ll have the rest of their life to recreate the experience with their own spouse one day.

All dresses can be purchased at pinkmarie.com

How to Find the Best Wedding Stationery and Invitations

By

-

25/03/2014

There are never any “easy” jobs when it comes to planning a wedding. Every little detail matters, even the smallest jobs, such as selecting the appropriate wedding stationery and invitations, is extremely important. After all, this is supposed to be your perfect day, which means everything involved needs to be absolutely perfect, or at least up to your standards.

b2ap3_thumbnail_www.prettyasapicture-3.jpg — prettyasapicture.ie

There are a lot of wedding stationery companies out there that specialize in creating unique wedding invitations. You’ll need to sort through all of these available companies and find the company with the right attitude, the right price, and the right invitations for your wedding. If you need a little help finding the perfect invitations, have no worries because we’ve gathered some useful tips that will point you in the right direction.

b2ap3_thumbnail_www.prettyasapicture-2.jpg — www.prettyasapicture.ie

Start with a sample.

You’re likely to run across a lot of wedding invitations and stationery online that look incredible, but it’s not hard for something to look good on the internet. Don’t make the purchase until you’ve ordered a sample of the invitations. A sample will give you a real idea of how the card looks and feels in person. Things like the quality of the card, the print of design and text, and the finish on the stationery are all important factors that are hard or impossible to gauge on the internet. Ordering samples could save you from a terrible mistake like ordering hundreds of invitations that wind up looking terrible. Use the sample to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want.

b2ap3_thumbnail_www.asyouwish-3.jpg — asyouwish.ie

Order more than you’ll need.

Start by determine how many invitations you’ll need for your wedding. You’ll then want to add another 10 or 20 invitations on top of this. This will help cover any lost invitations that might go missing in the mail. You might also realize you forgot to invite someone and having a spare invitation handy could save you from an embarrassing moment. Hand writing guest names on invitations always results in one or two wasted cards where the names were incorrectly recorded. Having a few spares helps protect against these mistakes. You should also check with the company for their minimum order requirements. Most companies have a minimum order because of how the printers work.

b2ap3_thumbnail_www.asyouwish-2.jpg — www.asyouwish.ie

Get a friend to proof read the stationery.

This is where having a friend with good grammar and spelling comes in handy. Sure, the designers will do their part to ensure that the invitations are error free, but they absolutely should be given a thorough reading by you or someone you trust with good grammar. This could save you from sending out an invitation with an embarrassing mistake in plain view. It’s really best to let a friend or family member review the cards because it’s easier for you to overlook mistakes as you are writing the names. A fresh perspective is more likely to catch any hidden errors that you definitely don’t want on your invitations.

Stationery and invitations are only a small part of any wedding, but they are just as important as every other aspect and deserve the same attention to detail.

b2ap3_thumbnail_www.asyouwish-1.jpg — www.asyouwish.ie

The sound of love

By

-

18/03/2014