big beautiful plus size top wedding tips and advice
Top Tips from our Brides
We would love to hear from you if you have any top tips or
suggestions, particularly if you are one of our customers. Please
send them to 
Dining Height Chair
Tip for the future: I wanted to try my dress sitting down as
if I were at the top table, your sofa was far too low, so it
may be an idea to have access to a dining style chair.
Teresa Jackson
big beautiful brides response:
Thanks to Teresa we now have a dining height chair for our brides
to see how they look seated at the right height.
Venue/reception
Glamour means having the confidence to do things your own
way. Consider a Friday evening, a midweek party or an elaborate
Sunday lunch. Many venues offer discounts for weekdays and Sundays.
You & Your Wedding magazine
Drinks: presentation is everything and you can really add to
your serves by freezing fruit into your ice cubes and serving
them in your drinks -very simple but it's the little things
that really make the difference.
Martini
The choice of wine served with your meal can be somewhat restricted
by your choice of reception venue however the ferry run to Calais
is always cost effective if your venue will allow it.
Martini
Handle all your supplier negotiations like an adult. If you
are afraid to haggle, you just won't get good deals. Don't be
bamboozled by professional suppliers - stand your ground and
only sign a contract when all the details meet your approval.
You & Your Wedding magazine
Photographer
Book your photographer as soon as you can - the best ones
get booked up 18 months + in advance for the most popular dates.
Photography by Gideon
When you're having your photo taken hold your chin slightly
down and look up into the camera, which will make your face
look thinner. Cosmo Bride magazine
Planning and budgeting
Start planning early especially if you are planning a wedding
in the most popular wedding months from June to September. The
best venues and suppliers get booked up quickly. You & Your
Wedding magazine
Be flexible with your ideas. Listen to advice from the experts
at the venue, caterers, florists etc. They will have organised
hundreds of weddings before yours so listen to what they have
to say, they are probably right!
You & Your Wedding magazine
Set a budget and then add at least 10 per cent on top for unexpected
expenses. Be prepared to compromise as you go along. If you
splurge on the most amazing dress then choose less expensive
wine and so on - all but the most lavish weddings are an exercise
in compromise somewhere.
You & Your Wedding magazine
Keep a scrap book of ideas that you like from magazines.
Having them all in one place makes it easier to explain your
plan to the people that are helping make your day a success.
Bliss For Brides magazine
If you are on a budget, keep the guest list small. Charges
are usually on a 'per guest' basis and will quickly add up.
Treat your reception like a celebrity party and only invite
'A' list friends and relatives.
You & Your Wedding magazine
Wedding lists
Do let your guests know about your wedding gift list! A discreet
card slipped in with your invitation will save your guests a
lot of hassle, and save you from receiving three toasters.
Wrapit
Choose a list service that makes life easy for your guests
as well as for you. These days guests often prefer to buy online,
but make sure that they can also buy presents over the phone
or even in person.
Wrapit
Before selecting a wedding list service check how and when
your presents will be delivered and if there is an additional
cost involved for you or your guests.
Wrapit
How to be radiant
For really black lashes that don't look totally clogged with
mascara, have them tinted black and then apply just a thin coat
of mascara on top.
Cosmo Bride magazine
Big eyes look great with a dark line over the top of the eyelids,
while small eyes can look smaller. To bring out smaller eyes,
use a white or cream liner over the eyelids and a pearlised
shadow in the corners.
Cosmo Bride magazine
Having your eyebrows professionally shaped will instantly give
your face a lift.
Cosmo Bride magazine
Very heavy foundation can be ageing, use a lightweight product
all over the face and a concealer on blemishes for a more youthful
look.
Cosmo Bride magazine
For the groom
Grooms - use colour, pattern and accessories to add depth
and individuality to the classic suit.
Marc Wallace (winner, Menswear Designer, British Bridal
Fashion Awards 2004)
Always leave the bottom button of a waistcoat undone. It's
an age-old tradition begun by Edward VII.
Moss Bros Hire
Menswear tip for the season? Well it has to be the three-piece
suit.
Marc Wallace
Grooms should choose colours with an organic feel for next
season's ultimate style statement. Look for sea grass greens,
sun bleach blues, whites, sandy browns and camouflage.
Marc Wallace
Double breast suits are back for grooms, but buying off the
peg will sometimes leave you looking like a sack! Always look
at having one made to measure when considering this route.
Marc Wallace
Grooms: clean your shoes, but don't leave any polish on them
or you will mark the bride's dress!
Moss Bros Hire
Top hats should always be removed for photographs and should
never be worn in a church.
Moss Bros Hire
Getting married abroad
Getting married abroad? Watch out for sunburn! The photos
will be around long after the bright red sunburn has disappeared,
so beware, especially you brides in strapless dresses - you
don't want bikini marks to show!
Barefoot Traveller
When getting married in a tropical location (usually a beach),
consider the time of day that you marry! Midday is the hottest
time of the day and risks one of the wedding party fainting
or getting progressively redder - just in time for the photos.
Barefoot Traveller
When getting married abroad, find out how many weddings a day
are performed at the hotel of your choice. We mostly guarantee
that no one else will be married on the same day. You don't
want to be on a wedding conveyer belt.
Barefoot Traveller
Style and fashion tips
An outfit you feel comfortable in will instantly make you
feel confident to enjoy the day.
Yvonne Gillon, House of Gillon (fashion for mother of the
bride)
When choosing a tiara, choose a metal which will work well
with your hair colour: Dark Hair - Gold, Copper, Brass and Silver
Brown Hair - Gold, Silver Blond Hair - Diamante, Pearls, Colours,
Depth on any wire but not too much wire to show Red Hair - Silver
(bright gold seems to disappear).
Tiaras by T
As you compile your outfit, and those of your bridesmaids,
think about how things feel as well as look. Texture will give
depth to your overall look - mix hessian with silk and velvet
with metallics.
For The Bride magazine
When you're looking for your dress, keep your eyes open for
inspiration in unexpected places. Fashion is wide ranging so
use high street trends, the latest looks on the catwalk and
the accessories that celebrities wear as starting places for
getting your look perfect.
For The Bride magazine
Feathers are a popular alternative to hats especially with
the increase in evening weddings. They don't 'mess up' the hair
or shade the face for photographs.
Yvonne Gillon, House of Gillon (fashion for mother of the
bride)
A tiara will look good with or without a veil and the height
of the tiara should reflect light, compliment the veil but not
overpower it.
Tiaras by T
Spend time looking around before you buy things like your dress,
tiara, shoes, stationery, cake etc. There are lots of ideas
out there and if you take time to explore all the options you'll
find the thing that's just right for you and your big day.
Bliss for Brides magazine
Tiaras often look better on the head than viewed flat on a
display. Don't be afraid to try them on.
Tiaras by T
A made-to-measure outfit is designed exclusively for you; therefore
no risk of meeting anyone wearing the same thing.
Yvonne Gillon, House of Gillon
