How to bring the magic to your newlywed bedroom

http://ift.tt/1x6xE7u

Our wedding day is the biggest day of our life and certainly more than makes up for all the stress that goes into it – whether it’s fretting about fitting into a wedding dress or organising table plans, there is certainly a lot of effort involved.

But why should couples fall into the trap of not making the same effort with their marriage? It can be hard to maintain the ‘honeymoon period’ for a sustained period of time, but there are a few tricks and tips you can employ to make sure your love carries on blossoming once you’re off that plane.

To give your bedroom that romantic edge, try out a few of these tips.

Make your bedroom a place of relaxation

One of the most common traps into which couples fall when living married life is to become slaves to technology and social media. Ask yourself: how often do you crawl into bed with your significant other and then spend a substantial amount of type tapping on your smartphone? If you want to keep the flame alive, make your bedroom a place of relaxation, not a social club. Ban the laptops, smartphones, even televisions, and put the focus into your partner.

Add a bit of life to your bed

Naturally, nothing is going to compare to that fantastic honeymoon suite, but you can give a tired old bed a new lease of life to make it all the more welcoming. Consider investing in a new duvet that’s got a high tog count to keep you both warm, and feel free to go wild with pillows, throws and even rose petals to recapture that romance. A comfortable bed will not only keep you close with those Sunday morning lie ins, but improved sleep cycles will keep you both in higher spirits too – perfect for getting marriage off to a good start!

Make it personal

Finally, your bedroom as a married couple is a reflection of the two of you, so to make it super-romantic, ensure that it is a personal reflection of you both. Invest in quirky photo frames, and adorn the walls with images of your most personal moments, back from the day you first met to your wedding day. The memories will mark the journey on which you have come as a couple and take you back to that honeymoon phase whenever you wish.

The post How to bring the magic to your newlywed bedroom appeared first on Alice In Weddingland Wedding Blog. by Zarn

http://ift.tt/1x6xEnS

5 Sci-Fi Wedding Cakes Which Are Surprisingly Sweet (in More Ways Than One)

While a lot of people might not know their Star Wars from their Star Treks, other people are almost as passionate about these things as they are about their other half.

Some are such die-hard fans that they opt for sci-fi themed wedding cakes…and some are surprisingly sweet (and we’re not just talking about the taste).

My company provides catering equipment and furniture hire for weddings all over the UK, so we see a lot of weddings. In the past few years, we’ve noticed a growing trend for brilliantly unique wedding cake designs. Other outlandish designs can be found online.

More and more couples are saying no to tiers of white, and yes to sugary recreations of their favourite movie scenes and characters; and lots of them get their kicks from the world of science fiction.

Of course, while some are so committed to their fiction of choice that their cake winds up looking creepy (and not-too-appealing), others take a cue from their sci-fi inspirations but still manage to come up with something romantic or cute.

Here are five our favourites we found online at Allens Hire HQ:

1. Doctor Who

 

This sci-fi inspired wedding cake, by The Butter End Cakery, could almost be a regular floral, white cake; apart from the fact that the TARDIS has landed square on the top and discovered a pair of rampant dinosaurs at the bottom.

Instead of traditional cake toppers here, we get a pair of plucky explorers, popping their heads out of the telephone box, about to begin an adventure…just like the happy couple.

Cute.

1. Daleks

 

They might be the scourge of the galaxy, but Doctor Who’s greatest enemies certainly scrub up well. A pair of usually terrifying Daleks are transformed into the cutest of wedding couples; complete with a tuxedo and wedding dress designed to match the real bride and groom.

Cute to the power of 10.

1. Ghostbusters

 

Marriage is all about team work, particularly when your wedding cake is under attack from the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Fortunately, the happy couple are on hand to take the giant monster down before he does too much damage.

Now that’s love. Let’s just hope they don’t cross the streams.

This wedding cake is a great example of how a couple can create something which represents their personality and still turns heads for the right reasons.

1. Alien vs. Predator

 

Kudos to the team at Little Cherry Cake Company, who took one of the least romantic movies of all time, and managed to make this unbelievably sweet cake. The happy couple look positively lovely atop this cute and cartoonish cake.

It’s all quite at odds with their on screen personas, but then that’s what makes it so amazing. After all, who says these terrifying nightmares don’t deserve to find love too?

1. Stargate

 

Perhaps the most obscure movie reference on our list, we absolutely love the idea of a couple bonding over their mutual obsession of the Kurt Russell and James Spader starring action spectacular.

Again, like all the cakes on our list, this creation achieves an almost impossible amount of cute, despite its less-than-rose-tinted source material. It just goes to show that no matter what you’re passionate about, it’s possible to be individual and wholly, hopelessly romantic at the same time.

Surely that’s what the big day is all about.

5 Sci-Fi Wedding Cakes Which Are Surprisingly Sweet (in More Ways Than One)

Groom’s Grooming Guide {One for the boys}

http://ift.tt/1zoJ21H

Wedding planning is a long and sometimes gruelling process, especially without a wedding planner. When the day comes to celebrate the union of you and your loved one, with the sheer level of planning involved it’ll hardly be surprising if you forget something. Unless you’ve opted for full hair and makeup, it’s all too easy to overlook the importance of grooming… but what exactly does this entail?

Male grooming is a somewhat ambiguous term that essentially means, “The minimalistic approach to hair a makeup”. Generally speaking, cosmetics may be used, but they’re by no means a necessity. Emphasis usually revolves around leveling out skin tones or using bronzer to define certain features of the face. As for the hair, shine sprays and mousse may be applied to give it a more healthy appearance. Fundamentally, the process of male grooming isn’t to “change” your appearance, but to enhance your best features.

Will Grooming Make a Difference?

Of course it will! People may not notice a huge difference upon a glance, but you’ll certainly have a more polished and tidier look upon inspection. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Have you ever wondered why actors always seem to look great on camera? Believe it or not they’re not all naturally tanned, with perfect skin and chiseled jawlines; behind the scenes you can be damn sure that they’ll have a team of hair and makeup artist’s at the helm.

When you’re standing in front of the camera after tying the knot you’ll want to be looking your very best. Not like a caricature of yourself, but a smart and polished “version” that you’ll be proud to remember. Grooming helps you achieve just that.

Photo by Paul Mockford

Won’t the Products Go Everywhere?

To a certain extent, yes they will, but not nearly as much as you may think. You’ll look at your absolute best straight after any hair products or makeup has been applied; however, you can also apply specialist spray that’s sweat and tear proof, which will leave you looking fresh all day and night. In fact, the effects are so minimal that nobody will even notice a difference, and since it’ll be the most important day of your life, you probably won’t care anyway. Besides, there’s nothing a quick trip to the bathroom can’t fix.

Got any Tips?

Shaving is without a doubt the trickiest aspect of grooming. If you’re going for the clean look make sure you use lubricating shaving gel rather than cream or hot water. This will minimize the risk of shaving bumps – the last thing you need on your wedding day is an irritating itch.

Remember that the barber won’t be able to solve all of your problems, so don’t be afraid to visit the doctor if you’re having serious worries. Weather you have an acne breakout or perspiration problem, they’ll be able to help.

Hopefully this article has answered all of your questions about male grooming for weddings. There’s no need to worry. Grooming is easy when you know what you’re doing, so get in a little practice beforehand and you’ll no doubt look and feel better than ever when the time finally comes.

The post Groom’s Grooming Guide {One for the boys} appeared first on Alice In Weddingland Wedding Blog. by Zarn

http://ift.tt/1GOzNcb

Groom’s Grooming Guide One for the boys

Wedding planning is a long and sometimes gruelling process, especially without a wedding planner. When the day comes to celebrate the union of you and your loved one, with the sheer level of planning involved it’ll hardly be surprising if you forget something. Unless you’ve opted for full hair and makeup, it’s all too easy to overlook the importance of grooming… but what exactly does this entail?

Male grooming is a somewhat ambiguous term that essentially means, “The minimalistic approach to hair a makeup”. Generally speaking, cosmetics may be used, but they’re by no means a necessity. Emphasis usually revolves around leveling out skin tones or using bronzer to define certain features of the face. As for the hair, shine sprays and mousse may be applied to give it a more healthy appearance. Fundamentally, the process of male grooming isn’t to “change” your appearance, but to enhance your best features.

Will Grooming Make a Difference?

Of course it will! People may not notice a huge difference upon a glance, but you’ll certainly have a more polished and tidier look upon inspection. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Have you ever wondered why actors always seem to look great on camera? Believe it or not they’re not all naturally tanned, with perfect skin and chiseled jawlines; behind the scenes you can be damn sure that they’ll have a team of hair and makeup artist’s at the helm.

When you’re standing in front of the camera after tying the knot you’ll want to be looking your very best. Not like a caricature of yourself, but a smart and polished “version” that you’ll be proud to remember. Grooming helps you achieve just that.

Photo by Paul Mockford

Won’t the Products Go Everywhere?

To a certain extent, yes they will, but not nearly as much as you may think. You’ll look at your absolute best straight after any hair products or makeup has been applied; however, you can also apply specialist spray that’s sweat and tear proof, which will leave you looking fresh all day and night. In fact, the effects are so minimal that nobody will even notice a difference, and since it’ll be the most important day of your life, you probably won’t care anyway. Besides, there’s nothing a quick trip to the bathroom can’t fix.

Got any Tips?

Shaving is without a doubt the trickiest aspect of grooming. If you’re going for the clean look make sure you use lubricating shaving gel rather than cream or hot water. This will minimize the risk of shaving bumps – the last thing you need on your wedding day is an irritating itch.

Remember that the barber won’t be able to solve all of your problems, so don’t be afraid to visit the doctor if you’re having serious worries. Weather you have an acne breakout or perspiration problem, they’ll be able to help.

Hopefully this article has answered all of your questions about male grooming for weddings. There’s no need to worry. Grooming is easy when you know what you’re doing, so get in a little practice beforehand and you’ll no doubt look and feel better than ever when the time finally comes.

Groom’s Grooming Guide One for the boys

Top Ten Finishing Touches

http://ift.tt/1Honj9A

When it comes to your wedding it’s the little things that make all the difference. It’s these finishing touches that can give the entire event a lift, making it a night that your guests will remember for the rest of their lives. If your wedding feels a little incomplete, these ideas may help.

1. Have an After Dinner Tipple

If you really want to “brand” your wedding there’s nothing better than hiring a few waiters to walk around and serve your favorite after-dinner drink. Remember to choose a beverage that’s both distinctive and universal.

2. Scent Your Napkins

Your wedding should stimulate all the senses. Spray the insides of your napkins with a little lavender oil to fill your dining area with a sweet aroma before the food is served.

3. Bake Your Own Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes can eat up a hefty portion of your budget. If spending hundreds of pounds on a fancy cake seems a little too much, bake your own. Alternatively you could buy a pre-iced cake from a decent supermarket such as Waitrose and decorate it yourself.

Photo by Olivia Shaw

4. Make Personalized Games

Make your own personalized crossword puzzles and word search games to leave on the tables. Fill them with little facts about you, your partner and your guests.

5. Order Some Midnight Treats

No doubt your wedding will go on into the early hours. While your guests will be well-fed, they’ll almost certainly get a little peckish towards the end of the night. This can be a great time to bring out a few treats, such as mini ice cream pots or a toast station.

6. Have a Fingerprint Tree

Guest books are traditional and charming, but if you’re looking for something a little more original, a fingerprint tree could be an option. Leave some paints by an image of a tree and get your guests to leave “fingerprint leaves” on the branches.

Photo: Tom Hall

7. Decorate Your Candles

Don’t settle for bland candles. Decorate them with ribbon, glitter or anything that’ll make them a little more pleasing on the eye. But be sure to keep them with the theme of your wedding!

8. Name Your Tables

With friends and family from both sides of the family forming separate groups, enticing everyone to break the ice can be a challenge. Give your tables a name that expresses your personality – such as film or album titles – to give your guests something to talk about.

9. Build a DIY Photo Booth

You don’t have to hire a proper photo booth to have a nice backdrop for pictures. Build your own in a pop up tent and leave a Polaroid camera nearby for your guests to use throughout the night.

10. Hire a Caricature Artist

Everybody loves a good caricature artist. An exaggerated drawing will both compliment and offend, providing a memorable memento for everyone

Don’t be afraid to do something a little unconventional. Try to express your personality and think outside the box. It’s the odd ideas that’ll make your wedding unique and it’s something that a wedding planner will help you with.

Featured image by the brilliant Ky Lu (B Captured)

The post Top Ten Finishing Touches appeared first on Alice In Weddingland Wedding Blog. by Zarn

http://ift.tt/1Honj9E

Top Ten Finishing Touches

When it comes to your wedding it’s the little things that make all the difference. It’s these finishing touches that can give the entire event a lift, making it a night that your guests will remember for the rest of their lives. If your wedding feels a little incomplete, these ideas may help.

1. Have an After Dinner Tipple

If you really want to “brand” your wedding there’s nothing better than hiring a few waiters to walk around and serve your favorite after-dinner drink. Remember to choose a beverage that’s both distinctive and universal.

2. Scent Your Napkins

Your wedding should stimulate all the senses. Spray the insides of your napkins with a little lavender oil to fill your dining area with a sweet aroma before the food is served.

3. Bake Your Own Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes can eat up a hefty portion of your budget. If spending hundreds of pounds on a fancy cake seems a little too much, bake your own. Alternatively you could buy a pre-iced cake from a decent supermarket such as Waitrose and decorate it yourself.

Photo by Olivia Shaw

4. Make Personalized Games

Make your own personalized crossword puzzles and word search games to leave on the tables. Fill them with little facts about you, your partner and your guests.

5. Order Some Midnight Treats

No doubt your wedding will go on into the early hours. While your guests will be well-fed, they’ll almost certainly get a little peckish towards the end of the night. This can be a great time to bring out a few treats, such as mini ice cream pots or a toast station.

6. Have a Fingerprint Tree

Guest books are traditional and charming, but if you’re looking for something a little more original, a fingerprint tree could be an option. Leave some paints by an image of a tree and get your guests to leave “fingerprint leaves” on the branches.

Photo: Tom Hall

7. Decorate Your Candles

Don’t settle for bland candles. Decorate them with ribbon, glitter or anything that’ll make them a little more pleasing on the eye. But be sure to keep them with the theme of your wedding!

8. Name Your Tables

With friends and family from both sides of the family forming separate groups, enticing everyone to break the ice can be a challenge. Give your tables a name that expresses your personality – such as film or album titles – to give your guests something to talk about.

9. Build a DIY Photo Booth

You don’t have to hire a proper photo booth to have a nice backdrop for pictures. Build your own in a pop up tent and leave a Polaroid camera nearby for your guests to use throughout the night.

10. Hire a Caricature Artist

Everybody loves a good caricature artist. An exaggerated drawing will both compliment and offend, providing a memorable memento for everyone

Don’t be afraid to do something a little unconventional. Try to express your personality and think outside the box. It’s the odd ideas that’ll make your wedding unique and it’s something that a wedding planner will help you with.

Featured image by the brilliant Ky Lu (B Captured)

Top Ten Finishing Touches

Wedding ties: what to wear when tying the knot

http://ift.tt/1sjBqvr

Weddings – they’re all about the bride aren’t they? As a future groom, you probably already know that the bride will take centre stage at your wedding, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to dress to impress. If you want to look sharp in your wedding photos, you will need to step up to the mark and choose a seriously sophisticated suit, and that means choosing some really stylish accessories to enhance your look.

Your choice of wedding ties is a key ingredient to your wedding appearance, so it’s worth considering all of your options carefully before taking the plunge.

With so many different tie colours, patterns and styles, it can be difficult to know where to start.

When choosing your wedding neckwear, you’ll want to go for a more stylish tie than your average everyday wear. Your tie will be the focal point of your wedding outfit, so luxury is most definitely the key.

If you want to blend in with the wedding party, it is worth finding out if there will be a wedding colour scheme. Your bride will certainly thank you for fitting so well into all of those wedding photos! One option is to go for is a plain satin tie; an elegant, yet understated choice of tie that can easily be matched to the colour of your bride’s bouquet. Alternatively, try a rich swirling pattern, such as Paisley, for that classic touch of elegance.

Whether you prefer a cool pastel shade or an electrifying pink, don’t forget you can tailor your look with different tie styles. If you really want to go to town on style, try a classic wedding necktie, a tie style that is really reserved for the special occasion, or try something suave and sophisticated like a traditional black bow tie.

At DQT, you can find a huge selection of ties that would be perfect for your big day. Check out their range now.

The post Wedding ties: what to wear when tying the knot appeared first on Alice In Weddingland Wedding Blog. by Zarn

http://ift.tt/1zZeoc8

Wedding ties: what to wear when tying the knot

Weddings – they’re all about the bride aren’t they? As a future groom, you probably already know that the bride will take centre stage at your wedding, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to dress to impress. If you want to look sharp in your wedding photos, you will need to step up to the mark and choose a seriously sophisticated suit, and that means choosing some really stylish accessories to enhance your look.

Your choice of wedding ties is a key ingredient to your wedding appearance, so it’s worth considering all of your options carefully before taking the plunge.

With so many different tie colours, patterns and styles, it can be difficult to know where to start.

When choosing your wedding neckwear, you’ll want to go for a more stylish tie than your average everyday wear. Your tie will be the focal point of your wedding outfit, so luxury is most definitely the key.

If you want to blend in with the wedding party, it is worth finding out if there will be a wedding colour scheme. Your bride will certainly thank you for fitting so well into all of those wedding photos! One option is to go for is a plain satin tie; an elegant, yet understated choice of tie that can easily be matched to the colour of your bride’s bouquet. Alternatively, try a rich swirling pattern, such as Paisley, for that classic touch of elegance.

Whether you prefer a cool pastel shade or an electrifying pink, don’t forget you can tailor your look with different tie styles. If you really want to go to town on style, try a classic wedding necktie, a tie style that is really reserved for the special occasion, or try something suave and sophisticated like a traditional black bow tie.

At DQT, you can find a huge selection of ties that would be perfect for your big day. Check out their range now.

Wedding ties: what to wear when tying the knot