Confetti Magazine, Autumn/Winter 2008

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www.confettishow.co.uk

Autumn/Winter 2008

Food for thought

Elegant beauty

Delicious menus to tantalise your tastebuds

Wedding dresses to turn heads

He’s your man Suiting the groom

Ask the experts

Your very own personal shopper

Night on the town Where to go for stags and hens Sponsored by

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Gorgeous Bridesmaids

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Stunning Brides

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Stylish Mothers

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Welcome...

Contents…

Organising your wedding can be stressful time, but with a little help from Confetti you‘ll be truly inspired to create a perfect wedding day to remember.

We have an array of fashion pages to share with you, along with accessories, unusual wedding venues and how to celebrate your hen or stag night.

There’s also a real life story focusing on a perfect arranged marriage and some ideas for food and drink, photography and the perfect beauty regime.

How did your loved one propose? On page 37 of this edition we share the stories of engaged couples. If you’re confused about what to wear as a guest, then John Lewis’ personal shopper may have the answer - page 42.

Whatever you need for your wedding day, Confetti will ensure your special day is all that you imagined. A celebration of your love for one another with memories to cherish.

❤ Vicky Andrews, Paul Baker, Sarah Hooley, Katie McLoughlin, Michelle Rushton, Emma Thompson, Charlene Ugbode

Sally Jones

Front Cover

www.confettishow.co.uk Editor ❤ Sally Jones

Feature writers

Art and Design ❤ Tracy Smith, Colin Harrison Charles Hearnshaw, Matthew Barnes

Sales ❤ 0151 227 2000

05 ❤ BRIDAL FASHION Stunning wedding gowns

❤ Courtesy of Roland Joyce. Geltru dress available in ivory or white, sizes 8-30. For stockists visit www.rolandjoyce.com or call 01476 541113

16 ❤ BRIDESMAIDS Beautiful dresses

a Trinity Mirror business

20 ❤ MOTHER OF THE BRIDE Stylish outfits

Distribution

24 ❤ GROOMS Man of the moment

Editorial

❤ 0151 472 2803

31 ❤ BEAUTY Shaping up for the big day

❤ 0151 227 2000

37 ❤ PROPOSAL Down on one knee

Advertising

38 ❤ UNUSUAL VENUES Who will host?

Printed by:

42 ❤ PERSONAL SHOPPER Ask the experts 43 ❤ GIFTS A thank you present 47 ❤ HENS & STAGS Night on the town 48 ❤ FOOD AND DRINK Tantalise your tastebuds 51 ❤ PHOTOGRAPHY Snapshot 65 ❤ INTERNATIONAL WEDDING TRADITIONS A world of weddings 68 ❤ REAL LIFE WEDDINGS A cultural marriage

❤ 0151 472 2273 ❤ Pensord, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood NP12 2YA

Published by: ❤ NW2, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB

Copyright ❤ Confetti is printed bi-annually and distributed free. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any storage or retrieval system without the consent of the publisher.

A word from our sponsors

At John Lewis we know how much hard work goes into planning your wedding.

Whether it’s an intimate or extravagant affair, we’re full of ideas to help you make it perfectly memorable from start to finish - sensational stationery, smart outfits for all the family and hundreds of gorgeous gifts!

Your wedding is probably one of the biggest, most romantic events you’ll ever organise. With so much to do, let us help you make your big day a perfect one.

Contact John Lewis at Liverpool One, telephone 0151 709 7070 or visit www.johnlewis.com.

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Inspirational gowns EMMA THOMPSON discovers the latest stunning styles in wedding dresses

WHETHER it’s a fairytale gown that’s sure to turn heads or a sleek and simple dress that lets you impress, this season there’s plenty to choose from.

Autumn and winter tend to bring with them the darker and heavier fabrics, maybe you’re opting for an elegant red number, or gold is certainly set to make a shining example down the aisle later this year.

If you don’t quite fancy bold and beautiful, then subtle tones are just as attractive with many designers now incorporating splashes of colour into their dresses.

From simple bows or flowers, to different shades of lace in corset styles and even bold patterns are gracing the stores.

Many brides are using this injection of colour, whether it’s red, blue, pink or gold, to ensure their whole wedding theme is carried through from the cake decoration to bridesmaids, groom’s attire and now in their dress.

Although, if you do have your heart set on a traditional approach, then the luxurious shades of white, ivory and cream are certainly still the most popular way to go and are available in a vast array of styles and fabrics.

Designers cater for all shapes and sizes, offering sumptuous silk to lucious lace creations, many providing a made-to-measure service to ensure your gown fits perfectly on your big day.

Confetti has searched through a wide range of designers and here are a stunning selection to help you in your search for the wedding dress of your dreams.

Antigua dress by Ian Stuart A romantic dream of a dress in Thai silk and silk organza garza. The ivory gown has a fitted corset bodice with a lace-up back. While the front neckline is heavily encrusted with beads, sequins and a scattering of Swarovski crystals.

One side of the skirt is a panel of flounced organza interspersed with hand-made fabric roses.

Sizes: 6 - 24 (made to measure service available at additional cost) RRP: £2,175 Stockists: www.ianstuart-bride.com

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Teardrop dress by Jason Jennings This shimmering strapless bridal dress gives a more contemporary look staying simple yet still having plenty of layers to give that stunning ball-gown look.

Sizes: 8-18 RRP: ÂŁ1,500 Stockist: 0208 368 1500 www.jasonjenningsdesigns.co.uk

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Isabella dress by Sophia Tolli Crafted from luxurious satin, captivating strapless full A-line gown, this dress features rich embroidered lace adorned with Swarovski crystal beading. Handbeaded jewelled motifs accent the side double pick-ups on the full skirt. Available in ivory pearl, oyster pearl, diamond white and white, Isabella also features a functional corset back bodice and chapel length train. Removable straps included.

Sizes: 4 - 28W RRP: See local stockists Stockists: 01954 232102 www.sophiatolli.co.uk

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Irridei dress by Maureen Myring Kesterton This beautiful figure-hugging gown offers a unique style with delicate layers trailing into points, along with intricate beading on the bodice.

Sizes: All sizes including made to measure Price: ÂŁ1,580 Stockists: 0121 706 2369 www.gownsbymmk.co.uk

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The perfect location

Photograph by www.joejord.co.uk

Make your

Wedding Day a day to remember • Facilities for large & small Weddings • Civil Ceremonies & Civil Partnerships • Idyllic settings for photographs • Special all inclusive packages available • Discounted accommodation rates for guests • Your own dedicated wedding planner Contact the hotel on 01244 570560 for information on our next bridal open evening

´´´´ Wrexham Rd, Pulford, Chester CH4 9DG

Tel: 01244 570560 weddings@grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk Come & see our beautifully refurbished function suite

Photograph by www.davidpaulphotography.co.uk

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Dolce dress by Sophia Tolli This two-piece strapless satin A-line gown features an eye catching detachable semi-cathedral train made of the softest ruffled tulle, with Swarovski crystals highlighting the neckline. Available in light gold/ivory, diamond white, white and ivory.

Sizes: 4 - 22 RRP: See local stockists Stockists: 01954 232102 www.sophiatolli.co.uk

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Dress by Phil Collins This dress is ideal for an autumn wedding, with the textured layers, ruffled skirt and ruched side along with delicate detailing such as the beautiful side collection of flowers and embroidered patterns.

Sizes: 8-30 RRP: ÂŁ597 Stockists: 08701 124 858 www.philcollinsbridal.co.uk

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Dress by Justin Alexander Keeping it simple can still turn heads with this soft beaded lace, water full neckline gown.

This fishtail dress has matching butterfly sleeve bolero jacket with a handmade flower, a sweep train and is available in white or ivory.

Sizes: 6 - 22 RRP: ÂŁ799 Stockists: www.justinalexanderbridal.com

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Beautiful bridesmaids CHARLENE UGBODE uncovers this season’s bridesmaid fashion

UPSTAGING the bride on her wedding day is a big no no! But that doesn’t mean the bridesmaid has to wear last season’s teal polyester.

Maids of honour, bridesmaids and flower girls also want to look beautiful and glamorous when they watch the bride take her first steps down the aisle. And as the bride, it’s your duty to help find those perfect dresses to make your bridesmaid look and feel stunning.

So to make your job a little easier, we have done the hard work for you.

For the past few weeks the Confetti team has been rummaging through the dress aisles and flicking through the internet pages of hundreds of designer websites.

There isn’t a puffy sleeved dress in

sight and certainly no fluorescent colours, just simple, elegant styles in rich, warm colours.

For autumn and winter weddings, bridesmaids’ dresses need to be sophisticated, and we have found a range of styles that cater for every shape and age. So if you want your flower girls to match with your maid of honour look no further than the collections we have discovered.

We have found some of the latest designs from the high street together with a few of our favourite designer collections, so you are certain to find everything you need in our trusty guide, with prices to suit every budget.

And with a few accessories to give winter wedding bridesmaids a magical touch, you’ll find plenty of choice to complete your outfit.

All you need to do is sit back and let us take you through this season’s best bridesmaid buys.

Flower girl dress available at BHS Octavia dress Price: £65

Design by Olivia Mae. For stockists visit www.olivia-mae.com Mocha dress. RRP: £210 16

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High street accessories available at Next Cream faux fur frim shrug Price: £25 Signature ivory headband fascinator Price: £20 Black grosgrain handle bag Price: £15

Design by Lou Lou. For stockists visit www.louloubridal.co.uk Giselle dress RRP: £300

Annette Soft Satin by Romantica For stockists telephone 08707 701 024 Adult dress RRP: £135 Teen dress RRP: £125 Child dress RRP: £105

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Have fun mum

Mother of the bride fashions are brighter, sexier and much more fun these days.

PAUL BAKER looks at the fashions that will get mum almost as much notice as the bride.

YOU’RE the proud mother of the blushing bride.

Everyone’s looking at your daughter, and rightly so. But there’s no harm done if you get a few approving nods in your direction too, so dress to impress. Having said that, it might be worth showing your daughter the intended outfit in advance. You don’t want to upset her on her big day by showing up in an outfit that’s as stunning as the bridal gown.

Gone is the traditionally austere, parental look associated with wedding fashions for the mother of the bride. This has been replaced with a greater sense of fun, with attractive floral dresses and smart skirtsuit combinations.

Hats and fascinators then help to set off the elegant beauty of a classic mother of the bride outfit.

As the mother of the bride you’ll have an important role in the make-up of the ceremony, in lending advice and support both in the planning of the wedding and on the big day itself. This role usually involves helping to oversee the smooth running of everything that has been carefully planned by the bride, not least helping her on with her own dress.

Traditionally the mother of the bride rides to the ceremony with the bridesmaids but, to ensure you’re noticed, follow the tradition of being the last person to be seated. That way everyone can get a good look at your exquisite outfit, and marvel at your impressive sense of style.

So, just remember: support your daughter, enjoy the day and dress fabulously...

It’s that easy!

Occasion wear cruise dress £309 from Cattiva.

For Cattiva stockists call 01538 394520

Dress/coat from Coterie, £689 Stockist Frank Usher

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Alicia Cutwork dress £50, from Long Tall Sally For store locator or online orders, visit: www.longtallsally.com or telephone: 0870 990 6885

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Left: Taffeta top £60 Taffeta skirt £89 Emma fascinator £50

Right: dress/bolero from Frank Usher, £389

Left: J by Jasper Conran multi leaf print dress, £75 Above middle: John Rocha brown and red jungle print dress, £70 Right: Debut ivory flower satin evening dress, £90

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The

Tithe Barn Meols Hall, Southport This historic manor house was built in the 12th century and is set in 100 acres of private parkland.

There are few settings equal to the Tithe Barn situated within the grounds of Meols Hall, Churchtown, Southport Romantic candlelit wedding ceremonies and receptions are held throughout the year in our 400 year old Tithe Barn.

The original cobbled courtyard is available for an outdoor reception area together with the Coach House.

Exclusive use of the facilities is offered and many types of transport are available including a horse and carriage or helicopter.

The unique atmosphere of the Tithe Barn allows the ideal setting for both Civil Ceremonies and Wedding Receptions

The Tithe Barn at Meols Hall Churchtown, Southport, PR9 7LZ. Tel: 01704 228326 www.meolshall.com

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Get your groom on The big day will arrive sooner than you think, so if you’re still procrastinating and are yet to get that groom look sorted, PAUL BAKER takes you through everything you’ll need to consider...

ATTENTION all grooms! Have you chosen your wedding attire yet?

You may well think you have all the time in the world, but if you’re planning to rent a suit then the earlier you place an order, the better, certainly in terms of choice of suits and sizes.

But the same goes for those buying a suit, especially when it comes to having the time to look through everything that’s available and choosing the right combination, plus getting it ordered and tailored correctly.

If you’re hiring suits and the

supplier offers cover for damage, it might be a good idea to take it. The last thing you want to be stressing about on the day is ruining your clothes and then having to pay extra for them.

The morning suit always looks fantastic. Traditional and classically stylish, you can’t go wrong in tails, wing collars and a suave cravat.

Then again, a lounge suit gives you so many more options. You have more freedom to bring out your individual style with bolder accessories and a more informal overall look.

The Royal Ascot black morning coat with white shirt, cream cravat and handkerchief, to hire from Moss Bros from £119. For local stores visit www.moss.co.uk or call 0207 447 7200.

GROOM’S RESPONSIBILITIES Turning up on time is a good start. Make sure your best man is nearby to cope with the unexpected.

Relax, take it a step at a time. There’s nothing more to plan so just press the flesh, smile and remember your lines.

Make good use of your best man. If something needs sorting out, he’s the man for the job.

Have you picked out gifts for your best man, the bridesmaids and the ushers? You need to. Ask your fiancée for advice here.

The speech - obviously, the further ahead you plan this out the better it should be. A key thing to remember is that you are speaking on behalf of both yourself and your new wife.

Much of the speech is about saying thank you. Thank both sets of parents, the best man, bridesmaids, pageboys and ushers. Thank the guests too.

Don’t forget your wife though. Be heartfelt and look back on how you met and got together. Tell her how beautiful she looks. Round it all off with a toast

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Picture courtesy Moss Bros

and your speech should be a success.

The first dance, for you and your new bride to lead the dancing. Don’t worry if you can’t dance, nobody’s expecting Strictly Come Dancing out there.

Remember to thank people you meet for helping to pull off such a great occasion, for their support or just for turning up.

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Dreyfuss & Co gents handmade limited edition 18ct rose gold strap watch, £1,250

Paul Smith London line suit, prices start from £410. For stockists tel 0207 379 7133

Favourbrook Bedford Cord Morning Suit, £690; Ivory & Pink Roses Waistcoat, £210; White Poplin Gatsby Shirt, £80; Claret Satin Tie, £60 Favourbrook stockists tel: 0207 493 5060

Favourbrook grey Milford morning suit, £690; Champagne Butterfly waistcoat, £210; Green stripe Gatsby shirt, £95; Grey Poynter silk Tie, £60

Rotary gents limited edition X automatic strap watch, £495.

For stockists enquiries, call: 0207 434 7546

GET ACCESSORISED

Karl Jackson linen suit £99; city shirt, £20 and plain silk tie, £10 both Thomas Nash; John Rocha slip-on shoes, £70.

For stockists information www.debenhams.com.

Classic pure wool herringbone coats with matching trousers, hire from £60, buy from £450. Large range of waistcoats available - hire from £30, buy from £90. For more details and to find local stockists see: www.anthonyformalwear.co.uk.

Once you’ve chosen a suitably elegant suit combination, top the ensemble off with accessories.

Sometimes picking out those little touches that will personalise your outfit can be the most enjoyable part of the process.

Will a hat top off your look? Gloves too, if it’s quite a formal affair. A folded handkerchief in the top coat pocket is a classic look, but make sure it matches your cravat.

Cufflinks are a must, and it’s up to you whether you want to go with fun and flashy or simple and stylish. There’s great choice available, and square designs are cool at the moment.

The only other thing you’ll need on your arm is a classic timepiece. Both square and round faces look good, but don’t go too chunky - a strap style watch completes the formal look well.

And then all that’s left to do is polish your shoes, don your waistcoat and get to the church on time!

Above: cufflinks, £25 a pair, from Austin Reed.

Below: bow tie, £25 from Austin Reed.

Stockists info: 01845 573 135

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Memorable moments

...demand sumptuous surroundings.

Only the best is good enough on your special day.

Trust the Crowne Plaza Liverpool to turn your dreams into reality.

The best function suites, the best chefs, the best service - in the best location in Liverpool.

Crowne Plaza Liverpool Memorable for all the right reasons.

Wedding Fayre at Crowne Plaza Liverpool on Sunday 21st September 2008 Our in-house wedding co-ordinators are waiting to help you plan the best day of your lives.

Complimentary glass of bubbles and programme guide on arrival Opening Times: 12pm - 4pm Fashion Show: 2.30pm Admission fee: ÂŁ3.50 for further information

0151 243 8040 Free Parking and goody bag on departure Tickets are not required, please just come along on the day and pay on the door.

Crowne Plaza Liverpool Memorable for all the right resons

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John Lewis Gift List Make your wish list come true There’s always plenty to organise as you get ready for a wedding. Setting up a Gift List at John Lewis is a fun part of the preparations – it’s your chance to choose all the things you’d like for your new home as a married couple.

The John Lewis Gift List is the UK market leader so they’re experts in key trends for wedding presents*.

More and more people are thinking big and adding 42" plasma screen TVs or American-style fridge freezers to must-have minimalist white linen, towels and crockery. And you can always include some fun and quirky things like snorkel sets – perfect if you’re jetting off on an exotic honeymoon.

include a mix of large and small presents so that your guests can treat you to the perfect gift, whether they want to spend £10 or £1000.

Friends and family can buy gifts online, in store or by phone. John Lewis will update you on what guests have chosen, remove gifts from the list as they are bought to avoid duplication and deliver your gifts to you free of charge when you are ready to receive them.

Opening a Gift List at John Lewis is easy and the service is free.

For more information call John Lewis Liverpool on 0151 709 7070. You can register a Gift List in store, by phone or online at giftlist_liverpool@johnlewis.co.uk

About 10 weeks before the big day you’ll be invited to visit the shop to select your gifts, using a hand-held scanner to record the details. There are more than 350,000 products to choose from. You may want to

The Gift List *Gift list services, retail intelligence report January 2007 Published by Mintel International Group Limited

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Finishing touches JOHN LEWIS has all the little things to make your big day.

At John Lewis we know how much hard work goes into planning your wedding.

Whether it’s an intimate or extravagant affair, we’re full of ideas to help you make it perfectly memorable from start to finish sensational stationery, smart outfits for all the family and hundreds of gorgeous gifts!

Your wedding is probably one of the biggest, most romantic events you’ll ever organise. With so much to do, let us help you make your big day a perfect one.

John Lewis Bridal Corset - £35

Fairtrade 14 Stem Spray Roses £20 from www.johnlewis.com

Waitrose Sugar Petals Cake £240 from www.waitrose.com

Beaded Bridesmaids Dress (ages 2-8) £65 John Lewis Bridal Briefs - £16

John Lewis White Lace Umbrella £18

Cath Kidston Passport Holder & Luggage Tag £16 John Lewis Martia Invitations - £5 for 8.

Clarins Double Fix Mascara £13.50

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Bridal boot camp Slimming into your wedding dress is easier than you think says CHARLENE UGBODE

SHAPING up for your big day is every bride’s worst nightmare, especially when it comes to juggling work, wedding plans and relationships.

Well, to make sure that you look like a bridal queen when you walk down the aisle, we’ve teamed up with one of Fitness First’s personal trainers, Lisa Dixon.

With a black belt in karate and six years gym experience, Lisa is more than qualified to put prospective brides through their paces, with a health and fitness routine that will help you slim into that glamorous gown.

Lisa says: “Whether you have a year or three months there are ways you can improve your shape as long as you have the right programme.

“The first thing to do is decide how much time you can put into a training regime. For real results, a combination of 20 to 30 minutes of cardiovascular training along with resistance training, three to four times a week, will help you to lose fat and tone up.”

So now is the time to start! And if you want to burn some extra pounds, Lisa suggests training regimes which include compound movements. This means big movements that use larger muscle groups such as chest presses, lunges and squats, and because they use more muscles, you’ll burn extra fat.

To tone up smaller muscles such as

Fitness First’s personal trainer, Lisa Dixon

arms, for those strapless dresses, isolated movements such as tricep dips will help to add more definition.

And now for the diet. Healthy eating doesn’t have to be difficult and by making just a few small changes you can really change your shape.

“You should never starve yourself,” advises Lisa.

So instead of eating large meals or even skipping meals, you can follow a few simple rules that will help you to achieve the results you want.

r Breakfast: Try to eat slow releasing carbs in the morning to keep you going for longer.

Porridge, wholemeal toast with a low fat spread or fresh fruit with natural yoghurt will do the trick.

1. Swap whites for browns, so only eat wholemeal rice, pasta and bread.

2. Eat small and often so that you’re never hungry, but also so that you’re never stuffed, and finally 3. Look at what is in your food.

Often if something is low in sugar there is something else in it to give it a similar flavour.

So here is a healthy eating regime that will have you looking fabulous on your big day.

r Snacks: Allow yourself two or three snacks to keep energy levels up and hunger levels down.

Fresh fruit, nuts or natural yoghurt will keep you feeling full so you won’t feel the need to eat a large main meal.

r Lunch: Make lunch your largest meal of the day and have a smaller evening meal. This way you will have longer to burn off those extra calories. Try wholemeal pasta with tuna or chicken and different coloured vegetables. r Dinner: Reduce the amount of carbs you eat in the evening by sticking to chicken and fish served with loads of vegetables.

For more of Lisa’s top tips telephone her on 07971 664 352 or visit Fitness First in Runcorn.

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Tried and tested CHARLENE UGBODE finds the top 10 beauty products for your big day

ON your wedding day you want to look completely stunning, and sometimes this can mean costly trips to beauty salons. Well to make sure you look fabulous for less on your big day, the Confetti team has tried and tested a range of products to find the best ones for you.

We’ve covered everything from skin, hair, nails and make-up to make you look ravishing.

So take a look at our top 10 guide for the best beauty products around and find out what our team thinks.

The Lift, non surgical face lift treatment. RRP: £79 Telephone 0870 420 2942 for stockists. “Not only did this tighten my skin, but you can feel it working straight away!”

Spa Paradisa gradual tan. RRP: £7 Available from Debenhams. “Easy to apply, the Spa Paradisa gradual tanner soaked in quickly and resulted in an even, golden tan.”

Perfectil Plus. RRP: £16.95 for one month supply Available from Boots and Superdrug or online at www.perfectil.com “My nails are stronger and skin feels much healthier.”

FCUK sugarscrub.

RRP: £5 Available from Boots “This body scrub left my body feeling like silk, and I didn’t need to moisturise afterwards.”

Champneys Fresh Face Micro-Dermabrasion System.

RRP: £49.99 Available from Amazon, Champneys, House of Fraser and Selfridges.

“This is amazing and made my face feel really soft.”

E45 Body Milk. RRP: £3.99 to £5.99 Available from Boots and Superdrug. “This E45 moisturiser left my skin soft and supple.”

Gliss Shine Treatment Spray. RRP: £3.29 Available in most supermarkets. “This left my hair soft and shiny all day, without feeling greasy.”

Wahl heated rollers. RRP: £29.99 Telephone 01227 740 066 for stockists. “This creates great curls and is so easy to use.”

Paula Dorf Perfect Primer. RRP: £27 Telephone 0208 997 8541 for stockists. “This primer is fantastic and certain to keep your bridal make-up in place all day.”

Glominerals collection. RRP: From £12 to £32 Available from www.glominerals.com “I always find it difficult to find make-up that suits my skin tone, but Glominerals was a perfect match.”

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Costume drama MICHELLE RUSHTON meets medieval wedding dress designer, Marion Kennedy

WHEN it comes to designing wedding dresses, Marion Kennedy can’t help but be inspired by her surroundings.

For fashion designer Marion lives in North Wales, a land of romantic countryside, fascinating culture, a rich heritage and fairytale castles.

“I am certainly inspired by my local environment,” revealed Marion who is originally from Ireland but who now lives in Beaumaris with the town’s famous castle on her doorstep.

The owner of Venezia wedding wear in Deganwy, she creates bespoke bridal and occasion wear for her label, the Marquessa collection, particularly specialising in medieval and corseted gowns.

Marion has been designing dresses for over 20 years, having started practising on her Sindy dolls while growing up in Ireland.

And she says she has inherited her love of fashion design from her family. Said Marion:

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“My early influences come from my mother and grandmother. We all share a passion for fabric – its richness of texture and colour conjuring up the most wonderful images of exotic locations.”

Having left school at 16, Marion trained at the College of Design in Cork before going to work at her mother’s bridalwear boutique.

“I began to design my own dresses and discovered they could sell at twice what my mother was charging so I took over the business aged 20,” said Marion.

“My designs featured in several bridal magazines and were on the cover of Bride and Groom and mainstream fashion magazines such as U.” Moving to North Wales over 15 years ago, when her husband got a job in Beaumaris, Marion continued making her dresses and became particularly fascinated with medieval design.

“I studied medieval history at Bangor

University and decided to specialise in that period as it gave me more scope to use my imagination and the opportunity to work with the most sumptuous fabrics from tapestry, velvet, silk, and brocade, to taffeta lace, dupion and satin,” Marion revealed.

“It means I can use the most colourful palette from the most wonderful shades of ivory, antique gold, and green to royal blue, crimson red and bridal pink.”

And Marion admitted: “I never did like working in white - it’s too draining for our Celtic skins.

“Anyway, white is just a modern invention.

Brides always wore colour to denote their status until relatively recently - the richer the colour the richer you were! Royal blue, scarlet, purple, gold/silver, they are all aristocratic colours.”

Marion believes medieval gowns are special because of the romance they conjure up - with the image of knights on white charges.

“I am inspired by the great heroines of medieval history - Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard Lionheart,” confided Marion who has spent a lot of time researching the dresses of that period.

She said: “If someone wants an authentic dress I can design one. I found a book on how they used to cut the patterns many years ago which has been really helpful.”

And she has recently seen a revival in brides asking for medieval designs.

“The Lord of the Rings has made medieval clothes popular and the big sleeves are very much in vogue, whether they’re solid sleeves or more wispy ones made of organza,” Marion explained.

“I especially love making corseted dresses because you can really create a wonderful style and shape which enhances a woman’s body.”

Marion creates her designs from her workshop at the Hendre Centre, near Bangor. She explained: “They are one-off designs and are hand made from start to finish.

“I make a block first and then cut into the fabric although a dress often takes on its own life and I sometimes change the design

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slightly as it takes form unless I am designing for a client then I stick to the agreed design.”

She is getting very excited about her latest project. “I am working on an awesome design with lots of beadwork and appliquéing and a very simple but dramatic shape. I have teamed it with a hand beaded veil that is ten and a half foot long,” Marion divulged.

“Another design I enjoyed working on was a red crushed taffeta gown with lots of ruching and hand made roses with a boned basque. I specialise in boning and I love creating bustles.”

Marion, who also finds time to run a model agency, film extras and stand-ins agency, is busy creating designs to exhibit at a wedding fair which will be held at St David’s Park Hotel on September 28.

She said: “I love my job. Each day brings something new that sparks me!”

For more information, contact Marion at Venezia, 141 Station Road, Deganwy, Conwy. Telephone 07919 676186 or email marion.venezia@gmail.com 35

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Find your complete wedding solutions at Crowne Plaza Liverpool - John Lennon Airport Wedding Fayre on Sunday 5th October 2008 Come along and meet some of the best local wedding specialists in town! Let us alleviate some of the many stresses and strains of organising the biggest day of your life!

Opening Times: 12pm -4pm Fashion Show: 2pm Admission fee: ÂŁ1 per person

For further information, please contact the hotel on 0151 494 5000. Tickets are not required, please just come along on the day and pay on entrance.

Crowne Plaza Liverpool - John Lennon Airport www.crowneplaza.com

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Decent proposal SARAH HOOLEY discovers how four lucky Confetti readers found their happy ever after

Laura Churchill and Luke Seymour, Heswall Laura’s story: “It was Valentine’s Day and Luke had taken me to Alma de Cuba, which was where we had our first date. The restaurant looked beautiful with rose petals scattered on the floor, and it was while we were having dinner that he proposed. I was completely stunned, thrilled and over the moon all at once! We’d been dating for 10 months, but I’d know him for 10 years and knew that he was my soul mate. When we got home his mum had put up banners and left us champagne and a cake.”

IT’S the one story that a bride never tires of telling, and whether it was an unexpected grand gesture or simple declaration of love, the magical moment when your partner gets down on one knee is sure to stay in your heart forever...

Gavin and Rachel Preece, Old Colwyn

Clare and Peter Ibbotson, Orrell Park, Liverpool

Elaine and Peter Duffy, Aughton Elaine’s story: “We were enjoying a wonderful holiday in Thailand and during our second week, Peter booked a private meal with our own butler on a gorgeous beach. It was a wonderful evening and as we finished our meal he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so happy I couldn’t answer! Luckily Peter got up and said ‘I take it that’s a yes then?!’, which I told him that it definitely was! We’ve now been enjoying married life since our wedding on August 1 this year.”

Clare’s story: “It was the night before my 21st birthday party and as we both settled down for the night, Peter suddenly leapt up and said he had to tell me something. He looked upset so at first I was a bit worried, but then he knelt down and said ‘Clare I am so nervous and have been building the courage to ask you this...will you marry me?’ I was gobsmacked and extremely happy! It was so out of the blue, but I instantly said yes and it was the perfect surprise! We have now been together for five years and got married on May 24 this year.

Gavin’s story: “I’d just picked Rachel up from work, and it was while we were on our way home that I decided I wanted to propose to her that night. I’d bought the ring a couple of weeks earlier, and although it was a bit spontaneous I couldn’t wait any longer. When we got home, I collected the ring from its hiding place and got down on one knee in front of Rachel in our living room. Even though we’d been together for quite a while I was still really nervous and very relieved when she said yes! After we’d both got over the initial shock, we later went out to dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate properly. We got married in Old Colwyn on May 10 this year.”

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Novelty nuptials MICHELLE RUSHTON checks out some unusual places to tie the knot in the North West.

WHEN it comes to wedding venues, the North West boasts a huge number of places which possess the ‘wow’ factor.

As well as the more conventional locations to get hitched in, such as quaint churches and luxury hotels, more and more venues are obtaining licenses for civil weddings, giving you a greater choice than ever for your special day, whether it’s fairytale or fun you are after.

These days, you can say “I do” at castles,

stately homes, museums and even at the races.

Or you could even get hitched at your favourite football club.

So when planning your big day, let your imagination run free and ensure you create an enjoyable day that you and your guests will remember for all the right reasons.

Here’s a line up of some of the wonderful places to wed in North Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside.

Royal weddings

If you fancy being king or queen of the castle for a day then you won’t be disappointed.

There are a number of grand chateaux in the North West which are now catering for civil weddings. North Wales is full of fairytale castles from the romantic Gwydir Castle in Llanrwst, to Bodelwyddan.

Over in Wirral, Leasowe castle stands proud overlooking the golf course and sea front in Moreton. The castle caters for civil weddings and its six acres of gardens surrounded by a traditional castle wall offer a superb location for stunning photographs.

For further information, contact the sales team on 0151 606 6001.

The Cheshire set You can also celebrate your union within the fortified walls of Peckforton Castle.

Set in the heart of Cheshire, this magnificent Victorian country house was built

by John Tollemache in 1844 in the style of a medieval castle.

As you pass through the magnificent gatehouse and sweep up the long drive to the Grade 1 listed building, you could almost be forgiven for momentarily thinking you had some how been transported back to the 1800s.

In fact you may recognise the red sandstone walls, the marble floors, the vaulted dining rooms, the open fires and the candlelit wine cellar as they have featured in 38

the films such as Robin Hood and Doctor Who 1973 and 2007.

Imagine saying your marriage vows with the sun streaming through the stained glass windows in the Great Hall, a string quartet playing soft romantic music from the Minstrel’s Gallery surrounded by a carved oak screen, the fire glowing softly in the background and the room lit by candle light.

There is also the Hexagonal Room, Library and Chapel.

Guests can stay in the castle’s newly refurbished bedrooms featuring the rich brocades of the period.

For more details telephone 01829 260930.

A class act If you really want to take centre stage on your wedding day, then why not make it a theatrical occasion and get hitched while treading the boards?

Now you can get married at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. All parts of the theatre are licensed for civil ceremonies (including same sex weddings), so you can choose from one of the elegant suites, or even hold your ceremony on the world famous stage.

You can exchange wedding vows on the opulent stage while your guests watch from the audience.

After the ceremony you and your guests can retire to the atrium or Circle Bar to enjoy the post-nuptial celebrations.

For more information contact Jayne Lloyd on 0151 708 3211.

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Deep and meaningful

Seeds of love If you would like to be surrounded by beautiful blooms on your big day, then there are a number of beautiful gardens in the North West where you can.

Ness Gardens in Neston is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies. Its summerhouse, situated alongside the pond in the famous rock garden, is now one of the most popular venues to wed in the region.

For more information, contact 0151 353 0123.

When London architect Adrian John Waters and Australian chartered accountant Susan Diane Bethell chose Llechwedd Slate Caverns for their wedding in May 1999, they found themselves a place in the Millennium edition of Guinness World Records.

It was the world’s deepest wedding, 450 feet beneath the surface – a record which has since been shared with many couples.

There are various underground caverns deep in the mines where your wedding can take place, but by far the most popular is the shore of the spectacular underground lake in the Deep Mine tour. The beautifully lit waters, impressive acoustics and cathedral high chambers all add to a most atmospheric setting.

Couples planning to marry underground at Llechwedd should telephone 01766 833809.

Truly captivating Famed for being the filming location for 1960s science fiction TV series, The Prisoner, Portmeirion village is a truly spectacular place to tie the knot.

Not only does it boast amazing Italianate architecture, it also overlooks the picturesque Traeth Bach Estuary and Meirionnydd mountains. Just right for those all important wedding photos.

Hotel Portmeirion and Castell Deudraeth are licensed to hold civil ceremonies in the Hercules Hall and Tudor Room.

For more information telephone 01766 772333.

Pictured are Miriam Refberg and Matt Fletcher-Brown (from Impact Models) who dressed up to launch the Garden Gazebo

In the Know-sley Meanwhile, Garden Gazebo which opened recently in Knowsley, Merseyside, gives couples the opportunity to say their vows against a backdrop of rolling lawns, flowers and trees.

The stunning new facility is set in a secluded location in the garden of Knowsley Registration Office and is one of just a handful of ‘outdoor’ venues in the North West region.

To book, contact 0151 443 5210.

Odds on favourite Get on course for the perfect wedding at one of the world’s most historic horse racing venues.

Heathcotes at Chester Racecourse provides a superb wedding day planning service which includes mouth-watering cuisine by Paul Heathcote chefs, a wide choice of high quality function rooms catering for weddings of all sizes, ample free parking, professional and unobtrusive event management and a great backdrop for your treasured photographs and video.

The racecourse occupies a picturesque location on the edge of the historic city of

Chester, flanked by the River Dee and offers stunning views over the racecourse, including the final furlong and winning post.

It really is a winning combination.

For more information, contact 01244 304644.

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L I V E R P O O L

E M P I R E

T H E A T R E

TAKE CENTRE STAGE ON YOUR

WEDDING DAY!

There are few locations that can provide the elegance and romance of The Empire Theatre and because we believe that every wedding should be unique we pride ourselves on helping you to achieve this, in this very unique venue.

All parts of the theatre are licensed for civil ceremonies (including same sex weddings), so you can choose from one of our elegant suites, or for the more adventurous you can even hold your ceremony on our world famous stage. We offer first class catering, and will provide you with a highly dedicated events team every step of the way, who will share in your ideas and help you create your perfect day, one you will cherish forever.

www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk

For more information contact Jayne Lloyd on 0151 708 3211 or email jayne.lloyd@livenation.co.uk

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A match made in heaven Personal shopping and weddings go hand in hand, says KATIE MCLOUGHLIN

WHETHER you’re a soon-to-be wed couple in need of expert advice or a wedding guest looking for a dress to impress, weddings can be a stressful time.

From finding the right outfit to getting the gifts you really want, the run-up to any wedding can be a shopping minefield for couples and guests alike, so what better way to lighten the load than to enlist the help of a personal shopper?

Situated in the heart of the Liverpool One development, the city’s flagship new John Lewis store has a team of dedicated personal shoppers on hand to offer expert advice on everything from choosing the right bridal lingerie to decorating your new home, ordering personalised wedding stationery, picking out the rings and choosing a flattering honeymoon wardrobe.

To find out more, we met fashion advisors Teresa Smith and Deryn Rowley, and gift list advisor Jill Risley from the South John Street store.

“The personal shopping service is available in every department,” explained Teresa; “It’s totally free, there’s no pressure and we can guide you through the trends and the different sizes and fits of each manufacturer.

“A personal shopper makes things easier for you - each appointment lasts two hours during which we talk through what the client likes, which brands they feel comfortable in, where the wedding is, and, particularly for 42

mothers of the bride, whether there’s a theme that their outfit needs to tie in with, as many brides now like to carry the same colour through the bridesmaid dresses, the men’s cravats or waistcoats and the two mums’ outfits.”

Once the consultation is over, you can either choose to wait in the comfort of the plush fashion advisors’ room, or go with the personal shoppers as they pick out clothes, accessories, jewellery and shoes for you to try.

Teresa added: “Through experience and because we know our stock, we often know intuitively what will suit someone, so we may choose things they would never have thought of wearing before - but it’s often these outfits which surprise people and suit them best.”

With a keen eye on trends, the team tip African violets, purples and greens as the colours of the autumn/winter season. Teresa added: “Subtle prints are also popular for autumn weddings, bronzes are very strong too, particularly for hats, whilst more floaty, georgette style dresses are popular with mothers of the bride.”

There are three fashion advisors in the store, Teresa, Deryn and Jackie Worthington.

Friendly, knowledgeable and with a wealth of experience, the three-strong team pride themselves on their personalised service and attention to detail - an approach which is immensely popular with customers looking for an extra-special outfit.

The John Lewis gift list service is also highly personalised, as gift list advisor, Jill, explained: “What makes the service unique is that it’s so personal - every couple is different and you can have anything you want on the list - indeed, as well as traditional dinner sets which are always a popular choice, we’re seeing more and more couples asking for things like iPods, luggage, flatscreen TVs and games.”

Offering a simple and convenient way for couples to select the wedding gifts they really want, no appointment is necessary for the gift list service. Once couples have registered, they can choose either a gift or voucher list and add things onto their list via the call centre, website or in-store, where they can scan the barcodes of anything they want.

Jill added: “Couples tend to start coming in a few months before the wedding, scanning the things they like, these products are then added onto their gift list, which guests can either view online or come instore to buy.

“Then about two weeks after the wedding at a convenient date and time, all the items are delivered for free to the couple’s home with a list stating who has bought what and a personalised message from each guest.”

For details call 0151 709 7070, visit John Lewis, 70 South John Street, Liverpool, L1 8BJ. www.johnlewis.com.

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A token of your appreciation Gorgeous thank you gifts needn’t blow your wedding budget, says KATIE MCLOUGHLIN These classic white pearl drop earrings, £28 from Lustrous Jewellery (www.lustrousjewellery.com), make the ideal gift for bridesmaids.

EVERY bride and groom-to-be know what gifts they would like to receive to start their new life together in style, but, when it comes to choosing gifts to say thank you to bridesmaids, ushers and the best man, most couples are uncertain as to what tradition dictates, what’s appropriate or what’s available.

From planning the stag/hen night to attending dress or suit fittings, carrying the rings to the ceremony, seating guests and making sure the bride and groom get to the church on time, the best man,

This sterling silver heart and star pendant, £24 from www.thebridalgiftbox.co.uk, comes in a pale pink presentation box embellished with ‘thank you bridesmaid.’

This luxury gift pack, £40 from www.paiskincare.com, containing a moisturiser (choose from a selection of four), Echium eye cream and Bergamot lip balm will be an indulgent treat for any bridesmaid.

bridesmaids and ushers have a lot of responsibility and play a big role in any wedding.

Traditionally, many brides give their bridesmaids small pieces of jewellery with younger flowergirls receiving items such as teddy bears, whilst grooms may opt to give engraved cufflinks or personalised momento’s like paperweights to their best man and ushers.

Equally many brides and grooms-to-be also choose to give alternative gifts such as a bottle of wine with a personalised label, a lottery ticket, a voucher for a facial or massage or an engraved photo frame.

However you choose to say thank you to your best man, bridesmaids or ushers, above all remember that such gifts are meant to be a token of your appreciation so don’t worry about blowing your wedding budget on expensive items, as a thoughtful keepsake will mean so much more.

Personalised cuff-links, like these enamel best man cuff links, £13 from www.thebridalgiftbox.co.uk, are the ideal gift for ushers or the best man.

Cute and cuddly this bridesmaid teddy bear, £14.99 from www.thebridalgiftbox.co.uk, will be treasured by any young flowergirl.

If you're looking for a quirky way to thank your best man or a fantastic surprise gift for the groom, then why not make him a Laird?

For just £29.95 from www.iwantoneofthose.com, this Laird (the Scottish equivalent of an English Lord title) gift comes with ownership of a square foot of land in the beautiful Glencairn estate, Scotland, presentation certificate, proof of title card plus access to the Laird’s Retreat on the banks of Loch Riddon and free fishing rights - so your groom or best man truly can be ‘Laird of the Manor!’

Or, if you’re looking to surprise your groom with something you know he’ll love, why not get him an MP3 player loaded with all his favourite music and ‘your’ song? This silver Apple iPod Shuffle, 2GB, is just £45 from www.johnlewis.com.

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THE CONFETTI SHOW...

SAVE THE DATE

CONFETTI SHOW SPRING DATE: 24th-25th January 2009 TIME: 10am - 4pm PLACE: BT Convention Centre, Liverpool For more information on booking your exhibition stand for next year call

0151 239 5904 To book your tickets call

0844 800 3680 or visit www.confettishow.co.uk for all the latest details

...is the leading wedding event in the North West featuring 100's of exhibitors, elegant catwalk shows and interactive wedding demonstrations showcasing the very latest in wedding fashion.

With inspiration for your big day, advice and guidance from industry experts, plus plenty of opportunities to shop all under one roof, why go anywhere else.

The Confetti Show aims to bring together everything you could dream of to make your wedding extra special from venues to cakes, bridal gowns and tiaras, cars, gifts and all the finishing touches without having to schedule a single appointment or travel to more than one destination.

Visit www.confettishow.co.uk for up to date information on confetti show 09

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A BRIDES GUIDE TO CONFETTI AUTUMN 08 CATWALK ELEGANCE For inspiration and a sneak preview at the latest in wedding fashion our catwalk show is a must attend part of the Confetti Show Autumn 2008. Featuring stunning high street and designer dresses we guarantee there will be a gown to suit every bride and every budget. And we haven’t forgotten collections for the grooms, bridesmaids and the all important mother-of-the-bride! Featuring on the catwalk in September 08 are:

Opulence Bride Focuses on unusual gowns such as see-thru corsets and just something a little different to the norm. Renowned for stocking over 300 gowns and specialising in the more unusual attracting clients from all over the country.

Slaters Showcasing formal wear for weddings including the groom, best man and father of the bride. A exciting opportunity to see what the suits will look like by the side of a wedding dress without giving away to your partner what you will be wearing on the big day.

Couture Room Offering a wide range of designer and diffusion styles to suit all brides with up to the minute style. Designs range from contemporary looks from fresh new labels to more classic styles from the established top designers in the bridal industry today. The collections cater for all types of weddings from beach settings to stately homes to church weddings.

Classy Rags Showing some of their extensive collection of beautiful occasional wear for the mother of the bride and groom. Included will be complete outfits featuring hats, shoes and bags and a exciting preview of the Spring / Summer 2009 collection.

DEMONSTRATION STAGE Our interactive demonstration stage is the place for great advice, top tips and expert guidance from industry professionals.

Ikonography LTD and The Boudoir Book One lucky bride-to-be will be selected from the audience for a mini make over. They will be taken back stage where they will not only have their hair and make up transformed but they will have a glamorous outfit selected specially for them. In the second half of the demonstration the brides make over will be revealed on stage. She will be shown how to pose with helpful advice for all brides-to-be. A professional photo shoot will take place and the photos will be on display so visitors can see how fabulous they really can look.

Big Entertainment Don’t think you have the voice to serenade your loved one? Well get a professional singer to do it on your wedding day! Big Entertainment can provide music to accompany for your whole wedding day. This demonstration gives you the opportunity to see performers that can bring your wedding to life.

K Co Beauty This demonstration will cover making the best of your features, creating a natural glow and using the right make up for your complexion. A great opportunity to learn from the experts.

MESSAGE FROM THE SPONSORS The Wedding House are proud to sponsor Confetti Autumn 08.

Situated on St Georges Place within the splendour of a gothic building you will find a whole host of bridal stores under one roof.

Our website offers an insight to the variety of retailers we house, a number of which once again join us at the autumn Confetti Show 08.

Take the opportunity to speak to us at the event or give us a call and arrange an appointment on 0161 709 8283.

The Wedding House, Liverpool... bringing you’re wedding together.

One Stop Wedding Shop

EXHIBITORS SEPTEMBER 08* Heritage Motors Unique Interiors Herve Photography Josephs Jewellers Elegant Steps Alice in Wonderland Jewellery Made For Bertex Bride White Again Promotions Boots Brides of Merseyside Jury’s Inn Absolute Lighting & Events Adina Designer Bridal Headwear Myriad Travel Daisy Hill Cake Company Dragonfly Couture Stationary I Do Images Handmade by Susan Cooper Ikonography / The Boudoir Book K Co Beauty Raquet Club Fishlocks Flowers Debenhams Harlequin Entertainment Ltd (Blue Bar, Pan Am) Couture Room Deborah Davies Photography Wedding House Wedding House Ro Dayo Flowerbug Adrian Hughes Photography Smooch A & S Cakes Pryor’s Jewellers Cost Co Classic Video Productions Big Entertainments John Lewis The Vincent Hotel Wedding House Youngs Hire The Cake Shop Liverpool Ltd Woman to Woman Tamzyn Angela Alan Pretsell Photography Slaters Classy Rags Groom Cloud 9 **Subject to change

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047 Hen stag

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A night to remember Make the most of your last night of freedom says VICKY ANDREWS

Temple Bar in Dublin

GONE are the days of the groom being stripped naked and tied to a lamppost, as stag and hen dos opt for new ways to send them off in style.

A growing number of soon-to-be married men and women are celebrating their last ‘days of freedom’ by jetting off to sunnier climes.

Footballer Wayne Rooney enjoyed a fourday stag trip to Ibiza this summer, and as Wayne painted the White Isle red, Hotels.com found that more than half of us (57%) have travelled abroad for a stag or hen party.

The hotel booking site discovered that it is not just footballers and WAGS now splashing out on a final pre-marital shindig.

The average Brit spends £423.43 each year on attending stag or hen parties – which means £170 every time they celebrate a mate’s last days of freedom.

Three quarters (72%) of men will attend a stag-do overseas as revellers venture further than ever. Women on hen-dos are more likely to stay at home for celebrations. Even so, more than half of them (57%) will head overseas in the next 12 months.

Dublin topped the list of foreign cities most popular among British stags, despite the city’s campaign to shed its image as Europe’s “stag capital”. The Irish capital was closely followed

Shopping on the Esplanadi - Helsinki

by Barcelona, Amsterdam and Prague.

However, Hotels.com also found that stags are venturing further afield than ever in search of the best party. With 4%, Las Vegas was the only long-haul destination in the top 10, but an adventurous few said they had travelled as far as Cape Town, Rio De Janiero and even Auckland in New Zealand.

While less likely to head overseas than

men, some 57% of women say they will head abroad for a hen party this year.

For them, Barcelona is the most popular foreign hen destination, with 14% having visited the city for a hen celebration. Dublin (11%) and Paris (10%) are also firm favourites.

The advent of budget airlines has played a huge part in the explosion of stag and hen weekends to eastern Europe, in cities like Budapest, Bratislava, Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius and Krakow. Cheap flights and even cheaper beer are the biggest incentives and a full weekend of partying with friends has now become the norm for Brits nervously waiting to tie the knot.

The Nordic countries are also creeping up the weekend city break list - both Reykjavik and Helsinki are cool in every way if a little pricey.

If it’s not all about the booze and you want to be able to remember at least some of your celebrations, there are plenty of activities or themes you can incorporate into your trip. For the lads, paintballing, go-karting, clay shooting or golf are popular. But why should the boys have all the fun?

Ladies could indulge in a pamper weekend in Valencia, wine-tasting in Paris, salsa dance classes in Santiago de Cuba or spending obscene amounts on a shopping trip to Milan.

Just remember the old adage - what goes on tour, stays on tour!

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Matrimonial menus Mix a dollop of personality and a sprinkling of the latest trends for a wedding breakfast recipe for success, says KATIE MCLOUGHLIN

WHETHER you prefer a couture cake like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes who reportedly served a five-tier white chocolate cake, decorated with marzipan roses and white chocolate chips during their 2006 wedding, or you would rather keep it simple like Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran who served fish and chips to guests at their nupitials - these days wedding catering can be as traditional or as exotic as you like.

So if you’re feeling a little confused by the multitude of menu options, here’s our guide to the latest gourmet trends and alternative wedding menus to tantalise your tastebuds and spark your culinary creativity...

m 1. With modern weddings all about expressing the couple’s personality, an increasing number of brides and grooms are choosing alternative cakes to celebrate their nuptials.

From sumptuous sponges to divinely rich chocolate cakes, or large versions of French patisserie classics, like this Passionata cake, made by Lilibets of Paris, a luxury French patisserie based in Southport (www.lilibetsofparis.co.uk).

The Passionata cake features layers of passion fruit and raspberry mousse, a coconut dacquoise base and a striking pink and yellow border.

r 2 When it comes to choosing drinks to serve during the toast, instead of opting for the usual Champagne, why not ask the venue to create a signature cocktail for your big day?

A growing trend, many couples are now asking venues to create bespoke cocktails tailored to their personal style, wedding theme or personalities, to serve a more memorable drink during the after speech toasts.

Created by uber-chic vodka brand, Pinky, this Hibiscus Pinky Valentini cocktail combines Pinky vodka, wild hibiscus flowers, Champagne, blueberry juice and syrup from the flowers, to create an elegant tipple that will wow guests at any wedding.

2. Picture courtesy of Pinky

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1.

r 3. An iconic British dish, traditional fish and chips offers a laid back alternative to a formal wedding breakfast. Loved by almost everyone, this popular dish has been served by the likes of politicians Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper and celebs like Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran at their weddings.

Mark Petrou, 2006 winner of the National Fish and Chip Shop Competition said: “Everybody has happy memories associated with eating fish and chips and I think that’s why it is becoming so popular at weddings!”

3.

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4. Bling53b

4. R148 pictures courtesy of David’s Cakes of Distinction

048_Food & Drink:005_Wedding Gowns

r 4.Taking inspiration from high fashion catwalks, couture cakes are another growing cake trend - think extravagant and ornate decoration with pearls, black and white icing, sequins, gilded chocolate patterns or masses of flowers - you could even ask for the cake to have a similar look to your dress!

The sky’s the limit when it comes to what’s

possible in terms of decoration, but bear in mind, the type of cake you choose, be it chocolate, sponge or fruit, determines how much decoration can be put onto the cake, a soft sponge, for example, would not be able to take the weight of complex decoration.

Based in Crosby, David’s Cakes of Distinction (www.davidcakes.co.uk),

r 5. With more and more of us

5. Picture courtesy Blue Strawberry

concerned about the origins of our food, it’s a natural progression for organic food to become a popular choice at weddings.

If you’re considering serving a wedding breakfast made with organic, British grown produce, there are many specialist caterers who can help, such as Blue Strawberry (www.bluestrawberry.co.uk), who can create a delicious and imaginative menu made entirely from organic produce, like this organic salmon ballotine with buttered spinach, crushed potatoes, watercress puree and barrigoule vinaigrette by Blue Strawberry.

specialises in creating bespoke couture cakes, such as this R148 design which features funky edge icing and masses of beautiful chocolate flowers over four ornate tiers, whilst the stylish black and white feathers and black ribbon trim add a fashionable edge to this elegant white iced BLING53B design.

7. Picture courtesy of Kasteel Cru

r 6. Buffets have always been a popular, more sociable alternative to a formal threecourse meal, but instead of opting for the traditional pork pie and sandwich platters, why not create a talking-point amongst guests with ‘gourmet grazing stations?’

Always provide enough food so guests don’t go hungry, but think quality rather than quantity, so opt for things like a tapas table, a stunning canape bar, crudités, a sushi table, exotic fruit platters and retroinspired candy counters.

6.Picture courtesy of Food4media.com

r 7 Rather than serving wine to accompany your wedding meal, why not match the menu to a beer instead? There’s a diverse array of beers on the market - from locally brewed tipples, to more exotic combinations, like Kasteel Cru, a delicately light tasting lager brewed in Alsace using specially selected Champagne yeast, malted barley and hops.

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More than just photographs...

Wedding photography with your personal touch Please contact

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Picture perfect

A picture can tell a thousand words, so make sure that they’re the right ones, says SARAH HOOLEY AS one of the most special days of your life, it’s only natural that you’ll want to capture those magical memories forever.

An essential part of any ceremony, wedding photography has come a long way since the humble days of formal family photos and there are now many different styles of wedding photography available.

Roughly, divided into three separate categories; reportage; contemporary and traditional, each offer their own advantages and it’s well worth researching what’s most likely to get the best results for you.

Whether it’s the candid, naturalistic-style shots achieved throughout reportage photography or the beautifully planned pictures snapped by traditional photographers, every couple will have their own idea of what will suit their day.

When selecting a photographer it’s also worth bearing in mind that each will offer a different set of services and unique way of framing your day, so while some photographers may only specialise in one particular area, others could offer a combination of styles to get the best of both worlds.

The photographer can document your whole day.

Pictures courtesy of John Prendergast photography.

Stunning settings and impressive back drops help create beautiful wedding photos.

Image by wedding photographer Steve Hale

HERE’S A QUICK GUIDE TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE BEST PICTURES FOR YOU. Reportage photography Fast becoming the most popular form of wedding photography, reportage pictures are un-posed and create beautiful, naturalistic shots. Typically taken without the knowledge of the subject, many couples favour this style due to their contemporary, relaxed feel and the unobtrusive nature of the photographer.

Make sure you get a photographer with a good deal of experience however as it can be tricky to take consistently great reportage pictures throughout a whole day.

Contemporary photography A great option if you prefer both a mixture of traditional and modern elements, contemporary photography blends together traditional posed shots and reportage pictures. A brilliant way to ensure you get the best of both styles, it’s essential to check that your photographer is able to take high standard pictures using both methods as reportage and traditional both require a great deal of skill and some photographers may only specialise in one area.

Traditional photography Placing the emphasis on planned and posed pictures, traditional wedding photography is great for family orientated couples and making sure everyone is included. From professional shots of you, your family and attendants as well as pictures of all the day’s highlights, including signing the register, cutting the cake and leaving the ceremony, traditional photography concentrates on good lighting and impressive settings to leave you with gorgeous portrait shots sure to look great on your mantelpiece.

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GLOBAL TRADITIONS

Something borrowed…

• For those hoping to start expanding their family straight away, take a leaf from African ceremonies where cowrie shells are used in necklaces, headdresses or gowns to encourage fertility.

How to welcome the world into your wedding

by SARAH HOOLEY

Traditional Asian brides picture by Asif Akbar

• To increase your chances of good luck follow the example of couples getting married in China, India and other Asian countries who incorporate the colour red (their traditional colour of luck and good fortune) into the ceremony.

• Make a declaration of your love like many Jewish couples by wearing a plain metal wedding ring, without any gems or engravings, to show that you are not marrying for material gain.

IF your imagination is drawing a blank when it comes to planning your big day, why not take inspiration from wedding traditions around the world?

A growing trend amongst many brides and grooms, ‘borrowing’ some of the most romantic and unusual customs from across the globe is a great way to add that something special to your ceremony.

Whether you want to honour your religious roots or cultural heritage by incorporating a couple of simple traditions, or have fallen in love with the idea of recreating that magical atmosphere when you first met travelling, it’s a fantastic way to make sure French inspired Croqembouche created by Supa Dupa Cakes!

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• In the Philippines the joining of two families together is very important and to symbolise this it is traditional for both sets of parents to light a ‘unity candle’ which symbolises the union.

• Follow the French and use a delicious croquembouche as an alternative wedding cake. A traditional French wedding dessert, la croquembouche is a gravity defying stack of caramel-glazed profiteroles.

your wedding stands out from the crowd.

Perhaps you don’t even have a specific link to a culture or country but have always liked the idea of a themed wedding?

Whatever the reason, there are hundreds of stylish ways to help inject an international flavour to your day and from Bollywood influenced hot pinks and golds to African inspired burnt oranges and earthy browns, there is something to suit all tastes.

For those who want a more subtle effect, try using colourful flower arrangements, as well as elegant decorations and table dressings around the reception venue, or if you’d rather go all out, why not accompany the themed décor by serving tropical drinks and delicious cuisine to complement your chosen culture?

Whatever you want to do, here’s a quick snap-shot of some the best traditions from around the world.

• Clever friends and families in Germany help pay for the honeymoon by collecting pictures and stories about the couple to transform into a scrapbook/newsletter and then sell it at the wedding.

Use elegant table decorations to create a subtle theme at your wedding.

Picture courtsey of The Flower Studio of Pwllheli

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Perfect arrangement A life changing experience is how Nahim Choudhury describes his marriage to Arafa Syeda PETER GRANT joins the celebrations A MARRIAGE with a cultural difference was sealed in March of this year for Nahim Choudhury and his beautiful wife Arafa Syeda.

Nahim is a commercial marketing executive in Liverpool. His wife and their respective families all had a life-enhancing decision to make earlier this year - an arranged marriage.

Nahim, or Naz as he is known to friends, was born in Bangladesh. He met his bride-tobe in September 2007 and in March 2008 he and Brighton-born pharmacist Arafa Syeda, 21, were married.

Both Naz and Arafa are of the Bengali culture and the marriage was one of the most important decisions of their lives. Says Naz: “Last year a cousin died of a brain tumour and it shocked all of our families. I thought there and then that life is too short. I wanted to settle down; I know, at only 26, that did sound odd even to me, but I believe it’s right – it seemed like the logical next step after buying my own house in Wallasey.”

“Never before had I thought about having an arranged marriage but I spoke to my parents and they agreed – to be honest they were over the moon when I told them about my decision and they always wanted a big traditional Asian wedding.”

And so the wheels of motion were set in place. Naz explains: “I was invited to sit in a

panel-like interview with my future wife's parents and we discussed educational backgrounds, career plans, what I wanted to achieve in life and more importantly how I was going to treat Arafa. It was probably the hardest and longest interview I have ever taken in my life.’’

"Thankfully I passed the interview and Arafa’s parents seemed to have liked what I said – so they allowed me to proceed and I nervously proposed to her that day with an

engagement ring. I was just relieved to hear her say yes!

“Arafa and I met and went out a couple of times. She is very intelligent and careerminded like me. I have recently passed my Masters degree in marketing at John Moores University and Arafa is set to pass her Masters in pharmacy next summer.

“She is currently on an industrial placement in Brighton as a community pharmacist with Boots.”

Naz says he is planning a big party for family, friends and work colleagues who were not able to attend the huge wedding celebration in Brighton.

He says: “I look overwhelmed in the wedding photos and I was! The wonderful clothes were embroidered and were heavy and hot.”

Now Naz is waiting for Arafa to join him in his Wallasey home. “She loves Liverpool and her parents do too. They had read so much about it that they thought it would be like going to Beirut thanks to the media down south! But they know now that it is a thriving city with so much culture and heritage.”

After their colourful wedding, the couple enjoyed a holiday in romantic Paris, the city of love. So does love and romance enter into an arranged marriage?

Naz says with a shy smile: “I say it’s give and take. Love grows...it really does.”

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