Headpieces

Headpieces offer both an accent and overall dimension to the appearance of the gown. Some brides might prefer a very elaborate headpiece, while others prefer none at all. The headpiece can be used alone or in combination with a veil. A list of possible headpieces and their descriptions is provided below:

1. Half hat: This is a small hat covering half of the crown on the head.

2. Halo: This is a decorative fabric and wire band that sits on the head, lying across the forhead. The piece is accentuated with pearls, sequins, or flowers.

3.Hairpins/Hairsticks: These are ornamental hairclips that both hold up the hair for upswept styles and act as an attractive accessory.

4. Juliet cap: A small hat that hugs the back of the head. This works well with a veil, particularly a pouf veil.

5. Picture hat: A wide brimmed hat decorated with lace, pearls, or sequins.

6. Pillbox: A structured, brimless hat, which is worn on the top of the head.

7. Profile: Worn asymmetrically on the head, a profile is a floral comb decorated with lace, pearls, or crystals.

8. Snood: A decorative netting covered with pearls, sequins, or flowers. This style is used to cover hair pulled up in a bun hairstyle.

9. Wreath: This is a circle of flowers that usually sits at the crown of the head.

10. Tiara: Perhaps the most popular headpiece is the tiara. A tiara is an ornamental crown of pearls,
 crystals, or rhinestones worn at the top of the head. This piece can be worn alone or with a veil.

The bride should remember that the headpiece offers a way to enhance the gown. It should not compete with it. Some brides may choose to complement a hairstyle with the use of a headpiece. Others will forego this accessory in favour of a more elaborate hairstyle or veil.

Undergarments

The foundation garments underneath the wedding gown can be as important as the outer details. From bras and panties to control top nylons and body slimming undergarments, good quality items will go a long way towards achieving a seamless and flawless look.

Depending on the neckline of the gown, the bride will wear a bra with or without straps. If you do not like the idea of a strapless bra, there are alternatives available. Clear straps are becoming more common and are easier to hide under a gown with this straps. As well, the same clear option is available to go under the halter neckline. Note that clear straps may still be visible in the photographs, depending of the width of the dress' straps, and it;s best to avoid straps altogether with more open necklines.

Cups, body tape, daisies and other options exist for backless dresses and gowns that don't look right with a bra underneath.

Knickers should be chosen to avoid any lines showing through the gown. When wearing a gown with a tight fitting silhouette, such as the sheath or mermaid shapes, visible lines will take away from the smoothness of the gown. Therefore knicker styles such as thongs, boy-cut shorts, and Brazilian cuts are great options, as they don't show lines and will give confidence to the bride.

Control-top nylons and body-slimming undergarments can help brides with figure flaws smooth and tone their midsection and lower half to create a flawless silhouette. These garments do wonders for the overall appearance of the gown. They are designed to target specific areas, such as tummies or bottoms. If the bride is feeling at all self-conscious about her body, I recommend these products to ease her mind.

More comfortable and fun alternatives to regular nylons are stay ups and garter belts. Stay-up nylons have a plastic strip at the top of the stocking, to hold the nylon in place to mid thigh. If the bride chooses to wear stay-ups,be sure you test out a few different pairs. The bride needs to make sure they have enough staying power to last through the entire day and night-including dancing! For extra assurance, some brides prefer to opt for a traditional garter belt. The belt is worn over the hips with four or six 'garters' that come down the leg and clasp the top of the stocking. Many women find them to be a comfortable and sexy addition to their wedding ensemble.

Colour is the final consideration when choosing wedding undergarments. Brides should choose white or flesh toned garments, with the possible exception of the garter. Nothing is more disastrous than discovering that the outline of a red bra shows very clearly under a white gown in a photograph. The bride will always have a chance to slip into something fun and flirty after the reception. That's what all those bridal shower gifts were for!

The wedding rings

The custom of exchanging wedding rings began in ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphics depicted rings as a symbol of eternal love between two people. In more modern history, rings were placed on the third finger of the left hand as it was believed to be directly connected to the heart by the 'vena amoris', or the vein of love. Although this was later proven false, the tradition remains.

About three to six months prior to the wedding, the bride and groom should start shopping for their wedding rings.

You have many options to add personal touches to the rings. If you have a specific design in mind, custom designed rings might be a good option. Or, perhaps the couple would like to express their feelings artistically and design rings for each other. A handcrafted, unique design that holds meaning for the couple is a lovely idea. However, you must keep in mind that this alternative is much more expensive that simply purchasing an existing ring.

A less expensive alternative to custom-designed rings is engraving. A special message inside the ring is a private and intimate element for the couple to share. The cost will be determined by whether the rings are machine-engraved or hand-engraved, the latter being more intricate and pricey. The engraved message can be simply the wedding date and the future spouse's initials, or a short phrase that carries a special meaning for the couple. Song lyrics and poetry are also popular options.

Remember the ring is meant to be a symbol of your love, and a reflection of the style and taste of the person wearing it. This means that the most expensive ring or the most flawless diamond is not always the best choice. You should ultimately choose rings that suit your budget, match your personal style, and act as a pleasing reminder of the vows they exchanged on your wedding day.

What about the rings?

The wedding rings play a key role in the events of the day. You should recommend to your clients that they clear their hands of all other rings and wear only the engagement ring and wedding bands. As an important symbol of the occassion, the wedding rings should be center of the attention and shouldn't compete with a hand full of rings.

Bridal Shoes

Shoes are an important part of the bride's ensemble. Whether you choose a floor-length or knee-length gown, you should always focus on comfort and proper fit over style when it comes to selecting footwear. The wedding day will consist of standing, walking, and dancing. Aside from the meal (if there is one) the bride has little opportunity to sit down. The bride shouldn't have to worry about the pain in her feet when shire is trying to enjoy her special day.

To choose comfortable shoes, the bride doesn't have to sacrifice style. Many appealing yet practical choices exist. These include pumps, strappy sandals, slides, and sling backs. Heels higher that 2 1/2 inches should be avoided for comfort. High heels also create the potential for tripping. Whatever the bride likes, I advise to purchase shoes with a wide toe box to avoid friction and pressure on her feet. The bride should also wear the shoes around the house and outside to break them in several weeks before the wedding day.

Shoe styles are available in white and off-white. Dyeable shoes can be colour-matched to gowns with different tints and colours. Shoes can also be dressed up with delicate fabrics, sequins, pearls or crystals to add to the beauty of the footwear.

Tip : Bridesmaids Dresses



Liaise with the bridesmaids and/or their mothers (if applicable) to ensure colour and style co-ordination.

Discuss whether their outfits will be purchased, hired or specially made and who will pay.

Agree on a suitable, taking into account the personality, proportions, height and figure of each one (accentuate good points and minimise the rest)

                      length and shape of dress
                      sleeves (depending on the time of year)
                      trimmings and decoration
                      fabric (depending on the time of year)

Agree on the colour, taking into account the colour hair and complexion of each bridesmaid

Our new bridalwear designer has arrived, introducing Yemi Osunkoya ...

Yemi Osunkoya is the designer behind the Kosibah label. Kosibah is an exclusive brand specialising in figure enhancing bridal, evening and formal daywear.

Kosibah specialise in contemporary and elegant couture bridal, evening and formal daywear using luxurious fabrics and sumptuous embellishments. Yemi’s signature use of corsetry and boned bodices cleverly recreates the classical and elegant hourglass figure, producing gowns that curve, shape and flatter the wearer. All gowns are made to measure

The team at Kosibah are committed to providing exceptional quality of service and meticulous attention to detail. The designs, made from individual body measurements, use luxurious fabrics, sumptuous embellishments and couture techniques.

About Yemi Osunkoya....

The seeds of Yemi Osunkoya’s fascination with fashion in general and bridal wear in particular were sown at his first high society wedding in Nigeria.  From then on, whenever he accompanied his parents to social gatherings, he would feel compelled to draw the dresses and guests after the function.   So began his life-long love of figurative drawing.  As he entered his teenage years, Yemi fell under the spell of the glamour and sophistication of Bob Makie’s costumes for Diana Ross and Anthony Price’s gravity defying gowns for Jerry Hall.  A career in fashion design was beckoning.

After a degree in Textile Design at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, Yemi completed his studies at the Paris Academy of Fashion, Oxford St, London, gaining top marks in both men’s and women’s wear.

Yemi completed his studies in 1990 in London at the height of the recession.  But, undaunted by the economic climate and determined to make his own mark, Yemi decided to strike out on his own and founded his own design label Kosibah.

It was natural that he would name the company in honour of his greatest supporter: his mother, Cosiba. The name Cosiba comes from the Republic of Benin and is the Day Name given to a female child born on a Sunday.  However, in deference to the Yoruba tradition of not addressing elders by their first names, Yemi changed the spelling of the company name slightly as a mark of respect.

Yemi has worked hard to make Kosibah a truly global brand, but with clientele particularly well represented in the UK, USA, West and South Africa and the Caribbean.   Among his celebrated clients, Yemi counts Lady Janet Boateng, Dianne Abbott MP, Kelly Rowland, Alesha Dixon, Sheila Ferguson, Hollywood actress Indra Ové, Louise Rose and members of several royal families in Nigeria and Ghana. Still on Yemi’s wish list of celebrities to dress are Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Padma Lakshmi, and Keira Knightley.

Yemi with Alesiha Dixon



Despite A-list success, Yemi’s designs are firmly rooted in the desire to make every woman look and feel good.  Drawing on his African roots, Yemi’s designs celebrate the curves and shapes of real women.  His signature use of corsetry and draping creates gowns that flatter and enhance every woman’s figure.  And his long experience of providing a personal attentive service to each of his clients means that he is now an expert in providing exactly what his clients want.

He also draws inspiration from the vibrant, multicultural life of London which is now his home.  The capital’s diverse populations allow Yemi to fuse influences from across the world into his designs with the luxurious fabrics, sumptuous embellishments and meticulous attention to detail associated with the finest traditions of Parisian couture.

INSPIRATIONS BEHIND KOSIBAH...

1. Diana Ross – In my teenage years, I fell under the spell of the glamour and sophistication of Bob Makie’s costumes for Diana Ross. I just loved the way in all her concerts she went through numerous changes of uber glamorous gowns. This has had a long lasting effect of my designs.

2. Anthony Price – Again, growing up, I very much admired Anthony Prices seemingly gravity defying gowns for jerry hall and Paula Yates. It was very obvious that there was quite a lot going on inside the gown not visible from the outside to create such figure enhancing gowns. Over the years, I have developed techniques that achieve the same effect of recreating the classical hour glass figure.

3. The 50’s New Look era. I spent hours in the library as a teenager pouring over books featuring the New Look era. Designers such as Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga and Hubert de Givenchy produced such beautiful, exquisitely made couture gowns. I’m very drawn to this golden age of couture where so much of what made the garment what it was on the inside of the gown.

4. Growing up in Nigeria, West Africa, I was used to seeing women of all shapes and therefore feel very comfortable designing for ‘real’ and curvaceous women. I following on from that, celebrating the female form is my main inspiration. Because all my gowns are bespoke and made from scratch specifically for each client, making her look and feel her best on her wedding day is my main focus. My signature use of corsetry and draping creates gowns that flatter and enhance every woman’s figure.

5. Finally, I also draw inspiration from the vibrant, multicultural life of London which is now my home. The capital’s diverse population allows me to fuse influences from across the world into my designs with the luxurious fabrics, sumptuous embellishments and meticulous attention to detail usually associated with the finest traditions of Parisian couture.

Here at La Roche UK we are very proud to have Yemi on board and thank him for this wonderful insight behind Kosibah and his talented work.

For more information, visit the website at www.kosibah.co.uk

or call 020 7424 8832. Visits to the studio are by appointment only.



Giving It That Personal Touch

He proposes...you accept! and the first thing you think is..’Oh My God! I have to plan my wedding now! Where do I start?’...

 A lot of brides to be panic at this stage and start telling their girlfriends and mums to buy bridal magazines and book wedding shows! This is all very helpful, but to take a positive, stress free and sophisticated approach is to hire a wedding planner; to make it bespoke to your needs and so nothing is left out! This does not have to break the bank!

In fact do some research if you can get something cheaper than your wedding planner, tell your planner and let them see if they can match it or make it better! Challenge them! Work closely with your planner so it is what YOU want!

There are those who NEED a wedding planner, and there are those who WANT a wedding planner!  

If you are living some distance from where the ceremony and celebration is to take place; if you have a demanding life which does not allow you the time to take on what is an extremely demanding project; if you are having a large scale celebration; if you want to make real savings on your budget; if you want the security of knowing there is someone with you to take the strain; you probably do NEED a wedding planner.

Hiring a Wedding Planner is no longer a luxury few can afford and it is no wonder couples WANT a wedding planner to ensure that all goes smoothly as there are so many “i”s that need dotted and “t’”s that need crossed!   No matter the scale of the ceremony and celebration, attention to these details is key. 

There are ways to maximize every budget and having experienced consultants on hand to assist in this aspect of your planning is extremely worthwhile.  If you want your venue to be dressed in a way that will wow your guests, you can get that  taken care of the styling and just having someone there on the day to ensure that all goes smoothly is of significant valuable to any couple.

Some brides make the mistake of having family and friends to help out and take care of the organization of their weddings, which is very sweet and thoughtful, but don’t you think they want to see you get married instead of sorting out the caterers? I know in a typical Asian bride’s wedding, its on a large scale of guests up to 500 which is a norm, and there is a lot of work to do, which is not possible without planners and managers taking care of every detail, otherwise you will have detail lacking and it will become very obvious to those observant ones ! everyone attending your wedding should be a guest including you, your friends and family!

It’s your one day everything should go smoothly and perfect, and you want the people close to you to see all the precious moments! I always get a lot of brides asking me  ‘is it too late to start planning my wedding?’
‘How long should I realistically need?’and various other questions relating to this subject...In all honesty, you should start THINKING about planning as soon as you say ‘yes’!

Make notes, make plans, write down things you think of, some brides keep a little diary/book so all ideas are in one place. But when starting to plan, like above get all your ideas together when booking your wedding planner/co ordinator show them your ideas and make sure they know what you want from these ideas!

Realistically a full wedding from 100-500 people can take from 5-8 months planning to perfection.

When you go to wedding shows and exhibitions, go to the big city shows. For example if you live in London go to the city shows, well known, and with a lot of exhibitors so you are spoilt for choice.
this is important so you can get different quotations from different types of companies as there are more of them, quotations are important, note them down, compare them to others, quality is important though, remember when you want the best, and quality is important to you in a certain area, then prepared to pay the price!

So budgeting is very important, you should have a realistic budget for EACH area of your wedding.
get realistic quotations, and set aside ‘security money’ just in case somethings falls through or you exceed over your budget.

If you have questions or queries please contact me for a free, no obligation consultation regarding your engagement/wedding. I specialize in all Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh weddings. I am available UK nationwide, based in London.

Facebook: ST Weddings & Events
‘Giving It That Personal Touch’

http://www.personaleventplanner.co.uk/
info@personaleventplanner.co.uk

Men's Formal Attire

Two common, formal options for grooms are the tuxedo and the morning suit.

1. Tuxedo

The classic tuxedo is a single breasted three button or one button jacket with satin trim. The trousers can be pleated or flat front and might also have a satin trim. The tuxedo can be accessorized with a necktie or bow tie, vest or cummerbund. The tuxedo jacket can also be found in a double breasted version. This suit will draw attention to the midsection; therefore, the whole ensemble will look best on a man who is tall and slim.

2. Morning Suit

The morning coat or cutaway jacket is a suit jacket with a single button at the waist and one broad tail at the back. These jackets usually come in black or grey and are typically worn with a wing-collared shirt, an ascot, a cummerbund, and striped trousers. The groom can dress this outfit up by adding gloves, a top hat, and a walking stick. To tone down the formality of this look, the groom can wear a patterned necktie instead of an ascot.


These suits can be accessorized with special lapels, and a variety of shirts, ties, vests, and cummerbunds. Generally, there is freedom in combining these accessories; however, some accessories are exclusive to one another. For example a cummerbund should only be worn with a bow tie or ascot.

When assessing the overall look of a suit, little details go a long way. The lapels of a suit jacket for instance, can completely change the appearance of the suit. Just as the neckline of the bride's gown will frame her face, the lapels of the suit jacket will frame the face of the groom. The three main types of lapels are


1. Notched lapel:

This lapel have "V" shaped cuts pointing toward the groom's chest, where the collar and the lapel meet the jacket.

2. Peaked lapel:

This style includes two points of fabric on either side of the jacket positioned in an upwards direction. With this style, there is a narrow space between the collar and the lapel.

3.: Shawl collar:

A rounded jacket lapel that continues back in a softly tapering line. A satin piping at the seam can add a very attractive dressy touch. This style is a great choice for men who are heavier as it creates a more vertical line.







Grooms can also choose from several different kinds of neckties.

1. Ascot: A wide necktie that is looped over and held in place, under the chin, with a tie tack.

2. Bow: Tied in the shape of a bow, this tie comes in a variety of colours and patterns to match the vest or cummerbund.

3. Euro: A long, knotted square-bottomed necktie.

4. Four-in-hand: Slightly different than the euro, the four-in-hand is the most common long knotted necktie with a "V" cut at the bottom.


The cummerbund is a pleated silk or satin sash, worn at the waist, to cover the trouser waistband. It is only worn with a bow tie, not a knotted necktie. The vest, on the other hand can be worn instead of the cummerbund to cover the trouser waistband.



Cultural wedding dresses

Some brides may wish to wear a gown or ensemble that reflects their cultural tradition. Traditional gowns can have special details added to integrate the bride and groom's culture, or the bride might choose to wear the cultural wedding attire. Below are a few examples of cultural wedding ensembles.

• Indian brides traditionally wear a sari, which is a long length of fabric wrapped numerous times around the waist and draped over the shoulder. It is worn with a blouse called a choli or ravika, which has a low neckline and short sleevs. Variations to this outfit will include an exposed back or midriff, as well as loose-fitting trousers.
• Scottish brides often wear a white dress with tartan trimming, commonly known as plaid. Scottish 'clans' or surnames each have their own unique tartan designs. The ensemble is then accessorised with a tartan shawl or a tartan sash at the waist.
• Chinese brides traditionally wear red to symbolize good luck and to ward off evil spirits. Chinese brides might also wear a red crown. During the wedding events, Chinese brides will usually dress in three different outfits.
• Japense brides often wear a white silk kimono for the ceremony. After the ceremony, the bride changes into a red silk kimono, embroidered with Japanse folk symbols.
• African brides tradionally wear tunic style dresses and headdresses made of African fabrics. Cowrie shells are often included in the gown trim and headpieces to encourage fertility.
• Traditional Jewish bridal attire usually cover the body, showing little or no skin. If the ceremony is being performed in an Orthodox synangogue, the shoulders are covered, and the gown may have full or three-quarterd length sleeves. The neckline is high, the back covered, and the skirt is ankle length.
• A Spanish bride may wear a soft, long black gown and an intricatly woven lace veil, typically the manilla veil. Latino brides wear similar esembles, although the Latino bride's gown is usually white, with accents of red and black. The gown is covered by a small balero jacket, which is a short jacket with an open front. For more informal weddings, Latino brides may wear a flamenco dress. These long gowns have multiple ruffles on the dress an sleeves, which highlight the drama and expression of traditional Latin dancing.
• Muslim brides tradionally wear robes of a rich cherry red colour. A ghunghat, similar to a veil, is worn by the bride and covers not only the head, but also the shoulders, back, and waistline, all the way around the body. Typically, the Muslim bride recieves her wedding attire from the groom's family.

Adding cultural elements to the bride's wedding ensemble is a very special way to personalize the wedding and honour the traditions and backgrounds of the bride and groom.

Variations on traditional gowns



Many options are available for brides who would like to wear something other than a traditional white gown. Colour in wedding attire is becomeing much more popular. From light pastels to deep, rich tones, brides can enhance their style and uniqueness by choosing a coloured wedding gown. Certain meanings area associated with different colours.

If you are a bride-to-be considering a coloured wedding dress, let me remind you of the following traditional rather gloomy, rhyme:,

Married in White, you have chosen right,

Married in Grey, you will go far away,

Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,

Married in Red, you will wish your self dead,

Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,

Married in Blue, you will always be true,

Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,

Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,

Married in Brown, you will in the town,

Married in Pink, your spirit will sink.

Variations in length are becoming more common as well. Tea-length gowns have a hemline that sits around knees. This creates a lighter, softer silhouette, particularly for summer and outdoor weddings. Intermission hemlines, with the front of the gown's hemline hitting the knee or mid calf, while the back of the gown drops to the ankle, are a popular and dramatic choice.

For women who have been married before, or those who are a little more mature, trouser and skirt suits are a welcome alternative to a more formal gown. If the bride is not a fan of dresses, a trouser suit can be a very regal alternatice to traditional business suits, wedding suits are created with dressy fabrics and shiney detailing. This variation allows for a simpler, yet feminine and beautiful wedding ensemble.

For brides who love vintage looks, or who are planning a themed wedding based on a previous era, a vintage gown might be the perfect choice. Brides can choose an authentic vintage dress or a vintage-inspired dress. Real vintage gowns can be found at consignment shops or vintage boutiques. Reproductions can be custom-made or found at speciality wedding boutiques.

For brides who are planning a destination wedding, a traditional full-length gown might not be the most comfortable option (or the easiest to travel with!). Whatever attire is chosen, it should be sturdy enough to handle packaging, travel, and any outdoor venues such as tropical and beach destination spots. Ideally, the gown would be light, perhaps short, without a  long train, and made of fabric that can easily be steamed free of wrinkles.



The wedding gown

In every little girl's childhood wedding fantasy, one element always seems to take centre stage - sometimes even over the ideal groom! That one special item is, of course, the wedding gown. A bride's wedding ensemble, whether it's a traditional long gown, a flirty knee-length dress, or a chic suit, should make her feel radiant, beautiful, confident, and comfortable on her wedding day.

If you are a bride-to-be looking for a traditional long, formal gown, you will find many different styles and designs are available to suit all different tastes and body types. Ideally, the bride should begin shopping for her gown nine to twelve months before the wedding and order her dress at least six months before the wedding (to allow time for alterations).

Rememberm that depending on the formaility of the occasion, certain styles may be inappropriate. Save the more risque silhouettes for the hen do ;)

History and tradition of the wedding gown

In one form or another, the wedding gown has been around for ages in North America and Europe. Varying in colour and style from era to era, the wedding gown has been long been the centrepiece of this wonderful and symbolic occasion. In 1840, when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, white became the colour of choice for wedding gowns. Before 1840, blue was the typical colour, as it symbolized purity and innocence. The general public was quite surprised at Queen Victoria’s white gown. Brides began to copy her and soon white became the standard colour.

Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century, gown styles varied, but they all defined the natural curves of the female body and remained, for the most part, white. In the early to mid-twentieth century, gown styles began to change,allowing for the apprearence of more skin and more colour variations. Mirroring the liberation and equality of women, wedding gowns became a product of individual expression more than a right of passage.

News / Press / Reviews

What’s On Pembrokeshire is a FREE full colour A5 magazine and is the only comprehensive guide to what’s on in Pembrokeshire each month. Each issue lists gigs, art exhibitions, theatre, dance, cinema, concerts, comedy, club nights, festivals, regular sessions, workshops and much more!

We also include listings for car boots, cookery nights, plant sales and the like in our general listings section.
The magazine also includes editorial such as movie and music reviews, stories, quizzes and games and more.
You can pick up a copy in shops, garages, tourist information centres, waiting rooms, venues, galleries and other public places right across the county.

Go To 'Whats On Pembrokeshire'

Hen do's with a difference!

Like everything else in life, hen do's are changing and evolving all the time!

 We all have that the image in mind of the "Hen" decorated in various ribbons, badges and wedding paraphernalia or a group of very drunken ladies in random fancy dress stumbling out of Limos in the local town centre and why not?  After all, a brides hen night is a chance for the bride to let her hair down amongst all the chaos of planning a wedding.

What if you don't fancy a night out on the town?  We look at the alternative hen do's.

For the more adventurous bride:

Battlefield Live 

If you fancy getting down and dirty but not in the traditional sense then why not try something a bit more "hands on".

Battlefield Live in Pembrokeshire offers the ultimate in outdoor laser combat.

They use infra-red so it is suitable for everyone with no pain or bruising.

Team work is the key and you will need your wits about you as well as stealth and strategy to defeat the opposition.

The missions include sabotage, flight box, sniper, patrol, capture and hold and rescue the VIP.

Games run for 2 hours and cost £20 per person.  There is no extra charge for ammo and no long waits.

Does this sound like your ideal hen party?  Click here for more details.

Naughty but Nice?

Why not try out the latest in indulgent treats and organise a Cup Cake party for you and your friends?  The Vintage Tea party company, based in Carmarthenshire are offering Cup Cake decorating classes and afternoon tea parties for groups of 8 to 10 people from £30 per person, which includes everything you will need to make a stunning display of delicious delights (plus you get to scoff them when you finish!!).  

A touch of class?

The perfect accessory to every girls outfit is her jewellery, so why not take the opportunity to hold a jewellery party for you and your friends?  
Made With Love by Polly offer stunning handmade jewellery with necklaces, bracelets, brooches and more.  They can offer a bespoke service to co ordinate with your outfit and work with you to create the right piece of jewellery from a range of styles or even from your own ideas!

Ally x

***WIN*** Royal Wedding Competition

APRIL COMPETITION

To celebrate the Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

in April this year, we have two stunning prizes up for grabs...

1st Prize

Dartington Royal Wedding Celebration Flutes

Celebrating and commemorating the wedding of HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton, these lead free crystal items are the perfect way to mark this historic event.

2nd Prize

Parks Royal Wedding Candle - Purple Glass

This candle, produced by Parks of London, arguably the best candle makers in Europe, has been manufactured to commemorate a landmark in British history. The scented candle has been produced in very limited numbers and is, therefore, highly collectable and would make a fantastic and exquisite gift or an elegant souvenir of the occasion. Beautifully scented with Parks Original scent - a combination of citrus, vanilla, patchouli and lavender. t is presented encased in purple glass etched with the details of the wedding date.

How To Enter

Simply answer the following question ..

What is the date of the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton?

To enter send your answer along with your name and location to la_roche_uk@btinternet.com by 10pm April 28th, winners will be announced and notified on the 29th April.

GOOD LUCK

La Roche x

 



April Business of the Month

Welcome to our new feature.  Every month we will focus on one of the businesses that advertise with La Roche and in true “Michael Parkinson” style we will interrogate them so that you know all about their business, what makes them tick and what you as a customer can expect from them!

This month our Business of the month title goes to nellie dean.

So who is nellie dean and what type of business are they? 

1.       What is your business name and why?

The business is called nellie dean. Why? Because I wanted something that sounded fun. Nellie dean is what my dad used to call me when I was a child so I thought I'd resurrect it.

2.      How long have you been trading?

I set up in June 2010.

3.       What inspired you to start your own business?

I've always thought of having my own craft business and it was 2 friends starting theirs that made me think that I should give it a go too. I made lots of things for my wedding last year and that finally inspired me to take the next step.

4.       What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy the freedom and flexibility to plan my working week around the demands of the business and my family. I also enjoy the creative process of taking my new products from ideas to the finished items.

5.      What do you find challenging about running a business?

Sometimes I miss working with colleagues and the office banter and can find working on my own a bit isolating. Maybe that's why I chat on the internet a lot!

6.       What is your favourite product?  

My favourite product has got to be my felt brooches. I always wear one on my outfit and they really add a splash of colour. 

7.       What can customers expect when they contact you?

Customers can expect a friendly, efficient service

  Sum up your business in one sentence.

      Beautiful handmade bunting, bags, brooches and more!

Many thanks to nellie dean for taking the time to answer my questions.  You can check out her page on La Roche here.

Ally xx

Child free bliss or family planning?

One dilemma that often divides people is having children at a wedding.  For some it’s a must, a wedding is a whole family celebration and children are part of that family and for others they can think of nothing worse than having children clogging up the dance floor during their first dance and crying during those special vows.

So what makes couples decide against having children at their big day?

Katie says:

"Why I didn't have kids at my wedding...
...because I'm not being funny, other peoples' kids, when you don't have any yourself, are annoying. Firstly, they make noise. I didn't want my wedding video, which was costing stupid amounts of money to have, ruined by some screaming kid whose parents refuse to take them outside. I wanted to be able to hear my ceremony, not toys banging or little Jonny whinging.
Secondly, they run around everywhere-there was no way I was having kids doing knee slides on the dance floor at my wedding! I wanted to party and dance safe in the knowledge I wasn't accumulating a small crèche in the folds of my beautiful dress!
Thirdly, they want to dismantle things, especially balloons. I had helium balloons everywhere at my evening reception and like anything associated with a wedding, they weren't cheap, but the room looked stunning. And that was how I wanted it to stay all night-not to see that parents were giving out MY balloons to their sprogs willy nilly, without even asking (I've seen this happen at other weddings and it made me cross!)
But my views haven't changed since having a baby myself. If my OH and I were invited to a wedding in the near future, I wouldn't even entertain taking my baby with me, whether she was invited or not. I love a good wedding, and quite frankly would like to enjoy myself without having to worry about being a mummy. We all deserve a day/night off once in a while."

This view is shared by many people who decide not to have children at their wedding.  It can sometimes be an unpopular choice with guests who have children and are unable to attend due to issues with childcare or simply just refuse to attend without their child.

There is no getting away from the fact that having children to your wedding can bump up the cost, extra seats at tables and extra meals that may not even be eaten, using up room at the church. 

So what if you want a few children at your wedding but don’t want to offend guests whose children you don’t invite?

Lucy is getting married next year and has made a compromise with the guests who are travelling a long distance to the wedding;

"Even before we were engaged we knew children would be an essential part our wedding. My fiance Matthew has 3 nephews, while I am Godmother to my cousin's youngest daughter, and we spend a good deal of time with them.  The nephews will be our pageboys and my god daughters will be flowergirls.  To us marriage is about 2 families coming together, and children are part of these families. 

However we are marrying quite some way away from Matthew's childhood home of Pontypool and from my parents’ home in rural Aberdeenshire, so we have made a rule that people we are inviting who are travelling some distance to the wedding are invited lock stock and barrel. Those who live nearby and will be able to get a babysitter/leave with granny etc are being invited without children - most of them are really looking forward to a day of freedom! Yes we feel it’s far from an ideal situation, but we are limited not only budget wise, but also in numbers. Our Church can only take 72 people including the bride and groom!"

In contrast children can be a wonderful addition to your big day.  They can add the awww factor as they walk down the aisle behind you in their mini suits or beautiful princess like dresses.  Not all children are noisy and destructive and can even add a bit of light hearted entertainment to the day.

Fi says that for her, her wedding day was made by the presence of her children.

"My children made my wedding!

Out of all the memories I have of the day, them being there was by far the best! Material things like my flowers and dress didn’t even compare!! After the best man speeches the microphone was put on a table, all of a sudden the silence was broken by my daughter who was only two at the time! She'd got the microphone and sang “You are my sunshine” to a shocked me and all of my guests! It was one of the proudest moments of my life, it made my wedding!

I spent hundreds on balloons for the venue and after the meal I got a scissors and cut them all down! The kids played all day with them! I'd rather see that than them making the room pretty. I cut a chunk out of my cake for my daughter who was getting a bit whingey- everyone was horrified? Why? I'd paid for it!

My photos were lovely.  My son pulled a face in every one of them! He was only 3. The most precious photo I own is on my wedding day- me and my daughter! It’s the nicest one I own!

I had lots of children at my wedding it made the day!"

Whatever your decision, you can be sure that someone will disagree with you, but at the end of the day your wedding is YOUR day so it’s important that you make your choice for you and not for others.  No one has the right to dictate to you how you should spend the most special day of your life.  Child free or children running riot, it’s your choice!


Why not share your stories with us below?

Ally
La Roche Uk

Pretty Pastels and Vintage Vows

More and more people are using themes to base their big day on so for my first blog post I have decided to explore the theme Pretty Pastels and Vintage Vows.

Pastels have always been a popular colour for weddings, more so during the spring season where it can be enhanced by the seasonal flowers which are available at the time of year.  Once you have decided which pastel colours you are going to incorporate in your big day it’s important to get the balance right and accessorise appropriately.

Walking down the aisle hand in hand with pastels this season is vintage.  These themes are the perfect complement to each other and both are widely available from designer boutiques to the high street stores.

So what is available at the moment?  Let’s start with the stationery.

Invites are the first thing your guests will see and will set the scene for the big day.  Your theme can then be followed through to your Order of service, place cards, favours, thank you cards, favours and table plans.  This beautiful example from Cards by Sophie show how subtle touches can still have impact.

Pastel coloured flowers are easiest to source during the spring season.  Your choice of flowers are as equally important as your dress choice as it will bring colour and accent to your dress and finish off your table settings perfectly.

Pastel flowers are very popular with the modern bride and can add that subtle hint of colour without taking attention away from your dress. 

Perhaps you would prefer an alternative to fresh flowers, something that you can keep and pass on to your children?  Why not take a look at Tiny Gems heirloom bouquets.  This exquisite twist on a floral bouquet are made to your requirements from approximately 30 vintage style brooches finished with a ribbon handle and collar to match your colour scheme.

To get that true vintage feel why not look closer to home for your wedding dress and ask mums, grannies and aunties about their dresses.  True vintage dresses are making a huge comeback on modern weddings with intricate details and that true handmade feel.  Not only will it cut out the stress of finding that perfect dress but it’s also a great cost cutter and possibly a way of starting a new family tradition!

Most brides won’t fit perfectly into their mothers wedding dresses but a good seamstress who is experienced in working with vintage gowns will be able to make any alternations needed to give it that extra personal touch.

One bride who did just that is Kyra who wore her mothers dress at her wedding. 

 Kyra says

"I've always loved the photo of her on her wedding day. 1969 - the grooviest decade in history is coming to a close, man is preparing to walk on the moon and my mother, at 22 years of age is laughing on the steps of a registry office in the miniest-mini-skirted babydoll dress of all time! It had to be a civil wedding - the minister would have been apoplectic at the hemline!

My parents had a terribly romantic secret wedding with only two friends invited to the ceremony. They had known each other for approximately 10 weeks and the general feeling amongst their peers was "it will never last!". The dress typified the craziness of the event, pale pink with a matching (2 inches longer) lace brocade coat.  The dress lived as a largely forgotten memory in my auntie's cupboard for 20 years until a 12 year old me tried it on and loved it all over again.

When I got married 12 years later there was only one dress I wanted. Sure, I did what you have to in a couple of bridal shops, I half heartedly thumbed a few catalogues but there just wasn't anything out there that was as daring, swinging, original and flattering as the dress in my auntie's cupboard. I had a very small wedding, i'd got engaged to my fiance on the third time of meeting and no-one thought we had a particularly long future either,what else could i wear?

With my mother's blessing I got a panel of silk sewn in to the front. The lady who made the adjustments for me called her friends over to admire the dress and reminisce about the days when they too had dared to show as much leg.

I am very pleased that the dress got a second outing. Hooray to crazy, hastily organised, small but romatic weddings, in disgracefully short skirts!"


Ally xx

La Roche Uk

Introducing To You Ally Rosser

La Roche is very pleased to introduce you all to our resident blogger, the lovely Ally Rosser.

Ally will be covering all our articles and blogs and keeping you all up to date with topics from the latest wedding trends to new shop launches.

We are very happy to have her on board and we love her to bits. x

Resident Blogger of La Roche - Ally Rosser

My name is Ally and I am a 31 year old mother of 3.  

I live with my fiance Richard on an organic beef farm in Pembrokeshire.

My passions are photography, reading, running and of course blogging!  I have always kept a diary since I was little and have now blogged for several years on different subjects, the most recent being Richards battle with cancer and the affect it has had on our family.

I am thrilled to be blogger for La Roche UK and look forward to finding out lots of little gems of information to share with you all to help make that special day even more perfect! - Ally