Counting down the days to a wedding is a very exciting time, filled with anticipation. The venue’s been booked, the guests have RSVP’d, everything’s been arranged and the bride and groom can hardly wait to start their lives together. One custom that many betrothed couples enjoy following is exchanging gifts. The bride and groom may choose to present their gifts to each other at the rehearsal dinner in front of family and friends, after the ceremony when they have a moment alone together, or some like to wait until they’re on their honeymoon. A great gift idea for both bride and groom are watches from the fabulous Movado collection.

Movado’s most popular watch is the Museum dial which is not only coveted for the company’s well-known quality and construction, but for their signature design which is a single dot at 12 o’clock with no numbers, lines, or markings to indicate hours or minutes. Movado also a range of styles from sport watches to watches with dials made from mother of pearl with diamond-encrusted bezels.

Whether your other half would prefer stainless steel or tungsten, two-tone or simply stylish, the classic black dial or a pretty pink watch face, bracelet or strap, you’re bound to find the perfect gift among Movado’s vast collection.

If given before the wedding, the groom’s watch can be worn the day of the ceremony. The bride will
probably want to wait until after the event, but once she places one of these beautiful timepieces on her wrist, she’s not likely to want to take it off.

Whether you’re a bride, groom, friend or parent, you’ll want your wedding gift to provide a lasting memory of that special day. Give the gift of time.

Timeless. Classic. These two words are the perfect descriptors for the next two: Diamonds. Disney.  But forget what you think you know about Disney weddings…The Disney Bridal Collection, created by Mouawad in collaboration with renowned couture bridal designer Kirstie Kelly, will simply take your breath away. The engagement rings and wedding bands in this elegant and delicately crafted collection were designed for the little girl who is all grown up — but still wants to feel like a princess on her wedding day.

The Mouawad Family carries a tradition of more than a century of craftsmanship and their brainchild Mondera has come to represent exceptional quality and outstanding value coupled with modern and innovative styling.

What little girl hasn’t watched her favorite Disney movies over and over again and pictured herself as Cinderella or Snow White or Ariel?
Which princess did you want to be? Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Princess Jasmine or Ariel? Do you prefer classic baguettes or pave diamonds? Filigree or art deco? Whichever you choose, the magnificent engagement rings and wedding bands of the Disney Bridal Collection can be a beautiful part of the fairy tale wedding of your dreams.

View the collection now!

Weding rings often get overlooked in all the flurry about dresses, cakes and venues when in fact they are arguably the most vital part of the wedding. Don’t be afraid to spend a large portion of your budget on the rings- they’re going to be around a long time after all.

Make sure it fits well with your engagement ring. It’s possible to get wedding rings shaped around your engagement ring if, like mine, it’s an awkward shape. It needs to match in carat if nothing else- if you are going to be wearing different carats next to each other they can rub together and cause damage. A lot of people obsess about the tone of gold matching, but this is not necessary. If you want a yellow gold band with your white gold engagement ring, go for it.

Likewise, your ring doesn’t have to match your husband’s. If he wants simple 9ct yellow gold, and you have your heart set on diamond encrusted platinum neither of you has to compromise. Just each buy the ring you like. If you want the matching element there, how about getting the same engraving within the ring?

For a smaller budget, have a look around on the high street. Before you turn your nose up at me, that doesn’t mean you have to resort to Elizabeth Duke. Beaverbrooks sell lovely wedding bands from just £95. This 9ct yellow gold and diamond ring (above) is just £250 and looks stunning. A 9ct yellow gold mens band starts from just £235, so you could have a matching set for a steal at less than £500.

Those with more cash to spend after something a little different should have a look at Dominic Walmsley’s amazing designs. Unique and breathtakingly beautiful, these rings are perfect for the couple who want to stand out. My personal favourites are the fingerprint rings- your partner’s fingerprint is forever embedded within your wedding ring. Starting at £950 for the male ring and £720 for the female ring, they’ll be something to cherish for your whole life together.

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity- there is no beginning or end to a ring, just one continuous circle. Choosing a ring that you will love and cherish forever is the perfect way to start your lives together.

They can’t be decked out in just anything! They have to set the scene before the bride arrives, to compliment her yet still avoid outshining her. How do you achieve this without mega bucks? Well, anything is possible with a bit of imagination and research.

The Dress- Under £100
Bridesmaid dresses generally cost at least £150. That’s a lot of money if you are just having two bridesmaids, let alone four or five! And once you’ve added on the shoes, accessories and hair and make up you are looking at triple figures.

Help is at hand however with a huge variety of shops on the high street selling dresses that can be used in your weding party. Monsoon is one such example. They sell stunning dresses in all colours and styles to suit your day. The beautiful “Monica” dress {pictured above} is just £85 and fits perfectly with this seasons Grecian trend.

Then there’s our old reliable Marks and Spencer who are selling this stunning gold “Waterfall” dress for an amazing £59! This would look fantastic at a luxurious wedding filled with colours of gold and cream, and is such a versatile colour that it can work with all seasons: try it with white and aqua for a summer beach look or a deep red for a Christmas wedding.

The Shoes- Under £50
Let’s face it, no one is going to be staring at the bridesmaids’ feet. That doesn’t mean that you can get away with plonking anything on there- if you team their glamorous dresses with chunky black plimsols people will notice! It does mean, however, that you can get away with budget shoes to compliment their outfits.

Debenhams have a huge range of shoes by various designers so you can get that designer look for less. These shoes by Jasper Conran are show stoppers. Perfect for bold colour schemes but at £30 you don’t need a bold budget to afford them!

Or, for a more subdued look, how about these aptly named “Fabulous” shoes from Dune. The quirky cut-out design adds a kick to these nude-coloured shoes. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, there is also a turquoise variation and for only £45.50.

The Accessories- Under £25
Ok, so you’ve got the dress and the shoes are being broken in as we speak. Now comes the all important matter of accessories. These are needed to add a little spark to the outfits, but too much and they will look as though they have fallen into Pat Butcher’s jewellery box; Not a good look!

New Look sells a wide range of jewellery for bargain prices- it’s possible to pick up a necklace for just £5! Their range includes the bold and wacky to the elegant and sophisticated, so you’re spoilt for choice.

Or for splashing out a little more, Accessorize have a stunning range of both dramatic and classic pieces. They also have various headwear such as this pretty butterfly pearl comb- well under budget at £12.

So there you have it. A complete bridesmaids outfit for under £175. Now it’s time to cross your fingers and hope they all approve of your choices!

*images*  Monsoon, Marks and Spencer, Dune, Accessorize

The fun part is choosing which ones suit your fancy. Feathers, tiaras, combs, hair vines, circlets… there are so many options!  Here are my favourite picks:

Feathers: Feathers add a wow factor to bridal hair and are all the rage these days seen in everything from wedding invitations to wedding cakes. They are perfect for stylish and dramatic brides seeking to be the center of attention. If you dare, know that guests will look and stare in reaction to this one of a kind hair accessory. Think Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex in the City movie.

Flowers: If feathers aren’t your thing and you are a more of a romantic bride, consider adding fresh flowers to your hair. They are naturally romantic and add a subtly sweet touch to any hairstyle up or down.

Veil: Traditional brides may want to stick to the simplicity of their veil. And why not? Unfortunately, like your wedding dress you only get to wear it once.

Tiara: Tiaras are for brides wanting to fulfill their childhood fantasies of being a princess. However they don’t have to be towering, elaborate constructions.

Simple circlets and hair combs are growing in popularity and have a sleek, modern look.

I love this simple one from BD-i Design.

Hair Pins: Add sparkle to your hairdo, with jeweled hair pains. This one from Jo Thorne is unique, feminine and contemporary and is a must for modern brides.

The good news is that there is a wide variety of gorgeous hair accessories for every bride, from romantics to modern divas.  You just need to go out and pick the right style for you!

Although traditionally Spanish, the mantilla is quickly gaining popularity in other countries and among non-Spanish designers. Brides from all over the world have seen the charm and sophistication that a mantilla veil adds to a wedding gown and have readily opted for this chic choice.

Origins
The mantilla veil has been a form of traditional Spanish dress for centuries, but it was Queen Isabel II, being very fond of the accessory, who brought it into high society in nineteenth century Spain, making it what it is today: a symbol of an elegant and distinguished Spanish woman.

The Spanish mantilla is usually made of silk lace, that lace many times being Chantilly lace, but often handmade in Spain. But these days we also find mantillas made out of tulle with a decorative silk lace border; a less-expensive, more transparent option that shows off more of the wedding dress than a lace mantilla would.

How to wear a mantilla wedding veil
There are several ways to wear a mantilla, as there are several ways to wear a veil. One of the most common ways is to lay the decorative border across the top of the bride’s head and allowing the rest of the lace to fall down her back.  A beautiful way to keep the mantilla in place is to gather it with a decorative clip.

The mantilla, just like other wedding veils, can be as long as the bride wants.  The traditional rule that the mantilla can’t go beyond the hips is really only used now for the three point mantillas (mantillas shaped like a triangle). Modern brides are able to choose many different lengths and styles from many different designers, and a hot Spanish trend among modern brides is to choose a mantilla that extends as a long train. There are even short mantillas like the one designed by Victorio & Lucchino in the shape of a handkerchief.

A more traditional way of wearing the mantilla is with a peineta; a large, decorative comb. The peineta is placed at the top of the bride’s head and the mantilla is draped over it.

Not just for brides
The mantilla and peineta is not an exclusively bridal accessory, being worn by other female members of the wedding party, such as the mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom.  The exception is that they would wear a black mantilla, not white, as the black mantilla symbolizes a woman who is already married, and older women almost always wear a mid-lenght mantilla accompanied by the peineta in a traditional fashion.

The mantilla is just another choice among the many for modern brides, but one that adds a sense of worldliness that other choices don’t. For the bride that is looking to add a bit of culture to her wedding day the mantilla is an enchanting choice.

Images of a modern bride wearing a mantilla (c) Leigh Miller. (Leigh is beautiful photographer who travels to weddings worldwide, I recommend checking out her site, and blog.)

Close your eyes and envision the most romantic city on Earth. It is surely guaranteed to be the ultimate City of Lights, Paris. Who can forget vintage cinema magic placed throughout the city in film classics such as “Umbrellas of Cherbourg,” “A Man and a Woman” or “The Red Balloon?”

Each piece in the Une Journée á Paris collection is inspired by a location in Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to the Jardin de Tuileries.

The tantalizing collection is ideal for those who adore non-ostentatious, delicate jewellery. Coupled with graceful and flowing lines, you will find diamonds, lapis, mother of pearl and turquoise to appease your appetite for grace. Throw on your skinny jeans, tee and a piece from the collection and violá, you are smart.

Une Journeé á Paris represents the romantic in you and is a tribute to Paris as well.

Images (c) Van Cleef and Arpels

They only ship to the US and Canada though

If you are a US based bride, they are a great little fashion steal, and might be your cheapest shoe purchase ever, at only $2.90!

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And at only $8.00 it’s a real bargain, that we think is too good to be missed!  Even better, for every bag sold, the site will donate food to the hungry across the world, helping people in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America.

So if you fancy treating yourself to this, or others the site has on offer check them out at  The Hunger Site

www.sunrise-pashmina.com
They are also offering all our readers, a 5% discount on your purchase, when you quote the code 55weddingguide, happy shopping!