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Natural, Moisturising sun protection from MooGoo

Moo Goo sun protection

Heading off on a glorious honeymoon? Can't decide on the right sun protection? Look no further than Moo Goo.

Choosing products that offer the right level of sun protection can be tricky, especially when seeking a natural alternative, which both protects and hydrates the skin without being too greasy.

According to a University of California study, the process by which sunscreens absorb UV rays can result in the release of harmful compounds, potentially causing skin cancer and premature ageing. The potential risks are making a growing number of people turn to 'natural' sunscreens, which work by reflecting UV radiation off the skin like an umbrella or a mirror.

WANT TO GIVE A WEDDING GIFT THAT’S EXTRA SPECIAL?

Wedding gift

With the wedding season upon us, the challenge is to find an extra special wedding gift. 

Look no further than the NEW personalised gifting brand, Vanilla Reindeer, who offer a range of gift bags, bottle boxes and bags (and cards) which are ideal for personalising with a photo and special message for the happy couple.

Prices range from *£6.99 – *£8.99 for the gift bags so something 100% unique doesn’t have to cost the earth.wedding gifts

Beauty products you didn't know you needed on your wedding day

Women using beauty products on face

Although we may spend months planning how we want to look on the big day and spend plenty of the correct products and a pro to do the apply sometimes unfortunate things can happen so these Beauty products are the ones you didn’t know you needed on your wedding day….but they’re handy to have anyway.

Top beauty products for your wedding day

 

For your skin

Big day beauty savings

big day beauty savings for your nails

Are you stressed out as you’ve already gone over budget with your wedding? Or were you hoping for a more low-key affair anyway? Why not save yourself some money and get the luxury beauty looks for less with these big day beauty savings.

 

Big day beauty savings for your wedding 

 

For your nails

Why not give yourself an at-home gel manicure with the SensatioNAIL Gel Starter Kit. The gel nail kit includes the new LED nail lamp that cures in just 30 seconds, which has been specially designed to set and dry your favourite SensatioNail™ Gel Polish in no time – safely locking in the colour to give your nails a glossy, long-lasting finish.

 

The makeup trends of 2019 from Laura Kay, makeup artist

Bride having makeup done

The UK’s most sought after permanent makeup artist, Laura Kay reveals the makeup trends for brides to look out for 2019. 

 

“Permanent makeup has come a long way — it’s no longer blue eyeliner and solid tadpole shaped eyebrows! 

Everyone from celebs to Influencers to “everyday folk”, especially brides who don’t want to worry abut their makeup sliding off their face halfway through the day are turning to permanent makeup to achieve a wide range of subtle to sculpted looks. Permanent makeup isn’t going anywhere, and there are more options than ever.” 

 

Powder ombré brows 

The Bridal Body Workout Plan

Bride walking up stairs

Whether you’ve been planning your perfect wedding since you were a kid or you didn’t give it a second thought before you decided to tie the knot, there are a lot of things to think about before the big day arrives. You need to consider venues, caterers, florists - and of course, the dress! That's why you might want to start a Bridal Body Workout Plan.

 

With all the stress that comes with planning a wedding, upping your exercise routine will not only help you look great at the end of the aisle, but you’ll feel great on the inside too. Exercising releases endorphins to keep stress at bay (just what you’ll need), and boosts your confidence for when all eyes are on you.

 

The Best Dress Watches for Grooms

Dress watches for the groom

Looking for that one thing to make your wedding day just a little bit more special? The perfect dress watches for grooms! It has become a bit of a tradition for the bride to gift her future husband a watch on their wedding day - Perfect for celebrating the next step of your relationship and momentous occasion. Your husband can wear it on the wedding day and every day after and whenever he looks down at his wrist, he’ll think of you.

 

Hit those fitness goals for your wedding with PitPat Life!

Pitpat Life dog monitor

Fitness is becoming hugely popular, especially amongst the stars of social media. If you don’t already take part in daily exercise, getting fit for your wedding can be a daunting thought. However, for people who own a furry friend, it could become a whole lot easier. You and your pup can exercise together, knowing that you’re both staying fit and healthy whilst hitting all those goals!  PitPat, the UK’s number one, award-winning, activity monitor for dogs, is launching PitPat Life, a monthly membership plan which rewards healthy, happy dogs and their owners through perks, points and prizes, during this weeks’ London Dog Week.

 

How to book stag and hen parties without breaking the bank

Stag and hen parties - men at a bbq

So you’ve booked the wedding, and the first thing on your friends’ minds? The stag and hen parties, obviously.

With a range of budgets, people living in different parts of the country and work/family life making availability an issue, it can be a real headache trying to decide what to do and arrange an event. So at Vows & Venues, we’ve done some of the research for you by checking out unusual stag and hen parties which won’t break the bank…

Camping and glamping​

Glamping is more popular than ever before, with a new survey revealing 10% of holiday park visitors are tent dwellers. For those not into roughing it, a pod or treehouse can offer pretty much the same luxury as a hotel room.

Healthy Hen and Stag do ideas

Women preparing to race

Hen and stag do’s have come a long way since the days of binge drinking and strippers, with healthy and active hen and stag do’s becoming increasingly more popular. A weekend of debauchery isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea, so with this in mind here is group activity and experiences specialist Fizzbox.coms pick of healthy hen and stag do ideas:

 

Bespoke Luxury Wedding – Why Self-Catering Makes Sense

Married couple stood in the grounds Woodhall Spa

You’re planning the bespoke luxury wedding of your dreams and you set your heart on a lovely country house in beautiful grounds for your big day and your hundred guests.

You draw up a shortlist of half a dozen hotels and arrange initial viewings.

You’re shown around the properties and told just how bespoke they’ll make your luxury wedding.

But how many others have been on the same conveyor belt and told exactly the same story? How many others have chosen their three course menu plus wine and fizz for a mere £120?

That’s £12,000. Ouch!

Here’s what you could be eating at a vegan wedding in 2019

Vegan friendly in love heart

There’s no question that the vegan trend is on the rise; with more than 3.5million Brits now identifying as such, there’s no sign of it slowing down anytime soon*. With more and more of us switching to a fully plant-based diet, there has also been a rise in vegan celebratory foods at parties and even prospective couples having a vegan wedding to fit their ethical beliefs.

The thought of a vegan catered wedding might conjure up images of raw crudités and vegetable cous-cous, but in fact that idea couldn’t be more wrong, with vegan dishes spanning a huge variety of cuisines.

Hugo Campbell, Co-Founder of Feast It, the UK’s leading event catering marketplace, predicts some of the delicious vegan dishes likely to be on the menu at vegan catered weddings in 2019.

 

SAY I DO AT YE OLDE BELL

Ye Olde Bell

Ye Olde Bell understands that asking your partner to marry you can be a daunting task but it hopes to ease the pressure by offering a special proposal package.

The country hotel and spa, located in the village of Barnby Moor, on the borders of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire will create the perfect mood for romance.

It starts with an afternoon of total relaxation at Ye Olde Bell’s award winning spa, which features ten bespoke thermal experiences, stunning indoor-outdoor vitality pool, delicious Herb Garden Brasserie and alpine inspired alfresco relaxation areas.

Tips for the perfect wedding hair

Wedding hair with flowers

Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, founder of wedding planning company La Fete shares her tips for perfect wedding hair, so your locks are at their best for your big day.

 

Research 

On your wedding day, your hair is even more of an important feature than normal. The first step to take is actually looking at what you like, style wise. Is it an updo? Is it loose waves? Plaits? See what you are naturally drawn to and keep a Pinterest board or folder with your inspirations. Do also take your face shape and overall features into consideration to some extent: it’s certainly not an absolute rule but bear in mind that a style will look very different on a square jawline than on a heart shaped face.

Northside Farm invests in tiny cottages for wedding accommodation

Olivia Northside Cottages owner

LUXURY Northumberland wedding venue Northside Farm has shed light on its second phase investment plans into expanding its accommodation offering.

Northside Farm in Horsley has injected an additional £50,000 of self-raised funds to build four whimsical ‘tiny cottages’ complete with their own private outdoor seating area and fire pit by the paddocks within the existing glamping site which currently boasts ten timber wigwams with amenities.

The new investment comes just months after owners announced the first phase renovation of an existing derelict circular gin gang as part of a £100,000 total expansion plan for the 75acre working farm.

Top tips to deliver a confident wedding speech

Confidence coach Andrea Barker can help you deliver your wedding speech Credit: #LILK

There is always so much excitement involved with planning weddings, to ensure that everyone has a wonderful day. It can also be a very stressful and anxious time for those who must deliver a wedding speech on the big day; where all eyes are on them and what they say.

This speech could be from the; Groom, Best Man or Woman, Father of the Bride, the Bride herself or other nominated persons.  

For many it could be the first time they have had to stand up and talk in front of other people, and be the sole focus of attention, at such an important event. 

Holistic hairdressing by celebrity stylist Stuart Phillips

Holistic hairdressing by celebrity stylist Stuart Phillips

With more than 20 years’ experience at the cutting edge of British holistic hairdressing, Stuart Phillips has become the stars’ stylist of choice.

With an award-winning salon in the heart of London’s Covent Garden, Stuart has trimmed and tamed the tresses of everyone from Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood to TV legends Jonathan Ross and Jamie Oliver. Hollywood actor Benicio del Toro and singer Beverly Knight have also experienced Stuart’s immaculate styling and attention to detail.

What's the hottest hue when it comes to wedding style this year?

Wedding style - coral coloured roses

Spiced Honey and Living Coral – both have been dubbed the hottest hue of 2019 by design experts, but which colour will win in the wedding style stakes? 

One is ‘sweet and spicy’, the other is ‘animated and life-affirming’ and according to experts in the subject of trends forecasting they’re the colours we’ll all be wearing, adorning our homes with and incorporating into weddings this year.  

Emma Major from Yorkshire’s Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa debates whether Dulux or Pantone’s ‘Colour of the Year’ is the winning shade…

What couples want for a wedding gift | The Wedding Shop

Wedding gifts from the wedding shop

The Wedding Shop, the UK’s largest independent gift list service, have undertaken research into the world of wedding presents to find out what couples really want, what guests are willing to give and how to avoid the modern-day pitfalls and difficulties which can accompany wedding gifting to ensure the happy couple have everything they need for their newly-wedded life. The results are clear - despite some of the more traditional marriage celebration conventions changing, couples in the UK still want to be spoilt on their big day and have simply become much more savvy in selecting gifts.