Thursday, May 9, 2013

Hey beautiful people, let me just tell you like it is.... i am in a contest and to win i need you to take time out to vote by liking the pic this link reveals, so pls vote and also get your friends to do the same. this contest ends Fri the 10th so pls hurry. luv u all muah mauh. http://bit.ly/12U4UNb or better still log on to Facebook, search for Zaron Makeup and Hair page and vote for contestant 37. Also makesure you like Zaron makeup and hair page too.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Five big-day secrets every bride should know

Karen Rose asks these newlyweds what they wish they’d known before walking down the aisle...

1. Some things won't quite go to plan, but it doesn't matter

It might be hard to swallow, but no wedding (no, not even yours) will go off without a hitch. It might be that you wake up on your big day with a blemish that makes Mount Everest look small in comparison, the heavens could very well open despite it being mid-July, your flowers may wilt, the beef might be overcooked and it’s very likely that someone will end up in a heap on the dancefloor. But will you care? Not a jot!

When newlywed Abbie’s car broke down on the morning of the wedding, she was terrified she wouldn’t make it to the church on time: “I was meant to arrive in a beautiful mint green vintage vehicle. In the end, I stepped out of my dad’s knackered old Volvo but it didn’t matter, all our guests were already inside. At least it got us there on time.”


2. It’s important to spend quality time with your groom 

Although the guests will be competing for your attention all day, your wedding is about celebrating your love, so do this together rather than at opposite ends of the room. “I only got one short moment with my new husband,” confesses recent bride Emily. “It all went by so quickly and I wish I’d taken some time to stand back and just take everything in,” she adds.

Even if you do plan to escape together, it can be difficult to find the time to slip away so make the most of the moments where you do get to focus on each other. “During our first dance, we didn’t even notice anybody else,” recalls newlywed Nicole. “It was the most beautiful moment and felt like just the two of us.” Other times to cherish throughout the day include saying your vows at the ceremony and the time you take out with your photographer.


3. You won’t want to pose for photos, but you’ll be thankful you did

When it comes to the photography, it’s not just the couple portraits that are important to spend time over. You should also ensure you get pictures taken with the other important people in your life. You can’t have a second run at your wedding album, so don’t miss out on those perfect shots with the people close to you. “I didn’t realise at the time, but I had lots of pictures taken with my dad and nowhere near enough with my mum,” recalls newly-wed Jane. “My mum and I are so close and it’s sad that there’s not more pictures of us together in my wedding album.”

Be sure to give your photographer a list of people you’d like to be photographed with and put a member of the bridal party in charge of rounding everyone up. You might feel like you’re spending a lot of time posing, but it’ll be worth it in years to come when you have the perfect wedding album to reminisce over.

4. You should give your dress a trial run before the big day 

We’re not suggesting you nip down to the shops in your pristine white gown, but if you leave it hanging in plastic right up until the morning of the wedding, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to: a) fasten it properly, b) move around in it, and c) figure out how to go to the bathroom. “I hadn’t prepared for the size of my skirt during our first dance,” admits newlywed Heather. “All of our carefully practised steps to Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’ had to be improvised as I couldn’t safely execute the pirouette turns without getting myself into a tangle!”

Recent bride Avril had a different problem on her big day: “When I tried on the dress in the shop, the sales assistant showed me and my sister how to fasten it and we thought we had it down. But on the day itself, we just couldn’t get it right. In many of the photos, I can see myself in the background pulling at the bodice to stop my bra from showing.” All it takes to prevent these wardrobe malfunctions is one afternoon spent in the house with your bridesmaids – put your dress on, walk around for a while, do a little jig and figure out the most practical way to obey the call of nature.


5. You shouldn’t let your guests have all the fun 

After months – possibly even years – of planning your dream celebration, you will be surprised at how many of the finer details you won’t even notice on the day. You’ll be so busy having a good time that things like the handmade favours and elaborate table plan could escape your attention.

“I got so swept up in the excitement of the day that I didn’t remember to have any of the delicious Italian antipasti and appetisers, which I’d spent a whole afternoon choosing ahead of the wedding,” says Jane. “People still talk about how good the food was and all I can do is nod,” she laughs. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, savour every detail of the day, taste every canapé, don’t just cut the cake; eat it! Try to take a mental snap of every special moment that happens throughout the wedding – and you can recall them over and over again in the years to come.

Oh, and another thing...

It could possibly be the best-kept secret of them all, but that romantic first night as husband and wife you’ve been dreaming about? There’s a good chance it won’t happen quite as planned. In fact, it’s more likely you’ll awake still trussed up in your dress with no memory of falling into bed at all. OK, so you might not end the evening in the throes of passion, but do make sure you organise a late check-out for the following morning to make the most of a long lie-in!

Five big-day secrets every bride should know

Karen Rose asks these newlyweds what they wish they’d known before walking down the aisle...

1. Some things won't quite go to plan, but it doesn't matter

It might be hard to swallow, but no wedding (no, not even yours) will go off without a hitch. It might be that you wake up on your big day with a blemish that makes Mount Everest look small in comparison, the heavens could very well open despite it being mid-July, your flowers may wilt, the beef might be overcooked and it’s very likely that someone will end up in a heap on the dancefloor. But will you care? Not a jot!

When newlywed Abbie’s car broke down on the morning of the wedding, she was terrified she wouldn’t make it to the church on time: “I was meant to arrive in a beautiful mint green vintage vehicle. In the end, I stepped out of my dad’s knackered old Volvo but it didn’t matter, all our guests were already inside. At least it got us there on time.”


2. It’s important to spend quality time with your groom 

Although the guests will be competing for your attention all day, your wedding is about celebrating your love, so do this together rather than at opposite ends of the room. “I only got one short moment with my new husband,” confesses recent bride Emily. “It all went by so quickly and I wish I’d taken some time to stand back and just take everything in,” she adds.

Even if you do plan to escape together, it can be difficult to find the time to slip away so make the most of the moments where you do get to focus on each other. “During our first dance, we didn’t even notice anybody else,” recalls newlywed Nicole. “It was the most beautiful moment and felt like just the two of us.” Other times to cherish throughout the day include saying your vows at the ceremony and the time you take out with your photographer.


3. You won’t want to pose for photos, but you’ll be thankful you did

When it comes to the photography, it’s not just the couple portraits that are important to spend time over. You should also ensure you get pictures taken with the other important people in your life. You can’t have a second run at your wedding album, so don’t miss out on those perfect shots with the people close to you. “I didn’t realise at the time, but I had lots of pictures taken with my dad and nowhere near enough with my mum,” recalls newly-wed Jane. “My mum and I are so close and it’s sad that there’s not more pictures of us together in my wedding album.”

Be sure to give your photographer a list of people you’d like to be photographed with and put a member of the bridal party in charge of rounding everyone up. You might feel like you’re spending a lot of time posing, but it’ll be worth it in years to come when you have the perfect wedding album to reminisce over.

4. You should give your dress a trial run before the big day 

We’re not suggesting you nip down to the shops in your pristine white gown, but if you leave it hanging in plastic right up until the morning of the wedding, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to: a) fasten it properly, b) move around in it, and c) figure out how to go to the bathroom. “I hadn’t prepared for the size of my skirt during our first dance,” admits newlywed Heather. “All of our carefully practised steps to Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’ had to be improvised as I couldn’t safely execute the pirouette turns without getting myself into a tangle!”

Recent bride Avril had a different problem on her big day: “When I tried on the dress in the shop, the sales assistant showed me and my sister how to fasten it and we thought we had it down. But on the day itself, we just couldn’t get it right. In many of the photos, I can see myself in the background pulling at the bodice to stop my bra from showing.” All it takes to prevent these wardrobe malfunctions is one afternoon spent in the house with your bridesmaids – put your dress on, walk around for a while, do a little jig and figure out the most practical way to obey the call of nature.


5. You shouldn’t let your guests have all the fun 

After months – possibly even years – of planning your dream celebration, you will be surprised at how many of the finer details you won’t even notice on the day. You’ll be so busy having a good time that things like the handmade favours and elaborate table plan could escape your attention.

“I got so swept up in the excitement of the day that I didn’t remember to have any of the delicious Italian antipasti and appetisers, which I’d spent a whole afternoon choosing ahead of the wedding,” says Jane. “People still talk about how good the food was and all I can do is nod,” she laughs. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, savour every detail of the day, taste every canapé, don’t just cut the cake; eat it! Try to take a mental snap of every special moment that happens throughout the wedding – and you can recall them over and over again in the years to come.

Oh, and another thing...

It could possibly be the best-kept secret of them all, but that romantic first night as husband and wife you’ve been dreaming about? There’s a good chance it won’t happen quite as planned. In fact, it’s more likely you’ll awake still trussed up in your dress with no memory of falling into bed at all. OK, so you might not end the evening in the throes of passion, but do make sure you organise a late check-out for the following morning to make the most of a long lie-in!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

How to look *amazing* in your wedding photographs

If you're dreading being photographed on your wedding day - whether it be due to an aversion of saying 'cheese!' or a terror of unflattering angles - fear no more. Internationally renowned wedding photographer Julia Boggio has shared her top tips for feeling snap-happy in front of the camera!

 
1. One of the best ways to look good in your wedding photos is to hire a professional photographer. This is one of the most important days of your life and it’s not worth gambling with your wedding memories by hiring an inexperienced photographer.
 
2. This may sound obvious, but get your hair and make-up done. Ask for a trial beforehand to make sure you’re happy with how it looks. And, if you can stretch to it, get your bridesmaids’ hair and make-up done, so that they look fabulous in your photos, too!
 
3. Buy a dress that looks great on the body you have, not the body you’d like to have. Whether you are slim or full-figured, there is a dress out there that’s flattering for you. Have fun with accessories: a little bit of bling or a nice furry jacket can look great in photographs. This is your chance to look like a movie star, so, for example, you could add a bit of glamour by switching your veil for a birdcage hat in the evening.
 
4. Smile! Again, it may seem obvious, but don’t worry about details on the day. Just enjoy it, even if not everything goes to plan.
 
5. However, you should practice perfecting your smile beforehand! It’s not always about toothy grins at the lens. Try a variety of expressions when you’re being photographed. Sometimes a serious look is better. If you’re worried about looking sullen, then soften the look by breathing through your mouth.
 
6. Stand up straight. Slouching is seldom attractive and good posture will help you look taller and more slender.
 
7. If you don’t have toned arms, then avoid standing with your arms crushed to your body. Lifting them away – for example, by holding your bouquet – will make your arms appear slimmer.
 
8. Book a pre-wedding shoot with your photographer. Most people have never been professionally photographed before their big day, so it’s a good idea to experience it beforehand. It’s a good chance to get to know your photographer and how she works and it’s also going help you relax on your big day, when it really counts.
 
9. Leave enough time for your photographs, so that you don’t end up rushing them. I generally ask couples to put aside 45 minutes to an hour for their couple photos. Alternatively, you can have smaller photo sessions with your photographer throughout the day, for example, half an hour after the ceremony and fifteen minutes between the main course and dessert.
 
10. Listen to your wedding photographer. He or she can see the image they are creating and will know, from experience, how to pose you so you look your best!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

What does your handwriting say about you

If It Slants…
To the right: Outgoing and sociable, you like to communicate with those around you.
To the left: You tend to stay away from group work, preferring to work alone and
out of the spotlight. Right-handed? A leftward slant may indicate rebellious feelings.
No slant: Logical and sensible, you tend to keep feelings to yourself.

If The Writing Is…
Small: Insightful and a bit shy, it is easy for you to focus and concentrate.
Large: Your personality is a big as your letters. You are likely very outgoing and enjoy
being the center of attention.
Average: You’re a go-with-the-flow kind of person. You are a social chameleon and
tend to adapt well in most situations.

Speed…
If you write things quickly: you are impatient, dislike delays or time wasters
If you write slowly: more organized, more methodical, more self reliant

Spacing…
Good deal of space- you need your freedom, to do things in your own time, don’t like
to be overwhelmed or crowed.
Very little space- it shows a tremendous about of irritability and constant pressure
on yourself

Size…
Small handwriting: research-oriented, good concentration, methodical, not always
social
Large handwriting: people oriented, outgoing, outspoken, love to entertain and
interlock
Right in the middle: you like to be with people, but value your own time

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Top tips from real-life brides


Written by Bride De Force on 12-11-2012

Who better to take advice from than a recent bride? So, with this in mind, I have compiled a top ten 'real bride top tips' list to help you to achieve your perfect wedding.

1. Try not to obsess about the weather in the run-up to the wedding day. You can ruin the excitement by worrying what the weather will be like and checking hundreds of different weather forecasts. There's no point, there's absolutely nothing you can do to change it and the weirdest thing is - on the day you really don't care! Abbie

2. Create the best version of yourself and stay true to our own style. Kelly

3. Try not to get stressed out with family members. It’s hard to remember that they are looking forward to this day almost as much as you and just want to help. Try and be as diplomatic as possible with interfering parents. Alex

4. Make the most of your day as it really does fly by and no matter what goes wrong, there is nothing you can do on the day. Catherine

5. Don't lose sight of why you are getting married in the first place. Rachel

6. Make sure your photo session is really organized and timing is kept to a minimum. The photos part can easily take over an hour if you're not careful, and you'll miss out on spending time with your guests and enjoying the atmosphere. Becky

7. Try and have a quiet moment together with a nice glass of champagne. Catriona

8. Stop looking for inspiration online at least three months prior to your wedding, otherwise you'll go crazy trying to fit in yet another cool detail you just found! Anita

9. Leave more time to get ready than you think so you have time for photographs. Gill

10. Force yourself to eat on the day. I was so nervous/excited that I didn’t remember to eat but wish I had later on as the champagne went slightly to my head! Chloe

Bridal Resolution


It's the start of a new year - and the perfect opportunity to get on top of your planning!

Whether you're newly engaged or have already started planning your wedding day, the New Year is a perfect opportunity to reassess how your big-day plans are progressing. Here are our top 10 resolutions for brides-to-be...

I WILL…
Spend non-wedding time with my fiancé

Remember life before wedding planning? We thought not... It's really important not to lose sight of why you’re getting hitched and the key to this is spending quality time together. Preferably, where you don’t end up arguing about the seating plan! (Check out our feature Feel The Love in the February/March issue of Wedding on sale 10 January!) A fun first step could be organizing a 'date night' at least once a week where you and your man take a trip to the cinema, cook a fancy meal or simply have a cuddle on the sofa. These are all activities which will help you reconnect as a couple pre-wedding day.

I WILL NOT…
Obsess over things I can’t control

Your wedding day will be here before you know it, so promise yourself you'll savor the run-up rather than stressing about the unpredictable elements. Torrential rain, simmering guest-feuds and Uncle Alf’s jokes are all things which can’t be controlled, so focus on what you can have command over and relax.

I WILL…
Keep my eyes peeled for sample sales

Whether you’re searching for your dream dress or shopping for your bridesmaids, the sample sale is a powerful opportunity to find fabulous gowns at jaw-dropping prices. Make sure you check our Diary pages to keep up-to-date with the latest sample sales happening near you.

I WILL NOT…
Compromise my vision

Whether you’ve always dreamt of doves being released as you say your vows, or fantasized about a first dance to Reach by S Club, make sure you don’t lose sight of what you and your fiancé want. One bride’s ‘ridiculous’ is another bride’s ‘OMG, amazing!’ – it’s your day, so make sure it’s what you want.

I WILL…
Get glowing

Every bride wants to look her best in her wedding photos but that doesn’t mean you have to pound the treadmill or hop on the surgeon’s couch. Rather, take little steps to guarantee a gorgeous, healthy glow on your big day. Drink more water, go for a stroll on your lunch break, get your eight hours of sleep every night. All these small changes will really make a big difference to how you look and feel.

I WILL NOT…
Let organization (or lack thereof) stress me out

Enlist your most efficient bridesmaid to help you monitor how things are progressing, from the RSVPs to buttonhole arrangements. Keep contact details for suppliers, caterers and florists to-hand; make sure you know what time your cake and floral arrangements will be set-up on the day; double – and then triple – check the best man knows where the wedding rings are. Simple (promise!).

I WILL…
Get crafty

Endeavor to make your wedding the ultimate in personalized by adding a hand-made touch or two. Whether you create the invites or make the favors, an element of DIY will add a real splash of personality to your day. Take a look online for ideas (check out our Pinterest boards here) and get creative!

I WILL NOT…
Go over budget

If you set yourself just one resolution for 2013, make sure it’s sticking to your wedding budget (or as closely as you can). There is a lot of temptation when it comes to planning your big day: from dresses to flowers and cakes to favours, it’s all so gosh-darned pretty and you could find yourself spending far more than you originally planned. However, avoid this by drawing up a proper budget and working out how much you can spend on each area of the day – and click here for some extra penny-saving tips, too.

I WILL…
Spend time finding our dream honeymoon location

Don’t rush into booking your honeymoon unless you already know exactly where you want to go and precisely what you want to get out of your bridal break. However, if you’re not so sure, consider the various factors which will impact upon your experience. When will you be going? What kind of weather do you prefer? What do you want from the trip: to soak up culture, have an adventure or simply chill out by the pool? Do your research, shop around for the best deals and – most importantly – check your passport hasn’t expired!

I WILL NOT…
Turn into a bridezilla

Fact number one: every bride wants her big day to be perfect. Fact number two: the quest for big-day perfection does not have to turn you into a bridezilla (remember Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway in Bride Wars…?). Focus on the fact that everyone in your bridal party is doing their utmost to help you plan the day of your dreams – and also bear in mind that ‘bridezilla’ is a reference to Godzilla, the scaly, roaring monster that terrorises mankind. Not a hot bridal look…