We looked at five of the most stylish celebrity weddings and why they were so memorable.

1. Prince William and Kate Middleton

To the eyes of the millions of people watching around the world, this was as close as you can possibly get to the perfect wedding. What made it so heart-warming to so many people was that it involved a future King and his partner who was not from a royal background. Broadcast live on global television, the ceremony featured hymns in Westminster Abbey, a journey to Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn carriage, and of course the famous “first kiss” on the Palace balcony.

2. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills

Although this union ultimately ended in a very public and high-profile split and divorce, there is no question that their wedding was exceptionally stylish. The pair were married at Castle Leslie, a remote retreat in Ireland, in front of around 300 powerful A-list celebrities from around the world. This was yet another example of a woman from an unknown background marrying a global icon.

3. Donald Trump and Melania Knauss

Never one to shun the spotlight or turn down the opportunity for publicity, Trump’s 2005 wedding, his third, so model Melania Knauss set new standards for style and extravagance, even in the weird and wonderful world of celebrities. The pair were married in Palm Beach, Florida, before The Donald laid on over 100 limousines to transfer the wedding guests back to his exclusive estate, complete with grand ballroom.

4. Arun Nayar and Liz Hurley

It doesn’t say much for celebrity weddings that this is another one that ended in acrimony, however Nayar and Hurley’s two weddings over a week in 2007 saw no expense spared. Confused as to the meaning of the two weddings? First, they married in England in the traditional Christian manner, before doing the same in Nayar’s home country of India, this time in a Hindu ceremony.

5. Liza Minnelli and David Gest

Although we would have really liked to end with a happily ever after love story, the extravagance of this wedding meant we simply had to include it. Perhaps surprisingly given how often Gest can be found name-dropping these days, there were only sixty guests, although Michael Jackson was the best man and Stevie Wonder the headline singer at the reception!

• Author Byline: Videojug an online website providing professionally created videos, based on the “how-to” topic that covers various categories.

The evening, held at Richard Ward’s exclusive Chelsea salon in London, not only provided top tips on how to get the perfect blow dry but also gave the chance to sample some of the celebrity hairdresser’s newly launched hair care range, ‘Couture Hair’, available on qvcuk.com. Richard describes the complete range of twelve products as being “multitasking” ensuring all technologies needed in today’s hair care and styling environment are encompassed in each premium quality product. Richard’s belief that moisture is key to keeping hair frizz-free, healthy and shiny is prevalent throughout the range with a unique moisture ingredient – AQUARICH – being contained in every product.  Likewise, all styling products aim to ‘multitask’ with humidity defence and UV protection featuring throughout.

Having thick, course and often very BIG hair (no, not in a Beyonce way, unfortunately) I am a hair product veteran and must admit that Richard’s Couture Hair range thankfully lacks any of the sticky, heavy concoctions I’ve experienced in the past. We were fortunate enough to steal his 12 steps to the perfect blow dry  (see below) all of which work perfectly with his new products, of course!

Richard Ward’s 12 steps to the perfect blow dry

1. For minimum frizz hair should be 70% wet so towel dry after cleansing and conditioning, but don’t rough dry. Too wet and excess heat will be needed to try your hair, too dry and your style may not hold
2. Use a high wattage, professional dryer with a nozzle to control air and heat direction, and a warm, hot and cool shot selection
3. Comb through roughly with a medium-toothed comb. Use one made of carbon or hard rubber with rounded teeth to prevent splitting and static
4. Always comb from ends towards roots – not roots to ends – to avoid damage
5. Use a radial brush with real bristles. The diameter of the brush’s barrel should always equal the depth of the section, which should also be the same width as the bristle section of  the brush
6. Holding your dryer underneath the section creates movement while positioning it above the section will create sleekness
7. Whenever you are blow drying mid-lengths and ends always point the nozzle downwards to flatten the cuticle and encourage shine
8. Always position your dryer nozzle at least 15cm away from your hair – too close will result in heat damage. Test on the back of your hand – if it feels too hot for your skin, it’s way  to hot for your hair
9. When moving the dryer down the hair shaft for a sleek look, position the nozzle behind the brush, making sure you keep it high enough away to avoid damage
10. Section properly – split hair into 4 areas: nape to the crown (left and right) and ear to the crown (left and right). Always start at the bottom of each section, working up towards the front. Use crocodile clamps to help keep sections out of your way
11. Use a cool shot on your dryer function to fix each section before removing the brush, or leave the brush in the section to cool off before removing. This helps to set your style
12. Reduce damage by ensuring wet hair is never brushed. Always use a wide toothed comb after washing and also to section whilst blow drying to avoid  splitting and tearing hair

Richard Ward’s ‘Couture Hair’ is available on qvcuk.com
Direct orders can be made on 0800 50 40 30

Copyright 2011 5 Star Weddings

One of the things that endeared many of us to Catherine and William’s special day, was that, amongst all the pomp and traditions of a royal wedding, lay several themes of simplicity, so reflective of today’s modern young couples.  We take a look at some of the ways that brides and grooms can emulate such understated elegance on their big day.

Poise and Composure

As every girl in the world watched Kate Middleton with bated breath and apprehension, observing each move for telltale signs of the nerves and pressure that she must have been feeling that day, it never came.  Kate was the epitomy of composure and displayed every pre-requisite not only for the occasion but for a future Queen.  The lack of ‘bride-zilla’ was refreshing, the relaxed smiles – relaxed us! The noticeable deportment and the faultless transfer from hotel, to car, to church and then back, made us all want to sit up straight and act like a lady.  Take a look at our interview with Michelle Paradise of The Bridal Coach, to see how you too, can walk down the aisle like a princess.

Clean lines and Natural Surroundings

For natural plants gifts on your wedding day, take a look at The Wedding Garden Company

For those wanting their flower girls to take a pretty ballerina-esque style such as Kate’s bridesmaids, visit Nicki Macfarlane (official designer of the royal flower girl’s dresses)

Classic Vintage Style

Whilst Prince William was held to tradition in his uniform of colonel of the Irish Guards and Royal Air Force Wings, Kate was allowed more freedom in her choice of style Amidst the regal surroundings, Kate’s classic vintage inspired dress looked stunning.  Designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, it had a lace appliqué bodice, skirt and veil.  It was the veil that had us mesmerised, so delicate, that it fell perfectly around the bride’s face – clearly not resurrected from grandma’s net curtains!

Her hair was worn in a sophisticated ‘Demi Chignon’ and of course the crowning glory to this vintage look was the Queen’s ‘halo’ tiara made by Cartier in 1936 and lent to Catherine for the day. Aside from the attire, in true retro style, Prince William drove his bride out of Buckingham Palace in his father’s vintage Aston Martin Volante in Seychelles Blue and originally purchased in 1969 for Prince Charles 21st birthday.  For a similar touch of class to end the day, visit classic car hire.

And finally…”Her Royal Hotness”

As dubbed in so many of the papers the next day, Pippa Middleton’s gorgeous, slim figure caught every male (and female’s!) roving eye.  Her simple but again, understated elegance was effortlessly displayed as she assisted Kate with her train.  Her slender figure would not have come without some hard work however and we’re suspecting that she did some serious lunges to achieve her much talked about ‘pert behind’.  If you’re thinking of wowing everyone with a new look, take a look at the Body Doctor for a fitness regime that will get you trim and healthy in no time.

In conclusion, it was the little touches that made this wedding so memorable and individual to royal weddings of the past.  The bride and her family were calm and collected and for all the grandeur of the occasion, it didn’t feel ostentatious.  The underlying confidence of the now, Duchess of Cambridge, spoke volumes in how to shine at your wedding naturally.

copyright 2011 all right reserved: 5 Star Weddings

One in 10 (nine per cent) British women also voted royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton as having one of the makeup looks they would most love to replicate, beating fellow future bride and notable style queen Kate Moss – who didn’t even rank in the top 10.

The research, by QVC – one of the world’s leading television and online retailers – revealed Sienna Miller (15 per cent) and Natalie Portman’s (14 per cent) make-up styles are the top two looks British women want to copy, closely followed by elegant Dame Helen Mirren (11 percent), all of whom favour a very natural and soft appearance in terms of make-up application. Smokey eyed Kate Moss, however, who has made a living from her looks and style influence, received less than one per cent of Brits’ votes from over 1000 women polled; a long way behind Kate Middleton.

It’s not just the future queen’s makeup that is inspiring a legion of copy-Kate’s across the country.  14 per cent of women also named Kate Middleton as one of the top female style icons of today, second only to Harry Potter star Emma Watson.  This is supported by the well-documented spectacle of Brits snapping up replicas of everything Kate Middleton wears – from her Burberry trench coat and blue Issa dress to copies of her engagement ring (which led to an overnight sales surge of 800 per cent on a QVC Diamonique ring that looked remarkably similar).  By comparison, Kate Moss’ style influence was just three per cent.

Sue Leeson from QVC commented: “The research makes it evident that British women are finding the once influential ‘Kate Moss look’ far less appealing and choosing to embrace Kate Middleton’s classic style, Sienna Miller’s sun-kissed skin and Natalie Portman’s flawless face instead.

This is backed up by what our sales tell us as muted colours and natural make-up brands continue to grow year on year.”

“We are constantly monitoring the newest trends to give our customers the products and expert advice they need to achieve the latest looks.  When you shop with QVC you don’t just buy the product, you get valuable inside knowledge and advice about how to apply it.”

Top 10 most desirable make-up looks were revealed as being:
1. Sienna Miller  – 15 per cent
2. Natalie Portman – 14 per cent
3. Helen Mirren – 11 per cent
4. Katie Holmes – 10 per cent
5. Kate Middleton – 9 per cent
6. Tess Daly – 8 per cent
7. Penelope Cruz – 7 per cent
8. Nicole Scherzinger – 5 per cent
9. Kate Hudson – 4 per cent
10. Meryl Streep – 4 per cent
(Other = 13 percent)

To support the results of the poll, QVC has filmed an online tutorial with resident beauty expert and makeup artist Alison Young to demonstrate how you can create Kate Middleton’s natural beauty look at home, using well known Kate Middleton lookalike Kate Bevan as the model. The online video tutorial can be viewed at www.qvcuk.com/kate

This may only be speculation as both Burton and the company’s executive denies the claim. The news was broken in the Sunday Time, claiming that Burton has received the top assignment.

Mrs Burton worked closely with McQueen after joining his label as in intern in 1996 and took over as creative director of the luxury fashion label following the tragic suicide of Alexander McQueen last year.

Breaking News:

Clarence House have announced that Prince William is to marry Kate Middleton next year.

The wedding will take place in the Spring next year, Prince William asked her father for her hand in marriage and it was duly granted.

Prince William and Kate Middleton met at St Andrews University and have been dating for eight years. The couple got engaged in October while on a private holiday in Kenya.

We all wish them every happiness..

More news to follow……….