Nuptials – LUXURY WEDDING BLOG

Say ‘I Do’ With A ‘Hair Do’ From Michael Van Clarke

5 Star Weddings — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:14 +0000

A woman’s wedding day should be the most magical and happiest of her life; tailored to fit her personality with every detail perfectly polished to the highest standard. The dress should be ‘the one’, the flowers beautiful and blooming, but most importantly her hair and make-up should look the best it ever has and last all day long. Michael Van Clarke and his dedicated team understand the need for flawless bridal hair and make-up, and can achieve this for you, whatever your requirements.

Images were taken at The Designer Wedding Show, Photographed by Jeremy Enness, Styled by The Michael Van Clarke Bridal Team

Exquisite bridal hair and make-up can take as long as your engagement to achieve, especially if your tresses aren’t in tip-top condition. At Michael Van Clarke the countdown begins with a free, complimentary consultation in the exclusive Beauty Lounge to discuss an in depth hair care plan as well as trialing styles that work in harmony with your dress, make-up and venue on the big day. Whether it’s a beachside bohemian affair or you’re exchanging your nuptials in a grand gothic castle, the team can work through styles that reflect your dreams for your special day.

Images were taken at The Designer Wedding Show, Photographed by Jeremy Enness, Styled by The Michael Van Clarke Bridal Team”

In the lead up to the wedding the dedicated team ensures that you are taken care of from top to toe. The 3 More Inches treatment to nurture your hair, marine facials rejuvenate the skin, and a full colour or highlights can be scheduled 10 days before you say ‘I do.’ To ensure you look groomed to perfection from day one, the dedicated beauty team is on hand to guide you through, from eyelash tinting to extensions and waxing, ensuring you are fully manicured to perfection. Glossing
treatments and shellac nails can be booked a week before the day with a vast selection of colours to match your scheme.

When it comes to your wedding day the team can travel far and wide to prepare you. However if you would prefer, the bridal party can come into the exclusive Marylebone salon, favoured by the international style cognoscenti. to get ready in style. The talented stylists will use skills learnt from years of styling the catwalks of the Designer Wedding Show to work in tandem with the make-up artist and ensure you get ready swiftly and in the most relaxed of fashions.

Whatever bride you wish to be, the Michael Van Clarke bridal team can help you achieve it. To schedule your free consultation today simply call the salon on 0207 224 3123 and a member of the team will be ready to help you.

Bridal Rates – In Salon or on Location
Bridal Director – £200 per hour
Senior Stylist – £100 per hour
Stylist – £85 per hour
Graduate Stylist – £60 per hour
Make Up – £80 per hour

Royal Wedding Highlights

5 Star Weddings — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:18:19 +0000

The wedding season is well and truly upon us with the nuptials of William and Kate providing a dramatic start for 2011.

But while most of us will see the pounds flying from our wallets with outfits and presents we often overlook the pounds that we pile on during the celebrations.

Fitness First Personal Trainer of the Year Katie Ford said that weddings can see us eat up to 5,000 calories in one day – and that’s without the excesses of a hen or stag do and a large fry up following the wedding day.

“As summer and the wedding season approaches it’s easy to forget how many calories we can actually consume over the course of a day,’’ said Katie.

She says that with Champagne at 90 calories a glass, a few canapés at 200 calories each, a three-course celebration meal at 1,000 calories and a single piece of wedding cake 650 calories you are already at around 2,500 calories.

“Add to this wine, beer, breakfast before the ceremony and a tasty evening buffet and you can easily consume 5,000 calories,’’ said Katie.

“It is difficult to avoid those extra calories and so we still need to exercise in order to keep in shape and not totally abandon our fitness routines,’’

Katie suggests a number of short workouts which are perfect for burning those extra calories, all of which can either be done at home, outdoors or in the gym. “You can fit these in around any kind of summer celebration where the calorie count is high from a wedding to birthday parties or BBQ.’’

Katie’s wedding workout recommendations
One glass of Champagne = 90kcal
Try 10 minutes on the cross trainer or power walking uphill
Glass of red wine = 135 kcal
Try 20 minutes of a group exercise class or video – for example, Get Fit with Mel B group exercise class or Video Game

1 pint of beer = 225kcals
Try 30 minutes of a Body Attack class
One/two canapes = 291kcal
Try 30 minutes of running or jogging, either on the treadmill or in a park
Slice of wedding cake = 650 calories
A Zumba class can easily burn off 650 calories – and you can have fun at the same time.
Half pork pie = 245kcals
Try 30 minutes of an RPM/Group Cycling class or an hour’s bike ride
Wedding meal with wine = 1,000 calories
Complete all of the above classes and exercises.

If you would like to get in shape for your wedding contact Fitness First to help you.

The Importance Of The Royal Wedding

5 Star Weddings — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 10:24:30 +0000

As a little girl I always dreamed I would marry a prince in an enormous castle to fanfare and thousands of guests. When my husband proposed in 1999 I realised that whilst I may have found my Prince, I was never going to be a Princess.

It didn’t stop me thinking back to my nearly 5-year-old self-watching in awe as Diana Spencer achieved the fairy tale ending and became a Princess. Her dress, the parade, that kiss on the balcony and the whole pomp ‘n’ circumstance of it all was fascinating and has stayed with me all these years.

The announcement confirming Prince Williams nuptials set my adrenaline pumping again…the World is about to watch a Princess be born. As a wedding planner, I am intrigued with every detail of the wedding, analysing the decisions that they make and why.

Whilst Kate hasn’t hired an official wedding planner herself she has a whole team of advisers and consultants around her who are helping to guide and support her through the process much as a wedding planner would. It’s great to see Kate making her own decisions and adding touches that really matter to them as a couple, such as the numerous invites to their University friends and the fabulous McVities Chocolate Biscuit Cake.

At I Do Designer Weddings we make every little detail reflect the personalities of our couples so that the whole wedding feels like it is related to the people involved and isn’t just like every other wedding.

I am delighted that Kate has chosen to keep her dress a big secret; we should be blown away by it on the day. I picture a fairly elaborate gown with a touch of lace and a large train, not quite to Princess Di’s standards, but enough to show that this is the dress of a Princess and future Queen.

I love that the reception has been split into two sections, allowing a more sombre celebration for 600 guests to be hosted by the Queen and then a more intimate dinner for 300 hosted by HRH Prince Charles. Although I would feel pained to turn 300 guests away half way through a wedding, I guess when you have been invited to a Royal Wedding, you are happy to attend whatever little bit you can.

Kate is clearly enjoying planning her big day and delighting in every decision like any other bride. I hear that she has given up her job at Party Pieces to focus on the wedding and prepare for a Royal career. There has been much speculation as to whether this means that we will soon be hearing the pitter-patter of tiny feet…possibly, but the reality of planning an average wedding is overwhelming, let alone a Royal Wedding. I think it would have been impossible for her to retain her position.

Prince William and Kate have the opportunity to restore the publics’ faith in Royal Marriage, I feel certain that they are a match made in heaven and I welcome her into our Royal Family with open arms and a hopeful heart.

When I hear people rejoicing about a day off of work with no interest in the wedding it upsets me. Our Monarchy are welcoming a new Princess, we should be proud and excited. Street parties and fun are what it is all about, the union of a Prince with his Princess, the union of a nation.

A Royal Wedding in itself is like no other, but the wedding of our future King and Queen is something else altogether. I cannot wait to watch it for myself; but more importantly, I cannot wait to watch my nearly 5-year-old daughter as she sits wistfully watching Kate turn into a Princess, unknowingly planning and plotting her own wedding in 20 years’ time.

By Nikki Foster at I Do Designer Weddings