Plan with Fran

Clutch on to Style

2012-02-10T10:40:00Z

As you probably know by now, I’m getting married in April – and even though my dress, shoes and hair accessories have all been chosen, I’m still on the hunt for a clutch bag to hold my beauty essentials throughout the wedding breakfast and evening. With the fashion feature now live on the hitched.co.uk homepage, I’ve been inspired to complete everything about my bridal look before the end of February.

Getting married or not, I’m a huge fan of lip gloss and it will be essential for me to have at least two in my bridal clutch – for the photographs, and to keep applying throughout the wedding breakfast and evening digestifs.

Besides lip gloss, I will also want to carry a mini packet of tissues, some extra hair clips, my camera – so that I can take some fun, candid shots of my family and groom, and I absolutely always carry around a compact mirror – just to check that my make-up hasn’t moved around my face.

So – where do I find a bridal clutch bag? I've never had a problem buying handbags in the past - so I don't know why I can't seem to find a bridal clutch as easily as I would have hoped.

Aimee, one of our designers, bought a really cute clutch from Marks and Spencer for her wedding last July. Unfortunately M&S don’t seem to do the same bag any more, but they do have a slightly different style that is a similar size and is very affordable. I’m not sure that the colour is quite right though.

I’m also considering spending a little bit more money and buying a bag that I can re-use time and time again. I’m sure that my new husband and I will be celebrating our wedding with friends for several months after our official ceremony – so I will want to keep wearing white when we entertain or go out to dinner with friends.

Anjli London (www.AnjliLondon.com) have some really pretty bags that would work really well with my wedding dress – and that could be used again and again for future parties and events. Embellished with sparkling gems and Swarovski crystals, the clutches available at Anjli London scream modern couture.

These clutch bags are a little pricier than other options I have seen, but they will look simply gorgeous against my wedding dress, and will be a bag that can be used for years and years. White/Ivory also looks gorgeous against blue jeans, so I need to be forward thinking about how I can re-use my clutch bag if I do decide to spend more and invest in something truly beautiful.

Have you chosen your bridal handbag yet, and if so, what have you gone for?

Fran x

Sweet Treats

2012-02-09T10:32:00Z

With Valentines Day now less than a week away the shops are simply filled with red and pink accessories to help spark the romance between couples. From love hearts to chocolate roses, you’re bound to find something sweet to treat your loved one too.

This got me thinking about sweet treats when it comes to your wedding guests. Besides a traditional wedding cake that is cut and generally served to guests throughout the evening reception, there are several options that you can create in order to wow your wedding guests as they sip their coffee and enjoy the wedding speeches.

Personalised cookies make for great wedding favours and can also double up as a place card if you find the right supplier – or have the time to create yourself at home.

Cupcakes are easy to distribute and can double up as a wedding favour if you order boxes for them to be carried home in.

Macaroons, which became popular during the summer of 2011 are a great treat to have in the centre of a table – allowing your guests to nibble on them during the wedding speeches.

Delicious cake pops – decorated in accordance to your wedding colour scheme, are fun to give your guests as a wedding favour as they depart your wedding event.

Visit the hitched.co.uk wedding cakes inspiration gallery to see hundreds of tasty ideas to display on your big day.

Fran x

Bathe in Love

2012-02-07T17:14:00Z

I’ve always been a fan of heart shaped products – and what better way to feature the symbol of love than at a wedding; especially around Valentines Day!

I'm on the hunt for wedding favours for my own wedding in April and during my search I happened to stumble across the gorgeous heart shaped bath products designed by Nootka Rose.

Sarah from Nootka Rose (www.nootkarose.co.uk) specialises in producing natural, luxurious and fantastic quality aromatherapy products, that can be made bespoke as favours for the ladies in time for your special day.

A bride-to-be can customise her Nootka Rose heart shaped favours in many ways:

1. The additions - herbs/flowers/seeds/fruit/natural colours/shimmers/messages/etc. All to complement the theme of the wedding

2. The shape - Sarah can create almost any shape that is required - most popular trend for a wedding are hearts, flowers and stars.

3. The fragrance or essential oil combinations - as few or as many fragrances as you would like can be blended. The optimum number would be 3 - 4 so that we reach that perfect balance and aroma for the beautiful bride.

4. The wrapping - boxes, tins, bottles, bags or raffia, to give that unique and personalised touch you are looking for - let Nootka Rose make it that perfect day.

Inspiration of fragrance can come from anything special, first dates; first perfumes/aftershaves worn or bought; where you live; the wedding venue; where you got engaged or the main wedding theme to use as part of the initial consultation. As an additional bonus, Nootka Rose also provide therapeutic benefits within the favours with the addition of essential oils, however other fragrances can be used.

The top 5 Fragrances chosen by brides for their Nootka Rose wedding favours:

1. " Calm-a-while " (neroli, lavender, cedarwood and ginger). This scent is beautifully balanced and perfectly vintage. It's inclusion of pumpkin seed oil gives it that antique quality and is ideally suited for a 'stress-free' wedding with charming rustic themes, and would complement an autumnal wedding amazingly.

2. " Summer time " Lavender, lemon and rosemary. Fresh, fragrant and a perfect addition to an outdoor or naturally themed summer wedding.

3. " Pick-me-up " (bergamot, ylang ylang and lime). A fruity and delicate aroma with a subtle hint from the Ylang Ylang providing that feel good aphrodisiac scent. A super addition to any celebration.

4. " Nootka Rose " (rose, ginger, lime and grapefruit). A signature scent, and the Nookta Rose philosophy, in a beautifully crafted natural presentation. A Clean, zesty and nourishing blend kissed with rose petals. Indulgent and luscious, yet simple and eye-catching.

5. " Pure White " Cinnamon, orange, black pepper and cypress. Warm and stimulating for that winter wedding. Subtle fragrances of cypress with a distinctive seasonal spicy blend.

Luxurious bath and pampering products make fantastic wedding thank you gifts or favours as they are something that can be used, reminding your guests of your very special day - and trust me when I say that these heart shaped product look and feel simply gorgeous.

So why not share a little love with your wedding guests and enquire about giving them a heart shaped Nootka Rose wedding favours on your big day.

Visit Nootka Rose online for further information.

Fran x

Sandals Competition Winner Announced

2012-02-07T12:19:00Z

Throughout January you had the opportunity to enter a competition on hitched.co.uk to win a dream honeymoon to any Sandals Resort in Saint Lucia.

We are delighted to announce that the prize, of a luxurious 7 night, all-inclusive honeymoon in a Deluxe room for 2, plus return flights with British Airways has gone to Kendra from North Yorkshire.

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Kendra from the team at hitched.co.uk. We can't wait to hear all about your travels when you return from your fabulous honeymoon!

This month on hitched.co.uk you have the opportunity to win a groomswear package from Hugh Harris worth £1000, plus a bespoke pair of wedding shoes from eSHOEMAKER and a pair of wedding rings from SMOOCH to tie in with February's Fashion theme featured on the hitched.co.uk homepage.

Enter Now

Fran x

Say it on a Ring

2012-02-06T11:11:00Z

For men, or women, planning to propose to their other half on February 29^th, who haven’t yet thought of a unique or unusual way to pop the question, then this could be your answer.

House of Williams have designed an affordable proposal ring, especially for the forthcoming leap year, with the words ‘Marry Me…?’ engraved inside – giving you the option to stick to tradition and pop the question yourself, or present your partner with something special, stating the words you want to shout from the rooftops.

The ‘Marry Me…?’ ring by House of Williams is a great idea if you want to produce an engagement ring, but don’t want to spend hundreds, or thousands, on something they may not like. This ring gives the couple the opportunity to shop for a diamond engagement ring together, but still has the sentimental value – and would provide you with a great story to tell friends, family and future generations.

The ‘Marry Me…?’ ring is available in sterling silver or gold plated with prices starting at an affordable £39.95. Click here for further information.

I would have been quite happy with a Haribo sweety engagement ring if my fiancé hadn’t planned ahead and bought an (amazing) engagement ring prior to his proposal – but I do like the idea of the ‘Marry Me…?’ ring because it’s a memory that you can keep, and wear forever.

Fran x