WeddingPath News 2nd Nov 2007

Margo - Fri 02 Nov 2007

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We had a fabulous LoveIt competition last week, and I will tell you who won in a moment. First off, though, I am going to tell you about a very exciting development.

Earlier in the year Colin the donkey and I went to Milton Keynes for a wedding. On the drive there we played that game where you get one point for each red car, two for a blue one etc. Colin and I were neck and neck for a while, but then I called '247 points for a lime green car with yellow stripes and two inflatable sheep in the back'. Sure enough, a few minutes later a lime green car with yellow stripes and two inflatable sheep in the back came around the corner and Colin was soundly defeated. He went into a sulk and stopped giving me directions to the venue, so we got lost and ended up arriving 20 minutes late. Dashing into a wedding late is very embarrassing - especially if it turns out to be the wrong wedding.

When we got back to the office, we developed a plan to make sure we would never get lost on the way to a wedding again - and you are going to love this! Ladies and gentlemen, drum roll please…

If you are getting married in the UK then your WeddingPath will automatically have this fantastic new feature added. Your WeddingMap page includes:

• Your personalised map - a clear and legible map with addresses and markers for your ceremony and reception.

• Driving directions - your guests (or yourselves) can put in their postcode and get driving directions to the ceremony and reception venues.

• Weather forecast - an up-to-date weather forecast for your venue, so your guests know if they need sun-tan cream or a brolly (or both!).

• Accommodation finder - guests can see local, available accommodation (including last-minute availability) on the map and click through to book their rooms.

Colin has done a fabulous job with the WeddingMap page, and I am sure you will all love it and it will be a great help for your guests. To thank Colin for all his hard work, I bought him a season ticket to 'Mamma Mia', so he can go every day! To learn more about your new WeddingMap then click here.

Your bridal wear: minimising mishaps

"Your dress may be the star of your bridal ensemble but it’s nothing without the extras! Sarah Richardson outlines what to consider when choosing those all-important accessories."

"When choosing a veil, it's worth considering the following: Length. If you are 5'3' or under, an elbow-length (around 30' long) or shorter veil is likely to give more flattering proportions than a longer style. Equally, those taller than 5'7' often find a fingertip (around 40' long) or cathedral (around 120') length particularly suits them. But these are just guidelines - no two brides are the same!" Read on.

We have loads of great articles, plus wedding stories in the news here.

Last week we had a LoveIt competition, with a prize from buy-our-honeymoon.com - free honeymoon gift list (worth £69)…

We asked you which gift-list provider are you thinking of using? You can see other members' suggestions here.

We picked a name out of the hat and the winner is: MrsOliver2b. Congratulations MrsOliver2b email me and I will tell you how to collect your prize.

P.S. If you run a relevant business and would like to supply a prize for a LoveIt competition, drop me a note to discuss.

Traditionally, a hen or stag party took place the night before the wedding. This is not a good idea - a hangover on your wedding day is bad news! Actually, a hangover on some else's wedding day is bad enough.

I would suggest having the party at least a week in advance. If you are up for doing something a little more exciting than pub/club/chip shop then check out our friends at Freedom Ltd, who offer some fantastic tailor-made and package options for your party.

If you have any questions then don't forget to pop over to the forums and ask away. I love our forums, as our members are so nice and are full of great advice and ideas.

Have a wonderful week. Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 26th Oct 2007

Margo - Fri 26 Oct 2007

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We have a fabulous LoveIt competition this week, but first, Halloween is around the corner and it reminds me of a story…

A little while ago, I was approached by a major publisher to write an autobiography. I told them I know nothing about cars, but they told me autobiographies are books about famous people, such as me. I explained to them that I am a very busy monkey, going to members' weddings, researching what is hot in the wedding world and, of course, acting as an agony aunt to countless celebs. These celebs don't half moan on a lot -I had to give David Hasselhoff a right good talking to last week because he kept whingeing that he couldn't fit into his Baywatch trunks any more. I did suggest he removed the padding (he calls it 'protection', but it is padding really).

Anyway, I digress. The publishes told me it was fine that I didn't have time to write the book, they would have a ghost writer do it for me. Whoever heard of such a thing! I mean, how on earth would they hold the pen - it would keep slipping through their spectral fingers. I suppose it is the publishers' way of getting cheap labour though.

For Halloween this year Colin the donkey and I are going to really confuse people. I am going to dress as a donkey and he is going to dress up as a monkey. If we turn up at your house please don't give Colin too much chocolate as he gets unbearable when hyper.

Weddings are expensive affairs, so I want to tell you about this fab article to help you get the most for your budget.

Money-saving Hints

"It should be the happiest day of your lives, so why spend so much of the lead-up worrying about costs? A little forward planning and some handy hints can save you a fortune on getting married, says Louise Hartnett."

"Saturday’s girl is full of woe... because she paid more than someone getting married on another day of the week! Many venues offer substantial savings to those who marry on, say, a Friday or a Sunday instead. You might also want to consider having your big day outside the peak summer period. An autumn or winter wedding date is likely to give you more bargaining power with suppliers, who are often less busy during these months. The time of day you get married at can also affect your bill. Starting the proceedings well after lunchtime could mean that you will only have to provide one meal for guests. Otherwise, you are probably looking at paying for an evening buffet as well as a wedding breakfast."

You can read the full article here.

For this week's LoveIt competition, buy-our-honeymoon.com is offering the lucky winner a free honeymoon gift list (worth £69)…

'Buy Our Honeymoon is an exciting new online service where you can create your ultimate fantasy wish list to transform your honeymoon into the trip of a lifetime. Your guests reserve any of the experiences and activities from your honeymoon gift list, and pay the value of their gift to you directly. We offer total flexibility and independence, zero service charge, beautiful design themes and a free, no-obligation 7-day trial.'

All you need to do to win the free honeymoon gift list is tell us which gift-list provider are you thinking of using?

Enter by going to this forum post and leave the www address of the site that has the gift list service you are thinking of using. Also, tell us why you choose this particular company. The winner will be picked at random from everyone who entered, and announced in next week's newsletter.

P.S. If you run a relevant business and would like to supply a prize for a LoveIt competition, drop me a note to discuss.

lauren_and_chris has started this week's winner of my Hot Topic Wall of Fame. I think I am going to pick one of the hot topic winners and give them a nice prize soon, so if you are a vendor and have a little something you think they might like then email me. Otherwise, I think I will award them a big bag of Colin's carrots.

Lauren_and_chris started: "Getting to know you!"

This is a fun little game, and has had over 1600 views, so you know it is popular.

When choosing bridesmaids' dresses, the bride chooses style, colour and fabric. The dresses should complement the bridal gown, but it is good manners to take the bridesmaids' style, budget and colour preferences into account.

If you have any questions then don't forget to pop over to the forums and ask away. I love our forums, as our members are so nice and are full of great advice and ideas.

Have a wonderful week. Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 19th Oct 2007

Margo - Fri 19 Oct 2007

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I am a bit worried about Colin the donkey at the moment as he has been particularly tactless, and I am afraid it may be a symptom of an underlying malaise. We were at a wedding just the other day and he said to the bride's MIL: 'love the dress, but if I had realised it was a costume party I would've come in drag as well'.

I think Colin might have got that 'foot-in-mouth' disease, so I have given the poor lad the week off and told him to take it easy. I just called to check up on him, and asked 'What are you up to?'. He said 'Page 83', so I think he is feeling ok.

Involving your loved ones in your wedding day not only makes them feel part of everything, but it also keeps them out of mischief. You do have to give people the right tasks though. At my cousin's wedding, Auntie Mildred got rather tipsy before the service and tried to get the vicar to do the can-can (again!). In retrospect, having her open 72 bottles of red wine for the reception 'to let them breathe' might have been a bad idea.

Your Wedding: 10 Ways To Involve Loved Ones

"As the person with the biggest stake in this day, the bride is usually the one who oversees the look and feel of the wedding. But every creative director needs some advisers, and bouncing ideas off creative friends or family members can only enhance the end result. It’s also more fun than doing it all on your own!"

"If you're decorating your reception venue yourself, a team of willing helpers is vital; the last thing you want to be doing on your wedding day is blowing up hundreds of balloons or lugging tables and chairs around."

You can read lots of wedding and beauty-related articles on the WeddingPath NewsWire.

I just wanted to remind you that if you are thinking about ideas for hen and stag nights you should check out our partners at Freedom Ltd. I had Colin research hen and stag nights, and this is what he said:

'If you are planning on popping down the local with a few mates, hitting the nearest nightclub and topping it all off with a bag of chips and curry sauce then all you need to worry about is a pile of aspirin and some stain remover. If you are up for something more ambitious, then you might want to book via someone who offers various hen and stag night experiences, as they can become an organisational nightmare.'

We like Freedom Ltd, and they are the UK's leading hen and stag party organisers. Colin and I choose this company for several reasons - they have a unique range of parties not found elsewhere, offer fantastic value for money and are bonded agents.

mrsMcRae2b has started this week's winner of my Hot Topic Wall of Fame.

"My mum asked about if i was doing order of service, i'm not sure what it is? Can someone please enlighten me? "

As usual our lovely members had the answer, plus some great samples for an Order of Service. You can see the samples and read more here.

When you are shopping for your wedding rings, try to think about which metal you would like before hitting the stores. If you can't decide, a good jeweller will be able to explain the differences (price, durability etc) between silver, platinum and the different varieties of gold. Beware of the pushy salesperson who tries to talk you into the most expensive option if it isn't what you want. You need to choose what is best for you, and not what is best for them. Lastly, if you are considering buying your ring online, start by reading the handy article here.

If you have any questions then don't forget to pop over to the forums and ask away. I love our forums, as our members are so nice and are full of great advice and ideas.

Have a wonderful week.

Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 11th Oct 2007

Margo - Thu 11 Oct 2007

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A question that has been on my mind for some time is "how much caffeine is too much, for Colin the donkey?" There seems to be very little research into caffeine and donkeys, so in the interests of public safety I decided to do an experiment. I brewed up a pot of my favourite and instructed Colin to drink the lot before I got back from my lunch with Tom Hanks.

Upon my return, I was somewhat bemused to find Colin wearing his favourite tutu and swinging round and round on the ceiling fan. "Hi Colin, what's up?" I asked, and quick as a flash he replied "meeeeeeeeeeee", let go of the fan and landed in the coffee pot. I pulled a bedraggled-looking Colin out and towelled him off, only to find the stitching on his tutu was positively ruined and the coffee had stained his fur. Even after several baths he still smells of coffee.

I guess the moral of the story is you can get your ass out of the coffee, but you can't get coffee out of your ass.

Looking your best for your wedding takes planning and forethought. This article by make-up artist Emma Trevillion can help turn your skin around for that must-have glow on your big day.

Bridal Beauty Checklist

"Internal hydration keeps your skin healthy and radiant, so be sure to drink plenty of water ­– preferably at room temperature to aid circulation. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol, which cause dehydration and affect your skin."

"Remember that over-exposure to hot water can dehydrate the skin. Take shorter baths or showers and keep the water cool or warm, not hot. Add bath oils to keep your skin moisturised and replace harsh soaps or shower gels with milk- or oil-based varieties, which are gentler on the skin. Apply a body moisturiser while your skin is still damp."

You can read lots of wedding and beauty-related articles on the WeddingPath NewsWire.

Are you looking for a DJ, suit hire or a great source of wedding favours and don't know where to start? I would suggest two things. First go to the forums and ask other b2bs/h2bs for recommendations. Secondly go to the Vendor Directory, where you can search via location for what you need.

You will notice some vendors have been voted for by other WPers, and you can vote for your favourite vendors too.

When you find a vendor you like, click on 'save details' at the bottom of their listing. This automatically saves the vendor information in your My Path section for later. My Path can be found under My Links in the pink menu bar (of course you need to be logged in for this).

In your My Path, you will notice you also have a notepad and a watched topics (for keeping an eye on favourite forum topics).

alanakelk has started this week's winner of my Hot Topic Wall of Fame.

"let's see some piccies of your attendants gifts"

You can see all the replies with some great ideas and photos here.

When you first start to think about your wedding, decide upon a budget and write down a 'priority list' for the ceremony and the reception. Once you have budgeted for the essentials, you can start to consider the extras should you have money left over.

Have a wonderful week.

Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 5th Oct 2007

Margo - Fri 05 Oct 2007

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I read a lot of books on weddings and marriage as part of my job, and sometimes find some really interesting ideas. A while back I read an article on how to have a happy marriage and it had some good tips, but one really confused me. This article suggested "try a new position every month".

Although Colin the donkey and I are not married, we do like to 'role play' suggestions to see how they would work out. At first the 'new position' rule worked really well. Colin sat by the photocopier, and I sat at my desk, and then we swapped. Then Colin sat under my desk and I sat on the photocopier. The thing is now it has got to the point where Colin is sitting in a sink in the men's bathroom and I am sitting in the cafe around the corner. It makes it really hard to work, our mobile phone bills are enormous, and Colin has a rash on his bottom from sitting in water.

All this moving about has made me start daydreaming of a nice massage and sauna, so it seems appropriate to remind you about this fab article…

Spa Horizons

"Everybody needs a break from the stresses of everyday life – especially when that life is dominated by church bookings, flower arrangements and trying to cater your wedding breakfast to 13 vegetarians, a vegan and a couple who only eat uncooked and unprocessed legumes."

"A less destructive way to remedy these ordeals than biting the nails you’ve been growing for five months is, luckily, close at hand. Hotels everywhere offer a multitude of enticing spa treatments, and when better to take advantage of them than in the lead-up to your wedding day? Manicures, pedicures, facials, body wraps, head massages, facials, exfoliations, top-to-toe massages – you name your perfect pampering package, and it’s there. With so many glorious grooming techniques, how do you choose? Rebecca Priddle provides some ideas."

You can read the full article here.

I just wanted to remind you that your guests can RSVP via your WeddingPath…

If you log on, then edit your site, you will be able to add an RSVP page (choose ‘add another page’). The RSVP allows you to customise the information you need from your guests – such as menu choices, etc.

• Collect all guest responses online

• Get email notification as guests reply

• Save on postage costs!

It really is simple to use - as you can see, even Colin the donkey worked it out, and let's face it…if brains were dynamite, he couldn't blow his hat off.

emmaandjamesclarke has started a great topic, and has earned her place on my Hot Topic Wall of Fame.

"how do you know which dress is the one?"

Have your say here.

White is traditionally the colour for a wedding car, but it might not be your best choice. If your dress is white, then standing next to a white car will diminish its effect a little. Choose a car that works with your colour scheme and compliments your dress.

Have a wonderful week.

Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 27th Sept 2007

Margo - Thu 27 Sep 2007

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So, I am sure you want to know who won last week's competition to win a personalised cake topper... but, I am not going to tell you. Shan't.

…OK, I will, but first I am going to ramble on like a petulant teenager. Talking of petulant teenagers, I often get emails from b2bs complaining that their bridesmaids have suddenly become incredibly difficult to deal with. I think that these difficulties often stem from jealousy. After all it is your day and not theirs.

So how do you deal with them? I would suggest talking to them about the issues instead of getting all stressed about it. If that doesn't work then fire their ass. Or make them dress up like a meringue. Or both.

Seriously, though, it is you and your partner's day and sometimes you have to put your foot down to get what you want. Yes, I do think a bit of give and take is sometimes required, but the bottom line is you have to be happy with your wedding day.

Top 10 wedding themes

If you fancy doing something a little different for your wedding then picking a theme can be just the ticket. I for one will have a David Hasselhoff themed wedding (if I ever get a proposal!) and make Colin The Donkey wear a red light on his head and speak like KIT. Actually I might make him do that this afternoon just for fun.

You can read Sarah Richardson's Top 10 wedding themes here.

I was recently sent these two fab books, and want to tell you all about them...

Don'ts for Husbands and Don'ts for Wives

"These book (tips for a happy marriage) were recently discovered in a basement after last being published nearly a century ago. They have been re-launched to coincide with the 200th anniversary of their publisher, A&C Black - but Blanche Ebbutt's books provide more than nostalgic comedy..."
- www.theanniversarypresent.com

'Don't scowl or look severe. Cultivate a pleasant expression if Nature hasn't blessed you with one.'

To read the WeddingPath review for these books, click here. Don't forget, there are lots of other great reviews (by WeddingPath as well as b2bs/h2bs), so if you are considering buying a book to help with your planning then check out the book and cd review forum.

...and now for the winner of the personalised cake topper from Wedding Treasures...

I asked you What is your favourite shoe shop or designer? and I have picked a winner (at random). Congratulations Kallitheabride you have won! Email me (margo@weddingpath.com) and I will put you in touch with the lovely people at Wedding Treasures.

Click here to see all the shoe shops and designers other WeddingPathers recommend, and remember, the bigger the name the more votes it got.

P.S. If you run a relevant business and would like to supply a prize for a LoveIt competition, drop me a note (margo@weddingpath.com) to discuss.

This is an exciting time of your life, and it will go by quickly! Consider keeping a diary of your thoughts and your planning to look back on in future years. You can keep and share an online diary ('blog') at WeddingPath. Just log in, go to your profile page, and type away - and of course you can add photos as well.

If all your planning is becoming a little much for you, then be sure to check out this offer from life coach Lesley Stratton Hughes...

'I am looking for a couple of brides-to-be who would be interested in becoming case studies for me in return for free coaching sessions. I am offering four free 1x 60-minute coaching sessions as well as unlimited e-mail back-up in between sessions and right up until their wedding. I would particularly like to work with people who are at the beginning of their wedding journey so that they can get full benefit of the Inside Out approach to getting married. We would cover all areas of the Wedding Journey as outlined on my website, which will help to prepare them emotionally and psychologically for their transition into married life. I will also support them in creating an authentic wedding, one that really reflects who they are, which can help to make the whole process enjoyable and memorable.

As case studies, they would be then agreeing to me being able to use their comments about the coaching in articles and interviews, perhaps agree to let me use photographs of their day, when it happens or perhaps be interviewed by a magazine or newspaper with regard to coaching in conjunction with getting married and planning a wedding.'

If you are interested then email me (margo@weddingpath.com) and I will put you in touch with Lesley.

Have a wonderful week.

Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 20th Sept 2007

Margo - Thu 20 Sep 2007

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Before I fill you in about this week’s competition and fab prize, I want to tell you about my week.

People often assume that my life is an endless round of going to marriages, honeymoons and celebrity parties. To be fair, that is pretty much the case, but I am always trying to learn something new to bring back to you. A case in point would be my visit to the Celebrity Subbuteo Championships...

Every year, all celebrities are contractually obliged to get together for this momentous occasion, and this one had some of the best playing I have ever seen. The final was a tense affair, between the Mick Hucknall/Marg Simpson team and the George Clooney/Ronnie Corbett contingent. With 11 minutes to go George and Ronnie were 2-0 down. To make matters worse they only had nine men, and one of those was just the base as the figure had snapped off, plus the goalkeeper had to have an emergency repair (ie be stuck to a drinking straw with a bit of Blue Tack after a particularly naughty tackle by Simpson's centre forward). However, even throughout Hucknall's devious psychological attacks (a rousing rendition of "Holding Back The Years'), Ronnie and George stayed calm and won the day 3-2.

"What has this got to do with weddings?" I hear you ask. "Nothing" is the answer, but it has every thing to do with relationships. Ronnie and George won the day because they worked together as a team. They supported each other, and were there for each other - no matter how difficult things got. The moment you say "I do", you formalise that bond with your partner - you are a team and you are in it together. Enjoy every moment of it.

This week I want to tell you about two articles all about shoes, written by Victoria Babbs of Varna Shoes.

Now personally, I like to fill my shoes up with champers and drink from them - but I know some people prefer to wear them. The first article is one for the brides, and the second one is for you to print, or email to your mum. As for grooms... well let's start by saying that your football boots are not appropriate as wedding-day attire, and I would suggest clean socks.

Choosing bridal shoes

With increasing numbers of brides opting for three-quarter-length or shorter dresses, bridal footwear is more on display than ever before.

Shop around

"If you buy your wedding dress from a shop, most will also offer shoes as an accessory. If you don't like the range they stock, or you think their prices are excessive, don't feel obliged to buy. Take some time to consider the height, style, colour and level of comfort you are looking for. Heel height Firstly you need to decide on the heel height.

High heels, kitten heels or flatter pumps are the main choices. Ask yourself the following questions before making your decision..." - read the full article here.

Shoes for Mothers of the Bride and Mothers of the Groom

This is definitely an article to print our or email to your Mums! - If they use the 'newfanggled interweb' (as Colin the Donkey's Mum calls it) you can send them this link.

"The first rule for any mother of the bride and groom is to establish the colour of the outfit worn by each other. This way each can avoid embarrassment of turning up for the big day in the same colour, or worse, the same outfit."

I do love competitions and this week my friends at Wedding Treasures are offering a personalised cake topper to the lucky winner. Wedding Treasures will work closely with the winner to design the cake topper (worth £89.95) , based around photos of the b2b/h2b and their outfits.

'Personalised Wedding Toppers - custom made to match your complete outfits you will both wear on your special day. Nothing is impossible and no detail is left out!` - Wedding Treasures

To win this fab prize all you need to do is tell me:

What is your favourite shoe shop or designer?

You can put down as many answers as you like if you have a few favourites. Enter by going to this forum post and leaving the www address of the site for your favourite shoe shop or designer, and tell us why you choose this one. The winner will be picked at random from everyone who entered.

P.S. If you run a relevant business and would like to supply a prize for a LoveIt competition, drop me a note (margo@weddingpath.com) to discuss.

LisaC2B has started a hot topic Where to Honeymoon? so has earned her place on my 'Hot topic Wall Of Fame'.

LisaC2B says " I was wondering if one (or many) of you ladies could help us. We have decided we are going to go on honeymoon about 8 weeks after our wedding which will be October time. Where is good weather wise at that time of year?".

Do you know you can add a YouTube video to your personal weddingpath? It’s so quick and easy to do.

Your choice of video could be anything from a comedy wedding dance to a song by your favourite band – whatever you can find on YouTube that you think your guests will enjoy. And, of course, once you’re married, you can upload your wedding video to YouTube and link to that from your weddingpath instead.

You can see a rather amusing example here.

Wedding coach Lesley Stratton Hughes is holding a special wedding-planning workshop called Creating Your Authentic Wedding. It will help you break the planning process down into easy steps and show you to how create a wedding that really expresses who you are.

"If you want maximum enjoyment from planning your special day and would love to remain composed, confident and in control throughout then this workshop is for you! It's in Brighton on 13th October and you can get all the details at www.gettingmarriedinsideout.co.uk"

Have a wonderful week.

Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 13th Sept 2007

Margo - Thu 13 Sep 2007

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My favourite moment at a wedding is when I hear the words ‘You may kiss the bride’. I have taken to starting a sweepstake with my fellow guests - will it be a shy peck, a robust and hearty kiss, or a full-on snog ending with a spank on the backside and breathless giggles?

Colin the donkey's new business venture is to print up score cards and distribute them to the guests. After 'the kiss', the couple turn to face the congregation and see their scores. I am not convinced it will take off - after all, Colin does have a history of launching peculiar businesses (his self-cleaning wedding dress being a highlight).

Later in the newsletter, I am going to announce the winner of the LoveIt competition giving you the chance to win £100 of jewellery, but first...

This week I want to tell you about two fab articles, one pre-wedding and one-post wedding. The first is by freelance writer Mary Wailling, who has a lot to say about hen nights. And while we’re on the subject, if you are thinking about what to do for your hen or stag night, don't forget to visit our friends at Freedom for some great offers and ideas.

Hallelujah for the hen!

"Let’s be honest – some aspects of planning a wedding can be downright stressful and not a whole lot of fun for a girl. Seating plans, budgets, those damn diets in between dress fittings… Of course you know in your heart that it’ll be worth it when you’re having the wedding day you always dreamt of, but doesn’t it sometimes make you want to kick back and just concentrate on something a bit more… playful?

Hallelujah for the hen party! Usually held a month or two before the big day, it should be the perfect antidote to all that pre-wedding madness, and a night (or day, or weekend) of good old-fashioned girly fun and mischief!"

You can read the full article here.

The second article I want to tell you about is Buying your first anniversary present by Melissa and Alistair Rogerson of theanniversarypresent.com. Time whizzes by, and in the blink of an eye you will be celebrating your very first wedding anniversary...

"Wondering how to celebrate? Start considering the possibilities two months ahead of the actual date to give you time to organise something properly, whether that be a meal at your favourite restaurant, a day out or a weekend away. Mark it in your diary, or subscribe to an online reminder service to ensure you are prompted in advance. If need be, tell your other half that you might be planning something. Who knows, they might have beaten you to it, and you need to make sure you're not clashing. It also gives you the chance to drop a subtle hint in case the subject hasn't crossed their mind yet!"

You can read the full article here, and lots of other wedding, fashion, travel and beauty articles on the WeddingPath NewsWire.

And now, drum roll please...

Last week's LoveIt prize - £100-worth of jewellery - was supplied by www.ChezBec.com. The question was What is your favourite wedding jewellery & accessories designer or shop? The lucky winner gets to make their own choice from the Chez Bec website. The winner (chosen at random) is...

CVRM!!!

Congratulations! Drop me an email (margo@weddingpath.com) and I will put you in touch with Chez Bec to claim your prize.

Here are WP members' favourite wedding jewellery & accessories designer and shops (the bigger the name the more votes it received)...

P.S. If you run a relevant business and would like to supply a prize for a LoveIt competition, drop me a note (margo@weddingpath.com) to discuss.

This week's addition to my Hot Topic Wall of Fame is First Dance from bev660. She asks:

"I'm stuck for first dance, what's every body's favourite?"

You might also want to check out most inappropriate first dance song.

If you or your partner are not comfortable with the idea of your first dance, you might want to take a few lessons to take the pressure off. Start well in advance of the wedding, as you will invariably run out of time if you leave it until the last few hectic weeks.

Have a wonderful week,

Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 6th Sept 2007

Margo - Thu 06 Sep 2007

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One subject that comes up on the forums quite frequently is 'strange dreams'. I wanted you to know that it is not unusual to have vivid dreams (and sometimes nightmares) in times of stress. These dreams often occur well in advance of the wedding (even a year or more) and usually centre around things going wrong on your wedding day. The dress you ordered turns out to be made of icing sugar, the Best Man turns into a marsupial and eats the wedding rings, or your MIL takes over all the planning (oh, wait, I think that one is usually true). I often dream about Brad Pitt, a young Sean Connery, several bottles of champagne and a jacuzzi - but I think that is a story for another time.

This week we have another fantastic LoveIt competition giving you the chance to win £100 of jewellery. But first I want to tell you about a fantastic article all about The Drama of Getting Married.

The Drama of Getting Married

When you first make the joyful decision to get married, the idea has a simplicity that means it’s within your control. But once you’ve shared your news with family and friends, your romantic tale risks taking on the life of a full-blown three-act play. Lesley Stratton Hughes of Getting Married Inside Out discusses why.

"As soon as others become involved in the idea of your wedding, so do their thoughts, feelings and opinions - and the reactions are not always what you might have hoped for. For some couples, a wedding abroad may be the answer; an escape with a small party to a sunny isle can overcome some of the obstacles. But others have found that the classic characters of the wedding drama tend to pop up wherever the wedding takes place. Irrational future mothers-in-law, difficult bridesmaids, over-critical parents and unresponsive friends are as ingrained within the fabric of getting married as estranged fathers and unwelcome stepmothers."

Read the full article here, and lots of other wedding, fashion, travel and beauty articles on the WeddingPath NewsWire.

This weeks my friends at the fabulous Chez Bec have provided this week's LoveIt prize - £100-worth of jewelry. The lucky winner gets to make their own choice from the website, so pop over to. Pop over to www.ChezBec.com and decide what you will choose if you win!

'Fabulous bridal jewellery perfect for all your wedding needs. We at ChezBec.com simply adore all things bridal and wedding-related. Our stunning bridal collection features an abundance of freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals, creating the perfect finishing touches for a perfect wedding. Full bespoke service available.'

You might well have read the article by Chez Bec’s Rebecca entitled Which jewellery for which wedding dress?. If you haven't then you should - it gives some great advice on a subject that lots of brides are unsure about. Rebecca is currently working on another article in which she will answer your questions about jewellery, so if you have any questions or need any advice then ask away here.

To win £100-worth of jewellery from ChezBec.com, all you had to do is let me know:

What is your favourite wedding jewellery & accessories designer or shop?

You can put down as many suggestions as you like if you have a few favourites. Enter by going to this forum post and leaving the www address of the site for your favourite wedding-jewellery/accessories designer or shop, and telling us why you choose this one. The winner will be picked at random from everyone who entered.

P.S. If you run a relevant business and would like to supply a prize for a LoveIt competition, drop me a note (margo@weddingpath.com) to discuss.

This week's addition to my Hot Topic Wall of Fame is I Trashed My Dress. from daisee. She tells us:

"I Trashed my dress - Well we did it,last weekend at bourne mouth beach then near Rodriguez the following day. The sea was warm but the river was cold cold cold but i have to say i am delighted with the results i have seen so far."

If you want to know more about Trashing the dress here is a good place to start.

Have your say, and leave your advice here.

WeddingPath has grown massively in popularity in the last couple of years - thanks to you all telling your friends about us! The upside of this means there are loads of great people on the forums, with fab ideas and advice, thousands of wonderful weddingpaths and lots of super articles. The downside is that we are quickly running out of server space!

To make sure that new members get to enjoy the same free service, we are going to have to start deleting OLD WeddingPaths from the server to free up space in the next few weeks. You have NOTHING to be worried about if you haven’t yet got married! However, If you have been married for more then 28 days it is imperative that you buy your WeddingPath on CD (or purchase an extended hosting; see below) now if you want to keep it.

As of now, one month after the wedding we will remove members weddingpaths. I am sure you understand we need to do this to ensure that we have enough server space for all of the new members - it is only fair they get a turn too! Please note, your user account will not be deleted so you will still be able to post on the forums etc.

When you buy your site on CD you will get to keep all the photos loaded to PhotoShare, all the messages and, of course, the text and images you entered. The CD comes in a beautifully printed case and is a fab gift and lasting memento of your big day. To see all the details click here.

We realise some people will want their WeddingPath to stay online for a little longer and if that is the case you can extend your hosting for a small fee by clicking here.

Nerves on the big day (and the run-up to the big day) are normal. Accept the butterflies in your tummy, breathe deep and enjoy being surrounded by people who love you.

Have a wonderful week,

Love and apples!!!

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WeddingPath News 30th August 2007

Margo - Thu 30 Aug 2007

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Continuing with my current theme of advice my mum gave me, this week I thought I would remind you that too many cooks spoil the broth. This has always seemed sensible to me: I can imagine Gordon Ramsay soup, but if you stuffed Jamie Oliver in the pan as well there would be no room for the veggies.

All silliness aside, though, it is an important bit of advice. Everyone you ask (and some people you don't) is going to have their own advice and suggestions of things you should do when planning your wedding. Ask ten people about colour schemes and you will probably get ten different answers. The trick is to listen to advice, but only take it on board if you think that the person has a point. Follow your hearts and make the choices that resonate with you and your partner.

Last week we ran a competition to win a hamper of fantastic SpraySun products, and the winner will be announced in this newsletter.

Do honeymoon couples really get free upgrades?

Is it an urban myth that honeymoon couples get free upgrades on their holidays? If they do, how do they go about it?

Richard Dixon, managing director of honeymoon specialist holidaysplease.co.uk, explains:

'The first thing to say is that it is not an urban myth! Many travel companies recognise that honeymoon couples can provide future valuable business and that offering an upgrade can be a great way of creating lifetime goodwill. They know that as most people only go on honeymoon once it can be an opportunity to offer some extra goodwill without the customer expecting it next time they travel.'

Read the full article here, and lots of other wedding, fashion, travel and beauty articles on the WeddingPath NewsWire.

As I mentioned, the lovely people over at SpraySun have provided this week's LoveIt prize...

To win, all you had to do was tell me:

Which is the most gorgeous-looking wedding cake?

You can see the entries here (great suggestions for wedding cake vendors if you are looking). The winner of the SpraySun hamper (chosen at random) is:

Seona, who recommends cakes from Konditor and Cook. Congratulations, Seona, Email me (margo@weddingpath.com) your postal address and I will get the prize out to you.

P.S. If you run a relevant business and would like to supply a prize for a LoveIt competition, drop me a note (margo@weddingpath.com) to discuss.

This week's addition to my Hot Topic Wall of Fame is Dream Wedding Shoes from MrsSoper2b. She asks:

"I have found the most perfect shoes in the world with only 2 minor draw backs

a) They are Jimmy Choos costing £300+

b) I'm getting married in a National Trust property which won't allow heels smaller than a postage stamp."

Have your say, and leave your advice here.

We have three hot hen offer packages, and the hen goes free with groups of over 10 people if the booking is placed before the end of September:

• Newcastle - Hen Pole Dancing and Booze Cruise

• Hen Heaven - Luxury in Nottingham

• Edinburgh - Party Girls

You might want to find out if your reception venue has a room you and your partner can use to change clothes, freshen up, or just escape for a few minutes.

Have a wonderful week,

Love and apples!!!