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| New Issue OUT NOW |
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Inspiration
Ideas on how to add that 'something blue'
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Competition
Win a 'hair holiday' worth over £800
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Getting hitched... without a hitch
our no-nonsense guide to arranging your ceremony
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Do me a favour
Table treats for your quests
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Setting up home
Gorgeous glassware for your home
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The big day after
Fun ideas to beat the post-nuptial blues
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Precious paradise
Rowena shares the Far East's best kept secret...the Palawan Islands
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 23 July 2010 |
| Married in Monochrome |
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David and Shaneen had an elegant black and white do at The Priory.
How it all began... David and Shaneen met at work back in 2003 when they were both estate agents. "I can remember the first time I saw Shaneen, and I immediately felt that she was someone who would be a lot of fun to be around," remembers David. "It was quite a slow-burning relationship, but after a while it was clear we were meant to be together."
Setting the scene... The pair chose The Priory in Little Wymondley as the venue for their day. "The barn is stunning, it's one of those places you can make totally your own through the decoration, as the backdrop is so neutral," says Shaneen. "We loved how everything was contained in one space. We've been to weddings before where people have scattered themselves across a few different rooms - we wanted everyone to be together."
The outfits... Shaneen wore an ivory Alfred Angelo dress, which was the second one she tried on. "I loved that there was no fussy lace or sparkly diamantés all over it, as that just isn't me," she says. She teamed it with a vintage crystal belt, a Swarovski hair slide and some electric blue shoes by Manolo Blahnik, which doubled as her 'something blue'.
For more information and pictures of David and Shaneen's big day, see pages 26 - 30 of the current issue. |
| Wed in Watford |
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Take a look at our pick of wedding venues on offer in the area.
The Langley Banqueting & Conference Suites
It's a grand venue located in the heart of Watford, which caters for up to 1,500 guests over two floors. Couples can take their pick from three adaptable function spaces, depending on what best suits their celebratory needs.
But the best thing is the venue is family run which ensures a warm welcome.
Find out more...
www.langleybanqueting.co.uk
"Seeing the joy and happiness on the faces of the bride and groom on their special day makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth every moment" - Neha Gudka, proprietor.
To see more beautiful venues in Watford, see pages 17 & 18 of the current issue. |
| Win a weekend 'hair holiday' |
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Give your locks some much-needed pampering before the big day, with a break in The Cotswolds courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Stuart Holmes.
Top hairstylist Stuart Holmes relocated from London to Cheltenham in 2003, where he established his luxurious hair and beauty salon with his wife Sara. After the move, many of his clients started to regularly travel from London for their appointments so Stuart decided to team up with two of the area's most exclusive hotels to launch the Hair Holiday package. This enables clients to make a relaxing weekend of having their hair done and enjoying some pampering too. Over the past six years the Stuart Holmes Hair and Beauty Spa has gone from strength to strength and now employs 20 professional staff.
For more information about Stuart Holmes and the Hair Holiday packages, visit www.stuartholmeshairholiday.co.uk |
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| Utterly inspiring |
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The thing that impresses me most about weddings these days is that they're all so different from each other. After reading this issue's fabulous feature on big days through the decades (page 33), it struck me just how much things have changed over the years. Back in the 1950s, and even through to the '80s, they followed a set formula. Now, couples strive to make their day totally and utterly original by breaking ties with tradition and finding inventive ways of making it personal.
The Herts and Beds counties are full of such inspiration, which is why readers love our real wedding features. This issue we're giving you two to nose through - Victoria and Alan's fun wedding at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral was a particularly original day (page 64). If you'd like your wedding featured too, visit our website to find out more.
Enjoy!
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| Lisa Morgan, Editor |
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| Make sure your email editor@yourhertsbedswedding.co.uk to keep us up to date with all your news |
| As time goes by... |
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Ever looked back through your grandparents' or parents' albums and wondered what it would have been like to get married 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years ago? Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we love to hear about weddings old and new, so we thought we'd share our favourite big days from the past five decades to show you just how things have changed.
The 1950s
Wally Cant and Paula Songer's wedding on 18th March, 1959 has little in common with contemporary dos. While decoration, coordination and themes provide the key to well-planned and elegant modern days, the marriage phenomenon was simpler 50 years ago. "My dad gave my mum £40 to organise the whole day," says Paula whose homemade dress cost £4 and had none of the lace embellishment favoured in the late '50s and early '60s. "I also made the bridesmaids' dresses for my friend Yvonne, my sister, Wally's two sisters and his niece." The best man was Wally's older brother Alan, and the two men wore ordinary lounge suits.
The couple said their vows in front of 50 guests, 10 of whom left before the reception. "We had a formal wedding breakfast for 40 family and friends," says Paula. The traditional roast meal was finished off with a fruit salad, and accompanied by non-alcoholic drinks - apart from a sherry on arrival. My family was Methodist," she explains. "Our cake was made and iced by one of my uncles."
To see more weddings through the ages, see pages 33-36 of the current issue. |
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| Getting married in Herts & Beds or know someone who is and would like to receive future newsletters? click here |
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| Take a look at our regularly updated Find a Supplier feature on our website where you find profiles, photographs and contact information from businesses in your area who will help you with your dream wedding. |
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To buy a copy for just £2.95 post free or to order a subscription of six issues for just £15, please visit our web site...
www.yourhertsbedswedding.co.uk or call us on 01376 514000 |
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