Healthy Wedding Snacks!

Healthy Snacks for Your Wedding Day

Planning healthy snacks for your big day is just as important as your wedding cake, so don't overlook it! (expert advice)

From the time you wake up until you finally settle into your honeymoon suite, your wedding day is going to be full of nonstop action. Where will you find the energy to play the role of the beautiful bride without any time to eat?

Planning healthy snacks for your big day is just as important as your wedding cake – especially since that bite of cake may be the only thing you put in your stomach!  Start out your day with a light, but filling breakfast and ask your maid of honor to help you prepare a snack bag to bring along to the wedding.

Snacks to Avoid

You don’t want to stain your dress or destroy your makeup and you definitely don’t want an upset stomach to ruin your special day – those nervous butterflies are bad enough. Stay away from carbonated drinks, heavy or greasy foods, and anything that may drip, drop, or ooze into a potential wedding disaster. You’ll also want to avoid lots of sugars and carbohydrates or you may experience a crash rather than an energy boost.

Snacks to Pack

Choose healthy wedding day snacks that are easy to eat on the go. High protein foods will provide you with the energy you need to make it through the big day. I would suggest carrying along an insulated lunch bag to keep things fresh and remember to pack a few extra snacks to share with your groom – his day will be nearly as hectic as yours!

·   Peanut butter crackers

·   Beef jerky

·   Trail mix

·    Yogurt

·     String cheese

·     Peanuts

·     Dried fruit

Bring along a few plain saltine crackers to nibble on too, just in case you experience any last minute waves of nausea.

Wedding Day Snack Station

Instead of carrying around snacks for yourself, you may want to organize a snack station for the entire wedding party to enjoy. It will be a busy day for everyone and nothing could be worse than a hungry, inattentive flower girl or the sounds of a groomsman’s growling stomach! Set up a table with vegetables and dip, turkey wraps, or crackers and cheese to keep those hunger issues at bay.

High protein, healthy snacks are a must for your big day. Whether you arrange a platter for the entire wedding party or just toss a few things into your tote bag, be sure you take a few minutes to munch throughout the day. Healthy snacks will give you the energy you need to create a picture perfect wedding.

Visit the Kliq Weddings Website to find out how Kliq Weddings can help capture your Wedding Day with stunning Videos and Photography!http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk

Other sites you might be interested in:
http://www.wedding-film.co.uk
http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk 

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Come and See Kliq Weddings at these Wedding Shows!

Don't Forget to come and see Kliq Weddings at the following Wedding Shows:

Sunday March 4th at Dove Barn in Sudbury.
Sunday April 1st at Maidens Barn in High Easter
Sunday April 22nd at The Reid Rooms in Dunmow

We would love to see you at the shows to discuss your Wedding requirements.

http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk 

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Wedding Colour Choices.

We asked hitched-wife.org which colour schemes were most popular for UK brides. Then we challenged wedding planner Lucinda George to find out what they mean - and how to use them.

Think pink
15% of brides surveyed chose pink for their colour scheme

Lucinda says: Pink is the colour of universal love. It represents caring, tenderness and acceptance. It spans the seasons as it comes in such a variety of shades, from summer-friendly cerise to delicate pinks that complement silver hues and wintery weddings.
Brides who choose pink do so shrewdly; it complements many other colours. Beige, brown, greens, blue and ivory all team perfectly with pink. For winter weddings, a pale bouquet of Femma roses looks stunning – especially with delicate ivory. Eucalyptus foliage works well with pale pink florals too.
For the dress, pink is in keeping with the ballet theme that has influenced bridal trends this year. Delicate pink tutus look gorgeous on young bridesmaids and soft pink hues for ladies are flattering for a spectrum of skin tones.
Pink lemonade is a must for the summer bride to refresh her guests!

Perfect purples
13% of brides surveyed chose purple for their colour scheme

Lucinda says: Purple is the colour of good judgment. It is used to symbolise magic and mystery, as well as royalty. Whether it’s a gorgeously fragrant lavender bouquet or grapes to decorate the cake, purple encapsulates elegance.
Purple needn’t be presented in a delicate hue. Bridesmaids in deep purple create incredible “colour pop” in photos. Clusters of hydrangea, anemones and viburnum berries look stunning, as do purple typefaces on ivory wedding breakfast menus and place cards.
Rich plum tones combine beautifully with gold to create a decadent feel to your celebration; Moroccan tents and twinkling tea lights in these colours are a spectacular sight on summer nights.

Bolt from the blue
12% of brides surveyed chose blue for their colour scheme

Lucinda says: Blue is calming, the colour of inspiration, sincerity and spirituality. Blue is perfect for brides who like peace and tranquility and for those who favour a nautical or travel theme.
There are many shades, which makes this colour versatile. Navy can be utilised in winter as it is rich in tone; paler shades are great for year-round glamour; and bright aqua evokes an exotic feel.
You can incorporate blue with peacock feathers in stunning headpieces for bridesmaids, aqua-coloured cocktails, and water features enhanced by blue-filtered lamps.

Classic ivory
11% of brides surveyed chose ivory for their colour scheme

Lucinda says: Ivory is for brides seeking purity, minimalism and clean lines - without losing warmth. A bride who chooses ivory has to have the confidence to pull it off; from cakes to chair covers, all must be in perfect keeping with the ivory tones. Ivory-themed nuptials need to be held in a venue impressive enough to create an abundance of grandeur.
Pistachio green wows with ivory, and stone, brick or marble surfaces are effective in providing a stark contrast.
For an ivory wedding, think cream sofas, romantic urns crammed with roses, and a venue with lots of natural light, such as an orangery. Add beautiful marble pillars and flooring, enhanced by a host of candles at sunset and this is a wedding with the wow factor.

Race for red
10% of brides surveyed chose red for their colour scheme

Lucinda says: Red is the warmest of colours and represents passion and lust. It is the colour of extroverts - perfect if you dare to be different.
Red is for the dramatic, artistic and festive-season brides who want to inject warmth and personality into their weddings. It works well in a music hall or a venue with exposed brickwork or stone - perhaps even a castle.
Strawberry cheesecake, romantic red roses and mulled wine immediately spring to mind, as do mini pots of strawberry jam with handwritten luggage tags to serve as dual purpose favours/table names. Or you could go really rustic with bunches of red daisies, raspberry cordial, and juicy red apples for munching on between courses.

Bright white
10% of brides surveyed chose white for their colour scheme

Lucinda says: White means purity, wholeness and completion. In many cultures it represents kindness, openness and truth - a good choice for celebrating new beginnings. White works perfectly for a beach wedding in an exotic location.
If you and your bridesmaids are wearing white, stand out by wearing a veil. Consider bold jewellery and a coloured sash, and give the bridesmaids bright bouquets to contrast with your own.
Complement the white theme with coloured lighting at your venue, and candlelight to create warmth and intimacy. Large white paper lanterns suspended from above look stunning too, especially in stark venues with high ceilings.

For the full colour scheme survey see: www.hitched-wife.org/wedding-colour-choices-in-2010/

Visit the Kliq Weddings Website to find out how Kliq Weddings can help capture your Wedding Day with stunning Videos and Photography! http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk

Other sites you might be interested in:
http://www.wedding-film.co.uk
http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk 

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Wedding Day Beauty Countdown!

From hitched.co.uk

From facials to fake tan, brides need to plan ahead to look their very best. As you prepare for your wedding, use our expert beauty calendar to make your pre-wedding routine easier and more successful.

9 - 12 months to go…

Expert nail technician Claire McAndrew (www.medusahair.co.uk) advises brides to start strengthening their nails with a protein-rich diet and vitamin D, slathering hands and feet in moisturiser every night before bed. She also recommends rubbing solar oil into nails and cuticles daily to avoid rough or split skin.
Hairdresser Leo Bancroft (www.leobancroft.com), suggests using a nourishing hair treatment once a week, wrapping a warm towel around your hair after applying the masque and leaving it to work for 15 minutes.
Facial guru Georgia Louise (www.georgiafacialist.com) says that now is the time to have any non-surgical treatments to tackle pigmentation, spots or soften fine facial lines: ‘Chemical peels and derma-rolling treatments require up to three sessions and it takes up to six months to see significant changes,’ she advises.
Let naturally thick brows start to grow now, so they can be waxed or threaded closer to the wedding. If your eyebrows are sparse, consider a boosting treatment.

6 – 8 months to go…

Leo says colour is just as important as your hairstyle, so if you’re thinking of drastically changing or lightening your hair, book two or three appointments now (six to eight weeks apart) to get your perfect shade in time for the wedding.
If you can’t afford regular spa facials, Georgia recommends doing your own. Start by cleansing and then massaging your face and neck for thirty seconds with a facial scrub. Open your pores by steaming your face for a minute or two over a bowl of hot water. Then apply a face masque suited to your skin type and leave for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water to tighten pores before applying toner and massaging your moisturiser into skin to encourage new cell growth and circulation.
If you want to permanently remove unwanted facial hair before the big day, Georgia points out that IPL and laser treatment require up to six sessions over an eight month period, costing around £30 per session.
To help you relax, Georgia recommends a full body massage. ‘You’re halfway through the most stressful period and need to reward yourself,’ she says.

2 - 5 months to go…

Now the wedding is getting closer, Claire says a regular spa manicure will soften hands and add moisture and shine to your nails. If you’re considering nail extensions, have a trial run so you get used to them.
The Ministry of Waxing (www.ministryofwaxing.com) says that ‘waxing virgins’ - or brides who have had a long break from waxing - should start treatment around three months before the big day.
If you want a spray tan, Rachael Stone from Tantruth (www.tantruth.co.uk) urges brides-to-be to research good, local salons. ‘It’s important to know and trust them,’ she says. ‘If you’re self-tanning, start experimenting with products until you find one that suits your skin tone perfectly.’
To get your skin in peak condition, Georgia rates dry-brushing your body with a natural bristle brush once a week. Start at your feet and work upwards in long, firm strokes, then apply a moisturising body lotion.
Finally, Leo advises brides to get their hair in top condition by booking regular appointments for trims in the last few weeks before the wedding.

1 month to go…

Get your eyebrows professionally shaped and book your last facial appointment - Georgia recommends asking for a gentle and hydrating facial, no steaming or deep cleansing.
So that your gorgeous hands and feet will last throughout your honeymoon, Claire says you should book your pedicure, nail extensions and/or manicure a day or two before the wedding.
The Ministry of Waxing suggests making a final appointment three days before the wedding in order to give skin time to recover, and Rachael advises having your final spray tan two days before. Finally, ask your hair stylist for a clear gloss treatment the day before your wedding. ‘It leaves hair super-shiny and really reflects the light,’ says Leo.

Visit the Kliq Weddings Website to find out how Kliq Weddings can help capture your Wedding Day with stunning Videos and Photography! http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk

Other sites you might be interested in:
http://www.wedding-film.co.uk
http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk 

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Winter Wedding Make-Up Tips!

From: hitched.co.uk
Anyone tying the knot in a winter wonderland-themed ceremony may be keen to embrace the sparkling accessory on their big day and it can be easy to bring a bit of shimmer and shine to the occasion.
While some of you may want to dust your wedding flowers with a shower of sequins or even scatter them over the reception tables, other may want to incorporate it into their outfits.
Makeup is an easy way in which to do this and brides might want to follow the advice of one expert if they are keen to sparkle in their wedding photographywithout going over the top.
Celebrity makeup artist Ariane Poole said the best course of action is to choose two key areas of your face to apply the glitter and no more. This is because it should be used as an accent to highlight other features rather than being smeared all over.
She recommended "a glitter liner run along the base of the lashes" and this could be the perfect way to dazzle friends and family without going over the top.
Ms Poole continued: "If you have shimmer on your eyes then you can either leave it at that or you can choose to accent either the cheeks or the lips but not both. Too much glitter just makes you look a mess!"
It is not just the expert who likes to embrace a bit of shimmer, as Vogue reported at the end of September that the likes of Sass & Bride, Mark Fast and House of Holland all celebrated the trend on the catwalk with their spring/summer 2011 collections.
They may have been looking forward to next year, but we think a touch of glitter is the perfect choice to light up a winter wedding now.
Of course, not all of you will be keen to embrace a sparkly look with your make-up and if this is the case, why not try introducing it to your nails instead?
Ms Poole said there are a huge range of choices available so you can really take your pick when it comes to colours. While some of you may prefer a subtle, pastel tone with a hint of silver dust shining through, others may prefer to go for a quirky look and complement the shades of your wedding flowers with brighter alternatives.
For another idea why not got for a low-key body shimmer? This may be ideal for those of you who do not want to make a grand statement but are keen to add something special to your appearance.
"If there isn't one that you like you can make your own by mixing a little loose shimmer with your favourite body lotion," Ms Poole advised.
It can be as easy as that to really sparkle on your big day.

Visit the Kliq Weddings Website to find out how Kliq Weddings can help capture your Wedding Day with stunning Videos and Photography! http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk

Other sites you might be interested in:
http://www.wedding-film.co.uk
http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk 

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Beauty Tips For Brides!

Whatever stage you are at in your wedding preparations, you can improve how radiant you look on the big day with your diet, cleansing routine and general lifestyle. There are also plenty of things you can do on the day itself to maintain that centre-of-attention look.
A six-month countdown is recommended to make sure you look as radiant and healthy as possible on your wedding day, but brides who only have a few weeks to prepare can still see some stunning results.
Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are an essential part of the preparation.
Exercise will give your circulation a major boost and flush away the toxins that cause blemishes in the skin. Aim for 30 minutes of gentle exercise per day.
Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, drinking around eight glasses of water a day, reducing your alcohol consumption and cutting out smoking will help prevent your skin from looking dowdy and dull. Try to make sure you get a good night's sleep of about eight hours in the weeks or days before the wedding.
However, there's more to looking good on the day than just being healthy.
"It's important to cleanse, tone and moisturise every day to get rid of any impurities," says Joanne Leah, a beauty therapist of six years who's also a member of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology.
Facials are also recommended as long as you start having them regularly a few months before the wedding. Trying one a few days beforehand is a mistake, as it could lead to a blotchy face.
Getting your hair in shape is also important.
According to the experts you should wash your hair whenever you feel you have to, usually every few days, and make sure it has a deep condition about once a month. This is where the product is combed through and left on for at least ten minutes.
Massaging your scalp with shampoo while washing will stimulate the blood flow and encourage the growth of healthy hair. And when dry, brushing will again stimulate the scalp and also get rid of any dead hair.
Advice from Vidal Sassoon says you should work out well in advance the way you want your hair to look. If you want to have it cut, make sure it's done about a week before the big day. This will make sure your style keeps its shape, but also has time to settle.
Your feet and hands shouldn't be forgotten either. Beauticians suggest a manicure and pedicure at a beauty salon every few weeks before the wedding, which normally includes a foot massage to stimulate the skin.
"At home, you should moisturise your hands daily and soak your feet in warm water for about ten minutes, twice a week," says beauty therapist Rebecca Hale.
"This basically leaves your feet feeling very refreshed, particularly if you use some essential oils, such as peppermint.
"When it comes to nails, it's important to file them two or three times a week and maybe push the cuticles back while you're in the bath."
When it comes to choosing your make-up for the wedding, caution is advised. The temptation might be to let a beautician pile on a lot of expensive make-up which may be totally inappropriate, especially for today's more natural look.
It's also important to know your skin colour. This might seem obvious, but you should check whether your skin is yellow or pink toned. Make sure your foundation matches your skin tone exactly, and check it in daylight.
If you are going to be applying your own make-up, beauty guru and professional make-up artist John Gustafson, from BBC's Looking Good Programme, has some sound advice: "Strong, intense shades for lips will be set off by neutral tones on eyes and cheeks.
"Play down eye colours to emphasise your lips. Choose a base eye shade that matches your skin tone and apply all over the eyelid."
He warns against using eyeliner on the top eyelid - it will look dated. And John suggests adding texture to eyes by applying a metallic lustre to the eyelid over a base shade.
Lips are also important on the day itself because of all that smiling, eating and kissing you are likely to be doing.
In order to make your lipstick last longer, apply a layer of foundation and powder to your lips before you put your lipstick on. This will give the lipstick something to grip to.
If you are having a separate evening function, it may be worth reapplying make-up, but don't apply more foundation over old foundation. It will look like rice pudding.
Remove foundation from areas of your face that have seen the most wear and tear. Reapply lipstick and lip gloss.
Finally, don't go to bed in your warpaint. If you don't clean if off at night you'll end up with stained pillow cases and a bad case of spots, which could well be a blemish on your honeymoon as well.
from:hitched.co.uk 

Visit the Kliq Weddings Website to find out how Kliq Weddings can help capture your Wedding Day with stunning Videos and Photography! http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk

Other sites you might be interested in:
http://www.wedding-film.co.uk
http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk 

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Get Fit For Your Wedding!

We Found this article on: hitched.co.uk We hope you like it!

We asked UK fitness and diet experts to answer your questions on achieving a brilliant, healthy body for your big day and the beach.

Q. What kind of diet should I be eating?

A. According to nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston (www.optimumnutritionists.com)swapping animal fat, cholesterol-rich meat and dairy for a rainbow of fruit and vegetables gives your body a boost. ‘The fibre, extra vitamins and minerals help stimulate your metabolism and immune system,’ she says. ‘Green vegetables - full of minerals including magnesium – also help you to feel relaxed.’

Q. I want a sleeveless wedding dress. What can I do about my bingo wings?

A. Janey Holliday, director of Fit for a Princess (www.fitforaprincess.co.uk) says that women naturally store fat in their triceps. To deal with bingo wings Janey recommends doing simple arm exercises using a Dyna Band (an elastic exercise accessory providing resistance): ‘Just 10 minutes every other day makes a difference.’

Q. Is there a positive nutritional strategy I can use to lose weight?

A. ‘Protein is useful,’ explains Yvonne. ‘It makes you feel full and balances blood sugar levels to reduce cravings. Rather than adding all your protein into one big, evening meal, eat three meals and two snacks a day including some protein with each – such as seeds, beans, pulses and tofu - for steady energy release.’

Q. Do I need expensive gadgets to get fit?

A. Janey says that one of the simplest and most effective forms of exercise is walking. She advises pulling your abs in tightly, taking long strides and swinging your arms. Listening to music helps set your pace and for extra motivation, try a charity challenge like the Moonwalk (www.walkthewalk.org).

Q. I suffer from bloating. Is there anything I can do about it before my wedding?

A. ‘Wheat is a common cause of bloating,’ says Ailsa Higgins, a nutritionist at Champneys Tring (www.champneys.com). ‘Try swapping bread, pasta and biscuits for oat-based cereals, grains like quinoa and brown rice. Salt also encourages water retention so avoid crisps and processed foods, and choose chicken, fish and eggs rather than harder-to-digest red meat.’

Q. If I try to get in shape on my own, will I lack motivation?

A. If you can’t afford a personal trainer, Yvonne advises teaming up with a friend so you’re accountable to someone other than yourself: ‘The prospect of sharing your success - and failures – with a friend makes it easier to stick to your goal.’

Q. I’ve chosen a backless wedding dress – how can I look flawless in it?

A. ‘You never see a boxer with a flabby back,’ says Janey. ‘Boxing is fantastic for shaping the shoulders and toning your back, as well as helping your arms look great.’ If you can’t afford one-to-one boxing training, try a local boxercise class(www.boxercise.co.uk) or add shadow boxing moves (punching into the air) to your daily workout.

Q. We’re having a beach-based honeymoon and I’d love to look good in my bikini…

A. ‘Start body-brushing daily a few months before your honeymoon,’ says Jane Quenault, Champneys trainer. ‘It helps to increase circulation, so your skin looks glowing and healthy, as well as removing dead cells which make skin look dull and dry. Body-brushing is also great for improving the appearance of cellulite, so you’ll look fantastic in that honeymoon bikini.’

Q. Are there any cosmetic products that really make a difference?

A. ‘Epsom, or magnesium, salts can be added to a bath and absorbed into your body through the skin, helping muscles recover after exercise and reducing water retention and bloating,’ Janey explains. ‘They also calm your adrenals and nervous system, which is particularly useful for a busy bride-to-be.’ You can buy Epsom salts at most local chemists.

Q. I always lose patience with exercise and diet regimes. How can I keep going until my wedding?

A. Alongside the long term aim of achieving a brilliant wedding and honeymoon body, try setting smaller goals along the way to keep your momentum going. ‘Many people become frustrated when they don’t see immediate results,’ says Jai Street, director of Affordable Gym Hire (www.affordablegymhire.co.uk). ‘But with hard work and commitment you will see a change.’

Visit the Kliq Weddings Website to find out how Kliq Weddings can help capture your Wedding Day with stunning Videos and Photography! http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk

Other sites you might be interested in:
http://www.wedding-film.co.uk
http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk 

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!