Wedding Present for the Other Half!

Now, as I've never been married before (and never will be again after all this planning) I've never before had to think about a wedding gift for your other half.

To be honest I've only ever seen this in movies and usually it's the guy giving the girl but I know you do have to do it.

I've googled loads of sites and the general consensus is that it doesn't have to be a really big, bold and expensive present but more a token gift. Something that means alot to both of you on the day you get married. I've had a few emails from brides to be suggesting things. One lady bought her fella a wine tasting and lunch in a vineyard tour as it was the way they got enagaged. Another lady who's fella was mad on music managed to get hold of a rare guitar - something he absolutely loved.

So I've managed to find the best company/website! It's a company called Ego Cufflinks. All of their cufflinks are hand crafted and they are really unique. Have a look at the website: www.egolinks.co.uk

I've decided to have a pair made for Matt which are personal to us and will hopefully be a lasting memory of our day especially everytime he wears them after our wedding.

If you have any more ideas or tips - or if you want to chat about anything wedding like - please contact me on at chelsea@key103.co.uk

Chelsea x

Stationary - Wedding Invites to you and Me!!!!

It's funny you never think of wedding invitations until the moment comes, you have to actually send them.

And my god there's some bloody awful ones out there. You know what I mean, cartoon brides!!! I spent weeks looking for mine - If you've got the time I'd recommend sending off for samples - you'd be amazed how different they can look when you're holding them in your hand.

I found the invitations a really big deal, it was the first statement from us on how the wedding was going to look, and what kind of people we are. I also wanted a complete theme - so the colours on the invites will be colours that will run through the entire wedding. I personally liked the handmade look and found it pretty hard to find companies that didn't mass produce. I did eventually though and loved the process of designing the layout and wording. You will usually get a proof after that - and once it's been approved - they go to print.

The day you're invitations arrive is so exciting. I was on air - Matt opened the door to the postman, opened the box, took a photo of the invitation and texted it to me - it's dead wierd seeing the words in black and white for the first time! If you're unsure what wording to use, you know if parents aren't together anymore etc - then go online there are loads of websites that give you different ways of formally inviting guests to the wedding, I used them and it was a big help.

There are also helpful ways of asking for cash as gifts - without actually asking for money if you know what I mean, as sometimes that can be a bit difficult. I decided to use a website that collects cash on your behalf - but for your honeymoon. You list what you'd like and how much it costs for example: Meal for 2 on the beach £30 - then your guests buy that. They feel they've bought you an actual gift which people prefer - and you get the £30 delivered straight into your account.

I have also found a tremendous website which lists all the wedding fayres in Greater Manchester and Cheshire throughout February - so if you need a bit of inspiration then get yourself down to one or all of them.

For Manchester: www.allweddingfayres.co.uk/fayres.php?countyid=36
For Cheshire: www.allweddingfayres.co.uk/fayres.php?countyid=34

I'd love you to get in touch if you're planning a wedding, you can email me at chelsea@key103.co.uk

Have a great weekend,
Chelsea x

Wedding Week

For those of you who are getting married and planning your wedding - you'll know what I mean when I say sometimes there are weeks when you have nothing to do and others when there are a million things to do.

This week has been one of the latter! They've changed all the flight times for guests out of Manchester so it's taken a bit of re-jigging. Matt and I are also so skint - these wedding's aren't cheap are they? Anyway this week I've had to start thinking about what to do with my hair on the big day. Some brides have a radical change and a big up do even though they never wear their hair up. I kind of want to look like me - so I'm not planning anything too severe.

My problem is I have no hair - honestly! It never grows, I've been trying for years and it's still the same length. So I decided to opt for hair extentions - I've had them before and I just love them. It makes me look like my hair is so shiny and thick. I've had them put in now so I can try out a few different styles - then I can decide and just know what I am having on the day, saving loads of time.

My hairdresser Leah - has already started a scrap book of styles - bless her.

The best extentions are Great Lengths - and I go to The Colour Room in Stockport to have them done. They've done mine for years and they're great. They have a great system so it doesn't damage your own hair, and it's 100% real. If you fancy having a look, www.thecolourroom.co.uk

it's a great idea for the special occasion and even looks great for your honeymoon too.

That's another thing sorted, next I need to think about a present for Matt on the Wedding Day. What do you give? How much do you spend? Any ideas I'd really appreciate it - email me at chelsea@key103.co.uk

Speak soon

Chelsea x

New York, New York!!!!

So I've just discovered something!!! And it ain't good!

Last Christmas Matt took me to New York - it was a lovely surprise and an even nicer one when he proposed to me on Boxing Day in a restaurant there. From then on - New York will always have a special place in my heart.

So when it came to Christmas this year I decided I'd repay the compliment by surprising him with a trip back to the Big Apple (I got a deal). All sounds good so far? I booked to fly with Delta - as they're not expensive and they fly everyday direct from Manchester. It's a 7 hour flight and really comfortable on board and because New York is 5 hours behind - you only lose 2!!!

Anyway I booked all this - got excited for the trip, and the break from Mike, and then IT HAPPENED! Mike's only gone and booked the same flights on Delta to New York! There and back!

Now I have to get an upgrade to avoid him! Also, everywhere we go he always gets a better deal than me - if we stay in a hotel he gets the better room etc - so I've got to get one up on him.

Has anyone ever managed to blag one? How do I manage it?

Please help!

Chelsea x

Wedding Jewellery

So now I have the dress, my thoughts have started moving onto wedding jewellery. From the dress I knoq I'll need a bracelet and earrings but god where do you start? I've got loads at home but you need something new don't you for such a special occasion. There didn't seem to be much on the high street that I liked or thought was appropriate for the occasion so I turned to the net.

I got out all the wedding magazines which I just can't throw away, you now the ones you rush out and buy as soon as you get engaged? I turned to the back tot he directory where all the websites are and just ploughed through them - it felt like I'd gone through 1000's. I knew I'd know what I wanted when I saw it.

I think it's important to make sure you think about the dress and the location when selecting your jewellery, there's no point in something really modern if you're getting married in an old building for example.

I discovered a website which was perfect for me. www.yarwood-white.com/

Claire does the most amazing jewellery. What's great is that you can view the collection's based on the style, collection or item so it's easy to navigate your way round. There's some vintage as well as colours and beautiful contemporary designs. If you're very creative you can even design your own a they have a bespoke service. Well worth checking out - mine is ordered and I can't wait for it to arrive.

Chelsea xx

Chelsea's Wedding Diaries

Welcome to Chelsea's Wedding Diaries,

It's now 6 months until my wedding and now it's THIS year - it'll be here before I know it. Over the coming months I'll be blogging here about the big day, talking about various aspects of getting married, from the shoes to the dress, to photographers and wedding jewellery.

I'd love to hear your stories on your upcoming wedding so feel free to email me at chelsea@key103.co.uk

I've finally sorted my dress, and I've been asked to write for the UK Wedding Shows Website - which you can read here. http://blog.theukweddingshows.co.uk/weddingshows/theperfect-dress-1235/

Chels x

Happy New Year!!

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year!! Hope you all had a great Christmas.

Well it's January 4th, we are back to work, I turn 30 in 4 days and I get married in July and am at least a stone and a half heavier than I'd like to be - how depressing!

I'm back to the gym today and I am joining Weight Watchers tonight, do any of you know how this new Pro Points system works?

I'm also gonna be changing this blog soon by the way - it will soon become Chelsea's Wedding Diaries. I'm going to be blogging about various aspects of getting married and I hope some of it may help you along the way - or you might just find it interesting. If you've just got engaged I'd love to know so email me at chelsea@key103.co.uk

Speak soon,
Chelsea x