ALL EYES ON YOU The team at BirdseyBelizaire (www.birdseybelizaire.com) share their top tips for looking your best on your wedding day: Pre-emptive pampering: Everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day. This might be the time to change up your diet or skin routine, but you don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy skin care to get results. A few key essentials could do wonders, but here’s the trick: you need to start early. Cosmetics don’t have to cost a lot to work, but they do need time – roughly 28 days, minimum – that’s how long it takes for those magical ingredients to be absorbed into the layers of the skin and produce healthy new growth. Not everyone finds sticking to a new skin routine easy. The main things to remember are to clean, exfoliate and hydrate. Our facial cleansing muds make easy work of all three, perfect for you if you’re looking for a simple, all-in-one solution. Sleep away stress: No one wants to look stressed on their wedding day; rest is an essential part of looking and feeling your best, so get in a few early nights before the big day. Lavender and camomile are great for aiding sweet dreams. Make yourself a cup of herbal tea or try a lavender-scented pillow to help get you off to sleep. Protect your skin: Although overexposure to the sun is not a common issue we face here in the UK, it is something to be aware of. Too much sun exposure can not only damage the skin but also leave it feeling dehydrated. Moisturiser is your best friend on the run up to the big day. Make sure to wear appropriate sun protection and drink plenty of water. That way, you can also avoid any potentially embarrassing tan lines. Prioritise relaxation: Now it might seem like taking time to relax would be low on the priority list, but relaxation is an important part of looking and feeling your best, so make sure to spend some time practicing a little self-care. Why not enjoy a scented candle while having a bubble bath? Or treat yourself to a massage, join a yoga class, or meditate while listening to soothing music. This doesn’t have to be expensive so treat yourself; follow a free guided meditation on YouTube, or instead of going to a spa, you could get yourself a crystal face roller and give yourself a relaxing face massage before bed. Cleans away negativity: Feeling your best is as important as looking your best, and energy plays a part in that too. Burning sage is an ancient tradition to help cleanse and clear your energy and remove negativity from a space and from yourself. Sage smudge or Palo Santo wood can be burned and its smoke is used in cleaning rituals across many cultures and traditions. Make sure your energy is as radiant as you want it to be on your special day, and everyone will notice your glow. FLORAL ROMANCE To help you choose a florist for your big day, Laura from Flora Laura Flowers (www.floralauraflowers.co.uk) shares with us her top tips: Time of year: Your favourite flower can influence the time of year that you get married. One of the wedding favourites, the peony, is available seasonally in the UK in May, June and July, while dahlias are in abundance in August, September and October. Venue: Venue availability is high on the list when planning your dream wedding. Once you have your venue, you can begin to style it to suit your magical day. Many venues are surrounded by beautiful gardens and meadows, which can link beautifully with your flower choices. The weather: The weather is unpredictable; a July wedding can have either a heatwave or a huge amount of rain. Flexibility is the key. If you’re planning on having a ceremony outside, does the wedding venue have an outside area or an interior that you can use? Allergies: Consider if you have any allergies to particular flowers or foliage, and if your beloved pet(s) are accompanying you on your wedding day, consider pet-friendly flowers. Eco-conscious: Couples are considering eco-conscious choices when choosing suppliers. Locally grown and seasonal flowers and plants, recyclable, reusable and biodegradable materials. The flower arrangements that you decide to have for your wedding can be reused and moved throughout the day. The wedding party bouquets can double up as table arrangements for the reception tables. For instance, the floral arch or pew ends used during your wedding ceremony can be moved to decorate the reception afterwards. Flowers could also be given out as favours at the end of the wedding. PLANNING SOS 65
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