Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt finally popped the question to Angelina in April this year. Why did he take so long? Well apparently he spent a year designing the perfect ring which features a diamond of the finest quality that has been cut to an exact custom size and shape to suite the actress’ hand. The pair have recently picked up their wedding rings and according to rumours they will most likely tie the knot at the beginning of the year. Do you think they will get married before award season begins?

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux

Justin Theroux got the best birthday present he could have wished for when his girlfriend Jennifer Aniston agreed to be his wife on his 41st birthday.
The couple celebrated their engagement with a star-studded party in Los Angeles. Many say that they are going for a very low-key affair, with only 50 guests invited. Do you think we will get to see her full wedding look this time? Remember that when she married Brad Pitt they only released one wedding pictures!

Britney Spears and Jason Trawick

After several months of rumours, Jason Trawick finally popped the question to Britney Spears exactly a year ago. According to several sources Britney and Jason were planning on having New Year’s Eve wedding until rumours of a break-up surfaced last week. Britney was quick to deny it. Do you think they will be ending the year with a bang?

Keira Knightley and James Righton

The happy couple became engaged in May after 15 months together. The actress recently revealed to Ellen DeGeneres that she still hasn’t started her planning, a wedding summer?

Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne

Elizabeth and Shane announced their engagement in October 2011 and revealed to HELLO! they plan on having to weddings, one in the UK and another in Shane’s hometown, Australia. We don’t know when it will take place, but we sure know where to see the incredible pics, in HELLO! Magazine for sure!

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth

Since becoming engaged in June, Miley has revealed several details about her future nuptials. She has  revealed she will be having just one wedding, not three as previously reported, and that it has to be perfect. Will this wedding be bigger than Britney’s?

Royal Weddings 

• Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Chris Oneill

Just when we though we couldn’t enjoy another royal weddings for years, three pop up! Princess Madeleine’s mum, Queen Silvia, announced that her youngest daughter would be marrying boyfriend Chris in the summer. No official date has been set yet, but it will be one to watch as most of the European princess will be attending.

• Prince Felix of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher

Prince Felix’s brother, Prince Guillaume, has recently tied the knot, so he will be able to give him plenty of tips to make his big day special. No date has been set, but something tells me that we are going to have a very busy royal summer ahead of us!

• Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo

Since announcing their engagement during the summers several dates have been mentioned, but no official one. Now that Tatiana is pregnant with her first child and is due in January, many have pushed the date to next summer, but many believe it will take place in March. What are your thoughts?

Which wedding are you most looking forward too?

MB xx

So if you still haven’t decided this small detail, then here are some ideas that could work for you or atleast inspire you!

All photos from Pinterest

There are tons of creations to choose from and most of them can be made at home! It’s just a matter of wanting to do it and obviously having  just a tiny bit of imagination.

As shown in the picture below, you can take your rings in wonderful boxes. You could even carve your initials and wedding date on the exterior of it. It will be a box to keep forever, always reminding you of your special day.

You can also create mini books that carry the rings inside. It could be a book that has a special meaning to you or your future husband or just a favourite bestseller. If, for example, you are having a country wedding, why not opt for a crystal box with grass inside like the one shown below? And for a summer or beach wedding, why not carry your rings in a shell?

As you can see there a hundreds of options to choose from, these are just a few and my favourites. I will keep posting more in the near future so keep an eye out for the next post if these ideas have not convinces you!

Has one caught your eye? Will you be swapping the usual wedding ring pillow for something more original?

MBxx

I had always wanted to go to this city, not because of it’s smoke-filled cafés or the red light district, but because of the cute gabled houses and the endless canals. The days leading up to the trip my future fiancé and I researched and researched and made sure our four days in the Dutch city were complete from early in the morning until late at night. That’s how we like it!

As soon as we arrived we knew we were going to have an incredible time. We went mid October, we were lucky because it didn’t rain and it wasn’t that cold, meaning we could cycle and walk all we wanted, without worrying about the weather.

So what can you do to make this trip a perfect honeymoon destination? Well, you can rent a bicycle and explore the long cobbled canal streets, including the amazing Jordaan district, home to many art galleries, shops and restaurants. You can also discover the city’s largest park, Vondelpark, which at this time of the year is covered in brown, yellow and orange autumn leaves, very picturesque!

Best of all, you can hire a boat just for you and your partner, (like we did) and explore its more than one hundred kilometres of canals. We used Hertz and it was probably one of the best experiences ever. It was so romantic it was actually embarrassing at one point, people would take photographs of us as we past by, but it was worth it. We had blankets to keep us warm, a piece of cake and enough hot chocolate to survive the two hour tour.

To top of a romantic day, there are tons of restaurants to choose from, I highly recommend one in particular which can either work for lunch or dinner, The Pancake Bakery, which obviously offer the BEST pancakes in town. The place is very cosy, cute and has dimmed lights… just perfect!

If I still haven’t convinced you with the above, then maybe you should travel in spring time and add to your itinerary a visit to the region’s famous tulip fields which are bursting with colour.

Have you been to Amsterdam? Did you think it was romantic?

MB xx

I have selected several outfits that she has worn over the last year and that could work for a winter and summer wedding. Hopefully you will be inspired by them!

Winter Wedding

Just because temperatures might be below zero, or it may be pouring down and snowing it doesn’t mean you have to cover up like a polar bear. Diane still manages to look elegant and chic! For the switching on of the Christmas lights along the Champs Elysees, Paris, the actress braved the French cold in a lovely thick olive coloured dress and high boots.

My favourite look has to be the third one, where she is wearing a very sexy double strap blue lace jumpsuit from Jason Wu and a cosy leopard print coat.

Long dresses

Diane is mostly seen with long dresses. Some are a bit over the top such as the ones she wears to big events like the Cannes Film Festival or the Oscars, but others are much more low-key and could fit in perfectly in a wedding. Above are my top picks! I love the middle blue dress as I find it very sexy!

Short and colourful dresses

These dresses are perfect for spring and summer weddings. They are very colourful and the perfect length. Strapless, with sleeves or halterneck… take your pick!

Bridal looks 

Diane Kruger can even inspire brides, she sometimes favours white dresses for her red carpet events and they are so elegant and chic that they would be perfect for a low-key wedding or civil ceremony.

1. Digital Photo Album: Cewe Photobook makes the most beautiful photo albums. You can create a very special one for your future husband with all your special moments to date. Your first years as a couple, your unforgettable holidays…etc. A digital photo album is a fab way to cherish those special moments. Available from www.cewe-photobook.co.uk. Prices of albums start from £5.99

2. Fun Cufflinks: Instead of getting him normal or traditional cufflinks, why not choose fun ones depending on his hobbies or likes. If he is a motor enthusiastic, these motorbike cufflinks will drive him crazy! MenKind have tons of models to choose from: campervans, Batman logos, football team badges…etc. And remember to also buy him a lovely box to keep the cufflinks in. Both products available from www.menkind.co.uk. Prices of cufflinks start from £9.99.

3. Perfumes: Keep your fiancé smelling delicious with the perfect perfume. Comme des Garçons and Paco Rabanne both offer lovely scents this Christmas. Available from www.selfridges.com

4. Travel Books:  In the next few months you will talk endlessly about where to go for your honeymoon. So why not buy him two amazing books to get him inspired. With these books, you will have more than 500 unforgettable travel experiences to choose from, meaning he will definitely treat you to the best holiday of your life. Both books available at www.amazon.co.uk

5. Elemis creams: The ultimate grooming programme for the groom-to-be. He will feel completely pampered after receiving this magnificent set of sharp shower body wash, daily moisture boost, ice-cool foaming shave gel, a rehydrating rose petal cleanser and a maximum moisture day cream. Available from www.timetospa.co.uk. The King of Skin Gift set (top) is £25.00 and bath and body jewels retail for £29.50.

6. Time Out Adventure and Adrenaline packs: If your man is in need of a thrill and likes to live on the edge then he can choose from 200 adrenaline-pumping experiences on water, in the air or on terra firma. He can also take a Lamborghini Gallardo or a Ferrari 360 for some hot laps around a race track. Zip across the water in a powered boat or even thunder along in an 18 ton tank. These boxes are available for www.smartbox.com. The Adrenaline is priced at £119.95 and the Adventure for £39.95.

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth received a square-cut diamond engagement ring with diamond side stones set in platinum from Prince Philip. The diamonds all came from the groom’s mother’s tiara.

Princess Margaret

Queen Elizabeth’s sister Margaret received a ruby engagement ring that was designed by her future husband, photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones,  it was created to look like a rosebud (a ruby surrounded by diamonds) to honor the princess’ middle name, Rose.

Kate Middleton

Prince William gave Kate his mother’s distinctive 18-carat blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring. It cost £28,000 when it was bought by Prince Charles in February 1981, but now it is apparently worth £85,000. William popped the question in the spartan Rutundu Log Cabins during their Kenyan holiday. According to Kate, it was VERY romantic!

Princess Diana

When Prince Charles proposed to Diana, he still hadn’t bought a ring. Diana was given several rings to choose from Garrard Jewellers. She finally chose the sapphire engagement ring that now belongs to Kate. Her choice of jewellery caused a stir both in the royal family and the public because her ring wasn’t a unique piece and it was part of the jeweller’s catalogue, making it available to anyone.

The Countess of Wessex

Following in family tradition, Prince Edward also proposed with a ring from the British royal jeweller Garrard. He presented his girlfriend Sophie with a two carat oval diamond, flanked by two smaller heart-shaped gems. Set in 18 carat white gold, the jewel is worth an estimated £105,000.

Sarah Ferguson

Prince Andrew proposed to Sarah on March 19, 1986. The romantic prince proposed during a stay at Scotland’s Floors Castle, where apparently their first kiss took place – with a £25,000 Burmese ruby ring, chosen specifically to match Sarah’s red hair. The ring is very similar to Diana’s as it features a coloured gem and it’s also surrounded by diamonds.

Princess Anne

For her marriage to Captain Mark Phillips, Princess Anne chose a sapphire and diamond engagement ring, again by Garrard Jewelers.

  
Autumn Phillips  

Autumn Kelly debuted the beautiful ring given to her by Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips at an equestrian event in August 2007. All eyes were on the three stone white gold ring, featuring an oval shaped diamond at its centre. The ring is reportedly worth £80,000.

Zara Phillips

Rather than choosing a family heirloom, as William did, Mike Tindall decided to design his own ring for his royal bride-to-be. The beautiful piece of jewellery features a single solitaire diamond in the centre. It sits on tens of pave set diamonds on a split shank or band made of platinum.

The Duchess of Cornwall

Britain’s future king presented the Duchess of Cornwall with a unique art deco style ring featuring a huge square cut diamond flanked by three diamond baguettes. A family heirloom, it was reportedly given to the Queen Mother in 1926 on the occasion of the birth of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth.

Which one is your favourite? Would you want any of these rings for yourself?

MBxx

You should try out different styles until you find the perfect one. If you love braids and wear them ocassionally,  maybe it’s a good option for your big day. They don’t go out of style and there are many different types to choose from. You could go for a fishtail, Dutch or French braid. Depending on your choice of dress, the braid could be perfectly polished and neat, or loose and messy.

Photos: Pinterest

In Ireland, it is actually a tradition for the bride to braid her hair for her wedding day. Braided hair is an ancient symbol of feminine power and luck.

Celebrities have already taken this hot trend to the red carpet throughout this last year - Charlize Theron chose a beautiful braided chignon for the Critics’ Choice Awards back in January. Charlize’s stylist, Enzo Angileri, said at the time he was inspired by the beauty of Spanish Flamenco dancers when creating her look. I love it!

Blake Lively is often spotted with this style. For the premiere of her film Green Latern, she chose a messy fishtail braid. Blake’s hairstylist, Rod Ortega, confessed he had created beachy waves that were tossed back into a tousled ponytail and a trio of fishtailed braids. A gold and diamond floral hair accessory topped off the hairstyle for a truly cool/vintage look.

But braids can be worn in so many other ways. Sienna Miller went for a braided crown, looking every inch the Greek goddess, for the Golden Globe Awards. Jessica Alba, on the other hand, opted for two wrapped braids,  creating a more elegant Grecian style hair band. The ’do has even been favoured by royals, Kate Middleton wore a lovely and chic braided bun for an Olympic-themed concert at the Royal Hall in London.

What do you think of these styles? Which one is your favourite? Will you be wearing braids on your wedding day?

MB xx

1. Wedding Monogram goodies: This monogram seal set can be personalised with the bride and groom’s initials, or it can even contain a thank you message. The set contains silver and gold wax, a ribbon, a wooden seal handle with a heart seal and a monogram seal of your choice. Inside the box the future bride will find a voucher to complete and send off with details of their initials. Within 28 days she will have the ideal personal seal to use on her wedding stationery. Available from www.confetti.co.uk for £24.99

2. A Digital Camera: A bride needs a good camera to photograph venues, dresses, accessories…everything! Nikon offers the perfect one, the COOLPIX S3300. It is slender, has 16-megapixels, it’s deliciously colourful and wonderfully quick. Available for £78.00.

3. A Wedding Notebook: This beautiful leather bound ruled notebook is perfect. She will need it to write down all her ideas, she can even use it to compile her guest list, the different venues to visit, dress stores…etc. Available from www.organise-us.com for £49.95.

4. Sexy Lingerie: You might want to give her lingerie for her wedding day (if you know her really well) or just a nice set for her to enjoy. And how about getting her the Brooke set available from www.Bluebella.com? This Provocative black Basque with mesh panelling has a sophisticated twist with its delicate lace detailing and satin bow at centre bust. It comes with detachable suspenders so you can complete the look with a pair of lace stockings, and partner with the gorgeous matching Brooke brief or thong. The basque is available for £40.00.

5. A Spa gift certificate: Preparing for a wedding is undoubtedly stressfull, so help your friend relieve the stress by buying her a spa day certificate or facial. At the Skin Health Spa they offer the ‘Ultimate Facial’. There’s no better way to pamper a bride-to-be than giving them the 5* Hollywood treatment; the Ultimate Facial does just that! It’s perfect preparation for that all-important day, and the perfect opportunity to relax in a stunning, tranquil environment. She’ll leave the clinic looking and feeling younger, more refreshed and beautiful. Available from www.skinhealthspa.com for £245

The dress

In order to make her wedding dress, the young Princess famously saved up ration cards to purchase the material needed. The beautiful gown, designed by Normal Hartnell, was made of ivory duchess satin and decorated with around 10,000 white pearls imported from America, silver thread and tulle embroidery.

Her bridal ensemble also included a 15-foot patterned full court train attached at the shoulders, and a silk tulle veil held in place by a tiara lent to the princess by her mother. Normal Hartnell’s inspiration for the gown was Botticelli’s Primavera, which symbolizes the coming of Spring.

The Shoes

On her feet, the Queen wore ivory duchess satin high heels, embellished with silver and pearls.

The Bouquet

Elizabeth’s bridal bouquet was made up of white orchids and a sprig of myrtle – from the bush grown from the myrtle in Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet. The following day it was laid on the grave of the unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey.

The Wedding Cake

After the wedding ceremony, a celebratory lunch was held at Buckingham Palace where guests were presented with posies of white heather and myrtle as favours. The wedding cake was a grand affair, standing at nine-foot high, weighing 500 pounds and featuring four tiers. Made from ingredients received from the Australian Girl Guides, the cake was cut using Philip’s sword. One layer was kept until the christening of Prince Charles and another was sent back to Australia by way of thanks.

The Fringe Tiara

This tiara, which can also be worn as a necklace was made for Queen Mary in 1919. It’s not, as has sometimes been claimed, made with diamonds that had belonged to George III but re-uses diamonds taken from a necklace/tiara purchased by Queen Victoria from Collingwood & Co as a wedding present for Queen Mary in 1893. In August 1936 Queen Mary gave the tiara to Queen Elizabeth, from whom it was borrowed by Princess Elizabeth for her wedding in 1947.

The Duchess of Teck’s earrings

These earrings, which originally belonged to Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester, were bequeathed to her niece Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck and by her to her daughter, the future Queen Mary, in 1897. They were given by the Queen to her granddaughter Princess Elizabeth on 31 January 1947, and she wore them at her wedding later that year.

The Necklaces

The shorter of her two pearl necklaces was the ‘Queen Anne’ necklace, said to have belonged to Anne, the last Stuart Queen. The longer ‘Queen Caroline’ necklace was said to have belonged to the wife of King George II. Both were left to the Crown by Queen Victoria and were given to Elizabeth as a wedding present by her father, King George VI.

Sharon Stone

Actress Sharon chose a pink creation when she married Phil Bronstein on Valentine’s Day in 1998. The star’s dress was designed by Vera Wang and was made of chiffon with A-line silhouette.

Gwen Stefani 

In 2002 rock star Gwen married Gavin Rossdale in a white wedding dress with shades of pink on the bottom designed specially for her by John Galliano.

Julianne Moore 

Julianne married her husband Bart Freundlich in an intimate ceremony and didn’t go for the usual wedding dress, instead she opted for an elegant, sleeveless pink/lilac silk Prada dress. She completed her look with sparkly earrings she had borrowed from Barkin.

 Portia De Rossi

When Portia and Ellen DeGeneres tied the knot, the actress donned a Zac Posen gown that featured a blush tulle skirt. 

Reese Witherspoon 

For her wedding, which was featured in HELLO! Magazine last year, Reese opted for a blush-hued gown with a Chantilly lace corset bodice and full tulle A-line skirt by Monique Lhuillier.

Anne Hathaway

Anne wore custom-made Valentino dress for her big day. It was an off-the shoulder creation with swathes of chiffon, and a Twenties-inspired headband and a flowing veil.

Designer Valentino then released a sketch of the bespoke gown that he personally designed for her. “Anne’s gown is a strapless ivory silk point d’esprit tulle dress, which included a beautiful pink hand-painted shaded train and embroidered with satin flowers,” he said.

Jessica Biel 

Jessica is the last of the girls to take on the rising trend. For her October nuptials to Justin Timberlake she wore a Giambattista Valli rose-pink strapless gown, enhanced with layers of delicate tulle, specially designed for her.

Which is your favourite dress out of the above? Which celeb would like to see in a pink gown instead of the traditional white? According to some sources, Blake Lively added a bit of pink to her bridal gown. We will soon find out! The actress’ wedding will be featured in the December issue of Martha Stewart Wedding magazine.

MB xx