Monthly Archives: April 2011

Royal Wedding Wedding Fashion

Royal dress

Photo Credit (clockwise from top left): AP via San Francisco Chronicle Daily Mail, Getty Images via San Francisco Chronicle

So what’s the verdict on ‘the dress’? Sarah Burton did do a brilliant job with designing this timeless piece and with very intricate detail but to be honest, Bridelicious isn’t digging it not because it’s not a nice dress but we expected a lot more. Yes, Kate didn’t want to look different but she really should’ve had her chocolate-brown hair in an up-do to show off the pretty lace. Such a shame. She could’ve also afforded a longer train, perhaps another metre or two, to fit in with the grandeur of Westminster Abbey. Considering the hype and secrecy surrounding her dress, this one was very humble.

To be fair to her, even though the mascara was a little heavy, props to her for being brave enough to apply her own make-up on such an important, historical day watched by billions of people around the world. She’s also sticking true to her style, that is simple and elegant, exactly what she did with her evening dress with an added sense of flirtiness. Any chances of her taking off that cardigan though?

Royal Wedding Wedding Fashion

Fit for a Queen

Photo Credit: Rex via the Telegraph

Counting down the hours and getting ready to celebrate wherever you are in the world? In less than 24 hours, all eyes will be on the possible future Queen and the most widely speculated wedding dress. Just who is the designer who’ll be talked about for decades to come? There’s rumours that it’s Sarah Burton, the British designer and creative director of Alexander McQueen, Bruce Oldfield, much loved by the late Princess Di, Alice Temperley, Jenny Packham and Sophie Cranston of Libelula.

Bridelicious’ bet is Sophie Cranston, a relatively unknown British designer. Kate has a tendency to choose small names so Sophie may just be who she wants to design her dress. Bridelicious has heard through the grapevine that Sophie’s husband/fiance/boyfriend used to study with Will at Eton? She also wore one of the designer’s Dulwich coat earlier this year. Who knows? We’ll find out very soon.

Wedding Cake

Wedding cake with a twist

We’ve all had sweet wedding cakes before and in the last few years, more and more cupcake wedding towers but how about something a little different, a little unconventional yet equally tasty? Many have done the cheese wheel cake, so what’s next? Here comes the pork pies. A meaty affair with lots of substance, it’ll definitely surprise your guests and save you some money too. Wedding cake served as a starter – who’d have thought?

Photo Credit: Brays Cottage Pork Pies

Groom Groomsmen

Best Man Duties

Photo Credit: Aphrodite Wedding Planners

We all know that brides will ask, or rather, instruct their maids to help with certain tasks throughout the wedding planning process. What about the men? You can’t let them think that their task is to turn up on the day and get drunk, can you? Here’s a list for the clueless best man.

1. Organise the alcohol and women-filled (we all know what men get up to) stag night. It’s every guy’s excuse to party like there’s no tomorrow. Most importantly though, remember to bring the groom back in ONE piece. The last thing a bride needs is to have her knight in shining armour standing next to her at the altar with a half-shaven head. She will, and I repeat, she will take revenge regardless of whether you’re the groom’s brother or best friend.

2. Help the groom pick out the outfits if he hasn’t done so already and coordinate with other groomsmen for fittings or rentals. Men are not good at shopping so he’ll need a second opinion.

3. If it’s an out of town wedding, assist with bookings for accommodation and transportation. The bride and groom already have so much on their hands, you’ll help keep them sane.

4. Help with the boutonnieres and make sure they are clipped onto the left lapel.

5. You are responsible for the wedding bands so make sure to keep the rings in easy-to-reach pockets and DO NOT dare forget or lose them. If you haven’t seen what a bridezilla is like, now you will.

6. Make sure the groomsmen are doing their duties i.e. helping guests to their seats, and aren’t faffing around before the ceremony.

7. Help with coordinating the photo session, calling out names or groups of people, especially when the party is big.

8. Welcome and mingle with guests, even if you don’t know them.

9. Lucky you. Not only do you need to make the first toast to the new Mr. and Mrs., you’ve also got the ardous task of the best man speech. Keep it short with snippets of the groom’s most embarrassing moments in his life and make sure you’re heard. There’s no point in being nervous for nothing when none of the guests can even hear you.

10. Enjoy the celebrations!

Royal Wedding

Royal Madness

Photo Credits (Clockwise from top left): Construction Employers Federation, AP Photo via Newsday, Susanne Plunkett (Reuters) via Guardian

6 more days. If you’re a Royal Wedding fanatic, then you’re in for a treat, because just about every single channel on TV is broadcasting the wedding live from London. You’ll see the much-talked-about, secretive dress of the decade before Prince William gets to see it and all from the comfort from your own home.

Oh great. What about those who honestly, are not at all bothered by the royal nuptials and have had an overdose of Royal Wedding madness? Only solution for you is not to watch TV or go anywhere with a TV in sight.

Otherwise, here’s a quick recap of the day’s highlights.

Free TV

TVB Pearl: 1500-1930, 2000-2150

ATV World: 1700-1925, 2000-2045

NowTV Broadband Pay TV

BBC Knowledge (Ch. 220): 1500

BBC World News (Ch. 320): 1500

BBC Entertainment (Ch. 529): 1500

CNN News (Ch. 316): 1500-2200

ITV Granada (Ch. 517): 1530-Midnight

Now Direct (Ch. 331): 1400 (with Cantonese commentary from 1730-1930)

E! Entertainment (Ch. 531): 1600

Bridesmaids Colour theme Flowers Inspiration Board Wedding Cake

Eggtastic Wedding

Happy Easter to all Bridelicious readers. You can now resume eating chocolate, unless you’re a bride-to-be in which case, you’ll probably continue starving yourself. Bridelicious does not condone this behaviour and would rather look normal than chopstick thin. Put some meat on those bones!

In order to celebrate this festive period and to inspire you to implement some Easter-themed ideas should your wedding fall on this day, here’s a moodboard to embrace all things chocolate-y, bunny and pastel-y. Enjoy!

Photo Credits (Clockwise from top left): Martha Stewart Wedding, You and Your Wedding, Shelby Married Blog, Bridal Cookie, Allyson Magda Photography, The Cinderella Project, Mira Uncut, The Knot, Wedding Ideas

Colour theme DIY Projects Flowers Inspiration Board

DIY bouquet

Photo Credits (Clockwise from Top Left): Aileen Tran Blog, Lavender Wedding, Brides.com Forum, Emilie Inc via Kate Parker Events, Rebekah Westover Photography

Guess what girlie girls? You can create your own wedding bouquet without spending a bucket load of money and what’s best is that you give it a personal touch. Why let florists rip you off when you can do it just as easily and just as pretty as them? Make a trip to Prince Edward in Kowloon (aka as the ‘dark side’ to those who do not like venturing over the Harbour. C’mon Kowloon snobs, is there a flower market or a street dedicated to crafts in Mid-levels?) and immerse yourself in the countless number of flower shops. Afterwards, head over to Yu Chau Street in Sham Shui Po (it’s parallel to Ap Lei Street) for all things crafty. You can buy yards of ribbon in a myriad of colours – this area is like a candy store for DIY aficionados.

Shop around, ask around and see what flowers are in season during your wedding month. Peonies are always expensive and florists know most brides, if not all, want them for their wedding. Break from convention and opt for ones that won’t break the bank. Who is to say you can’t use garden flowers for your bouquet? More importantly, who’s going to remember what flowers you used for your bouquet, except for yourself and perhaps the bridesmaids? Remember, be adventurous.

Bridelicious found a video via Style Me Pretty that teaches you how to put together a bouquet in a few easy steps.

DIY Projects

Save the Date Videos

If you’re looking to save costs and show off your filming skills, wow your friends and family with a save the date video for your special day. You don’t have to put big bucks into creating it – all you need is a brain, some creativity, a few props and a computer (preferably a Mac). Even Bridelicious managed to make a short clip for her save the date and she’s never had any experience in video editing.

Brainstorm some ideas with your soon-to-be hubby and start filming! N.B. Keep the video to a max of 1.5mins, otherwise you run the risk of boring your guests.

Love this post-it note idea. You’ll need quite some time on your hands to create this stop motion video though.

Another one of Bridelicious’ favourite save the date videos. It’s so simple but oh so cute.

Are you an artist at heart? Draw it out.

Show your inner geek by spelling it out using scrabble.

Love eating? Use your favourite snacks to let people know you’re getting hitched.

Finally, if you have a big budget, vain and wish you were a film star, blow it out on an OTT video.

DIY Projects Wedding Venues

Save. the. Date.

You’ve set the date. You’ve booked the venue for your nuptials. Now you’ll need to ask your friends and family to save the date! Of course, you can send a mass email to inform your friends but if you have time, try your hand at something a little more special and memorable. You can incorporate both your interests or a theme. Be creative! Here are a few ideas to get you going.

Photo Credits: Elizabeth Anne Designs

Great if you’re a bookie and love reading. Gather a few books at home or from the library and create your own save the date card. So simple.

Photo Credits: Custom Paper Works

Love travelling? Send your guests a boarding pass to save the date.

Photo Credits: Manolo Brides

Want to insert an element of fun? Have the details printed on balloons and get the invitee to inflate.

Photo Credits: Etsy

Having a casino wedding or better yet, in none other than Sin City itself?

Photo Credits: Wedding Paper Divas

Just want to show your love?

Photo Credits: Oh So Beautiful Paper

Having a destination wedding or most of your guests will be flying over? Send them a postcard.

Photo Credits: Wed Alert Wedding Blogs

Sun and beach? Send them flip flops!

Royal Wedding Wedding Venues

Wed like a Royal

Photo Credits: Airbnb

With less than two weeks till the event of the decade, many girls will be dreaming and wondering what it’d be like to get married to a Prince. How about exchanging vows in a country of your own and to your own Prince Charming? When we think of overseas wedding destinations, it’s usually Phuket or Bali for the sun and beach, Tuscany or Provence for country-side and vineyards and Vegas if you’re looking for a ‘quickie’. If budget is not an issue, why not rent a country for the event of a lifetime? Now, you can rent the country of Leichenstein via Airbnb, the online company that brings you unique accommodation rentals (treehouse anyone?).

Airbnb is partnered with Rent a Village by Xnet, the Leichenstein-based events company that can transform the entire country to customise it to your liking and can even print your own currencies or rename the streets. The vineyards, the townhall, the museum to name just a few, will be all yours. The only catch is it costs from USD70k up per night (approximately HKD550k, and to put it into perspective for you, this is usually the minimum charge to have your wedding at a 5-star hotel in Hong Kong) and you’ll need to transport all your guests over to this double-landlocked country. Oh, and let’s not forget you’ll still have to share the country with 33,000 inhabitants.

Who said being a Royal was easy and cheap? It’s definitely going to get everyone in town talking.

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/59883