wedding planner - WedZtyle

Perfection in Every Shoe… Choosing the right one for your Wedding Dress.

by WedZtyle February 21, 2021February 21, 2021

We frequently get asked what shoes should be worn. The simple answer is that there is no hard and fast rule on what shoes can be worn. Anything goes.

Shoes can make or break an outfit. Balancing comfort and style are no easy task. There is a plethora of options. Like any accessory, it is how you style the shoes with your chosen look. When I got married, I based my style on my shoes. I purposefully purchased a statement shoe that I felt was elegant, yet sexy and of course, had the bling factor.

I settled on a pair by Italian designer Rene Caovilla. It was a ‘t-strap’ stiletto covered in gorgeous white satin and had jewels along the front of the shoe. And because I purchased the shoes first, the dressmaker matched my dress to my shoes perfectly. I was nervous about them staining, but the shoe designer arranged for them to be professionally scotch guarded. The bonus in buying these shoes was that I could and did dye them in black. The heel height was 100 mm. I usually wore higher shoes, but logic prevailed, and I chose comfort over height.

The choices were staggering. I knew I did not want a patent shoe (I got married in summer and patent in the heat is not forgiving), not too high as I had to be in them for at least 12 hours, minimal heel-to-toe-drop, be on the broader side, not chunky and finally, be comfortable.

Today, if getting married, I would choose a block heel to prevent me from sinking in the grass and ruining my shoe’s heel. Possibly with a built-in platform for added comfort. Would I do a wedge, that would depend on the chunkiness? Would I do a bling sneaker, probably not? That does not mean a bride cannot.

To aide in the decision-making process, here are a few options:

Block Heels

One of my favourite heels. I find these to offer good support mainly from the front of the foot. Great for standing all day. These types of heels come in varying heights and styles. This type of heel will not dig into the grass, and you can walk on any uneven surface without damaging your heel. My tip for a block heel is to make sure the foot-to-toe ratio is spot-on; otherwise, you feel pain throughout the day.

An alternative to the block heel is a square or flared heel that could also work with varying dress styles. A flared heel has a bit more of a wow factor to it.

Image: Badgley Mischka https://www.instagram.com/p/CDvrnY5HuWw/

Cuban Heel

Surprisingly, a Cuban heel could work, depending on the outfit. The heel would provide good support due to the medium-low height options.

Image : Pinterest

Wedge Heel

Like a block heel, wedged heel shoes come in varying heights. I find wedges a flattering on feet and easy to stand in all day. As wedges can be quite chunky, you need to have your outfit when trying these shoes. In my experience, the wedge heel can look wrong when paired with a formal gown.

Image : Badgley Mischka https://www.instagram.com/p/CFKJwaIAn6m/

Stiletto Heel

Love this type of heel, striking. Diverse in height, width and style. As you will be in the shoe all day, I recommend that the foot-to-toe ratio be spot on to prevent any pain running through your foot. Stiletto heels do dig into the grass and can be easily damaged. A heel protector can prevent damage.

An alternative for those wanting a high thin heel stiletto shoe, consider one with an inbuilt platform. I find an in-built platform to look more stylish. If you cannot find a shoe like this, any platform will work. A platform still creates the wow factor and takes any pressure away from the foot. Another option is a cone heel or a spool heel. Both types of heels are timeless in style. Easier to walk on the grass and uneven surfaces. Feet friendlier when you have to be in them all day. Again, these come in varying heights.

Image: Rene Caovilla https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXUD5oh73O/

Kitten Heel

A kitten heel is a good option for those who prefer a stylish low heel. By far a sensible choice in comfort. Again, watch for the grass and uneven surfaces as the small heel will get damaged. Not wanting to deal with the grass headache, consider a French Heel. A kitten heel only thicker.

Image : Pinterest

Sneakers

Sneakers are on trend now. Should they be worn with a wedding dress? Firstly, you need a sneaker with bling. If you are going to wear a pair, make them stand out. Secondly, it depends on the wedding dress and the theme of the wedding. There are no hard and fast rules. Wear what works and what’s great about sneakers is that you can customise them to suit your dress.

Image: Pinterest

Ballet Flats

The slipper-like in design with a very thin or completely flat heel with a closed toe. These type of shoes are not as supportive as other shoes due to the lack of arch system to help absorb the brunt of the pressure the feet endure every day. I would recommend you change into these more towards the end of the night if you are experiencing pain from your shoes.

Image: Nicholas Kirkwood Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B91rFtpJRAX/

Stretching your shoes

We get asked how to stretch your shoes. There are so many hacks on YouTube that can give tips on how to stretch your shoes. I wore my shoes with thick socks and walked around the house and the block street a month prior. Regardless, when you are in your shoes for 10 hours plus, they will hurt.

Have band-aids with you or a blister block type product that can prevent blisters from forming and rubbing on your shoes. If you have bunions or corns, there are protectors you can buy that will help stop rubbing.

Despite my efforts in stretching my shoes, I lasted in my shoes up until the last two hours of the reception. I had to peel my shoes off and slip into thongs. Now that hurt. Have a go-to-most-comfortable shoe with you, just in case.

Other considerations..

The material of the shoe is another factor to consider. Leather is the most comfortable and hard-wearing but can look a bit boring. If opting for a material, a good cobbler can protect the fabric.

Another consideration is to select a shoe based on the width, arch height and length of your foot. Addressing these factors will aid in your comfort. If you are getting married in summer, feet swell so do not try shoes on when the weather is cool. When trying on shoes and it feels uncomfortable, put the shoe down. It is not for you.

If your shoes are a statement piece, add a coloured shoe such as gold, silver, or a bold colour like red, or maybe blue. A coloured shoe will give your outfit a pop and add that extra something.

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Main Image: Instagram Badgley Mischka https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqOO9RjcYNdVl6cICFDCDcA

Great Hairstyle Tips for your Wedding Day.

by Fay Kanellos August 14, 2020August 14, 2020

There is no doubt that having the ‘right’ bridal hairstyle can make or break the look of any bride. Even though there are no hard rules on choosing the style of hair, the hairdo can change the look of the makeup and the ‘effect’ of the wedding dress. There is a plethora of choices, hair down, braided and updos. Our advice would be to choose what works for you and own your look. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to choosing your perfect hairstyle.

Whether you are using a hairstylist or doing your hair yourself to save cost, your hair must be in good condition. Hydrated, trimmed, cut and if you choose, freshly colored. Healthy hair will always look best. Investing in hair masks, especially with bleached or damaged hair. The constant use of the mask prior to the wedding day will help ensure your hair is looking and feeling amazing. We recommend to use these once a week depending on the condition of the hair.

When choosing your hairstyle, your face shape can dictate on what best accentuates your face. Below are recommendations which I feel should be used as a guide when picking the style for you; we are all for being an individual and defying recommendations, trying out different styles sometimes end up being the best option, individuality and expression is key! However, this is a great place to start if you are having trouble deciding.

Source: http://bridestory.com

Hair Down

Having your hair down is a great option for brides with medium to long hair. Using extensions can be useful if trying to achieve a more voluminous and full look. Styling with braids, a half up, half down, simply curled, straightened or wavy can be a perfect option, especially if your dress is more of a classic, simple style.

Source: http://Pinterest.com

Short Hair

Source: http://pinterest

Short hair can also be worn down or half up. As I have mentioned, there is no hard and fast rules just have fun when deciding which hairstyle matches your wedding look.

BRAIDS AND UP-DOS

There is a sense of romanticism in wearing your hair up. Whether curled, braided, up in a high or low bun, it must compliment your makeup style, dress, and accessories. When I got married, my hair was long, but I chose to put it up because it suited my dress, style of makeup and the look I wanted. My bridesmaids also had their hair-up as it suited my chosen bridal party style. The updo can look quite dramatic or harsh, therefore try to balance the look, so it does not dominate your wedding style. My updo was natural, not polished. This softened hairstyle created a total image of me as a bride. Hair, makeup, accessories, dress, and shoes should integrate.

Source : http://Pinterest.com

Accessories

For me, hair accessories add the final addition and “wow” factor to your wedding look. There are numerous options and variations, perhaps a hair clip, crown, headband or of course your veil. A bride can be as traditional or as laid back as they choose. My accessories were a silk flower accompanied by a georgette veil. It complimented the style of my dress, hair, and makeup. This what an accessory should do—not overpowering the look of the bride.

Source: http://Pinterest.com

Whatever hairstyle or accessories you choose, do your research, and look for ideas. If using a hairdresser, know in advance what you want and meet up before hand to play around with different styles, looks and even colours. If your using the wedding vision board, show what styles you have chosen and communicate these to your hairstylist. Once again, I cannot stress the importance of having your hair cut, treated and coloured. No one wants to see split ends and re-growth. We recommend to book your hair trail 2 months before the wedding day, if you change your mind there is time to let the hairstylist know.

Our Survival Day Kit Recommendation:

On the day, your hair survival kit needs to include:

Bobby pins – make sure they are the same colour are your hair
Hair tie
A travel size hair spray
A bristle hair teasing brush
A multi-purpose brush to keep the hair in place.

Don’t forget to download our wedding planner – www.wedztyle.com

Stunning Wedding Makeup Styles.

by Fay Kanellos July 31, 2020July 31, 2020

When I was a bride, I chose my makeup look to compliment my dress, hair, and accessories. It was essential to me as it completed my look. I did not research current makeup trends as I knew what I wanted. I went for a heavier smoky eye paired with a light lipstick colour. I wanted my eyes to pop.

I used a makeup artist because I wanted someone who could offer me high quality, pigmented brand of makeup and understood my vision. Not everyone can afford a makeup artist and that is perfectly fine. Whether you and your bridal party do your own makeup, or you engage in a makeup artist, keep the look consistent meaning that the theme is running through each person. And of course, the face must be balanced.

For those brides who are unsure of their makeup style, despite using a makeup artist or doing it yourself, I am going to share various alluring looks that are currently trending and some classics and some not so.

THE CLASSIC LOOK.

Classic bridal makeup is subtle, timeless, and tasteful. Below are images that are ‘classic’. Note the light eyeshadow look, pale cheeks, and soft color lipstick. The face needs to be balanced to create that natural look.

Images: Pinterest.com

When wearing a nude lipstick, you cannot go wrong. It compliments all eye makeup looks. However, to pull it off, choose a nude based lipstick that matches your undertone and lip pigment.

Image: Pinterest.com

The classic red lips. My personal favourite. It never goes out of style and always makes a statement. If this look is what you are after, invest in a high-quality, pigmented red lipstick.

TRADITIONAL LOOKS

Images : Pinterest.com

Do not be afraid to embrace your cultural looks. This makes you unique so wear the look with the pride.

CURRENT WEDDING MAKEUP TRENDS

A current wedding makeup trend is subjective. Your wedding makeup must instil confidence within yourself. However, I feel as a Wedztyler; brides should be aware of what is trending and decide for themselves.

Through my research, THE MINIMALIST LOOK is the running theme. This look involves glowing skin, barely-there foundation, and pale lips.

Image: Pinterest.com

Along with this look – pale painted nails, loose textured hair, even braided suits the minimalist look.

For those wanting more of a vibrant look, “chic” shimmer eyeshadow, black eyeliner, brushed eyebrows, dark eyes, eyelash extensions, and bold lips also make a mention.

Shimmer, Bold Lips, Dark eyes, black eyeliner

Each of the looks are alluring and elegant. The common theme is balancing the makeup from the eyes to the cheeks to the lips. The makeup should tell the story of your look. Pair this with the right hairstyle, nail paint and accessories.

Do not be afraid to experiment. Below are a couple of looks embracing dramatic eyes. Although these are not trending, they are breathtaking.

Image: Pinterest.com

BRIDESMAIDS AND MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

No fixed rule. Depends on the look. Whether it is soft, natural, or bold, it should complement the bride’s makeup. Like the bride, the face needs to balance and suit the dress, hair, nail paint and accessories.

Mother of the bride tend to go for a natural look. Again, the style of makeup is dependant on their look.

Whether you engage a makeup artist or do it yourself, the style of makeup chosen should create a visual appeal which embraces the personality of the person wearing it. I did not choose a classic look, yet it worked for me as it embraced my personality, and the secret of perfectly flawed makeup is good skin. Your skin is a canvas so ensure that the skin is exfoliated, hydrated, and your makeup will look FABULOUS.

DAY TO NIGHT

A personal preference. I left my makeup as it was and touched it up when the evening came. For those who do want to change it up a bit, play around with your lipstick. For example, if you are wearing nude shade, change it to a brighter shade of lipstick. Or if you are already wearing a bold colour, change the tone (hot pink to red or a different shade of red). Another option would also be to change the blush tone to suit the change in lipstick colour. Changing your lipstick and blush shade is an easy and inexpensive method of changing your look. No makeup artist required.

EMERGENCY KIT

Weddings are long days. The wedding party needs to maintain its sleek look from morning until evening. For the bride and her party, this means keeping their makeup looking fresh.

Survival Tips:

Lipstick and liner – a must. If using a makeup artist, ask her to use your lipstick and liner. I did this, and it kept my lips looking fabulous.
Blotting Paper – take away that shine
Mascara and eyeliner – keep your eyes fresh. Those with eyelash extensions need not worry about this.
Foundation, concealer, and powder to keep your face looking amazing
Bronzer and blush – throughout the day, these will fade

To download our wedding planner go to www.wedztyle.com

How To Plan Your Wedding During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

by Fay Kanellos July 20, 2020July 20, 2020

When asking our Instagram followers what they wanted information on, it was no surprise that a good percentage wanted tips on how to plan their wedding with the uncertainty of the imposed restrictions due to COVID-19.

The tips provided are on the research done. Wedztyle cannot speak on behalf of governments nor can comment on the legalities surrounding consumer entitlements in getting back deposits paid. However, what we can do is offer tips that will help couples in making the decision postpone or re-schedule their special day.

Sit down with your Partner.

You and your partner must be on the same page when deciding if you will postpone, reschedule, or adapt your wedding to the current COVID restrictions. Communication is key as weddings without such circumstances are already very stressful.

Communication with Vendors

Communicating with chosen vendors is essential for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you need to inform them of your intent – are you postponing, rescheduling, or going ahead. Secondly, you need to have the confidence that they will be operational in the foreseeable future. Understandably, we do not have a crystal ball on this, but it needs to be a consideration.

Negotiating with your vendors

Firstly, go over the terms and conditions of each vendor. Focus on the these and adjust conditions to suit both parties. Businesses have been affected by COVID; therefore, most will work with wedding couples to keep the business. For those vendors who are willing to consult and work with you, give them options of dates. Confirm all discussions in writing to protect yourselves should you need to. Vendors who are unwilling to be flexible, shop around. These are not for you.

Back – Up Choice of Vendors

Suppose the preferred vendor is not available on your date, now what? To prevent this scenario, I suggest that you have three to five vendors as a back-up. Before committing, read their terms and conditions. All negotiations need to be in writing. Please do not give any deposits unless written confirmation of a refund is applicable.

Contact your guests.

Notify all guests of the change in your wedding date. You can say words like “WE HAVE POSTPONED OUR WEDDING DATE, NEW DATE COMING SOON,’ or “WE ARE RESCHEDULING OUR WEDDING, NEW DATE COMING SOON”. Communicate this very clearly. Whether you have created a Facebook Event, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or a Wedding Website, your guests need to know in advance of a pending new date.

Budget

With businesses not fully operational, consider changing your budget to reflect the financial strain that COVID-19 is bringing. For example, reducing your budget by 10% will force wedding couples to minimise unnecessary expenditure. You are using that 10% saving later for something else like an extended honeymoon.

Contingency Plan

These times are unpredictable. The number of allowable guests’ changes depending on the current infection rate. Wedding couples need to be adaptable; therefore, having a contingency plan is advisable. It could be that the wedding only has immediate family attending but captured on a digital platform for your pending guests to view. Or your wedding can be live-streamed, so your guests do not miss those moments. Various scenarios can come to play.

Whatever the scenario is for wedding couples, you can still have your wedding. It might not be in a traditional format (i.e. guests attending), but it will always be your day. Plan your wedding as you would with a contingency plan in mind. The Wedztyle e-planner will be a valuable resource in these COVID-19 times.

Main Image Mari Lezhava Unsplash

Wedding Insurance is it worth it?

by Fay Kanellos June 18, 2020June 18, 2020

Researching for this blog, I wanted to gain an understanding of wedding insurance. What are companies offering and if it is, in fact, worth it for couples? The recent COVID19 outbreak has meant postponing or cancelling upcoming weddings, resulting in couples losing deposits and payments across various vendors because the COVID19 virus is uninsurable.

This leaves us to wonder, how can we be covered if the unexpected were to happen?

The average cost of a wedding in the UK 31,974 pounds, $33,391 in the USA and $36,000 in Australia; therefore, more couples are considering wedding insurance to protect them against any unforeseeable mishaps financially.

The type of cover offered.

Like all insurance policies, various level of cover is offered depending on the cost of the wedding. In Australia, prices can range from $200 standard cover to $1300 for premium. Most insurance covers the total budget of your wedding e.g. if your wedding budget is $8000.00, purchase the one that will cover that amount.

Standard cover – approx. $200-250 for total budget cover between $5,000-$8,000
Intermediate – approx. $400-$900 for total budget cover between $16,000 – $35,000
Premium – approx. $1100-$1300 for total budget cover between $75,000+

Premiums are higher for destination weddings. I recommend that you purchase insurance with companies that specialise in destination weddings rather than local weddings to get the most coverage.

The type of cover chosen should be in line with the size of the wedding and the costs associated. Compare policies to make sure you are covered accordingly.

The policy should begin 30 days after purchase, with a 14-day cooling-off period.

What your insurance needs to cover:

When deciding on the type of cover, my recommendation is to ensure the following is included:

Wedding deposits and pre-payments – when you need to cancel, reschedule or postpone your wedding due to specific events
Protection against vendors and supplier breakdown
Marquee and equipment damage
Wedding rings – although these can be insured under your home and contents
Wedding gifts – what is the minimum and maximum value that can be insured
Wedding attire
Wedding transportation
Illness, death
Extreme weather – storms, tornados
Personal Liability – if your guests cause personal injury to a third party or damage to their property.
Destination weddings – what is covered and what countries are covered.
When the claim begins – this is usually 30 days after you purchase the cover and what the recommended period of cover is
What the coverage extends to – family members as they can also contribute to the wedding
Any value-added services that you will need for your wedding
Number of guests that are covered in the policy should an accident occurs
Type of venue, as some venues require you to have insurance before you book with them.
Overseas cover including medical emergency and hospital

What you are not covered for:

Cancellation due to weather that is not extreme
Change of heart
Switching vendors after a deposit were paid
Claims outside your country – I recommend looking at insurance companies that specialize in Destination Weddings
Any issues relating to travel bans, flight cancellations, government acts, regulations and bans on public gatherings
Pandemics such as COVID19

Before you purchase:

Speak to your vendors and see what they offer via their insurance company, especially for the venue, caters, and wedding planners. Always read the fine print on their contracts. Do not sign if you are uncomfortable with their terms. It has to work for you.

Look at your home insurance, as you can be covered on certain aspects of your wedding e.g. wedding rings, travel insurance, etc… This way you can determine what type of cover you can purchase.

Consider which plan best suits your wedding needs. Do not purchase a policy based on price. Focus on what is and is not covered.

Read the terms and conditions of each insurance company and most importantly do your research.

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Don’t forget to download our digital wedding planner. This affordable planner is a guide to help you plan the perfect wedding. www.wedztyle.com

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Wedding Checklists – A Go-To Tool for Planning the Perfect Day

by Fay Kanellos June 5, 2020June 5, 2020

Once the excitement of the engagement slowly wears off, couples now are tasked in organising their wedding. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, leading the couple to go onto the internet, search for ideas, and a generic ‘to-do’-list. This general list is most likely unrelated to their type of wedding and leaves the couple more confused.

Why a Wedding Checklist?

A wedding checklist is a planning tool that assists couples in being able to track the planning process and not miss any vital steps.

The use of a checklist provides a systematic approach to complete the required tasks. Referred to as a ‘to-do list’ or ‘schedule’; checklists give a timeline of the wedding events. For example, when booking a vendor, various points of communication have to occur, such as date, location, style, payment schedule. Having a record through a checklist means you do not miss anything.

Wedztyle Wedding Planner

How to Utilise a Wedding Checklist?

A thorough wedding checklist saves couples time and money as it allows them to focus on the task at hand, not missing a thing. The average wedding takes 18-12 months to plan. The checklist makes the planning process manageable, giving it structure while removing the stress. Couples should enjoy planning their day. It is part of getting married.

As tempting as it might be, using a generic wedding checklist that comes off the internet, will not save time and costs. Firstly, all weddings are different. Each couple brings their uniqueness and requires a detailed wedding checklist. The checklist should be broken into these months:

• 18-12 months before the wedding day

• 9 months before the wedding day

• 6-4 months before the wedding day

• 3 months before the wedding day

• 2 months before the wedding day

• 1 month before the wedding day

• 2 weeks before the wedding day

• 1 week before the wedding day

• The day before the wedding day

Having different monthly sections of the wedding checklist allows you to complete each task for that month ensuring your wedding is on track and to budget.

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Importance of a Wedding checklist for Destination Weddings

Couples using a detailed wedding checklist when planning a destination wedding will assist that all aspects of the wedding are covered and comply with the particular country’s requirements; avoiding misunderstandings and disputes. Remember to read their terms and conditions, make adjustments to suit your wedding checklist and timeline while keeping a paper trail of correspondence.

Download your checklist today @ www.wedztyle.com

Wedding Vision Boards: The best way to use them.

by Fay Kanellos May 18, 2020May 18, 2020

Help Plan your Wedding with Vision Boards.

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming with couples finding themselves unclear on the direction to go. And why would they not be, with a plethora of options to choose from, it can be all too much. An option to bring their vision to life is using a vision board, as some like to refer it as a mood or inspiration boards.

What is a vision board?

Vision boards are just that – an inspiration of collective ideas. What I like about a vision board is that you create multiple boards. An example would include venue design, wedding dress, colour schemes, tables arrangements. The list goes on. It is these ideas that help shape the vision of your wedding. And within those boards, you can create tiers surrounded on what appeals the most or by cost.

Below is an example of how I would create a vision board for a wedding dress:
• Style of dress – add varying styles because knowing what you do not like assists you in deciding what you do
• Fabric swatch – colour and material type
• Shoes – colour, heel height, closed, open,
• Accessories – headpieces and jewellery
• Make-Up and hair – play with different looks.

Another vision board can be for your vendors. I would include the following:
• Décor of the ceremony and venue.
• Flowers
• Cake and desserts
• Photo locations
• Favours
• Invitations

Here are some tips that I have found work for me.

Choose no more than ten images per vision board. Too many images/photos will confuse you.
Tier the images whether it is on appeal or price
When you have chosen what will NOT work for your wedding, delete the image.
When you have narrowed the ideas to two images per vision board, walk away. Please give it a couple of days then go back to it.

Types of boards

Physical boards – These boards are based on cutting out images from wedding books and placing these onto a cork board that is readily accessible. Take photos of these boards to show to your vendors. The problem with these boards is where to store them while working on them. And what will you do after your wedding?

Digital boards – by far, these boards are most convenient and easily shared with all vendors. Pinterest, Canva and Adobe Spark are the three most popular digital boards; and my preference.

Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration and is user friendly. There is so much content to be found on Pinterest that you cannot go wrong. It is a free app and interactional as you can draw ideas from other like-minded people.The benefits using this platform it gives you inspiration in building a vision board with the things you like and sharing your boards with other users. www.pinterest.com

https://www.pinterest.com.au/faykanellos

Canva has over 6000 templates in creating your invitations and vision board. Upload your images onto the boards. It is that simple. However, fees do apply for using Canva. It is approximately $17.00 a month, and you can cancel anytime. The benefits in using canva it has a easy to share option, has preset sizes and templates for social media posts, postcards, invitations etc. www.canva.com

Board created by wedztyle 2020
www.wedztyle.com

Adobe Spark is a free app that you can download onto any device. It has many templates and free photos to add onto your boards. You also have the option to take photos or import them directly from your photo library. Like canva it has a sharing options along with preset sizes and templates for social media posts. www.adobe.com

Overview
• Get organised
• Do more than one vision board
• Don’t limit yourself – apply your ideas freely
• Stand by what you want and do not want

Be creative with your boards and most importantly have fun!

The e-Wedding Planner

by WedZtyle January 3, 2020

Planning a wedding without a clear direction can be stressful. Couples either hire a wedding planner which can be pricy (the average fee to hire a wedding planner is approximately 20% of the total budget of the wedding) or wing it. And those who ‘wing’ end up with a mess and blow their budget out.

There has a big shift within the wedding industry with many couples choosing to plan their own weddings and opting not to hire wedding planners. Depending on the size of the wedding and budget, couples planning their own weddings look for inspiration through socials such as Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook wedding groups.

I recently received an email from an accredited online course offering a course on wedding planning. Curiosity took the best of me, and I enquired. Having been in the wedding industry since 1997 (showing my age), primarily designing and decorating wedding cakes, the content I received indicated that not much has changed. However, I did notice that couples were being less traditional and adopting for ‘something different’. I will not shock you with the price asked!!! Wedztyle.com

When designing my wedding cakes, there were so many questions I would ask the couples to understand their vision and ensure that the wedding cake tied into the theme perfectly. Wedding Planning is no different. It is bringing that vision to life and offering the best experience on that special day. And of course, it needs to cost-effective.

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Not to take away the value that a wedding planner brings, we have created an e-wedding planner so that couples have a clear and focused guide without the hefty price tag. The wedding planner ebook can be used together with your wedding planner or on its own.

The e-wedding planner provides a methodology on how to plan a wedding. It gives useful tips across all aspects such as vendor selection, destination weddings, wedding dress selection. The list goes on. And of course, it contains budget tables under each section; keeping couples on track. wedztyle.com

Our e-wedding planner is instantly accessible and available for download on all devices such as iPhone, iPad and kindles. Once downloaded, it can be used immediately. It is like having a digital wedding planner at your fingertips. But at your convenience.

Another key advantage of our e-wedding planner is that we like to inform our Wedztyle community of changing trends. All updates made are free of charge. Yes, you heard that correctly. No hidden costs. The price you pay, is all you pay.

Give it a go and download your copy. We welcome all feedback, good and bad. Simply head to our website to purchase your copy at Wedztyle.com

What’s Your Flavour?

by WedZtyle June 29, 2016

Part 2:

Whilst in a recent discussion, one of my work colleagues informed me that in his previous job, he sold diamonds. Along with selling traditional clear stones, he also sold coloured stones.

I was quite excited to find out the process of purchasing these coloured stones which are unique and rare. Diamonds occur in almost every colours, containing impurities or structural defects that cause discolouration. Pure diamonds are perfectly transparent and colourless. They are the most popular and are used in the majority of engagement rings.

Red– This is the most rarest and most expensive diamonds. The starting price for a .20ct is $100,000.00USD. These beautiful diamonds contain pure carbon. Just like colourless diamonds, they have a different appearance when placed in various lighting environments that gives its uniqueness.

red diamond 1

Pink – This is also a rare diamond as the higher the intensity the most expensive they are. Many of these pink diamonds are found in the Arglye mine situated in Western Australia. Many scientist still don’t know how they get their colour, as there are no traces of elements that are found in other coloured diamonds. The most expensive pink diamond was sold in 2010 for over $46 million USD weighing at 24.78 carat.

pink dimonds

Orange– Not as rare as other coloured diamonds, they contain strong yellow or brown modifiers giving them their beautiful natural appearance. Like the pink diamond, these are also found in the Argyle mine in Western Australia. the most intense the colour, the higher the price approximately $15,000 – $50,000 USD per carat.

orange diamond

Yellow – This diamond is the most popular of the colour diamonds and are also known as ‘canary diamonds’ due to the purity and clarity of the diamond. The price for 1 carat of good quality diamond ranges between $5,000 – $30,000 USD

yellow diamond

Green – The natural green diamond are so rare that most jewellers wont see one in their career. The Dresden diamond is the most famous and largest green diamond in the world at 40.70 carats found in India. Only a handful of green diamonds are sold into the market making them the most sought as they contain a yellowish, bluish or greyish modifying colour. Prices range from $16,000 + USD

green diamonds

Blue – The blue diamond can command more than pink diamonds, due to them being extremely sought out and the natural colour making them so rare. The colour of these diamonds can range from light blue to deep blue. They range between $60,000-$170,000 UDS.

blue diamonds

Purple – This is my favourite colour diamond in the range. These beautiful diamonds contain pure colours that cause that intenseness in the diamond. The purple diamond is referred to many different names such as Plum diamonds, Orchid diamonds, Lilac diamonds, Mauve diamonds, Lavender diamonds and Grape diamonds. The ‘Purple Orchid’ diamond at 3.37 carat has an asking price of $4 million UDS.

purple diamond

Black – A favourite with collectors of precious gemstones, this beautiful diamond was regarded as too difficult to cut and polish by many jewellers due to the many lumps of carbons in the diamond. The starting price per carat can cost between $1,500 -$3000.

black diamonds

Colourless – The most popular of all diamonds, these beautiful gems look amazing when mixed with other coloured diamonds. Remember the 4 c’s when choosing the perfect diamond. Price’s range from $2,000 + depending on the clarity of the diamond.

clear diamond

Most people purchase their diamonds already set, however they are also purchased loose. It is recommended that prior to purchasing any diamond, get it evaluated. The evaluation shows the inclusions of the diamond which provide the uniqueness for that stone, making it identifiable. This is a must if you are purchasing a coloured stone.

When my brother-in-law was purchasing an engagement ring for my sister, he purchased the diamond loose. Once he found the diamond that met his criteria (based on the 4C’s) he got 2 evaluations to verify the stone. Once he got the diamond set, he then viewed the diamond again based on the evaluation to ensure that it was the diamond he chose.

Looking at the array of colours and the rarity of the stones that are available, I have to agree that diamonds are definitely a girl’s best friend.

Are Diamonds Really a Girls Best Friend?

by WedZtyle May 14, 2016

Part 1

Diamonds ARE a girls best friends especially if it is given to her on a bended knee, with a beautiful backdrop and with four little words attched to it…”WILL YOU MARRY ME?”

I was engaged in the early 90s at a very young age. There was no bending of the knee at a beautiful location and no ring… yes your read correctly, NO RING. Being young I didn’t question it. The weekend after, my future husband took me to a jewerler who was going to make my engagement ring. I was so nervous, as I knew what ring I wanted as I had seen it in a magazine and hoped he could create it for me.

We sat patiently with his wife, making small talk. Finally after 10 mins her husband emerged from the back room. He introduced himself to me and asked me to hold out my hand. Opening my hand he carefully placed three small beautiful diamonds into it and they spakled like shiny stars. I was mesmorised by how beautiful these little diamonds were. This when my love affair for diamonds began.

Diamonds are unique. A few factors need to be considered when choosing the right diamond. Dimonds have what they call a grading chart that is proportional to the price of the diamond. The industry standard when grading diamonds are based on the four C’s, Carot Weight, Cut, Colour and Clarity.

Cut:

Diamond_Shapes2

The cut of the diamond is a personal prefence. The common choice of shapes are illustrated in the above image. The most popular diamonds in the last decade are the round, emerald and cushion shaped diamonds. The round shape dominates 75% of the market. I had chosen the round shape as for me it was a classic shape and timeless.

Carat Weight:

carat-chart

The Carot Weight of a diamond is sold on the unit weight not on the size of the carat which most of us think. The larger the carat the more you will pay. This is because the diamond becomes more rare as the size increases. This is what makes the diamond unique. The above chart illustrates the typical sizing for diamonds.

Colour:

diamondcolor2

Diamonds come in a variety of colours. They are graded on a scale of D (colourless) through to Z (light colour) The above image shows the grade in the diamond and the yellow tint they have. Most jewellers recommend to aim F/G range because if you put the ring under a constant light, you will be able to see the yellow in the diamond.

Clarity:

diamond-clarity

Diamonds are formed deep within the earth and under extreme heat and pressure. They all contain small imperfections inside the diamond. The diamonds are graded by their clarity form flawless (extremely rare) to included ( visible to the naked eye). Unless you have millions to spend on a flawless diamond, most people purchase VS1-VS2 or SI1 SI2. The naked eye cannot pick up the slight inclusions. Unless someone is walking around with a mini microscope in their pocket, it is a perfect diamond clarity to choose.

TIPS:

Here are some tips when purchasing the right diamond. Ladies do not be afraid to let you man know what you want. It is your ring and I think you should have a say in it. Just make sure you do not pay for your own ring like I did…. yep I still cannot explain that one.

Do not get hung up on having such a huge carat. Yes we all say it ‘I want over a carat diamond when I get married’. When choosing the carat weight, make sure that the diamond has the correct clarity and colour. This makes the diamond appear larger than what it is.

Do not focus on the imperfection. All diamonds will have slight inculsions unless you are lucky enough to receive a flawless diamond. This is what makes them unique and individual.

The setting of the diamond is just as important. Make sure you choose a reputable jeweller who specialises in setting diamonds.

Lastly, do your homework before you purchase your ring. The last thing you want is to be sitting in bed reading a book while admiring your ring at different angles when suddenly you see a massive crack in it. Yep that also happened to me, but don’t worry I made the jeweller reset my ring with a bigger diamond, better colour and clarity VS1 F. Teaches the jeweller to accuse me of craking it while washing dishes and hitting the diamond on the stainless steel bench. It was obvious that he cracked the diamond while setting the ring hence why you need to pick a reuptable jeweller.

So ladies enjoy this moment of choosing the right ring for you. We are derserve to have the very best.