Wedding season is upon us and with weddings comes wedding registries and gifts.   Of course it's a well-known fact that the ultimate wedding gift is a sparkling piece from Waterford Crystal, available at A.S. Cooper's Main Store on Front Street. Waterford Crystal has long been a wedding gift of choice and many couples who are preparing to tie the knot can't help but select a piece or two to add to their wedding registry.   Now is the perfect time to select a gorgeous piece from A.S. Cooper's to gift to a friend, fiance or future in-law because Waterford Crystal Master Cutter, Philip O'Keeffe is in Bermuda to inscribe special messages on Waterford Crystal pieces. Between now and May 31 (Monday through Saturday from 10:00am - 1:00pm and 2:00pm - 5:00pm, excluding the afternoon of May ...

Who gets a corsage or boutonnniere?In addition to bouquets for the bride and her bridesmaids and flowers for the flower girl, there are two groups of people who receive flowers on your wedding daThose who are standing during the ceremony, such as the groom, groomsmen and ring bearer wear boutonnieres which complement the bridal bouquet in flower type or colour.ii) Readers and ushers also wear a corsage or boutonniere so to be easily identifiable to guests.iii) Immediate family and special friends also wear boutonnieres or corsages as a kind gesture of the bride and groom. These flowers do not need to match the bridal bouquet. Do I have to toss the bouquet?Absolutely not! This age-old tradition which says the catcher will be the next to get married is becoming less and less common and each...

One of the first steps when planning your wedding is creating your guest list. Even a few extra people here and there can really increase the cost of your big day, which is why you need to take this step seriously. Here’s how:   Step 1: Begin by asking your fiancé, parents and future in-laws to create a list of those they would like present at your big day. If you’re able to accommodate everyone, your work is done. If not, continue reading.   Step 2: Ask everyone to rank each person on their list as A, B or C. A’s are family members and close friends. When finished, count up all the A’s.   Step 3: If you’re not already at capacity, begin adding B’s and C’s.   Remember, tough choices will likely have to be made and weighing up who receives an invitation and who do...

  You shouldn't have to dig deep into your pockets to have the wedding of your dreams. Budget-friendly weddings are possible and we hope our advice will help you plan your big day without overspending.   Both my parents and future in-laws are helping to pay for the wedding. Do I allow them to have say in how I spend?   Yes. Although your parents and in-laws may wish to take a backseat to your wedding budgeting, they do deserve the chance to be involved in their investment. If they are covering the costs of your entire wedding, you should ask which parts they’d like to oversee and you could present them with your top three choices for vendors, providing them with pros and cons of hiring each. Involving them is the best way to avoid conflict. If your parents are chipping in a sma...

images/stories/fairmont hamilton princess.jpg Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hamilton Princess.   Whether you're planning a destination wedding or you're a Bermudian resident preparing for your big day, the odds are you're going to have guests flying to Bermuda and looking for a place to stay. Of course, there are numerous beautiful resorts and guest houses to choose from, but our pick is the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. It's central location, truly Bermudian atmosphere and award-winning restaurants and spa make the Fairmont Hamilton a perfect place for your vacationing guests to relax and be well taken care of in the lead up to your Bermuda wedding.

And the winner is...   We spent the last week viewing Pinterest boards for our My Dream Bermuda Wedding Pinterest Contest!   We had a blast checking out the numerous boards that were entered, taking a glimpse into the beautiful upcoming nuptials taking place in Bermuda.   The winner of our first Pinterest contest (and $500 CASH!) is Ashleigh Pacheco who wowed us with her peacock-inspired wedding board, which focuses on the jewel tones found in the peacock feather, which are also mimicked in the intense blues of the water surrounding Bermuda. Congratulations, Ashleigh! We wish you well in the planning of your upcoming wedding!   You can view Ashleigh's winning board by clicking on More Photos above.   Special thanks to all who entered! Look out for more Bermudian Weddings con...

Although located in busy Hamilton, Rosedon Hotel is surrounded by beautiful, lush gardens and offers privacy and peace. Opened as a guest house in the years before World War II, Rosedon has long been one of Bermuda's most popular hotels, despite its smaller-scale.   Those who visit Rosedon on a regular basis know its charm well. With lots of traditional Bermuda architecture, gorgeous surrounding gardens and an awe-inspiring front veranda, Rosedon is a popular location for wedding ceremonies.   In fact, for only $1500, weddings can be arranged with the inclusion of a minister, registrar's fees, marriage license, marriage certificate, a floral arrangement, wedding cake and a bottle of champagne.   For those in search of an intimate affair or a small destination wedding, Rosedon is p...

Ooo la la! These five fabulous rings, all from Astwood Dickinson, are perfect for a Bermuda wedding! Either for the bride or her girls, anyone would be thrilled to lift a finger adorned with one of these stunning sparklers!   For prices and enquiries, contact Chris Taylor at Astwood Dickinson by calling 292-5805.       Somerset. Rich Emeralds, Rubies and Sapphires from around the globe, set in 18kt or platinum   Baccarat. Fine French crystal ring, set in either sterling silver or 18kt gold   Hearts on Fire 18kt white gold or Platinum: 'The worlds most perfectly cut Diamond'   Tiffany & Co. 18kt gold ring from the Zellige collection. Designed for Tiffany by Paloma Picasso   Pesavento. Italian flare, sterling silver with a coating of 18kt gold and special laqu...

The best place for pre-wedding pampering is La Serena Spa at The Reefs. With breath-taking views and world-class spa services, how could you not want to sit back and get pampered at The Reefs' award-winning spa facilities before you take your walk down the aisle.         For inspiration, here is an sample pre-wedding spa menu from La Serena:   Big Day Beauty at La Serena Spa Pampering from head to toe! La Serena Spa at The Reefs offers a luxurious bridal spa package guaranteed to make the bride photo-op ready.   Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow (45 minutes, $89) Relax while warm oil with exotic lime-and-ginger salt is drizzled luxuriously over the body. The skin is deeply cleansed and moisturized so it is glowing, vibrant and replenished, just in time for the big day! ...

      How far in advance should a bride book her make-up session and what should she bring with her to the trial?   A make up trial should only be booked maximum a month before a wedding. I have been doing hair and make up for 17 years and in my experience of doing trials, I would say that a month is most sufficient for a make up artist and for the bride. A professional make up artist does not always need to do a physical trial as they do this on a daily basis and are quite in touch with their trade and skills. Naturally you would like to see that the bride is happy and pleased or even get along with you. It is most important to have as much possible details and information with you when you meet. Please also be as honest as possible if you suffer from any skin conditions, herpes...