Getting Married on a Weekday

More and more couples tend to tie the knot on a weekday, so how about the tradition of getting wed on Saturdays?

The most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics – from 2008 – showed that 60% of couples in England and Wales marry on a Saturday.

Friday in second place accounted for almost a fifth of all weddings as couples sought to jump the queue for their desired venue. Sunday (5.5%) trailed in third. But since those statistics were compiled, there’s been a lift-off for the mid-week wedding.

It’s a definite trend, says Arabella Dupont, executive retail editor at Brides magazine. The main reason is cost, with mid-week events about a third cheaper. With figures published this month by Brides showing that couples spend an average of £24,669 on their wedding, it’s easy to see why people are looking for savings, Dupont argues.

There’s also the hook of better availability. Country House Weddings, a company operating four stately homes in Essex, Gloucestershire and Somerset, holds 250 weddings a year at each venue.

With only 52 weekends a year, and high demand, couples are opting for a formerly unfashionable Monday or Tuesday to ensure they get to marry in a historic house with large grounds, a spokeswoman says. It can also lead to savings of about 40% in high season.

Traditionalists might argue that the sense of occasion is lost on a Tuesday afternoon. But a wedding should be able to transcend which day of the week it’s on, but the financially-straitened times means that many people on average earnings are looking to make savings on weddings. “Weddings are so expensive nowadays that people are making cutbacks,” says a spokeswoman.

Create Your Own Wedding Dress

When it comes to select the right wedding dress for your wedding, you want to be sure you have the dress that you’ve always dreamed about. There are many resources that allow you to create your wedding dress. It is a simple resource to choose online when planning and creating your own wedding dress.

The first thing you will do is choose the skin tone, hair color and hair style, a good recommendation website is WeddingDressCreator.com. Log in and you’ll see the skin tone is located on the bottom of the screen, and there are many tones to choose from. You can also choose from among many style options in a drop-down list, like long styles, up styles, and short styles, as well as 10 different hair colors to personalize your bride.

Next, you will choose your neckline, silhouette and sleeves for the dress. There are 22 different necklines to choose from, like Queen Anne, V Necks, and Sweethearts, and nine types of silhouettes.

Step 3: Choose the gloves, stockings and shoes for your ensemble.

Note: To see the shoes and stockings, you may need to temporarily put your silhouette to a short style to view the stockings and shoes.

Step 4: Find the tiara, necklace and earrings that complete the look. The options available make your dress look complete.

The last step is to check the boxes for the add-ons that you prefer. You can put a cloak, wrap, vest, sash, belt and corset on your bride, as well as make the top of your dress all sheer. You can choose one or all of these options by checking the box next to your choices.

How to Wear a Black Dress

A solid black dress deserves a place in every wardrobe. Long or short, fitted or loose, this versatile piece flatters nearly every body type and skin tone. Black dresses are suitable for errands, parties, dates, formal dances and red carpet events. No matter where you go, be sure to wear your black dress with confidence.

Step into your black dress carefully, making sure not to rip, snag or wrinkle the fabric. Make sure your sunless tanner is dry before you put the dress on, otherwise, the lotion may stain the fabric. Use a clear antiperspirant or deodorant to avoid unsightly underarm stains.

Examine yourself in front of a full-length mirror. Make sure that the dress fits well — it should be snug, but not too tight. Place a wide belt or thick ribbon just below your bustline to make a loose dress more flattering. This slims your figure, creating the illusion of a smaller waistline.

Select an appropriate piece of clothing to wear over your black dress. Basic black dresses with a square or round neckline go well with a fitted blazer, chunky sweater or fitted cardigan. Wear a fitted black shrug, shawl or gauzy wrap over a little black dress. Raincoats, pea coats and other long jackets keep you warm and dry when the weather is unpleasant. Skip the coverup if the temperature is high or you want to show off your toned arms.

Choose your accessories. Sleek, understated accessories such as stud earrings and a beaded necklace are best if you plan to run errands or relax with friends in your black dress. Accessorize with flashy diamond bracelets, rings and earrings to prepare for a cocktail party or a night on the town. Brighten up your dress with a fun, colorful handbag, or convey elegance with a satin clutch. Cover your wrists with clunky bracelets and drape a funky scarf around your neck if you like the eclectic look.

Pick the right pair of shoes. Ballet flatties complement fitted cardigans and chunky sweaters, while knee-high boots convey a free-spirited, artsy image. Flip flops and sandals show that you value a comfortable, laid-back style. Wear glamorous high heels for a party or date — the higher, the better. Use your shoes to add a burst of color to your outfit if you aren’t fond of wearing all black. Hot pink or yellow heels brighten up any black dress.

Asian Markets Tumble After Share Sell-off in the US

Asian markets tumble on Tuesday after Wall Street losses, extending the worst global sell-off in stock markets since the 2008 financial crisis.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 3.7%, South Korea’s Kospi lost 5%, and Australia’s ASX shed 3.8%. Earlier in the US, the Dow Jones stock index dropped 5.6%, despite US President Barack Obama trying to reassure investors. A US recession would hurt Asia’s export-led economies.

Analysts said a number of issues had created the current market pessimism.

At the heart of the problem is the fear that ongoing debt problems in the US and Europe will slow economic growth and dent corporate profits.

On top of that, the US had its triple A credit rating cut by Standard and Poor’s for the first time in history, added to the sense of gloom surrounding the world’s biggest economy.

“What’s rocking the market is a growth scare,” said Kathleen Gaffney of Loomis Sayles.

She said investors were concerned about “how Europe and the US are going to work their way out of a high debt burden” if the global economy slowed.

Rajiv Biswas of IHS Global Insight told the BBC that investors were worried that given the issues with the US credit rating downgrade there will be a drop in government spending.

“That will be a a big drag on growth,” he said.

City Index’s Mr Esho added that a combination of these fears has dented market sentiment, and prompted investors to dump stocks across all industries in the US.

The S&P 500 index was down 6.7% in New York on Monday, the worst drop since December 2008, with every listed stock falling.

In points terms, the Dow ended down 635 to 10,810, its biggest one-day decline since October 2008, and the sixth largest on record. The Nasdaq index fell even further, losing 6.9%.

Earlier in the UK, the main FTSE 100 index lost 3.4%, or 178 points. It was the first time in the FTSE 100’s 27-year history that it had fallen by more than 100 points for four sessions in a row.

Share indexes also fell heavily across Europe on Monday, with Germany’s Dax ending down 5%, while France’s Cac lost 4.7%.

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Monaco Royal Wedding: Prince Albert & Charlene Wittstock

Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene promised each other love and fidelity in an extravagant religious wedding July 2, 2011 attended by international celebrities and royalty, bringing new allure to the tiny principality known for its luxurious casinos and as stomping ground for the rich and famous. Let’s look back upon more royal wedding details of the couple.

The Catholic service followed an intimate civil ceremony Friday, which saw Charlene officially transformed from commoner into royalty. The marriage of the 53-year-old prince and the 33-year-old Charlene Wittstock, a one-time Olympic swimmer from South Africa who is now known as Princess Charlene, ended a three-decade wait for a new princess.

The last wedding of a ruling prince in Monaco was in 1956, when Hollywood star Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III.

The ceremony was attended by guests including former James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and bohemian designer Roberto Cavalli, of Italy. Thousands of Monegasque citizens cheered the proceedings while watching on large screens set up outside the palace, where both ceremonies were held.

Charlene swept along the red carpet leading into the palace on her father’s arm. In her sumptuous boat neck wedding dress by Giorgio Armani Prive, her hair pulled back in a swirling French twist and with only the lightest touch of makeup, she seemed to channel some of Grace’s effortless elegance.

Ball Gown Style Wedding Dress

Ball gown wedding dress is the most traditional one of the wedding gown styles exist. Ball gowns evoke a sense of fairy-tale magic and can add a fantasy element to any wedding. Ball gowns are flattering to all body types and can add drama and glamour to the right wedding, making a woman’s fairy tale a reality. Your wedding day should be the day you feel most beautiful, and a ball gown will definitely fit the bill.

Ball gown wedding dresses come in various types. They can be strapless, have one shoulder bared, and have sleeves and a neckline. A different ball gown silhouette exists for every woman. A ball gown is a good bet if you are curvy, as these gowns can be very forgiving. The bottom of the dress can be ruffled, lacy, slightly angled or made of tulle, or it can fall straight to the ground. Dresses come in varying lengths, from tea length to floor length, and can incorporate many materials such as taffeta or satin. Some gowns are elaborately embellished with pearls or crystals, while others are much simpler.

 

Several factors come into play when choosing your ball gowns. If the ceremony will occur outdoors in warmer weather, a heavy elaborate ball gown might not be the best idea. In that situation, a simpler gown made of lighter fabric would provide a more comfortable option. You can still do the ball gown silhouette—just not as dramatic. If the wedding will take place inside a church, check to find out the width of the aisles; if your dream gown is a full ball gown with layers of tulle, you may get caught up in the pews walking down the aisle. Consider the venue when choosing your perfect dress. Also, think about the reception—whether your gown will allow for comfortable dancing, for example. Maybe a shorter gown would work better for dancing the night away, or a strapless would be more comfortable than sleeves. Consider all of these elements when picking the right ball gown.

Summer Wedding Tips

For many people summer is the perfect time to hold a wedding. Flowers are still in bloom, friends and family are on vacation, and people are enjoying the longer days. Although summer can be a cheerful time to hold a wedding, the heat can make it difficult to dress appropriately while still enjoying the wedding. Wool suits and long dresses are uncomfortable in the summer heat. The key to dressing for a summer wedding is adapting your choice of formal clothing to the weather.

Groom

A white cotton shirt worn with a black or navy suit is acceptable for a summer wedding. Some men also choose to dress in cream colored tuxedos or suits. This is particularly appropriate for beach weddings or weddings that take place in a very warm place.

Bride

Brides should choose a lightweight and thin fabric for their wedding dresses to keep cool during the ceremony. Chiffon, lace, crepe, tulle and georgette are suitable fabrics for a summer wedding dress. A shorter dress will also be more comfortable in the summer heat. A tea length wedding dress that ends between the knee and mid-calf is a good length.

Male Guests

Male guests can come to the wedding wearing a simple blazer and dress pants and tie. For an outdoor wedding during the summertime, men can leave the jacket and dress in a pair of slacks, dress shirt and tie.

Female Guests

Women can choose from a wide variety of colors for the wedding, but should leave white for the bride. Light, summery dresses are best, since they will keep you comfortable and reflect the season.

Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett

Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett Duet to Benefit Charity

A duet between jazz legend Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse is to be released as a charity single. The late singer’s father said Thursday her daughter’s final recording  “Body and Soul” — a duet with Tony Bennett — will go to the newly established Amy Winehouse Foundation. It will be released ahead of Bennett’s Duets II album, out on 20 September.

Mitch Winehouse says releasing it in September as a charity single was “the most fitting tribute of all” to his daughter. In a statement, Mitch Winehouse said he “couldn’t be happier”. He added: “Amy was so excited to be working with Tony Bennett and really looking forward to her fans hearing this new recording. The fact that Amy’s voice is sounding as amazing and beautiful as ever and she is singing with the great Tony Bennett seems the most fitting tribute of all at this very difficult time.”

The two singers recorded the single at London’s Abbey Road Studios for Bennett’s forthcoming “Duets II” album. It was one of Winehouse’s last recordings prior to her death on 23 July.

The foundation is set to fund a range of projects focussing on young people. The family also hopes to establish a drug rehab center for addicted youths.

How to Make Lolita Clothing

Creating your own lolita clothing is easy as long as you have the right materials and tools. Minimal sewing skills are needed, but be sure you know how to work a sewing machine. Follow the below steps and you will make your special lolita clothes.

First, find clothes you can alter. Take clothes you already own, or do a quick run to the thrift store to find clothes to which you can add lolita clothing qualities. Great items for this include black dresses, skirts and vests. Remember that the lolita subculture stems from the lolita character, so a mix of strong and soft materials and colors is always the underlying theme.

Second, get lace and tulle to make your alterations. Hit a local fabric shop and find lace and tulle in bright colors to add to your garments. Use colors such as neon green, yellow and pink to add soft, young, whimsical qualities to black clothing. Lace and tulle are common materials in lolita-esque apparel due to their association with young girls.

Third, add trim to your black clothing. Lolita fashion is all about trims. Everything from a simple black blouse to a plain black skirt has a contrasting brightly colored trim. Measure the length of the garment of section thereof, and measure your lace accordingly. You can hand-sew trim on something small such as a sleeve if you have beginner sewing skills, while using a machine will likely make things more durable in the long run.

Forth, shop for plaids and white fabric. To create your own lolita fashion clothes from scratch, start with white and plaid fabrics. Materials for blouses should be soft and have a feminine demeanor, while plaids should follow the traditional schoolgirl look.

Last, use patterns to create simple apparel pieces. To create blouses and skirts, use patterns. Even with minimal sewing skills, patterns allow you to create the garment and customize it after it’s made. Cut your fabric following the pattern and sew it to complete the garment. Once you have integral pieces such as blouses and skirts, you can go about adding trim as suggested in the third step.

Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress: All the Details

Kate Middleton wed Prince William in London Friday in a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen lace wedding dress.

Why did she choose the gown?

“Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing.  Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen’s work.  Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress,” read a statement on the official royal Web site.

“The dress epitomises timeless British craftsmanship by drawing together talented and skilled workmanship from across the United Kingdom.  The dress design pays tribute to the Arts and Crafts tradition, which advocated truth to materials and traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often Romantic styles of decoration.  Ms Burton’s design draws on this heritage, additionally giving the cut and the intricate embellishment a distinctive, contemporary and feminine character,” it continues.

“The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace.  The lace design was hand-engineered (appliqued) using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s.  Individual flowers have been hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock,” the Web site goes on.

Middleton’s train was “two metres 70 centimeters,” or about eight-and-a-half feet.