by admin | Jul 6, 2016 | Uncategorised
Hi Holly, thanks so much for agreeing to meet with us today! As one of our go-to make up artists, we thought you’d be able to give us some top advice to help our blushing brides before their big day!
Since graduating with a distinction from the Delamar Academy in London, you’ve been quite busy working not only on weddings, but some pretty fab movie sets too. Now while the call of Hollywood is certainly glam, we know you love transforming a bride on her big day. What is it that makes it so special for you?
I find it an honour and a privilege to share the morning with the bride on her wedding day. To be part of such a special occasion; to share in the intimate moments between the bride and her closest family and friends are priceless. Not only that, but also to makeover a bride so that she looks and feels fabulous on her special day makes mine and my team’s job a dream.
This is probably something you get asked all of the time, but how important is professional make up for a bride? Can it make a dramatic difference in photos too?
On the wedding day, all eyes are on the bride. Whilst it’s important that the bride still feels like herself, most want to achieve an enhanced version – them but with a little pizzazz. A professional makeup artist can provide a look that compliments the bride’s features, hair colour, dress etc. whilst also ensuring that they’ll be camera ready. This means they’ll not only look great up close but also in their captured memories of their lasting photos.
When it comes to make-up, many seem to think it’s merely a case of you turning up on the day and adding a little blush and mascara but it couldn’t be further from that! How many times do you meet a bride before the day of the wedding itself?
There’s definitely much more that goes into a bride’s makeover! From complimenting colours to achieving longevity for the whole day. We suggest that the bride books a wedding trial prior to the wedding day itself. It’s here that the bride will have a consultation with their makeup artist where they can build a rapport with each other, discuss their desired looks and the makeup artist can make suggestions too. The trial is intended for the bride to achieve a look she’s happy with and to rest in the knowledge that on the day itself, she can enjoy the morning’s pampering and look forward to recreating the look.
Just as is the case with everything in life, each and every bride is completely different and we’re guessing that goes all the way down to their make-up too?
Definitely! Many brides want a natural ‘not wearing any makeup’ look whilst others will ask for a smokey eye, lashes and a red lip. We can create any look the bride desires…we’ve even made over brides for themed weddings!
Is it a case of applying the very basics in terms of contouring, highlighting etc and then adding subtle changes or is a complete individual look from the very beginning?
Contouring and highlighting is a very popular trend at the moment. There’s a general rule as to where you shade and highlight to bring out certain features but this would also be tailored to each individual as every face is unique!
Are there any skin care tips you’d advise a bride (and groom for that matter) to start taking notice of before the wedding? If so, how long in advance should they be preparing themselves?
My biggest tip is to drink lots of water! It’s amazing what a bit of hydration can do for your skin. If anyone decides to start using new products or having new treatments on their skin, this should start at least 3 months prior to the wedding day in order for the skin to get used to any changes simply because changes to the skin can sometimes bring out blemishes before you see the results.
How long does the average bride take to complete on the day?
At ‘Holly Edwards Makeup’, we provide Hair & Makeup for the bride. As a guide, we usually allow around 1 1/2 hours for the bride’s complete makeover. This ensures the bride is ready in a calm and pleasant environment whilst achieving there desired look.
If a bride simply can’t decide on how she’d like her make up, can you help? If so, how heavily does it depend on the brides dress and accessories?
YES! That’s a big part of what we do. We have an eye for what suits each person, so we can offer suggestions. Everything is taken into account when constructing the look, including – dress style, hair length, accessories, face shape, colour scheme etc.
For a bride that may be getting a little stressed over an unwelcomed pimple or mark, can you reassure them that this is something easily covered up for photographs?
Trust me – no one will notice your pimple! Whilst we do cleverly cover pimples or marks, this is the last thing anyone will notice. You are the star of the show, in the most fabulous dress you will probably ever wear, with a makeover to die for. Hold your head high and ooze confidence and that will radiate through.
Last but most certainly not least, what are your three top tips for our blushing brides?
Here are 3 tips I always offer to brides.
- Relax and enjoy – simple I know! I hear time and time again that brides get so caught up in the chaos of planning a wedding that they look back and realise they hadn’t full embraced the journey.
- From a makeup perspective, I also suggest to brides to pull put pictures of hairstyles and makeup styles they like (and don’t like), which helps when creating ‘the look’.
- My final tip is to create an itinerary for the wedding morning. So often, no matter how organised a bride is, there is always a mad panic trying to get all the last bits and pieces done. It’s always worth leaving an hour’s buffer before you have to leave the house. This can be used to have photos, a glass of bubbly, a time of reflection and to soak up the magical atmosphere.
To contact Holly and her fabulous team, simply jump online at www.hollyedwardsmakeup.com or call on 07773581750. If you’re on twitter, why not give her a follow over on @HEdwardsMakeup!
by admin | Jun 20, 2016 | Uncategorised
You may remember that not too long ago, we were thrilled to not only receive, but tell you all about the wonderful award we’d received, the “Stellar Stays Award”. Now, while we don’t like to brag, we do like to take a little time to highlight the recognition and appreciation we receive from not just our clients, but governing bodies around the world too. With this in mind, you can only imagine our surprise and happiness to be informed that we’d been awarded a certificate of excellence, having been recognised for our superior service. The title from TripAdvisor has been awarded to That Amazing Place after its consistently great reviews and as such, we feel we must say a huge thank you to each and every one of you that took the time to leave such glowing reports.
So what exactly does this award mean for us? Well, the certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor is now a very well established award. Now in its sixth year it is an achievement based award solely around the hospitality businesses that work hard enough to receive great traveller reviews. As mentioned above, if you take the time to hop on over to our TripAdvisor page, you’ll see that we’ve received 126 reviews, 116 of which are “Excellent” and 5 “Very Good”. We couldn’t be more proud. In their own words, “The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.”
This recognition however, isn’t merely a pat on the back, despite the fact we’d be more than happy with such recognition. It offers much more than that, in fact with this award comes the ability to display the Certificate of Excellence logo, which in turn allows travellers and potential guests to not only identify but book properties that will deliver the quality of service they so highly desire.
Being a part of such a scheme is not only fantastic for our guests, but pretty great for us too. This award is something we couldn’t be more proud of, hence our desire to shout it from the rooftops and tell you all. While we could keep telling you what a fantastic award this is, and just how important this is in showing the high standards exercised right here at That Amazing Place, we think the only way you’re really going to appreciate it, is by seeing it all for yourself. To make an inquiry regarding a booking, simply contact us today. We look forward to seeing you all and showing you just what this award represents.
by admin | Jun 7, 2016 | Uncategorised
There are lots of ways to make your wedding venue unique to you and your partner – like filling your décor with quirky details that highlight your passions and interests. There are no rules when it comes to your theme so go as wacky and creative as you want! Today we have the wedding website hitched who have rounded up eight ideas to start you off.
Whimsical Centrepieces
Putting together quirky centrepieces is actually quite cost effective, as you can use your DIY skills to pull together random bits and pieces to see what works and what doesn’t. Items like birdcages, books, candles and teacups are given a rustic transformation when perched on top of tree log slices – add flowers too so that your guests can enjoy beautiful scents as they tuck into their food.
Image credit: Particularly Lovely
Light Up Letters
If you’ve always wanted to see your name in lights, your wedding is the perfect opportunity! Add some glitz and glamour to proceedings by placing light up letters that spell out both your initials. Or for a romantic touch you could choose lights that spell out phrases like ‘love’ or ‘happy ever after’.
Image credit: Fairytale Finishes
A Sweet Buffet
Get your guests feeling nostalgic for their favourite childhood sweets by treating them to a sweet buffet that they can tuck into at the reception. Add thoughtful details such as wedding signs and photos, and try to think of creative ways to display the sweets, such as jars, retro pick n mix bags, vases and popcorn boxes.
Image credit: Wedhead Wedding Hire
A Drinks Station
If it’s forecasted to be hot on your wedding day, set up a DIY drinks station to quench your guests thirst. Give your drinks station a unique twist by pouring cocktails and bubbly into empty milk bottles and mason jars. Add a quirky sign and brightly coloured straws to personalise it further.
Image credit: NG Parties & Events
Balloons are Back
The bigger and bolder the balloons the better! Tie them to your ceremony chairs for a wonderfully quirky touch or create a balloon canopy at your reception by covering the ceiling with them. These rainbow confetti filled ones from Bubblegum Balloons are perfect for adding playful pops of colour.
Image credit: Bubblegum Balloons at Not on the High Street
Table Plan
Not just a practicality, make your table plan attention grabbing and worthy of some great photos. Interesting fonts and illustrations are one way to make your table plan stand out, along with a bold border of stunning flowers in various colours. You could also get creative and think of different ways to display your table plan, such as crates, easels and mirrors.
Image credit: Nicola Milns Photography
Image credit: Rustic Rentals
Unique Table Decorations
Think outside of the box when it comes to your table decorations – like these Ginger Ray feathers which have been dipped in pink paint at the end. Leave little decorative details like this on your guests’ place settings so that they’ll be seriously impressed when they sit down.
Image credit: Ginger Ray
An Unexpected Wedding Cake
Surprise your guests (and your groom if you can) by choosing a wedding cake that has a surprise tier – like this creation from Kasserina Cakes which has the Superman and Batman logos emblazoned across the top! Or alternatively, you could swap your cake for a tower of doughnuts instead if you’re not keen on cake.
Image credit: Kasserina Cakes
Will you be incorporating quirky décor details into your big day?
by admin | Jun 6, 2016 | Uncategorised
When it comes to planning a wedding, you’ll no doubt know that it comes with about a million decisions you’ll inevitably have to make. These range from the colours of the dresses to table arrangements, but one such area seems to be causing more bother than usual and that’s the wedding bouquet toss. The problem that appears to be arising more and more, is the fact that so many brides are now choosing to keep their bouquets for themselves and why not? After all, with companies such as the wonderful Gracie Day Flowers providing the most exquisite bouquets, can you really blame a bride for not wanting to part with it? It’s for this reason that we’ve come up with a few bouquet toss alternatives! No longer is it just a foregone conclusion as to whether you’ll toss that treasure into a pit of rabid single friends, now anything’s possible. Your wedding is your special day and that means anything’s possible.
- The “Breakaway” bouquet – while some brides opt for a second bouquet, made specifically for them to throw, more and more now are choosing to use something called a “breakaway” bouquet. While it may look like your average, run-of-the-mill solid bouquet, it’s actually made to separate once it’s thrown which means everyone gets a piece and you get to keep your beautiful bouquet that was made especially for you. It also means a lot more guests leave extra happy as everyone gets a chance to snag a flower or two.
- Toss something from your wedding theme – wedding themes are becoming more outlandish by the season, which gives blushing brides ample opportunity to throw something that’s related to their wedding theme instead. A great example would be to throw chocolate coins if you’re wedding theme is something sweet. Or perhaps even beautifully decorated plastic snowflakes if you’re going for a winter wonderland theme. Having a sunshine themed wedding? Then why not throw single sunflowers and keep your exquisitely made bouquet to yourself?
- Honour lost loved ones – instead of throwing the bouquet and losing it forever, why don’t you put it to a more meaningful use and use it to honour those who couldn’t be there? More and more couples are now choosing to remember lost loved ones on their special day and one way to do this is to place a vase next to pictures of deceased family and friends. Then after the ceremony, place your bouquet into the vase to serve as a reminder that you’re thinking of them on your special day.
- Have a ladies-only dance – the ladies-only dance is becoming more and more popular. Instead of throwing the bouquet, brides are now choosing to invite the single, taken and married ladies onto the dance floor to enjoy a girl’s only party. Some even pick a special song and create a dance to perform on the night itself. That way you’re celebrating all of the women in your life while forgoing the bouquet toss, allowing you to keep it for yourself.
For more information on wedding flowers and bouquets, give Gracie Day Flowers a call today. Their exquisitely prepared flowers will quite simply take your breath away. We couldn’t be more proud to be working with this award-winning florist.
by admin | May 20, 2016 | Uncategorised
Are you looking for some hints and tips for your wedding music? We thought we’d get some ideas from one of our resident DJ’s, Andy from Herts Events. We hope you find this helpful!
TAP – Hi Andy! As a resident DJ of That Amazing Place we thought it’d be a great idea to come to you and have a little chat! We’re after some top tips for our lovely couples! Are you ready for a little Q&A?
Andy – I certainly am; go for it!
TAP – How long have you been DJ’ing here at That Amazing Place?
Andy – I’ve been a resident DJ for the last 6 months and I couldn’t be more proud to supplying the entertainment for such a fantastic venue. Of all the venues I’ve played at over the last few years TAP is by far my favourite. It’s got beautiful scenery, it’s stunning inside and out and has such fantastic welcoming staff.
TAP – We’re guessing you’ve seen a fair few blushing brides and handsome grooms in your time? Any favourites?
Andy – Having started out as a full time DJ in 1998 I’ve had the pleasure of playing at hundred’s of weddings but the one that always sticks in my mind happened last year. The bride and groom began their first dance, The Ed Sheeran classic “ Thinking Out Loud”. Two minutes into the song, the music suddenly slowed down and stopped, all the guests were looking around expecting it to be a technical fault but little did they know it was all planned. I then had to start a completely different song, “Footloose”, all organised of course, while the bride then proceeded to push the groom off the dance floor. It was then that she was joined by 16 of her friends (from her hen party). They performed a superb dance routine with the bride front and centre. It looked fantastic and all the guests really got into it. I remember thinking to myself how lucky the groom was, he managed to escape a full first dance and keep his new wife happy!
TAP – How important is the DJ to the wedding?
Andy – A wedding DJ has become so much more than the person who stands behind the speakers and plays music. We now often guide you and your guests through the reception, from introducing the bride and groom to letting your guests know when the food’s served, to entertaining them and keeping them on the dance floor into the late night, choosing music is truly a talent in order to ensure things so smoothly and connect with all guests, of all ages too.
TAP – Would you advise couples to meet with a wedding DJ before the big day?
Andy – I personally always offer to meet couples that enquire for my services but sometimes it’s just not possible. In these cases, I suggest chatting on the phone, this way you can discuss what your requirements are and more importantly the style of music that you’d like to hear on your special day. I can also get a feel for you and your style too which I think is just as important.
TAP – Have you got any tips for some undecided couples when it comes to picking their first song?
Andy – It’s important for your first dance to mean something unique to the bride and groom. Every couple has that special song that reminds them of when they first met / fell in love. Whether it’s super slow, fast, anything, it doesn’t matter as long as it means something to you!
TAP – What would you say is the perfect genre of music that ticks all of the boxes on the big day or is it a great idea to mix it up?
Andy – In my experience the most popular genre’s from the last few years are Kisstory and the 80s/90s party classics but every wedding is different from the last and that’s why I love my job so much. You never know what you are going to have to play until you meet the guests, For me, there is nothing quite like seeing a packed dance floor full of people having fun, no matter what the music.
TAP – When it comes to organising a wedding, no matter how many helpful hands are on deck, a little stress will always ensue. Do you have any tips for keeping things simple and easy to manage?
Andy – Its natural to stress a bit when organising something as important as a wedding. I’d suggest once you set your date and book your venue, make sure you secure all the services you need quickly, a good supplier will always be in demand and to avoid disappointment you need to book early. Don’t forget to ask the event’s manager, they’ll have a list of trusted suppliers if you get stuck.
TAP – Last but most certainly not least, what’s your ultimate top tip for any couple reading this about to begin organising their big day?
Andy – DO NOT hesitate to book your wedding at That Amazing Place. Angie and the team are superb and will assist you through every step of your big day; this really is a special place to get married.
by admin | May 4, 2016 | Uncategorised
Here at That Amazing Place, we will always do all we can when it comes to taking some of the usual stress of wedding planning off of your shoulders. Our intentions are to make planning your wedding (and the big day itself of course) as enjoyable as possible. However, despite our best efforts, there are some areas where we simply can’t help – areas that we know only too well, will indeed cause the ultimate stresses and strife. Although we cannot completely take these burdens from you, we thought we’d do our best to offer a little advice and the topic of the moment happens to be the guest list. For some, the mere mention of the ‘Guest List’ sends them into a meltdown. Thankfully we’ve got some fab tips to help cut the dreaded list down to size without too many dramas and a lot less stress for you…hopefully! Here goes:
- Whether you like to admit or not, money talks. Consider who’s footing the bill for the wedding. Traditionally the brides parents usually pay for the wedding, which tends to give them a little more say. If however, it’s his parents then simply flip it. Or if you’re paying for your own wedding, which seems to be happening more and more today, then simply divide between the pair of you evenly. This way you each get to invite an equal amount of loved ones, with no unfairness to create any undue stress.
- If you have your heart sent on a smaller, more intimate wedding then inviting 200 people just won’t do. Figure out what’s more important to you, the wedding of your dreams or more guests? We’re pretty sure the wedding of your dreams will come out on top, forcing you to bring that guest list down to size.
- Whether you like it or not, you need to battle the guilt. Be cut throat because after all, no matter what anyone says, this is your day and your day alone. Yes your family and friends will want to celebrate with you but a wedding isn’t an excuse to round up every single one of your long lost friends from primary school. Don’t feel guilt if you run into someone that you haven’t seen for years and haven’t invited to your wedding, otherwise you’ll be inviting the entire world. If you feel that unwanted pang of guilt, simply think of your big day and the result you’re wanting to achieve.
- Choose your words carefully when it comes to who is and who isn’t invited. If you don’t want children there, simply make sure the invites are addressed to Mr and Mrs Andrews as opposed to The Andrews Family. If however, they RSVP with their children’s names, which is bound to happen at some point, then its okay to politely explain that it’ll be an adult’s only event. It’s your day after all.
The guest list of every wedding is bound to cause some upset, after all, it’s almost impossible to invite every single person that would love to come. If you did this, not only would you struggle to find a venue at all but you’d no doubt struggle to pay for it too. The most important thing to remember is that it’s your day and no one else’s. Would you rather remember it as the day you kept everyone happy or as the most amazing day of your life?
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