Every bride wants to, and in fact must look beautiful, dazzling and make a lasting impression on her special day. Brides to be should begin consulting for hair and beauty 4 to 6 months before the wedding. Some brides opt to do the makeup themselves. Consider the shape of your face, the length of your hair, your trouble spot and your best facial feature. If the style you have chosen is for long hair and your hair is too short, you can get extensions.

For beauty, if your eyes are your best feature play them up with makeup to draw attention to them. If your trouble spot is your forehead, which, for example, you find is too high, you can choose a style that plays it down or hides it perhaps a fringe.

But why go through all the trouble? Why not choose to have a professional beauty consultant and a hairdresser make you look like a fairytale princess on this special day. For both of these, trusted names are a good way to go; recommendations should be highly considered. A personal consultation should be made from 4 to 6 months before the wedding. Consultations are often free of charge and the consultant will want to know your cosmetic background, hair history and what headpiece youve chosen to wear. Shell also want to discuss what you expect concerning your hair, make-up and nails so that she knows what can be done to meet those expectations. Remember to choose a look thats an extension of yourself, not someone elses look. Choose a style that you are sure of instead of adding to the tension of your wedding day by keeping on worrying about how the style looks on you. However, thats not to say that you cannot try a new look. Changes and experiments can be made successfully if the new look is tried out in advance. But why go through all the trouble? Why not choose to have a professional beauty consultant and a hairdresser make you look like a fairytale princess on this special day. For both of these, trusted names are a good way to go; recommendations should be highly considered. A personal consultation should be made from 4 to 6 months before the wedding. Consultations are often free of charge and the consultant will want to know your cosmetic background, hair history and what headpiece youve chosen to wear. Shell also want to discuss what you expect concerning your hair, make-up and nails so that she knows what can be done to meet those expectations. Remember to choose a look thats an extension of yourself, not someone elses look. Choose a style that you are sure of instead of adding to the tension of your wedding day by keeping on worrying about how the style looks on you. However, thats not to say that you cannot try a new look. Changes and experiments can be made successfully if the new look is tried out in advance.

HAIR
The stylist will help you decide on the suitable length of hair,type and placement of the headpiece, how the flowers will be placed and highlighting. Remember that you should have a style that will endure the long active wedding day: all the photographs, the dances, hugs and the elements of sun, wind and water during your honeymoon. Usually the hairdresser starts with a try out in the final 2 – 3 weeks before the wedding. The final styling is done on the morning of the wedding day.

NAILS
Manicure
Since you will be showing off your ring and there will be a lot of congratulatory handshakes, nails are a visual and important part of your wedding grooming. We have several nail salons with excellent manicurists. When going for manicure consultation, take along with you a swatch of the fabric your wedding gown is made of to give the manicurist an idea of how best to design your nails.

Pedicure
This is another important beauty treatment as it will improve your self-image and help you take time off to relax while having your feet done. Also it will ensure pretty feet during the honeymoon. Establish a relationship with a beauty salon so you can visit weekly for your manicures and pedicures in the days culminating to your wedding.

MAKE-UP
You will be the centre of attention on this day; all eyes on you. Numerous photos will be taken.Your make-up will help maintain your radiant good looks throughout the long day.

MALE GROOMING
Whereas there was a time it was a mark of shame for a man to be seen fussing over himself and a choking sight to see him stroll out of a salon, today this is a popular service. Many males are not afraid to fuss over themselves and it is no longer an eyebrow-raising sight to see a man in your local salon. Most male clients will get their final haircut 1-2 weeks before the wedding day and return for a shampoo and hair trim (beard and moustache included) a day before the wedding. A manicure is also high on the cards and roughened hands can be softened and ragged nails shaped.

DIET
Weight is a weighty issue to the bride. No one wants to feel-fat in their wedding gown or to have a few extra pounds that will mess up the dress fitting. Understandable, really, but steer clear of crash diets. All theyll do is give you fatigue, dizziness and even make you feel nauseous. Rather, for controlled weight loss, a combination of calorie reduction and exercise can be observed. If you can afford it, see a nutritionist and perhaps pop into a health and fitness club for examination, advice and recommendation. Of course for the best results, start months earlier.

The beauty of a destination wedding is that it will never go out of style and one can turn their celebration into a weekend (or week!) surrounded by the people you love! There are so many gorgeous destination wedding locations in Kenya but if youre going to go for it, why not just go for it? From the coast, to the Masaai Mara to Western Kenya , a far-flung locale will turn your destination wedding into an adventure you and your guests will remember for the rest of your lives. However, with all that travel comes a lot more details youll need to consider and here’s, everything you need to know about the logistics of planning a destination wedding.

Consider Your Guests Before You Start Planning

Choosing a venue is more than just picking the prettiest spot you can find.Unless you want to cut the budget cost and minimize on the number of people coming, always have your guests in mind before deciding any location. Ask yourself whether the destination will be affordable for guests to fly to, as well as whether there are multiple hotel options at different price levels. Because of the expense and distance, a far-flung destination will filter your guest list down to the core group of family and friends quite quickly. If there are certain people you need to have at the event who may not be able to afford it, you should be prepared to do what you can to make your day accessible to them.

Be prepared to do in-person research.

Pictures and videos online can be beautiful, but when youre going so far for your celebration, it is wise to visit the site in person. Youll have much more confidence in what youve chosen if you have a chance to familiarize yourself with your options.
Once you have settled on the venue, it is vital that you ,make a few more trips. The first, as a site inspection and to choose the location. The second, to do tastings and the wedding designs. The third is always to finalize on everything and to see how things are panning out.

Know Your Destination

Do your research before you head out of town. Its also important to find out what the marriage license requirements are — and to be flexible if that means youll have to tie the knot legally at home.

Embrace the Setting

Immerse yourself and your guests in the place youve brought everyone to. This will enhance your experience and make the most of your surroundings. You can still add your personal touch, but should let the setting youve chosen inspire and dictate the details of your celebration.

Work with a Pro

Remote and far-flung places often have limited resources, which might require the expertise of a professional.They will be able to give you an idea of what it would cost to bring in the necessary resources, or help you find a venue that has the resources and expertise to make your celebration happen
With different time zones, a language barrier, and thousands of miles between you and your venue, communication is key as it will keep you and your team on the same page.

Information is Priceless

A well-informed guest is a happy guest. Especially with long-distance travel involved, the more you can tell your guests to help them prepare for your wedding, the better. Ensure that you share any special pricing and codes youve received for hotels, suggestions for flight itineraries and local transportation, the currency exchange, and even a basic vocabulary list in the local language. In addition, dont forget to include the dress code for any events and activities so guests can pack accordingly!

The wedding shoe is one of the most important accessories in the long list of bridal accessories. While some bride might equate this experience to what it feels when one find Mr. Right, for others scoring a solid wedding shoe is as simple as considering comfort (which is key no matter how much you value style). By the end of the day, make sure that you are comfortable as you will be with them the whole day. Here are some of the Do’s and don’t you should consider before buying that wedding shoe!

First Do: First find your wedding gown!

This principle applies even if you have stumbled upon your perfect shoe first before the gown. The reason why is that you want your wedding-day shoes to complement your dress in every aspectstyle, color, detail, etc. In addition, the length of your dress matters. For instance, if you have a shorter dress, your shoes can serve as a statement accessoryadding color, glitz, glam, whatever you feel your ensemble is missing.On the other hand, if your dress is on the longer side, your shoes can serve more of a comfort purpose, and how seamlessly they match might be less important. Another reason to buy your dress first is that youll need your shoes at each of your dress fittings.

Second Do: Always Shop around

To avoid both waiting until the last minute and finding your wedding shoe too early, youll want to set aside a lot of time to browse and compare many stores for both price and better options before saying, this is the one.

Dont: Buy your wedding shoe online

Unlike the wedding gown which can be adjusted, a wrong pair of shoe can be any bride’s nightmare. Online websites are one of the simplest ways through which one can explore styles and get a feel for whats available at your local stores, buying your wedding shoes in-person also allows you to check where the hemline of your dress would fall when you wear them, so you can avoid stylistic faux pas.

Do: Know your venue

Just as you check the weather to make sure youre wearing the appropriate footwear before venturing outside every day, don’t forget to consider your venue and check whether your shoe is a suitable choice.Your wedding venue will influence how much heel you should wear, since trying to look graceful while walking through sand on a beach is much more difficult in heels than strolling down an aisle in a church.

Dont: Be afraid of colors aside from white

Like any other style decision you make for your big day, what color shoes will depend on what kind of bride you are. For example, if youre more classic and traditional, youll likely be drawn to traditional whites, champagnes, ivories, and nudes, but if youre slightly less traditional, dont be afraid go outside the box in the color department.

One of the most memorable parts of your big day is your wedding gown! The shimmering spotlight is set on the bride,so the wedding dress should be a must hit. One needs to not only stand out and look totally gorgeous, they also have to maintain that elegance as well as the beauty that they possess.Here are some of the things to look out for if you are one of the brides desiring to have a unique look on your nuptial.

1. Choose a silhouette and cut that are not commonly used.

Never underestimate the power of silhouettes. A gowns cut has just as impact as the material and details. Apart from a silhouette matching your body type perfectly, go for something that is not commonly used. For instance, one can employ a haltered neckline or a tent silhouette to achieve this unique look.

2. Have fun with appliqu!

Brides have an advantage in this day and age where there is an abundance of inspiration and creativity. Let your mind open to adding a little bit of character to your gown. Experiment with appliquesthey add texture and an artistic flair to your gownand when creatively placed, they can make the gown look gorgeous.

3. Be Bold! Try use fun elements.

For that added wow factor, think out of the box and try adding gorgeous bows, feathered vests, or sparkling capes to your gown. Youll feel extra unique because of all the fun elements incorporated in your dress apart from looking beautiful on your big day.

4. Put a twist to a classic style.

We can never discount the uniqueness of an unconventional dress design. Were all for surprise elements being added to wedding dresses! But if youre not the type of bride who likes going all-out, you can always opt for subtly bold elements instead, like this gowns sexy cutout put right above the waist, giving the dress such a distinct look!

5. Opt for one-of-a-kind looking lace.

There will always be brides who love lace. If youre one of them, then please know that there are so many options and different types of lace out there, and some of them are extremely unique-looking! Even the most simple, classic wedding gown can instantly be made to look different just by the type of lace used.

Remember, its your big day and so whatever you choose to wear, wear it confidently. You will only be as beautiful as the smile you wear when you walk down the aisle!

Choosing a wedding date is one of the most important planning decisions that you’ll have to make as a couple that is after saying yes to the journey of love. Your wedding date will impact every other aspect of your nuptial including your budget. You may have an idea of where you envision yourself walking down the aisle or how your gown will look like , but until you decide when you’d like to get married, you can’t commit to anything. We have compiled some of the best months with the best deals as far as tying the knot is concerned.

1. February
This is the month, after January, that is deemed to be tough in terms of financial matters is concerned. Hence, when it comes to getting deals, most wedding vendors and hotels give the best deals especially being that it is the month of love. Its also the best month since its hot and your guests can wear their pretty little dresses on your nuptial.

2. June

June July is the coolest time in Nairobi but other parts are warmer.It is a good time at the coast, less humid and not too hot. Depends where you choose to plan your nuptial. Money is also not overstretched as far as wedding budget is concerned.

3. August

This month looks like a fake December with many of the working class taking their leave during this month. So, if you are looking to have a crowd on the day of your wedding, this is the month to go for.

4. October

October has been the most popular wedding month in the last couple of years. In Kenya, two holidays fall in this month where a couple can plan their wedding date. It is also a month with a great cash flow if you are planning to do a harambee.

5. December

This is the most ideal month for many couples with the many holidays falling during this time which can work well if you are looking to have a crowded wedding. For many couples, things like warm weather or an outdoor venue are important. But obviously, this is the busiest time of year for venues and vendors, so costs will likely be higher.

The logistics of getting to and from your wedding venue and sometimes to your reception can be tricky if not properly planned out. That is why its thoughtful to make room in your wedding budget for transportation not only for yourself but also for your guests. Here are some fun ways, which you can use to get your guests around!
1. Antique Car
Renting a vintage car can make your big day unique. They are a classy, unusual form of transportation that will let you and your bride- or groom-to-be make an impressive entrance.

2. Limousine
A limousine is timeless and elegant, the traditional choice of wedding transportation. If you want your bridal party to jump in, a stretch limousine would make a great experience!
3. Taxi or uber
For a classic wedding in the city, a vintage checked taxi or uber is totally on-theme.
4. Helicopter
For the ultimate exit, it really doesn’t get more over-the-top than a helicopter. This one’s perfect for the couple whose motto is “go big or go home.”

5. Golf Cart
This comes in handy when your ceremonies as well as reception are at the same venue, but a bit of a distance away. Once decorated, a golf cart can be a unique mode of transport to the venue!
6. Rowboat
Have an inspired moment as your love rows you across the lake.
7. Sailboat
This is one of the methods, which will get you ready for your honeymoon. For the extravagant bride, a yatch too can work out!
8. Horse and Carriage
You’ll feel like Cinderella as you ride along with your very own Prince Charming. Best of all, the fairy tale won’t end at midnight

9. Party Bus
For the bride and groom who want to ride along with the wedding party, nothing says “party” like party bus.

Royal fans have a lot to celebrate this year as the second royal wedding between princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank has already taken place. Just like the Harry and Meghans nuptial, their church ceremony was held inside St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle while their nighttime reception took place at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

A household name in the United Kingdom, Princess Eugenie alongside her sister are renowned for the flamboyant hat that they wore to Prince William and Kate Middletons nuptial and is the third of the queens four granddaughters. She was also the first royal baby to have a public christening. Her husband, Brooksbank, 31, is the son of an accountant and grew up in British aristocratic circles. He did not attend college, though, and instead worked in the restaurant and bar industry. He is currently the manager of the posh nightclub Mahiki, and is a brand representative for George Clooneys company, Casamigos Tequila. It is said that the two lovebirds have been together for more than seven years. We are always keen to check out how special the royal weddings are and here is how different Eugenies wedding was from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

1. The Timing
This is the most obvious difference between the two celebrations. While Meghan and Harrys big day was on a Saturday morning around noon in the springtime, Eugenie and Jacks wedding took place on a Friday morning in October.
4. THEIR RECEPTION
While Eugenie and Jacks festivities lasted for two days, which comprised of the ceremony, fairgrounds as well as an afternoon tea, Prince Harry and Meghan had two receptions one which was a very private affair. The Queen hosted a wedding reception at Windsor Castle, and later on, another reception was held at the York’s Windsor family home called the Royal Lodge.
The Royal Lodge was special given the fact that this is the place where the York family reside and Princess Eugenie spent much of her childhood in the area, making the venue a heartfelt one not only for the bride, but her entire family.
5. THE GUEST DRESS CODE
While at Meghan and Harry’s wedding the male guests were allowed to wear “lounge suits,” none of that happened at Eugenie’s. Guys had to wear morning suits, which have an S-shaped coat. In addition, the duo had a much larger guest list.
6. THE COST
When it comes to cost, Prince Harry and Meghans nuptial exceeded Eugenie’s wedding. It is said that Prince Harry and Meghans wedding clocked in at nearly $45 million, a sum that was partially covered by the palace. Reportedly, this cost the taxpayer a whooping $40 million just for security. Eugenie’s nuptial was said to be $2.5 million celebration and there is a bit of controversy in what the public was expected to pay in as far as security measures are concerned despite the fact that Eugenie is not one of the main royals.

7. THE DRESS
While Meghan settled for a Givenchy wedding gown designed by Brit Clare Waight Keller, Eugenie went with a nearly off-shoulder gown by Peter Pilotto and shoes by Charlotte Olympia. And when it comes to the veil, unlike Meghans, which was the talk of town, Eugenie ditched it in favor of highlighting her gown’s plunging back and proudly showing off the scars from her childhood scoliosis back surgery.

8. THE MAID OF HONOR
Meghan, being the diplomat that she is, chose not to have a maid of honor because she couldn’t choose between her friends. How sweet! Plus, Meghan and her half-sister Samantha Markle weren’t exactly on speaking terms so that wasn’t really an option.
But what’s just as sweet as Meghan not choosing between her friends is who Eugenie picked to be her maid of honorher sister, Princess Beatrice, of course!
12. THE TIARAS
Considering that Meghan isn’t royal, she didn’t have any spare tiaras lying around so she borrowed the Queen Mary Filigree tiara, which Queen Elizabeth II inherited in 1953. While it was predicted that Eugenie would wear the York tiara, which her mother wore when she married Prince Andrew, she opted for an emerald one that she borrowed from the Queen.

Photos courtesy

An invitation or save the date for a future wedding in your was up or mail box can be one of the most exciting things to anticipate. Weddings, more often than not, are an opportunity to eat good food, dance besides old friends and make new ones too. In addition, its the celebration of two people in your life who have found love within one another and promise to stay together for a lifetime. So being in your best behavior as a wedding guest is crucial not only for your reputation but also as a sign of respect to your loved one. We, did our research and found out some of the common mistakes that wedding guests do in weddings:
1. Wearing White
Even if you think its okay and think that you look better in the colour, unless its the theme of the wedding or the bride says so, wearing white to a wedding is a no no. Let the bride sparkle in white while you wear any other dress just to be safe.
2. Not Giving A Gift
I know times are hard and the economy is tough but its courtesy to at least go with a gift even just a card. Your card will mean something to them and they will cherish it for the rest of their lives.
3. Chatting During the Ceremony
As excited as you may be during the ceremony because of meeting old friends or making new ones, it is wise and respectful to refrain from chatting.
4. Taking Flash Photography
Dont compete with the official photographers when it comes to taking photography kindly make way for them. Those photos are the only memory that couples have so as a matter of respect, let the photographers take the best photos possible.

5. Taking Shots Before the Ceremony
Kindly dont be drunk before the ceremony even if you are a renowned party animal. Save the best for last as in most weddings couples have an open bar in the evenings.
6. Wearing Jeans
Even if the wedding invitation says it is not a black tie event, kindly do not wear jeans in any wedding.
7. Getting Competitive About the Bouquet Toss
The bouquet tossing time should is a fun time where singles get to catch the bouquet and hope that their wedding will be the next one. However, don’t get too competitive and avoid elbowing people around you and pushing them away. Remember, its never that serious!
8. Giving An Unplanned Speech
If you want to speak at the wedding, chat with the couple beforehand, but keep in mind that they may not want guests to think it’s an open mic kind of night and have speeches drag on for a good chunk of the reception. Just because there’s a microphone at the party, doesn’t mean you have permission to use it.
9. Texting the Bride
Can you imagine how many texts and calls the bride gets the day before and during the wedding? If you can, kindly avoid bringing in pressure and hold your peace till afterwards.
10. Bringing an Uninvited Plus-One
If you weren’t told you could bring someone to the wedding, know that you have to fly solo. An uninvited guest is an extra plate, which means an extra cost to the couple.
11. Not Introducing Yourself to the People at Your Table
Be sure to say hello to them when you sit down. You were placed at that table for a reason so chances are you have something in common with the people around you.
12. Comparing/Criticizing the Details
If you didnt contribute in making the wedding happen, kindly dont say anything negative about the occasion. Bring in positive vibe.

In most societies, when a woman is married, the expectation is that they change their last name as a sign that they have acquired a new status. But do you know where this entire tradition came from?
Historically, an individuals surname was not significant. Most people were only known by their first/Christian names in early medieval England. However, as the population grew, it became a tedious task to distinguish people and as a result the surnames were introduced. Issues of wives taking their husbands surnames did not surface until the 19th century when lawmakers in Britain started to look into the legalities surrounding families, personhood as well as marriage. Consequently, the doctrine of coverture emerged which made the woman one with her spouse therefore requiring her to change her last name to her husbands.

The concept of coverture literally connotes covered by, which meant that women had no independent legal identity apart from their spouse. This coverage began when the female child was young in that she had to take her fathers surname and could only change it once she was legally married. While the laws meant that the woman was covered, the worst part of it was that these laws hindered them from signing contracts, participating in or even exercising ownership over real estate or personal property. However, as times went by, and as more women right groups began to emerge, the woman have an option to retain their birth name after marriage.

All over the world, some time back, it was automatic that a married woman would later on change their name to their hubbys. Nevertheless, times are changing and with the rise of independent women i.e being able to acquire land without requiring their husbands consent or even loans from banks, more and more women are apparently refusing to take up their husbands last names. Here are some of the reasons that we found out after research, on why some women are not changing their names:
1. Procrastination:
Most women admit that the process of changing their name to their husbands is tedious and they have found themselves procrastinating the entire process. The process entails forms to be filled and returned to the registrar of persons before the names change officially.

2. Their husbands last name is terrible
Some women reject their husbands name because its either terrible or has a horrible meaning which they cant associate themselves with.
3.To maintain their identity
Marriage means that a woman loses her identity especially by changing their name. To prove that they are proud of who they are, some women decide to keep their last name.

4. It will affect their career
When a woman attains some level of influence or financial/career success before they get married, they tend to refuse the names of their husbands as it results in a lot of complications or its double work trying to change what they have worked for years.
5. Fear of divorce
With the rise in number of cheating cases, most women are sticking to keeping their last name.
6. Family tradition
Women who come from influential families tend to keep their maiden names as a way of keeping their family tradition and also their wealth. Some also keep because their mother also kept hence it continues throughout their generations.
7. Because their hubby is changing their names to hers
Sounds weird but thats the current trend now.