But before we do, a HUGE thank you to everybody who visited The Designer Card Company’s stand at the NEC last weekend.  We all had a fabulous time peeking at all of the lovely wedding dresses on offer (and weren’t those children on the catwalk sweet?)  We certainly all think that the show more than lived up to expectations and it was a fantastic opportunity for brides everywhere to gather ideas for their perfect wedding day.

So who is the lucky winner?  Chosen at Random, the lucky winner is… CHARLOTTE DALMAS.  Charlotte is getting married in September 2011, and although she has not yet decided on her colour scheme she is quite certain that she will choose the Chic Square wedding invitation design with a square diamante buckle.

Charlotte will enjoy having her designer wedding invitations, evening invitations, order of service and menu cards provided absolutely free!  We wish Charlotte all the best for her forthcoming wedding.

For any other brides who were not lucky enough to win the competition, perhaps you are working to a budget and were really wanting to win?  We’re sorry there can only be one winner, but can we suggest that you go for our DIY option?  They are sent with full instructions for you to make them yourself, and there is a significant discount for the privilege!  And the best part is that you get to boast to everyone that you made them yourself!

A gleaming diamond ring on supermodel Kate Moss’s ring finger has fuelled speculation that she is engaged to her rocker boyfriend Jamie Hince.

The couple were said to have looked “totally loved-up” on a recent romantic weekend in Paris where Kate was seen wearing the ring.

Jamie took her to the stylish La Maison Du Caviar restaurant for a romantic lunch. A number of people apparently noticed the ring on her engagement finger but she didn’t say anything.

This follows lots of previous rumours that the celebrity couple plan on tying the knot.  In fact, earlier this year Jamie had said: “I want to marry Kate. She’s all I want. She’s all I need.”

A friend said: “If Jamie asks her properly she’ll definitely say yes.”

The 35-year-old model began dating Jamie in 2007, just months after she ended her engagement to troubled Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty. She was also previously engaged to actor Johnny Depp.

For handmade wedding invitations that are as gorgeous as you are, look no further than The Designer Card Company - experts in personalised wedding stationery design.  A whole matching suite of designer wedding stationery is available, so what are you waiting for?

According to a report in The Sun, Apprentice lovebirds Philip Taylor and Kate Walsh are engaged. Viewers of The Apprentice detected a spark between the two while they were on the show.

Philip’s flirtation contributed to his demise on the show - on a task set in Liverpool and Manchester, when he spent more time flirting with Kate than selling. At the end of the day the couple had sold nothing and both ended up in the board room to face Sir Alan Sugar.  Estate agent Philip apparently plans to leave his native North-East to be nearer the licensing development manager, and Apprentice runner-up, who lives in the south.

The pair were photographed outside a jewellers in London’s Hatton Garden where they’d been ring-shopping. A couple of months ago, a friend of Philip’s told The Mirror that he’d said: “I have definitely fallen for Kate; she is the most amazing girl. Not only does she look stunning, but she is sharp as a tack and has a brilliant sense of humour.”

This follows a joke made by Sir Alan Sugar on the final ‘The Apprentice – You’re Fired’ show where he said “We could have our first Apprentice wedding here!”

For handmade wedding invitations that are as gorgeous as you are, look no further than The Designer Card Company - experts in personalised wedding stationery design.  A whole matching suite of designer wedding stationery is available, so what are you waiting for?

If you’re soon to be married make sure you don’t miss this spectacular wedding flowers show, held at Hampton Court Palace.

This historic royal palace plays host to the largest flower show 
in the world, featuring around 50 inspiring display gardens and stunning floral marquees filled with hundreds of the UK’s best nurseries. The show runs from 7-12 July and tickets cost from £17.
 Call 08442 091810 for more information or to book tickets.

For handmade wedding invitations that are as gorgeous as your wedding flowers, look no further than The Designer Card Company - experts in personalised wedding stationery design.  A whole matching suite of designer wedding stationery is available, so what are you waiting for?

The couple had asked for cash or vouchers from their 160 guests, which they planned to put toward a honeymoon.

They apparently first realised something was wrong when they received a pile of gifts all in the same shaped box.

When Mrs Linley began to open the presents she was baffled to find that each one was a Tesco white 2-slice toaster.  Then it emerged the “coincidence” was actually a joke conceived on Mr Linley’s stag party in Ibiza.  The 31 year-old said “The boys were asking me what I wanted as a wedding present, and I said either money or vouchers because I didn’t want to end up with a million toasters.  Then one of my friends took it upon himself to tell everyone to buy us a toaster.  On the morning when we came to open our presents I knew something was going on as I had had about 15 text messages asking if I was having toast for breakfast.”

The couple, who married at Howden Minster, East Yorkshire, last Saturday, have now returned 23 of the toasters, but decided to keep one.

Mrs Linley, 31, an estate agent, said “When we went to open our presents and saw all the boxes were the same shape I thought, ‘this is quite strange’, and then we began to open them and it was toaster after toaster after toaster.  It was hilarious really. Most of them were from Tesco and when we took them back to the store the staff couldn’t stop laughing.  We did make beans on toast for lunch when we got home though.”

For handmade wedding invitations that are as gorgeous as you are, look no further than The Designer Card Company - experts in personalised wedding stationery design.  A whole matching suite of designer wedding stationery is available, so what are you waiting for?

Reverend Alex Brown, 60, was charged with conspiring with Vladymyr Buchak, 32, to breach immigration laws.  Brown was held on Tuesday at St Peter and St Paul C of E church in St Leonards, East Sussex, where he had been a vicar for 18 years.

Prosecutor Jeremy King told magistrates in Hastings “Since 2007 more than 180 marriages have been conducted there.  “The vast majority comprised of non-EU nationals marrying EU nationals. A majority of the non-EU nationals had no right to remain in this country.  The marriages let them remain in this country.”

Brown was bailed until July 17 while Buchak, accused of using a false Estonian passport, was remanded in custody.

A notice has been placed on the church doors stating ‘All meetings and events have been cancelled until further notice’.

Local church goers expressed their surprise at Brown’s arrest.

For handmade wedding invitations that are as gorgeous as you are, look no further than The Designer Card Company - experts in personalised wedding stationery design.  A whole matching suite of designer wedding stationery is available, so what are you waiting for?

When planning your proposal, it’s particularly important to bear in mind that place and time are very influential. Some guys will know you’re serious when you ask them in between household chores, others need to be in the middle of Paris at midnight under a full moon before the setting is romantic enough for them to know you mean it. And, in the same way that you would prefer to give 100 per cent of your attention to this life-changing moment, be sure to wait for an opportunity where he isn’t absorbed in watching the football or anything else.

Look at it his way

When choosing your moment, remember this is his proposal. In the same way that he would take you to your favourite restaurant, or buy a ring you like, or send you the roses you love most, you need to pick a proposal scenario that will appeal to him. So, even if your ideal proposal takes place on a beach, with waves lapping at your ankles, if he is happiest on the terraces at Anfield, then that’s where you have to seize the moment (in a quiet moment!)

With this engagement ring…

Do you get him a ring or similar token? This is entirely up to you. If he normally wears rings, then it would probably be an appropriate gesture. Otherwise, you might like to buy him a watch. However, it’s the question (and answer!) that’s really important, so don’t worry about this too much.

Be prepared

90 per cent of proposals are made by people who are 90 per cent sure they’re going to get the answer they want to hear, but a number of people who ask the question don’t know the answer. If you don’t know whether he’ll say yes or no, be prepared for him to say either, and have an idea in your head of what your next step will be in each case.

After you’ve asked…

Once you’ve made your move, don’t get despondent if he doesn’t yell ‘Yes!’ straight away. There are a number of reasons that he might be slow to give you the answer you want. Firstly, he might be plain surprised. Secondly, you might have stolen his thunder. Remember, some men who seem to be dragging their feet on popping the question are actually really keen, they just haven’t quite got round to it yet. Thirdly, he might not comprehend that you’re being serious! If he doesn’t seem as ecstatic as you might be in the same circumstances, bear in mind that he’s probably never spent any time fondly imagining how he might react if someone asked them to marry him. Give him some time to get used to the idea. Even if he doesn’t say ‘Yes’ this time, maybe it’ll be his turn to ask you next time!

For handmade wedding invitations that are as gorgeous as your man, look no further than The Designer Card Company - experts in personalised wedding stationery design.  A whole matching suite of designer wedding stationery is available, so what are you waiting for?

Muslim weddings are significantly different from other religious wedding ceremonies.   Many of the customs and traditions are from the local country.  Some of the common customs and traditions in Muslim Weddings include the favorite time of year for a wedding - Shawwal.  The sacred months of Muharram and Ramadan are very bad times to hold a wedding.  Most Muslim weddings occur on a Sunday.

Islamic marriages are not considered to be ‘made in heaven’.  The wedding is not a sacrament.  Muslim marriages are social contracts which bring rights and obligations to the bride and groom.  While marriages are often arranged by the parents, this is not required.

In an Iranian Muslim wedding, the ceremony and reception are held at the home of the bride’s parents. The ceremony commences as soon as the first guests arrive.  The reception lasts from three to seven days.  There is a very elaborate floor spread set up for Aghd.  Food is set up facing east, towards the light.  Both the food and decorations are selected for customs and traditions.  Some examples are the cloth placed on the floor underneath the food is passed down from generation to generation.  It is usually embroidered of cashmere or silk.  A copy of the Koran is opened and placed on a prayer rug in the middle of the food.  To bring the couple wealth, a bowl of coins is placed on the table to represent the sweetness of a new life together, there is a plate with several sweet pastries.

A Muslim wedding in India or Pakistan lasts for three days.  The Mehndi typically takes place one day at the bride’s house and one day at the groom’s house.  Henna is put on the hands of the bride and groom’s hands. There are also traditional songs and dances.  The actual Nikah (also called a Shadi), is the signing of official papers by the bride’s family in the presence of an Imam.   The groom’s family hosts a feast to formally announce the marriages.

Muslim weddings in Egypt are similar.  The night before the wedding, friends and relatives celebrate the Henna Night.  The wedding day begins with the signing of the contract and after sunset, the wedding party starts and the bride and groom wears their best dresses, clothes and jewelry.

In Malaysia, on the wedding day the couple is treated like royalty.  The Henna ceremony takes place the night before the wedding but only for the bride.  Her palms and feet are decorated with henna.  The signing of the wedding contract is led by a Kadhi, a religious official of the Syariat Court. The contract is consummated with a small sum of money.

In Great Britain, a Muslim wedding is a simple ceremony.  The bride does not even have to attend the ceremony.  She sends two witnesses to sign the agreement and the ceremony consists of reading from the Koran and exchanging of vows in front of witnesses for both families.  It is not required to have a religious official at the ceremony.

Singapore has an unusual tradition.  When the bride is ready, the Mak Andam (beautician) along with the bride’s family kidnaps the groom and asks for an “entrance fee”.  They only allow the groom to enter when they are content with the amount he offers.  After the ceremony, friends and relatives sprinkle petals and rice on the couple seated on the throne. While there are many different traditions depending on the country and part of the world you live in, Muslim wedding tend to be large joyous affairs.

Muslim wedding invitations are available from the Designer Card Company.  Numerous designs and sizes are available, and cards can be made in a colour of your choice.  They can be decorated with luxurious double satin ribbon in various colours to match your wedding outfits.

Pre-wedding party cards, programme cards, Mehndi cards and Walima cards can be made to match your designer wedding invitations, and special prices are available for large quantities.  Please ask for more details.

So for gorgeous Muslim wedding cards, look no further than the Designer Card Company.

Close Shave

Make sure your beard area is as wet as possible with warm water. Use a gel-type foam and shave in the direction of the hair growth and, of course, a fresh blade on the wedding morning.  But be careful not to cut your face!

Good Looking Nails

Keep nails looking good by cutting them short (no, don’t bite them!) and smoothing the tip with a file. A manicure a day or two before the big day will leave your nails cleaner than you’ve ever seen them, which is especially important as your new ring will be on show!

Stag Night Caution

Don’t undo all your good work by overdoing it the night before the wedding. If you really want to look your best, have an early night and get the stag night out of the way long before!

Look Good Naked

Effective dieting isn’t about calorie counting. It’s about changing your eating habits completely. So tuck into more high-carbohydrate foods (cereals, breads, rice, pasta and potatoes) and have less high-fat foods (cheese, ice cream, red meat and fried breakfasts). Get into the habit of eating like this all the time and aim to lose one to two pounds a week.

Get into Shape

Follow a progressive fitness programme that starts with brisk walking for 30 minutes, three days a week. Gradually increase your level of exercise until you’re completing two to three vigorous 20- to 30-minute aerobic workouts each week (eg running, fast cycling). Your fitness should improve dramatically within three months, so the sooner you start the better.

Forward Planning

Considering a change of hairstyle for the big day? It may take two to three cuts to get there, so see your hairdresser at least three months before the wedding.

Soft as a Baby’s Bottom

One of the most common causes of tired, unhealthy, grey-looking skin is dehydration, both on the surface and within your body. She advises drinking at least four pints of water a day. Using a moisturiser for a few days before the wedding can also make your skin look less dry and wrinkled. Men now spend some £560 million a year on toiletries and most male celebs take great care of their skin, so don’t feel embarrassed about visiting a beauty salon!

Zit-Busting Tips

Most spots are best left alone to heal naturally; if you squeeze them, you run the risk of an infection making matters worse. Try using a concealer - go to a department store and ask the counter staff to help you find one that matches your skin colour.

A facial will work wonders on your blackheads and leave you feeling relaxed and grime-free. You might look red-faced for a few hours afterwards, however, so have one a couple of days before the wedding. Full-blown acne needs longer-term treatment. Seek help from somewhere like the Acne Support Group.

For handmade wedding invitations that are as gorgeous as your bride, look no further than The Designer Card Company - experts in personalised wedding stationery design.  A whole matching suite of designer wedding stationery is available, so what are you waiting for?

In Britain, there are 30,000 people of the Greek Orthodox faith from the mainland of Greece, and a further 300,000 Cypriots.  The Greek Orthodox wedding is very similar to a traditional Church of England wedding. The rituals of the day are alike, but there is little flexibility in the service itself; you cannot have readings or music that is not already incorporated into the service, nor is any secular content allowed.

The ceremony is performed by a priest in a Greek Orthodox Church and lasts between 40 minutes and an hour.

Until recently, marriage in a Greek Orthodox Church was not legally binding; a couple also had to take part in a civil ceremony in a register office or licensed venue. Now however, there are various venues in London where the religious and legal sides are combined in one ceremony.  For more details, call the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain on 020 7723 4787.

There are a number of days when it is forbidden to get married, including the fasting period 40 days prior to Easter and the 40 days prior to Christmas for the same reason. The first 15 days of August, a period dedicated to celebrating the Virgin Mary, are also out of bounds. It’s best to consult your local church as there are additional days on which marriage would be inappropriate.

There is a superstition that marriage in a Leap Year is unlucky.

Marriage can take place at virtually any time of the day, in accordance with the requirements of the priest. The only time that you can’t get married is during Sunday Mass.

The venue for the Greek Orthodox wedding is a Greek Church and it’s important to check with the priest about both his and the venue’s availability. It’s usual to get married in the local church, so there’s not a huge amount of choice in terms of venue for the actual wedding. One important thing is parking availability, as often these churches are in the centre of town and parking can be limited. Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that it’s customary to have a few meetings with the priest prior to getting married, so it’s best to organise your date as early as possible so that you can attend all of these in good time.

It’s not possible to change the format of the wedding service in any significant way. There is no music other than hymns, and the readings are all taken from religious texts. You cannot bring in musicians or music from outside.  To put their own unique stamp on the day, most couples concentrate on incorporating other kinds of music or readings into the wedding reception.

Greek Orthodox wedding traditions

• Rehearsals sometimes take place, but they are not compulsory.
• The bride and groom can invite guests from all religious denominations. Although everyone is welcome to the celebrations, it is preferred that only those who have been baptised into the faith themselves enter the church itself.
• The Greek Orthodox community is very tight-knit and centres around the church, so everyone in it will know about the impending marriage. The community is traditionally asked to the wedding and reception and plays a large part in the atmosphere of the ceremony itself.
• The bride wears a white wedding dress with a long train. The groom wears a traditional black suit with a bow tie. Guests should wear smart outfits.
• As in any traditional Christian service, the couple do not see one another on the day. The groom arrives before the bride, and the two families sit on opposite sides of the church.
• The bride arrives with her father, or a male relative. The groom travels to the church with his best man.
• Traditionally, the service itself is paid for by the bridesmaids. It begins with the betrothal ceremony, which includes a blessing and the placing of a ring on the right hand of the bride and groom. This is conducted by the priest.
• During the ceremony, the bride and groom are given a cup of wine and crowns are placed on their heads. This is separate to Holy Communion, which takes place prior to the wedding day.
• During the service the bride and groom kiss the Bible and walk around the altar-like ceremonial table three times to recognise the Holy Trinity and their happiness at the union of the two families
• At the end of the service, the wedding party leaves the church for the reception where there is dancing, including the money dance when guests pin money to the couple’s clothes.

For handmade wedding invitations that are as gorgeous as you are, look no further than The Designer Card Company - experts in personalised wedding stationery design.  A whole matching suite of designer wedding stationery is available, so what are you waiting for?