When three brides-to-be have their eye on the same designer wedding dress, there’s only one woman to decide who gets to wear it on their wedding day (
Gillian McKeith)
The idea is simple: get three overweight brides-to-be who want to lose weight for their fast approaching nuptials, but who just can’t find the motivation. What’s the ultimate bait for our curvy trio? The one thing that that’ll have them reaching for a tin of adzuki beans quicker than you can say Gillian McKeith? The wedding dress of their dreams! There’s just one hitch, only one lucky lady, the one who loses the most pounds and inches, will win it. Let the games begin…
Samantha’s story:
‘When I came across the ad for Gillian’s show on Confetti.com, I was a size 18 and creeping towards a size 20. I wasn’t happy. It was January and I was due to get married in the April. So it seemed like a godsend.
My fiancé, Dave Chater, 27, was a little apprehensive. But I really wanted to do it, I had a good feeling about it. I’d never been fat. I wasn’t a fat teenager or a fat child. But now I was going to be a fat bride – that wasn’t me, that wasn’t my story.
My main downfall was wine and cheese. The researchers worked out that I was drinking 72 units a week. It sounds like hell of a lot. But it wasn’t like I was going out every night.
I drank at home, to relax. But a large glass of wine you pour yourself at home works out at around three units. And over a week it quickly adds up. The other area of concern for Gillian was the fact that I had raised cholesterol. It was just over 7mmol/l, which is high.
My mum had a heart attack at 43, so Gillian was really worried that I was headed down the same route.’
The regime
‘Giving up alcohol was a big step for me, but I didn’t even crave it. It was the same with the food. I think because my mind was so set on winning that dress, I was so ready for that change. I had a goal, a real challenge – and I like winning. The hard bit for me was the exercise. I’m not the best at getting up in the morning, and I had to work out for 30 minutes before breakfast.
When I won I was ecstatic.
I felt a million dollars on my wedding day. My skin looked fantastic. My period, which had been all over the place, had settled down. And my cholesterol was back to normal. It wasn’t just about the dress, for me, it was the perfect way to make a difference, and re-educate myself.’
What happens next?
‘I want to try and shift an extra two stone. I’ve learnt that I’m the kind of person who needs a clear goal. I want to get back into singing, so I’m going to use that as an incentive. My voice, which I haven’t used in quite a few years, is really coming back.
I’m definitely going to continue with what I’ve learnt from the show. I’m not perfect, but my attitude towards food now is so different. I can’t endorse the regime enough. I’ve lost weight, feel fantastic and have my confidence back.’
Fact File
Samantha Joyce, 30, from London is a business forecaster and singer
Weight then: 13st 4lb
Weight now: 11st 7lb
Weight lost: 1st 12lb
Size then: 18–20
Size now: 16
Natasha’s story:
‘We saw the ad for the show on Confetti.com in March, and we were getting married in June. I didn’t want to do it at first. But my fiancé, Owen, 43, was like, “Go on, do it. It’ll be the only chance you get to lose weight.”
At that point I was 16 stone and size 20–22. A bit chunky. But because I’m quite tall (5ft 7in) I didn’t feel I was that big.
I don’t know what I saw when I looked in the mirror. I just kept thinking, I don’t look as bad as so and so.
But Gillian was like, “You’re seriously overweight. Don’t you care about your life, don’t you care about your health?” It wasn’t until then that I admitted to myself that I had a problem.
Gillian wasn’t happy with my diet at all. But it was what she said about my kids, Khari, 11 and Grace, four, which really got to me. “You’ve been blessed with these kids and you’re supposed to take care of them,” she said. “You’re going to kill them, feeding them all this crap.” And that really upset me.
In fact my kids were eating better than me. But the problem was, I used a deep fat fryer a lot, for convenience really. When I got home from work late, I’d quickly fry some chips and maybe do some sausages. I’d even put oven chips in my fryer! When I say it now, I think, oh my gosh, you idiot girl.’
The regime
The diet was a real shock to my system. Everything had to be cooked fresh everyday, which really got on my nerves. We were lucky enough, in the second half of the plan, to be able to use leftovers from the night before for lunch. But most of the time it was loads of fresh vegetables, which had to be steamed. Gillian gave me a steamer, which was lovely, but she took away my fryer.
For the first two weeks I didn’t exercise at all, because I hated it so much. But Owen was like, “If you don’t start exercising, I’m phoning Gillian.” I was living with Gillian McKeith!
During the week, I had to get up 45 minutes earlier than normal. I’d do half an hour on the mini trampoline they gave us. Then I’d prepare the fresh juice I needed for my mid-day snack. Then I’d get the children up. And I still do that now.
By the end, I sort of became addicted to exercise. And because I so wanted the dress, I was prepared to do whatever it took to get it. There were times when I was getting up at half past five to exercise. A couple of times I was at the gym by seven doing two spinning classes back to back. It got very competitive between Lee and me. She would phone and say I’ve done this today, and I would think – right, I’ll do more.
Gillian had a really hard time judging our show. She couldn’t make up her mind who was going to win. But in my heart, I knew it wouldn’t be me, as I cheated on my regime. In week two, I’d gone out on a tasting session for my wedding cake, and really slipped up.I was so angry that I’d done it, but it It made me think, if you want something you’ve got to do whatever it takes. At that point it wasn’t about the dress. It was about me proving to myself that I can complete something.
I felt only a little bit of disappointment when Lee won, she did deserve it. Although she didn’t lose as much weight as me, or as many inches, she gave it her all – 120%.’
What happens next?
I’ve been so inspired, I want to start my own business giving one-to-one nutritional advice. I’ve just enrolled on a diploma course for nutrition and Gillian’s advising me on a macrobiotic cooking course. At first my friends were like, “When you eat normally Tash, you’re just gonna get fat again.”And I’m like, “This is normal now.”
This is a whole new me.’
Fact File
Natasha File, 35, from London is a PA
Weight then: 16st
Weight now: 14st 5lb
Weight lost: 1st 9lb
Size then: 20
Size now: 16
Jacqueline’s story
‘The first time I met Gillian, she said to me, “Why have you let yourself get like this. Why have your let yourself go?”
I was 13st 10lb, the heaviest I’d ever been. And I’d put on 2st 7lb in the last year and a half, since I’d met my fiancé Ron McLeod, 51. We were staying in and eating more carryout meals, and we were also eating out more at weekends with other couples.
I was sent to London for blood tests. They found that I was deficient in lots of vitamins, and that my bladder and my kidneys were bursting with salt.
I was actually poisoning my body. I was really upset, but at least it explained a lot of things: why I had lower back pain, and urine problems; why I was so tired, I often couldn’t get out of bed in the morning.
And then it got worse. Because I carry all my weight around my middle, Gillian said to me in another year I’d be diabetic. I was really upset, because my dad died from diabetes last year.’
The regime
‘I had to cut out all the Chinese and Indian carryout meals, and eating Chinese when we were out. I cut out all dairy products.
I was having five pieces of fruit in the morning made into a smoothie. If I was nibbling in the morning, it’d be on carrot sticks or vegetable juices. At lunchtime I might have salmon with a bit of salad. At night, I’d have salad with rice or a sweet potato.
For the first two weeks I was crying all the time. Gillian said it was my body detoxing. My body was craving fat and salt. But then I could really feel things beginning to change. I lost 10lb in those two weeks. My skin was clearer. And where my body had been pumped up with salt, I could see it shrinking. I lost 10in off my waist.
Winning that wedding dress and my health kept me focused in those first two weeks. I’d turned 40 in February this year, and I thought to myself, I just want another 40 years of being healthy. If I’d carried on as I’d been doing I’d just have got bigger and bigger. Also, I’ve a wee boy of 10, Clark, and I just wanted to be healthy for him.
After a couple of weeks my body calmed down. And the weight was coming off, that kept me motivated. I was at the gym every day during the week at 9am, for a half-hour workout. And I’d never been to a gym in my life before. Gillian wanted us to work out three times a day before we ate our main meals. So at lunchtime and night time, I did 20 minutes on the mini trampoline that they gave us.
Gillian told us to drink half an hour before and after meals but not to drink with food. We couldn’t eat protein and carbs together. Ron and I stopped going out for eight weeks. To be honest, we really didn’t have much of social life. I totally stayed away from everything that I knew. If I did eat out, which was only a couple of times in eight weeks, I’d have a salad, but even then it would come with dressing so it was very difficult. You weren’t allowed any red meat, just the odd bit of chicken or white fish.
The other two girls said they weren’t really bothered about the dress. But I felt, if you were in it, you might as well try and win something. And I said to Gillian, “If I don’t win this I’ll be devastated, because I have really given it everything.”
When we were getting weighed, I thought Katrina had won it because she lost a pound more than me – she lost 2st 2lb and I lost 2st 1lb. But she only lost 5in off her waist. Where I lost 10in. So I think that was why I won, because I had a completely different figure.
It was really nice when I found out I’d won. Ron was really happy for me. He knew
I was putting on weight, but he would never have said. He said there was no way he was going to carry on eating carryouts if I couldn’t, and that’s why he did it with me. He lost 2st as well. He went down from 17st to 15st. He wasn’t taking all the juices and things, but he was eating the dinners that I cooked. The difference in him was huge.
My health has improved too, I’m getting up earlier in the morning, and I have so much more energy now.’
What happens next?
‘Our honeymoon was an all-inclusive holiday in Jamaica for three weeks. Usually I put on a stone when I’m on holiday but this time I only put on 2lb, and that was because there were sauces on the food.
I’m back on the regime now, and I’m back in the gym everyday. I’ve done so well, I don’t want to put on another pound. It was hard work, but
it was worth it for my health. And I won the dress!’
Fact File
Jacqueline Webster, 40, from Glasgow is a hairdresser
Weight then: 13st 10lb
Weight now: 11st 9lb
Weight lost: 2st 1lb
Size then: 18
Size now: 12
Gillian’s Step-by-Step Wedding Weight-loss Plan
Gillian’s advice is to make sure you always eat a good breakfast, lunch, and a light meal for dinner, plus healthy snacks three times a day. ‘One of my mantras is: eat more, not less.’ What’s important is eating the right foods, prepared in the right way. Here’s an example menu plan to get you started.
BREAKFAST
2 grapefruit, followed by a bowl of oat bran with rice or soya milk
MID-MORNING SNACK
Cucumber and celery crudités
LUNCH
Beany root vegetable stew with steamed cabbage
(see recipe)
MID-AFTERNOON SNACK
Vegetable juice and/or some raw shelled hemp seeds
DINNER
Big bowl of miso soup with broccoli florets, followed by seaweed salad and crunchy greens with radishes, raw onion, cabbage, pine nuts or walnuts and a squeeze of lemon for dressing.
EVENING SNACK
Handful of almonds or a bunch of grapes
Follow Gillian’s guidance and not only will you lose weight for your big day, but you’ll discover a healthier, happier you – and we guarantee you’ll want to keep it up long-term.
All of Gillian’s newly slim brides are determined to continue with the lifestyle she introduced to them. Gillian’s simple philosophy has become second nature and they have no intention of going back to their unhealthy ways.
The right foods are the simplest foods that grow from the earth in their most unadulterated, organic form – fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds, raw nuts, grains, beans, legumes and pulses – together with vegetable proteins like tofu or some fish, organic chicken or turkey.
Beany root vegetable stew
Serves 4
2tbsp olive oil
1tbsp water
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
8 shallots, peeled
2 celery stalks, trimmed and sliced
4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut roughly into 2cm pieces
1⁄2 a celeriac, peeled and cut into roughly 2cm pieces (prepared weight approx 300g)
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
750ml boiling water
1 organic vegetable stock cube
1tbsp tomato purée
1 small bay leaf
1tsp fresh thyme leaves or 1tsp dried mixed herbs
1 x 410g can adzuki beans in water, drained and rinsed
1tbsp cornflour, mixed with 2tbsp cold water to form a paste
Chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
Heat the oil and water in a large saucepan and gently cook the onion, shallots, celery, carrots, parsnips and celeriac for 10–12 minutes, stirring regularly, until they begin to soften and colour very slightly. Add the garlic and cook for about a minute. Dissolve the stock cube in the hot water and pour over the vegetables. Stir in the tomato purée, bay leaf and thyme, or mixed herbs. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the beans and cook for 2–3 minutes until the beans are hot and the vegetables are tender. Stir in the cornflour mix and cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens, stirring regularly. Ladle on to warmed plates and sprinkle with lots of chopped parsley.
Serve with lightly cooked, shredded Savoy cabbage or green beans.
How To Find the perfect bridal dress
Make time to find a gown that’s perfect for you and be prepared to try on lots of different styles to find something you feel comfortable and beautiful in.
Start with a silhouette that flatters your figure – you need to know what styles suit your individual shape. An empire line will flatter a smaller bust and hide wider hips, for example, whereas a bias cut is less forgiving and looks best on brides with a willowy figure.
Consider your wedding day when choosing your ideal dress - a beach wedding will probably call for something floaty and light, whereas a church or castle wedding might demand something more traditional. Do you need to take into account special religious or cultural restrictions, such as covering your arms and shoulders?
Where to shop – the larger the shop, the more labels, styles, shapes and designers will be available. And if you want something truly unique, you could always have it made to measure – this option need not break the bank if you spend time choosing your dressmaker and opt for a fairly simple design. If you want something you can wear again, don’t be afraid to try high-street stores as they often stock gorgeous outfits for spring and summer that can double as beautiful bridal wear.
Stay focused on your ideal, and take your time. Bring along a couple of loved ones who truly know you and what suits you - and who won’t be afraid to tell you that the fairy-tale princess gown you’ve totally fallen in love with actually makes you look like a walking meringue.
Weddings throughout the year
What should you wear to weddings during the different seasons?
It’s always a thrill to receive a wedding invitation, but as you place it on your mantelpiece and read it in detail the first question that pops into your mind is, ‘What will I wear?’, followed by ‘What time of year is it and where is it?’ Read on for our guide to looking fantastic at any type of wedding – whatever time of year it is.
SPRING
Town weddings
Feminine, versatile and smart are the key words here. By choosing an outfit that can easily be dressed up or down according to the time of day, you can’t go wrong. Camisole tops peeping through jackets with either matching trousers or a skirt give a hint of glamour.
Country weddings
Country weddings lend themselves perfectly to a pretty, romantic look – easily achieved with floral or light pastel coloured cotton or linen dresses or suits. Cashmere or angora cardies are great if the temperature drops.
SUMMER
Town weddings
Silks in bright orange and striking pink and delicate and frothy skirts are always a winner for a mid-summer town wedding. Hats are always popular at any wedding. The golden rule is if your outfit is striking your hat must be understated and vice versa!
Country weddings
Printed voiles, slinky satins and gorgeous silks as well as lightweight cottons look sensational. If you are still stuck for ideas, think of ethnic clothes, or get inspiration from a favourite period in history.
AUTUMN
Town weddings
It can be hard to decide what to wear to an autumn wedding. The best advice is to buy your outfit as close to the date of the wedding as possible. As far as colour goes, golds, browns, purples, teal and rust are subtle yet smart and all work well teamed up with black or cream.
Country weddings
For colour inspiration, look at the changing countryside. Vibrant shades of maroon, burnt orange, mustard yellow and subtle shades of green and red lend a warm, cosy look. And the changeable weather calls for layers.
WINTER
Town weddings
A long skirt suit in interesting textures worn under a funnel-neck long coat is perfect.
Divide the colours up with contrasting boots or shoes, a striking handbag or hat. Or wear a patterned wrap dress underneath. Sequins and diamonds add a bit of festive sparkle.
Country weddings
Deep reds, chocolates and greens, silvers and antique golds in velvet, silks and taffeta will give you the perfect look for snowy settings. Long skirts are practical with either short or long tailored jackets and twin-set knits underneath.
DOs and DON’TS
Don’t wear a halter- neck if you have broad shoulders - it will only accentuate them.
Don’t go for a strapless number if you have large boobs - you’ll be forever pulling it up and it’ll look top heavy.
Don’t pick anything corseted if you think you might get pregnant before your big day!
Don’t let yourself be pressurised into buying because of price or the influence of others
Do consider a tight bodice if you’ve got a tiny waist and big hips. It will look great as long as the skirt is floor-length and A-line. Choose a heavy material that won’t hug your hips.
Do keep it simple and classic, if in doubt, particularly if you’re petite. A drop-waist style will make you look taller than you are.
Do avoid anything too fitted and long, if you’re on the tall side. A just-under-the-knee length or two-piece outfit will disguise your height.
Do decide how much you want to spend before you shop.
How To: Find the perfect wedding co-ordinator
You’ve probably dreamed of your perfect wedding since you were a little girl, from the dress to the flowers – but the reality of actually planning the day down to the smallest detail, can be hugely overwhelming. A reliable wedding co-ordinator can take some of the weight off your shoulders and help make the day you’ll always remember a magical experience, leaving you stress and worry free to really enjoy every moment.
If you have a tight budget, a wedding co-ordinator can actually be a real help rather than a strain on your finances.
A good planner will make sure you stick to your prearranged budget, prioritise what needs more or less monetary attention and will probably be able to negotiate special deals and discounts for you
A good wedding co-ordinator will also be sensitive and receptive to your ideas. It is your day and your planner should understand this and happily accomodate your wishes and needs. However, honesty is important in a wedding co-ordinator too – you will want someone who’ll be able to tell you the truth about some of your less fantastic ideas.
Ideally, you’ll want someone who shares your tastes. You will be trusting your co-ordinator to make decisions about the most important day of your life, so you’ll want to be sure that you understand each other. You should be able to trust them enough to narrow down choices in a certain category depending on your taste. They can trawl through thousands of invitation styles, for example, and present you with a top three they know you’ll love – making your decision so much easier.
Bearing all of this in mind, you’d be forgiven for finding the prospect of choosing your wedding co-ordinator a little daunting. But follow our advice, take your time, and you’ll be sure to find your ideal planner.
Make time to research wedding co-ordinators online. Many companies (such as Confetti Bridal Wear) have free online forums where experts are on hand to offer advice on any wedding-related dilemma. Joining an online forum will also give you the chance to chat to other brides who may be able to recommend a good and affordable wedding co-ordinator or planner.
Ask advice from other couples who have recently married – they may be able to give you some tips or recommend a company to you.
Attend a wedding show, where experts are often waiting to help you plan your special day. The Perfect Day wedding show not only features a fashion show but also gives brides-to-be the chance to talk to talk to the exhibitors. Visit their website at www.theperfectdayweddingshow.co.uk for information about upcoming shows.
When choosing a wedding co-ordinator, ask how many years experience they have had. Also ask if they can show you examples of past weddings they have helped to plan and phone numbers of clients too.
The most important thing when choosing a wedding co-ordinator is to make sure that you have found someone well organised who you feel comfortable with. Consider whether the co-ordinator is friendly and whether they are able to answer all your queries. It is advisable to make appointments to meet at least two different co-ordinators so that you can compare. They might have great credentials and come highly recommended, but if you don’t get on or see eye-to-eye, the results could be disastrous. Remember, it’s your day, so you don’t want anyone too pushy – but neither do you want someone with no creativity, or ideas of their own.
Interviewing prospective wedding co-ordinators really is the only way to make sure you get exactly what you want.
And once you’re confident in your choice, relax and know that your day is in the best possible hands.
How To: Find the perfect photographer
Look at their photographs.
It may sound obvious, but one of the best ways to ensure you choose the right photographer is to look at the sort of photographs that they produce. All photographers have their own style and approach when it comes to taking wedding photographs. Many experienced photographers have websites you can visit where you can study their style and ability. Many photographers have websites that feature online galleries of their past work. You should aim to look at as many pictures as possible, to see what you like. Consider whether the photographer’s style would suit your wedding. Do you want a traditional style of photography where you, your partner and guests formally pose for the camera? Or would you prefer a more photojournalistic style, where the photographer captures your natural expressions and interactions? Does the photographer work better in black and white or in colour? These are all important things to think about when making your decision. Your photographer will be responsible for capturing the only tangible memories of your big day, so you’ll want to make sure that you like their particular style of photography.
Assess their character and professionalism
Make sure that you have found someone who you like and who you would feel comfortable spending the whole day with. Make sure they have the technical and personal skills that you are looking for too.
When interviewing a prospective photographer you should always ask about their past experience. Do they specialise in wedding photography? How long have they been photographing weddings for? If you want to make extra sure that you have found the right photographer, you can also ask them to provide references. A good photographer should be able to put you in touch with a number of couples that are willing to answer questions about their positive experience with the photographer in question. You should meet at least two different photographers so that you can make comparisons – going with the first photographer you meet is a recipe for disaster. If you have any doubt about a photographer’s character or professionalism, look elsewhere.
Think about finances
Of course, it’s important that you should try to stay within your budget, but you should also consider that there is truth in the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’. The more popular and more experienced a photographer is, the more expensive he or she will be. Think about how important the quality of your wedding photographs are to you. If having beautiful, high quality photographs is high on your list of priorities, don’t scrimp in this area. The price of photographers can be very confusing, so make sure you really understand what everything costs, including their personal fee, original prints, reprints, albums and additional charges.
Communication is everything
It is vital for you to be able to communicate with your photographer. Even if you’ve already explained what style of photography you want, you can still go one step further by communicating visually. Bring tear outs from magazines or email samples of what you like. You should also ask how long it will take for you to receive your photographs. Some photographers can take months to provide newly wed couples with their finished photographs. If you are not entirely happy with the length of time proposed by the photographer, you should definitely consider looking elsewhere.
Four of the best photographers
Paul Martin Photography
Paul Martin provides imaginative and original wedding photography. Based in Ealing, West London, Paul Martin is available to photograph weddings and other events in London, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and the South-East of England.
With over 16 years experience in portraiture and wedding photography, he has covered a range of weddings and social events throughout the UK and internationally. For more information please visit www.pmjphotography.co.uk
The Wedding Photographer
The Wedding Photographer is run by Paul O’Connor, an expert in blending in with the wedding, shooting
in an unobtrusive reportage style, watching and recording the day as it unfolds.
The Wedding Photographer is based in Bath,
a very popular wedding destination itself.
For more information please visit www.theweddingphotographer.co.uk
BD Weddings
Barrie Downie and Beverley Davies photograph weddings across the UK and Europe. They have a relaxed, fun yet classical approach to wedding photography, which results in unique and memorable images. Each album contains large, rich, beautiful images from your day. For more information
please visit www.bdweddingphotography.co.uk
My Wedding Story
MyWeddingStory specialises in beautiful, relaxed photography, based in Kent. The photographer, Jonathan Ryan, will never get in your way or try to force things to run the way he wants. It’s your day, your story. He’s there to help you tell it. Whether it’s the grandest wedding in a fairytale castle, a church service, a quiet register office or civil partnership you can be guaranteed of the same outstanding photography and attention to detail. For more information, please visit www.myweddingstory.co.uk
You’ve probably been looking forward to this day your whole life, and while it may all be over in a matter of hours, your wedding photographs will last forever, so choosing the right photographer is something you’ll want to get right. Georgina Maric didn’t have the best experience with the photographer she hired for her big day and has lots of advice on how to ensure that you don’t make the same mistake.
‘There are many things I would do differently when choosing a wedding photographer. I made a hasty decision having met only one photographer. Do try and meet with at least three before you decide, so that you can compare and contrast.
On the actual day, my photographer was like a headless chicken. She made everyone go outside for a ‘group shot’ when it was cold and drizzling and she was so far away it was obvious it wasn’t going to work. She simply wasn’t assertive enough, something I should have realised when I met her. She was hampered by rain, but surely a photographer in England should be prepared for that eventuality?
Lastly she messed me around on the price – I gave her a cheque and she phoned me a couple of days later and said I owed her another £100 because she’d mistakenly quoted me ‘last year’s prices’. My advice would be to do your research, always go with a recommendation and give a detailed brief. And make sure your photographer is assertive enough to boss a large group of guests around without causing offence.’
If you interview a few photographers, check out their past work, and have a chat with some of their past clients – the chances are you’ll find the perfect photographer for you. Allowing you to relax and enjoy your special day in the knowledge that you’ll always have a set of beautiful photographs to cherish.
How to: Find the perfect wedding ring
Decide on your budget
Choose the material – there are a lot of materials to choose from for wedding rings. It all depends upon how much you are willing to spend. Gold is considered traditional, white gold is another option – but beware the silver coating does tend to wear off leaving a rather dull looking gold below. Platinum is considered one of the finest materials. It’s also a very pure material. It’s long lasting, very durable and is also hypoallergenic. It won’t show wear and tear when compared to other materials as it’s strong and heavy.
Choosing the style of ring
You don’t have to plump for the traditional plain wedding ring, there’s a range of options out there, and, depending on your budget you’re only limited by your imagination. The style you choose is always a personal one. It should match the kind of person you are and the tastes you have. It should suit your finger and be really comfortable to wear.
Consider the engagement ring
When choosing a wedding ring, it makes sense to think about how it will sit alongside your engagement ring. In fact, some engagement and wedding bands are designed in shapes that slide together for a perfect fit.
Look around
It’s a good idea to walk into a lot of stores before choosing your ring. There are a lot of designs to choose from. There are various styles and prices, which you should compare before making your final choice.
Get advice
There is nothing wrong in asking for personal advice from a reputed jeweller. Since he’s in the trade he knows best about the prices and quality of rings. After all, you’re going to be wearing it forever.
Hot To: Find the perfect bridal boutique
Avoid the crowds and ensure that you get personal attention by calling a boutique ahead of your visit. A good bridal boutique should be able to offer you one-on-one appointments and private fittings.
Find time to look at different boutiques on the Internet. This will give you an idea of the products and styles that a boutique sells and will help you to decide whether that particular store is worth a visit.
Some boutiques offer a complete wedding planning service as well as having personal advisors to help brides find the perfect dress.
A good bridal boutique will have friendly staff who are dedicated to helping you find the perfect dress and accessories for yourself and your wedding party. Good bridal boutiques will understand the importance of finding the perfect outfits for your bridesmaids, maid of honour and even mother-of-the-bride. They’ll be able to help you choose truly complementary styles and colours, so that your whole wedding party looks beautiful, while never taking the focus off you and your gown.
It’s always best to go with recommendations when choosing a boutique, even if they’re just reviews you’ve read on the internet. And it’s definitely wise to check out a number of different boutiques to give you the best chance of finding your ideal combination of beautiful outfits.
Five of the best bridal boutiques
Celebrations of Bawtry
This boutique, based in Bawtry, near Doncaster can assist with any other wedding planning requirements you may have. It can offer photography by a member of the Royal Photographic Society and cakes made by an award winning cake designer. For more information please visit www.celebrationsofbawtry.co.uk
Amante
This boutique, based in Reigate, Surrey offers a friendly experienced team, who will help you to find an exquisite look for your special day. The staff promises to be able to find a style to suit every bride-to-be. For more information please call 01737 222090
The Bridal Boutique
This boutique, based in Castleford, West Yorkshire offers a wide range of dress to suit all types of weddings,
and a selection headdresses, veils, jewellery and shoes to complement the style of dress. For more information please visit www.thebridalboutique.co.uk
Weddings by Victoria Brookes
This beautiful, Georgian bridal boutique is in the picturesque, Peak District market town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire. It has a stunning collection of exquisite gowns from designers including Caroline Parkes, Chanticleer, Donna Salado and Ritva Westenius. The bridal accessories include shoes, tiaras, veils, jewellery, crystal bouquets and hand-made invitations. For more information please visit www.victoriabrookes.co.uk
Amanda Dawn
This bridal boutique found in Norfolk has beautiful dresses available from Veromia, Romantica of Devon, Euro Bride,Benjamin Roberts and Ronald Joyce. The aim is to provide the bride with her dream dress at a reasonable price, with second to none customer service. For more information please visit www.amandadawn.co.uk
Photos iStockphoto/Shutterstock/2waytraffic International & Celador Productions
B is for Broccoli
G is for Garlic
L is for Leek
Y is for Yam
Winter warmer 
Wake up
Cool as a cucumber
Mineral mover
Juicy smoothie
rray of products and treatments out there, all purporting to provide the elixir of eternal youth – but what’s the right solution for you?
is essentially caused by the accumulation over time of damage to and within cells at a minute level. Most of this damage is caused by free radicals – tiny chemical particles (often by-products of chemical processes) that have at least one unpaired electron, making them unstable. The free radical is stabilised by taking an electron from another chemical, which in turn becomes unstable as its chemical structure is changed. This chain continues and can be up to thousands of reactions long.
facelift’
yourself feeling faint or light-headed, it could be a sign your blood sugar levels have dipped – find out how to prevent yourself running out of steam…
d blood glucose levels be measured?
Find a way of losing weight that you can actually fit into your lifestyle and budget, and that you will be able to stick to long-term. This needs to be made up of small steps rather than extreme but temporary measures.
If your weight starts to creep up, have a back-up plan to get you back on track before it becomes too late.
Don’t have a blow-out every weekend – it’s important to keep your diet consistent for 7 days a week.
Weigh yourself at the same time and on the same day every week, but don’t get obsessed with the scales.
Eat breakfast regularly. Permanent weight-losers follow this advice religiously because it helps them to control their hunger and prevents them from binge-eating later in the day.
Do exercise every day, even if it’s just walking for 10 minutes, at least you are moving and burning calories.
Eat a low-calorie, low-fat diet. But don’t cut anything out – make healthy choices from a wide variety of foods and treat yourself to the bad stuff every now and again. Everything in moderation is more likely to work, as you won’t be depriving yourself and setting yourself up for temptation and bingeing.
Photos Getty images/Shutterstock
oesn’t want wobble-free thighs? Well, the good news is that it is possible to radically tone and firm up your legs in just a few minutes each day if you follow these core moves – do them twice a day (morning and evening). After a couple of weeks you will find they become easier, so try adding a few repetitions every other day, up to a maximum of 25 repetitions.
Blueberries
Broccoli 
Slippery Elm tea 
Recipes
Stuffed vine leaves
Dear readers,
Runny noses, raging PMS… you might not know it but what you eat can help combat all manner of common complaints. So harness the amazing power of food right now and eat yourself healthy…
