Ideas and Inspiration

Destination weddings are quickly becoming a hit amongst couples, especially the ever on the move millennials. When you take a look at the average cost of a Western wedding, you will understand why it makes perfect sense to embrace this option. In the UK, for example, the average cost of a traditional wedding is £25,000. You can get a magnificent destination wedding for around 30% of that amount in choice destinations abroad! Here are more reasons why you should jet off when it is time to tie the knot.

Enhanced Intimacy

If you’ve never been one to enjoy overblown crowds, this is your chance to enjoy a fun, small and intimate wedding. Your guest list will be small due to the travel involved and only your very closest friends and families will really bother with the trip. Nice way to shed off the crowd “fat” right? You don’t have to cater for your neighbour 5 blocks away or your cousin you last spoke to in the Ice Age!

Cheaper Décor

The typical destination wedding holds in magnificent locations like the beach front, a garden or a vineyard. Why would you need to shell out on decoration in such a location? In fact, many destination wedding packages are all-inclusive so you do not need to pay the bridal floral group separately! Your wedding organisers will have decoration sorted for you. Even when the decoration is minimalist, it comes out looking stunning in pictures when you factor in the natural elements.

Dual Purpose

After you have spent thousands for your wedding at home, you will still have to shell out sizable sums on a honeymoon. A destination wedding takes care of this. After the wedding, you can retire to a lush property with your partner, to all the glitz and glamour that naturally trails honeymoon.  Most destination wedding locations, from South Africa to the Caribbeans to Turkey, all have magnificent places for your honeymoon. If you are headed to Turkey, consider some of the exquisite holiday homes available on Spot Blue! Imagine combining your wedding with a Safari honeymoon. How magnificent is that?

Evergreen Experience

Few would argue if you call your wedding day one of the most important days of your life. So why not go out of your way to make it as evergreen as possible? A traditional wedding back home will retain all the boring details that you have become accustomed to over the years. Not even grabbing hipster wedding routines on Instagram can change that!  A destination wedding, on the other hand, gives you a chance to really shake things up. There are lots of traditions you can borrow while at the location to make your day every inch different and one you will never forget.

Show Off

Vain, but it’s the times!  Most people will share their wedding pictures with friends and family and even online. A picture perfect destination wedding makes it easy for you to leave people in awe and in admiration of your special experience.

If you’re organising a hen party, and you want to add something a little bit different to the mix, life drawing is a brilliant, but tasteful way of adding a bit of tongue in cheek male nudity to the occasion.

Your hen will be delighted that she’s escaped the embarrassment of dancing with a stripper, and your whole party of hens will be over the moon you’ve added some cheeky endeavour. It’s a win, win naughty, but tasteful, activity for the perfect hen party shenanigans.

So, if you’ve decided to kick off the prenuptial celebrations with a life drawing class, here’s our beginners guide to make sure you have a cheeky giggle and come away with an artistic masterpiece!

11 great reasons to include life drawing on a hen night

1. It adds wow factor.
2. It’s an unforgettable way to kick off a hen party, and a perfect afternoon activity.
3. Avoids the dilemma of a tacky stripper.
4. You can develop a new skill (there’s a budding artist in all of us).
5. It’s an activity that doesn’t have to involve alcohol (but it can if you so wish).
6. It’s easy to organise in the comfort of your own home, or at a holiday rental.
7. It adds a bit of competitive spirit (who can produce the best drawing).
8. It gets everyone in a giggly mood for the rest of the hen day/night/weekend.
9. You get a memento (your drawing) that will always remind you of this special day.
10. It’s suitable for all over 18s, no matter how old you are. It’s something everyone can enjoy.
11. It’s a great alternative for hens who don’t fancy a male cabaret strip show.

What you can expect

• A professional model who’ll strut their stuff and wear as much or as little as your hens choose.
• A light-hearted atmosphere.
• A lesson in life drawing.

Practical tips

Here are a few practical tips to make sure you get the most out of your life drawing experience.

• You’ll need to book a nude model. It’s not expected you’ll know one off the cuff. There are lots of hen party organisers offering hen party life drawing classes either at a convenient venue or in the comfort of your own home.

It’s a great activity to kick the party off before you head out for dining and a boogie. Your hen won’t suspect a thing if you invite everyone over for pre-hen party drinks. If it’s a hot summer’s day and you have a private garden, you could even take the activity outdoors!

• Check what materials are provided. Most organisers will supply a model and drawing materials, including pencils or charcoal, paper, boards and sharpeners. But you may want to source some silly dressing up items to get you in the artistic mood! And perhaps some handheld fans for the blushing!
• Don’t forget the champagne. A glass of bubbly will most definitely get the party started. Or if you are serious about the artistry and don’t want to booze, throw a vintage tea party as you draw.

The serious art of drawing: 10 life drawing tips

You’ll have a set amount of time to create your masterpiece, but it’s likely your model will be experienced and will be able to give you some life drawing tips. Here are our 10 life drawing tips to help you get the most out of your life drawing session.

1. Take a few minutes to look at the figure. Hold your pencil up to the figure and visualise three lines, through the shoulders, hips and knees.
2. Plan your drawing in sections.
3. Quickly sketch in the entire figure.
4. Look at the model more than your paper.
5. Draw fast, don’t doodle!
6. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
7. Don’t avoid the difficult bits. Face the challenge!
8. Focus on the whole model and give equal attention to everything you draw.
9. Add shadows and highlights.
10. Add the date and get your model to sign it. And don’t forget to take a snap of you, your drawing and the model for a momento.

Do you want to celebrate your big day on an island? The Maltese island may just be the perfect wedding venue for you and your family. Many people are unaware that Malta, Gozo and Comino are famous for being more than just a popular tourist destination. Malta is considered a hidden treasure in the Mediterranean and a place one must re-visit every year. The island of Malta is beautiful, stunning and has a welcoming atmosphere to greet couples who wish to have a memorable island wedding.

The guaranteed year round sunshine also means you can hold garden weddings beneath the shade of fruit trees. Several graceful lawns with exotic palm trees add just the perfect touch to your wedding in Malta. Maltese cuisine is known for its exotic flavor and the island boasts hundreds of top class chefs. Wedding caterers are known for preparing mouth-watering menus that blend innovative recipes with the traditional Maltese cuisine.

When it comes to choosing from the various wedding venues in Malta, nobody is disappointed. Malta is rich in historic venues, ornate churches and hotels that offer breath-taking harbor views. For couples, who like to kick off their shoes and dance under the stars, the stunning sunset on the beach can make for a laid-back venue. However, if you want to celebrate your wedding in a five-star hotel, you get plenty of choices on the 3 islands. Let’s look at a few wedding venues in Malta where you can hold a memorable wedding ceremony:

Corinthia Hotels

The Corinthia Hotel group has 2 gorgeous hotel locations in Malta: the majestic Palace Hotel and the magnificent St. George’s Bay Hotel. If you wish to have a wedding next to the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, look no further than Corinthia St George’s Bay! This is a fantastic location next to the arching bay that offers stunning views with an impressive service.

For couples who prefer a wedding venue that has a historic feel to it, the Corinthia Palace Hotel proves to be a good choice. Situated among beautiful greenery and richly landscaped gardens, it is a majestic site to exchange vows. The hotel impresses visitors with its impressive archways and beautifully designed dining areas that combine contemporary and antique designs. The Palace Hotel is a proof of the rich history that Malta boasts.

Hilton Malta

The Hilton Malta offers a fine combination of exceptional services and stunning city views. The Hiltons are famous for holding lavish and memorable weddings as they have their own dedicated team of wedding planners. With a large range of fairly-tale like banquet rooms, the couple and guests can enjoy breath-taking views of olive trees at the Gazebo Restaurant. The Portomaso Yacht Marina is also a great location for taking wedding photos. The Hilton Malta is an ideal location for couples who don’t want anything to go wrong on their big day.

The Westin Dragonara Resort

One of the many wedding venues in Malta, The Westin Dragonara Resort guarantees a luxurious hotel wedding. The venue is a five-star hotel located in the heart of St. Julian’s and offers several locations for your wedding, including traditional ballrooms and the pool area.

You can also hold your wedding ceremony by the sea or in the gardens. The resort can be a wonderful wedding spot during the summer or winter as it is designed to offer the best of both worlds to its guests. If you opt for an outdoor wedding by the sea, do not forget that outdoor wedding shoes must be worn, or else you risk ruining your night!

When it comes to showing a loved one how much he or she means to you, love should display no bounds. While an engagement ring is obviously top of the pops in the romance stakes, there are many other ways you can pile on the romance. So even if you’re already hitched, or not ready to pop the question, why not do something special to bring out the hopeless romantic in you.

A romantic gesture doesn’t have to be a bunch of flowers, a box of chocolates or even an expensive item of jewellery. Spending time together with your loved one is far more important. So why not consider a romantic experience you can enjoy together? For adrenalin junkies, why not try a double sky-dive together? For the most hopeless romantic there’s always the failsafe overnight stay in a fairy-tale castle. All of these experiences are readily available in the UK with experience companies such as Into the Blue – and we’ve reviewed some of the traditional, and more unusual romantic experiences to help you choose the best way to make your lover melt…

Romantic City Getaway

We’re talking Paris, Rome, Venice, Lisbon, Barcelona and Marrakesh or even Reykjavik. After a day of sightseeing and a romantic dinner, you can relax at one of the top hotels. If you’re on a budget, there are many hidden gems in most cities when it comes to accommodation. Be thorough in your research and perhaps go out of season to get a better deal.

A special tip if you are heading for Paris; don’t miss visiting Bois de Vincennes, the largest public park in the city. There you’ll find the Temple of Love set on a lake island. You can access the island by bridge or if you’re a completely hopeless romantic, rent a little rowboat to get you across.

Other Romantic Getaways

There are way too many places to list here. The UK has some amazing places to stay, so your romantic break doesn’t have to be abroad. In fact, why not leave the car at home and take the train somewhere so you can spend more time concentrating on each other.

The Belmond British Pullman offers the ultimate in romantic train travel. Luxury weekend breaks go from London to Cornwall or South Devon and include brunch and a three-course lunch going down, and a five-course Sunday lunch coming back.

If you’re looking to go a bit further afield, there are some beautiful places all over Europe.

We love Manarola on the Italian Riviera. It’s a beautiful colourful village where you can while away hours looking out to the Ligurian Sea. That’s when you’re not gazing into each other’s eyes. No country lives up to romance quite like Italy. Italians are renowned for their passion, so there’s no better place for you to show off a little of yours.

Winter Break In A Sea-Facing Cottage

What could be more romantic than cosying up with a bottle of bubbly in front of a crackling fire? Share posh snacks and snuggle while you listen to the sea crashing in on the nearby beach. Where you go doesn’t really matter. It’s who you are with that counts.

Glamping

For outdoor lovers, putting up a tent can take the heat out of a romantic night away. Why not try glamping instead? A vintage airstream trailer on a working farm will satisfy your zest for nature, as well as the retro in you. And, it will give you a cosy space to get intimate. If you’re both into yoga or meditation, why not book space on a romantic yurt retreat.

Cocktail Making Classes

If a romantic break isn’t on the cards, why not try having a bit of fun together. A cocktail making masterclass is a really great idea. You’ll learn from the masters how to mix your favourite drinks and sample them too. It’ll leave you warm, fuzzy and giggling together all the way home.

Tango Dance Lessons

For the serious romantic who loves to dance, Tango lessons could be just what you are looking for to inject some passion and romance into your lives. The Tango is a dramatic and sultry dance. If you are looking for a sophisticated and dramatic fling with your loved one, turning to tango could be the answer.

Do Something Spontaneous

Throw some clothes in a bag and take off in the car. Don’t even set the destination, just stop and find a hotel when you’ve had enough driving. If you are used to planning everything in fine detail, throw caution to the wind. There’s something very sexy about breaking the rules for a change.

It doesn’t have to be a night away. Last-minute theatre tickets, or even a spontaneous meal out will do.

Whatever it is that brings out the hopeless romantic in you, go for it. Great for Valentine’s Day, but who says romance shouldn’t be get some attention all year round!

As every bride in London knows, wedding gowns don’t come cheap. And that’s before you even start thinking about shoes and accessories. But what’s a girl to do when the Big Day is looming and you want to look a million dollars, but the (financial) cupboard is bare? Well,

Well, it wouldn’t be London if there weren’t a solution to be found. All you need is a bit of left field thinking and the willingness to compromise on your preconceived ideas and, hey presto, you shall go to the ball! A quick scale of the London data lists later, and viola – here we present to you a beautiful treasure map, full of the best places to grab a cheeky wedding bargain.

Second Hand Wedding Boutiques

Why pay full price for your wedding gown when you don’t have to? Take a look at this selection of second hand wedding shops and outlet shops in and around London. You will find a great selection of designer wedding gowns at knockdown prices.

Dream Second Hand Wedding Dress Agency, Parkfield Avenue, Northolt, UB5 6PW

A very smart bridal shop selling discount new and preloved designer wedding dresses and accessories.

Brides Dress Revisited, 24 High Street, Otford, Kent TN14 5PQ

Only 30 minutes from Central London, this beautiful store specialises in second hand designer wedding dresses and accessories.

Betty Gets Hitched, Islington, London N5

A North London bridal studio that specialises in designer sample wedding dresses, with prices up to 60% off regular RRP available.

Betty McCaul Bridal Outlet, 103 St Marks Road, Enfield, EN1 1BJ

A wedding boutique with a wide range of leading designer dresses at up to 65% of the retail price.

Elegance and Grace, Royal Drive, London N11 3GX

Wedding, prom and evening dresses along with accessories at very reduced prices due to being ex stock.

Designer Charity Shops

Don’t underestimate the power of charity shops – they’ve come a long way since the days of musty jumpers and sad suits in drab, uninspiring surroundings. London, in particular, has a wealth of decidedly upmarket charity shops that specialise in covetable, designer or vintage garments, including wedding clothing, at prices you wouldn’t believe possible. You just need to know where to look:

British Red Cross Chelsea, 69-71 Old Church Street, London SW3 5BS

A large, self styled ‘designer charity shop’, this is Chelsea’s best known and most popular charity shop. Merchandise is mostly in the designer bracket, with pieces by Jaeger, MaxMara, Vivienne Westwood et al being donated regularly by wealthy local residents.

Cancer Research UK, 24 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4PQ

Not far from Oxford Street, this cavernous 2-story thrift shop is a favourite haunt for fashion forward but budget compromised students from the nearby London College of Fashion. There’s designer bargains to be had, but you may have some competition.

Salvation Army, Princes Street, London W1B 2LQ

This long established charity shop is a stone’s through from Oxford Circus and a popular drop-off point for fashionable cast-offs by the uber fashionable staff at Vogue magazine nearby. 2 floors of second hand clothes, shoes and accessories from high street and designer brands abound.

Barnardo’s, 414 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AY
This a huge and very lively shop with an unpredictable and exciting selection of clothing and accessories. Find all kinds of high street brands, as well as designer bargains for under £50 here.

Terrence Higgins Trust, 19 Churton Street, London SW1V 2LY

A boutique charity shop like no other, with a dedicated gay section and Shirley Bassey soundtrack, this is what Alan Carr called ‘the Harvey Nichols of charity shops’. It is rumoured that Mary Portas is also a fan. Pop in for designer bargains and vintage finds.

Octavia Foundation, 211 Brompton Road, London SW3 2EJ

Pop in for designer donations from wealthy local residents in this large store set in the heart of Knightsbridge, just a stone’s throw from Harrods but with prices that couldn’t be more different.

FARA Retromania, 6 Upper Tachbrook Street, London SW1V 1SH

A savvy designer vintage store where high fashion, wow labels and fashion forward merchandising abound, this shop is a world apart from the dowdy charity shops of old.

Royal Trinity Hospice, Kensington Church Street, London W8 4LL

Best known for its smart ladies wear, handbags and shoes, this shop always comes up trumps with designer pieces, Prada evening shoes, DKNY designer bags and the like.

Online Wedding Shopping

If you prefer to shop from the comfort of your home, there are many online wedding dress sites where you can get a hardly (or sometimes never!) worn wedding gown for a fraction of the new retail price. Check out the following sites:

Preloved – second hand wedding clothes and bridal wear

SellMyWeddingDress – second hand, new and sample wedding dresses for sale online

TheDressmarket – hundreds of pre-loved and new dresses from private sellers and boutique sales

Bride2Bride – the UK’s largest online wedding marketplace, selling second hand wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, mother-of-the-bride outfits, wedding shoes and more

Still White – UK’s largest marketplace for wedding dresses only

PreOwnedWeddingDresses – designer wedding dresses for less

OnceWed – shop used wedding dresses

Obviously, there’s eBay and Gumtree too. It’s worth pointing out that online shopping always carries an element of risk, eBay probably has the strongest buyer protection. You are advised to always carefully inspect the dress in person (ideally try it on!) and pay cash on collection. Also establish if you can return the dress if you should change your mind when you get home.

America is a great place to visit, but it’s an even better place to get married. The range of scenery and venues is hard to top and across the pond they really know how to go all out. For every kind of wedding and every kind of couple, there’s an incredible American venue to match you perfectly. So, if you haven’t decided on where you’ll be having your big day, look at some of these gorgeous venues in America and feel inspired.

Treehouse Point: Issaquah, Washington

For the couples that love to get in touch with nature and embrace their wilder side, Treehouse Point is the perfect venue and it’s so unlike any other. If you’re okay with a slightly smaller wedding, you and your partner could be getting hitched in a treehouse in the middle of an enchanted forest. This stunning, natural venue is magical in any season and your wedding photographs are guaranteed to be magical. You and your guests can have exclusive access to 4 acres of fairy tale woodland you can your partner get an overnight stay in one of their treetop suites. If you’re not ready to go home the next day, you can also book outdoor Yoga and Tai Chi sessions to soak in all of the natural beauty. Don’t pass up the chance to have a magical woodland wedding in a one of a kind venue.

Mandarin Oriental: Las Vegas, Nevada

Who ever said that a Vegas wedding had to be at a drive-through chapel? If you love Las Vegas then get at the best venue in Vegas: the incredible Mandarin Oriental hotel. Everything is five-starred and a wedding package here is all inclusive – pre-wedding spa treatments, catering, bachelor and bachelorette parties, the ceremony and a complimentary night the honeymoon suite all under one roof. From the unbelievably luxurious honeymoon suite you and your partner will have an amazing floor to ceiling view of the famous Las Vegas strip. So, if you’re going to elope to Vegas then you better elope in style.

Modern Honolulu: Honolulu, Hawaii

Which of us hasn’t dreamed of a beachfront wedding at least once? This Hawaiian boutique hotel is perfect for both weddings and honeymoons. It’s contemporary, stylish and unforgettably beautiful. Get married at sunset over the Hawaiian ocean and bring your guests to one of the largest ballrooms on Oahu. Walk barefoot on the beach with your partner or simply sleep in and watch the waves from the comfort of your Ocean Front Suite. The Modern Honolulu’s wedding package is one of the most generous you will ever find and includes having your menu authored by the hotel’s executive chef, receive a bridal lunch, spa treatments, couple’s massages, breakfast in bed and you have access to a whole range of activities. If you’re looking for the ultimate wedding venue then look no further.

If these venues haven’t tempted you then you should know that these are barely a fraction of what America has to offer. So, why not bring your wedding abroad and make lifelong memories. Grab your USA visa and get on a plane today to see even more unforgettable wedding venues.

More couples than ever are getting married abroad these days and Europe is one of the best places to get married. With a wedding in Europe couples can save money as well as find an unforgettable wedding venue. There are so many beautiful countries to choose from and so many different types of scenery. Whether you want to say ‘I do’ on a sunny beach or share your vows on a glacier, don’t rule out Europe as a prime location. So, if you’re a European resident, apply for your European health insurance card renewal and get to the nearest airport to find some of the most incredible wedding destinations in the world.

Snow

For an incredible snowy wedding you should head to Lake Bled in Slovenia. While during the summer it can be quite charming, the winter is when it really comes alive. The church is located on a tiny island in the middle of the lake that you can take a boat to and from the church steps you can see colossal white mountains in the distance that make for the perfect wedding backdrop.  On the hilltop by the lake you can also see a mystical medieval castle that overlooks the church. For amazing snowy wedding photos, head to the mountains or ski resort where you’re guaranteed a winter wonderland.

Sand

For an idyllic beach wedding, one of the best places to go is the Amalfi Coast in Italy. This beautiful coastline is lined by colourful fishing villages, steep and rocky cliffs, and small beaches that link into beautiful blue ocean. Positano in particular is known as one of the most beautiful places in Italy, with famous beaches and gardens hidden in difficult to reach places. Rather than visiting during the summer, where the sun is scorching and the beaches are crowded, visit in spring for a slightly cooler climate and some peace and quiet.

Scenery

If you want scenery then this location is nothing but scenery. Hotel Budir in Iceland is situated on a lava field with a church only a short distance away. This church is known simply as ‘the black church’ and is one of the most iconic landmarks in Iceland. It’s small and humble but sits on an open, almost entirely empty plane with a breath-taking backdrop of glaciers and mountains behind it. You can get married here or at the hotel while some couples choose to brave the cold and get married on the tiny beach. Don’t leave without exploring this amazing landscape and experience a real fairy tale wedding.

Savings

If your wedding budget is a little bit tight but you still want to tie the knot abroad, Cyprus is a great option. There are a lot of excellent resorts and hotels overlooking the ocean that aren’t as expensive as you might think. Of course, it helps if you have an open mind. If you come to Cyprus without nay expectations you’re going to be pleasantly surprised and you’ll find that keeping your wedding simple is a great way to get the most out of your location.