Make sure everything goes to plan with our handy list!
Six or more months ahead
* Decide on the style, size and formality or your wedding
* Think about what time of year you would like it to take place
* Set a budget
* Hire a wedding planner, if you wish
* Compile a guest list
* Choose ceremony site and reception venue
* Choose the bridal party
* Order the wedding dress
4-6 months ahead
* Book photographer and videographer
* Choose and book florist
* Plan and book your honeymoon
* Book music and entertainment
* Arrange transportation for the day
* Register for gifts
* Purchase wedding rings
* Purchase or reserve groom's attire
* Choose attendants' attire
* Choose accessories for you and your attendants
* Choose invitations
2-4 months ahead
* Choose and order your wedding cake
* Choose favours
* Mail invitations
* Discuss details of the menu with caterer
* Try our make-up and hair styles
* Choose presents for your attendants
1-2 months ahead
* Buy guest book
* Get banns certificates (if applicable)
* Confirm all bookings
* Send out thank-you notes as gifts arrive
One week to go
* Confirm number of guests with caterer and finalize seating plan
* Pack for honeymoon
* Ceremony rehearsal (if applicable)
* Ensure all speeches are prepared
* Finalize wedding day itinerary and ensure everyone knows what is expected of them
Wedding Day
* Breathe!
* Give yourself plenty of time to get ready, allowing time for pre-wedding
photographs.
* Relax and have fun after all the months of hard work.
* Enjoy every moment, the memories will last a lifetime.
Showing posts with label wedding tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding tips. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Photography Moments
You want to save those special memories of your big day but your guests also want to start the celebrations too, so use our checklist to make sure you get all your perfect snaps before you remember you forgot to take one of just the two of you.
* Before the ceremony
* Putting on the wedding dress
* Bride and parents leaving for ceremony
* At the ceremony
* Exterior or ceremony site
* Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
* Groom waiting for bride
* Bride and father walking down the aisle
* Groom seeing bride for the first time
* Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view
* Bride and groom saying the vows
* Exchanging the rings
* Bride and groom walking up the aisle
* Guest throwing confetti
* Bride and groom getting in car
* Posed wedding photography before the reception
* Bride alone
* Bride with bridesmaids
* Bride with parents
* Bride and groom together
* Bride and groom with parents
* Bride and groom with entire wedding party
* Groom with best man
* During the reception
* Couple outside reception site
* Bride and groom arriving
* Table setting
* Bride and groom's table
* Musicians or DJ
* Wedding cake
* Bride and groom's first dance
* Guests dancing
* Bride and groom cutting the cake
* Toasts
* Signing the marriage license
* Bride throwing bouquet
* Bride and groom driving away
* Before the ceremony
* Putting on the wedding dress
* Bride and parents leaving for ceremony
* At the ceremony
* Exterior or ceremony site
* Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
* Groom waiting for bride
* Bride and father walking down the aisle
* Groom seeing bride for the first time
* Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view
* Bride and groom saying the vows
* Exchanging the rings
* Bride and groom walking up the aisle
* Guest throwing confetti
* Bride and groom getting in car
* Posed wedding photography before the reception
* Bride alone
* Bride with bridesmaids
* Bride with parents
* Bride and groom together
* Bride and groom with parents
* Bride and groom with entire wedding party
* Groom with best man
* During the reception
* Couple outside reception site
* Bride and groom arriving
* Table setting
* Bride and groom's table
* Musicians or DJ
* Wedding cake
* Bride and groom's first dance
* Guests dancing
* Bride and groom cutting the cake
* Toasts
* Signing the marriage license
* Bride throwing bouquet
* Bride and groom driving away
Gift Ideas
One of the great things about being a bride, other than marrying the man of your dreams, is that you get to be queen for a day. And in doing so, you get to haven an entourage of best friends and attendants that go through every step of the planning process and actual wedding with you. This entourage, of course, is compromised mostly of your bridesmaids, bridesmen, flower girls and general attendants. By agreeing to the honour of being included in your special day, they also agree to listen to you endlessly talk about wedding plans, complain about the caterer, help you plan your 'surprise' bridal shower, help you bundle up hundreds of tiny cake squares, and inevitably put up with late night, tearful phone calls over the fact that the tablecloths you ordered are all wrong. Now those are tried and true friends - and they deserve a little reward for their faithful servitude.
To show your gratitude, it is customary to give your bridal party a gift, but what do you give them that they will like and that won't break your already fragile bank account? Going out and just buying anything without putting much thought into it is not what you want to do. Besides, you know that they will just keep it in the closet and only take it out when you visit. It is a waste of money and doesn't show your loyal friends that you really are grateful for everything they have done for you.
The best thing to do is to personalize. Sit down with your groom or your mother; make a list of your attendants and think of each one individually. The big pay-off for you will be that giving a personalized gift will ensure that the recipient won't care about the pricetag and will feel special that you thought of her in that way. Even something as simple as a nice picture frame intended for a picture of you and your attendant enjoying the wedding is a thoughtful keepsake. Consider their hobbies and personalities and you won't fail. For example, tickets to a local concert or theater events are great gift ideas for someone who is outgoing and loves the arts, while a gift certificate to a nice restaurant is suitable for someone who enjoys dining out. Do they like outdoor events? Offer to take them camping - drive and bring the food. Other ideas include creative gift baskets, small vases, clocks, and spa items (bath oils, soaps, etc). Write a poem that expresses how you feel about the individual and put it in a nice frame. Whatever you choose to do, all your gifts for your bridesmaids should be of equal value, and all gifts for your hubby's groomsmen should also be of equal value whenever possible. A little creativity and thoughtfullness can go a very long way.
IT'S ALL IN THE PRESENTATION
Presentation of a gift is almost as important as the gift itself. First, be sure to enclose a short, personalized note thanking the individual for the important role he or she played in your wedding and mention any details that you especially appreciated. Second, be sure to elegantly wrap the gift. Nice paper, bows, and tissue paper help to make a nice gift even more charming. Some couples opt to incorporate the wedding colors into the gift-wrap, tissues and bows, which is a fabulous idea.
Due to the intimate setting of a rehearsal dinner with your family and closest friends, some couples prefer to present the gifts then. Other appropriate times may include a small gathering or party for your wedding group the week before the wedding, or in a private setting where you can express your gratitude to each participant individually.
Make room on your gift shopping list for all the other people who have given time and love to make your day unforgettable:
YOUR PARENTS
As a token of appreciation for all they have done in raising and supporting you, a special gift can symbolize your continued ties, even though you are now starting your own family. Only you know them best so think of what they might like to get from you that may not necessarily be of monetary value but rather sentimental. A nicely framed photo from the wedding, a letter expressing your gratitude, a silver or pewter plate or bowl with your names and wedding date engraved into it. Speaking from experience, I put together a DVD full of pictures of me and my parents and family over the years from the time I was a baby until the day close to the wedding, and set it to some nice music. It was inexpensive and was also a nice way to remind myself of just how much my family means to me.
FLOWERGIRLS AND RING BEARERS
These children add such a sweet touch of innocence to your wedding ceremony and they are usually thrilled to be a part of such an important event. While they generally do not play a large part in the planning aspects of the wedding, they do often spend a lot of time practicing for their 'big and important role' in your wedding. It is generally customary to give them a small token of appreciation to commemorate their special role. Ideas could include a framed photo ofhim or her with you on your wedding day, a small collectible, a small item of jewellery, a stuffed animal. or a pretty hair clip.
BEST MAN AND USHERS
These are the people who will throw the bachelor party, help your husband-to-be with his tuxedo, help with honeymoon arrangements, walk family and friends to their seats during the ceremony, and take care of whatever mental tasks that usually need to be performed. They may travel a long distance to make the wedding, and will most likely rent their tuxedo to match the rest of the wedding party. It is therefore a nice gesture to thank them with a small gift. The Best Man generally received a gift of greater value, but this is not mandatory. Ideas include deck clocks, business card holders, photo frames, key chains, pocker watches, Swiss Army products, high quality pens or pen sets.
As the saying goes. "the devil is in the details" and that includes giving thought to all the special people that will be part of this beautiful day and will live on in photos, videos and memories forever.
To show your gratitude, it is customary to give your bridal party a gift, but what do you give them that they will like and that won't break your already fragile bank account? Going out and just buying anything without putting much thought into it is not what you want to do. Besides, you know that they will just keep it in the closet and only take it out when you visit. It is a waste of money and doesn't show your loyal friends that you really are grateful for everything they have done for you.
The best thing to do is to personalize. Sit down with your groom or your mother; make a list of your attendants and think of each one individually. The big pay-off for you will be that giving a personalized gift will ensure that the recipient won't care about the pricetag and will feel special that you thought of her in that way. Even something as simple as a nice picture frame intended for a picture of you and your attendant enjoying the wedding is a thoughtful keepsake. Consider their hobbies and personalities and you won't fail. For example, tickets to a local concert or theater events are great gift ideas for someone who is outgoing and loves the arts, while a gift certificate to a nice restaurant is suitable for someone who enjoys dining out. Do they like outdoor events? Offer to take them camping - drive and bring the food. Other ideas include creative gift baskets, small vases, clocks, and spa items (bath oils, soaps, etc). Write a poem that expresses how you feel about the individual and put it in a nice frame. Whatever you choose to do, all your gifts for your bridesmaids should be of equal value, and all gifts for your hubby's groomsmen should also be of equal value whenever possible. A little creativity and thoughtfullness can go a very long way.
IT'S ALL IN THE PRESENTATION
Presentation of a gift is almost as important as the gift itself. First, be sure to enclose a short, personalized note thanking the individual for the important role he or she played in your wedding and mention any details that you especially appreciated. Second, be sure to elegantly wrap the gift. Nice paper, bows, and tissue paper help to make a nice gift even more charming. Some couples opt to incorporate the wedding colors into the gift-wrap, tissues and bows, which is a fabulous idea.
Due to the intimate setting of a rehearsal dinner with your family and closest friends, some couples prefer to present the gifts then. Other appropriate times may include a small gathering or party for your wedding group the week before the wedding, or in a private setting where you can express your gratitude to each participant individually.
Make room on your gift shopping list for all the other people who have given time and love to make your day unforgettable:
YOUR PARENTS
As a token of appreciation for all they have done in raising and supporting you, a special gift can symbolize your continued ties, even though you are now starting your own family. Only you know them best so think of what they might like to get from you that may not necessarily be of monetary value but rather sentimental. A nicely framed photo from the wedding, a letter expressing your gratitude, a silver or pewter plate or bowl with your names and wedding date engraved into it. Speaking from experience, I put together a DVD full of pictures of me and my parents and family over the years from the time I was a baby until the day close to the wedding, and set it to some nice music. It was inexpensive and was also a nice way to remind myself of just how much my family means to me.
FLOWERGIRLS AND RING BEARERS
These children add such a sweet touch of innocence to your wedding ceremony and they are usually thrilled to be a part of such an important event. While they generally do not play a large part in the planning aspects of the wedding, they do often spend a lot of time practicing for their 'big and important role' in your wedding. It is generally customary to give them a small token of appreciation to commemorate their special role. Ideas could include a framed photo ofhim or her with you on your wedding day, a small collectible, a small item of jewellery, a stuffed animal. or a pretty hair clip.
BEST MAN AND USHERS
These are the people who will throw the bachelor party, help your husband-to-be with his tuxedo, help with honeymoon arrangements, walk family and friends to their seats during the ceremony, and take care of whatever mental tasks that usually need to be performed. They may travel a long distance to make the wedding, and will most likely rent their tuxedo to match the rest of the wedding party. It is therefore a nice gesture to thank them with a small gift. The Best Man generally received a gift of greater value, but this is not mandatory. Ideas include deck clocks, business card holders, photo frames, key chains, pocker watches, Swiss Army products, high quality pens or pen sets.
As the saying goes. "the devil is in the details" and that includes giving thought to all the special people that will be part of this beautiful day and will live on in photos, videos and memories forever.
Wedding Dress SOS
Wedding Dress Shopping Tips:
1. START EARLY: Beging looking for your dress nine months in advance. Logistics play the most important role in choosing your dress. If you need to order, it can take from three to six months to receive an order depending on the dress. Three being the earliest and most positive scenario, as it usually takes longer. After which, you have fittings (average is two or three sessions) over 3-4 weeks to get the right fit. This leaved us with 8-9 months for the ideal time to search in advance. However, if your wedding is in three months and you still don't have a dress, don't panic - some boutiques can manage to get you your dream dress with a "rush order" fee.
2. TAKE NOTES: Scan through magazines and the internet to identify what your favourite style is. Flag the images you like and take them with you to your appointments as a reference, explaining to your consultant what you like about them. A professional consultant will help you find what you are really looking for.
3. BE DETACHED: Try not to get too attached to a wedding dress that looks great on paper. Many dresses lack hanger appeal but look great when tried on. Many brides ask for a certain dress they have seen in a magazine and no matter how gorgeous any other dress that they try on looks like, they seem to have this firm standpoint that the dress they saw online is The Dress. Images of dress do not always portray excatly how they look like in reality and this goes both ways, good and bad.
4. DON'T GO UNANNOUNCED: Try not to go to advice, service, and a sales team dedicated to just assist you in finding your perfect dress, you need to make an appointment in adcance to ensure the bridal expert is there to assist you. Booking appointments is meant for optimal service, so don't miss out.
5. THE EARLY BIRD: Always book your appointments in the daytime. Early on in the day, your posture is at its best and your body is at its freshest state not to mention your attitude, which plays them ajor role in your perception of what your perfect dress is. There's a major difference in brides' attitudes all the time from morning versus evening appointments. Evening appointments are always after a long day of work. An exhausted bride becomes restless, anxious and in the "ordinary syndrome" trap. This is something use to describe stressed out brides who start falling into the trap of feeling that her dress is no longer special. The happiest and most satisfied brides are the early birds.
6. GROOM YOURSELF: To get a sneak preview of what you will look like on your wedding day, you need to look fresh and groomed when searching for your dress. Messy or oily hair will not pay you justice when looking for your once-in-a-lifetime dress. You need to look good and feel good and cherish the seach process as it is all part of the lovely experience.
7. LESS IS MORE: Consider two as the maximum number of people who should escort you to choose your dress. That means yourMum if possible and another close relative, or a supportive friend with great taste. If you bring three of more people with you, there will be to many opinion for your dress, hence the drama and confusion in making a decision.
8. THE PURSE: Communicating your budget honestly to your bridal consultant is a must to ensure finding the best fress for you. There is no point in trying dresses you cannot afford, as it will only dispirit you and waste both you and your salesperson's time.
9. DRESS FOR YOUR ERA: In spite of your party theme, allow your dress to represent your time rather than borrow from another era. Incorporate elements of your party theme through accessories rather than a fully fledged themed dress. For example, if you plan to have a 1920's Vintage theme, don't go for a flapper style gown or a 20's dress: you can go for a modern beaded lace or an embroidered tulle dress and accesorize through vintage-inspired jewelry, veil, bolero, headpiece or corsage orby adding feathers into your bridal bouquet.
10. COMFORT: The most beautiful bride is the comfortable bride. Try to refrain from wearing silhouettes that you are slightly uncomfortable in just because it looks great. Some brides choose a style they would never wear normally, while others opt for heels which make them tower over their fiance. On your big day you will need to move freely and enjoy your time. Your dress, shoes and lingerie should accommodate that, so choose sensibly.
1. START EARLY: Beging looking for your dress nine months in advance. Logistics play the most important role in choosing your dress. If you need to order, it can take from three to six months to receive an order depending on the dress. Three being the earliest and most positive scenario, as it usually takes longer. After which, you have fittings (average is two or three sessions) over 3-4 weeks to get the right fit. This leaved us with 8-9 months for the ideal time to search in advance. However, if your wedding is in three months and you still don't have a dress, don't panic - some boutiques can manage to get you your dream dress with a "rush order" fee.
2. TAKE NOTES: Scan through magazines and the internet to identify what your favourite style is. Flag the images you like and take them with you to your appointments as a reference, explaining to your consultant what you like about them. A professional consultant will help you find what you are really looking for.
3. BE DETACHED: Try not to get too attached to a wedding dress that looks great on paper. Many dresses lack hanger appeal but look great when tried on. Many brides ask for a certain dress they have seen in a magazine and no matter how gorgeous any other dress that they try on looks like, they seem to have this firm standpoint that the dress they saw online is The Dress. Images of dress do not always portray excatly how they look like in reality and this goes both ways, good and bad.
4. DON'T GO UNANNOUNCED: Try not to go to advice, service, and a sales team dedicated to just assist you in finding your perfect dress, you need to make an appointment in adcance to ensure the bridal expert is there to assist you. Booking appointments is meant for optimal service, so don't miss out.
5. THE EARLY BIRD: Always book your appointments in the daytime. Early on in the day, your posture is at its best and your body is at its freshest state not to mention your attitude, which plays them ajor role in your perception of what your perfect dress is. There's a major difference in brides' attitudes all the time from morning versus evening appointments. Evening appointments are always after a long day of work. An exhausted bride becomes restless, anxious and in the "ordinary syndrome" trap. This is something use to describe stressed out brides who start falling into the trap of feeling that her dress is no longer special. The happiest and most satisfied brides are the early birds.
6. GROOM YOURSELF: To get a sneak preview of what you will look like on your wedding day, you need to look fresh and groomed when searching for your dress. Messy or oily hair will not pay you justice when looking for your once-in-a-lifetime dress. You need to look good and feel good and cherish the seach process as it is all part of the lovely experience.
7. LESS IS MORE: Consider two as the maximum number of people who should escort you to choose your dress. That means yourMum if possible and another close relative, or a supportive friend with great taste. If you bring three of more people with you, there will be to many opinion for your dress, hence the drama and confusion in making a decision.
8. THE PURSE: Communicating your budget honestly to your bridal consultant is a must to ensure finding the best fress for you. There is no point in trying dresses you cannot afford, as it will only dispirit you and waste both you and your salesperson's time.
9. DRESS FOR YOUR ERA: In spite of your party theme, allow your dress to represent your time rather than borrow from another era. Incorporate elements of your party theme through accessories rather than a fully fledged themed dress. For example, if you plan to have a 1920's Vintage theme, don't go for a flapper style gown or a 20's dress: you can go for a modern beaded lace or an embroidered tulle dress and accesorize through vintage-inspired jewelry, veil, bolero, headpiece or corsage orby adding feathers into your bridal bouquet.
10. COMFORT: The most beautiful bride is the comfortable bride. Try to refrain from wearing silhouettes that you are slightly uncomfortable in just because it looks great. Some brides choose a style they would never wear normally, while others opt for heels which make them tower over their fiance. On your big day you will need to move freely and enjoy your time. Your dress, shoes and lingerie should accommodate that, so choose sensibly.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
HOW TO FIND WEDDING VENUES CLOSER TO HOME
Don't want to get married in your own country but need a venue closer to home? Find below ideas on how to find perfect wedding venue.
Find a local Planner
Destination weddings are now big business. Many of the large holiday companies will help you tie the knot abroad. If you've set your heart on a small romantic town that has slipped under the travel agents' radar, ask the local hotels if they can recommend the name of the wedding planner or the local florist shops might be able to give you a contact.
Think of your guests
You might have your heart set on marrying in Aspen in June, but if you want your elderly granny to join you for your big day you might have to think again. This isn't saying that your choice of resort needs to be dull. In fact, it'll need to keep your guests occupied for at least a couple of days. But you will have all ages to consider when making your plans. Don't feel that you have organise numerous activities to keep them occupied - it's their holiday too and they might like their own space. Give your guests as much time as possible to plan because they also have to book flights, organise hotels and arrange to have time out of the office.
Preparation is the key
If you want your wedding day to go as smoothly as possible don't wait till you get there to buy your flowers, dress or bridemaids' gifts: do this all at home. Your guy can take on some of the workload too, though. So make a list and check it twice - first you, then him.
Have fun
This isn't a traditional wedding so you don't need to be that conventional. If you want to walk barefoot acroos the sand or boogie down the aisle to a Haka band it's up to you. Being a destination wedding you could theme it according to your venue. So treat your guests to Hawaiian leis, order a bagpiper or charter a boat for floating reception if you've booked a resort close to the sea.
Seating
Not all guests want to scramble for the best seat. So solve that with a seating plan. You can give people a table or more specifically a seat. But this is trickier to put together if you have last-minute cancellations. Put them next to at least one person that they know. You want your guests to mingle but you also want them to feel at ease. They elderly guests need to be at the front so they can hear the speeches, while the children can be placed on tables at the back. Not only can they hear better but they won't be interested in the speeches.
With a little bit of thought you can have the day that you've always dreamed of.
Find a local Planner
Destination weddings are now big business. Many of the large holiday companies will help you tie the knot abroad. If you've set your heart on a small romantic town that has slipped under the travel agents' radar, ask the local hotels if they can recommend the name of the wedding planner or the local florist shops might be able to give you a contact.
Think of your guests
You might have your heart set on marrying in Aspen in June, but if you want your elderly granny to join you for your big day you might have to think again. This isn't saying that your choice of resort needs to be dull. In fact, it'll need to keep your guests occupied for at least a couple of days. But you will have all ages to consider when making your plans. Don't feel that you have organise numerous activities to keep them occupied - it's their holiday too and they might like their own space. Give your guests as much time as possible to plan because they also have to book flights, organise hotels and arrange to have time out of the office.
Preparation is the key
If you want your wedding day to go as smoothly as possible don't wait till you get there to buy your flowers, dress or bridemaids' gifts: do this all at home. Your guy can take on some of the workload too, though. So make a list and check it twice - first you, then him.
Have fun
This isn't a traditional wedding so you don't need to be that conventional. If you want to walk barefoot acroos the sand or boogie down the aisle to a Haka band it's up to you. Being a destination wedding you could theme it according to your venue. So treat your guests to Hawaiian leis, order a bagpiper or charter a boat for floating reception if you've booked a resort close to the sea.
Seating
Not all guests want to scramble for the best seat. So solve that with a seating plan. You can give people a table or more specifically a seat. But this is trickier to put together if you have last-minute cancellations. Put them next to at least one person that they know. You want your guests to mingle but you also want them to feel at ease. They elderly guests need to be at the front so they can hear the speeches, while the children can be placed on tables at the back. Not only can they hear better but they won't be interested in the speeches.
With a little bit of thought you can have the day that you've always dreamed of.
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS: MEANING
Flowers don't just look good; according to legend they have special meanings too.
BABY'S BREATH Everlasting love
GARDENIA Purity, sweet love, secret love, refinement
IVY Fidelity
LILY (orange) Wealth, pride, prosperity
LILY (white) Purity
ORCHID Love, beauty
PALM LEAVES Success
ROSE (white) Eternal love, innocence
ROSE (thornless) Love at first sight
ROSE (red) Love, respect, courage
ROSE (white & red) Unity
ROSE (yellow) Friendship, joy and happiness
SUNFLOWER Adoration
TULIP (pink) Caring
TULIP (yellow) Hopelessly in love
So add a touch of luck, love or success to your bouquet by inserting a special stem!
BABY'S BREATH Everlasting love
GARDENIA Purity, sweet love, secret love, refinement
IVY Fidelity
LILY (orange) Wealth, pride, prosperity
LILY (white) Purity
ORCHID Love, beauty
PALM LEAVES Success
ROSE (white) Eternal love, innocence
ROSE (thornless) Love at first sight
ROSE (red) Love, respect, courage
ROSE (white & red) Unity
ROSE (yellow) Friendship, joy and happiness
SUNFLOWER Adoration
TULIP (pink) Caring
TULIP (yellow) Hopelessly in love
So add a touch of luck, love or success to your bouquet by inserting a special stem!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
THE WEDDING DRESS DIET (lose 5 pounds fast!)
This fast acting diet will help you shimmy into that Sexy Wedding Dress in no time at all.
You wedding day is almost here... You've got your rock, your tiara and your designer dress. They only problem is you're a little worried whether you'll be able to squeeze into that little lace number. Well, stop stressing and follow this amazing wedding diet. Celebrity nutritionist has advised this easy to follow plan that includes all your favorite foods -- but will still help you ditch the pounds. We promise you'll lose up to an inch off your waist and drop 5lb in just 10 days. So, what are you waiting for? Read on..
BREAKFAST
Choose one each day: Never skip this meal, no matter how late you are running for work after writing all those invitations. If you miss breakfast, you'll only end up munching on high-calorie, fatty and sugary snacks to compensate later in the morning.
* Apricot cereal meal
5 tbps bran flakes, 2 dried apricots, skimmed milk.
* Fruit salad with oats
1 kiwi, 1 slice each of cantaloupe melon and mango, 1 tbps oats, pot of low-fat natural yougurt.
*Boiled egg and toast
1 hard-boiled egg, 1 slice wholegrain toast, 1 tsp low-fat spread, a handful of strawberries.
*Bran flakes and banana
4 tbps bran flakes, 1 small banana and skimmed milk
*Muesli
3 tbps muesli, skimmed milk
*BLT roll
1 granary roll, 1 grilled rasher of turkey bacon, lettuce, 1 tomato, 1 tsp reduced-fat mayo (yes, you really can have a BLT)
*Peanut butter on wholegrain toast
2 slices of wholegrain toast, 2 tbps peanut butter
*Smoothie and banana
1 ready-made fruit smoothie, 1 small banana
*Fruit, yogurt and orange juice
1 nectarine, 1 pot fat free fruit yogurt, 1 small glass orange juice
*Marmite bagel
1 wholegrain bagel, marmite to taste
LUNCH
Choose one each day: If you have to buy lunch, pick a 300-calorie sandwich.
*Cheese and crackers
6 wholewheat crackers, 3 tbps low-fat soft cheese, salad, 1 apple, seedless grapes, 1 fat-free fruit yogurt
*Turkey ham and potato roll
1 granary roll, 2 tsp low-fat mayo, 2 slices turkey ham, 1 tomato, 1 fat-free fruit yogurt, 1 nectarine
*Pizza and tzatziki
1 wholemeal pitta bread, 1 small tub tzatziki, crudites, fruit salad
*Soup and sandwich
Carton tomato soup, 2 slices wholegrain bread, 2 tbps low-fat soft cheese, salad, 1 apple, strawberries
*Chicken caesar salad
Bowl of lettuce, 1 grilled skinless chicken breasts, 1 tbps each of Parmesan, croutons and low-fat caesar dressing, fruit salad
* Ploughman's lunch
1 granary roll, 2 matchbox-sized pieces reduced-fat Cheddar, pickled onions, 1 tbps sweet pickle, salad, 1 slice cantaloupe melon.
*Egg and cress sandwich
2 slices wholegrain bread, 2 tsp reduced-fat mayo, 1 hard-boiled egg, cress, rasberries, 1 pot fat-free fruit yogurt
*Jacket potato and beans
1 small jacket potato, 1 small can baked beans, salad, fat-free dressing
DINNER
Choose one each day: If you can't be bothered to cook, choose a ready meal with around 400 calories. You'll get morefor your calories if you opt for a healthy-eating version.
*Sausage, potato and peas
2 grilled low-fat sausages, 7 tbps mashed potato and 3 tbps peas.
* Prawn stir-fry with noodles
Fry 1 small pack of prawns in spray oil. Add 1 small bag of ready-prepared stir fry veg and 1 tbps each of reduced-salt soy sauce. Heat and serve with 1 layer of cooked noodles. Strawberries.
*Steak and chunky chips
Cut 1 potato into 8 chips, spray with oil and sprinkle with paprika. Bake until cooked through. Serve with 1 grilled lean rump stake, grilled tomatoes and button mushrooms, plus salad with fat-free dressing.
*Salad nicoise
Top mixed leaves with 1 quartered hard-boiled egg. 1 small can of tuna in water, tomato, 5 anchovy fillets and fat-free dressing. Serve with 7.5 cm piece of French bread.
* Grilled salmon with vegetables
Serve 1 grilled salmon fillet with 5 boiled baby new potatoes and steamed veggies.
* Quiche and salad
One slice of vegetable quiche with salad and fat-free dressing, 1 peach
*Ham and mushroom omelette
Omelete made from sliced mushrooms, 2 eggs, 2 slices turkey ham and 2 tbps grated reduced-fat Cheddar. Serve with a small portion of low-fat oven chips and salad with fat-free dressing.
You wedding day is almost here... You've got your rock, your tiara and your designer dress. They only problem is you're a little worried whether you'll be able to squeeze into that little lace number. Well, stop stressing and follow this amazing wedding diet. Celebrity nutritionist has advised this easy to follow plan that includes all your favorite foods -- but will still help you ditch the pounds. We promise you'll lose up to an inch off your waist and drop 5lb in just 10 days. So, what are you waiting for? Read on..
BREAKFAST
Choose one each day: Never skip this meal, no matter how late you are running for work after writing all those invitations. If you miss breakfast, you'll only end up munching on high-calorie, fatty and sugary snacks to compensate later in the morning.
* Apricot cereal meal
5 tbps bran flakes, 2 dried apricots, skimmed milk.
* Fruit salad with oats
1 kiwi, 1 slice each of cantaloupe melon and mango, 1 tbps oats, pot of low-fat natural yougurt.
*Boiled egg and toast
1 hard-boiled egg, 1 slice wholegrain toast, 1 tsp low-fat spread, a handful of strawberries.
*Bran flakes and banana
4 tbps bran flakes, 1 small banana and skimmed milk
*Muesli
3 tbps muesli, skimmed milk
*BLT roll
1 granary roll, 1 grilled rasher of turkey bacon, lettuce, 1 tomato, 1 tsp reduced-fat mayo (yes, you really can have a BLT)
*Peanut butter on wholegrain toast
2 slices of wholegrain toast, 2 tbps peanut butter
*Smoothie and banana
1 ready-made fruit smoothie, 1 small banana
*Fruit, yogurt and orange juice
1 nectarine, 1 pot fat free fruit yogurt, 1 small glass orange juice
*Marmite bagel
1 wholegrain bagel, marmite to taste
LUNCH
Choose one each day: If you have to buy lunch, pick a 300-calorie sandwich.
*Cheese and crackers
6 wholewheat crackers, 3 tbps low-fat soft cheese, salad, 1 apple, seedless grapes, 1 fat-free fruit yogurt
*Turkey ham and potato roll
1 granary roll, 2 tsp low-fat mayo, 2 slices turkey ham, 1 tomato, 1 fat-free fruit yogurt, 1 nectarine
*Pizza and tzatziki
1 wholemeal pitta bread, 1 small tub tzatziki, crudites, fruit salad
*Soup and sandwich
Carton tomato soup, 2 slices wholegrain bread, 2 tbps low-fat soft cheese, salad, 1 apple, strawberries
*Chicken caesar salad
Bowl of lettuce, 1 grilled skinless chicken breasts, 1 tbps each of Parmesan, croutons and low-fat caesar dressing, fruit salad
* Ploughman's lunch
1 granary roll, 2 matchbox-sized pieces reduced-fat Cheddar, pickled onions, 1 tbps sweet pickle, salad, 1 slice cantaloupe melon.
*Egg and cress sandwich
2 slices wholegrain bread, 2 tsp reduced-fat mayo, 1 hard-boiled egg, cress, rasberries, 1 pot fat-free fruit yogurt
*Jacket potato and beans
1 small jacket potato, 1 small can baked beans, salad, fat-free dressing
DINNER
Choose one each day: If you can't be bothered to cook, choose a ready meal with around 400 calories. You'll get morefor your calories if you opt for a healthy-eating version.
*Sausage, potato and peas
2 grilled low-fat sausages, 7 tbps mashed potato and 3 tbps peas.
* Prawn stir-fry with noodles
Fry 1 small pack of prawns in spray oil. Add 1 small bag of ready-prepared stir fry veg and 1 tbps each of reduced-salt soy sauce. Heat and serve with 1 layer of cooked noodles. Strawberries.
*Steak and chunky chips
Cut 1 potato into 8 chips, spray with oil and sprinkle with paprika. Bake until cooked through. Serve with 1 grilled lean rump stake, grilled tomatoes and button mushrooms, plus salad with fat-free dressing.
*Salad nicoise
Top mixed leaves with 1 quartered hard-boiled egg. 1 small can of tuna in water, tomato, 5 anchovy fillets and fat-free dressing. Serve with 7.5 cm piece of French bread.
* Grilled salmon with vegetables
Serve 1 grilled salmon fillet with 5 boiled baby new potatoes and steamed veggies.
* Quiche and salad
One slice of vegetable quiche with salad and fat-free dressing, 1 peach
*Ham and mushroom omelette
Omelete made from sliced mushrooms, 2 eggs, 2 slices turkey ham and 2 tbps grated reduced-fat Cheddar. Serve with a small portion of low-fat oven chips and salad with fat-free dressing.
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