Hidden Secret Brial Boutique & Wedding Studio, Northern Ireland

Thank you to all those who entered our drize draw at the Wedding Extravaganza show, Odyssey Arena recently. The winners were selected from a random draw on Friday 17th October.

1ST PRIZE - Wedding dress upto £1000 from Hidden Secret.

winner: Miss Nicole Devlin, Lisburn

2ND PRIZE - Smoke & Mirrors or Trash the Dress Photo Shoot by Lifting the veil.

winner: Miss Kerri Wilson, Larne

3RD PRIZE - Accessories up to the value of £150 from Hidden Secret

winner: Miss Christina, McClean, Banbridge.

All winners will also be notified by post.

Advice on planning a budget

It may sound very practical at such an exciting time but the first thing any bride and groom must do in preparation for their wedding is work out their budget. Whether you are on a tight budget or planning a lavish expensive wedding you must agree a budget and stick to it.

Sit down with both sets of parents or anyone else who will be having a financial input into the celebrations and clearly establish how much each person is paying into the wedding fund and or who is paying for what. Work out approximate numbers of guests and and establish a realistic total budget. Once you have worked out how much you have to spend establish the order and importance of how it will be spent. Plan your wedding budget in the order of importance of the day. For example for some brides and grooms the most important part may be the food and wine and for others it may be the transport and entertainment. If you plan your budget this way and you do run short of money it will only be the least important thing that you will have to do without.

Keep a good record of your estimated costs and the actual amounts spent. You may find that you save money in certain areas and will have a carry over that can be used elsewhere. If you save money in several areas and everything is planned for you may even have some extra cash to spend on something that you hadn’t thought you could afford.

The finacial implications of a wedding can cause major stress for all concerned so careful and exact planning is essential to ensure everything goes to plan with the minimal amount of stress.

The golden rule of planning your budget is to set a realistic budget and stick to it – no matter what!

It seems to be a growing trend for brides to buy their wedding gowns online. As an advocate of online shopping I can see the appeal that this may have. Online shopping can be a way to save money, especially in the current economic situation.

Buying a wedding gown online can be a very risky business. Many of the companies who are offering ‘designer gowns’ at incredibly low prices are more often than not selling cheap fakes. These gowns are made from substandard fabrics and are of poor quality and fit. Any reputable designer does not allow their dresses to be sold online. Authorised stockists are there to protect the bride and offer a backup service that creates peace of mind. Its back to that old saying ‘if something looks too good to be true -it probably is’. Extreme caution must be used if you are concidering buying online. For peace of mind and guaranteed quality we recommend you only buy from an authorised stockist listed on the designers website.

Why use a wedding planner ?

Recent research has shown that the average wedding takes a bride around 250 hours to plan and organise. Many of these hours are spent endlessly researching to try and find the best deal or best value for money. Brides are often tired and frustrated and very stressed by the time their wedding actually comes along. A wedding planner removes all the stress and does all the hard work so you dont have to worry. You can sit back and relax in the knowledge everything is being taken care of for you.

What does a wedding planner do?

A wedding planner or wedding co ordinator will do as much or as little as you want. Different levels of service are available depending on the needs of the bride and groom. Each wedding couple are individual and all have their own ideas on what their perfect wedding will be like. A wedding planners role is to listen to the bride and groom and then turn their ideas in to reality. If you are stuck for ideas then your wedding planner can offer advice and inspirations. A wedding planner can help you with your budget and plan with you how it should be spent. They can keep track on your budget ensuring everything remains affordable and there are no unexpected costs. Your wedding planner can research vendors and suppliers and source the best otions available for you and arrange viewings at your convenience. If desired they will accompany you to meet with suppliers and offer support and advice. They will negotiate with the vendor or supplier and ensure that you are getting everything you require. Your wedding planner will check contracts and ensure you dont get caught out by any small print. They will offer back up plans and alternatives so you can truly relax and just enjoy the biggest day in your life.You remain in complete control of your wedding arrangements while getting on with your everyday life and looking forward to the ‘big day’.

How can I afford a wedding planner?

It will probably suprise most people to know that hiring a wedding planner will most likely save you money. Wedding planners work closely with many vendors and suppliers. They have excellent negotiating skills and will be working hard to get you the best deal and discounts with all suppliers. Your wedding planner will be able to source services from an extensive list of reputable providers ensuring you are getting the best possible service within your agreed budget. Wedding planners charge fees in different ways, some offer their services for a percentage of the overal budget, others have a flat fee for the package on offer. In some cases depending on the level of service and complexity of the wedding, a wedding planner may work on an hourly rate. Your wedding planner will discuss fees and payments with you during your initial consultation, so you will know exactly what to expect and how much it will cost you before you make your final desicion.

Overall benefits

• A perfect wedding day of your dreams
• Stress Free
• Affordable
• Back up if something does go wrong

The importance of bridal lingerie

Bridal lingerie is as important as the wedding gown itself. It is the foundation of your dress and your overall look.

Your wedding lingerie must have the perfect balance of being functional, comfortable and also able to translate into a sexy mood for the wedding night.

A corset is often the best option to cover all 3 aspects. If your dress fits tight to your body good fitting bridal lingerie can prevent creases or lines showing. Many bridal corsets are designed with a low back so that you do not have any issues with your bra strap constantly showing and spoiling the look of your dress. It is essential to choose the right lingerie for under your wedding dress, visible panty lines and ugly straps will detract form the beauty of your gown and you.

What ever style you choose ensure that it fits properly and is comfortable to wear all day and into the wedding night. Wedding lingerie is the foundation of your wedding attire and the first night of your life with your new husband!

A full range of bridal lingerie is available in store, please contact us for details.

Matching style to figure is key when choosing your wedding dress. We have all looked in a magazine and seen the most beautiful dress, however the key question is ‘will it look like that on me?’

The following suggestions will help identify the best style for you. Find one that flatters your figure and does not accentuate any problem areas or areas that you are not totally happy with.

Short and slender. A high-rise waistline, high neckline, perhaps sleeveless with long gloves, chapel-length train, and a floor-length veil are all super-feminine and will make you look taller.

Petite with curves. Blouson bodice over fitted slip, a long, narrow sleeve. Avoid billowy looks. Select a natural, boat neck, or high neckline. Gathered waist with soft ribbon accents add length; avoid flounced skirts.

Tall and thin. Dropped waist looks terrific, because it takes away that long, leggy look. Bare off-the-shoulder styles are sexy and feminine. If you like, wear ruffles or billowy sleeves. Veils and hats are striking additions.

Plus size. Choose simple lines and avoid too much lace and beading. Look for vertical lines such as the princess cut, soft bodice, natural or high necklines. Avoid very puffed sleeves. Again, choose a simple headpiece such as a floral wreath or chapel veil.

Trains
The three basic wedding dress trains are

• the sweep length which barely touches the floor
• the chapel length which trails on the floor about four feet out from the dress
• and the cathedral length which trails six feet out from the dress (or more if you’re royalty!)

Forever Yours

‘Fantasy’ by Forever Yours

Bonny Bridal

Special Day

‘Intrigue’ by Forever Yours

‘Now & Forever’ by Forever Yours

Allure

Madeline Isaac James

‘Essence’ by Bonny bridal

‘Unforgettable’ by Bonny bridal

Mori Lee (arriving spring 2008)

Alfred Sung (arriving spring 2008)

Colet (arriving spring 2008)

Bridesmaids

‘Expressions’ by Forever yours

Special Day

Angel B (arriving spring 2008)

PartyPOP.com - Weddings

We have pleasure in introducing an exciting new range of hand made wedding stationery. All items are produced using the finest quality materials. This range is exclusive to Hidden Secret. For more information please contact us.

Are you inviting children to your wedding?

Why not sit back, relax and and let some one else take care of the younger guests.

Wedding Sitters are a team of fully qualified and experienced child care providers. They cater for all ages and offer a range of activities to keep the little ones entertained during your celebrations.

All staff are fully vetted, qualified in childcare or have experience working in childcare. A member of the team will also have First Aid Training.

Children are entertained and supervised by professional staff in an adjoining room in the hotel or chosen venue.

Packages start at around £250 providing up to 12 children with 3 hours entertainment. (additional staff can be added to allow for larger numbers of children to be catered for - price on request)

Activities include:-

• A soft play area for under 3’s
• A selection of books for all ages
• Art table activities.
• Table top activities - jigsaws, boards games, etc
• Construction activities - lego,building blocks, train track, etc
• T.V / DVD / Playstation (age appropriate) for the older children.

If you would like further information on this service please go to our contact us page and telephone or email with your enquiry.

Tips for choosing the right maternity wedding dress

Your Wedding Dress Style

“How far along will you be on your wedding day?”
If you’ll still be in the early months of your pregnancy on your wedding day you may not need a maternity dress. You may be able to just opt for a slightly larger size in the style you love. If you are considering this option make sure the dress fits properly in the areas that are not going to ‘grow’.
Make sure you have a good dressmaker on hand for any last minute alterations … double check with her that your dress can be altered, and can be let out where needed! But be careful, as you can’t predict how much or how quick your bump will grow.

Most likely you will find ball gowns or dresses with a tight bodice uncomfortable and not the most flattering … they’ll emphasize your expanding middle! Best to avoid these!
Empire line gowns and A-line dresses look fabulous on most pregnant women thanks to their loose structure which creates a beautiful silhouette.
To make sure you wont out grow your dress before the big day its is probably safer to choose a maternity wedding dress. You won’t compromise on style or quality if you choose a “proper” maternity wedding dress.

What type of wedding are you planning?

Brides usually choose a long formal gown for a religious ceremony, this is also equally suited for civil celebrations too.
If you’re planning a small or informal civil or beach wedding, you may prefer a shorter, less structured dress?

Be proud of your body

All  brides look for a dress to enhance their natural assets and as a pregnant bride, that’s just what you should do too. Think about what you like about your body and make the most of it. Most women find that bust size increases during pregnancy - so why not take advantage of it and choose a dress that shows of your newly acquired assets (after all they wont be there forever!)

Think comfortable and practical!

 What type of shoes are you comfortable in?  Have your feet swollen? Can you wear heels? You may want to consider a lower heel than you would otherwise have considered. How will your chosen dress look with the shoes you are comfortable in and plan to wear?

 Would you like a strappy or strapless gown? If so, think about the width of your maternity bra straps. You still need to wear a good supporting bra so think about if you will you be uncomfortable with a strapless bra for the day?
 Do you want to hide your baby bump or show it off? Discuss with your bridal retailer which dress styles will conceal your pregnancy and which ones will enhance it.
 Are your arms toned and beautiful or would you like to hide them away? You might be happier with a dress with sleeves if you’ve gained weight on your arms in your pregnancy. Or you might want a wrap or bolero.

Choose the right fabric

You should think as carefully about the fabric of your maternity wedding dress as the style of the dress itself, especially when thinking about the season or the destination of your wedding.
The same dress in different fabrics will look and feel quite different. It will certainly drape quite differently around your body. Some fabrics will enhance your bump while other will help disguise it. Avoid stretch fabrics as these may make you sweat and feel uncomfortable as they will cling to your body rather than sweep over it.

White, ivory or coloured?

Traditionally, brides have married in white, which was seen as the colour of purity; today it’s considered to be the colour that represents joy. So as a pregnant bride, you CAN wear white if you want to. You can also inject a little colour if you want to!
Natural shades such as champagne, ivory, grey and very light pastels are always popular, but striking reds, blues, pinks and black are very fashionable. It’s your wedding  and you really can have exactly the colour scheme you want.

If you love bold colours, but want a traditional coloured maternity wedding dress, why not introduce your chosen colour with your flowers and accessories?

How to Look good on your wedding day:

• Start a beauty regime if you don’t already have one – the earlier you start the better the results!
• For optimum skin care during pregnancy and to ensure you look your best on the day opt for a healthy eating plan with lots of fruit and vegetables.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep skin hydrated.
  Cleanse face with a gentle cleanser and moisturize the face and whole body twice daily.
• Avoid the sun – if you are exposed to even minimal sunlight use sun protection – your skin can be very susceptible to sun during pregnancy.
• Make the most of your free dental treatment and have a check up.
• Make sure you get plenty of sleep in the run up to your wedding day – you don’t want to be exhausted on the day.
• Many women find their hair grows rapidly during pregnancy and that it is much healthier and glossier. If you are one of those not so lucky women and are experiencing dryness and breakage use an intensive conditioning treatment once a week to help with the condition of your hair.
• Make sure you tell you hairdresser that you are pregnant when discussing hairstyles for you wedding day. This way the will be prepared if your hair misbehaves and becomes unruly.
• If you are considering colouring your hair – make sure you discuss this with your hairdresser as your hair may react differently to hair colourants during pregnancy.
• If you want to draw attention away from your ever-growing baby bump then opt for a stunning hair design to draw people’s attention up to your face and hair. Discuss possibilities with your hairdresser, use hair accessories for that extra special look.