The ISPCA is highlighting an alternative to chocolates when searching for wedding favour ideas, and the charity is calling on all brides and grooms-to-be to include their adorable pet(s) in their special day.
In doing so, they can also support the less fortunate animals without a home to call their own.
ISPCA Public Relations Manager Carmel Murray said: “ISPCA wedding favours are a unique way to include our furry friends in our wedding celebrations, while at the same time helping support the animals in ISPCA care. This is a great initiative for animal lovers getting married who want to do something a little bit different and personal on their wedding day. Brides and grooms-to-be can present their guests with not only a really thoughtful gift for them, but a life-saving gift for the charity by including a photo of their own pets, or alternatively pets the ISPCA has rescued. We can even colour-match the wedding favour cards to tie in with the wedding theme as well.”
Carmel added: “All you need to do is take a photo of your pet(s) on a digital camera or phone so that it will be high-resolution enough to print on your wedding favour cards. Your wedding guests will love the idea, and you will be giving back by supporting our work.”
Animal lovers Rachel and Andrew got married on 5th May 2018, and were thrilled to include their own animals in their big day. Rachel said: “We were delighted with our ISPCA wedding favours and many of our guests commented on the beautiful favour cards. ISPCAwere very easy to work with and they created lovely favour cards from the images we sent to them of our own pets. It’s such a nice memento we can keep forever, and we are delighted we helped contribute to such a worthy cause”.
Say “I do” for the ISPCA and update your wedding checklist today. You will not only be presenting your guests with a really thoughtful wedding gifts for them, but a life-saving gift for the ISPCA.
If you are attending the Bride of the Year Show at the RDS, Dublin this weekend on Saturday or Sunday 26th or 27th January, drop by the ISPCA stand to say hello and find out more about ISPCA Wedding Favours.
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person,” said journalist Mignon McLaughlin, and she is correct. Your wedding will be the start of an epic adventure, but that doesn’t mean it’s where the love first began. Use a unique wedding memory display to capture all of the special moments – hard or otherwise – that led you to falling in love with your partner over and over and over again. Whether you’re feeling artistic or want to take advantage of some stellar technology, there are a number of attractive display options available to you.
Memory Mugs
Did you know that you can press your precious memories onto ceramic mugs? You can use heat transfer vinyls in order to mold your favorite pictures from your wedding day onto the coffee mugs you use every morning. If you feel up to putting in the work, each table at your reception can display a mug with a special memory of yours on it.
Your wedding attendees will be able to look back at some of your favorite memories with you while they toast you at your reception, as well. Then, when your wedding is over, you can use those same mugs to celebrate your marriage daily.
If you’re feeling crafty but don’t want to learn how to work a mug press, you can make a traditional photo collage. Gather some of the photos that you took at your wedding, professionally and for fun.
Make sure your friends contribute, too! When your wedding day comes around, you can display these photos on strong card stock or upload them online to be printed out on a professional, crisp poster.
You can also use a photobooth at your wedding to create an interactive poster of memories. Start out with a standard board with some of your favorite pictures of your and your partner’s romance. Then, courtesy of a reception photo booth, let your friends add to the collage until it is wild and full of happy memories. While a little unconventional, this conglomeration of photos lets your friends and family get in on your romance while guaranteeing that you have some additional fun memories to take away from your happy day.
Feel free to break with a bit of tradition, then, on your wedding day. Display your wedding memories however you want without being afraid of embracing your creativity. Imbue that happiness onto your coffee mugs, a nostalgic poster, or through the power of a photo booth. Whatever you choose to do will allow you to look back at the events that brought you here and will ensure that you have plenty of memories to keep you going in the years ahead.
A wedding is one of the most important and memorable dates in a couple’s calendar. This life-changing event is the start of a new beginning as husband and wife, and as a groom or bride-to-be, you want to make sure that everything goes smoothly and as close to perfect as possible.
While weddings are beautiful, it can be overwhelming to plan and arrange. There are ways to make the tasks fun rather than stressful, like putting things into a list and organizing them accordingly as the date draws near. When you break the wedding into sections on your list, you’ll know where to start and how to deal with each one, without being overwhelmed. In this article, we’ll give you the ultimate wedding planning checklist to make sure you can get things done.
After the engagement or when you’re ready to start planning
You already said “yes!” and you have the ring on, but this is just the beginning. Depending on the agreed engagement length with your partner, you’ll have to start planning. A year, or twelve months, seem to be ideal for many because you have many options for the venue and other arrangements compared with when you have lesser time. Here are some things to consider at this point:
You can have an optional engagement party.
Sit down with your partner to talk about what kind of wedding you’re going to have. It’s crucial that you are on the same page, can compromise, or come into an agreement. For example, you might want something grand and your partner wants something intimate, so you’ll have to communicate.
Choose potential wedding dates. Coming up with 3–5 days will be best for flexibility with other factors.
Think about the guest list. This is vital to know at this stage because it’s going to be one of the deciding factors for the venue. At the same time, you’ll need to know if important guests can make it on which potential dates.
Estimate your budget and determine who is contributing which to the wedding. Determine if the parents or the bride or the family of the groom are in the picture, or if this is something that you want to spend by yourselves.
12 months before the date
Start looking for and visiting potential venues for your ceremony and reception and consider if they’re separate.
Research for the best suppliers to create a team of professionals and lessen your wedding day stress. You can look for linen rentals like BBJ Linens, florists, photographer and videographer, hair and makeup artists, caterer, a wedding planner if necessary, and entertainment.
Begin choosing your wedding party: best man and groomsmen, maid of honor and bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring bearer.
Talk to your partner and decide if you’re getting an engagement ring and wedding insurance.
Start getting ideas for your wedding dress, color schemes, invitations, and save the date designs by creating Pinterest boards.
Plan your honeymoon and set a budget. If you’re going to travel to a foreign country, make sure that your passports are up to date or renew them.
Start a skin care regimen or health routine to feel and look your best, especially if you want a wedding to remember.
10–11 months before the date
Reserve your ceremony and reception venues.
Book your officiant and premarriage courses that may be required.
Pop the question to your wedding party.
Send out your save the date cards.
Hire the suppliers that you have chosen as your caterer, linen and equipment suppliers, band or musicians, florist, photographer and videographer, and wedding planner.
Research accommodations for guests that are from out of town.
Book flights and hotel for your honeymoon.
Shop your wedding dress, undergarments, and veil. You need to schedule for at least three fittings. By getting this done in the early part of the preparation, you save on “rush order” fees.
Are you getting married? Congratulations! Wedding is perhaps the most special moments in everyone’s life. The very reason, grooms and brides across the globe leave no stone unturned in order to make their wedding memorable. Finally, the time has come to start planning and make things extra special. It’s a celebration from where two hearts come together and vows to begin their journey that thrives on commitment, love, respect, and trust. No matter it is lavish or simple, big or small, themed or crafty; a wedding is a treasured memory of the life.
You probably have a lot of ideas in your mind for the location, flowers, favors, and even a theme of your wedding. But we have come up with 40 favorite wedding graphics and DIYs that will make your wedding unique and memorable.
Wedding Invitations
Since your wedding is fast-approaching, it’s time to chalk-out your wedding invites. Wedding invitations are the first impression of your big day. It gives your guests a clue how grand your wedding will be.
1) Floral Design: Just like a wedding without flowers is incomplete, the invites also look incomplete without them. Decorating the wedding invitations and save the date with a set of beautiful flowers can add beauty to the overall look of the card.
2) Chalkboard Design: It is one of the popular trends in greeting card design. And in the last few months, it has slowly made its way to a wedding invitation. Undoubtedly, it is a refreshing change that makes all types of wedding card designs look amazing. The ability to maintain minimalistic look while highlighting the text more clearly, makes this design unique.
3) Watercolor Design: Elegant, artistic and graceful watercolour invites are a great way to introduce color scheme without resorting to a floral border or motifs. Watercolors makes a design look unique and attractive. By using watercolor, you can highlight the relevant sections of an invitation without compromising on the beauty of the overall design.
4) Graphic + Geometric Details: Heptagon, diamond, triangles, squares—name any, it’s a new design trend for a modern wedding invitation. Bold lines give a little edge to the design and modern look to letters or message.You can mix graphics with bright colors to create a stunning design. If you love pattern or have planned a non-traditional celebration in a loft or gallery then it’s the perfect idea for you.
5) Custom Illustrations: Brides and grooms often love to have something personalized in their wedding cards. What can be better than having a comical drawn version of themselves? Your guests will instantly notice that the couple has made efforts to customize the design instead of buying any common template.
6) Passport Invitations: If you have planned for a destination wedding, then passport invitations are a unique and fun way to invite your guests. The invitation is designed in a shape and style of a passport.
7) Letterpress: Letterpress is a technique in printing used to push images into paper. This can be done with or without ink. The result is high-quality and classic which makes it perfect for wedding invitations.
8) Laser Cut Invites: Laser cut invitation are high in demand. The laser cut technology is perfect to give detailing to the card. Whether you want to go for subtle design or full-blown laser cut creation, your guests will surely be impressed when they receive the invites.
9) Typography: If you want to keep your wedding card simple, without any pattern and colors, you should go the other way by making typography the central design element. To make the card look attractive, make sure you choose the right font and backdrop.
10) Tie it Up: A cute small tie can give a dimension to your wedding invites. You can keep the invite simple with beautiful typography, and design a knot with your wedding logo.
11) A Flap Design: Add some fun in your invites by developing it playfully. Instead of using separates you can create sketches related to function and provide the information under those sketches. Your guests will surely love to read each piece of information written under each flap.
12) The Play Card Design: If you want to give a luxury look to your design, then go with this innovative card design. You can replace the King & Queen with the Bride & Groom picture. Add details to the other side of the design.
13) Lock the Date Invite: Are you looking for an extraordinary wedding invite design? Then go for the lock shape invites card and make your guests ‘lock the date’ rather than save the date.
14) Tiled Wedding Invite: If you think that tiles can only be used in kitchens and bathrooms, think again! Tile wedding invites are highly prevalent in Portugal and is a unique way to add some rustic charm to your wedding invitation.
15) Envelope Liners: If you want to keep your invites simple, you can add interest and glamour by designing the envelop liners. If you are planning for theme party then try to keep the design according to the theme. This way your guest will also get a hint of your wedding.
Wedding Decor
Depending on the venue contract, when it comes to the type of decor or making any changes in the space, there may be few restrictions. Example, you are not allowed to make any alteration to places like a museum or historic venues. Or if you are someone who doesn’t like the idea of decor and want to make everything personalized, then here are a few decorations that are low in maintenance but beautiful and appealing.
16) Leafy Menu: Greenery is completely trendy in the world of wedding, so why not add creatively. Display your menu in large leaf by using a paint pen and beautiful calligraphy.
17) Gold-Dipped Balloons: Liquid gold leaf can make everything look beautiful; even ordinary balloons. Let’s these golden beauty floats around your wedding to add sparkle to the atmosphere.
18) Grass Table Runner: It’s common to set flowers on plain and simple strips of cloth. Why not add a little wow factor to your decor by using grass instead of cloth? Make sure you plant it in advance so that it can grow properly.
19) Upside Down Wine Glasses: It’s easy to make centerpieces for your wedding by turning traditional ideas upside down. Give a different perspective a wine glass, and they are suddenly the perfect DIY candlestick. You can place flowers, marbles or any other decor at the bottom of the glass.
20) Wooden Spools: Celebrate your crafty side with wooden spoons and yarn balls as a creative table decoration on your big day.
21) Paper Pinwheels: Pinwheels are expensive to buy. But these can easily be made using different colors and patterns. They can add whims to your wedding table, and are a fun accessory for guests to play with and take home.
22) Framed Chalkboard Wedding Sign: After the ceremony, guests never really know what to do with their paper programmes. Eliminate waste by painting over large chalkboard sign. This will help your guests in finding the right directions for all the arrangements and fun activities you have arranged for them.
23) Colored Dipped Cork Place Card Holders: Transform simple cork lids into affordable and vibrant place cards. Just use a knife to make a small cut on top of each cork lid and dip them into different cheerful colors. You can design them with your wedding logo or with some message.
24) Vintage Wood table numbers: Wooden table numbers always gives a classic look, especially in barn or backyard wedding. They add a countryside element to the most celestial celebration of your life. You can print numbers, names or even your wedding logo onto the cardstock.
25) Tree Photoboard: Wow your guests by displaying your pictures on a tree. It’s a great idea to use a tree as a display board. It looks beautiful, and if you have a family picture, then a family tree sign at the top would look amazing. You only have to put photos in frames and hang those frames on a tree. For night party, you can put string light along with the picture frames to make it look more catchy and magical.
26) Lace & Burlap Chair Ties: If your wedding theme is rustic then lace and burlaps make a beautiful and unique combination to add a little flair to the chairs.
27) Mason Jars: Another great way to decorate wedding chairs is to hang jars at the corner of the chair. Begin by tightly wrapping the rope or twine around the neck of the jar and hang it around the edges of the chair. If you want to go with fresh flowers, then filled the jar with water and put them inside the pot. You can also use artificial flowers for the decoration. The choice is all yours.
Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are a traditional way to say thanks to all the guests for celebrating your special day. They are a final opportunity to send your friends and family home with an item that reminds them of all the special moments or fun they had during the wedding.
28) Homemade Jams: For those who love to spend their time in kitchen, there is no sweetener favor to gift than a tiny homemade jam jar. It has long shelf lives. Every time they eat it, it will remind them of your wedding day. Beautify the jars with cute ribbons and creative wrapping sheet with a personalized label thanking each guest for being part of your big day. To make the gift more creative, you can get customized tags with your wedding logo and message printed on it.
29) Bath Soak: Weddings can be a stressful time, not only for brides and grooms, but for friends and family too. Giving them a gift that can help in relieving their stress, can be a great idea. Add some sea salts, Epsom salts and essential oil in the cute small jar for calming and relaxing bath soak. Your guests will surely love it!
30) Truffles: Everyone loves chocolate. Truffles bring not only the element of elegance but also a perfect affordable wedding favor. They are easy to make and can be personalized easily. You can pack them according to your wedding theme with bride & groom name affixed on it. Make sure you choose good quality chocolate.
31) Potpourri: Let your guests enjoy the scent of a sweet-scented bag of homemade potpourri. Dried petals and spices last longer than the fresh flowers. You can make your own potpourri by mixing herbs, flowers, cinnamon sticks, and some essential oil. Keep the mixture in the airtight container for a week. Put them in a beautiful gift bag and send your guests home with this beautiful personalized gift. To give a special touch, you can use the same flowers that you will have on your wedding day.
32) Loose Tea: Tea is one of the most beloved beverages in the world. It not only refreshes the mood, but also has substantial health benefits. Giving a loose tea to your guests will be a great wedding favor. You can blend your tea with herbs from your garden and fruits (lemon, ginger) from your kitchen. To make it look attractive, you can pack them in pillow boxes, floral fabric bags, beautiful jar, etc. Don’t forget to design the packing with the wedding logo, the bride & groom’s name and date of the wedding.
33) Hangover Kit: Wedding parties are always full of fun, but the morning after isn’t. Hangover kits have become very popular choice these days. Open bar calls everyone during wedding night. Some guests may complaint of a headache the next morning. Give your guests (adults) a pain-relief morning with a kit containing aspirins, gum, mouthwash, eye mask, water bottle, and lot more items. Put wedding logo and couple’s name with a cute message showing you care for them.
34) Vanilla Extract: Who doesn’t have a place to put vanilla extract on the kitchen? Say thanks to your guests by giving them a little bottle of vanilla extract. Though it takes two months for the vanilla to grown-up, it’s a unique gift that will last for years. Soak vanilla beans in spiced rum, and keep it in a cool dark place for a month. Pour it into your favor bottles, put ribbons and labels, and you are done!
35) Mini Potted Plants: Though the idea of giving mini potted plants is not new, you definitely can customize these eco-friendly favors. You can use small terra cotta pots for plantation. Add a personal touch with a note and general care recommendation on the back so that the plant flourish well once taken home.
36) Scented Candles: Everyone loves scented candles. They can be used as aromatherapy, the centerpiece for dining table and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere at home. You can personalize them according to shapes, colors, and scents. Everyone has a different scent preference, and some are even allergic to a particular perfume. So it is better you go for soy or beeswax candles which are eco-friendly as well. Tie them with cute ribbons and fancy sheets that match with your theme color. Your guests will surely love this DIY wedding favor.
37) Ornaments: Say thanks to your guests by gifting them homemade ornaments for holiday season. This will reminds them of your wedding and the fun they had during the time. You can choose to give personalized Christmas balls, bells, handmade jewelry, engraved wooden ornaments, and much more. These are very economical wedding favors, and will not take much of your time. You can create these favors as per the age of the guests.
38) Seed Packets: If you don’t want to give your guests chocolates or any other edible item, then a pack of seeds can be a great wedding favor for you. This will make your guest remember your wedding day for a longer time. Seed packets will not break your wedding budget as well.
39) Lip balm: Who doesn’t love lip balm? It makes a great gift to guests. You can either make it at home or purchase high-quality natural balms from market. Don’t forget to put your name or wedding logo on the favor.
40) Warm socks: If you have planned to solemnize your wedding in the geographical location where the weather is unpredictable, plan it with this favor. Your guests will surely appreciate this!
Conclusion
Everyone dreams about their wedding day and thinks of the ideas to make it a special day. The key to having a wow wedding is to focus on all the details, even the smaller ones. Hope the above ideas will help you in turning your dream in reality.
Their love story began with the romantic case of love at first sight. As they passed each other at the Melbourne Cup races, they locked eyes for a brief moment – Troy was leaving the venue, while Alex was entering. Eventually Troy returned half an hour later, just so he could ask Alex out to a romantic dinner.
He surprised her when he popped the big question during one of their lunch dates at Hunter Valley. What followed was a classic and elegant styled wedding, where the strong love they had for each other shined ever so radiantly.
The beautiful bride has supplied me with her wedding information and vendor list, which you can find attached.
Honeymoon bookings for couples from Ireland are on the rise according to Emirates, with newlyweds spending more on their mini break than ever before and many opting for beachside getaways. Funnily enough, some wedding planners recommend waiting up to a year before taking your honeymoon, as a way to protect your savings and avoid the stress of having to do everything at once. Of course, organised couples will probably tell you that separating the wedding and honeymoon isn’t necessary at all; all it takes is a little organisation and plenty of research in the months leading up to your big day.
Considering Different Options
Seaside escapes in Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, and the Maldives have always been classic choices for those after an exotic getaway, yet it is important to look into prices, reputation for customer service, and a ‘special something’ that will make the difference between a standard holiday and a meaningful honeymoon. Some of the most beautiful islands in the world are located in Europe – including Ibiza. This Spanish island has gained a rather erroneous reputation for being little more than a playground for the rich and famous (and those into dance music). Ibiza has a very tranquil, laidback side and it is home to magical spots like Es Vedra: a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is the third most magnetic spot on Earth. According to legend, this tiny rocky island is the tip of the sunken civilization of Atlantis. Just in front of it is a natural cave said to radiate a special kind of energy. Ibiza is just one of many islands; also special are the Canary Islands – including Lanzarote, with its black sand (volcanic) beaches and ‘secret’ rock pools that are nature’s own open-air whirlpools.
Considering Renting a Car
If you do opt for an island like Lanzarote, renting a car will enable you to catch more the island in less time. If you live far from the airport, you can always leave your car at the airport for a tiny price, picking your rental car up as soon as you land and making your way to the island’s most beautiful spots. Having a car will enable you to visit cultural sights as well as the most beautiful beaches on the coastline. It will also mean you can get to sample gastronomic delights located far from your hotel or resort.
Raising the Necessary Funds
Starting a ‘honeyfund’ right before your invitations first go out is key, especially if you already have a home and all the equipment and décor you need. In essence, guests can donate cash instead of buying you a present – which you will undoubtedly be grateful for after receiving one too many crystal cheese trays or sets of Champagne flutes. Check out flights and look into islands in Asia like Coron (Palawan, the Philippines). Coron has hidden lagoons, pristine beaches, and luxury bungalow accommodation for a fraction of the price you might expect to pay for a comparable stay in the Maldives or Seychelles. If you are celebrating your wedding reception at a hotel, inquire whether or not they have a branch in your chosen destination; they might just be willing to give you a discount as part of your wedding pack.
Whether you are taking a ‘mini moon’ (saving your honeymoon for later) or flying to the island of your dreams the day after your reception, it never is too early to start researching and planning. Booking flights early, choosing an island that may not be one of the most heavily marketed, and starting a wedding fund are all good ways to reduce stress. Remember that the aim is to spend time together doing the things you love. From day one, therefore, list down crucial elements your dream island must have and start narrow down the list together.
Coming off of that wedding high is bound to have you staring at that bling on your left hand. As you take off on your honeymoon, be sure to take a few moments to think through some precautions for keeping your rings safe. You must remember all of the energy, deliberation and money that went into shopping for your wedding rings. After all of that, nothing would put a damper on a honeymoon quite like losing or damaging one. In case you aren’t sure where to start your ring security journey, we’re excited to help minimize that risk with a few safety tips of our own:
First things first: get your rings and other expensive jewelry insured. This is something you’ll definitely want to do before jetting off on your honeymoon, and could be done before the wedding if you’re proactive! Even if you think you’ll never take your ring off or do anything to risk losing it, accidents do happen and the best thing you can be is prepared. Both mom-and-pop and big-name insurance companies offer coverage for jewelry, so feel free to shop around and go with whatever option feels right to you.
Take pictures of important jewelry before you leave. Whatever pieces of jewelry you plan to pack for your honeymoon, document with pictures and descriptions before you leave. This is crucial in case anything gets stolen or damaged along the way. It’s always a good thing to have proof of ownership for airlines or any other organization that will have your possessions in their hands while traveling. This can serve as a double check for insurance purposes as well, if something is damaged and you need proof of the state your jewelry was in prior to your departure. Even if this seems silly, keep in mind that this is a cheap way to potentially save you lots of money should anything tragic happen.
Keep your rings in a safe place while traveling, especially while going through airport security where you’ll likely have to remove it to get through metal detectors. One safe place to consider keeping your important jewelry is in your carry on bag. Even flight attendants have been known to tell travelers not to put jewelry in checked luggage and to keep it on your person at all times. It just helps avoid unnecessary risks as we’ve all heard horror stories of lost bags while traveling through airports.
While on your honeymoon, make sure to take your rings off before getting in the water. If you are going on a tropical getaway or plan to swim in any body of water, take extra precaution for the sake of your rings. If you plan to swim, whether in a pool or ocean, be aware that salt water and chlorine can damage your jewelry. If you are on a honeymoon that involves swimming in natural bodies of water, it’s good to know that cold water causes your fingers to shrink. This can leave room for your rings to slip off and sink to the bottom of the ocean, lake, or river before you even notice it’s missing. To avoid all of this, remember to take your rings off before making your way to any body of water and keep them in a safe spot.
Utilize hotel safes – If you are staying in a new place, consider being extra cautious by locking up your rings at night when you go to sleep. Especially if you’re new to wearing wedding rings, the last thing you want is to forget to put them back on in the morning and head out for the day with your expensive jewelry laying out in plain sight. Also, if it is your plan to leave your rings behind, ensure to keep them secure in the hotel safe. While it may seem like an unlikely circumstance to leave your wedding rings behind as you venture out on your honeymoon, think back to the last point about swimming. If you know you’re heading off to the beach or pool and will be taking your rings off to avoid losing them in the water, think twice and consider locking your rings up in the hotel safe. Leaving your rings unattended with other things on the beach or pool as you galavant in the water creates a great opportunity for pickpockets to run off with your prized possessions. If you are worried about showing off that you’re on your honeymoon via a ring on both of your ring fingers, look into purchasing silicone rings for these times away from your rings.
How they met :
We were in a pub along with two friends each. I was just out of an exhausting shift at the hospital where I work as a midwife. He asked me about the ongoing midwife strike, and it surprised me because nobody cared about it at the time. So I told myself he may be worth my attention !
The Wedding:
The wedding took place in a small french village one hour North of Paris. The venue was the bride’s family house, and the church was walking distance. So the atmosphere was very intimate and welcoming, along with some nice countryside vibes.
The excitement of walking down the aisle cannot take your mind off your dark and fuzzy
armpits! Think of all the fancy gowns you can wear with perfect underarms. What about
the after party, where you can lift up your hands to the music without second thought?
And oh, skinny dipping, swimming and a little sunbathing on your honeymoon may also
be on the list.
To bring back the confidence, we have researched on what it takes to have perfect
underarms; the cost of at home fixes, derma clinics, all the way to advanced treatments
in spas and salons.
Whitening Underarms at Home
Underarm Whitening Deodorants
How it works: This is a deodorant that does more than keep your underarms free of
odour; it has skin whitening ingredients that lighten your armpits with time. Its whitening
effects are however slower compared with other products. How much: From €6.00 and above How frequently you should use: Daily Best for: Those on a tight budget Try: Aliver Deodorant for Sensitive Areas, €9.70 (60ml), Nivea Extra Whitening Pore
Minimizer Roll On, €25.82, (50ml), Belo Essentials Whitening Deodorant €14.91, (2 x
40ml), Dove Whitening Deodorant, €15.40 (3 x 40ml).
Underarm Whitening Creams
How it works: These are creams meant to whiten your underarms. Compared to
deodorants, underarm creams work a lot faster. There are hundreds of products to
choose from but please avoid products containing harsh chemicals. How much: Starting at €17 How frequently should you use: Typically applied twice daily on clean, dry skin.
Follow the ‘how-to-use’ instructions to the letter. Best for: Those who can afford to pay extra over deodorants. Effectiveness of these
underarm whitening creams depends on product’s ingredients. Try: KB Underarm Whitening Spray, €16.60 (60ml), Amaira Skin Lightening serum,
€39.55 (30ml), Zeta White 3-Point Lightening System, €101.12, (moisturizer + face
wash + night cream), Meladerm Skin Lightening Cream, €44.00 (50ml).
For a full list of safest underarm lightening creams and what else to look out for when
choosing one, check this list here.
Getting rid of the Fuzz
Basic Disposable razor
How it works: Shaves the armpit hair at the skin surface for less fuzz How much: From €3.00 How often you should shave: Weekly. If done more aggressively it can lead to razor
burns, hence skin darkening. Best for: Those after a cheap and quick fix Try: Gillette Blue 11 Disposable Razor, €3.21 (5 pcs), Wilkinson Sword Extra
Sensitive, €3.04 (1pc), Schick Slim Twin Disposable Razor, €11.54 (12pcs), Bic Lady
Twin Razors, €4.46 (10 + 5pcs), Gillette Blue II Plus Slalom Razor, €4.37 (8 pcs)
Reusable Razor
How it works: Differs from the disposable ones in that it has a stronger handle hence
blade cartridges can be replaced. How much: €8 and above How often you should shave: Once a week to avoid razor burns which can result to
skin darkening. Best for: Those going for shaving as a long-time solution. In the long run they are
cheaper than the disposable ones. Try:Gillette ProGlide Flexball Razor, €14.37 (1pc), Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 Razor,
€10.99 (1pc), Solimo 5-Blade Razor for Women, €8.94 (1pc + 2 refills), Gillette Breeze
Spa Razor, €9.58 (1pc).
To Keep Away the Fuzz Longer
Plucking
How it works: This involves use of tweezers to pluck underarm hair. Each strand of
hair is plucked from the base. If the tool is dirty or harsh chemicals are applied after hair
removal, the skin can darken due to irritations. How much: Depends on brand How frequent you should tweeze: 2 – 3 times a month; depending on re-growth Best for: Those whose pain threshold is high and don’t mind DIY procedures
Try: KCT Professional Slant Tip Tweezer, €2.36 (1pc), Anbina Tweezer Set, €9.79
(3pcs), Tweezerman Wide Grip Tweezer, €18.72 (1pc), Benefit Grooming Tweezers
and Brush, €21.50 (1pc), K-Beauty Professional Slant Tip Tweezers, €4.65 (2pcs)
Threading
How it works: It involves use of a thread to coil on hair strands and pluck them at the
follicle. The art originated from Egypt and India before spreading to the west. How much: €12 and up for a session How frequent you should do it: 2-3 times a month depending on re-growth Best for: Those going for a longer lasting solution as opposed to plucking Try: Bushra’s Beauty Salons Threading, from €12, Iconic Beauty Salons Threading,
from €18, Essence of Beauty Salon Underarm Threading, €15, La Mode Beauty
Treatments Threading, from €12, Beauty Ninety6 Treading, from €13.
How it works: Topical creams with hair dissolving chemicals. Hair is removed from
your underarm by wiping it off. How much: from €5 depending on quantity and brand How frequent you should use it: Depends on how fast your hair grows. A patch test is
however necessary to avoid skin irritation. Best for: Those going for a quick fix close to the wedding day Try: Veet 3 Minute Cream, €7.19 (100ml), Lashllo Hair Removal Cream, €14.01
(50ml), YYtech Hair Removal Cream, €10.50 (60g), Nad’s Sensitive Hair Removal
Cream, €4.99 (150ml)
DIY Waxing
How it works: Involves use of resin based cold or hot wax to remove hair at the root at
the comfort of your home. The wax is applied and a strip or piece of cloth is placed on it.
Once it holds, it is yanked to strip the hair. Alternatively, a wax coated strip is pressed
on the hair in the direction of growth; it’s then ripped off in the opposite direction. How much: Varies with brand and number of strips
How frequent you should wax: after every 2 weeks or once a month; depending on
re-growth Best for: Those who can stand the tearing pain Try:Veet Wax Strips Sensitive, €8.39 (20 strips), Rio Total Body Waxing Kit, €50 (with
instructional DVD), Non-woven Hair Removal Waxing Strips, €7.49, (100 strips),
Lifestance Wax Hair Removal Kit, €25.41 (3 wax seeds), Remove Hair Waxing Strips,
€6.97 (52pcs).
Professional Waxing
How it works: Waxing done by a trained professional in a spa or salon How much: From €15 How frequent you should do it: 1-2 times a month depending on re-growth Best for: When going for a hair removal method that will last you through the
honeymoon Try: Oslo Beauty Salon Underarm Waxing, €18, Bushra’s Beauty Salons Waxing, €30
(full arm with underarm), Essence of Beauty Waxing, €15, Lombre Hair Beauty Salon
Waxing, €15, Neelu’s Beauty Arnotts Underarm Wax, €15.
IPL Hair Removal Treatment
How it works: IPL stand for Intense Pulsed Light. It’s a hair reduction and skin
lightening technique that involves use of broad spectrum light.
A high-powered flash gun delivers a light beam that is absorbed by the melanin inside
hair follicles. Once its absorbed, the light gets converted into heat energy which
destroys hair from the root up.
Several treatments are needed for the desired effect. Re-growth is expected several
months after treatment and is handled by touch ups during revisits. How much: From €25 – €200 per session
How often you should do it: 5-10 sessions done in intervals of 4-6 weeks Best For: Those looking for long lasting solutions
Try: Urbana Clinics Underarm Treatment, €40, Ailesbury Clinic, from €150, Eden
Electrolysis Clinic, from €75, Therapie Laser Clinics, €69 (+bikini), Revive Beauty Laser
Clinic, €25, Blossom Health & Beauty Clinic, €35.
To Smoothen Underarms at Home
DIY Peeling or Scrubbing
How it works: Achieving a lighter and even skin tone by DIY exfoliation How much: €15 and up How often you should scrub: Frequency of use varies from one product to another Best For: A long term DIY treatment; scrub cream lasts through many applications Try: Ren Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, €17.99 (100ml), Decleor Glow Ritual & Body,
€42, (cleanser, awakening cream and exfoliator), Kaeso Body Scrub, €19.19 (450ml),
Simply Body Sugar and Oil Scrub, €21.03.
To professionally whiten underarm skin
Salon Scrubs
How it works: Spa-grade scrub using hard to come by or in-house products How much: Rates are different and depend on spas How often you should scrub: As often as your skin can allow. Best For: A day or two before your wedding; usually followed by a message for
relaxation Try: Delphi Resort Spa, €60, Oceana Spa Milk & Honey Buff, €100, South WilliamClinic Marine Scrub, €60
Underarm Lightening and Smoothening Treatment via Dermatologist
How it works: Professionals use skin care products and derma tools to treat skin How much: Depends on specific treatment How frequently you should do it: Once or twice a month depending on treatment
sessions required Best for: Those with persistent underarm blemishes that don’t respond to normal
treatments. Try: Baggot Street Medical Skin Rejuvenation, €290, Complete Laser Care
Pigmentation Treatment, from €40, DermaGlo Clinic Chemical Peel, €100.
Advanced Derma Treatments
How it works: Use of advanced techniques and equipment for skin care How much: Depends on extent of skin treatment sought, the equipment to be used and
sessions required. How frequently you should use: Strictly as per the dermatologist’s advice. The
procedures are delicate and should be done by a reputable and licensed derma. Best for: Those with underarm skin conditions that cannot be treated by any store
bought creams, derma tools, or normal skin care treatments. Try: Advanced Laser Light Clinic Aesthetics, €270, La Jolie Clinic Micro-needling €300
(4 sessions), Ailesbury Clinic Fractional Laser, from €250.
Conclusion
Having looked at the cost of perfect armpits from all possible perspectives, you cannot
blame dark, hairy and rough armpits for ruining your wedding look.
You don’t have to strike some activities off your list either; depending on your budget,
time, patience and sometimes threshold for pain, you can always find something that
works for you.
The options run from simple DIYs to salon, derma and advanced treatments. You can
now go ahead and shine on your big day!
Let’s face it: When it comes to wedding planning, sorting the details can be overwhelming. Just when you think you’ve covered everything, there’s always one more thing to do. Although wedding planning is tedious and seems never ending at times, it’s all worth it in the end. Bringing your family and friends together to celebrate the start of this next chapter in your life should be exciting!
For some brides, they have been putting together their details of their dream wedding for years! For others, planning starts at the engagement. No matter how many wedding details you have planned, here a few wedding trends and ideas to help inspire you in your planning process.
Wedding attire this year is all about sticking to a theme while including individuality. Let your bridesmaids individual style show with one of these BHLDN mix and match bridesmaid dress collections. Through choosing their own dress, your bridesmaids will feel even more a part of your special day, as well as confident in a dress that compliments their personal style. For groomsmen, try a look that is different from the traditional black tuxedo. The Black Tux offers suits and tuxedos that are elegant and timeless from their wedding collection. Stick to one suit or tuxedo across the board, but don’t be afraid to mix and match accessories like ties, bowties, and undershirts. Let your wedding party be a part of your special day through the suggestions they offer!
Choosing your lighting, florals, and decor themes are all excellent options for setting the mood and atmosphere of your wedding. For an effortless and modern wedding look, keep your decor simple and significant. Greenery, soft lighting, and vintage pieces are all alternatives to keep the look of your wedding refined and not overpowering. To give your wedding an aspect that is more sincere and sentimental, use old picture frames with photos of unforgettable moments inside. Create an atmosphere that is romantic and enchanting with warm glowing lanterns. Wildflowers and garlands of greenery are a subtle way to include pops of color. Meaningful quotes and family heirlooms are another option for creating a romantic and nostalgic environment. Let the decor of your wedding set an ambience and warmth that your guests won’t forget.
This year, wedding receptions are no longer a “piece of cake.” Receptions embrace an interactive and unique experiences for guests, straying away from the traditional wedding cake and dining styles. Instead of a sit-down meal, wedding receptions are now celebrated with food trucks, DIY food bars, and fun ideas that get guests off their feet. If you’ve never been a fan of cake, celebrate your special day with desserts like ice cream, macaroons, or fruit tarts. Serve sweet wedding treats individually so guests can skip the wait and enjoy a variety of desserts. Entertain your guests by building your own donut wall for your wedding day! When it comes to the details of your wedding, don’t be afraid to think outside of traditional wedding themes. Give your guests a unique experience they will talk about for years!
After your romantic ceremony, invite guests to enjoy each other’s company at a light cocktail hour. Give yourself time for wedding pictures, as your guests have the opportunity to relax and mingle together. In addition to the cocktail hour favorites like beer and wine, offer your guests a unique and memorable signature cocktail. If you’re struggling with a decision, offer two signature “his and her” cocktails. Your guests will not only enjoy trying something new, but they’ll also be able to try two of your favorites. Personalize the details of your cocktail hour with monogrammed napkins, glasses, and a fun customized photo booth for your guests to enjoy! Let your guests break the ice before your reception as they appreciate unique cocktails and stimulating conversation.
All in all, the most important part about planning your wedding is making sure that all the details are exactly what you want. Don’t be afraid to try out new ideas, look at different themes, and ask questions. Use your ideas as well as others to make your wedding day picture perfect!
