Amanda Kerrison

It is one of the most special and important holidays of your life, so having a honeymoon to look forward to after your big day is the perfect opportunity to forget about the months and months of frantic and nerve racking wedding planning! It is a time to sit back, relax and enjoy being Mr and Mrs after your amazing Wedding day!

So where do you start in planning your first holiday as husband and wife?

First things first – when do you want to go? The day after the Wedding? A week after or perhaps even the following year? Whenever you decide to go will help you on your journey of where you decide to go (as no one wants to be sat on a beach on a Caribbean island in the middle of the rainy season!)

And what type on honeymoon do you see yourselves having? The choices are endless! Some like to enjoy a once in a lifetime exotic experience somewhere hot like the Maldives or Dominican Republic. For those that are more adventurous, an activity holiday kayaking or cycling in Europe, or simply enjoying the sights the UK has to offer.

We spoke to our recent bride Steph to share with you all about her dream Italian honeymoon…

Our Italian honeymoon was beautiful, but far too short! We got married in Cornwall on the Saturday, had a family BBQ on the Sunday, spent Monday opening cards and trying to recover, before we drove to London for a flight from Stanstead on Tuesday!

From Tuesday to Thursday morning we were in Rome, and then we spent Thursday and Friday in Salerno on the Amalfi Coast, before flying home on Saturday afternoon.

Rome was a vibrant city, but because of the old buildings felt more like a large town. The ruins pop up everywhere, so even if you don’t manage to go to the main tourist hotspots there’s still something to see everywhere you look! We went to the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain (difficult on a hot day as all you want to do is jump in!)

We had chosen to stay in Salerno for the second part of our trip, as it is much cheaper than staying somewhere else on the coast, like Amalfi or Positano. I wasn’t expecting much but I am so glad we had chosen this authentic Italian town to spend the quieter days of our honeymoon. Part of Salerno was the “old town”, with cobbled streets, shops full of Italian Designers (it was very chic there for a coastal town) and the best restaurant we went to on the whole holiday. The waiter that served us was called Sonny and he was full of character, teasing us with his suggestion that the English accent is much harder to understand than the American one!

While staying on the coast, we took a day trip by ferry to Positano. It seemed everything there was themed with lemons. There were huge lemon candles burning outside shops which smelt incredible. We took a walk up through the cobbled streets where there were shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants everywhere you looked.

Tips:

• As we were packing back home in Cornwall, we decided to take one large suitcase to make it easier at the airport. This logic has its advantages, but I would recommend weighing your case before you travel! Because the case was so large, I forgot about the weight limitations and packed 10 pairs of shoes (you have to, right?). This resulted in paying £30 at the airport (which was supposed to be £40 but the man at check-in was kind to us!). So basically, don’t over pack just because you have a large suitcase!
• We found the sockets in the Rome hotel didn’t work with our European adaptors, so we’d do some research on this if we went again.
• If you go to the Vatican, as a sign of respect you must cover your knees and shoulders in certain areas, so be sure to pack a loose palazzo trouser and light cotton t-shirt or you may not be able to see some of the most amazing parts of the Vatican.

We’re hoping to go away in 2020 and call that our “big honeymoon”. Time to start planning!

It was the 4th of May 2018 a really hot summer’s day, we always did something special on Sundays as it was the only day we had off together and Josh had decided to choose where we were going that day. He picked Mullion Cove, a place I visited once as a child, but I haven’t been back since.

Josh seemed a little nervous that morning and was quick for us to get out of the car when we got there. He kept saying that he was going to find a nice spot for us to sit. We walked through several fields, but it was so hot I started complaining to Josh, asking him how much further it was 🙂

We eventually came to a beautiful spot overlooking the clear water. I watched him look around taking it all in. He stood pensively looking out to sea and now I know what he was planning, and he was waiting for the right moment.

I found a patch of grass and sat down and Josh came and joined me. After a few seconds Josh took my hand and put it in his pocket where I would find the ring. By the time I could take anything in he was down on one knee asking me to marry him. I was in a trance, slightly shocked and overwhelmed. Of course I said YES! I hugged him tightly and we kissed, we were both so happy.

I couldn’t wait to tell everybody, Josh’s mum was down from Germany so he timed the proposal really well. We celebrated  by going back to my sister Claire’s house, where all my immediate family joined us for a nice BBQ and prosecco to celebrate. It was a very special day with all the people we love.

Look out for my next blog “Shopping for my dream dress!”

So you have read all about how Josh and I met… now read on for our first romantic break together

It was in the April of 2016 we decided we wanted to go on a romantic trip to Paris for a few days. It would be our first holiday together and I was feeling really excited about spending a few days alone with Josh on what was my first time to Paris. We arrived at our accommodation and it was lush, you could see the whole city with a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower from our window. We couldn’t wait to go out and visit “Gai Paris” we didn’t even unpack our suitcases, we went straight out to explore – there was so much to see.

We walked along a street and past all the amazing designer boutiques; there were cafes and small bars, (which I had only ever seen in magazines). After all this walking we felt hungry and we bought a yummy Nutella crepe from a small stall in the town. We wanted to take a closer look at the Eiffel Tower so we walked across Le Pont D’lena Bridge and saw the tower up close, it was amazing. There were lots of souvenir stalls and entertainment; we even saw a couple getting married on the bridge – how romantic!

During our time in Paris we did lots of things each day, we visited the Notre Dam, Arc de Triomphe where we climbed the stairs all the way to the top and the view of the city was just breath taking. We then visited the Louvre where we saw the Mona Lisa painting and many more famous paintings and exhibits. We also visited the Love Lock Bridge where we talked about the future and more holidays together, and then we wrote our initials on a lock which sealed our love and placed it on Love Lock Bridge forever.

One morning we woke up and decided we wanted the whole Paris experience so we took a stroll and found a place where we had a typical French breakfast of coffee, orange juice, and croissants. It was definitely a holiday of indulging, having fun and relaxing together.

A special souvenir portrait of us both which was sketched by a street artist is hanging in our home and brings back many happy memories of our first holiday. We had the best time and we left feeling really happy and excited about planning our future together.

Hi, my name is Laura Churcher, and I am going to be sharing my romantic story with you, of my journey leading up to my wedding in June

About four years ago, I was celebrating my birthday with a group of friends at the Toast Bar in Falmouth, where I was introduced to Josh by my friend’s boyfriend Rob. We hit it off from the start and Josh asked me out. I knew then that this was going to be the start of something special! It was love at first sight!

Our first date was at the Blue bar in Porthtowan. I was so excited, I can even remember what I wore – it was a floral top, jeans and boots. We started chatting and I couldn’t believe how well we got on. Over a bottle of wine we were soon talking about our families, I realised Josh went to school with my sister Megan and we spoke about our hobbies and interests. Josh told me he was born in Germany and speaks fluent German, he also told me he had an identical twin and I thought surely not, there are two of you! We didn’t stop chatting all evening and I felt like I’d known him for years. After we had finished our drinks we didn’t want the evening to finish so we decided to go for a walk along the beach which is still one of our favourite places as it holds special memories and Josh loves to surf there.

Within a few months, we’d booked our first holiday – a romantic trip away to Paris!

My next blog will be all about our first trip so look out for it!

Your BFF is getting hitched and he’s asked you to be his best man. Congrats – that means not only are you one of his closest friends, but he thinks you’re reliable too. What a lovely ego boost! But while this coveted position might come with glory, it’s endowed with big responsibilities too and it’s only natural that you want to do the best job for your bud. So, with that in mind, here are our top tips for being the best best man Cornwall has ever seen…

1. Organise an epic stag do

Let’s be honest – this is the part you’re looking forward too. But before you go and book a week in Las Vegas, take a moment to consider the groom. The stag do should celebrate him and be tailored towards his interests. So, if his idea of a good time is the latest Stephen King novel and a cup of Earl Grey, you might want to rethink your Vegas plans. Because while stag dos used to follow a typical – and often for the groom, embarrassing – series of events, there are all sorts of options available these days. Think outside the box and come up with something personal to your pal. (You can always go to Vegas when it’s your turn).

2. Check-in with him

Many best men think that once they’ve organised the stag do, jobs a good’n until the big day. But if you want top marks, you’ll want to be a bit more involved in the lead-up to. Wedding planning can take its toll on the most laidback of people and many men don’t realise quite how tough it can be organising budgets and dealing with wedding politics. So make sure you check-in with him from time to time and maybe take him out for a drink to vent when needed.

3. Be enthusiastic

We’ll level with you: you probably couldn’t care less about the save-the-date calligraphy. But if you want some brownie points, you’re going to need to be enthusiastic. So, roll up your sleeves and ask what you can do to help. Or better yet – make solid suggestions. Perhaps you could offer to arrange the suit fitting and collection. And if you need any help in that department, look no further. We love helping grooms and their gang find the perfect suit for their occasion. To book an appointment in our Regency Room or find out more, give us a call on 01872 859778.

5. Be calm on the day

Even the coolest cucumber is bound to be a little bit nervy on the morning of their wedding. So don’t just swing up ten minutes before it’s time to say “I do”. Get there early and make sure your pal is feeling as settled and ready as he can. There might be last-minute tasks to help out with or perhaps you’ll just provide some moral support. Whatever you do: make sure he gets to the venue on time.

6. Don’t forget the ring

It goes without saying, but always bears repeating: don’t forget the ring!

7. Be the first line of defence

The bride and groom have enough on their plate without worrying about late caterers or loose buttons. Make yourself – and the rest of the bridal party – the first line of defence when it comes to any wedding hiccups. By taking on this role you’ll free up the groom to focus on what really matters. To do this job properly, you’ll need a list of and contact details for the vendors. You might also want to stock up on a few handy items like safety pins, a stain removal pen and pain killers.

8. Write a winning speech

This is a tough one, but you’ll need to knock it out of the park if you want top marks as best man. You’re aiming for side-splittingly funny, emotionally resonate and just a slight hint of embarrassment for the groom. Yes, it’s a big ask. So, get started early and keep on practising.  And while it might be tempting to just chat about you and your best friend’s hilarious escapades, make sure you thank everyone that needs to be thanked and throw in a few words for the bride too.

9. Go out with a bang

There are a few ways you can continue to ace the best man role even once the speech is done. If the bride and groom are heading off that night, you can sneak out and decorate the getaway car. In the days that follow you could take responsibility for returning the suits or getting them dry cleaned. You might also consider offering to drive the couple to the airport for their honeymoon, you legend you.

Buckle up, brides-to-be! Today we’re talking wedding trends for spring and summer 2019. We’ve been drooling over the spring and summer designer collections (hard job, eh?) and have whittled it down to 9 wedding dress trends for 2019. Get ready to go really big (or really mini), embrace all things botanical and even dare to double up!

1. Beautiful bateaus

While Meghan Markle’s dress was revealed after the SS19 Bridal Fashion Week, it’s clear there was a regal influence in this collection – from big gowns to prim necklines and huge veils! But if you want to look royally relevant, it’s got to be a bateau neckline. Afterall, who could forget the classic, timeless bateau neckline on Meghan’s bespoke, Givenchy wedding gown?

Amanda K advice: If you’re after an elegant neckline, you can’t beat a bateau. This timeless design works well for those with smaller chests who are after a minimal – but stylish – look.

2. Bold botanicals

Florals have been popular in the bridal world for a while now, but designers are getting bolder and bolder in their designs. We’re talking 3D florals and foliage inspired appliqués; we particularly loved the floristry inspired designs at Reem Acra and Zuhair Murad. To keep this look from looking overkill, you might want to skip the flower crown.

Amanda K advice: Love florals but not for your dress? There are plenty of ways to bring more foliage to your big day! Pick a veil with flower detailing, wear fresh flowers in your hair or simply opt for a huge bouquet!

3. Feathery friends

Feathers featured heavily at many of our favourite designers shows and rather than delicate details, this year many opted for opulent plumes that took our breath away! We loved the structural take at Naeem Khan and this daring feathery design at Inbal Dror.

Amanda K advice: Like the look but not sure about feathers? Look for other dramatic detailing that takes your fancy. From heavy beading to dramatic silhouettes like fishtails, the perfectly dramatic dress is out there waiting for you!

4. Big ballgowns

Big ballgowns are a bridal staple, but this year they were front and centre stage – and the bigger the better. So, if you’ve been dreaming of a Cinderella inspired frock since you were four, this year is your lucky year! Dare to go big and get inspired with the plush gowns seen at Marchesa and Monique Lhuillier.

Amanda K advice: Love the look but worried you’ll looked be in a ballgown? Opt for a strapless design, which will help balance out the bigger proportions of the dress.

5. Tiered gowns

We love a boho inspired bride so it’s no surprise we’re on board with the latest trend for all things tiered. Opt for layers of luxe lace and sweet crochet detailing for a grown-up bohemian look. For a modern spin on a hippy classic, we loved the dresses at Carolina Herrera and Lela Rose.

Amanda K advice: If you don’t want to go full-on hippy, bring some boho charm to look with a lace veil or a bright and beautiful flower crown.

6. Take a bow

Got a thing for bows? From subtle to statement, there were plenty of them up and down the bridal catwalks this year. We loved the super smart interpretations at Victor & Rolf but equally loved the laidback style on show at  Carolina Herrera.

Amanda K advice: Found the perfect dress, if only it had a bow? Our alternations team can turn your dream into a reality! Whether you’d like a lace up back putting in (which can be tied in a bow), or a subtle belted bow added to emphasise your waist, your wish is our command!

7. Heavy metal

Bored of white? Craving shimmer? Let your inner magpie run wild with a heavy metal inspired gown! This year we saw gold and silver dresses aplenty, and the result was non-stop showstoppers. For a seriously cool take on bridal fashion we loved the glitzy gold numbers at Naeem Khan and the suave silver gowns at Jenny Packham.

Amanda K advice: If a gold or silver dress feels too untraditional, why not incorporate the details elsewhere? A subtle silver smoky eye is universally flattering, or why not rock a pair of epic gold heels?

8. Go mini

Who says your wedding dress has to be full-length? Nobody! And this year there were minis left right and centre on the runway! For a fun and flirty take on a traditional wedding dress we love this wispy off the shoulder number from Tadashi Shoji.

Amanda K advice: Not keen on walking down the aisle in a mini? Save it for your second dress! On which note…

9. Double up

Can’t decide on ‘the one’? With so many fabulous trends to try, there is definitely some merit in opting for a second gown to change into for your evening reception.

Amanda K advice: With all the recent royals doing so – Kate, Meghan and Eugenie – we think it’s safe to say this is officially a trend now!

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Need a hand deciding what you like? Visit Amanda K and let’s peruse the trends together. Book a free appointment online or give us a call on 01872 859778 and let the search for your dream dress

Suffering from dress overwhelm? Preoccupied with calculus and no idea where to start? Fear not – we’ve whipped up a short guide to help you find your dream dress for your school prom…

Check school rules

Before you hit the shops, you better check the rules. Because while some rules are made to broken, these ones aren’t. You do not want to turn up in a dress that gets you barred from your own prom. It would be a night to remember – but probably not in the way you had hoped for!

Agree on a budget

Are you buying your own dress with money you’ve saved up from a part-time job or squirreled away birthday money? If so, think about how much you’re willing to spend on your prom dress. If your parents or guardian are buying your dress for you, you’ll need to agree on a budget together. Again, not the most thrilling part of finding your dream dress – but an altogether necessary one.

Start compiling inspiration

Ah, some fun at last! Now it’s time to decide how you want to look at your prom. Perhaps you’re after classic Hollywood glamour or maybe you’re more into quirky bohemian vibes? Either way you’ll find a good amount of inspiration online on platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.

You might also like to scour through celebrity red carpet events or even online prom albums and see if any particular style jumps out at you. Keep a record of everything that makes you tick and after a while you should see a pattern emerge. Perhaps you like floaty pastel numbers or bold, daring colours. This is a great sign – you now you know what you’re looking for!

Be wary of the internet

Unfortunately, some things are too good to be true. And a lace couture gown for less than the price of a monthly Netflix subscription is ones of those things! Not convinced? Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Hit the shops

Once you’ve got an idea in mind, it’s time to hit the shops. If looking totally unique is important to you, be careful where you shop. Not all boutiques keep a registry scheme, meaning you could end up wearing the same thing as someone else. Not to toot our own horn, but we take all that business very seriously and are proud to have our own prom registry scheme to ensure you’re the only one at your school rocking that exact dress.

Limit your entourage

While it’s tempting to head out in a big crowd, the truth is it’s not always conducive to the best shopping experience. We suggest shopping with just one or two close friends or family members. That way you’ll have some fun and get proper feedback. Plus, you’ll get your moment to shine when you find the one!

Bring the right gear

If you’ve already found your shoes, bring them along with you so you can try them on with your potential dresses. You’ll also want to wear neutral underwear. A nude strapless bra and nude pants are an ideal choice if you have them.

Would you like some help picking out your perfect prom dress? Nothing would make us happier! Simply give us a call on 01872 859778 or book an appointment and let the search begin…

Most of us don’t get our clothes tailored, so feeling bewildered when it comes to the world of bridal alterations is completely normal.

We spoke with one of our seamstresses, Claire, to find out exactly what the alterations process looks like and she also took us through some of the most common alterations as well as her best alteration advice for brides-to-be.

Who knows, once you’ve sashayed down the aisle in the best fitting outfit of your life perhaps you’ll insist on having your entire wardrobe tailored!

Bridal alterations: From start to finish

1. You’ve found the dress of your dreams – hurrah! – but, as is the case with nearly every other bride-to-be, your dress will probably require a few alterations. So off the dress will pop to one of our lovely seamstresses.
2. You’ll visit the seamstress and it will be the first time you’ve seen your dress in a while. You might get all the feelings! You’ll try your dress on again and chat through the alterations. Our alterations team will be able to spot what needs doing, whether that’s taking the shoulders up a bit or a spot of hemming.
3. While our seamstresses know their stuff, they won’t be privy to your exact preferences. So please be vocal about what you want. For example, if you’re after a very structured and fitted look then share that.
4. After you’ve both agreed what needs doing, it’s time for your seamstress to get to work.
5. This process will usually take place a couple of times until you’re completely happy with how your dress looks and feels.

Common bridal alterations

1. Sizing up and down

Lots of dresses can be made both bigger or smaller, but to keep the alterations as straightforward as possible it’s best to buy as close to your actual size as possible. Whatever you do, don’t go over two or three dress sizes as that will alter the actual shape of the dress even if it is resized to fit you.

Some dresses don’t lend themselves well to size alterations, so our team would need to take a look at the dress. For example, you could have a lace up back put in certain dresses which can help create the perfect fit.

2. Shortening or lengthening

Good news petite brides – shortening a dress is always doable. Tall brides will also be glad to know that most dresses can be lengthened too, but as it involves adding extra material you might want to check the materials with your seamstress beforehand.

3. Neckline alterations

If you’ve fallen in love with a dress but the neckline isn’t doing it for you, it’s worth having a chat with our seamstresses to see if it can be adjusted to suit you.  For example, one common request is to make plunging necklines look a little more demure, which can usually be done.

4. Sleeve additions

If you’ve found the dress of your dreams if only it had sleeves, don’t give up hope yet! Some dresses, like those with a wide shoulder, can have sleeves added. You just need to consider what fabric you’d use for the sleeves and whether it should match or compliment the dress. However, if you’ve gone for a dress with a really narrow shoulder you might have more of a problem adding sleeves.

Alteration advice

1. Leave enough time

Not getting your dress in on time is one of the biggest causes of wedding dress alteration stress – so avoid it with Claire’s advice below!

In the summer months you need to allow for four months and in the winter you need to allow for two. You’ll also need to be prepared to attend between two and three fittings. If you’re having major changes made then it’ll like take around four fittings.

2. Wear the right underwear and shoes

Treat your fittings as if they are your actual wedding day by making sure you bring everything you plan to wear on the big day. That means underwear, as your undergarments can change the size and shape of the dress. You also need to bring your wedding day shoes, as heel height will make a huge difference.

3. Be vocal and honest

Many brides plan to lose weight for their wedding day, however this can be challenging when planning for alterations. This is particularly true if you buy a dress and then drop multiple dress sizes, as it changes the whole look. Claire’s advice? Be really honest about your plans and keep the alterations team in the loop.

4. Don’t stress

A lot of brides struggle with the first fitting because the dress doesn’t look quite right. But guess what? Most dresses won’t fit perfectly because everybody has a different body shape. Claire has worked with Amanda K for two years and in that time she’s only had two brides who have barely had any alterations made to their dresses.

Nearly every dress will need altering because even if it’s the right size there is always a tweak here or there to be made. Don’t worry that it isn’t going to look right on the day and instead trust your seamstress. This is their job and they are committed to making sure you walk down the aisle feeling fabulous.

Again, this means making sure you are vocal about your likes and dislikes. Claire says the most stressful scenario is when the bride is worried but doesn’t say anything until a few weeks before the big day! It’s far better to be honest and open from day one, our seamstresses can handle anything if you give them enough time.

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Of course, before you start your alterations you have to find your dream dress! Give us a call on 01872 859778 or book an appointment with us and we’d be over the moon to help you find the on