Posts Tagged ‘weddings’

Brides, Do you want to double barrel, mesh or just change your surname?

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Last week I had the pleasure of being asked onto BBC London 94.9 Ladies lounge to discuss all things current affairs. You can listen to the show here.

One of the interesting topics we talked about was the recent popularity of ‘meshing your surname’, which according to the Daily Telegraph is when couples can blend their surnames in a new trend that has seen Mr Pugh and Miss Griffin become Mr and Mrs Puffin.

Good idea – I’m not sure.

Having gone through the whole restless process of deciding on whether I should take my husbands name or keeping my maiden name. I know how many brides feel and this may now just add to their confusion.

The practice, which originally became popular in the US with American newlyweds, six years ago, is apparently now soaring in popularity in the UK. So much so that the UK Deed Poll Service, the UK’s largest issuers of Deed Polls (approximately 50,000 a year) have had to create a separate system to cope with demand and track the fast-growing trend. Read story here.

So which way will you choose, do you like this new idea of fusing your names or are you happy to simply change or double barrel?

Introducing Charlene Hutsebaut from Positively Slim

Friday, April 15th, 2011

With this month’s blog devoted to ‘losing weight for your wedding’ we thought we would introduce you to the lady behind our guest article this month Charlene Hutsebaut.

Originally from Winnipeg, Canada Charlene moved to England 10 years ago following a stint travelling to establish two businesses. The first her name branded one to one personal training company where clients can take advantage of her Stott Pilates and strength and conditioning credentials. The second her online business Positively slim which is a free membership site for individuals to learn about health, fitness, nutrition, yoga and lifestyle choices.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy?

Other than the obvious physical progressions my clients will make, I most enjoy when a client realises that being fit is just one part of many other components. Eating well, participating in lots of activities they like as well as making time for themselves as a natural part of their everyday life rather than it being a chore.

Describe your personality?

I like this question because I always think of how my friends or clients would describe me.  I am definitely deeply caring, intuitive, sensitive, outgoing, loyal, honest, reliable, smart, ambitious and assertive.  It has taken me some time as a personal trainer and woman to understand these things about myself and I do feel that I am learning more every day.

What is your favourite place to hang out?

I am not sure I can just pick one place because I am such a world traveller. But in London, I love hanging out on my new flat’s balcony in the sun with my plants. In Canada I love being either poolside at my parent’s condo with old friends or reading a book in the screened veranda at my godparents cabin at the lake.  Back in New Zealand I would love hanging out by driving around the country in a little car, stopping at my leisure at great cafes or beaches.

Describe a perfect day for you?

Ah, a perfect day would be having a coffee in the sunshine either on my balcony or at the beach, then going for either a rollerblade (makes me feel completely free) or a run and some weights and then exploring somewhere new and taking photographs.

If it was a work day I would start the same way, coffee, then a few clients, a workout, some yummy lunch then a few more lovely clients and then home to relax. I suppose my most perfect day would be spending time with my parents at their condo in Canada, as I don’t get enough of those days anymore.

When was the last time you laughed really hard and what was the joke?

Weirdly I think I had a great “belly laugh” last week with two of my new female clients while they were doing a balance exercise.  One of them got the giggles and it just permeated to the rest of us and we couldn’t stop laughing!   It was a lovely moment because I really felt like these women were having fun and for me I was making a difference for them.

Thanks to Charlene Hutsebaut from Positively Slim.

We look forward to receiving your comments on this month’s topic on photography and remember for all your wedding planning needs at home and abroad head to www.pierrecarr.com.

Introducing Jemma Watts from Pearl Pictures

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

With this month’s blog devoted to photography we thought we would formally introduce Jemma Watts from Pearl Pictures who kindly gave us ‘A friend with a good digital camera’ earlier this month.

Originally a commercial photographer specialising in Food, Lifestyle and Travel photography, for years Jemma would shoot weddings ‘on the side.’ But early in 2008 Jemma decided to start a second business that purely focused on weddings and events, hence Pearl Pictures was born.

What inspired you to get started?

I have always loved photography from a young age and was given my first camera when I was 15. I wanted to study art as a degree but instead took business. In hindsight this turned out to be a very good idea now that I am running my own businesses, but at the time I wasn’t so sure. I worked in the design industry for a few years before leaving to become a professional photographer, which was inspired by my grandfather. Sadly, towards the end of his life, he talked about having regrets, wishing he had done more with his life. Well, I thought to myself, I don’t want to have any regrets, so I decided to give my photography career a chance. After all, I could always go back to my old profession if I couldn’t make a go of it. That was 10 years ago.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy?

The thing that I enjoy most about my work is the variety that each job brings, both in style and personalities. No two jobs are the same. This challenges me photographically and also in the way I interact with people. I enjoy working with people very much and find it extremely fulfilling when I walk away at the end of the event, knowing I’ve captured some great characters enjoying themselves on a happy occasion.

Describe your personality?

I would say my personality is friendly, fun and lively but at the same time professional, understanding and able to interact with many different people of all ages, backgrounds and personalities. I’m also conscientious about my work and have a strong sense of integrity.

What is your favourite place to hang out?

My favourite place to hang out is in the mountains of Wengen in Switzerland. My Dad lives out there and we all enjoy spending time there as a family, enjoying the beautiful environment and skiing in the winter. I try to go there as much as I can, especially as most of my summer is spent working weddings so I try to make the most of the quieter winter months.

If you could give one piece of advice to couples getting married what would it be?

My best piece of advice for couples getting married is to not cut back on your photography budget. Your wedding photographs should be high on your list of priorities, after all, these are what last forever. You must also make sure that you get on well with your chosen photographer. The personalities have to mix well as you will spending a lot of time together on one of the most important days of you life.

Also every now and then throughout your wedding day, stand back from your guests and soak up the atmosphere of the day. Take in their faces and the joy people are having sharing your day with the two of you.

Our thanks to Jemma Watts from Pearl Pictures. We look forward to receiving your comments on this month’s topic on photography and remember for all your wedding planning needs at home and abroad head to www.pierrecarr.com.

Episode 12: : Fad Dieting and Exercise Revisited

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Welcome to our first entry of the New Year, I do hope you enjoy and become one of our regular readers and commenters!

To kick off, as January is the month for new beginnings – if you have recently got engaged a big congratulations!

You’re probably feeling pretty overwhelmed right now, but if you’re like many of us who have indulged over Christmas getting your body back in shape this month is high on your priority list, whether you are getting married now or much later in the year.

That’s why I thought we should revisit a topic that I posted back in April on fad dieting and exercise. The post gave me the opportunity to speak to  Charlene Hustsebaut, co-founder of Positively Slim an online exercise and nutrition portal and Jacqui Agyepong an Olympic personal trainer about realistic goals for getting in shape for your wedding.

In our interviews we covered so much I couldn’t fit it all in so this time I wanted to highlight all those other practical tips left out the first time around to help you accomplish your wedding fitness goals.

To listen in full to what the girls had to say head to the Butterfly Journal podcast at www.pierrecarr.com/podcast it really only takes less than a minute to do, and  with an online portal that provides downloadable e-books, audio and video for busy professionals, you’ll hear that Charlene is a great believer in timing – giving yourself enough time to lose weight and not looking for a quick fix.

Whilst Jacqui a former Olympic athlete has a more back to basics approach, which means rather than trying to change your lifestyle to fit exercise in (which we can all admit we are prone to doing) we should build exercise into our everyday tasks. If that means getting off the bus a couple of stops before or leaving your car at home to do some walking instead then that’s what you need to do.

Whilst both women cover different aspects of exercise and fitness both of them have a realistic approach and no quick fixes come into the equation which I also believe is best.

Well I hope you find what Jacqui and Charlene say in the podcast useful as I definitely found it extremely fun to do and very informative.

I look forward to reading your thoughts and comments.

Michelle

Episode 10: Groom’s Style

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Its all about men’s style in this edition of the Butterfly Journal, an Inspiring Wedding Guide, where host Michelle Pierre-Carr is joined by Chris Easter from The Man Registry to talk suits and latest wedding accessories just for men.

Episode 10: Groom’s Style

Monday, November 15th, 2010

With this month’s focus on the groom and his entourage, I turn my attention to men’s style and some of the fun accessories out there to help men stand out on their big day.

We all know women have a lot of choice when it comes to their dress, but deciding what to wear can be a big decision for guys too and shouldn’t really be taken lightly. That’s why in the Butterfly Journal podcast I talk to Chris Easter the co-founder of The Man Registry, which is an online resource for grooms offering hundreds of manly wedding gifts and a collection of wedding idea articles, how-to wedding guides and resources for the groom to prepare for his big day.

Asking him some questions that men are always confronted with Chris was able to give me some tips on the following,

1. Tuxedo, Morning Suit or Casual Suit?

This comes down to personal style and your personality. Consult with the bride on the type of wedding you’re having, if it’s a church or more formal setting, a tuxedo or morning suit is the way to go.

2. To rent or buy?

There’s nothing better than having your own suit. Buy something classic, and you can wear it to other weddings and formal events in the future. However if you do rent, use the pants and the jacket but personalise with your own shirt, tie and cufflinks.

3. Getting married overseas?

If you’re getting married in a warmer climate, consider a linen suit with no tie, or something casual like a white or cream linen shirt and trousers. Some men even get married in shorts, if it’s a very casual affair!

To hear in detail more tips from Chris head to the Butterfly Journal podcast at  www.pierrecarr.com/podcast.

However I would like to point out regardless of the style you go for,  your wedding attire should be comfortable, reflect your personality and compliment your bride and the day you have planned.

Until next time, Happy Planning!

Episode 9: Florist or Floral Designer, do you know the difference?

Friday, October 1st, 2010

When your wedding guests enter your venue what do you think will be the first thing they’ll notice? You might not realise, but it’s the décor and the overall styling of your event.

Just like your wedding dress, flowers are another important accessory in your wedding that shouldn’t be overlooked – purely because they create great focal points, add dramatical effect and create mesmerising fragrances.

So my advice would be – don’t leave them to the last minute. Once you have confirmed your venue start having a chat with a couple of florists to find out if they have experienced your venue before, check their portfolio and find out what suggestions they would propose for your forthcoming event.

The latter I have to say really comes down to the fundamental question of whether they are a floral designer or not and just like photographers so many people take floristry up as a hobby after going on a short courses offering their services, I felt that it was important this month that you knew the difference between the two so you could make an informed decision.

So in this first part of two episodes covering this topic I talk to floral designer Karen Woolven from Karen Woolven Design who has been in the business from the age of 16 starting out as a Saturday girl before moving on to full time employment in a floral shop and working for various hotels on Park Lane before setting up her own business six years ago.

Karen will be the first to say that floristry is about the training and how an arrangement looks, both good and bad and the principles of how to be a florist. A floral designer is some one who thinks up concept ideas and themes and with their floristry training uses it to their advantage.

To give you an idea of the Karen’s work see a couple of pictures below of a traditional and eco-friendly wedding:

To hear Karens’s full interview head to the Butterfly Journal podcast at www.pierrecarr.com/podcast.

And with wedding fair season underway if you live in London and would like to have a chat with me about your wedding plans why not come down and visit me on Sunday 3rd October at Coulsdon Manor Hotel, Coulsdon, Surrey or on Sunday 17th October at Sunbridge Park Manor in Bromley. We will also be at the Birmingham National Wedding Show from October 8-10 for those of you who live further afield.

Next week we look at tips and questions to ask a florist?

Until then Happy Planning!

Episode 9: Florist or Floral Designer, do you know the difference?

Friday, October 1st, 2010

In part one of October’s Butterfly Journal podcast, host Michelle Pierre-Carr turns her attention to floral decoration for your venue. Join Michelle as she speaks with floral designer, Karen Woolven of Karen Woolven Floral Design in London on how to choose a good floral designer and style ideas for church, civil and eco friendly ceremonies.

Episode 8: Marrying the Family..The In Laws Part 2

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

So earlier this month, I began discussing the topic of dealing with your soon to be in-laws, focusing specifically on the close relationship between mother and son and how you can stop feeling left out.

Today I look at other challenges that some couples have to face such as the differences around culture, religion and lifestyle this time with the expert help of psychotherapist Lesley Haswell from Haswell Therapy in London.

Lesley has been working with individuals both long and short term for 9 years and specializes in existential therapy and CBT, both of which focus on how we are living now. Her clients come with many issues including anxiety, depression, relationships, fertility, addiction and phobias and her style is warm and friendly.

With one of the biggest factors of today’s society being how our families have evolved and changed from the traditional nucleus. Some parents are now divorced and some have even remarried to create an extended family that includes not only step- parents but in some cases step siblings as well. For the couple getting married the extended family can be extremely difficult especially when the original and new families have never met or just don’t get on, so what do you do?

According to Lesley its simple don’t beat yourself up as ultimately you are not responsible for everyone else’s happiness and you can only do your best.  She suggests speaking to everyone informally before the wedding or at a social event where they can all meet each other and you can explain your anxieties. Nine times out of ten no one wants to upset the apple cart at a wedding so by being open and honest you will find that people will work with you to make sure no disagreements occur.

Mixed relationships is also another major issue for some families especially when parents have an ideal image of a potential spouse that simply does not reflect the ethnicity, religion, lifestyle or culture you have fallen in love with. Again honesty is the best policy here and by showing a united front in all your decision making speaks volumes on how both of you want your lives to be accepted and reflected. For example if that means carrying out two ceremonies for your wedding then so be it, everyone will know up front that you have embraced both sides and the dissenters will learn to accept your united front.

To hear more  on this topic and Lesley’s opinions head to the Butterfly Journal podcast  at  www.pierrecarr.com/podcast.

As always I would love to receive your comments about your experiences on any of the topics we have covered so far.

Until next time, Happy Planning!

Episode 8: Marrying the Family..The In Laws

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

In the eighth episode of ‘The Butterfly Journal: An Inspiring Wedding Guide, host Michelle Pierre-Carr talks to Denise Knowles a relationship counsellor from Relate about dealing with your soon-to-be in laws,  from over bearing parents to difficult step children and making the decision to elope.