Street & Rail

As I've been writing these, I've realised what a shame it's been that I've not been blogging as I go... its amazing how much you forget when in ~~a short~~ what feels like a very short space a time. Nevertheless, I've jotted down everything I can remember, but it's still worth point out that during all of this we have taken absolutely every excuse going to soak up all the Champagne, spa sessions and afternoon teas that anyone can possible squeeze into an already hectic schedule

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JUNE ’18 // Executing the Aesthetics

The finer details and aesthetics of the overall day are quite important to me. Big bright and colourful isn’t really to our taste. There goes the typical Indian wedding out the window.

Embracing the fusion of cultures, in keeping with ‘us’ has made the challenge of everything look conjoined and classy, rather than mismatch and clashy that tiny bit harder.

After tonnes of research we decided on a pretty neutral pallet with warm and welcoming accents, and (if we pull it off right), a hint of luxury!

It's amazing how big of an impact the colour scheme has, so we started to look at everything from favours and furniture, to stationary and table features. Its been fun soo much fun taking your dream wedding from paper to reality - the only down side is that your restricted by a budget!

AUG ‘18 // The Dress

Outfits were easy enough to find. Both of us knew roughly what we wanted so it was just a matter of booking our flights and making sure we had enough baggage allowance! Yes that’s right, we whisked ourselves off to India for a holiday and pre-wedding shopping spree all rolled into one.

Never really one for colour as you may know, it may come as a surprise to learn that I’ve gone traditional with a red ensemble! Much like many ladies and their dream of a white white dress, I’ve not imagined mind any other way than in red! ....I'm afraid that's all the details your getting though cause my lips are sealed! This one is remaining a surprise ;)

NOTE to all Indian Brides! A trip to India is a must if your getting married, the cost in savings is worth the trip, but its defiantly one best done with the girls, trust me I learnt the hard way!

SEPT ‘18 // Partners for Life

With big ticket items sorted, it was time to focus our attention on smaller suppliers and gosh there are so many! Cake, DJ, mandap (aka Indian wedding alter), flowers, decor, marquee….

There are the people that help to do the things for your wedding that you can do yourself. Often they are the things that you remember from your day, years down the line. Finding a supplier that fits with you is sometimes as hard as finding your life partner! Fortunately for me the life partner didn't prove too difficult for me (I've got my prince Charming a.k.a Adam)... suppliers on the other hand, not so easy!

Where possible we’ve gone with people we know or have always dreamt of working with. for other, its best to do your research and go with your gut.

Looking back, I am so glad we’ve taken our our time. Breaking things down into chunks, we’ve been contacting and eventually booking suppliers that we felt would help make our day special. Don’t worry It only gets so easier to spot the people that really go the extra mile for their customers. Word Of Warning! Read your contacts carefully before signing, it’s so easy to get caught out on the small print. Turns out we have with one or two.

OCT ’18 // Disaster!!!

I wasn't totally convinced that I needed a hair and makeup trial…till it all went wrong!!

So I’d arranged a trial with someone who regularly features in Asiana Magazine. Id spoken to her briefly at the Asiana Wedding show and seen “her work” (now I’m not totally convinced she did the makeup). She so effortlessly made every makeup faux pas going and by the end of it I looked like something out of a horror story! I’m not even kidding. Weirdest experience of wedding planning to date.

Now totally freaked, the search for a proper makeup artist begins.

Moral of the Story: Trials are 100% Necessary!!!

NOV ’18 // Design Do Over

Add the word ‘Wedding’ before anything and the price seems to sky rocket. We took the decision pretty early to DIY everything possible, roping in help where we could (Thank’s Grandpa Ken!) This also meant that we were able to add our own personal touch without the price tag. We spent time designing everything from stationary and favours all the way down to the table decor and event features.

I change my mind as often as anyone so we're probably on version 275 for our invitation design! With all of the hours of editing and paper sourcing, stationary proved to be the most time consuming - thankfully I can say it was worth it. We have few events that span the weekend so it we needed invitations to match without being identical or too complex for foiling. Everything else was built around our invitations so we were finally ready to get going… but first Christmas!!!

DEC ’18 // Holiday Season

By this point, despite sorting things early and being ultra organised I think I had had a total of two melt downs! ...What can I say the stress gets to everyone eventually - specially when you're worrying about three occasions as opposed to one!.

We’d earned ourselves a well deserved break. It was off to Chester to celebrate Christmas with the Burrows!

Post Boxing Day we were rearing to go again. With the help of the wonderful woman that is Grandma Norma and the last of Grandpa Andy’s Honey, we were left a little sticky, but heading back to London with all 200 wedding favours ready for boxing!!! Yippee!!

I can speak for both of us when I say that our favours are what we are most proud of. Not only do our boxes and favours look absolutely fabulous, but that weekend spent with both of Adam's grandparents admiring old photos and covering the kitchen in honey is a memory I will cherish forever.

Let me know what else you want to hear about the wedding and I'll be sure to work it in.
Tan xx

It's time for an update!

To be honest, it was probably time a few week back but with weekends wizzing past, a never-ending checklist and what feels like a dual identity, any trace of time has been impossible to find. Whilst the page sometime hides all trace of whats going on behind the scenes, my Instagram Page & Stories allow me to still share those moments in a more manageable way.

Don’t miss a thing.

Be sure to tune in next time…

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With wedding plans consuming 85% of my life I decided that I’d just go with it and update you on what exactly is happening (hopefully without giving away all the surprises). Not only for me, to allow me a space to look back on what I'm planning and organising, but for you to see what I'm doing, who I'm choosing, what I'm deciding on and whether these things could help with your own wedding planning; now or later.

NOV ‘17 // Just the beginning

Engaged! It was the ultimate surprise with Adam popping the question during an impromptu visit to Paris.

Going forward into the new year I knew just how much we’d have on our plate. The aim was to have the big decisions like location, type of ceremony, time of year etc ironed out by Jan. This was my attempt to avoid the last minute stresses and spare myself (and Adam) the manic last minute dash.

JAN ‘18 // Our Big Fat Indian Wedding

I’m not too sure that Adam knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he agreed to having A Big Fat Indian Wedding!!

Roll on the big three day sherbang!

With the rough guest list ironed out, the venue search began...

MAR ‘18 // The Venue search continues...

As much as I love London, we knew that this was not the place for us to get married. Shewing strangers and big red busses out of our photos is not something that I wanted to worry about on the day.

Always one for natural spaces, the search for somewhere green and open was an obvious one. It was also one that seemed never ending.

Finding the balance between location, cost and capacity proved more difficult than we first thought. With half of our guests travelling down from Cheshire for a trio of wedding celebrations, we were conscious that this somewhat complicated the situation.

APRIL ’18 // Time to Party

What else is an Engagement, other than the perfect excuse for a Party!

On the fence about whether to have an engagement party, I am so glad we decided to go ahead with this. With my family in London and Adam's in the Cheshire, this present as the perfect opportunity for our nearest and dearest to meet each other, eat drink and party the night away! It was a real laugh and I’ll cherish those memories forever!

One thing this did highlight however, is how quick it all goes by! I’l’ be making sure that come the wedding, I take some time to really savour it all :)

MAY ‘18 // Save the date

Woohoo the venue search is complete!! We decided on a cricket club just outside of London in Radlett - London Shenley Club! Able to cater to out numbers and offer the green space we've been so longingly searching for what's not to love!
After finally finding the venue, it was time to secure our photographer and videographer.

Capturing these memories was a big deal for me so I started the search early knowing that brides-to-be had already started booking suppliers a year in advance.

Flexible on dates, we then coordinated with our photographer and videographer to ensure they were both free before setting the date! Looks like we’re in for a summer wedding - roll on June 2019!

Let me know what details about the wedding you what to know and I'll be sure to include it in the next feature.

Kisses,

Tan xx

Winter is coming. Wait, sorry, winter skin is coming. You know it when you feel it, that slightly flaky, taut, and mildly (and sometimes very) uncomfortable state of skin. Your poor hands and face are trying the best that they can. And they could probably use some help.

I found that people with oily skin unfortunately shy away from oil based products. I say unfortunately because its all about balance. I am constantly trying new products, but its important to adapt your skincare to your environment. While protection is my main focus all year round, summer skincare is light, whereas winter skincare is all about layering. Remember, lightest products first like gels and serums and heaviest last like cream moisturisers and oil.

6 top tips for that winter glow //

Water Intake // This can be a hard one when your on the run, but with cold winds and drying radiator heat parching your skin its so important to hydrate from within
Turn up the Cold Tap // Luke warm water is the way when it comes to face washing, as is a non-stripping cleanser like Vitamin C Super Facialist.
Moisturise // Layer up on the moisturisers to lock in that goodness during the day with SPF for protection. Facial oil's work best at night and applying moisturisers to damp skin will maximise absorption
Exfoliate! // I personally like a strong exfoliator (partly cause my skin can take it), the microdermabrasion scrub from Body shop of the Botanics Scrub is a dream! For those with sensitive skin, chemical exfoliation is best so head to Pixi and grab yourself some glow tonic.
Humidify //As mentioned in point 1, there's nothing like radiators to totally parch your skin! Stick a bowl of water above the radiator to keep moisture levels up.
Pamper time // If you notice your skin needing extra moisture, grab a hydrating sheet mask. These are all the range at the moment so you'll have no problems finding them.