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Stress Free Wedding Planning with the Tap of an App… Hello Bridebook!

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Bridebook-wedding-planning-app Don’t you kick yourself sometimes when someone else comes up with those brilliant inventions that in hindsight are so obvious? Those relatively simple concepts that make life so much easier. Step forward Bridebook.

Bridebook is a sophisticated, FREE digital wedding planner that’s taking the bridal world by storm. And for good reason.

It’s SUCH an inspired idea — a website and app that has EVERYTHING you need to plan your wedding all in one place

And not before time. With the soar in seriously useful apps, we now expect everything to run a bit more smoothly. How often do you hear the phrase “don’t worry I’ll Uber it”? It’s now almost a verb. And Deliveroo, the (quality) takeaway app, has all but revolutionised my world for sure.

And so yes, we are ready to tap an app and do everything ‘wedding’ calmly and un-complicatedly.

Bridebook wedding planning app Good bye wedding stress

If you’re not employing a wedding planner (and let’s face it, not all of us can or want one) creating your dream single-handedly can be a beautifully rewarding thing but for lots, it can be stressful and all consuming.

Did I double-check the venue can give us 10 more places? Shall I spend less on flowers and go for candelabra centrepieces? Do I do paperless invitations? Where’s that RSVP list? Is this the most recent cost sheet?

It can seriously take over your every waking thought.

The entrepreneur founder of Bridebook – Hamish Shepherd – saw brides (who were booking his wedding venue [Hedsor House, above]) drowning under this preparation process and knew a digital solution was needed.

Bridebook wedding planning app So what does Bridebook actually do?

With Bridebook you can just grab your phone and see in an instant the current status of your wedding planning and action any part of it.   Toodle oo spreadsheets and a million print outs. We’re moving on.

The site is comprised of 5 wedding planning tools, so you can get organising wherever you are …

  1. Checklist
  2. Budget
  3. Supplier Shortlist (and Directory)
  4. Guest list
  5. Advice

Each of these tools has their own special features that set them apart.

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A Cool Jewish Wedding Gift List with Prezola

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Jewish-Wedding-Gift-List If you’re unsure whether to have a wedding list, let me tell you, from experience, you really do need one. Your friends and family will WANT to buy you a gift to show the love. But unless you direct them, you’re in danger of receiving presents that are either too chintzy or a tad off piste. Without a list you could be the proud recipient of something you already have or ever worse – never ever want to have.

Prezola really is THE modern wedding registry for our stylish Jewish couples. It’s super polished, eclectic and cool with over 300 top homeware brand to choose from. Including The White Company, Habitat, LSA, Jo Malone, Sonos, Joseph Joseph… 

And hot off the press, I can reveal that the truly stunning Graham and Green and Soho Home (my absolute faves!) have recently just added themselves to that illustrious list. So it’s not without reason that Prezola is now the UK’s favourite independent (multi award-winning) wedding gift list and honeymoon fund. 

Prezola-Karen

Why I love Prezola

I would have LOVED to have known about Prezola when I got married. It’s such a beautifully curated site with the most gorgeous selection of homewares I’ve seen in one place. It feels so hand picked whether your style is urban and cool or pretty and rustic, glamorous and shiny. And they’re SUCH a lovely company to work with. They’re one of my favourite STG finds and in fact I’ve already made a dream list with them.

Prezola understands the modern Jewish bride

Hugely exciting news is that Prezola now caters specifically for Jewish weddings. Alongside the perfect modern gifts (30,000 to be exact), they now also offer the more traditional Judaica style gifts that relatives just LOVE to buy you. 

These range from Challah boards and Matzah plates that you can use every Shabbat to Passover Seder plates used only two nights in the year

But get this, with brands like Alessi and the fabulous Jonathan Adler, Prezola now have traditional gifts with a modern twist. So STG!

Modern Traditional Gifts

A wedding list is a beautiful thing — it allows you to let people know exactly what you want without the embarrassment of actually telling them personally.

For an engagement present, a beloved aunt bought me and Mr. STG a challah cover, which lets say, left a lot to be desired in terms of design. It now spends its life in the messy drawer in our kitchen. If I had a list at Prezola, I could have chosen a more ‘us’ traditional gift and not feel guilty every time I catch a glimpse of that lavishly embroidered cover.

I love tradition but I also love design. Who says I cant have both?

Prezola certainly knows how to do Friday night, STG style..and it makes me smile whenever I look at this Jonathan Adler brilliant brass bird Menorah below. Here are my dream Judaica picks from Prezola (never thought I would use the word ‘dream’ and ‘Judaica’ in the same sentence till I saw Prezola’s list!)

To see all their fabulous Judaica, click here.

Prezola-Judaica

The Modern Take

If you’ve already set up home, it’s especially important to have a wedding list. You simply don’t need two toasters. And the best part is that you can browse and go a little wild. You know those things that you possibly wouldn’t have bought when you had your sensible head on. Prezola’s list lets you get the big stuff — think gorgeous linens and stunning cookware, but also the fun, cool additions to your home.

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The Sound of Wedding Music – Top DJs, Live Bands, Instrumentalists – Caliente has it ALL covered…

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Caliente As I walked down the aisle towards Mr STG, a string quartet struck the first notes of Barry White’s The First, My Last, My Everything. Then Jerusalem of Gold. Come on, there are no rules, right?

Under the chuppah, a chazan sang so soulfully that he captured and melted the hearts of all present. And when Mr STG smashed the glass, the strings started up again for a joyous Mazal Tov/Hava Nagila medley.

After dinner my dad and his cousin followed this with a surprise rendition of ‘Swell Party / Well, Did You Evah‘. And the DJ took the party from there. Our wedding was a very personal musical extravaganza from beginning to end and we just loved it.

When it comes to your Jewish wedding, the music you choose will be as important as the venue. It becomes the heartbeat of your day and carries your guests along.

Caliente Live Wedding Music_1625

Who can create your Wedding Soundtrack?

Meet Caliente — a Tel Aviv based company — who totally get this and will cover the ENTIRE soundtrack of your big day. They’re creative, massively experienced and provide DJs, bands, instrumentalists and singers to pretty much anywhere in the world.

They’ll sort out all your musical needs, including ones you didn’t even know you had — live singer with a DJ set anyone?

In fact, two of our upcoming STG real wedding features used these guys and LOVED them – watch out for those posts in the coming weeks.

Will they have something for you? Absolutely. Caliente has a HUGE collection of stunning acts. You can take your pick. They cover all musical genres from soft jazz ensembles, chuppah music (see the video below – I just love it), chamber string quartets, live artists and bands (with original or cover music) to seriously impressive top DJs that’ll rock your party.

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day – Monica Vinader’s new Nura collection

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Nura-Monica-Vinader Valentine’s Day is just over a week away! While I’m sure you’ve all already lovingly selected and wrapped your Valentine’s Day gifts (ha!) I thought I’d offer a last-second helping hand, for anyone who might still be in a bit of a panic.

One of the best things about blogging is that I get to really shout about my very favourite brands. It’s absolutely no secret that I’m a MASSIVE fan of jewellery brand, Monica Vinader. I mean really, it’s not a secret. I really love Monica Vinader. I mean really, really.

I love that the jewellery is luxurious but still within the realms of affordability, I love the subtle and chic aesthetic, I love the ease of personalisation — did I mention I heart Monica Vinader?

Monica Vinader Nura
Nura Heart Bracelet (left) and Nura Heart Necklace (right)

I also have personal and sentimental reasons for my Monica Vinader obsession. A Monica Vinader fiji bracelet played a big part in my own relationship history. The now Mr. STG bought me the bracelet as a birthday present just weeks into our relationship, and it was a defining moment for me as I began to realise the potential for our wonderful future together. He has bought me several cherished pieces throughout our relationship, each one a souvenir of a dearly held memory

Nura-Necklace-Monica-Vinader
Nura Heart Necklace  

So imagine my excitement when I heard about the launch of the latest collection, Nura. A perfect choice for Valentine’s Day given the heart-shape motif running through the collection, the fact that each piece is embedded with ethically-sourced diamonds — oh and the reasonable price point.

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10 Chic Valentine’s date night outfit ideas with Karen Millen

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Karen-Millen
It’s no secret that I’m a massive Karen Millen fan. I’ve been a loyal and enthusiastic customer ever since I can remember. I shopped there when I fancied myself as a glam London girl about town. I wore Karen Millen for dates in my single days and still wear Karen Millen for date nights with Mr. STG to this day. I wear Karen Millen to work events, business meetings, weddings (Karen Millen makes fabulous wedding guest outfits)… did I mention I’m a fan?

So I thought it was about time that I wrote my long-overdue love letter to Karen Millen on this blog — and since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I thought I’d make your Valentine’s Day outfit choices just that little bit easier (unless, like me, you fall in love with everything!)

Here are my top ten Valentine’s Day date night looks from the Karen Millen SS17 Collection.

Karen-Millen-Jumpsuit
Navy jumpsuit

A perfect work-to-evening look for date nights after a busy day in the office. Style it down with a blazer during the day for a more professional look and style it up with some classic jewellery and a sleek clutch to stun for a Valentine’s date.

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Karen-Millen-Floral-Pencil-dress
Lily print dress

We love this flirty, floral and feminine pencil dress. The off-the-shoulder design adds just a hint of sex appeal to a classic look.

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Karen-Millen-Frill-Blouse
Frill blouse

A casual date night go-to blouse for an evening at the movies or a post-work date. Dress up with a lovely skirt or culottes or dress down with a pair of skinny jeans and heels for a no-fuss (but all-frills) outfit.

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Karen-Millen-Burgundy-ruffle-midi-dress
Burgundy ruffle midi dress

With its sexy v-neckline and deep, sultry burgundy shade, this is the perfect dress for a chilly date night and a wonderful choice to wear from dinner to cocktails or anywhere else you might want to go.

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