How can you tell real diamonds from synthetics?

Do you know the difference between genuine diamonds and synthetics? And can you spot a fake when looking at engagement ring or wedding bands? If not, then you need to read this practical advice from Ruth Donaldson, jewellery concierge at Heirloom London, on what to look for when you go diamond shopping.

Lucky Loop platinum earrings by Atelier Helene Apitzsch, £480

Here are the key things to consider when diamond shopping, along with some of her favourite pieces from the Heirloom London collections:


1. The Cut 

The facets cut on the stone are often a give-away; a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, and therefore its facets usually have much sharper edges than a synthetic.  In addition, there is much more fire reflected from a diamond.  A cubic zirconia doesn't have a brilliance of its own, but this is often more apparent when light is shone on it.  A good diamond will still have a fire to it, even when not in direct light.

2. The Characteristics
A cubic zirconia will look more perfect.  Naturally occurring cubic zirconias are not large enough to be used in jewellery.  As a result, all stones are synthetic, and they are formed to be perfect.  A diamond is like a snowflake, each one with its own individual cut and personality generated through the microscopic inclusions which makes it unique.

3.The Clarity 

While a cubic zirconia will wear away and in time the stone will look dull, a diamond does not wear and will stay sparkly for the lifetime of the ring.  You’ll quite often see with cubic zirconia jewellery, that after a few years the stones have lost a bit of their original sparkle.

Snowdrop platinum ring by Rachel Galley, £665

4. The Certificate
If you really aren't sure, the majority of good diamonds carry certification which you can ask to see.  Any reputable retailer is going to offer you a genuine diamond, the cost to their business reputation would be fatal otherwise.

5. The Cost
Finally, if the price seems too good to be true, it may be that the diamond you are buying is not as good as its marketing hype.

Lily Pendant by Heirloom Classics, £950 for platinum set with quarter carat diamond

But what are the alternatives if you simply can't afford a diamond this time? 

Lab-grown stones
Cubic Zirconia - a clear stone, it has a brilliance sometimes higher than that of a diamond, but they don’t have the same fire. It is mass-produced and a one carat cubic zirconia should not be more than a few pounds! 

Moissanite - promoted as a diamond alternative in many countries and like all gem quality stones, it is synthetically produced. Much harder than cubic zirconia, they also cost a lot more to produce and most stones will have some colour to them.

Fei Liu cascade earrings in silver plate with rose gold vermeil, £395

Natural stones 

Zircon - similar in brilliance and fire to a diamond, although colourless, these stones are more rare. Not recommended for everyday rings as they are quite a soft stone.

Dementoid Garnet - bright green stones, which are very rare, and seldom found in larger sizes than one carat.  They have higher brilliance and fire than diamonds, but again are unfortunately very soft and can blunt the edges of their facets.

Enaki Sun sterling silver ring set with white sapphires by Rachel Galley, £280

Heirloom London is a personalised jewellery buying service which combines the convenience of a concierge, with the support of a personal shopper and the buying advantage of an industry insider. 

Details

Heirloom London

W: http://www.heirloomlondon.co.uk/

For more inspiration when looking to buy your wedding rings, read our previous features with beautiful designs from Laings and Aurus here and top tips from Vashi Dominguez here.

5 Things to consider when choosing your wedding venue

Here in the South West, we are extremely lucky to have a huge number of stunning locations for weddings - from romantic castles and rustic farms to luxury hotels and stately homes. But how do you know which one's the right one for your nuptials? 

We found one that ticks all the right boxes for a romantic wedding venue, Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard, located just south of Bristol, where we held the autumn West Weddings photoshoot. We recommend you visit their wedding fair on Sunday 11 October (11am-4pm) to check out for yourself if it meets your wedding dreams. 

1. Character

Set in beautiful countryside, Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard is a working farm and vineyard with a newly refurbished barn licensed for ceremonies - couldn't ask for a more character-filled spot for your vows. 

2. Budget 

The budget is a key factor when choosing your venue and you should always aim to stay within an agreed limit. This way you won't have to compromise on other details of your day like the dress or photographer. Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard offers flexible wedding packages and is ideal for a relaxed an intimate celebration. 

3. Service 

For a smooth and stress-free day, you need a team of professional wedding planners and caterers. So you'll be pleased to hear that the team at Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard is exactly that and more!

4. Photo opportunities

Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard's stone and whitewashed buildings - the seventeenth century Old Barn and the New Barn - as well as leafy green vineyards are set within 300 acres of rural Somerset. Bursting with rustic charm, the location offers endless photo opportunities for couples.

5. Food for thought

What better way to impress your guests than with a mouth-watering, hearty meal? Proud to offer a tailor-made menu using fresh local produce, Taste Buds Catering at Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard is a family run business that combines exquisite food and personal service. 

Visit our previous blog entry about this event here for more details. 

Wedding beauty planning

Just like every other detail of your big day, your bridal look  needs to be carefully planned for weeks, and even months, in advance to ensure a picture-perfect look. Even Cinderella needed a helpful hand from the Fairy Godmother! Now, we may not have a magic wand, but our easy to follow advice and tips from the experts at Hairtrade.com are exactly what you need to get you ready for walking down the aisle. 

Getting ready for the editorial photoshoot with a helping hand from the experts 

From starting a skin care regime to having a trial run of your make-up, and choosing your hair style, there’s lots to fit in and getting the timings right is crucial.

Enter the style team from online beauty retailer Hairtrade.com, who have put together all your beauty needs into an easy to follow timetable to ensure you look beautiful on your wedding day. 

“The perfect wedding look doesn’t just happen overnight, it takes weeks and months of planning to get right." outlines Laura Meredith, beauty expert.

Six months before

Get serious about skin care

If you don’t already have a skin care routine, start getting into the habit now. No more going to bed with your make-up still on. A simple cleanse, tone and moisturise regime will keep your skin in tip top condition.
Start exercising

Exercising is not just important for getting in shape but also for reducing stress levels. If you’re prone to breakouts during hectic times, try yoga to increase posture strength and relieve tension. You’ll be looking and feeling great both on the inside and outside!

Rachel gets a few touch ups before the photoshoot

Three months before

Book consultation appointments with make-up artists

If you’re getting your make-up professionally done, consult with a few different make-up artists to see who you are happy with. Once you’ve found one that gets the look you want, book early to avoid disappointment.

Start experimenting with fake tan

You don’t want to have a streaky fiasco on the big day so leave yourself plenty of time to get your bridal golden glow. Think about the neckline of your dress and any existing tan lines you’ll need to even out.

Teeth whitening

Start an at-home teeth whitening routine to give you perfect pearly whites. Don’t leave this to the last minute as you need to factor in sensitivity and you might not get the results you’re after with a quick session a day or two before the wedding.  

A make over for our model bride for the photoshoot

One month before

Have a trial run of make-up for the big day

In your head trying Kim Kardashian style contouring may be a good idea but have a practise with it in advance, as the style might not suit you. If you’re doing your own make-up, now’s the time to buy the products you’d like. Ask for samples from beauty counters to give them a test run before you buy. 
Get your eyebrows shaped

Leave plenty of time for getting your eyebrows shaped professionally. This will leave enough time to grow them out in places if needed. 

Salon facial or facemask at home

Time to start making your skin glow. Book in for a facial or start using facemasks at home. Do not do this the day before the wedding in case you have a reaction to the product.

Cut down on tea and coffee

You don’t have to full on detox but cutting down on tea and coffee will reduce staining your teeth and flush your body of caffeine.  

Two weeks before

Exfoliate and moisturise

To get those silky soft elbows, hands and feet, start an exfoliating and moisturising treatment once or twice a week.

Drink lots of water

Staying hydrated is the cheapest and easiest beauty trick in the book. Aim to drink one and half litres of water a day for clear glowing skin.

Photo credit: Bowood http://www.bowood.org/

One week before

Bikini wax and shave legs

Make sure everything is silky smooth ready for your bikini on the honeymoon.

Splurge on a massage

You’ll probably be under a lot of pressure the week leading up to the wedding so treat yourself to a relaxing massage with your maid of honour. 

One day before

Pack an emergency make-up kit

Get all your essential make-up for touch ups packed and give it to a trusty bridesmaid.

Get mani-pedi done

You’ll be too excited to sit patiently and wait for your nails to dry on the big day so make this one of the last things you do the night before. Go for gel with your manicure and pedicure to keep the colour lasting right through to your honeymoon.

Have a long bath

Unwind in the tub to ease your mind of any pre-wedding jitters. Try adding some essential oils for luxuriously soft skin the next day.

8-10 hours sleep

They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing, so get a good night’s rest before the big day.

Found this step by step beauty advice helpful? Let us know on our Facebook and Twitter page. 

Top Tuesday: Tips for making a wedding toast

As the wedding season approaches, we talked to the experts at Toastmasters International about the things to consider for delivering a memorable wedding toast. Whether you're the best man, the father-of-the bride or simply a close friend to the newlyweds you'll find these tips useful when preparing to speak in front of an audience and on such an important 
occasion. 

1. Be prepared - know your material and try to avoid reading. Include an catching opening line and a memorable conclusion.
2. Identify yourself - open with a brief explanation of your relationship to the couple before beginning the toast.
3. Use humor and creativity - entertaining stories and anecdotes are appreciated by the audience, but avoid telling potentially embarrassing stories or using offensive language.
4. Get personal - a toast should be original, heartfelt and customised for the occasion.
5. Stand, lift your glass and say, “I'd like to propose a toast.” Pause to allow guests to shift their attention toward you and give them time to lift their glasses. Be sure to lower your glass to about waist height.

 
Toastmasters International is a global organisation devoted to communication and leadership skills development. 
 
“It’s important that the person delivering the wedding toast is confident, poised and moderately brief,” says Mohammed Murad, from Toastmaster. “The most memorable messages come from the heart, are light-hearted and focus on wishing the couple well on their joyful journey together.”
 
Cheers!

15 Ways to Save Cash on Your Big Day

If wedding budget is a big concern, you may be interested in our tips for making savings. With the average couple splashing out around £21,000 on their special day, it’s no wonder hundreds of brides are looking at ways to slash costs to make their big day more affordable.

From homemade invitations, to a high street wedding dress, to having your best friend do your hair and make-up, there are lots of ways you can save a few pounds without scrimping on the look and feel of the day.

We talked to money saving expert Darren Williams from PromotionalCodes.org.uk about ways to cut down on costs without compromising on your favourite things: “Getting wed on a budget doesn’t mean turning your back on a stylish affair. If anything it means you can make your day more personal to you and your partner and you can have everything exactly as you want it."

“It does take time and effort to hunt down the best buys, but it’s definitely worth shopping around, hunting out deals and taking family and friends up on their offers of help to make your day just perfect,” adds Darren.

Here are 15 ways to save cash when planning your wedding:

1.Get wed out of season
Tying the knot out of the traditional wedding season can save you a fortune, as can getting married on any day other than Saturday. So go for a Friday wedding in November or March and you could be quids in!

2.Wedding Fairs

Find out which wedding fairs run close to you and check them out. There will be lots of discounts on offer, especially if you make a decision there and then. Do your homework beforehand and head straight for the stands you’re interested in.

3.Homemade invitations

Wedding invitations can cost as much or as little as you want ranging from around 25p per invite up to £7.50 for a handmade version. However, make them yourself and not only will your guests receive a beautiful card made by your fair hands, but it will also cost you a lot less for something truly unique.

4.The dress

For any bride, finding ‘the’ dress is their number one priority. But remember, the perfect dress doesn’t have to be the most expensive. Take a look at what the high street has to offer – there are some great designs out there. And don’t forget the designer sample sales , where you can save thousands on couture gowns.

5.Your bridesmaids

Instead of buying a dress your bridesmaids are unlikely to wear again, how about hiring? It’ll mean a designer dress at a fraction of the cost.

6.The venue

If your budget doesn’t stretch to hire one of the most sought after venues then have a look at smaller places - this way you can have a more personal affair with a more affordable price tag. 

7.The reception

The reception is one of the biggest costs – but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of booking a luxury hotel or the local golf club, think about booking your village or church hall. You’ll then have complete freedom to do what you want, when you want for a fraction of the cost.

8. Catering

If you’re opting for a DIY reception, then get family and friends involved in the catering. You don’t need to have a fancy sit down meal. Why not have a barbecue, a vintage afternoon tea or even a cosy family picnic?

9.The cake

If your mum’s an amazing cook, then ask her to bake and decorate your wedding cake. And if you're not a fan of traditional fruit cakes, why not have some yummy cupcakes instead?

10. Reception decorations

This all depends on the look you’re going for, but scour second hand shops for quirky items, get your in-laws making bunting and have your mum and sister on the case with the table decorations.

11. Wedding cars

Don’t shell out for fancy cars – instead ask around and see which friends and family members have a nice motor and are happy to play chauffeur for the day.

12. Something borrowed

Instead of buying accessories for your big day, why not borrow them instead? You save a few pounds and get to wear something from someone dear to you.

13. Hair and make up

Should a friend offer to do your hair and make up on the day, then take them up on the offer. Make sure you have some practice sessions beforehand so your look will be picture perfect.

14. Flowers

Florist's bills can soon mount up when it comes to your bridal bouquet. Instead, why not have a go yourself, keeping it simple and stylish, or enlist the help of an artistic friend.

15. Honeymoon

You can do a honeymoon on a budget. Check out the deals that are available and make sure you look for discount codes online - there are plenty of dream destinations to choose from!

DOs and DON'Ts for Bridal Hair

We want every one of our brides to look and feel amazing on her wedding day, and hair plays a huge part. Here we talk to Laura Meredith from Hairtrade, who shares her  expert advice on getting picture perfect locks. 

From experimenting with colour and styles ahead of the big day to handling whatever the weather throws at you, this guide will help you avoid any wedding day hair disasters.  

“There’s so much to do and think about when you’re planning a wedding. The dress will always be the number one priority and making sure your hair works with it is really important to your overall look," advises Laura. 

Here are Laura's DOs and DON'Ts for having pretty silky soft tresses on your wedding  day whatever the hairstyle:

DON'T  go for a drastic new style 

Chopping off your gorgeous long locks in favour of a chic pixie cut just weeks before your wedding might not look like you imagined and it gives you less options for updos. 

If you do decide to go for a different look, there are a few things you need to think about: will your dress work with a different hairstyle? What about your hair accessories and veil? Have you taken advice from your stylist? And if you hate it, is there a way you can rescue your hair before the wedding?

DO have a hair rehearsal

Whatever you do, don’t forget to book at least one rehearsal with your stylist well before the big day. During wedding season stylist Saturday appointments are like gold dust - you need to book your appointments for the actual day and the practice run at least four months ahead.

Practice runs are vital. Your stylist can try out a few different looks with your hair accessories and veil and you can agree on the one that works best. That way, on your wedding day, making sure your hair is picture perfect will take no time at all.

DO protect when heat styling

Blasting out your hairdryer or using straighteners every day can damage your tresses. So invest in a good heat protection spray to guard your locks against damage or lay off the styling a week before the wedding. 

DON'T experiment with colour

Trying out completely new colours is a big no – if you do want to experiment with colour, then do it three-six months before the big day. That way you’ll have time to decide if it works for your wedding day look and if you love it, simply refresh it a few weeks before the wedding.

DO prepare for all weather

The one thing you can’t control on your big day is the weather – but you can be prepared for it. If it’s going to be windy make sure you have plenty of extra hold styling products, if it’s humid, keep those unruly locks tamed, and if it’s pouring with rain, invest in a gorgeous see-through umbrella!

DO plan washing your hair

Believe it or not, it’s best to avoid washing your hair on your wedding day. Your style will hold much better if hair is washed the day before.

DON’T forget the hairspray

Remember to have hairspray close at hand for the reception so you can freshen up your look and make sure your do stays in place. There’s nothing worse than stray locks, so keep them under control!

DO remember your bridesmaids 

Throughout all of this, don’t forget the wedding party – your mum and gorgeous bridesmaids. Make sure their dos work well with yours and emphasise their outfits.

For some inspiration on wedding hairstyles, check out our Behind the scenes post here.  

Beer Tasting Evening at Aztec Hotel & Spa

Grooms, if you had a say in it, how would you choose to spend your stag do? Surely not everyone's a fan of flying off to Prague or Vegas just to enjoy a few drinks. In fact, your bride will most likely feel a lot happier knowing you're on 'home' ground and only a short drive away (just in case you have a bad hangover). 

Aztec Hotel & Spa in Bristol is organising a Beer Tasting Evening on Thursday 30th April and you could be one of their special guests! Whether you already know a thing or two about brewery or just enjoy drinking it, this is your chance to try an impressive range of beers and food masterclass in the newly refurbished Aztec Bar.  

All you need to do is tell your best man about this event and let him gather all your mates for a special celebration weekend. Rest assured though, not all stag dos end up disastrously, despite what Doug and his troublesome friends ('The Hangover' series) went through. You CAN have a fun and memorable experience without ending up in hospital in the build up to your wedding. 

For tickets to the Aztec Hotel & Spa Beer Tasting Evening, call Lauren Manning at 01454 201090. Tickets cost £25 per person and they're selling fast! We recommend you read our top tips on how make the most of your stag party in the current West Weddings issue (p 42-43). Don't forget to tell us about your do - we're on Twitter and Facebook. Cheers!

Get Ready for the Big Fat Wedding Weekend!

Diaries at the ready brides and grooms from the South West region! This weekend brings you a special event at the luxurious Aztec Hotel & Spa – the Big Fat Wedding Weekend. Why not pop along on Saturday 10^th (12-5pm) and Sunday 11^th (11am-2pm) January to see what makes this venue such a popular choice for weddings? 

There will be workshops hosted by selected partners, including Forever Living, Beez Neez Bunting Hire, Wedding Day Movie, Iced Magic Cakes, Aztec Spa and many more! Expect to see wedding top tips, hair and makeup demonstrations, health & beauty talks, even a demo on how to make your own wedding favours, etc.

You’ll get a chance to meet the wedding team and see the function suites set up for a civil ceremony and wedding breakfast during both days. Even more, you can enjoy some complimentary drinks and canapés, and get to sample the wedding menu – who can say ‘no’ to that?

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then you'll be pleased to know that the event is free of charge and you also get free car park facilities. There’s no need to register and you can bring along your bridal party – just turn up on the day and enjoy this exquisite wedding experience!

You can read a full description of the Aztec Hotel & Spa facilities for wedding in our West Weddings magazine. We also featured a previous event held by Aztec West, which you can read here. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook and Twitter pages and share your thoughts!

For any questions about the venue, just contact them directly using the details below.

        

DETAILS

Aztec Hotel and Spa

110 AZTEC WEST, ALMONDSBURY, BRISTOL, BS32 4TS

W: www.aztechotelbristol.com

T: 01454201090