Blog entries in "Advice"

The web and my wedding.

Thursday 27 August 2022 - Advice - Tags: stationery, save-the-date-rsvp-online-planning

Our wedding is turning out to be a complicated affair. I am American and the main ceremony and reception will be in America, but we are also having a reception in Kilkenny (where my fianc� is from) which will be nearly as big as the one in the States. We are finding that there is really no easy way to relay this information to our 200 guests.

We have decided to do the bulk of our planning online, since it is really the only way to bring our wedding together in one point (and address). I don't want people to have to pay international postage to send RSVP's to America from Ireland, or vice versa. We have set up a website where our guests can RSVP, get information on both receptions and contact us for information. We have also decided that we need to send Save the Dates, and are going to try to do it over e-mail. The only concern I have it the older guests who don't even own a computer (ie the grandparents). So I think we will have to send a couple paper Save the Dates. I have been doing research on the best way to word the online RSVP in the invitations and I found these tips from the Budget Savvy Bride blog (which is great by the way): On one side of the RSVP card is:

"The favor of a reply is requested by . Please RSVP on our wedding website: www.ourweddingwebsitename.com"

On the other side of the card is:

TO RSVP: Navigate your web browser to www. ourweddingwebsitename.com. Click the bottom left square labeled 'RSVP' to submit your RSVP. Fill in the information in the appropriate boxes: your names and the number of people attending. If you will not be attending, please put 'NO' in the '# Attending?' box If you are unable to go to our website, please call Jessica at to RSVP. Thank you! We look forward to celebrating with you!"

You will receive an e-mail with the RSVP info, and then it is up to you to keep a spreadsheet of the information!

Gifts for the Bridesmaids

Friday 5 June 2022 - Advice - Tags: bridesmaids

I was thinking about bridesmaid gifts...what is a bridesmaid gift supposed to be? Just a gift of thanks? Or a keepsake? I have decided I want my gifts to be momentos of the day, and generally my relationship with each bridesmaid (there are 8, so its a big enough task!). I like the idea of jewellery. My recent addiction to etsy.com found me these little treasures.

So It begins....

Tuesday 12 May 2022 - Advice - Tags: None

Weddings have made of my 9 to 5 for almost two years now. So when it came time to getting engaged I thought I was ready for it. I thought I had heard every engagement story, read every theory on guest lists (and resolving conflict regarding guest lists) and thought I knew the exact emotions I would feel as he slipped the ring on my finger...

I was wrong.

Now, it is personal. It is my wedding. It is easy to give suggestions for someone else's big day, but when it is yours...only you (and possibly your fianc�) feel the weight of each and every decision. And even though it will not be the end of the world if your invitation colour is a shade darker than your bridesmaid dresses...and no one but your mother would even notice, for some reason, as a bride-to-be, it matters.

We are at the beginning stages of our wedding plans. We are in the midst of deciding colours, which venue is best and how to pick a date that will please most of our guests (which is difficult because he is Irish and I am American).

Before me is the blank page of my wedding and even though I have written step-by-step guides to starting wedding plans, I am finding I am too scared to mar the page.

Wollie�s Dating Disasters

Monday 8 September 2022 - Advice - Tags: funny-dating-stories, weddingsonline-forums

We love heading into the WeddingsOnline Forums for a look at the latest goings-on in our Wollie’s lives. It’s a great place to share wedding ideas and the girls there offer great advice on every topic imaginable - and we mean everything!

So you can imagine our delight when we logged on to a whole host of hilarious disaster dating stories. After a lot of rolling around the office in hysterics and wiping mascara stained cheeks of joy, we decided to put up a select few for you to enjoy, but it’s definitely worth logging on to see the rest!

WOL Scenario 1:

I once had a guy pick me up after work so we could go for dinner. I was looking forward to it, so you can image my surprise when he pulled into the Tesco car park and we went inside to pick up Tesco's Finest Chinese for dinner.

He then took me back to his house. He had failed to mention that he still lived with his parents, who ended up sharing the Chinese with us!

WOL Scenario 2:

I went out with an accountant once who was the meanest, most penny-pinching tight man you could ever meet. In the six months we were together he brought me out once, for Valentines Day, for takeaway pizza, which we ate in the street, so we could save the extra euro to "eat in". 

This could have been romantic, lovely even, if it wasn't snowing and freezing and if I hadn't been listening to him b*tch about the cost of restaurants. Oh and also, if he hadn't been building me up all week with talk of a "special romantic night out".

WOL Scenario 3:

A friend of mine was out for dinner with a fella, who told her that he was a bit broke so if she wouldn't mind ordering something "cheap" off the menu.

She ordered an omelette. He ordered a steak!

WOL Scenario 4:

I went on a couple of dates with a guy around Christmas time. On our third date he produced a beautifully wrapped present. I was getting a bit freaked out because it was way too early to be getting presents. Anyway, I opened it and it was a new mobile phone. There was nothing wrong with my mobile and I knew I was due an upgrade soon.

So I said: “Thanks very much. I hope it wasn't too expensive.”

He replied: "It was free actually. I used your upgrade to get it".

I nearly fell off my chair. He had gone into the shop and signed me up for another year's contract, which I would have to pay! I had to spend the evening on the phone trying to cancel everything. Needless to say he was binned after that.

 For more of these, have a look at the WeddingsOnline Forums.

How to Change your Name

Wednesday 30 November -1 - Advice - Tags: name-change, maiden-name, taking-husbands-name, practical-wedding-advice

I have a slightly schizophrenic attitude about changing my name. My name has been with me for 26 years. It was on the back of my basketball jersey in secondary school, it’s on my college diploma and everything in my work portfolio: how am I supposed to suddenly drop it and become something else? On the other hand, I love the idea of sharing my name with my husband. We are a family now and I want my name and identity to symbolise that.

Besides the psychological and emotional baggage of changing my name, there are seemingly endless practical and legal hoops to jump through. Every association, doctor’s office, video store and government agency has my maiden name, so it will probably take years to fully make the switch. But where to start?

In Ireland, the place to kick off the big name change is with a document called a Deed Poll, defined on citizensinformation.ie as “a signed declaration by a person that binds him/her to a particular course of action from the date of signing.” 

Essentially, it’s a form stating that you are abandoning your old name and intend to change to your married name. It is the quickest and cheapest way to legally change your name. The deed poll will be filed with your birth certificate; it registers the new name in the High Court and should be sufficient proof for most companies that your name is legally changed.

What you need for the Deed Poll:

1. The Deed Poll

The Deed Poll must be printed on Judicature Paper, Deed Paper, Parchment Paper or a good quality strong paper. This paper can be purchased from any legal stationers. But the easiest option is to go to the Judgments Section in the Four Courts Building and ask for the necessary documents.You cannot download the form online!

2. The Affidavit of Attesting Witness

The Affidavit of Attesting Witness is a sworn statement made by somebody who witnessed the signing and sealing (filling out) of the Deed Poll by the person who wants to change his or her name. This affidavit must be lodged together with the Deed Poll.

3. The Original Birth Certificate

The Original Birth Certificate must also be lodged together with the Deed Poll and the Affidavit of Attesting Witness.

The Deed Poll must be delivered in person, it cannot be posted (convenience is not part of the name change process). The cost is €30 and there may be a small fee for the Attesting Witnesses.

Passport and Driver’s License

You will have a whole host of companies you need to inform about your new name, but your identification documents should be first on the list. You will need to apply for a new passport with the Passport Office. If you have a current driver’s license, you need to file a Full Application or Learner Permit Application form with the Motor Taxation Office with a copy of the marriage certificate and two passport sized photos.

Revenue

You should inform the Revenue office of your marriage. Simply do this by sending a copy of your marriage license, the date of marriage and the PPS numbers for you and your spouse. You will still be taxed as individuals for the first year of marriage, “However, if the tax you pay as two single persons in that year is greater than the tax which would be payable if taxed as a married couple, a refund of the difference can be claimed,” according to the Revenue website.

The List

Each of the below should be notified of the name change. They will might have different forms but the best idea is to send a copy of your Deed Poll, marriage certificate and passport to each, which should cover all  the bases.

Bank (Laser Card, Statements, etc)
Building society (mortgage and/or savings accounts)
Credit cards
Clubs and societies
Dentist
Department of Health & Social Security
Doctor
Driving Licence Association
Employer
Finance/loan companies
Inland Revenue
Colleges, universities etc
Insurance companies
Investment companies including premium bonds and shares
Car Companies
Passport office
Pension company

Tips for changing your name:

• Order plenty of marriage certificate copies.
• Write up a master list of all the companies you need to notify and check them off as you go.
• Make copies of everything you submit.
• Get your Deed Poll first.
• Change your passport and drivers license second.
• Don’t forget to notify your employer.
• Contact a solicitor if you have more questions.

For more information:

Deed Poll Information- www.citizensinformation.ie
Deed Poll Section
Central Office
Four Courts
Dublin 7
Tel: (0)1 8886000

Drivers License Information- www.rsa.ie
Passport Office- www.dfa.ie
Revenue Office- www.revenue.ie/en/personal/circumstances/marriage

Step-by-Step Bridal Beauty by Blush

Wednesday 30 November -1 - DIY, Beauty, Advice - Tags: None

Beautiful bride Katie Fox was married on March 30, 2022 with reception afterwards in Ballybeg House, Co. Wicklow. Nicola Walsh of Blush gave Katie a glamorous look, with gorgeous smokey eyes, bronzed cheekbones and a subtle lip!

_{Elma Murray Photography}

How to achieve Katie’s look:

Step 1: Prep and Prime - Begin by applying the Retexturising Face Primer to the skin. This is a clear weightless serum (paraben-free) that leaves an opalescent smooth finish. Secondly, apply the Liquid to Powder Foundation SPF20 in the Pale Almond shade, starting at the centre of the face and blending outwards towards the hairline and just under the jaw line. This product is ideal for brides, as it’s mineral-based and leaves an air-brushed finish to the skin. Nicola says: “It’s a fantastic product for photographs.”

Step 2: Eyes - Using the Signature Shadow Quad in Influencer shade, apply the highlighter to the whole eyelid. Highlighter provides a powder base for eye shadow, which not only avoids damp patches on the eyelid but also allows the shader shadow to blend smoothly when applied. Using the shading colour in the palette, apply eye shadow to the outer corner of the eye and blend inwards in the crease of the eye to create a soft smoky finish. Brush the remainder shader shadow one-third of the way under the eye. Tip: Use a little shadow at a time by dusting the excess off your brush. The best smoky finishes are achieved by building shadow rather than heavy application.

Now use the Superwear Gel Liner in Noir, and apply eyeliner along the top lid and the bottom one-third. Our Waterproof Mascara in black provides a luscious look to complete the lashes.

TIP: The less darkness under the eyes (liner, mascara and shadow), the more open your eyes will look, ideal for brides!

Using the Brow Shader Pencil in Blonde, brush lightly through the eyebrows to enhance your natural colour.

Lashes were also applied, but only to the outer eye corners to keep the look as natural as possible.

Step 3: Cheeks - Here I have used our new Baked Blusher in Nectar, leaving a subtle glowing cheek.

TIP: Use just a little blusher at a time (dusting off any excess) and building the coverage you wish to achieve.

Step 4: Lips - Line the lips with Slimline Lip Pencil in Deep Natural, and then apply Micro Bubble Lipstick in Micro Sunberry shade. Follow this with Lip Lacquer in Crystal Pink.

Step 5: Bronzer - For an overall glow, use Mosaic Bronzer lightly dusted all over the face.

See more one bridal beauty!

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