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Lynda & Christopher Answer Questions On Planning Their Big Day

Planning a wedding is an exhilarating yet complex journey filled with countless decisions to make and details to consider. From selecting the perfect venue to curating a menu that pleases every palate, the process can be both exciting and overwhelming. Among these important choices, one factor stands out as a key ingredient for a successful wedding: choosing the right vendors. In this blog, we had the pleasure of sitting down with a recently married couple, Lynda & Christopher:, who shared their firsthand experience and shed light on the challenges they faced during their wedding preparations and interactions with various vendors. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of carefully selecting vendors who align with your vision and priorities.

Wedding Date: 
23rd April 2022
Where was your wedding Venue?
Our ceremony took place in The Resurrection Church Mallow and our reception was then hosted in The Ballygarry Estate Hotel, Tralee
What factors made you pick the location for your wedding? 
The Ballygarry Estate Hotel had a great reputation and after looking at a few other options the layout of the reception room is what sold it to us. They have a lovely relaxing area by the bar which worked so well after the meal had ended and the dining area was very spacious and worked so well for our guests.
What was your highlight of the wedding day?
Both our highlights of the day were the drinks reception. It was so relaxing we were finally able to relax and mingle with our guests in the gardens, where everyone was really able to enjoy themselves, the weather was amazing which also helped.
Did any surprises occur in the lead up to or during your wedding? 
We did have a few surprises in the lead up to the wedding, a few Vendors told us they could no longer provide their services on the day.
But the one that really affected us was when our church singer let us down one month before the wedding. This was very stressful for both of us as many singers were booked out with such short notice. I wish we could go back and tell ourselves not to stress about it as it all worked out in the end.
What did you find to be the hardest part of organising a wedding?  
The hardest part for us was going through all the vendors and trying to figure out which ones we wanted and liked. There are so many Vendors to choose from and it was important to me to find ones that really worked for us.
I found it especially hard picking the band as you want to make sure they will suit the crowd that will attend the wedding.  Looking back we were  delighted with my choice. We went with Celtic Knights and they had everyone up on the dance floor for the whole night.
Do you have any tips & tricks to pass onto future couples? 
I joined facebook groups where I found it really beneficial as  you could ask other couples or past couples  for opinions and recommendations.
My own tip would be to book your Vendors as soon as you can as the good ones are always booked up very far in advance.
How did you bring both your personalities into the wedding? 
I really feel we included our personality into our invite. We included our favourite colours and personalities, along with elements that represented us. Everyone that received and invitation thought they were “very us”.
How did you choose the wedding’s menu and catering options? 
To be honest we just picked foods that we personally enjoy and thankfully everyone on the day enjoyed it also.
How did the wedding planning process make you and your partner feel?
At the very start we did feel very stressed and felt like there was so much to organise. Our heads were filled with so many peoples options and information but once we made the first decision the remaining decisions thankfully fell into place.
Is there anything you’d do differently if you had your day again? 
Easier said than done but I wish we didn’t stress about the little things and we didn’t get so nervous as it all worked out brilliantly.
What words of wisdom would you provide to someone organising a wedding? 
Don’t stress
Booking vendors as early as possible
Relax and enjoy your day.

 

As Lynda & Christopher:’s story illustrates, the importance of selecting the right vendors for your wedding cannot be overstated. These professionals play a crucial role in turning your dreams into reality and ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. From the initial consultations to the final execution, a strong partnership between you and your vendors is vital. When choosing vendors, take the time to research and interview them, looking beyond their portfolios to assess their communication skills, reliability, and compatibility with your preferences. Seek out references and testimonials from previous clients to gain insight into their professionalism and ability to deliver exceptional results. Remember, your wedding day is a celebration of love, and entrusting it to the right team of vendors will not only alleviate stress but also enhance your overall experience. So, take the plunge with confidence, and let the right vendors transform your vision into a breathtaking reality that will be cherished for a lifetime.

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Hair Colour Tips For Your Big Day

Welcome! In this blog we’re joined by Pam from Sobe Brown who’ll be discussing one of the most important aspects of your wedding look – your hair colour! Making the perfect hair colour choice can significantly improve your overall appearance and help you feel attractive and confident on your special day. Whether you want a subtle alteration or a dramatic transformation, Pam will be offering advice and ideas on how to choose the ideal hair colour for your wedding in this blog. They have everything you need, from traditional bridal colours to striking and unusual tones. Get ready to be inspired and let’s explore the world of wedding hair colour together, whether you’re a natural brunette, fiery redhead, or blonde stunner!

How far in advance should a Bride/Groom start treating their hair before their wedding?

You should start treating your hair the minute you decide if you want to change it. So if you are happy with your hair when you get engaged or when you start planning your wedding and you don’t want to change it, great you need to decide on a maintenance plan with your stylist. This time is all about keeping your hair healthy, treating it every week, keeping it trimmed to keep your hair in tip top condition and always use heat protectors when heat styling. However, if you decide you’re not happy with your hair at the moment then you start to make plans, book a consultation with your stylist and create a mood board, nothing too elaborate. Just save some pictures to a folder on your phone of styles that appeal to you – tones, colours, length etc.

When would you book a hair consultation?

ASAP! Especially if you’re not happy with your hair as it is now and you feel you could get more out of it or want a change, my advice is to book that consultation appointment as fast as I could get it!

If thinking of changing hair colour, how far in advance would you recommend starting?

I get asked this question a lot and what I say to everyone is, you want to look like the best version of yourself on your wedding day so I don’t think it’s the right time for a huge colour change like going from brunette to blonde. It’s such a huge change and stress on your hair and depending on the time frame could compromise the condition of your hair – you want it to look super shiny and healthy for your big day.

How far in advance should a Bride/Groom who already dyes their hair book a consultation before their wedding?

Immediately! because the minute you decide that you want to change is the day to start planning. Regardless of whether it’s six months to go or two years. The minute that you start planning it brings to the surface immediately what you’re not happy with. The minute you picture yourself on your wedding day you pick yourself apart and want to be the most perfect so you instantly bring attention to yourself and how you look today, be it your weight, your skin or hair everything that you’re not happy with comes to surface and again it might still be two years, six months, a year away, whatever it is, get that appointment booked for at least a conversation about that goal.

Can you recommend a way to protect hair from heat damage?

The number one tip I can give here is to try to break the habit of heat styling. Lots of people are in the habit of heat styling. I’ve spoken to people who would pick up their straightener twice a day – no need!! Get the concept of that perfectly straight hair or the perfectly curled hair, out of your head and if you could get another picture in your head of your hair not so perfect because not so perfect is on trend at the minute and is way healthier! So evaluate your heat styling habits how many times a week, how many times a day do you heat style and is it necessary or is it just your go to? If you’re straightening your hair every single day but you’re washing it every day, you probably don’t have to heat style it, there’s more likely just that little bit at the front that could be re-blowdried ,so evaluate your habits first. Second, use a heat protector, this is vital.

If you don’t put a heat protector on your hair when heat styling, your hair shaft is taking the brunt of any heat tools you then use, which it’s not able for, so your hair will naturally snap or break off. Whereas if you put a heat protector this will protect your hair against any damage – usually up to about 220 degrees. Be mindful to keep the straightener gliding over a combed section of your hair – keep it moving – don’t let it linger in any one spot as this can also damage your hair.

How can Brides/Grooms promote hair growth and prevent hair loss in the lead up to their wedding?

Some basic tips to promote hair growth before the wedding are to exfoliate your scalp once a month. Into a bowl, squeeze the juice of half a lemon, a tablespoon of sea salt and some honey and mix well and with your fingertips apply to your scalp and massage in – be careful of your eyes and the lemon juice! Massage in circular motions especially around the hairline and your crown, do this for about 1 minute and rinse and shampoo as normal. The lemon will lift the dead skin, the salt when removing dead skin removes it and the honey will soothe the scalp. Our scalp needs to be treated exactly like the hair and we neglect it and one of the reasons for dull lifeless or thinning hair is that your scalp isn’t oxygenated it’s nothing to do with hair loss, it’s not being treated well so it’s not nourished and therefore it’s not nourishing the hair growing from it. SO exfoliate, use a professional gentle shampoo as the ingredients used are always respectful to your hair AND scalp.

I have created my own hair and scalp oil, Sobe Brown, Superfood, Hair & Scalp Oil. This contains 3 feeder oils, Omega 3,6 & 9, zinc and biotin, Vitamin A & E along with 6 pure essential oils – everything your scalp needs to flourish and stay nourished. By applying this to your scalp once or twice a week and allowing to absorb over-night, the natural, organic ingredients are absorbed right down through the dermal layers into the bloodstream , circulating around your scalp, the skin is hydrated, fed, and oxygenated and is the perfect environment for growing strong healthy hair.

Of course, not forgetting the old reliable – exercise. It doesn’t need to be a gruelling tip to the gym. Try a brisk walk to get your heart rate up and the blood flowing. Circulation is key to good strong healthy hair. Diet is essential – your hair is a reflection of what you nourish your body with. If it’s dull and lifeless, look at what you’re eating. For healthy vital strong hair, eat plenty of protein and fresh produce.

How often should a person wash their hair?

About 3 times per week is a healthy amount to wash your hair per week. For some folks though, depending on lifestyle – gym goers, swimmers, runners, short croppy styles or just feel the need to wash it every day!! If this is you, be particular about what you wash your hair with, again a professionally recommended regime specific to your individual hair needs. If you’re going to prioritise what you spend money on hair wise – my advice is a professional shampoo. If this isn’t right, it will unbalance your scalp and even strip your hair colour by upsetting your natural ph balance. Invest in a shampoo recommended by your hairstylist. 3 times a week is a healthy amount, with a good shampoo and conditioner and exfoliation once a month, will stop build up, is hygienic and is stimulating for the scalp.

Do you have any tips for Brides / Grooms on frizz prevention?

Frizz isn’t always bad!!! It’s usually a curl trying to get out……

Dry hair is damaged – will be dull, broken, hard to manage as it has lost its elasticity, as you brush it you will feel it stretch. Frizzy hair isn’t necessarily unhealthy hair, it’s usually a curl, wave or kink trying to form its curl pattern but it’s being brushed or straightened. The difference between damaged and frizzy hair is frizzy hair will still keep its shine when pulled together, this isn’t the case with dry/damaged hair. If you have wavy hair, use a cream or serum or Sobe Brown Superfood Hair & Scalp Oil to keep it so and brush with a wide tooth comb and only when wet. With frizzy hair there’s no in between its either let it be as natural as you can and be its natural best and enhance the curl pattern or have it blow- dried straight, if you leave it half wavy and then brush it will turn into frizz.

In case of an emergency on the big day, what is the best way to cover grey hairs?

If you see grey hair on your big day – your hairdresser has done you a dis-service!! If you are on a program this should have been spotted and dealt with before now. If you catch it the week before or your first grey hair appears a hair powder is the solution. These are easily available from your local hair salon. Gently spray on the area. If you have time your hairdresser could do a technique called ‘grey chasing’. This is isolating the grey hair and just colouring that – not an actual full colour service.

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We appreciate you coming along as we explore the world of wedding hair colour! We hope Pam’s advice and suggestions have motivated you to choose the ideal colour for your special day. Remember that feeling secure and beautiful on your wedding day is more essential than whether you go with a traditional bridal shade or a striking and distinctive colour. Therefore, embrace your unique sense of style and personality and let your hair colour represent who you are. Above all else, relish the experience and have fun trying with various hues and fashions! Best wishes for a lifetime of love and happiness as you prepare to tie the knot!

Pamela Morrissey – Salon Director

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Quick Start Guide to Wedding Stationery

Wedding Stationery is a once in a lifetime purchase that you usually purchase at the beginning of your wedding planning, Your choice will have a huge influence on your day, it will build up the excitement for your guests & once you have worked out what you like everything else seems to fall into place, As a statio­nery designer I’ve gotten quite familiar with couples trying to figure out their wedding stationery, so I have created a quick start guide to help you understand the basics of wedding invitations,

bespoke, invitation, wedding, invite, watercolour, venue invitation, castle invitation,
BESPOKE V’S SEMI – CUSTOM

Bespoke stationery design allows you to have a designer with years of experience create a design suite from scratch that is created just for you. What is great about bespoke is that you have endless op­tions and at the end the design reflects you as a couple. You’ll collaborate with your designer back & forth with your design until they’re the wedding stationery of your dreams.

Semi – Custom invitations are perfect if you are looking for a lower price with a quick turn around. Many designers create a variety of Semi-custom invitations where you can add your details, have a colour change etc. Changes to the actual design would be reserved for bespoke invitations only.

ceremony booklets, wedding booklets, wedding mass, wedding, booklet, flowers, vintage, tree, autumn,
PRINTING METHODS 

Digital printing consists of a high quality printer transferring a digital file onto the paper. This is usually the most cost – effective printing method. When printing on smooth silk cards it creates beautiful crisp lines & text. 

Gold foil, wedding, invitation, luxury, wedding invite, floral, greenery, linenFoil printing is a method that involves using heat & pressure to adhere & seal a thin metal film to the paper. Foiling creates a really special end result & has become very popular in the last few years. 

Letterpress Printing involves using a metal plate which physically presses the ink onto the paper. This leaves a light indentation along with the ink that you can feel when you run your fingers over the paper. Letterpress printing looks amazing on textured papers. 

QUANTITIES 

A general rule to follow is remember you are or­dering one invitation per household not per guest. Order around 50-75% of your total guest count (depending on if you have a lot of single guests or not) On top of this add an extra 15-25 extra this allows you to keep them as keepsakes, have some for the photographer on the morning of the wed­ding and lets you have a few in case you forget any­body. It is always a lot more expensive to go back & get 2 or 3 printed. 

TIME FRAME 

Sending out your stationery on time is essential on making sure your guests attend, especially if they are coming from abroad. Invitations typically take anywhere between 4 -12 weeks ( depending on your designer) after this they have to be printed & assembled so you will want to order your invitations around 8-6 months before your wedding date. Invitations should be sent out at least 6 weeks before your wedding date. 

BUDGETING 

Weddings are expensive & it’s no secret. One of the first things couples as is “how much will it cost”. With stationery you should work out what you like first as pricing is flexible & is often affected by the elements you are interested in. Pricing can come down by using a different paper choice or printing process.

REMEMBER

You can contact us with any questions on info@soon2be.i, that is what we are here for.

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Soon2be.ie Media Advertorial

– The Examiner newspaper

– The Echo Newspaper (edition no:37,358)

Tuesday- January 28, 2020

 

Kiara, tells us about the Soon2be.ie business along with giving away a few tips along the way.

 

 

 

 

 


 

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Creating A Word Perfect Wedding Invitation

You have figured out the wedding invitation you want for your big day, but now you are struggling to find the right wording for your perfect Wedding Invitation. We have been designing, printing & creating Wedding Invitations for years now at www.Soon2be.ie so  look no further I am here to help. 

movie theme red velvet wedding invitation

 

The dynamics of families are forever changing, so when you sit down to figure out exactly how you would like your invitation to be worded it can be quite daunting. We have put together a few templates for your wedding day invitations, to make the process a bit easier and alot more enjoyable.

FORMAL

Formal wedding invitation wording

INFORMAL

wedding invitation wording informal

CHILDREN INVITING THE GUESTS

Wedding Invitation Wording When Children Of The Bride And Groom Are Inviting

 

REMEMBER

You can contact us with any questions on info@soon2be.i, that is what we are here for.

Follow us on Facebook: Click here

Follow us on Instagram: Click here

 

 

 

 

 


 

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The Ultimate Guide To Planning Your Engagement Party

You’ve got engaged and you’re on cloud nine, now’s the time to celebrate! An engagement party is a fun way to celebrate your joy and excitement with your friends and family, but with a wedding to plan it can be a tough one deciding what is necessary and how to be time and money smart. Sit back and let www.Soon2be.ie help you start your engagement party journey.
How to celebrate. 
There are so many different ways to celebrate this auspicious occasion, so don’t feel under any pressure to do the “norm” do things your way, how you as a couple would like it to be done and not what you are expected to do, after all it is a celebration of your engagement nobody elses. 
Your options on how to celebrate are endless, you could do anything from afternoon tea with your closest friends and family, Hosting a dinner party, Raising a glass at home or even just popping down to your local for a few celebratory drinks.

 

Who hosts the engagement party?
If you are a traditionalist, the bride’s family would host the engagement party. But in today’s world it is very common that both parents host the party. Sometimes couples will enlist a close friend to organise the party for them, this prevents you from being bombarded by text’s and phone calls. Most of the time however the couple themselves will host the party. I have met couples who have had multiple engagement parties. One with their parents, one with one group of friends, one with work colleagues the list goes on and on.

 

Who do I Invite? 
Typically you would only invite guests to your engagement party that you know you will be inviting to your wedding day. So if you don’t want your second cousin twice removed at your big day don’t invite him to your engagement party. 
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Engagement Party Invitation. www.soon2be.ie

Inviting guests. 
Now that you have made out the guest list, how do you invite them to the event you ask. Traditionally couples would send guests invitations and recently this is a trend that is coming back on the scene. 

 

Over the last few years couples are more likely to just send a text out to the guest list. Most recently however I have come across couples who are really upping their game in the engagement invitation field and are getting digital invitation images created and sending them through apps like snapchat and whatsapp.
wedding, sign, wedding sign, welcome sign, wedding accessories

Wedding Thank You Sign

Making the venue feel like a celebration. 
At any party decorations are necessary and making them personal to you is the best way to go about it. Welcome your guests to your engagement party with a cute thank you for celebrating with us sign. This is a great way to make your guests feel welcome and part of the celebrations. You can also reuse this sign again on your wedding day at the Church or Hotel.
 
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Engagement selfie frame – www.soon2be.ie

Great fun can be had at your celebration with a personalised selfie frame. They are a great way to get the crowd interacting with each other. It is also really lovely to look back on all the photos taken with the frame and have them as a keepsake.

 

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“Story of us” sign

Let your guests know how your love story began with a story of us sign, This sign is great as it highlights all the important dates and events that are special to you as a couple. Once again reuse this sign on your wedding day. It will be a great conversation starter when people are sitting around a table.

 

Wedding Thank You, thank you card, wedding card

Engagement Thank You Card

Saying Thank You.

Being newly engaged you can start to feel overwhelmed by all the love, attention and gifts you have received. The best way to show your guests you appreciate them and all they have done is by saying thank you. A simple thankyou card can mean a lot to the guest receiving it. The best time to do this is about a week after your engagement party. After all this is complete you can get started on the wedding planning. enjoy! 

Kiara xx