The holidays are here and it’s time to dress up, ladies (and gentlemen)! If you’re one who normally prefers to dress “down” rather than “up”, you now have the perfect opportunity to show some sparkle by dressing up for all those parties and get-togethers in the coming weeks. And the simplest way? Through a good party dress.

Good things about The Dress:

1. You just throw it on - no need to worry about matching/coordinating as with separates.

2. There’s just something about wearing a dress that makes a woman feel instantly feminine and good all around (provided it fits well).

3. Dresses are easy to find and surprisingly cheap these days.

4. For even more penny pinching, use an old “Little Black Dress” and  simply glam it up by adding on some statement jewelry like some chunky jewelled cuffs or an interisting necklace. If you still don’t have that LBD wardrobe staple (shame on you!), do yourself a favour and buy one today. Try Top Shop for some cool LBD’s that will last years. H & M also has finds that will keep your Christmas budget lean and healthy.

5. Lastly, don’t forget good undies.  A good dress will look even more fabulous on you when you make the effort to wear the “streamlining” kind like shapewear. Its not cheap, but unless you are a pilates fanatic with  buns of steel, it is so worth the expense.

Bridal Jewellery should not be scrimped on. It is the most important day of your life and you should look a million dollars, even if that’s what it costs you.

OK I’m lying; I can’t see any reason why you should spend a fortune on bridal jewellery. You’ve already got an engagement ring and you will be adding to the collection with a wedding ring, so why the need for even more new jewellery?

Competition is the only reason. If your friend or sister or colleague had a tonne of jewellery, then you have to go one better, right? Everything has to be new, right? Nope, beg or borrow wedding jewellery from your mother, grandmother, mother-in-law to be! It’s not cheap; it’s just adding a way to make them feel involved in the wedding that also benefits you. Everyone’s a winner! Plus, it leaves you with that little bit (or big bit) extra cash to splash out on some designer shoes!

I spent absolutely nothing on wedding jeweller. As a pre-wedding gift my fiancé bought me a radiant pair of diamond stud earrings and a matching diamond pendant. Having gotten my engagement ring I didn’t have to buy anything at all. It was an absolutely fabulous gift and although he had hinted that he was buying my wedding jewellery, it was a complete surprise on the day.

He had it given to me in a polished wooden case and he has wonderful taste in jewellery, so I knew that I would like them before I even opened the box. I felt a million dollars walking down the aisle and everybody admired them at our reception. I didn’t feel the need to wear anything else like a tiara or anything like that, although I do admit to getting one that I didn’t actually use after receiving the gifts from hubbie.

The whole wedding concept these days is so enormously expensive that it is easy to see why many couples decide to remain single. Couples are saving for years to pay £20000 or more for a fashionable, stylish wedding. It’s easy to see why when the designer bridal gown, shoes and accessories can total £2000 or more. Then there are cars, photos, videos, groom, best man, and not forgetting bridesmaids. Not least, the Banqueting Hall for grand reception.

Yet, the most symbolic memory of the wedding is of course, the wedding ring. Gold is the ultimate choice; it is beautiful, everlasting and has the power to evoke deep emotions. Platinum is also a popular choice, pure white and eternal. Designer wedding bands can cost over £2000, but a perfect choice as this is one element of a couple’s love that is worn every day and can’t be skimped on. The groom also may choose a wedding band and £500 or more can easily be spent on this item. Bridal earrings are also expensive but can be ‘borrowed’; otherwise diamonds can cost £100 or more. Many brides choose diamante headbands and as these are only worn once, costume jewellery can be chosen, which is much less expensive. About £50 can be spent on this item.

The bridegroom may choose to give the bridesmaids a token to wear on the ‘Big day’, like little heart-shaped gold pendants costing upwards of £100 each which look sweet and delicate on young children.

Ultimately, bridal jewellery, particularly wedding bands, is symbolic of a couple’s love and it is worthwhile spending whatever can be afforded.

How much would I spend on bridal jewellery? That’s easy for me to answer as before my wife and I got married, I bought her a stunning diamond pendant. It was a sort of satire cluster of diamonds encrusted into pretty gold back and on a slender gold chain.

It cost me a small fortune, but I believe that good jewellery should last you a lifetime. I remember buying it and it was just about as expensive as the engagement ring that I had purchased for her some time earlier. I’m not quite talking a month’s salary is traditional, but it wasn’t far short of the mark.

I presented it to her on the day of the wedding. Well, actually, I had it presented to her as I didn’t see her until we got to the church. She replaced her original necklace with the diamond pendant and it was sparking furiously in the halogen lighting of the reception hall. Everybody commented on how beautiful it was that day and she wears it at every given opportunity since we got married. Now that’s a good investment!