From the romantic moments to dads' dodgy dancing: flicking through your big day photos is so much fun - but it'd be great if you could also view your guests' snaps at the same time. Which is why you should check out Shoebox360 (shoebox360.com), a new concept that lets you create an online gallery for all your wedding pics.
All you need to do is set up your 'shoebox' (gallery to you and me) through the website, then you're assigned a unique key that you can pass onto guests so they can upload, view and print pictures from the day. There's no limit to the number of photos that can be added, you won't be plagued by adverts or spam, and you can control the settings so some guests have access to all features, while others can just view images.
Shoebox360 has four wedding packages, ranging from £39.99 to £179.99. To get an idea, the £59.99 Gold package includes three months' access to your shoebox, as well as tent cards for your reception tables, thank you card stickers, plus a DVD of all the snaps and a 20 x 30cm canvas of your choice. You can try before you buy with a seven-day trial available through the site.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR BRIDESMAGAZINE.CO.UK READERS
Shoebox360 is offering Brides readers 15 per cent off its four wedding packages. Simply visit shoebox360.com/brides and choose the package you want. The offer closes on 23 December 2009.
The Bigger Picture
Bride Ideas And Frock Ups
We've come across a hilarious new book essential for all brides-to-be, called Bride Ideas & Frock Ups, £14.99, written by author and journalist Susannah Frieze. It's full of great anecdotes, superstitions, quotes and jokes about weddings, from embarrassing disasters to fantastic how-to ideas.
The photography is brilliantly clever (look closely at the front cover!) - especially since they're taken by two of the UK's top wedding photographer Sim Canetty-Clarke and Amanda Lockhart - who between them have shot over 500 weddings worldwide. With a foreword from serial wedding guest Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (who claims 'this book is so brilliant that it could almost persuade me to get married') it's a must-have for your planning experience.
Fun, stylish, modern and practical... well, you wouldn't expect anything less from this website!
To buy your copy for the discounted price of £11.99 (+ P&P), CLICK HERE, and enter the promotional code CNBRIDES1 at the checkout.
Monsoon China
Make a statement with this bold new fine china collection from Monsoon Home. The charcoal and gold floral design on cream is right on trend and we're pleased to hear that the range is oven and dishwasher friendly. At £8 for a plate and £12 for a cup and saucer, its perfect for everyday use.
The Monsoon Home collection by Denby. Available from House of Fraser, Debenhams & John Lewis.
Save Pounds On Planning
'Tis (almost) the season to be giving, and we've got some great news for brides watching their figures: Helen Carter Weddings (helencarterweddings.co.uk) is offering 20 per cent off all wedding planning services, booked before 31 January 2010. Services range from full and partial planning to venue and supplier sourcing and invitation/RSVP management - but they can tailor a package to match your needs. The vital statistics? You can save anything between £35 and £500. For example, if you want Helen to handle the arrangements in the six to eight week run-up to your big day, you'll pay £680 instead of the usual £850, while if you'd like a planner there on the day itself, you'll get £80 off the usual £400 fee. Which means less money and less stress. Nice.