♥ Wednesday's Little Bit of Romance ♥

Soppy is not sexy, but I couldn't help myself - this little bottle of romance it just too delicious. It's a Mini Message in the Bottle. Written inside is "I Love You", but you can have any missive you like - just get in touch with The Card Tree, and start spreading the love!  Whatsmore, all readers of Before the Big Day free can get postage - just mention the blog as you check out.

Fabulous Favours

If you're thinking of using blue as your accent colour, take a look at these fabulous ideas for wedding favours.  We can't think of a better way to gift your guests!

Product Credits - Popcorn Stickers: Jessica's Design Shop, Personalised Fans: Baumbirdy, Ice Breakers: A Remark You Made, Calligraphy: Lisa Ridgely ; PinWheel: Shana Dreher, Enjoy Bags: Par Day

@ Website for the Weak @

Cox & Cox - We've gone ga-ga over their Too Have and Too Hold ribbon, Heart Coffee Biscuits, Confetti Cones and Chinese Fortune Sticks.  Don't miss their Wedding Sample Box - full of Favours, it's refundable against orders of £150.

BBD Theme: My Initial Idea

Monograms are a marvellous way to make your mark.  Whether you're celebrating your big day in a rented venue, a marquee or your mum's back-garden, make it yours for the day by stamping your initials on every available surface!  And for brides, what better way to celebrate the changing or your name?

Product Credits - Green J's & Red Boxes: Allison Banks, Floor Sticker: Wallspoken Weddings, Monogram: Jessica Design Shop

Take Note!

If you're planning a wedding with over a hundred guests, you can't expect to spend quality time with every individual.  But one way to make each person feel welcome, is to leave a little note on the back of their place-card.  Just a sentence about why they're special to you would be enough - or maybe a short, shared memory?  Anything to give them a glow as they sit down to eat.

Product Credits - Just Married sign and top-left Wedding sign from Cox & Cox

Other ways of 'talking' to your guests without having to actually strike up a conversation, is to decorate your venue with messages.  From a simple 'Wedding' sign pointing out the direction to the reception, to a chalked welcome message on a blackboard - it's good to talk!

Product Credits - Wall Sticker from WallSpoken

And the conversation doesn't have to be one way. Guest-books make a regular appearance at weddings, but for a more original idea, ask your guests to sign a giant platter.  Barefoot Ceramics can provide you with everything you need through the mail, and you can even bake the finished item in your home oven.

Photo Credits -  Chloe Hall, published with thanks to Steve & Sarah Pirrie

Berry Inspirational

Autumn is such a fabulous time to get married, and couples planning their wedding should look no further than the gorgeous English countryside for inspiration.  Blackberries come into season in September, and they're ripe for the plucking in every hedgerow.  Why not ask your family and friends to help pick a few punnets to decorate your cake?  Or you could use the berries in fabulous muddled cocktails or delicious fruit sorbets?  Even the colour of your blackberry-stained fingers could act as inspiration for an accent colour.

 
If you prefer blueberries or raspberries, check out your local pick-your-own for cheap fruit.  And don't throw away the punnets!  They can be re-used on your big day to house confetti, or as whimisical containers for your table flower arrangements.


If you've got a real glut of fruit, and you're a dab hand in the kitchen, homemade jam makes a gorgeous wedding favour.  If you need a recipe click here.

Product Credits - Labels: Ladybug Labels, Strawberry Tag: Paper Eclectiques
Fabric Jam Lids: My Nesting Box

Edible Treats

One way of creating a truly memorable big day is to surprise your guests - so how making everything edible? Instead of flower displays, buy these baskets of cleverly carved fruit from Edible Arrangements and save on desert!  Alternatively, DIY-it by dipping strawberries and pineapple into chocolate, and arranging them on sticks, in florist foam wrapped in ribbon.

If you're a fan of flowers, then why not add them to your wedding breakfast (or lunch or dinner)?  There's a bunch of blooms that can add colour and curiosity-value to your dishes and drinks.  Hibiscus flowers will slowly unfurl in champagne cocktails, and there's nothing more romantic than a rose-petal, rum cocktail.  Check out this New York Times article for more inspiration, and First Leaf for their fantastic range of tasty petals.

Imagine telling your guests that if they're still hungry after their meal, they can eat their plates! The Edible Plate Company promises that their crockery and cutlery is fully digestible, as it's all made out of cassava.  Perfect if you're planning a picnic or BBQ for your wedding, and what's more, they're totally eco-friendly.

Mood Boards

Looking for an colour palette? Got a colour in mind, but not sure how to develop it? This is the posting for you, as it includes all the Mood Board features from Before the Big Day en masse! A huge thanks must go to Kathryn from Snippet & Ink for many of the boards. Don't miss her blog! And if you're keen to create your own board, click here for the magical Colour Palette Generator - it's amazing. Meanwhile, for the creative among you, head over over to ulimate wedding blog Style Me Pretty, you can create your own boards.

BBD Themes

Looking for an unusal theme? Got a theme in mind, but not sure on where to shop? This is the posting for you, as it includes all the DIY Theme features from Before the Big Day. Give each one a click, and just feel the inspiration wafting over you!

 Snow

 Beach

 Orange

Fancy Dress

Being British

Blossom

Flamenco Passion

Forest Family

Gothic Fantasy

Fairy Tale

Inspiration India

Little Red Riding Hood

Love Birds

Love London

Equestrian

Valentines

Woodland

Have you seen Before the Big Day's collection of Real Weddings? Click here for yet more inspiration.

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Offers & Competitions

Get 5% off the amazingly effective nkd diet with the code bigday (exact spelling), and get a honeymoon-svelte body. Click here for more info on this bargainous deal!




Get 10% off stunning jewellery and hair accessories from Your Something Borrowed with the code Big Day



Get 10% off amazing vintage furniture and home accessories from The Vintage Wedding List. Simply call and quote the code Big Day

We ♥ Competitions!
One way to keep down costs for your big day is to win competitions. It's a long-shot, but someone's got to win them. Try these links on for luck! {with thanks to Snippet & Ink}

♥ Elizabeth Messina is giving away a lovely package of goodies from her recent workshop in France. See all the treats and enter on her blog, Kiss the Groom.
♥ Bonny Bridal is giving away a wedding dress. See details here.
♥ Swoon Dress has announced the winner of their bridesmaid dress giveaway - find it on their facebook page.
♥ Project Wedding is giving away three bridesmaid dresses from 57 Grand, as well as a pair of wedding bands from Brilliant Earth.

♥ Etsy Offers

With all the deals, just mention Before the Big Day to the seller to claim your discount.

Eco-Chic Offers
Nature Favors are offering 10% off their gorgeous birdseed and blooming wedding favours.
Katie Leigh Designs are offering 10% off with the code 10off
Woodland Belle & Funki Folk Art are also offering 10% off

Valentine's Offers
Mengseldesign is 20% off gorgeous screen prints

Fancy Dress Offers
I Made You A Beard is offering free shipping, just mention Before the Big Day to the seller to claim your discount.

Equestrian Theme Offers
Rustic Horsehoe and Altered Iron are offering 10% off
Cosmic Girl and Jills Corsets are offering free shipping with any purchase.
With all the deals, just mention Before the Big Day to the seller to claim your discount.

Man Friday Theme Offers (presents for your groom and groomsmen)
The Silver Diva and Whitewash Sundries are offering 10% off
BD Designs are offering free shipping with any purchase
Smashing is offering free shipping within the US or $5 off priority international shipping

Cake Decorations 

The CupCake Tower

10% off with code BIG DAY

Little Bird Paper

10% off with code BIG DAY

Goose Grease

Cake Toppers - 10% off with code BIG DAY

Decorations

Annemusing Designs

10% off all but the DIY Poms (which already have free shipping), with code BIG DAY

Perfectly Paper

10% off with code BIG DAY

Favours & Place Settings
A Remark You Made

10% off of any order of $15 or more off with code BIG DAY

Good Guest

20% off with code BIG DAY

ParDay

Free shipping on all orders.

Sweet Lollipop Shop

10% off on any order with code BIG DAY

Lady Bug Labels

Free shipping on orders of $15 with the code BIG DAY

Hair Pieces & Jewellery
Cosmic Girl
Free shipping with any purchase, just mention of BBD
Live In Style

10% off, mention BBD

Shop Bonnin

20% off with code BIG DAY

Stitch*n*Tyme

10% off, mention BBD

Enina J

10% off with code BIG DAY

Fleurette Jo

Free postage on all hair pins with a mention of BBD

Pixel and Hank

20% off with code BIG DAY

Homeware

My Nesting Box

Free $5 handmade lavender scented heart with purchases over $20, with code 'BIG DAY HEART'

Tables Gone Wild

$2 off a napkin set if purchased with any other item

Stationery

Tucci Paper Co

Free shipping on orders over $300, mention BBD

Paper Acorn

Free shipping on orders over $40 with code BIG DAY

Art Kitten

Free shipping with code BIG DAY

EvaPaul

15% off invitations sets (min order of 50) with code BIG DAY

Truly Noted

Free shipping with code BIG DAY

♥ Real Weddings ♥

Here are all the Before the Big Day Weddings, click on each title to view, and or to go back to the Home page, click on the Before The Big Day title above.

{From left to right: }

From left to right...

 {Above, from left to right: Kerry & Chris, Sara & Jared, 3, 4}

 {Above, from left to right: 1, Amber & Teddy, Vicky & Tom, Karen & Howard}

{Above, from left to right: Elissa & Lee, Sara & Niall, 3, 4}

{Above, from left to right: Fannie & Leonard, Eric & Emily, Allison & Scott, 4th}

{Above, from left to right: Kelly & Steve, Eric & Emily, Lois & Steve, Amy & Jonny}

{Above, from left to right: Ashley & Blake, Lucy & Paul, Alison & Rob, 4th}

{Above, from left to right: Denee & David, Kelly & Brian, Punam & Chirag, Roni & Peleg}

{Above, from left to right: Madeline & Coby, Kristian & Skyler, Vicky & Nik, Jennifer & Andrew}

{Above, from left to right: Christa & Jason, Melissa & Anthony, Wendy & Greg, Carmen & Vincent}



{Above, from left to right: Gwen & David, Johanne & Yuri, 3, Julie & Mark}

{Above, from left to right: Kim & Stephen, Bridget & Jeremy, Crystal & Ben, Claire & Dominic}



{Above, from left to right: Lia & Gerald, Cat & Matt, Stephanie & Will, Esther & Daniel}

{Above, from left to right: Valerie & Jimmy, Carrie & Adrian, Sooji & Dave, Ella & Sam}

{Above, from left to right: Eleni & David, Tyler & Mitchell, Angela & Alex, Jacqui & Aaron}

{Above, from left to right: Suzanne & Simon, Sarah & Paul, Tamara & Adam, Angela & David}

{Above, from left to right: Catherine & Ken, Sarah & Steve, Kristi & Antony, Elizabeth & Drew}

{Above, from left to right: Erin & Brian, Helen & Gregg, Tess & Eric, Anli & Kenneth}

{Above, from left to right: Jo & Carl, Neha & Neir, Isby & Henry, Sarah & Ben}

{Above, from left to right: Patty & Tim, Melissa & Brett, Sarah & Andy, Sarah & Marlon}

{Above, from left to right: Christine & Michael, Angela & Colin, Kaeli & Drew, Barbara & Aaron}

{Above, from left to right: Kaeli & Drew, Meredith & Scott, Stacey & Drew, Christabel & Devon}

{Above, from left to right: Emily & Neil, Jamie & Adam, Lauren & Chris, Amanda & Jim}

{Above, from left to right: Irene & Quinn, Jade & Chris, Lucia & Phil, Elise & Patrick}

{Above, from left to right: Pooja & Harsh, Ashley & Allen, Erin & Steve, Jade & Matt}

{Above, from left to right: Angelique & Ricardo, Ashley & Jeff, Jennifer & Ramsey, Christine & Michael}

{Above, from left to right: Brianna & Matt, Erica & Chet, Jamie & Bryan, Jennie & Brian}

{Above, from left to right: Betty & Kent, Lindsey & Jeff, Sheryl & Nick, Jacqui & Lachlan}

{Above, from left to right: Jacqui & Lachlan, Tori & Devon, Mari & Brendan, Denise & Bobby}

{Above, from left to right: Tricia & Raheem, Uta & Bruce, Emily & Ryan, Cailen & Sean}

{Above, from left to right: Mariam & Ben, Alyssa & Brian, Emily & Jasen, Crystal & Matt}

{Above, from left to right: Ali & Evan, Lauren & Chris, Glory & Avery, Shining & Karl}

{Above, from left to right: Ashley & Matt, Allison & Charlie, Ellie & Dave, 4th}