Monday 29 October 2012

Original Animal-Themed Wedding Accessories

Add a touch of humour to your wedding day with these incredible animal drink stirrers. It's super rare that I spot a truly original wedding idea, and I LOVE these. Handmade by Pocketful of Dreams, you can choose from farm animals, wild beasties or jungle creatures, and the colour finish which best suits your wedding decor. I'd cut them short and use them as place-markers, or use them as an alternative to table numbers. The perfect addition to a wedding on a farm or in a zoo.....can you get married in a zoo? For more drink stirrer ideas, check out my Pinterest page.

♥ Want more wedding decoration ideas? ♥ Or how about wedding reception ideas? ♥
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Friday 26 October 2012

Real Summer Countryside Wedding: Victoria & Richard

English summer weddings don't get better than this! Victoria and Richard celebrated their big day in the New Forest, with a traditional ceremony in the local church, followed by a marquee reception in the garden. For all those brides worrying about the English weather, just check out the gorgeous sunshine. There were perfect blue skies from start to finish, and they held their champagne reception on the lawn - bliss! I'm loving Victoria's stunning Ritva Westenius Couture gown and her cathedral length veil, plus her elegant pearl ear rings courtesy of W&W Private Jewellers. Stealworthy details include the herbilicious napkin bundles, the luggage tags, and the cute peg display for place cards and hats. Victoria chose family-style, long tables rather than round ones, which makes for a much more informal dining, and the airy marquee was decorated with stephanotis, white roses and orchids. Truly a stunning affair, all photographed by the talented Patrick from Butler Madden Weddings. For further suppliers don't miss Victoria's answers to the Before the Big Day Bridal Questionnaire below the pics.


The Before the Big Day Bridal Q&A - Victoria was kind enough to fill in our questionnaire, aimed at helping other brides with their planning process. Feast your eyes on her answers for helpful hints and tips from someone on the other side of her big day!

Where and when did you get married?
The New Forest, on 12th June 2010

What was your thinking behind choosing the venue and the decoration of the reception?
We chose our local church followed by a reception at our family home. We wanted an informal, relaxed wedding with a rural and rustic feel.

Did you have a theme, colour or motif in mind?
We chose a green and white colour theme.

Who made your wedding outfit (dress, veil, shoes and accessories), and how did you come to that decision? I picked a Ritva Westenius Couture gown, after visiting half a dozen bridal boutiques specialising in more floaty materials / Grecian style dresses rather than strapless / corseted dresses. I ended up falling in love with the material of this dress and increasing the lace! I teamed the dress with gorgeous pearl ear rings from my husband's company W&W Private Jewellers who come highly recommended!

What about your husband’s outfit? Where was it from?
He wore a traditional morning suit - I've no idea where it was from, but at least he got a completely new outfit, waist-coat and tie included!

And how about your bridesmaids’ outfits?
My mother made three green dresses for young bridesmaids

What type of cake did you go for, and how did you come to that decision?
We had a traditional 3-tier fruit cake made by friend and wedding guest, Lucy Till, who I'd highly recommend.

Did you have any favours? What were they? Was there any particular reason why you picked them?
No, we didn't have any favours, because my opinion is that bought favours can be naff and they're a slightly American tradition (wrongly or rightly). Couldn’t think of anything homemade that represented ‘us’, so preferred not to have favours!

Who was your florist, what flowers did you choose, and how did you come to that decision?
We had a local (& extremely knowledgeable) florist called Jill Stagg {01590 616201}, and we picked a selection of white flowers particularly stephanotis, orchids, roses amongst greenery. We had an amazing floral archway at the church entrance, and the flowers on the marquee poles were particularly gorgeous. Family members helped out with the arrangements on the tables.

Who was your photographer and how did you choose them?
We chose Patrick Butler-Madden, because he's a friend, but also a fantastic photographer. We researched his previous work and met with him to discuss our requirements, to make sure he was the right decision. On the day he was really professional and unobtrusive, and photographs were fantastic – highly recommended!

Did you enjoy planning your wedding?
Yes - it was a great opportunity for some family time as everyone was involved with various 'jobs'.

What advice do you have for brides planning their big day?
Enjoy being engaged – it's a special time. Then just do a couple of 'jobs' each weekend rather than a mad rush months in advance or near the end. It shouldn't be a stressful exercise or chore, so aim to approach it in a relaxed manner!

♥ Want more countryside wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about more church wedding ideas? ♥
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Thursday 25 October 2012

Vintage Make-Do-&-Mend Style Wedding Garlands

Add a touch of vintage chic to your wedding with these crocheted flower garlands. Make it bespoke by picking the colours, and Emma Lamb will handmake them for you from Scottish wool. Unlike paper garlands, they'll last forever. The only difficulty is choosing the colours, with several beautifully named shades to choose from, like buttermilk, mustard, moss green, damson, mocha, russet and fuschia.


♥ Want more vintage wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about more wedding decoration ideas? ♥
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Tuesday 23 October 2012

DIY Stitch Your Wedding Stationery

Sewing and stationery go hand-in-hand with these gorgeous DIY greetings cards. Create your own mini-heirloom by stitching a personal message and sending it to a friend. The brainchild of graphic designer Laura Trimmell, she promises they're super-easy to sew - just like connect the dots. Each 'Curious Doodles' pack includes five cards and matching envelopes, so you can share the love far and wide.

♥ Want more wedding stationery ideas? ♥ Or how about more DIY wedding ideas? ♥
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Monday 22 October 2012

Real Winter Wedding: Christa & Jason

With all the sunshine we've been having recently, it's easy to forget the winter, but this gorgeous wedding will bring the crisp cold back into your life! Christa and Jason got married just as the snow started to melt, and check out its timeless, vintage feel. Huge brownie points to Christa for choosing a unique feathery headpiece rather than a veil, and isn't her flower-girl just the cutest? I want a pair of white fluffy ear-warmers for this winter too! What's more, I've been forecasting the return of the pomander for winter weddings, and Christa was right there ahead of the curve with these pink and lilac beauties. Fabulous inspiration for winter brides. Big love to Simply Bloom for these gorgeous pictures.

♥ Want more winter wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about more feathery wedding ideas? ♥
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Wednesday 17 October 2012

Autumnal Bridesmaid Dresses Inspiration

With autumn fast upon us, and the leaves changing, I'm finding wedding inspiration in seasonal colours and vegetables {think pumpkins and squash, rather than turnip}. Just take a look at the divine colour of this bridesmaid dress by Coralie Beatrix. It's called Moroccan Blood Orange, which is almost as good as the names Farrow & Ball give to their paints. This so-called Octopus wrap dress is completely convertible, with a million different styles, so your bridesmaids can wear the gown according to their personal style. At just over £50, they're a steal, leaving you plenty of extra cash to buy an incredible flower crown.


♥ Want more bridesmaid ideas? ♥ Or how about more autumn wedding ideas? ♥
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Tuesday 16 October 2012

Marie Antoinette Wedding & Hen Party Inspiration Shoot

This glamorous Marie Antoinette style wedding inspiration shoot is right up my street! Organised by the lovely Gemma Longworth of Buttons & Roses Events & The Button Boutique to promote their event styling business, it makes me want to host an up-market hen party for all my girlfriends. Combining pink champagne, cupcakes and a fascinator craft workshop, it's the perfect bonding opportunity. I adore the vintage china by Victoria Rose Vintage Crockery Hire, and the glamorous pearl strewn flower arrangements would work perfectly at a wedding. If you're a real fan of DIY, you could even theme your wedding around crafting. Take a look the jars filled with cotton reels - they'd look fabulous as table displays at your wedding reception. If you'd like a similar look for your wedding day or hen party, do take a look at the Buttons & Roses Events website. Gorgeous pictures by Lucy Greenhill Photography.


















Credits
Organised & Styled by Gemma Longworth: Buttons & Roses Events & The Button Boutique
Photography: Lucy Greenhill Photography
Location: Liverpool Town Hall
Fascinator Craft Workshop by The Button Boutique
Hair & Make Up: So Coco Rouge
Clothing: Raiders Vintage and The Button Boutique
Hair Accessories: The Button Boutique
Vintage Crockery, Props & Cakes: Victoria Rose Vintage Crockery Hire
Labels and Stationery: Button & Roses
Flowers: Blue Orchid
Nails: Glitz and Glam
Jewellery: Olivia Divine Jewellery
Models: Rebecca LangtreeKit WilliamsBethany CammackEsther FoxNikki Rose

♥ Want more elegant wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about more hen party ideas? ♥
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Wednesday 10 October 2012

Real Quirky Desert Wedding: Jessica & Gray

The couple in this fantastic real wedding have some serious style. I've completely fallen in love with their understated minimalist big day, with its Mexican details and bright colours. My favourite wedding ideas to steal include Jessica's sexy ribbon garter, the Wild West-style font on their wedding programs, and the bridemaid's dazzling red hair accessories. Plus every wedding should have a traditional Mariachi band! Stunning pictures published with thanks to Punam Bean.


♥ Want more desert wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about more red-themed weddings? ♥
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