Boho Grecian Wedding Dresses by Matthew Williamson

It's been far too long since I last blogged on divine wedding dresses. For me, choosing my wedding gown was my hardest wedding decision. I'm just not that fashion-y. Also there's a serious bridge most brides have to cross when choosing their wedding dress. On one side is normal life, where you probably wouldn't spend more than £200 on a dress, and then on the other side of the bridge are wedding dresses, which all seem to cost more than £1000. When my mother bought me my Delphine Manivet wedding dress, I had a sleepless night over how much she'd spent on my behalf. It just felt like a crazy amount of money. I felt amazing on my wedding day though, and there is a certain expectation that a bride must look better on her big day than ever before. Incidentally, if you're worrying about your wedding figure and your wedding look, do check out the blog posts from Alice Cowen, our wedding blog fitness expert, and Julia Bowden, our wedding hair and make-up expert. They've got fantastic advice on how to look your best on your wedding day. In the meantime, feast your eyes on my favourite wedding dresses from the gorgeous Matthew Williamson Bridal collection.

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Real Orchid & Elegance Wedding: Madeline & Coby

Everyone now and then it's great to indulge your feminine side, and if your future husband will let you, there's nothing more romantic than a pink-themed wedding. Madeline and Coby's wedding was inspired by Coco Chanel’s early ad campaigns, and I'm loving the classic style of Madeline's bridesmaids' dresses and her Enzoani strapless gown. Check out the gorgeous florals - Madeline's bouquet included spray roses, pale pink cymbidium orchids, and mini calla lilies - yum! The happy couple also used fresh flowers to decorate their cake, to stunning effect. Definitely an idea worth stealing - you could use your own signature blooms to make a simple white layer cake your own. Lovely photos as ever from the ladies at Simply Bloom Photography.

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Key to My Heart Wedding Favours

Keys are romantic. Love letters written on keys are beyond romantic - in my view they're up there with Shakespearean sonnets and a good old proposal on one knee. That might explain why I've fallen hook, line and sinker for this cute laser-cut key, or it might be because I love all of Mister Rob's work. Pick up the limited edition keys from his online shop here, or pop down to his Colombia Road shop in London.

♥ Want more fairy-tale wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Real Lilac, Lace & Pearls Wedding: Emma & Adi - Part 2

Time for the second part of this gorgeous lace and pearl themed wedding, which took place at Northbrook Park in Surrey. With tonnes of vintage highlights, you're going to love all the stealworthy ideas, including all the easy-to-DIY reception details. I'm loving how Emma stuck her wedding table-plan to a vintage mirror, and how she decorated the cutlery and napkins with lilac ribbons, lace and pearls. The lace ribbon even reflects the lace in her stunning wedding dress. Take a look at these fabulous Imag1ne wedding pictures by Amy Turner for more ideas, and if you missed Part 2, click here!

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Real Lilac, Pearl & Lace Wedding: Adi & Emma

Dreamy lilac is huge this wedding season - it's the new pink for vintage-loving brides wanting a feminine palette for their wedding day. I'm loving how gorgeous bride Emma incorporated the colour into her bouquet, the pageboys' shirts, the cutlery ribbons, and even into the sweetie wedding favours. With her bridesmaids in deep purple, with lilac rose corsages, and roses in their hair, the whole wedding party looks brilliantly put together. Emma's wedding dress has a beautiful lace bolero, which is in turn reflected in other wedding details, including the table plan, cutlery ties and place-markers. Other pretty wedding details include Emma's pearl theme, and the vintage mirror, and vintage suitcase as wedding card container {all coming up in Part 2 later today}. These are all super-easy ideas to copy - scour eBay for vintage finds at reasonable prices. Huge thanks to Amy Turner at imag1ne for these beautiful pictures. Adi and Emma's wedding venue was Northbrook Park in Surrey - don't miss Part 2 for the portrait pictures in the beautiful gardens!

♥ Want more lilac-themed wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Introducing Dominic Whiten Wedding Photography

Can you imagine what it must be like to be a wedding photographer? You go to weddings nearly every Saturday (and sometimes Sunday too}, you witness the most emotional moments of a bride and groom's lives, hang out with all their friends and family, and then you spend the next few days staring at their faces, as you pick out the best pictures from the thousands you took. No wonder wedding photographers feel a lasting closeness to 'their' brides and grooms. It's also the reason why talent isn't the only thing you should look for in a wedding photographer - you also need to find someone you really like, someone you want to invite to your wedding. That's why I'm delighted to introduce Dominic Whiten Photography. You can see from his exuberant pictures below, that he's a hugely talented wedding photographer, but he's also an incredibly friendly, outgoing, relaxed guy. You'll love having Dom around, he'll make you smile naturally, and you'll relax in front of his camera, and your wedding pictures will be fabulous. He only takes 35 bookings a year so that he can really concentrate on your big day, and his reasonable wedding fee includes a disco of 200 of your best pictures in black and white, plus two free mounted pictures. Take a look at his brilliant website, Dominic Whiten Photography, and his blog, and book him fast!

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How To Get Fit For Your Wedding Day

{Posting by Alice Cowen, Before the Big Day's Personal Trainer & Nutritionist} If you're getting married this summer, never fear, it's not too late to tone up for your big day. Here are 10 Wedding Fitness Tips from our fabulous Wedding Blog Personal Trainer, Alice Cowen, on how to look good on your wedding day. Even without a wedding day on the way, I'm going to follow these to get bikini ready for the summer!

{Photo Credit} Charlotte Broster via Ruffled

Top 10 Wedding Fitness Tips

1. Don't start training too early, you might lose momentum, 10 to 12 weeks should do it. So if you haven't started your wedding fitness plan yet - it's never to late.

2. Find 2-3 different types of exercise you ENJOY otherwise boredom sets in.

3. Train 4-5 times per week for 45 minutes to an hour to really blitz your bride-to-be body. But don't train everyday, because rest days are just as important for your muscles to recover.

4. Never let yourself become hungry, healthy snacks are the way forward.

5. Stop drinking alcohol, or if you must, drink only one night per week.

6. No Chocolate, crisps, fizzy drinks at ALL

7. No second helpings

8. ALWAYS eat breakfast to kick your metabolism off for the day

9. Drink at least 2 litres of water per day

10. Weigh yourself regually so you don't lie to yourself. This way you'll get to see results, which will help you stay in the zone.

xaLx

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Purple Pale & Romantic Wedding Inspiration

Thinking about theming your wedding around the colour purple? Then take a good long look at this incredible wedding shoot by Annie Beedy of Mim & Honey, featuring flowers by Riley Messina of Erba Floral Design and wedding cakes by Cambria Goodwin of Butter. I've fallen for the rustic simplicity of the bride's rose and anemone bouquet, complete with twisted twigs and sticky buds. The wedding centrepiece is just as imaginative, with hanging grapes and rosy apples creating an opulent harvest festival feel. Add twigs and branches to your own wedding cake, for an easy DIY wedding project. 

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