Will You Be My Bridesmaid Cards

Huge excitement! I'm going to be a bridesmaid for the first time since I was eight years old! My lovely school friend is getting married in December, so it's going to be a gorgeous winter wedding, and I'm already bursting with ideas for her big day. It's going to be so exciting helping her get ready on her wedding day, and walking down the aisle. I can't wait to be the useful person armed with safety pins, plasters, pain-killers and champagne! How many bridesmaids are you going to have on your wedding day? I love the idea of asking formally, with a card - or sending one afterwards to make the moment official. Take a look at these gorgeous 'Will You Be My Bridesmaid Cards' by The First Snow. They're hand-painted designs, and you can choose from black, blush and mint dresses. Plus they come with a pretty sticker for the back of the envelope. The First Snow also creates gorgeous wedding invitations and wedding cake toppers, and much, much more!

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Autumn 2013 Bridesmaids Trends - Nude or Jewel?

One of my favourite wedding shops of all time, BHLDN, has just released their autumn 2013 collection. Yes, I know it's way to early for summer brides to be thinking about autumn, but if you're planning a wedding for October, you're going to need to start picking your bridesmaids' dresses. Your first decision will be which of the two key trends to choose from.....are you going to go for nude or jewel shades? My vote is for the bright berry tones - how about you?

{Product Credits} 1. Swansdown Dress in Nude, $420 | 2. Thalia Maxi Dress in Pink Peony, $420

{Product Credits} 1. Niceties Dress in Rose, $350 | 2. Daisy Doll Dress, $395

{Product Credits} 1. Ariel Dress in Merlot, $240 | 2. Daylily Dress in Sapphire, $200

{Product Credits} 1. Thalia Maxi-Dress in Slate, $320 and Crimson

{Product Credits} 1. Thalia Maxi-Dress in Sage, $320 | 2. Niceties Dress in Sapphire, $220

More posts like this one:

✽ Blooming Groom Inspiration

✽ Floral Patterned Bridesmaids Dresses

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Je T'Aime - French Flower Crowns For Your Bridesmaids

When I was growing up, my Mum would aways say that I looked 'French', whenever I'd made a particular effort to look good. So for me, 'looking French' has always been the byword for chic and stylish. And that's why it's not surprising to me that Parisian designer, Pauline Dröm, has taken my favourite trend for this summer - flower crowns - and given them a touch of je ne sais quoi. Buy them for your bridesmaids and flower girls, and sport one yourself at all of this summer's BBQ's.

{Credit} Crown of Roses, £58

{Credit} Crown of Daisies, £40


More posts like this one:

✽ How To Make A Wedding Flower Crown

✽ Hair Accessories For The Non-Veil Loving Bride

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Five Wedding Jewellery Traditions

Weddings are one giant tradition-fest! From the white wedding gown, to the church service, the best man's speech, the first dance and the bouquet toss, your big day will be a constant nod to tradition. You might find some of the customs restricting, but when it comes to bridal jewellery, you're going to L-O-V-E the traditions, mainly because the bride comes out of it pretty well!

1. Pearl Earrings - Traditionally the groom or the father-of-the-bride gives the bride pearls on her wedding day. The jewels symbolise unblemished perfection, purity and innocence, and the ancient Greeks believed pearls would help ensure marital bliss and prevent newlywed brides from crying. Needless to say, I'm particularly keen on this custom!

2. Bridesmaids' Jewellery - I discovered this fabulous tradition when my cousin asked me to be her bridesmaid. Aged nine, I was thrilled to be given an elegant gold necklace. It was the most exciting present I'd ever received, and to this day I still have it as a momento of their wedding day. You don't have to spend a fortune on your bridesmaids' present - a lovely piece of prom jewellery from Jon Richard would be a lovely thank you gift for their help and support on your big day. Plus it'll make them look glam in the wedding pictures.

{Photo Credit} 1. Unknown | 2. Ben Q Photography - view the whole shoot on the Wedding Chicks

3. Cufflinks - Just like your bridesmaids, it's traditional for your ushers to receive a present on your wedding day. On our big day we skipped this custom, and gave our ushers sunglasses instead {we had a destination wedding in France}! But I did give my husband a lovely pair of cufflinks on the morning of our wedding day, and he now wears them every day to work.

4. Your Engagement Ring - a solitaire diamond is traditional, but we all know engagement rings come in every shape and size. Men are meant to spend one month's salary, but according to a recent survey, a third of brides are happy to chip in for their engagement ring!

{Photo Credit} 1. Elizabeth Messina of Kiss the Groom - view entire shoot on Inspired By This

5. Wedding Ring - Of course! We all know about the tradition of giving wedding rings, but did you know it started in ancient Rome? It used to be just the bride who received a ring, but in the 1920s the American jewellery industry started a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging men to wear a wedding ring as well. Those Mad Men were pretty successful, and by the late 1940s, double-ring ceremonies made up for 80% of all weddings. Will your husband wear a wedding ring?

More posts like this one:

✽ Reasonable Engagement Rings

✽ Real Tipi Church Wedding

♥ Want to see wedding jewellery ideas? ♥ Or how about more bridesmaids ideas? ♥

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Introducing Zalando Online Shopping For Your Bridesmaids

My postman and I have a fabulous relationship. It's not something you normally get in London, but considering my slight {okay huge} online shopping addiction, we see each other every morning. I hardly ever buy anything on the high street anymore, it's so much cheaper and convenient to try clothes on at home. You can add your own shoes and jackets, and check out how each dress fits in with the rest of your wardrobe. That's why I'm delighted to introduce Zalando. It's a fabulous online shopping boutique, stocking thousands of brilliant brands, including French Connection, Seven For All Mankind and Alice Temperley, to name just a few. With a stylish wedding boutique {perfect for the city bride}, and a great selection of men's clothes as well, it's the perfect go-to site for your wedding preparations. I'm also loving Zalando's colour search function - it's an efficient way to find the complete outfit for your bridesmaids. Take a look at these gorgeous colour combinations below - coral, turquoise and amethyst are what all the best dressed bridesmaids are wearing this summer.

{Product Credits} Top L-R 1. Even & Odd Cocktail Dress, £14 | 2. Patrizia Pope Summer Dress, £185 | 3. Ravel Peep Toe Heels, £55 | Middle L-R 1. Pier One Peep Toe Heels, £50 | 2. Anna Field Classic Heels, £25 | 3. Louche Shari Dress, £65 | 4. Les Néréides Earrings, £60 | Bottom L-R 1. Ted Baker Earrings, £34 | 2. Orla Kiely Wallet, £110 | 3. Even & Odd Summer Dress, £34 |

{Product Credits} Top L-R 1. Just Cavalli Clutch, £110 | 2. Deimille Sandals, £160 | 3. Sweet Deluxe Jewellery Set, £25 | Middle L-R 1. Naf Naf Gown, £225 | 2. Tramontana Jersey Dress, £50 | 3 Cutie Dress, £46 | Bottom L-R 1. Pura Lopez Classic Heels, £210 | 2. Belle Roma Sandals, £180 | 3. Ravel Pumps, £50 |

{Product Credits} Top L-R  1. Black Lily Feather Earrings, £17 | 2. Even & Odd Summer Dress, £34 | 3. Sebastian Peep Toe Heels, £310 | Middle L-R 1. René Lezard Cocktail Dress, £170 | 2. Even & Odd Summer Dress, £26 | 2. René Lezard, £170 | 3. Gianni Chiarini Clutch, £55 | Bottom L-R 1. Hush Puppies Lolita Heels, £49 | 2. Casedei Flip Flops, £300 | 3. Me & Zena Bicycle Necklace, £38 |

More posts like this one:

✽ Pretty Baby Blue Marquee Wedding

✽ Stunning Pink & Grey Marquee Wedding

♥ Want to see countryside wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about more purple themed weddings? ♥

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Amazing BHLDN Wedding Sale

One of my favourite interior shops of all time is Anthropologie, which you can find in London on the King's Road and Regent Street. So when the same company opened a vintage-style wedding shop called BHLDN a few years ago, I was beyond excited. Unfortunately it was after my wedding, so I couldn't directly benefit, but I never tire of telling brides about the amazing products they have on offer. So I'm exceedingly excited to tell you all about their April sale, which has just started. It includes massive discounts off their wedding dresses, bridesmaids gowns, accessories and wedding details, and you'll want to get clicking right away!

♥ Want to see bridesmaids ideas? ♥ Or how about more wedding offers? ♥

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Cheap & Chic Wedding Jewellery

Put away your credit card.....ideally somewhere you can't find it for some time. Is it hidden? Okay, now take a look at this gorgeous wedding jewellery from Blaguette. It's the best bling I've found in some time and {whisper it}, the prices are super-reasonable. Personal favourites have to be the purple Labroradite Triple Drop earrings {below} - they'd both look gorgeous with a gentle up-do - with or without a veil. With 30% off for Valentine's Day {with the code HEART13}, it's time to treat yourself.

More posts like this one:
✽ How to Dress Your Bridesmaids
✽ Wedding Diamonds for Hire

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Wedding Shoe Heart Stoppers

If you're anything like me, you'll be wanting to make sure every wedding detail is perfect! At least, that's how I felt in the early days of my planning - once things got a bit closer, and a bit more rushed, I started to become a lot more laissez faire! But with months and months to go, you can worry about the little things, and these anti-slip shoe hearts definitely fall into that category. But aren't they adorable?? They easily peel off and stick to the sole of your shoe, stopping any embarrassing falls, and adding a flash of cute to your every step. Pick them up for under £10 from Mon Amour Boutique, plus a few sets for your bridesmaids. P.S. Mon Amour Boutique also have adorable I Do and Me Too matching sticker sets for you and your husband. If you kneel in church, they'll make all your guests smile.

More posts like this one:
✽ I Do Tattoo
✽ Your Perfect Subtle Something Blue

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Pastel Bridesmaid Inspiration for Spring

After the weather forecast promised sunshine, only for it to rain, I've decided I'm done with winter, and started looking ahead to spring! First up for my spring-clean are bridesmaids dresses. I love these bright pastel gowns, and wedding accessories from BHLDN. Their bright tones are bang on trend for 2013, and your girls would be sure to wear them again and again. Last year was all about muted shades, but I'm predicting a big colour flush for this year - you heard it here first, look out for the brights!

♥ Want to see pastel wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about more bright weddings? ♥

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Tie the Knot Wedding Rings

Spotted! This gorgeous ring from fabulous Etsy-seller Sparklethots.  Each ring is individually handcrafted and made to measure - perfect for a promise ring, if you're planning to pick out your engagement ring together. Or they'd made fantastic bridesmaid's presents - a lasting momento of the day they watched you tie the knot!

♥ Click for more wedding ring ideas! ♥ And tonnes of elegant weddings! ♥

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Do or Don't? Gifts For Your Bridesmaids

Are you planning to give your bridesmaids a wedding day present? I can still remember the gold necklace my cousin gave me on her wedding day - my sister and I were her flower girls. It was stunning, a simple delicate chain, and I wore it for years. It was an amazing momento of one of the best days of my childhood. If you're keen to buy your bridesmaids a present, but your budget doesn't stretch to gold jewellery, how about a personalised gift? Printed photo books for bridesmaids are a fantastic idea; include all your favourite pictures from the years you've known each other. Similarly, photo books from Blurb make for great post-hen night presents - full of pictures from the bride's last night of freedom. Alternatively there are tonnes of original ideas on the handmade shopping site Etsy, from personalised totes and kimonos, to sewing kits, posters and stationery sets. Here are a just a few of my latest must-haves.

{Product Credits} Clockwise from top left, 1. Personalised Stationery Sets, 2. Personalised Name Poster, 3. Bridesmaid Kimono, 4. Bridesmaid Tote, 5. Monogram Star Necklace, 6, Monogram Stitched Lavender Sachet, 7. Monogram Mini Sewing Kit.

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Wedding Accessory High Street Finds

The first port of call for brides on a budget should always be the High Street. There's a great British tradition of providing stylish fashion at budget prices - something other countries are desperate to imitate. Whether you actually stomp the streets is an entirely different question, as every website worth its salt now has a fantastic online option. This season, I'm particularly impressed by the selection of earrings at Anthropologie. They're perfect for your 'something blue', or as bridesmaids gifts. Also, don't miss Jenny Packham's diffusion line, I've fallen for her fluffy feather stole and White Swan-style headband.

{Product Credits} 1. Precious Cluster Earrings {£98},  2. Cynosure Mobile Earrings {£28} 3. Concert Hall Drops {£28} all Anthropologie

{Product Credits} 1. Ivory Feather Stole {£100}, 2. Ivory Jewelled Headband {£48} 3. Grey Halo Feather Headband {£35} all No.1 Jenny Packham for Debenhams

♥ Want more wedding accessory ideas? ♥ Or how about more budget wedding ideas? ♥

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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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How To Make a Wedding Flower Crown

One wedding trend that looks set to run and run is the boho look. With Kate Moss setting the tone with her festival themed wedding, and teepee weddings huge for summer 2012, I'm betting 2013 will be the year of the boho bride. For a fun and easy way to create the boho look, dress your bridesmaids in flower crowns. Inspired by the Pre-Raphaelites, these versatile accessories can look as glamorous, or as country-chic as you like. An added plus is their super easy to DIY - partly thanks to this brilliant tutorial by Brittany Watson Jepsen via Etsy Weddings. Brittany is easily one of my favourite DIY bloggers - she lives in Denmark, and writes a fabulous blog called The House That Lars Built, with tonnes of DIY wedding ideas and inspiration.

{Photo Credit} Photography by Brittany Watson Jepsen and Amanda Thomsen.

♥ Want more DIY wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about bridesmaid ideas? ♥

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Cute Homespun Bespoke Bridesmaid Presents

Traditionally the groom gives all the bridesmaids a present on your wedding day, to thank them for helping out. We'd run out of money to be able to give our ladies anything truly valuable, so I wish I'd discovered these pretty homespun necklaces before our wedding day. Each one is hand-embroidered, reflecting the make-do-and-mend mood in weddings this season. You could wrap one around each of their bouquets, and pick a colour that suits their style. Only £25 from Etsy shop The Merriweather Council, who also make darling samplers and signs.

♥ Want more bridesmaid ideas? ♥ Or how about DIY wedding ideas? ♥

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Flowers Girls & Page Boys - Before or After?

How many bridesmaids are you going to have? I had five adult bridesmaids and my nephew as a page boy, but he misses his moment and fell asleep! Ideally I would have loved to have a gaggle of flower girls as well, but there aren't any little girls in our close family. I considered borrowing a few, but only for a few minutes! My bridesmaids walked down the aisle ahead of me, American-style, but traditionally in the UK, bridesmaids follow the bride. If you think of Kate Middleton's Royal wedding, the lovely Pippa followed behind her, surrounded by flower girls. So which are you going to choose? Bridesmaids first, or bride first? More bridesmaid ideas on my Pinterest page.

{Picture Credit} Mario Testino

♥ Want more bridesmaid ideas? ♥ Or how about flower girl weddings? ♥

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How To Dress Your Bridesmaids

Matching, colour-toned, or deliberately clashing - have you decided how to dress your bridesmaids at your wedding? I asked all my girls to wear dove grey, in any style they wanted. The only problem is they all had different doves in mind, so the colours didn't really match! If I had my time again, I'd dress them in Maids to Measure bridesmaid dresses in the same fabric and colour, but different styles according to their figures. Another super-stylish look for vintage-loving brides, are floral tea dresses, teamed with Mary-Jane shoes. Here are a few of my favourite bridesmaid looks - take a peek at my Pinterest board for more ideas!

{Photo Credit} Vintage bridesmaids dresses by SohoMode

{Photo Credit} Jessica Monnich Photography via Style Me Pretty

{Photo Credit} Heather Hester Photography via Snippet & Ink

{Photo Credit} Ameris via Green Wedding Shoes

{Photo Credit} Brandon Kidd via Green Wedding Shoes

{Photo Credit} 1. Unknown, 2. Jose Villa

{Photo Credit} Jodi Miller Photography via Ruffled Blog

{Photo Credit} Still Music Photography via 100 Layer Cake

♥ Want more bridesmaid ideas? ♥ Or how about real wedding ideas? ♥

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Would You Rent Your Wedding Dress?

Would you ever rent your wedding dress? One of my friends is having two weddings, one secret and civil, and the other in a field on her parents' farm. She can't afford two wedding gowns, so she's planning to borrow her civil ceremony dress from Wish Want Wear. I've recently tried their service out, and it's amazing! You can borrow wedding dresses worth over £2000 for a tenth of the price, which leaves plenty of pennies left over for your wedding reception, or perhaps a change of outfit half-way through the reception {double-wedding-dress-oh-yes!}. It would work for bridesmaids dresses as well, because you can search by colour, and pick and mix outfits that best suit your maids and your wedding theme. See what you think of the dresses below, but it's worth checking out the Wish Want Wear website as well.

{Product Credit} 1. Temperley London mini wedding dress, £115 to rent 2. Temperley London wedding gown, £265 to rent, 3 Erin Featherston lace dress, £55 to rent

{Product Credit} 1. Ruth Tarvydas sparkly wedding gown, £110 to rent, 2. Jovani mini Prom-dress, £65 to rent, 3. Badgley Mischka wedding gown, £115 to rent

♥ Want more wedding dress ideas? ♥ Or how about bridesmaid ideas? ♥

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Have You Heard Of The Wedding Handkerchief Tradition?

Are you planning a traditional wedding? There are so many British wedding traditions, it's hard to count them. At our wedding, we mostly created our own traditions {read our DIY service}, but we did recreate a Russian wedding tradition by fastening a padlock around a fence at our wedding venue {see my blog post}. It was a lovely private moment between the two of us - the myth being you'll stay together as long as the lock lasts. Another lovely tradition from the Southern states of the USA involves hankies! It's all based on a wedding fable claiming that if a bride cries on her wedding day, those shall be the last tears she sheds about her marriage. So in America, bridesmaids and brides often give each other handkerchiefs as wedding favours or presents. The tradition has spiralled, and now even wedding invitations come printed on handkerchiefs. Check out my Pinterest board for more ideas on how to incorporate this wedding tradition into your big day.

{Picture Credit} SeafoamSAFARI sells stunning vintage handkerchiefs

♥ Want more wedding tradition ideas? ♥ Or how about wedding favour ideas? ♥

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Personalised Vintage Wedding Portrait Stationery

After a massively hectic week, I'm having a lovely morning web-wander around Etsy Weddings. It's a fabulous source of wedding inspiration - there's no end to the wedding details you can personalise! My eye naturally gravitates towards wedding stationery, and I'm thrilled to have stumbled upon Willow and Lark's Wedding Supply. This little online boutique stocks vintage wedding finds, with garters and hair pins and ring pillows just a few of the lovely wedding items. My favs are this customisable Couples Portrait Notebook, and the Will You Be My Bridesmaid notebook. I reckon the Couples notebooks could make fantastic Save the Dates - what do you reckon? Click back on the blog later for the cutest wedding favours in the world!

♥ Want more wedding stationery ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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