A Modern Navy-Blue, Pink & Purple Themed Wedding

There's an ethereal element to these beautiful wedding pictures by Matt and Sarah-Jane Ethan. Every one feels like a magical moment, and I'm not sure whether my edit has done them justice. Suffice to say, Ruth and Mark's wedding was a stunning affair. Ruth chose a colour palette of navy-blue, pink and purple as her wedding theme, and picked out navy-blue for her bridesmaids, hot pink for the ushers' ties, and a mixture of all three for her wedding flowers. The carefully coordinated colours create a very put-together look, and I love the colour pop against her white wedding gown. My other loves include their incredible wedding venue of Wynyard Hall, the cute diamante initials on the back of Ruth's shoes, and Ruth's elegant Mori Lee wedding gown. Huge thanks to Sarah-Jane and Matt for their beautiful wedding photographs - don't miss the fantastic wedding reception shots later today.

We celebrated our wedding at Wynyard Hall in Cleveland on 26th May 2013.

 I came across a navy blue, pink and purple look, and I loved the contrast of the colours together. It looked very modern, and I was keen for our wedding to feel modern as well as classic.

A Late Summer Wedding with Cornflower Blue Bridesmaids - The Reception

Cath Kidson and Joules have to be among my favourite UK designers, and I'm thrilled to see prints from their collections in this gorgeous barn wedding. Lorraine chose a mixture of Joules and Alexon dresses for her bridesmaids, and I love the bold mix of print and plain. With DIY table flowers, and a wedding cake handmade by a family friend, there's tonnes of wedding inspiration for a budget bride wanting to create her own details. I love the outside barn venue - its bunting and hydrangea filled jam-jars, plus the 'Borrow a Blanket' basket for chilly guests {buy blankets for a £3 each at Ikea}. Other stealworthy ideas include the blackboard table-plan and menu, the Cath Kidson round table runners and the matching tops to the honey wedding favours. Last but definitely not least, take a look at those pavlova puddings....yummy!! Thank you to Victoria Phipps Photography for capturing every perfect detail - Victoria's one of my favourite wedding photographers!

A Late Summer Wedding with Cornflower Blue Bridesmaids

I've always loved cornflowers - the wild pop of bright blue against a golden field of corn, and their untamed, messy stalks. One day I'd love to see a bride carrying a bouquet of just cornflowers, but in the meantime I'll more than make do with Lorraine and Evan's gorgeous wedding flowers! Astonishingly their bouquets and buttonholes were bought wholesale from Nottingham Flower Market and arranged by a friend {Imogen}, and Evan's sister Lucy. I've never seen such professional DIY bouquets - and I love how they pick up on the bunchy trend I flagged up early this year, where blooms are placed next to each other, rather than carefully placed apart. The 'something blue' theme is carried through to the bridesmaids' gowns and the Evan's tie, and even to the ribbon binding the Orders of Service. I love the baby's breath church flowers {simple and easy to recreate}, Lorraine's stunning Enzoani wedding gown with its elegant train, and More from Lorraine and Evan's Townfield Barn wedding reception later today. Huge thanks to Victoria Phipps Photography for her gorgeous wedding pictures.

A Beautiful Barn Wedding with Pink & Sage Green Details

I've got some pretty perfect wedding details to show off to you in this afternoon's beautiful barn wedding. Keri and Kiran chose pastel colours as their wedding palette, and I love the simplicity of the white on white table linens, and the occasional pop of pink roses. Stealworthy ideas include the wire heart table-plan {such an easy but elegant design}, the delicate rose petal table decorations, and the twisted three-tier, square wedding cake. Stunning wedding pictures published with thanks to the lovely Kayleigh Pope Photography.

We got married in Dodford Manor in the Northamptonshire countryside, on 30th July 2013. 

Our photographer was Kayleigh Pope. We chose her through a recommendation, and as she lived so close by, many of our friends knew her personally. After seeing some of her work it was a very easy decision.

A Beautiful Barn Wedding with Pink & Sage Green Details

Sage green, pink and cream have to be my favourite wedding colours. My own wedding was themed around those soft shades, along with a touch of dove grey, and I reckon they're just the right combination of feminine and masculine. You don't want to go too pink, or your husband can look slightly out of place! Keri and Kiran chose Dodford Manor in the Northamptonshire countryside for their summer wedding, and I've fallen for its rustic charms. I'm a big believer in the barn wedding venue - they're intimate and cosy, and just the right side of vintage. Keri looks stunning in her wedding gown - her whole outfit was a present from her mum {just like at my wedding!}. There's something particularly special about your mum buying your dress - it makes you feel like they're supporting you throughout the day. I've also fallen for Keri's pretty in pink bridesmaids - Grecian gowns are so elegant, and they really do suit every figure. Huge thanks to Kayleigh Pope for sending through this fab wedding. Kayleigh's portrait shots are the best! More to come in Part 2, along with all the pretty pastel reception details.

We got married in Dodford Manor in the Northamptonshire countryside, on 30th July 2013. We looked round a hotel venue before we found Dodford Manor, and we quickly realised that it was everything we didn't want. We wanted a place which we could hire exclusively for our wedding and our guests, and somewhere that would take beautiful pictures and really impress our guests.

Real Elegant Love-Filled Wedding with a Pink, Silver & Cream Colour Palette

Roll up for the fantastic reception pictures from Lucy and Matt's vintage-themed wedding. With a traditional sweetie table, a framed table plan, and wedding favours full of meaning and memory, it's a heartwarming big day. My favourite stealworthy details include all the matching table stationery {if you're DIYing choose a font and use it on everything for a put-together look}, the red velvet, four-tier wedding cake, and the table names {all after famous couples!}. Don't miss Lucy's answers to the Before the Big Day Bride's Questionnaire - there's tonnes of fab suppliers and advice in there. Lucy's top tip? To draw on the talents of your friends to save you money. Lucy was lucky enough to know a make-up artist, a hairdresser, a graphic designer, and a florist! We can't all be that fortunate, but ask around, you'll be surprised how many handy people there are out there. Huge thanks to Kirsty from This and That Photography for these gorgeous photographs.

We chose Kirsty from This and That Photography to capture our big day. She's a local photographer, and our close friends had already booked her for their wedding, so she came highly recommended. Her pictures are always stunning, natural and warm with a sense of fun.

Kirsty has a real passion about each wedding she photographs, and seems to genuinely love what she does. On the day she was discrete, capturing secret shots of our guests, and she had fabulous ideas for posed photographs. She always has a smile on her face, and has a real knack at putting people at ease. We couldn't have picked a better photographer to shoot our wedding day and I would thoroughly recommend her. 

Real Elegant Love-Filled Wedding with a Pink, Silver & Cream Colour Palette

This is one of those weddings which reminds you of the truly important things in life; your family, your friends, and the love you share for your future husband. Lucy and Matt wanted their wedding to pay tribute to Matt's mum, who died a few years ago. She loved cream roses, so that formed the base of their wedding colour palette of pink, silver and cream. They then added buckets of brilliant wedding details, including a traditional sweetie favour buffet, complete with vintage scoops, jars, and hand-stamped paper bags. I love Lucy's flattering strapless Sophia Tolli wedding gown, her simple but sweet jewellery designed and made by her grandmother, and a veil that Lucy designed herself via Wedding Veils Direct {a top tip, as wedding veils are often very overpriced}. I've got tonnes more gorgeous reception pictures to show you in the next feature, in the meantime, enjoy this shots by Kirsty at This and That Photography. P.S. Lucy submitted her wedding to Before the Big Day, why don't you?

Matthew and I got married on 18th May 2013 at Warbrook House and Grange, in Eversley, in Hampshire. We wanted a venue that was elegant and special, yet welcoming and not stuffy, and so soon as we went to visit Warbrook House, we knew it was exactly right for us. The grounds are stunning and we had complete run of the Main House, which meant it was only us and our guests around.

The thing that really sealed Warbrook for me, was the Morning Room, a beautifully light space with an adjoining conservatory, that my bridesmaids and I used on the morning of the wedding. It made the getting ready process so special, and I am so pleased that our wedding pictures captured how happy and relaxed I was on that morning {surprising for me as I do have the tendency to be a little bit of a stress head!}.

A Dreamy Affordable Blush Wedding Gown

We don't feature enough wedding dresses on Before the Big Day - something I definitely need to change! After all, lusting after the perfect Jenny Packham wedding gown is virtually a rite of passage for every bride. If only we could all afford them! So when I spot a semi-affordable wedding gown {just over £1000}, that completely blows my mind, I consider it my responsibility to spread the word. This incredible blush, backless wedding dress by Truvelle makes me want to get married all over again. It's the combo of the swishy, pink-champagne, chiffon skirt and the rose gold sequinned bodice that's getting me excited - it's elegant and sexy at the same time! Don't miss Truvelle's Etsy shop for more incredible gowns. P.S. Want to save money on your wedding dress? Check out all my Wedding Dress Sample Sale news.

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Real Feather-Themed Teepee Wedding: Zegnia & Matthew - The Reception

Take a teepee, a rustic wedding theme, and a feather motif, and you've got one very happy wedding blogger! I couldn't be more excited about showing you the reception pictures from Zegnia and Matthew's creative big day. Zegnia got really into the planning process, and read lots of wedding blogs like Before the Big Day - coming up with some truly original DIY ideas. From her self-designed feather wedding stationery, the framed table plans and the birch themed table displays and wedding favours, everything fits together beautifully. I'd forgotten how much I love teepee tents - they look stunning festooned with fairy lights, and have you spotted the cute old-fashioned street-lamp at the entrance? Also, don't miss the amazing white chocolate wedding cake by Vanilla Patisserie. It's seriously glamorous! Huge thanks to Lucy Wallace Photography her stunning pictures, and to Zegnia for submitting her wedding - why not do the same? Click for Part 1 - Getting Ready & The Ceremony.

We got married on Sunday 26th May, at St. James’ Church in Nayland, Suffolk followed by a reception at Bear House, my parent's garden. I had always wanted to have our wedding reception where I'd grown up, and it was lovely to be able to walk to and from the church. 

Real Feather-Themed Teepee Wedding: Zegnia & Matthew

Before the Big Day bride submissions are coming thick and fast! Lovely bride, Zegnia, read Before the Big Day in the run up to her wedding, and I'm thrilled to feature her wedding photographs. Her and Matthew chose a feather theme for their wedding day, and I love how it subtly runs through all their wedding details. There are feathers in the bouquets, buttonholes and flower arrangements, and a feather motif on their DIY designed wedding stationary {which looks seriously professional!}. For colours, they chose raspberry, antique silver and champagne, a palette that worked perfectly with their tipi tent. More pictures of their wedding reception coming soon, but for the moment, feast your eyes on the Zegnia's incredible taupe Ian Stuart wedding gown, the bridesmaids individual Coast dresses and Matthew in his made-to-measure suit from A Suit That Fits. Tonnes of wedding inspiration! Huge thanks to Lucy Wallace Photography for capturing every detail with such talent. Click for Part 2 - the reception details.

Matthew and I got married on Sunday 26th May 2013 (the Bank Holiday weekend), at St. James’ Church in Nayland, Suffolk, followed by a reception at Bear House, my parents' garden, also in the village of Nayland.

Real Before the Big Day Bride: Katie & Michael - Reception Details

Time for the wedding reception details! With inspiration from wedding blogs like Before the Big Day, Katie and Michael spent two years preparing their wedding, so you can be sure of some stunning details. My favourites? I've fallen for Katie's incredible David Tutera for Mon Cheri wedding gown, her hand-tied peony and rose bouquet, and her bold bridesmaids' dresses. Nothing like a shot of pink to brighten up a big day! Other fav-picks include the elegant going away car {a Rolls Royce?}, and the super-cute personalised cake topper made by Artlocke Designs. I love how all the wedding details reflect the lace and pearl theme, it creates a really elegant effect you normally only get from a professionally planned wedding. Gorgeous wedding pictures published with thanks to Andrew Billington - don't miss more of his work on his website.

When we were looking around for wedding venues we wanted somewhere with a wow factor, and Waterton Park Hotel fitted the bill. We needed somewhere that would accommodate all 80 of our guests, and have a nice big room with the dance floor in the middle, and plenty of space for all of our DIY ideas. We wanted the decoration to be light and bright to reflect our summery wedding.

Our wedding photographer, Andrew Billington was also a recommendation - I think it's the best way to find a photographer because there are so many out there, which is a bit daunting at first. 

Real Before the Big Day Bride: Katie & Michael

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there's nothing I like more than a Before the Big Day bride! Lovely Katie read Before the Big Day on a regular basis and even signed up for our newsletter as she prepared for her wedding, so it's so exciting for me to feature her gorgeous wedding pictures. A girl after my own heart, she researched her wedding on Pinterest, Etsy and of course Before the Big Day.   As a couple, Katie and Michael DIY'd tonnes of their wedding details, including all the stationery, from Save the Dates, table numbers, the table plan, and a fabulous photo booth. Katie's wedding theme gradually developed once she'd bought her wedding gown - a gorgeous lacy dress by David Tutera for Mon Cheri. This led to lots of lace and pearl wedding details, teamed with a deep raspberry pink and ivory colour palette. Tonnes more wedding details to come in the reception post later today, in the meantime enjoy these gorgeous wedding pictures by Andrew Billington.

We got married on the 22nd June 2013 at St Michael’s Church in East Ardsley and hosted our reception at the stunning Waterton Park Hotel in Walton, Wakefield.

Real Theatrical Vintage Wedding: Laura & Paul - Reception Details

Details, details, it's all in the wedding details! This gorgeous vintage big day is going to blow your mind with its incredible selection of stealworthy ideas. Laura and Paul wanted their wedding to stand out from the crowd, so they hired Chris from Beautifully Vintage to help them out with dressing their wedding reception. And didn't she do a good job! There's a old-school glamorous feel to the vintage props - I love the gilt frames, lace ribbons and old keys. Laura decided to use a vintage tea-set as her table plan - a fantastic idea I've not seen before, and she continued the theme by buying an antique cup and saucer as a wedding favour for female guest. I love the DIY'd naked wedding cake and the stunning just-picked table flowers with their gingham ribbons, plus the lucky horseshoes - you can never have too much good fortune at a wedding. Big love and thanks to wedding photographer Anna Louise Crossley for capturing every detail with such panache!

We got married on Friday 31st May at 12.30pm at St Gregory's Church in Preston, which holds family memories for my husband, so was lovely it meant something something to him. We then hosted our wedding reception at The Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green.

Anna Louise Crossley was our amazing wedding photographer!! I met her when I was bridesmaid for my friend last year, and she was her photographer {and friend} too. I love her reportage style and she just makes the photos look so stylish, yet effortless, plus I love the filters she uses.

We wanted our wedding reception that had a 'nice feeling' to it. Nothing too grand, but we wanted the room to be nice with that old but new look. I wanted to feel cosy and comfortable, but for the venue to still to be stylish. 

I also wanted somewhere different to where anyone we, or my friends, or my friends' friends had got married. Also no patterned carpets was very important ;-)! The Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green fitted the bill perfectly.

I wanted a vintage theme, but nothing too extreme, and I wanted it to be stylish and quite glam too. I didn't think I would be a pink wedding girl, but it seemed to fit the theme perfectly and I do like the dusky/nude pink look. 

Deannamic Designs created our wedding stationery, including the menus. I went to discuss with Deanna what I wanted which was something a bit old looking but with a touch of glam. So we decided on brown kraft card but with pink ribbon and pearls. All my stationery looked gorgeous.

I wanted to try and give the wedding a bit more of the personal touch so I decided to collect vintage teacups, and give one to each lady guest as one of their favours. I had lots of fun trawling around charity shops and vintage fairs looking for them {although I'm not sure Paul did!}.

Inside each cup was a chocolate with a picture of Paul and I, marked with our wedding date and thanking our guests for being there. The male guests got this and a miniature bottle of JD. We also chose to make a donation to Rainbow Trust Charity on behalf of each guest, in memory of my nephew Jack who died last year at the age of two. Rainbow Trust very kindly made a card for each guest with a badge and it was lovely to see a lot of our guests wearing the badge.

I didn’t want your usual type of wedding cake, and as soon as I started researching I found naked cakes. I couldn't decide between the one I found, or a cheese cake as I love cheese.

But when I told my Mum I was thinking about a cheese wedding cake, she couldn’t believe it {she loves cake}, so that swayed my decision. I am so glad I chose the one I did now. My friend Kelly made it, and she more than did me proud – it was just what I wanted.

I really wanted to focus on wedding details – I love organising things and having a project, and I knew that some people would really appreciate the little things I did, and that our wedding would stand out for that reason.

Our table plan was a DIY project – I decided to use a vintage tea-set plus tea-posts with cards with names/table names on each one. 

Our florist was called Flower Design and my flowers were beautiful! I found them by looking at the Facebook site of one of my friend's wedding venue. I wanted my flowers to look vintage-y and have a more 'just picked' look rather than being too 'done'. I knew I wanted sweet peas and peonies included too.

When it came to decorating our wedding venue, I started out by trying to collect all kinds of vintage items myself to use as display items however at a wedding fayre I found Chris from Beautifully Vintage. 

I loved that she designed what I had in my head, so I decided to use her expertise {and her lovely accessories} and asked her decorate the wedding reception instead. We talked a lot about what I wanted the venue to look like and she totally got it – it was gorgeous, and I cried when I walked in!

On the welcome table, we had old family wedding photos in lovely old frames. It was my idea, but Chris from Beautifully Vintage sorted it all out, and made it look fab.

I loved it planning my wedding! I am a really organised person so having a project like this was fab for me. I loved getting into the detail, and researching everything before I made decisions.

My advice to brides planning their wedding would be - take your time researching ideas before you choose things. It's so easy to get excited by everything when you start looking but think things through first. Also have a theme, even if only lose, this will help you choose between ideas if you are struggling. 

Also, be organised and start early – I was adamant I wouldn’t be doing my table plan at the 11th hour – and I felt so much less stressed for it and could enjoy the build-up the closer it got. And enjoy – it's fun!!!

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