Eco-Chic Week #3 - Website for the Weak

This gorgeous website is fresh from the south of France, stuffed full of chic home accessories. In La Pomme you'll find unique home décor items, like embroidered pillows, hand-stamped lavender sachets, and plush fruit toys for grown-ups. Designer, Apol Lejano-Massebieau, is big on making her work low-impact on the environment, and she recyles vintage linen, cotton and lace in her work. Perfect for wedding presents or favours and Mother's Day gifts, her site is well worth a visit. Check out her blog too!

Eco-Chic Week #1 - Flowering Love

To celebrate the start of spring, the return of sunshine and the flowering of the daffodils on my roof terrace, I hereby announce that this week shall be Eco-Chic Wedding Week. Which means I'll be featuring a different eco-favour a day, plus any eco-weddings I can find. To kick us off, here are some fabulous flowering favours and an invitation, all made out of seed-embedded paper. Perfect for a garden wedding, these tags, boxes and pellets will grow your guests living memories of your big day. There's also all sorts of anologies with flowering love, but that's a bit too soppy for a Monday morning, even if it is sunny.

Product Credits {from top left}- Wildflower Seed Tags: Jenearjen, Pots of Love Favours: Nature Favors,
{from bottom left} Plantable Favour Boxes: Jenearjen, Thank You Seed Cards: Backward Prints, Plantable Seed Tags: Jenearjen, {second picture} Invitation: Artful Beginnings

We ♥ Offers
10% off all of Backward Prints handmade cards, all of which bloom into beautiful wildflowers.

Valentine's Day Special

Made plans for Valentine's Day yet? You're cutting it pretty fine if you haven't booked a restaurant yet, although with the 14th falling on a Sunday this year, my money's on most couples celebrating on 13th February. If you haven't bought a card for your loved one, why not try one of these two lovelies? I've been checking out the stationery blogs, including the fabulous Oh So Beautiful Paper, and in my book, these are two of the most original. Check out Something's Hiding Here for the faux bois log, and Mister Rob for this exquisite paper cut and don't miss the special offers detailed below!

Product Credits: Knitted Heart Card: KichyKoo, Cross-stich Heart Pillow: Chocolate Creative, Green Leaf Heart Print: Mengseldesign, xoxo Valentine Pencils: Simple Song Designs, Cut Out Card: Storey Shop, Button Heart Print: Dig The Earth, Fortune Teller: Pop & Shorty, Heart Necklace: Bbel, Pop-up Cards: She's Batty Designs, Cheese Love Card: Storey Shop, Knitted Heart Card: KichyKoo, Miniature Leather Journal: Susan Green Books,  Love Tea-Towel: Chocolate Creative

We ♥ Offers
Susan Green Books is offering free worldwide shipping on Miniature Journals until 1st March - just mention Before the Big Day to the seller to claim your discount.

BBD Theme: On Your High Horse

If you're getting married in the countryside, then why not consider an equestrian theme? Totally romantic, it harks back to a more chivalrous era, and would set a genteel tone to your big day. There's also endless motifs to add charm to your stationery and reception, starting of course with the lucky horse-shoe. Use rosettes as button holes and favours, encourage your page boys to carry hobby horses, and why not ride side-saddle up the aisle? And after a barn-dance or hoe-down, gallop into the sunset with the man of your dreams (hopefully not the best man!). Great news! Several of the vendors below have agreed to give discounts to Before the Big Day readers. Check out the details below.

Product Credits (from top left) - Horseshoe Stationery: Creative Ris, Horseshoe pendant: Bri Guys Girls, Hobby Horse: Rustic Horsehoe, Wedding Gown; B Trousseau Vintage Horseshoe Locket: Cosmic Girl, Red Horseshoe Heart: Altered Iron, (from middle left) Crocheted Rosette: Ninon, Corset: Jills Corsets, Lucy Horseshoe Ring: Michelle Chang Jewelry, Vintage Cowboy Boots: Trivial Pursuit, (from botton left) Horse Motif Stickers: Seasonal Delights, Fine Gold Horseshoe Pendant: Metal Made, Confetti: Not on the High Street, Persian Horsemen Stationery: Drenculture, Lucy Horseshoe Pendant: E Ria Designs

We ♥ Offers
Michelle Chang Jewelry is offering 15% off from now till end of Feb
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.

Lavender & Honey

The French definitely know their food and drink, and they're a pretty stylish bunch, but I'd recommend looking further than gay Paris for inspiration. Just north of the Cote D'Azur is gorgeous Provence, the land of lavender, olives, sage, rosemary and honey. Check these mood boards out for a veritable feast of stealworthy ideas.

BBD Theme: Let It Snow

Inspired by the photo above? Well then why not add a bit of snowy loveliness to your big day, thanks to the gorgeous items below?

Product Credits (from top left corner) - Lace Cuff: Jess James Jake, Feather Hair Accessory: One Little Dove, Vintage Lace Dress: Timeless Vixen Vintage, White Blossoms Ring Cushion: AAlicia Wedding, Satin & Tulle Strapless A-Line Gown: Bridal Bliss Designs, (from middle left) White Takes Flight Feather Comb: Boring Sidney, 14k Nena Stacker Ring with Acquamarine: Michelle Lenae, Ping & Jing Wedding Hat: Boring Sidney, Frozen Crystals Tiara: Which Goose, (from bottom left) White Orchid Shrug: Toccata, White Felt & Gold Earrings: 3 Fun, Pearl Studs: Toccata, Lace Gloves: Malam

Product Credits (from top left) - Snowflake Gift Tags: Pink Lily Press, Shrug: Toccata, Snowflake Tie: Toy Breaker, Round Gift Tags: Fresh Lemon Blossoms, Veil: Myrakim, (from bottom left) Snowflake Invitation: Designs by Adj, Tiara: AC Petrille, Cupcake: The Cupcake Mint, Bianca Nuno Felted Tie Shrug: Glamour Junkie, Mignonne Lace Wedding Dress: Toccata, Snowflake Stationery: Paper Lovely Press

Product Credits (from top left) - White Takes Flight Feather Comb: Boring Sidney, Ruffled Clutch: Murwati, Bridal Bracelets: Totus Mel, White Birch Wood Candle Holders: Snow Owl Wood Shop, Bouquet: April Hiler Designs, Snowflake Invitation: Designs by Adj, (from bottom left) Vintage Gold Paper Snowflake: Two Palms Trading Co, Natural White Birch Gift Tags: Snow Owl Wood Shop, Large Tree Silhouette Papercuts: Jenny Lee Fowler, Lace Hair band: AC Petrille

BBD Theme: Beach Big Day

Feeling inspired to add a touch of beach to your big day? Well check out these items below.

Product Credits (from top left) - Wedding Sign: The Back Porch Shoppe, Relax Stones: SJ Engraving, Deck-Chair Place Markers: Beau-Coup, Starfish Place Markers: RSVPCT, Pear-shaped Diamond Ring: Kates Zabone, Thank You Parasol: I Do Originals, Muslin Bags: Nuvonova, Personalised Fans: Beau-Coup, Coral Save the Date: Simple Te Design, Seashore Wreath: Beach Grass Cottage, Starfish Hair Pins: Kalyn Designs


Product Credits (from top left) - Shell Bouquet: Romantic Flowers, Travel Journal & Shell & Starfish Tiara: Not on the High Street, Coral Stationery: Buddy and Bean, Palm Tree Cake Topper: Wedding Collectibles, Candle Holder: Beau-Coup, Map Confetti: DDE Forest, Starfish necklace: Hampton Jewels

BBD Theme: Gothic Fantasy

Feeling inspired to add a touch of gothic fantasy to your big day? Well check out these items below.

Product Credits (from top left) - Black silk cocktail hat : It's the Little Things Ut, Hair Clip: Lo Boheme, Silverty Icicle Crown: SE Studio, Wedge Birdcage Veil: Brendas Bridal Veils, Coffin Ring: Idle Hands Designs, Garter: Piper Ewan

Product Credits (from top left) - Feather Bustier Gown: Love Karlak, Red & Black Dress & Shrug: MT Coffinz Underground, Choker: Dark Elegance Designs, Necklace: Bella Morte 87, Feathered Belt: Icing 101, Black Wedding Dress: Stephanie Madesh, Gloves: Miss Brache, Corset Dress & Skull Jacket: MT Coffinz Underground

Product Credits (from top lef) - Black Diamond Ring: Bloom Studios, Sign: The Back Porch Shoppe, Rose Bouquet: Showcase Bridal, Invitation: My Blue Tulip Design, Red-backed Invitation Set: Kindly Spoken, Napkin Set: Mary Wibis, Rose Hair-clip: Countessa

BBD Theme: Flamenco Passion

Feeling inspired to add a touch of flamenco passion to your big day?  Well check out these items below.

Photo Credits - Roses and Lace Cake: Nikole Ramsay; Product Credits - Cake Toppers: Zime, Table Numbers: Tucci Paper Company, Cupcake Wrappers: Orange1,  Reversable Table Cloth: Tables Gone Wild , Lace Cards: The Paper Peony, Cupcake Stand: The Cupcake Tower

Product Credits - Clutch Bag: Chapulin, Fan Necklace: Eninaj, Filigree Invitations: Inky Livie, Black Lace Necklace: Live In Style, Fabric Flowers Hair Pin: Fleurette Jo, Hand-Painted Fan: Paloma Sia Designs, Beaded Hair Comb: Sonseeahray, Black Lace Hair Fastener: Stitch n Tyme, Rose Hair Clip: Shop Bonnin, Blossom Note Cards: Turtle Papers,  Flamenco Dancer: Red Clay Sculptress

BBD Theme: Awesome in Orange

Feeling inspired by the orange loveliness above?  Why not add a few of these treats to your big day?

Product Credits - Napkin: Sweet Nature Designs, Place Marker: The Wedding Perch, Wedding Guest Book: Cut the Cake Designs, Favour Fan & Chocolate Cover: Abbey & Izzie Designs, Pom Pom: PomLove, Wedding Invitation: Silhouette Blue, Envelopes: The Gilded Bee

Product Credits: Top Left Ear Rings: Martaky, Paper Bouquet: Perfectly Paper, Feather & Pearl Buttonhole: Rationale, Feather Hair Piece: YJ Design, Rose Hair Piece: Dana Castle, Gold Plated & Bead Ear Rings: Made By Sam, Feather Ear Rings; Wild Spirits, Bottom Left Daisy Hair Piece: Bethany Lorelle, Feather & Net Hair Piece: YJ Design, Flower & Net Hair Piece: Glamour Kitten Designs, Bottom Right Hair Piece: Bethany Lorelle

BBD Theme: Forest Family Wedding

If you're feeling inspired by Tess and Eric's pics above, then add a few of these gorgeous items to forest up your big day!



Product Credits - Eco-Friendly Wedding Dresses: Natural Bridals, Leather-Covered Flask: Moxie & Oliver, Buttonhole: Pixel & Hank, Ring Cushion: Romancing Juliet Bridal, Mr & Mrs Sign: Good Guest, Silk Flower: Natural Bridals

Product Credits - Just Married sign: Squier Design, Love Paper Chains: Ormolu, Wood-bound Journal: Crearting, Vine Lanterns: Kate Burger, Bouquet: April Hiler Designs, Blue Hanging Jar: Midwest Finds: Aluminium Soy Pail: Homemade Soy

Product Credits - Secret Key Present, Birch Vase, Mini Clothes Pegs, Egg Basket and Birdie Table Numbers: Little Retreats, Horseshoe Cake Topper: Baumbirdy, Wooden Name Holders: A Remark You Made, Birdie Cake Toppers: Red Light Studio

BBD Theme: Inspiration India

If you're loving the luxurious colours and textures in the feature above, then why not add a little Indian inspiration to your big day with some of the gorgeous products below?

Product Credits - Hand Embroidered Ribbons: Silk Route, Pink Jade Earrings: Kibble 2008, Wedding Stationery: Cool Hot, Visitor's Book: Spoccdesign, Ring: Babylon Studios, Elephant Wall-hanging: Adix1977, Sari Bag: Tweedy Lane

BBD Theme: Purple Heaven

If you're loving the purple-themed pics above, then add a few of these delicious products to your big day!

Product Credits - Butteryfly Tags: Paper In Style, Love Birds: Little Vale, Handbag: Jeed's Shop, Lanterns: Melker, Invitation: Designs by Adj, Cake: Janet Mohapi-Banks, Hair Piece: Mandizzle, Ring: Miss Betty Lou, Orchid Lights: My Angel Shop

BBD Theme: Burnt Orange & Blue

Like what you see above?  Try it yourself, by adding some of the products below to your big day.

Product Credits - Tie: Me and Matilda, Purse: Davie & Chiyo, Corsage: Calico Garden, Love Bird Print: Yumiyumi, Cup-Cakes: Crumbs & Doilies, Napkin Flowers: Paper Platypus, Cufflinks: BSidesMetal, Butterfly Stationary: Ashley Pahl, Paper Flowers: The Gilded Bee

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

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.

Eco-Chic Week

Brilliant Burlap
Just because it's slightly rough and ready, doesn't make burlap any less chic. In fact, it's its naive rusticity that makes it this season's fabric of choice for eco-chic weddings. Made from vegetable fibres, it's often used to make sacks to transport coffee beans, and it's these bags that are super-easy to recyle into gorgeous accessories and favours. Perfect for a couple keen to be green on their big day. Don't miss the special offers for Before the Big Day readers - details below the pics.

Product Credits {from top left} - My Adobe Cottage, Heart Bag: Lilmissi, Napkin Ring: The French Nest Co, Ring Cushion: Ginie Lee, {from bottom left}, Heart Wine Bag: Lilmissi, Heart Bunting: My Adobe Cottage, Starfish Bag: Funky Shique

Product Credits {from top left}- Table Runner: My Adobe Cottage, Key Cushion: Styled Spaces, Bird Bunting: Funky Shique, Welcome Table Runner: My Adobe Cottage, {from middle left} Crown Lavender Bags: Home Spun Style, {from bottom left} Ring Cushion: The Blooming South, Bee Bag: The French Nest Co, XO Bag: Funky Shique

Rustic Elegance
Is there anything more romantic than getting married in a forest? Happy couple Henry and Isby picked a gorgeous rustic-elegance theme for their big day, and fabulous photographer Jessamyn Harris was there to record every little detail. My most inspirational spots have to be the CD favours (perfect for the drive home), the bold orange napkins and the personalised beer bottles. And I love Isby's gorgeous backless dress, and the seed pearls studding her hair - so pretty!

**If you love getting inspiration from Real Weddings then click here for more**

Woodland Whimsy
If you're feeling inspired by Eco-Chic Week, why not adopt an entire woodland theme for your big day? Offer your guests a romantic, Midsummer Night's Dream experience, by using rustic accessories and favours, sourced from the natural world. From feathered buttonholes, to mossy ring nests and birchwood vases, many of these accents can be collected on a countryside walk. Cheap and eco-chic! One of my favourite shops for nature-inspired bits-and-pieces, is Pomp and Plumage, {see pics below), who are offering 15% off on any order from today until April 1st {fab!}. Just mention Before the Big Day in your "message to seller". And don't miss the other special offers for Before the Big Day readers - details below the pics.

Product Credits {from top left}- Ring Cushion: April Hilier Designs, Personalised Sign: Funki Folk Art, Vine Crown: Which Goose, {from middle left} Birch Vases: Bettula, Feather Fascinator: Ginger and Tonic, {from bottom left} Love Sign: Katie Leigh Designs, Birch & Moss Ring Cushion: April Hilier Designs, Moss I Do Letters: Choosing You, Wedding Gown: Sarah Stevens, Tiny Twig Hairpins: Woodland Belle, Leaf Earrings: Briguys Girls, Guinevere Veil: Gardens of Whimsy, Vintage Table Number: Marty Stew

We ♥ Offers
10% off Katie Leigh Designs (with code 10off)
10% off Woodland Belle & Funki Folk Art

Love Birds
One of the oldest wedding traditions, the wedding toss symbolizes good luck, fertility and prosperity. Whether it's confetti, rice or sugared almonds {ouch!}, you're going to want someone to throw something into the air as you celebrate your marriage. Personally I'm going for bubbles, but for the truly eco-chic bride, the best option is birdseed - as long as your bridesmaids aren't beak-phobic.... And if you're going for a love-bird theme at your big day, why not reflect it in your favours, with these cute birdseed letters and hearts. Nature Favors are even offering 10% off your purchases with the code Big Day - what's not to like?

Product Credits - Bird Seed Sachets: Sarah Shannon Designs, Birdseed Letters: 2 Birds in Love, Heart Birdseed Favours: Nature Favors

Simply Wood
There's something fabulously tactile about wood favours, and if they're made out of off-cuts that would normally go straight in the bin, they're eco-friendly as well. Perfect for a forest wedding, or one where you want to bring the outside, inside. My particular favourite is the wooden tag Save the Dates. Recyclable as bookmarks, they're the definition of eco-chic.

Product Credits - {from top left} Wooden Bookmarks: Quotes and Notes, Wooden Heart Favours: Indo Bay Textiles, {from bottom left} Inspiration Blocks & Wooden Hearts: Palomas Nest, Customised Favour Tags: Quotes and Notes

Finger Print Tree
This is one of the best ideas I've come across for a long time. It's the brainchild of Hilary and Josh, who celebrated their own wedding in October in California. They made their vows under a huge oak tree, and to continue the theme, decided to create a finger print tree as a commemorative guest book. The idea was such a huge hit, that they now sell peronalised empty trees on their Etsy shop, so you can buy them for your big day. Check out their inspirational wedding photos on the fab wedding blog Green Wedding Shoes.

Website for the Weak
This gorgeous website is fresh from the south of France, stuffed full of chic home accessories. In La Pomme you'll find unique home décor items, like embroidered pillows, hand-stamped lavender sachets, and plush fruit toys for grown-ups. Designer, Apol Lejano-Massebieau, is big on making her work low-impact on the environment, and she recyles vintage linen, cotton and lace in her work. Perfect for wedding presents or favours and Mother's Day gifts, her site is well worth a visit. Check out her blog too!

Animal Farm
This wedding is a true inspiration for those of you getting married in the winter, but want to say your vows in natural light. Allison and Charlie made the most of a beautiful February day, hosting their reception in a clear marquee, surrounded by a magical indoor 'forest' of silver birch and blossom. Both Allison and Charlie are keen animal-lovers, and actual creatures played a huge part in the theming of this big day. From baby chicks, to birds-eggs and donkeys plus Allison's white horse, this wedding was totally at one with the natural world. I'm loving Allison's style - her stunning dress and fake-fur-lined boots go to show that you don't have to compromise on cool if you're getting married in the cold. Huge thanks to Our Labour of Love for these exquisite photos.

Flowering Love
To celebrate the start of spring, the return of sunshine and the flowering of the daffodils on my roof terrace, I hereby announce that this week shall be Eco-Chic Wedding Week. Which means I'll be featuring a different eco-favour a day, plus any eco-weddings I can find. To kick us off, here are some fabulous flowering favours and an invitation, all made out of seed-embedded paper. Perfect for a garden wedding, these tags, boxes and pellets will grow your guests living memories of your big day. There's also all sorts of anologies with flowering love, but that's a bit too soppy for a Monday morning, even if it is sunny.

Product Credits {from top left}- Wildflower Seed Tags: Jenearjen, Pots of Love Favours: Nature Favors,
{from bottom left} Plantable Favour Boxes: Jenearjen, Thank You Seed Cards: Backward Prints, Plantable Seed Tags: Jenearjen, {second picture} Invitation: Artful Beginnings