Wedding Blog UK ~ Wedding Ideas ~ Before The Big Day

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Real Teal & Purple Desert Wedding: Amanda & Derrick - Part 2

With just too many pictures to fit into one wedding blog post, here is Part 2 of the deliciousness which is Amanda and Derrick's desert wedding. Soak up the wedding details - I'm loving the teal tablecloths teamed with vintage hydrangea blooms and single succulents. Also the I Spy photo list, designed to encourage your guests to snap as many wedding pictures as possible, it also works as a great ice-breaker to get your guests talking. Buy a similar porcelain ring dish from Paloma's Nest - they're the classiest way to display your wedding rings. Amanda and Derrick chose Reflections at the Buttes in Arizona as their ceremony venue and the beautiful The Wright House for their reception. Gorgeous pictures published with thanks to Photography By Verdi, and if you missed Part 1, click here.

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

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Real Teal & Purple Desert Wedding: Amanda & Derrick

Most brides seem to choose pink, grey or sage green as their wedding theme colours, and I was no different. But how about picking are more unusual colour palette? Amanda and Derrick chose teal and purple for their wedding accent colours, and their wedding looks beautiful against the Arizona desert landscape. Like many American couples, Amanda and Derrick chose to do a first-look photo shoot ahead of their ceremony, which always makes for the best pictures. There are tonnes of portrait picture ideas here, including the blackboard 'Thank You' shot, which I'm sure they used for their wedding thank you cards! Stealworthy ideas include the succulents in Amanda's stunning bouquet, her bridesmaids' simple strappy sandals {it's kind to give your bridemaids a choice between flats or heels} and the cute monogram baubles hanging off each bouquet. Some brides attach a vintage broach or necklace to their bouquets, or a locket with pictures of their grandparents. It's a lovely way to carry your loved ones with you as you walk up the aisle. Gorgeous pictures published with thanks to Photography By Verdi - more from their reception and wedding ceremony coming later this afternoon.

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

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DIY Bride - Homemade Spray Painted Vases

Tempted by the sunshine and a spray-can of gold paint, I felt inspired to try an easy DIY wedding project yesterday. I've seen tonnes of spray-paint DIY projects on Pinterest, and I figure it couldn't be that difficult. So out came an old jar, tonnes of newspaper and a lovely bunch of ranunculus. Three minutes later, I had the perfect gold vase - it couldn't have been easier! Take a look at the instructions below and please excuse my dreadful pictures - I'm definitely not a budding photographer. P.S. This would work just as well with pastel paints, or whatever colour suits your wedding style.

1. Prepare your work space by spreading out tonnes of newspaper, cleaning any old labels of the jam-jars and shaking up your spray-paint. I bought my spray-paint locally, but you can pick up every colour in the rainbow for £3.20 each from GraffCity.

2. Don't do this on a windy day. The paint has a tendency to drift in the breeze.

3. Pick the jar up by spreading your fingers wide in the brim, so you're not touching the outside of the jar.

4. Evenly spray on the paint, from a distance of about 12cm. The secret is in keeping it even. Too much and you'll get dribble marks, which can look quite cool, but I wanted a matt effect. Twist the jar around so you can spray every side.

5. Leave to dry for much longer than you want. I didn't do the bottom of the jar, so I left it sitting on the newspaper in the sunshine.

6. And now you're done! I hardly used any paint, so it's a seriously cheap and easy wedding DIY project.

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

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Monday, 28 May 2012

My Wedding Anniversary

Today is my wedding anniversary! We actually celebrated over the weekend, because both of us are working tonight. We had glamorous Victorian-themed cocktails at the Whistling Stop followed by an amazing seven-course tasting menu at the Michellin-starred Galvin La Chapelle, which was delicious. The English asparagus with truffle vinaigrette blew my mind! The restaurant is described as the most romantic dining room in London, and it's stunning, with a high arching roof and lots of low lighting. I can't believe it's already been one year since our amazing weekend in Provence. Here are just a few of my favourite pictures from the day - by Caught the Light and Jemma Harding Photography.

♥ Want more real wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about ideas from my wedding? ♥

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Real Enchanted Garden Wedding: Kelly & Steve

Hold on to your hats! I've got an a-m-a-z-i-n-g wedding for you this rainy Tuesday. Check out Steve and Kelly's big day, hosted in their garden in Los Angeles. Now I know we can't guarantee the weather here, the way they can over on the east coast of the US, but there's so many stealworthy ideas from this wedding, you're going to want to save every single picture in your personal file. Steve and Kelly chose vegetables and berries as well as flowers, to decorate their tables and in the bouquets. I love their little blackboard messages, the sprig of rosemary at each seat, and the twiggy cake. Most of all though, I've fallen for the long communal tables, and the rows of outdoor lights - they look so romantic and starry at night. A big welcome to Sarah Yates who took these gorgeous pictures, she's a seriously talented lady.

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

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Real Before the Big Day Bride - Rachel on Wedding Pumpkins

{Written by Rachel, our Real Before the Big Day Bride} I’m getting married in Autumn, so I don’t need to worry about it being sunny because...well it probably won’t be! This means I can plan around the weather and also focus on some of the super seasonal colours that are about at this time of year. My current obsession.... pumpkins!

{Photo Credit} 1. Miller & Miller via Brides

As you can see there are some great ideas out there on ways to use their seasonal orangeyness to create a cosy autumnal feel both inside and out. Be it as place name holders, vases, favours, or beautiful ornate carvings lit by tea-lights. As another plus I can use the insides to make canapes, our caterer has suggested thai pumpkin soup, served in espresso cups, yum! Check out my Pinterest page for more ideas.