Wedding Frenzy

Wow, what a day!  I've just returned from an EPIC five hours at the National Wedding Fair.  Two huge thumbs-up to the stand-holders there, I've never seen so much wedding passion under one roof. Loved-loved-loved the catwalk show and inspiration session - just 2 two words of advice, go hungry (tonnes of tasty wedding samples, mmmmm), and wear flat shoes - Earls Court 2 is enormous!  I'm bursting with ideas, so stay tuned for more Before the Big Day inspiration coming soon.  And check out all the booty I lugged home!

♥ Wednesday's Little Bit of Romance ♥

Soppy is not sexy, but I couldn't help myself - this little bottle of romance it just too delicious. It's a Mini Message in the Bottle. Written inside is "I Love You", but you can have any missive you like - just get in touch with The Card Tree, and start spreading the love!  Whatsmore, all readers of Before the Big Day free can get postage - just mention the blog as you check out.

Fabulous Favours

If you're thinking of using blue as your accent colour, take a look at these fabulous ideas for wedding favours.  We can't think of a better way to gift your guests!

Product Credits - Popcorn Stickers: Jessica's Design Shop, Personalised Fans: Baumbirdy, Ice Breakers: A Remark You Made, Calligraphy: Lisa Ridgely ; PinWheel: Shana Dreher, Enjoy Bags: Par Day

@ Website for the Weak @

Cox & Cox - We've gone ga-ga over their Too Have and Too Hold ribbon, Heart Coffee Biscuits, Confetti Cones and Chinese Fortune Sticks.  Don't miss their Wedding Sample Box - full of Favours, it's refundable against orders of £150.

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

Take Note!

If you're planning a wedding with over a hundred guests, you can't expect to spend quality time with every individual.  But one way to make each person feel welcome, is to leave a little note on the back of their place-card.  Just a sentence about why they're special to you would be enough - or maybe a short, shared memory?  Anything to give them a glow as they sit down to eat.

Product Credits - Just Married sign and top-left Wedding sign from Cox & Cox

Other ways of 'talking' to your guests without having to actually strike up a conversation, is to decorate your venue with messages.  From a simple 'Wedding' sign pointing out the direction to the reception, to a chalked welcome message on a blackboard - it's good to talk!

Product Credits - Wall Sticker from WallSpoken

And the conversation doesn't have to be one way. Guest-books make a regular appearance at weddings, but for a more original idea, ask your guests to sign a giant platter.  Barefoot Ceramics can provide you with everything you need through the mail, and you can even bake the finished item in your home oven.

Photo Credits -  Chloe Hall, published with thanks to Steve & Sarah Pirrie