Real Wedding: Tamara & Adam

A gorgeous sophisticated urban affair for you today. Tamara and Adam celebrated their boutique wedding in Manhattan, with an exclusive group of only 35 guests. In this post-credit crunch world, more and more couples are choosing mini-weddings, where only the nearest and dearest make the guest-list. It guarantees a more personal big day, and there's nothing stopping you having big drinks party for your friends on another night. But first things first, check out these pics for stealworthy ideas! I'm in love with Tamara's Manolo Blahnik shoes, and her cute birdcage veil, the lace overlay of her dress.....in fact her whole outfit is stunning. Check out the signature cocktails that the couple chose for their big day, such a clever idea, and you can colour-code them according to your theme. Another fab idea to copy is their park-life ceremony, which super-saves on floral arrangements, and even music, if there's birdsong! Huge thanks to Karen Wise for her gorgeous pictures.

Tamara & Adam's fabulous vendors:
Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Flowers: Blade Floral Design
Day of Planner: The Boutique Group
Cake: Silk Cakes

DIY Week #8 - DIY Blogs

While researching DIY Week on Before the Big Day, I've stumbled across some truly fabulous DIY blogs, that I just have to share with you. Prepare yourself for an inspiration wave - I wouldn't start on these without a notebook by your side, because you're going to see so many amazing ideas, you'l forget where you started. If there's any couples out there who are struggling to find their inner creative genius, these sites will solve their problems.

I Do It Yourself - Luzel, Maddy and Sharon run this fabulous blog, that does exactly what it says on the tin. They offer quality freebies and templates galore, so whether you’re trying to find inspiration for that extra special touch, or just fancy saving a few pennies, be sure to stop by and pick up a few goodies. Here are a few of their latest projects.



Ruffled - This is a simply gorgeous vintage wedding blog, with a big emphasis on DIY. They're even running a DIY competition for readers with their own super-creative ideas. Check out a couple of the latest entries below, one for pinwheel table numbers and a pompom bouquet.

Martha Stewart Weddings is the doyenne of DIY bloggers. Her site is the most extraordinary resource for wedding crafters, updated daily with amazing idea upon amazing idea. You can find printable templates for just about everything you can imagine, plus a whole lot more. The pictures below barely scrape the surface!

DIY Week #7 - Vintage Romance

A vintage-themed wedding is a DIY dream. Collect antique accessories to scatter around the reception, use old books as table decorations and add old keys to wedding invitations to create a sense of romantic mystery. And then add a few of these gorgeous DIY projects to complete the picture. Check out these sites for more ideas.

Product Credits {from top} - Vintage Table Number Project: Project Wedding, Printable Vintage Labels: I Do It Yourself, Vintage Wedding Invitation Template: Download and Print, French Soap Labels: Ruffled, Marital Bliss Sign: Martha Stewart Weddings, Pink Postcard Template: Wedding Chicks

DIY Week #6 - Cox & Cox

Not into Do it Yourself at all? Wait till you've check out the gorgeous online boutique Cox and Cox. Their amazing products will tempt even the least crafty people into adding just a tiny dollop of DIY to their big day. Just look at these fabulous fresh ideas from their Spring collection, I want every one! 

DIY Week #5 - Green Fingers

You don't have to have green fingers to make fabulous floral arrangements and favours for your big day. Just check out these tutorials from Project Wedding and Erin Vale Designs. In both cases, all you need is a little bit of know how and a dollop of creativity, plus a ready supply of spray paint and moss. Check out the grow-your-own favour boxes, ideal for a DIY garden wedding, and why not add Love in the Mist seeds to the print-your-own sachets. The plants will flower every year, and remind your guests of your fabulous wedding each time they bloom.Gorgeous!

Product Credits {from the top} Daisy Pots & Grow-Your-Own Seedling Boxes: Project Wonderful, Print-Your-Own Seed Sachets: Erin Vale Design, Moss Pots: Project Wedding

DIY Week #4 - Sweet Memories

http://www.marthastewartweddings.comWant to keep your guests sweet? Then give them home-made jam as a favour, and every time they spread it on their toast at breakfast, they’ll think of your wedding. Personalising jam jars is pretty simple, just print out the gorgeous free templates below, reach for the trusty glue and get sticking. Making the jam is a little harder, but if you want to buy jam and soak off the labels, I won’t tell if you don’t! For those of you with more talent in the kitchen, click here for a Martha Stewart recipe, and here for one from Domestifluff.

Product Credits - {top collage} Domestifluff, {middle top collage} Eat Drink Chic, {middle bottom collage} Martha Stewart Weddings {bottom collage} Merriment Design

DIY Week #3 - Dramatic Detail

Wow! This DIY wedding is a detail fest, and goes to show just how creative you can get, with a healthy dollop of enthusiasm and effort. Ashley and Matt have a shared love of music, and used old-skool vinyl as the theme for their big day. Their plates, printed picnic rugs, table numbers and favours all referenced records, while their use of black, white and yellow created a truly dramatic effect. Ashley also had the most original accessory I've seen on a bride so far - a cast on her leg. Evidence that you can literally break bones while preparing for your big day, and still look totally stunning. Huge thanks to Our Labour of Love for their gorgeous pictures.

One for the Boys

Let's face it, weddings are pretty girly. Flowers, decor, dresses, candles, pom-poms....you get the picture. So thank goodness Brides magazine have stepped into the mix with a brand new blog for the boys. The Groom Blog, written by Andrew Shanahan, is a voice of sanity for grooms, best men and the all important father of the bride. Kicking off with advice on toasts and speeches, it's sure to become a major resource for the men in your life, while the Brides website will keep the ladies busy for hours. With stylish DIY hints, dreamy dresses, competitions and the chatroom, it's worth a daily visit. I've subscribed, have you?