We ♥ Sample Sales

♥ The Bridal Designer Sale are holding their next sample sale at the Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st November 2010. They'll be offering up to 70% off exquisite wedding gowns from leading international designers, including Amanda Wakeley, Caroline Castigliano, Christiana Couture, Galit Levi, Lyn Ashworth, Max Chaoul, Oleg Cassini Icon, Sharon Hoey, Toi Creazioni, and many, many more… Book your free tickets.

Don't want to miss a single Sample Sale? Click here for free updates by email or RSS.

Spell it out

If you're thinking vintage, and you want to add a personal quality to your wedding, use these gorgeous monogrammed wood-and-metal pedestals from Anthropologie. They're reduced to less than half price (£12), and they're available in A-Z online. I'll be buying G xx N. What would you spell out?

If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up to the Before the Big Day exclusive newsletter? And click here for more deco ideas.

Real Wedding: Melissa & Justin

If you're considering a rustic wedding, then look no further - all your inspirational needs will be met in this gorgeous countryside affair. From the top of the blissfully decorated barn to the bottom of Melissa's heavenly Monique Lluhlier gown, every detail is perfect. I'll be copying the white parasols, type-writer stationery and brown paper placemats - what about you? Don't miss the cute rustic bottles and fabulous vintage mirror wall!
Gorgeous photographs published with thanks to Jack Wittbold from Sarah Yates Photography.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or click here for more rustic weddings.

Real Wedding: Elizabeth & Darren

Planning a summer wedding?  Well check out these gorgeous pics from Elizabeth and Darren's wedding in Napa Valley.  I've got a real thing about fans - check out Elizabeth's fabulous feathered number - and the be-ribboned sparklers are a brilliant touch.  Just imagine each of your guests holding one of those in an arch, as you leave your reception at the end of the night - smashing!  Huge thanks to photographer Jessamyn Harris - we heavily heart her work!

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or click here for more summer weddings.

Real Wedding: Tess & Eric

This wedding is a HUGE treat for the eyes.  I've been getting excited about putting it up for a few weeks now, because it's a complete explosion of creativity.  And the best thing?  It was pretty much all DIY'd by Eric and Tess, with the help of their immensely talented friends and family, including three, yes three photographers.  Huge thanks to all of them for agreeing to let me publish their pics - do check out their links.  Don't miss the shot of their caterers, Skillet Street Food's Airstream, which has to be the coolest kitchen in the world.  And now....feast your eyes - this has to be one of the most inspiring weddings ever!

All the photos above published with massive thanks to Annie Beedy.

All the photos above published with massive thanks to January Fredericks.
All those below, with thanks to Will Austin.

Check out their gorgeous stationary - I just adore the forest theme, and it gave guests a brilliant hint of what was to come on their big day.  Photos below published with big thank you's (again!) to Annie Beedy.

Message from Tess: We were very lucky to have talented friends involved in our wedding. In addition to having photographers donate their work we also had musician friends play at the ceremony. Our best friend, a very socially adroit and funny funny man, became ordained so that he could marry us; he had everyone guffawing and crying by turns throughout the ceremony.  A florist friend did all of the flowers, and an old family friend made the birch candlesticks. My mother foraged for the birch bark, which I fashioned into cuffs for the vases. Eric and I designed all the creative elements and we also designed both of my rings. In short, Eric and I were able to benefit from all the best elements of being part of a large creative community.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or click here for more forest-themed weddings.

Midsommer Night's Dream

Huge praise has to go to Utterly Engaged for yet another excellent feature.  If you haven't checked out their online magazine before, click here, and enjoy!  I'm adoring this Midsommer Night's Dream-inspired piece - which should provide you with plenty of ideas to steal.  It's an inspirational gift that just keeps on giving.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or click here for more theme ideas.

Smelling like Roses

Roses represent love, so it's no surprise that they feature in most bridal bouquets and buttonholes. Unfortunately modern blooms have lost their scent, as it's sacrificed by modern growers in favour of larger buds and longer stems. But if you want deeply scented, old-fashioned blooms at your wedding, all is not lost! David Austin supplies roses with a traditional flower form and classic myrrh fragrance, all by post.

Budget conscious brides and grooms could always add another scented flower to add fragrance to otherwise scentless bouquets.  Narcissus, fresias and lillies are all cheaper than roses, but smell fabulous!  And for an all encompassing aroma, scatter lavender and rosemary underfoot.  As your guests walk around, they'll crush the leaves and release a gorgeous Provencial perfume.

If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up to the Before the Big Day exclusive newsletter? Plus, click here for more floral ideas.

Fruity Weddings

Totally inspired by Cathleen and Eric's wedding, and their use of cherries as decor + favour, I went in search of some more fruity inspiration. The good news is it's everywhere. The better news is that it's a cheap and chic way to decorate your wedding tables. Enjoy!

 Photo Credits {above}: Amorology Weddings

 Photo Credits {above}: Martha Andrews


Photo Credits {above}: Lori Gail Photography
 

Photo Credits {above}: Gia Canali Photography
 

Photo Credits {above}: Henry & Masci Photography
 

Photo Credits {above}: Custom Event Group
 

Photo Credits {above}: Cynthia Martyn Events

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or click here for more theme ideas.