A Secret Garden Wedding with a Woodland & Travel Theme

Regular readers of this wedding blog will knew there's nothing I like more than a Real Bride Submission. The lovely Kelly read Before the Big Day while planning her wedding, and I'm thrilled to feature all her incredible wedding ideas. Like me, she hosted her wedding in a secret garden, and chose a mixture of themes for her decorations and props, and a colourful palette. There's so many exciting stealworthy ideas in the reception pictures {hot air balloons, pinecone place markers and Tizer bottles!!}, but first feast your eyes on Kelly and Pete's stunning wedding ceremony. I love the hay-bales and natural wedding arch, Kelly's colourful bridesmaids and the festival-style silk banners - plus giant balloons {yippee!}. Kelly has the most incredible wedding dress story - be sure to read her answers to the Before the Big Day Brides' Questionnaire, and enjoy Richard Galloway's stunning wedding photographs.

We got married in the beautiful Secret Garden at Wasing Park in Berkshire. It was a bright and sunny May Day. I liked the idea of a secret garden full of surprise and intrigue, and Wasing Park was the perfect venue. We kept areas hidden so as to surprise our guests with each stage of the wedding.

We had a combination of decorations and themes - a travel theme, a secret woodland theme, and a night theme of fire. We also wanted plenty of colour to give the feel of a fiesta, but a country garden version.

The story of my wedding dress is amazing but true. My first love and now very dear and fabulous friend is now head of menswear design at fashion house Bottega Veneta based out of Milan. He knew as my mummy was no longer with us, that I would want some support with this very important task. I was so grateful for his expertise, time and guidance - he turned a situation that could have been quite sad and difficult, into a very special experience, and for this I will forever be in his debt.

The Best Products for a Natural Make-up Look on Your Wedding Day

It's been a while since we had a posting from our Hair & Beauty Expert, but Julia Bowden's been ridiculously busy working at weddings all summer {and before that, a film!}, so we're very excited she's finally had time to write us a feature! Don't miss her other blog posts for Before the Big Day, and enjoy her latest offering, after this picture.....

Last week I had lots of fun! As you know, Before the Big Day won the Editor's Pick prize at The Wedding Blogger Awards, and Georgia invited me along as her date. We were hoping Before the Big Day would win, so beforehand I did Georgia's hair and make-up to make sure she was at her glamorous best. The look I was going for was natural, but photo ready - perfect for your big day! So this week I'm turning the tables, and instead of writing about Real Life brides, this blog post is all about Georgia, and how I made her up for the night {sorry Georgia!}.

Georgia isn’t the biggest make-up wearer {I'm trying to change this of course!}, so I wanted to show her, and you, that if you're a little scared of make-up, there are plenty of products that won't feel heavy or look caked-on. If you use a little application know-how, all these goodies can be used on your wedding day, to make you look naturally fab in photos - just like Georgia on the night of the awards. In fact, she looked so fab, that Mark Francis from Made In Chelsea had to grab us for a picture!! Afterwards he said that he’s obsessed with weddings {just like us} …so Mark, if you're reading…we love you!!

If you're looking to do your own make-up on your wedding day, give these products a test run, and ask the girls on the make-up counters to give you a lesson in applying natural-looking make-up. Or you could always get in touch with me!

P.S. On the night I got an amazing beauty goody bag from The Ritz - reviews of my faves to come!

The Look - Blushing Blogger / Bride!

1. Mix wonderfully sheer, natural and corrective Clinique CC cream with a touch of By Terry Or De Rose Elixir Extreme {tinted primer enriched with pink gold}, to give that extra all-over glow, doubled with nourishing staying power

2. Use Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit under the eyes for some correction where it's needed most. This clever duo has a brightening setting powder included.

3. Lightly dab the apples of your cheeks a touch of Stila Cream Blush in Petunia for a dewy hue. I recommend the Mac Duo Fibre 187 brush.

4. On the T-zone only - brush on a very light touch of blot powder. My favourite is Make-up Store’s Blotting Powder.

5. Slick on Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner at the base of the lashes, and smudge with a cotton-bud for a soft definition, that will hint to a thicker lash line. Then pop a touch of any neutral shade over the lids. I like Chanel Stylo Eye Shadow in Pink Lagoon, for a bit of a warm glow to the lids. Then slick on some Eyeko Brow Gel to neaten those brows.

6. Time to put the all-important mascara on your lashes. I love Benefit's 'They're Real' Mascara. Just one lick will be enough, but you can build it up to look more dramatic – two mascaras in one!

7. I love individual false lashes, but for an even more natural look, try curling those beauties with Ted Baker’s Eyelash Curlers.

8. Last but not least, a nice peachy nude lip. I’m obsessed with Hour-Glass’ new Nude Lip Stylos range. I love Nude No.5 and their packaging is to die for!

Hair

9. We were pushed for time - so I sprayed some Percy & Reed Heat Protect Styling Mist on Georgia's hair, and popped in some Nicky Clarke Heated travel rollers. It takes practice, but once mastered this is the best way to add a bit of quick glam, and boost your locks.

10. Smooth over with some Percy & Reed No Oil Oil - which is light and non greasy, and finish up with a puff of classic L'Oréal Paris Elnett Hairspray to hold in place.

Love Before the Big Day? Why not sign up to our free newsletter, for exclusive content and special offers! Before the Big Day - The Best UK Wedding Blog.

Decadent Festival Wedding Shoot

Regular readers of this blog will know there's nothing I like more than a good wedding theme! Particularly when it's teamed with tonnes of wedding ideas, and some truly fabulous photography. Take a look at this genius wedding shoot inspired by the mighty Glastonbury Festival {my favourite weekend away!}. The brainchild of Lesley from The Vintage Hire Company, and Jo from The Gloucestershire Wedding Company, the shoot was the perfect opportunity for local wedding vendors to showcase their talents. A mix of rustic and edgy, the atmosphere is 'anything goes', and I love the mix of colours. Ideas to steal include the bell tents for lounging, the giant balloon wedding decorations, the 'Access all Areas' wedding stationery, and camper van photo prop. And for sheer originality - arranging the wedding flowers in old boots!!  Huge thanks to Christy of Christy Blanch Photography for sending this shoot through to me - all the details of the other vendors below!

Fabulous, Celebrity-Loved, Lacy Wedding Garters

If you're looking for a celebrity endorsed wedding garter {and who isn't!!}, then look no further than these gorgeous lacy numbers from Florrie Mitton. Hilary Duff chose one for her wedding day, and even if you're not American, wearing a garter is a fun tradition to adopt on your wedding day. Each one is handmade in the UK, and comes presented in a gorgeous box. They're like a secret surprise for your husband at the end of the night!

Love Before the Big Day? Why not sign up to our free newsletter, for exclusive content and special offers! Before the Big Day - The Best UK Wedding Blog.

Reliving the Wedding Blog Awards

Apologies for the slight radio {or blogging} silence, I've been away for a long weekend in Mallorca, staying with my amazing personal trainer friend, Alice Cowen at her boutique well-being bootcamp Bootique. Now back in London, and considerably slimmer {and a little bit achy}, I've finally had time to enjoy the photographs from the Wedding Blog Awards! You can check them out here, and in the December/January issue of the magazine {out soon}, but here are a few of my favourites. It was such a fabulous night - and I still can't quite believe I won Editor's Pick prize - such an enormous privilege. I can't wait for my prize - a holiday at the Hotel Imperiale Taormina in Sicily!

{Photo Credits} 1. Editor of Wedding Magazine, Ciara | 2. Me with Ciara and Julia Holberry, from sponsor Hotel Imperiale Taormina

{Photo Credits} 1. Mark Francis from Made in Chelsea, who hosted the awards | 2. Me with Mark Francis & Before the Big Day's Beauty Editor, Julia Bowden {who also did my amazing hair and make-up on the night}

Love Before the Big Day? Why not sign up to our free newsletter, for exclusive content and special offers! Before the Big Day - The Best UK Wedding Blog.

A Balinese London Wedding with Hot Pink & Lush Green Details

It's super-rare for me to see anything truly original in the wedding world - I spend too much time scanning wedding photographers websites and Pinterest. But this fabulous wedding rocked my world. Fleur and Will chose a Balinese wedding theme, and added tonnes of brilliant wedding details. The food was Pan-Asian, the cocktails a signature drink called Pantai Punch {Pantai is Indonesian for Beach, the couple's surname}, and the decorations bought in from Bali. Even the waiters wore traditional batik sarongs bought by the bride's father in a market in Bali. Everything was so carefully thought out, and creative - to brilliant effect! There's so many stealworthy ideas, but here are a few of my favourites - the leaf place names {an easy & effective DIY}, the beautiful orchid table flowers {which could also work as favours}, and Fleur's amazing colour palette of hot-pink and lush green. Special mention must go to wedding planners Palette Events, who Fleur recommends wholeheartedly, along with Simon from To Have & To Hold Photography who took these amazing wedding pictures! Have a good read of Fleur's answers to the Before the Big Day Bride's Questionnaire - there's tonnes of great vendors to check out!

We married in London in August 2013. The service was held at St Mary The Boltons, and the reception at the Westminster Boating Base. We had attended a wedding at the Westminster Boating Base not long before, and after some searching decided it had the best of everything. It's hard to find a London venue that allows for some outdoor space, some views and more-or-less a blank canvas. Our wedding photographer was Simon at To Have & To Hold Photography. 

We organised our wedding from Dubai where we now live which threw up many challenges! We knew that we wanted it to be in London - due to the outrageously international nature of our own lives and those of our family and friends, it seemed the most convenient for the greatest number of people! 

A Long-Distance Balinese London Wedding with Hot Pink & Lush Green Details

This wedding was always going to be one of my favourites. The lovely Fleur helped me out with Before the Big Day correspondence, before she moved from London to Dubai, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be featuring her wedding to Will. Needless to say, Fleur read Before the Big Day in the run-up to her wedding, but like me, she'd always had secret ideas for her wedding theme. Having grown up in Indonesia, it made perfect sense to draw on the tropical colours and culture of Bali to decorate her wedding day, and the result is amazing and exotic. I love the vibrant colour pop of Fleur's bridesmaids' hot pink and bottle green Dessy gowns, and the extravagance of her massive peony and orchid bouquet. Will looks equally dapper in black tie - a trend I love for sophisticated London weddings. Throw in a pair of amazing gold Freya Rose shoes, a divine Elizabeth Fillmore wedding gown, a Javanese head-dress, and a self-designed gold lace bolero, and I'm in wedding heaven. More fabulous pictures by To Have & To Hold Photography coming soon in Part 2 - The Reception!

We married in London in August 2013. The service was held at St Mary The Boltons, and the reception at the Westminster Boating Base. 

For a long time I knew I wanted the theme of my wedding to be Balinese. I grew up in Indonesia and my parents still live there. I've always considered it a beautiful and very special place, ever since I was a child. We used predominantly greens {because of the tropical lush greens of Bali, and because it's my favourite colour} and bright pink for a vibrant contrast.

Wedding Trends for 2014 - Watercolour Wedding Theme

Ombre weddings have been massively fashionable this year. I'm a huge fan of swathes of colour, and the shading effect is simple stunning, particularly as a contrast against the lovely white background of a wedding marquee or wedding dress. For 2014, the trend has developed into a more subtle effect, where the colours gently blend into each other, just like a watercolour painting. As you can imagine, this style works best on wedding stationery, but it can also look fabulous on your wedding cake, or your bridesmaids' dresses. And it's surprisingly easy to DIY, with tonnes of bloggers posting tutorials {see the links below}. Take a look at these gorgeous ideas - many more on my Watercolour Wedding Theme Pinterest board.

{Photo Credit} 1. Watercolour Wedding Cake, picture by Onelove Photography | 2. DIY Watercolour Escort Cards, by Once Wed wedding blog

{Photo Credit} 1. Julia Mikos | 2. Watercolour Wedding Cake, picture by Harwell Photography

{Photo Credit} 1. DIY watercolour marshmallows by Idlewife blog | 2. Unknown

{Photo Credit} Dip-dye watercolour chandelier, pictured by Dallas Curow, more from this shoot

{Photo Credit} DIY Watercolour Lavender bags by 100 Layer Cake wedding blog

{Photo Credit} Unknown

Love Before the Big Day? Why not sign up to our free newsletter, for exclusive content and special offers! Before the Big Day - The Best UK Wedding Blog.