Nine Reasonable Engagement Rings

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, thousands of girls across the country are crossing their fingers that 14th February 2013, will be lucky for them. So to whet your appetite, here are some of the prettiest engagement rings from independent Etsy sellers. The best thing? They're all under £250. 'Accidentally' leave your browser open on this page so your boyfriend gets the hint!

{Ring Credits}
Top row - 1. Gold Pearl Ring by Artemer 2. Engagement Rings by Annelis Jewelry 3. Rainbow Moonstone Ring by Secret Charm
Middle row - 1. Yellow Gold Faceted Heart by Every Bear Jewel 2. Aquamarine Engagement Ring by Dalkullan Jewelry 3. Triangle Diamond Ring by Artemer
Bottom row - 1. Love Ring by Fabulous Wire 2. Golden Bunny Ring by Every Bear Jewel 3. Micro Pave White Diamond Ring by Louisa Gallery

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British Wedding Dresses by Halfpenny London

I found wedding dress shopping surprisingly stressful. I'm not really a big shopper, and the idea of dragging my girlfriends around endless boutiques, scared the life out of me. In the end, I only went to about four wedding dress shops, plus one sample sale. In retrospect, I wish I'd done more, and enjoyed the experience a bit more. As a result, I'm a huge fan of doing your research online - that way, you can pick two or three of your favourite designers, and get your bridesmaids together for one big day. One designer definitely worth putting on your list is Kate Halfpenny of Halfpenny London. A stylist-to-the-stars, Kate has a truly fabulous collection this year, and it's always worth visiting her boutique, because she keeps a selection of vintage gowns as well. I love her wedding dresses - they're elegant and pretty, and there's something deliciously eccentric and English about them as well. Here are a few of my favourite designs - LOVING the giant floral headdresses by the way!!

A Shabby Chic Village Hall Wedding with a Sassi Holford Wedding Gown

If you can find the right village hall, then they really do make for the most wonderful wedding venues, while being super-kind on your wallet. Lucky Gemma and James found Littleton Millennium Memorial Hall in their local area, and fell in love with its natural light, wooden floors, and the amazing cricket field out the back. It was crying out for their natural, shabby-chic wedding decorations - most of which they DIY'd using burlap and tissue paper - including my favourite - pastel pompoms! I love Gemma's gorgeous Sassi Holford gown from Brides of Winchester - she chose her wedding dress after losing two and a half stone on the Cambridge Weight Plan, and felt all the more glamorous for it. Enjoy all these gorgeous pictures by Gemma's friend, Paul Cutcliffe from Final Cut Services. If only we all had a wedding photographer as a friend.....!

We celebrated our wedding on 31st August 2013, with a ceremony at St Swithens church near Winchester, and our reception at Littleton Millennium Memorial Hall.

My wedding dress was called 'Petra' by So Sassi {the 'esprit' label from Sassi Holford}, which I bought from Brides of Winchester. I had a bespoke shrugette by  So Sassi made in matching lace, and wore a pearl necklace and earrings, My veils was three-quarter length, and simple. I decided to go for a vintage look for my makeup, and had dark nails and lips on the day to add a bit of colour.

Before the Big Day in Wedding Magazine!

I might as well come clean - there's nothing I like more than seeing my name in print! And if you take a look at the picture below, and squint a little, you'll see me quoted in Wedding Magazine....several times. VeeeeeRY exciting! Now I know that strictly this is the online version, so it's not actually print, but I have the actual magazine safe here at home - next to my bed - for whenever I need a little ego boost. Wedding Magazine journalist Vicky Rolison knows how to write a good article - so do give it a read - particularly if you're considering DIY-ing your wedding!

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An Historic Castle Wedding with Rich Purple Detailing

If you've read this blog for a while, you'll know I get tearful every time I watch one of Deneemotion's incredible wedding videos. Denis creates these gorgeous trailers for his full-length videos, and they're the perfect taster to send your wedding guests after your big day. One of his recent couples, Stacey and Matt celebrated their wedding at the gorgeous Lympne Castle in Kent. I'm a complete sucker for an historic venue, and I love how Stacey chose a royal purple, as her signature colour - the shade suits the venue perfectly - and it happens to be Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2014! With elegant full-length bridesmaids gowns, fabulous Mischka Badgley shoes, and stunning orchid buttonholes to reflect Stacey's heritage - this lovely wedding is a lesson in elegant sophistication.

{Wedding Credits}
Cinematographers: Deneemotion Boutique Wedding Cinema
Wedding Photographer: Julia and You
Wedding Planner: Erica Davis at Lympne Castle
Florist: Christine Flowers
Bride's Dress: Demetrios Bride
Shoes: Mischka Badgley
Groom's Suit: Moss Bros
Wedding Cake: The River Cake Company
Hair Stylist: Vicki Lord
Make-up Artist: Stacey Triplow

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Wedding Trends of 2014 - Chill-Out Areas

I don't know about you, but I've been known to get a little tired at weddings. If you think about it, they're something of an endurance test - take in their duration...at least 12 hours, and what you're wearing....sky-high heels and a glamorous {breathe-in!} dress, then throw in the fact you're fed copious amounts of champagne and food.....and it's not surprising some of us might want a little rest half way through the celebrations. I'm not suggesting you supply comfortable mattresses for your guest, but maybe a little chill-out area? I started spotting them at weddings a few months ago, and now they're everywhere. Definitely a trend for 2014 - all you need to decide is your style of chill-out zone. Will you go shabby chic with your mum's old Laura Ashley sofas? Or how about Gentleman's Club style - with lovely vintage leather Chesterfields? Or a zen beach vibe, with lots of squishy bean-bags? Either way, take pity on your friends' feet, and provide a little comfort. More ideas on my Pinterest board & Facebook page.

Real London Wedding with a Short Wedding Dress & Louboutins

Huge kudos goes to any bride who bucks the trend and wears a short wedding dress. Double-points go to Imogen, who paired her gorgeous gown with incredible Christian Louboutin's. If you've ever wanted to treat yourself to a truly extravagant pair of shoes, your wedding day is definitely the day to do it! School sweethearts, Imogen and James picked the ICA gallery as the venue for their modern London wedding, and I'm loving the combination of sharp suits and soft pastels. James looks fab in his dark suit and knitted tie {very this season}, and Imogen's bridesmaids look elegant in dark-blue dresses of their own choosing. But it's the flowers that have really got my wedding antennae twitching. Soft hydrangeas plus pastel roses, with sprigs of rosemary and lovely shabby chic containers - they're a wedding blogger's dream. Throw in the delicately decorated cake, and I'm in heaven. Fabulous photographs published with thanks to Lucy Birkhead Photography.

Wonderful Wedding Blog Web Links

What are you up to this weekend? Starting your wedding planning? My husband and I are going to see American Hustle, as a rare date night since Ivo was born nine months ago. I'm going to stuff myself with popcorn, and be that annoying rustling person in the front row. Then on Sunday we'll head out to Columbia Road Flower Market, so I can fill the house with Dutch tulips and cut-price daffodils. Then all week I'll pretend spring is nearly here! Hope you have a fabulous break - here are a few of my favourite wedding blog links from this week.

{Photo Credit} Susan Stripling - see more from this Vintage Flower Market inspired wedding on Green Wedding Shoes

♥ Easy wedding DIY - chalkboard projects
♥ Oh my! This bride is elegance personified. And I love her ballet shoes.
♥ Is your pet going to come to your wedding? Here's a great DIY floral wreath to make sure they look the part!
♥ Seriously cool {if messy!} idea for an engagement shoot
♥ A perfect luxe monochrome wedding
♥ A stunning library themed wedding for a couple who both work in publishing!
♥ Love this Hansel & Gretel themed wedding shoot - look out for the tiny-weeny little mushroom!
♥ Remember my post on sequins being on trend for 2014 weddings? Well this couple are ahead of the curve!
♥ An Irish botanical themed wedding shoot
♥ A great wedding combination of industrial AND shabby chic - who'd have thought it!
♥ All my 2014 Wedding Trend posts so far.....

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