Is It Wrong?

That we love this cake from the Fairytale Cake Company?  It reminds me of how many inspirational cake designers I spotted at the National Wedding Show - you could see their stands from a mile off, thanks to the hoards of hungry brides snaffling free samples.  Don't miss my feature next week, when I'll be trying to fit all the latest trends into one article. Believe me, you'll never think of settling for plain white, plus three tiers ever again!

           

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

Berry Inspirational

Autumn is such a fabulous time to get married, and couples planning their wedding should look no further than the gorgeous English countryside for inspiration.  Blackberries come into season in September, and they're ripe for the plucking in every hedgerow.  Why not ask your family and friends to help pick a few punnets to decorate your cake?  Or you could use the berries in fabulous muddled cocktails or delicious fruit sorbets?  Even the colour of your blackberry-stained fingers could act as inspiration for an accent colour.

 
If you prefer blueberries or raspberries, check out your local pick-your-own for cheap fruit.  And don't throw away the punnets!  They can be re-used on your big day to house confetti, or as whimisical containers for your table flower arrangements.


If you've got a real glut of fruit, and you're a dab hand in the kitchen, homemade jam makes a gorgeous wedding favour.  If you need a recipe click here.

Product Credits - Labels: Ladybug Labels, Strawberry Tag: Paper Eclectiques
Fabric Jam Lids: My Nesting Box