New Season Shopping #3

In celebration of the new season of autumn shopping, all this week, I'll be gathering a selection of the best online stores, so you can be the first to snaffle their stock!

Not On The High Street - Now I'm sure you've all heard of this fantastic boutique, that does exactly what says on the tin! It's packed with original items you can't find on the high street, and they're constantly adding more gorgeous products. This season is no different - check out their new products below - and don't miss their wedding list service. My fav? The personalised labels on the champagne - a brilliant idea to make your big day that little bit more special.

For more fantastic wedding shopping ideas, click here. Love Before the Big Day? Never miss a posting with free updates. 

New Season Shopping #2

In celebration of the new season of autumn shopping, all this week, I'll be gathering a selection of the best online stores, so you can be the first to snaffle their stock!

Papermash - If you're a regular reader of Before the Big Day, you might have spotted that I'm a bit of a stationery obsessive. It's just not paper, it's everything from sticky tape to notebooks and special hole punches. Smashing site Papermash takes stationery to a whole new level! The shop includes a collection of vintage and retro items, plus tape from as far afield as Japan and special DIY tutorials. Check out the items below - they're perfect for the creative brides among you.

For more fantastic wedding shopping ideas, click here. Love Before the Big Day? Never miss a posting with free updates. 

New Season Shopping #1

In celebration of the new season of autumn shopping, all this week, I'll be gathering a selection of the best online stores, so you can be the first to snaffle their stock!

Cox & Cox - One of my favourite online stores has a lovely new season of goodies! If you haven't discovered Cox & Cox yet, check out their site, as it's a treasure trove of wedding inspiration. Here's a small selection of their latest offerings - I've got my eye on the vintage baubles to number my tables.

For more fantastic wedding shopping ideas, click here. Love Before the Big Day? Never miss a posting with free updates.

Real English Orchard Summer Wedding: Steve & Sarah

Sarah's parents hosted Steve and Sarah's big day in a marquee in their Worcestershire orchard, just steps from their local church. As the bells rang in celebration, the happy couple walked their guests back for a champagne reception.  A delicious three-course sit-down meal was followed by speeches from the three Best Men, and a sparkling fireworks display. The happy couple took inspiration from their surroundings, and added gorgeous apple-themed detailing to their reception.  Tables were named after traditional English varieties, the cake was decorated with apples and blossom, and place cards were printed in Granny-Smith green - just gorgeous! Huge thanks to Steve and Sarah for letting us publish their gorgeous photos, taken by Chloe Hall.

BBD Theme: L♥ve London

If you work in London, you might not think it's the most romantic place to celebrate your big day.  But if you start seeing the city through tourist's eyes, you'll start to change your mind.  Just think of all those gorgeous old buildings that you could use as a grand venue, and the stunning vistas over the river - perfect for dramatic shots of the two of you post-ceremony. 

Imagine mocking up tube tickets as Save The Dates, rocking up in a Routemaster bus, and using the A-Z to identify tables.  There's almost too much London iconography out there.....  Here's a little collage to whet your appetite.  And if you'd like more ideas for venues, then check out Your London Wedding magazine.

Photo Credits - London Eye & Wedding Day Bus by Nikole Ramsay
Product Credits - Tower Bridge Cushion, London Cushion, Box of London Biscuits & London Taxi-Toy: Not on the High Street, London Car Set: Cox & Cox

Sparkle & Hay

One of the best things about wedding blogging is the sense of community. Ever since I started, and it's coming up to a year now {wow!}, I've been endlessly impressed by the kindness and enthusiasm of other wedding obsessives like myself. Some of the girls are still planning, while others caught the bug designing their big days, and have stuck with it thanks to a love of all things creative. Erin of the fab blog Sparkle & Hay is still in the early stages, and I discovered her blog after Style Me Pretty featured her amazing Save the Dates. I quickly discovered we have very similar taste, and we now regularly check out each other's sites for inspiration. I simply adore her Save the Dates, and Erin and her husband-to-be, Dan, have very kindly agreed to let me feature them here on Before the Big Day so you can see them too! Designed alongside Lucinda Wesson of Chocolate Creative Design and pictured by Anna Sawin, they hint at the wedding to come, with clues created to inspire the senses. Exactly what a Save the Date should do!

Real Wedding: Christine & Lee

Camellias are up there with my very favourite of flowers, not least because in the UK they bloom so early in the springtime, and remind us all that summer is coming. They also make for the most gorgeous backdrop to romantic wedding photographs, as you can see from these fab shots from Christine and Lee's big day. Their wedding was inspired by the marine elements, and they chose jeweled shades of green to complement the cobalt blue sea. Seagulls soared the skies, while lighthouses instilled the air with a colonial feel. The bride wore an elegant Enzoani gown while the bridesmaids looked dashing in J Crew (reasonable in price and totally glam). I'm seriously loving this super-well-designed event, with the subtle sea-side detailing and dramatic setting. Gorgeous photographs from the talented ladies at Simply Bloom.

BBD Theme: BBQ Bliss

BBQ's are so hot right now! With the emphasis on outdoor living, and being at one with nature, more and more couples are opting for a BBQ wedding reception. Don't worry, they don't need to be messy DIY affairs involving burnt sausages and raw chicken! Hire in a chef, and stick to satay or steak, sizzled to order. The best thing? It'll work out way cheaper than a sit-down meal, with the added benefit of no waste. Check out these gorgeous accessories from Etsy, including fabulous ideas for stationery and favours.

Product Credits - {from top left} 1. SMC801, 2. K is for Calligraphy, 3. Sweet Wish Store, 4. Monkey Mind Design 09, 5. Blue Moon Studios {from middle left} 1. Shay Aaron, 2. Girlingear Studio, 3. Creative Chics Home {from bottom left} 1. Swanky Press, 2. Weddin Bee, 3. Love Knotes, 3. Miss Pickles Press, 4. Rock Paper Sisters Co

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