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Wednesday 20 October 2010
Slim Wedding Rings
I have a wedding ring problem. My engagement ring diamond is set quite deep into the band, so a normal wedding ring isn't going to fit underneath it neatly. Now I'm not keen on the bendy rings that curve around engagement rings, because on some days when I'm married I'll want to wear just the wedding band. So what can I do? Well one option is to get a super-slim wedding ring, and the good news is that there are lots of gorgeous examples out there. Check out my discoveries below - many of them found via Cup of Jo.
Product Credits {clockwise from top left} - 1. Satomika Wakita, 2. Fay Andrada, 3. Favor Jewelry, 4. Elaphantine, 5. Cat Bird NYC
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If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up to the Before the Big Day exclusive newsletter? Plus, click here for more wedding ring ideas.
Tuesday 19 October 2010
Real Wedding: Miranda & Brad
Peacock feathers are a brilliant wedding theme, they're dramatic and luxurious, and their colours create a lovely rich palette. Miranda chose red orchids to add to the feeling of decadence, and seasonal berries for a winter wedding. Teamed with her bridesmaids jewel-bright dresses, it all came together beautifully. Check out her gorgeous Lazaro dress. Would you believe she hired it? It's such a fantastic idea for a bride looking to compromise on cost without losing the look. Miranda lives in California, but there are plenty of wedding dress hire shops in the UK, including Savvy Cinderella in Cambridge and Girl Meets Dress, an online store. Don't miss all Miranda's hints and tips from her wedding below the pictures - she has some great stealworthy ideas involving succulents! Stunning photographs published with thanks to Jenny Smith at Alders Photography.
The Before the Big Day Bridal Q&A - Miranda was kind enough to fill in our questionnaire, aimed at helping other brides with their planning process. Feast your eyes on her answers for helpful hints and tips from someone on the other side of her big day!
Where and when did you get married?
January 8, 2010 in Long Beach, California
What was your thinking behind choosing the venue and the decoration of the reception?
I loved the French Vintage look of the reception venue's décor. It had a lot of personality and a lot of opportunity for great pictures. Also its location on the beach was fabulous, and the space was really well laid out for our large wedding.
Did you have a theme, colour or motif in mind?
The theme I chose to go with was inspired by a pattern I found on my guest book. From there, I decided to use a lot of peacock feathers as décor and color inspirations. I wanted the colors to be deep and rich since it was in January, a winter wedding.
Who made your wedding outfit (dress, veil, shoes and accessories), and how did you come to that decision?
I actually found my dress right away and instantly fell in love with it. I rented it from a place in Hollywood called One Night Affair. Best idea ever! It was a Lazaro dress with very intricate beading detail that I would've never been able to afford, but renting it for a day allowed me to feel beautiful for the day, and then never have to worry about storing the dress after. They clean it, hem it to fit you just right, and only rent out each dress 5 times.
What about your husband’s outfit? Where was it from?
He rented a tuxedo from Men's Warehouse. He looked very handsome!
And how about your bridesmaids’ outfits?
I found the dresses at David's Bridal. The material was the exact color I had in mind, a gem-toned peacock blue. It showed up beautifully in all of the pictures, so vibrant. The color was called Juniper.
What type of cake did you go for, and how did you come to that decision?
Actually, we decided to go with a candy table, a sundae bar, and a tiny cake (just for the cake cutting ceremony). I love sweets and we had a lot of kids at the reception so I wanted to make it fun for all. The candy table was my pride and joy. It was soooo fun to put together. I ordered all of the candy online in bulk to match the color scheme (blues and browns). The cake was covered in flowers and complimented the candy table well.
Did you have any favours? What were they? Was there any particular reason why you picked them?
Brad (my husband) is really great at gardening and we both enjoy the outdoors, so we chose our favours to reflect this. They were little mini succulents in a small metal pot. They were delivered and set up through a company called Succulent Love. It's nice to see the plants still doing well and staying alive at friend's houses. We have a big pot of them, too. It's like the gift that keeps giving and brings back memories for us.
Who was your florist, what flowers did you choose, and how did you come to that decision?
We went with a florist called, Magnolia Floral Design. They were great! I didn't know much about flowers. I just told them I wanted to incorporate peacock feathers into the bouquets and they did their magic. They used green hydrangeas, green orchids, chocolate orchids, and other flowers that were green and brown.
Who was your photographer and how did you choose them?
We researched a LOT of photographers in the area and heard about Jenny Smith with Alder's Photography. When we found her, there was no question she would be our photographer. I wish everyone could use her. She is so talented, very professional, responds quickly, great to work with, very affordable for the great quality of work, etc. The photographer was our biggest decision. It's definitely the area that I would recommend investing money into. That is what captures one of the biggest days of your life and makes the memories last. Your photographer is the one that is responsible for telling the story of how the day unfolds. Very important to be happy with this decision!
Did you enjoy planning your wedding?
YES! I can say that now that it's all said and done, but I truly did enjoy it. I was in school at the time, so the stress level was definitely high. To be honest, I never thought I would want to look at another wedding magazine again in my life. But now, looking back, I enjoyed every step of the decision making process. It was so rewarding when everything came together just right, and the day really was perfect. It felt like a great accomplishment to know that I put all of my effort into this very important day and to see all of the hard work come together really paid off.
What advice do you have for brides planning their big day?
Take it one step at a time. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed with everything. It should be a fun thing to plan your wedding. Definitely giving yourself plenty of time helps. Adding personal touches to show who you are as a couple makes it more special and memorable. Don't get caught up in all of the details that don't really matter. On the wedding day, relax, enjoy every single minute of it, don't feel a bit a stress, and take it all in.
If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up to the Before the Big Day exclusive newsletter? Plus, click here for more Winter Weddings.
The Before the Big Day Bridal Q&A - Miranda was kind enough to fill in our questionnaire, aimed at helping other brides with their planning process. Feast your eyes on her answers for helpful hints and tips from someone on the other side of her big day!
Where and when did you get married?
January 8, 2010 in Long Beach, California
What was your thinking behind choosing the venue and the decoration of the reception?
I loved the French Vintage look of the reception venue's décor. It had a lot of personality and a lot of opportunity for great pictures. Also its location on the beach was fabulous, and the space was really well laid out for our large wedding.
Did you have a theme, colour or motif in mind?
The theme I chose to go with was inspired by a pattern I found on my guest book. From there, I decided to use a lot of peacock feathers as décor and color inspirations. I wanted the colors to be deep and rich since it was in January, a winter wedding.
Who made your wedding outfit (dress, veil, shoes and accessories), and how did you come to that decision?
I actually found my dress right away and instantly fell in love with it. I rented it from a place in Hollywood called One Night Affair. Best idea ever! It was a Lazaro dress with very intricate beading detail that I would've never been able to afford, but renting it for a day allowed me to feel beautiful for the day, and then never have to worry about storing the dress after. They clean it, hem it to fit you just right, and only rent out each dress 5 times.
What about your husband’s outfit? Where was it from?
He rented a tuxedo from Men's Warehouse. He looked very handsome!
And how about your bridesmaids’ outfits?
I found the dresses at David's Bridal. The material was the exact color I had in mind, a gem-toned peacock blue. It showed up beautifully in all of the pictures, so vibrant. The color was called Juniper.
What type of cake did you go for, and how did you come to that decision?
Actually, we decided to go with a candy table, a sundae bar, and a tiny cake (just for the cake cutting ceremony). I love sweets and we had a lot of kids at the reception so I wanted to make it fun for all. The candy table was my pride and joy. It was soooo fun to put together. I ordered all of the candy online in bulk to match the color scheme (blues and browns). The cake was covered in flowers and complimented the candy table well.
Did you have any favours? What were they? Was there any particular reason why you picked them?
Brad (my husband) is really great at gardening and we both enjoy the outdoors, so we chose our favours to reflect this. They were little mini succulents in a small metal pot. They were delivered and set up through a company called Succulent Love. It's nice to see the plants still doing well and staying alive at friend's houses. We have a big pot of them, too. It's like the gift that keeps giving and brings back memories for us.
Who was your florist, what flowers did you choose, and how did you come to that decision?
We went with a florist called, Magnolia Floral Design. They were great! I didn't know much about flowers. I just told them I wanted to incorporate peacock feathers into the bouquets and they did their magic. They used green hydrangeas, green orchids, chocolate orchids, and other flowers that were green and brown.
Who was your photographer and how did you choose them?
We researched a LOT of photographers in the area and heard about Jenny Smith with Alder's Photography. When we found her, there was no question she would be our photographer. I wish everyone could use her. She is so talented, very professional, responds quickly, great to work with, very affordable for the great quality of work, etc. The photographer was our biggest decision. It's definitely the area that I would recommend investing money into. That is what captures one of the biggest days of your life and makes the memories last. Your photographer is the one that is responsible for telling the story of how the day unfolds. Very important to be happy with this decision!
Did you enjoy planning your wedding?
YES! I can say that now that it's all said and done, but I truly did enjoy it. I was in school at the time, so the stress level was definitely high. To be honest, I never thought I would want to look at another wedding magazine again in my life. But now, looking back, I enjoyed every step of the decision making process. It was so rewarding when everything came together just right, and the day really was perfect. It felt like a great accomplishment to know that I put all of my effort into this very important day and to see all of the hard work come together really paid off.
What advice do you have for brides planning their big day?
Take it one step at a time. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed with everything. It should be a fun thing to plan your wedding. Definitely giving yourself plenty of time helps. Adding personal touches to show who you are as a couple makes it more special and memorable. Don't get caught up in all of the details that don't really matter. On the wedding day, relax, enjoy every single minute of it, don't feel a bit a stress, and take it all in.
If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up to the Before the Big Day exclusive newsletter? Plus, click here for more Winter Weddings.
The Wedding Dress Hunt - Alberta Ferretti
Oh my! I love these gowns, even though they're not really wedding dresses. But aren't they exquisite? I'm seriously thinking that my wedding dress hunt will end with me choosing something from a designer store rather than a traditional wedding dress shop. What do you think of these lovelies? {Discovered via Little Winter Bride, a yummy blog based in Milan.}
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Monday 18 October 2010
Secret Garden
Wedding themes can be based on anything - a favourite necklace, a film, a book you've read, or every colour of the rainbow. I've chosen a Secret Garden for my theme, partly because our venue is a walled garden, and partly because of a vintage key I picked up in New York and my Alex Monroe bumble-bee necklace, which my mum gave to me as a 30th birthday present. Once you've chosen your theme, the best way to come up with ideas is to search Etsy - it's a collection of the world's most creative minds, and it's chock-a-block of gorgeous products. Here are just a few of my finds - what theme have you chosen?
Product Credits {clockwise from top left} - 1. Creations 4 Brides, 2. Which Goose, 3. Tulaloo, 4. Paper Platypus, 5. Chloe AND Maddie, 6. Which Goose
Product Credits {clockwise from top left} - 1. Silver Lining, 2. JL67, 3. Enormous Champion, 4. SMV Designs, 5. That Final Touch, 6. A Remark You Made
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If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up to the Before the Big Day exclusive newsletter? And click here for more theme ideas.
Real Wedding: MJ & John
Wedding planning brings the best and worst of times. The moment you first try on the veil {best}, finding your perfect venue {best}, arguing with your Mum over cake stands {worst}. I've given myself 16 months to organise my wedding, but with 7 months to go, I'm already feeling the pressure. MJ and John completely put me to shame, because they organised their wedding in six weeks. That's right people, it's possible to organise a wedding this beautiful in just 42 days - OMG! Seriously impressive details include the gothic candlesticks and flowers - I'm loving the autumn shades of yellow and orange and the gorgeous bower, under which they were married. MJ's dress is exquisite, and her veil is the perfect combination of simplicity and detail. Stunning photographs from the lovely Amelia Lyon - we love her work!
Tuesday 12 October 2010
Real Wedding: Lia & Rob
When you close your eyes and imagine your perfect wedding, I reckon it probably looks a bit like this one. It's a gorgeous destination wedding in Italy, set at the fabulous Vignamaggio Villa in Chianti, deep in the stunning Tuscan landscape. The views included cypress trees, perfect vineyards, ancient statues and, of course, a beautiful bride. In short, a photographers dream! The venue was surrounded by tailored hedges, like a secret garden, and embellished with thick wreaths of lemon leaves and fruits, providing a delicious scent. The reception took place under olive trees, garnished with chandeliers which softly swayed in the branches. I'm seriously loving Lia's gorgeous dress, and all the clever details, including hand-picked vintage plates, the DIY fabric menus and wedding vows (made out of hahnemuhle paper torn at the edges, rose ribbon, gold leaf, and vintage lace). She also kept the memory of her grandparents alive, thanks to a locket hung on her bouquet. It's just the best wedding ever! Gorgeous photographs published with thanks to the Simply Bloom.
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Thursday 7 October 2010
Before the Big Day - in print!
As a wedding expert, every now and then I get invited to contribute to a magazine. They always take a while to come to print, but I'm always really excited when they come through! Staffordshire Life recently published an article of mine on how to have the perfect DIY Wedding. I love how it looks - what do you think? {Double click on the picture to enlarge, so you can read the text!}
Wednesday 6 October 2010
The Wedding Dress Hunt - Liz Fields
The price of wedding dresses these days is getting ridiculous. I'm convinced that many designers deliberately prey on brides and make them pay through the nose for their dream dress. If there's corsetry involved, then fair enough, but if you're buying a slip dress, then anything over £500 is outrageous! Luckily there are a few designers out there who offer gowns at affordable prices, without sacrificing quality, fit or style. Liz Fields is one of the best - she makes heavenly wedding dresses for cold and hot climates, with prices starting at $300. Her bridesmaid frocks are to-die-for, with over 900 customisable color combinations, even the most difficult maid will be happy! The only catch? You'll have to fly to the US or buy online, as Liz's dresses aren't stocked in the UK. But even if you don't buy one of her dresses, the next time a sales assistant gives you a price of £5000 for a gown, you know to walk away. I'm off to the Designer Wedding Show on Friday to look for my own dress, so it'll be interesting to see what I find. Follow me on Twitter for all the latest news from the show.
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