Winners of Tickets to the National Wedding Shows!

Congratulations to ten lucky Before the Big Day readers! They've won a pair of tickets each to the National Wedding Show London or Birmingham. This year's show is going to be a real humdinger, with a brand new vintage area, with tonnes of gorgeous design and décor ideas. The London show runs from 24-26th February, and the Birmingham one is 16-18th March. Keep an eye on your inbox, to see if you've won!

{Product Credits} Cakes by Cotton & Crumbs, Dress: The Vintage Wedding Dress Company at White Mischief on the National Wedding Show catwalk.

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Fabulous Crafting Hen-Night Ideas

When it comes to hen nights, the old-fashioned idea of one big night out on the town wearing L plates and a feather boa has come to an end. Now it's all about up-market hen weekends away in the countryside, with tonnes of fun activities, and an opportunity to really bond with your girlfriends. One of the big wedding trends for 2012 is crafting - whether it's DIYing your wedding details, printing your wedding invitations at home, or making your own wedding dress {only for the truly talented!}. When it comes to hen-nights, this translates to learning a new skill, and my favourite is baking! There's a serious ulterior motive to this, because the best thing about getting your girlfriends to learn how to bake, is that they can then each make you a wedding cake, saving money on the big day. Some brides even have a competition on their wedding day, with a prize for the bridesmaid who baked the best! So in preparation for your hen weekend, keep an eye out for your favourite cake recipes and cupcake recipes, and get your girls baking.

{Picture Credit} Incredible wedding cakes by Magpie's Cakes

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Let It Snow

Are you enjoying the snow? Just spotted this gorgeous photograph on a fab blog hosted by Maida Vale Invitations, a modern stationery studio based in Seattle. Imagine saying your vows as the snow gently falls around you, super-romantic, if a little chilly!

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Before the Big Day Theme: Let it Snow

Inspired by the photo above? Well then why not add a bit of snowy loveliness to your big day, thanks to the gorgeous items below?

Product Credits (from top left corner) - Lace Cuff: Jess James Jake, Feather Hair Accessory: One Little Dove, Vintage Lace Dress: Timeless Vixen Vintage, White Blossoms Ring Cushion: AAlicia Wedding, Satin & Tulle Strapless A-Line Gown: Bridal Bliss Designs, (from middle left) White Takes Flight Feather Comb: Boring Sidney, 14k Nena Stacker Ring with Acquamarine: Michelle Lenae, Ping & Jing Wedding Hat: Boring Sidney, Frozen Crystals Tiara: Which Goose, (from bottom left) White Orchid Shrug: Toccata, White Felt & Gold Earrings: 3 Fun, Pearl Studs: Toccata, Lace Gloves: Malam

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We ♥ Vintage Wedding Dress Sample Sales

Massively exciting news! The Vintage Wedding Dress Company is holding a trunk sale next weekend. They'll be showcasing over 200 vintage dresses on 10th, 11th and 12th February (viewing by appointment only) at their central London showroom. This gorgeous boutique is renowned for its heavenly gowns, both vintage and vintage-style, and this is your opportunity to get your hands on some amazing never-seen-before dresses at discounted prices. Also on offer will be a selection of gorgeous vintage accessories, jewellery, shoes and veils plus samples from their exclusive Decades Collection. Shopping is strictly by private appointment only, and the central London location remains secret until you've registered online at their website. Definitely a date for the diary!

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Wonderful Wood Wedding Stationery

When it comes to wedding planning and wedding invitations, I'm a huge fan of surprising your wedding guests by using fun and unusual materials. The best wedding ideas are all about originality because that's what will keep your wedding unique! A big trend for 2012 is have your wedding stationery printed on wood. It's all part of weddings getting greener and more eco-friendly, and as our mood turns towards natural products, it's surprising how many woody invitations you can find! Take a look at the pretty stationery products below - don't you know, paper is soooo passé!

{Product Credit} Perch Papiers



{Product Credit}  Palomas Nest


{Product Credit} Baumbirdy

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Before the Big Day Wedding Theme: Fancy Dress

Photographs can often become formulaic, especially wedding shots, so how about setting up a photobooth where guests can take pictures of themselves? Lots of American photographers are offering it as part of their packages, and I think it's time it came to the UK. One way of making the shots stand out is to offer your guests a fancy dress box. Then just sit back, and watch the hilarious shots roll in! My suggestions for super-cool props? Feather boas, vintage gold frames, wacky glasses and a couple of mini blackboards for messages. As ever, check out the offers on these items below....

Product Credits {top L to R} 1 & 2, MeriMask, 3. I Made You A Beard, 4. Something's Hiding Here, 5. Cox & Cox, {mid L to R} 1.Cox & Cox, 2. Leather Art Works {bottom L to R} 1. Glitz Concepts, 2. Jokers Masquerade, 3. Future Girl, 4.1 Handmade By Heather

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Relaxing Hen-Weekend Ideas

What's your favourite treat to yourself? I'm a huge fan of massages - they're ridiculously luxurious, and they're the only thing that calm me down when I'm super-stressed. My wonderful husband gave me a massage just before my wedding day, and it completely changed my perspective from freaked, to cucumber-cool. A spa day would make for a brilliant hen party. According to their budget, your bridesmaids could choose whether they wanted manicures or pedicures or a facial, and to keep costs down even further, you could try to find a deal on Groupon UK. Invitations to the hen party could include bath hats or toe-separators, and everyone could get a bottle of nail varnish as a leaving present.

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