Fun Origami Wedding Favours & Wedding Cake Toppers

As soon as a spotted these fun origami wedding accessories, I knew I had to feature them on Before the Big Day. There's something super adorable about the hearts and stars, and as a wedding blogger, I feel inspired just looking at them! They'd work brilliantly as cupcake decorations, or topping cocktail stirrers. Alternatively scatter them like confetti on your wedding dining tables, or place on neatly at each place. If you were feeling extremely extravagant, you could given throw them as confetti! Created by Coppleshop and sold on Etsy, they're a super-green wedding detail, because you can make them out of recycled paper. Learn how to DIY your own 3D origami wedding hearts, and 3D origami lucky stars.

♥ Want more DIY wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about wedding cake topper ideas? ♥

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Engagement Ring Tips for Boys

I have a secret to admit. I looked at wedding blogs before I got engaged. I know, less before the big day, and more before the proposal. However, I reckon I'm not alone.... So if you're not quite engaged, then it might be worth leaving this page open on your laptop, for your boyfriend to spy.... Buying an engagement ring is a big deal for a guy - not least because after his home and his car {bicycle?}, it's likely to be the most money he's spent at one item. So here are some fabulous Engagement Ring Tips for the man in your life, all thanks to our amazing wedding blog jewellery expert, Savannah from BL&T Fine Jewellery. Check out her other posts.

{Photo Credit} Sakura Photography via Modern Weddings

{Savannah} My Engagement Ring Tips for Boys

1. Think about your future wife's character? Is she outdoorsy and active? Yes? This means you'll want a practical engagement ring i.e. don't go for a massive rock, and choose a low setting.

2. Does she like larger jewellery statements? Yes? Think about a big rock. If you haven't got the budget for a massive diamond, read my posting on How to Buy Your Engagement Ring on a Budget

3. Listen and log any previous hints {has she mentioned liking a friend's engagement ring?}.

4. If you can do it yourself and not involve your future wife, you'll find it easier to keep the budget where you want it.....plus it's more romantic!

5. Think about engaged or married friends – you don’t want to buy a similar ring.

♥ Want more wedding jewellery ideas? ♥ Or how about real wedding ideas? ♥

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BHLDN Siren Wedding Dress Collection

If you're a regular reader of Before the Big Day, you'll know about my slightly {ahem!} unhealthy obsession with BHLDN. It's a fabulous online wedding boutique from the same brand family as Anthropologie {another obsession}, and it's full to the brim with wedding inspiration and ideas. So imagine my excitement when I stumbled across their new Siren collection. It's romantic, vintage and mysterious at the same time, and perfect for brides planning their autumn and winter weddings. Enjoy!

♥ Want more vintage wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about wedding dress ideas? ♥

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Gorgeous Rustic Wedding Details You'll Love

If you don't want your wedding to be pretty and feminine...after all it's his wedding too, add a few of these rustic wedding details. I'm loving these gorgeous products from Etsy seller Blue Pearls - their use of natural fibres, like linen and string, fits right in with the eco-wedding look that is so hot this season. This fabulous rope wedding ring pillow is stunning, and I love the craft paper cutlery bags - perfect for a picnic-themed big day, or a nautical themed wedding.

♥ Want more rustic wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Win $100 off Your Wedding Stationery

Another week, another fantastic wedding competition for my lovely Before the Big Day readers. One of the first fun details you'll choose for your wedding day is your wedding stationery, and you want to get it right, because it sets the tone for your whole big day. You want to get your guests exciting about your wedding as the party of the year, and your wedding invitations has the power to do just that! The only problem is that really good, creative wedding stationery is often super-expensive. Only yesterday, I had to explain to a friend and bride-to-be, that bespoke designs can cost up to £6 per invitation, and that's before the RSVP card, and any extras {whew!}. The good news is that companies like Minted are here to save the day. They have fabulous, original wedding invitations and unique Save the Dates for you to personalise as you wish. The even better news is that here on Before the Big Day I have $100 on Minted stationery to give away. All you have to do Like Before the Big Day on Facebook, and leave a comment below saying which of Minted's designs you like the most! I'll be picking the winner on 8th April at midday, so get commenting!

♥ Want more wedding competition ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Wonderful Wedding Blog Links

Spring is officially sprung, and much as there are rumours of snow next week, I'm embracing the blossom and daffodils and digging out my summer clothes. Optimism is half the battle! This has been an amazing week on Before the Big Day. I've introduced new members of the Before the Big Day team of wedding experts....hello Savannah & Julia! They'll be helping you along with their sage wedding advice on wedding jewellery, and wedding hair and make-up. Don't miss their weekly blog posts, along with Alice's features on wedding diet and fitness. I'm also on the search for fabulous new wedding photographers to feature on the blog, so get in touch if you are one, or know one!

{Photo Credit} I'm loving ranunculae this spring via Photography By Karina

♥ How to make regular jam jars wedding perfect {via wedding blog 100 Layer Cake}

♥ Advice on how to make your wedding photographs awesome {via wedding blog Rock My Wedding}

♥ Have you discovered the wedding inspiration fabulousness that is our Facebook page?

♥ Does anyone know if edible spray paint exists?

♥ A seriously fabulous free Easter printable set - good practice for DIY Brides {via The Pretty Blog}

♥ How to turn an old wedding magazine into a fabulous wedding decoration {via Rock n' Roll Bride}

♥ More wedding inspiration than you can shake a stick at

♥ Your Top 5 wedding make-up must-haves {actually 7 but who's counting?}

♥ Fun Save the Date inspiration

♥ This season's weddings are all about the study of nature {via wedding blog Green Wedding Shoes}

♥ Celebrity wedding inspiration

♥ Want more real wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Introducing the Winners of the Engagement Shoot!

Back in autumn last year, Before the Big Day teamed up with Butler-Madden Weddings to offer an incredible prize - a free engagement shoot! Bride-to-be Josie won, and suggested an urban engagement shoot to contrast with her rural wedding. So along with her fiancé Jeff, they met with photographer Patrick Butler-Madden at Columbia Road Flower Market for blooms and bacon rolls, and a fabulous photoshoot. Here's just one of the gorgeous pictures.

♥ Want more urban wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Fabulous Polaroid Wedding Pictures Guest Book

One of the hardest thing about your wedding will be getting round to talk to all your guests. As much as I tried, I didn't manage to chat to everyone, and it's one of my biggest wedding regrets. That's why a wedding guest book is such a lovely idea. It's gives your guests the opportunity to pour out their hearts and write heartfelt messages to you and your husband. We decided to encourage our guests to get involved by adding a polaroid camera {a present from my amazing sister and her boyfriend}, and lots of fake moustaches, to encourage people to take silly pictures. The end result is a brilliant and hilarious album of our friends' funniest moments, and it's our favourite wedding present of all. There's tonnes of different ways to encourage your guests to write you messages, check out my Pinterest page for more wedding inspiration!

{Photo Credit} Caught the Light

{Photo Credit} Cute vintage guestbook table via Southern Aisle by A Fresh Take Photography

{Photo Credit} Mini envelope wedding guest book via Martha Stewart Weddings & Peg Postcard Guest Book via Unknown

{Photo Credit} Sign a wedding guest book plate via Martha Stewart Weddings or use library cards for your wedding guest book messages via Unknown

{Photo Credit} Ask you guest for wedding wishes {via unknown}, & get them to take wedding polaroids with a blackboard meesage via IMG Fave

{Photo Credit} Create a wedding paper chain of wedding messages via 100 Layer Cake

{Photo Credit} Ask your guests to sign an oar as your wedding guest book, or a surfboard, or cricket bat? {via unknown}

{Photo Credit} A wedding guest book jigsaw via One Wed via Every Last Detail by Jesi Haack Design

{Photo Credit} A wedding guest book pin-board with postcards via The Wedding of My Dreams by Caught the Light

♥ Want more wedding detail ideas? ♥ Or how about more ideas from my wedding? ♥

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Your Wedding Diet - Detox with Herbal Teas

{Posting by Alice Cowen, Before the Big Day's Personal Trainer & Nutritionist} Last month I gave up caffeine. I'd realised I was drinking about two cups of coffee, five cups of tea and twp diet cokes every day, which is a crazy amount! I suffer from migraines, and had hideous caffeine withdrawal headaches for a week after giving up - I just hadn't realised how dependent I'd become on my daily hit. Giving up has made a huge difference. I have more energy, I sleep better and by replacing builders tea with herbal teas, I'm more hydrated than I used to be. I'm always nagging my clients to drink more water, and now I've discovered the secret to getting them to drink more! The great thing is that herbal teas aren't just the perfect way to hydrate - they have other benefits too....

Here are my top 10 herbal teas...
♥ Peppermint - 'stomach healer,' good for digestion and to decrease heartburn.
♥ Ginger - eases nausea and stomach cramps.
♥ Fennel - detoxifier, antioxidant, anti inflammatory.
♥ Chamomile - great sleep aid, soothes stomach aches.
♥ Nettle - anti inflammatory, cleanses the blood, helps with liver and kidney functions.
♥ Dandelion - aids digestion, relieves digestive disorders e.g constipation.
♥ St Johns wort - eases anxiety, irritability, and helps to uplift your mood.
♥ Licorice - relieves sore throats, coughs, menstrual cramps, and can increase libido!
♥ Lemon Balm - calming, soothing effects.
♥ Elderflower - detoxifier, relieves cold symptoms including catarrh.

Why not give it a go for a month and see what benefits you get? Let me know if it makes a difference. xaLx

♥ Want more wedding diet ideas? ♥ Or how about real wedding ideas? ♥

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Congratulations! Winner of 5 Alphabet Bags!

Huge congratulations to ☆Amanda C☆ who is the winner of 5 Alphabet Bags from their new wedding collection! If you didn't win, don't worry, you can still get 15% off Alphabet Bags till Friday - just use the code BIGDAY. We had tonnes of entries to this fabulous competition...click for more Before the Big Day Offers & Competitions - more giveaways coming soon!

♥ Want more Bridesmaid ideas? ♥ Or how about more wedding competitions & offers? ♥

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