Wedding Lace Theme & DIY Doilies

Doilies! They're back! Yes, the must-have item of the seventies has made a return, but with a 21st century twist. It's amazing, add a touch or colour, or a few more swirls, and all of a sudden you've got a classic-gone-modern. Add them to your wedding day in every which way - tie them to jam-jars like the pic below, make them into bunting, use them to line the inside of hurricane lanterns, or add one to each table setting. Alternatively, you could always just use them the old fashioned way, to pretty up plates. Throw in a couple of the lace accessories below, and you've got a match made in heaven. Big love to Papermash, where you can find all the products below.

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Real Elegant White Wedding: Katie & Conor

It's a well-known fact that we do weddings with a certain amount of aplomb here in the UK. When Richard Curtis' film, Four Weddings, topped the charts across the world, the British style of wedding became something of a craze. That's why it's always lovely when the pictures of a beautiful traditional British wedding appear in my inbox. Katie and Conor celebrated their big day at the gorgeous Wroxall Abbey Estate in Warwickshire. They chose Just Bespoke Wedding Consultancy as their wedding planners, and Lisa helped them create a gorgeous, elegant day, filled with pretty wedding ideas. I'm loving the midnight blue theme colour and how it holds all the wedding details together, from the bridesmaids' Dessy dresses through to the ushers' ties and the wedding cake. Florist Chantal Flores created a stunning, but reasonable church display with massive white hydrangeas, clustered around chunky candles. Katie's elegant dress was designed by Spanish designer Rosa Clara, and I'm loving her modern take on the wedding tiara. Huge thanks to Yvonne Lishman Photography for these gorgeous pictures. Don't miss the list of the others suppliers below the pictures. And if you're craving a bit of Four Weddings nostalgia, click here {it made me cry with laughter}!

Extra Vendors
Groom’s Suit: Jeff Banks for Debenhams
Furniture: Velvet Living
Lighting & Production: Velvet Entertainment

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Hello There New Wedding Blog Readers!

Have you noticed something different about Before the Big Day? It's been an exciting couple of months, because we've upped our blog postings to two or even three a day! That means more wedding inspiration and wedding ideas, and all for free! The fabulous news is that word is spreading, and this month, 5000 more new unique users have discovered Before the Big Day. This makes me very happy, and I'd like to say Hello! to all the new wonderful brides who've come over to the wedding-side {think dark side, and it sort of makes sense}. The only thing I'd ask is for you to tell your friends! I bet you've got a few who are getting married this year, or next year, and I hope they'd enjoy Before the Big Day too....so please send them an email! If you're a mega-fan, then you might also want to find us on Pinterest {so much wedding inspiration your brain might explode}, Facebook {lovely pictures & competitions} and Twitter {all the latest wedding news}. Plus why not sign up to the Before the Big Day newsletter, and get all the blog posts for free, direct to your inbox.

{Product Credit} Rainbow Hello stickers by Sparrow Nest Script

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Brilliant Bridal Shower Hen Party Theme Idea

Weddings aren't the only events being planned around a theme - this summer on-trend bridesmaids are planning themed hen parties as well. It's the best way to build excitement around the night, and to make sure you're really sending off your bride in style. Whether you're planning hen party spa breaks or a simple night out on the town, there's a theme out there for you. US wedding blog Green Wedding Shoes caught onto the craze early, and if you check out their site, there's tonnes of ideas. My favourite is this Girl Scout theme, which would work perfectly for a weekend in the countryside - although personally I'm an indoor luxury spa breaks type of girl! I'm loving the Be Prepared moto, the cute lunchbox bridal kit, and the pink, green and gold colour palette - what's more, if you head over to Green Wedding Shoes, there are tonnes of ideas for how to DIY this look! Gorgeous pictures by Katie Neal Photography.

Vendors: Event design + coordination: Beau & Arrow Events // photography: Katie Neal Photo // venue: Olivenhain Meeting House // florals: Blush Botanicals // paper goods: Posh Paperie // cake + cupcakes: Hey! There Cupcake // hair & make up: 10.11 Make up // rentals: Moss Vintage Rentals // cookies: VG Donuts & Bakery // lollipops: Custom Candy Creations // chiavari chairs: Allie’s Party Rentals // linens: Wildflower Linens

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Spring / Summer 2012 Wedding Beauty Trends

{Posting by Julia Bowden, Before the Big Day's Hair & Make-up Expert} This week I’ve mostly had my beady eye on the latest spring summer wedding beauty trends. Louis Vuitton and Marc by Marc Jacobs took it down a notch in the make-up stakes and went for doll-like faces, and pastel shades with fluttery lashes – perfect for brides! Here’s a list of the wedding beauty goodies that you'll need to achieve these flattering bridal looks. Make sure you practice before the big day!

{Credits} Louis Vuitton Paris S/S 2012. Makeup by Pat-McGrath. Photo by Makeup4all

1. Cell Food - Kick start the flawless look by slipping this serum into the beauty regime in the run-up to your wedding day, to get your skin in tip-top condition. On the big day, pop some on under your moisturiser before applying your wedding foundation.

2. Liquid Airbrush Foundation by Kevyn Aucoin - I absolutely love this new line by Kevyn Aucoin at Space NK. This foundation is turning out to be one of my faves. Brilliant coverage without being heavy and gives skin a fabulous glow. Check out their brilliant primer too.

3. Butterfly Ball Lipstick {Float} - A luminous nude colour for your on trend pout

4. Jodie Kidd Skin Perfection Kit - This brilliant little palette has everything you need – skin corrector, highlighter and a fresh tint for your cheeks

5. Eylure Eyelashes - An old brand but the best as far as I’m concerned. If you struggle with the glue, get the pre-glued range.

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Before the Big Day at The In Wedding Show

There's huge excitement over here at the Before the Big Day studio, because the official photographs from The In Wedding Show have arrived! Taken by the lovely Summer {such a pretty name} from Neverland Photography, they have a dreamy, whimsical style, which perfectly matches the mood we tried to create with the Before the Big Day wedding stand. With six wedding themes to choose from, brides loved our pastel Pom Pom Factory pom-poms, Haribo heart wedding favours, Anges de Sucre macaroon tower and the vintage props {apple carts, haberdashery ladder and vintage typewriter guestbook}. I'll have more on how to create each of the wedding themes soon!

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Real Hawaiian Destination Wedding: Allison & Scott

As we all prepare for our summer holidays, it seems only right to feature a destination wedding, and it doesn't get more destination than Hawaii. Allison and Scott chose the Hotel Hana Maui for their big day, and celebrated their vows in its gorgeous manicured grounds. I've completely fallen for these light-hearted photographs by Punam Bean - I'm particularly loving the one where the horse eats Allison's bouquet, and the fun coconut shots. Allison kept her wedding style simple and elegant, she chose not to wear a veil, and walked down the aisle with just an exotic flower in her hair. Her gorgeous wedding gown had a lace-overlay and slight train, and she carried a stunning bouquet of white roses. The wedding favours were straw fans, and white parasols were handed out the guests to protect them in the heat - love this idea! Don't miss the pics of the reception, Allison and Scott decorated the wedding venue with white paper lanterns - a cheap and chic way to add interest - definitely a fab wedding idea to copy.

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Lovely Secret Garden Vintage Key Themed Stationery

When it comes to wedding themes, it's often difficult to choose your favourite. I know that I found it super-hard to pick between an Alice in Wonderland wedding theme, and a Secret Garden wedding theme. In the end my wedding venue, with its walled garden and secret chapel made the decision for me, and we used a vintage key motif throughout our wedding stationery and favours. We designed our own stationery, but I wish I've found these gorgeous wedding invitations by The Paper Sentiment. I'm loving the texture of the paper, and the combination of fonts, plus the grey, pink and gold colour palette. Do take a look at graphic designer, Carrie Beach's other wedding stationery sets - they're all as gorgeous as each other!

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