Real Romantic Blush Wedding: Karen & Howard

*Sigh* This is one of those exquisite weddings that reminds me of why I started Before the Big Day. It's a perfect combination of fashion, flowers, graphic design, cake-making and tailoring. Karen and Howard put so much thought into their big day that I have tonnes of favourite details - not least the chandelier detailing on the Paperie Sheep stationery, which so cleverly mimics the decor of their stunning venue. I'm totally obsessed with Karen's gorgeous elegant Pronovias dress, and her to-die-for floral Badgley Mischka shoes. Other stealworthy ideas include the bridesmaids' Grecian style dresses, the peony decorated cake, and the macaroon favours. I love macaroons, I love the feminine pink, and I love how the whole affair is inbued with a sense of delicious romance. Just how a wedding should be! Huge thanks to Stephanie Williams for capturing it with such style.

♥ Want more pink wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about garden wedding ideas? ♥

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DIY Ikea Wedding Decoration Inspiration

You know that feeling when you get something for free? Or when pick up the gorgeous dress you've been wanting for months for half price in the sale? That's the feeling I got when I spotted these pictures. Because every item in them, bar the flowers and food, is from Ikea. And you know what that means, don't you? Yup, you two can create the wedding look of your dreams for next to nothing. {Pics via fab decor journal A Lovely Being}

♥ Want more wedding DIY ideas? ♥ Or how about wedding decoration ideas? ♥

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Real Destination Hotel Wedding: Jessica & Jay

Palm trees make me wish I lived in California, especially when they feature so beautifully in a wedding day! Jessica and Jay had a truly unforgettable wedding at the Viceroy in Palm Springs, and I might as well come clean and admit I'm jealous. Just look at the turquoise pool, the bright pink peonies and the emerald green grass. So different to London's grey pavements and pigeons. I'm keen to copy Jessica's white-wrapped simple bouquet, the tulle underskirt of her dress and her lace-edged veil. Copy the black-edged mini-marquee with an Indian-style tent from Raj Tents. Most of all though, I want to live in the Viceroy. Gorgeous pictures from the team at Our Labour of Love - big love and thanks to them! 

♥ Want more destination wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about luxury wedding ideas? ♥

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The Wedding Stationery Letterpress Trend

Letterpress wedding stationery is so hot right now in the US, that I'm going out on a limb to predict it as a mega-trend for 2012 British winter weddings. If you've never heard of it, letterpress is an amazing style of printing, which involves pressing the font into luxury paper for a lush impression, and then filling it with ink. The end result looks a-m-a-z-i-n-g, and if you're a bit of a stationery fan {welcome to my world}, you're going to want to in your life. Check out these fabulous British wedding stationery boutiques!

Product Credits - {from top} 1. Blush Publishing 2. Whites Letterpress

♥ Want more wedding stationery ideas? ♥ Or how about luxury wedding ideas? ♥

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The Greedy Book Competition - The Prizes

Have you spotted The Greedy Book Competition yet? There's a massive prize worth £750 to be won, and today is your last chance to enter! To be in with a chance of winning this incredible prize, just become a member of The Greedy Book. It’s super quick, easy and free, just click here to join. If you’re already a member {well done!} then all you need to do is create a new greedy book. Either way you’ll be automatically entered. The competition closes at midnight on 12th August 2012. Good luck! Terms and Conditions apply. P.S. Don't miss the Greedy Book Wedding Festival with tonnes of wedding advice and ideas!

♥ From The Greedy Book
The Greedy Book believe that a little greediness is good, so they’ve donated £50 to spend on anything you desire from your greedy book. They’ve also popped in their favourite bridal accessory of the moment, a brilliantly quirky ‘Mrs’ necklace from I Feel Crafty.

♥ From Handpicked Hotels
An unbelievably generous contribution from Handpicked Hotels! A night away for two in any of their 17 sensational hotels including dinner, bed and breakfast.

♥ From Reiss.com
A £50 voucher to spend in store on any of Reiss.com simply gorgeous items, accessorise your wedding outfit, or buy something special for your honeymoon wardrobe.

♥ From Maids to Measure
Known for their bespoke bridesmaid dresses, Maids to Measure also sell accessories including this striking gold bangle with red heart detail that they’re giving away to the lucky winner.

♥ From Brown Paper Designs
The lovely ladies at Brown Paper have put together the most beautiful bridal stationery pack which includes some super elegant wedding stationery, a variety of quirky cards and a stunning bridal notebook to jot down all your ideas.

♥ From Total Wardrobe Care
Make sure you keep your wedding dress in perfect condition with Total Wardrobe Care’s After Care Service. It includes dry cleaning, repairs, and packing in tissue and will be free of charge to the lucky winner!

♥ From Austique
Austique are giving the winner a free pair of their Kalita Bespoke Silk Knickers, these fun and playful pants are handmade and can be embroidered on the back with the wording of your choice. Perhaps pop on your new name – make sure you don’t forget it!

♥ From Stella and Dot
Sophie Mitchell, Stella and Dot Stylist extraordinaire has contributed the stunning statement Campari necklace, bang on trend with a tribal edge, and enormously versatile. Something very special for your honeymoon.

♥ From Two Birds Bridesmaids
Two Birds have teamed up with Rob Ryan to create a delicate and charming bridal hankie. Perfect for your something blue.

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

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Wedding Ice-Pop Sweet Treats

It's icey, it's colourful, it's the coolest accessory for your funky summer wedding. The ice-pop is making a come-back, and it's way more fashion-forward than those Ribena lollies your mum used to make. Style them according to your wedding colour palette, and thrown in a few stripes for fun. I'm loving the idea of serving them as desert, but how about a gazpacho-pop for a pre-dinner amuse bouche or canapé? Fun, carefree and the ultimate accessory, I'm predicting pops as a super-trend for 2013 summer weddings and bridal showers. These lollies are made thanks to the Zoku Quick Pop Maker, which is a special machine for freezing ice pops super-fast.

♥ Want more wedding reception ideas? ♥ Or how about wedding food ideas? ♥

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Flowers Girls & Page Boys - Before or After?

How many bridesmaids are you going to have? I had five adult bridesmaids and my nephew as a page boy, but he misses his moment and fell asleep! Ideally I would have loved to have a gaggle of flower girls as well, but there aren't any little girls in our close family. I considered borrowing a few, but only for a few minutes! My bridesmaids walked down the aisle ahead of me, American-style, but traditionally in the UK, bridesmaids follow the bride. If you think of Kate Middleton's Royal wedding, the lovely Pippa followed behind her, surrounded by flower girls. So which are you going to choose? Bridesmaids first, or bride first? More bridesmaid ideas on my Pinterest page.

{Picture Credit} Mario Testino

♥ Want more bridesmaid ideas? ♥ Or how about flower girl weddings? ♥

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Real Nautical Stripes Themed Wedding: Irma & Willem - Part 2

If you're dreaming of your summer holiday, you're going to love Part 2 of this blissful beachside wedding. With wedding details galore, many of them DIY, you're going to want to add every one to your Pinterest page. I'm loving Irma's wedding style - her stunning romantic dress, her casual side ponytail and her glamorous red lipstick. Add in the fabulous vintage campervan, the striped wedding reception details, and the adorable rustic placemarkers with airplane badge favours, and I'm a happy wedding blogger! Don't miss the DIY'd jamjar lights, and the polaroid guest book - fab ideas to copy for your own wedding. Gorgeous pictures published with thanks to the talented team at welovepictures.

♥ Want more barn wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about pink-themed weddings? ♥

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