Real Elegant Lace Wedding: Sade & Brent

Thanks to Kate Middleton's wedding gown, lace is huge this season, with wedding gown designers going gaga over this oh-so feminine of styles. I'm seriously spellbound by Sade's Monique Lhuillier dress, which showcases the lace trend in stunning style, and whatsmore, her wedding is to die for! There are so many wedding detail ideas, you're going to want to copy every one - from the yellow door 'altar', to the ribbon trimmed cake and homemade jam pot favours. I'm also loving the lemon place markers and the vintage books, and the sunshine yellow colour scheme. The whole wedding glows in a truly golden light. Fabulous photographs published with thanks to Punam Bean Photography.

 ♥ Want to see more lace themed weddings? ♥ Or how about yellow-themed weddings? ♥

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You & Me Wedding Pencils

It's a bit of a squeeze to put these pencils on a wedding blog, but I loved them so much I couldn't wait to share them with you. Fresh from Brooklyn, literally the coolest place on earth right now, they're created by Knot & Bow. Perfect as a present for your groom on your wedding day, they finish the sentence 'we go together like....' Super sweet pencils designed for the perfect pair!

 ♥ Want to see more wedding stationery ideas? ♥ Or how about real weddings? ♥

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Real Quirky Forest Wedding: Elise & Patrick

Hands up who likes cupcakes? Well check out the chocolate wonders a few photos down, handmade with no scrimping on the icing, just the way I like them. Loved up couple Elise and Patrick celebrated their big day earlier this year, on a gorgeous summer day deep in the forest. Both of them look gorgeous, but a special thumbs up has to go to Patrick for his fab red tie - I love the way it tones with Elise's bouquet, the bunting and even the tablecloths. Other wedding ideas to steal include the birchwood vases and peg cake-toppers, plus the daisy-filled vintage watering-can. Many thanks as always to the team at Our Labour of Love for their stunning shots!

 ♥ Want to see more red themed weddings? ♥ Or how about quirky weddings? ♥

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Before the Big Day Theme - Lace

Choosing a wedding theme is one of the best bits about planning your wedding day. It's when you can let your imagination run wild, before annoying things like saving for your wedding gets in the way. I chose a secret garden theme for my wedding, including a vintage key motif, and a sage green and grey colour palette. Take a look at my mood boards for my wedding inspiration. If you're looking for a wedding theme that's feminine, sophisticated and totally on-trend, then I'd recommend lace. It works on every level, from wedding dresses, to stationery, decorations and wedding bouquets. The Vintage Wedding Dress Company has even brought out a new Decades Lace Collection, and Martha Stewart's lace hole punches make it an easy theme to DIY. Take a look at the pics below for more wedding ideas or click here for lacy weddings on Before the Big Day.

{Above} Photography by Aaron Delesie via Ruffled Wedding Blog

{Above} Lace Tape for sale from Papermash

{Above} Luminaries via Martha Stewart Weddings, Votives from Perfect Bound via Brenda's Wedding Blog

{Above} Photography by Tracy Turpin

{Above} Lace DIY Project via Ruffled Wedding Blog, Paper Lace Bunting for sale from Aymujer

{Above} Lace Bouqet, Lace Pins and Lace Jars for sale from Vintage Proverbs 356

 ♥ Want to see more wedding theme ideas? ♥ Or how about real weddings? ♥

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Pimping Your Wedding Invitation Envelope

When no wedding detail is too small, you're going to want....no need these envelope stickers. Designed by Sara at Nice Package Design, they're the perfect finishing touch to your wedding invitations - chic and sweet. What's more, Sara has seals for your thank you cards, and tags your favours, plus a lovely line in giraffes. Find yet more envelope stickers in Once Upon Designs.

 ♥ Want to see more wedding stationery ideas? ♥ Or how about real weddings? ♥

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Real Aubergine Forest Wedding: Dani & Ryan

You know you're in for a treat, whenever Jose Villa pictures a wedding. He's one of the world's best wedding photographers, and he makes every big day look exceptional. Of course it helps when you have amazing wedding details like the New England Riverside Farm venue, Dani's divine Elie Saab wedding dress and stunning venue styling by Moon Canyon Design. The colour palette wings its way straight to the top of my love-list - its impossible not to look elegant in rich aubergine, and Dani's bridesmaids are gorgeous. The music-themed wedding stationery by Monumental Designs set the tone for the wedding day, as the guests were entertained by a grand piano moved outside for the ceremony. I love the barn reception and the stargazer set-up outside. You can imagine the guests searching the skies for shooting stars! For my wedding inspiration, take a look at Dani and Ryan's Rehearsal Dinner and amazing hippy-themed Engagement Shoot.

 ♥ Want to see more forest wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about barn weddings? ♥

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What's Your Engagement Story?

I wasn't the most subtle bride-in-waiting. I started Before the Big Day before I got engaged, and all of my now-husband's friends thought it was one giant hint. It wasn't, but I did have an unhealthy interest in weddings, long before my time! When my husband eventually proposed, I knew it was coming. We took a skiing holiday in France to celebrate New Year, and I just had that feeling he was going to pop the question. What I didn't expect was for him to do it on the first day! I got back from the slopes earlier than him, and soaked in a blissfully hot bath. Once I was all wrapped up in a fluffy dressing gown, he came in, and told me to look out of the window at something. I peeked out over the balcony and saw 'Will You Marry Me' written in the snow. When I turned back, he was down on one knee! It was an amazing, if slightly surreal moment. I'd waited so long for the proposal, that afterwards it didn't quite seem real, and the snow was falling so fast, that the proposal soon disappeared, making it our secret. We eventually told our friends and family a few days later. What's your engagement story? Did your husband propose with a diamond ring? My husband chose my gorgeous solitaire for me, but if you're still looking, there's a great selection of stunning rings on Samara James. Learn more about diamonds and take a look at their collection by clicking here, and if you're interested, read more about me and my wedding.

{Picture Credit} Jose Villa

More posts like this one:

✽ A Quick Personal Message

✽ My Wedding Anniversary

♥ Want to see engagement ring ideas? ♥ Or how about more engagement shoot ideas? ♥

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Handprinted Vintage Tea-Party Wedding Bunting

As a huge fan of wedding bunting, I'm always on the look-out for a new style, so imagine how thrilled I was to stumble upon Ilene's stunning Etsy shop, Corydora's. Based in Bath, Ilene prints all of her bunting by hand using individual lino blocks, and I love the rustic effect. The flags remind me of sails on a ship, and would be the perfect addition to any vintage tea-party themed wedding. The bunting also comes printed with shells for a nautical big day, hearts, and tulips for a garden party, plus Ilene's happy to take custom orders!

**Update! The lovely Ilene spotted by post, and as a little pre-wedding gift is offering a special 10% off coupon for Before the Big Day readers. The coupon code is BBD10 and when it is entered at check out Etsy will deduct 10% from any purchase in my shop over $25.00**

♥ Want to see more wedding decoration ideas? ♥ Or how about tea-party weddings? ♥

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