Original & Brilliant Pinata Wedding Decoration

The reason I started this blog - all those years ago {!} - was as a record of all the fantastic and original ideas I'd found. It took me a while to choose the theme of my wedding, and before Pinterest was invented, it was the only way I could save all my wedding inspiration. I'm still dazzled by all the fabulous, fun and creative wedding products on Etsy - regular readers will know it's my secret go-to source for ideas. My latest find? I am OBSESSED with the sheer coolness of these glittery love heart pinatas by Party Pony Pinata. And don't you wish you could get married on that beach......

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Real Rustic Beach-side Wedding

I've fallen in love big-time with this wedding. There are just so many stealworthy ideas, and every time I look at the pics, I spot more and more. I've only just noticed that they used a slice of log as a cake stand - super rustic but super stylish! It's all down to the happy couple, Betty and Kent. Betty is an interior designer, and you can really see her talent reflected in these gorgeous pictures by Punam Bean. Lace is a dominant theme, starting with Betty's dress, and continuing to the bridesmaids' parasols and the delicately decorated water bottles. Also loving the bright pop bottles and pashmina library, plus Betty's fab red shoes - yum!

Truly Wearable Silky Wrap Bridesmaids Dresses

If I had a £ for every real wedding I'd featured that included Dessy bridesmaids dresses, I'd be a very rich wedding blogger indeed! There's no doubt their gowns are gorgeous, and super-wearable, but I'd like to break their hold on their wedding world, and recommend a new, boutique designer. Hiding behind these life-rings is the 'Octopus Infinity Wrap Dress', designed by Coralie Beatrix! It's a special gown that converts into several different styles - depending on your bridesmaids' style. The gowns come in a massive array of colours, and in multiple sizes - from child-size, to maternity and plus size. I love the luxurious silky jersey satin fabric, and the fact you can pimp your gown with a mermaid train! P.S. Another recommendation from Before the Big Day Real Brides is House of Brides for bridesmaids gowns.

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Fall in Love with Claire Pettibone Wedding Dresses

There must be something in the air - I've been day-dreaming about planning my wedding all over again! Maybe it's the lovely sunshine, or the wedding invitations dropping through my letter box, but I'm going to have to start a fantasy wedding Pinterest board to get it out of my system. First on every bride's list is the wedding gown, and my favourite designer at the moment has to be Claire Pettibone. Her wedding dresses are a work of art! Here are just a few of my favourites, but do have a browse through her collections - they're all up on her website.

{Above) Beauty, {Below} Devotion

Chic Separates for Summer Wedding Page Boys

Are you having pageboys at your wedding? I was supposed to have my nephew, but it didn't quite work out. The plan was for him to walk down the aisle ahead of me, with a sign saying 'Here Comes the Bride', but unfortunately he fell asleep just before his big moment! To be fair, he was only one, and now I've got my own little son, I realise how impossible they are to manage. I also had no idea what I wanted my nephew to wear. In the end, my mum picked him up this outfit from M&S, and he looked super cute. {See pictures of my wedding}.  If you fancied going for something a little more bespoke, on of my real brides discovered Little Linens, and I've since become a huge fan of their chic separates. They're great for flowers girls and bridesmaids dresses as well {although for me Monsoon has cornered that market}, but their real strength is their pageboy range. Take a look! Now all you've got to do is keep them clean until the group photographs.....

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Burlap & Peach Modern Desert Wedding

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say we need more peach in the world. More peach and more burlap. Luckily, Karen and John, the happy couple in this real wedding understand the worth if giving good peach and burlap, and celebrated their big day in serious style. I'm loving their cute-as-a-button ring pillow, Karen's gorgeous laid-back style {simple veil, hair down, let the dress do the talking}, the family-style dining tables, and the glamorous golden table numbers. Throw in the wedding favour succulents and bluey mason jar vases, and I'm a very happy wedding blogger. Incredible photographs published with thanks to Sarah Yates.

Nominate Before the Big Day for the Wedding Blog Awards 2014

How quickly a year passes!!! Last October, I was lucky enough to win Editor's Pick at the Wedding Magazine Wedding Blog Awards 2013, at a start-studded ceremony at The Ritz Hotel. It was a FANTASTIC evening, and an amazing honour to win - and I can't tell you how much of a confidence boost it gave me. So I'm hoping I'm not pushing my luck, by asking you to vote for me ALL OVER AGAIN! Wedding Magazine have just launched the application process for 2014, and I have a huge favour to ask. Could you quickly tap in a few words for praise for me? This year I'm going for Best Big Day Inspiration, as I rather think it suits Before the Big Day. All you need to do is visit Wedding magazine's blog awards page and fill in the deets. Literally a one minute affair, and everyone who nominates will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win golden tickets to Wedding Magazine's fabulous Bloggers' Tea Party {oh yes!}, and a Diamonfire jewellery set worth £80. Plus it would make me a very happy lady....almost as happy as this bride!

{Photo Credit} the very talented We Resolve

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Exciting Alex Monroe Jewellery Sample Sale

My favourite jewellery designer of all time, Alex Monroe, is hosting a sample sale round the corner from my house. It's like they planned it especially for me! My mum gave me his Bumble Bee necklace for my 30th birthday, and I still wear it every day. You'll love his nature-inspired, intricate necklaces, rings and bracelets, and you're bound to pick up presents for your bridesmaids, or even something naughty for your wedding day. Prices will start at £40, and on sale you'll find samples, discontinued jewellery & slight seconds from across their collections. It all starts this Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June at the hip Shoreditch venue, The Hoxton Hotel. I'll be there bang-on 11am, and the sale is open each day until 6pm. There's an Entry Fee of £1, which will be donated to The Haven Breast Cancer Support Centre. Enjoy!

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