Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Cool New Wedding Stationery Design

If I look back at my own wedding planning, choosing the wedding stationery was where it all started. It's surprising how quickly you need to get the Save the Dates out to your guests, and then before you know it, you're three months before your wedding day, and spending a hundred pounds on stamps! For me, our wedding stationery was very representative of the atmosphere I wanted to create on our big day. So it's a good idea to create a few mood boards, and get a real sense of your wedding style, before plumping for a particular stationery or invitation design. I think I agonised more over our wedding stationery than anything else! Anyway, if I was to have my time again, I'd definitely take a look at Brownpaper Designs. They're a brand new, bespoke wedding stationery designer, and I'm loving their work. Just check out the cute vintage picnic set below.



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Monday, May 30, 2011

Real Summer Garden Wedding: Jennifer & Ramsey

While I'm sunning myself in the south of France on my honeymoon, I thought it only suitable to post his gorgeous Provence-inspired wedding. Jennifer and Ramsey celebrated their big day under the olive trees with the scent of lavender in the air - what's not to like? I'm particularly loving their simple stationery and home-made jam adorned with olive motifs. Personalised caps are a brilliant idea for hot day favours, and check out the oyster bar and berry cocktails - yum! I'm also a huge fan of how Jennifer toned the tomato dishes with her bouquet and flower arrangements, all those beautiful oranges and yellows are the essence of summer. Huge thanks to Jessamyn Harris for her stunning pictures, and praise has to go to Molli and Denise of Green Girl Events, for their stylish ideas.




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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

My Wedding - Three Days to Go!!

You might have noticed that the blog postings have been slightly erratic over the last two weeks. That's because my French wedding is now in three days - eeeeeeeeek! We're already in France, and the weather is beautiful - I'm just praying it holds out for Saturday and Sunday. I'm carrying around my Delphine Manivet dress in its protective bag, plus the veil in another bag, and I'm worrying about creases, almost as much as I'm worrying about rain. Then there's the ash cloud....which right now is due to hit London on Friday, just as most of my guests are hoping to leave for France. This bridal business is just one long anxiety attack! The good news is that we visited the venue again yesterday, and it looks gorgeous. Plus my fabulous French hairdresser made me look super-chic in our practice run. All I can hope is that my stress is making me burn up more calories - a week in France is not conducive to dieting before your wedding! I'm reposting my wedding mood boards here, partly as a fond memory of how it all started.....



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Gorgeous Original Wedding Stationery

The invitation to your big day can be everything or nothing. Send a simple Save The Date if you're not sure about your theme, or make your first missive a delicious hint to your wedding style. Here are just a few of our favourite, fabulous stationers, who are bursting with ideas to make your correspondence stand out from the crowd.

Product Credits: Top Left: Truly Noted Top Right: April Ink, Bottom Left: R Studio Bottom Right: BaumBirdy.

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Monday, May 23, 2011

Real Destination Wedding: Umida & Mohamed

Destination weddings are all about the location, and when you're looking a location as gorgeous as Tunis, you can guarantee a spectacular big day. Umida and Mohammed chose the Residence, one of Tunisia’s finest hotels, as their wedding venue, and headed off to the ancient ruins of Carthage just as the sun was setting for the wedding photographs. It was perfect timing, and made for some incredible pictures. I'm loving the feather details on Umida's dress and shoes, and the pretty little studs in her hair - simple but stunning. Aren't destination weddings the best?! Fantastic pictures published with thanks to Anna Rosell.


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Loving Wedding Typography

Typography is a huge trend in weddings this season. Brides are spelling out all sorts of messages to their guests, and these cardboard letters from RE are a cheap and cheerful way to create a fantastic effect. I was planning to spell out 'All you need is love' at my wedding, but they ran out of L's! New stock is expected in any day now though, so you can write as many words including L as you like. Also loving the cardboard candlesticks they stock. You can leave them looking rustic, or paint them any way you like. They're a great way to add a touch of DIY magic to your big day. Do check out RE, it's my favourite shop in the world, with an amazing range of ribbons, fabrics and vintage paraphernalia.


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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Real English Countryside Wedding: Catherine & Tom

Peonies are hands down my favourite wedding flower, particularly in the softest blush pink. They're particularly pretty as single blooms, as carried by the bridesmaids in this gorgeous Suffolk wedding. Catherine and Tom chose Kentwell Hall as their wedding venue, not least because of the stunning gardens. I'm loving all Catherine's wedding details, from the dramatic teal of the bridesmaids' dresses, to Tom's lovely grey cravat and morning suit, and the cute gingerbread men and cookie cutter favours. Such a clever idea if you're into baking! Don't miss the vintage postcards that Catherine used to name the tables. She chose places that were special to her and Tom - a fab personal touch. Stunning pictures published with thanks to Justine Ferrari Photography.


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Thursday, May 19, 2011

My English Tea-Party Themed London Wedding

My London wedding was last Thursday! So I'm legally married, but as it wasn't our official wedding, we're keeping it secret. Well as secret as we can! The wedding passed off without a hitch. I had a mild bridezilla moment, when the O and the V of our big silver LOVE helium balloons deflated, and The Boy had to make a last minute run to our local joke shop to beg them for more helium. After that I settled down! We decorated the flat with white bunting and DIY tissue pompoms {tutorial here}, plus DIY arranged flowers from Colombia Road Flower Market. My mum made my bouquet out of lily of the valley from her garden, and the buttonholes were rose buds from my grandmother's garden. It was fantastic! The lovely Chloe from Caught the Light was our photographer - here's a taster - didn't she do an amazing job? More pictures coming soon!



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Real Blue & Green Summer Wedding: Erin & Brian

Whoever said blue and green should never be seen, needs to take a long hard look at this gorgeous wedding, and re-evaluate their taste! Brian and Erin's big day makes me jealous for the sunshine, and is that a Vera Wang dress I spy? Chic, elegant, and totally inspirational. And aren't Karen Wise's photographs simply the best?

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Simple, Stunning Gold Wedding Band

Ever since Prince William struggled to get 'that' Welsh gold band on Catherine Middleton's finger, I've had a thing about simple wedding rings. I love the organic feel to this gold ring - it's satiny finish and smudgy edges! Created by Beth Cyr Weddings out of 100% recycled gold, it's also an eco-friendly option. Beth makes each one as a bespoke project, so you can choose any size you like. Simply elegant and gorgeous!


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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Real Misty Autumn Wedding Plus Giant Cupcake!

This wedding just goes to show that even on a classic grey, English day, a wedding can be truly stunning thanks to the little details. If anything, it's the mist at this couples' big day that makes it all the more romantic and atmospheric. Jessamyn Harris took these gorgeous photographs at the wedding last week, and I just adore all the picnic details - the marshmallows, camp-fire and cushions - plus the GIANT cupcake is the best!


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