give it some welly

I hate to admit it, but deep down I'm a real comfort over style kinda girl.  I dread evenings out when I have to don a pair of heels over my Chuck Taylor's.  I'm guessing I can't be the only one, and what better way to be fun, comfortable AND practical on your wedding day than pulling on a pair of wellies (Hunters, no less) and stomping about some fields or a beach for your pics. Personal favourites? The classic white ones, but totally spoilt for choice with the fuschia, lime and showstopping silver. Available from the Welly Warehouse.

nice n cosy

If you or your other half is a tea monster just like my good self, then this is just a nice little idea for a gift, this LOVE tea cosy is pure retro romance. Available from Aria.

desire hire

 

Sorry for the slightly-obsessed-with-vintage posts of late. It's clearly becoming a big deal.  No thanks to this obsession have I been traipsing around and trawling through charity shops for vintage tea cups, cutlery and cake stand finds. And guess what. Nada.  If you've been having a similar experience then maybe it's time to give in with the tea party hunt and head for hiring from Kent and Essex based Vintage Flair.  Passionate about porcelain, Elizabeth and Ellen are the ladies to point you in the right direction for all your vintage tableware desires such as teacups, vases, cutlery and even bunting. Now that's a good find.

vintage sparkle

 

 

Shiny shiny shiny! I defy any bride-to-be not to lust after these sparkling vintage inspired pieces. Flo & Percy are a treasure trove of hair accessories inspired and created from vintage jewellery and components. Check out their fab named collections, The Looking Glass, The Gatsby & The Wonderland or own an original one off piece for something of your own to treasure.  Oh and they have a covetable collection of vintage bridal bags too, just in case you wanted to have a peek...

share the love

Need to get hold of 20 tealight holders? No friends or family to slave over making some bunting for your big day? Well, you might want to think about signing up to Wedcycle.  It's a genius new not-for-profit website - and if you are familiar with freecycle then you can guess what it does.  People can list for free all their used wedding paraphanelia (that is otherwise gathering dust) for someone else to make use of for their wedding. The first 100 membesrships are being offered free (usually one off £5 fee) so get spring cleaning that loft, sign up, and share the love.

ssssh

VERA WANG SAMPLE SALE! Vera Wang will host a sample sale weekend with up to 75 per cent off sample dresses at its only UK bridal boutique at Selfridges London. This is one date in your diary you'll want to stick to if you are on the hunt for a dress. From 16th-18th October the sale will have almost 100 dresses for you to try so they do advise you not to panic buy (yeah, right!) The three day sale will be open to everyone with no appointment necessary.  On your marks, get set..... GO!

suits you sir

We all know what men are like, they leave everything to the last minute. So if your husband to be, has done just that and has left barely anytime to think about his attire for the big day then there are so many fabulous made-to-measure websites out there.  Cad & The Dandy offer all types - including morning suits - browse the fabrics (you may want to assist them with that bit) pick out the lining (I say go snazzy with gold) and then choose your tailoring and even the details such as buttons.  Another great site for a slightly lower budget is King and Allen.  Alternatively with no budget - use a suit already owned, but check out M&S's made to measure shirt service.  Now that's how men like to shop.

stick it on

It seems I am becoming more and more obsessed with type at the moment if you've been following my latest threads (it's working for a design agency that's done it, you see) and I just looove this sticker.  Available from My Pretty Little Things you can stick it anywhere you want (within reason people).  Car window? Venue? Or just do as the picture has done and stick it on a retro suitcase for honeymoon - that should make it pretty obvious for the airline staff that you're due an upgrade.

{Mmm}

So you've been married for a year and panic has set in. How on earth did your anniversary come about so quick? Well fret not, as the first year happens to be 'paper' you should check out the very talented hand-cut creations from Made by Julene.  You can buy limited editions of a few popular and quite frankly lovely laser cuts or you can commission her to write it in your own words.  Awww, who knew paper could be so romantic?

take a pill

Fighting through the crazy brides at NWS this weekend, I managed to get a glimmer of Vlasta Collu's stand and the pretty unique headpieces they offer.  The little gems that caught my eye were the pill-box hats for brides and I reckon this may well become a bit of a trend for the brave and stylish.   A little touch of retro-ness teamed perfectly with a short 50's or 60's dress perhaps with a small bridcage veil attached.  Sooo J-Lo in the Wedding Planner.

sweet like chocolate

Perusing the designer flower section at the National Wedding Show, I came across Rebel Rebel who create the most fabulous floral designs for all kinds of weddings.  As I was standing there taking in the  wondrous display I saw these little beauties.  Chocolate Cosmos. An unusual velvety red/brown flower which looks striking bundled tighlty in a bouquet, but the best bit? They smell of chocolate. Yes really really really.  With their vanillery sweet scent these have to be the option for the chocoholic bride, just don't expect her to want to toss it.

song and dance

OK, this is really quite cheesy but I have to  ashemedly admit I quite enjoyed it!  Maybe it has something to do with going to drama school for 10 years, but still I reckon its a pretty interesting way to jazz up the speeches, if your friends and family can sing, that is. Which they can't. Oh well - there goes that idea then....

get creative

Loving these invitations from the quirky 13 Creative.  It just goes to show you that they don't have to cost you and arm and a leg.  A simple photo or a cork attached with a ribbon oozes creativity and individuality.  Loving the shoe idea, great for all you shoealohics out there.

card tricks

I am sooo ecstatic to have found Under The Cherry Moon. Not only do they have the cutest name, they do the cutest stationary. I love the recent invites that they have done for a London based wedding (with dart detail - awesome!) and the use of type is fab. Other bits of awesomeness from UCTM are these darling cards for inviting friends to be Bridesmaids, Maid of Honour or Best Man. So the way forward, and with a card that sweet who could refuse?

princess and the pastels

I was in two minds about this 'cake' that I saw on a friends facebook. First I thought, how did they get ice-cream to stay like that, then as I was wondering through Waitrose the other weekend I realised that oh-no, it wasn't ice-cream but in fact sponge cakes, in a cone, with Mr Whippy style icing! Yes Waitrose! It's 100% princessy pastel girliness but secretly I love it. Oh and the love hearts are optional....