tight fit

Ahh yes, Spring! Well, no not quite. 'Tis the season I term an inbetweener quite frankly. It's neither freezing nor scorching and as such this proves extremely tricky when getting dressed in the mornings. One thing that helps during these uncertain times is....tights.  Yes those wretched things can be as tricky as trying to solve a mensa puzzle at 7 in the morning  and yes, when laddered they can totally ruin your day.  However hear me out.  There is a whole world of choice waiting to be discovered. Colours, patterns, styles there is a pair for everyone. Including Brides or Bridesmaids.  Just have a little lookie at this montage to prove my point that tights can be tantalizing for weddings....

{click to enlarge} 

credits {from top left; Caught The Light Photography, Joanna Wilkinson Photography, via Buhdoop, Emily Quinton Photography, Nelly Suleymanova via Rocknrollbride, Andrew Lin Photography via Absolutely Charmed,  Angela Anderson Studios via  Green Wedding Shoes }

If you are looking for some inspiration here are a few that are on my wish list:

Bebaroque Tuxx Over Knee Socks ~ MyTights

Pamela Mann Doodle Heart Tights ~ My Tights

Sheer Nude Heart Tights ~ Urban Outfitters

Nude Heart Suspender Tights ~ Asos

 

Emilio Cavallini Lace Print Back Seam Tights ~ Asos

Spring Floral Tights ~ Asos

slip up

Here are a few cuties from the lovely vintage shop Freudian Slips Vintage.  Just how adorable would the 1950's floral prom style dress be for a cutesy little back garden wedding? If you are looking for a one-off {oh and pretty reasonably priced} vintage dress for your wedding I'd say bookmark this site and keep a regular check on it as it has some right gems! 

spring nails

I do just LOVE it when spring/summer hits, the fashion, the weather and oooh the beauty trends. How lush are these Illamasqua pastel colours for nails!? Would suit some very pretty bridesmaids who are rocking pastel colour dresses. That minty green one is mine mine mine!

ashes to ashley

Well who'd have thought it. During my epic visit to Westfield, I popped into Laura Ashley in the hope of finding a bridesmaid dress but instead got distracted by the pretty decorative items that they have on offer.  Normally Laura Ashley is a bit, well Mumsy but unless I'm turning into a Mum {which, I assure you, I am not} I think they've got a really great range of products that are perfect for al fresco style weddings with a totally English touch, these are my favourite picks.

Pink Enamel Pinwheel

Dot these around where people will be milling for an outdoors drink reception, will look great in photos.

Floral Etched Tealight Lantern

Place them on outdoor picnic tables or hang from trees {carefully, mind} to create a rustic glow

Pink Peony LED Lights

Scattered as decoreations on the tables they will look utterly pretty.

Chalk Board Sign {yes, another one!}

Well, you know by now what you can do with these! Just scribble away....

Large Optic Storage Jar

Do your own sweetie jar, add sweets in colours to match your theme and a little note saying 'eat me'

Pinwheel String Lights

My obsession with pinwheels begins....

pump up the volume

Now this is my kind of footwear. The Kiera Pearl Heart Pumps from Topshop are flat {hallelujah},  monochrome annnnd they have a big fat heart on the tippy toes. Lots of brides and maids are opting to loose the heels. Maybe not for the whole day but pack a pair of these pumps for you to slip on in the eve so you can dance your little socks off. Well not that you were wearing any but you get the jist...

slate clean

I seem to be going through a chalkboard phase {it doesn't stop on my blog either, I'm about to paint a wall in my kitchen with blackboard paint!}.  I think it's just the idea you can write whatever you want and then hey presto, wipe it and start again. I like the idea of hanging these cute heart shaped boards from ebay to decorate the venue. Scribble the bride and groom names, or just Mr & Mrs and have them hanging behind the couple during the wedding breakfast. Then let your guests have fun with them afterwards for photos. Feels good to wipe the slate clean doesn't it? 

my mood in march - mwa mwa

I may have fooled you into thinking that you are back in February with Valentines Day around the corner but no! I say that hearts are hot and are totally worthy of use all year round, especially when adding this fun retro vibe with it. Hearts and kisses don't have to be soppy ~ here's my modern take on it!

I love the hot pinks and clashing reds, the bold heart graphics, the love undertones and the sweet sugar hits. It's fun, playful, colourful and all about the luurvve but not in a 'ick' kind of way. What a perfect mood to set for a wedding. Mwa Mwa.

{click to enlarge © Charley Beard}

love the idea of a sneaky cheeky kissing booth OR just the poster ;) ~ Not On The Highstreet

cause a sugar high with heart shaped lollipops ~ just fill jars up with them ~ Fota SA for similar Candy Swirls

this va va va voom dress is guaranteed to break hearts ~ Vivien Of Holloway

you'll be receiving kisses with this adorable heart headband ~ Ban.do

get your bridesmaids to wear their heart on there...backs ~ New Look

fun, sexy, sheer and heart patterned, these tights have it all ~ Topshop

this photo is hot hot hot, make your own giant card hearts for you & your maids ~ Our Labor of Love {via Green Wedding Shoes}

want forever love? add this cute personalised heart art to your wedding list ~ Not On The Highstreet

who doesn't want these shoes, they are simply superb ~ Wedding Bee for similar My Wardrobe

keep your guests guessing with these ?  invites ~ Blush Publishing

redder than red tulips add the bold burst of colour ~ The Brides Bouquet

provide these heart cards on the tables for games, just maybe not strip poker ~  Not on The Highstreet

go back to your youth & grab some heart shades & blow bubbles ~ Emily Quinton Photography

keep your guests sweet with these sugar cubes to add to coffee ~ Cox and Cox

guest blogging {emily quinton photography}

You may have wondered where 'my mood in...' March was. Don't worry ~ I've not lost my mood so to speak instead I kinda got a good thing going on with the wonderful photographer Emily Quinton.  She has a lovely blog and I'm very pleased to be a regular part of it. I'll be writing guest posts such as mood boards and just blabbering on in my usual way about trends and stuff. Head on over to  Emily's Blog to see my first installment from a few weeks ago...  And fear not ~ I will still be topping up London Bride with moods too. I promise x

Emily Quinton Photography ~ Blog

{Mmm}

I'm obsessed with writing on things. Don't worry ~ I'm not getting into tagging or graffiti {as if} but these storage jars are right up my street. I can scribble away rub out and then scribble away again. They are being snapped up for my kitchen but they could be great for storing bits n pieces on display at a wedding.  Chalkboard Storage Jars from Heals.

spring in your step

It's highly unusual that something so colourful draws me in as I am mad on monochrome, however this spring bouquet from Flowers Direct really caught my eye. The pinks, the purples, yellows and greenery really give it va va va voom and for a springtime bride would really provide some sunshine. I believe {though i'm no florist} it's multicoloured combo is a beautiful selection of pink anemones {I've never seen hot pink ones before ~ oh my!}, iris, yellow and white tulips and erm some green leaves - not sure what these are! Mumma Beard, you may be in for a treat for Mother's Day....

from me, with love

Just wanted to post a lil snippet of the invite that was designed by yours truly {oh and The Boy with his amazing talents in photoshop} for my super duper sis who's getting married in June. 

© Charley Beard

There is a bit of a story behind this; it's not quite the original design due to Mother {gawd love her} wading in and umm having her say but it's kinda near enough!  The other shame was we had hoped to have it letterpressed but alas the budget didn't allow and though I'm totally, utterly, unbelieveably gutted that it isn't, we had them printed for free as a BIG favour and for that we are very very thankful. You know who you are ;) 

mr & mrs {claire & ben}

This is the gorgeous erring-into-autumn London wedding of Claire and Ben photographed by the fabulo-so Marianne Taylor Photography.  Claire and Ben got married at Chelsea Old Town Hall early on in the day and later held this wonderfully captured reception at The Garden Museum venue.

The Garden Museum in Lambeth is on the River Thames and looks like the most fabulous venue with it's amazing courtyard outside ~ perfect for a drinks reception and then the fabulous medieval church interior to carry on the party with dinner and dancing later.  

This wedding has a really warm and friendly feel about it, and I think Claire looks beautiful with her soft wavy hair and the duck-egg blue dress. I love the contrast of the leafy venue with their urban feel portrait shots with the London skyline as a backdrop.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Congratulations Claire and Ben, you look like you had a fantastic day and thanks to you and photographer Marianne Taylor for allowing me the pleasure of featuring it!

sample this {belle bridal}

 

{photo via Ian Stuart Bride}

This is one little gem that i'm sharing with you, you lucky things!

Sample dress shopping can be a bit of a nightmare {believe me, I've been there!}. You have to queue, share changing rooms, it's dog eat dog and is certainly not the 'lovely' experience you'd normally get from visiting a boutique. However Belle Bridal does samples with a difference. They are a stockist of over 150 sample dresses ranging in sizes 8-18 from designers such as Ian Stewart, Ritva Westenius, Alan Hannah, Jenny Packham and Pronovias to name a few and with a general offer of around 40% discount on the RRP and dresses starting at £650, they will save you some serious pounds!

The showroom based in Whestsone, North London was set up by two {very clever!} sisters Jo and Claire after their mother who runs Berkshire Brides was getting an increasing number of enquiries from London and the surrounding areas. 

The great thing about buying a sample dress {other than the all important budget saving} is time-saving  If you are short of time in the run up to your wedding day, then these dresses are ready to take-away.  They are all in immaculate condition and if alterations are needed, Belle Bridal can also help with this as they work closely with a local seamstress to make any necessary alterations to give you a dress that fits like a glove. 

As they are home-based, Jo and Claire can work around brides busy schedules and open late evenings during the week and all weekend if required.  They say "It's such a great feeling to be able to help a bride that wants to wear that dress they have always dreamed of wearing but without having to pay the designer price tag." 

I think the feeling is mutual.

Visit the Belle Bridal website for further details or to make an appointment.

tube signs

 

 

I'm not majorly fond of the tube {is anyone?} but that's probably because I spend over 2 hours a day on it. However I am fond of the design of the tube signs, the names as they are just so iconic and make for great table names at weddings. These super tablename tent cards by UTCM featured a quiz on the inside about the bride and groom so guests could compete against each other on different tables! Great idea to get people chatting and they look great too. 

on another note

I'm a bit of a sucker when it comes to nice greetings cards. I can easily spend days searching for that perfect elusive birthday, wedding or thank you card and have been known to spend over £5 for the privilege. I know it's a bit crazy but it's a small obsession, which I apologise for! And if you're anyone who's ever bought me a nice one, then rest assured it stays on my sideboard for months. These cards therefore are somewhat floating my boat! They are from the Vera Wang Bridal Greeting Cards range, available from Magenta Ink.  Whether it's an engagement card or  something to give the bride {from mum or maid perhaps?} then these are an adorable choice.

 

  

  

  

 

mr & mrs {amy & jody}

I've been so eager to share this post! Just how killer is this couple? This is Jody and Amy shot by the awesome David McNeil who is a London {Chiswick to be exact} based contemporary wedding photographer.  I love this wedding and portrait shoot  for a number of reasons....

Firstly, because it's a stones throw away from me, with the ceremony taking place at Islington Town Hall and the portrait shots out and about in Smithfields.  Secondly, I really like how Jody and Amy had the wedding their way and have echoed it with their unique style.  I think it's so important to stay true to your own unique style and not be pressured into doing something that isn't you.  As difficult as it is to deal with families and friends input {believe me, I know!} ultimately you need to be 100% happy on your day and this comes from sticking to your guns!

Jody and Amy had a small ceremony with just a few guests followed by a family lunch.  I love this idea as sometimes family can feel a bit neglected and this way you get to spend quality time after the service with those closest to you and best of all over some good food!  They then had a mega portrait session ~ which of course I'm a huuge fan of as these are the shots that you'll treasure forever ~ followed by a great party afterwards.

I think David has captured the day so nicely.  I'm loving Amy's cute n quirky look {that fascinator!!} oh and Jody's pretty much one of the best dressed grooms I've seen so ten out of ten to the boy!  A

If you happen to have spotted the horse's head and thought 'what the...?', it's because they nipped into a fancy dress shop near to where they were shooting ~ gotta love that spontaneity!

  

  

  

  

 

  

 

  

  

  

  

 

  

David says, "Amy and Jody are exactly the kind of couple I love shooting.  They had everything they wanted on their wedding day - from the intimate ceremony at Islington Town Hall, to Jody’s funky trainers (yay, I have two sets of shoes to shoot!), to the Cuban band that played during their evening reception.  We had loads of fun - during the portrait session Jody put on a horses mask, and there was the biggest queue for the photo booth I’d ever seen!" 

Congratulations Amy and Jody, and thanks to you both and to David for letting me feature  the shots. Now I seriously recommend you head over to David's blog to see more of his fabulous photography work.