Creative genius

We are always really interested in soming across quirky little businesses that offer something different from the norm for our brides and their weddings. 

Using our contacts, we have recently discovered creative people who do amazing things with buttons and odds & sods to make the most incredible wedding head gear and people who can create beautiful flower pom poms out of bits of tissue paper. 

Our newest find is Kyleigh who has a way with completely blank pieces of white paper.  Now, if I were to give you a piece of blank paper, you'd probably make a dodgy paper aeroplane, right?

Not Kyleigh.  She does this!

She clearly has a way with paper and a scalpel.  You can find her personalised creations at http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/kyleighspapercuts

They'd make a great gift for the happy couple, or a display on the sweetie buffet.  Even a gift to each other a special momento of your perfect day.

If you are a small business with an amazing product that you think our brides might like to see, just let me know.  I don't take bribes or payment for featuring you and your product, but I will only cover the ones I love, love, love.

Turning heads

Now I don't know about you, but if I come across a stray button, or a piece of ribbon or the like, I pop it in my 'button box' (a small plastic airtight food container) which is where it lives untouched...well ...forever. 

But some people have a way with bits and bobs and can create the most inspired pieces from the most unlikely materials.  Which is why I just had to introduce you to Chloe Haywood from Hatastic http://www.hatastic.folksy.com/

Chloe started making hats and fascinators when she couldn't find a hat to go with a vintage cream crepe dress for a very special wedding. She wanted a fascinator, but all she could find were bright and brash designs that were really expensive and looked like everything else on the high street.

I met Chloe a few years back when I worked on her equally creative sister's wedding. She can lovingly craft the most amazing head pieces including bridal veils, hats and fascinators.

Each item is handmade from secondhand, vintage or recycled items.  Her headpieces are unique, so you know that your design is a true one off.  No mass produced stuff here.  Perfect for the bride or wedding guest with an individual style.

Hatastic! has been nominated to be Accessory Designer of the Year at the Finest Fashion Awards in July 2011.  One to watch!

Photo credits: http://www.julietlemon.com/,  http://www.jerileebrownphotography.co.uk/

Sweet Treats

Sweet tables are really popular at weddings at the moment.  There are quite a few companies that offer this service, but if you are on a budget it's really simple to set one up yourself. 

For this one, we hired the pretty vintage style jars from http://www.thecakeparlour.com/ and sourced the sweets ourselves.  You can put them out in the evening for guests to enjoy. Or in this instance, the bride adorned the wedding breakfast tables with pretty vintage-style bags for the guests to fill up at their leisure.

Simple, but very effective!

All you need is love

I'm pretty sure blog etiquette says that I should write more than this, but what more is there to say?

I adore this cake!



Photo crdedit:  http://www.choccywoccydoodah.com/





Wedding flowers that rock

If you want your wedding to be full of unique and quirky details that suit your own personal style, then you have to go the extra mile to hunt down stuff that isn't sold en masse on the high street.  All the time spent surfing on the web in the years, months and weeks leading up to your wedding will be totally worthwhile when you stumble across a lesser known supplier who has just what you want - they just take a bit of time to find!

Here's one we came across the other day - Bookworm Eats Flower.  They make beautiful bouquets, accessories, buttonholes and corsages using handmade paper flowers and the lovely Lauren who makes them is happy to create something bespoke for you too. 

Check out these little works of art...

Photo credits:  http://www.bookwormeatsflower.com/

Help!

This is a cute idea - it's the small details that add personality to your wedding day afterall and these would be great photo props.  These little 'help' stickers are from http://www.weddingideasshop.com/ and are only £5.99.  Snap them up, I say!

Have fun with your wedding photography

We have just come across this fabulous piccy by one of our favourite wedding photographers Lord and Leverett and it brought a smile to our faces.

We had plenty of fun the other day at Paige and Harish's wedding when we used a range of props to inject fun into the photos. This young bride had other ideas when she suggested doing cartwheels.  Brave girl - we have much admiration for you.  Please don't try this in a tight dress!

Photo credits:  http://www.lordandleverett.com/

Paige and Harish's vintage wedding at The Bingham, Richmond

It was a complete treat to be invited to work with Paige and Harish on their wedding at the fabulous Bingham Hotel in Richmond.  Wonderful riverside location, wonderful ideas, completely wonderful couple. 

Paige, originally from New Jersey, USA and Harish met at St Andrews university just over 6 years ago, when Paige popped a valentines card under Harish's door. Brave move, and it clearly bowled him over! 

Their guests flew in from all over the globe and were treated to the amazing Bingham hospitality.  They could not have had a more perfect day for their celebrations as temperatures soared to an unseasonal 26 degrees on Easter Sunday.

I've been excited to see their photos - mainly because they incorporated so many really interesting details - a wedding planner's dream.  Take a look.

Wedding planner - Clare Beckwith Weddings http://www.clarebeckwithweddings.co.uk/
Photographer - Helen Jones photography http://www.helenjonesphotography.co.uk/
Brides's dress - J Crew (USA)
Bride's sash - Marisa (USA - handmade in New Jersey, where bride is from)
Bridesmaids dresses - David's Bridal (USA)
Bride's shoes - New Look
Groom's suit and groomsmen's waistcoats/cravats - Moss Bros
Flowers - Conservatory Florist, Richmond, Surrey
Wedding cake (birdcage) - The Cake Parlour, Wimbledon
Groom's cake and cupcakes with St Andrews crest - The Cake Parlour, Wimbledon
Favour bags - Handmade by groom's mother with fabric bought in USA
'Something borrowed and something old' - Vintage birdcage charm from Ireland (a gift from Paige's bridesmaid Grace - pinned to bouquet)
'Something blue' - Ribbon monogrammed with bride's initials and date of wedding - J Crew (pinned to bouquet)
'Something new' - Bride's necklace - Baccarat
Invitations and placecards - Vera Wang
Orders of Ceremony, table numers and seating plan - Ruth Springer Design
Frame for seating plan - Not on the High Street
Tall Birdcages - Wedding Day Hire
Double sided picture frames - John Lewis
Oversize Balloons - Signature balloons

Ivory lace for balloons - John Lewis

Ivory satin ribbon - The Ribbon Company

Invite Betty to your wedding

If you want to bring a bit of retro style to your wedding, why not invite Betty? 

Betty, owned by Hayley of Vintage Scoops http://www.vintagescoops.co.uk/ is a 1973 Bedford cf who has been lovingly restored and decorated in beautiful shades of pale blue and cream. To complete the authentic 50's feel she is decked out in Cath Kidston oilcloth and festooned with bunting.

We bumped into Betty while we were Easter egg hunting at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, and thought what a perfect addition to your wedding she would be.

The ice cream comes locally from Beachdean Dairies and is free from artificial flavourings, colourings and additives.  The flavours are to die for.  There are all the usual ones you'd expect like rum and raisin, double chocolate, sticky toffee fudge.  But they also have a selection perfect for weddings such as Champagne Sorbet, Bailey's or Pimms and Lemonade. They also have a range of lollies. I expect any kiddies at the wedding might enjoy the bubble gum flavour. And the men-folk? Well, what better than the lager and lime, or cider varieties?

Sweetie heaven

It’s no secret that we are huge fans of Zoe Clark and the Cake Parlour. Their wedding cakes are simply divine.

Now things have got even better as they have just introduced an inspired new service, ‘The Sweet Table’. It’s a completely bespoke and they design and create a look to co-ordinate with your particular celebration.

I can’t think of anything more delicious to treat your wedding guests to.  You can create an impact with pretty macaroon towers, bon bon jars, meringues, cake pops, petit fours, mini cupcakes, fondant fancies and lollipops.

Your guests will be completely wowed by it.  And with so many flavours to choose from, you’ll just have amazing fun planning it.
Photo credits:  http://www.thecakeparlour.com/

Wedding Day Lingerie

Choosing a wedding gown has to be one of the most exciting parts of preparing for your wedding. But for your dress to look absolutely stunning, it is essential to have great fitting underwear too. Any stylist will tell you the same thing.

Incredibly nearly 90% of us spend a large part of our lives wearing the wrong bra size, but if you take the time to get it right, it can make a huge difference to the way you look and to your overall figure.

When I think of figure enhancing underwear, visions of Bridget Jones style control pants cross my mind – not the type of thing that you really want to wear on the best day of your life. So it is refreshing to see that there’s such a huge range of more suitable bridal underwear out there to tempt you. I was recently introduced to Fauve lingerie; experts in creating beautiful, comfortable underwear for women with larger cup sizes.

New for March is their stunning Rosa range. A comprehensive bridal collection of luxurious French lace and the softest Italian fabrics with diamante charms. The collection includes an underwire moulded strapless bra that I am assured by a friend actually stays up, a beautiful basque, thong, briefs, suspender belt, and even a matching garter. There are plenty of stockists in the high street and on the web. Try Harvey Nics, Figleaves and Belle-lingerie. Or the Fauve website has comprehensive stockist details.

Buy, knowing that it truly is a wedding day essential!

Photo credits: www.fauve.co.uk

Spring weddings

At about the time I press 'publish post' on my blog posts from Isobel Kershaw at the NHJ Style Consultancy, I get lots of my blog followers ask: "When's the next one?"  They are beginning to attract a huge following and are a 'must read' for all wedding guests hoping to wow with all the latest trends.

Spring is no exception, and I am pleased to introduce to you Isobel's thoughts for this season.  Here is what she has to say... 

It's the end of February and I can feel Spring in the air.  I have already spotted some blossom which is always a good sign and that means the busy wedding season is just about to kick off.

If you have been invited to a wedding this season, let me inspire you with some On-trend styles which will not only ensure you look fab for that celebration, but will also be versatile to use throughout the season.

Big Blooms

Prints always come to life in spring and just like your garden, you will also see bloom prints in the shops. So don’t shy away from them, embrace them whatever shape of height you are as, there are prints to suit everyone.

How about this very pretty Oasis dress aptly named 'Kew floral shift dress'.  At £65, it ticks all the boxes. Add your own skinny belt and finish off with a cute knit cardi or edgy jacket which will take you from day to dinner.

Nudes

We have seen the 'Nude' trend before; and, if you are a little shy of colour, nudes may be the answer.

You may need to either add a vibrant tone to your accessories with this style or ensure your make-up is colourful. Either way, a spray tan may also be beneficial to avoid the pasty pallor look.

The texture of cream lace of a nude lining ensures this Reiss dress is stunning.

Add this LK Bennett Selina Dusk clutch for an utterly sophisticated look.

Brights

The catwalks have shown the most colourful collections in many years which hopefully reflects the positivity of the current climate. So ditch the black, navy and grey, and jump into colour – you can’t avoid it this season!

This colourful dress from FCUK does everything for you. Its V neck ensures it suits most body shapes, its sleeves mean no need for a cover-up, and the bead detail on the front accessories the dress for you! Fabulous!

That 70s show

 

I love the 70s look.  It’s so much fun and feels so carefree. If the wedding you are going to is not so formal, experiment with the new 70s vibe styles coming into the shops this season.  With wide-legged trousers and even wider brimmed hats, it can still be pulled off elegantly if put together in the right way.

This stylish BIBA print top is a great piece to add to the wardrobe and makes a perfect outfit for a spring summer wedding when dressed up with a white flared trouser such as these beautiful ones from Milly.

Credits:  Our thanks as always go to our beautiful guest blogger, Isobel Kershaw, from the NHJ style consultancy, http://www.nhjstyle.com/

Also http://www.oasis-stores.com/, http://www.reissonline.com/, http://www.frenchconnection.com/, http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/,
http://www.julesb.co.uk/, http://www.lkbennett.com/

Wine Glass Charms

These pretty wine glass charms caught our eye the other day. 

If you have ever been at a party and put your glass down only to find it lost among hundreds of others, you'll appreciate how useful these can be at a wedding.  You can personalise them by using the initials of each of your guests and you can order them in a colour to match your theme.  If you are really into the detail, you can also choose to replace the diamante with either a star, heart or flower.  Very sweet, we think!

Photo credit: http://www.giftwrappedandgorgeous.co.uk/

1970's bridesmaids

1970s bridesmaids dressed in Biba

My mum sent over this photo of me and my sister as bridesmaids at a 1970s wedding.  Not a fairy dress or pink sash in sight!  Could this have been the start of my fascination with weddings?

If you've got a similar pic of bridesmaids in the 50s, 60s, 70's, 80s or 90s email them over and we'll post a selection of them.

Choosing the perfect...Wedding Cake

"A sprinkle of design know how, a spoonful of passion, a dusting of exceptional expertise and a bowlful of the finest ingredients". That's how the amazing Rosalind Miller describes herself on her website, and that's why she is the perfect choice of contributor for our next feature on how to choose the perfect wedding cake.

Her cakes are incredible - just take a look at the delicious images in this blog post. Anyone peckish?

How do you get the ideas for the design of your cakes?

Each cake is like a new canvas. The seeds of ideas come from the consultation. Then it's a matter of coming up with a design, one which is in my own style, but that expresses the couples wishes. There's a lot of thinking and doodling goes into it! Ideas come to me and I try them out till I find the 'right' one. I find inspiration in many places; artworks and illustrations, films, fashion, jewellery, the garden. I like to mix classic and contemporary and I'm always on the lookout for anything interesting that could be translated into a cake.

Who else do you admire in your field of work?

I love Peggy Porschen's work, it combines, timeless elegance and simplicity with a modern twist.

Tell us about the history of wedding cakes 

In ancient Rome, marriages were sealed when the groom smashed a barley cake over the bride’s head. In medieval times, newlyweds kissed over a pile of buns, supposedly ensuring a prosperous future. Unmarried guests sometimes took home a little piece of cake to tuck under their pillow.

One early British recipe for “Bride’s Pye” mixed cockscombs, lamb testicles, sweetbreads, oysters and (mercifully) plenty of spices. Another version called for boiled calf’s feet.

By the mid sixteenth century, though, sugar was becoming plentiful in England. The more refined the sugar, the whiter it was and so pure white icing soon became a wedding cake staple. Not only did the colour allude to the bride’s virginity, but the whiteness was a display of wealth. A wedding cake that had a lot of tiers and height was also a status symbol. Formal wedding cakes became bigger and more elaborate through the Victorian age. The queen's wedding cake in 1947 weighed 500 pounds.

With the huge choice of cake designers out there, how should a couple go about choosing the right one for them?

Use the internet. Most cake designers will have a website where you can browse their designs, and choose someone whose style you like. Then arrange to meet them for a consultation where you can usually taste their cakes.

Once I have chosen my cake maker, what sort of process should I expect from briefing to seeing the cake on the day?

Most of my customers contact me by email before coming for a consultation. The prospective bride and groom can taste different flavours of cake; a few of which are Madagascan Vanilla sponge, Banana, Carrot Walnut and Ginger, Raspberry, Chocolate, Lemon, Elderflower, Lavender and Rose, Red Velvet.

We discuss their preferences for flavours, and whether they want different flavours for each tier of the cake. We will talk about their own design ideas, themes and colours for their wedding, and together come up with a cake design they're happy with, either based on one of my previous cakes adapted in some way, or a completely bespoke design. This may involve an email conversation, where we discuss sketches, but it's usually sorted out on the day of the consultation.

How do I go about tying in the cake with the theme of the wedding?

It's best to have thought about this before the consultation, so you can bring along some colour and fabric swatches and images of the flowers you are having and any decorations.

 Cakes can be inspired by any of these things, and we can incorporate colours, patterns from fabric or the invitations on the cake design.

What are the current trends in wedding cakes?

The Royal Wedding will obviously influence wedding cake designs in 2011.  Cakes will have lots of regal details, intricate piping, and majestic designs. A strong trend this year is for double height tiers, which can look very elegant. The vintage theme is still going strong, with lots of sugar flowers, butterflies and jewellery on the cake. There is also a strong trend for square cakes with offset tiers and strong graphic patterns.

A recent bride and groom said to us "We are not bothered too much about the cake. It's just a cake" - What would you say to persuade them differently?

I think guests still expect cake at the wedding and the cake cutting 'ceremony' is an important part of a wedding. It symbolises the bride and groom helping each other as they will throughout their marriage. Sharing the cake is like sharing the couple’s good fortune amongst their friends and family.


A beautiful wedding cake is an important focal point during the reception.

Our thanks go to Rosalind Miller for her contribution to this blog post.  http://www.rosalindmillercakes.com/