How sweet are these vintage cufflinks? I may search out something similar for Simon.
Friday 10 December 2010
Friday 3 December 2010
A twist to tradition
Sienna Grace-Designs is a page I stumbled across on faithful Facebook (I'm a fan of alliteration, ok) although there's also a main webpage. The company, based in the Midlands, deals with venue styling. They provide everything from the traditional table centerpieces and chair covers, to the more unique aspects of floating flower curtains and hanging pom-poms. What really caught my eye recently with Sienna Grace is this twist on the usual chair dressing:
Isn't it beautiful? Go check out their website and friend them on Facebook. They update their Facebook page very regularly with new ideas and frequently post links to other services that might be helpful!
Isn't it beautiful? Go check out their website and friend them on Facebook. They update their Facebook page very regularly with new ideas and frequently post links to other services that might be helpful!
Thursday 2 December 2010
Songbirds
I love this idea for a cake:
Found this at Martha Stewart! In fact, there is a whole host of bird related ideas over at that website including these fantastic place cards:
How cool would it be to have your centrepiece flowers in faux birdsnests?!
Found this at Martha Stewart! In fact, there is a whole host of bird related ideas over at that website including these fantastic place cards:
How cool would it be to have your centrepiece flowers in faux birdsnests?!
Thursday 25 November 2010
Pom the second
I'm having a train of thought following on from the pom pom idea. Pom pom trees! Like bay trees, but pommy. I can't find any pictures online though and I think they would be seriously complex!
Friday 19 November 2010
Fringe Benefits
I actually found some fringed wedding styles!
Not sure how much I'd suit them myself but it's progress.
Not sure how much I'd suit them myself but it's progress.
Sunday 14 November 2010
A rant!
There are two aspects of my wedding that I am NOT looking forward to sorting. These are the dress and the hair/make-up. Actually, there are probably three in total considering I'm already having anxiety attacks about being photographed in the dress and wearing the hair/make-up. Our photographer is lovely and we're going with him on recommendations from friends that have used them but I still loathe photographs of myself. DWP Photography for those interested in finding a local photographer. He and his wife came out to our home with all their album styles and they were so chatty and relaxed. I get a really good feeling he'll give me more of the candid shots that I crave rather than the staged ones.
Anyway, back to the problems.
1. The Dress.
Urghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I have been putting it off continuously despite the best efforts of my MoH who reminds me regularly that some dresses take 6-8 months to order and I have less than 9 until the wedding. You would think that would be an OK time frame but I also have to find it before I can order it. I have been completely put off wedding dress shopping since trying on a few when I first got engaged. NOTHING suited me and I couldn't pick anything I liked because they were all too small. I was struggling to get into a size 24! I think I need to go to an army style bootcamp and shed all the weight I put on at the beginning of this year if only I wasn't still too poorly. Dieting + long-term illnesses = uncomputable things. I'm sure Simon is turning into a feeder.
I can't find any dresses I like with sleeves (cap sleeves are too short- I want half or 3/4). Even with a slimmer frame I would still want sleeves for coverage and the fact I dislike the top of my left arm. Some of the ladies I've chatted to at wedding fayres insist I won't want sleeves because it'll make me look even bigger and if I do I'll have to go with a shrug. I've seen some with full sleeves but they were completely plain dresses with high necks.
I've said I'll look after Christmas (yes, after too many mince pies) but it gives me palpitations just thinking about it.
2. Hair & Make-up
No matter how I wear my hair, it looks awful. I have a fringe so I can get away with wearing it up but my fringe goes sparse and weird after a few hours. One hairdresser told me to grow it out because no wedding styles suit fringes but I think it stops my face from looking as chubby. I cannot wear my hair down as it's too fine (but there's lots of it) so it's flat as a pancake at the roots and frizzy at the ends. No amount of volumising on mine or the hairdressers part can rectify this. It looks like lego snap-on triangle hair when I wear it down. My hair does NOT hold curl at all. I've been avoiding the hairdressers altogether. Haven't had it cut since last November - eek, that's a year now isn't it - and I hack away at my own fringe to keep it short enough to see. I also need to sort the colour before the wedding day.
Make-up wise, I'm so pale I could use tippex for foundation. Also, I have really piggy eyes so I look squinty in photographs. I had on full make-up last night and looking at a photograph that was taken I look like I'm wearing none. I want the make-up on the wedding day to give me a really lovely bridal glow but it just seems like make-up slips off me. I want it to be noticable but not clownish.
I had a make-up trial done at the MTH wedding fayre which looked nice when it was first done but ran within about an hour. I wasn't even as hot and bothered as I'll probably be on the day!
I was hoping to have hair and make-up sorted before Christmas but it doesn't look like that will happen. I think I'd like to use someone who does hair for more than just weddings so I can go to them between now and the day for colours and trims.
The reason I'm fretting about this is because I'm aware that time is passing and I'll end up not getting booked with anyone at all. August is a busy month!!
Anyway, back to the problems.
1. The Dress.
Urghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I have been putting it off continuously despite the best efforts of my MoH who reminds me regularly that some dresses take 6-8 months to order and I have less than 9 until the wedding. You would think that would be an OK time frame but I also have to find it before I can order it. I have been completely put off wedding dress shopping since trying on a few when I first got engaged. NOTHING suited me and I couldn't pick anything I liked because they were all too small. I was struggling to get into a size 24! I think I need to go to an army style bootcamp and shed all the weight I put on at the beginning of this year if only I wasn't still too poorly. Dieting + long-term illnesses = uncomputable things. I'm sure Simon is turning into a feeder.
I can't find any dresses I like with sleeves (cap sleeves are too short- I want half or 3/4). Even with a slimmer frame I would still want sleeves for coverage and the fact I dislike the top of my left arm. Some of the ladies I've chatted to at wedding fayres insist I won't want sleeves because it'll make me look even bigger and if I do I'll have to go with a shrug. I've seen some with full sleeves but they were completely plain dresses with high necks.
I've said I'll look after Christmas (yes, after too many mince pies) but it gives me palpitations just thinking about it.
2. Hair & Make-up
No matter how I wear my hair, it looks awful. I have a fringe so I can get away with wearing it up but my fringe goes sparse and weird after a few hours. One hairdresser told me to grow it out because no wedding styles suit fringes but I think it stops my face from looking as chubby. I cannot wear my hair down as it's too fine (but there's lots of it) so it's flat as a pancake at the roots and frizzy at the ends. No amount of volumising on mine or the hairdressers part can rectify this. It looks like lego snap-on triangle hair when I wear it down. My hair does NOT hold curl at all. I've been avoiding the hairdressers altogether. Haven't had it cut since last November - eek, that's a year now isn't it - and I hack away at my own fringe to keep it short enough to see. I also need to sort the colour before the wedding day.
Make-up wise, I'm so pale I could use tippex for foundation. Also, I have really piggy eyes so I look squinty in photographs. I had on full make-up last night and looking at a photograph that was taken I look like I'm wearing none. I want the make-up on the wedding day to give me a really lovely bridal glow but it just seems like make-up slips off me. I want it to be noticable but not clownish.
I had a make-up trial done at the MTH wedding fayre which looked nice when it was first done but ran within about an hour. I wasn't even as hot and bothered as I'll probably be on the day!
I was hoping to have hair and make-up sorted before Christmas but it doesn't look like that will happen. I think I'd like to use someone who does hair for more than just weddings so I can go to them between now and the day for colours and trims.
The reason I'm fretting about this is because I'm aware that time is passing and I'll end up not getting booked with anyone at all. August is a busy month!!
Saturday 13 November 2010
Are you talking to me?
I've been contemplating the idea of 'conversation starters' for our tables. I want something that isn't going to take up a lot of room on the table as we're limited to space there, but something more than the generic trivia boxes I've seen on Ebay (pictured below):
This sort of thing looks great but isn't very practical:
Social Sticks (£7 for 80 @ OhSoCherished) would fit the space contraints but they don't look very vintage:
It would, of course, be entirely plausible for me to craft something for this purpose but it's just deciding the style that I want and I don't think anything I could make would look as neat. Have you ever seen those wooden coffee stirers in Costa? I suppose questions could be written on those?!
This sort of thing looks great but isn't very practical:
Social Sticks (£7 for 80 @ OhSoCherished) would fit the space contraints but they don't look very vintage:
It would, of course, be entirely plausible for me to craft something for this purpose but it's just deciding the style that I want and I don't think anything I could make would look as neat. Have you ever seen those wooden coffee stirers in Costa? I suppose questions could be written on those?!
Button up
I am obsessed with buttons in regards to my crafting (I should really start a craft blog) and I just came across these few inspirational pictures. Buttons on invitations look so cute and unique.
I'm also in awe of the buttonholes and bouquet. A vintage brooch finishes the handtied bouquet beautifully and the incorporation of different textures like feathers, fabrics and ribbons is just exquisite. Something more than just flowers. *love*
I'm also in awe of the buttonholes and bouquet. A vintage brooch finishes the handtied bouquet beautifully and the incorporation of different textures like feathers, fabrics and ribbons is just exquisite. Something more than just flowers. *love*
Thursday 11 November 2010
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Pom!
I can't take the credit for having the Pom Pom idea. That's Kim at Fine and Funky Events again. Her head is like an idea pinata. Anyway, I came across these variations today which I thought were pretty:
I imagine the second (white) ones use up less materials which could possibly overcome any budget constraints if you have them.
I imagine the second (white) ones use up less materials which could possibly overcome any budget constraints if you have them.
Ceiling Candle
I think this recycled glass chandelier is a really lovely idea:
This one looks like the glass is suspended on string but I could imagine it would be even more unique with strings of pearls.
This one looks like the glass is suspended on string but I could imagine it would be even more unique with strings of pearls.
Friday 5 November 2010
Is it a bird? Is it a crane? Well, yes actually!
In my craftiness I have actually been making origami peace cranes into mobiles. They're in abundance all over my study waiting to be suspended in some way. I've got some on their strings already (different sizes) and used some seed beads and similar to give a bit of glitz. I'd never considered using them for the wedding until now!
Oh, and 'ohmygosh'! PINWHEELS! Adorable.
Oh, and 'ohmygosh'! PINWHEELS! Adorable.
Blooming lovely!
I love how striking these flowers are against the white:
The wild flower look is fantastic and perfect for a summer wedding.
This next one isn't quite statement colour enough for me to liven up the sage/olive but I adore the mix of shapes and blooms:
Possibly a little too uniform but pretty colour contrast:
The wild flower look is fantastic and perfect for a summer wedding.This next one isn't quite statement colour enough for me to liven up the sage/olive but I adore the mix of shapes and blooms:
Possibly a little too uniform but pretty colour contrast:
Thursday 4 November 2010
Sweet Tweet
I really like the style of these invitations. I already know we're going to need a pocketfold though.
Top it off
I've been taking a look into cake toppers considering we will still be having a small cake to cut (for traditional purposes) despite wanting cupcakes. Such choices but I still seem drawn to lovebirds.
Found at Heather Donohue Crafts.
Found at Cottonbirddesigns for Etsy
Found at Heather Donohue Crafts.
Found at Cottonbirddesigns for Etsy
Bands of Love
Following on from our appointment with the lovely girls at Smooch Wedding Rings, I highly recommend you take a look. They were brilliant and came over on a Friday evening with trays upon trays of rings to try on for us both. They listened to both our ideas and provided us with a good quote for Simon's ring. I'm not sure if that's where we would get mine from as I've seen some high street ones for similar prices but Simon's palladium one would be an excellent saving from there. I cannot fault the friendliness of the girls and they were such fun!
We also had a visit from another ring by design company which, in comparison, was really rather terrible and despite the fact that the guy was marginally cheaper, he didn't offer us so much choice and pigeon-holed me into a ring without even letting me look at more than three of them and asking me to make decisions based on things I hadn't even seen! We definitely won't be giving them our custom. Oh, and he was also an HOUR late.
So, Smooch may well be the way forward for Simon's ring! You also get stuff like free resizing and polishing for life! After being asked for Smooch's phone number I thought I'd edit to put it in here: 01895 825900 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or e-mail on sales@smoochrings.co.uk. They're based in Middlesex as a head office but they have sales people all over. Catherine was our consultant for the evening but I met a few more of them at the fayre!
We also had a visit from another ring by design company which, in comparison, was really rather terrible and despite the fact that the guy was marginally cheaper, he didn't offer us so much choice and pigeon-holed me into a ring without even letting me look at more than three of them and asking me to make decisions based on things I hadn't even seen! We definitely won't be giving them our custom. Oh, and he was also an HOUR late.
So, Smooch may well be the way forward for Simon's ring! You also get stuff like free resizing and polishing for life! After being asked for Smooch's phone number I thought I'd edit to put it in here: 01895 825900 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or e-mail on sales@smoochrings.co.uk. They're based in Middlesex as a head office but they have sales people all over. Catherine was our consultant for the evening but I met a few more of them at the fayre!
Pretty bubbles in the air...
Mum bought a bunch of these at Poundland:
A few placed on each table should keep the few children and couple of babies happy. Possibly a few of my friends, too, actually!
By the way, if you're trying to do your wedding on a budget I suggest you check out Poundland regularly! They get in cake boxes, wedding streamers, placecards and bubbles all the time!
A few placed on each table should keep the few children and couple of babies happy. Possibly a few of my friends, too, actually!By the way, if you're trying to do your wedding on a budget I suggest you check out Poundland regularly! They get in cake boxes, wedding streamers, placecards and bubbles all the time!
Pick a number
Simon and I came across a full (12 in total), brand new, box of these at a bootsale at the beginning of October:
The best part? £4 for the lot! The lady selling them had bought them for her own wedding and not used them in the end. I don't know if we'll definitely use them or not but it was too good of a bargain to pass up.
The best part? £4 for the lot! The lady selling them had bought them for her own wedding and not used them in the end. I don't know if we'll definitely use them or not but it was too good of a bargain to pass up.
Sweet Treat
We haven't got many children coming to the Wedding Breakfast. In fact, by the time the wedding arrives we'll only have three below the age of 16. I love the idea of getting them one of these each:
Might make the adults a little jealous perhaps?
Might make the adults a little jealous perhaps?
Light the way
Part of my concern about having the reception in the marquee is that there is no significant change over to the evening part. The other concerning matter as we have already established is that the marquee is a large, white, blank canvas and I'm frightened it'll look bare without adequate decoration.
We are having the walls uplit with LED's on the evening provided by Ace Entertain. Hopefully this will give the walls a nice wash of colour. Whilst I've decided that the bar and walls should be uplit, I've yet to make a decision on colours.
Here's an example of what uplighting can look like:
We are having the walls uplit with LED's on the evening provided by Ace Entertain. Hopefully this will give the walls a nice wash of colour. Whilst I've decided that the bar and walls should be uplit, I've yet to make a decision on colours.
Here's an example of what uplighting can look like:
I thank you
Another USave find here. I'm using these cute ceramic tealight holders as favours for the ladies. I won't tell you exactly how cheap they were but let's just say they were on sale for an insane price. I intend to buy colour co-ordinating tealights for them I think. The jury is still out on how to present them on the tables but I think it'll end up being a cellophane bag and ribbon job.
I feel like organza bags would take the prettiness away from them (although they are mega cheap on Ebay and very useful) and they are too large for a standard favour box. I tried looking into larger ones but then you get into muffin boxes and the dimensions are all wrong. I kind of like the cellophane idea (as suggested by my sister I might add) and whatever favour we end up buying the men (probably chocolate) can go in cellophane too.
I feel like organza bags would take the prettiness away from them (although they are mega cheap on Ebay and very useful) and they are too large for a standard favour box. I tried looking into larger ones but then you get into muffin boxes and the dimensions are all wrong. I kind of like the cellophane idea (as suggested by my sister I might add) and whatever favour we end up buying the men (probably chocolate) can go in cellophane too.
Place your bets
Simon and I saw a casino table at the Tall Trees wedding fayre. I must admit, even I was entertained. They don't bet with real money, of course. Every guest gets a token at the start of the night with so many tokens. The guy taught me how to play Roulette but I lost all my chips. Simon kept winning and he had that boyish grin on his face that made me certain he wants it for the wedding. However, it is a large cost of £450 for 3 hours and you get both a Roulette and Blackjack table. It would, however, provide something to do for those not wishing to dance. I'm a little paranoid that we have such a big space to fill in the marquee and not enough entertainment.
It is an on-going conversation and because I'm pretty certain it'll be a "no" on my part I'm having to work hard to justify everything extra that I want there. Eek!
It is an on-going conversation and because I'm pretty certain it'll be a "no" on my part I'm having to work hard to justify everything extra that I want there. Eek!
Wrap it up
If you recall my post here about the wraps for ladies on the evening, we found this basket at another bootsale:
It was a bargain so we snapped it up and it's rather large so should hold plenty of colourful wraps. See, I can be colourful!
It was a bargain so we snapped it up and it's rather large so should hold plenty of colourful wraps. See, I can be colourful!
Tweet?
Most of you already know of my love for the fabulous shop that is USave (Portrack Lane for locals). We were in there last week and browsing the Christmas aisle (shut up - I'm festive already) and I came across these adorable clip on birds. I wish I'd bought more. I intend to clip them to the receiving box/birdcage (which we still need to sort). We want to buy rather than hire a birdcage for the card box as we can then keep it as a reminder of our day.
Ignore the lamp, I was lacking something to clip them to for the photo. They had them in a really vibrant purple and I am KICKING myself for not buying them. Simon's mum went there a few days ago for something else and they were sold out.
I have an obsession with vintage style lovebirds. I'm ok with that.
Ignore the lamp, I was lacking something to clip them to for the photo. They had them in a really vibrant purple and I am KICKING myself for not buying them. Simon's mum went there a few days ago for something else and they were sold out.I have an obsession with vintage style lovebirds. I'm ok with that.
Mum find, Daughter like.
My mum picked these up from a bootsale (we're trying to add a bit of thriftyness - did I just invent a word?!) in the summer. As you can see from the pictures, they need a little bit of TLC in the form of some glue but they're still pretty! I can imagine them with ribbon tied around the handles and confetti (possibly dried rose petals) in so people can grab a handful. I keep having ideas that rely on it NOT raining. I'm doomed.
Sidenote - I have also heard horror stories about people that use coloured confetti only for it to get wet and have the dye run out onto the wedding dress.
Sidenote - I have also heard horror stories about people that use coloured confetti only for it to get wet and have the dye run out onto the wedding dress.
It ain't easy being green
I finally tried to take photos of the fabric I've decided on for the bridesmaids dresses. As a reminder, this is the dress we're having made for our three bridesmaids:
Now, the photo of the fabric I've chosen isn't really true to colour. It's kind of an olivey/sage and it's chiffon. We've got it ordered from Dainty Supplies in Washington and it's code G75. As with all things I seem to choose, this fabric is discontinued now but yay me for getting one of the last rolls. It was pure fluke we saw it, too.
I know what you're thinking. Pea soup, right? Or other yukky colour. I swear it's a lot nicer when you're holding it and looking at it. Plus, remember the green satin that I posted when I was looking earlier in the year? It's the exact same colour code as that so we've ordered the satin from Anglian Fashion Fabrics (as, surprise, surprise it's discontinued) to use for the men's cravats and maid's wraps. It really lifts the colour even if the following photo suggests otherwise:
Now, I am fully aware that our wedding is in August which has all the potentional to be a summer month. I have noted I'm using a "dull" colour for the dresses. I think it's just a nice natural colour which will suit all of my maid's, no matter what hair colour and green is timeless and fits with the venue. However, I do realise I'm now going to have to try very hard to liven up the colour scheme a little. I'm almost certain I'll be going with ivory (to match waistcoats and my dress - which I still haven't found) and a nice rich "Cadbury's" purple!
Now, the photo of the fabric I've chosen isn't really true to colour. It's kind of an olivey/sage and it's chiffon. We've got it ordered from Dainty Supplies in Washington and it's code G75. As with all things I seem to choose, this fabric is discontinued now but yay me for getting one of the last rolls. It was pure fluke we saw it, too.
I know what you're thinking. Pea soup, right? Or other yukky colour. I swear it's a lot nicer when you're holding it and looking at it. Plus, remember the green satin that I posted when I was looking earlier in the year? It's the exact same colour code as that so we've ordered the satin from Anglian Fashion Fabrics (as, surprise, surprise it's discontinued) to use for the men's cravats and maid's wraps. It really lifts the colour even if the following photo suggests otherwise:
Now, I am fully aware that our wedding is in August which has all the potentional to be a summer month. I have noted I'm using a "dull" colour for the dresses. I think it's just a nice natural colour which will suit all of my maid's, no matter what hair colour and green is timeless and fits with the venue. However, I do realise I'm now going to have to try very hard to liven up the colour scheme a little. I'm almost certain I'll be going with ivory (to match waistcoats and my dress - which I still haven't found) and a nice rich "Cadbury's" purple!
Drive on!
Photos of our (mine and the bridesmaids...did I mention Simon could walk?) cars:
Hired from Millenium Limousines in Marske. Really lovely people to deal with there and they were exceedingly helpful with my endless questions and phonecalls.
Hired from Millenium Limousines in Marske. Really lovely people to deal with there and they were exceedingly helpful with my endless questions and phonecalls.
Wednesday 3 November 2010
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