Real Glamorous Wedding: Simone & Paul

The bride in this wedding is seriously beautiful. Be warned! You won't want to look too hard at these pictures if you're having a bad hair day. But save them for later, because they're packed full of gorgeous red-themed wedding details, that you'll be wanting to copy for your own big day bash. Paul and Simone celebrated their big day in Franschhoek in South Africa, on the most glamorous farm I've ever seen. They had an 'Alice in Wonderland' inspired wedding, with beautiful romantic touches, from red roses to endless strings of fairy lights, plus a tea-cup wedding cake topped with cute in-a-rush rabbits. Other dreamy details include the paper parasols, Simone's three-band pearl bracelet, her sweet plaited up-do and the mini-cloches covering individual rose blooms on the reception tables. Huge thanks to the team at We Love Pictures Too for their fabulous photographs - we love!


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Real Barndance Vintage Wedding: Kelly & Neil

One of my best girlfriends got married last weekend, in a fabulous barn wedding with tonnes of fabulous details, which I can't wait to share with you. Unfortunately we've got to wait, because she's headed off on her honeymoon in Bali! In the meantime, whet your wedding appetite with Kelly and Neil's incredible autumn wedding at The Priory Barn in Little Wymondley. Kelly DIY'd lots of her wedding details, in particular the vintage button and fabric table numbers, the sweetie bags and the lining in the vintage suitcase. I'm also loving the amazing wedding flowers, including lots of ivy for fidelity. Check out the giant wreath - it's such a beautiful statement piece and a truly gorgeous wedding idea. Stunning pictures published with thanks to the lovely Binky from Binky Nixon Photography.


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DIY Wedding Shoe Glamorisers

Wedding shoes can be a minefield. Traditionally brides wear white, but when will you ever wear a pair of white stilettos again? There's just too many connotations! Instead brides are opting for brights and metallics, often with red sole, which hikes the cost up a good £200 {thank you Mr Louboutin}. If you're not looking to break the bank with your wedding shoe budget {no judgement!}, then try a quick DIY shoe glamoriser with these fabulous shoe clips. They'll fasten on in a jiffy, and turn your simple slides into Carrie-standard beauties. Buy several pairs and coordinate your bridesmaids for a fraction of what you'd shell out for new shoes. Hot foot it over to Chloe and Maddie for all their styles.


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Back on Track with a Fab Pic of Annie. Two Elk Restaurant, Vail Mountain.

I haven't put out an update in a while because Baby Maxwell has arrived, and now I seem to be coming back to the real world!  What better way to start off again than with this picture of the beautiful Annie up at the infamous Two Elk Restaurant on top of Vail Mountain.  Annie was a total rock star, as was our little helper with the props.  Thanks Annie! xxoo

Real White Welsh Wedding: Danielle & Richard

There's something seriously romantic about old ruined buildings, and they're the perfect back-drop to this glamorous white wedding. Danielle and Richard celebrated their big day at Slebech Park in rural Wales, with the fabulous Angharad Gwenter as their photographer. I'm head-over-heels for Danielle's understated elegance - her gorgeous cathedral-length veil and lace strapless gown are topping my wedding dress favourites right now. Lace-overlay is SO in right now thanks to the lovely Kate Middleton. Other stealworthy wedding details include the personalised bottle labels {easy to DIY} and berries in Danielle's wedding bouquet, plus the bridemaids' little black dresses {always a winner}. I'm in wedding heaven!


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Real Summer Vintage Wedding: Renira & Sam

When a wedding photographer gets married, the wedding is always something special - after all, they've had enough wedding inspiration to sink a ship! Renira & Jane Photography are amongst our favourite wedding photographers here on Before the Big Day Wedding Blog, so it's our huge pleasure to feature Renira's gorgeous summer wedding, photographed by Jane. I'm loving Renira's exquisite vintage dress and elegant jewellery, plus the light-hearted feel of their picnic reception, complete with ladybirds. I seriously love ladybirds! Don't miss the countryside-style bouquets and laser-cut cupcake covers - you'll be wanting to add those to your wedding inspiration folder right now - it's summer perfection.


The Before the Big Day Bridal Q&A - Renira was kind enough to fill in our bridal questionnaire, aimed at helping other brides with their planning process. Feast your eyes on her answers for helpful hints and tips from someone on the other side of her big day!

Where and when did you get married?
The Oxford Town Hall

What was your thinking behind choosing the venue and the decoration of the reception?
We wanted it to be simple and about the marriage not just about the day (and we also only had 2 months to plan!). The 'reception' was a picnic with food made by my sister-in-law Lauren and her Spanish cook boyfriend, Rupi, in the field behind my Mum's house where I have lived for 25 years. Because it was out-doors the decoration was simple and bright, with cushions and blankets, and a very relaxed feel. In the evening we went to our favourite restaurant with 20 of our closest family.

Did you have a theme, colour or motif in mind?
The overall theme was relaxed, outdoors and very personal. My brothers gave me away, our Mums were the witnesses and my Mum did a speech. We only had 30 people at the ceremony and 40-50 at the reception to keep it very intimate.

At the beginning, we didn't really have a theme in mind other than a nod to vintage, but then one of red and green seemed to appear, and so did ladybirds on glass jam jars and on napkins!! We had bunting and country garden flowers chosen by my mum. The jam jars were for guests to take home and put tea lights in, and on the day they were to hold their knives and forks in.

Who made your wedding outfit, and how did you come to that decision?
My accessories were a mix: pearls from my mum, shoes from Dune, and the dress was a result of two months of searching on the internet. It's an authentic 1920's vintage wedding dress from an American site (but I can't remember which site!) I knew I didn't want a long dress and I wanted something different and completely unique.

What about your husband’s outfit? Where was it from?
My husband said that he would spend as much on a suit, as I spent on a dress. His thinking was that I would spend a few hundred. But I surprised myself, and him, by getting the dress for only £120! I was very proud. So Sam's suit ended up being a Paul Smith suit with a very funky lining.

And how about your bridesmaids’ outfits?
They each chose their own dresses. I didn't want everything to be perfect and matching. I wanted them to feel comfortable and themselves. The day was very much about the emotion not just the look (each bridesmaid cried more than I did I think!)

What type of cake did you go for, and how did you come to that decision?
My Mum and my Godmother Anna (who came over from South Africa), made cupcakes the day before!

Did you have any favours? What were they?
The favours were jam jars with handmade fimo ladybirds stuck on the outside. I also handstitched ladybird buttons onto my guests' napkins for them to take home.

Who was your florist, what flowers did you choose, and how did you come to that decision?
Daisy's Flower Shop in Oxford made the bouquet. My mum has a fantastically beautiful garden and other than her four children it is her love! So other than saying I didn't want it to be neat and sleek, my mum chose all the flowers. I didn't see them until the day!

Who was your photographer and how did you choose them?
Renira and Jane Photography. Jane's my best friend, business partner and it wouldn't have made sense not to!

Did you enjoy planning your wedding?
Yes, it was quick but stress free! The inclusion of our immediate and closest family was very important to us and made the day!

Did you have any DIY projects?
Yes. All the table decorations, food, invites (which took a month!) and bunting

Who designed your stationery? What did it look like and how did you come to that decision?
My Grandpa gave me a letter stamp set which was over 100 years old, and I made each of the 40/50 invites by hand with these stamps. Every letter was hand stamped and it took quite a while!

What advice do you have for brides planning their big day?
You only get to do it once and so do it for yourself and your partner not for anyone else. The day passes so quickly and there is so much that can be missed or forgotten, so invest in a great photographer to capture all the bits you don't see or can't remember.

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