Boho Grecian Wedding Dresses by Matthew Williamson

It's been far too long since I last blogged on divine wedding dresses. For me, choosing my wedding gown was my hardest wedding decision. I'm just not that fashion-y. Also there's a serious bridge most brides have to cross when choosing their wedding dress. On one side is normal life, where you probably wouldn't spend more than £200 on a dress, and then on the other side of the bridge are wedding dresses, which all seem to cost more than £1000. When my mother bought me my Delphine Manivet wedding dress, I had a sleepless night over how much she'd spent on my behalf. It just felt like a crazy amount of money. I felt amazing on my wedding day though, and there is a certain expectation that a bride must look better on her big day than ever before. Incidentally, if you're worrying about your wedding figure and your wedding look, do check out the blog posts from Alice Cowen, our wedding blog fitness expert, and Julia Bowden, our wedding hair and make-up expert. They've got fantastic advice on how to look your best on your wedding day. In the meantime, feast your eyes on my favourite wedding dresses from the gorgeous Matthew Williamson Bridal collection.

♥ Want more wedding dress ideas? ♥ Or how about wedding beauty ideas? ♥

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Vintage Wedding Decorations - Cloche & Bell Jars

My latest wedding decoration obsession are these vintage-style bell jars. They're perfect for a botanical or garden themed wedding, or a vintage-themed wedding, and I love their versatility. You can literally fill them with anything! I love how the bell jars in the picture below are filled with herbs, but I've seen them covering designer shoes {imagine naming your wedding tables Jimmy Choo, or Christian Louboutin!}, wedding cakes, vintage books and even sylvan scenes of moss and toadstools. For more ideas, check out my Pinterest board - it's stuffed with excellent wedding inspiration and ideas. For more pictures from this fabulous event styled by Sterling Engagements - check out the wedding blog Grey Likes Weddings.

♥ Want more wedding decoration ideas? ♥ Or how about garden wedding ideas? ♥

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Pudding Painting in Gypsum. Through the Lens Series, Entry 19.

How much time have you spent ogling over interesting tidbits and crafts on Pinterest?  I know for myself, I always look at things on there and think 'I could totally do that and I'll definitely try it one day' only to forget about 5 minutes later as soon as something more important comes along like laundry or a screaming toddler.

Thankfully, my friend Kim found a kid-friendly Pinterest activity that only involved 2 ingredients.  The 2 ingredients for Pudding Painting are pudding and food coloring.  Other non-edible essentials include lots of space, old sheets, wet rags, paintbrushes and paper.  Clothing is optional!

As any mother out there knows, children of a certain age tend to put everything in their mouths.  This activity was designed to get them used to painting and holding onto a paintbrush.  If they wanted to eat the paint, it was completely edible and slightly delicious.

Here are the results.  Thank you Pinterest!

Step 1:  Take any kind of vanilla pudding and a few bottles of food coloring.

Step 2:  Add a few drops of food coloring.  A little goes a long way.  We used 2 -3 drops per Snack Pack.

Step 3:  Give each child a spoon and a brush and place them over a large piece of paper.  Don't forget a drop cloth!

Tip:  Ask your local newspaper for their leftover rolls of newsprint.  They'll usually give them to you for free.  

The end result...not too much painting was done and there were certainly no masterpieces to hang.  It sure makes for one cute mess though!  Don't forget to have wet cloths ready to go for a quick clean up.  

Shabby-Chic Jane Austen Themed Wedding Shoot - Part 2

Time for Part 2 of this incredible Jane Austen-themed wedding shoot. You've got to love English literature as the perfect wedding inspiration, particularly if you're planning a marquee or country-house wedding. With endless wedding ideas, you're going to want to copy every one of these pictures to your wedding Pinterest board. My favourite spots? I'm loving the blackberries in the bridal bouquet, the indoor as outdoor chandelier in the garden, the decadent picnic set-up, and all the vintage details, including the cake stand, apple crates and quilt. Dress your bridesmaids and pageboys in antique clothing, and add a traditional feel to your wedding day. Huge thanks to Dominic Whiten Photography for these beautiful pictures. Don't miss the list of all the other talented vendors who made this Wedding Shoot possible - after the pics. If you didn't catch Part 1, don't miss it - click here.

Wedding Shoot Credits
Styling: Melissa Love Design & Orchestrated

Wedding Photographer: Dominic Whiten Photography
Venue: Wiston House

Styling, Food & Flowers: The Tea Set

Dresses: White Mischief

Tailoring: Gresham Blake

Make-up: Natalie Clark of NC Bridal Beauty

Hair Accessories: Cherished Vintage Bridal Accessories

Hair Styling: Caroline Kearney

Stationery: The Girl Tyler

Children's Vintage Clothing: Dinky Vintage

Children's Clothing: Bonnie Baby

♥ Want more wedding theme ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Shabby-Chic Jane Austen Themed Wedding Shoot

Romantic brides who love their literature are going to adore this beautiful Jane Austin wedding shoot organised by Melissa Love Design and Orchestrated, and photographed by Dominic Whiten Photography. Theming your wedding around your favourite book is such a brilliant idea, although you've got to hope your husband isn't a fan of Lord of the Rings, or you could find your ushers dressed as orcs! My wedding was loosely styled around The Secret Garden, which meant lots of vintage keys and a wedding reception in a walled garden. This Jane Austin theme sees tonnes of pretty nods to literature and books, with a traditional English tea and picnic, plus croquet on the lawn. Stealworthy wedding ideas include the adorable striped wedding stationery, the antique silver napkin rings {start collecting now at car boot sales and off eBay}, using fruit as table decorations, and traditional English blooms like roses and lavender. I also love the flower crown worn by the 'bride'. Buckets more wedding inspiration on its way in Part 2, published first thing tomorrow!

Wedding Shoot Credits
Styling: Melissa Love Design & Orchestrated

Wedding Photographer: Dominic Whiten Photography
Venue: Wiston House

Styling, Food & Flowers: The Tea Set

Dresses: White Mischief

Tailoring: Gresham Blake

Make-up: Natalie Clark of NC Bridal Beauty

Hair Accessories: Cherished Vintage Bridal Accessories

Hair Styling: Caroline Kearney

Stationery: The Girl Tyler

Children's Vintage Clothing: Dinky Vintage

Children's Clothing: Bonnie Baby

♥ Want more wedding theme ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Real Orchid & Elegance Wedding: Madeline & Coby

Everyone now and then it's great to indulge your feminine side, and if your future husband will let you, there's nothing more romantic than a pink-themed wedding. Madeline and Coby's wedding was inspired by Coco Chanel’s early ad campaigns, and I'm loving the classic style of Madeline's bridesmaids' dresses and her Enzoani strapless gown. Check out the gorgeous florals - Madeline's bouquet included spray roses, pale pink cymbidium orchids, and mini calla lilies - yum! The happy couple also used fresh flowers to decorate their cake, to stunning effect. Definitely an idea worth stealing - you could use your own signature blooms to make a simple white layer cake your own. Lovely photos as ever from the ladies at Simply Bloom Photography.

♥ Want more pink-themed wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about elegant wedding ideas? ♥

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Key to My Heart Wedding Favours

Keys are romantic. Love letters written on keys are beyond romantic - in my view they're up there with Shakespearean sonnets and a good old proposal on one knee. That might explain why I've fallen hook, line and sinker for this cute laser-cut key, or it might be because I love all of Mister Rob's work. Pick up the limited edition keys from his online shop here, or pop down to his Colombia Road shop in London.

♥ Want more fairy-tale wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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Real Lilac, Lace & Pearls Wedding: Emma & Adi - Part 2

Time for the second part of this gorgeous lace and pearl themed wedding, which took place at Northbrook Park in Surrey. With tonnes of vintage highlights, you're going to love all the stealworthy ideas, including all the easy-to-DIY reception details. I'm loving how Emma stuck her wedding table-plan to a vintage mirror, and how she decorated the cutlery and napkins with lilac ribbons, lace and pearls. The lace ribbon even reflects the lace in her stunning wedding dress. Take a look at these fabulous Imag1ne wedding pictures by Amy Turner for more ideas, and if you missed Part 2, click here!

♥ Want more yellow-themed wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥

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