Today, I'm featuring a cute bracelet DIY from Cutediys, a new DIY website run by Pooja. Thanks so much Pooja for your DIY submission!
I love this project idea for your bridesmaids! Especially if they're going to be mismatched. You can easily replace the beads with rhinestone strands as well, if you're looking to bling up the tutorial.
From Pooja: I started this blog because I wanted to let people know that with a little creative thinking, you can practically make anything and everything at home. Whether it be for brides on a budget or just someone looking to "get their craft on", cutediys.com is website for everyone! The unique thing about Cutediys is that I feature video tutorials on YouTube that help the reader understand the DIY project better. My main goal at Cutediys is to make the reader feel that crafting can be easy, affordable and a lot of fun!
DIY Feature: Easy Beaded Bracelet from Cutediys
Introducing Genesis Diamonds Engagement Rings
This week on the wedding blog is turning out to be engagement themed! After yesterday's gorgeous engagement shoot, today is all about incredible diamond engagement rings. If you're yet to chose your sparkler, or you're sneakily checking out the blog before your boyfriend's popped the question, then I really recommend Genesis Diamonds. They have the most incredible selection of engagement rings, by fabulous designers, including my favourites Tacori {for some seriously bling-tastic rings} and Simon G {if you're looking for something subtle and elegant}. All their diamonds are guaranteed conflict-free, and if you want to pay over several years, they even offer financing - yippee for a bigger rock!! Since I've already got my engagement ring and wedding ring, I've got my eye on their eternity rings....{here's hoping my husband reads this feature}.
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Nominate me for The Irish Blog Awards 2013
Hi Everyone! The Nominations for The Blog Awards Ireland 2013 close tomorrow. I'd really love to get nominated for best newcomer, there's also a best fashion blog and best blog post category. So if you like what I do and enjoy reading the blog I'd really appreciate if you'd take 2 minutes of your time to nominate me. Here's what you have to do... click on this link Blog Awards Ireland 2013 Nominations, you need to enter your name and email address, scroll down to Best Newcomer, Best Fashion Blog or Best Blog Post (if theres one post in particular you like) and enter the blog email zee.railed@gmail.com, the blog address weddingsdressesideas.blogspot.ie, blog name weddingsdressesideas and for Best Newcomer the date of the first blog post was April 19th 2013, make sure to tick the box to say the blog is written by someone currently residing in Ireland, I live in the drumlins of Co. Monaghan! Finally write a line or two of why you like the blog and click send at the bottom of the page. Thanks very much guys! I hope you all enjoy reading the blog. If you have any suggestions for future blog posts, any questions you'd like to ask me or just general comments please feel free to leave them in the comment section and i'll get back to you.
Lots of fashion love
Zee xx
Vintage Tearoom Engagement Shoot
Engagement shoots very rarely make their way onto Before the Big Day - unless there's a serious theme, or some very clever portrait ideas, I don't think they're very interesting for anyone but the friends and family of the happy couple. But for I had to make an exception for this fun shoot by Victoria Mitchell Photography. It took place in the cutest little vintage cafe in Southall, and it involved cake, books and tea, three of my favourite things in the whole world. Enjoy the pics - great inspiration for your own engagement shoot, no?
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A Bit of Before the Big Day Housekeeping
Before the Big Day has evolved! I'm constantly trying out new things with the blog - mostly in a slightly haphazard way - keeping up with the baby and blogging doesn't leave much time for anything else {apart from eating cake}. So I've just added a new widget by Link Within. Essentially it adds a series of boxes at the end of each of my blog posts, with fabulous similar articles from Before the Big Day's Archives. It's amazing what it throws up - there's brilliant features there I forgot I've written. Be sure to give them a click! And while we're on the subject of housekeeping....have you discovered our amazing free newsletter? Sign up for exclusive content and special offers, and I promise never to spam you!
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Opportunistic Monochromist
By a meteorological miracle!
It is true that in Ireland we are totally obsessed with the weather. Its the first and main topic of conversation between friends, acquaintances and even the stranger in the queue next to you at the local grocery store “Powerful weather that isn’t it”, “Its great to see it but if that weather doesn’t turn soon the farmers ‘ill be cryin’”. The farmers seem to forget that its rained for the last 11 months and I doubt that a measly 4 weeks of dry sunny weather would turn their fields into the sahara desert. How and ever the weather has turned and now i’m sure they’ll be complaining of the flash flooding... I must admit though that I do sympathize with ‘the farmers’ on this occasion as I find myself in quite the sartorial stew... I mean we have sunny summer mornings, thunderous downpours in the afternoon and intermittent showers and sunny spells in the evening!! To keep up with it all I’m having more wardrobe changes than the Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries wedding party!!!
Although I’m in a state of mourning for the soaring 30 degree temperatures we were experiencing just over a week ago, I was thrilled to take this sunny, but not sweltering or slippery skinned sweat inducing morning to do this outfit post. Sometimes a girl just wants to wear leather pants (particularly when said pants were bought over a month ago and our unusually scorching weather has not allowed me the opportunity) and a knitted jumper with a cute slit in the centre back, skinny 3/4 sleeves in monochrome, naturally. So i seized the opportunity because the alternative suggested that my leather pants and perfect summer jumper ensemble would be residing in my wardrobe taunting me until that one day of autumn or maybe even next spring when someone turns the tap off on our world renowned wet weather and i can wear it without having to hide it with a huge winter over coat or hooded rain mac...
I feel like a bee in a black and white movie!!
Mission accomplished! Now to change before the storm comes....
I’m wearing leather pants and monochrome jumper by Zara (yes I’m obsessed with Zara), shoes, sunglasses and bracelet from Pennys. Special guest appearance by Mac The Dog. I really need to find some better locations for these photos...
Before Your Big Day Boudoir Shoot - Do or Don't?
Have you ever heard of a boudoir shoot? Lots of wedding photographers offer them as part of a wedding package - they're like an engagement shoot, but involving bridal lingerie! The idea is you have the pictures taken as a present for your husband-to-be, as a reminder of how lucky he is to be marrying his sexy, glamorous wife. They're usually teamed with some sort of makeover, so you can be sure to look your best. I love the idea of dressing up in pretty lingerie, although I don't know if my current bras would take the heat - I'd definitely have to go shopping before any hanky panky takes place! For more sophisticated ideas, take a look at my Pinterest board - I'm thinking the best option is to go slightly theatrical, like in this Pin by Elizabeth Messina.
{Photo Credits} 1. Jose Villa | 2. Adorro Impressions
{Photo Credits} 1. Jose Villa | 2. Adorro Impressions
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For the Groom: Allen Edmonds Neumok shoes
My husband has been searching for months for nice brown oxfords. And I really do mean months. I've spent more time in the Nordstrom men's shoe department than some of their sales people and I am not proud of that. But I did get a chance to check out some shoes that would look amazing on a groom or his groomsmen.
One of my favorites is the Allen Edmonds Neumok Wingtip Oxford. And speaking of Nordstrom, they are in the midst of their Anniversary Sale, and the Neumoks are $100 less than normal price. A steal.
Photo: AllenEdmonds.com
If you're not familiar with Allen Edmonds, just know that you're making an investment in a pair shoes that can last a decade if treated right. They are handmade in the USA out of premium leather and sport a hot-cork sole that molds to your feet over time. Give them a few wears (seriously it takes 3-4 wears to break in), and they will fit like a glove. And as the sole or shoe wears out, you can send it back to Allen Edmonds and it'll come back like new for a fraction of the cost you paid for new shoes. Check out this video. You're not just buying a shoe for one day, you're buying one for a years to come.
A rule of thumb is shoes as ornate as the Neumoks are not formal enough to pair with a suit. But that is an old man's rule. These shoes look amazing and would look just as amazing with a suit as they would with a pair of nice jeans. The colored laces add a little pop (though they do come with neutral laces) and could be a great finishing touch to the ensembles of the men in your wedding.
Photo: AllenEdmonds.com The Neumoks come in various colors as well, including brown, olive, navy and red. You'll surely be able to find a color to satisfy. Do you have any other shoe recommendations?
Colourful DIY Printable Drinks Flags
Drinks flags are a hugely popular way to personalise your wedding. Their DIY friendly and add fun flair to your drinks. Make your own out of ribbons like I did for my wedding, or buy these printable flags from He Saw Sparks. I'm loving the 'Happily Ever After' slogan. Just print the flag template on cardstock or photo-paper, and trim. You can attach the flags to straws, toothpicks, stir-sticks, or anything else you have handy!
♥ Want to see DIY bride ideas? ♥ Or how about more wedding detail ideas? ♥
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Mini Whisky Bottle Favors
How adorable are these?!
They can act like wedding favors and escort cards, too, which make them even more awesome!
Like em'? See more wedding favor ideas on our Pinterest! 
Photography: Annie McElwain Photography, Coordination, Design + Florals: Bash, Please
Real Theatrical Vintage Wedding: Laura & Paul - Reception Details
Details, details, it's all in the wedding details! This gorgeous vintage big day is going to blow your mind with its incredible selection of stealworthy ideas. Laura and Paul wanted their wedding to stand out from the crowd, so they hired Chris from Beautifully Vintage to help them out with dressing their wedding reception. And didn't she do a good job! There's a old-school glamorous feel to the vintage props - I love the gilt frames, lace ribbons and old keys. Laura decided to use a vintage tea-set as her table plan - a fantastic idea I've not seen before, and she continued the theme by buying an antique cup and saucer as a wedding favour for female guest. I love the DIY'd naked wedding cake and the stunning just-picked table flowers with their gingham ribbons, plus the lucky horseshoes - you can never have too much good fortune at a wedding. Big love and thanks to wedding photographer Anna Louise Crossley for capturing every detail with such panache!
We got married on Friday 31st May at 12.30pm at St Gregory's Church in Preston, which holds family memories for my husband, so was lovely it meant something something to him. We then hosted our wedding reception at The Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green.
Anna Louise Crossley was our amazing wedding photographer!! I met her when I was bridesmaid for my friend last year, and she was her photographer {and friend} too. I love her reportage style and she just makes the photos look so stylish, yet effortless, plus I love the filters she uses.
We wanted our wedding reception that had a 'nice feeling' to it. Nothing too grand, but we wanted the room to be nice with that old but new look. I wanted to feel cosy and comfortable, but for the venue to still to be stylish.
I also wanted somewhere different to where anyone we, or my friends, or my friends' friends had got married. Also no patterned carpets was very important ;-)! The Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green fitted the bill perfectly.
I wanted a vintage theme, but nothing too extreme, and I wanted it to be stylish and quite glam too. I didn't think I would be a pink wedding girl, but it seemed to fit the theme perfectly and I do like the dusky/nude pink look.
Deannamic Designs created our wedding stationery, including the menus. I went to discuss with Deanna what I wanted which was something a bit old looking but with a touch of glam. So we decided on brown kraft card but with pink ribbon and pearls. All my stationery looked gorgeous.
I wanted to try and give the wedding a bit more of the personal touch so I decided to collect vintage teacups, and give one to each lady guest as one of their favours. I had lots of fun trawling around charity shops and vintage fairs looking for them {although I'm not sure Paul did!}.
Inside each cup was a chocolate with a picture of Paul and I, marked with our wedding date and thanking our guests for being there. The male guests got this and a miniature bottle of JD. We also chose to make a donation to Rainbow Trust Charity on behalf of each guest, in memory of my nephew Jack who died last year at the age of two. Rainbow Trust very kindly made a card for each guest with a badge and it was lovely to see a lot of our guests wearing the badge.
I didn’t want your usual type of wedding cake, and as soon as I started researching I found naked cakes. I couldn't decide between the one I found, or a cheese cake as I love cheese.
But when I told my Mum I was thinking about a cheese wedding cake, she couldn’t believe it {she loves cake}, so that swayed my decision. I am so glad I chose the one I did now. My friend Kelly made it, and she more than did me proud – it was just what I wanted.
I really wanted to focus on wedding details – I love organising things and having a project, and I knew that some people would really appreciate the little things I did, and that our wedding would stand out for that reason.
Our table plan was a DIY project – I decided to use a vintage tea-set plus tea-posts with cards with names/table names on each one.
Our florist was called Flower Design and my flowers were beautiful! I found them by looking at the Facebook site of one of my friend's wedding venue. I wanted my flowers to look vintage-y and have a more 'just picked' look rather than being too 'done'. I knew I wanted sweet peas and peonies included too.
We got married on Friday 31st May at 12.30pm at St Gregory's Church in Preston, which holds family memories for my husband, so was lovely it meant something something to him. We then hosted our wedding reception at The Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green.
Anna Louise Crossley was our amazing wedding photographer!! I met her when I was bridesmaid for my friend last year, and she was her photographer {and friend} too. I love her reportage style and she just makes the photos look so stylish, yet effortless, plus I love the filters she uses.
We wanted our wedding reception that had a 'nice feeling' to it. Nothing too grand, but we wanted the room to be nice with that old but new look. I wanted to feel cosy and comfortable, but for the venue to still to be stylish.
I also wanted somewhere different to where anyone we, or my friends, or my friends' friends had got married. Also no patterned carpets was very important ;-)! The Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green fitted the bill perfectly.
I wanted a vintage theme, but nothing too extreme, and I wanted it to be stylish and quite glam too. I didn't think I would be a pink wedding girl, but it seemed to fit the theme perfectly and I do like the dusky/nude pink look.
Deannamic Designs created our wedding stationery, including the menus. I went to discuss with Deanna what I wanted which was something a bit old looking but with a touch of glam. So we decided on brown kraft card but with pink ribbon and pearls. All my stationery looked gorgeous.
I wanted to try and give the wedding a bit more of the personal touch so I decided to collect vintage teacups, and give one to each lady guest as one of their favours. I had lots of fun trawling around charity shops and vintage fairs looking for them {although I'm not sure Paul did!}.
Inside each cup was a chocolate with a picture of Paul and I, marked with our wedding date and thanking our guests for being there. The male guests got this and a miniature bottle of JD. We also chose to make a donation to Rainbow Trust Charity on behalf of each guest, in memory of my nephew Jack who died last year at the age of two. Rainbow Trust very kindly made a card for each guest with a badge and it was lovely to see a lot of our guests wearing the badge.
I didn’t want your usual type of wedding cake, and as soon as I started researching I found naked cakes. I couldn't decide between the one I found, or a cheese cake as I love cheese.
But when I told my Mum I was thinking about a cheese wedding cake, she couldn’t believe it {she loves cake}, so that swayed my decision. I am so glad I chose the one I did now. My friend Kelly made it, and she more than did me proud – it was just what I wanted.
Our table plan was a DIY project – I decided to use a vintage tea-set plus tea-posts with cards with names/table names on each one.
Our florist was called Flower Design and my flowers were beautiful! I found them by looking at the Facebook site of one of my friend's wedding venue. I wanted my flowers to look vintage-y and have a more 'just picked' look rather than being too 'done'. I knew I wanted sweet peas and peonies included too.
I loved that she designed what I had in my head, so I decided to use her expertise {and her lovely accessories} and asked her decorate the wedding reception instead. We talked a lot about what I wanted the venue to look like and she totally got it – it was gorgeous, and I cried when I walked in!
I loved it planning my wedding! I am a really organised person so having a project like this was fab for me. I loved getting into the detail, and researching everything before I made decisions.
My advice to brides planning their wedding would be - take your time researching ideas before you choose things. It's so easy to get excited by everything when you start looking but think things through first. Also have a theme, even if only lose, this will help you choose between ideas if you are struggling.
Also, be organised and start early – I was adamant I wouldn’t be doing my table plan at the 11th hour – and I felt so much less stressed for it and could enjoy the build-up the closer it got. And enjoy – it's fun!!!
♥ Want to see lacy weddings? ♥ Or how about more glamorous weddings? ♥
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