Home » Archives for June 2013

Pimping Your Wedding Invitation Envelope

When no wedding detail is too small, you're going to want....no need these envelope stickers. Designed by Sara at Nice Package Design, they're the perfect finishing touch to your wedding invitations - chic and sweet. What's more, Sara has seals for your thank you cards, and tags your favours, plus a lovely line in giraffes. Find yet more envelope stickers in Once Upon Designs.

♥ Want to see more wedding stationery ideas? ♥ Or how about real weddings? ♥

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Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.

Real Aubergine Forest Wedding: Dani & Ryan

You know you're in for a treat, whenever Jose Villa pictures a wedding. He's one of the world's best wedding photographers, and he makes every big day look exceptional. Of course it helps when you have amazing wedding details like the New England Riverside Farm venue, Dani's divine Elie Saab wedding dress and stunning venue styling by Moon Canyon Design. The colour palette wings its way straight to the top of my love-list - its impossible not to look elegant in rich aubergine, and Dani's bridesmaids are gorgeous. The music-themed wedding stationery by Monumental Designs set the tone for the wedding day, as the guests were entertained by a grand piano moved outside for the ceremony. I love the barn reception and the stargazer set-up outside. You can imagine the guests searching the skies for shooting stars! For my wedding inspiration, take a look at Dani and Ryan's Rehearsal Dinner and amazing hippy-themed Engagement Shoot.

♥ Want to see more forest wedding ideas? ♥ Or how about barn weddings? ♥

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Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.

What's Your Engagement Story?

I wasn't the most subtle bride-in-waiting. I started Before the Big Day before I got engaged, and all of my now-husband's friends thought it was one giant hint. It wasn't, but I did have an unhealthy interest in weddings, long before my time! When my husband eventually proposed, I knew it was coming. We took a skiing holiday in France to celebrate New Year, and I just had that feeling he was going to pop the question. What I didn't expect was for him to do it on the first day! I got back from the slopes earlier than him, and soaked in a blissfully hot bath. Once I was all wrapped up in a fluffy dressing gown, he came in, and told me to look out of the window at something. I peeked out over the balcony and saw 'Will You Marry Me' written in the snow. When I turned back, he was down on one knee! It was an amazing, if slightly surreal moment. I'd waited so long for the proposal, that afterwards it didn't quite seem real, and the snow was falling so fast, that the proposal soon disappeared, making it our secret. We eventually told our friends and family a few days later. What's your engagement story? Did your husband propose with a diamond ring? My husband chose my gorgeous solitaire for me, but if you're still looking, there's a great selection of stunning rings on Samara James. Learn more about diamonds and take a look at their collection by clicking here, and if you're interested, read more about me and my wedding.

{Picture Credit} Jose Villa

More posts like this one:

✽ A Quick Personal Message

✽ My Wedding Anniversary

♥ Want to see engagement ring ideas? ♥ Or how about more engagement shoot ideas? ♥

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Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.

Handprinted Vintage Tea-Party Wedding Bunting

As a huge fan of wedding bunting, I'm always on the look-out for a new style, so imagine how thrilled I was to stumble upon Ilene's stunning Etsy shop, Corydora's. Based in Bath, Ilene prints all of her bunting by hand using individual lino blocks, and I love the rustic effect. The flags remind me of sails on a ship, and would be the perfect addition to any vintage tea-party themed wedding. The bunting also comes printed with shells for a nautical big day, hearts, and tulips for a garden party, plus Ilene's happy to take custom orders!

**Update! The lovely Ilene spotted by post, and as a little pre-wedding gift is offering a special 10% off coupon for Before the Big Day readers. The coupon code is BBD10 and when it is entered at check out Etsy will deduct 10% from any purchase in my shop over $25.00**

♥ Want to see more wedding decoration ideas? ♥ Or how about tea-party weddings? ♥

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Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.

Real Sheer Romance Wedding: Sabrina & Alex - Reception Pictures

There's so many gorgeous details in this dreamy luxury wedding, you're going to want to add every picture to your wedding Pinterest board. As you know, I'm a huge fan of marquee weddings, and I've fallen for the pretty-in-pink style of Sabrina and Alex's wedding reception. With stunning flowers by Jane Campsie at the Garden Inn, a traditional tiered wedding cake {chosen by Alex}, and elegant table stationery by Emma Jo {love the romantic calligraphy}, every element is exquisite. Enjoy these fabulous pictures by Maria de Faci, and be sure to look out for the fishy details - Alex is a keen fisherman, so Sabrina made sure to reflect that in a subtle way, including a cute wedding cake topper!

We celebrated our wedding on 30th June, at Alex’s family home. We wanted to keep the decor natural, romantic and stylish, with a colour palette of neutrals and pinks.

Monique L’Huillier made my wedding dress, our florist was Jane Campsie at the Garden Inn in Stockbridge. She was an absolute dream to work with.

Alex's suit was made by Hackett.

My bridesmaids wore the Lela Rose dress from Dessy.

Maria de Faci was our wedding photographer. We liked the style of her photography and her portfolio.

Emma Jo Stationery designed our wedding stationery, including the table stationery. We wanted something elegant and simple. I love stationery and am a bit obsessed with paper, so for me it was all about the choice of paper and letterpress.

Alex chose the cake with no input from me. He wanted a patisserie style cake that basically tasted amazing! Each tier had a different filling – chocolate, Victoria sponge and carrot. Flowers from our florist were used to decorate it.

Alex is a serious fisherman so we had a fishing motif running through the wedding {on all the stationery, names of tables, cake topper, etc}.

My advice for brides.....there’s a lot of choice out there so try and narrow everything down to three as quickly as possible to help with decision making.

My other tip would be, film the day {either a friend or professional}. We used a professional {Super8 Wedding Films} and at the time I wasn’t sure whether it was a bit of an extravagance, but I was so happy we did once we watched it.

♥ Want to see more marquee weddings? ♥ Or how about luxury weddings? ♥

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Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.

Real Sheer Romance Wedding: Sabrina & Alex

When it comes to dreamy wedding inspiration, it doesn't get better than a Monique L’Huillier wedding dress, frothy white peonies, pink roses and large round balloons. Sabrina and Alex's wedding is a study in romance, and I've fallen for their luxury style. Sabrina chose a soft colour palette of pinks and neutrals, and a church wedding, followed by a marquee reception at Alex's family home. For once the weather behaved, and there's nothing better than the English countryside on a sunshiny day. Don't miss my favourite stealworthy ideas - the glamorous cream Rolls Royce, the pretty Lela Rose Dessy bridesmaid dresses, and the elegant Emma Jo wedding stationery tied up with black and white baker's twine. More fabulous details in the reception pictures, coming soon! Huge thanks to Maria De Faci for her gorgeous pictures of the day!

We celebrated our wedding on 30th June, at Alex’s family home. We wanted to keep the decor natural, romantic and stylish, with a colour palette of neutrals and pinks. Alex is a serious fisherman so we had a fishing motif running through the wedding {on all the stationery, names of tables etc}.