Category: Tips and Suggestions

1. Winter Weddings: The Benefits!

   Posted on 9:33pm Saturday 5th Dec 2015

   Spring and summer are definitely the biggest wedding seasons, and we can all understand why - warm weather, beautiful flowers and scenery, long days, everyone is already in a good mood. But they are also the busy seasons, the ones demanding the most advanced planning, and sadly, the most expensive ones too. 

   Not many couples seriously consider a winter wedding despite the appeal of easier availability of suppliers and venues and potentially lower cost. We love the romance associated with nature in bloom, brightness and colour, and winter is still associated with grey, cold and wet. It need not be. Winter can have its beautiful romance too: 

   Magical lights 

   Dark afternoons means that you can have wonderful magical light effects for your wedding decorations. Whether it is a clever use of candles and tea lights, Chinese lanterns, fairy lights, use the darkness to your benefit to create your own picture perfection. 

   Log fires and soft rugs 

   It may be quite 80's, but still very romantic. Not necessarily you and your 200 guests. But, after the party, is there a more romantic way of spending your wedding night than a crackling fire, plenty of soft rugs and blankets, and a good bottle of bubbly or wine (or hot chocolate)? 

   The romance of winter dresses

   Yes, you can have dress impact too even in winter! Some gorgeous materials can't possibly be used in warm weather - fur or faux fur, silk velvets for example. And there are so many types of clothing or accessories that can really make your outfit unique - silk-lined capes, capelets, hoods, stoles, muffs. 

   Sunset and evening photos 

   Sunset comes early, and make the most of it with stunning wedding photos, and likewise, there is so much potential for amazing night time photos - this is especially great if you have limited photographer time. 

   Keep beautifully cool

   Unfortunately with the heat of the summer or even spring, a lot of things are melting or sweating away including your make up. A washed out or shiny face at the end of the day or in photos isn't the sexiest, and neither is a groom in full gear soaking with sweat. Keep looking great for longer with cooler weathers. 

   So, it may not be beautiful bright blooms and long warm days, but don't rule winter out completely, it could surprise you with even more romantic moments. And if you've had a winter wedding and it was great (or even not), tell us about it! 

2. A last minute bit of bespoke?

   Posted on 10:02am Wednesday 18th Nov 2015

   Bespoke is great - you get something made for you, and it is just for you. Normally, I prefer to take time on bespoke items, but it doesn't always work out like that, and sometimes (often!) brides need a little bit of urgent turnaround for that extra little something.

   Here are two great examples with totally different timelines. One was ordered 2 days prior to the wedding and hand delivered. The other was ordered 3 months before the wedding and travelled 9,500miles across the world. With the latter, a pair of similar berry-coloured sashes for twin flower girls, I had time to shop for materials that matched the colour theme of the wedding, time to make the items, and time to post the item with delivery a few weeks before the wedding date. This is great for a relaxed bride, and relaxed me! 

   But if you're short of time, bespoke is not necessarily out of the picture. 

   This beautiful set of matching corsage and boutonniere was done and delivered in 48 hours. The brief thankfully was simple: nothing big and elaborate, and something that goes with a white dress to be worn at the registry. And the bride had a quick look at the internet for some inspiration and shared what she liked with me - great to get a good understanding of size and design preferences. I used materials that I already had in stock, with the bride's agreement on colour, and used a simple flower design that was quick to make but still looked lovely. 

   So here's my realistic rundown about last-minute bespoke:

   1) Don't expect something that looks very elaborate to be turned around in short time. If you are short on time, you can still get great simple bespoke designs made, without complex features that add time. Be flexible about the design you are looking for. 

   2) Factor in delivery - don't go for a supplier who is half way around the world, unless you are prepared to pay for very expensive international couriers. Unfortunately I have refused work in the past because the cost of delivery would just be ridiculous to meet the deadline. You also need to remember that every delivery always carries a small element of risk, even if you're paying massive amounts of money, something out of everyone's control could still go wrong with the courier.

   3) Consider picking up the item when it's ready - whether by yourself (not ideal if there are a thousand other things you need to do), preferably by well meaning members of the wedding party or bridesmaids party. This immediately shaves off a day lost in postage if it is within the same country. 

    

   4) It's great to have a few pictures of what you like to share, but be aware that any decent designer / maker will refuse to copy a design for you. You can request a similar style,or similar features, but not an exact copy. 

    

   5) Be very clear about your must-have requirements, especially dimensions - how wide, how long, how deep, how thick, etc. You don't need to specify every single detail if you can't but the important ones will be needed, especially if it is something that need to fit.   

   6) Don't be scared to contact a supplier even if it is last minute, particularly if they're local to you. They may say no but if you don't ask you don't get. But make sure they know it is a rush order so they can quote realistically. 

   7) Finally, in today's world of emails and online communications, don't forget that phone and even text is probably faster than online, so if you have a telephone number, don't hesitate to pick up the phone. Much better than send a message and wait a day before getting a response. 

3. 5 Tips on Choosing Your Weddding Accessories

   Posted on 10:06pm Wednesday 11th Nov 2015

   Planning a wedding is a giant task! There is so much to think of and it can get quite daunting, but should also be very fun. Above all, other than making sure your guests will have food, entertainment, sit in pretty surroundings, have enough drinks, you need to think about yourself and how amazing you will look. There's a lot to think there too - hair, make-up, dress, shoes, underwear, and other accessories. So, here are my five top tips on choosing your wedding accessories: 

    

   1. Make sure you have your dress first, and your shoes too

   In the majority of cases, your dress defines the whole look, so if you haven't got one yet, it's probably too early to pick your hair accessories or other accessories - however, it's never too early or too late to browse! 

    

   2. Be clear on your style 

   Whether it is boho, vintage, modern, classic - if you know the style you are looking to achieve, it is easier to find a supplier that makes accessories in your chosen theme. And if your dress fits the style, don't stray - nothing is worst than bad mixing of different styles! 

    

   3. Pinterest is your friend

   And Google of course. For inspiration, keep a scrapbook of accessories that you like - or if you are an online person - pin the ideas you like on a board to come back to. 

    

   4. Unusual items are mostly online

   Most standard wedding stores have lovely bridal accessories, but they tend to be very similar from shop to shop. If you want something unusual - steampunk, gothic, themed, handmade or anything that you fancy that is not standard, your best bet are online, including selling platforms such as Etsy, Folksy, Not on the High Street

    

   5. Don't be scared to ask for bespoke

   It is your day, and may be the only time you ever get married, so having something designed and made for you is totally justifiable! Don't be scared of starting the conversation with a designer - it costs nothing and could lead to your ideal piece. 

    

   Hope these tips can help!