The Wedding Fairy’s Little Black Book
These are a few of my favourite things...
A selection of ideas taken from my eBooks - 50 Greatest wedding planning websites ever and 51 Amazing ideas for your wedding.
First up it’s a quick reminder on the most important bit... the dress -
Here’s my official run-down for all the latest from the World of bridal fashion
www.lovemydress.net - I just adore this site for sourcing super sassy accessories and discovering new designers most of us would never hear of otherwise!
www.weddinggowntown.com/blog - From Vera Wang to Valentino, if it’s on the catwalk it’s in wedding-gown-town! I love this blog for identifying new trends and pointing out upcoming styles for the season ahead.
www.bridechic.blogspot.com - A joyous homage to bridal fashion, with Bride Chic we also get some really fantastic out-of-the-box ideas and distinct styling themes - ideal if you are looking for a strong non-traditional big day look.
www.lovelybride.com/blog - And finally with Lovely Bride we uncover some edgy classics alongside a wonderful mix of real life weddings - perfect for seeing how a dress truly comes to life on the day itself.
Flower Power!
I am all about budding buds and when it comes to making a major impact these are the guys to turn to for high impact inspiration...
Yes for a spot of jaw dropping drama, feast your eyes upon these fine floral-construction fashionistas any A-list would be proud to employ. Petals have the power to make or break a wedding and that is why I want you to check out the stunning work of www.jamieaston.com - www.rvhfloraldesign.com and www.mathewdickinsonflowers.co.uk - brace yourself for an extreme explosion of flower power people!
Wedding Cakes!
Sweet treats are made of these girls and who am I to disagree! We are not just talking an average three tiers here, I am about to present you with three mouth-watering exquisite bespoke cake construction websites that are guaranteed to leave you spellbound - wow, that really was quite a mouthful! If you are on the hunt for a dramatic detailed statement to ‘seal the deal’ as they say, me thinks I might have found a few options for you. Forget something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Think vibrant vintage, Hollywood glitz, fabulous fifties and the orient express! Yes, these three wise creators offer a range of differing styles and looks that are all bang on it right now in terms of cutting edge contemporary cake design... www.zoeclarkcakes.com - www.lvcc.co.uk and www.fancynancy.info something tasty for everyone!
Big Day Bake off!
Talking about wedding cakes, why not take a whole new approach to this tradition with what I simply describe as The Big Day Bake off! Why have only 1 cake when you can have 40?! What is the idea I hear you ask? Well, when inviting ones guests to attend the biggest day of your life, why not also invite them to construct a sculpture of the sweet treat variety to bring along for your Big Day Bake Off. Essentially this is a competition to find the best designed, best tasting cake at the wedding, judged of course by our fresh from the aisle, utterly gorgeous - bride and groom. Oh and if you are super brave, you could also get the Mother-in-Law’s involved too although, this option clearly has the potential to get very messy - quite literally! Daggers or rather top-tiers at dawn girls - I am joking of course... trust me, this is such a fun way to cut said cake and keep your guests entertained and chatting about who should have won for hours! Host a competition for adults, teenagers and children so everyone can get involved and offer a prize for the winner of each category. Ensure the presentation is properly organised with a designated host from your key wedding party to oversee proceedings. Not only is this a brilliant twist on the most classic of wedding traditions but, the Big Day Bake Off is also great for the big day budget too! Luckily with so many cakes being brought to the wedding, you definitely won’t need to source and buy one for yourselves... let them eat on mass I say! Genius.
Do It Yourself!
Yes if you can have a go in the home, why not have a go down the aisle as well?! DIY Weddings are becoming ever more popular for truly stamping one’s own mark on proceedings and maxing the big day budget. Ultimately this route is not for the faint hearted but, if you have a head for planning, some time on your hands and love a challenge - this job is definitely for you! Simply visit my top 3 diy-er’s for all the best tasty tips you will ever need to design and create everything from table centrepieces to DIY wedding invites... www.diywedding.org - www.diybride.com and www.oncewed.com. Grab that sticky-back plastic girls - I am good to go!
www.partypieces.co.uk
www.omgimgettingmarried.com
It’s all about the drama at destination OMG! Yes, if it’s glitz, glamour and all-round general gorgeousness you are on the hunt for - this is the Mother of all Mecca’s. The site is SO brilliantly easy to navigate, plus the pages have been cleverly categorised meaning you can access the elements you are researching quickly and effectively - no trolling through hundreds of pages here people! Pay special attention to the video reels for some pretty impressive visuals that have been carefully selected by the sites editor to inform and spark the imagination. Throw in select reviews on the latest bridal-wear launches, crazy cool cakes, fabulous flowers, a handful of seriously stunning stand-out venues and all of a sudden OMG becomes an essential click for any fashionista bride-to-be!
www.rocknrollbride.com
Talking of themes, why not do your big day the rock n roll way! If the classic wedding fairytale is not your thing then this little beauty of a site is just for you. So many brides-to-be ask me for alternatives to the traditional vanilla scene of the wedding business and this is the blog I always point them too for a rather large injection of out-there fabulousness! I especially love all the golden nuggets of delicious detail shared on this website that will take any wedding from standard to sexy in seconds. Remember, it’s all in the detail...
www.thebrokeassbride.com
Bad-ass inspiration on a broke-ass budget - what a hook-line! Yes, this website does exactly what is says on the tin and it’s a total must-see for maximising cash and making the most of your big day budget. We are talking from fine to fabulous in seconds wedding planners - without having to break the bank! Head straight over to the categories page for a brilliant breakdown on how to spend wisely and effectively across each element of your big day. Remember a fairytale does not have to cost the earth people - it’s all about what you know not who you know!
www.bridalmusings.com
Tons of fabulous out-of-the-box originality on this site for the bride-to-be who adores detail. This website is buzzing with ideas I have often never come across before - especially on the beauty and wedding favour front! Elizabeth’s daily musings are above all a fun fix for us wedding- ista’s, but more importantly an inspiring read for any bride-to-be. In her own words... this is one chic and unique wedding blog!
www.bride2bride.co.uk - in the US check out www.MyBridalBids.com
As you well know, your Wedding Fairy loves a genius idea and this one is right up there with the very best of them! I am SO happy to have discovered www.bride2bride.co.uk. A fantastic site for brides-to-be who are looking to buy a wedding dress and all the regalia that goes with said gig at a fraction of the cost you would normally pay in a traditional bridal store. The detail is all in the title people - an exchange from one newlywed bride to another bride-to-be and so on and so on. It’s an eco-cycle girls and I love it! Quite often that dream dress you have been gagging to get your hands on can cost a small fortune, so it is definitely worth checking out what delights are on offer via this site. Don’t delay, it turns out Cinderella will go to the ball! Get online today and see what’s up for grabs... let the exchange of girl power commence!
www.thebiggayweddingdirectory.com
And when we turn to planning a civil partnership this website has the lot! I just love this directory for its no-nonsense approach of what you should be doing and when, teamed with a really comprehensive planning checklist and little black book of gay friendly suppliers. The site is really easy to navigate and covers all aspects of organising the big day. And if you are keen to keep up to date with all the latest news on marriage equality - this online destination is a must-add to your favourites list.
www.ukbride.co.uk
As one of the biggest wedding planning websites in the UK, this little beauty is brilliant for sourcing suppliers and interacting with other brides-to-be via their online forum. UK bride often have some great competitions running too, so always great to check out and enter for the fabulous wedding-themed prizes on offer. There is also tons of advice on all elements of the planning process and a top selection of regional wedding fairs to visit in your local area.
Lets Accessorise
Founded in 1987 by Carole Middleton, www.partypieces.co.uk is the family run business that is now recognised as the UK’s leading destination for all those essential ingredients everyone needs to make any celebration seriously swing! Originally created to make event planning a little easier, PartyPieces.co.uk has everything covered for your wedding day theme - from glitz ‘n’ glamour to Vintage tea party. This site is my saviour for grabbing all those extra bits I always need to really bring a wedding to life. Beautiful bunting, butterfly place cards and their cup cake wraps have quite literally saved my life in the past! Defo make sure you take a moment to pop by this website and check out the gorgeous mix of interior design ideas on offer - utterly scrumptious!
And for the boys... mytuxedo.co.uk
Talking of 00Heaven, you could of course arrive shaken, but not stirred with a super-slick tux ensemble by the team at mytuxedo.co.uk... minus the wheels of course! Yes, quite rightly, old school glamour never falls out of fashion and always hits the hotspot at any social occasion - especially a wedding day. The classic English Gent look mixed with some contemporary tailoring is bound to be a sure fire hit, so why not take a tour of their website and see if anything takes your fancy: www.mytuxedo.co.uk
Argh! How do we get there?
In general, how dull are the pull-out set of travel instructions included in what is often a rather glamorous invite to the big day spectacular? It’s always such a letdown when you reach for that printed Google map of directions with local hotels highlighted in florescent marker. There must be another option out there somewhere I hear you cry? Well yes you would be right... cue www.cutemaps.co.uk! A friend of mine showed me this site and I instantly fell in love. These handmade creations are individually tailored to depict your unique journey by land, sea, or air, to the aisle of love and beyond! The adorable selection of imagery is vast and when it comes to getting your invitees buzzing before the big day adventure even begins - this is the kind of fun twist I am talking about. CuteMaps also offer save the date cards and even fridge magnets to remind guests of your wedding every time they reach for the butter!
Bouquet bling
This glitzy mash-up will surely have the magpies swooping over head?! When it comes to fresh ideas www.dcbouquets.co.uk are full of them in the silver, gold and very sparkly variety! Forget flowers, jewels are the future when it comes to walking down the aisle with a bouquet to die for. From Vintage to Hollywood Glamour - DC has something for all tastes and desires. I love the fact you can also integrate sentimental items of jewellery or buttons to create a truly personal memory bouquet - the perfect solution for carrying keepsakes from lost loved ones with you on your wedding day. The team can also incorporate something blue into the arrangement, making the items as visible or invisible as you like. Infact you could add in the whole lot - something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue! Do all the traditions for good luck in one job lot - perfect. To check out the full gallery visit the website and drift off into bouquet heaven.
Go green...
For a more sustainable invite option that is kind to the environment, why not splash your cash on something practical that won’t be thrown away and more importantly can be used on a daily basis? I am of course talking about the festival-esque poster tea towels courtesy of... yes you’ve guessed it - www.weddingteatowels.co.uk! Get your guests in the mood for a party and give them a memento of your special day before the celebrations have even kicked off. Actually, why not go the whole hog and encourage your guests to hang said tea towel with pride in the kitchen as an homage to your special day... anything Wills ‘n’ Kate can do and all that!
I also love the gorgeous selection of illustrated canvas bags available via this website, ideal for creating party packs to keep the little ones entertained throughout the day or for issuing your essential detox kit for all those inevitable next day hangovers!
Illustrate
When it comes to getting the imagery right Ladies and Gents, you don’t get much more detailed than this little lot! Artist Sarah Godsill has come up trumps with this ingenious way of recording your wedding day the old fashioned way. How I hear you cry? Well, by putting pencil to paper to create a truly beautiful collection of timeless illustrations you can keep forever. Capturing everything from last minute preparations, to the ceremony, reception and the speeches, Sarah’s ability to select and focus on specific details of your big day makes her drawings a perfect accompaniment to the traditional options of both video and photographs. Personally, I also love the fact Sarah incorporates fragments of conversation or phrases, alongside the sketches that can often be missed, but sum up the day’s proceedings. The drawings are presented loose leaf in an exquisite handmade portfolio and provide a unique record of your wedding from the viewpoint of a superb artist. For more stunning imagery visit www.eventsillustration.co.uk
Step out in superstar style!
Always dreamt of taking a ride in a NY Cab or rocking up to the wedding Grease Lightning stylee? Well, now you can courtesy of www.starcarhire.co.uk! A theme in its own right and a real talking point for your guests, these vehicles are seriously Memorable with a Capital M and really hit the spot when it comes to Nostalgia value with IMPACT. Perhaps a trip in Knight Riders Kit Car is more to your liking or maybe for you Thunderbirds are seriously go go go! Whatever your favourite, all the cult movie cars are covered for an unusual yet fun alternative to the traditional Rolls or Classic Vintage Wedding Car. One thing’s for sure, this little lot will definitely get the guests fighting over who will hitch a lift to the reception venue... severe amounts of guest jealousy guaranteed!
Confetti chaos!
For me, the confetti chucking ceremony can often be a rather messy unglamorous affair. Guests hurling handfuls of anything they can find at newlyweds is never a good look in my book. Do we really want to see a bride half choking to death on a pink paper lucky horse shoe charm? Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be like this, infact, this moment during the day’s proceedings can actually be a rather spectacular, picturesque moment to capture and save for the wedding album if managed correctly. Yes, say goodbye to tack and hello gorgeous glamorous butterflies courtesy of www.ricebutterflies.com. This dream-like confetti glides through the air adding that all important touch of sophistication to this oddest of rituals. The sky will be a whirlwind of butterfly beauty as you bask in the glory of having just said I do. Each butterfly is actually designed to fly for 8 seconds so bask away people - I am feeling the love already! Rose petals also work really well but, for a spot of that all important extra detail slash special touch - this confetti works a treat.
Standard rice throwing is a long term tradition all over the World to bring blessings, good fortune and prosperity.
And finally...Add the Passion with a Capital P
I predict an extreme temperature rise in that honeymoon suite as I write girls! It’s time to take off all your clothes because it is getting hot ‘n’ sweaty in here and I am not surprised with this bad boy box of beauties. A health warning should be issued to your man before this little lot of luscious lingerie gets unleashed! Get St John’s Ambulance on stand-by people, for Luella’s Boudoir holds a super-stunning mix of delicious treats that will make any man go weak at the knees. And who could blame him? This must-view closet of satin sexiness has something for all tastes and desires to guarantee your night of perfect passion goes with a bang - quite literally! Enter the boudoir and check out for yourself by clicking www.luellasboudoir.co.uk
I say, temperatures are rising people...
Let the wedding planning commence I hear you cry!
The time has cometh to sprinkle some big day love in your direction.
Enjoy every second TWF xx