Wedding Theme A-Z: C is for Candy Stripes

C IS FOR... Candy Stripes.

Classic, wonderfully pretty and utterly delicious... just everything that a Wedding should be! This theme is so now, and for all the right reasons. It gives you a reason to theme every element of your wedding as well as being flexible to a huge range of colours. The only problem with this theme is that there are so many amazing bits out there to buy in candy stripes that it would be hard to know when to stop.

Your guests can be utterly spoilt with such a fantastic excuse to fill your Wedding reception with delicious sweets and treats!

I love the fact that with this theme you can also introduce various different colours, still maintaining the unity of the overall theme. These bridesmaid dresses (as worn by The Saturday's for Una's Wedding!) would be absolutely perfect to incorporate the 'candy' element. With the option to choose just one colour for your bridesmaids or go wild and have one of each.

If the above is just a little too girly for your liking why not go a little wild with the theme. Choose a more 'shocking' palatte to create a really stunning 'wow' factor for your Wedding. I absolutely love these Nail varnish colours from Mavala's new 'Delicious' collection. These six delectable shades conveniently have 'candy names' such as Candy Floss and Lemon Cream. Perfect either as favours for all the female guests or they would look fantastic on each of your bridesmaids. Priced at £4.30 each.

These images are taken from a recent edition of 'Wedding Magazine'.  The stylist for this 'Real Wedding' was Truely Madly Dottie. I thoroughly recommend a peek at her website as she has such amazing style and flair.

Images sourced from: Pastels: Blue invitation / Delicately styled striped cake / Candy stripe garter / Selection of sweets / Paper straws / Pink sweet bags /  Candy stripe invite / Bow detail invitation / Sweet hamper / Coloured twine / Bridesmaid dresses Brights: Paper bags multi / Ribbon

Wedding Theme A-Z: B is for Butterflies and Bows

B IS FOR: Butterflies and Bows...
This is such a pretty, girly theme. Not really 100% my cup of tea, but loved by so many. Butterflies are just perfect for a wedding, enabling you to add a simple touch of delicate beauty or a splash of vibrant colour to almost anything.

I love these line drawn butterfly invitations from Cardinal Ink and the butterflies featured on the cake are all edible (available from Sugar Robot)! Butterflies in your hair look so pretty, available from Glitzy Secrets and Etsy. Fairy Cakes are a must with this delicate theme.

I think bows give a sophisticated, classic edge to a wedding and I love adding ribbons as much as I can to decorations.  The wedding invitations with loose ribbon and petal decorations are available from The Letter Press.

It is definately worth having a look at Alan Hannah's collection this season, he has such a beautiful range of dresses. I just love this over-sized bow detail, perfect to 'clinch' in your waist.  Add a more subtle, vintage inspired butterfly element to your wedding with this beautiful butterfly confetti, available from 'And all things nice', which compliment the tags and little brown favour bags in the above image.

Wedding Shows

Feeling like you need some Wedding inspiration? Need some more ideas to pull it all together? Or just fancy a fun day out with your bridesmaids?  Your luck is in! The Wedding fair season is fast approaching (how on earth is it August already?!). There are so many fairs to choose from – just take a look online for ones near you.  I thought I would share with you some of the fairs that we are hoping to attend this year, and perhaps we will see some of you there... 

The National Wedding Show

Running in both London (28^th to 30^thSeptember 2012) and Birmingham (5^th to 7^th October 2012) The National Wedding Show houses over 250 exhibitors offering thousands of inspirational ideas for your big day whatever you’re looking for. From wedding gowns to wedding cars, venues to menus, gifts to grooms wear, you’re guaranteed to find exactly what you’re looking for whatever your budget and style! The beauty of it is that you can see, touch, taste and try on before you buy making the planning of your big day simple. Tickets are available herefrom £13.50.

The Designer Wedding Show

 Set in Battersea Park on 12-14^th October 2012 The Designer Wedding Show promises to bring together both high-profile designers and less well-known names. Presenting a collection of 130 companies offering everything for stylish weddings.  Including bridal fashion, stationery, millinery, menswear, bridesmaidsfashion, shoes, jewellery, fashion for the mother of the bride, photography, cakes,  venues, gift lists and flowers. Tickets are available herefrom £16.

The In Wedding Show

 The In Wedding Show on Sunday 9^th September is designed to help any bride (and groom) plan and prepare for their big day. The whole purpose of the show is to bring together a selection of companies, services and products for your special day all under one roof.  You can try cake samples, look at venue options, source wedding invitations, organise your wedding gift list, find the perfect floral arrangements speak to professional photographers. There is even a ‘grooms wear’ area to keep the leading man in your life happy! Tickets are a real bargain for this event, available herefrom £3.50.

The Luxury Wedding Show

 Taking place at Somerset House from 20^th to 21^st October 2012 the Luxury Wedding Show London promises to bring the UK’s most influential names in the wedding industry together.  From accessories, bridal wear, cakes, caterers, cosmetics, favours, flowers, gift list, honeymoon destinations, jewellery, lingerie, menswear, music and entertainment, occasion wear, photographers, shoes, stationery, tiaras, venues, venue stylists, videographers and wedding planners. Tickets are a tad expensive for this event, available here from £50, however they do offer an ‘early bird' discount offer if you get in quick!

Sealed with Love

Knowing that I love personalised little touches, my Mum gave me a wax sealing kit a couple of years ago for Christmas and there really is something magical about stamping your mark on to correspondence. What better way to complete your wedding invitation than with a personalised wax seal?

Not only does this give a real air of tradition and luxury, it gives such a unique personal touch too.  There are many suppliers that will produce a personalised stamp for you, either with initials or a themed motif that you have come up with for the wedding.

Image from: www.ohsobeautifulpaper.com

You can also use the wax stamp on your placement cards, making a very simple card design unique and personal.

Image from http://melissasdesignaddiction.wordpress.com

It's also makes a great addition to the many thank you cards you'll be sending out after the big day!

City Co Seals offer a personalised service, starting from £20