That Friday Feeling ♥ 2

Welcome to my second Friday Feeling feature, where I share my favourite wedding-web spots of the week, so you can enjoy them too! Meanwhile, I'm off to Provence this weekend to try to find a venue for our wedding next May....wish me luck! {Pictures courtesy of Jen Huang Photography via Ruffled}

♥ Gorgeous heart-spotted wrapping paper via Oh So Beautiful Paper
♥ Help your photographer work out which guests are your best friends with handmade floral boutonnieres and fascinators from 100 Layer Cake
♥ Some of the best florals I've seen in years via Ruffled
♥ An amazing burleque-inspired big day via Rock 'n Roll Bride
♥ Prepare to drool....check out celebrity engagement rings care of Brides Magazine. Who needs a £100k rock, not me! {yes I am lying}
♥ I have fallen head-over-heels for this rose cake by Janet Mohapi Banks - it's too beautiful to eat!
♥ Advice for the men in your life {husband, ushers, father} on whether to buy or rent a suit for your big day thanks to the lovely boys over at I Am Staggered
♥ Finding it hard to pick a dress? Take a scroll-stroll through the gallery on Wedding Magazine for inspiration.

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Flower Power

We have the most beautiful selection of flowers in the studio at the moment ready and waiting for our photo shoots. One of my all time favourites is the flannel flower - a native of Australia which is nice to know. It's delicate and pretty but not too frilly for my sensibilities.



We used them in our Nice Day for a White Wedding story in Issue 10. Annabelle, our editor, started her wedding career as a florist making countless bridal bouquets and tablecentres. What she doesn't know about flowers isn't worth knowing and her skills come in very handy when we're planning our magazine stories. Annabelle made the beautiful shower bouquet that we used in the story - a relaxed arrangement of Iceberg roses, lilies and flannel flowers - just lovely.



Perhaps you might like to consider using the flannel flower in your wedding arrangements. Go on, support a local!

Posted by Jane Cameron

Heel Huggers

It's always so devastating when you return home from a wedding, party or general good night out to find your favourite heels ruined from walking on grass and that nasty stuff - gravel. To see your fave shoes with tears, scuffs, dents; it's enough to make you cry. I'm so happy to share with you all a brand new product that arrived on my desk last week - Heel Huggers. Unique, discreet and so easy to use, Heel Huggers are clear plastic tubes that are placed over your heel and then blasted with the hairdryer to fix into place. How easy is that?! They're suitable for all materials and colours so now you won't have to suffer the dreaded shoe check the morning after. Relief! Heel Huggers (RRP$19.95) are by Original Sole so visit www.originalsole.com.au to find out your nearest stockist.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Real Wedding: Anna & Andrew

Using fruit as a motif in a wedding is a fantastic idea, as it represents a relationship coming to fruitition, the start of something new, and the sweetness of life. Anna and Andrew chose apples and blossom as their theme, and green as their colour, and it all tied together beautifully. The happy couple celebrated their big day at the gorgeous Layer Marney Tower in Colchester, with ceremony in the beautiful Church of St Mary the Virgin within the grounds. Since Andrew hails from Scotland there was an abundance of men in kilts, including the cutest little page-boys. I'm also loving Anna's kitten heels {so sensible on your wedding day}, the bridesmaids' bold silk dresses, and the sweet little mice cake-toppers. Stunning calligraphy on the place-markers, and such a clever idea to use pearl-topped pins to fasten them onto the apples. Many thanks to Marianne Taylor for her fabulous photographs.

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Get the Flo Glow

I'm a Kate Spade fan - I love their design sensibility - modern with a classic grounding. Found this stunning Flo for Fluorescent Multiple Bauble Necklace on their site today. At USD$495 this would sure add dazzle to a simple dress. All I have to do now is work out how to get it here. Overseas shopping services like Bongo International may just do the trick.



Posted by Jane Cameron

Choo's Shoe News

Shoe lovers rejoice! Jimmy Choo has some fabulous news! For all those lucky ladies living in Sydney you'll now be able to purchase your coveted JC's from the new store at Westfield Bondi Junction. Hoorah!! Visit www.jimmychoo.com to view the collections.




Aston sandal

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Marvelous Monique

The images from Monique Lhuillier's new 2011 bridal collection hit my inbox today and I have to say I'm in lurve. Quite simply spectacular. How on earth would you choose? My favourites would have to be gowns one and two. The tulle wrapped around the shoulders makes for such a soft, feminine look. The collection will be available from the lovely Helen Rodrigues from around September this year so make sure you keep posted. Visit www.moniquelhuillier.com or www.helenrodrigues.com.au for all the details.









Posted by Emilie Harrison

Twigs & Honey

Not keen on veils? Wondering what on earth to wear instead? Try one of these exquisite fascinators from Twigs & Honey. Chic, original and utterly romantic, they'll add a touch of pretty pastel to your big day, without breaking the bank. Self-taught, boutique designer Myra Callan creates every one from her studio in Oregon, and is more than happy to take on bespoke requests. Don't forget your bridesmaids, they'd look stunning in these feathered hats or corsages, and you could choose different colours according to their personality. Check out The Twigs and Honey website for Myra's whole collection.

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Before the Big Day Wedding Theme: Pinwheels

If you want to add a touch of childish whimsy to your wedding, why not use pinwheels? They're super-versatile, super-cheap, and come in every size, style or colour. If you made them right, they'll even spin in the breeze. Either as favours, placemarkers, as an alternative to bridesmaid bouquets, or lining the aisle, they're bound to spark smiles. Learn how to make your own at Style Me Pretty or Hello My Name is Heather, or if you're not the artistic type {nope me neither}, buy them from one of the lovely suppliers below. Don't miss the special discounts for BBD readers!

Inspiration photo credits all via Style Me Pretty {from top left} Jessica Moores, Kirsten Ellis {from bottom left: Kirsten Ellis, Rule 42, Lisa Lefkowitz


Product Credits - {from top left}Green Pinwheel: Twirlie Whirlies, Giant Bridesmaid Pinwheel: Rule 42, Invitation: Crossroads Cottage, Cupcake Pinwheels: Twirlie Whirlies {from middle left} Green Cupcake Pinwheels: Crossroads Cottage, Pinwheel Placemarks: Giggles Apu, {from top left} Spotty Cupcake & Blue Pinwheel: Twirlie Whirlies, Favour Bags: Crossroads Cottage, Peach Pinwheels: Twirlie Whirlies

We ♥ Offers
Giggles Apu are offering a 20% discount before shipping until June 1st. Just mention Before the Big Day!
Rule 42 are offering 10% off their custom pinwheels wih the code "BTBD10"
Crossroads Cottage is offering 10% off an order of $100 or more with a mention of Before the Big Day.
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Real Wedding: Ella & Sam

It's difficult to define romance, but for me, this gorgeous Greenwich wedding gets right to the heart of the matter. Ella and Sam celebrated their big day at Rangers House in the park, followed by a lovely dinner at Davy's Wine Vaults. Both of them looked totally fabulous, but I've falled head over heels for Sam's floral shirt and bow-tie. Super-original and lovely to see a groom looking fashionable - boys, be inspired! Violets and Velvet were responsible for the florals, and I'm loving the pink roses and eucalyptus in Ella's bouquet. Other stealworthy ideas have to be the bridesmaids' amazing sequinned jackets and patterned tights, plus the double-decker bus. Note sure why, but I've always had a soft spot for the Routemaster. Stunning pictures thanks to the lovely Chloe Browne from Caught the Light.

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Do You Like Butter?

Sometimes something, or someone catches your eye, and you lose all rationale, and have to have it. That's exactly how I feel about this little buttercup ring. I want it, I have to have it, and I'm going to race you all to Kathi Roussel's online shop to buy it. Ready, steady.....go!

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That Friday Feeling ♥ 1

It's a brand new regular Friday feature! Each week, I'll share my favourite web spots of the week, so you can enjoy them too. What can I say? I'm a very generous person.....

♥ {In the pic} My new branding thanks to Jill Hamilton & fabulous bespoke wedding postmarks
♥ Gorgeous last-minute wedding with a pregnant bride from Snippet & Ink
♥ Cutesy, moi? I love pugs, especially on a wedding day
♥ Super-cool Hawaii wedding from 100 Layer Cake for surfer-dudes and dudettes
♥ Amazing Beatles inspired engagement session from Rock n' Roll Bride
♥ A heart necklace that every boy should buy for his girl
♥ Would I look silly if I wore this flower headband from Rock n' Rose on my wedding day?
♥ Did you miss this Before the Big Day feature on gorgeous printables?

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♥ Real Weddings ♥

Newly engaged? Feeling the wedding fear? Not sure where to turn for ideas? There's nothing more inspiring than other couples' weddings, and that's why we feature hundreds here on Before the Big Day. Click here to see a list of them all, and pick and mix ideas. If you really love the pictures, take a note of the photographer, because the next wedding they work could be yours!

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Spiked

If you're a bride with a hip, trendy edge then you're going to fall madly for these seriously fierce Christian Louboutin Engin Spike 120 sandals. These white patent and PVC heels, adorned with white spike studs, feature a towering 4.5 inch heel with a 1 inch platform. If pretty, Swarovski embellished heels aren't your thing then I suggest you invest in these babies. Available online at www.net-a-porter.com.


Engin Spike 12 sandals £626



Posted by Emilie Harrison