Silver Spoon

Vintage and romantic, this gorgeous silver-plated cutlery will make that first mouthful of wedding cake taste all the sweeter. Hand-engraved by a beach-living Etsy crafter, these mismatched pieces are given a new lease of life as charming future heirlooms. Team them with hammered spoon table signs or cake toppers, and start your married life as eco-friendly upcyclers. Buy them from the Beach House Living boutique and surprise your fiancé as you sit down to your first meal as husband and wife.

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My Wedding - The Stationery

This is where I tell you all about planning my own wedding. After all, if I'm publishing all these Real Weddings, it's only fair I share my trials and tribulations. Read the rest of my wedding diary here.

All the bride-guides tell you that stationery is super-important because it's the first indication your guests get of your wedding style. Now it's really easy to just put that down to gumph, and say to yourself that no one really cares what the font looks like on your invite, but I LOVE stationery, so I'm choosing to believe this particular bride-guide rule. As a consequence I have spent hours and hours looking at the various different styles and colours and fonts. I've considered the wonderful world of letterpress, and quickly turned away from it on account of expense. I've looked into DIY, I've searched Etsy, I've looked at the US stationery blogs Oh So Beautiful Paper and Paper Crave, and I still haven't decided what I'm going to do. There's just too much good stuff out there. My brain is full to busting of paper, and I'm still only halfway to deciding. On my good days, this is all part of the pleasure of planning a wedding. On my bad days, when I'm feeling broke, it's just another thing to stress about. Today was a bad day {£600+ on a plumber's bill - ouch!}, so I'm deliberately writing this to get my creative joy back.

I quickly decided against the generic British wedding invitation. They're gorgeous, they're classic, but I'm all about being original, so I'm in the market for some serious creativity. Letterpress stationery uses heavy card, and presses the font into the paper, before filling it with ink. It creates the most gorgeous effect and looks expensive, mainly because it really is super pricey. We're talking £6 an invite. So that was out. I love the idea of lots of little tags and accessories and stamps, so that opening the invitation is a bit like unwrapping a present. Check out the pictures {above} from MaeMae Paperie, and you'll see what I mean.

My emphasis is on a natural, garden feel to the wedding, so I'm drawn towards the more rustic, eco-friendly paper. However, I also love sage green, and the shutters of the Chateau are green, so stationery in that shade would be a hint towards the location. Wood is a major trend this season, and I'm all for using different materials to keep your guests guessing. You see - too many choices already!

Follow Studio {below} is probably my favourite stationery boutique right now. It's an Australian outfit, and they use these glorious sludgy colours and organic fonts. The only problem is the expense. It works out as £4 an invitation, and that's before all the extra stationery. But then again, it would be a beautiful collection designed by a talented graphic designer. Indecision-agony!

The budget alternative is to print my own. Or at least, to print some of the accessories. I'm really keen to create a welcome pack for my guests, with an info booklet and other bits and pieces, like a personalised Do Not Disturb sign for their hotel door the morning after the wedding. Along those lines, I recently purchased my first printer - an HP OfficeJet 6500, and I'm going to be having some fun practicing. If printing is easier than it looks, then I may well buy a DIY invitation set, and go it alone. I've been looking at Download & Print for their free invitation suites, and Mae Mae is planning to do her own collection too. My article for Before the Big Day on printables is here, if you want to find out more.

I'll leave you with my two wild cards {above}. They're nothing like my other ideas; one is purple, and the other startling blue. They don't fit in with my theme, but I love them too much to let them go right now. I'm super-keen on the wax seal - wouldn't it be exciting to receive an invitation in the post with one on the back. Exactly the sense of anticipation I'm trying to create for our wedding.

Have you chosen your stationery yet? Please do leave a comment about how you made your decisions! What did you go for? Send me a pic, and I can put it up on the blog, or big up your stationer here.

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Raining Paper

Cute little confetti from Table for Two - AUD$6 per packet + $3 shipping from Victoria makes it a little detail worth sharing.



Posted by Jane Cameron

A Little Luxury

If planning an elegant and sophisticated wedding is at the top of your list then you are sure to be inspired by the exclusive Luxury Wedding Soiree being held in the picturesque Sunshine Coast Hinterlands – This exclusive event is hosted by outstanding wedding planners The Little White Wedding Company who are renowned for their luxurious events and is in conjunction with The Plantation reception and events centre - the venue of choice for Brisbane’s high end brides. You will be inspired by the interactive and elegant showcase of local and Brisbane based suppliers to help you plan the most exquisite wedding. Fine food, couture, décor, live musicians and a host of sensational styling ideas will make the Soiree a day to remember. This stylish showcase involves some of Australia’s leading companies including haute couture designer Paul Hunt, international fashion icon Akira, leading photographers Studio Impression, stunning flowers by Mondo Floral Design and spectacular food by Noosa Catering to name a few. The Plantation and The Little White Wedding Company’s Luxury Wedding Soiree will be held on Sunday 18th July from 10am – 3pm. To RSVP your place, contact enquiries@theplantation.com.au providing your full name, contact phone number, preferred wedding date and approximate numbers of guests or Contact kellie@theplantation.com.au www.theplantation.com.au or victoria@thelittlewhiteweddingco.com.au www.thelittlewhiteweddingco.com.au
So What are you waiting for...it's time to get planning!



Posted By Annabelle Kerslake

Real Wedding: Lucy & Paul

Don't hate me, but I spent yesterday by the sea-side. Yes, I know it was a Monday, but we were lucky to have the day off, so we sunbathed on Sandbanks Beach - bliss! So with memories of the sea, it's not surprising that this gorgeous Brighton Marina wedding caught my eye. Lucy and Paul celebrated their big day with the scent of salt in the air, at The Seattle Hotel, which made for some super-glam photographs with yachts in the sunny background. They kept with the kiss-me-quick theme, choosing a Punch and Judy show to entertain the younger guests, and a cool Modish scooter as their wedding transport. Lucy looked fresh and funky in her gorgeous Cymbeline Paris gown, and simple silk-edged veil. My favourite detail has to be the luxurious pink tea roses Lucy chose for her signature flower. They're exquisite, and set off the colouring beautifully. These stunning pics are by Brighton-based photographer Lisa Devlin, don't miss her website. Also, scroll down for a message from the bride about how she planned her Big Day.

Message from the bride: “We chose The Seattle as the venue for both the ceremony and reception as it had a great trendy low key vibe and the added bonus of the balcony making you feel like you on holiday in some glamourous resort. We looked at loads of other places but only the Seattle seemed to fit our personalities and style. Our flowers were by Pollen. Donal did an amazing job for our budget and I just loved them. He came over to our house and was so enthusiastic when I showed him my stash of pictures and then a photo of some Illusion Roses from a book he got really excited and just ran with the idea - he told me it would be beautiful and he was right.

My Big Tips: Enjoy the planning and accept you can't have everything you want. Nude seamless underwear is best, keep the lacey basque type stuff for the honeymoon! Get a good photographer - there is nothing nicer than looking back over your photos to give you a lift. The day goes by in a bit of a blur so it's good to remember. We really wanted to give everyone a good time so spent the bulk of our budget on good food, good wine and good entertainment. Friends and family still talk about it now so we know we chose well. Being the centre of attention isn't for everyone and at times I wanted to put my fingers in my ears and pretend my name wasn't Lucy. So take time out for a kiss with your husband or quick breather with your mates.

Make-up: Sylvi du Sauzay, Suits: Del Tailors, Rings: John Harrington, Cake: Louby Lous, Childrens' Entertainer: Mark Wild, Music: Imagine The Beatles

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A Bit in Love

Oh, I am just a teeny tiny bit in love with Emersonmade. Actually I'm a lot in love with absolutely everything on this site. I couldn't work out if they ship from NY to Australia but I'm sure if you were as keen as I am to get your hands of some of their lovely products, a quick email to them will sort it all out.









Their upcoming clothing range also looks DIVINE!

Posted by Jane Cameron

Yes, You Can Borrow That!

It's a well known fact that buying a designer dress is an expensive excercise. It's always the way though, you see a dress you love, check out the price and bang, you feel a shot of pain running through your heart. It's also an expensive exercise dressing your bridesmaids. Why should you be forced to skimp on quality all because of price? Fear not, I have news you'll be thrilled to hear. Can I Borrow That is a new online Australian store specialising in the hire of designer dresses and jewellery. From Versace and Gianfranco Ferre to Just Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana you can find the designer dress you love and hire it for that special occasion, wedding, engagement party at a fraction of the retail price. There is a try on option for clothing, as well as a purchase option on some of the jewellery. You can even score yourself the exact pieces worn by Charlotte, Samantha, Miranda and Carrie in Sex and the City 2. Talk about chic! Visit www.caniborrowthat.com.au to browse their wardrobe and to find out all the info.


Versace AUD$329 to hire


GF Ferre AUD$139 to hire


Just Cavalli dress AUD$189 to hire


Limited edition Rodrigo Otazu necklace available to purchase for AUD$415 was made famous by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City 2

Posted by Emilie Harrison

A Fair Good Time

I came across these simply gorgeous pics by photographer Angelica Peady on her blog and thought I must share them with you. The colours are simply delicious! Andrew and Talitha decided, after a year of wedded bliss, to have an after wedding shoot. With the help of Angie herself they came up with the fabulous fair idea. Talitha opted for a 50's inspired updo by Sofia Rodi while Kat from Petals & Leaves created the outrageously gorgeous lollypop bouquet and matching buttonhole. The venue, the great Hawkesbury Show, takes place one weekend a year in Richmond, Victoria and is the smaller sister show of the Royal Sydney Easter Show. What a fun location, nothing like a day at the show! If you're keen to find out more about Angelica Peady's Couture Bridal Portraits contact her at www.angelicapeady.com.au. As part of the package she suppliers the hair and makeup artist, flowers, accessories and all of the concept designs, in conjunction with you of course. If you're suffering the post wedding blues then this could be the perfect pick-me-up!


Talitha's gown is from Skarr Bridal in Neautral Bay







Posted by Emilie Harrison

Divine Sweetness

Yummy! Don't these look incredibly edible? I'm a huge fan of French macaroons - I love their pastel colours, their crispy chewiness, and the fact they're super-chic right now. Add them to your big day for a touch of je ne sais quoi. But wait! There's a secret to these tasty treats. They're actually replicas made of polymer clay by the clever artist at Divine Sweetness. Perfect as place card holders and wedding favours, they'll act as a sweet souvenirs of your big day. Flavours include raspberry, strawberry, pistachio, lemon-meringue, bubblegum and cacao. Good names for your tables, non? *Update* Diving Sweetness have just offered 10% off their macaroons for Before the Big Day readers {fabulous!}. Just type beforethebigday at check out.

Independent Bride

Ladies looking to be original, listen up! If you really want your dress to be one of a kind, and you don't want to make it yourself {gulp!}, then I'd really recommend heading over to Etsy. It's one of the best sites for handmade and vintage gorgeousness, and it's chock-a-block with talented dress designers from around the world. The best news? Their prices are tiny compared to the big names. *Plus don't miss exclusive offers for Before the Big Day readers detailed below.*

Product Credits - {clockwise from top left} 1. Wedding Heaven, 2. Magnolija Dress, 3. For Your Wedding, 4 & 5. Claire LaFaye

Product Credits - {clockwise from top left} 1. Cow Girl Heaven, 2. For Your Wedding, 3. The Peppermint Pretty, 4. Tutus Chic, 5. The Peppermint Pretty

We ♥ Offers
Cow Girl Heaven are offering free shipping with the code Big Day

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Fields on Holiday

I've blogged about Elva Fields and her beautiful jewelery before. You take one look at bher pieces and you find yourself ohhhing and ahhhing... simply amazing! Her latest 2010 Holiday Collection, inspired by easy and effortless glamour, is made by hand in her Kentucky studio and incorporate vintage elements, making each piece eco-friendly and unique. Prices for earrings range between US$46-$98 and necklaces range between US$178-$398. The collection will be available come November online at www.elvafields.com and at various retailers across America, including select Anthropologie stores. I think her pieces would make truly amazing additions to a spectacular wedding or bridesmaids gown.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Backyard Bride

I blogged about these gorgeous DIY engagement party invites (here) that Amy from Eat Drink Chic created a few months ago. I thought I would check back at her blog to see if she had any news on the wedding and saw that her 'engagement party' turned out to be a surprise wedding! Here are a few pics from her wedding, held in her husbands' parent's back yard. Be sure to have a look at her blog for more images and inspiration.









All above photos by Jonathan Ong

The rustic look and colours of Amy's backyard wedding actually reminded me of our backyard wedding styling story that we featured back in Issue 13 (summer 2010).







Posted by Emma Henderson

Real Wedding: Amy & Jonny

You're going to love this wedding so much that you're going to want to eat it up with crumpets and honey. It's a classic English countryside affair, with lots of sweet floral accents. Amy and Jonny's chose the charming St Peter’s Church in Ightham for their ceremony, and made it extra special with singing from members of the City of London Choir. This was followed by a reception in Amy's family garden, held in a marquee decorated with stunning florals and white lanterns, plus loads of personal touches. Check out the cute lavender bags made by Amy’s mum and the Cabbages and Roses fabric napkins handstitched by the bride herself. Also loving Amy's gorgeous Amanda Wakely Sposa dress and veil, and her peony hair-clip, designed by Yasmin Rizvi. Great bridesmaid dresses too - midnight blue is such an elegant colour. Gorgeous photos, as ever, from the lovely Marianne Taylor.

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