Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Colour.....









Be bold and make a statement with colour for your bridesmaids in gowns of rich colours. We love this deep blue dress.....so easy to wear......!!!!and check out the shoes.....!!!




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Sleeves.......!!!!

Are sleeves a style consideration or a necessity? We at WSG believe it is both.....The perfect sleeve can enhance a wedding gown. A long, narrow sleeve is flattering and fashion-forward while an elbow-length sleeve is stylish but also provides coverage. If you are confident about your arms, then sleeveless (strapless) will work for you. The sleeveless gown is a signature for me as it is timeless, chic and sophisticated while also practical for dancing.
If you choose sleeves, remember the proportion of the armhole will impact the construction of the sleeve and the range of your movement. Most importantly, choose something you feel comfortable and confident in. -XO

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Introducing Photo Madly Wedding Photographers

Wedding photography used to be all about formally posed pictures of the bride and groom with various memembers of their extended family. They took hours to take, and by the end, no one was smiling! Luckily, wedding photography has come a loooooong way since then. Contemporary wedding photography is all about fierce, fresh, fun wedding pictures, caught on the hop, and reflecting the true personality of the bride and groom and their guests. So if you're looking for wedding photographers who capture the shared glances, the subtle gestures and the goofy inside jokes, that make your wedding unique to you, then look no further than husband and wife team, Erika Szostak and Mark Cooper of PhotoMadly. They're an American wife and an English husband, who are lucky enough to live beside the seaside in Brighton. Their passion is to tell stories through Erika's photographs, capturing the character of the bride and groom, and that's why they'll always want to meet up with you before your weding day, to get to know your personalities and your preferences.So if you are looking for a contemporary, relaxed wedding photographer, and you're not afraid to get a little silly, then Photo Madly is the wedding photography team for you. Do check out their Facebook page or blog for more gorgeous pictures.

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

The Bridal Garter





Bridal Garters have always been a lot of fun. Even the story of their origin shows that garters are a symbol of fun at any wedding.
We would love to receive photos of your garter or "garter removal" with or without the story that may go with it.
Submit your photos or story and you will go in the draw to win a dozen SA wines.
To all our brides to be keep an eye on the website for the release of our December LOOK BOOK which will be released on 12th December 2011 as Bleu Garters in California has given us an unique garter to giveaway to one lucky bride.
Bleu Garters are handcrafted in California from fine silks and antique laces. The brand modernizes the classic garter by incorporating pops of color, oversized playful embellishments and intricate beaded lace. “A big trend I'm noticing is brides being more adventurous with color, and not sticking to white/ivory/light blue. Don't get me wrong, the classics are still the most popular, but brides have also been ordering their favorite bright colors, as well as the black floral lace garters for their wedding day!”-Jamie, creative director and designer for Bleu Garters
History of the Garter
Today, the tradition of the wedding garter is tame in comparison to France of the 14th century. In North America, the bride wears two garters; one as a keepsake garter and the other for the throw away.
Both garters are worn on the right leg just above the knee.
Before the removal of the garter, the bride first throws her bouquet to the single women.
The groom removes the throw away garter from the brides leg, sometimes he removes it with his teeth , but more appropriately nowadays he uses his hands. He does this while the bride is sat in a chair.
After the garter is removed, he then throws it to the single male guests. The male guest then takes the garter and places it on the leg of the single female guest who has caught the bouquet.
Those that catch either item are said to be the next to marry. In some instances, it is said that they will marry each other.
The keepsake garter is removed later in private during the honeymoon night.
Numerous wedding garter traditions have been obtained over the years that still seem to become rules of etiquette today. Take a look at a few that are still popular and some that have long since been forgotten.


Go to the website to read more about the history of garters!




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Real Homespun DIY Wedding: Sam & Wade

This wedding is packed to the brim with DIY ideas and shabby-chic inspiration. Gorgeous bride, Sam, is a style pro, so she was bound to put together a truly exceptional wedding, and this one is a wonderful combination of eclectic styles. I'm loving Wade's gingham shirt and red bow-tie look, and Sam's bridesmaids' individual plaited hairstyles. The guests all sat on fabric-covered straw bales for the ceremony, which took place under a tree, chalked with the bride and groom’s initials. Other fabulous wedding details include the flower girl holding a balloon and a butterfly jar instead of a usual basket, the photo-rosette boutonnieres, and the hanging bottle vases. Also the vintage quilt-style tablecloth and the typewriter guest book. Plus {yes there's more!}, Sam's sparkly pink Christian LouboutinsBadgley Mishka ruffled wedding dress and Wade's cool moustached socks. Wow! Literally every wedding detail was personalised. Fantastic pictures published with thanks to the ladies at Simply Bloom Photography.


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Saturday, November 26, 2011

From Soft to Sculptural Wedding Dresses

In my quiet moments, while other people might watch TV, I like to look at wedding gowns (mock me if you like, it won't stop me!). And there's no one better at making dresses than Amanda Wakely. She does creates several collections each year, and I just adore these wedding gowns from her 'Morocco Collection'. From soft to scuptural, there's no shape she can't do. Which one's your favourite?


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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Fall 2012 Bridal Collection will be at the Vera Wang Bridal Salon on Madison Avenue through Saturday, November 26th for a special trunk show. If you can't make it this weekend the new collection will be back at the New York City salon from December 22nd through January 2012...

Very exciting for anyone that happens to be in New York at this time or is thinking of travelling before your big day..........!!!!!!!!!!
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Elegant Vintage Style Wedding Dresses

If you're a vintage bride looking for a whimsical dress, it can pretty hard to find your perfect wedding gown. Often brides get lucky at a vintage fair or on eBay, but there is another way. Online marketplace Etsy showcases hundreds of independent wedding dress designers, many of them with a gorgeous vintage aesthetics. It's a great place to pick up a unique gown, handmade by someone with true passion. My most recent discovery are these gorgeous wedding dresses by Rowan Joy. They have an ethereal, bohemian grace, and would make any bride look elegant. Each one is made to order in Edinburgh, and usually require three months, so get your order in quick! *Update* Rowan has very kindly offered all Before the Big Day brides 10% off if you mention the wedding blog.


If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up for our free newsletter and click for more wedding dress ideas. Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Real French & English Wedding: Abigail & Huw

EnchantĂ©! That's my attempt at a French description of this exquisite English wedding, with plenty of gorgeous details from across the Channel. Abigail and Huw live in Hong Kong, so they hired Anne-Laure from Et VoilĂ  Weddings to organise their church wedding near Bristol, with the wedding reception in Abbie's parent's garden. I'm loving the quintessentially English rose theme to this romantic wedding day, which all stems from Abbie’s father's nickname for Abbie; Rose Bud, referring to her beautiful rose colour lips on the day she was born. So sweet! The tables were all named after roses, the details are all dusky pink, and Abbie even wore a rose in her hair and on her dress. Other fantastic wedding ideas to steal include the romantic mini-tent chill-out area in the garden, and the live music from a harpist and flutist. Beautiful pictures published with thanks to the very talented Giorgia Bertazzi.


If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up for our free newsletter and click for more quintessentially English wedding ideas. Before the Big Day - the Best UK Wedding Blog.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Forgotten Items





























Often brides and grooms forget to add to their Wedding Registry important items they'll need to entertain in style.


Don't forget to round our your registry and elevate your tablescape with these key pieces:



Rim Soup Plates (see the Doulton Gordon Ramsay Platinum Rim Soup Plate above)
These bowls are an add-on to the 5-piece place setting - they'll make your first course, a warm soup or salad, a standout!



Globlets, wine glasses and champagne flutes (see the Doulton Manhatten Goblet above)
These are everyone's party favourites! In addition you can use these to serve water and iced tea with elegance, they can also hold eggnog or make a yoghurt parfait sparkle!

Make sure to add serving pieces (like the Doulton Gordon Ramsay Platter above) to your registry. Large platters and a gravy boat will become more important as your cricle of family and friends expands. A platter can hold a turkey or crown roast for a crowd, and that gravy boat can hold an array of sauces and dressings.


Round out your registry - and let the good times multiply!