You & Me Ampersand Wedding Necklace

Typography is one of those things that gets me very excited - along with stationery of any sort. I think there's a graphic designer desperate to get out of me....just one without any particular talent! It also means that I'm a magpie for anything ampersand shaped....so when I spotted this you & me necklace on Tom Design, an Etsy boutique, I knew I had to share it with you. Wouldn't it be a gorgeous piece to wear on your wedding day? Available in silver, and bracelets, they starts at £15. You can also buy single letters, if you want a few for bridesmaids presents!

{I want this!} Ampersand & Initial necklace, £15 from Tom Design

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Blissful Glamorous Beach Wedding at the Four Seasons - Part 2

With a stunning beachside ceremony, and an incredible reception at The Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia, this was never going to be an ordinary wedding. Kimberlee and Chris chose Malaysia, as it's half-way between their two families {Australia and the UK}, plus it's breathtakingly beautiful. I'm completely obsessed with the amazing venue, and stylish touches added by the bride and groom. Stealworthy ideas include Kimberlee's simple but chic rose bouquet, her bridesmaids' neutral gowns, the boys' fabulous Next suits {steal!}, and the cute lego wedding cake toppers. Kimberlee and Chris also created a 'Get to Know The Guest List' booklet, to encourage their friends and family to get talking - such a good idea! Enjoy all of Kimberlee's fab advice - as an events planner, she's something of an expert on these things - and of course, Ruby Yeo Photography and Christine Lim's incredible wedding pictures.

We celebrated our wedding on 15th March 2013 at The Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia. With me being from Australia and with Chris being from London, we had always discussed a wedding abroad. We decided on Malaysia as it was the perfect half-way point for both families, and because it is breathtakingly beautiful. 

I plan events every day for my job with Chillisauce, but even so, I really enjoyed planning my wedding. It's totally different when it's your own day, and it brought Chris and myself closer together. It was a huge task researching a destination wedding but totally worth it. I wouldn't change a thing. 

We didn't really have any DIY projects - we came up with the idea of having individual keys for each guest, that unlocked a small box at their seat. Also we created a 'Get to Know The Guest List’ page on each table, with funny anecdotes and introductions everyone who attended the wedding. 

Travel was also a key theme at the wedding which we tied in at the reception; we found all our little decorations and stationary on Amazon and had them shipped over a few weeks before. The temperatures in Malaysia in spring are so hot we opted for boiled sweets rather than chocolate favours, which we also ordered from a small supplier on Amazon.

My advice for brides, would be let your man get involved too. It doesn't have to be something stressful - just something to which you can both contribute. Mood boards are your key to wedding success, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. We could show the wedding planner exactly what we wanted without needing to be there. 

The Four Seasons catered the food and drinks at our wedding. We chose a luxurious BBQ buffet of chicken, lobster and steak {that guests could have freshly prepared on request}, and an open bar. 

The wedding planner at The Four Seasons was a great help and they catered for the cake. We decided on a one-tiered, simple ivory cake, decorated with dusky pink and ivory roses. As we were so far from home, it seemed silly to buy a huge cake that we knew wouldn't get eaten.

We didn't have to worry about a wedding florist, because The Four Seasons took care of everything. We had to have the specific colour rose shipped in especially, as the island is so small. 

When it came to choosing our wedding photographer, we researched for a long time, before we came across Ruby Yeo Photography. Her previous work was so amazing that we had to have her! Chris owns his own photography business - Chris Perry Photography - so selecting our wedding photographer was one of the most important things in our wedding planning.

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Blissful Glamorous Beach Wedding at the Four Seasons

After yesterday's crazy storm, who wouldn't want to escape to a desert island! While I can't whisk you away, I can help you dream of a destination wedding thanks to Chris and Kimberlee's beautiful beach wedding. They chose the incredible The Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia for their wedding venue, which meant they could rely on the hotel to provide many of their wedding details, including their flowers and wedding cake, and of course, the hilarious golf-cart wedding transport! Kimberlee added plenty of her own wedding details as well - despite having to plan her wedding from so far away. I love her idea of providing keys to unlock a box at each guest's table place - it's an original idea I haven't seen at any other weddings. Also the pretty parasols were a fantastic idea, and Kimberlee's fishtail Vera Wang wedding gown is definitely a stealworthy idea!! Enjoy these incredible wedding photographs by Ruby Yeo Photography and Christine Lim {second shooter}, more to come from their reception later. P.S. You can watch their wedding video too!

We celebrated our wedding on 15th March 2013 at The Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia. With me being from Australia and with Chris being from London, we had always discussed a wedding abroad. We decided on Malaysia as it was the perfect half-way point for both families, and because it is breathtakingly beautiful. 

The hotel already had such amazing scenery, that we decided to keep everything else simple from a wedding theme point of view. Chris and I have similar tastes so agreeing on things was easy.

I really liked the idea of cream and ivory roses for my bouquet and we continued this theme by having an aisle of rose petals on the beach and around the arch way at the ceremony. 

I always knew I was looking for something individual when it came to the dress. After many dress shop appointments, and boutique visits I found the perfect one. A sleek, white fitted fish-tail gown from Vera Wang.  
  

Chris and his groomsmen wore matching baby-blue suits from Next, plus their own shoes and ties.

Chris and I first met in London when I took a job at central London event agency called Chilli Sauce . Chris was already working there and I was a new starter, and in our industry there are lots of socialising, trips away and nights out, that led to us getting to know each other. Chilli Sauce plans hen and stag parties, and coincidentally, that's working on shared projects is how our relationship flourished from friendship to love. 

Chris and I had been together five years when at Christmas he proposed. It was Christmas Eve morning, when Chris suggested we go out for breakfast at my favourite spot, Annie's Café in Chiswick. I brushed it off as one of my Christmas treats, and thought nothing more of it. 

We returned home and Chris presented me with a bound album filled with photos, mementos and reminders of things we had done, and places we had been, in chronological order leading up to a the last few days, before proposing. Chris had placed a video camera in the Christmas tree that captured the whole thing. We have both said since we will enjoy sharing it with our family, friends and in the future our children! 

When it came to choosing our wedding photographer, we researched for a long time, before we came across Ruby Yeo Photography. 

Her previous work was so amazing that we had to have her! Chris owns his own photography business - Chris Perry Photography - so selecting our wedding photographer was one of the most important things in our wedding planning.

We didn't have to worry about a wedding florist, because the The Four Seasons took care of everything. We had to have the specific colour rose shipped in especially; as the island is so small.  

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Choosing a wedding dress

1-Go au naturel Don't wear anything other than moisturiser. You don't want to leave lipstick orfoundation marks on any expensive frocks! 

2-Bring a pair of heels
You'll need comfortable shoes on for shopping, but take a pair of heels with you so you can try them on with the dresses. You need to see where the hemline will be and how the dress will hang.

3-Bring your friends
It's difficult to form an objective opinion on your own, so take one or two close friends along with you. Ask them to be honest and take note of their positives and negatives as you try each dress on. 

4-Bring a notebookGiven that you'll be trying on miles of tulle and silk, you could easily end up forgetting what 's what. Make detailed notes including the name of the shop, the model you tried on, and what you did and didn't like about it. Once you get back home, you'll have clearer ideas to help you narrow the list down.

5-Dance! 
You need to be able to move in your dress. Try out a few dance moves and try taking long strides in the shop. You need room to move: it would be a shame not to be able to boogie away on your wedding day because you can't move or you're worried about ripping your dress!

6-Check the lighting.
In the shop lights a white dress will look immaculate, but ask if you can go out into the natural light to check that it dosn't look yellowish in the daylight. And think about how see-through skimpy materials are going to be: if it's sunny on your big day, you don't want to reveal too much!  

7-Imagine the photos.
Faced with all that choice, you could be so lost you end up falling for a real no-no that's just totally inappropriate. To stay focused and avoid buying a dress with violet feathers, imagine how you want to look in your wedding photos!

8-Accept your body for what it is.
Don't plan on going on a miracle diet to squeeze into the dress you want. Buy a dress that fit, and if you do happen to lose a few pounds before your bid day (through stress, for example), adjustments can always be made.

Loving Wedding Invitation Wax Seals

There's something uniquely romantic about sealing an envelope with a wax seal. It adds a level of solemnity to a wedding invitation, plus a good dollop of luxury. It's also a great way to add a personal DIY touch to your wedding stationery. You can choose the wax to match with your wedding theme colour, and either use your initial as the stamp, or your signature wedding motif {mine was a vintage key}. Buy your wax seal supplies from Paper Source {US stationery shop} or Confetti, and if you can't afford wax seals, or can't be bothered with dripping wax, then try embossing your wedding stationery with one of these.

{Product Credit} Amarides via Oh So Beautiful Paper

{Product Credit} Black­bird Letterpress via Oh So Beautiful Paper

{Product Credit} Boutwell Studio via Inspired by This

{Product Credit} Unknown via Elizabeth Annes Designs via Inspired by This

{Product Credit} Betsy Dunlap via Oh So Beautiful Paper

{Product Credit} Follow Studio

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The French Wedding Show & Before the Big Day

Only two weeks to go to my big day! Nope, I'm not getting married again, but this is nearly as exciting! I'm going to be the guest blogger as The French Wedding Show on 9th November. This fab wedding fair is taking place in Notting Hill in London, at the 20th Century Theatre, and it's sure to be FABULOUS. If you've considered getting married in France for more than a second, then you should definitely come down and get some advice from me, and Anne-Laure from Et Voila Weddings {wedding planner extraordinaire}. And then, once you've finished chatting with us, you can check out some of the best wedding suppliers France has to offer. Buy your tickets here, before they all sell out!

Just a few of the fabulous vendors.....
♥ The Cake - Stunning wedding cakes in the South West of France
♥ Toni Lazzaro -A brilliant make up artist in Paris
♥ Ariane Douguet -A fantastic soprano singer
♥ Discotecnik - DJ, DJ live and bands in the South East
♥ Jazz Around Midnight - Jazz band in Paris and all over France
♥ Studio 80 - Videographers in Paris and all over France
♥ Virginie'e - A fantastic make up artist in the South West of France

There will also be floral designers, a live painter, wedding photographers, marquee suppliers, wedding dress designers and a Venues Bar where couples can flick through Et Voila recommended venues! 

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A Secret Garden Wedding with a Woodland & Travel Theme - The Reception

This is one of those amazing weddings where the bride thought of every single detail, and DIY'd a fair few {like most} of them. A regular reader of Before the Big Day, Kelly came up with several fabulous themes, and combined them all with panache! Travel plus secret woodland and a colourful palette equals wedding heaven. And the ideas to steal - there's too many. Just take a look at the amazing handmade hot air balloon table names, the stunning paper cut-style seating plan, and the pinecone place markers. Kelly was up till late the night before her wedding, decorating her tepee venues with six friends - so if you're considering to DIY your decor, remember to arrange a helping hand {or 10}. I love how she placed a sprig of rosemary at each seat, and the hand-stamped balloons on the stationery are the cutest. Instead of a cake, Kelly and Pete chose a massive array of sweetie treats....my type of wedding! Enjoy Kelly's hints and tips in her answers to the Before the Big Day Brides' Questionnaire - there's tonnes of advice for budding brides. Huge thanks to Richard Galloway for his stunning wedding photographs.

We got married in the beautiful Secret Garden at Wasing Park in Berkshire. It was a bright and sunny May Day. I liked the idea of a secret garden full of surprise and intrigue, and Wasing Park was the perfect venue. We kept areas hidden so as to surprise our guests with each stage of the wedding.

Our photographer was Richard Galloway. He is an old friend and a professional wedding photographer. We felt we couldn't have made a better decision, as he knew us, and knew that we were planning something fun and curious. 

Richard's style is reportage, and we wanted more natural shots than traditional posed wedding photographs, so he was the perfect fit.

My dear friend Anna is a graphic designer, and she said that for our wedding, she wanted to give us a gift of the design and execution of our wedding invitations. She carefully created the paper cut design and information sheet, in keeping with the woodland theme, with carefully cut deer and birds in a style similar to Rob Ryan. We even bought in the paper from an old Italian stationer! Lots of energy and patience, but the result was truly elegant.

We had a combination of decorations and themes - a travel theme, a secret woodland theme, and a night theme of fire. We also wanted plenty of colour to give the feel of a fiesta, but a country garden version.

In keeping with the secret woodland theme we decorated the tables with giant pinecones, and the tent poles with fir and ivy. We wanted it to feel like a feast for the eyes, with plenty of colourful bunting, and paper decorations to add to the ambience. 

Our wedding florist was a very talented lady called Yolanda Chiaramello  She had plenty of experience in floristry, and wanted to work with us on her first wedding. She was excellent at talking through our dreams and visions, and turning them into reality.  

Every detail, from the Tizer bottles hosting a single bud, to carefully chosen and placed blooms, and our bouquets were perfect. Yolanda's attention to detail made it an absolute pleasure to work with her. She surpassed our expectations and then some.

We are big world travellers, so we chose tepee hats as our marquees, with plenty of travel themed props. Our table names were handmade hot air balloons, which looked like they were floating, thanks to the wonders of fishing wire. 

We also had a table laid out with a globe, a guest book made out of a vintage photograph album, and framed photos of dear family members that are no longer with us. The look I was aiming for was a traveller's writing desk, complete with typewriter and other ephemera. 

I had a few too many DIY projects! I crafted all of the boy's buttonholes, each one bespoke. I also made all of my chicas {most special ladies} a bespoke buttonhole - each one individually designed. I made with six litres of home made vodka {2 lemoncello, 2 mandarin and 2 wild berry}, and the marshmallow and Ferrero Roche sweetie trees. I hand picked all the decorations, made chocolate pots, and the table plan with paper sourced in New York and spray-painted mdf....

I enjoyed most of my wedding planning. We had a two-year engagement so it gave us plenty of time to finely tune every detail. I also work in TV Production so genuinely enjoy organising! Towards the end it was at points stressful, but overall it was great. 

The night before I had six of my closest friends and my sister helping me out decorating the tepees when really I should have been doing my bikini line. We were folding napkins with rosemary and hessian until 10pm, and organising the table settings - this was quite testing, but also made me realise how special my closest friends and sister are to me.





My advice to brides? GO FOR IT {and double your budget!}. If you have a vision, there is nothing wrong with creating your own wedding from scratch. I would really recommend sticking to your plan and try not to be persuaded by packages or the standard. Personal touches go a long way – people really appreciate them and it makes your wedding tailor-made to you. 

Write lists. Create a bridal book and put all your thoughts and ideas in there. Use Pinterest to build up a mental image of the wedding you are trying to create. Think of your friends with good talents, and ask them to get involved. Enjoy - it is the most amazing thing to do - getting married to your partner for life. So make sure you relish every single moment!

Instead of cake, we had a desert table full of a selection of sweets and naughties – some DIY'd by me, but my best friend's mum {the best baker in the world} created a batch of her amazing brownies which we laid out on vintage china. 

My stepsister, Catherine Clark, is a chef and created the most magical confection – with everything from homemade Daim Bars to Scottish Tablet – oooooh naughty! Our wedding breakfast was a Pakistani feast, so we added lots of exotic sweets as well. 

More advice - make sure you plan at some point on the day to sneak of with your new husband. The day goes so quickly and it really is important you savour every moment and take a moment to look into each other’s eyes, cheesy as it sounds it is really very important. 

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