Continuing from last week, today we'll look at flowers for four colours: purple, yellow, white and red.
Purple
This is a colour very popular with royalty, clergy and psychics ... and symbolises a dramatic, flamboyant personality. Flowers to match a purple wedding theme are Lisianthus (eustoma), allium, liatris, phalaenopsis, orchid, anemone, African violet, streptocarpusYellow Yellow is a bright and cheerful colour that stimulates memory and symbolises summer, the sunshine and holidays. For a yellow theme, you can use: sunflower, solidago, achillea, daffodils, oncidium, orchid, begonia, hibiscus.
White White flowers often appear more expensive than the coloured version of the same flower. Adequate choices would be Longiflorum lily, gypsophila, stephanotis, gardenia, peace lily.
Red The colour of passion, red grabs attention and points to an assertive personality. You can choose roses, geranium, anthurium, celosia, amaryllis, poinsettia, kalanchoe.
For more ideas on flowers visit www.myweddingflowerideas.co.uk or read Wedding Flowers Magazine. I particularly like this magazine, as at the end there are 4 pages with flower names and images. Enjoy!
Every bride wants her wedding to be unique, but sometimes it seems rather hard to find inspiration, as most of the blogs seem to address only the US market.
Today, we are happy to present an interview with Emmie from Little Miss Wedding, a blog presenting unique wedding ideas and suppliers especially selected for British brides.
1. Littlemisswedding.co.uk is rather unique on the British wedding market. What determined you to write a blog presenting ideas to make the wedding day special?
I organised my wedding last December myself and found that little of any interest on the internet to help me. I decided that there was a niche in the market for a UK focused site that listed/ reviewed good value, reliable suppliers that can offer something a little bit 'unique and boutique'. I wanted to set up a site that gave readers ideas, tips, advice and a directory of reputable suppliers. LMW is about showing couples how to have fun whilst planning their wedding, encouraging couples to involve family and friends, helping couples to find those one off suppliers (that are out there but are sometimes difficult to find) and offering ideas and inspiration so that people getting married can have the wedding that they really want without it having to cost the earth.
2. Is this a hobby or a full time job?
At the moment it’s a hobby. My full time job is in online/ digital media - my experience in online marketing and media is what made me decide to set up an online site focused on weddings.
3. For inspiration, I like following the posts on Style me pretty, JL Designs and also the design boards from Helen Carter. Are there any blogs/websites that you like in particular?
I like Style me Pretty too (I think everyone does), Green Wedding shoes is a good one (which my hubbie found for me). I like to focus on the UK market so I follow UK brides that are getting married and blogging about their preparations, such as http://ourdaybydesign.blogspot.com/ (infact Gaynor the bride to be is going to start guest blogging on LMW soon). I also like to follow photographers blogs as I love looking at all their wedding pics and getting inspiration from there.
4. Looking back at your posts, is there a decorative idea that you loved so much you would like to incorporate in your wedding day?
I am still to post about a lot of the little decorative ideas that I had at my own wedding, but I do love the night sky lanterns that I have posted about on LMW. Had I had a wedding in the summer in the countryside I would have let these off into the night sky in the evening - so romantic. Unfortunately this wasn't really an option in central london. I also love the table decorations and vintage milk bottles used for table names that I featured in one of my posts (taken from Planet Mithi's blog) - she is really creative and her blog is a fantastic source of inspiration.
5. This year we’ve seen many vintage inspired weddings and a growing tendency to being environmentally friendly. What trends do you see for next year?
Ooh I don't know - I think vintage inspired weddings will still be popular, and I think that you are right in that people are beginning to think more about the environment when planning their wedding, which is why I like florists like Planet Flowers that use seasonal and locally sourced flowers and foliage. I think with the recession we'll see more and more people looking for bargains, ways to cut costs, save money and involving their friends and family in a true DIY wedding. That is why I try and post about suppliers that don't cost the earth and DIY ideas that brides can use to make things themselves. I know lots of people getting married next year and they are all looking to see where their friends and family can help out and save them money.
6. Are there any tips you would give a bride wanting to make her wedding day unique? (eg: where to get inspiration from in terms of website, magazines, hobbies; who to turn to for advice etc)
Well check out my site :-) and also just search the internet for other wedding blogs and sites (including the ones that we have mentioned above). The beauty of the internet is that you can search for exactly what you want, its all free, and there is lots and lots of information out there that is up to date and relevant. Magazines can be good but I prefer the internet as there is no cost and you can choose what you read, rather than a magazine where they choose the content which might be completely irrelevant to your needs. Getting adviceand ideas from married friends(and friends of friends) is always good too.
Thank you, Emmie! We'll keep following your posts :)
Choosing a theme for the wedding day has become one of the main concerns of a bride-to-be.
There are many ways to choose a theme, but one of the simplest is choosing colours that you like. The following two Monday posts focus on presenting a selection of flower recommendations according to the colour theme you choose.
Green If you like green, you are caring, home loving, responsible, you like nature and may support ecology. For your green wedding theme, you can use bells of Ireland, guilder rose.
Pink As a pink lover, you are feminine, unthreatening and calming. The best flowers to match a pink theme are: carnation, sweet pea, Guernsey lily, azalea, and hypoesies (polka dot plant).
Blue Blue is the sign of a restful, calming, cool, relaxing person. Flowers to help bring to life a blue wedding theme are delphinium, cornflower, agapanthus (nile lily), campanula, iris, hydrangea.
It is my considered opinion that lingerie can help us feel beautiful and happy with ourselves without having to undergo surgical operations or torturing diets.
Today we have a special guest on our blog: Sarah from Elizabeth Wells who has kindly agreed to share some of her knowledge when it comes to lingerie. Ladies, enjoy :) and feel free to visit her website for some ideas ;)
1. What it is more important when choosing the lingerie: the body shape or the style of the dress?
Both are important when choosing your lingerie. You dont want something that will show under your dress, you also want to choose something that will enhance your figure so that you feel at your best. Some brides want to enhance their chest as much as possible, others want to feel pulled in with the help of shape wear.
2. What type of lingerie do you recommend according to a bride’s body shape? (pear/apple/athlete/petite etc)
I would recommend thinking about shape wear, particularly around the tummy. This could be in the form of a sassy basque, a corset designed to be worn under a dress or the high waisted knickers. This is important for some women as the tummy is a real area of worry. If you feel secure and comfortable you will enjoy your day, rather than holding your tummy in!
The key is feeling secure and comfortable - this is why its a great idea to come and be fitted and to try options you may not have considered before. Remember your lingerie fitter is an expert in her field and may have some great ideas & tips for you. For example it may be a lot more comfortable & practical to go for high waisted knickers and a strapless bra than a basque.
3. What type of lingerie do you recommend according to a bride’s dress? (A line/princess/siren etc)
If you need a strapless bra I would recommend the half cup bras from my shop as these give a great shape to the bust, the ones in EW also have the added advantage of being gorgeous bras! The fuller cups can tend to pull you down if you're wearing them for a long period of time.
The knickers are important - you do not want visible panty line! The thigh & slimmers are also a good idea if you want to suck things in & keep everything streamlined. If you do this its common for the brides to buy some fancy knickers for the wedding night. An all in one body is a great idea as the dress skims over everything, you can wear pretty bridal lingerie - just remember to whip the all in one off before you seduce your new hubby!
4. In your experience, when should a bride buy her wedding day lingerie? Is it important for a bride to bring the lingerie to the fittings for her dress?
To be sure you should ask your dress fitter. I think it is useful to buy the lingerie to wear for fittings - this way you can be sure your whole outfit sits together beautifully.
5. Could you give us your top 5 tips when choosing lingerie for the wedding day?
1 - Be properly fitted & try all the options
2 - Be comfortable in what your wearing, you'll be in it all day
3 - Buy some sexy undies for the night - if your wearing shapewear you may be put off getting undressed!
4 - Take your undies with you to your dress fitting
5 - Buy a garter at the same time! EW's garters are all handmade in Nottingham 100% silk and all individual & unique - why would you want a mass produced garter!?
Thank you, Sarah, for your helpful pieces of advice :)
We are happy to be featured in the article "Stretch you wedding budget" on youandyourwedding.co.uk with one of the 10 tips to help you manage your wedding budget wisely. Have a look at it and feel free to share your thoughts on it :)
Finally, the recommendations for honeymoon destinations for the last 2 months of the year: November and December. You can enjoy winter snow as well as winter sun.
November Caribbean: A favourite destination at this time of the year thanks to the many romantic islands you can choose from from. Thailand: Discover the rich Thai culture: markets, palaces, forests ... The Galapagos Islands/Ecuador: Explore the jungles and mountains and enjoy the friendly wildlife. December Zanzibar: Great winter sun with vast, white, empty sands and stunning unspoilt vegetation Vienna, Austria: Culture lovers will definitely love Vienna's grand architecture, music, art and opera. Canada: Enjoy the great skiing that Quebec, Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia offer.
Autumn is the season of weddings and wedding fayres, but also of some blissful honeymoon destinations. Read on to see what September and October has to offer!
September Mauritius: Enjoy this paradise island with its paradise hotels, beaches and food. Norway: Take advantage of the trees in bloom, long days and mild weather. Borneo: Adventure lovers can explore the rainforests and climb Mount Kinabalu
October Bali welcomes you with its soft, white sandy beaches! New England, USA: Unwind amongst stunning autumnal displays Dubai is the place where the sun never fails to shine
Half way through the list of honeymoon destinations by month are July and August with locations to help you make the most of your summer.
July South Pacific: Unwind on picture-postcard beaches while the rainfall is at its lowest. Italy: Enjoy the fantastic Italian cuisine in the country's heartland of romance: Florence, Venice, Tuscany and the lakes. Tanzania: Nature lovers will certainly enjoy the awesome zebra/wildebeest migration that happens now.
August Seychelles: A devine scenery with white sands, marine parks and buried treasure for you to discover. Vietnam: The climate and temperature are ideal for exploring cultural and natural delights. Namibia: Come here to witness the highest concentration of wild animals in Etosha National Park.
I would like to share this little table arrangement as I think it is really delicate and pretty. And ... it can also be a great money-saving tip.
For a vintage look for your reception, why not use your granny's teacup collection to decorate the venue. It can help save at least for two reasons:
you don't have to hire vases ... you already have the cups
the flowers that can be used should be cheaper, as the stem required for the arrangements is short (one florist once told me that the longer the stem and the richer the bud, the more expensive the flower is)
This lovely arrangement was made by Buds and Bows in Worcester. I highly recommend them as they've helped me when I was let down by someone else when preparing for a wedding fayre.
Today we'll continue with a little bit spring and a little bit of summer: May and June. These two months can offer options for both luxury and nature lovers. May Mexico: The Yucatan Peninsula welcomes you with its hip resorts, white sandy beaches and Mayan ruins Crete: Explore this beautiful Greek island amidst colourful spring flowers under a balmy weather. Montana, USA: Stay on a ranch, go riding or camp out under the starts. Watch Hallmark's "Straight from the heart" for a glimpse of what awaits you.
June Cote d'azur: Mix with the jet-set in St Tropez, then stargaze in Cannes and Monaco Across Europe on the Orient Express: Revel in romance, luxury and great scenery. Alaska: For the Northern Lights, getting back to nature and even going salmon fishing.
If you are planning for an early spring honeymoon, here is what Brides Wedding Planner recommend for March and April, our next two months in the series of post presenting honeymoon destinations by month.
March Australia - The heat is moderate, allowing you to enjoy both the cities and the beaches Southern Spain - March is carnival time here: flamenco and fiestas for a truly entertaining honeymoon. Oman - This Middle Eastern gem has unspoilt beaches, friendly people and pleasant temperatures. April Southern Thailand - Take advantage of the dry season and bliss out on one of the islands Costa Rica - Go eco-crazy in the many national parks for now it is not too wet Botswana - For wonderful water-based safaris in the sunny Okavango DeltaPhoto credits Flamenco: andalucia.com Okavango Delta: okavango-delta-safaris.com
Acknowledgements: The recommendations and information presented are extracted from Brides Wedding Planner 2009. All rights reserved.
Orchids and any exotic flowers are much more expensive that any other flowers. But if you still want an exotic feel for your reception, why not use tulips instead? They are much cheaper and can still be brought from Holland.
I found this idea on mayra, a foreign lifestyle site and I thought it was really clever as it might work perfectly within a limited budget while still offering the wow factor ;)
All you have to do is buy some tulips and slightly turn towards the outside the petals, like in the picture below. You suddenly have "orchids" on a budget (chuckle)
Today we'll start a new series of posts. Theme: honeymoons :) After all the excitement of the wedding day, you will want to spend some time relaxing somewhere you both dreamt of going. However, not only the location is important, the time you go there can make a difference.
Earlier this year, Brides Wedding Planner presented a list of honeymoon destinations by the month which was the most recommended to visit them. We'll start with January and February.
January Philippines' 7000 islands offer plenty of choice to find your dream beach Morocco - Discover souk life and North African exoticism on a just-right-f0r-sightseeing weather Sweden - Enjoy a winter wonderland, even stay at an ice hotel, if you so desire!
February Maldives - The rainfall is at the lowest and with only one resort per island you will enjoy complete privacy South Africa - The sunny and dry weather now offers the best safari opportunities New Zealand - the great summer here is the best time to enjoy the great outdoors on North or South Island.
Hello and welcome to the last part of the series presenting the ways in which wedding planners can help you! Today we'll focus on what wedding planners are best known and … feared for: full wedding co-ordination.
Full wedding planning is the service by which the planner takes care of all the aspects involved in the organisation of the wedding according to the specifications of their clients. This consists of putting together all the little bits and pieces presented in the earlier posts:
source suppliers, negotiate prices and keep regular contact with them, thus acting as a link between you and the suppliers you choose to hire
A good wedding planner will never take over your wedding. They should help you bring to reality the vision that YOU have for YOUR wedding day … after all it is your wedding day. And if you're not happy with the service they provide, well ... you are more than entitled to give up their services.
Not everyone needs a wedding planner. But if you're not sure you need one, do go and speak with some. Yes, some, not one!!!! If you really need one, then you must feel comfortable with them and the way they are. If they are going to plan your wedding, that will require in average keeping in contact for about 12 months! So you would like to hire someone you get along easily with :)
You can find wedding planners at wedding fayres, in published or online directories like The Wedding Planner or White Wedding Pages or have them recommended by someone who has already used their services ;)
***
All in all, for the past 7 weeks I tried to shortly present the types of services a wedding planner can offer. The list does not aim to be exhaustive ... but at least it can give you an insight into how you can benefit from these services.
This post is related to the recent one on winter weddings decoration ideas. When I saw this swan column with frozen snowflakes from Ice Fantastic, I couldn't but think that would integrate perfectly with a winter wedding.
Basically, you can have almost anything frozen and for different purposes: table centre piece, candle holder or simple decoration item ... and not only for winter weddings. Check out Ice Fantastic's product gallery for some more ideas.
Yellow
White
Yellow
White
