A hint of vintage – wedding inspiration shoot for brides

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Yay! Today’s full of pretty. I have a gorgeous photo shoot to share with you – the styling has “a vintage feel without being overdone, just a hint of vintage, as it seems to be a trend that is not going away” – these being the words of accessories designer Charlotte, whose designs feature in the shoot.

I agree. A couple of years back it seemed vintage would be a wedding trend like any other, but it’s most definitely here to stay and you know what? I really love the chic elegance of a vintage wedding theme. Which is why this inspiration shoot is right at home on English Wedding Blog. I hope you love it as much as we do!

A hint of vintage! With Charlotte Rose Designs

Venue – Gaynes Park, Epping Essex – www.gaynespark.co.uk
Photography – Jasmine Jade Photography – www.jasminephotography.co.uk
Hair – Wedding Hair Boutique – Billericay, Essex – www.weddinghairboutique.co.uk
Gowns – The Wedding Trousseau – Epping, Essex – www.theweddingtrousseau.co.uk

Changes to UK legislation: get married any time, day or night!

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I briefly caught a short story on the national news earlier this week, about the UK’s first bride and groom to wed at midnight. Did you see it? I’m not too clued up on the laws about what time you can get married, so I was pleased when wedding planner Aimee Dunne got in touch to explain the changes to the law and what it means for UK brides and grooms.

Wedding photo credit Phil Drinkwater. Click to see the real wedding (a Papakata wedding in Cheshire)

Midnight wedding, anyone?

From October 1 2012, the UK has joined the 21st century as outdated restrictions on marriage and civil partnership times are removed. The Home Office have announced that people wanting to get married or register a civil partnership will now be able to do so any time of the day or night under the Protection of Freedoms Act. Couples were previously restricted to between 8am and 6pm. See more...

A vintage country wedding and all the tea ‘n china…

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Every real wedding submission for English Wedding Blog has something that leaps out at me – and with Louise and Chris’s big day it’s the sentiment of what the wedding day meant to this very special couple.

Yes, there are gorgeous details. But this wedding isn’t all about styling and decor. It’s a very personal celebration; very Yorkshire! Chris told me for him the personal touches really made the day sparkle, and also Louise’s words about her wedding dress – which she never loved – bring everything into perspective.

Of course she looked absolutely stunning in her Augusta Jones dress, but for today when we talk about ‘The One‘ in the context of a wedding blog… it’s especially nice that it means the groom. 🙂

I would heartily recommend a cup of Yorkshire tea with today’s real wedding, and in your best china. You’ll see why… Enjoy!

Vaguely far-fetched marketing to engaged couples?

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Marketing emails make me giggle. I can’t help it. Lavazza’s creative use of puns and idealism is guaranteed to make their coffee machine the number one item on your wedding gift list… forget the honeymoon fund, apparently a coffee machine (?) is the perfect wedding present!

Ah! His and hers coffee machines, in “wedding white” and black, sit side by side. The scene is set with cupcakes, a bouquet of flowers, and a coffee cup with a heart on top. Oh, and it says LOVE in big letters. Who’s sold?!

An “espressive” gift in “wedding white”. Nice!

They begin with a fabulous play on words: For a more ‘espressive’ wedding gift this season look no further than Italy’s favourite coffee Lavazza, who’s stylish A Modo Mio Extra coffee machines in wedding white or cool black make the perfect hand in marriage.

“Espressive”! Love it. And yes, it’s not just white, but wedding white. (Wonder if it’s more expensive than normal white?) See more...

A vintage wedding with an Italian twist!

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Amanda and Anton had two wedding receptions and mixed vintage wedding ideas from two cultures to create two of the most memorable days of their lives!

Today’s vintage wedding blog with an Italian twist will inspire many of you I’m sure. There’s beauty in the details: soft, elegant and classy vintage roses, table decorations and styling (not to mention Amanda’s stunning wedding dress and Anton’s super classy suit).

There’s also a real atmosphere of celebration. As Amanda told me, “Italian weddings are all about sharing good food with your family and friends” – and there’s a link at the end of this page where you can see much more of their wedding.

The lovely couple chose Hannah of Lifeline Photography to capture their vintage wedding on camera, and she did a beautiful job. I first met Hannah at top wedding photographer Chris Hanley’s enchanting and creative studio space near Manchester, the Riverside Studios, and I can tell you as well as being passionate about her wedding photography she’s also a really gorgeous and lovely and genuine lady. She photographs weddings all around the Nottingham area – so get in touch! (Read this first though 🙂 See more...

Vintage teacups and a horse called Brian: Lancashire wedding

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Vintage, elegant, classic… there are too many ways I could describe Steven and Jamie-Emma’s Lancashire wedding. I love their story, their passion and their obvious love for their family and friends.

I also love Jamie’s wedding corset and skirt; I love the teacups and birdcages, the vintage table plan. I love how beautiful Jamie is, and I love the look on her mum’s face as much as I love the laughter and the hug for the little boy after what I hear was the best speech of the day.

Jamie and Ste have written their own wedding report, so I will leave you to read that (and it’s worth spending a few minutes having a real, proper read of this one I promise!) and to admire the lovely and sensitive images taken by contemporary Lancashire wedding photographer Anurag Sharma (Shutterleaf Photography). Let’s kick off with a few engagement photos though, simply because these are gorgeous! (And I miss sunshine!)

Wendy Bell shortlisted for a Hitched Breakthrough Award!

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When I launched my wedding business I was a regular on the Hitched wedding forums and loved it – so with tons of respect for Hitched in my back pocket, I was delighted when my friend and sponsor Wendy Bell emailed to let me know she’d been shortlisted for a Hitched Breakthrough award.

Congratulations, Wendy!

This blog post is to congratulate Wendy on being shortlisted. She’s a wonderful lady, a talent and thoroughly deserves a win in her category! Wendy – huge congratulations from me!!! You are a star in the making. 🙂

Photo credit WBD Designer Wedding Stationery www.wendybelldesigns.com

Photo credit WBD Designer Wedding Stationery www.wendybelldesigns.com

Photo credit WBD Designer Wedding Stationery www.wendybelldesigns.com

The Hitched Breakthrough Awards

The Hitched Breakthrough Awards was created to celebrate new creative talent in the wedding industry.

I’ve openly criticised some of the bigger wedding industry award processes in the past – when Moss Bros and John Lewis take home all the prizes, where’s the creativity in our industry, where’s the passion? See more...

The most impressive confetti throwing ever! A Herefordshire wedding

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The beautiful English countryside, sweet peas and foxgloves, a lace wedding dress and croquet on the lawn. Could Lisa and Rob’s wedding be any more perfect for this blog? They chose Homme House and photographer Gemma Williams for their Herefordshire wedding, which has some of the prettiest detail ideas and I’m so pleased to be able to share them with you!

The bride and groom: Lisa and Rob

Who proposed, and how? Rob proposed in Jervis Bay (Australia), by surprising me with a weekend away. We stayed in a beautiful “luxury” campsite, which included showering under the stars!

Wedding venue: Coddington Church, Homme House for Reception

Wedding photographer: Gemma Williams – www.gemmawilliamsphotography.co.uk

How would you describe your wedding style? Idyllic English countryside

By wedding photographer Gemma Williams:

“Lisa & Rob now live in Australia, but returned to Herefordshire for their wedding in July. Lisa had arranged everything from Oz, and they only returned to the UK a couple of days before the wedding for the last minute preparations. They had done an amazing job, as their wedding day went absolutely perfectly! See more...

Ideas for your rustic countryside wedding day

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I think a lovely summer wedding is just what we need! (I’ve been up for hours and my blogging fingers are freeezing this morning.) So I’m sharing Sarah and Nathan’s rustic, countryside wedding which is full of lovely ideas for your own big day.

We’re talking delicious blue cornflowers and big white daisy bouquets. There are dinky little jam jars with ribbon and flowers. I love the wedding signs, the rustic wedding post box, heart decorations and ice cream selection: Mmm… breakfast! (it’s OK, I live by the seaside. We’re allowed to do that here.)

Sarah and Nathan’s wedding day has two sides. The details are sweet and easy to recreate for your own wedding – with lots of impact and a really fresh, vibrant countryside wedding feel. But the moments between the bride and groom are magical as well: the little glances and big smiles are what a wedding day is all about. Gorgeous. Enjoy!

Thank you to beautiful bride Sarah for the wedding report below. Wedding photography is by Peagreen Photography, Oxfordshire
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A deliciously elegant marquee wedding at home

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It’s going to be a beautiful day. I’ve woken up this morning feeling happy and excited about the real wedding I’m about to share with you. Genny and Jon’s marquee wedding at home is just wonderful and I know you’ll love it.

The overall tone of their wedding day is countryside charm with elegant touches. Genny’s wedding dress begins the day pristine and then meets a field… there’s plenty of laughter with some adorable cheeky faces during the wedding ceremony and reception. The raindrops make this one a beautiful English wedding – the weather becomes a part of the day in these lovely images you’re about to see. Genny and Jon chose Bristol wedding photographer Brett Symes to photograph their marquee wedding at home – he’s fantastic.

I’ll leave you with Genny and Jon’s wedding report and with the images from Brett to enjoy. Have a wonderful morning everyone! Claire x

Genny and Jon’s marquee wedding at home

The best wedding blogs this week are…

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Wow – I can’t quite believe it’s Friday already! And time to share some of the best wedding blogs of the week just gone. I’ve found you a destination wedding with bubbles, a glamorous Lancashire wedding blog, and a DIY wedding with a vintage flavour. There’s quirky Las Vegas stationery inspiration, alternative wedding dresses and a shock revelation about one of our favourite wedding readings… it’s an exciting week for wedding blogs!

Love Gets Sweeter Vicky Gareth wedding film Cheshire

The Look of Love… I found this gorgeous wedding film (and stills!) on Love Gets Sweeter See more...

The best real wedding blogs…

Carol and Ross’s countryside wedding with pink lemonade and lace – and some details I’ll be using for inspiration for my wedding calligraphy stand in a couple of weeks!
Into the blue – a gorgeous destination wedding with fabulous accessories by Olivier Laudus on their latest wedding blog
An elegant, glamorous and very moving wedding at Lancashire’s Stanley House: just look at Joanne in her wedding dress… divine!

An eclectic wedding at Andaz, London

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Today’s real wedding is a super cool celebration at luxury 5-star hotel Andaz. Nicola and Antony used coloured glass bottles and simple, modern flowers to create an eclectic wedding look in their chic city venue.

Nicola opted for a bespoke wedding dress, based on her own design and created by Miss Bush Bridal Wear in Ripley. It’s stunning – and Nicola’s glowing review of her wedding dressmaking experience is great to read.

Nicola and Antony’s flowers were white tulips. Antony made a fantastic table plan with vintage frames which I love! Other detail ideas include little chocolate moustache lollipops and post cards as a wedding guest book alternative. Ready to dive into this one? The gorgeous images are by wedding photographer Mark Bothwell. Enjoy!

Nicola & Antony’s eclectic wedding in London

Who proposed, and how?

Antony proposed to me. It was the 3rd of December. He went to a huge amount of very romantic effort: he foxed me, by pretending we were going to a cocktail party for a networking event for his work. See more...