Days to Go: 139

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I started blogging on English Wedding with 321 days to go! Now it’s just over four and a half months to go! It still feels like ages away, but I’m so so so so so excited!

H2b has been focusing on our wedding photo booth. He wants to make it himself, and he’s collected some really fantastic ideas.

My friend had one of these photo booths at her wedding and it was so much fun! It’s basically an MDF wall with holes cut out for silly photos. Our photographer is helping us out with a tripod, camera and a flash so that one of our friends can stand and take photos for us.

We have been collecting photo frames to appear on the wall.

We have some large silver frames for guests to look through and we’re collecting little black frames to hold real photographs. See more...

S&D… The Wedding

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Hello again English Wedding!

I know, I know it’s been far too long! It’s been a mad rush since the wedding, David’s gone back to his third year at uni and I’ve just started my masters, we both now spend most days running around like headless chickens trying to keep up!

It seems like the wedding was yesterday, but also like we’ve always been husband and wife – it’s a lovely feeling. If I’ve not left it too late and you’re all still interested.. here’s how our wedding went.

I woke up in bed next to Katie, one of my bridesmaids. I paced around the house for a few minutes before getting up and having a bath with Vivienne at around 6am! The nerves had actually started making me feel horrible, I was so, so edgy and couldn’t really talk to Katie or Louise (who came round later). They tried to get me to eat something but I really couldn’t. The flowers were delivered, Vivienne went to Mary’s to get ready, and soon we were flying down the road in my flowery Polo to get ready at my Mum and Dad’s house. Everything was pretty much set up from the day before, and everyone was running around putting the final touches to the marquee and tables. See more...

Wedding planning or work?

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Chalkboard wedding idea from Ruffled blog

Happy Friday everyone! I have a brand new feature for those of you who are in the office, clock-watching or rushing to finish a report. Friday afternoons are the worst, aren’t they? I’ve been remembering my days in Manchester’s Arndale Tower, working as a Marketing Exec in my seat by the window… when Friday afternoons were spent gazing out of the window, emailing my friends or chatting, often after a small glass of wine at dinner time.

Jesse D. Green Photography

Work… ick! So today I bring you ‘wedding planning or work’ – a diversion from that presentation that’s doing your head in, a list of great things to look at on the interweb that should keep you “busy” until about ten to four. Most of these links are about wedding inspiration and gorgeous pics. From time to time (I’m hoping this will become a regular feature) I’ll include tips on time management which could just possibly class as work, if your boss asks!

Enjoy x See more...

Musings on wedding industry awards

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I’ve been musing a lot recently. Thinking about this industry, the financial side of weddings, the way it all works and what motivates people in the wedding industry. For many of us it’s the thank you card from a happy customer; the email saying how wedding guests commented on our work. It’s also the sheer love of our jobs that keeps us going.

For me, it’s also the very personal and involved relationship I can develop with a bride and groom. Discussing wedding stationery, chatting at length about your colours, styles and ideas for your wedding day can be thrilling. Sharing that excitement at such a happy time in people’s lives is pretty unbeatable. It’s certainly worlds apart from sitting in a busy open plan office working my little head off only for no one ever to say thank you. See more...

New sponsor welcome… it’s Miss Delicious

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I have pet names for only a very select few wedding stationers. Zoe from Bunny Delicious just happens to be top of my list, and in more ways than one. I can’t remember quite where ‘Miss Delicious’ came from, but I like the sauciness of it… and it makes me smile whenever I see a Bunny Delicious design! I’ve known Zoe via the miracles of our modern interweb for years – and I’ve watched her creativity with growing delight.

Bunny Delicious is one of the UK’s top wedding stationery companies, appearing regularly in top wedding magazines and leading the way with a distinctive and unique artistic style. Wedding invitations from Bunny Delicious are instantly recognisable, Zoe’s guest books and photo albums are inspired and exciting, and Zoe herself is just brilliant.

An outspoken, creative and genuine lady, Zoe Rusga is one wedding stationery designer you have to find out more about. I’m very pleased to have Bunny Delicious as my newest sponsor on the English Wedding Blog. Find out more and see some of my favourite contemporary wedding invites and accessories on the new Bunny Delicious Showcase Page. See more...

Something blue… at Duke’s 92

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My heart skipped a little when wedding photographer Scott Foley got in touch with this one: bride Pamela is a fan of English Wedding Blog so I’m really proud to post a story and a few pictures of their lovely wedding at Dukes 92. I love a wedding which is all about friends and family, and while Pamela and Andy’s wedding is beautiful for its elegance and simplicity as far as the decor goes, the love and fun shared with everyone on the day is what shines through.

Pamela is such a naturally beautiful girl, and absolutely radiant when you see the pictures of her with Andy, with their little boy and with all the children on the wedding day. So I’m absolutely delighted to share this pretty young mum’s wedding on the blog today.

With thanks to Scott Foley of Foley Photography for sharing images with us, and congratulations and huge thanks to Pamela and Andy for a really lovely wedding report.

Enjoy!

Claire xxx See more...

Competition! English Wedding’s favourite invitation

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English wedding invitation competition on facebook

Morning everyone – now who’d like to enter a brand new competition on English Wedding blog?

All you have to do is help choose English Wedding’s favourite wedding invitation.

It’s just a bit of fun… but you can win some lovely prizes just in time for Christmas, and share a little happiness with top wedding invitation designers too!

Win a gift for your fiance! (and a little something for yourself)

The main prize is a Paul Smith Extreme Fragrance Gift Set (aftershave and shower gel) for your fella, and because you’ve gone to all the trouble of voting there’s a little treat for you too: a Ted Baker Butterfly Blossom gift set.

All you have to do is vote for your favourite wedding invitation on the English Wedding facebook page.

I’ve chosen ten gorgeous finalists from wedding invitation designs submitted to the English Wedding Showcase. Now it’s your turn to tell me which is best of all! See more...

A Jewish wedding and a cruise down the Thames

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Reportage wedding photographer Mark Carey has shared some lovely weddings with us recently, and Becky and Joel’s day is one of his best: the atmosphere of this wedding really comes across in the pictures. From the excited chaos of the bridal preparations to the solemnity and grace of the orthodox Jewish ceremony and then onto the boat trip down the Thames… it’s a really memorable, individual and fun way to celebrate a marriage.

Becky is a really, really beautiful bride. Becky’s shared her story of the day – and there are some brilliant tips in there for all you brides- and grooms-to-be. So I’ll hand over to Becky to tell you about the day, and to reportage wedding photographer Mark Carey to share the wonderful pictures.

Enjoy. xx

“My wedding dress was a Dizzie Lizzie, style – BIG! Ivory, full skirt with flower detail and train. From The Wedding Dress Shop, Colchester. It was the first dress I tried on.

Emma and Hieu’s English Country Garden Wedding

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Emma and Hieu were married in the “Palladian Mansion House” of Combe Bank School in Kent. How exciting does that sound, for starters? Emma chose a purple theme for the wedding day, and her attention to detail with all the decor on the day is so impressive I’m calling this wedding feature ‘Perfect in Purples’!

With lovely images from Eliza Claire Photography, and Emma’s own report of the wedding day, I’ll leave this feature to Emma and Eliza to share with you. You’ll love it!

Perfect in Purples

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I chose a wedding dress by designer Myring Kesterton (MMK), a pure silk traditional lace up corseted gown with layered skirt adorned with pick ups and ivory flowers. The back of the dress had a large bustle that was finished off with the same flowers on the front of the dress. The dress style was ‘Mimi’, bought from Marianne Jessica in Bromley, Kent.

wedding blog (2) See more...

Get the English Wedding FREE eBook here!

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FREE eBook for brides and grooms from English Wedding Blog

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FREE eBook for brides and grooms from English Wedding Blog

I have a little freebie for you: the brand new English Wedding Blog eBook full of gorgeous wedding pics and down-to-earth, useful advice.

Including “You are not a sausage”, “It’s only a wedding” and more tips and thoughts from a top UK wedding blog.

Simply click the links to read online or go to issuu.com/englishweddingblog/docs/ebook to download it as a pdf or embed it in your own wedding website (which you’re very welcome to do!)

Enjoy! xxx

Caroline Castigliano 2012 bridal collection

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Caroline Castigliano 2012 collection photography by Clive Arrowsmith

This little gem landed in my inbox this week, so as a parting note for the week I thought I’d share it with you.

Leading luxury designer Caroline Castigliano today unveiled stunning new photography of her 2012 Bridal collection.

Shot on location at The Dorchester on London’s Park Lane, the new images showcase a range of gowns from the ‘Oscar Collection’, in sumptuous surroundings befitting Caroline Castigliano’s luxurious and elegant designs.

Caroline Castigliano, who celebrates 20 years at the forefront of luxury bridal design this year, enlisted top fashion photographer Clive Arrowsmith to shoot the collection. Arrowsmith has photographed a wealth of celebrities and VIPs throughout his illustrious career.

Brazilian model Janini was styled to reflect a Castigliano bride – a woman with a definite sense of style, who is confident and sexy.

‘Madamoiselle’ can be seen in The Dorchester’s fabulous Crystal Suite. This design, featuring a French Chantilly lace boat neck bodice and circular silk organza skirt, will appeal to brides looking to emulate the understated elegance of Kate Middleton’s wedding gown. See more...

Pretty in Pink! Wedding inspiration board

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Some classic pink wedding inspiration from Suzy and Bruno’s Hengrave Hall wedding…

Pretty in Pink wedding inspiration board. All photos by Chris Hanley Photography

Wedding inspiration – Pretty in Pink

Choose a focus for your wedding decorations – don’t spend a fortune on every detail, but choose something fabulous that will be a real talking point: in Suzy and Bruno’s case, the table centrepieces are statuesque and colourful with roses, feathers and foliage perched on glass pillars.

Keep your details elegant and simple: a wedding table plan focusing on word art is a great idea. Suzy and Bruno chose simple pink flowers for the four edges of their plan and an ornate black frame which I love.

An elegant white wedding cake with minimal detailing will create as much of a talking point as a richly decorated designer cake. Suzy and Bruno’s cake has bright pink ribbons and a fantastic jewel embellishment. The little cluster of roses on top of the cake adds charm to the cake table. See more...