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Now I don’t mean to be all miserable and moany but it’s bank holiday weekend and it’s NOT sunny, again. So you might as well look on the bright side and get some of those wedding jobs done and dusted while you’ve got the time. It’s not all bad news there’s shopping involved!
1. Wedding Day Music
Those nice people at Apple have made it all easy now to organise your music but I still haven’t got the hang of Genius or arranging my playlists. If like me you just rely on the shuffle button now is the time to get organised. If you’re using your iPod for background music during your wedding reception then sorting your playlists will be time well spent, especially if you don’t want your Best Man selecting the Grease Megamix to accompany you on your walk down the aisle.
Josh Spencer Photography
2. Thank You Cards
Now this is very Grown Up. Your lovely guests will have come to your wedding, made your day perfect and very generously given you a gift. You need to say thank you and within a reasonable amount of time, i.e. before your first anniversary, for you to seem like polite and caring newlyweds. Ordering your Thank You cards and then writing the envelopes might seem overly organised but when you’re back to work and still trying to show everyone in the IT team your honeymoon tan you’ll be glad you did.
3. Your Wedding Seating Plan
Oooh this one is stressful! Nothing makes you want to go “arrggghhh” more than organising your table seating plan. If you’re at that stage and doing some wedding procrastinating then stop right there and just dive right in! Have a look at our previous post on hints and tips to make it easier. One.Less.Job.To.Do.Tick.
4. Wet Weather Contingency Plan
Now this might seem obvious given the reason you’re reading this but don’t let it escape your attention. Working out what will happen on your big day should the heavens open is a good way to spend half an hour. Things like buying Bridal party umbrellas, asking your venue where your garden drinks will be held if the lawn is soggy and can the hog-roast be cooked in the rain will need to be answered. Most wedding suppliers will be ready with the perfect solution but flag it up early to make sure you are happy with the response. Check out our hints and tips on rainy day wedding photography.
Rebecca Douglas Photography
5. Shoe Shopping
I promised you shopping and shopping I will give you. Herein lies permission to spend all weekend hunting for the perfect Bridal shoe. Make like Carrie Bradshaw and do your shoe research as there is lots to consider; colour, shape, vintage or modern, heel size, peep toe or slingback and that’s just for starters. Buying your shoes in advance means you can wear them around the house to rid yourself of nasty wedding day blisters and you’ll need them for your last dress fitting to get your gown length right. Buying in advance makes you a shoe smart cookie.
Happy Planning Everyone!
Emma x
Featured Image by Rebecca Douglas
Sometimes an image can never really capture the details of a beautiful dress and it’s not until you see it close up that you really appreciate all the exquisite details. At a recent styled shoot we were lucky enough to have a dress that captures the feminine and romantic spirit of designer Lusan Mandongus with fabulous detailing and a classic style.
Isabella Grace were kind enough to lend us the dress for the shoot, that made the front cover of Your Kent Wedding Magazine, and we’re so glad as Lusan Mandongus dresses really are as beautiful as they look.
Beginning as a small bridal house based in Hong Kong, Lusan Mandongus now has more than 100 stockists, including Isabella Grace at Tunbridge Wells. They have been creating gorgeous gowns since 1991 with a passion to design every girl’s dream for her wedding day.
Here are a few of our favourites from the latest collection.
Featured Image by Rebecca Douglas Photography with styling by Kent Wedding Planners, all other images by Lusan Mandongus
Todays inspirational style steal is from the unique team that is Bespoke Collective and was shot on location in the Mansion House at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park.
Bespoke Collective is a brand new company made up of Matt Ebbage the photographer, JoJo Pepper the beautician, makeup artist and hairstylist Jessica Hawkins and the jewellery design talents of Faye Holmes.
We really love the vintage vibe in this shoot alongside the sheer prettiness of the gorgeous lace dress.
To find out more about the Bespoke Collective team visit their website.
Other credits:
Colette Hawkins – China and table dressing
Victoria Woodbridge – Floristry
Chris Ebbage – Assistant photographer
If you like your vintage look then you’ll be totally in love with shoe designer, Rachel Simpson’s brand new vintage inspired collection for both you and the man in your life.
Agnes & Norman takes it style inspiration from a bygone era with the emphasis on simplicity and quality. As Rachel said at the launch earlier this month, “each pair is designed to fit perfectly, feel indulgent and exude unique character and good old-fashioned quality.”
There’s fifteen styles in the spring/summer collection with gorgeous colours in leather and suede with lots of details and cute bows to create their vintage vibe. Prices start from £85.
The range will be available exclusively online later this month. Just in time for payday!
Lifestyle Images by Emma Case Photography
It’s about this time of year in the fashion calendar that I start to panic. I love my skinny jeans, boots and a snuggly big coat (especially on days like today!). So when I have to think about putting away my 1000 denier tights and removing my woolly scarf I can feel my heart starting to beat a little bit faster.
Joanne moves to her Spring/Summer Wedding wardrobe with great ease so this year I’m taking a leaf out of her book and starting early. Early that is because otherwise anything you want in the shops when the sun actually comes out will be gone in a flash and I need some wedding outfits asap. So if you’re a wedding guest this year and are feeling a slight bit nervous about what’s on the high street have a look at these beauties available from Phase Eight. What’s more there’s also 50% off some of the range.
Happy Shopping!
P.S. If you fancy winning a £100 Phase Eight Gift Card you can complete a short survey about their wedding guest outfits online now.
Today’s wedding is the summer nuptials of Gary and Hollie, who were married at luxury hotel, Sundridge Park Manor in Bromley, Kent. The Grade I listed Manor is set in 6 acres of terraced gardens and has 23 en-suite rooms which have views of the gardens and golf course that surround it. Hollie and Gary first saw the venue on a TV programme and went to take a look and it’s no wonder they fell in love with it. It’s elegant charm was the perfect backdrop to Gary and Hollie’s Champagne and Ivory colour scheme. Here Hollie tells us how she began to plan their big day. Starting with the all important dress!
Hollie says “I felt like an absolute princess and I knew by my mum and friends reaction when I stepped out of the changing room that it was “the one”. It’s not every day you get to wear a princess dress! I accessorized it with High ivory sandals from Dune and stud earrings that were a gift from my Chief Bridesmaid. I also had a veil, hair slide and an ivory box clutch bag that my Chief Bridesmaid held on the day.
“We didn’t really need loads of decoration as the venue was absolutely beautiful – we let it speak for itself. Cinderella Dreams did our flowers and styling which was simple but really effective. I had a White Rose bouquet, with the three bridesmaids having smaller versions. The two flower girls had cute little wands. We also decorated the top table with Ivory Roses and “Mr & Mrs” wooden letters. The centerpieces were tall hurricane vases with candles and on the tables were disposable cameras and simple ivory name place cards. We had scratch cards in a wallet for the favours, which were colour co-ordinated and from eBay.
I got nearly all my ideas and inspiration from Google images! I had an idea of what I wanted and used the images alongside a few tweaks of my own. It was definitely less stress though having someone set up all the tables and arranging all the different style elements on the day – I would recommend it to every bride!
“Our photographer was James Grist. He had photographed our friends wedding and so we knew we wanted to have him.
For our wedding breakfast we had a hot buffet from the in house caterers, with a dessert table and cheese board for after. This was served with White and Red Wine on the tables but other drinks were available from the bar. Our wedding cake was a three square tier ivory cake with champagne ribbon around the bottom of each tier. The tiers looked like they were ‘floating’ and we had fresh white roses between each tier. A friend called Sian Howard made it. The three flavours were lemon, marble and chocolate. To kick off our evening entertainment my step dad, Barry Fox, sung our wedding song, Michael Buble’s Crazy Love. Our DJ Ben Phelps played the tunes, with Barry singing some more songs throughout the evening. It was a really fantastic party.”
Contact Book
Venue & Catering: Sundridge Park Manor
Brides Dress by: Allure Bridal from Orange Blossom in Blackfen
Flowers/Styling by: Cinderellas Dreams
Entertainment: Barry Fox (07984 465622)
Stationery: Made by the Bride from Pure Invitation
Groomsmen: Moss Bros
Bridesmaids: BHS
Wedding Photography and Images with thanks to James Grist Photography
Thanks to Hollie & Gary for sharing their day with us and massive congratulations.
Emma x
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