Little Bundles Bunting

Last June we featured Little Bundles Bunting with their unique bespoke bunting for all occasions. Emma has sent us pics of a Jubilee Bunting shoot - enjoy!

JUBILEE BUNTING FIT FOR A BRIDE

BY LITTLE BUNDLES BUNTING

As one of my favourite classic films is "Great Expectations" I have always wanted to style a shoot based around the eccentric and slightly deranged Miss Haversham, but make it more wild to reflect my Northumbrian home. THe scene was sketched out to include our strong-minded bride, a show-stopping cake, big and heavy furniture and lots of space, with vintage china and Victoriana wedding stationery. The only place I could visualise this was the beautiful Druridge Bay beach. The temperature gauge showed -3C, but the sun was shining as brightly as I have seen it in winter, and the sky was an azure blue - show lucky were we?! Our fantastic model, Louise, braved the North Easterly winds with stunning results.

I did wonder whether I myself was a little mad, organising a bridal beach shoot in early February - and there were a few local eyebrows raised - however, the end results I think are fantastic and could not have been achieved without all the help of the team. I've worked with Adamskii on a number of my shoots, and will continue to do so. His energy and creativity are boundless. Also he gets me. He understands what I am after in my pictures. Bunting is especially difficult to capture, so I was delighted that my sketch drawn over a few glasses of mulled wine during my Christmas break, finally made it to a photo reality. After hours of carrying heavy furniture over the sand dunes, plus props on loan from Event Diva and flowers from Fern, we were ready to shoot. Our model appeared, literally over the dunes, and she looked stunning, even her tattoos matched the carving in the chaise lounge!

Our Jubilee Bunting range starts at £8/m for the "Hearts" going up to £25 for the "LOVE" bunting. As the lettering is created using hand cut mini Union Jacks we can create any message. I just couldn't resist the "MARRY ME" - and the shot I think is just superb......

Our wonderful dress, veil and headpiece were all supplied by the wonderful Kathryn S Trueman Bridal, as were the stunning jewellery pieces. The exquisite glass and crystal Kathryn Russell bouquet is also available to hire exclusively from Kathryn  Trueman. House of Cakes provided us with a superb Show Cake with six tiers and oozed opulence with fruits and roses. I love the fact that these cakes can be hired for a wedding - just like our bunting! The Victoriana stationery was wonderfully created by local stationer By Wendy, who has been making wedding stationery for nearly 25 years. Our fun Temari cakes were made by the wonderful Newcastle company Popcake Kitchen - they were so much fun, I couldn't resist this shot on the concrete blocks left over from WW2.

A five hour shoot - lots of cold people - but lots of fun. A BIG thank you to everyone who helped!

Bunting & Styling: Little Bundles Bunting www.little-bundles.co.uk

Photography: Adamskii www.adamskii.com

Hair & Make-up: Kate Heppell (will check contact details)

Dress, Veil & Jewellry: Kathryn Trueman Bridal www.kathrynstrueman.co.uk

Show Cake: House of Cakes www.sandrashouseofcakes.co.uk

Stationery: By Wendy www.by-wendy.com

Flowers: Fern Event Florists www.fernonline.co.uk

Props: Event Diva www.eventdiva.co.uk

Temari Bride & Groom cakes: www.popcakekitchen.co.uk

Saint Lucia

So, where to go for your honeymoon? Hopefully you won't get too stressed whilst planning your big day but one way or another you're probably going to need a break afterwards! Thanks to the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, today we feature St. Lucia, a place I have never been to (hint hint Mr LG if you're reading!) - it looks and sounds absolutely gorgeous!

Whether you're after romance, rejuvenation or adventure, Saint Lucia makes for the perfect getaway. Its unique landscape of palm-fringed beaches mixed with acres of unspoiled rainforest, one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes and the majestic Piton Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage site - means there's something for everyone to explore. Couples can bask under the sun on secluded beaches or enjoy a rejuvenating massage at a sumptuous spa. Adventurers can choose to kite surf, zip-wire or go on a jeep safari and families can sail, horse-ride or enjoy the fantastic on-site water sports facilities.  

THE BACHELOR LEAPS TO SAINT LUCIA FOR FINALE

As the honeymoon capital of the world, Saint Lucia was revealed as the backdrop for the final episodes of The Bachelor UK.  The final two episodes of the series (on 21 and 28 October) will see rugby international Gavin Henson and the last three girls he’s chosen, jet off to Saint Lucia for the ultimate romantic showdown as Henson decides with which stunning contender to sail off into the sunset.   

The final episodes will see Henson whisk the three girls off to various beautiful locations on Saint Lucia to make the potentially life-changing decision of choosing ‘The One’.   As well as experiencing a helicopter ride to see the spectacular landscape of the island, locations they visit on Saint Lucia include:

• The stunning Jalousie Plantation Rainforest Spa to be pampered to their hearts content
• The exotic Botanical Gardens complete with romantic waterfall
• The historic Balembouche Estate and plantation house

All the locations are within easy reach of the luxury accommodation enjoyed by The Bachelor and his companions.   Henson himself stayed at the 5 star luxury resort of Jade Mountain, nestled high in the hills over Soufriere with panoramic views of the iconic Piton Mountains.

The female contestants enjoyed the boutique hospitality of Stonefield Estate Villa Resort & Spa.  The resort is one of Saint Lucia’s hidden gems, situated in the Soufriere region of the island, with its individually designed villas and traditional Creole inspired restaurant and spa.

Also featured are La Belle Helene, one of the Eastern Caribbean’s finest private villas and The Jalousie Plantation, with its stunning white sand beach.

Depending on his choice of girlfriend, Gavin may well find himself winging his way back to Saint Lucia next year, as it’s a Leap Year, when women traditionally propose to their men on 29 February.     

There are a variety of spectacular proposal locations on island to help ensure that every man proposed to next year on Saint Lucia will say yes, including:

• The lighthouse at Coconut Bay
• The top of Gros Piton
• The historic Pigeon Island
• The lush and romantic Botanical Gardens
• On a sunset catamaran cruise
• On a helicopter ride over Mount Gimme

All the hotels on island can help to add those extra special touches to make every proposal unique – from champagne and music through to trained monkeys to carry the ring!  

Visit the Saint Lucia Now website, connect with them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Drawn by Helen

Yesterday I attended a  wedding fair at Yew Lodge near East Grinstead which I will feature in a separate blog another day. As regular readers will know I do try to bring you  some unusual ideas for your special day, and yesterday I met a lovely lady who would give fantastic entertainment for your guests and provide the favours at the same time!

Helen's quick caricatures capture the likeness of a person in a charming and flattering way and her outgoing, witty personality puts you at ease immediately. Personally I dislike having my photo taken and was a little worried when she said she's draw me, but I absolutely love the cartoon portrait she did of me as it gives me a curvy sassyness that is inside me but doesn't very often get to be shown!

Perhaps instead of favours Helen's drawings could be used as a very different guest book with messages from your guests on the back of them. Either way you and your guests will be entertained and received a lasting memento. Please go and check out the Drawn By Helen website, connect with her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. 

What do you think of my cartoon portait - leave me a comment below!

Darby & Joan Vintage

In February we featured a company here who provide organisation, styling and vintage crockery for events in Sussex, Surrey and Kent, now for those of you looking for gorgeous china & crockery of times gone in Derbyshire we're delighted to welcome Darby & Joan Vintage.

Darby& Joan Ltd is a Derbyshire company passionate about the enduring beauty of china & crockery from years gone by. We love that vintage pieces have a story to tell & can add a little personal magic to any setting or event. Everyone loves to be individual & to create a wedding or party that is a little bit different.  If you love the idea of a vintage themed event then maybe we can help. Modern vintage means classic, elegant & timeless style. Those thoughtful touches will add a touch of glamour & bring a talking point to any table, room or garden party.

If you don’t want to embrace the whole vintage theme then why not have a more traditional day with elements picked out which are undeniably vintage? Darby & Joan can work with you to help you achieve the style you are looking for. We have collected a stunning selection of English vintage china, glassware, table linens & vintage props & accessories for any kind of event where a touch of vintage glamour is required.  We have styled and co-ordinated photo-shoots and have worked with retailers on their visual merchandising.

We also offer a bespoke Afternoon Tea menu and service. You don't have to be having afternoon tea at Claridges to add a touch of refined elegance to your special event.  There is something indulgent about having a tea party, especially if you include a glass of something fizzy....

Whether you are planning a vintage themed wedding, a relaxing afternoon with the girls, a summer tea party in the garden, a treat for mother’s day or a baby shower, afternoon tea is a lovely & indulgent way to celebrate your occasion. For you to buy - we source gorgeous vintage pieces to create bespoke items, unique cake stands, hand-poured natural wax teacup candles & candles poured into delicate glasses. The perfect gift or a stunning addition to your wedding tables. 

What's not to love!  

As well as visiting their website  you can connect with them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter

Ann Guise Silk Wedding Veils

So, you've got the dress of your dreams but what will you wear with it regarding a veil? This week Ann Guise gives some great advice on choosing the perfect wedding veil. 

Ann studied at the University of Westminster, London, alongside well know names such as David & Elizabeth Emanuel, and upon graduating was offered employment as a Costume Designer at the BBC in the Costume Department at Television Centre, London. Four years later she moved to the Costume Department at BBC TV Centre, Cardiff where her work was so highly regarded that she received the BAFTA Cymru nomination for 'Best Costume'. After 14 years with the BBC Ann decided to offer her abundance of talent to the general public. Her standards are so high that she was awarded the Fellowship of the Chartered Society of Designers, an award that is given to few in the Fashion sector.

Each of Ann's creations is made from 100% pure silk tulle fabric, woven in the UK or France, using traditional methods invented in the early 1800s. She offers an exclusive bespoke service and has a growing international reputation with a worldwide client base.

Advice for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Veil

1. A Wedding veil can transform the simplest dress into a stunning Bridal outfit. 

2. If you are having a wedding veil then you need to consider its colour, style, length, number of tiers and the material which it’s made from. 

3. Try different styles and lengths of wedding veil to find the one that best compliments  your  outfit. 

4. Don’t  have a heavily patterned wedding veil with a very ornate dress as one will ‘fight’ with the other. 

5. Don’t have a wedding veil that cuts across detail at the back of the dress.  Let the Wedding veil finish below the decoration.  Silk tulle is sheer enough to allow decoration to show through. 

6. If you are petite, don’t  have a veil that swamps you such as a high bouffant veil. It will only make you look smaller.

7. Think of adding colour, eg. embroidery, to the veil to link in with your bridesmaids and/or bouquet. 

8. Remember the Wedding veil is part of the Bridal outfit, not something that is ‘plonked’ on your head as an after thought.   

9. If practical, take your veil with you when you have your hair trial.  Your hairdresser can help you decide where to place your veil and what size comb is best to secure it.

10. If you are nervous of pressing your veil, ask the store where you bought it if they will  steam it a couple of days before the wedding. You can transport it home covered in a pillow case or duvet cover depending on its length. 

11. Don’t wear something because you think you should, wear what YOU want. 

12. Don’t  make a decision about whether to wear a wedding veil or not until you have tried some on  with  your dress.  A long veil can create a wonderful ‘aura’ around you. 

13. Don’t  forget you can have a veil made to measure just as you can a dress.  You can have the exact length and decoration that YOU want. 

14. Your guests should say ‘YOU look stunning’ not ‘your outfit looks stunning’. 

15. You only wear a Wedding veil once so make the most of it and enjoy it !! 

  Copyright  Ann Guise FCSD 2004 www.annguise.com

You can view more stunning veils on Ann's website, connect with her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Bespoken For Accessories

Today Jenni from Bespoken For shares her Seven Secrets to perfect Accessories.

Things are going great here at Bespoken For, especially since we won the Best Accessories award for the East of England Region in the 2012 Wedding Ideas awards and we are just preparing our new collection to launch on 1^st March,  and we have a competition running on our Facebook page to win the tiara I wore to the awards.

Bespoke Forehead Tiara £POA

Anyway I’d like to share my Seven Secrets to perfect Accessories!

1.      Detail – The first thing that you need to know is that the small things matter! By using even the tiniest beads that match you can co-ordinate perfectly.

2.      Style – Know what you like, but try to be open to suggestions, just because you like it doesn’t mean it is going to work on you, so it is great to speak to someone who can guide you and help you make style choices that will flatter your features too.

3.      Practical - This is a  toughie!  Now your accessories should perform a few functions, 1. they need to look good, but secondly they need to be comfortable, easy to wear.  You have enough to worry about on the big day without the fear of you tiara falling off or poking someone’s eyes out! 

4.      Personal – you need your accessories to meet you not just on the level of doing what it says on the tin, but also being what you want, having a little part of you, which is why so many brides love to have them made just for them.

5.      Pretty – Accessories for brides should be pretty, this doesn’t mean it all has to be princess like, but even if you are wearing a top hat, make it feminine and make it your own with a pretty touch!

6.     Treasure – Your accessories are something you can wear again, pass down, and become heirlooms for the future so do make the investment.

7.      Trust – You need to be confident that your accessories will do what you want them to! Be it look great, look classy and stylish, or just stay in place!

Deity Forehead-side Tiara £250.00

I hope you find these tips useful. Do leave a comment

About Jenni: Jenni is the award winning creative director at Bespoken For, specialising in creating unique personal jewellery and accessories for brides.  Jenni is wedding obsessed and author of the “ Stylish Brides, Wedding Accessory Guide” which is available for brides to download free.

Visit the Bespoken For website for more information, connect with them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!