Beach Theme Wedding Invitations

I've exhibited at a couple of lovely wedding fairs recently and met some fantastic couples. At the Avisford Hilton wedding fair last Sunday I was asked to create a beach themed wedding invitation - I went slightly mad and came up with three today to send out!

My personal favourite of the three is this A6 size pocketfold invitation in Natural card which has a beautiful gold sandy finish to it (photos really don't do justice to this card!), and topped with a diamante starfish. Inside the invitation wording is printed on Treasury Gold paper and I've used a rope knot across the middle of the printing.

© Lilguy.co.uk

This A5 beach hut invitation took ages to design, despite it looking simple! Getting all the stripes in the right place took a huge amount of patience (the back of the card is printed with stripes too).

A very simple A5 invitation on Damask Blue card with the invitation wording printed on seashell vellum.


If you're having a beach or sailing themed wedding why not have a look at the mood board I created too.What theme are you having for your wedding? Leave me a comment below.....
Wedding Stationery Sussex

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.

Cedar Events

We are all individual with our own style, taste and ideas so why not celebrate that at your wedding? We all want our wedding to be the one that people remember (for all the right reasons of course!) and talk about afterwards. 

With an impressive 10 years experience in the wedding & special events industry, Seyi Olusanya, the Creative Director of Cedar Events has been producing spectacular, breath-taking and flawlessly events. Seyi Olusanya was born in Lagos Nigeria and has lived in the UK since the early 90s, after a successful career in the IT industry she followed her true passion of all things design to set up Cedar Events a wedding & special events design, planning & Production Company. Cedar Events has been recognized within the industry as a trendsetting company and has earned itself a reputation for delivering events that their clients and their guest talk about fondly for months.

Events designed and produced by Seyi always have the Cedar Events Factor as she calls it. An event organized by Cedar Events will always be a breath-taking one! We pride ourselves in the originality & exclusivity of our events and in providing a quality service by paying attention to detail. Seyi is skilled at discerning & drawing out the secret pleasures that her clients have always wanted but have never had the resources, creativity or confidence to celebrate by translating them into a breath-taking event.

Over the years Seyi has developed relationships with some of the most prestigious venues in destinations around the world such as Claridges Hotel London, The Address Dubai, Sheraton Gambia to name a few. With a team of highly accomplished & award winning associates in those destinations the Cedar Events team work to create flawlessly executed events. Because of Seyi’s commitment to creating a culture of excellence & personalised service since the inception of the company she has attracted a discerning client base that includes the Crème de la crème of the Nigeria society. Over the last few years Seyi’s repertoire of events include weddings of daughters of ex-presidents & royalty. Her events cut across cultures because of her interaction with different cultures.

Seyi has provided content for magazines such as Cosmo Bride, Continental Magazine, & as a guest columnist for Fab Afriq Magazine. In April 2011, Seyi presented two workshops at Oaken Special Events Fair in Lagos Nigeria, where Celebrity Preston Bailey was a guest of honour. Seyi spoke recently on wedding planning at the launch event of FitBride Ltd to a group of brides to be, and is currently scheduled to speak at the Brides of Culture Wedding Fair in March 2012. She is currently taking requests to speak at wedding fairs, create workshops & mentor up and coming wedding and event planners. Seyi’s style of presentation is lively, real and interactive. Her topics of speciality include:

• Planning & managing large weddings & special events
• Destination: UK - What is the attraction?
• Small company with a global reach: is it possible?

Seyi's Qualifications & Courses:

LLB (Hon) Law - University of London

BA (Hon) English. - Lagos State University

Managing major events – City University

Event Design - Central Saint Martins

Please do take a look at Cedar Events Website and check out their Gallery, 'Like' their Facebook Page and follow Seyi on Twitter!

Pierre Carr, Exclusive Tropical Weddings

If your dream is to get married in style in tropical paradise then our guest blogger today will he able to help to fulfil that dream

Pierre Carr, Exclusive Tropical Weddings is a luxury, bespoke wedding design and coordination company, creating stylish and elegant weddings in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world - the Caribbean.

Formed in 2008 to meet the demands of today's modern bride and groom, wishing to have their dream wedding on a paradise island away from home. Pierre Carr, Exclusive Tropical Weddings works closely with the couple to create a unique celebration that reflects their individual style and taste.

With a fantastic climate and numerous idyllic backdrops the Caribbean is the perfect setting to fulfil hopes and dreams, and with Pierre Carr's specialist knowledge they ensure that your special day and its lead up is stress free and full of happy memories.

Founder, Michelle Pierre-Carr is a Commonwealth silver medallist and former international athlete who spent 17 years representing Great Britain at the highest level in the world of athletics. She also spent 13 years working successfully as a print and broadcast journalist in organisations such as the BBC and The Press Association before setting up Pierre Carr Ltd.

With happy child hood memories of golden beaches, breathtaking waterfalls and all year round sunshine, the Caribbean was the only choice for Michelle to have her own stylish wedding and key in her decision to create a company that would bridge the gap for couples wishing to marry in the Caribbean.

With specialist knowledge of the region, Michelle has created partnerships with five star and diamond rated venues, such as Jamaica’s exclusive Ritz Carlton, Half Moon (voted one of the finest honeymoon destinations in Jamaica’s Montego Bay) and Rose Hall Resort & Spa, part of the Hilton Group.

Wedding Planning Credentials:

• Trained by UK Alliance of Wedding Planners

• Earned distinguished graduate to attain status as a Professional Bridal Consultant with the Association of      Bridal Consultants.

Pierre Carr, Exclusive Tropical Weddings offers:

• Full Planning Service
• Venue Search
• Seek and Find Inspections
• Wedding Dress & Accessories Assistance
• Celebrations & Excursions
• Supplier Sourcing
• Offi ciates
• Video & Photographer
• Invitations
• Budget Planning
• Hotel Group Bookings
• Floral Design
• Transportation
• Honeymoons

Why Marry in the Caribbean

• The Caribbean islands offer countless locations to choose from
• Couples can combine their wedding location and honeymoon destination to save on cost
• Legal requirements and paperwork are relatively easy
• Inviting a smaller number of guests can lower the wedding cost
• Wedding guests can be encouraged to have a holiday at the same time as attending the wedding to save on cost.

You can get in contact with Michelle through her website, as well as following her on Facebook and Twitter.

Sailing/Beach Theme Board

Last Monday I went to a trade fair to source new items and inspiration, one theme seemed very strong in particular, and that was a nautical theme. If you and your partner are looking to have a nautical themed wedding perhaps this mood board will give you some ideas.

Your ceremony and reception venue can be decorated relatively cheaply with all sorts of sailing and beach themed items, from shell and driftwood hearts, shell and leaf wreaths, flag bunting and buoys, perhaps with a few photographs dotted around of the happy couple in these pale blue distressed wooden frames.

Why not use beach hut coat hooks to hang table cards from or display them in these long photo frames - then afterwards use them in your home!

Instead of flowers as centrepieces maybe have different tall wooden lighthouses, life buoy tealight holders and instead of table diamonds or confetti scatter a mixture of shells over the tables.

For favours how about beach hut money boxes, glass starfish tealight holders, buckets filled with seashell chocolates, shell topped tins or nautical chests filled with confectionery.