Saturday, 25 August 2012

A wedding should be a fun day...!


After the stress, panic and emotions leading upto the ‘Big Day’ it is becoming more and more important for Brides to want to include an element of fun as part of the celebrations. Of course the ceremony be it a Church wedding or a Civil Ceremony is the most important part of the day and has huge significance – who doesn’t love a good after party!

There has been an increase in reality style programmes which have only highlighted the great variety of ways in which a Bride and Groom can add their personal stamp to their day, meaning that now each and every bride is on the hunt for their own personal touch.

I have been filled with the urge to do something silly and fun this weekend as a result of the number of fun-filled touches I have discovered on my hunt to write this blogpost. Although the majority of couples still look to incorporate some tradition into the Wedding itself, there are increasing options for something a little different right down to the venue choice. Who would have thought of getting married at the top of Blackpool Tower or in such a fun setting as Chester Zoo or even surrounded by the ultimate fun day at Alton Towers? Now I know these choices will not be suitable for everyone’s taste and that’s the great thing about planning weddings at the moment – it can be as traditional or far from traditional as you can imagine.

I am a ‘vintage’ girlie myself and so find myself drawn to some very pretty, quirky, usually handmade items as a way to accessorize my (still to be confirmed) venue. However, I have still found myself drawn to find something to give that touch of WOW!

Do I need to set the scene…well, I think it might help you imagine some of these just a little easier (Sorry if you think I’ve gone on too long…!)

It’s finally your big day, the scary bit is out of the way and you are officially “Mr & Mrs X” EEK!! Now for the good part, you are leaving your ceremony to move onto your reception venue, the rest of the day has ‘Party’ stamped all over it and you are very excited that your guests have no idea what lies ahead. The welcome drinks are all lined up on the tables ready, the photographer has the camera at the ready………….


Idea 1: Bouncy Castle.
I know, I know some of your guests might have appreciated a little warning, they have their best outfits on and the groomsmen’s suits are all meant to go back to the shop in one piece but still how much fun is a bouncy castle! For guests ranging from young to old this idea is a sure way to get everyone laughing, chatting and interacting, plus imagine some of the candid shots you will be able to capture. You can find out more about hiring this pretty bouncy castle at vowed and amazed.


Idea 2: Caricatures.
Not always suitable for those who wouldn’t appreciate the humour but still always good fun to see a different interpretation of yourself. Perfect if you have friends and family who are a slightly on the wild side and will see the humour in this as being exactly that. There are some brilliant artists out there depending on the area your based in, I found some great examples on google including this artist.





Idea 3: Photo Booth & Accessories.
The internet is full of examples of printable accessories which would help you create your own crazy photo booth for not a lot of money or maybe you could ask your photographer for a bit of help. Be warned that this idea would mean your wedding photos are likely to include moustaches, big glasses and random phrases! You could also collect hats, wigs and other props to add that personal touch to your day. There is a great article over at oh happy day's blog.




Idea 4: Cocktail Bar.

Now this idea may not be suitable if your having your wedding somewhere where they have licensing laws or a minimum bar spend but it's fun all the same. Why not get together with your groom and come up with your own newly wed signature cocktail for your guests. Cheers!

I'm sure you will have your own ideas for smaller touches to add a hint of fun to your day and it will be magical whatever ideas you are planning to bring together. But I do hope I have helped a little...


Enjoy! x

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

And then the invitations......

So you have confirmed the venue for your special day so now it'a time to look at the guests and sending out your invitations. I have had a lot of fun looking into the massive variety of styles, designs and layouts available for every single item of stationery to compliment your big day.

I have mentioned this before but I love the power of social media for bring to your attention the more unusual designs and concepts which would have been otherwise undiscovered... The first example of this is a gorgeous page on Facebook known as In The Treehouse they have a brilliant range of designs and they also offer a bespoke design service. You can also visit them over at their website here. They really do have something to accomodate all tastes and if you have something specific in mind, you might just be able to see your idea in reality.


And of course 'Vintage' and 'Roses' and 'Pinks' are very popular at the moment so what better way to inspire a theme for your wedding than with this super cute, shabby chic rose style invitation over at Olivia Samuel. They have a great selection of designs to suit all tastes and even offer a selection of DIY wedding invites. You can visit their website here or again you can visit them on Facebook here.


There is a popular trend at the moment surrounding handmade items and I have a huge love for papercraft especially the extremely talented papercutters! There are lots of different styles and interpretations when it comes to papercutting and I almost popped with excitement when I discovered this gorgeous range at hummingbird cards. The whimsical garden party range is beautiful and although it is laser cut it symbolises the idea behind paper cutting and is a truely fantastic design.


Some of you may be looking to send out 'Save the Date' reminders for your guests and if so you will find that many of the stationery designers can also provide save the date cards if you have already decided on the style of invite you would like. If not you can find a selection of templates and free printables at a number of different sources.

I love the simple yet elegant combination of hearts in this printable range from the DIY Network.


There are many many more styles out there, these are just a select few.

Meanwhile, I am a little behind with my blogging so have another post which requires my attention.