Morning lovely readers! After a wedding-filled weekend I’m back at my desk this morning and tying up a few loose ends before heading of to Dubai for the long weekend. Oh, I do love bank holidays! And after a few sunny days in April, it seems Summer has evaded our tiny island for the time being so I can’t wait to soak up some sunshine and have a few days off! I’m also super excited to be meeting up with Joelle of My Lovely Wedding, Dubai’s first (and most stylish!) wedding blog, while I’m there. See, I can’t even go a few days without talking about weddings!
Today’s mood board takes inspiration from a key 2013 trend, that I predict will be popular for Autumn and Winter weddings this year. The botanicals trend is just hitting UK shores, filled with succulent green tones, natural textures and hints of antique style it’s pared back and elegant style is the perfect choice for brides looking for a clean and contemporary style. Botanicals is a key trend in fashion and interiors on the high street this Summer too, making it easy to find the perfect props, bridesmaids dressses and details to complete the look. Bouquets are large and messy, filled with shades of green foliage from broad leaved ferns, wild grasses and scented herbs. More leaves and herbs, accented with neutral-coloured flowers fill apothecary jars, bottles and vases for an eclectic, laid-back feel to your reception tables. How about a single fern leaf adorning each place setting for a natural but oh-so-elegant touch. Decorate blank walls with these amazing hanging fern wreaths (find the DIY over on OnceWed) adding gorgeous textures to the room, or hang frames containing delicate pressed leaves (perhaps collected from your garden, or favourite places) which add not only an elegant decorative touch, but a homely feel too. Keep the palette tonal for a calm and collected look, I’ve added a touch of black for contemporary sophistication.
{Spring Inspiration Styling by b.loved Photographed by EFC Photography}
Happy weekend lovelies and welcome to a new feature on b.loved! b. for business is aimed at hard-working wedding industry professionals who, like me, sometimes need a little help and advice in running their business. I don’t profess to know everything, far from it, but I will be sharing some of the lessons I’ve learnt and some of my design and styling experience with you in the hope that it might help! I’d love this monthly post to become a little conversational, so feel free to share your thoughts, comments and questions below.
Over the past 2 ½ years of running b.loved I’ve been lucky to meet so many talented and creative people, with amazing products and services to share with my brides. The one thing that frustrates me the most is when I’m shown beautiful products, followed by an email containing product shots with lacklustre photography and non-existent styling. I have a pretty high standard of quality on the blog, and having to turn down features simply because the imagery is not right is heart breaking. I know you’ve put a lot of time and effort in to creating the perfect brand and the perfect product, you’re 90% of the way there, so don’t let the final 10% let you down!
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{Hestelle & Niel by Aglow Photography}
Happy Friday lovelies! Are you all having a fantastic week? And no doubt lots of lovely plans for the weekend! At b.loved HQ I’m going to be embarking on awedding-tastic weekend, with no less than FIVE amazing events, pop-up shops and designer days to attend, as well as catching up with some of my favourite wedding folk AND introducing a new feature on Sunday (this one’s for my wedding pro friends so make sure you pop back to check it out). In all, it’s going to be a weekend packed full of pretty inspiration, so I’ll be sure to keep you updated over on my Instagram feed.
Right now though, I’m delighted to welcome back Mel from My Fabulous Wedding Band for the second instalment of The Fabulous Bride’s Guide To… Live Wedding Music. Mel has done it again with a super informative post – and she even managed to squeeze in a bit about my favourite topic – your wedding ‘brand’. Told you I love her 
Ahhh, the first dance. Those precious few minutes towards the end of your wedding celebration where you and your new husband can soak it all up, take it all in while swaying to the rhythm of your favourite song. Personally, I love photographing the first dance. I know for some photographers the first dance can be quite daunting in terms of lighting but I really enjoy the challenge & incorporating the lighting my couples have chosen for their first dance into the images.
A few tips on how to make the most of your first dance:
1. Try and make it last! Needless to say the length of your first dance is completely up to you, but it definitely pays to have a fair few minutes on the dance floor! Why? More time to hold your brand new husband, more lovely photos of your first dance as husband & wife and more time to throw in some interesting moves!
Morning brides-to-be. This week’s real wedding is all soft pastel shades and dreamy Mediterranean light, combined with the effortless style and photography of Sofia and André at Brancoprata. Susan & Hugo enjoyed the planning without the stress, finding inspiration on the prettiest blogs out there, combining their Portuguese roots with their romantic hearts. Susana’s choice of flowers, peonies, baby’s breath and hydrangea are romantic classics, used in the bouquets and arrangements and adorning the flowergirl’s hair in a pretty crown. At the reception, honey colours accented with pale pink and blue complement the serene surroundings, and local honey favours are a sweet way of reminding guests of their love for their home town, and each other.
Okay, he’s popped the question, you’ve jumped around for a bit, phoned your mum – and all your friends – hopefully had a glass of something chilled and taken ownership of a shiny piece of metal that you will treasure for the rest of your life – you’re officially engaged!
Now the work starts. Choosing a date and finding a venue (or should that be finding the perfect venue and seeing when they are available – sounds like a story for another day …!), wedding dress shopping, hair and make up trials, more dress shopping, cake tastings and photographer viewings, more dress shopping and… finding a florist. You might guess I’d say this is the most difficult element of your wedding, wouldn’t you, but it is pretty tough and right up there with selecting a photographer and only just behind finding HIM in the first place!
