And the Oscar goes to...

Bridal Fashion Designers at the 2011 Oscars including Monique Lhuillier and Marchesa. Always nice to see what you could come up with if you did have the Vera budget! x

Something Blue

I was walking past Steensons http://www.thesteensons.com/ on Bedford street recently and they had this really nice window display of rings by birth stone. My month is November which is blue topaz and I just thought here that would be cool for my 'something blue'.

Little Bit Pretty....Little Bit Rock & Roll

Perfect Bridal Boutique

I started out thinking I was going to flick through lovely magazines, spot my dress and maybe try 3 bridal shops one sunny day, before my mum would cry at me in the perfect dress, we'd all go for champagne and that would be it, decision made. Didn't happen! First bridal appointment someone crashed into my sister's car while we were in the appointment and then drove off without a word! Another appointment the electricity went out in the whole block while I was standing in the full dress and veil. Finally one appointment (and probably better, if I don't say where) I tried on a dress and got a nose bleed, leaving two tiny specks of blood down the front of the dress. This all might all seem bad...but I think it was all leading me through 12, yes 12 bridal boutiques to my perfect boutique Castle Couture ! Here I found a beautiful collection of Jenny Packham and David Fielden dresses and the lovely owners, including Marie, who include all your fittings free when you buy your dress there. I was only recommended this place late in my dress shopping by two married girls, and I'd rather tell you now than have you suffer through some of the horrible dresses you could do. Other boutiques with lovely people and lovely dresses include Bows Bridal, Blush, Forever Bridal and Petticoat Lane. x

Red Velvet Wedding Cake

 Last night was our wedding cake appointment to sample our cake. We met  with the lovely Sarah from Marshmallow Grove who makes the most amazing Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. I'm having this as a lovely alternative to fruit cake which costs a fortune and noone really (tell the truth) eats. I've loved red velvet from trips to America, and now the groom loves it too. And seeing as we got engaged there it's a nice way to incorpoate something we both like and will enjoy. I also like the fact (apart from the taste and price) that you can meet will Sarah and discuss in detail, alternative ways of approaching your cake, whether you want it exposed (lovely layers) or covered with deilcious cream cheese frosting/ icing, or opt for cupcakes. I also like the idea of avoiding the wee people on top of the cake and having a topper that ties in with our invitations. I will be able to make this and just stick it in the top of the cake. She can also look at suppling some amazing hand made macaroons! x

Unexpected Bridal Magazine Outlet in Belfast.

Ok, so I have already discovered that Eason's sell Martha Stewart Weddings magazine and I'm wishing winter away to get the Spring edition, but this morning I discovered somewhere new. I went to the Rail News in the Glengall arcade...(the one on the way into the Europa Bus centre, beside Boots) at lunchtime and nearly hyperventilated when I seen the selection of bridal magazines that they have including some of the big American publications...Grace Ormonde Weddings, Brides and Real Weddings. I don't know what it is about the American publications but they just make me delirious (unlike some local publications!).

So, a little short post this morning. Here are two wedding blogs that I love. They are like wedding porn! Enjoy x
http://junebugweddings.com/ 
http://blog.lemonlimephoto.com/

I hate chair covers!

I 'm not sure who the Bridal Bill Gates was, but someone somewhere decided to tell everyone that the chairs in their wedding receptions weren't good enough and that we should all start covering the chairs in dust sheets and tying coordinating bows on them. Now...this would be fine if we have options, but here in NI I haven't seen too many. So I was lucky enough to have done a bit of work with a company McLaughlin Event Hire and recently decided to see if they hire chairs. To my delight :) they hire chairs that they call their 'chiv green lime chair' which doesn't sound to romantic, but is the picture perfect chair that I've seen in every American movie I've ever fallen in love with. The chairs are pictured with a green cushion, but speaking to Peter and Paddy they actually come with an ivory chair seat. These chairs are particularly pretty in a smaller or marquee or outdoor venue as they don’t bulk up the space like the dust sheets and bows can. UPDATE: I have now started a new business which hires these chairs in limewash white or in gold, both with ivory seat pads, to hire contact Grace & Saviour x

Hello!

Hello if you're reading this, I'm delighted! And if you're the lovely bride/groom to be congratulations. So, why have I started this blog. I am trying to make my wedding personal and not identikit and I want to do this while profiling the local suppliers I use along the way.  I was lucky enough to be in America when I got engaged and started to buy up american bridal magazines and become obsessed with  The Knot & Junebug Weddings  . It just seemed to me that they approach weddings a little differently than they do here in Northern Ireland. So for the next 6mths in the lead up to my own wedding I will be documenting all the little details of how I hope to get the day we want with the budget we have! Hope you stay along for the ride x