Remember when you were at school...some more hair inspiration

Cute Wedding Shoes found locally!

I was walking back from lunch today and was stopped (yes stopped) in my tracks by these Vivienne Westwood shoes in the window of Rio Brazil, Wellingtion Place. I had seen them in this very cute & intimate wedding (see below) just the other day and now I've tried them on. Perhaps not ideal with a very classic wedding dress, they could be great for the day after or on honeymoon or for a more unusal wedding dress option. For honeymoon you could team with this lovely 'Postcard' dress from Laura Ashley & a big old school basket bag. Very hollywood movie star on honeymoon...just add big sunglasses! x

Save the Date

Here's a wee idea we used for our Save the Date Cards. Not something we always do over here, but ours doubled up as our Engagement Party invites and are also particularly useful for out-of-town guests so that they can book flights, hotels, time of work etc. Ours where fashioned from photobooth photos we took in a cool bar in New York, The Lakeside Lounge with a bit of crafty trickery added on later.

Rattle & Hum...what ever happened to this tradition?

I remember we were driving driving in your car

The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk

City lights lay out before us

And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged

Going to the Chapel & We're Gonna Get Married!

Not sure if any of you out there have or are going to do any kind of pre-marriage course, but having completed part A of ours last night I would definitely say it is something worth doing, even if you just decided to have some drinks and chat through some thoughts you have yourself. I was actually amazed at what a nervous wreck I became just as we sat down at the table. My heart started to pound and I went a wee bit lightheaded...but that all passed once we got into it. Think it was just the proximity to the chapel and the reality of ticking the 5mths to wedding box! We were lucky that our course is a just a questionnaire that is then sent off, analysed and the results presented back. But I have to say that I can see the positives. It does a few things, reaffirms all of the things that are strong and great about your relationship, but it also highlights the things you maybe haven't discussed in final detail. Like for example, have you discussed and agreed your approach to savings and debt, or would you be able to accept if your partner couldn't have children. Our evening afterwards was spent discussing and chatting how we each approached answers, and I have to say (without any of you throwing up please) those kind of chats can only bring you closer to the wedding and each other. As one very forceful bridal boutique owner said (when I mentioned that a dress I was trying on felt very serious)...'it doesn't get much more serious than this honey' (gulp)! So it's at least worth a chat about how you feel about some of the big things that life brings.

Fresh & Classic Bridal Hair Thoughts

I 'm posting this as a meander through my own bridal hair thoughts. Not to give the game away at this stage, some of these are just looks I love, others are on the shortlist. All are takes on bridal hair that I think are fresh, pretty, and ultimately attractive & sexy...least we not forget it might be nice to get an approving nod from the groom as well. No over spraying, helmets or crystal spirals in sight! I know I mentioned Vintage Rocks before; another lovely girl worth checking out is Kelly at Ashby Girls (part of Ashby Gents). Very pleasant and helpful on the phone 07841144601.

I get by with a little help from my friends...

Just a quick post today (went a bit post crazy yesterday). I'm trying to keep this wedding as stress free, personal and well straight forward as possible, and to this end it is always worth sitting back and taking stock of what you need and what is the best way to meet this need. For example, my lovely friend Sandy who is a graphic designer in New York has offered to design our invite suite as our gift. I've asked another friend who is a beautiful illustrator to illustrate the maps for the invites that will guide guests from the chapel to the reception, and I have my lovely cousin Emily Rose Conlon singing in the chapel and doing my bridal makeup. So, sit back, sip some wine and take stock of all the lovely friends and family who I know will love to help out and take part...Mmm, I get high with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends. P.S Recently married friends can also be a great source of recommendations, stockists and time and money savers to help you weed out the bad experiences. Learn from their mistakes or their successes! (NB: Image from Google Images)

Elizabeth Taylor, one heck of a bride!

Local Flower Fairy

A bit late posting this as the appointment was Saturday a week ago. But anyway on that Saturday we went to see the lovely Siobhan at Flower in Dunmurry. Siobhan had done the flowers for a few friends’ weddings, and they were all beautiful and bespoke to each bride's wedding style and themes. So with eager anticipation we visited her and were not disappointed in terms of her service and knowledge. Siobhan spent a good hour/hour and half discussing themes, colours, seasonal flowers ways to save money and ways to get a similar look to say peonies without the hefty price tag. She also had local knowledge of the chapel we are marrying in which was helpful and created a lovely experience for us. Siobhan's background is in art and I think this helps to sidestep some bouquet disasters. She was delighted to discuss all my likes and dislikes and I felt very comfortable leaving that she would come back with suggestions we would like. (NB: Flower Pic not actually Siobhan's) To see some of her work visit her on Facebook.

Happy Hen Party Banner

More Invite Leftover Activity. Using nvite leftovers from a 'Lilac & Mink' wedding  I made this pretty homespun 'Happy Hen' banner for the brides shower/ bachelorette party.