Saturday, September 29, 2007

The venue search

Poised on the 'Publish' button for the review of the first of five venues that we visited in our search, I realised that I have not properly shared the hazy criteria with which we armed ourselves for our illuminating visits.

The guest list of large families and plentiful friends is currently topping out at 140 guests and that is without allowing for single friends to bring partners (unlikely to happen but an indication of our attempts at frugality).

We wanted a venue that would manage civil ceremony and reception for the full contingent. Something about guests missing the important bit of the day but being invited along for a few beers just strikes an odd chord with me.

While both of us have religious backgrounds, inasmuch as we both sang in choirs for a large chunk of our childhoods, neither of us are comfortable with a fully religous ceremony, but neither are we prepared to go without the awe and splendour of a full service of celebration. Music and words are important to both the Boy and myself, and we are determined that the service will not be over in a matter of moments but bring together the most important elements of our relationship and how we feel about one another.

So, in short, we have looked for:

  • Seating and feeding 140 with flexibility of menus and alcohol provision a bonus
  • Ample accomodation at a fair price within easy distance of the venue
  • Barn/countryside feel but within a reasonable distance of our new home in southern Hertfordshire

We set out believing that a barn was a barn was a barn.

How very wrong we were...

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Twinkle twinkle

The newly discovered fact of candles being allowed at some barns has opened a whole new stream of centrepiece visions...

This idea from the indomitable Martha Stewart Weddings suggests hot-glue-gunning glass vases with starched lace pieces and then filling said vases with pillar and tealight candles for a delicately patterned light-effect.
For the purposes of the Boy who often drops by round here, this post does not confirm or deny the presence of lace on my dress in trim or fabric form...

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Motifs and themes

Deep satisfaction throughout wedding planner central. Fabric arrives promptly from the US, beautiful and high quality cotton destined for waistcoats, baby bridesmaid dresses and even, possibly, fabric covers for jam jar favours if sufficient allows.

A close up of the print and colourway: the background shade is an interesting lovechild of beige and buttercream, possibly even verging on *whisper it* magnolia.*

The clever Boy then took sections from the print and has reproduced them, with the grand plan of having a rubber stamp made to order to be used throughout stationary and signage.

Do you have a preference?

* Tell anyone that I'm having a magnolia themed wedding and people may get hurt.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Bow Bow Baby



I love the idea of continuing the colour of the sashes in the bows of the flower pomanders. Aren't these girls just delightful? The fit of the two dresses on the image below, in particular, are really very good.
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Monday, September 10, 2007

Oh for another colourscheme

The combination of pastel pink and pistachio green conjures up some other region of 1950s nostalgia twinned with the freshness of Japanese cherry blossom.

I feel quite sad that pink will never be the colour of choice for a November wedding but I will console myself with these beautiful images of talented people and edible nirvanas...

The Cake Girls

Cherry Tree wedding cake

Maisie Fantaisie Martha Stewartt

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Hair today...

Looking for an unstructured updo suitable for my poker-straight shoulder-length hair and light fringe that I sport daily. Fringe-featured bridal updos are few and far between. However, current thoughts so far include...


All images from USBrides

Monday, September 03, 2007

Get me to the *barn* on time...

I have to have a watch on my wrist. There is absolutely no possibility that any day that I am without my watch will run smoothly. There is not a chance that I will not wear a watch on my wedding day.

However, the brown leather strap and large face of my beautiful Mappin & Webb wonder simply won't do. I am now on the lookout for a dainty silver-effect bracelet/bangle watch that will not cost the earth but will keep me to time and to schedule.

Oasis used to be my first port of call, but their website has let me down on this occassion. Again, I'm pretty sure that Accessorize stocks them in their branches, but none are listed online.

Marks and Spencers, at this early stage, has given me just the direction I am after. All of these beauties are under £30 and none of them would look out of place on a delicate wrist exchanging rings with the man she loves.