Wreaths of glory

Achingly beautiful wreath inspiration from the annals of US Brides Magazine...

Just the thing for adorning barn columns and doors at a winter-y wedding, don't you think?

Bridesmaids Dresses Head to Head: THE FINAL

So, what do you do when you have scoured the pattern books, scoured the shop racks, scoured the blogs, the websites and the magazines, tried on many samples 'just to see' with your bridesmaids and finally, achingly, very nearly, got it down to two contenders?

You have a head-to-head...

Vogue Patterns 8416 vs Vogue Patterns 8285

8416:

Pros: Interesting neckline, princess seams, full-ish skirt suitable for heavy silk dupion fabric

Cons: Would it look strange without the sleeves?

8285:

Pros: Gathering detail underbust and shoulder seams would flatter both chest sizes of my two bridemaids, slightly fuller skirt would create gravitas, organza insert could be used in place of ribbon to echo organza that *might* be in my dress and hide from rather gorgeous bustline of my fair sister

Cons: The rather gorgeous bustline of my fair sister could be in jeopardy with such a low v if the organza doesn't do its job properly..., and it risks looking like another v-neck empire line bridesmaid dress with little or nothing to commend it...

And if you're still not sure?

You send in the Boy armed with Photoshop to do his worst...

And the winner is...

Vogue 8416 in all its sleeveless navy silk dupion glory!!!

Phew, one more decision down, only 11249731204912 more to go...

A Web Work in Progress

So all you get for now is a screen shot of our homepage...

Isn't the Boy clever?!

Tewin Bury Farm Hertfordshire

Our first barn, our first foray into the wedding service proper...

As you drive into the farm complex, you are greeted by a parking area to the right, a small bridge over the River Momra and an elaborate sign directing you variously to the Restaurant, Hotel Reception, four spaces available to hire and appropriate further parking for each of these venues. There is space on the signs for A4 sheets for the names of each party (eg 'Adam & Eve's Wedding') so there is no doubt for your guests. I have to admit to finding this rather off-putting, if informative, betraying the breadth of facilities offered by this highly competent and efficient venue, but slightly de-romanticising the occassion as you realise just how much of a succesful business has been achieved here.

The barn space, pictured above, is beautifully restored and perfectly self-contained. The barn itself seats 120 with seating for a further 30 split between the balcony and a side-area divided by open beams from the main space. The outside space (exclusively yours during the hire time) is well-manicured including a gorgeous little bridge over the main mill-wheel in the river and also a separate bar area that could act as the 'quiet zone' for those who may tire of the festivities later in the evening.

The on-site restaurant and the hotel rooms (from which the business developed) are both at a high standard and certainly would be welcoming and relaxing for guests.

We decided, however, that the proximity to other celebrations and the fact that our pushing 140 guests may be divided around the space, were not quite suited to our visions.

The search continued...

Images taken from our own site-visit. More details and further information available from the slick and helpful website.

Pearly Queen

I saw this post at BridalWave and couldn't help exploring further.

These invitations are described on Imagine Couture as:

The dupion silk pocket opens to reveal a striking invitation set on a silk pad, wrapped in organza and satin ribbon and finished with a beautiful brooch.

My mind then ran rampant. Could this not be achieved with a gorgeous button with the shank run on a length of organza ribbon? We are going to have our invitations on mountboard (I like the density!) so there would be no risk of bending or warping.

Button surfing has turned up:

Something tells me, though, that at a price of $4.95 per button, this may be a DIY step too far...

As cute as a button, MJ Trim, MJ Trim

Glitzonline, Glitzonline, Millliners Supply Company