From the moment I saw that beautiful bouquet (shot by uber talented Nikole Ramsey,) I couldn’t get the combination of pretty peach and deep, juicy purple out of my head. I love, love, love peach but until now have only thought of it in terms of delicate summer weddings and was gobsmacked by the results of combining two such contrasting shades.

I’m in love with the earthy feel of this board which just feels perfect for the this month’s shifting seasons.

Photo credits:
Bouquet: Nikole Ramsey
Sloes: Flickr
Wedding Sign: Jose Villa via Once Wed
Wall Sconce: Cox and Cox
Paper lanterns and barn: Sugar Love Weddings via Once Wed
Shoe: Ashley Garmon via Once Wed
Dresses: J Crew
Barrels: Leigh Miller via Green Wedding Shoes
Programs: MS Weddings
Stationery: Hello!Lucky

Photo credit: Aaron Delesie

Just back home after a lovely few days in Norfolk. On Friday we took a trip to the beautiful Norfolk coast where we visited the most stunning, unspoilt beach I have ever seen. The water was crystal clear, the sand super clean and the sky the most intense shade of blue. Wedding planning never far from my mind, this beautiful place of course inspired a design concept!

With this concept I was keen to things subtle and resist going over board with all things seaside! Hopefully this board has a good balance of reflecting the surroundings but not feeling too gimmicky.

Central to this concept is the use of light and cleverly bringing the outside in. I’m imagining lots of clear glass, fairy lights, sand filled hurricane vases and tea lights in jam jars. I’ve always loved the idea of a bonfire on the beach and I think this would be beautiful for a wedding. A barbeque of rustic seafood with toasted marshmallows for a midnight snack. Sky lanterns and sparklers just before the bride and groom steal away together. Oh how lovely!

Photo credits:
Hair: Brides
Candles, jam jars, limeade & canapes: Martha Stewart
Bonfire: C J McKeeve
Sky lanterns and beach: Me!
Cupcakes: Rebecca Thuss
Gown: Stephanie Allin
Sandcastle: A Merry Monk

I’ve had the colour palette for this concept for a while now but it’s only in the last week that I’ve come across the photos to complete the board. I really can’t get enough of navy blue at the moment and I just love how fresh it looks when teamed with the sunny yellows. This concept has French, preppy feel and I’m imagining bold patterns, golden sunshine and maybe freshly squeezed orange juice cocktails? Perhaps miniature pan au chocolat at midnight?
I chose white peonies and yellow ranunculus for flowers as I think their fluffy texture is a great balance for the crisp lines of the stationery and the beautiful Oscar de le Renta gown. I think the gown is stunning but more about that later this week….

Photo Credits:
Wedding cake: fcmulle
Gown: Oscar de la Renta
Table setting: Martha Stewart Weddings
Bouquet: Brides
Invitation: Linda & Harriet
Ribbon: Cox & Cox
Dress: J Crew
Ranunculus: FrogMiller
Necklace: Nutraj via Etsy

I really love the colour palette of this latest design concept, it reminds me of summer sunsets and cocktails! I like that the colours are bold without being lurid and theme wise I’m imagining a subtle Spanish influence, maybe a salsa band or a piñata?
For me, this board has really highlighted how fun and effective dahlias can be. I just love the chair back; the bloom’s solid structure teamed with it’s quirky edge. And just how cute is that bridesmaid’s dress? So pretty and feminine and at £40 it’s budget friendly too. I’m also totally in love with the invitation by Nantaka Joy and I think the cube wedding cakes give the board a modern, classy edge.

Photo credits:
Invitation: Nantaka Joy
Tart, cakes, whiskey sour and hearts: Martha Stewart
Streamers: Cox & Cox
Dahlia: Brides
Dress: Oasis
Marquee: Sherman Chu via the A Listers

Admittedly the unpredictable British weather might get in the way of my idyllic dream but I think with a marquee on standby and for use during the evening, this could be a really effective theme. I like the simple, countryside feel minus ‘classical’ floral vintage. I really love the bold colour palette too.

I also love that this concept could be done on a small or big budget. If you can afford it, you could really go to town with a caterer and beautifully package everything. On the other hand, if you’re more budget restricted I love the thought of getting a group of bakers together before the wedding to cook up a storm. I’m thinking perhaps batch cooking cherry pies, freezing and defrosting the day before. Something about a community of people getting together before a wedding gives me goose pimples!
For favours I’m thinking wild strawberry plants, decorated with striped red ribbon or maybe paper windmills. Perhaps a ceilidh in the evening? Oh, how lovely!

Photo Credits:
Strawberries, daisies and hampers: stock photography
Lemon Meringue Pie: he@art via Flickr
Lemonade: Julie Lynn via Flickr
Lanterns: Cox & Cox
Blueberries: BBC Good Food
Dress: RaeGun
Tree: A hard drive golden oldie but I’m pretty sure it’s originally from Brides