Design Concept: Luxurious Winter Wonderland

There is something so beautiful and so special about winter weddings. I think often we can be all too eager to opt for a summer date because we're counting on the (super unreliable) weather when a winter wedding would be just as beautiful and a fraction of the cost.

Very often the colour palette of choice for a winter wedding is red. Now don't get me wrong, this can be and very often is, stunning but because I think it's important to break the mould, the colour palette for this board is something a little different. The rich green and purple used here retain the luxury and warmth of that ever-popular red but are something just a little bit different and I can already hear guests gasping with amazement at bridesmaids in that beautiful shade of green. (The combination of purple and green in all it's many shades and hues is a fail safe one. Way back when I launched the blog I featured this one which just shows how you can create a completely different feel by simply adjusting the shades of particular colours.)

As for the rest of the wedding I see an uber modern venue just like the fabulous Haymarket Hotel in central London, a super chic cake like this one from April Reed a roaring fire and a twinkling (but ever so chic) Christmas tree. For favours I'd choose modern, minimalist Christmas decorations and for flowers I'd pick something like the beautiful Anenomies pictured above and team them with winter berries and ivy to keep the winter/Christmas feel going. Perfect!

Photo credits:
Banqueting room: The Haymarket Hotel
Keira: This is London
Flowers: Brides
Roaring fire and Christmas tree: Flickr here and here
Cake: April Reed
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Ruby: Gem Affair
Dress: Vera Wang via Brides
Nail varnish: Nails Inc

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I Heart: Azul

EAD just featured this gorgeous scarf which would be perfect for a mother of the bride or a bridesmaid's wrap. I love it and to make it even better...it's the creation of two Suffolk based designers. Hooray for British talent!

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Design Concept: Blush Pink and Antique Gold

No matter the season or trend, blush pink will always be a favourite amongst brides. I have always loved the classic colour combination of this shade with antique gold and it's absolutely perfect wedding material.

The inspiration for this concept comes from the gorgeous Charbonnel et Walker packaging. A few weeks ago I was walking around Liberty when the beautiful truffle boxes caught my eye. I managed to resist buying some just for the box but have been dreaming about the stylish packaging ever since.

For me this board is a girlie twist on the Timeless Elegance concept I featured back in June. I imagine this type of wedding to be quite formal with the bride wearing a romantic ballgown and the lighting being kept soft and low. For stationery I'd like to translate the truffle box using similar fonts and colours and as for food this wedding is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. I imagine a beautiful dessert bar serving pink meringues, madelines and doughnuts. Delicious!

Photo credits:
Dress, doughnuts, madelines and lighting: Brides
Seating cards and cake: MS Weddings
Carbonnel et Walker packaging: Madebycara
Bouquet: The Real Flower Company
Favours: Rebecca Thuss
Pink meringues: Taste
Cameo: Vintage Costume Jewels
Hair: Hard drive golden oldie I'm afraid

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Design Concept: Pink, Purple and Sunshine Yellow

It's been a while since the last design concept appeared here and as the weeks have sped by the weather outside is slowly changing. Despite the gorgeous sunshine last weekend, the nights are slowly edging their way in and there's no denying that autumn is on its way. It seemed only right therefore to stretch the summer time out as far as possible with a bright and vibrant design concept.

So here it is, a feel good, Indian summer style concept. First of all I just love the combination of fuchsia pink and Cadbury's purple and the addition of sunshine yellow adds a new dimension to this full proof combo. I also love, love, love maids' dresses in different colours, it's a great way to add interest and bring out the different personalities of your best ladies. Finally, the invitation from Ceci New York is just stunning and the idea of walking through that yellow forest floor is well…heavenly.

Photo credits:
Invitation: Ceci New York
Necklace: Noaki via Etsy
Maids' dresses: Asos
Wedding dress: J Crew
Flowers: Matt Priestley
Cakes: Martha Stewart

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Busy Weekend

So its been a busy week at WBZL this week but tomorrow we're super-dooper excited to be going to Mellissa and Scott's marquee wedding. We're crossing our fingers and toes for good weather but know that whatever the weather this wedding is going to be a ball! Will hopefully grab a couple of photographs to show you on Monday (and I just know you're going to want to see these photos!) but for now I leave you with this beautiful cake that was featured on one of my favourite wedding blog The Bride's Cafe. I think this cake's florals are really orignal and Donna from Beautiful Blooms needs to get a gold star!

Beautiful!

Photo credit:
Studio Nine Photography

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Design Concept: Rhubarb Pink & Chocolate Brown

I imagine today’s Design Concept taking place in an urban setting, perhaps even a modern restaurant rather than a dedicated ‘wedding venue’. I’m imagining a couple who appreciate clean design & who want a ‘frill’ free wedding. A bride who wants to look feminine but not over-done or too ‘bridal’ and a groom who wants to wear Converse trainers and a chocolate brown suit.
I really like simplicity of this type of wedding and think it would be easy to achieve on big and small budgets alike. For the bridesmaids, I love the idea of simple (& cheap!) high street sundresses in different shades of pink teamed with simple golden sandals.
I really love the colour palette for this concept but if you’re thinking it’s perhaps too pink and girly, aquamarines and teals would also work perfectly.


Photo Credits:
Dress, sandals and light pink dress: J Crew
Dessert bar: Taste via SMP
Cake: Lovinsullivan via SMP (that cake is to DIE for)
Calligraphy: Laura Hooper (amazingly talented supplier)
Hair pins: Etsy
Invitations: Hello!Lucky
Dress: Oasis
Pendant: Sonya Renee via SMP
Hairstyle: Brides

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Design Concept: Ice Cream Sundae

My lovely mum came up with the initial idea for this concept & I don't think I'm going to say much more about it! I'm thinking a Neapolitan icecream colour palette, a retro ice cream van & a 'candy bar' with lots of swirly lollipops for the reception!

Photo credits:
Veil & icecream: Brides
Pompoms: Martha Stewart
Ice cream van: Superdry87
Dress: Vintage Studio via Peonies
Bottles: Lorina
Cookies: Peggy Porschen
Cupcakes: BBC Food
Ice cream parlor: PopKulture

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Design Concept: Fiesta Sunset

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.

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

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I Heart: The Real Flower Company

Today we’re featuring one of my absolute favourite British suppliers, The Real Flower Company. This amazing company grow the most beautiful roses I have ever seen and their big, blousy blooms never fail to make my heart skip a beat!
Based in Hampshire, the company have championed the use of scented flowers, something that sadly, seems to have been forgotten by most commercial growers. The company have also pioneered the use of scented herbs such as lavender, mint and oregano in arrangements. All in all making for the most beautiful, perfumed arrangements I have ever seen.
Scent and aroma is something which is rarely considered at weddings, however having worked with these beautiful blooms, I can really say that they add an extra dimension to celebrations.
If you’re not located in the Southeast don’t fret! The company offer trade sales and will happily work with your florist to create the wedding flowers of your dreams.

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Design Concept: Love Birds

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been putting a design board and colour palette around together around the theme of ‘Love Birds’. I love this concept, two beautiful birds who only have eyes for each other and as a hopeless romantic, think it’s perfect for a wedding.

The board is centered around the stunning love bird graphic which has been patiently waiting on my hard drive for a couple of years now (unfortunately I’m not sure where it’s from, any suggestions gratefully received). As for the colour palette, I’m in love with the vibrant but slightly muted colours which create a carnival atmosphere without being garish.
The whole concept would be perfect for a late summer celebration and I picture it in a unconventional venue, perhaps somewhere like the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

Photo Credits:
Dresses: J Crew
Pencils: Cox & Cox
Feathers: MacCulloch & Wallis
Macaroons: Ladurée
Wreath: Raggedroses
Flowers: Martha Stewart Weddings

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