Vintage Mood Board

Well, I've had a lovely time over the last couple of weeks assembling a mood board for a creamy, lacey vintage wedding. My bride wanted lace and sparkle, but also quirkiness and originality.  The only colour that had been pre-determined was orange - as she had fallen in love with a bouquet including tiger lilies.  I put together a palette of colours that would work. We kept the orange very toned down, as the overall theme begs for softness and subtlety. So, blending muted orange tones with a dusky pink, soft grey, mink and ivory - we ended up with a really pretty board. As well as lace, we've introduced some gorgeous style with calligraphy and artwork.  My bride had also picked out some heavenly luggage tags, adorned with vintage images of Paris, New York, birds and teasets. Picking up on the postal marks used on some of the tags, I suggested getting a stamp made in the same style, with the couple's name and wedding date etched into it. It will look aged and antique (using a sepia ink pad), but also adds a  personal touch.  There are so many ways of using it too; on favours (we're thinking of vintage miniature bottles with ribboned tags and buff stickers), placecards - even on the front of the invitation envelopes - how cute!

Below is a picture of the whole board, and you'll see we used oodles of lace, pearls, beads and diamante - but all this is offset with the vintage buff and neutral tones so none of it looks 'over the top'. They all compliment one another, and though I say myself, I think it looks beautiful.

I'll add a few more close ups so you can see the details. All images can be zoomed in on further if you click on them. Got to admit, I'm in love with the flowers in that aged silver teapot!

I'm really into buttons, so I couldn't resist adding these. I think that the mother of pearl is lovely with its natural lustre. And it fits so well with this particular palette.

Gorgeous beads! What a lovely colour in that soft muted peach. The AB finish adds a vintage feel. And believe it or not, they won't break the bank either.

The top loop of the pearls are 'baroque' style, the rest are classic smooth. I put both on the board so the bride could chose which she preferred. Both are fab if you ask me!

I love the design of this brooch. A starry shape with a retro feel. Perfect for top table napkin ties or menu decoration. And it would be a lucky guest getting this for her wedding favour!

This is a five tiered cake, with tiers two and four piped to give a lace effect.  The plain tiers are adorned with satin bows and exquisite brooches, and I think you'll agree the effect is stunning.  Many thanks to Cakes By Rachel Edwards for this amazing design.

I doubt very much that my poor attempt at photography captures the beauty of this Nottingham lace. I nearly fell over myself when I saw it! It is utterly gorgeous, and I am hoping my bride with let me make her a table plan using this.  A carved ivory frame with an apertured mount and this lace trapped under the glass will be, in my humble opinion, as divine as a table plan gets.

I had the best fun making up this board. Many thanks to Liz for allowing me to meddle, and for having such good taste!

Wedding Event with a Difference

I'm so thrilled to be taking part at Save the Date's Wedding Event with a difference. Do check out the link, because this event is going to be absolutely fab. A bit different and more stylish than the usual fayre....including a 'bloke's corner'. Abbi and Lydia, the organisers, have thought of everything. If you're serious about your wedding - you MUST come! It's all going on at the Roundhouse in Derby, 6th Feb 2011. http://savethedatemagazine.co.uk/events/  Be there or be square! x

A Slight Aside...

Well, just for this post (or so), I'm changing the subject. Purely because I'm mid mood board, so my thoughts are heading in a different direction this week.  The board is evolving, so I thought I might share an idea or two.

In this case my bride's palette is chocolate brown, mink and silver. Leaning towards a classic theme, but with a love of wood,  I thought that taking this down the organic route might just work.  The flowers will be creams and ivory with an abundance of foliage. Picking up on the green, silver and brown, I'm thinking moss, silver birch, dark wood and pearls.  And then for some reason, I threw in some crystals. The ones with an AB finish just set it all off - because of the colours picking up the greens and just complimenting beautifully. Sometimes I sling things together that shouldn't work - and they do!

It has yet to all come together, but for table centres I am thinking circular mirrors, placed with a gorgeous slice of trunk.  On top of the trunk sits a crackle vase, filled with moss, bark and loose pearls and topped with creamy blooms and vibrant foliage.  Mirror dotted with distressed silvery tea lights - and wood draped with a few more pearls and some AB crystals. Classic, organic, natural...and most importantly personal.

These snaps are a work in progress; me plopping a few textures together to fuse an idea.
Hopefully they'll help you get my drift...

Just love these flowers - perfect for the theme with those woody seed heads.

Above vases are from Cox and Cox. Distressed silver...love them!

Above shows with both AB and non AB finish.  The AB's do it for me with this combo!

Ah, lovely nature. The greatest inspiration of all.

Can't Resist Vintage!

Sorry guys - I still haven't finished with the china! I've had a few more serious finds, and they are just SO pretty I've had to put a couple on.  One is a full 21 piece set of no less than Royal Albert 'King's Ransom' in mint condition.  This design preceeded Old Country Roses (the world's most popular design) - so we know it's classic, and we know it has huge appeal.  But, it's seriously old and the world and his granny doesn't own it.  It's an absolute stunner - and epitomises beautiful vintage.  Photographs by moi with a point and shoot - so apologies for the less than professional quality of the pics. But still they make me ridiculously happy. I've got so much to say on the subject of vintage, and not enough time to say it right now.  I promise there are some great articles in me - coming soon to a blog near you!

Hurrah for Vintage!

Doesn’t the very word ‘vintage’ bring joy to your heart? Everything about it makes me want to smile…and the prospect of a vintage wedding turns me into the giddiest of kippers.  It has charm, warmth, nostalgia and prettiness all at once. Is it any wonder that so many brides want to create their very own version of this delightful style?

In my blog over the next few weeks I will be posting articles and images on different aspects of this adorable favourite. From flowers to table plans, I’ll be scouring the mags and shops for divine details and inspirational ideas.

Today’s topic is vintage china and glass. That smile has appeared as I think of the boxes of gorgeousness I have collected over the recent months. Just too pretty for words.

The addition of genuine vintage china really can transform the whole look of your wedding; and there are many ways of going about it. You may opt for original old jugs, vases or teapots for your centrepieces.  And no, don’t worry about trying to get anything to match!  The joy of vintage is prettiness, but the charm comes from randomness. A teapot and sugar bowl crammed with country flowers on one table, a wonderful old water pitcher filled with the same on the next. Grouping a mixture of china in this way looks sublime, as does dotting in a few original ceramic candlesticks here and there.  Old fashioned cut glass footed bowls turned into candles or spilling with blooms will give your tables a 1940s retro feel, or stick to ceramics for a country garden look. For an alfresco wedding, how about dainty coffee cans hung on ribbons from branches? Think of cut glass trinket boxes and perfume bottles for ladies’ favours (genuinely old ones lovingly rediscovered), and of course, we mustn’t forget the teacups. Quintessentially English, the humble cup and saucer, like nothing else, will make your tables sing with vintage.

The possibilities are endless – which means that a vintage wedding is always going to be original and your own.  You can use items from yours or your family and friends’ homes, and mix them. You may not have enough this way, but there’s nothing at all to stop you blending personal items with those bought from car boots and flea markets, or hired from yours truly at Go Glorious.

If time is on your side, trawling those car boots and charity shops is great fun. But, take it from one who knows – it is a little heavy on the clock.  The trick is to hit the car boots at the crack of dawn, and keep going back to those charity shops over and over.  Some of the ones I go to label the stock with the date it went in.  So I know that I am buying things that have only been there a day or two. I do get a ridiculous feeling of elation when I clap my hands on something stunning, and think ‘phew, so glad I got here first!’  Another tip is to get friends, mums and aunties on the case – but ask them to snap it and MMS you before they buy, in case it’s not your thing.

I generally bring home my loot, lovingly wash it and beam as it springs back to life. Twenty years of dust down the plug hole and it’s back to its former, sparkling glory.  I have heaps of lovely vintage nestled in bubble wrap, carefully boxed, and waiting with baited breath to land on your table. 

Jayne & Clive, 24th September 2010

I was looking forward to doing this wedding so much, and I wasn't disappointed. Jayne and Clive married at Chatsworth yesterday. After a dodgy start weatherwise, it turned into a lovely autumnal day - and Jayne arrived in her horse drawn carriage in the late afternoon sun. She looked absolutely radiant! The flowers at this wedding were outrageously beautiful - lilies, roses, freeshias all over the place! In just about anywhere fit to put a flower, there was one. It looked so sumptuous and smelt divine!

Mrs Chair Back Sash here was in her element.  My trusty team of three (thanks so much to Rachel and Sonia!) fitted sashes to the 90 chairs in the Hartington Room for the ceremony. I was soooo pleased with the result. White on white is truly elegant; it looked so crisp and perfect.  After the ceremony, all the sashes were moved into the Carriage House restaraunt.  The pressure was on! An hour and a half to move them and get them looking perfect again - but we did it in plenty of time and even managed to chill for a while and watch the choir prepare (Kinder Children's High Peak Choir - what a professional little outfit they are!)

I have to say, the restaurant looked tremendous by the time it was complete. Professional photos will appear on my blog in due course. In the mean time, you'll have to make do with these!

So many thanks to Jayne and Clive for allowing me to be part of their day, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Watch this space for Jo and Simon's photographic interpretation - it will make my attempt look quite pathetic! Jo and Simon's work (Shoot Lifestyle Photography) is amazing.

Chatsworth

Well, I'm getting excited! Tomorrow it is going to be my first wedding at Chatsworth. It's such a stunning venue, and the bride has such good taste - I know it's going to look astounding.  Another first is white on white. White cotton sashes in a contemporary bow style, on white chair covers - I really think this is a classic and stylish combination. I just can't wait to see it all put together. Watch this space for photos - they're a-coming!

Wedding Chair Backs

Well, wedding chair covers and sashes has been the vogue for a number of years . Is it me, or are the options available to brides somewhat limited?

I understand that tying on an organza sash, which can look very pretty when done well (and frankly ghastly when done badly!) is the simplest way to decorate a chair. However, I looked around for other options, and there simply weren't any. Go Glorious was in part born out of the desire to offer choice in this particular area. My team and I have designed the cotton 'flat bow' sash, which is extremely elegant.  Not the easiest thing to design, but perseverence has lead to a superb alternative. I shouldn't be proud, but I am! These sashes are adjustable, and fasten with velcro. All the seams are completely covered, so there are no unsightly edges. Watch this space for a wedding I'm doing shortly at Chatsworth. The bride has chosen a white cotton sash over a white cotton chair cover - and the effect is just gorgeous. It creates a really sophisticated and classic look.

I currently have sample sashes in white, ivory and black. I've opted for a slub taffeta for the latter as it suits black better.  I also have a range of prints; pink polka dot, Cath Kidston ditsy prints (gorgeous!) and gingham.  There are so many options with these. For a vintage look, a combination of check/spot or ditsy print look great when alternated. The bow can be placed on a plain background band, and the overall effect is divine.  And talking of combining fabrics, how about chair back bunting - almost too cute for words!

The bow sashes also convert wonderfully to a classic, contemporary or themed weddings.

Can I also add that they also fit perfectly. Somewhat overly attentive to detail, I'm fanatical about a good fit on the chair cover itself, and the sash. Although I don't own the covers,  I sub-contract to a company whose standards are as high as mine. And, as an added bonus they give me a discount which I pass on directly to the bride if they are hiring my sashes.

I am continually working on additional options, not least the feather boa. These look truly amazing as chair decoration - so sumptuous and tactile! A winter wedding with fluffy white boas on the chairs....ooo, can you imagine?

If you have inspiration on this subject - do let me know. Go Glorious will cater for bespoke designs, and will soak up ideas and suggestions like a sponge!