Ideas for keeping cosy….

Hello October!!!
I know I know, 6 days late but still!! At last October! The month totally and utterly full of wonderful flavours and just sings comfort! I’m in total awe if you are wedding in this month, and it is certainly a month that i would opt for, I’m pretty sure this is the month of many many themes! Pumpkins, apples, full on rustic woodland charm and well i could just go on and on, but I’ll leave that to today’s post.

Back in July I posted ideas on how to keep cool, well today while the rain has been lashing down, I decided to do a mini post for keeping cosy.

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Hot Drinks bar: I love a good hot chocolate, topped with a mountain of marshmallows and whipped cream I am in heaven. So after getting wed, going back for welcome drinks and seeing this table of goodness I’m sure will delight the child in all of us, and you could always have a dash of something abit stronger..

Warm Cider: Enjoyed a few chilled glasses of cider this past summer? then why not keep it going only this time opt for mulled?

Baked Goods: Churros, liken to the doughnut but in stick form! And when dipped in nutella! well what could be better? I would have one of these set up like an ice cream truck or on a mini sweet cart!

Wrap up: During a service sometimes you are sat down for a while, the chill can creep in, and while a coat of course is an option, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable so when i spotted the blanket idea, well I thought that was something I’d love….. with a hot chocolate and churros in hand?…. perhaps a bit much right?

But there are some fab ideas out there on how to keep warm, and while of course not all places are going to be chilly I think some of these could work for many.
Sharon
xxx

Country dreaming

Good afternoon readers!

The sun is still shining and still wonderful, but there does seem to be a beautiful hazy golden glow that tends to roll in late in the afternoons, its comforting and cozy, not yet am i yet wanting to retreat indoors with a warm mug of something nice, rather I’d happily take a book and find a good field in which to relax and dream.

So todays board, is a touch of the whimsy and the beauty of a changing season in the country side.
Fall

On the edge of Autumn

So quickly the seasons come and go, but this summer has been wonderful, lots of sunny days, beach wonderings and ice creams and bbq’s a plenty. But I’m about ready for Autumn and all that it brings, the gold’s the reds crispy mornings and cosy snuggly nights, but before it infolds us fully, as always i’m enjoying the Summers last hoorah where it really kicks up its heels and shows off, The colours aren’t as bright but they turn into real warm and deep tones. So todays board is of course inspired by that very event.

Berry Delight.

autumnThe board is a touch of the whimsy, enchantment and ever so slightly “midsummers nights dream” I’ve gone for the rich berry tones which i love as they come in so many different shades. from the tone of the early buddy berrys to the shade they turn when perfect for picking.

I love the invite style, You and your Mr in a cartoon is a perfect touch of playfulness while yes te big day is all rather grown up there nothing wrong with having something a bit cute.

I’ve really loved the increase of the “naked” wedding cake, its perfect for any time of year, and you can juts laden it with any in season fruit, while this one has strawberries. blackberries and raspberries would make for the perfect fruit for this months wedding.

At this time of year the sky seems to be more golden, so when i saw this dress i had to use it. and with your bridemaids in that beautiful shade you’d look stunning in those wedding pictures, and to bring you all together i’ve opted for a shoe that almost matches the bridesmaids. And the flowers, swap those soft pinks for deep berry reds and plums!!

Happy September!!
Sharon
xXx

*images from Pinterest.
*Dress: Isadora Gown by www.rachelgilbert.com

Something i’d love to see….

Sometimes while browsing the wonderful world of weddings i notice there are a few things that i really wish we available on the island.

I really love the growth of food trucks at weddings, I’ve seen many– hot dogs, pizza, fish and chips, chilli the list goes on, while yes this might not be for everyone, I think for those like myself there are a good number who would opt for it, I marvel at the brightly coloured trucks to the more vintage ones.. Vintage Scoops probably being the first real wedding working vendor that i came across, and I have been promoting the islands ice cream trucks ever since, you might have noticed more recently during the heat wave a few weeks ago!

377867_467538859945458_511072956_n*Image Vintage Scoops
Again for many the seating plan and the lovely set menu is a big big thing and that’s totally cool, but again many like myself love the idea of something a bit different. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but if government do give the green light to outside weddings, food truck funkiness will be the easiest option, I’m thinking of it now… In a green field, a huge yurt/marquee set up with twinkly lights, a beautiful local band is playing acoustically and people are munching on fresh stone baked pizza and sipping on cool ciders! Maybe I’m being a bit too romantic in my thinking, but I know this would be perfect for so many!!!

Anyway heres my favourites from the wonderful world of pinterest!

trucks

 

Psstt… I know of one food truck who does do weddings!! WildWood Pizza! You can find them parked up over yarmouth way! should you want to have a try, check out their facebook page to see excatly where they’ll be.

Best
Sharon
xXx

Carnival

Good Morning Readers!

The island is all a buzz, the children are off of school enjoying their summer holidays, the island is full of holiday makers lapping up the beautiful weather we’ve been having and over in the Cowes the yachts and boats are out in all their glory. But it’s the carnivals which at the moment are making their rounds through the island towns, that I’m taking inspiration from but perhaps with an American touch.

 

Have to say this is loud! Its bright, its in your face but I think a wedding theme people will not forget in a hurry!
carnival

Setting the scene/decoration:

Of course I think opting for a marquee would be a pretty good idea, plenty of bunting – red and white, and fairy lights all around.
with the invite, as I always say it lets your guests know what they are in for, so with a big top tent the little ticket detail I think they’ll get the message that they are in for a real treat

As we’re thinking outdoors I think it would be a fab idea to get some lawn games on the go, and going with that circus/fair/carnival how about some games relating to that? So mock fish in a bowl?
Ring toss? Or how about the grab a duck?

For a bride going for this look, I’d reckon you wouldn’t say no to a quite funky dress
So I’m thinking a 1950’s number but with perhaps a red net skirt underneath? And instead of a veil as such what about a mini top hat?

And those ribbons!!. The flowers so simple but made so much more fun with the multi-colour,

Instead of a big cake opting for typical carnival food I think helps really create that easy going party, so the doughnut tower I have to say I really love! other foods you could opt for could maybe be, hot dogs and burgers, popcorn or candy floss stalls?

A little fun for your big day!!

Sharon
xXx

Josh Osmond film and photography

Joshua Osmond who currently resides in Southsea but originally from this beautiful Isle Of Wight, has spent these last few years studying and working hard at learning his trade, graduating in 2012 with a BA in media practice from the University Of The West in Bristol, he’s now out in the big media/arts world.

He takes alot his of inpsiration from whats around him, there are raw elements to his work that are true and honest, also quite urban but with a touch of the ethereal.

In recent months he’s been putting his skills to work- anything he can do to build his experience is no bad thing!, editing for a lovely videographer company and what’s more its wedding video cinematography!! www.storybookfilms.co.uk
Having watched a few, those families really have something to treasure.

Most recently Josh was called in to shoot a wedding, his first and I have to say keep an eye out for this one! I’m very pleased to able to share it with you here!!!

 

I just love the lazy hazy romance that he’s captured.
For more about Josh and his work please check out www.joshosmond.co.uk

5 Tips for keeping cool at your wedding!

1. Bottles of water in ice buckets alongside your welcome drink. Actually ask for a steady flow of water throughout the whole day. Liven it up a bit perhaps with lemon or mint infusions. Keep it fresh.

 

2. Fans bulk buy some! I remember sitting outside around this time last year, even though it wasn’t a long ceremony I certainly felt the heat.

 

3. Get those parasols up, ask your venue to help create cool spaces while guests are waiting for photos when happening outside. – don’t’ forget about you photographer either, get someone to rally up the troops as to keep photos going quickly, granted this is helpful at all weddings as no one really likes to hang around, even more so when the sun really sharing its rays.

 

4. For the Bride or Groom – a little bottle of toner spritz,  I recommend Liz Earle’s Instant Boost™ It will cool you down and freshen you up, its going to be a long day!
Liz-Earle-Instant-Boost-Skin-tonic_EL_11apr12_pr_bt

 

5. Instead of favours and a dessert table how about hiring out an ice cream van, yummy and will keep everyone cool and can have fun with sprinkles and other toppings!!! – www.theplazaices.co.uk

2ofUs-22

*Image credits: Belle the Magazine, Cotton Candy Weddings, Taylor Made Weddings and Liz Earle

Keep cool, protected and hydrated this warm wedding season!!

Best
Sharon xx

Bridal Shoes found on the Highstreet

Shoes shoes shoes!! Second on the list of most important items for any bride to be.
The problem being – I’ve noticed anyway, is where to get them from? So I thought I’d do a little web surfing and see what i could find on my tea break!!!So here we go, most of these I found from the highstreet – all under £100

Debenhams
debenham-horz Both currently on sale.
L. Grey heel court with pleating £30 (7 only)
R. “Faith” natual sparkly court – £56

Monsoon
monsoon1-horz
Left – Colette Vintage Bow. £89
Right- Bethany Sparkle £59

Next
nextshoe-horzL. Lace Sling Back £36
R. Pleat Detail platform £38

New hope for outdoor weddings!!

Last week i read some great news that weddings, might! just might be able to be held outside!! This is great news!!! I long to wed outside, my dream has always been to have the ground firmly under my feet, whether it be sand between my toes or the soft tickle of lush green grass. In the past while writing for a delightful magazine – full of fairy-tale/boho/folkies dreamers, I marvelled in the wonder of one couple getting married in a cave and another at the bottom of the Tor in Glastonbury, both amazing and equally romantic, the downside it wasn’t legal, that bit had to be down either on the day then rush to the magical place of your choosing or a different to when you actually had everyone with you, but now that this law may come to pass it will mean that won’t have to happen, and this goes i hope! for every faith or those that don’t hold one can choose a location most suited to them, a chance rejoice in marrying in the beauty that is our planet. I’ve long *hmphed* and *sighed* at trying to understand why it is that you have to marry in a building or at the very least have something overhead. Marriage is about two people. Two souls becoming one, there shouldn’t be limits to where you marry, as long as you are committed to one and another, support, protect, embrace and encourage one another…then lets have to stars be our roof, the caves our protection or the waves washing us into a life of wedded bliss.

So while my board isn’t in a cave or on a beach, i’ve opted for the ever so closer to home touch, the back garden. But i’m naming this board “An English Garden Wedding”

GardenThis is for those opting for low key, small, homespund and definitely an intermit affair.

Decoration/theme: On the lawn amongst beautiful flowers, buzzing of bees and chirping of the birds, soft fluttering of bunting hanging from trees, bushes and or along the fencing. And a perfect blue sky and the sun shining brightly making all natures colours bright and vibrant. Picnic tables with gingham patterned clothes, perhaps a BBQ or bring along buffet would be fitting.

The Invite: Flowers, flowers and more flowers!

The Shoes: These delightful shoe were found on Modcloth, I just love them! The sparkle and shimmer!

The dress: This lovely 50’s style dress I found at coast at £250, what a bargain!
I love the two tone fabrics, it’s slightly pleated so it adds a little something, a little more movement.

The Cake: No fuss and simple white cake, perhaps with a slightly rough frosting, but I really like the simplicity of it, a few flowers but not much more.

Added extras: What about using a wheelbarrow as a drinks cooler? Fill it up with ice and pop to any number of our local supermarkets with their deals on drinks, and there you go a very quick and easy storage for toasting drinks

Just to help you picture a wedding a garden, I stumbled across this fab post, which in turn happened to be Chris Cowley’s work!! Great stuff!! a really lovely blog too!

*Image found on:Boho-weddings
*Photography: Chris Cowley

Tropical!

It’s been a while since my last posting but the island is all a buzz with the wedding season, I’m so pleased for all those brides who’ve had some of the best sunshine so far, I hope it keeps up for the coming weeks!!! The sunshine just adds another happiness to an already over the moon kind of a day!

My inspiration comes from two elements, the first naturally being the weather – blues skies a plenty and brilliant sunshine, the second being the soundtrack to a new foodie film – Chef. The album is great, lots of Latin and smooth jazz which listening to makes you crave mojitos – Perfect Welcome drinks for after the wedding! Granted the island isn’t as hot as the Americas, but it certainly isn’t far off, so today I bring you a little touch of the Tropics!

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Theme/decor: Outside if possible, overlooking sea, plenty of flowers, perhaps even giving out Lei’s, lots of colourful lanterns that will serves as both lighting and decoration.

The Invite: A simple white background, but round the edges a multitude of brightly coloured flowers – orchids or lily’s, perhaps some fruit – pineapple or oranges, and mix some greens in there such as palm leaves.

The shoes: Well once again I’ve opted for a flat shoe, a sandal even. A strappy design with gems.

The Dress: This took me a while to decide, first i was thinking the traditional white, floaty or fitted, long or short but there just wasn’t anything that caught my eye, until that is when I was looking at Mod Cloth, a lovely vintage online store and i spotted this lovely party dress, Now who says you have to have a bridal dress, if you spot something that is suited to you and your style I say go for it, I just love the colours of the flowers. I think perhaps if your future Mr could find a shirt that matched it would certainly be for the quirky couples among us.

The Cake: A simple white cake but with some texture to the icing and then adorned with tropical fruits either real or fondant made.

Added extra idea – As mentioned about Mojitos really why not other them as your welcome drinks, or even as the toast drink? By adding champagne you boost its fizz appeal.
Sharon
xxx