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!

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

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!

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

*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

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

Monsoon

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

Next
L. Lace Sling Back £36
R. Pleat Detail platform £38

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!

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

I love where my inspirations come from, i’ve mentioned before that anything can trigger my mind to getting ideas and making up boards, it can be anything from the weather – the sun bouncy across the flowers making their colours look electric, or seeing someone post about a hobbie they are passionate about, you might remember the “bicycle made for two” board some months back.

Well today my inspiration comes from the very exciting news of one of my best girls getting engaged last weekend!! I’m over the moon for these two!! and i hope she doesn’t mind me putting this together, She is one hell of a creative lady, well they both are! So i know this will no doubt be a fab DIY wedding. She has a lot of loves which i think is perfect for creating a very personal wedding “theme”. From her love of all things pink, to vintage and tea parties. I’ve selected a few elements and i think it makes for a very pretty board.

The Theme/Decor.
Soft and Vintage springs to mind, pretty pastels and with lots of flowers but i reckon there would bright tones added in there as well, being that she is a huge fan of Paris and Shakespear’s Midsummer nights dream i know this is will be one perfect fairy tale!

The Invite: Having mentioned that these two love birds are creative, i know for sure that they will defiantly design their own invites being illustrators/graphic designers and all that! I picture something similar to the save the date card/Invite in the board, there is every possibility that they’ll wed off the island and could be in the place they met – Portsmouth, so guys how does a little map design sound?- could  lead us to to where you choose too wed? could add the hover and the spinnaker tower!!

The shoes: I love these, perfect and girly just up my girls street, and of course that added sparkle and whats even more fitting is the little bows!.

The Dress: Figure hugging, lace and just elegant.

The Cake: My first thoughts spring to a big white frosted cake maybe with a pink centre, a top miniature bunting with the words “juste marié” –  bringing the french vibe in, When i thought how about french macarons! they come in a whole host of colours, Being that she loves tea parties and the little fancies that go with it, i thought what better thing to have than these. Of course a white frosted cake with macarons as decorations would work to! best of both!

I’m looking forward to seeing what these two create, and she knows where i am should she need me!!