Name Plaques

Another week another project, this time hand painted Chair Plaques. I ordered plain plaques of MDF from Amazon and using a spray primer got them ready to paint on. Once all of the primer was dried-best doing this outside, as it gets quite smelly, I painted on them using acrylic paints. Everyone in the bridal party had one. There were a few trials an errors with them, but if you do anything wrong then you can just paint over them. Once the words were done I then added some birds using a stamp and as I love my sparkles, some diamantes.

Some sage ribbon threaded through and I had a bespoke name plaque that each of the Wedding Party could take home with them.

Whilst we had the spray paint out Mr. Thompson set about spraying a large mirror that we had picked up in a second hand shop. I felt the sweetie table needed a backdrop and the mirror would hopefully provide this.

Starfish Table Plan

So the last you heard from me I had just had my dress fitting, menu tasting and hair trials. All super exciting and great fun with my mum. The month of March was spent with more arts and crafts. Firstly creating a close friend’s Table Plan and also name cards. The brief was neutrals, with a hint of floral. Using the same paper that Julia had used for her lovely invites I was able to tie it all. As the wedding was held in Poole, down by the sea I couldn’t resist adding a touch of the sea into it. This was done by adding in some sparkly starfish to the board, subtle but so pretty.

I echoed this in the name cards, simple ivory with a printed name. A starfish punch in the corner matched the theme. I blinged up the Bride and Groom’s by adding a diamanté and also some floral paper. A cute little touch I thought. I was really pleased with the overall effect and by using the brilliant frames from Wilko that I previously mentioned it all looked very elegant. Something Julia was very keen on. 

Engagement Pictures

As you already know from reading this blog, my fiancé and I are getting married in April this year. All our planning had gone so well until a few weeks ago when we went for a pre-wedding photo shoot at our venue where we learnt a few very valuable lessons. I had thoughts of the engagement pictures being somewhat pointless and had images of us popping out from behind a tree, however the reality is very different and I would advise everybody to have a pre-wedding shoot.

So the first lesson is that when you’re booking your wedding photographers rather spend a little more than you expected and get someone who is recommended by other photographers. Invest time researching and speaking to any and every photographer you can. The second lesson is to make sure you get your pre-wedding shoot in as early as possible so you don’t get left out of pocket!

Looking back, the website should have set the alarm bells off, but we chose to stick with them. The portfolio that we were shown us at our first meet, along with the confidence, etc left us feeling comfort that they would be capable of meeting our expectations from a photographer.

That comfort was destroyed last week when we received our pre-wedding photos and they were disappointing. We received 100 or so images and barely any of the images are actually usable and they have limited poses.

Fortunately for us one of the photographers, Hannah May (http://www.hannah-may.co.uk), who we initially wanted to go contract with but couldn’t afford at the time has availability on the day and we have managed to switch to her. Special thanks go to Hannah May for her support (and smiley faces) over the past few days.

So to summarize:

1.     Research your photographer. Look at their pictures online, on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. You’ll get a very good idea on their tastes, preferences and style from doing this, which will tell you whether or not they are the right choice for you.

2.     Spend as much as you can afford on a photographer… it’s a big day and you wont have the opportunity to do it over.

3.     Photographers portfolio’s are important but remember to have that all important pre-wedding shoot because anyone can get the odd brilliant photograph worthy of a portfolio but getting an album of 80 or 90 brilliant photos from the pre-wedding shoot will remind you why you’re spending good money on a good photographer.

This was written by the husband to be- quite impressed 

Dress fittings and tea tasting

Its been a rather hectic week down in Kent. Started off with a visit to the dress shop for the first stage of the fitting. Such a surreal moment putting the dress back on. Its been a year since Ive seen it and I won't lie I was a bit worried that it wouldn't be as I remembered. Not to worry it was still as stunning as I remember and I cannot wait to see Mr Thompsons face. 

Then a quick dash to the village where I picked up this adorable chalk board which will look so sweet in our pictures. We are going to use it for our Thank You pictures and then leave it for the guests to write messages on in the evening.

Found in the florist for £10 absolute steal.

Wednesday saw another drive up the motorway for my hair trial. Thanks to Pinterest I had heaps of ideas and had lots of fun having my had done and then having Afternoon tea tasting with my mum. Mum and I were treated to a glass of bubbly and some canapés before sampling lots of desserts to decide on the final six. Lots of thanks go to the lovely staff a Alexander House Hotel and Spa and the Blueberry Cheesecake Macaroon - one word AMAZING! Guests are in for a treat 

Final fitting on Thursday where I choose my veil, every bride just has to have one don't they ;-)

Followed by a very long drive home, made all worth it by peaking over my  shoulder and seeing my dress all safely tucked up in a bag. Now it really is happening! Heres a little sneak peak at it 

Spray Painting Birds

When the weather is wet and miserable whats a girl to do…..

Spray paint some plastic birds thats what! Been really struggling to find nice table number holders that match with my theme. Did find some awesome antler ones but they don’t really match with the English Garden Theme. So I did purchase some lovely bird name holders but they were a bit rustic. A £3.99 bottle of spray enamel and a make do fume cupboard transformed them into pewter. 

Really chuffed with them, although I do have a headache so is probably best to do this outside (in the summer if ever gets here) 

Mens Wedding Shoes

Mr Thompson's Wedding shoes arrived this week. Cue much excitement and me opening them! Naughty. They are so nice, from Rachel SImpson- she of amazing bridal shoes.

Fully leather they are wonderfully soft and super shiny. Whats nice about them is that they can be worn again and again. They are classic but nice enough that Mr T will feel a bit special ;-)

He's amazed at the comfort and keeps doing spins in them as they are so smooth. The packaging is gorgeous too (lost on a boy) The best bit though is that they are in the sale, there is a massive range of shoes reduced until Valentines. After that a whole new heap of pretty shoes arrive- can't wait! 

Birthday Weekend

This weekend I celebrated my last birthday before hitting the big 3-0... scary times. Also my last birthday as a Miss-very exciting!

I started the weekend by taking my parents into Chester. We had Afternoon Tea at the most fabulous tea room called Bellini's. This place is fabulous! Sparkly and glam with beautiful sandwiches and chocolates. Once you've sampled chocolates and gobbled down sandwiches there is a Leonidas chocolate shop downstairs. Amaze! The best bit, all the crockery had birds all over it, so I felt right at home. Check out the amazing hot chocolate, complete with massive marshmallow. If you're ever in Chester then its definitely worth a visit. 

After stuffing ourselves silly with chocolates we decided to go and explore Tatton Park at the weekend, which was super until the heavens opened. Home time, then off to the pub for double Amerettos on the rocks...sore heads in the household the following day

The lovely Mr Thompson took me to Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa today. A mixed experience, the massage was ok and the spa ambience was ruined slightly by the spa cafe being in reception, it did get chilly when sat in there in your robe.. However the facial left me glowing and feeling more relaxed. The best bit though was the Rasul Mud Experience . Something very fun about covering each other in mud, steaming and showering. Its a couple treatment so you are left alone to paint each other with mud ;-) 

Rookery Hall itself was breathtaking and would make a lovely wedding venue, Handpicked Hotels always have good deals and excellent room rates too so definitely one to consider