moved to a new blogspot address

I have moved to a new blogspot. Please reset your bookmarks, and find me at:

www.charleybeard.blogspot.com

I'm exactly the same - just a new name to make it all a bit more consistent. See you there!

numbers up

A simple and rustic idea for table numbers. Transfer printed numbers (in a lovely font) onto pieces of balsa wood. These guys gathered pieces of branch wood themselves (best things in life can be free!) which were then cut into to hold the balsa wood. Great for a eco/natural theme wedding. This is taken from a blog in the US - Brooklyn Bride

pop pop

These pop-up cards are new in at Muji for Valentines Day. Nice idea for an invite, especially if you are planning on having Roses or Gerberas as your flowers.

snappy snaps

How much fun is this! You can hire a photobooth from Boothnation to have at your wedding reception. If you perhaps aren't hiring a photographer for the whole day, but want to have photos of all your guests then this has got to be the best way to do it. People will love going in there (or cramming in there!) to have fun within the booth. Oh how it brings back memories of going into town on a Saturday and getting these photos done with your mates, or of course a quick snog in there with your latest boyfriend of the time. Best thing about this? Totally natural pictures showing your guests in their element. Even better, invite them to bring a prop to represent them, and get them to wear it in the booth! Everyone can then view or purchase the images online.

it's a sign

Having a cosy church wedding in the middle of nowhere? Sounds lovely, but if you are worried that your cute little village church is tucked away down a picturesque country lane, then your guests may well need more than sat-nav to find it. This vintage style 'wedding' sign does exactly what it says. And if your friends are anything like mine then this might just be a necessity.

perfume perfection

Prada's Infustion D'iris is one of my favourite perfumes (at the moment, I am known to be quite fickle on the perfume front). But more to the point, it's handy purse sized silver re-fillable case is just so cool and perfect to carry on your big day. I casually left it out on my desk at work and had lots of comments on it, so not only will you smell nice when you top up your spritz, you'll look so cool doing it.

feeling lucky

Hello Lucky are a company who create beautiful digital and letterpress wedding invites, rsvp's and save the dates. Letterpressing is quite an expensive printing method but gives the most beautiful hand-crafted designs. Hello Lucky have designs ready to buy, or you can ask them to design an invite or save the date for you.

infinity and beyond

Wow. This is Infinity at the Conrad Hotel in Bali, and it has to be amongst one of the most amazing chapel's I've come across as the architecture is just stunning. As one of Bali’s largest beachfront wedding venues, it is beautifully simple with elegant marble floors, floor to ceiling ocean facing glass frontage, that seats 60 guests. Designed by the architecture firm PT. Diwi Tunggal Mandiri, the building’s simple, off-set triangle shape represents a romantic angle towards the heavens, while its physical attributes of marble, glass and steel are each metaphors for the male and female bodies and their interaction with each other as a couple. Clearly not just a pretty building but a well-thought out one too.

whats in a name

I must be in an inspirational mood. This is a freelance designer, Alex Parrott that sent me his work, and I spotted this very clever and gorgeous invite that he'd done. I guess it only really works with certain names, but if you are one of the lucky ones, then you might want to try it out on an invite.

shadow play

Saw this on flickr and just thought, wow. Perhaps inspiration for an invitation design? Who knows, I just like it.

make a statement

Alex Monroe's jewellery features regularly in Vogue, and for good reason. These Love pieces are gorgeous, as is the birds necklace which is perhaps a bit more of a subtle statement. Now, I wonder if I'll get that Love ring for valentines day (hint hint to the boy)...

watch the birdie

This idea is fairly simple, but looks so professional. Pretty vintage white metal/wooden birdcages as centrepieces and you can use a variety of sizes and styles. Confetti currently have some perfect ones, and Lavenders of London have some elegant tall ones ranging in size. You can fill them with simple rose heads, twist ivy around them, add candles inside and add details such as these little birdies and butterflies.

wash n go

This lovely looking silver and white clutch is actually a washbag! If you are looking to save money it is definitely clutch-worthy for your big day, then you can take it on holiday with you and use as either an evening bag or wash bag (though I think it's far to pretty to be sat in a bathroom). 2 in 1 bag, love it!

light up light up

Beautiful bamboo lanterns to hang on trees for a summer wedding. They are also windproof so they will guarantee to stay light and bright for an evening! You could also use them indoors and place them on a set of stairs or outside doorways if you need to perhaps direct guests into different rooms, or up to another level.

love is..

So, you've come back from your honeymoon, all loved-up but your house now looks a bit, well... un-loved. Bring back the romance to your pad with this range of LOVE bedspreads and cushions. Perfect to snuggle up and banish the post-holiday blues with.

thank u

Thank-you cards can be seen to be perhaps a daunting and fairly monotonous task, but here's a great idea to make it a lot more fun. On the day of your wedding, write on a thick piece of card a big 'Thank You' to create a sign for you to hold in a few photos (you'll need to talk your photographer through this idea). I love the backdrop of Grand Central (I believe?) so it's a nice idea to have it done somewhere significant. One of the chosen photos can then be printed onto cards for your 'thank-you's' and then sent out. Family especially are just going to love it, I know my Nan would!

flowers in her hair

If you saw my earlier post with Max Wenger's photography, you'll have probably noticed the bride's gorgeous style. If you are inspired by her gorgeous corsage in her hair, then try this oversized vintage Peony from Monsoon. They have a great selection, but I think this is the most wearable.

up up and away

A friend of mine reccommended these little beauties after she released one on Christmas Day. These are chinese lanterns, and the tradition is to write a wish on the lantern (they come with a marker pen) and then let it drift far far away to the land where wishes come true. If you like the idea of fireworks, but don't have the budget then these are just great. You can imagine how magical a night sky would look, lit with 100 or so of these released by your guests into the air. A nice way of involving everyone in your special day, or perhaps just the bride and groom release one together.

little frog

This one is a bit of a personal favourite. These are ranunculus flower bouquets. They come in a wonderful array of colours, yellow, white, red, pink, orange and copper and are available in winter and spring. They are from the buttercup family, and I think these are a beautiful alternative to peonies or roses. Oh and their name derives from the Latin meaning 'Little Frog'. Cute.

braedon photography

Here's some more amazing wedding photography (sorry, again it is from the USA!) Braedon Photography shot Seth and Dionna with real laid-back chic. Her dress looks vintage and his style has that thown-together look that make the whole thing just so cool. The photos truly reflect this couples individual style and make the most of a spectacular location. Now how much do you want to be that couple?

sugar and spice

The best wedding favours that I have enjoyed have been sweet-related. Maybe that's because I have a very sweet tooth, and if your guests do too, then these are such a great idea! Mini jars full of retro penny sweets, and if you buy over 50, they will personalise the text on the lid for you too. Or maybe, just maybe, you'll get distracted (like I did) and end up ordering bags and bags of pint pots and fish and chips. Remember those? Yum Yum.

hit me

Well as I was mentioning earlier about metallics, these go oh-so-perfectly with such a theme. You could hang one of these amazing looking pinata's from the ceiling of a doorway, have yourselves or your guests bash it, and then a spray of confetti will fall. How good for photos? Also good if you needed to vent any anger (though one would sincerely hope not!)

minty magic

Bit of a random one this, but I just had to spread the word about this little bottle of magic. Origins Piece of Mind is a stress-relieving formula that you just dab onto your temples and neck when everything gets a bit much. So if you're getting stressed in the run up to the wedding, or need a bit of calming on the day, this minty magic is a handbag essential.

i feel pretty

Sticking with the theme of bridesmaids dresses, here are some more Dessy Lela Rose styles that I think are really striking for bridesmaids. For anyone who knows me, I'm a huge monochrome fan. The lace bodice and black skirt is one of my favourites yet. And the chiffon number with rosette detail is so pretty. Both are available in a variety of colours.

silver gem

I think this pewter Dessy bridesmad dress shows off the metallic look really well. Chic, modern and very grown-up. A style and colour that I think most bridesmaids would suit.