I Love... Luggage Tag Details

There's something about luggage tags that promises excitement - the anticipation of a trip or the knowledge that you're heading off into the world to make some memories. Perhaps those reasons are also why I've got a bit of a soft spot for luggage tag details at weddings. They're great for seating cards, place markers or any form of stationery and they're really rather perfect for a bit of crafty DIY.

Luggage tag details can be plain, embellished with cuttings of old maps or designed to fit the theme. Now I know lots of people cut up maps to decorate their tags but the geographer in me just can't stand to cut maps up, especially those pre 1940 maps I've picked up at my local antique centre. If you're like me, may I recommend map-esque wrapping paper instead?!

But, as we're now cleared for take-off on this feature, please stow your tables in the upright position and let's go...

 Above - love this simple but oh-so effective place setting. The addition of the air-mail envelope adds some colour and zip to what would otherwise have been a very plain coloured setting. I dream there's a personal little note in each envelope for every guest (or a 'thanks for coming' note - my Mum taught me to always write thank you letters!) Image - BridalBuzz

Above - sweet 'save the date' ticket tags here, all printed in a fab airline boarding card styleee. I'd love it if the numbers underneath the barcode were the date & time of the wedding! Image -  Chateau & Villa Weddings

 Above - this is a great little invitation set - the beautiful map cover, then the invitation tag and the information tag completes the set. Totally gorgeous and certainly achievable as a DIY option - printer, guillotine, hole punch, ribbon & you're away... Image - via Flickr

 Above - another save the date tag here with a slightly different style as this incorporates the tree motif but the stamp and the layout still works well with the look of the tag. A good way to combine things & it's all good. Image - Gourmet Invitations

Above - I love these tags and I think the fabulous use of Butcher's Twine just finishes them off wonderfully. I like the idea of using your initials in lieu of an airport code and finding other quirky ways to incorporate your details into a traditional tag or ticket. Put your own stamp on these ideas, make them personal and make them a little bit clever... Image - Invitation Crush

Above - a whole suite of tag inspired travel stationery. Save the dates, invitations, place cards, you name it! I wanted to include this to show you how well it can work and the deep blue accents here are great against the browns and greens of the maps. And check the maps lining the envelopes - travel themed stationery heaven!  Image - Magnolia Rouge

Above - pretty pretty pretty tags here. Love the pink map backing with the tag tucked into the plastic pocket. You could print anything you liked on those tags - save the dates, seating cards, ceremony information or invitations. The cord tie is a perfect finishing touch. Image - Martha Stewart

Delicious Details - Wooden Stationery

I do hope you'll forgive the slightly short post today but it's my birthday (don't ask how old!) and I can almost hear the gifts, cake and champagne calling me whilst I'm typing this...

But anyway, on to the delightful detail du jour - wooden stationery. I adore stationery at any time and something a little bit quirky and a little bit different is guaranteed to set my stationery radar a-beeping. There's also something incredibly wonderful for a wedding guest about receiving something weighty in the mail, something special and something impressive. Wooden stationery ticks all of these boxes and if you were to then follow these invitations & other ideas through with some more of my wood inspired decorations, you'll be set for fabulousness...

Above - love these wooden invitations where the wood is so thin, it's almost like papyrus. Subtly fantastic and gorgeously delicate. Image - via Flickr

Above - gorgeous table stationery here with a wooden menu 'frame' and oh, my, goodness - how fab is the wooden favour pouch? This is something I would love! Image - Laura Novak

Above - the colouring on this wooden invitation is so striking and the natural motif works perfectly with the wood. I'm quite liking the darker wood too, there's something very luxurious about the almost chocolate brown & mint combination. Image - via My Wedding

Above - another prettily embellished design here and the white and green looks beautiful against the lighter wood. This just looks so special, it's making me smile and nod enthusiastically! Image - The Knot

Above - I quite like the grandeur of this invitation - the fonts, the monogram, the detailing, it all works so so well. I'd hope that monogram design is transferred to other details at the wedding to create a real sense of continuation. Image - via Green Wedding Shoes

Above - now I think this is a clever way of keeping costs down by using a card RSVP note rather than using wood for both invitation and RSVP. I like that the motif has been transferred across the entire stationery collection and it works so so well. Image - Wedding Invitations 21

I Love... Wide Brimmed Bridal Hats

I can't believe how quickly we're rushing through May and then, come June, it's officially summer. Flicking through my diary, I can see that there are lots of summer events - festivals, cricket matches, trips, picnics, parties, a regatta and some horse racing - all needing a bit of wardrobe consideration. For me, a summer essential is a glam wide brimmed hat. They keep me cool, they look rather fab and they're certainly stand-out.

So, today's 'I Love...' feature is all about the wide brimmed hat and how stunning they can be for brides. The trick is either to have sheer layers so you're still visible for pics or have a brim that curves or turns up in all the right places to make photography easier. 

And now, without further ado - bring on the wide brimmed hats...

 Above - I love this look, the openness of the brim gives you a great 'veil' look but with the wow factor of an unexpected 'big hat' look. Image - Martha Stewart

Above - Oscar de la Renta is totally rocking the wide brimmed hat here. The model is channeling a bit of a 'Truly Scrumptious' look a la Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with the big hat and diaphanous wrap holding it on. Totally retro and it looks great with the lace gloves too.  Image - via You & Your Wedding

 Above - this is a great 'fresh from the beach' look that would be absolutely ideal for a destination wedding when sunburn is not the wedding memory you want.  Image - Martha Stewart

Above - more beauty from Oscar de la Renta and once I can tear my eyes away from that gorgeous gown, I can give all my attention to that gorgeous straw hat. So stunning and so attention grabbing. Of course, if you wanted a more traditional headpiece for the ceremony, there's nothing to stop you donning a hat for the reception, especially if it's outside. Image - Oscar de la Renta

Above - just love the image. If you're going for a laid back vibe, this is the look to go for - loose hair, unstructured hat with a touch of 'kiss me' lip colour because, after all, you are the bride! Image - via Spearmint Wedding

Above - this is the uber glam version of the big brimmed look - statement hat with a little veil so you get the best of both world. Here, the structured brim would keep your face free for photos whilst the veil and beautifully made-up eyes combination is a little bit demure and a little bit sexy all at the same time. Love it! Image - via Advantage Bridal

Delicious Details - Striped Straws

I do just love the little details of weddings - you know, those tiny little things that add some personality to the day without being too complicated, too costly or too clever. It's all about the small things that just make people smile when they see them and the detail du jour is the humble stripy paper straw.

They are just such fun - they make drinks look celebratory and give us happy flashbacks to parties of the past. They're not trying to be uber cool, they're not expensive and my goodness, they are possibly the simplest thing ever to use - just pass a box to your caterer or venue and you're done. They combine wonderfully with Drinks Flags, Drinks Tables and Jar Glasses but of course, they look rather cute when they're unadorned in any glass! Easy to find on-line, UK readers can find them via Papermash or Pipii and of course, there's always eBay...

So come on, embrace the paper straw and get your guests smiling with a little dash of childlike joy...

Above - love the little tag here with the 'enjoy your drink in style' note, very sweet. I also love the idea here of combining straws and drinks stirrers in a jar for guests to pick their own. This would look good on a drinks table if you don't want to pop straws in glasses too early. Image - Artfire

Above - ahhhh, the classic red striped straw and the jar glass - what a perfect combination. Honestly, who would have thought a roll of paper and a jar could look so fab? Such a simple thing to put together, if you're scared of craft but want to do something, this could be it! Image - Clayton Austin

Above - more red stripy fabulousness here and these come with little flags attached to added personality. Love the grouping of the jars here, each filled with drinks accessories (sweet ribbon accessory around the strawberry jar too which is carrying on the colour theme of the flags too). Image - Dan Cutrona

Above - a more intricate straw decoration here with the layered, delicately detailed heart embellishments. You could do these yourself or simplify just by using a various sizes of heart shaped paper punches and cutting out shapes and threading them onto straws in any combination you like. Image - Happy Go Lucky Weddings

Above - totally love the bottle look here (again, you can find these on-line). Don't they remind you of school milk bottles?! But hurrah, these have got much more grown up drinks in them, perfect for wedding day fun. Your caterer/venue can fill up your bottles with your chosen tipple and that's another detail sorted! Image - Home Confetti

Above - how perfect is this retro look? Brightly coloured bottles of old fashioned drinks literally cry out for stripy straws! Cherryade, lemonade, even cola in glass bottles, all become special and fun with the addition of a simple drinking straw. Image - Meg Perotti

Above - more jars, more straws, more tags and more fab fun drinks. The thing here is that this great detail doesn't require much effort at all - you're probably already planning to have drinks so just add a couple of packs of straws to your list and you're done. Honestly, what's not to love? Image - Petitchef

Above - a pretty montage of stripy straw pics to end with. I think the grey stripes are surprisingly elegant and the little v-cut flags definitely add something as do the curvy glasses and pale colour drinks. Oooh, it's just so pretty. All drinks should come with striped paper straws from now on! Image - SWS Mag

I Love... Long Tables

I fear this post might make some people roll their eyes in disgust at my wedding heresy but, in a new spirit of bravery, I am going to speak my mind. I am not a massive fan of round tables at weddings. There, I've said it - should I give you a few moments to recover your composure before I go on?!

I just have a love of long tables - I think they look incredibly elegant, anything you do decoration-wise has more impact when it's repeated along the length of the table top and they just 'work'. I know the arguments for round tables, it's easier to talk to people but at long tables, you can easily converse with at least five people around you. I also think long tables are less divisive - because more people are sat together, you don't have to chop people into groups quite so much. Long tables look great in most spaces and are becoming more and more popular. And in my opinion, this is definitely a good thing...

Above - love this look and the colours are great - the pink peonies, the green napkins, the brown table runner all make this oh-so elegant but not difficult to achieve. My tip would be to speak to your florist about the length of the table to work out the numbers of arrangements needed and tweak to fit your budget. Image - Better Homes & Gardens

Above - another great long table look that has groupings of pots & greenery rather than individual arrangements and I really like this. Again, easy to put together yourself if you bought the plants from a garden centre & potted them into the containers you wanted before the day. You could the gift the pots to guests at the end of the night. Love the white chairs here too and the bright light simplicity. Image - Cameron Ingalls 

Above - another very elegant look, especially with those ornate chairs which match so well with the brown in the ccentrepiece. Notice how the centrepieces here are much further apart (as they're taller so they don't cut the table in two!) but the colour is splashed onto the table top with those sweet little floral pots at each place setting. Image - Italian Lakes Wedding

Above - I. Love. This. The dark wood tables without cloths, the blue runner & matching seat pads, the low level informal flowers and then those impressive chandeliers. It's just gorgeous and I want to be there. Image - Jose Villa

Above - now this is a very pretty and slightly more lavish look with those petal packed arrangements, the silvered votives, the glass candle holders & the silver chargers. Definitely not for you if you're going minimalist but if you're looking for guaranteed ooooohs and aaaaahhhs, this is a winner. Image - Justin Marantz

Above - country style works wonderfully on long tables and the burlap cloth here is the perfect backdrop for those ditsy print napkins and pretty garden flowers. There's not a lot on this table but it looks more impressive because of the replication along the length of it - visual tricks that work well! Image - PGB Photography

Above - love this slice of outdoors heaven. The lights are just fabulous but the tables win it and they're not doing very much really - just plain brown with hardly any decoration but the colours pop so nicely together and again, the replicated look creates more of an impact. Yes, I know we can't all rely on the weather so much we can set up our tables outside in the sure knowledge we'll have a balmy day but this would work perfectly in a marquee too. Image - Sarah Yates

Above - now here's a different look - who said long tables had to be straight! Just to throw another option into the mix for you...! Image - via Snippet & Ink

Above - another very pretty look that's making me think of the seaside with the sandy coloured runner and blue vases. Those simple flower arrangements are great and ooooh, the bliss of that beautiful ironed table lined and there are those fab white chairs again. More proof that long tables don't have to be full of complicated details and massive floral arrangements to look wow - less is most definitely more. Image - The Knot

Above - and another option here. Long tables but still with only eight guests per table. The arrangement of the tables though, lined up parallel, gives the visual impact but your guests are still in smaller groups so it's a win win if you don't like the idea of so many people together. Loving that there aren't any table legs on show and that the linen hangs right to the floor! Again, very simple table decorations that just look wonderful. Image - via Wedding Bee

Delicious Details - Butcher's Twine/Divine Twine

I stumble across things in the most random ways some times and I started getting interested in butcher's twine whilst trying to find somewhere to buy twine to truss up a salmon. Then I got thinking and hunting for things and the found the delightfully named Divine Twine, beautifully coloured twine and that literally made for wedding details.

It's so easy to use, it can be added to almost anything, it's a bit quirky, it adds colour in a very delicate way and although a big skein of twine can seem a bit pricey, it goes a long way. Twine really is a fab detail and here are some ways to get it working for you...

Above - the original 'divine twine' in all its glory! I just love the colours and now it's available in the UK on Not The High Street - hurrah! So many fabulous ways to use it if you can stand to unravel it! Image - NOTHS

 Above - cute seating card badges with a loop of co-ordinating butcher's twine attached. These remind me of racecourse enclosure badges and no doubt guests will be attaching these to themselves which will make those awkward introductions a little easier! Image - EyeSpy Photography

Above - sweet little bundles of favour cookies with card tags are all wrapped in butcher's twine. Boxes, bags, bottles, anything would benefit from a some coloured twine and it's a fab way to bring your colour scheme onto things without it being too overpowering. Image - via Frills & Frolic

 Above - now regular readers will know from previous posts that I'm a fan of cutlery bundles. If you're not going for something super formal, they add to the laid back air and they're a bit different - no ranks of cutlery oozing across the table top! Here, the bundle is just held together with a knot of twine. Simple but so effective. Image - Kristin Rogers

Above - twine looks great wrapped around invitations and stationery for a quirky slightly old fashioned parcel vibe. Here, the classic red & white twine is knotted around a save the date card but it works just as well with invitation packs and it's something you can add yourself even if you're ordering your stationery from elsewhere. Image - Oh So Beautiful Paper

Above - and you can also use twine on your wedding day stationery too. These orders of ceremony have the twine around their bindings which again adds a bit of zip and contrast. This is also very handy if you're making your own programs and are struggling to staple or glue pages together - just knot some twine! Image - via Snippet & Ink

Above - an interesting idea here, particularly if you want to cover up wine bottle labels and insulate them too! The twine has been wrapped around the bottle and I have to say, I like this. I'm not a fan of tables being crowded with bottle of every variety at the best of times but if you have to do it, you can at least make them look as though they're part of the table design and not just an afterthought. Image - Stacy Able

Above - these twists of twine make gifts wrapped in plain tissue paper that bit more exciting. Another plus about twine is that you're never going to be able to tie perfect pretty 'sit up' bows so there's no need to even try - just go for good old fashioned 'shoe lace' bows and you'll be just fine! Image - Thimbleanna

Above - again, if you've been checking out the blog for a while, you'll know about my love of jams and chutneys as favours and I think this looks great. Love the combination of the yellow preserve and the blue labels and twine with the natural fabric tops. It's a great look and easy DIY. Image - Tumblr

Brides Should Go Away!

Yesterday, after the excitement of the wedding day itself, the new Duke & Duchess of Cambridge strode across the lawns at Buckingham Palace to head off to their weekend retreat. I think not going straight on honeymoon is a wise move - the hiatus is an opportunity for things to calm down a bit. They can escape back to Anglesey for a while, William can go back to work and Kate can catch her breath too. But not going on honeymoon, they have more chance of spending their first few days of married life in peace!

But another few things that struck me yesterday were firstly, how does Kate look so amazing after such a long and tiring day? She never looks like she's wearing much make-up at all but she never had dark circles or dull skin either - just how is that possible? But enough of my personal jealousy and onto the point of this post - the going away...

'Going away' used to be something that happened at all weddings - the bride and groom would leave the party and head off for their first night wherever that might be. It was a chance for a big send-off, to leave the day on a high and for lots of brides, to get changed into another yummy outfit (and it also gives the groom a change to leave his suit behind which is so handy if it needs to be returned to a hire shop whilst he's away!).

However, over the years, 'going away' has gone out of fashion. Whether it's because so many weddings take place at venues with accommodation so instead of leaving in a blaze of glory, the newlyweds need only wander upstairs or might it be because of the "It's my party, I'm staying until the bitter end" feelings or the fact that now, wedding weekends are so much more popular? I don't know but I'm all for brides going away and here's why....

From experience at hundreds of weddings, I can tell you that the sight of your gorgeous wedding at the end of the night isn't one you want - all your carefully planned decorations are looking a little worse for wear (as are quite a few of the guests) and quite a few of your guests are likely to have left already if you hang on until the very end. Far better to leave when the place is still packed and let the last thing you see of your wedding be fabulous, not a picture with the guests that have stayed slumped in chairs, tired out!

And there are so many fabulous ways that you can 'go away' - choose a leaving song, get everyone dancing and then head off, give your guests torches or ribbon wands to wave as you go and ask everyone to get outside. I've seen brides & grooms leave to fireworks along the driveway, surprises as friends have hired them vintage cars to 'go away' in and lots of emotion packed into one place as all guests are there as the stars of the show leave.

And of course, the 'going away' gives brides the chance to pick out another fabulous outfit to leave in. Practically, this is a time when going shopping makes sense - if you're spending the night at a hotel before heading on honeymoon, think what's going to happen to your gown. You won't be taking it with you (well, I sincerely hope you won't be!) and then who's going to have to come and get it and take it home for you? Better to change before you leave and detail your Mum or a friend to be on dress duty for you.

I've spoken to lots of people about this in the last 24 hours - friends, brides, journalists and other wedding pros and it seems that 'going away' is something that lots of people miss and there are so many reasons to do it, all of which are better than the desire to spend another 15 minutes on the dancefloor! If you've planned your day, planned your entrance and planned the impact you want to have, plan to go as well. As the saying goes 'always leave them wanting more'...

Images - BBC, Alexia Admor

The Royal Wedding - My Pick Of Potential Trends

It was perfect. I think those three words sum up William & Kate's wedding - the weather was kind, the crowds were fabulous, the outfits were stunning, William looked dashing and as for Kate, wow. How radiant and beautiful was she? I spent the day with some fellow wedding industry professionals and we all, without exception, adored Kate's gown.

And being wedding professionals, we were all on the look out for the trends that might spin off into the wider world from this historic event and there were plenty to discuss. One thing we were all wondering is whether this Royal Wedding, the elegance, the simple beauty and the fabulous traditional details with personal twists, will be the 'beginning of the end' for the shabby chic wedding? We've been without a wedding style icon for decades now - do we have a new one?

But, there are plenty of other things we can take from the day so here are my top picks for the things we might be seeing very soon....

 Above - box pleats, the coat dress, the gloves and the nude shoes. It's all fabulous. Box pleats were much in evidence today and they're great - they give movement without adding too much volume in areas we'd probably all like to keep as slim looking as possible. Camilla's wearing a gorgeous Philip Treacy hat here and hats were definitely big news at the wedding. More hats than fascinators too... The nude Jimmy Choos are great and I think I've fallen in love with white gloves after today. Utter elegance.

 Above - I loved the look inside Westminster Abbey with the tree lined aisle and I love that the trees will be replanted at Highgrove, such a sweet twist. Of course, you need a soaring skyline to get away with such huge trees but this is a look you could easily adapt for lower ceilings then how about giving the trees to parents as gifts?

 Above - oooooh, the gown. It's just stunning but I love the sleeves most of all. They're so feminine and elegant. Let's be fair, how many of us are totally happy with the tops of our arms? I've heard so many brides worrying how less-than-perfectly toned upper arms will look in sleeveless gowns and I think we've all seen brides squeezed into strapless gowns with a little too much flesh oozing over the top of the gown which will ruin the look of even the most perfect dress. So sleeves deserve to be big news. Image - Zak Hussein/WENN.com

 Above - Pippa Middleton is the best bridesmaid. She was always there to arrange Kate's dress, she looked after the younger bridesmaids perfectly, she was beautiful and she worked really hard, truly supporting Kate, not just being window dressing. I think now might be the time to cut down on the numbers of volume and go for one amazing bridesmaid who is your 'best woman' on the day you need her most. As as aside - did you notice Pippa didn't have a bouquet? Sensible when you need both hands to deal with mini-maids and trains! Image - Getty

 Above - when Pantone announced their autumn colour picks, Zara Phillips must have punched the air as their  'Quarry' colour is caught perfectly in this bespoke Paul Costelloe outfit. She looks stunning and again, the perfect outfit is topped off with a fantastic hat (and a 'proper' hat, not a fascinator!) Image - Getty

 Above - well, who'd have thought we would have seen bridesmaids, big and small, in white gowns? It takes a brave bride who sends a gorgeous girl like Pippa Middleton to the church in a stunning white dress but how it paid off. I'm also loving the hair down vibe of the whole wedding - let's leave the heavily hairsprayed up-dos behind now girls and get a bit more natural. The flowers in the hair are a great touch too. I think I might love Pippa Middleton. The woman is the best bridesmaid ever.

Above - when Kate & William emerged in 'the car', everyone I was watching with whooped and clapped! It's just a genius touch. Now of course, we can't all drive our Father's vintage Aston Martin while our friends hover overhead in an RAF helicopter but we can revive the 'going away' - instead of hanging on to the bitter end, let's leave on a high and make a real impact. Head off, soak up the love of your guests (unless you've got a crowd-lined Mall) and get some private time on a crazy day. Adored the kitsch decorations too - I'm having visions of Harry & Pippa tying on the balloons and I love that! Image - Getty