Miscellaneous Monday: All That Glitters

It’s Miscellaneous Monday! And we’re here to kick off your week with sparkle, stunning designs, and then even more sparkle. If you find any of this miscellany as interesting as we do, please share it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest!

Favourite décor trend: glitter, glitter, glitter

As evidenced by last week’s Miscellaneous Monday, we love the trend of glittery or sequined décor. (And it looks like we’re not the only ones!) When done right, it’s a far cry from the glitter of bedazzled jeans, and hearkens more toward the glitzy era of Gatsby’s 1920. One of the West’s favourite wedding suppliers, Pudding Bridge (in collaboration with the Little Wedding Helper), recently introduced their sequin collection, which is the perfect way to grab hold of this trend! The collection features a variety of sequined table linens – and if they don’t have precisely what you’re looking for, they’re even open to special requests! Just email Helen@PuddingBridge.co.uk to ask.

Favourite wedding stationery: Lizzy-May Designs

Our editor is a sucker for anything designed in a new or different way, and Lizzy-May Designs really fits the bill here. Her stationery, which was featured in our latest issue, really captures the personalities of the brides and grooms that she designs for. Lizzy is a photographer by training (and still shoots some gorgeous weddings!) and really brings her eye for composition, colour and point-of-view to all of her stationery. Check her out at lizzy-may.com.

Favourite Pinterest find: peacock brooch bouquet

If you never thought you’d see those words combined, you’re not alone – neither did we. But when we saw this fantastic creative combo of beading, sparkle and peacock colouring, we had to share it. It’s a bit out there, perhaps, but so lovely. What do you think? Yay or nay? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter (@WestWeddingsMag)

Behind the Scenes: Winter photo shoot at Hestercombe Gardens

West Weddings chose Hestercombe Gardens, with its stunning views across the Somerset countryside, for our winter photoshoot, directed once again by Kirsten Butler of the Little Wedding Helper. Our theme for this shoot was 'secret garden' - and for that we had the perfect venue!

The gorgeous photos are all courtesy of Martin Dabek of PhotoDabek.

Our model (for two shoots running, now!) was Rachel Harvey. She had her make-up done by Grace Kingsley, and her hair was styled by bridal hair specialists from No 3 Hairdressing, Victoria Lovell and Jess Singer. 

The wintry-hued flowers were provided by Amy Cottington from Tallulah Rose Flower School.

This one-of-a-kind birdcage cake was created by Celia Adams, owner of the Bath Cake Company. Bonus fact: Celia hand-painted the bird herself!

Accessories - like these beautiful headpieces - were provided by Bridezillas.

Our groom model, Jonathan Lloyd, even made it in front of the camera a couple times!

Lizzy May, of Lizzy May Photography and Design, was the mastermind behind this beautiful bespoke stationery.

The groom's suits were provided by Anne Harding in Bristol. For this shoot we chose a navy blue morning suit with grape cravat and waistcoat.

Our bride's wardrobe for the day were gowns designed by Sassi Holford, from the company's So Sassi range. Here Rachel is wearing 'Veronica' - a Hollywood-inspired look.

Straight up with a vintage twist

If you like wedding planning and helping others, then we have the perfect event for you. On Sunday 2nd September, Goldney Hall in Bristol is hosting a wedding fayre with a vintage twist, from 11am-4pm.

Exhibitors will be based in rooms within the main House, Orangery and gardens, meaning visitors can enjoy wandering around the beautiful building and grounds while enjoying some of the Wext's best wedding suppliers. Confirmed exhibitors include Aunties Vintage China,Clifton Flowers, Bridezillas and Lizzy-May photography, plus our own Kirsten Butler aka The Little Wedding Helper.

And the best bit? Your £1 entry fee will be donated to Breast Cancer UK. For more information visit the special Goldney Hall fayre website.

Vintage in the Park Wedding Fayre - Sunday 16th October 11am-4pm

After a £5 million facelift, Old Down Country Park is ready to reopen its doors as a licensed venue.

 

The park will now be able to play host to civil ceremonies and receptions and in keeping with its beautiful Victorian house, will be celebrating with a vintage wedding fayre, hosted by Liz Gayther of Lizzy May Photography.  

Liz says: "The idea comes from a new movement in the weddings market - 'vintage'. The idea is to celebrate all things timeless, individual and quality. To me, this seemed to be in keeping with the Victorian elegance of the house, as well as the nature of Old Down itself - being a little quirky! Choosing the brightest and most creative exhibitors should make the event a little 'edgier' than the norm for a wedding fayre. This will hopefully taking advantage of an increasing market of couples looking for something unique with an individual service. I see this as a great opportunity to promote the new venue, as well as give local suppliers in the Bristol area a chance to display their work." 

Entry to the event is free but visitors are encouraged to enter the prize draw, the proceeds of which will go to 'Cots for Tots'.  Entry to look around the park will also be free.

 

For further information please contact Liz Gayther at Lizzy May Photography on 01454 412835 or Olivia Mills at Old Down on 01454 414081.

Lizzy May Photography

Introducing a brand new company - Lizzy May Photography. Liz has been lecturing and shooting weddings for a long time for other people, but has now decided to strike out on her own and start her own business. She’s also planning her own wedding and has just had her second child.

“The first wedding I shot was my big sister's at the Riverstation in Bristol. Wow did I have my work cut out for me! As the photography was my wedding present to her I wanted to get it just right. The proof of the pudding - the best portraits I've ever taken. It just goes to show that knowing your subjects enables you to take better pictures of them; they relax and start to ignore the camera, concentrating instead on having a chat (it doesn't hurt to be an Aussie either).

This is one of the things I wanted to build into my ethos - getting to know the couples. I've started giving away free engagement shoots in order to achieve this. That way if people book me for their wedding, they already connect with me and we get even better results.

I studied at Lincoln and Derby Universities many years ago. However, it wasn’t until I started lecturing at City of Bath College that I REALLY started to learn. Every day you teach yourself something new, to keep ahead of the bright young teens. Appreciate your teachers; they work harder than you think. Especially me as I’ve got two children!

I adore all the little things about weddings: merry best men, furtive glances, proud Dads, unique flowers, ebay bargains, home made decorations, and fabulous shoes that aren’t even noticed under a long skirt! If you’ve got something unique to show me, I’d love to take a photo or two (hundred)."