I came across this stunning silk bunting made from vintage sarees on one of the businesses listed on the directory. Ganesha is a fair trade shop that sells gorgeous gifts, accessories and bits for your house – but this bunting really stood out.
I’m beginning to feel like I’m a bit bunting-ed out, the stuff is all over the wedding world, you feel like you won’t ever see an original piece of bunting and that it’s only ever floral or Cath Kidston-inspired. Then you stumble across bunting like this, which is not only made from vintage silk, but it’s also recycling an unloved product, and on top of this each string is unique.
Lovely at a wedding, but also perfect for a hanging in your bedroom. Yey for interesting and different bunting!
would be happy to spend about 10 minutes filling in a survey to share your thoughts and ideas
and would like to win one of the two lovely prizes mentioned in the heading
Here’s what to do…
Send me an email to charlie@thenaturalweddingcompany.co.uk with the subject line ‘Survey’ and I will reply with a link. I’ve thought about adding the link to the website and blog, but I’m really keen to get feedback from people who’ve used the directory, not just the blog.
The prizes
As a bit of an incentive and a ‘thank you’ I’ve decided to buy two gifts as prizes from businesses listed in the directory. I’ve picked these particular businesses to celebrate those businesses who were part of my wedding.
Someone will win a bunch of seasonal flowers from The Real Cut Flower Garden, grown by Charlie Ryrie in her flowerfield in Hereford – the same place where my wedding flowers came from.
This is an example of the sort of bunch of flowers you could win
Having a short break from our wedding details I wanted to share some of the latest creations from one of the businesses from the directory. I am always so amazed by the creativity and imagination of people, especially those businesses I work with on my website – there can be so much of the same ‘stuff’ in the wedding world, it’s refreshing to see something different.
Kat from The Paper Florist is one of those people. She creates stunning flowers from recycled papers, they can be used for table decorations or even the brides bouquet. Here is some of her recent work at a beautiful May Day wedding.
I am a sucker for anything that brings back memories of childhood, especially when it comes to holidays. When I read that Tribes Travel, one of the businesses listed on the directory, offer Robinson Crusoe inspired honeymoons my mind conjured up romantic notions of living quietly on an exotic island somewhere.
Often, real life fails to live up to your imagination, but not this time. Just take a look at these incredible honeymoon islands – the location, the living space, and on top of that they’ve got a strong committment to the environment.
With the whole wedding and blog world mad for vintage, I was sure that brides-to-be would love to hear about the vintage style wedding package offered by The Black Swan in Yorkshire. The Black Swan is an old coaching inn set in the bustling marketplace of Helmsley, a pretty Yorkshire town. Having married a Yorkshire boy this is one part of the country I’ve got to know, and Helmsley is lovely.
If you are wanting a quintessential English wedding, with some of that old-fashioned glamour of vintage teacups, dainty plates and silver cake stands, then The Black Swan offers all that. You can sip on Bramley Apple Pimms, nibble on canapes of mini Yorkshire puddings filled with roast beef and horseradish, and then sit down to an afternoon tea of smoked salmon finger sandwiches, pork pies or even mini fish and chips. This is finished off with a selection of mini pastries, homemade cakes, and scones and jam.
This Friday, Cake Love has been usurped by this gorgeous find…
If I had been a bit more of a daring country bride, I would have gone adorned my hair with something like this. My seven year-old self would have thought it fit for the flower fairies that lived at the bottom of my granny’s garden.
Handcrafted by Rosie Weisencrantz, this is an original Victoria wax floral spray, that she wove onto a natural looking headband. I was devastated to discover that it has already been sold (not that I’m planning on getting married again anytime soon!), but there are lots of other gorgeous hair adornments crafted from vintage pieces available on the website.
I was very sad to learn this week that one of our fabulous ethical jewellery businesses, Leblas, is closing down. It’s a real shame as their jewellery is beautiful and was so popular, even amongst royalty!
However, it means that they are holding an incredible closing down sale so there are some incredible discounts to be had on their ethical engagement rings and wedding bands. Their rings are either recycled or fair trade and with discounts of over 50% on some items it’s not to be missed!
Who could have dreamt up such a wonderful idea? Why, the lovely Anna of A Alicia Accessories – the talented designer-maker behind gorgeous eco-ethical textile jewellery like this…
In addition to her pretty jewellery and wedding ranges, Anna is now offering fun hen party workshops where you and your bridesmaid can create your own fabulous accessories, all with a focus on eco-ethical and vintage materials.
You could make these funky pom pom necklaces perfect for a night out or even as part of your bridesmaid ensemble…
Once again, I’ve been saved by one of the many incredible people I’ve met through planning my wedding – near on a meltdown last night (fretting about the huge task in hand to get ready for Saturday and yet insanely tired) I received some lovely messages from Mark Tattersall via Twitter.
With my wedding less than a week away I can’t help but start to get excited about our week away afterwards. If you are on the hunt for an unusual honeymoon spot then The Treehouse at Kinlochlaich House in Scotland might be the place for you.
The Tree House is a unique octagonal eco building, perched above the ground overlooking a woodland burn on the west coast of Scotland. Outside its walls are rendered in natural lime, it has a traditional slate roof and arched windows. At its centre is a dramatic tree trunk that supports the roof.
There is a double bedroom with kingsize bed and beautiful views down the burn, a living room which looks up into the stunning roof space and the spiral oak staircase.
Charlie
