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Charlie

A natural and rustic wreath for my front door this Christmas

Charlie

This morning I wanted to share a quick snap of my front door with its Christmas wreath. Everything has been rather last minute this year (our Christmas tree is still not up!) and I hadn’t really given a thought to where I would get a Christmas wreath. Usually I go for something really simple, just lots of greenery, like fir branches, and maybe a splash of colour from a ribbon to tie it to the front door.

When I thought I’d left it too late I was saved by one of the lovely businesses on my directory who was able to make me this wreath over the weekend and post it out. My wreath this year was made by the lovely Chloe of BareBlooms who is based in the Welsh Borders – perhaps not the most local wreath I could have chosen, but I know that almost all of the ‘ingredients’ that went into this wreath were foraged from the hedgerows (I love the old man’s beard!). I am so happy with my natural and rustic wreath and think it looks quite handsome hanging from my front door.

Charlie

Beautiful favours and crafty supplies for the creative bride

Charlie

It was lovely this afternoon to discover that one of the newest businesses to join the directory has featured The Natural Wedding Company on their blog. The delightful Wedding in a Teacup can be found in our Stationery, Details and DIY sections and is a treasure trove of beautiful things for the creative bride. Lots of their products are sourced ethically or eco-friendly, so a perfect match for the directory.

I thought I’d share some of my favourite products from their wonderful website…

Meant to Bee Honey Favour Stickers

Charlie

1910s Edwardian style cream tiered lace wedding dress

Charlie

I think the Edwardian era must be my favourite when it comes to wedding dresses, or at least the early period of the 1900s. This blog post is purely self-indulgent because I just love this dress and wanted to share it in all its loveliness. I love my wedding dress but how much do I wish I could wear this one!

Charlie

£250 off wedding photography packages from Just-Married Photography

Charlie

*Just a quick update to say that Just-Married Photography is now called Laura McCluskey Photography – same great photography, just a different name.

I am super lucky running this blog and website to meet some amazing and talented people. Then I get to share them with you. The newest business to my directory is Laura McCluskey who is the girl behind the camera of Just-Married Photography. She will not only capture your wedding beautifully, but she cares about the environment too.

As if it couldn’t get in any better, Laura is offering a fantastic £250 off all her photography packages for spring 2012 weddings between February 1st and June 1st. To take advantage of this brilliant offer contact Laura (laura@just-marriedphotography.co.uk) and book by January 1st 2012 and use the code TNWC2012.

Charlie

Eco-friendly vintage teacup candles for an afternoon tea wedding

Charlie

These pretty vintage teacup candles are made by one of the newest additions to the directory – For The Love Of Vintage. As well as hiring out gorgeous vintage crockery for weddings and parties, Sharon also sells a pretty collection of vintage teacup candles (they also come in sugar bowls and sundae glasses) and tiered cake stands made from recycled vintage plates.

They are available (and as seen above) at Manchester based teashop And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon (they make these gorgeous cupcakes) and one of our lovely businesses Blossom Flowers. If you want something bespoke made contact Sharon directly at sharon@fortheloveofvintage.co.uk.

Charlie

Get 20% off beautiful ethical jewellery from Oria Jewellery

Charlie

Ethical jeweller Oria Jewellery are known for their delicate jewellery designs inspired by the natural world – birds and hares, owls, wolves and bears are all incorporated into their beautiful necklaces, earrings, bracelets and cufflinks.

To celebrate the launch of their newest collections – ‘Moths and Stars’ and a series of retro inspired designs – they are offering a 20% discount on all silver jewellery up until midnight on December 11th 2011.

Order online and enter your discount code ORIASTAR11 to get 20% off your purchase.

Charlie

Cute eco-friendly notebooks for an organised bride

Charlie

These cute little notebooks from Yield Ink are handprinted onto recycled card notebooks and come packaged in this sweet calico drawstring bag. I think they would be great for an organised bride planning her wedding, or a not-so-organsied bride that wanted to be more organised.

During my wedding planning I was always coming up with ideas on what we could do, or another item for another list, and we ended up with so many pieces of paper floating around we had to stick them in a rather ugly binder. A little bag of these would have been much nicer.

Charlie

Seasonal wedding wreaths with apples, ivy and berries

Charlie

November seems to have well and truly arrived today, with everywhere damp and chilly, and trees bare with their leaves around their roots. Something jolly is in order I think, to bring a little cheer to this weekend – and what better than a gorgeous autumn inspired wreath with apples, berries and pine cones, and ivy woven throughout.

This pretty seasonal wreath above is made by JW Blooms, one of the lovely florists listed on the directory. If you are planning an autumnal wedding and want to reflect the season in the way you decorate, why not incorporate some natural wreaths – they would look stunning hanging on the heavy old doors to a church, or perhaps the entrance to a rustic barn. Smaller versions could be tied to the back of the bride and grooms chairs with a loop of ribbon, or even placed on tables with flickering candles in the middle.

And if you’re not getting married you can still get one of these beautiful wreaths (the apple wreath is the ‘Somerset’ for your front door – they come in three other designs including ‘Festive’, ‘Nordic’, and ‘Traditional’.

Charlie

Dainty engagement rings with an ethical heart

Charlie

There are lots of wonderful businesses listed on the directory, those who have a strong committment to the environment, to ethical sourcing, to re-using, and to handcrafted items. It’s always nice to have a browse at what they’re all up to and discover what they’re up to.

Oria Jewellery is one of those wonderful businesses – they are an ethical jewellers and I spotted these beautiful rings on their website today. I think either would make a stunning engagement ring – the one on the left is quite similar to my own, and I love the detailing of the other with the tiny flower encasing a diamond.

Oria Jewellery supports small-scale, fair trade companies and are passionate about respecting our environment. All of their metals and diamonds can be traced back to the mine they came from.

Buying an engagement or wedding ring is a big expenditure for most people, and its one purchase that you can make a big difference with by choosing one from a reputable, ethical company.

Charlie

Go on girls, get cupcake decorating for your hen party

Charlie

Yesterday evening I had a wonderful time learning how to decorate cupcakes with And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon. Whether you are wanting to plan a more alternative and meaningful hen party, or you’re planning on making your own wedding cake from cupcakes, you should consider having a cupcake decorating party.

Our evening looked a bit like this – just at night – I hope to share a photo of my cupcakes when they’re available…

Image: Jonny Draper

There are some wonderful businesses out there offering these services, and tailored specifically for hen parties and weddings. They can be found all over the country, but some in particular are a bit special, I think, because they are passionate and committed to using high quality ingredients – fair trade, free range, organic, seasonal, local.

So today I’m paying homage to them. Girls, its time to roll up your sleeves, pop on your apron, and learn a great new skill – and have a good giggle with your girl friends while you’re at it.

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