I-Do Project

I came across an innovative way to pay for your wedding whilst writing for UK Handmade.

Find out more by reading my article on UK Handmade today!

DIY Favours

Although traditionally favours were five sugared almonds, they now come in all shapes and sizes.  Whilst many wonder if there is any need for favours there are still plenty of brides and grooms who choose to use these little gifts to thank their guests for sharing their day.  However the extra expense of buying favour boxes or alternative favours may just be one thing that your budget does not stretch to. Also there is a growing trend for couples to go that extra mile and create their own favours. Whether it's jars of jam or decorated cookies by creating your own favours your guests will be even more delighted with their small gift. 

I thought for todays post I would find some fabulous ideas to inspire you to get creative and make your own favours.

These Bird House boxes from Celebration Shoppe's blog are so sweet and would also work really well for a birthday party or baby shower.

Bright and bold flower topped gifts from Martha Stewart

Who would have thought about using normal rubber stamps and food colouring as ink to decorate cookies?

Martha Stewart of course!

These rosemary sea salt favours are perfect for foodies to give as gifts.

This book will provide lots of inspiration for cookie favours.

Inspiration - Country Fete

Open publication - Free publishing - More wedding

A couple of weeks ago I was chatting to somebody who said her sister wanted to have a Country Fete theme for her wedding next year and asked if I knew of any blogs that may help.  I put together this little magazine of inspiration, but know there is plenty more so will add to this theme in weeks to come. 

I will be adding bespoke inspiration boards and magazines to my portfolio later this week, so please contact me if you are planning a wedding or party but are a little stuck or overwhelmed with putting together ideas for your theme. 

If I Was Kate

Today I am thrilled to introduce you to Lou, of Met My Match wedding blog, who is busy planning her own DIY wedding.

We are all incredibly pleased and excited to hear that Wills has popped the question, particularly us brides-to-be and wedding pros. We haven’t had a Royal Engagement for some time now so this is just what the UK and our gossip mag culture needs. I shall be marrying my Prince next June, or should that be frog?!? Either way, we can’t wait to walk down the aisle in our brand new togs after (what will be) a two year engagement.

I suspect that one of the joys of being a Royal is a large disposable income; there will be none of that saving malarkey for the blue blooded couple! We’ve been squirreling pennies away for some time now and our little budget has actually helped to shape the style and theme of our big day. We’ve gone all DIY and opted for a village hall affair with a retro twist. I love our theme but I have to admit that if I had a budget like Kate’s, our big day would certainly be very different…my guest list would triple for one! If I had more money I wouldn’t have to demote anyone to the evening list and I’d ensure that everyone was able to bring their plus one.

Everybody loves a grand wedding venue and I’m not different. If I had reliable regal connections I would have loved to have said my vows in the RAF Church, St Clement Danes, on the Strand in London. Imagine how fantastic it would be to emerge from this imposing church perfectly positioned in the middle of the road for all of London to see, plus it would allow me to stay true to my days in the Air Training Corps.

I’d have a fleet of vintage Routemaster buses transport all of the guests and an army of vintage black London taxi cabs take the entire wedding party to a reception at The Imperial War Museum in London, where their Large Exhibits Gallery can cater for up to 400 people

from Cotton Bunting

I’d enlist an “Oooooooh Britannia” theme (rather like “Cool Britannia, but with more flair and retro styling), complete with masses of Union Jack bunting and lots of red and blue bridesmaids dressed in matching Dessy ensembles; style number 6553 in flame red and sapphire blue would be perfect, simple and chic.

And then there’s me… I would drape myself in a super posh frock by Johanna Hehir, her Giovanna dress with a blue sash would be fantastic (and if I had a whopping sapphire like Kate, the colour detail would compliment it nicely). Caroline Costigliano is another fantastic designer who is perfect for big budget brides. Her Legacy dress and Beautiful are both superb.

With regards to the big day gems where else could you go other than to the Queen’s jeweller, Mappin and Webb?!? Their collection of solitaire diamonds is simply stunning.

Beautiful blooms by Robbie Honey in shades of red, white and blue would be on the agenda, as would gorgeous letter press invitations from Hello Lucky. I just love their London collection.

The cake would have to be by the uber talented Peggy Porschen, I love her Rose Explosion, but I would tweak it to match the red, white and blue theme.

After a fish and chip supper I’d like to get everybody dancing around the imposing V2 bombs and gigantic tanks, something that I’m sure Main Events could do as the organisers of Jitterbug parties, or perhaps the Blitz Party patrons would be keen to do a private event.

As a budget bride I have shied away from the concept of favours but if I were able to be flash with the cash I’d buy all of my girlie guests “Keep Calm and Carry On Shopping” mugs and “Keep Calm and Carry On” mugs for the chaps, as well as “When in Doubt Brew Up” mugs for the younger guests [

To top the evening off I’d have to forgo fireworks and enlist the Red Arrows for a smoke filled fly over before the summer night drew to a close… Ahhhhhhh a girl can dream!


Wow these are truly fabulous choices, carrying a patriotic theme but with style and fun. Thank you Lou.

Handmade Wedding - Giveaway

I am very excited to announce Inspired Celebration's first giveaway.  A group of talented designer makers from Folksy have put together a gorgeous selection of prizes, many of which will be custom made for the winner and all prizes are handmade. 

For a chance to win one or all of the 20 prizes you must be getting married between April 2011 and April 2012 and a UK resident, sorry to all my international readers.  One entry per person however you can choose which prizes you would like to win or just put All in your comment.  To enter you will need to leave a comment on this post or the giveaway page. Closing date is midnight 14 February 2011.

If you would like to help spread the word about this giveaway please copy the grab box in the first column to the right of this post and it will link directly to the giveaway.  For a press release please email me.

Over the coming weeks I will introduce you to the talented people behind the prizes.

To view full details and the full prize list click here

Theme - London Calling

I have always had a soft spot for London, the hustle and bustle, culture and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Even though I live in the countryside a couple of hours from the capital, I try and return every so often.  London would make a fab theme for  a wedding or party, you could have famous street names, Oxford Street, Brick Lane, Carnaby Street, or landmarks, Buckingham Palace, Trafalger Square, Picaddily Circus, as table names. Perhaps have toy black cabs or red double decker buses as favours, hire a routemaster bus as transport for guests, you could even have a Big Ben cake, not that I have found one!

Segerius Bruce Photography show in a London Love Affair themed wedding how the London skyline, even in the rain, can add drama to your wedding photos.

Images courtesy of Segerius Bruce Photography

You can hire Routemaster buses from

Routemaster Hire

More Than Words can create a canvas personalised with words of your choice.

A perfect keepsake.

Your London theme can extend to decorations and favours.

Here's a few ideas!

Top Row {Evergreen Wrap} {The Chic Country Home} {Kiki's}

Bottom Row {Giddy Kipper} {I Love Retro} {Bombki}

You can even add London in to your jewellery

{James & Longbourne} {Bronagh Kennedy Jewellery} {Allison Wiffen Ceramics}

Tomorrow I will share with you a stationery designer who can create the perfect stationery and table plans for your London themed celebration.

Autumn Weddings

I think Autumn is my favourite season, the colours, the crunch of the leaves, those bright sunny days with a crisp chill in the air, need I say more?  Therefore I feel that couples choosing their wedding date for the autumnal months are incredibly lucky to have a great choice of colours for their celebrations, deep reds, orange and maybe a hint of yellow.  So todays inspiration comes from this fabulous colour palette and season, let's see what we can find......

from Coasting Along

Personalised Handpainted Hearts

Floral Country Hearts

These fabulous handpainted hearts are available in numerous colours and Giddy Kipper offer a great selection of ribbons to finish your personalised hearts too.

from The Little Bird Press

This range is printed onto thick 300gsm pale cream (Naturalle) textured card stock and uses pale cream 120gsm smooth inserts. The stationery can then be finished with either satin or organza ribbon in any of the co-ordinating colours. The range also comes with matching cream textured envelopes.

The Little Bird Press tailor all their stationery to the bride and grooms requirements, that includes colours, type styles, card sizes, board weights and styles and ribbon styles.

This gorgeous Field Of Dreams Headband is the latest design in the Bohemia Collection from Flo & Percy.  It is handmade to order and profits will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

(Photograph credit : Elizabeth Lois Photography )

Fabulous autumnal colours from Cards By Sophie

golden autumn colours from Louloubelle

from Belle of the Ball

from Hatastic

from Sarah Hickey Jewellery

from The Orchard

and to wrap all those little gifts for your wedding party

Giftwrap from Rachel Goodchild

A Slice of Wedding Cake

I know there is still a trend to serve cupcakes at your wedding breakfast however there are too many fabulous tiered cakes for them to be overlooked.  Whilst white icing is traditional, with the whiter the icing in Victorian times signifying the wealth and status of your family, the colours of your day can be included in your cake either with icing or flowers. So I have found some colouful wedding cakes to inspire you......

from Cakes by Robin

from Little Venice Cake Company

from Claire's Handmade Cakes

from Planet Cake

from Lemon Sky Cakes

from Maisie Fantaisie

from Fancy Nancy

NB The British Sugarcraft Guild advise against the use of real flowers being used to decorate cakes as many are poisinous and covered in pesticides to keep them looking pretty

Hello and Welcome

Inspired Celebration has been an idea I have been thinking about for a while, ever since I started writing about weddings a few months ago. I have since been reading numerous blogs every day and increasing my list of talented designers until I was ready to put my idea into action. And here is that idea, Inspired Celebration.

I hope to bring you lots of inspiration to make any celebration fabulous and will reguarly feature talented designers from here in the UK and around the world aswell.  I will show you that often you do not need to go to high street stores and by commissioning or purchasing from small creative businesses you will receive fantastic customer service and often a bespoke design service.

We all know how chaotic life can be and by organising a big event or even a small party it can sometimes be overwhelming.  I am here to help you by doing the legwork, or rather the mouse or phone work, to find suppliers that fit your design scheme and are available to work with you for the date required.  So whether you need to find a cake designer or wedding planner, a stationery designer or a photographer I can shortlist the suppliers that best fit your requirements and can even try and find suppliers local to you.  For more details about this service please visit the About page.

I would also love to feature your celebrations in the coming weeks and share your style ideas with my readers.  However I must remind you that if I feature your celebration and the photographs have been taken by a professional photographer I will need their permission to use the images on my blog.  Please email me if you would like your party or wedding to be featured.

In the meantime I am off to find some more fabulous ideas for a celebration.

Thanks for dropping by.

credits : lollipops from Nelly's  wooden letters from Giddy Kipper card from Invite in the Post

Handmade Wedding Giveaway

A talented group of Folksy designer/makers have joined together for this fantastic giveaway.  There are 20 prizes with a total value of £535 which would all compliment your wedding day.  However we understand that you may not want all the prizes so you can choose which items you would like to win. 

To enter you will need to leave a comment on this page, clearly stating which prize(s) you would like to win. 

Terms & Conditions

1. You must be aged over 18 and a UK resident.
2. You must be getting married between April 2011 and April 2012.
3. Closing date is midnight on 14 February 2011.
4. Winners will be randomly selected on 15 February 2011 and all winners will be notified on this day.
5. All winners of custom made items will be contacted directly by the designer to discuss choices and the designer will confirm a delivery time.
6. All prizes will be sent directly from the designer.
7. Inspired Celebration has the final decision regarding prizes.
8. Entrants can select to be entered for as many of the prizes as they choose, however they must state clearly in their comment which prizes they would like to win.
9. Entrants wishing to enter for all 20 items must write All in their comment.

Button Bouquet

from Blue Button Bride

This button bouquet is  a bespoke made item, the winner can choose the colours.

Wedding Cake Topper

from Sugarmice

Guest Book

from Dottie Designs

This guest book is a bespoke made item, the winner can chose the colours.

Bridesmaid Dress

from Michelle Samuels Designs

(Image courtesy of Matt Priestley)

This dress is made from cream raw silk with a blue sash. The size is aged 4-5 years old.

Heart Pendant

from Stars n Scars

This is an example, the winner can have a bespoke pendant made.

Newspaper Yarn Art

from Zygote Gifts

This yarn is made from the newspaper from the day of the wedding, the above picture is an example.

Wedding Ring Holder

from Pants and Paper

Fascinator

either Swarovski crystal fascinator

or pearl fascinator

from Florio Designs

Earrings

from Damselfly Gemma

Watch

from Mirribeads

This watch will be custom made, the winner chooses the colours.

Bridesmaid Dolly Bag

from The Crafty Bride

This prize is for up to 6 bags.

Bracelet

from Kristin Moore Contemporary Jewellery

Tiara

from Sky Jewels

This tiara will be custom made to the winners requirements, to the value of £25

Necklace

from Ayla Jewellery

Placecards

from Harvey Crafty Cards

This prize is for 50 placecards custom made to the winners requirements.

Personalised Wedding Favour

from Tait Gallery

This prize is custom made and could be made as a gift for a bridesmaid instead of having the names of the bride & groom.

Keepsake Ornament

from Abbigale

This prize is custom made to the winners requirements.

Wedding Favour Bags

from Loves A Good Yarn

This prize is for 10 wedding favour bags.

Garter

from Talulah Blue

Clutch Bag

from Zoe & Drew

This prize will be custom made, the winner can choose the colour.

To enter leave a comment stating which item(s) you would like to win and please read the terms and conditions.