Nautical Wedding Stationery

We've had some ideas for nautical wedding stationery floating around for a while, but haven't ever gotten around to doing anything about it. Well, tonight we produced a prototype. It's not a finished article, we'd probably use slightly neater 'rope' in the finished version and of course better stock card and a printing lab! This gives you an idea where we are heading though. Perhaps in the coming weeks we'll do a nautical mood board to go with it!

Design copyright Graphic Embers 2011

Blushing Bride - Graphic Embers Pink Mood Board

We don't often do this, but tonight we feel like a little bit of self-promotion. So here is our 'Blushing Bride' pink mood board. All the products shown can be found at www.graphic-embers.co.uk. Why not stop by and have a look?

Next week we'll be back to more generic mood boards and supplier sourcing, but every once in a while we like to show what we can do too! If you like it, why not vote for us in the Wedding Ideas Magazine Awards? And remember, if there's a colour or theme you'd like to see here why not email us at enquiries@graphic-embers.co.uk and we'll see what we can do.

Matthew McGurk

All images are copyright to Graphic Embers.

Laura Lea Boutique

A fabulous new boutique is about to open in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Laura Lea Boutique is based at 7 Old Eldon Square and specialises in bridesmaid dresses, evening wear and prown gowns and is having its opening weekend on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of November. Why not pop in and have a look if you're in town?

Their website is also going live soon at www.lauraleaboutique.co.uk, keep your eyes peeled for that.

Christmas Mood Board

Well, we're running out of 2011 much faster than I can comprehend, so in advance of the winter season I thought I'd put something up for all those Christmas brides and grooms.

Suppliers:
Tiara - Beads to Buy For
Tiara - Lobster Love
Scroll - Hand Made By Me
Bouquet Beads - Tiny Gems
Photos from:
www.weddingjewelleryphotos.co.uk
www.weddingstationeryphotos.co.uk
Dresses - Veromia

Other Photography:
Pixomar
Naito8
Sharron Goodyear

Fairy Tale Weddings

This week we've been working on the initial concept designs of our 'Enchanted' Range of wedding stationery. To go with this we've been thinking about fairy tale weddings and thought we'd put together a mood board of a few ideas. We particularly love Alfred Angelo's 'Belle' dress from their Disney collection and the idea of having little frog prince's as table decorations or favours. Of course nothing says 'Disney Princess' quite like a single red rose. The icon of the enchanted rose offers an ideal solution to simple but elegant table decoration. Perhaps surround your roses by candles to add that little bit of atmosphere too.

Belle Dress - Alfred Angelo
Cake - Oxley's of Morpeth
Bracelet - Bridal Designs
Tiara - Rose Garden Accessories
Tiara - Gems Eternal
Photos from - Wedding Jewellery Photos

Other Photography:
Gareth Weeks
Nyuszika
Merlin1075
Shilders
Ayla87
Webdeblee

Design:
Graphic Embers - www.graphic-embers.co.uk

This week we also have a guest blog, written by my wife as she tends to help me locate those all important details. Angela has taken five minutes out of looking after our baby daughter to bring you this:

For the girls, you can see Alfred Angelo's full Disney Fairy Tale Weddings range here and of course they also have a range of bridesmaid dresses too. We find Style 7050 particularly appropriate, suitable for any aspiring Aurora or Style UK6414 for a little Tiana.  As far as tiaras go we love this by Rose Garden Accessories which reminds us of Sleeping Beauty, but if you would prefer a crown they also have this as an alternative.

As for the groom we're having trouble finding what we're after. We want to see some Prince Charmings in deep blue velvet jackets with gold braid inspired by the outfit worn by the prince/Beast in Beauty and the Beast. We can't find any suppliers though, so this may need to be a custom-made job. To be honest one of the best pictures we can find for what we want is in Alfred Angelo's advertising of their Disney Collection.

Of course, no fairy tale wedding would be complete without a horse drawn carriage, but the question is do you go for something inspired by the Cinderella pumpkin carriage like this, or something more traditional? Some companies will give you the choice. Personally we're torn on this, at heart we love the traditional carriage but can appreciate why the Cinderella carriage is growing in popularity. Most of us girls want to feel like a princess for a day, personally I went for folk tale princess/ elven princess/Arwen Undomiel over Cinderella but it's each bride to her own. Remember though, that while Cinderella may have gone to her prince in a pumpkin carriage we had a real life prince and princess use a traditional carriage this year.

So we've dressed the bride and groom, and gotten them to a venue. But what venue? I suppose there'd be nothing quite like a palace or castle. Palaces are hard to come by, but we do love the idea of Eilean Donan Castle or Hever. There is also the very popular Peckforton Castle.

So to decorate, well, we have to stick with what we said earlier regarding single roses. You could go for huge displays, crystals and glitz. But part of the wonder of a fairy tale princess is in enchantments, magic and atmosphere and we can't help but feel this may be more achievable with single roses and candlelight than too much glitz. Of course why aren't disputing that some sparkle is essential. So maybe have your candles on mirror disks, surrounded by table crystals. Not loads, but just a few to add an elegant touch.

This is one theme where we do think a crystal wishing tree has a place. Alongside this why not include some themed favours? We love this crystal coach, and these candles, or there's these place card holders. The fun part of us cant help be drawn back to the frog prince though, with either these or these.

We also feel your arrival at the reception would be great heralded by a trumpet fanfare and a master of ceremonies might not be out of place. And food wise? Well, the thought of crab makes me smile, but it wouldn't work unless the crab got up and walked off the plate like Sebastien in The Little Mermaid!

Anyway, we hope that gives you a few ideas. To show you what inspired this blog here's the concept images for Graphic Embers new 'Enchanted' invitation.

Angela McGurk

on behalf of Matthew McGurk and Graphic Embers
www.graphic-embers.co.uk

Ice & Snow Mood Board

In advance of the approaching winter season we've used 'Ice & Snow' as this week's inspiration for our mood board. Blue, white and silver are perfect for a cool, frosty feel. Winter brides, keep your eyes open for our Christmas mood board which will also be live soon.

Matthew McGurk

Featured suppliers:
Tiara- Beads to Buy For
Head Band - Lou Lou Belle
Crystal Bouquet- Tiny Gems
Photos courtesy of Wedding Jewellery Photos 
Dresses - Veromia

Other Photography:
Healing Dream
Tina Phillips
Evgeni Dinev

Autumn Mood Board

We've got that Autumn feeling this week, perhaps because of the howling gale and sheeting rain. It's that feeling that makes us want to be tucked up in front of an open fire with a glass of wine and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen. Or perhaps it's time for putting on our wellies and jumping in puddles and getting ready for the fun of kicking up piles of golden leaves. However autumn makes you feel, we felt like putting some photos together for an Autumn Wedding Mood Board. We particulary liked the idea of freshly baked buns served with tea and coffee, either after the meal or as arrival snacks. And of course, what better favours than toffee apples?

Featured suppliers:
Topaz Hair Pin - Rose Garden Accessories
Head Band - Tanya Igic
Head Band - Wedding And Baby
Photos courtesy of Wedding Jewellery Photos 
Dresses - Veromia

Other Photography:
Graphic Embers
Stuart Miles
Piyato
Rosen Georgiev
Savit Keawtavee
Tom Clare
Paul
Maggie Smith