It's that time of year again where roadside banners for spring wedding shows start popping up like snow drops!

Our first date for your diary is the Wiltshire Wedding Show on Sunday 11th March, in Salisbury City Hall.

You'll be able to see our full range of wedding stationery in the flesh.  And as always, I'll be on hand to discuss your ideas and offer inspiration for your perfect wedding stationery.

For more info visit:  http://ladieswholove.co.uk/events.html

Hope to see you there!

Happy New Year!
I hope everybody had a lovely Christmas break, mine seemed to involve a lot of toddlers...

We're very excited to announce the launch of our new online shop.  Our whole collection of beautiful, handmade wedding stationery is now available to order via the website.
Our aim for the boutique is to make our little part of the wedding planning process simpler and more convenient.  The added bonus is that we now have the ability to accept credit cards.  All of our online transactions are processed securely by Paypal, so you know your details are safe.

Of course if you prefer to do things the old fashioned way, with a cheque book and a post box, that's absolutely fine too!  We will continue to provide the same personal service we always have.  So should you have any queries or special requests at all, do drop us a line and we'll do our very best to help.

As always, we're keen to hear your thoughts...
If you have any feedback about the shop (or anything else for that matter!), good or bad, we'd really appreciate you taking the time to tell us what you think.

As it's Chrsitmas in a week, I thought it might be a good time to share some winter wedding inspiration. 

Winter White

I'm very excited to bring you this Introducing... post.  If only because it will inject a little sunshine into an otherwise grey and stormy winter's day.  The wonderful sunshiney photos were taken at the launch earlier this year of Bournemouth Beach Weddings by IanH Photography  © . 


Serving delicious and premium quality New Forest real dairy ice cream and sorbets, Little Al's refurbished Pashley 33 ice cream trike is the star of the show at Old Crocks Vintage Hire.  Once upon a time it worked up and down Bournemouth seafront, but it ended up languishing in a dusty garage. 

Now rescued and restored to it's former glory, this traditional ice cream trike will give that something extra to your wedding or event.  Old Crocks offer a unique hire service, with a large selection of delicious New Forest ice cream and sorbet flavours available, as well as dessert options.  This is served by traditionally dressed staff (striped blazer and straw boater) to complete the vintage feel.



Hire prices are based on serving time and number of guests and start from only £200.

Hire includes:

* Hire of Ice Cream Tricycle with parasol and staff to serve for the required time limit.

*Client's choice of up to 4 flavours of New Forest Dairy Ice Creams / Sorbets (30 different recipes to choose from).

*Personalised decoration of trike with ribbons, bunting and LED lighting.

*Help yourself dressed side table with cafe curls, chocolate flakes, wafers, sprinkles and napkins.


They cover Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire and are now taking bookings for 2012/2013.

To find out more, check availability and secure your date: visit www.oldcrocksvintagehire.com 
email info@oldcrocksvintagehire.com
or phone Alex (aka Little Al) on 07773372425.


If you know a fantastic wedding supplier who deserves to be showcased ( or maybe you are one!), do drop me a line: info@thetinycardcompany.co.uk

We're very excited at the tiny card company HQ.  Our new online shop is starting to take shape and it's going to be fabulous!


As well as making the ordering process quicker and easier, the shop will enable us to accept secure card payments through paypal.

It is work in progress at the moment, but we hope to be able to bring it to you by the end of the year.

You might have noticed that our gallery pages have undergone a bit of a transformation. 
We've decided to change the galleries to make them more ipad and smartphone friendly.  The old ones looked great, but the pictures were only visible sat at your computer.  Not much good if you're trying to organise a wedding whilst on the go!

It may have taken us a little while to get our latest wedding stationery designs fully up and running online, but I hope it's worth the wait.

If you'd like to browse the full Isabella and Kimono collections just follow the links below.  It would be great to know what you think!

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Alison and her cakes. We've been friends since school and I can say from personal experience that she bakes like a dream.  Not only does she create amazing bespoke wedding cakes, but she's just opened a cake shop with her husband in Warrington Market.

This is how she tells it...

When I gave up a successful career as a retail manager to raise my children 6 years ago I never dreamed that soon I would be making a living from doing the thing I loved the most.  As a child I was always in the kitchen baking, while other ten year olds were requesting care bears , Kylie records and Barbie dolls for Christmas, my list to Santa consisted of a rolling pin, baking tin and sieve!!  University came along, then a job and a husband and I had less and less time for baking. It was only once I was on maternity leave that I started to bake again….. and oh how I baked. Scones, fruitcakes, cupcakes, sponge cakes, brownies and pies all filled my hose with delicious smells. All the day's stresses and strains melted away in the kitchen and one friend said he had never seen me happier than when I was watching someone devour my cakes. I stopped using my recipe books and started adapting and tinkering, inventing recipes and inviting people over just so I could feed them cake.

When my sister in law turned 40 I decided to try my hand at cake decorating. I threw myself into researching and learning this new skill, and was soon inundated with requests from friends and family for cakes to celebrate Birthdays, christenings and weddings. Alison Loves To Bake Was born.

The first Wedding cake I made was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time, it was a 4 tier sponge cake featuring models of the bride and groom and their 4 children. I spent weeks planning it and got such a thrill to see the bride's expression when she first set eyes on it. Now adays I make several wedding cakes a month, each one taking up to 18 hours to design bake and decorate, but all the hard work pays off when I see the brides' faces. All my cakes, whatever the occasion, are designed with each customer's personality and tastes in mind, and there is huge satisfaction in knowing that I have created something not only stylish or fun, but also original.

As a little girl I would tell everyone who would listen that when I grew up I would open a cake shop, and this dream is finally coming true.” Alison Loves To Bakes Cake Stop” opens on Warrington's award winning market on the 13^th November, offering bespoke Wedding, Christening and Birthday cakes as well as a variety of our popular cupcakes. Running Alison Loves To Bake is hard work, with long hours, but I cant think of anything else I’d rather be doing.

You can contact Alison on 07538618587

or visit the website: http://alisonlovestobake.synthasite.com

This time last year, I'd taken some time out to visit Japan.  Quite by accident,  Nov 11th saw our arrival in Hiroshima.  This weekend it somehow seems fitting to share this image taken in the peace park.

 

These strings of origami cranes are sent by people from all over the world, creating a colourful yet poignant reminder of a tragic point in history.

Today we're introducing Sisters in Pearl. I met Joanna and Charon a few weeks ago at the Wiltshire Wedding Show.  Their work is simply stunning!


Their diverse collection includes traditional, vintage and modern 
contemporary headpieces, jewellery and bouquets for weddings and any 
other special occasion.

The very personal bespoke service offers a truly one off piece 
designed for and with you to match your colour scheme, flowers, dress 
or any other element. We aim for our personal product to exceed your 
expectations.





Based in Salisbury, Wiltshire - the two sisters-in-law Joanna and 
Charon Wolfindale offer an appointment only service either in 
Salisbury or over the telephone, to discuss bespoke designs and to 
view our unique range.

Sisters in Pearl are happy offer a free consultation, and are able to 
change colour, size and bead type from our collection, or offer a 
completely new tailormade design.




If you'd like to see more, pop along to their website:  www.sistersinpearl.co.uk or drop them a line at info@sistersinpearl.co.uk

One day I'll get around to doing a proper FAQ section on the website, but for now I'll try and answer some of the things we're most often asked on here.


The one thing we get asked by brides above all else is this:  Can we have this design in our wedding colours?

Of course you can! The beauty of the way we work, making everything to order, is that we can be incredibly flexible and work around what you want.  Every bride has her own chosen colour scheme, and although it's not possible to have a sample in our collection of every possible combination, we're always happy to put something together just for you. 

To be honest, I really love playing around with colours, so I love any chance I get experiment with something new!

 


A new addition to the tiny card company offering is what we like to call 'Photo Bingo'.

The idea is very simple: place a card on each reception table with a list of pictures for guests to try and capture.  It's a perfect ice-breaker for your guests, and you should end up with lots of really personal photos.  You'll also get to see some of the little moments during the day that you (and your photographer) might otherwise miss. 

We can make photo bingo cards to coordinate perfectly with the rest of your wedding stationery. We can suggest a list of pictures, but as always, it's your wedding, so you call the shots!

Sorry, terrible pun, but i couldn't resist!
 

Once in a while it just feels like time for a change.  A new haircut, a trip to that make-up counter you always love the look of, perhaps even treat yourself to a new wardrobe.  We decided it was time for the cyberspace equivalent.  We've spruced up the website a little, getting rid of the old header and treating ourselves to a lovely new butterfly one.  Hope you like it!

I'm hoping "Introducing" will become a regular part of the blog.  The plan is to feature brilliant, independent wedding people on a regular basis, making it easier for you to find them.

Today, please welcome Diana of Grace the Day.


















Grace the Day: The South’s leading Independent Civil Celebrant

Once upon a time, all ceremonies were traditional. No matter what background you came from, the majority of ceremonies contained religious passages and prayers. But now the 21st Century has caused a stir and modernised ceremonies forever and this is where the work of a Celebrant comes in.

Weddings & Civil Partnerships

With Celebrants becoming even more popular, Diana Saxby is taking the South by storm. Offering elegant and romantic ceremonies with complete calmness, Diana ensures her services are unique and tailored to each client. She works closely with couples and families giving them complete flexibility to choose graceful, comforting or romantic words for any desired ceremony.

Diana has become an expert in taking care of every aspect of the ceremony to help bridal couples on their special day – and has earned a reputation for her professionalism and integrity.

With church ceremonies strictly religious and registrar ceremonies completely the opposite, Diana finds the right balance for clients on their day. Whether you want to include religious or spiritual readings or maybe just graceful passages, Diana is there to guide you every step of the way.

There are also no limitations on venue: whether couples wish to be married in a castle, a boat or a garden, Diana can accommodate them. She is currently building strong links with the National Trust, with a view to using some of their properties and secluded outdoor locations for her ceremonies.

Diana recently made history when she conducted the first ever wedding on Sandbank’s prestigious sun-kissed beach this summer: and with “the beach” at the top of many couple’s preferred wedding venues, Diana’s 2012 diary is already looking busy.

For more information, contact Diana:   Tel: 07760 110 007 

Email: ceremonies@dianagrace.plus.com   Web: www.gracetheday.com

Silver, Pewter, Dove, Storm...

If a Black and White colour scheme feels a little too bold, a softer monochrome using shades of grey could be perfect.  Greys can be used to create schemes that are both sophisticated and dramatic.  Take a look at our Pinterest page for more inspiration.

Today I'm working on samples for some of the lovely Brides I met on Sunday.  One idea I'm really exited about is an Art Deco themed design for a wedding in The Cumberland hotel in Bournemouth.  All black and silver and very glam!



































    The Cumberland Bournemouth

Today was spent in Salisbury City Hall chatting to future brides (not to mention grooms, mothers, grannies and bridesmaids!) about plans for their big day. 

I find it amazing that each bride can have such different ideas for her wedding and yet each and every one will be a wonderful and beautiful occasion.  I love to be able to customise a couple's wedding stationery to really fit them and their wedding.  Whether it's a stunning venue, a favorite colour or a heirloom engagement ring, it really fires my imagination to find out the details a couple are exited about.


As well as all the visitors, I met lots of fabulous exhibitors.  More about these to come soon...

Another Sneak Preview...

The Isabella collection of wedding stationery completes our new introductions this Autumn.
Inspiration comes from cherry blossom, petal strewn paths, and garlands of country flowers.


Isabella Wedding Invitation in Antique Silver

While each colour combination has its own distinct feel,  printed lace and text used as texture are a common thread throughout the range, giving a gentle nod to vintage.


  

In celebration of the glorious Indian summer we’re having, I thought I’d share the Autumn Jewels colour story I’ve been working on.

I can’t think of a better backdrop for a wedding than the leaves just starting to turn, lit by the last drops of summer sunshine.  Autumn Jewels is a rich tapestry of burnt orange, cornflower blue and burgundy. Think season of mists and mellow fruitfulness… 

autumn jewels

A Date For Your Diary...

The Wiltshire Wedding Show will be at Salisbury City Hall on Sunday 9th October between 11.00am and 4.00pm.


This will be a great opportunity to see our entire range of wedding stationery in the flesh, and the very first outing for the new collections.  It will also be a chance to chat about your ideas and how we can create wedding stationery tailored to fit your day perfectly.


Of course it's not just us. The City Hall will be bursting with local wedding professionals waiting to help you with all things wedding.  Whether your looking for That Dress, amazing photography, scrumptious wedding cakes, or beautiful buttonholes, it will all be there on the day.

For more info and half price entry  visit Ladies who Love...

Sneaky Peek Preview...

Inspired by last year's trip to Japan and all their wonderful papers! The Kimono collection is new this autumn. These invitation pictures are a sneak peek, Only invitation pics as yet, the rest will follow soon!

 Currently the collection has three colour options,though we are always happy to put new colours together to fit your theme.

Not the best picture of the whole design, I'm afraid but it gives you the gist!