When the dress of your dreams is safely hanging in your wardrobe, your beautiful vintage accessories have been lovingly picked and your aisle worthy shoes have been safely procured, it’s time to really focus on the finishing touches that complete your bridal look.

While some women are born with that natural ability to work wonders with a powder brush and an eyeshadow palette, others are new to lotions and potions that go beyond their everyday make-up kit. If you find more complex techniques a little intimidating, a make-up consultation with an experienced beautician weeks before the big day (leave plenty of time!) can help you find a look that suits you and your wedding theme.

Some brides ascribe to the ‘less is more principle’ for their wedding make- up and prefer to choose natural tones that compliment their colouring, but for those looking for something a little more bold, a vintage wedding is the perfect opportunity to break the mould!

One of the many things I love about vintage themed weddings is the flexibility to put your own personality into your day and this applies to your make-up too! I’ve chosen some of my favourite wedding make-up styles to give you some inspiration and rest assured, it can be as subtle or as strong as you like!

The Vintage Red Lip

I love this look for its universal appeal. Most women can pull of a ruby red lip and combining a bold lip colour with natural eye make-up makes this look perfect for brides trying to capture a vintage theme and fresh faced radiance. If you’re not used to wearing red lips, a good rule is to opt for an ‘orangey’ shade if you have darker skin or a shade with a hint of blue if you’re fair. Complete this look with some peach blusher on the apples of your cheeks and subtle eye make- up.

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Screen Icon

Really going for that screen siren look takes a lot of confidence but if you’re brave enough, the results can be spectacular! Think Marilyn Monroe for inspiration for this look and remember, you can keep this theme even if you choose to tone it down a little. Unlike the previous look which focused on a natural palette and a bold lip, this look is wholly about strong make-up.

Well sculpted eyebrows are a sure sign of vintage style but before you get too enthusiastic with the tweezers, make sure your planned eyebrow shape suits your face! The screen icon look is defined by long fluttery lashes and I recommend you choose individual lash inserts to achieve this look as false eyelashes can be a little heavy (contact your beautician 48 hours prior to your treatment to have a patch test). Lining the eye with a soft black crayon and a feline flick is the ultimate way to achieve Hollywood glamour. Finish the look with a red, plum or deep pink lip and your screen style is complete.

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Natural

Associated more with traditional wedding styles, this look can be as simple or complicated as you see fit. You may choose to create a flawless base with a peachy blush, rosy pink lip and shimmery eyeshadow only, but highlighters and false lash inserts can also be added without spoiling the natural look.

I hope I’ve made bridal make-up options a little more clear for those of you baffled by the choice! Remember wearing what makes you feel comfortable on your day is always a guarantee of looking great, so experient to your hearts content, but know your look can also be beautifully simple!

Kate x

I feel that all too often women quickly become too focused on their figures from the moment that sparkling engagement ring gets slipped on their finger. I’m not talking about the financial figures either!

I may be going against the plans of brides everywhere here, but it’s not about desperately trying to lose a dress size two months before the big day, it’s about making the most of what you have. Any bride knows that finding an off-the-rack dress to fit can be nothing short of a miracle, but if you’re finding you’re struggling to find your dream dress, dressing for your figure can narrow down your options and give you some much needed direction.

Believe me, there is a dress out their for every shape and size and many bridal gown designers and boutiques are now catering for curvy ladies, taller ladies and perfectly formed petites. Getting your dress custom made is an option, of course but I’m confident with a little guidance you can find stockists to suit your figure and style.

I’ve contacted friends, brides- to-be and rooted around bridal forums to find the biggest issues women have with finding bridal wear (and dresses in general) to suit them. I think I’ve found some pretty handy tips to help women everywhere…

Petite

Of course, the major problem with petite ladies is finding a dress that doesn’t swamp a dainty frame, you may have always wanted a huge fairytale style skirt but find you get a little lost underneath such a bold style. Many petite brides with smaller busts also find some strapless styles can flatten their chests even more.

Of course, women with doll like proportions can wear a whole range of styles that suit them so although the above styles may be best avoided, there’s still plenty to choose from! Many gown designers and boutiques seem to agree that straight sheath style dresses look stunning on petites, and delicate ruffles around the bodice can give the illusion of a larger bust.

This elegant gown is beautifully simple with delicate detailing to accentuate a small bust.

If you can’t resist a high heel to give you some extra height, I strongly recommend you opt for a shoe with a strap for extra support and comfort. These stunning Martha Lace Wedding Shoes offer style and height.

Petites are also best choosing delicate jewellery to compliment their slender proportions. These beautiful Raffles Vintage Pearl Earrings will suit any bridal outfit.

Tall

They may be the envy of women everywhere, but tall ladies sometimes feel they have to make more of an effort to look feminine next to their shorter friends. While tall brides should avoid high necklines and long sleeves as this can give the impression the bride is even taller than she is, many boutiques believe the tall bride can look stunning in most styles. If you’re a tall bride and were hoping for long sleeves, you can achieve a similar ‘cover-up’ effect with a beautiful vintage bridal shrug.

Of course, if you are around the same height as your fiance, you may want to wear pumps instead of heels to avoid overshadowing him. The obvious advantage of this is endless comfort! Tall women can look especially stunning in ballgown (see below) and fishtail style dresses, but as mentioned, the dress rail is your oyster.

Think no heels or low heels with these Maisie Low Wedding Shoes and taller ladies can generally get away with bolder accessories like this Shannon Bridal Cuff.

Apple shaped

As any bride will testify, finding a gown the perfect length, size and style is no easy task. In fact, most brides will have to go through at least two fittings before the dress is altered to their exact measurements (will a little breathing room of course!) If a curvier bride is looking for a dress above a size 16, this can make the hunt for that dream dress all the more difficult.

If any brides out there are struggling to find a dress to fit, never fear! It’s a common occurrence to have every dress in the shop either too tight, too long or far too small, and there are now many fantastic wedding dress boutiques that specialise in the curvy bride.

This gorgeous gown from the Sincerity Plus Collection is beautiful I’m sure you’ll agree. The lovely crossed fabric on the bodice combined with the v neckline and chunky shoulder straps perfectly suits a bride with a larger bust and a tummy area she may wish to disguise. The skirt is also a fantastic cut for balancing a curvier lady without swamping your frame.

Complete this look with a beautiful vintage headpiece that’s delicate enough not to direct attention away from your gown and some low heel wedding shoes to ensure you stay comfortable all day.

Paradise Pearl Side Tiara

Isabella Wedding Shoes

Get in touch on facebook and twitter and let me know your tips on finding that perfect dress.

I hope my guide has helped you come closer to your dream dress, or at least given you a few hints as to what suits your shape.

Kate x

As I write this latest post, I’m feeling pleasantly nostalgic as one of my oldest friends has just got engaged to her (I say childhood, but more like teen-hood) sweetheart! I’m thrilled for them and as they’ve already set the date for a church wedding in summer 2014, I’ve been a font of vintage wedding knowledge recently!

Planning a wedding is tricky and as I’ve learnt from my bride-to-be friend Emma, the little things that we in the wedding industry call our bread and butter are completely alien to folk not versed in the intricacies of wedding planning.

Take save the date cards for example, how much notice do you give your guests? Do you allow children or ‘plus ones’? Opt for buffet or sit-down meal? With so much to plan it can all look a little intimidating for a newly engaged couple, especially those who are thinking about a vintage themed wedding but don’t know where to begin.

One of the things I love about a vintage wedding is that beautiful effects can be achieved quite simply and cheaply. Faded coloured bunting instantly injects that post-war celebratory feel and lace tablecloths, beautiful floral china and wild flowers or roses in a simple glass jar can transform a venue.

But as much as the little details matter, securing your dream venue, choosing that perfect reception meal and arriving in a car fit for your big day is the undoubtedly the primary focus. To save you getting lost in a vintage fog, here are a few of my tips for ensuring vintage glamour is already in abundance at your wedding before you even begin to choose your beautiful vintage bridal wear.

If the venues booked, your guests are invited and you have the means to get to the show, what else can possibly go wrong?

Vintage Venues

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Opting for an Art Deco inspired venue is a good choice if you’re looking for an indoor wedding steeped in vintage glamour and there’s some beautiful buildings available that are more than happy to welcome wedding parties. The beautiful Daffodil in Cheltenham is one of the most opulent and authentic Art Deco venues I’ve come across, with the building being purposely built in 1922 as a picture palace. The modern day owners have ensured the style of the roaring era lives on with a jazz band and kissing seats giving the Daffodil a romantic and elegant feel.

As I mentioned though, creating that perfect vintage theme can (almost) be done on a shoestring and a summer wedding marquee can be easily transformed with authentic table decorations, pastel shades and copious flowers.

A Vintage Feast

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A vintage tea party is a great way to create an informal meal with a special twist. Placing a beautiful china cake stand in the centre of each table (or per certain number of guests) full of delicate sandwiches, scones and tiny strawberry and cream tarts will look beautiful with vintage inspired floral china. You may wish to serve tea, but much more likely champagne (I know which I’d choose!) so I would recommend serving your tipple of choice in a traditional cup and saucer or alternatively a classic champagne flute.

A vintage tea party is also a great idea if your guests will need a snack later on the evening after a sit down meal that was served several hours earlier.

For couples who have their hearts set on a sit down meal, you can really go to town on the dishes you wish to serve and treat your guests to a real education! Remember from the 1920’s through to the 1950’s rationing was in place and even if you want to ensure the finest, freshest ingredients are served at your wedding, you may want include joke references to items made with ‘powdered eggs’ on your menus!

If you think this will wholly put your guests off their appetites, think a range of cocktails to delight your guests (cocktails were very popular in the 1920’s as they were used to mask poor quality alcohol). When looking for 3 course inspiration, a number of vintage cookbooks are available and liaising with your venue or caterers should ensure your menu is perfectly crafted.

Arriving in Style

Image Credit: Rollers Wedding Cars, Manchester

Luckily vintage chauffeur driven cars are in abundance, with many wedding car companies specialising in just that! I just love a cream or off white coloured Rolls Royce, but lovely muted greens, rich burgundy and black and white vintage cars also look stunning. In my search for the most spectacular car, I came across companies aplenty all with gleaming motors, dapper chauffeurs and deliriously happy couples singing their praises. So, never fear newlyweds-to-be, get there early and hiring your perfect car should be a simple process.

I hope a few of my simple tips have given you some inspiration and opened your eyes to all the ways you can achieve a vintage wedding theme away from your stunning bridal wear.

Get in touch with any beautiful vintage wedding venues you’d like to share!

Love

Kate x

Roll out the red carpet; it’s the awards season! With the Golden Globes done for another year and the BAFTAs and Oscars just around the corner, we’re well into the swing of the awards season and some of the dresses (the most important part of any awards ceremony, naturally)  on show have already been breathtaking.

Although most of us won’t be able to afford the kind of gowns our favourite stars sport (sadly!), the annual gathering of the great and good of Hollywood is a great place to find some inspiration for your own bridal outfit, whether you’re getting married or simply a guest.

With that in mind, I’ve compiled a few inspiring looks from award ceremonies past and present. Most of these looks are inspired by vintage fashion, so they’re perfect for getting a few style ideas for your bridal ensemble! (more…)

When Anne Wollenberg decided to get married she knew she wanted to go for the movie star look rather than the princess look favoured by a lot of brides. And she certainly pulled it off!

Anne and new husband David were wed at the Little Theatre Cinema in Bath – where else would you have a movie star wedding but in a cinema? – and had their reception at Bath Guildhall.

The Little Theatre Cinema, Bath

(more…)

We’ve finally made it to December, which means the tree is up, the decorations are glistening and we’re all fully into the swing of the festive season…well, most of us anyway!

Of course, the festive season isn’t all fun and games; there’s also the very serious business of present buying. While some of the more organised among us will have already swooped in and bought all of our Christmas gifts already just in time to kick back with a glass of wine or eggnog, some of us ‘prefer’ to leave it until the last minute.

There’s all sorts of reasons for this but the main is not having a clue what to get for someone, especially if they’re particularly special to you. Instead of forward planning, most people prefer to sweep the issue under the carpet and panic buy a half-thought out gift at the last minute!

However, if you know someone that’s getting married either next year, the year after or even the year after that then you have a ready made gift idea – vintage wedding accessories. It doesn’t seem like the most obvious present and it’s high risk because a bride’s wedding ensemble is so personal, but trust me when I say it’s a risk that pays off big-time if it goes well!

So how do you go about buying the perfect Christmas gift for the bride-to-be in your life?

Which Accessory?

It’s hard to know where to start when buying accessories for someone else, so it helps to narrow down the selection as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to decide what kind of accessory you’re going to buy – it could be stunning wedding jewellery, a unique tiara or even a pair of wedding shoes.

You might think that the easiest way to determine which accessory to go for would be to find out what her favourite accessory is and you’d be right, but maybe not in the way you thought. You see, a bride will likely want to pick her favourite piece of jewellery for her big day out herself. A much safer option to buy something gorgeous that isn’t necessarily the focal point of the outfit itself – a little piece of you in her bridal ensemble, if you will.

Does It Match?

Unlike plain old accessory buying, wedding accessories need to match the overall bridal ensemble, playing a small part in a gorgeous bigger picture. For a friend of the bride who might have already seen the dress, this is relatively simple. For the doting fiancee who isn’t allowed to see the outfit until the big day, however…

Fiancees have two options when it comes to trying to match their gift to an overall outfit. The first is to be a bit sneaky and try and get an idea of what the bride is going to be wearing. You could ask your beloved’s friends for hints; however, it’s likely that they won’t reveal much AND there’s a chance they could mention your prying to your bride-to-be and ruin the surprise completely!

The alternative is to buy completely blind and hope for the best! Well, that’s not necessarily true. You can play it safe by opting for a more understated accessory but be aware that your gift may lack that ‘wow factor’!

The Right Size?

If you decide to buy wedding shoes for your fiancee then the chances are that you’ll already know her shoe size (if not, then it’s probably a good time to learn!). However, it’s not just shoes that you’re going to need to know a size for – wedding tiaras, birdcage veils and wedding jackets will all require measurements!

The problem is, you can’t exactly take your bride for a fitting. Once again, you’re going to need to get your thinking cap on. The most obvious source of measurement information is your fiancee’s current clothing – have a peek inside her hats and jackets to find what you need! Alternatively, you could take measurements as she sleeps but this definitely isn’t advised!

Budget

And finally, the budget. As you’re buying the gift for Christmas, it’s unlikely that you will be taking the money out of your wedding budget which means you don’t have to worry too much about going over budget slightly. Nevertheless , setting a budget is a good way to narrow down the vast selection of wedding accessories available!

Finding the perfect wedding accessory for Christmas can be a stressful process so always remember to keep in mind the beaming face of your beloved as she unwraps your incredibly thoughtful gift on Christmas day – it should be enough to keep you going.

Good luck!

Kate x

Everyone knows that your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of your life – what people often forget get to mention is that the preceding months can be some of the worst of your life!

Okay, so it isn’t quite the case that everything goes downhill from the moment that you accept a proposal up until the date that you actually tie the knot, but there’s no doubt that planning a wedding is extremely stressful and can turn even the sweetest of girls into raging bridezillas!

How a woman deals with stress can vary. Some feel inspired by it – for example, my woes in trying to find the right vintage wedding accessories for my own wedding led to me setting up Queens and Bowl! For others though, stress can really affect their outlook and even lead to doubts about the marriage itself.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid this stress as even the best-laid plans will go wrong at some point, but I’ve found a couple of ways to make things seem a lot better that I’d like to share with you in this post.

Make A Schedule

One of the reasons planning a wedding is so stressful is that there’s so much to take into account – facing a list of absolutely everything you’ll need can be extremely daunting!

A good way to deal with that huge list is to make a comprehensive schedule of everything you need to do. You should find that your list of tasks is a lot less intimidating once you’ve broken it down into manageable chunks and it’ll help give you a sense of progression and a direction to go in rather than rushing around madly trying to get everything done at once!

One quick thing to note though; don’t be too rigid with dates, as mounting deadlines can be really stressful and the chances that you’ll miss a couple (often through no fault of your own). If you miss a deadline, don’t worry about it too much and try and reschedule it elsewhere.

Take A Break

Many women will attest to the fact that planning a wedding can take over your life completely – after all, you’re planning for the most important day of your life and as the bride, you’re the star of the show!

But focusing too much on your wedding, as difficult as it may be not to, can be unhealthy and lead to a lot of undue stress, not to mention potentially affecting your relationships with friends, family and even your fiancee.

With that in mind, commit to taking at least one day a week where you don’t do any wedding planning whatsoever. I know it sounds crazy when there’s so much to do but it’s the best way to counter any wedding fatigue. Spend the day shopping with the girls, go to a spa or just have a nice day snuggled in bed with your other half – just whatever you do, don’t mention the W word!

A Girl’s Best Friend

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend is probably something you’re hearing a lot when planning your wedding. However, while a gorgeous piece of diamond bridal jewellery is quite affable, it’s actually your friends and family that’ll be the best friends you could ask for when going through the planning process.

Although your bridesmaids and family will probably be on hand for dress fittings and other shopping, it’s in those moments of doubt and despair when you’ll them most. However, a lot of women are afraid to share their negative emotions with those close to them, perhaps because of the idea that absolutely everything to do with a wedding has to be infused with unbridled joy.

This just isn’t the case, and there’s bound to be times when you need a good cry and chat with your nearest and dearest. Don’t shut them out; you’ll find things a lot easier with your friends by your side.

Don’t Lose Sight Of What You’re Planning For

In the haze of venues, dresses and catering, it can be quite easy to lose sight of what the point of all this stress is; your marriage. Note that I said marriage there, rather than wedding.

The wedding is just the start of a happy life together, and even though every bride wants to feel amazing on their big day, there’s plenty more to look forward to beyond that day. Life will go on, even if you don’t manage to get the pair of gorgeous wedding shoes you had your eye on months.

The phrase ‘the happiest day of your life’ places a lot of pressure onto a single event, but it’s not the accessories, dress or your choice of centrepiece that creates this happiness; it’s marrying the love of your life in front of your friends and family.

Well, there’s some of my suggestions for combating bridal stress, but I’m sure there are plenty more! Let me know how you dealt, or are dealing, with the stresses of wedding planning!

Kate x

The birdcage veil is a vintage bridal trend that shows no sign of stopping anytime soon and it’s not hard to see why. Birdcage veils offer a gorgeous vintage alternative to traditional wedding veils and are effortlessly chic, not to mention versatile. A well-styled birdcage veil can transform a nice-looking bridal outfit into a truly beautiful one.

Birdcage veils are among my favourite bridal hairpieces; a shorter and smaller alternative to a full-length veil that is still capable of making a major bridal statement! Veils can be accessorised with vintage wedding combs, flowers or even feathers to add a slice of vintage glamour to any bridal outfit or can act as a complement for a gorgeous vintage dress.

I put together a little post on how to wear a birdcage veil last year, but in this post I’m going to talk you through some of the styles of veil, how to style them and as how to get your veil looking it’s best before your big day!

Choosing Your Birdcage Veil

The first step to choosing your veil is deciding which style you want! The two most popular styles of birdcage veils are bandeau and blusher. Bandeau veils tend to be longer and cover most of the face and offer a simple and soft look, while blusher veils are shorter (covering around half the face) and more versatile, as they can be styled centrally or asymmetrically.

Of course, they are not the only two styles. Of the rest, the teardrop style remains popular, acting as an even shorter version of the blusher.

The style you opt for will depend on a couple of things; the style of your dress, the accessories you’re wearing and the level of ‘statement’ you’re wearing being just a few. You’ll also need to take into consideration your face shape and the hairstyle you’re planning on wearing for your big day.

As with all vintage wedding accessories, you should only buy your birdcage veil after deciding on your dress. Your dress will determine how much of a statement you make with your veil; a simple dress, for example, would benefit from an extravagant veil whereas a lace number may work better with simpler styling choices.

Styling Your Birdcage Veil

Once you’ve settled on the veil you want to buy, then comes the fun part – the styling! The beauty of birdcage veils lies in their versatility, so experiment with how the veil sits on your head. A veil pinned close to the back of the head will offer a tighter, fitted look whereas the closer you get to the front of the head, the looser and softer the veil will look.

Birdcage veils can also be added to with a range of vintage accessories. What you choose to down to personal preference but the more sparkly and large a hair accessory, the bigger the statement your veil is going to make so be careful not to go too over the top!

Birdcage veils owe themselves to a wide range of hairstyles but I think that short crops and updos look especially good with a veil. That’s not to say that you can’t wear one if you have long flowing locks though!

To get your veil looking its best, you may need to work out wrinkles caused by storage. To get the wrinkles out of a veil, steam the veil lightly to soften it. Alternatively, you can iron a veil on a really low heat but caution should be exercised when doing this as you can damage the veil permanently.

Once you’ve softened the veil, you should be able to work out the wrinkles and shape it as desired. To set it, hang the veil in a wardrobe and gently cover it with a clean sheet to keep dust off it. This is a good storage option after the wedding too, so as to avoid any damage through shoving it into a box and forgetting about it!

I hope this post has helped answer some of your burning birdcage veil questions…oh, and don’t forget to take a look at the range of birdcage veils we stock here at Queens & Bowl!

Kate x

Men can be a romantic bunch, especially when it comes to planning a wedding. They can be a brave lot too, especially when they plan to buy their fiancée an accessory for their bridal outfit as a gift! And bless ‘em, even the most romantic of fellas don’t always get it right!

They’re a proud bunch too, often too proud to ask for advice. With that in mind, I’ve put together a bit of buying guide for any well-meaning romantic blokes out there planning to surprise their true love with a gorgeous gift!

What Are Her Favourite Accessories?

Manhattan Earrings by Ivory & Co

Every girl has a favourite type of jewellery and eagle-eyed men should have already picked up on any trends. The rest of you…well, you’ve got the rest of your lives to find out!

Finding out what kind of jewellery and accessories your other half favours is quite easy. Pay attention to what she wears on a night out – is she a necklace kind of girl, or a fan of bracelets? What metals and colours does she like (buying silver for a gold-loving woman is a definite no-no)? Note whether she likes diamonds or pearls too.

Of course, any married couple will tell you that nights out in the run-up to the big day aren’t all that common; every penny helps, after all. If you don’t get the chance to see your bride-to-be in her gladrags, wait until she’s out of the house and have a look in her jewellery box for any common themes. Remember to leave things how you found them though so not as to give her any suspicions!

What Is Her Fashion Sense?

Manhattan Wedding Bracelet by Ivory & Co

A lot of men are afraid of buying clothes for their girlfriends as a gift as they don’t have a clue whether she’s going to like it or not. This is because they don’t really know her style – they just know she looks nice somehow. Well fellas, now is the time to brush up on your glamorous girlfriend’s gorgeous fashion sense because you’ll need to match your planned gift to it!

To be fair, fashion can be quite complicated so I’m going to try and break it down into easily-understandable chunks for you. Take a look through her wardrobe and jewellery box and decide whether she’s an understated or elaborate kind of girl; you’re going to need this info to decide whether to get her a statement piece or something a bit more subtle. Does she favour modern styles or is she a sucker for vintage? It might be a good time to wake up on those boring Saturday trips out to town too as you can learn a lot about a girl from where she shops!

Match Your Gift With The Rest Of Her Outfit

Of course, buying wedding jewellery as a gift is even harder than buying jewellery as a birthday present because you need to match it to an outfit you aren’t allowed to see until the big day. This is where you’re going to have those detective caps on again boys and do a bit of snooping. Ask her friends and family what sort of bridal outfit she has planned, although stick to general question so you don’t ruin the surprise for yourself. Be careful when revealing your intentions too as we girls have a penchant for talking to each other!

If you’re buying a gift for a vintage bride then you’ve actually made your life a whole lot easier. If your whole wedding is themed then you should know what eras your bride favours and can buy based on that. The great thing about vintage wedding accessories is that the designers often make their jewellery according to era and style – for example, if you were looking for a vintage wedding tiara then Jo Barnes has you covered, whereas designers such as Rachel Simpson and Harriet Wilde specialise in gorgeous vintage wedding shoes.

Make Sure Your Gift Will Fit!

There’s nothing worse than buying jewellery as a gift and then trying to put it on your betrothed and realising it doesn’t fit. Whatever you do, get the appropriate measurements for the gift you are planning to buy!

Measurements will only really apply if you’re planning on buying a tiara or a wedding shrug. Look in hats and jackets she has in her wardrobe for measurements or go to that old information mine we girls like to call our friends! If all else fails, you may have to try and use a bit of stealthy tape measure work to get measurements while she’s sleeping – it’s risky though, so try everything else first!

Stick To A Strict Budget

Some men confuse ‘buying a gift’ with ‘spending as much money as possible’. Weddings are expensive and the chances are you’re working to a tight budget. Whatever you do, don’t blow half of it on a gift! Set yourself a strict budget and stick to it. Splashing out thousands on a stunning wedding necklace can seem like a grand gesture, but it’s bound to cause issues if it compromises the day itself!

Only Buy One Item

Half the magic of planning a wedding for a woman is picking out her wedding outfit, so it’s best to stick to buying a single item as a gift and leaving the rest to her. Pick something she won’t mind not choosing herself – tiaras and bracelets are a particularly good choice. I wouldn’t recommend buying shoes, however, as they represent something special in the heart of a woman that men just don’t seem to understand.

Make Sure You’ve Got A Returns Policy!

Even if you’ve followed this guide to the letter, there’s every chance that your beloved may not like what you’ve got her. Don’t necessarily think of this as a bad thing however; she may have just had something else in mind. You will probably get credit just for trying!

Make sure any wedding accessories you buy come with a returns policy as a backup should things not work out quite the way you wanted them too. Our own returns policy allows goods to be returned within ten days, so make sure you plan the big reveal for a couple a days after the gift has arrived!

I hope you enjoyed the guide and wish all you lovely romantic men out there all the best on your gift buying journey!

Kate x

One of the big decisions facing anyone planning a vintage wedding is what theme to go for, and it’s a really difficult decision to make. There are so many gorgeous themes around and if we could, I’m sure we’d like to have a bit of all of them in our weddings.

Unfortunately, the laws of style mean we can only pick and choose from a couple! With that in mind, I’m putting together a couple of posts on some of my favourite vintage themes and how to accessorise for them. Hopefully they’ll provide you with inspiration for your own big day.

For the first post, I’ve chosen to cover one of the most popular themes with vintage brides; Old Hollywood Glamour. The name gives it away – this theme pays homage to the eternally glamorous starlets of Hollywood’s golden age. Think Rita Hayworth, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe.

Accessorising for this theme means evoking plenty of glamour whilst maintaining the classy vibe we all associate with our favourite starlets. One of the staples of Hollywood glamour is pearls – and plenty of them!

Pearls play a major part in evoking that timeless Hollywood glamour and should be worn wherever possible. We love this Kelly pearl necklace from Stephanie Browne, which has three strands of gorgeous Ivory pearls suspended from two Swarovski crystal ornaments – an added bonus, as Swarovski crystals were another favourite of the Hollywood set!

Kelly 1920s Pearl Necklace - Stephanie Browne

To achieve pearl perfection, team the necklace up with this matching bracelet, also by Stephanie Browne!

Kelly Pearl Bracelet - Stephanie Browne

You don’t necessarily have to load up on pearls for this theme however. Crystals were another Hollywood favourite, and luckily you don’t need to spend the kind of money Elizabeth Taylor did (£7.5million for a necklace?! It is beautiful though…) to achieve the look!

This gorgeous necklace from Ivory and Co is perfect for the bride looking for crystal jewellery. Versatile and crafted from Swarovski crystals, I’m sure even Liz Taylor, with her expensive tastes, would love this piece.

Imperial Crystal Necklace - Ivory & Co

As for bracelets, the wonderful Audrey by Stephanie Browne is perfect – you can probably guess from the name who inspired this little number!

Audrey Wedding Bracelet - Stephanie Browne

Headpieces are a must for the Hollywood Glamour bride, and I would recommend going for a side tiara for the ultimate in Hollywood style. The choices are endless, but I love the Grace and the Audrey from Jo Barnes – they’re effortless in their beauty and guaranteed to turn heads!

Audrey Side Tiara - Jo Barnes

For shoes, look no further than Rachel Simpson and Harriet Wilde, who specialise in creating gorgeous vintage wedding shoes. The Marilyn by Rachel Simpson is perfect for the Hollywood glamour theme and even comes in a deep red colour for the more daring among us! From Harriet Wilde’s collection, I really love the Marina design. They’re simple but classic, not to mention crafted from lovely ivory silk satin. They’re really comfortable too, meaning your feet won’t ache during the first dance!

Marina Satin Wedding Shoes - Harriet Wilde

No Hollywood starlet would be complete without a statement flourish and what better way to express yourself than through a feather shrug? Feathers are a big part of the Hollywood experience (as you’re sure to find out when planning your decorations), so incorporate them into your own outfit with a piece such as the Alexi marabou jacket from Sasso. I put together a piece on Sasso recently, so take a look there for some more inspiration.

Hollywood Glamour is one of my favourite wedding themes and can transform any woman into an absolutely gorgeous bride. I love to hear from you all, so if you’ve had a Hollywood-inspired wedding recently and want to share some photos or styling tips then please do!

Kate x