Christmas, New Years and an Engagement. Some of you lucky lot will be emerging from one of the most special Christmases of your lives, after being proposed to by the one you love.

Whilst most of us are poking are heads out of our Christmas bubble wondering how in God's name we're going to motivate ourselves to get back into the office or the gym, others of you will have the added bonus of the internet filled with Engagement Do's and Don'ts amounting to another realm of post-Christmas panic you didn't even know existed. "Don't forget to tell Aunt Bettie before you Instagram your ring", "Don't start dress shopping right away", "Hire a photographer for your engagement party", "Don't forget an engagement shoot".

The internet is filled with people giving advice, and although Wedding professionals have extremely helpful ideas, hints and tips, take your time and love every minute. Your engagement is personal and there's no right way to enjoy it. So, with that in mind here's our non-advisory advice:

1) If you want to throw an Engagement Party, do it!

Or if you don't, don't. Some of you (like us!) will think HELL YES any excuse for Prosecco and gathering your favourite people. Others will want to bask in their engagement as a couple and won't feel the need for yet another party (seeing your Great Aunt 3 times already in the last month is more than enough), that's ok too.

2) Instagram the heck out of your Engagement

Or just tell your nearest and dearest.. You're getting engaged to the man or woman of your dreams, and you might want to shout it from the rooftop (or from your Instagram grid)... If your parents are the first people you want to tell, tell them first. If your best friend is more like your sibling and closer than anyone else in your life, tell them first. If your neighbours cat that sneaks in for a saucer of milk is the first person you want to tell.... you might be mad. Do what feels right. If you're not one for sharing too much personal content on Instagram, fab, no one's going to lose any sleep over not seeing your ring on their feed. You'll see hundreds of posts telling you to make sure you tell every single person face to face before spreading the news in the world of social media, but if you accidentally forget someone along the way don't freak out, they really WONT hate you.

3) Book an Engagement Shoot!

Or don't book an engagement shoot... We know plenty of photography gurus who will help guide you on choosing your location and will make the process super friendly and fun. You can read about it here actually. Although we know you'd be in the best hands, some of you just won't be into the idea of an Engagement Shoot. Don't force it, you'll have plenty of your own photographs and memories of the occasion so there's no need for FOMO.

4) Create a mood board

Or just make it up as you go along? Some of us are super-organised planning freaks, it's in our blood. We love lists, mood boards, flowcharts and all sorts of stationery that promises to make our planning easier (and more colourful with pointless stickers and tick boxes)... The idea of creating a mood board two days after we get engaged is totally normal and that's what we'll do. Of course, Pinterest is a popular place to start and we have plenty of boards to inspire. Others of us might not know where to start and the thought of Pinterest makes us want to hide in a cave, so chatting to wedding professionals for ideas and going with the flow is completely ok! Once you start chatting with your friends and visiting venues, things will fall into place.

​5) Set a date

Or if you have no bloody clue, that's cool. Everybody loves a wedding, and so it's only natural that they're going to ask when the big day is. If you're one of those super-organised folk mentioned earlier, you might have already decided this. Great! People can get the date in the diary and pray for an invite. Some couples might have a mutual favourite time of year, so you can bat away the questions with 'we love the idea of a summer wedding' or 'winter weddings are lovely'! Other couples simply won't know, and if the pressure of choosing a date or time of year is too much then don't worry. Take your time and once you're ready you'll have an answer for those nagging family members! In the mean time, shove in some ear plugs or come back with a simple 'we'll keep you posted!'

Relax. There is no right, wrong, early or late way to enjoy an engagement and plan a wedding. Soak up the excitement, do it your way and take your time... and if you have any questions, just ask!

You'll be forgiven if, like us, you hadn't heard of a preserved rose until now. Looking simply like a freshly cut rose, a preserved rose starts life soaking in a sugar solution for up to 20 days. This sugary liquid replaces the natural sap and after being rinsed and dried these blooms become preserved.

These fine real roses last up to 3 years in the home when cared for properly and don't require any watering. Not only are they a stunning floral arrangement to add to your home, but make the most unique and thoughtful gift for your bridesmaids. What says thank you better than the scent of roses, preserved for years to come?

As well as soft and elegant white, Victoria offers a variety of colours and designs all within her bespoke service. This hot pink look has us swooning, you too?

Why not extend the floral love beyond your bridesmaids? Perfect for all the lovely ladies at your big day, the single preserved rose is the perfect choice for your wedding favours. Presented in an adorable gift box you can even transform them into your place names. 

If you're loving what you see, why not check out Victoria's online shop or get in touch for bespoke options. We're lucky enough to have been gifted one of the glorious single roses, so keep your eyes peeled on our social media to see this beauty up close and personal!

There is no doubt that you will be wowed by wonderful winter wedding inspiration on the internet; fur stoles to team with your wedding dress, glistening tableware and festive favours. But what about food?

We've been chatting to the Total Hospitality team, who have told us their favourite canapés for a winter wedding.

There's nothing quite like the earthy taste of wild mushrooms. Total Hospitality have presented their rich and luxurious ragout on handy little pastry spoons for a mess-free mouthful!

The classic combination of scallops and peas will never go out of fashion. A light and delicious canapé with vibrant colour, this is the perfect choice for your guests before a large wedding feast!

These bites of Sunday roast in miniature will have your guests going wild. We can say from experience that a mini yorkie with rare beef is a favourite amongst wedding guests, we can just hear that crunch of the Yorkshire pudding, can you?

Walnuts, one of the warming tastes of Winter and topped with a festive fig there's no way you could miss these from your December wedding canapé line up. These bad boys were captured by the wonderful Benjamin Stuart Photography and we just adore the rustic service style!

Crisp crostini meets mellow roasted vegetables. Vegetarian canapés can be the star of the show too dressed with brightly coloured micro leaves to finish.

Acoustic folk songs are a popular choice when it comes to weddings, and it’s easy to see why. With their dreamy chords and heartfelt lyrics, they are a perfect choice for your first dance as a married couple. What makes these songs even more perfect for a first dance is how easily an accomplished acoustic singer-guitarist or an acoustic wedding band can deliver a breathtaking live rendition to sweep you off your feet.

​We know these songs will create a special moment for you and your partner on your big day, leaving no dry eyes in the house. They have been tried and tested by our amazing musicians who have seen first-hand how effective they are, so you can rest assured knowing your first dance will be truly magical if you pick a song from our list (also, being chilled and romantic, these songs are great as wedding processional songs for your ceremony).

1. If I Say - Mumford & Sons
2. Better Together - Jack Johnson
3. Shape of Love - Passenger
4. Only Love - Ben Howard
5. Flowers in Your Hair - The Lumineers
6. Skinny Love - Bon Iver
7. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
8. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
9. Hold my Girl - George Ezra
10. Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

Our bands love to perform these songs for first dances due to the romantic and dreamy atmosphere they create. Acoustic folk songs radiate a sense of love and emotion, making them a perfect choice for your first dance as a married couple, creating a moment that you and your loved ones will remember forever.

Acoustic wedding musicians perform using beautiful and vibrant instruments like the double bass, acoustic guitar, banjo, cajon and drums, creating a rich, full sound that forms a fun yet elegant background to your wedding reception. Alternatively, having an authentic acoustic guitarist or acoustic duo perform your first dance will be just as effective, with their stunning sound and radiant vocals making them ideally suited to the task.

​Whatever the line-up, acoustic acts work particularly well if you’re are a big Mumford & Sons fan, if you’re hosting a festival styled wedding reception or if you’re following an authentic rustic theme for your special day. Guaranteed to create a romantic atmosphere and be performed with passion and emotion, your first dance will be unforgettable when it’s performed by a breath-taking live musician.

​Visit Entertainment Nation today to discover the best folk bands and acoustic guitarists. We're open from 10am until 10pm every day and our friendly team are always happy to help you find and book your dream wedding entertainment.

When it comes to planning your wedding décor, it can be difficult to imagine each little element coming together. You may want to incorporate a holiday you've had together, family traditions or perhaps the colours synonymous with your wedding season. Nancy & Tim's special day at Ufton Court is the perfect example of how all your personal touches and unique ideas can work together in harmony.

As well as having a skiing theme, Nancy & Tim also subtly incorporated 1920s style into their wedding day as a nod to Nancy's wedding dress designer. Eliza Jane Howell is well known for her stunning designs inspired by the early 1900's. Nancy & Tim used peacock and ostrich feathers to tie in the 1920s theme, with Birds of Paradise in the table centrepieces.

Hues of orange and peach represented the season in Nancy's bouquets and floral arrangements offering a striking contrast against the groomsmen's suits and bridesmaid's dresses.

We hope you enjoy scrolling through Nancy & Tim's photos as much as we did, Josh of JTP Images has perfectly captured every aspect of their special day. For the full list of wonderful suppliers involved, please head to the bottom of the page.

Venue: Ufton Court
Photographer: JTP Images
Hair: Vicky Taylor
Make up: Phoebe Hayter
Flowers: Willow Tree Flower Design
Caterers: Total Hospitality

The wedding world can seem a little daunting when you set out on your quest to plan your dream day. With hundreds and thousands of suppliers to choose from it can be hard to understand which is best for you without a little helping hand. Although wedding directories exist to make this a little easier, the industry was lacking something intimate and tailored, to make wedding beauty a stress-free and personal experience. This is why Melissa Morris founded the wonderful Make Me Bridal. Helping brides discover local expert hair and make up artists with just one enquiry!​

Laid back and free flowing natural waves. This cascading look from Eden B Studio's look book is created by Hero Hairstylist. Oozing bohemian chic this combines tousled and relaxed waves with dainty floral hairpieces from the wonderful Eden B Studio. To bring out that inner boho fire, little pops of colour are added for a touch of drama by the wonderful Aston's Makeup. Photography from the hugely talented Nicola Dixon.

Can you smell the late summer blooms? This look screams summer romance. Whilst keeping the hair from the face, Gustav Fouche creates an impressive chunky plait with a delicate floral hair vine. This look is perfect for those looking for a veil alternative. Team this look with natural hues on the eyes; Quelle Bester chose this dreamy taupe shade to enhance the overall look. Photography by Especially Amy.

Dewy complexions are taking the beauty scene by storm! A fresh bridal look created by a luxurious skincare routine is something that Melissa Clare Makeup & Hair strongly believes in. With a soft glow to the cheeks and a kiss of pink, this look will emanate through your wedding photos. Photography by Lucie Watson & hair accessories from the fab Atelier Wilde.

An injection of colour can enhance your best features. Katy Djokic combines a soft high bun, bold pink lips and a dusting of pink on the cheeks, focussing on enhancing the cheek bones. This image was captured by Charlotte Wise Photography and the gorgeous slinky strapped dress is from Heart Aflutter Bridal.

The Wild Fork share with us their thoughts on the important subject of sustainability on your wedding day.

​There is no denying that climate change is real, and with the media coverage of the subject ever increasing there is a huge movement of people trying to do the right thing. From small steps at home to enforcing rules in the workplace, we’re learning how to right our wrongs and do what we can to reduce our impact on the planet’s climate change.
 
Weddings are described as ‘the big day’ or ‘the best day of your life’ and so it can seem as though one day is a small blip in the world of sustainability. One day of not focussing on your impact on the environment is not going to make a significant difference, but actually, the wedding industry is enormous! If everybody thought a little more about how their one big day can be that little more sustainable, it could make a huge difference.

​To us, seasonality is key, and that is why you don’t see a long menu list to choose from. By choosing produce that is in season not only can we be confident it’s going to be at it’s prime and the most tasty product, but it will also be locally sourced with minimal food miles.
 
We work with our clients to understand their needs before our creative chefs craft a fully bespoke menu using the finest ingredients of the season. Rather than choosing from a set list of menus, ask how your caterer can include seasonal produce.

​Agriculture is a contributing factor toward climate change through both emissions of greenhouse gasses and the conversion of forests and natural landscapes to agricultural land.
 
Swapping some farmed produce with wild and foraged foods can help to reduce your wedding’s impact on the environment. We have a wonderful connection with deer management across Berkshire and so wild venison appears on many of our autumnal wedding menus.
 
Other items to look out for include blackberries, wild garlic and game birds, but ensure your big day is in the correct season otherwise you cannot ensure these British delights have been not been farmed.

Emphasis on your wedding being the best day of your life means people assume that you should offer what we deem as the most lavish and ‘special’ ingredients for your guests. For some reason, this means meat, and that our fresh and delicious vegetables have often been overlooked.
 
However, now that there is a huge rise in vegetarian and veganism, we’re hoping to see an increase in vegetarian options being chosen throughout canapé selections and the wedding breakfast.
 
Our head chef Anthony appreciates the flavours, textures and beauty of the humble vegetable and is often experimenting with exciting new combinations to point our clients in a less meat-filled direction! This season we’re making the most of the creamy and intriguing celeriac in purées, as crisps and warming soup shots for an autumnal canapé.

​As caterers, it isn’t just the food side which sees opportunity for reducing our environmental impact. Your wedding drinks are surrounded by tempting and low priced one-use items which perhaps seem like an easy and fuss-free option, until you consider the environmental connotations.
 
Know your true disposable paper straw – the patterned, colourful variety that often catch our eye may not be fully recyclable, so it’s advisable to check the packaging!
 
Consider your soft drink option! You’ll be focussing primarily on your traditional bubbles or swanky cocktail arrival, but overlooking your soft drink option can leave you frantically throwing litres of plastic pop into your shopping trolley. Glass bottles add so much to your arrival drinks, circulated on trays with pretty paper straws. Although the supermarket has a limited selection of one portion glass bottles, ask your caterer what selection is available to them! We often can provide glass bottles of all your retro favourites, as well as flavoured lemonades and exciting new tonics.
 
 
 
 

A tranquil and idyllic working farm surrounded by lush foliage, a peaceful meandering river and an abundance of nature; The Barn at Avington was the inspiration and venue for this gloriously green styled shoot.

Geometry VS soft natural foliage - the cool and industrial interior of the barn inspired the pairing of daring metallic geometric designs with natural details. Eucalyptus and Asparagus Fern were included in the bouquet, providing a range of textures. 

The caging also nodded to the barn's industrial interior. The copper hue was the perfect background for soft green florals, and played into the stationery too with a delicate design.

Various table themes were explored, all sharing the common details of lush green foliage and geometric flair. Flowing gauze table runners, bling charger plates and cut glass injected fun and playful textures into the styling. The cake also played homage to the feel of the shoot, with marble and gold detailing!

We love the original and unique combination of lush traditional foliage and ceramic pots of more modern grasses and succulent style plants.

Into the bluebell-jewelled woodland and the playfulness continued with a copper geometric frame holding up foraged foliage from the farm's surroundings. This shoot provides an overwhelming abundance of inspiration for a foliage meets luxe theme, oozing with luxurious greens, fun metallics and table-top texture!

The incredible team!

Photography | Annabel Farley Photography
Venue | The Barn at Avington
Bridalwear | Oui Madam
Model | Mica Brown
Tableware | Eliza Rose Home
Props | Wild and Wonder Events
Props 2 | Fundoo Weddings
Stationery | Laurel Design Studio
Cake | Cake Luxe Design
Photo Booth | Swit Swooo
Florist | Wild Bunch Florists
Chairs | Purple Door Props
Tables | The White Chair Company
Make up | Zoe Heathers
Hair | Gatsby and Miller
Jewellery | Emi Jewellery
Shoes | Diane Hassall

We're sorry it's been a little quiet on the blog recently... it's been a bit crazy in wedding land and we've both been travelling here and there too! We have some fantastic real weddings lined up to share on both the blog and our real wedding gallery so watch this space!

We were super-excited when the team at Hannah Mcclune Photography shared Nicola & Dan's wedding album with us... we flicked through the slideshow and it was as if each photo was somehow more beautiful than the one before. Nestled in the Berkshire countryside, Silchester House is a stunning, luxury wedding venue that offers a blank canvas whilst maintaining plenty of charm and character. It's actually where our Auntie got married, we were both bridesmaids and planned the whole day with her so we're very familiar with this venue and have fond memories there!

We swooned over pretty much every aspect of Nicola & Dan's wedding, from Nicola's wedding dress and the gorgeous subtle pink bridesmaid dresses to the beautifully elegant table settings and extra special finishing touches. We hope you enjoy flicking through their photos as much as we have!