Oh dear, winter is approaching, the weather has definitely turned, it’s getting colder, wetter and darker.  It’s not all bad though, we’re getting ready for this year’s winter weddings.  There’s something undeniably romantic about red tones paired with the possibility of snow. Here are some of our favourite things about winter weddings. 1. Colour schemes We love the colour schemes commonly associated with winter weddings.  Whether you prefer a more modern theme or traditional winter styles your day is bound to feel magical. Let’s start with the traditional festive reds and greens on a white backdrop, the contrasting colours make for striking photos.  Often brides opt for a natural look for their wedding make up. However, for a winter wedding you can be bold and match your make up to your colour scheme with bright red lipstick. Photo credit: whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com Another favourite is simple and elegant white on white.  This classic winter scheme is a timeless sophisticated take on the winter wonderland theme. Photo credit: akissofcolour.com Modern metallic silvers and cool blues are a perfect colour scheme for when the weather is chilly.  These glitzy cakes have us inspired. Photo credit: thebellemagazine.com & brides.com Another take on metallic is to warm up winter whites with gold and bronze shades.   Copper plated invites suit this theme perfectly! Photo credit: brides.com 2. Fireplaces Fireplaces are a great feature and welcomed retreat from the cold for a winter wedding.  Fireplaces suit both grand and rustic weddings.  A small wedding ceremony in front of an open fire, surrounded by candles is a beautiful look for a rural log cabin setting.   Alternatively, lighting the fireplaces of a period building makes a larger reception revenue cosy and inviting. 3. Hot beverages Forget cocktail receptions at winter we love nothing more than a warm drink, especially after a cold drive or outdoor photos.  Mulled wine, hot chocolate with orange Cointreau, or rum flavoured with Christmas spices will have everyone feeling festive. Photo credit: discoverwedding.ru 4. Gorgeous shrugs and capes Capes and shrugs add a dramatic bridal look for the season, kit out the bridal party girls in matching wraps for some great group photos.  Remember your guests might get cold too, leave some blankets at the end of aisles at the ceremony. Photo credit: Bridalmusings.com 5. Festive inspired details. If your wedding is close to Christmas time you can play up the season as much or a little as you want. Mini Christmas baubles or crackers make cute favours for your guests. Use berries and acorns to decorate centre pieces for a rustic red wedding, or snowflakes, glitter and fairy lights for an all-white affair. Photo credit: adorable-home.com & bridalguide.com Get wedding photos that feature Christmas décor,...

Bride to be and lucky winner Tracy Sanders visited Jules today to collect her prize. Tracy takes home with her six bottles of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne and Large Signature Collection Box of chocolates from Hotel Chocolat to get her wedding celebrations started. Jules with winner Tracy Sanders Tracy is looking forward to her wedding in June 2015, and stayed to have a chat with Jules today about ideas for her wedding invitations. Jules is  now offering brides the opportunity for a free consultation over coffee.  Visit Jules in Belfast  for a no obligation chat about your wedding stationery.  Jules will show you the variety of styles and prints available, discuss your day with you, and create unique design ideas to suit.   Jules will even give you a free sample pack to take home.  Book your free consultation...

It can be hard to find the perfect place for wedding photos, whether it is engagement photos or your photos on the day. Northern Ireland is full of exceptional scenery to look out for so here are some of the amazing locations for stunning wedding photographs. Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Belfast, Co Antrim Photo credit: Outdoor NI For an explosion of floral beauty in the background of your wedding photographs, Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is the perfect setting for you. It is at its peak during the summer months and it gives any photo an explosion of colour. Scrabo Tower, Newtownards, Co Down The view from Scrabo Tower is simply incredible. It offers exceptional views of the surrounding towns and villages but it can also give and incredible sky background for your photographs. Stormont Estate, Co Down Photo credits: theblackett.com & wikipedia.org The Parliament buildings of Northern Ireland offer a striking back drop to wedding photographs and have beautiful, immaculately kept, surrounding grounds for a mixture between stunning scenery and earthy images. Tollymore Forest Park, Castlewellen, Co Down. Whether you’re a big Game of Thrones fan or not, Tollymore Forest Park is an interesting and different location for wedding photos. The background can be photographed to create an exciting atmosphere in pictures. If you really want to go all out with a Game of Thrones theme you could always base your whole wedding around it like this couple did. Navan Centre, Armagh, Co Armagh Photo credit: mauiceltic.com The Navan Centre in Armagh is a well-kept secret. If you would like your wedding to have a traditional, Celtic feel the fort is steeped in history. It was even once home to of the famous Red Branch Knights. Roe Valley Country Park – Limavady, Co. Londonderry Photo credit: bbc.co.uk & disabledramblersni.com Roe Valley Country Park has lovely stonework scattered around which can offer quirky little spots for engagement and wedding photos. The river runs through remarkable gorges and in the springtime the woodland floor is covered in wildflowers. Fermanagh Lakes Fermanagh lakes are famous around Ireland and offer some of the most spectacular photo backdrops. The weather makes images very atmospheric, especially when the sky overhead is captured reflecting in the lakes. Photo credit: ireland.com Killyfole Lake, Co. Fermanagh. Photo credit: bbc.co.uk  The Lakes of Light, held at Killyfore Lake, is a mystical event and gives pictures a very romantic feel with glittering lanterns scattered around the...

Getting your wedding invitations pinned down is a crucial step in making sure your big day goes off without a hitch.  While filled with details, invites are also a fun way of giving your guests a sneak peak of what your day has in store.  Use our guide to keep your plans on track. Timing The best way to work out when you need to start picking and organising your wedding stationery is to work backwards.  Start at your big day and work 6 – 8 weeks back, this is the date you need to send your invites to give your guests time to respond. You might need to send save the dates before this if your wedding is abroad or if guests have to travel. Ideally you should have your wedding stationery booked around two/three months before your send date to allow time for them to be produced, and for you to assemble them ready to be sent to your guests.  Remember to leave extra time if you plan to have a calligrapher address your invitations.   #147521385 / gettyimages.com Budget Your budget determines the type of invitation you can choose, invitations with more intricate designs take longer to create than a simple design, and therefore tend to cost more. Have a maximum budget in mind before visiting a stationer to avoid wasting your time, while falling in love with a design that you can’t afford. A good stationer will work with your budget and show you the options available within that price range.   #464675085 / gettyimages.com Style Ideas As a starting point sit down with your other half and discuss whether you want a modern, traditional, or vintage style.  Once you’ve both agreed on the formality of the invitations take some time to look around Pinterest to get a better idea of what you love.  Consider how your wedding invites fit in with your theme as a whole. If you have a rustic barnyard venue this can be used as inspiration for your wedding invitations design. Details Before booking your wedding stationery work out all the information that needs to be included. For example, how do you want your guests to respond, how do you want your invitations addressed, and what helpful facts like directions and nearby accommodation should be included. Book a Free, No Obligations Consultation Take some time to sit down with a stationer before making your final decision.  They’ll be able to talk you through options and show you some things you might not have thought of.  For example…What way do you want your invitation to open? Do you want any embellishments?  What print style do you want? Do you want RSPV’s and...

Wedding invitations really do set the tone for your wedding.  For many guests this will be the first impression of your wedding and will indicate the formality of the event. It’s not every day most of us plan a wedding, so it can be easy to unwittingly slip up on wedding etiquette. Even the most untraditional of weddings require an element of etiquette to keep things running smoothly. So here’s our guide to the wedding etiquette of invitations. Timing Ideally you should send your wedding invitations around 6 – 8 weeks before the big day to give your guests ample time to respond.  This also allows you to get an idea of the final head count and invite a few more guests should initial invitations be declined. Addressing and assembling wedding invitations may take more time than you think. Start to organize your invitations a month before your desired send date to avoid a last minute rush. Outer and inner envelopes If you want to protect your invitations from damage in the post you can put your invitation inside two envelopes. The outer envelope is purely for mail sorting purposes and the inner will match your invitations. Using two envelops is not essential, just a nice touch if your invites are delicate. Writing your invitations The address on a wedding invitation should be handwritten, printed labels spoil the look of your elegant invites.  If you feel your handwriting may ruin the appearance of your invitations you may consider getting a professional calligrapher to finish them for you, especially if your wedding is more formal.  If you can’t afford a professional ask around, do you have a bridesmaid with lovely handwriting? To find a local calligrapher, ask your stationer or wedding planner for recommendations. Get your envelopes to the calligrapher at least three weeks before you need them. Make sure you have a neatly printed guest list prepared for him or her, and don’t forget to check addresses and spellings with guests. Addresses If you want your invites to be formal ensure you spell out all the words on the envelopes with no abbreviations.  For example, “street” rather than “St.” If the address includes house numbers smaller than 20 spell it out if full also. Names and titles Avoid using nicknames or initials on your guests envelops.  Write their names in full and be sure to include the appropriate social titles. How do I address married couples? Traditionally wives first names were omitted on invitations, however this is often viewed as old fashioned now. It is appropriate to include the first names of both husband and wife after their titles. If a husband and wife have different last names, the...

We are fortunate to have so many gorgeous wedding venues in this part of the world. Creating all our lovely invites gives us a special insight into which venues our most popular with couples in Northern Ireland. Montalto Estate   Montalto Estate based in County Down makes a stunning venue for an elegant rustic inspired wedding.  Featuring original beams, beautiful stone walls and an idyllic green house.  If you want a private occasion, where yours is the only wedding party that day and passers-by can’t intrude, Montalto Estate makes a great location as rates include sole use of the Carriage Rooms and Walled Garden. The scenery of water features and hedging in the garden is a perfect backdrop for creating unique wedding photos. The bright spacious Carriage Room makes an impressive banquet hall and can cater for up to 180 people.  The room also allows for you to make your own stamp on the venue and decorate as desired for your big day. Culloden Hotel   Culloden Hotel and Spa in Holywood is the wedding venue for any bride who wants to feel like a princess.  As a former palace transformed to a 5* hotel it is ideal for the modern fairy-tale wedding.  With the luxurious blend of old and new the venue has a unique sense of charm. The hotel is secluded, with beautifully landscaped gardens, stone staircases and a striking view over Belfast Lough.  Making for a dramatic setting for those all-important photos. Your guests will enjoy the luxury of dining and if they choose to, staying at the Culloden as well.  An indulgent experience with access to the Spa.  More and more brides and grooms want to make their wedding a weekend long event, staying with their wedding party the night before the wedding to enjoy some pampering. Galgorm Resort If you’re looking for something with a real sense of grandeur in a gorgeous rural setting Galgorm is the venue of choice.  As soon as you turn into Galgorm’s drive and look up the hill you feel a sense of awe at the size of the grounds and its halls.  If that isn’t enough the grounds also feature a waterfall, an unsurprisingly popular photo spot. Whether you’re after something contemporary or classic, Galgorm has the venue to suit your needs.  Choose between the newest addition to the resort the Renaissance suite, or the Four Season suite for a modern feel; with bright lights, contemporary decor and white furnishings.  Alternatively, if you have your heart set on a more traditional venue with antique details, art and fireplaces the Great Hall is the perfect choice.  Galgorm also allows you the option to have your ceremony in the unique...

In more traditional times a wedding invitation was simple; it was always the bride’s parents who hosted the wedding. However, in more modern times when families come in all shapes and sizes, it can be hard to politely word and explain who is hosting it, so here is our simple guide. #100378675 / gettyimages.com Bride’s Parents Inviting Mr & Mrs White Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Laura Bride & Groom Inviting Miss Laura White & Mr John Brown Request the honour of your company Or Together with their parents Miss Laura White & Mr John Brown Request the honour of your company Bride’s & Groom’s Parents Inviting Mr & Mrs White & Mr & Mrs Brown Request the pleasure of your company Divorced Parents Mr Tom White & Mrs Anna Long Request the pleasure of your company At the wedding of their daughter Parent and Deceased Parent Inviting Mr Tom White & his late wife Anna Request the honour of your presence Deceased parent and parent has remarried Mr. and Mrs. Alan Campbell request the honour of your presence at the marriage of her daughter Laura White daughter of the late Mr Tom White to Michael Francis Jacobson Children Inviting Erin & Jake Invite you to celebrate the marriage of their parents Or Alexander & Jennifer & Zoe & Matthew Invite you to the ceremony that will unite them as a family and Unite their parents as husband and wife Groom’s Parents Inviting Mr & Mrs Brown Request the honour of your presence at the marriage uniting their son John Brown & their soon-to-be daughter Laura...

10) Hen Party Invitations They’re great for…Letting people know the theme of your hen party (if there is one) and indicating the tone of the party. You don’t need them if…You are having a small hen party with close family and a few friends it can be easy enough to just let them all know the details. 9) Favour Tags They’re great for…Personalising your wedding gifts to people. Guests appreciate individually named gifts. You don’t need them if…You are having a very large wedding and it would take up hours of your life to attach each tag. 8) Menu Cards They’re great for…Giving your guests time to mull over the menu choices and outlining menu choices for those with dietary requirements. You don’t need them if…You have asked guests to select their course choices beforehand or if you are having a buffet. 7) Order of Service They’re great for…Letting guests know how the ceremony will run and alert them to any religious customs they may not be aware of. It also lets everyone know who is in the wedding party on both sides. You don’t need them if…You are having a very small wedding or a particularly short ceremony. 6) Wedding Guest Book They’re great for…Getting a personalised message from everyone at your wedding just in case you miss speaking to anyone on the day. You don’t need them if…You are having a small wedding or know you will speak to each guest on the day of the wedding. It is also worth bearing in mind that your wedding videographer may also get personalised messaged from guests. 5) Be My Bridesmaid Cards They’re great for…Surprising any bridesmaids that may not know they would be asked. You don’t need them if…You have already asked all your bridesmaids in a squeal of excitement the minute you got engaged. 4) Save-the-Dates They’re great for…Making sure none of your guests are double booked well in advance. You don’t need them if…Your wedding is within 3 months of your engagement. 3) Seating Plan They’re great for…Making the start of your reception a calm affair for guests. It is also important that your dear granny doesn’t end up at the back where she can’t see. You don’t need them if…You need a seating plan, even at the smallest of weddings. 2) Thank-You Cards They’re great for…Thanking all your guests personally for attending your wedding and giving you gifts. You don’t need them if… Always send thank you cards. 1) Invitations They’re great for… You don’t need them if… You need them, you always need wedding invitations to not only notify people of the event, venue and times but to also get numbers for your wedding...

Five first steps. He popped the question, you said yes. Suddenly you’re engaged, everyone’s asking if you’ve set a date, if you’ve chosen your colours and even where you’re going on honeymoon. You’re just celebrating the novelty of being engaged while everyone and their aunt (quite literally) are expecting you to have all the answers to questions you haven’t begun to think about! #166272337 / gettyimages.com So when the madness has calmed down and you’re ready to get planning your big day, where do you even begin? Fret not! Here’s are list of the first five things to get your wedding planning started. 1. Budget While it’s not the most romantic part of getting married it’s best not to look at anything until you set your budget. You’ll run the risk of setting your heart on venues and dresses well out of range. Split your budget up for different aspects of your wedding. You don’t want to spend too much too soon and have nothing left for flowers and a photographer, we’ve seen this happen way too many times on our favourite show “Don’t Tell the Bride”. 2. Pick your bridesmaids This one can be tough, do you pick your closest friends no matter how unreliable they might be, or choose you fiancé’s sisters you’ve only met a handful of times? And if you’re picking a couple of friends, are you offending another? #132991785 / gettyimages.com It can be hard to keep everyone happy, try to remember the day is about you and your husband to-be. You don’t have to feel guilty about not about meeting everyone else’s expectations. Choose the people you feel most comfortable with, the ones who’ll be there for you when planning gets stressful and will make it all the more enjoyable. Avoid choosing those that will be picky about the dress they wear, dishonest about the dresses you try on or try to make the day all about them. 3. Book the venue Setting the place and date is a huge commitment in itself, there’s no going back to look at another place once you put that deposit down. Booking your wedding venue; whether it’s a castle, hotel or something out of the ordinary, is one of the most exciting steps as you can officially begin the countdown to your big day. #148704549 / gettyimages.com 4. Choose colours and style Having an overarching theme early on, even if it’s as basic as colours, will help you make decisions about everything else from centerpieces to bridesmaid’s dresses, from invitations to flowers. If you don’t have anything pinned down you might end up with a collection of things that you love, but clash and confuse. 5....