DIY REINDEER FLOWER CROWN.

Posted on March 17, 2016 by thelittlelendingco

Anyone who know’s me knows I love reindeers. Like a lot. My house is home to a huge skull in the lounge called 10 spike Mike, and at Christmas 10 spike Mike gets the full works on decor, lights, foliage, hanging ornaments….But why stop at Christmas. Skulls and antlers are HUGE for wedding decor right now and dressed with seasonal blooms they have to be the perfect Boho wedding detail.
If you fancy making a flower crown for your reindeer, this is what you need…

YOU WILL NEED:
Aluminum Wire, Thin Florists reel wire (ask your local florist), Scissors, Stag or reindeer skull (We used Roy from the range, yes he has a name!)

FRESH FLOWERS from the Swaffham and Fakenham Florists: (Note, not all of these will be in season now but talk to your florist about alternatives)

Bubblegum Rose, Cartamus, Umbrella Fern, Phlox, Purple Dahlia, Achamilla Mollis, Craspedia, Red Dahlia, Blue Delphinium, Nervine.

– Start by adding a string loop through the back of the skull for something to hang it from. Then measure the aluminum wire around the Stags head for the size of the crown. Create a hook and loop to attach the crown at back. Attach reel wire to aluminum wire by winding it around and around tightly to ensure secure.

– Cut all the flowers and foliage about 2 inches from the head. Cut umbrella fern, and pull pieces away to expose the stem. Snip small sprigs of Achamilla Mollis and Blue Delphinium to make the most of the flower throughout the crown.

– Using umbrella fern as a starting point, hold onto the aluminum wire and wind reel wire around the stem. Fern works well at the ends of a crown because of its natural point. Once you have wound the reel wire around the flowers and foliage trim down the stem and keep winding to ensure secure and continue adding in.

– Start to mix different colors and textures through with foliage with a continual winding of the thin wire. Group smaller flowers to create a focal point in 2 or 3’s. Use a decent amount of reel wire around the stems to ensure flowers are all secure.

– Push the wire into the stem and the neck until you feel resistance on the large Dahlia. This supports the flower as it is a focal point and ensures it stays in place.

– Remember to pull the flower crown straight every so often to ensure flowers don’t twist round in different directions. The crown should be thickest at the center and thin out towards the ends.

– Make a hook at the end of the aluminum wire to secure the crown and create a loop with the other end to hook on. Cut off the steel wire and wind final wire end around the crown tightly.

Ta-Dah! You’re skull is ready to rock!
If you’d love to dabble at making your own flower crown for the day you need to check out the Swaffham and Fakenham florists flower crown parties!

Huge thanks to DS Photography for the beautiful pictures.
The Little Lending Co. X

MINI DECOR TREND : WEDDING DREAMCATCHERS.

Posted on August 19, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

You’ll all know by now I like to walk off the beaten track when it comes to wedding decor, bohemian, industrial, rustic…
Well it’s no surprise then that I’m going a little loopy for all the dreamcatchers that keep popping up on my Pinterest. This, ladies and gents is a decor trend that is cool as a crop load of cucumbers.

Paletas de Pina Summer Wedding – http://ruffledblog.com/Paletas-de-Pina Summer-Wedding/ – Brilliant Imagery http://brilliantimagery.net/

Images via Ruffled Blog.

From big, bold hanging pieces for ceremony focal points to sweet little dreamcatcher favours for place settings or with escort cards they have stolen my heart. They are the perfect symbolism for weddings with the idea of ‘good dreams’ only that filter through the web. From stationery designs too they are becoming big news through all aspects of wedding design, I’ve even speed a few wedding cakes with them painted on too.

Images source 100 LAYER CAKE.

Wanderlust wedding inspiration – http://ruffledblog.com/wanderlust-wedding-inspiration/ – Let’s Frolic Together http://letsfrolictogether.com

Image via Ruffled

Image source Martha Stewart

Via Story Board wedding.com

They are perfect for a DIY couple, we had a go turning our bike wheel into a simple dreamcatchcer on this post last year. Think outside the box for your starting point and there are no rule that they need to be round…
I love the use of lights with them and using different materials to create them, lace fabric, macrame knot techniques, dip dyed ombre fabric ribbons.

Image via HELLO MAY.

Image via Rue De Seine

Image source Magnolia Rouge

Image via Wedding Chicks.

Image via Ruffled blog.

Are you a dreamer? Is this your dream decor? Show us your DIY creations on Instagram by tagging us into the picture. We love a crafty pair…
The Little Lending Co x

5 WAYS TO BE A THRIFTY DIY BRIDE.

Posted on June 24, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

You know that saying, ‘One mans junk is another mans treasure’ – Yep, I live my life by that, you’ll often find me bottom up in a skip. And I rarely throw anything out too (you should see my drawers and cupboards at home, it drives the OH crazy!) Because I’m sure that one day I will need all 200 jam jar lids I’ve saved or will use the 15 pots of tester paints in the garage in some way…

But really, if your planning on being a DIY bride theres a few tips that are going to keep you quids in with just a little forward planning.

YOU DON’T ASK YOU DON’T GET.

I know not all of you will have access to a Farmers yard full of goodies like myself. But I guarantee if you ask Dads, Grandads and friends of family to raid their garages and garden sheds I know there will be all manor of oddments to up-cycle and re-use for your big day. From odd planks of wood, old bike wheels and parts, ladders to flower pots and buckets. Half empty paint pots can work magic on old furniture or try hand-writing some signage of your own. Ask family to dig deep into the dustiest corners and you’re bound to find a gem or two, they’ll love that they were asked to be a part of the day too.

Oh, just because the ticket at the vintage/junk shop says £12.00 doesn’t mean you can’t get a little cheeky and go in at £10, really I do it all the time. Always ask if they can take something off the total if you’ve brought a few bits. No harm in asking right?

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

From the humble glass sauce bottle and jam jar, tin cans, wrapping paper and ribbons can easily be transformed into tea light holders to flower vessels or fun mini paper bunting from your old birthday cards. Theres so much you can do when you save every day items en mass and add a little imagination. Old t-shirts can be transformed into a knotted macrame plant hangers or pom poms from old holey knits. Painted wine bottles as candle holders and doubled up as table numbers, the opportunities for old tatt is endless!

PLAN AHEAD.

Save everything. Like everything. Ask you friends to save too – scraps of old material; old linen and bedspreads can be made into cool chair pads and string bunting, re-dyed napkins or use cardboard cereal boxes spray painted to make simple table numbers. Let Pinterest lead you. Getting organised with your DIY projects can save you pounds – buying supplies in the sales may mean odd colours but if you’re up-cycling then it won’t matter. Bulk buys may have big discounts too.

FINDERS KEEPERS.

Use natural treasure, from sticks to stones, wood and bark, it’s all free and easily transformed into something beautiful. Place name pebbles or turn them into favours with coloured paints. Wooden candle holders or DIY dream catchers from sticks, glitter dipped feathers…Just step outside.

UP-GRADING ORDINARY.

Take average items and basically make them great, this is where you can make big impact and get big reactions from your guests. Balloons, a bad 80’s wedding decor cliche? Yep. But add some spray paint and glitter, dip dye them or even add tassel ties and strings with fresh flowers for a really neat DIY project that will have your guests in awe of your creativity and won’t have broke the bank.

To really save money through DIY though you need to be cool enough to know your wedding isn’t going to be complete matched perfection, it will be homespun and you need to be OK with mis-matched and even mixed up colour mashes. The more you are chilled about the overall laid-back look the more you’ll save. If you’re Ok with odd containers for flowers on each table and different coloured bunting patterns, you’ll make your DIY do a doodle.

All the DIY images here are via our DIY WEDDING Pinterest board, hit the link to find more neat and thrifty ideas and credits.

Are you going to DIY in a big way? Show us what you’re making….

The Little Lending Co. X

METAL : THE MUST-HAVE WEDDING DECOR MATERIAL.

Posted on June 17, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

Back at the start of the year we predicted big things for industrial weddings in our 2015 WEDDING TRENDS post – bare brick wall back drops, exposed pipe work, bulb lighting with accents of copper and concrete coming through. And this hot trend is only getting hotter. I’m mad for mixing metals into my styling right now. From wire crates and baskets, metal signs and lights to big metal chained hanging centre pieces – it’s the must-have material going forward. Trust me.

WIRE GRID.
Loving wire frames and grids as an update to wooden boards. Cool for backdrops shown here but also table plans or escort cards. Try pegging on polaroid snaps or for order of the day for guests to pick up. They’re just plain rad.

Image via Green Wedding Shoes.

Hire for £8.00 each.

METAL TABLE NUMBERS.
Pairing metals with wood is a match made in heaven. Our table numbers recently added to the range just add a little shine to your table tops, keeping things rustic but giving them that new metal vibe.

Image via Style Me Pretty.

Hire for £2.00 each.

THE TIN CAN.
The humble tin can should not be underestimated. Super-size them and you have simple floral containers or keep them small for candle light (there’s totally a DIY in there by punching cool patterns or initials into the sides too.)

Image source Love My Dress

Hire from £1.00 each.

METAL POST BOX.
Looking for an idea for your cards storage? The postbox is a timelessly retro piece that fits in perfectly in old barns and warehouses alike. Add blooms or potted succulents around them and sit along side your guest book.

Image via Every Last Detail wedding blog.

Hire for £12.00

METAL FILING DRAWERS.
Becoming super popular on wedding blogs are Metal filing drawers, fill with flowers to soften them up or sweet treats sit in them perfectly. They’d work well for escort cards too or for somewhere for guests to pick up their favours.

Image source Ruffled Blog.

Hire for £7.00 each.

METAL LETTERING.
So big was the light up letters trend that metal signage is going to be sticking around for a while yet. Our rusty bar letters looking so good here as part of a welcome drinks station at The Keeper and the Dell. We used wooden crates with metal accents to create this station for real touches of industrial chic. From the vintage metal shop scales to metal filing drawers and tins we think it’s the perfect update material for 2015 and beyond.

Image by Kev Foster.

Hire for £30.00

What do you think about metal as a wedding material? Are you thinking about adding it into your decor…?

The Little Lending Co. X

DIY FLOWER POT TABLE CENTRE.

Posted on April 30, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

When I meet people in the wedding world that understand our little ethos of keeping things simple and easy then I know I have made Little Lending friends for life. The girls at Swaffham and Fakenham Florist always just get me and what I am looking to achieve. So when I wanted to try a little DIY floral table centre out it was, well, simple.

I know lots of you Little Lenders are into DIY in a big way for days so I wanted to share this little terracotta pot with twine table number with y’all. For the twine number I wrapped arround an existing cake topper I had at home but would be really simple to print off a large number as a template, glue onto thick card and stick onto a lolly pop or kebab stick for a quids in alternative. I knotted lengths of string off neatly at the back of the number, try to keep your string lengths short to make the looping quicker.

For the DIY FLOWER POT you will need :

Scissors, knife, soaked oasis (soak until the oasis natually drops) and a medium terracotta pot and cellophane if there is a hole or any cracks in the pot.

Flowers : Astilby, Sweet Avalanche Rose, Bridal Piano spray rose, White Veronica, Phlox.

Foliage : Thapsi green bell, Poplus, Asparagus Fern, Baby blue Eucalyptus.

// 1

Line the pot with cellophane (if required) Slice oasis down to size and place inside the pot leaving a 3cm lip above the top of the pot. Place your table number in the centre of the oasis.

// 2

Begin cutting down the foliage stems and working from the bottom place them into the oasis to create a base or edge. Mirror the placement of the stems around the oasis working diagonally too. Bring through height with the greenery moving up towards the table number evenly.

// 3

Next add in the filler flowers of Veronica and Asilby with the same concept as the greenery.

// 4

Focal flowers of the phlox, spray roses and sweet avalanche rose are then added. With using single heads at this stage try to keep the colours and weight balanced throughout.

// 5

Finally fill in with smaller buds, phlox heads and any small stems of foliage to ensure the oasis is all covered. Ta-da!

To give you a little guide to what this would cost, depending on seasonal availability and location, around £28.00 to buy the individual stems. Approx make up time for this centre piece is 15-20 minutes. Huge thanks to the Swaffham and Fakenham florists for this fab DIY.

Have fun DIY-er’s!
The Little Lending Co. x

DIY MACRAME BACKDROP.

Posted on February 17, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

Ever wanted to try a DIY that would totally transform your wedding into the realms of really flipping cool? Do not move.
Wether you’re looking for a boho backdrop for the ceremony or something rad to hang behind the cake table this is just spot on. It’s so beautifully bohemian and completely on trend.

I met the lovely Betina on the styling for Most Curious Wedding fair, we dressed the catwalk in a Palm Springs theme. Mid-centrury furniture, crochet hanging panels, plastic flamingoes and bright rugs…but it was this hanging macrame from Betina I could not stop ogling over.

This is not a quick DIY, so be a little patient as it’s totally worth every minuite knotting. I’m going to hand over to Betina who writes the most gorgeous interiors blog; Frida + Florentina. To make this lots simpler Betina has colour coded the strings in an easy step-by-step guide. Give it a go why don’t you…

1. Tie four strands together.

2. Take the outer right strand (green) and pass it to the left side over the other middle two strands. Take the outer left strand (blue) and pass it underneath the green strand, behind the middle strands, and over the green strand on the other side.

3. Pull the two strands tight. Now you just reverse what you did in the first step.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 with four more strands to make another knot right next to your first knot. Bring the two rightmost strands of the first knot to make a new group with the leftmost two strands of the second knot.

5. Repeat your basic knot with the new group by taking the outer right strand (pink) and passing it to the left side over the middle two strands. Take the outer left strand (purple) and pass it underneath the pink strand, behind the middle strands, and over the pink strand on the other side.

6. Pull the two strands tight. Now reverse the first step.

7. Divide the middle group of strands by moving the two leftmost strands left and the two rightmost strands right. Repeat the basic knot with both the groups and continue this process until you have done as many rows as you would like.

Well how did you go?…Got yourself hooked on neatly knotting?

Snap of the catwalk at #AMCWF with the hanging backdrop sat along side hanging ferns and spider plants. Perfection.
Photography by Seahaze Photography.

We’re talking sweetly to Betina about her creating a bespoke hanging macrame piece for our range if DIY isn’t your bag. We urge you to watch this space.
Huge thanks to Betina for this rad tutorial, for more wonderfully colourful interiors and DIY ideas head to her blog – http://www.fridaflorentina.com

Happy Knotting,
The Little Lending Co. x

A GUIDE TO HANGING CENTREPIECES.

Posted on February 11, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

UP. That’s the way you want your guests to be looking if all these hanging decor delights we’ve been collecting are anything to go by. Let me tell you now, this is going to be a huge deal in 2015. String it up, Tie it up, knot it up, rig it up…Just get it up! There’s a few ways you can go with these new hanging get-ups, from a green dream to up-lighting those spaces. Just follow our simple guide and you can’t go wrong.

KEEP IT GREEN

Wild, un-structured and fresh. Instant cool achieved by throwing some oversized foliage and stems together, bunched for a cylindrical effect or fastened to a suspended branch way above your table tops. It’s best to go with fishing wire, metal ‘S’ hooks or copper wire for a more polished finish. We just adore the moss covered wire lampshades for something a little more whimsical here too.

To add practicality to the proceedings hang rustic buckets below the floral piece and use as wine coolers. Neat huh? Thread through some festoon lighting and you’ve nailed it through from day to dusk.

Southern weddings.com

Image source Green wedding shoes.

Sandra Oster Interiors.com

Image via Green Wedding Shoes.

DIY HANGS

From collecting your jam jars and tying with lengths of string to cutting your nans curtains into strips it’s all about a home-spun vibe here. We’re loopy for the latest DIY craze of macrame knotted designs, they’re a little more time consuming than some DIY’s but totally worth every knotted minute. *DIY tutorial coming soon* Finish by tucking in colourful floral filled terracotta pots or fresh succulents in abundance.

Dried flowers are becoming ever more popular, save yours in the airing cupboard and hand bind together in bunches for a rustic touch. If you can’t create suspension from your venue ceiling then try creating a frame to stand on your table to hang from. There is never one way to skin a cat folks. But which ever way you go getting yourself to Hobby Craft is a must for this look.

Image via Inspired by this.

Style me pretty.

Image source The wedding chicks.

At home in Love.com

LIGHT IT UP

Suspended light is beyond beautiful, I love the subtle jam jars and tea lights for a simplistic touch, or tapered candles to create something more formal.

Nowhere to hang lights from at your venue? No problem. Just use what’s already there, dressing up your chandleries could not be easier. (You might need to talk very sweetly into your venues ears for some of these ideas, they might not be happy with their original period lighting fixtures being played with or the idea of you being 30 feet in the air at their venue and firmly wear their heath and safety hat on this. Do talk ideas through before you book anything with your florist.)

Green wedding shoes.

Image source Style Me Pretty.com

Image via Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Style me pretty.

BIG IDEAS

Go bold or go home. Yep, go for impact and you’ve got yourself a winning statement floral focal point. Try loosely tied driftwood pieces or filled metal lanterns. Create a large wooden shape with free space inside or one huge instillation for maximum WOW’s.

The wire grids filled with tulips is just plain brilliant. Go a little off piste and use old bike wheels as a starting point. The possibility is endless….

Ohhappyday.com

Image source Style Me Pretty.com

Style Me Pretty.com

Image via Wedding Sparrow.co.uk

Are you thinking about rigging something up for your day? Do you have a florist that’s unbelievably talented to help with some of these big ideas?
Oh please let us in on your epic plans….

The Little Lending Co. X

AN A-Z OF STYLING YOUR OWN WEDDING. (PART 2)

Posted on January 28, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

Hello again Little Lenders,

I really hope the first part of this blog was useful and given you a few tips and pointers for styling your own day. Without further ado, here is part 2.

N – NOTE DOWN YOUR SUPPLIERS

Keep a list of the suppliers you’ll be using for your wedding day in one place. Also when they’ll need access to your venue so that you can let your venue know. It’s worth giving this list to someone who is on site the day before to check that everyone has been and a list of numbers in case something dosent go to plan.

0 – O.T.T

It’s OK to go a little Over The Top and add a little WOW factor (It’s only your blinking Wedding day!) Create a talking point with your decor, a big entrance or a ceremony focal point with a difference. Your photographer will love you for it too.

Image via 100 layer cake.

P – PINTEREST

Pinterest can be the greatest source of inspiration and at times the greatest curse. Once you have pinned and planned an idea you really, really love step away from the pins. There will always be more ideas than time! Go with what your gut instinct is telling you for your decor and you won’t go far wrong. And I always say simplicity can rule more often than not. A lot of the ideas you see on Pinterest have been created by teams of stylists and professional wedding hire teams with access to lots of tools and even machinery. If you think you can nail the look with your family and loved ones then go for it, if you think it’s beyond your skills set keep things a little simpler with the set-up.

Image source Ruffled Blog.

Q – QUALITY NOT QUANTITY

More is not more. Give your props, decor pieces and big ideas a space to shine.

R – READY FOR ANYTHING

Packing an essential ‘on the day Styling bag’ is a total must. You just know you’ll need to re-iron those table topper cloths again. Ours includes : Scissors, string, pins, cable ties, bulldog clips, gaffe tape and electrical tape, iron and thick towel and plenty of bin bags. Pack some glass cleaner and kitchen roll too to touch up glass wear. These are the items that you’ll definitely find yourself looking for.

S – SPACES

Make or ask for a floor plan of your venue and go to your venue to take photos from all angles. It will keep you on track when you’re planning something for a wall that actually has a door in the middle of it, or you’d like to plug some lights in but there is no socket anywhere near by. (Cue gaffa tape from your kit…)

Image via Style Me Pretty.

T – TEAM WORK

Sounds crazy, but assign a ‘set-up’ day team of friends and family to help. Delegate jobs out with rough timings for each task before you arrive at the venue; hanging the bunting, dressing the cards table (some pictures from your Pinterest boards for friends will really help make sure it’s spot on too)… Letting other people help with jobs will leave you more free to act as the head stylist make sure everything is just as you envisioned. Try to leave some time at the end of the day to do final checks so you can sleep easy knowing everything looks perfecto.

U – UNDERSTANDING SUPPLIERS

Picking suppliers that really understand you and your style is crucial and make your wedding planning heaps less daunting. Set up a meeting or go for a coffee with your photographer and florist to make sure you’re on the same page. All good suppliers will want to get to know what you’re about as a couple and what you really want. Then, really all you need to do is trust them to do what they do best.

V – VENUE

When picking your venue make sure it will compliment the styling that you have in mind. A rustic aesthetic is going to be really hard to achieve in a modern, urban building. It will save you lots of styling work and help you style simply and effectively if you choose a venue that has the feel you’re after.

Green Wedding Shoes.

W – WEATHER

If it all gets a little soggy have you thought of a back up plan? How much of your day are you reliant on being outside? Make sure you let your wedding caterer or co-ordinator know Plan B if the weather does take a U-turn and can help make the necessary changes to ensure a smooth turnaround of the day. No-one wants soggyy sandwiches or bottoms for that matter.

Rock my wedding.

X – ‘X’ MARKS THE SPOT

Sign your wedding well – Right from the roads leading to the venue. There is nothing worse than having a hidden beauty of a venue that no-one can find. It will create excitement on the drive through too.

Y – YES I CAN

Be confident that you can bring all the elements of your wedding decor together, you’ve been planning for months and it will all be totally rad. If things don’t look quite pin-worthy don’t fret, ask your florist or venue co-ordinator for their opinion as they’ll usually tell you what you could tweak with their creative eye.

Z – ZZZ

Take some time after setting up the decor to really take it all in. On the day it all goes so quickly, give your self and team a big pat on the back. Get yourself a glass of bubbles and hot bath then get a good nights sleep.

There you have it our guide to styling your own wedding day. Are you looking forward to styling your own day? Missed Part 1 – Find it here.

It’s going to be a whole lot of fun…
The Little Lending Co. x

AN A-Z OF STYLING YOUR OWN WEDDING. (PART 1)

Posted on January 27, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

So if you’re anything like me you won’t be able to contain yourself when it comes to the decor and styling of your day. I absolutely loved that part (hence setting up this little company.)
But theres quite a few things I wish I’d know before I started my wedding styling mission and so I’ve put together this A-Z guide for a quick look at just what it’s going to take.

A – ATHMOUSPHERE

Creating a brilliant, buzzing atmosphere is the ultimate achievement for any wedding day. Think about adding in lots of your personality and some good old fashioned quirk; through sentimental signage, alternative guest books or a cracking cake topper with something a little off the wall. Guests will enjoy all the fun details and really get into the spirit of your day.

B – BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

A little bit of pretty goes a long way on a wedding day. Personally not into really girly colours and cute, twee details so adding some pretty through floral accents was the way I added my pretty. Pockets of florals on table plans and on props will make all the difference.

Artfully Wed.

C – COLOUR

Having a colour scheme in mind can really help to pull everything together. Right from sending your Save The Date cards, to bridesmaid dress colour and flower arrangements. Even if you just have a favourite object you both love at home, a pattern or print just keep it with you while planning and out shopping – you never know when inspiration may strike.

D – DETAIL

Make a list of all the areas that could be potentially styled at your venue. The Bar, Food stations, Cards/Gifts, Entrance and Ceremony aisle and work out where you’d like to make the most impact. Adding little pockets of detail to other areas like Welcome signage and order of the day boards, the dance floor and even the toilets will make your day something to shout about.

Image via Ruffled Blog.

E – EFFORT

It really will take up a lot of your free time, evenings, weekends and sometimes you can feel that the wedding decor is consuming your every thought. (And boys, this might start to craze you when every conversation is about the W-day) but just know that it’s worth every ounce of effort.

F – FAVOURS

Call in the favours, keeping in budget is all about begging, borrowing and sometimes yes even stealing what ever you can. (I remember rummaging in abandoned skips!) The same goes with skill sets crafty Carpenter friends, Aspiring artists, Budding Florists…Use who you know. Most people will love being asked to be involved in the day.

G – GRUBS UP

We’ve posted before about food displays in our Make your wedding decor Rock blog. It’s really thinking over (or having a pin session) on how you can add some interest.

Image source Green Wedding Shoes.

H – HOME-MADE

There are some AWESOME DIY tutorials on the internet, and make for personality in a truck load, but just be aware of the time it can all take. Don’t commit to too much before the big day, if the 1,000 origami paper cranes are only 100 don’t sweat it, you did your best.

Image via Ruffled Blog.

I – INDECISION

One of the hardest points of wedding styling is making those initial decisions about the day you want. Sit down with your fiancee and think about you two, your loves and style. Picking out the venue and the type of day you want your guests to have will really help things fall into place. Working out if you’re going to be walking bare foot through a meadow to a tipi ceremony or you’d much prefer an English stately house to sip Pimms in the garden can be one of the hardest decisions through all the planning. I love Coco wedding venues concept of choosing your venue through 6 of their style categories, Bohemian Beats, Rustic Romance, Costal Cool….Go for a gander, it’s great.

J – JUGGLING

Juggling wedding planning around life can be pretty tough at times. Have a look at our handy timeline and find out what really needs to be done when. Styling elements really are one of the last things to think about believe it or not (even though I know you started pinning table centres as soon as he popped the question.)

K – KICK START THE SET UP

Make the most of the whole day on the site dressing your venue. Basically, it takes longer than you think. Take a packed lunch and plenty of drinks too if you’re in the middle of no-where, nothing worse than loosing a couple of hours to search out food. Try to really think about what you’ll need on site.

L – LIGHTING

Again this is one of the key elements that will really set the mood for the day. Feature lighting displays and oodles of candle light just makes everything more magical. We can’t recommend enough adding lights outside for when the sun dips, candles in hanging jars, festoons or strings from the trees, it’s totally worth it.

Style Me Pretty.

M – MONEY

Keep a list of all the suppliers and contacts and when their payment is due, if you can pay suppliers off early it’s going to make it much less complicated than on the day payments. It’s the last thing you want to be worrying about (even if the Usher is sorting this for you, because lets face it, after a few Jagerbomb’s he’s not going to know where that cheque for the DJ is!)

So, did you find Part 1 helpful? What are you finding challenging with your decor styling details? Drop us an email at thelittlelendingcompany@gmail.com – we’d be more than happy to help with any dilemmas.

See you soon for Part 2.
The Little Lending Co. x

DIY MODERN BOHEMIAN TABLESCAPE.

Posted on January 21, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

Are you a Modern Bohemian? Do you love nothing more than walking bare foot on the beach collecting drift wood and pebbles for projects? Is your home full of colour and all a little bit ecclectic? Well then this ones for you.

I was asked by EDP BRIDES Norfolk and Suffolk magazine to set up a Summer tablescape for ‘A table of all seasons’ feature. I immediateley knew I wanted to create something textural with lots of natural elements incorporated; wood, metals, tin, stone, glass and feathers. It was a chance to create something fun and off-beat and show that DIY doesn’t need to cost the earth when you use items that are easily found or collected.

HOW TO CREATE THIS LOOK :

Our mini glass bottles we’re tied with brown string to chair backs and Brass coloured ribbon and a sprig of Eucalyptus was added to each bottle along with a tiny feather.

I took along some tiny pots of our Home-grown Succulents (which you can hire from us) and I screwed on a Brass door number to a piece of found wood. *Whole table number set coming soon to Our little range page*

White pebbles we’re collected from the beach and a gold pen used to hand write name settings, a simple, cost-effective but cool idea don’t you think?

Dip dyed napkins and table linen was something I’d been wanting to try for some time. And why pay a fortune when you can DIY.

I used a cotton/polyester mix fabric (100% cotton takes cold dye the best though.) Think about using other colours to white, I went with a biscuit beige contrasted with hot neon pink. Home dyeing is really easy, you just need a DYSON Cold dye packet, a bucket (or a stainless steal sink worked well in our case) some rubber gloves and salt. Follow the instructions on the packet to ensure the right quantities of salt to water with the dye.
To create the dip-dye look as we have, dip the fabric into the dye, about half way up worked well so you could see the colour change. We then pulled the fabric out a little more after 20 minutes or so leaving the end in the dye for the whole duration. The dye will naturally want to creep up the fabric anyway. Wash off the excess dye and hang to dry. Cut into napkins squares when dry. Hem the edges with a sewing machine if you prefer, although for this look I like the raw cut look.

I also love the idea of printed and patterned fabrics with dip dye effect for table linen too.

Brass candle sticks and coloured candles we’re paired up to add a little summer shine to the table and drift wood laid though the middle of the table.

The centre piece in a large tin can was created by The Country Garden Florist. The loose, colourful arrangement really helped create a Modern Bohemian feel. Bright orange rosa Julischka, Popping pink Veronica, Achillea Paprika and Anenomes in Mona Lisa blue we’re paired together. Movement was created though a mix of dark wiegela foliage and olive stems. Thistles and a central succulent were added for an eclectic, fresh finish.