2015 WEDDING TRENDS.

Posted on January 13, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

At The Little Lending Co. we’re all about embracing your individualism and taking a side-step away from what your wedding ‘should’ look like. This year especially I’m sure couples will be infusing more charm and character of their own, their quirks, interests and loves for more relaxed, stylish and unique days.

….But, there are 4 key themes we seem to be pinning daily and they’re making us really excited about the year ahead. We’re not saying stick to the trends and we love a couple that do just the opposite but these ideas are making us crazy about 2015 and what our couples will be creating.

MODERN BRIGHT

Oh yes! Colour pops and fluro highlights – tell your guests to bring their sunnies as it’s about to all get a little brighter. Loving the popping pinks and luminous oranges that have been paired up with shimmering gold highlights all over Pinterest. Think Dip dyed napkins (*blog post coming soon*) striking and geo-metric patterned table runners, modern mid-century furnishing and more cacti and succulents you can shake a stick at. Hanging Himmeli shapes and eccentric bold florals. Pop a couple of plastic flamingos in the mix and you have the perfect nod to a modern, hot summers celebration. Definatley not a look for the faint hearted this one.

Ruffled Blog

Stylemepretty.com

Green Wedding Shoes.

NOMAD SPIRIT

For the pair that love the outdoors, our freedom seekers. Free Spirited and bohemian decor is going to move forward into 2015. We’re excited about seeing more beautiful boho brides and their boys create the ultimate in laid-back days. Kick off your shoes and tie feathers in your hair. Add natural, textural and found items through your decor. Dream Catchers as a focal point, Antlers, drift wood and pebble place settings against true linen napkins and runners. An easy palette of mushroom and dove greys subtly paired with gem stone pinks and well-trod faded colours from traditional persian rugs under foot. Divine.

The wedding Chicks.com

Stylefiles.com

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Monclertopus.com

Graceloveslace.com

delusionalillusionsoflove.com

INDUSTRIAL COOL

A huge fan here of industrial settings and go mad over a warehouse wedding. Bare brick walls, exposed copper pipes and a big lighting statement is what you’ll need for this look. Bring beaten up eclectic furniture for lounging areas for guests. Cool concrete accents and copper containers feel new. Quirky catering vans and stations really makes this a winning cool kids dream trend. Use old palettes for feature walls or bars and work in metal drawers and filing cabinets *coming soon to our hire range* for something different for guests to find their favours. Still adore a string of festoon lights to brighten up the evening.

Stylingpics.tumblr.com

Ruffled Blog.com

Ruffled.com

Image via Flickr.com

The Wedding Chicks.com

Ruffled.com

SIMPLISTIC MINIMALISM

I am always for ‘Less is More’ – I really believe in the ethos of the simpler the better. Minimal decor and fuss creates for more focus on the newly weds. White on white has a pure ceremonial quality about it. White cloths, flowers and dress. Totally Timeless. I love the botanical and slightly over-grown elements that can add an etherial feel for this trend – over-run glasshouses or greenery hanging above the tables or tubing trails of green and white on tables. Add clear vessels and glass bottles with single stems in nooks. Bare wooden table tops and rustic ‘home-made’ displayed finger foods for the wedding breakfast keep everything easy. Bring a whole lot of white candle light in the evening for a subtle finish.

Localmilk.blogspot.com

FlyAwayBride.com

Stylemepretty.com

10layercake.com

Snippet and Ink

Are you keen to incorporate some of these alternative new trends into your day? These trend boards and more added to daily to our Pinterest boards here.

Happy pinning,
The Little Lending Co. x

TIMINGS.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by thelittlelendingco

As an ex-bride (Oh I wish I could be a bride every year) and having gone though all the planning myself I now know when things actually need to get booked.
There are lots of scary timelines out there, and yes if you love a venue or have your heart set on a photographer then I’d say get right onto it as soon as you can as they can get booked up to 2 years in advance…

But there are some things that really you do have a little more time to think about and research well and buy, beg, steal or borrow for the day!

Here’s our rough guide line for 12 months of planning. But i’ve known friends do it in 5 and planning a wedding day really does depend on the couple – if you’re super laid back then half a year may be too long but if you’ve been dreaming of this day since you we’re knee high you may want to take 2 years to get it just right and make the most of being a bride-to-be.

12 MONTHS TO GO:
-Chat to your hubby-to-be about the type of day you’d like and start heading round some of the venues. You may have to compromise on your dream date if the wedding is looking pretty busy, or wait a little longer to marry just where you want.
-If your having a church wedding then make arrangements there. If the church isn’t in your parish you may need to speak to the vicar about joining the congregation for at least 6 months to be allowed to marry there if you have no other connections to the church.
-Start looking at photographers as soon as poss and get in touch to arrange meetings to see how they work and if you connect.
-Set that budget and start saving! (You will go over)
-Email caterers and get costings together for the food you’ll be wanting.

9 MONTHS TO GO:
-Book the caterer.
-Ask your wedding party if they will do the honours; bridesmaids, best man, maid-of-honour and ushers. Might be a good time to ask family or friends if they’d like to read at the service too.
-Write the guest list!
-Send out save the date cards (if you we’re going to)
-Start looking for THE dress, try on as many as you need – the shops don’t mind, really.
-Research you cake maker, great to pop along to local wedding fairs to find some inspiration and try a few tasters!
-Think about the invites and stationery you’ll be needing.
-Wedding music/band/DJ’s, book them in!

6 MONTHS TO GO:
-Book transport, not only for getting there but for getting back to the hotel too!
-Think about your decor and details at the ceremony and venue and the vibe you want to create for the day.
-Look for Bridesmaids and Groomsmens’ attire and accessories.
-Book your Honeymoon! Woop!
-Go to another dress fitting.
-Reserve your hotel for the wedding night.
-If you’re having hair and make-up done, find your pro now!
-Send out the invites. That’s when it will all feel very real.

3 MONTHS TO GO:
-Buy the wedding rings
-Think about your wedding favours.
-Start the dreaded seating plan (it will change 100x’s before the day!)
-Finalise Table Decoration and Venue decor – Star to source or hire. (We’re happy to help for last minute detail if we have the items even with 3 weeks notice we can help!)

2 MONTHS TO GO:
-Confirm the menu with caterers and rough run through of times for the day with them.
-Choose music for the ceremony and night, and that important First Dance!
-Confirm everything with your registrar.

1 MONTH TO GO:
-Stay off the do-nuts now as its last fitting time and picking up the dress!
-Run through with everyone involved in the day their roles and what they need to bring.
-Write your place settings up for the final seating plan – caterers and venues like a copy about now.

2 WEEKS TO GO:
-Check all the details with all you suppliers and make sure they have full addresses and phone numbers. Pay anyone that hasn’t already been, the less hassle the week before the better.
-Practice your hair and make-up at least once.
-Buy your thankyou gifts for people that played a part to hand out on the day.

1 WEEKK TO GO:
-Re-confirm times with the venue and co-ordinator.
-Have your run-though of the ceremony.
-Have a massage or really long bath and a large glass of wine. It’s about now everything starts to go 100 miles an hour. Take it all in, this is going to be the best week ever.

THE DAY BEFORE:
-Stay calm!
-Have your nails done.
-Set up the tables and decor at your venue, if anything needs to be put out in the morning show the caterer/co-orinator where things are to go.
-Try and get an early night or if not stay up and watch Bridesmaids with the girls.

I downloaded a checklist on my phone, there are some great free app’s out there and as my phone was rarely out of my hand it was perfect for checking things on the go or before bed.

There is alot to do and think about all for one day so from time to time forget about the ‘to do’ list and give your favourite a hug. If things don’t go to plan don’t beat yourself up – there will still be a beautiful wedding and thats what its all about.

Happy Planning,
The Little Lending Co. x

2014 WEDDING THEMES.

Posted on January 21, 2014 by thelittlelendingco

So you’re planning your big day this year and its impossible to ignore the key trends and themes coming through for 2014. Pintrest and Blogs are awash with the finest weddings picking up on key colours, decor and dress trends.

The clear message were getting is Individualism and thinking out side that traditional wedding box. Here’s what were feeling for.

LETS GO OUTSIDE :
More and more brides are searching for a perfect scenic outdoor celebration venue – From woodland Glades, Beach Cliff Tops, Village Greens and even back gardens. It seems even our British weather can’t dampen the enthusiasm for planning an entireley outdoor day. Alot more relaxed get-to-gethers and simple gatherings are popping up where guests are asked to bring their own seat and picnic along. It’s perfect for the laid-back bohemian brides among you. Street food vans and home-made dishes are the order of these do’s.

Image Via shedesignsblog.com

KITSCH:
Quirky and Unique. A big nod to nostalgia and anything your nan collects and you’ll have this wrapped up. Old vintage record players, mis-matched china and odd ornament cake toppers should do it. Retro items that will make you say ‘Oh I remember those’ are the perfect way to get guests talking. Let there be light with Giant Light up letters with kooky messages to your loved ones or you and your partners Initials on the dance floor.

Image Via Etsy

COLOUR :
Gorgeous nude, peach and soft pastels are still going to be arround – think almost sickly sweet colours of lilacs and lemon yellows too. But theres a real move to brides not getting so hung up on a colour ‘pallette’ as much. Anything goes – the more levels of colour, texture and prints the better! If its all topped off with a splash of glittering gold to really spell out PARTY it will be a colour sensation.

Image Via ohjoy.blogs.com

RUSTIC:
Oh its going to be a wonderfully rustic filled summer. And we of course cannot wait to get into the full swing of wedding season with so many of our brides marrying simply in Barns, farms and paddocks and remote churches. Relaxed is the only word for this type of wedding – gone are the days of match-matchy. Use traditional and distressed furniture and easy styling ideas from times gone by. Brides, nows the time to wear flowers in your hair and walk the asile bare foot to your guests seated on haybales. Afternoon tea and a barbe in the evening sun is the perfect food for the day.

Image Via Lovemydress.net

If you’re looking for any decor or props for your day drop us an email to book an appointment to come and have a rummage in our garage – lots to see and inspire you. We can really help finish off the look!

Happy Planning,
The Little Lending Co. x

MAKE THE BUILD UP COUNT.

Posted on November 25, 2013 by thelittlelendingco

Personalised Wedding Christmas Card.

Well its exactly a month today so I think its now safe to start thinking and more importantly, shopping Christmas.

Brides-to-be if you’re looking for a super thoughtful christmas card for your groom then check out Ruby Wren on http://www.notonthehighstreet.com
Really get the countdown going to the big day with cute ‘Days until I’m your wife’ or ‘I have loved you for … Days’ cards.

The Little Lending Co. x

OUR FIRST WEDDING FAIR

Posted on October 7, 2013 by thelittlelendingco

Putting together a wedding fair stand so close to starting the company was always going to be a bit manic, but our first one yesterday at the Kings Lynn town Hall was a real success and felt really proud to be part of a great show exhibiting my items for hire.
Flowers were cut and put in our vintage glass, mini bottles were full of cloudy lemonade and our drinking jam jars with a berry mocktail. Sweet jars we’re stuffed (a few were eaten before!) and cakes baked for our various cake stands.
We laid our table just in time for the brides queuing outside for the start. There were some lovely brides who came to say hello planning weddings for 2014 and 2015! If any from the show would like to come and see more of our range here in Watlington with a cuppa, just drop me an email at pennylbaker@hotmail.co.uk to arrange a viewing.

It’s no rest for us as we have another fair this weekend at Leziate park, so don’t worry if you didn’t manage to make it down yesterday. Please take advantage of the below que jump ticket and don’t forget to mention The Little Lending Co. at the door!