HOW TO FIND COOL WEDDING SUPPLIERS.

Posted on February 24, 2016 by thelittlelendingco

Being a unique, stylish couple can be the biggest blessing but also the biggest curse. Knowing what you want for your day feels so amazing, but along the way there will always be a little bit of compromise; from finding amazing decor pieces which are never ‘just up the road’ or are completely unaffordable to venue restrictions and family just not getting what you’re trying to achieve.

Doughnut Lab : Uber cool local Norfolk company with Doughnuts to die for!

Getting your day, your way can feel like climbing a giant mountain. Don’t get disheartened, work out what’s truly important and a must-have for the day and put your efforts into making it a reality. I truly believe having a group of perfect wedding suppliers that have your back makes the whole thing so much easier. But how do you find them?!…

– Smaller, cooler and on-point suppliers can take some finding; don’t stop on page 1 of google, keep scrolling and using different search terms. Depending on your style or what you’re looking for, there’s always more than one way to search : Prop hire, Wedding decor, Event hire, Venue decor…

– Go social and search Instagram # and get really specific with those tag searches. Try searching more local tags to you e.g ‘#NorfolkWedding’, ‘NorwichWedding’ or # your local venues name to see who’s been there. I found our wedding DJ’s on Instagram through a photographers page who had commented on their photo, it really works!

– Facebook stalk, I mean really stalk! Look at pages liked by the pages you have liked already, be sure to get notifications from your favourite suppliers as collaborations they work on with local wedding folk could be right up your street.

– Check out cool wedding fair supplier lists : The Most Curious Fair’s directory is amazing for a pool of local, cool suppliers. Godwick Barn’s wedding fair in the Autumn also boasts some really quirky wedding suppliers too.

– Talk to suppliers you have booked for their recommendations. If you’re clicking with a supplier you’ve booked it’s more than likely you’ll have lots in common and they’ll know a heap of other suppliers you’d love. I’m always happy to help our couples stuck in a search rut.

– Just please don’t rush into booking a supplier out of desperation! Check them out across all their social sites, FB, IG, Pinterest and Twitter to see if you’re on the same page. When you get your suppliers right it will be a total joy and a breeze.

Dust with Cocoa : Creative local cake company that we’re crushin’ on.

(Both the pictured suppliers are going to be at The Most Curious wedding fair in Norwich on the 20th March next month, we’re so flipping’ excited about this show. Be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram as plans and prep take shape!)

How is your supplier search going?
The Little Lending Co. X

HOW TO LIGHT UP YOUR WEDDING VENUE.

Posted on November 19, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

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Image via The Merry Thought.com

You’ve probably not given your lighting at your wedding much thought right? You’d be surprised how much lighting can transform your wedding space to from standard to stand out. Lighting creates mood and when it’s done well it will make everything look better, including you. From the cake, flowers, tables and more it’s worth the shedding a little light (pardon the pun) on your lighting ideas.

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Image via Flickr.

Here are our top tips and some beautiful lighting inspiration you could consider.

We suggest to visit your wedding venue at least once when it’s dark outside. Look at existing lighting at the venue and where it’s focused. Lights that illuminate the walls, windows, and ceiling draw attention away from the center of the room and you want to focus attention on the tables, dance floor, and each other.

Ask if the site has dimmers for their overhead lights and who will be able to control this on the wedding day. If there’s any florescent lighting, keep it turned off! If the kitchens have bright lights be sure to keep the doors closed to avoid ruining your lighting atmosphere.

Do ask the technical questions too about how much power you can plug in at the venue from maximum amps too with your lighting plans. Check where all the sockets are too so you can be sure to bring enough extension cables if it’s not near where you plan to have your feature.

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Image via Instagram.com

Consider a pin spot light for a focal point, your W-day cake, grazing station, favours or centre piece perhaps.

Maybe you’re thinking of a lighting backdrop for your ceremony?

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Leblogdemadamec.com

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Image source Dolly and Oatmeal.com

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Image via iconsquare.com

Use lighting to change the mood through the course of the evening. Go soft, warm light and an abundance of candlelight for your wedding breakfast. Cocktail hour glowing orange light and step up the fun factor when the dancing starts with light up boards or letters and all the focus on the dance floor.

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Image via Style me pretty.com

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Image via Etsy. Personalise your own neon light and keep to hang in your home after, pretty perfect we think!

Get Practical lighting up your outdoor space. Bright festoons are the perfect solution, you may need some flood lighting to keep guests safe. If your site has a path or steps that people will be using throughout the night, keep it lit with candles or lanterns.

Go bold with a big lighting statement. Hanging lighting features over tables are having a big moment. Light up sign-writing and letters still add fun. We’ve pinned lots of different lighting ideas on our Pinterest and still love what candle light can do for your tables; they bounce light onto the flowers, crockery, cutlery and table glasses so perfectly. Think about brass and glass candle stick holders to really let the light shine around your centrepieces.

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Images via Ruffled Blog.com

How will you light your wedding space? More lighting Pinspiration this way.

The Little Lending Co. X

OUR OUTDOOR CEREMONY PACKAGE.

Posted on July 16, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

Seems a lot of your are heading outside and embracing natural green spaces and woodlands for your “I do’s” so we thought we’d come up with something beautifully boho to fit right into a relaxed, rustic ceremony setting – Introducing our brand new Outdoor Ceremony Package.

Our outdoor ceremony package includes : Wooden ceremony arch and instillation, 5 x mixed rugs as aisle runner, 8 x Mixed Lanterns at foot of ceremony arch. Priced at £130.00 (Folding Wooden chairs are optional and subject to availability, priced at £2.40 each.) **Please note that flowers are not included in the package.

This package can of course be added to : Go more boho with our macrame backdrop hanging or a hand painted bespoke ‘love quote’ blackboard sign at the start of the aisle or why not try shepherds hooks and jars of blooms to line the aisle. (subject to availability folks!)

We’d love to hear from you and help you create your dream ceremony space….

Image Credits –
Venue : Brightwell Vineyard
Photography : Plenty to Declare
Co-ordination and Concept : Vanilla Rose Wedding and Events
Fresh Flowers : Green and Gorgeous
Paper Flowers : Things By Laura

Are you going outside?
Penny @ The Little Lending Co. X

G & T LIGHT UP LETTERS PHOTOSHOOT.

Posted on May 27, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

You guys must think I’m forever on photo shoots! Lately it feels like I am hopping from one to another and never get to show you the full results, just those little sneak peeks on our Instagram. So that’s why to feels great to share these shots from Tatum Reid Photography of a product shoot from the winter with G & T Typography.

We headed to a scrap yard, full of eerie charm and shot on old cars, fire engines and used derelict houses as a back drop. I took along my ladder and plank for one of the set ups.

We then headed to a forgotten little barn and filled with smaller props form the range to compliment the letters and shapes. From little wooden drawers, stoneware bottles, potted plants and lanterns I created little pockets of detail around those pretty awesome lights.

For the bigger set we used our trolley, small rug and hanging lamp shades to set the scene and popped in books and antlers for a cool, eclectic home feel contrasted against our industrial surrounds.

But our old vintage bike had to be my favourite and loved the mini polaroids from the shots of Georgie and Tim at G & T at the end.

Seriously though, head to G & T’s brand new site and put one in your basket.

Get in touch if you have unique products you’d love styled with our curiosities…

The Little Lending Co. x

OUR LITTLE STYLING SERVICES.

Posted on March 25, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

Here is our exciting announcement! So, so excited to let you all know I will now be adding some super styling services to our Little Lending package! Hooray!

It was at the request of so many of you that I thought now was about the right time to add it along side our items for hire and it’s the perfect way to be more involved with your wedding day’s decor (which is the bit I get all silly excited about!)

I guess it’s taken quite a bit of time for me to believe in myself enough to know that I am ready to offer wedding styling; I adore designing photoshoots with our own props and hope you’ve found these inspiring for your own W-day visions and have been building a portfolio of images for the last 18 months alongside incredible Norfolk talents. I’m so excited about creating new ways of seeing and displaying decor at events and I think you all know about my passion for anything relaxed and eclectic in the wedding world and know there are so many cool couples out there who are on the same page and looking for a little extra help to make those ideas a reality.

I will of course always work to our strong ethos of a ‘timeless’ concept, where you’ll look back on your wedding decor and props pics and still adore it as much as you did the first time you laid eyes on it.

Starting simply with two additional services (for now!) we’d love to hear your feedback :

LEND-A-HAND – priced at £70.00

You have your little lending props being delivered but then what?! Don’t panic, I’ll stay on site to help set them up too just how you envisioned them with our ‘ultimate on-the-day styling kit’ you don’t need to worry about remembering to bring a thing.
You can’t bear the thought of taking all the decor down the next day with a sore champagne head? Don’t worry I’ll be back to take down and gather everything up for you the day after too.

(Bride/Groom or venue co-ordinator must be on site to meet and show placement of props for this service.)

A LITTLE HELP GOES A LONG WAY – prices from £250.00

This package is all about providing complete decor peace on the day of your wedding, it’s perfect if you can’t be on site yourself and want to know all your decor will as you envisioned. From meeting for a face-to-face consultation 4-5 months before the wedding and a seperate venue meet to walk through every element of your wedding design, we’ll offer suggestions for placement of props on site and further options you may want to add for extra Wow factor. I’ll draw up a schedule for the set-up day to ensure everything is visually spot on and co-ordination of any other creative suppliers that will be on site. This will leave you to go beautify and drink bubbles…

From setting out any little lends as well as props and supplies sourced by yourselves/other suppliers I’ll pull together your wedding day vision with our ‘ultimate on-the-day styling kit.’
I’ll always work with any other decorative props suppliers/florists on the day to ensure your décor looks divine before you say ‘I do.’

(Little Lending Prop hire prices are additional but will include free delivery and collection)

Little Lenders, old and new, we’d love to hear if this is something you’d have liked/like to take advantage of…

Also a little reminder that if you are a Wedding or creative local company looking for some exciting styling of a space and/or products we would love to hear from you to help plan and style a full or half day shoot with our unique props. Please contact us for prices.

All images by DSPhotography.

A very excited…
Penny @ The Little Lending Co x

10 FAB WEDDING LOUNGE SPACES.

Posted on March 4, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

Image via Design Connection.

Wedding Lounging is so hot right now. Giving your guests somewhere comfortable and informal to relax into your day is just about the best solution to the ‘afternoon lull’ that everyone talks about. Stuffed to the brim with delicious wedding food and booze, all you actually want to do is curl up in the corner and have a breather for an hour. Little Lenders, give the people what they want…

1 // LIVING ROOM LOUNGING
Create the ultimate ‘lounge experience’ with guest feeling right at home. Cue mixed British design furniture, kitsch lamp shades strung above and textured cushions for this look.

Rock my wedding

2 // HAYBALING
Yup, still a firm favourite for rustic and country weddings – the hay bale sofa. Throw over some crochet blankets for a little more comfort which would also come in handy for the evening setting in. Fire pits are the perfect accompaniment. Guests will love this, trust us.

3 // BOHEMIA DEN
Create a secret bohemian den under the trees with soft drapes. Lay mixed persian rugs and cushions for real laid back vibes. Hanging features above look divine to really make an impact and festoon lights for when darkness falls.

Ruffled

4 // DECKCHAIR DELIGHT
Bring a little nostalgia into the mix with mis-matched striped deckchairs. So British. ‘Bride and Groom’ chair backs adds a extra little detail and a smile to faces.

Image source Save the date wedding mag

5 // ECCLECTIC COOL
This space is everything. One off pieces, mixes of bold patterns, colour and texture. Bohemian brides are going to love this. Center and side tables with floral and small decor details looks really rad and double up as somewhere for guests to rest drinks.

Image Green Wedding shoes

6 // INDIVIDUAL SPACES
Want to give your guests a little alone time while you have yours? Individual rugs and cushions scattered outside do just that. Perfect too if you’re planning a picnic wedding.

Image source Style Me Pretty

7 // ALL PILE ON
Or go the other way, create a great big pile of rugs and cushions – Free for all! Trays and low tables with lanterns and places for drinks keep this practical.

Image One Fab day

8 // CINEMA CHILLING
This idea I am mad about. I actually wanted to create this at our own day but couldn’t pull it off in time. Share your ceremony with evening guests that might not have seen you say ‘I do’ or why not create a video of you and your new hubby’s highlights through the years.

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9 // LOW DOWN LOUNGE
With pouffes and upturned halved barrels this is all about getting guests to go low. Not one for the oldies but your pals are going to get right into this. The perfect spot to relax after cutting some rug on the dance floor.

Image from 100 layer cake

10 // DIY TIPI
Create your own tipi filled with cosy cushions for couples piled at the back. Also a sweet spot for a couple of styled shots with your photographer on the day. With crochet bunting dotted above and jam jar tea lights leading a pathway in the evening this is beyond cute right?

Image via Appartment 34.com

Thinking of planning a W-lounge? What’s your seating choice? We’d be happy to talk through any lounge ideas with you.

Until next time,
The Little Lending Co X

HELLO 2015.

Posted on January 6, 2015 by thelittlelendingco

It’s taken me a few days (probably because I was still full of Christmas cheese and Disaronno) but I am finally excited to get started on this year. Who’s with me?

With so much to look forward to and the Little Lending 2015 diary filling up for another busy season ahead I’m going to embrace this new year energy.
Each and every day I’ll try to fill with a new possibility – ‘When your mind is open the opportunity is endless’ don’t they say.

I hope to continue on with the Little Lending ethos of providing original, timeless inspiration to creative, stylish couples planning their wedding day this year. There will be more new products coming your way, more styled shoots and collaborations with other local suppliers to give you ideas of how to style our growing assortment of props. Plus you can meet us at some of our favourite wedding fairs across Norfolk too. (Just keep an eye on our Facebook page for info of fairs we’ll be at.)

We’ve been busy scribbling ideas down for more blog posts too and next week there will be our look at emerging 2015 wedding trends that we love and actually want to jump on board with. Plus more posts with helpful tips and DIY ideas you might want to try. We’re also uber excited about being a B.loved blog contributor this year and have a few ideas in our pipeline we’re working on exclusively for them.

And if you’ve followed us a while on Instagram, you may have spotted behind the scenes snaps on our Botanical concept shoot back in October. But next week we’ll be able to share all the inspiration as we’re featured on a brilliant international wedding blog. Hooray!

Wishing you all an awesome year and if you’re a 2015 Little Lender we are ridiculously excited for you.

(A little added important note for our Little Lenders this year : If you have pencilled items in with us this year we do require a booking deposit to secure them for your date and sadly cannot hold items as the Summer months are looking incredibly busy.)

2015, Let’s do this…

Penny @ The Little Lending Co. x

SWEET TREATS STATION.

Posted on September 25, 2014 by thelittlelendingco

It’s time to reveal our Sweetest Station now available for hire. If you don’t want to put your cake in the corner this ones for you…

Sweet Treat stations are so of the now, and we’re loving the idea of mixing up the treats in store for your wedding guests. From the ladder and plank base to the little mini drawers and crate this is a suitably styled station base for relaxed wedding delights.

Our Sweet Treats station includes : 2 X mini ladders and plank, Large Apple crate and mini wooden drawers, Large white china cake stand (11.5″ base), Lid topped glass cake stand, 2 x Vintage glass bowls, 3 x Metal sweet scoops and 3x metal sweet tongs, 3 X Vintage glass cake stands, 6 X mixed sized sweet jars, 5 X Mini vintage class bottles (for flowers) and our Hand painted Sweets sign with wooden pole. (Please note : Flowers and Treats are not included)

Hired out individually this would be over £90.00 but this stylish station can be yours for £60.00 – Plus we’ll do all the leg work of delivering and setting out at your venue in your desired spot. (Delivery and collection charges apply)

You can drop us a line here if you’d like to know more about Sweet Treats station and the ins and outs of hire.

Photography by our favourites at DS Photography.

Now where’s that cake…
The Little Lending Co. x

THE LITTLE LENDING CO. ON B.LOVED BLOG

Posted on April 14, 2014 by thelittlelendingco

When photographer Tatum Reid asked me to be a part of her Rustic Fairytale styled I got super excited when I saw her previous styled shoots. Such beautiful natural work with really exciting ideas and vision. She was calling in some brilliant local suppliers to work on the shoot too, from origami flower making experts Lottie’s Florigami to Local bridal dress designers Sophie and Smith and make-up artist Georgina Suzanne so knew this was going to be pretty special.

You can read more about the direction and inspiration of our ‘A Modern Fairytale’ shoot on B.loved wedding blog and we talk about the decor and how we styled up the two different tablescapes for the shoot. http://www.blovedweddings.com/a-modern-fairytale

I loved being a part of this shoot and got a little over-excited to be featured on another UK wedding blog with our little company. Here are some of my favourites of the shoot that Tatum captured so perfectly.