Feather boutonnieres from Pomp and Plumage

I discovered this Etsy shop Pomp and Plumage via Creature Comforts.

I have a bit of a thing for feathers at the moment, especially brown ones for some reason so my eyes lit up at these boutonnieres.

I've done a few posts on boutonnieres because it's a good way for grooms to get creative and these are elegant but quirky too!









What do you think? They're a good alternative to floral boutonnieres no?

A bit of a soppy post

I'm feeling in a particularly sentimental mood today and felt like this was a perfect opportunity to was lyrical on my love for my couples.

I can genuinely say I adore each and every couple I'm working with at the moment. They are all so wonderfully unique and their ideas and hopes for their respective weddings completely reflects this.

I will have to quit whilst I'm ahead here before I becoming sickeningly schmaltzy. Suffice to say I never would have imagined a few years back that I would get to run my own business, work creatively with inspiring suppliers (you know who you are!) and meet such diverse and interesting people both in the flesh and in the blogging world.

I guess I want to say a big thank you in particular to my couples for making my job so enjoyable. Some of whom I know read this but won't comment ;)

You guys rock my world!

Adele - definitely making me feel her love

This week's mixtape masters post is all about Adele. I can't believe this girl is only 22. Her voice is incredible.

Her performance at the Brits was immense. And so I'm dedicating the whole of this playlist to Adele because quite frankly she rocks my world.





What do you think lovelies? You in love with this girl and her voice as much as me?


For more Mixtape Master madness, peep the playlists on these blogs:

Hi-Fi Weddings | Tylre. | Ten Thou Bride | Fashion Under 100 | Jo, Rooting | Craft My Life | another damn life | Fancy Notion | Dead Flowers | Casa De Kaloi | Bunnies’n’Beagles | My San Francisco Budget Wedding | Existing Between Reality and Dreams

Have you ever seen anything so adorable?!

Gratuitous cute post. Just because.



source - polar photographer Sue Flood

What does a wedding planner actually do? Part 3

Can you afford a wedding planner?

Um, yeah.

One of the most annoying myths about wedding planners is that we're a luxury for high end weddings and couples with big fat budgets.

Most of my clients have modest but perfectly respectable budgets. As one bride said to me at the weekend: 'We could afford more, but this is what we're comfortable spending on our wedding.'

In my experience the quirkier and more creative the couple are the more likely they are to have a 'budget' wedding. And that's fine by me. Far more enjoyable to work with couples like this!

This doesn't mean I don't and haven't worked with couples with bigger budgets (and by bigger I mean £40k and upwards) it's just the majority of my clients are 'normal' people with 'normal' jobs from 'normal' backgrounds and this is what they can afford.

And I don't see why they shouldn't hire a wedding planner any less than someone with £100k to spend.

Okay so obviously I have to make a living. I know what I can afford to charge prospective clients and I know what wouldn't be possible for me to do. Sometimes I really love hearing about a couples' ideas but they can't afford to hire me as a full planner - so I help them out with a consultation for instance.

Just like there are designer boutiques where you can spend a month's rent on a handbag for instance, there is also Topshop.

In all aspects of life there are options for those with money to spend and those who have to be more careful. And it really really bugs me when people think wedding planners are only for the wealthy.

There are wedding planners who cater to a more luxury driven market and yes, if you've got £20k to spend don't both getting in touch with them. But for all the rest of you wondering if you can afford a wedding planner. You can. To some extent anyway. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

This is the third post in my mini series about life as a wedding planner.

Pretties to start the week with...

the couple

Not much I don't adore about this couple and their gorgeous budget DIY wedding as seen on Ruffled.

How sweet is the bride's plaited hair and lovely lace wedding dress?




the ring

Stylish, unique and ethical engagement rings by New York based ken + dana design.

You have to check out their site, there are some real beauties on there. Found via live it out photography.




the shoe

Loving this killer wedding shoe seen over at Style Me Pretty. The wedding is full of super gorgeousness.




the star bunting

Always on the look out for new and fresh wedding decor ideas and rather liking this star bunting/ garland. Found over at stylist Mindy Gayer's blog




the prop

Ampersand from an engagement shoot found over at Emmaline Bride. I've been thinking about getting an ampersand tattooed on my ankle but have yet to find the perfect font.



See more Monday Medley's here and here's to a splendid Monday folks :)

Marianne Taylor Photography

I haven't done a Savoir hearts this supplier for a while and who better to jump start this than the photography virtuoso that is Marianne Taylor.

I do a lot of research into photography in general and follow the best UK wedding photographers through twitter and their blogs and I have to say Marianne's work blows me away every time.

So I asked her a few questions so you can find out a little more about the woman behind the lens...

In 5 words how would you some up your photography style?

Creative, romantic, authentic, fun & nostalgic.





How do you deal with people who aren't natural in front of the camera, or indeed naturally photogenic?

I don't think I've ever photographed anyone who didn't say 'I absolutely hate having my picture taken' or something to that effect! I'm a great believer in the fact that there's something beautiful about everyone, and the most beautiful thing of all is authentic emotion. I am genuinely interested in people, and as a photographer specialising in couples, especially in how couples relate to each other. At a wedding I try not to get noticed too much and that's how I get to spy the real moments happening. During portrait sessions I try make sure that people know I don't expect them to 'perform' in any way, and that kind of gives them the license to just be themselves. I do sometimes use physical exercises to help people be more present in the moment and relax into it. For couple and engagement sessions especially, my wish is that everyone comes away feeling like they've had a nice experience, hopefully even one of those (too) rare connecting moments in life, and that the photos are just extra gravy.





If you weren't a photographer what would your dream job be?

A writer. Unfortunately I was never skilled enough in one language to finish any of the books I've started. But yes, would totally love to live in a little cabin by the sea, writing in solitude while listening to the waves.



If you had to pick one photographer who inspires you and/or you'd like to work with who would it be?

Hmm, that's a tricky one, inspiration comes in so many forms and I try to avoid any sort of idol worship. I would love to work with Jonas Peterson just because I'm intrigued to see how he approaches his pictures, and also to prove that Finns and Swedes can play nice together! :D One person whom I've been lucky enough to see in action, was Jesh de Rox. He taught me how to open my heart to strangers in order to make an experience meaningful.





They say 'A picture says a thousand words...' can you show us one photo of yours that you think demonstrates this?



Aw! How super cute.

Thank you Marianne!

If you haven't already you simply must go and see more of Marianne's work over at her website and blog and whilst you're at it you should follow her on twitter too.