Pretty Star Designs Dream Wedding

Today I am welcoming my second participant to my shiny blog Lauren of Pretty Star Designs : Wedding Stationery That Rocks!



Pretty Star Designs



Pretty Star Designs was created in 2009 after I couldn't find the perfect stationery for my own wedding, having just finished college a few weeks beforehand and having almost given my graphic design teacher a heart attack from choosing to not go to Uni [received one of the highest marks in the country :)  I created my own stationery and Pretty Star Designs was born! Six months after the wedding I decided that I would make the leap to self-employment and haven't looked back since!

Pretty Star Designs




 Pretty Star Designs specialise in wedding stationery and custom designs, but we also create many other things including mugs, baby clothes, bags, jewellery (Home of the 'Something Blue Bridal Ring') and general graphic designs for businesses and the home. Along with designing we are also a professional photography business.

We love to create items that are unique, and love seeing the customers' face when their ideas come to life. Making others smile is the best feeling in the world! 

Lauren, if you were planning your wedding day today, who would you use and why?

Invites -  Well I made my own the first time and that's how my business began so would probably go down the same route again,

however I love the stationery Cutture makes http://www.cutture.com/

Pretty Star Designs

Venue - We would possibly choose the same venue again, although there are some fab others in Swansea that we also like. If we were to choose anywhere in the UK, then either a local beach, or Andaz in London http://london.liverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Chocolate Blush

Decoration /  Favours - I love the indoor draped ceiling look with all the lights, for our first wedding we had light curtain displays and would probably have them again for the romantic atmosphere they gave.

For favours, I like the edible items, would probably choose printed chocolate from Chocolate Blush http://www.chocolateblush.co.uk/content/printedchocolate

Hair & Make-up - I would definitely have a hairdresser and make-up artist come to me next time, having to travel to the hairdresser at 7:30am for a 4pm wedding was rather annoying lol! 

Dresses - There are so many fabulous dresses out now, I think I would probably go for a slightly bigger skirt next time or full on sparkle. I love more unique dresses, and love ones with big sparkly bows or huge flowers. I love Claire Pettibone dresses and local designer Stephanie Allin :) Having one custom made would also be amazing.

Menswear - Went local last time, would love hubby to have something more unique next time. Maybe something from Saville Row.

Little Venice Cake ompany

Cake - I Had a very elaborate custom designed cake last time so would probably do the same again, although I do love some of the new lace style cakes like this one from Little Venice http://www.lvcc.co.uk/iced-wedding-cakes-detail.asp?cakeid=27

Flowers - Also had flowers custom designed so probably would next time, currently love all white bouquets, and huge totally white large ball floral arrangements in tall vases with hanging crystals.

Photographer - Had professional wedding photographer father last time do the photos along with two friends from a photography course I was taking at the time. Ended up with fab vintage style photos and they got to add them to their portfolios, both are now fashion photographers in London :) A fab photographer who I met through Twitter and love her work is Kathy Ashdown, would love her to be a photographer next time! http://www.katherineashdown.co.uk/ 

Katherine Ashdown Photographer

Entertainment - Didn't really have any entertainment as such last time just a really rubbish DJ, next time I would probably blow most of the budget on getting someone truly amazing that hubby and I both love. Would possibly have some sort of garden games if we had a large lawn at next venue, just so that the younger ones would have something to do.

Wedding Planner - Would love to have a wedding planner next time, love weddings by Claire http://www.weddingsbyclaire.co.uk/ and Candice from Cerendipity Events http://cerendipity-events.co.uk/

Candice of Cerendipity

Last time I tried to do it all on my own at the last minute without help, not the best idea I've ever had lol, what with running a business, final exams, moving house and only a few weeks left until the big day. Next time I am going to take my own advice and do as much as possible as soon as possible so the last few weeks can be stress free and relaxing!

Finishing Touches Jewellery and Tiaras - I love the designs you have on your site, I would have to go for something like this http://www.tiny-gems.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=235&products_id=560 

Tiny-Gems

I also love Chez Bec designs like this http://www.chezbec.com/product.cfm?category=10&id=658



Chez Bec



and Kirsten Goss http://www.kirstengossbrides.com/

             

Theme and Why - Had a country garden with afternoon tea theme last time, loved the relaxed atmosphere and the light meals and tea, was also lovely to have a more informal section to the wedding and be able to sit, relax and eat outside in the boiling hot summer evening. Would probably go for a similar theme next time as that is what we are like as a couple, or a high glamour evening do black tie evening event, with champagne bar and gorgeous lighting, both themes relate to us as people, I don't think any couple should choose a random theme just because it will look nice in photos. You need to stick to who you are and have a day that represents you :)

What one top tip would you give to a bride to be in arranging her wedding?  - As soon as you can, create a scrapbook or file of all the wedding images that you love, and then don't look at it again for a few weeks, then create a palette from those images that you truly love. Some ideas may seem good at the time but you may not like them a few weeks later and it may be too late if you've paid deposits. 

Always sleep on an idea, preferably for a couple of weeks, seeing things with fresh eyes really helps when planning.

Stick to who you are, and not just you as a bride, 50% of everything should come from the groom too, its his big day as well :)

Thank you so much for sharing your ideas with us today Lauren, you've been brilliant.