Granny's Teaparty

Pete and I took my In-Laws to see the wedding venue this week. Going to see it again I was just as impressed and  *sigh of relief* they liked it too. It all became real for us again, it was no longer out of sight out of mind, in just less than a year we would be back here getting married. I welled up!! Also Revisiting was extra good for me as it galvanised me to continue collecting and finding pretty ways to decorate, I feel lots of charity shop runs coming on.

Already I have collected a vintage china trio for every guest from gift and charity shops, boot sales and eBay. There is method in my madness as these are going to be place settings, with individual luggage tags attached and for afternoon tea later. I got my inspiration from my favourite tea shop in Cardiff - The Pettigrew Tea Rooms. They use vintage cups, plates, teapots and 50's music which gives a lovely ambiance I want to recreate. I am a sucker for a cream tea!

Also I was going to turn some of the leftovers into teacup candles to be lit in the evening, a tip from Kirsty's Home Made Home. http://www.channel4.com/4beauty/style/budget-fashion/how-to-make-a-teacup-candle
Luckily I have particularly crafty bridesmaids who have already offered to help out, an offer I'm sure they will come to regret!
           

With these already on the table, I started looking for a small centrepiece to tie everything together. My friend had cake stands on her tables, with roses heads and cupcakes decorating them. Another friend had teapots on vintage books. Both looked amazing on the day.

My original thought was birdcages. There were so many nice designs to choose from. However after looking through bridal magazines some brides had really gone to town with beautiful flowers inside and outside, trailing ivy and roses but I wanted to do
something a bit different. 

After I considered candelabra, again stylish and not difficult to pick up. These were more what I had envisaged, but the extra tall metal ones were too formal for me. So I have currently set about trying to collect miss matched candelabra.  Nothing ever matches with me including my socks! I love the Laura Ashley white and crystal ones but the old fashioned Silver ones have an old school glamour to them. I have decided to layer lace and crochet doilies underneath which my grandma has kindly agreed to make

In thinking about centrepieces, I began wondering what to give our guests as
favours. Out of all the ideas I had seen little pots of jam and honey with "Spread the Love" tags were the cutest. I found that pots were relatively cheap and I have been making jam (how WI of me) for a while. But my head has been turned lately by the Candy Bar craze, the idea of collecting vintage sweet jars and filling them with old fashioned sweets really appeals. Also with a few children at the reception they can tuck into them when it all gets a bit boring! Personalised bags are cheap on EBay and I'm hoping this will bring the look together. I have bought a few cut glass bowls and barrels from charity shops and I have seen some large ribbed jars which will complete the table. I am going to use the left over lace to make some bunting to deck the table.

My New DIY project of the week is to renovate a Vintage suitcase to hold cards. I have bought a small suitcase and some Cath Kidson material to line it. I will show you the finished project!

http://www.mrsaveragebride.com/2012/08/diy-vintage-gift-card-suitcase.html

I'm following this guide from another Bride blogger, I'm hoping it will look like this when its finished.

My wedding is definitely going to look like granny's tea party!