Hello there, welcome to the very final post on Love My Dress for 2013.  If you've stumbled upon Love My Dress for the first time today, then, welcome! It wouldn't be surprising; Christmas Eve is the most popular day in the year for proposals of marriage to be made (I became engaged on Christmas Eve 2007 myself).  So, for all those of you who have scrambled to the internet to tell your friends and family your exciting news and to maybe scout out a wedding venue, our love and congratulations to you! We're so happy that you've found out blog and we hope that it inspires you over the course of your wedding planning.

Love My Dress is an award winning wedding blog that was established in 2009 by me, Annabel Beeforth, after I became married myself. I spent 15 months planning my wedding and it changed my life.  Literally.  During that time, I discovered a passion for writing about love, for seeking out talented designers and suppliers and for documenting my discoveries through my little hobby blog.  Much has happened in the past 4 years.  My hobby blog has turned in to a full time business, and I've taken on my first member of staff and I've filled a life dream and become a published author.

Franky and I have blogged so many beautiful real weddings in 2013 to inspire you - every seasonal wedding you could imagine, with style ranging from Edwardian inspired elegance, through to 70's boho beauty, with everything 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60's inspired in between.  Check our drop down menus at the top left and right of the page to explore our vast archive of content.  We've also opened up to our community of readers through a series of engaging discussion posts and we've shared the most beautiful wedding films.  We've worked hard to ensure Love My Dress remains the blog I always wanted it to be; honest, genuine, inspiring, beautiful, elegant, glamorous and full of grace.  And now my lovelies, now we're going to take a little rest over Christmas. 

This will be our last post for 2013, and for that reason, we've chosen to dedicate it to our sponsors - those people who make ALL of this possible, who support our existence, development and who totally believe in what we're trying to do.  We are forever grateful to each and every sponsor listed below and want to dedicate our year of success to them and say thank you.

The following suppliers meet the Love My Dress seal of approval and we want to recommend them to you.   Some of them have been able to make some very special offers for our readers below - so read through carefully and make sure you don't miss out on anything fabulous as some of the promotions are time-limited.

 

BRIDAL FASHION & BOUTIQUES

Alan Hannah - We adore Alan Hannah designs and their commitment to made in Britain, brilliant craftsmanship.

Belle & Bunty - elegant bridal wear with a fashion forward appeal from inimitable designers Hannah and Alice.

Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Michelle Boyd Photography

Charlie Brear - Charlie Brear will be holding a sample sale on 24th and 25th January, where you will be able to save lots of £££ on your wedding dress - click here to book tickets before they run out!  Our readers simply adore Charlie Brear - see all our real Charlie Brear brides here.

Charlotte Balbier - pretty, romantic, feminine and whimsical.  Charlotte Balbier has always been a hit with Love My Dress readers.

Cicily Bridal - A beautiful bridal boutique stocking some of our very favourite brands (based in Tamworth).  Cicily Bridal would like to offer all Love My Dress readers £150 off any new dress order until 28th February 2014.  Cicily Bridal are also holding a winter sample sale on the 25th January with up to 50% off dresses from Ritva Westenius, Alan Hannah, Naomi Neoh, Stephanie Allin and Lyn Ashworth.  An opportunity not to be missed.

Claire Pettibone - the most exquisite, ethereal, nature inspired wedding dresses.  We simply adore Claire Pettibone.  Claire is based in the US but stocked at exlusive boutiques throughout the UK.  See our readers wearing Claire's gowns here.

Photograpy Copyright (c) 2013, Cat Hepple

Dana Bolton - London based bridal wear designer with a penchant for vintage.  We adore Dana's style and especially her foray in to veil design.  Dana would like to offer all Love My Dress readers a bespoke wedding veil with all wedding dress orders placed before the end of January 2014.

Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Kirsten Mavric

For Her & For Him - beautiful bridesmaids dresses to suit all styles. US based, ships worldwide

Halfpenny London - We're so incredibly proud that designer Kate Halfpenny and her exquisite brand of bridal wear will be joining our sponsor ranks in January.

Joanne Fleming - one of the UK's best independent designers, vintage, bohemian inspired.  I wore a stunning Joanne Fleming gown in blue for my book launch back in April.

Joyce Young - Joyce Young would like to offer all Love My Dress readers a free petticoat or veil with the purchase of a dress. This offer is valid until 31/01/14, excludes any other offer and is valid in the Joyce Young Glasgow shop only. One for all your gorgeous Scottish brides! You can see more from Joyce Young including real brides on Love My Dress here).

La Poesie - Chic, beautiful and decadently luxurious bridal wear.

Miss Bush Bridal Wear - Surreys leading designer bridal wear boutique.  We LOVE Miss Bush brides.

Nicki Macfarlane - Bespoke bridesmaids dresses, fabulous flowergirl dresses and page boy outfits.  If they are good enough for The Royal Wedding, they are perfect for Love My Dress readers!

Sally Lacock - simply divine bridal wear creations from one of the UK's best independent designers.  With every full price dress ordered by our readers before the end of January 2014, Sally Lacock will give a £200 voucher towards any accessories from their collection including silk veils, luxe fur capes, vintage headpieces and vintage bags.

See brides wearing Sally Lacock on Love My Dress here.

Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Jeff Cottenden

 

Sarah WIllard - beautiful couture designer wedding dresses and special occasion wear.

Katya Shehurina - Katya Shehurina would like to offer Love My Dress readers a special promotion of 30% off all of their wedding range ordered before the end of February 2014.  Katya Shehurina is also currently running a promotion of 50% off their evening/occasion range on their website.  

Suzannah - luxury British born and bred womens-wear fashion label that specialises in event dressing.

The State of Grace - one of my most favourite bespoke bridal wear designers in the world.

Teokath - Boutiques in London and Canterbury, stocking our favourite dress designers.

 

SHOES

Emmy - beautiful vintage inspired bespoke wedding shoes.  I can't tell you how much I adore Emmy shoes.  Emmy are kindly offering a 10% saving on all shoe and hair accessory orders placed before the end of January 2014.  Email [email protected] and mention 'Love My Dress' for details.  Please note, this promotion does not apply to bespoke orders.  See all our Emmy related features here (you will die with adoration!).

Arabesque - wedding shoes, bridal shoes, shoe dyeing and wedding accessories.   Arabesque would like to

gift a £25 voucher with every purchase from their Diane Hassall collection to spend on bridesmaids shoes from the Rainbow Club collection. Diane Hassall is head of design at Rainbow Club so the brands compliment each other perfectly.  This offer applies until 31st January 2014 on full price shoes only.  Please quote Love My Dress in the notes box at checkout and Arabesque will email you a personal voucher code. The voucher is valid until 28/02/14 and can only be used once. The voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

 

JEWELLERY

Glitzy Secrets - the fabulous Glitzy Secrets would like to offer our readers a 20% saving off all orders with the code LMDGS14.  This offer begins today and will end on 6th January 2014 and is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Photography Copyright (c) Claire Graham Photography

HT Headwear- HT Headwear would like to offer all Love My Dress readers a saving of 25% on all orders placed before 1st March 2014.  Simply use code 'LMDsave25' at checkout.  HT Headwear have also just launched a brand new Mother of the Bride collection for 2014; a small but perfectly formed collection comprising of some stylish alternatives to 'hats' for mums who want something different to high street options but perhaps not so committed to spend a fortune on something they will only wear once.  Each piece can be tailored made in bespoke colours and prices start from £75 - £185.  Watch out for the full new Mother of the Bride collection appearing on Love My Dress soon.

Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Anton Phatianov

 

Jo Barnes Vintage - vintage inspired headpiece designer Jo Barnes would like to offer Love My Dress readers 25% off all headdress orders.  Simply use code LMD1213.  PLEASE NOTE - you will need to email your order to [email protected].  This offer excludes bespoke pieces and will expire end February 2014.

Photography by Ria Mishaal

Liberty In Love - the award winning web-based wedding boutique - we can't recommend highly enough.

Lila - Lila would like to offer Love My Dress readers 15% off all headpieces from both the current collection as well as one-off/bespoke designs, providing they are booked by 31 January. Lila don't currently sell their exquisite designs onlin, so readers need to email [email protected] to discuss their requirements and place an order quoting LMD1114.  Don't be put off by the fact these designs are not sold online - they are EXQUISITE (put it like this, bridal wear designer Claire Pettibone immediately contacted Lila Designer Sophia to enquire about stocking her headpieces after seeing this feature on Love My Dress.

Passionate About Vintage - collector of exquisite original vintage wedding accessories

Vintage Styler - Vintage Styler would like to offer a whopping 20% off all January orders for Love My Dress readers only.  Use code PARTYGLITZ at checkout.  Please just note that Vintage Styler won't be posting out any orders now until 2nd January - but it will be worth the wait. I adore my art deco style Vintage Styler earrings.

Image via Love My Dress on Instagram

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Divine Day Photography - Divine Day Photography would like to offer Love My Dress readers a free engagement shoot or 8x8 album with any full day wedding taking place in 2014.  Email Sandra von Riekhoff for details on [email protected].

Eliza Claire Photography - All packages booked in the month of January will be upgraded from the standard length package to full day coverage including a photo booth for the same price, and I'm also offering a 30% discount on the photo book upgrade for all bookings in January - these offers together are worth over £500 and are exclusive to Love My Dress readers.  See Eliza's beautiful wedding photography on Love My Dress here.

Jordanna Marston - see Jordanna's beautiful wedding photography on Love My Dress here.

Mckinley-Rodgers - See McKinley Rogers beautiful wedding photography on Love My Dress here.

Marianne Ford - Marianne would like to offer a 10% saving on all wedding photography bookings for 2014.  Email [email protected] for further details.

Olliver Photography - wondrous weddings in pretty places.

Polly Alexandre - Polly Alexandre shoots on film only and thus produces the most gorgeous quality wedding photography with a really beautiful and dreamy appeal. See Polly's beautiful fine art and film wedding photography on Love My Dress here.                        

Timeless Pictures - watch out for weddings from Timeless Pictures on Love My Dress soon.

Tom Ravenshear - Tom Ravenshear is an incredible photographer, full stop. See all of Tom's beautiful wedding photography on Love My Dress here.

Wedding Belles - Wedding Belles would like to provide a saving to Love My Dress readers of 10% providing you book your wedding photography package by 31st January 2014.

Xander & Thea - UK and overseas weddings from this fabulous up and coming photography team. We LOVE.   Xander and Thea would like to offer £200 off their wedding package or £50 off a couple portrait session if booked by the end of February 2014.

The Twins Weddings - our favourite wedding photographers in the North East of England.  Look out for this gorgeous real wedding coming soon from The Twins...

Mirrorbox Photography - we adore this photography duo based in Scotland who also cover the whole of the UK.

Jacqui McSweeney - we love Jacqui's relaxed, unfussy style of photography.  Jacqui would like to offer all Love My Dress readers a saving of £100 if booked before Jan 30th and also a fine art 16' x 12" print chosen from your final wedding images.

Hannah Mia - Hannah Mia would like to offer all Love My Dress readers 25% off any package for weddings taking place in January-March 2014, so if you need to book your wedding photographer quickly, book Hannah now!

 

FILM PRODUCERS

Cinereportage (super8-mm) - we absolutely adore Will Cummock's retro super 8-mm style wedding films.  And lucky for you, Will would like to offer all Love My Dress readers a saving of £150 on all bookings made between Christmas and Valentines day.

 

 

HAIR & MAKE-UP ARTISTS

Brides to be Make-up By Lauren (Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex, London and overseas) - Lauren would like to offer our readers 10% off make-up and hair bookings placed by 14th January 2014.  She would alos like to offer a 10% saving on all wedding shoes and accessories. Email [email protected] for further details.

Lipstick and Curls (London & surrounding area) - Lipstick and Curls would like to offer a 20% saving on thier hair and make up bridal services and packages booked before 28th Feb 2014. This excludes the bridal trial.  For further information, please email [email protected].

 

FLORISTS

Lily & May - Highly recommended Essex based Florist.  We simply adore Lily and May - and you can see related features here on Love My Dress.

Photography by Ellie Gillard - see the full wedding here on Love My Dress

 

CAKES & SWEET THINGS   Cake Maison - incredible cake design if you are looking to invest in something fabulous and sweet on your wedding day.   Kalm Kitchen - Kalm Kitchen would like to offer all Love My Dress readers a Patisserie Boutique for 60 guests free of charge for any full wedding catering bookings received before the 31st January 2013. 

 

STATIONERY & PAPER PRODUCTS

Emily & Jo - the lovely ladies behind Emily & Jo would like to offer all Love My Dress readers a saving of 10% on stationery orders placed during the month of January 2014.  Email [email protected] for further details.

Vintage Rose Wedding Invitations - lovely kitschy, chintzy, floral inspired wedding stationery.

 

  WEDDING PLANNERS & EVENT STYLISTS   Katrina Otter Weddings - Wedding designer and planner Katrina Otter would like to offer the readers of Love My Dress a ‘saving’ of 10% on all bookings made before the end of April 2014 – this offer applies to all remaining dates in 2014 and 2015 across all of the services offered by Katrina.    

UNIQUE SERVICES

Borrowed Blue Boutique - absolutely fabulous online wedding boutique for all those little something extras and brilliant styling ideas for your wedding day.

The Wedding Reporter - The quite frankly amazing Wedding Reporter would love to know more about your love story, so if you like The Wedding Reporter on Facebook, writer Emma will take 20% off the cost of your wedding report. All you have to do is enquire before January 31st, quoting LMDFTW.  See more from the wedding reporter on Love My Dress here.

Calligraphy For Weddings - The wedding calligrapher would  love to offer Love My Dress readers a 15% saving on any purchase of the 'Will you be my bridesmaid?' cards.

Have a very, very merry Christmas all,

Annabel and Franky