Thank you all so much for your help on our wedding day.  We had the most amazing day and it was very much helped by all the hard work and organisation behind the scenes by the Grittleton Team.  We were both so impressed as were our guests that commented how helpful and approachable all the staff were.  Emma - you were a gem helping throughout and didny once get frustrated with us (we arent the easiest we admit with our last minute nature!)  Vanessa the accommodation was spot on and Pam - so many commented how brilliant you were throughout the evening.  Not once getting exasperated with the slightly tipsy guests!  Thanks to the waitress that gave a guest a lift up the top!  The food was delicious - the chef did an outstanding job and the barman was great.  Sorry that it's taken so long to thank you all but we wanted to send a card with pics.

Grittleton is such a special house, I raelly hope many more get to enjoy it as we did.

Thanks again,

Love The new Mr & Mrs

You've done the bended knee, there was a resounding yes! The date is fixed, everyone's excited... yourselves more than anyone. Yet you've realised that now you have to send out the invites and you're not sure where to begin!

Wedding invitations are probably a little more crucial than you've initially envisaged. They're the sneak peek into the style of your big day – otherwise known as the preview, so getting it right is a priority. But with a plate full of ideas and lists swirly around your heads, we thought we'd take the hard work out of this stage in the game. So let's get started and find out exactly what it is that you'll need to know when planning the perfect wedding invitation.

Wedding Invitation Styling

Wedding invitations are the initial glimpse concerning the style of your big day. They will indicate to your guests whether you're having a formal affair, or something a little more removed form the norm – Whichever your choice of wedding day styling, traditionally, your invites will need to portray this to your guests. To gain some ideas, look through stationers' websites, have a look through Pinterest & don't forget to browse through previous invitations you've received from other couples. Once you've gathered inspiration and made some style notes, either book your appointment with the stationer or start getting crafty and creative yourselves!

Colour Themes

Generally speaking, if you're staying true to classic wedding etiquette, not only should your wedding invitations radiate the style of your big day, the colour theme will also come into the scheme of things. If you've already planned the colour of your bridesmaid's dresses & flowers, they can be integrated into the invites. Envelope liners, images and borders are the ideal addition to exhibit the hint of colour you'll be having on the day but try to avoid overpowering at this stage in case you decide to change your mind. Of course, on the other hand, if you've currently no idea of your colour schemes then always remain neutral. White or ivory invites are always a safe bet and will leave the colour pallet open for future development.

Wedding Invitation Wording

First, off the starting block with wedding invitation wording has to be a word of warning. Whatever you do, avoid cramming them full of useless information. They really do need to be neat and to the point. If it's proving to be difficult and you wish to include other information, such as directions, for example, don't hesitate to add an enclosure card. Concerning the etiquette of wording a wedding invitation, the rule of thumb will be the hosts, ie, parents, will always be first on the invite. It should begin with the parents of the bride and follow on with the parents of the groom. Finally, ensure that all wording is fully legible and ensure you proofread and see a copy of all invitations before they're printed.

Weights & Measures

Now you've chosen your design you'll need to make sure that the shape of your invitation fits into a standard sized envelope otherwise you'll be running additional expenses before you've even set foot into the bridal boutique! It's a question you can bring up with your stationer who should be able to recommend different shapes & sizes to fit the wedding invitation style you require. Yet to add, he will also be able to give you an idea about the weight of the invite. The more that you cram into that envelope, the more it's going to cost in postage stamps.

Choosing a theme of a wedding is a pivotal part of wedding planning for any bride and groom. Deciding upon the colour scheme, look and style of your wedding is the foundation on which you build your entire wedding plans, helping all of the other details to fall into place, creating a dream day for you and your future husband or wife. A wedding is supposed to be a culmination of the personal tastes of yourself and your partner; a day which is truly representative or your journey as a couple. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t trends which emerge in the wonderful world of weddings. Every year new colours, themes, styles and plans take centre stage and become hot property when wedding planning.

That said it is also very important that the theme you have in mind suits the style of venue. All elements of the day need to complement each other and work together to tell one magical story.

We’ll be running a miniature series on our blog, starting with the top trends for looks and styles of weddings this year.

Colours

Blush Pink

We often see colours which dominate the fashion scene seeping their way into the latest wedding trends - and the pretty pastel hue of blush pink is no exception. In 2017, blush pink has emerged as a seriously trendy colour within the wedding industry. Whether that’s baby pink bridesmaid dresses and ties for the groomsmen, striking blush pink peonies in the bouquet or pops of pink in the decor of your venue, a little sprinkle of pastel perfection will go a long way.

Metallic Hues

Shimmer, glitter, sequins and glam - what’s not to love with metallic shades? Expect to see a multitude of metallic madness working its way into weddings all over the country throughout the duration of the year. From bronze to silver to gold, even the famous rose gold which has swept the nation, we’re seeing metallic decorations growing exponentially in popularity. There’s also been a stunning rise in metallic sequin bridesmaid dresses. Why not mix your metals to create a seriously sassy palette of shimmering shades?

Themes

Festival Weddings

One of the themes which has undeniably dominated the wedding scene in 2017 is opting for a festival wedding. When you consider the benefits of throwing a festival wedding - it’s really not difficult to see why. Typically, festival weddings can be hosted outside in a marquee, alternatively, it is quite simple to dress the venue to give the same beautiful effect. Aim for a relaxed bohemian style, with plenty of church candles, bunting, pretty fairy lights and simple flowers. To enhance the outdoor feel add some simple games and activities that can be played whatever the weather. The traditional wedding meal is replaced by a less formal and more quirky form of food - food vans and carts can heighten the festival atmosphere or a variety of food stations at Grittleton House our ‘pimped pulled pork station’ is always a fun and popular alternative. Another option for a relaxed country feel is a picnic or an afternoon tea. Playing around with wedding stationery to incorporate this theme is also incredibly exciting, you could even opt for a wedding invite designed like a festival ticket.

Anything but Flowers

For many brides, choosing the flowers for their big day is undeniably one of the most exciting elements of wedding planning. However, in 2017, ladies all over the country have been embracing alternative options to classic floral arrangements in favour of something a little different. From intricate and remarkable paper flower arrangements to weird and wonderful succulents and greenery in place of a bouquet, why not look for something a little different when it comes to your wedding flowers? A stunning benefit of paper flowers is that you can frame and keep them with little hassle as a constant reminder of your special day.

We’ve seen some gorgeous, unique and incredibly bohemian themes and trends emerging in the world of weddings in 2017, and we’re looking forward to welcoming all manner of different wedding themes, wedding colour schemes and wedding styles to Grittleton House in the coming seasons.

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