Rules of Engagement

It can seem that there are so many rules and conventions around weddings, but some of my favourites are those that break them. Ours was organised in three months, involved an egg throwing contest and circus games, our old Volvo estate dressed up with ribbons, a tent decorated with flags sewn by friends, and masses of sweet peas grown by my childhood village neighbours.

I wouldn’t change a thing, but if I were to do it all again, there are a few things I might add, inspired by clients, customers and some of the incredible creatives who have crossed my path since I started Scribble & Daub...

Invitations

I got married before the dawn of Scribble & Daub, and though I handmade all our invitations and place cards, they were far simpler than the pieces I’ve gone on to create for other couples...

Bespoke hand-painted stationery sets the tone of what's to come and is a special keepsake long after the last champagne cork has popped. If time were tight, I’d adapt one of our custom designs with hand-written details.

See more Scribble & Daub weddings...

Dress

Mine was a simple 30s style in satin, made in haste by a seamstress to my own design with a belt buckle (something borrowed) from an antique cape. Now, I’d take my time to seek out a vintage gown (how about upending expectations with this pink & orange from Valentino?!) or drop in to Halfpenny who make wildly romantic yet contemporary dresses. I also love the trend for changing into something short & chic to dance the night away as one of our brides Gabriella did, paired with glittering kicks.

Photo: Meghan Bates of Laura Ridley-Willis, dress by Halfpenny, headdress by Simone Rocha.

Decorations

Having discovered our gorgeous hand-sewn garlands & streamers a couple of years ago, I’d obviously deck the halls with these now, and many of you have done the same to beautiful effect.

Photo of our streamers at the wedding of @neapandspring

I am always looking for an excuse to mirror the folk tradition of wish trees, so I'd be-ribbons all the branches in the vicinity to make a forest of shimmering colour all around.

Shop our Boxes of Ribbons

A tented canopy of ribbons inspired by this installation by artist Day Anh Nhan Duc for Louis Roederer Champagne might also be attempted..!

On the tables, I’d hand-letter guest names onto the back of various decorations and tie them with ribbon around wine glasses or napkins as place settings, then everyone has a gift to take home.

Find our decoration collection here.

Regular readers will know my love for a meadow, so I'd ask Alexandra at Aesme to recreate one across the venue & reception with an abundance of local, seasonal flowers. Flowers from the Farm is also a brilliant resource to find locally grown flowers if you want to have a go yourself!

Cake

They say, "Marry in haste, repent at leisure", and whilst I don't regret the husband, I do regret the cake! Pushed for time, we bought ready-made tiers and decorated them with seasonal flowers, but if I had my moment again, I dream of one of the deliciously creative confections by the new wave of stylish bakers @stolzes @lailacooks @violetcakeslondon & @lily_vanilli_cake.

Magic Touches

Little details make all the difference in creating a memorable and personal celebration. Our friends James & Hugo of Bard Scotland arranged for handwritten notes in a thistle card (designed & painted by me!) and a bottle of whisky to greet everyone in their room when arriving for their Isle of Skye wedding.

I’d definitely borrow the idea of sparklers from our couple David & Louisa’s wedding (above), and add even more glitter to proceedings with gleaming gold Dresden Ornaments scattered across the tables.

I insisted on a candy floss machine at our wedding, and am thinking an ice cream van helmed by my friend Kitty of La Grotta Ices might be a nice addition! I’d commission another friend, Cat of Keep Collect, to make one of her bespoke wedding postboxes, and an archive album to hold all our memories.

And finally, if money were no object, I’d have Liz Linkleter on speed dial and ask her to organise the whole thing! The weddings and parties her team organise - which I've occasionally had the pleasure of designing stationery for - have the most incredible details, and a wildly good time is always their guiding principle.