When you used to ask someone about their idea of a wedding, the image most used to conjure up was the traditional English big white wedding – the beautiful church, the big meringue dress with a 5ft train, the bridesmaids, sit down meal and all the other etiquette associated with the traditional English wedding but whilst this idea is still the dream that a lot of women have for their special day since their childhood, over the years, as more and more options have become available, more and more bride-to-bes are jetting off to sunnier climes to take their vows abroad in a beach style ceremony.

I think whilst some women from the day they get engaged, relish organising every little tiny detail of their big day, spending weeks finding the perfect venue, the perfect dress etc for some women the idea of escaping to the sun is much more appealing. I think especially now as we all know that women’s lives have become so full, having so many things to juggle, careers, families, social lives! when it comes to their wedding they want the day to be just as special but don’t want all the organising that the traditional big white wedding involves, along with, of course, the inevitable who do we invite who don’t we scenario. With a wedding abroad you feel much less inclined to invite everybody you’ve ever known!

There are so many beautiful locations all over the world that cater for all tastes and styles, from those who want complete seclusion and tranquillity to those who want something a bit more fun. Top destinations for those couples wanting to jet off include the Seychelles, the Maldives and Koh Samui, where you can have everything from a ceremony on the white sands of the Indian Ocean to a wedding breakfast on a table set in the shore with stingray and tropical fish at your feet – maybe not the best idea for anyone who has fish phobias! I have a friend who did this, and remembers it as one of the most magical experiences of her life!

My fiancée and I have been engaged for a couple of years but had never got round to setting a date as like a lot of couples we weren’t quite sure what we wanted, but having travelled to Cuba a couple of years ago, we were absolutely blown away by the resort where we were staying, after our walk around the resort when we first arrived, the Jacuzzi overlooking the crystal white sands of the private beach and the turquoise water, the pretty white gazebo, we pretty much decided then and there, that that was where we wanted to get married.

We kind of assumed the cost would be extortionate but were very pleasantly surprised. I think that is probably another draw for those looking to tie the knot abroad. The traditional big white wedding as with all weddings is beautiful but by the time you’ve finished, you’ve spent a small mortgage. For some people it is worth every penny but for others the smaller price tag is very appealing.

With this in mind below you will see the beach wedding invitation I want for my dream wedding.

There are a few things to bear in mind when it comes to purchasing your wedding table plans.

Your wedding table plans don’t have to be bland and boring!  Consider personalising them with pictures or images that mean something to you.  Photographs of you are your partner are a great way to do this, but particular images and symbols can be just as effective – see our previous article on using images on your wedding stationery.

Your wedding table plans don’t have to simple be a list of names either – I’ve been to wedding where everybody’s names were made into anagrams – a real ice-breaker!  Other ideas include naming everyone by first names only for intimate weddings, using fond nicknames for those closest to you, and naming everyone according to their title (e.g. Auntie Jane and Uncle Nick or Best Friends Emma and Claire).

It can be fun to do something a little different for your wedding table plans, just try to avoid confusing people!  Maybe you want to do away with names altogether and put pictures of your guests onto the table plan – a lot of work but it will look amazing!

With a bit of organisation and creativity your wedding table plans will look fabulous and create a real talking point for your guests.

Many couples about to get married are drawn to a particular symbol for their big day.  Whether is be hearts, rings, flowers…it’s usually something which you choose to represent you on your wedding stationery, from your save the date magnets to your thank you cards, so here’s our little guide to the most popular symbols for your wedding stationery.

A very popular symbol for stationery is a pair of wedding rings interlinked.  The message that they portray is that of love and unity and a commitment to each other.  Using wedding rings as a symbol on your save the date magnets tell everyone at first glance that there is an upcoming wedding.

Hearts are another very popular choice for couples about to be married.  The heart is a hugely powerful symbol for wedding stationery with a very clear message of love.  People will recognise the heart as a symbol for the love that you have for one another.

Beaches and tropical scenery usually tell people that you’re not about to get married on these shores!  As beautiful as the United Kingdom can be, we don’t have many swaying palm trees and crystal clear waters lapping against white sand beaches!  Telling people of your upcoming faraway nuptials is easily done with stationery of this sort – and if you choose them for your save the date magnets, they double up as a postcard on the fridge!

Whatever symbols you decide to involve in your wedding plans, choose something which has meaning for you and co-ordiante all of your wedding stationery accordingly.