A big thank you...

...to all of you who read my blog, I hope you feel inspired by my posts and keep popping back in the new year!

I thought I would end the year with a round up of some of my favourite things that I have posted about since Twenty Seven Years Later began...

Where it all began.

Why I called my blog Twenty Seven Years Later.

I am so proud to be associated with such a beautiful venue.

This comment made me feel happy that I have helped another small business.

A lovely comment about my work.

A beautiful real wedding.

I am out this evening for lovely food with great friends and then off to the Church at midnight to ring the new year in... However you are celebrating, do it in style and have an amazing time! Wishing you all the best for 2010!

PS... If you are getting married in 2010 then please get in touch - we would love to feature your wedding as a real wedding and remember to check out Beau for all of your stationery needs!

Winter Wonderful...

Image Anna Kuperberg via Snippet & Ink

If you like this image then you will like this one too!

Love Notes :: 6

Where there is love the heart is light.
Where there is love the day is bright.
Where there is love there is a song
To help when things are going wrong.
Where there is love there is a smile
To make all things seem more worthwhile.
Where there is love there’s quiet peace,
A tranquil place where turmoils cease –
Love changes darkness into light
And makes the heart take “wingless flight”.



Where there is Love by Helen Steiner Rice

Colour Palette 5 :: Copper, Chocolate & Taupe

Click image to enlarge

Photo Credits:
All photos by Sunday Suppers

...And in with the new

A few weeks ago I wrote about how my husband Ian and I decided upon a 'donations gratefully received towards our fireplace renovation' instead of a traditional gift list... I promised some 'after' pictures and I thought this one would be quite appropriate to share as its Christmas eve!

We used this image on our personal Christmas cards with the verse... Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful and as theres no place to go, let it snow! Let is snow! Let is snow!... We sent them to all of our guests so they could see what their 'money gift' was put towards.

Have you chosen to have a non-traditional gift list?

In love with sparkles...

Image Karen Wise via Snippet & Ink

Are you having sparklers to end your big day?

White Winter Wedding...

Yesterdays post got me thinking about how nice a winter wedding would be! I would definitely have a mini fur cape like Karen's, a room filled with candles, christmas decorations, real fires, a christmas dinner themed wedding breakfast and a beautiful white bouquet like this one by Foxtail Lilly...


Image Foxtail Lilly

Are you having a winter wedding? If you are and would like us to feature some of your winter wedding photos then please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!

Get me to the Church on time!...

Last Friday when the snow fell Karen Rawlins and Johnathan Lee thought they would have to cancel their big day but a radio appeal, some kind hearted listeners and lots of 4x4s saved the day... Read more about how Karen got to the Church on time here.


Image Images International Limited via The Daily Mail Online

Love Notes :: 5

Image Elizabeth Messina

I cannot promise you a life of sunshine;
I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold;
I cannot promise you an easy pathway
That leads away from change or growing old.

But I can promise all my heart’s devotion;
A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow;
A love that’s ever true and ever growing;
A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow.

These I Can Promise Author Unknown

Colour Palette 4 :: Frost, Blue & Glitter

Click image to enlarge

Photo Credits:
Beautiful Dress Record the day, Cake Wendy Grant Photography via The Funky Cake Co

Real Wedding :: Laura & Tom

Laura and Tom were married on Saturday 6th June 2009 at Rothwell Holy Trinty Church followed by a reception at Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire.



We had 10 men in the wedding party, they all wore grey tails from Courtyard Bridalwear, Kettering.



I searched high and low for the perfect dress! I finally found "the one" in Manuel Mota, Pronovias, London. My husband is a foot taller than me so I wanted to wear some really high shoes! I found the perfect ones in Dune. My jewellery was from a mixture of high street shops, I loved my headband which was from the Bridal Gallery, Finedon. Leading up to the wedding I treated myself to lots of beauty treatments by Beauty by Stephanie.



The flowers were by Michelle at Eden Flowers (01832 734298). She delivered them all to the various locations needed at no extra cost. This made it so much easier on the day.





Laura and Tom hired their gorgeous wedding car from Hudson Cars.





Finding dresses to suit 5 very different girls was hard but they all loved these ones from Monsoon.





Photographs by John Pridmore Photography.

Favourite memory from the day...
Too many to choose from! Walking down the aisle laughing with my dad, seeing Tom's face when I walked in, giggling at the speeches, the unique first dance, seeing all my favourite people in one place enjoying themselves and marrying the man of my dreams!

Some advice for future brides...
Plan everything early so those last few months are as stress free as possible.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful wedding with us Laura, you looked amazing... Congratulations to you and Tom!

Sneak Peek :: Laura & Tom

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about the stationery I designed for Laura and Tom's wedding... Pop back tomorrow to see some of their gorgeous wedding photos, heres a sneak peek till then!

Love Notes :: 4

"Stolen kisses are always sweetest"
Leigh Hunt


Image Elizabeth Messina

Lovely links...

I am feeling really Christmasy as we have just been to pick up our tree! So I thought I would share some lovely Chrismasy links with you today...

I am definitely going to pop to Foxtail Lilly to pick up a big bundle of mistletoe to make sure I get lots of X's this Christmas... I also fancy some of these christmas candles to make my house smell lovely and one of these gorgeous wreaths to pretty up my front door!



I think I might have a go at making this sweet Snowflake Project I found over at Tea For Joy...

And check out these gorgeous dreamy white images by Anna Inghardt that I found over at decor8...

Hope you enjoy the links and have a great weekend!

Sneak peek into 2010...

Beau's new 2010 Wedding Stationery Collection is nearly complete! Over the next few weeks I will be taking photos of each of the designs and then introducing them to you in the New Year. I will also be updating the brochure and eventually the website... Lots to do but its very exciting to see everything coming together!

Today this made me smile...

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I LOVE the Christmas cards! I have never been so excited about opening a box of cards ever... not only were they packaged beautifully, they are also really lovely. I cannot believe how much time this has saved me too. Count me in for another order for next year".

... How nice it is to have kind words like this waiting in my inbox! A little peek at the finished order below...

Colour Palette 3 :: Ruby

Click image to enlarge

Photo Credits:
Shoe Photograph Elizabeth Messina

What a way to make an entrance!...

This has to be the most unique, funny and memorable wedding entrance I have ever seen - I absolutely LOVE it! I have watched it a number of times now and it always makes me smile - the song is great too!

Go to Jill and Kevin's website and click on the link to view the video - enjoy!

Real Wedding :: Liz & Ed

Today I have another beautiful real wedding to share that was photographed by Issi Greig. Liz and Ed were married on the 15th of August 2009 in Stanwick, Northamptonshire. I love the detail on the bottom of Liz's shoes and the sparkling fairy lights that lit up the garden in the evening. You can find out more about Issi and see some of the other lovely weddings she has photographed here. Congratulations to Liz and Ed!

Colour Palette 2 :: Snow, Silver & Sparkle

Click image to enlarge

Photo Credits:
Flowers Foxtail Lilly, Hair Accessory Flo & Percy, Flowers Martha Stewart, Table Setting By Appointment Only

Love Notes :: 3

Image Elizabeth Messina

Finally
I have found a place
Into which I fit
Perfectly,
Safely,
And securely with no doubts,
No fears,
No sadness,
No tears.
This place is filled
With happiness and laughter,
Yet it is spacious enough
To allow me
The freedom to move around,
To live my life
And be myself.
This wonderful place,
Which I never believed really existed,
I have found
Finally
In your arms,
Inside your heart,
Inside your love.

I belong in your arms by Deborah Brideau

All that glitters...

Like most ladies I know I am like a magpie when it comes to sparkles so when I came across Flo & Percy during my wedding planning my heart skipped a beat! Not only does designer Kirstie Taylor keep a close eye on current wedding trends, which shows in the designs she creates, but she is also lovely to work with. She listened to me rattle on about my fine hair worries and totally put me at ease. I was so excited when my order arrived, it was carefully wrapped in black tissue paper in a little box and finished off with this sweet message ""Florence and Percy were married for 80 years and held the record for the longest marriage in the world. May this Flo & Percy vintage accessory bring you the same luck, health and happiness in your marriage"... How lovely!





Images Flo & Percy

My Bara Comb (first image) was perfect, just what I was after and I loved wearing it on my wedding day!

So if you are looking for vintage inspired accessories to wear on your wedding day or for a special event then I recommend you take a look at Flo & Percy. With 3 collections to choose from - Looking Glass, Gatsby and Wonderland - your sure to find something you'll love! Or if you fancy something a little different you can work with Kirstie to come up with a one off bespoke piece just for you.

To find out more about Flo & Percy you can visit their website here and Kirstie also has a blog where she lists all of Flo & Percy's latest news... Check out Natalie Cassidy on last weeks Strictly Come Dancing wearing the Moulin Headband... gorgeous!

Christmas Sparkle...

This weekend I have been finishing off Christmas card orders, I love seeing them all packaged up ready to be delivered and thinking that they will soon be sent out to bring a little bit of Christmas sparkle to someone...

If you would like to find out more about personalised Christmas cards for 2010 then email me at info{@}beau-madewithlove.co.uk and I will get back to you next year!

Invitation :: Laura & Tom

Laura and Tom chose fuchsia pink for their colour scheme so I designed this bespoke invitation set to match. The set included a front sheet, the invitation, information card, rsvp postcard and a matching pink envelope. All four cards were then tied together with satin fuchsia ribbon and a tag detailing their names and wedding date.

Here's a snippet from the kind words they sent to me...
“thank you so much for doing the stationery for our important day, it looked great and you made it so much easier for me!”

Love Notes :: 2

The Beauty of Love

The question is asked: “Is there anything more beautiful in life than a young couple clasping hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?” And the answer is given: “Yes, there is a more beautiful thing.



“It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled but still clasped; their faces are seamed but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired but still strong with love and devotion. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love. Old love.”

Anon