Lavender and Linen Vintage Styling Advice

 Yes, it’s a beautiful day It’s gonna be a beautiful night. Break out the champagne, everybody get a glass…….

Want to achieve that vintage look for your wedding breakfast but don’t have a clue where to start? Want to add a personal touch to that champagne reception but don’t know how to source the glassware needed? Then look no further. We have the fabulous Lavender and Linen on the blog today, giving invaluable advice on trends, acheiving “the look” and sourcing all the bits and pieces needed.

I’ve asked a few questions of my own that I think most couples (and nosey bloggers like me) would want to know about but if I have missed anything please leave your questions in the comments section here and I will make sure to get the answers you desire I am here to serve you!

So without further ado I will hand over to Kate of Lavender and Linen

 A Very Vintage Wedding

I think if you have been reading any magazines or blog articles on vintage weddings, by now you will have been bombarded with a million different ideas or suggestions. From vintage tea parties and rustic DIY shabby chic, to vintage glam and beyond.

How truly ‘vintage’ you want to go for your own wedding though is entirely up to you – whether you want to stick to a particular era and go for authentic details and period touches, or whether you want an altogether more eclectic mix – endless choices abound!

So here are just a few suggestions of how to create those little details that can really incorporate your own style.

Where do you source your items from?

We are very lucky to live in an area dotted with antique shops, car boots, vintage fairs and fabulius charity shops. We must also admit that our Mums frequently pick up pretty pieces for us on their travels – L&L success is definitely in part due to them!

How varied is your collection?

 As a new business we started off with a basic stock that has since grown every week. We began with just vintage china but swiftly started to specialise in vintage glassware once we realised how popular the vintage glam look was starting to become. We now pride ouselves on our range of champagne saucers, wine glasses and water tumblers, as well as our pretty crockery. We also have lots of pieces for dressing tables and providing that overall look – from glass candlesticks and decanters to vintage bottles, bunting, hampers, candelabra and more.

We also provide a ‘finding’ service for those slightly more unusual requests, and provided we are given enough time will happily hunt for those pieces that couples have set their heart on.

How can people see your collection?

We have some images on our website, but also have lots more images to view on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lavenderlinen

We will also allow viewing by appointment if couples would like to handpick their pieces – however we will always handpick items ouselves for each specific wedding – nothing is ‘off the peg’, we always try to choose colours and styles that will compliment a couples vision of their day.

Do you have furniture as well?

We have a few small pieces available for hire (for instance a whisky bar complete with decanters and tumblers – ideal for after the wedding meal in a chill out area, or even hen and stag dos). But we operate from our homes so are limited on space! Again, however, we do operate our finding service and will happily attend car boots, markets and fairs for specific pieces on behalf of couples.

 

Do you ask to have contact with the florist beforehand so you can work out the best décor for the wedding?

 It is a really good idea for your florist and vintage tableware supplier to have each others details when designing your table centrepieces, as vintage cups, jugs and teapots all make gorgeous arrangements with flowers in, as well as being a budget-friendly way of achieving a soft vintage feel to your wedding décor. Some florists will already have these types of pieces – but we are always willing to provide some for displays.

 

We are also now offering vintage hire packages in conjunction with the amazingly talented Stephanie Saunders Floral Designs (www.stephaniesaundersflowers.co.uk) – please check out our websites towards the end of January for some introductory offers to this incredible new service, or alternatively come along to these FREE wedding fairs to take advantage of our fair-only offers: Love & Lace Vintage Wedding Fair, Sapperton Village Hall, February 17th (www.ladyamyweddingdesign.co.uk/#/wedding-fair/4569990958) and Ingleside House, Cirencester, March 3rd (www.inglesidecirencester.com/index.php?page=our-events)

  

What is the procedure for hire in terms of cost, washing, returns?

 We don’t have a price list per se as we like to offer the best deal on exactly what the bride and groom are after, and we offer good discounts if more than one type of item is hired. However, as a rough guide our prices start from as little as a £1. Delivery/collection is calculated purely on the distance from ourselves (Tetbury/Mamlesbury on the Wiltshire/Gloucestershire border) to the venue. We always do the washing up and that is included in our quotes – this is because all our items are old and need careful handwashing – they are not quite up to the convenience of a dishwasher unfortunately! We always include a few extras free of charge in case of that unexpected guest or mishap.

What happens if there are breakages?

 All breakages are charged for on a rate that covers our time to find and replace the pieces as well as their inherent worth. We are very fortunate to date with our customers – only a very few breakages have occurrred, everyone seems to really value their age and delicate nature and look after them.

 So can you give us some styling secrets/tips to share with our readers?

The quintessential afternoon English tea is a wonderful way to celebrate your wedding, and this kind of styling really lends itself to outdoor summer weddings, and you can do a lot of it yourself – just hire in any pieces that you can’t find (or don’t have the time to find!).

Try using the vintage pieces in new and interesting ways if you prefer a three-course meal – teacups for soup or ice cream, small cake plates for bread etc. Luggage tags tied to the saucer handles make great place settings, and are great for that rustic country feel.

If, however, you are all about the glamour and want sophisticated elegance – perhaps holding your wedding in a hotel or country house – the decadence of vintage crystal and cut glass is a must for that wow factor. From champagne saucers for your very own signature champagne cocktail, to wine decanters, vintage water and wine glasses, ornate candelabras and candlesticks – there are a multitude of choices to create your very own day of nostalgic extravagance.

Just because you are using vintage pieces doesn’t mean you can’t have a modern vibrant feel either – the bright colours of the later nineteenth century glassware can really set off your table – amber yellows, bright cobalt blues, and dusky greys and browns are all available. Whether it’s bottles, tumblers, or candlesticks – vintage glassware has a lot to offer the modern bride and groom.

Vintage tableware can be soft, romantic and rustic; elegant, sumptuous and decadent; or colourful vibrant and modern – so even if you hadn’t thought about adding vintage elements into your wedding before, there is something to suit every budget and style.

 

Thankyou so much to Lavender and Linen for their fab advice. I love the luggage tag idea and the cork table place settings are adorable. If you have any questions for Lavender and Linen on vintage styling please leave a comment and I will make sure your query is answered. It’s your blog so get involved. Bye for now, Jenny

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