Event Planning

Barn dance parties are fun for all ages. They're a great way to celebrate a birthday with a big guest list. Country fans and western enthusiasts will love the classic American theme, but everyone can enjoy the fun easy-to-learn dances. Here's a few tips on organising the perfect hootenanny!

If your little princess is dreaming of a fairy tale birthday, you might be wondering how to make the party truly magical. Here are some ideas on throwing a regal party that's fit for a princess!

Stationery

Get the girls ready for a magical party with princess themed invitations - think tiaras, castles, and lots of pink! Personalised invites with a photo of the birthday girl are great for adding a unique, special touch. Dotty about Paper has a great range of princess invitations. So, just add the wording and you're ready to go! Featured Design: 'Little Princess Use Your Own Photo Birthday Invitation'

Decorations

Pretty pink decorations can transform a room into a colourful castle! First, purchase tablecloths, paper plates, and cups. Party Delights has a fabulous range of essential party items in a gorgeous pastel pink. Next, add these pink balloons into the mix - the girls can also have fun playing with them! And you can celebrate the birthday girl with some personalised bunting, too! Finally, fill the party room with sparkly flourishes. Glittery tiaras look beautiful!

Food

To make princess party food, you just need to add a spin to old favourites. Sandwiches and biscuits become a special treat when they're cut into crown and castle shapes! You could even go further and cook tiara-shaped pizza. And you can transform fruit into a magical treat by making a fruit wand! To make them, all you need to do is cut watermelon into star shapes and add berries or grapes to a stick. There's a lot of choice when it comes to a princess-themed birthday cake. Choose a recipe that your birthday girl will love, like this decorative bake. Or if you need a quick, stress-free option, you could order a ready-made cake, like this stunning one from Tesco. Alternatively, you could make a simple bake and decorate it with cake toppers. You could also use these to make some cupcakes for the guests! And, if you decide to bake cupcakes, make them extra special by displaying them on this magic castle stand from The Book People! Next, you'll need to get drinks ready! Strawberry milkshakes, pink lemonade, and other bright drinks will go down a treat, especially when served in these petite plastic milk bottles. You can add berries and colourful straws to really make them stand out.

Princess Themed Entertainment

Dressing up in regal attire is a must for the perfect princess party! On the invitations, ask the girls to come in their favourite royal gowns. Continue the fun at the party with glitter tattoos and make-up. It's great fun for the kids and makes for some memorable photographs - especially if you get some fun themed photo booth props! These 'make your own' tiaras will keep the kids happy for ages! They come with everything they'll need to design and craft their very own royal crowns. Once they're dressed up, it's time for some games! A sing-along is always a favourite. Additionally, you can change up classic games to fit the theme - pin the crown on the princess, have a scavenger hunt for candy jewels, and play enchanted ball-themed musical statues. If you really want to make the day unforgettable, you could consider inviting a princess to the party! Visit sites like My Little Princess Parties to hire an entertainer who can sing, dance, and play games with the girls. Finish the day on a happy note with some party bags. Fill the bags with small sweets, stickers, stationery, and age-appropriate jewellery. A special personalised sticker on the bag is the icing on the cake. Featured Design: 'Princess Tiara Party Sticker and Princess Tiara Thank You Card'

Other Ideas

If your birthday girl is set on a princess party, but boys are invited too, try combining it with a superhero theme! All you have to do is add a spin on the ideas in this blog - use a range of hero cake toppers, pair 'make your own masks' with 'make your own crowns', and try out some superpowered games by clicking here! And don't forget to pick invitations that both groups will love! Featured Design: 'Princess and Superhero Party Birthday Invitation'

Memorial cards are small cards designed to fit into a wallet or purse. They serve as a reminder of the deceased. Cards might also be placed in memorial gardens or in cemetery flower bouquets placed by a grave. Most stationers offer laminated cards to provide extra protection against wear and tear. Family members and close friends traditionally receive them. There is no set time or etiquette for sending out memorial cards; you can think about them whenever you feel ready. Writing memorial cards is never easy. It can be hard to find the words to reflect how special your loved one was and how much they mean to you. So, to help you through this challenging time, we’ve compiled some ideas to help you with the wording.

Wording Memorial Cards

Many choose to add a meaningful phrase or quote to their memorial cards, either in tribute to them or to remind them of that person's life. Write a short sentence that captures an aspect of the deceased’s personality. Consider basing it on a treasured memory. Or you might prefer to add a message of love and remembrance:

"Those that touch our lives stay in our hearts forever."

"You will never be forgotten."

"The memory of you will always be in our hearts."

"Your love will light our way, your memory will forever be with us."

You may want to commemorate a quote or words of wisdom the deceased once said, or choose a saying that they loved. Alternatively, here are some beautiful quotes you could use:

"The song is ended, but the melody lingers on." - Irving Berlin

"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart." - Mahatma Gandhi

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” - Thomas Campbell

"Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Suess

If the loved one was religious, you could also add a favourite scripture or piece of religious text.

Featured Design: ''Elegant Border"

Memorial Poems

The backs of memorial cards usually show a poem. Selecting the verse for your card can be difficult due to the amount of choice. To help you pick, consider using poems that your loved one enjoyed so you can be reminded of them when you read it. And if you’re still having trouble deciding, here are a few to inspire you:

Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall

I'd like the memory of me

To be a happy one,

I'd like to leave an afterglow

Of smiles when life is done,

I'd like to leave an echo

Whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times,

And bright and sunny days,

I'd like the tears of those who grieve

To dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leave

When life is done.

Memories Build a Special Bridge by Emily Matthews

Our memories build a special bridge when loved ones have to part,

To help us feel we’re with them still, and soothe a grieving heart,

Our memories span the years we shared, preserving ties that bind,

They build a special bridge of love and bring us peace of mind.

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep by Mary Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there,

I do not sleep,

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn’s rain,

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight,

I am the soft stars that shine at night,

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there,

I did not die.

Featured Design: 'Watercolour River Scene'

Memorial Card Design

Words can express so much, but there’s more you can do to turn a memorial card into a treasured tribute to your loved one. Choose a design that represents your loved one in either its patterns or artwork. For instance, if they were a gardener, you could pick a card with a floral pattern. Likewise, if they were religious, a symbol of their faith would be fitting. In addition, you could choose something that represents a hobby they loved. Finally, complete the card with a photograph of your loved one. This is a wonderful chance to pay tribute to their life, so pick your most treasured picture. Featured Design: 'Ladies Gardening'

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, holding an engagement party, or just relaxing with friends, an afternoon tea party is always welcome. Here are some tips for holding a memorable afternoon tea party!

Invitations

Start off with some invitations to get your guests ready for a leisurely tea party. The Card Gallery has a great range of vintage and modern designs, available with personalised wording or as ready-to-write cards. Just add your own details. Featured Designs: 'Tea Pot Tea Party Invitation' and 'Watercolour Bird & Teacup Tea Party Invitation'

Setting the Table

To make a truly special afternoon tea party, invest in fine china crockery; you can usually find some in charity and antique shops. You can purchase a matching set if you want a coordinated look, but it’s not a necessity. Mismatched cups, teapots, and saucers in complimenting combinations are very trendy! For a special touch, replace standard spoons and forks with cutlery that has engraving on the handles. Pair the crockery with napkins and lace doilies on top of a vintage chic table cloth. You could spend more for a proper antique, or choose a modern fabric with a vintage pattern. Florals are a big favourite! If you want a tea party with a contemporary twist, choose a stylishly minimalist pattern. Check out this lace tablecloth by Emma Barclay. Finish off with some bunting – this looks especially good if you’re having a garden party and want something to liven up the fence! If you’re holding your party outside, you might want to consider sun parasols for your guests. You can spread confetti on the table if you're holding a party indoors. Featured Design: 'Hydrangea Afternoon Tea Birthday Bunting'

Food and Drink

Now that you’re ready to receive guests, it’s time to think about the main event – the tea itself! Everyone has different tastes, so it’s a good idea to have a selection of teas, from classic black teas to fruits and herbals. If you’re feeling posh, use tea leaves and strainers rather than bags. A jug of milk and a bowl with brown and white sugar should also be provided. Also, serve cold drinks like fresh fruit juice... or even a drop of Prosecco! Next, it’s time to get baking! Afternoon tea traditionally includes scones with jam and cream, along with a selection of cakes and biscuits. There are plenty of recipes out there, so you can find something to suit your guests’ tastes. Or you can simply buy fresh confectionery from a local bakery. Afternoon tea is usually a lighter occasion than high tea, but you should still serve a few sandwiches along with the sweet treats. Choose classic fillings like cucumber and cheese, or go all out with luxury recipes, like this summer spread from BBC Good Food. As a final step, don’t forget to thank your guests for coming with a thank you card! Featured Design: 'Teapots & Roses Thank You Cards'

Is your child a dance star in the making? Do they love listening to music? Then a disco party is the perfect way to let them have fun with friends or celebrate their birthday! Here are some great ideas for stress-free fun!

Invitations

Get the party started with some stunning stationery! A bright, bold invitation will get kids ready to dance. Let the parents know it’s a disco party so the kids can put on their best dancing shoes! The Card Gallery has lots of stunning invites that will suit a disco party or birthday, complete with matching thank you cards. Just add your own personalised wording and we’ll do the rest. Featured Design: 'Disco Party Birthday Invitation'

Entertainment

It’s not a disco party without some dancing! You can hire a local venue if don’t have room in your house – or if you want to save the floorboards! If you don’t want to spend cash on a venue, make space by pushing furniture to one side or moving the party outdoors. If the party is for older children, you can make it extra special by hiring a professional kids DJ. Or you can simply make a playlist yourself and play it with some speakers. Catchy tunes go down well with kids – make sure to add some of the party boy or girl’s favourite tunes! Featured Design: 'Dance Party Birthday Invitation' Dancing is great fun for the guests, but little ones might get a bit bored if it's the only activity! Make sure to plan some fun disco party games. A glitter ball piñata makes an exciting break from dancing, and this kit from Party Delights has everything you’ll need. You can also use music-based games like the limbo, musical statues, and pass-the-parcel to keep the kids interested. Add some fun twists, like asking the kids to dance while passing the parcel. For teens, try having a dance-off, karaoke, or air guitar competition!

Food

Give classic party food a funky disco twist by adding lots of colour and sparkle! Bright rainbow and silver sprinkles on snacks like doughnuts and cake pops will go down a treat. Check out this recipe for inspiration! A fruit salad is a colourful and healthy idea, too. Skewer sticks with patterns on the top make a yummy fruit kebab extra special. If you’re having a disco birthday, you've already got a perfect theme for the cake! Colourful icing with a glitter ball cake topper captures the fun of a disco perfectly. Or you could order a bespoke cake, like this one from The Brilliant Bakers, for a bake that really stands out!

Decorations

Decorate your dance-floor with disco decor. There’s no need to break the bank when it comes to lighting - small glitter balls look fantastic with fairy lights! If the party is for younger children, and you want to keep the room bright, use bunting and confetti instead. Featured Design: 'Disco Stars Birthday Bunting' Add some balloons and props so you can capture some fun photographs of the kids! Glow sticks are another great addition. They're easy to wrap around items like cups and plates - in no time, you'll have a groovy disco party table! The kids can then dance with them and take them home as party favours. There are so many great games you can play with them! Have a ring toss, or put them in clear bottles to use as glowing bowling pins. They're striking when paired with a black tablecloth. Or you could go bright! Add more fun colours to the party decor with themed napkins, platters, and so on!

If your child's birthday falls around the Easter period, you might be considering organising two separate parties. Don't fret! You can save yourself some stress and combine them into a spectacular Easter-themed birthday party! Here are some great tips to make your child's special day extra fun!

Invitations

Get in the springtime spirit with cute, colourful invitations! Cards with bunnies and eggs will be a big hit. You can choose stationery with cartoon art for a lively party or stationery with a hand-drawn style for a traditional look. The Card Gallery offers a great range of birthday invitations. Just add your own wording and party details! Featured Designs: 'Bunny Fairy Kids Birthday Invitation' and 'Pink Rabbit Kids Birthday Invitation'

Entertainment

An Easter egg hunt is sure to keep the little ones happy. It doesn’t require a huge garden – just some creativity! No matter where you’re holding your party, whether at home or in a more open location, you can make the hunt fun with these ideas. First, make the hunt special by purchasing chocolate eggs and hiding them in good spots. You can change how well you hide them to suit the age of the children. Alternatively, you could buy plastic eggs and put small treats inside. Give the kids their own buckets and some crafty bits to decorate them. This will keep them busy while you hide the eggs, plus they're a lovely favour the children can take home. These cute Easter bucket sets from Baker Ross are ideal! Keep the fun going by having an egg-and-spoon race with the chocolate eggs once they've been collected. You could also give the kids eggs to paint and take home in their buckets - this saves you from having to buy party bags too! Make sure there are great prizes for the children who collect the most eggs, but get something for the runners-up, too. A larger chocolate egg for the winner and smaller chocolates for the others is a good balance… And if you follow our advice on food, no one will feel left out!

Food

It’s not an Easter party without chocolate! There’s no shortage of yummy chocolate eggs to keep the kids happy. And a chocolate birthday cake decorated with mini eggs and bunny cake toppers will definitely go down well. However, you might want to provide some healthy snacks too! Funny animal faces made out of fruit are always a favourite. Older children might enjoy these cute boiled egg rabbits!

Decorations

Dress your location with lots of colourful, exciting decorations that have an Easter motif. You can hang bunting and use signs to help kids find the eggs for the hunt. Check out this beautiful bunny bunting from AliceAnnLondon! Most children love cute springtime rabbits and chicks, so place adorable stuffed animals around to make the party come to life!

Surprise birthday parties can be tricky to organise! Here are a few tips to help you plan a secret party.

Planning

Before you starting planning, think about what the birthday guest of honour wants. They might be planning their own birthday party, or even a celebratory holiday away. Perhaps they just want a quiet day to themselves. Think about whether your gesture will be appreciated or not! If you’re not a family member, ask relatives for their opinion. Once you’re sure a surprise party is a good idea, start planning. Traditionally, guests will wait for the birthday person to arrive and surprise them. But what if the guest of honour is shy or doesn’t like shocks? In this case, bring them to the party first and have guests show up one-by-one. Featured Design: 'Polka Dot Surprise Birthday Invitation' Pick out someone that will act as a guide during the day. It should be someone with whom the guest of honour feels comfortable. It will be their job to keep them occupied while the party is set up and guide them back in time for the surprise. If you’re holding the party at a house, the guide can take the birthday person out while you get ready. A trip to the cinema or shopping isn’t suspicious, especially on a birthday, and it ensures the guest of honour is booked for the day so they won’t make conflicting plans. It will also make a great birthday treat to put a smile on their face before the party’s even started! If the party is at a venue or restaurant, the guest of honour’s relatives make a good choice of guide. They can pretend they’re taking them for a meal or a day out, when they’re actually leading them to a party!

Food and Decorations

Plan the food and decorations as you would for any birthday party. Pick a theme, or use the person’s hobbies and interests as inspiration. You might even base it on a ‘surprise’ theme to reflect the party. Choose food and decorations that can be easily hid until it’s time to set them up. You don’t want the guest of honour to find them! Bunting and confetti are good choices as they can all be packed away and put up quickly. As for food, choose things that don’t require much preparation – it could cause problems if your guide’s timing is off. Pizza, crisps, and other party foods are a good choice. And of course, don’t forget the birthday cake! It looks great to have the candles burning in a dark room when the guest of honour enters. Source Image: 'Happy Birthday Fairy Lights' from www.gifts.co.uk

Invitations

There’s one big rule when writing surprise birthday party invitations – tell everyone it’s a secret! Make it clear so that no-one starts chatting to the guest of honour about their upcoming party. As with all birthday invitations, make the date, time, and location clear. It’s very important that people don’t show up when the birthday person is around! You might suggest a nearby car park for guests to use so the guest of honour won’t see their friends’ vehicles and get suspicious. Featured Design: 'Chalkboard Layer Cake Birthday Invitation'

A pamper party is a fun way to make your little princess feel like a star. The theme works with so many different kinds of party, from birthday bashes to cosy sleepovers!

Invitations

We’ve got a great range of birthday invitations that would be perfect for a pamper party. Our ‘Girl’s Pamper Party’ invite is a cute option for any glamorous girl, while the ‘Nail Varnish’ design offers a sophisticated touch. Simply personalise the stationery with the party details and you’re ready to go! Featured Designs: 'Girls Pamper Party Invitation' and 'Nail Varnish Invitation'

Decorations

Nothing says ‘pamper’ quite like a salon, so why not turn your party room into a beauty parlour? Set up chairs and a mirror for each girl. You can then get to work decorating them with fairy lights, flowers, and other pretty things. Try to keep the colours consistent – pink is always a favourite - and make sure to use a table cloth that you won’t mind getting messy! Lay out newly-bought hairbrushes, make-up, and party favours so that the children will be excited from the moment they step inside! Add some personalised bunting to finish off the decorations. Why not match it to your invitations using The Card Gallery’s stationery collections? Featured Designs: 'Nail Varnish Party Bag & Sticker' and 'Nail Varnish Bunting'

Food

A popular pamper party choice is a chocolate fountain, complete with a colourful variety of marshmallows and fruit. Not only does it look fantastic, it can also be reused at any of your future events! You can add fun twists to traditional party snacks, like topping cupcakes with edible glitter or putting chocolate sticks into small cakes to make them look like nail varnish bottles. Let the girls pretend they’re famous grown-up stars with some plastic cocktail glasses and pink lemonade. Consider getting a heart-shaped ice tray to add a girly touch to the drinks!

Entertainment

Pamper party entertainment requires coordination, so it’s a good idea to wait until everyone has arrived before starting. To keep the children happy as they wait for the others, provide some age-appropriate magazines like a real salon, or give them some blank paper and let them draw their own fashion designs. The main event of any pamper party is a special makeover. You can apply the make-up yourself, asking friends, other mothers, or older guests to help. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Simple touches like lipstick, blush, and nail-painting are sure to make the girls feel glamorous! Buy a few children’s make-up sets from trusted shops such as Claire’s and let the guests share them. You can fill party bags with small, cute accessories like necklaces, hair clips, and rings. The Card Gallery has a great range of party bag stickers to make them look extra special! The children can use their new items to add the finishing touches to their makeover. A few sweets and some cute stickers, like these Butterfly Stickers from Amazon, can be used if the children are too young for jewellery. Once the girls have dressed up, they can have a fashion show. Try making a little runway with a pink carpet, fairy lights, and some sparkly confetti. Having a beauty shoot is exciting for the children, and it’s a great way to capture some special photos for the birthday girl to treasure. Finish up with some classic games that have been given the pamper party makeover! Use sparkly paper to hide a cute compact in Pass the Parcel, or sing along to the girls’ favourite pop songs with a karaoke competition.

Welcoming a new child into the world is a happy occasion for any family. Traditionally, christenings and other services have been used to celebrate births. However, these ceremonies don’t always suit parents’ needs. For instance, they may not be members of any religion, or they may have multi-faith family members. Many parents are choosing to hold naming ceremonies instead. A naming ceremony is held to celebrate child’s arrival, regardless of age - this makes them popular with adopting and fostering families too. A ‘celebrant’ leads the ceremony. Parents usually read out special pledges to the child, such as a promise to care for them; supporting adults may do the same. Poetry or prose can be read out. And, of course, there will be an official naming. A few words about the story behind the name adds personal meaning.

Types of Naming Ceremonies

Civil naming ceremonies are a government-led way to mark your child’s arrival. To book one, contact your local Register Office. They are held in a licensed location, and religious content is not allowed. Choosing a civil ceremony means that you won’t have to stress about planning the structure - it is already set out. All you’ll have to do is practise reading your pledges and send out invitations. The Card Gallery has a range of naming ceremony stationery that can be fully personalised. Featured Designs: 'Twins Peeping Toes' and 'Bunny Fairy' Humanist naming ceremonies are conducted by The British Humanist Association. For a fee, they will provide a celebrant who works with guardians to tailor a ceremony that suits their ideas. They will also lead the ceremony. The venue is not limited, so you can choose your location. The guardians have control over what features they want in the celebration. This allows you to design your dream ceremony. It’s a more expensive option, but you’ll receive professional guidance to help make your own perfect welcoming.

Organise Your Own Ceremony

Remember, naming ceremonies have no legal status. But they are a great way of celebrating a memorable milestone. So why not simply organise a party yourself? Invite friends and relatives to celebrate the arrival of your new family member. Plan promises, speeches, or readings you want to give, and practise them so you’re confident on the day. A great list of poems can be found here if you need some inspiration! You could make refreshments for guests to give the day a celebratory atmosphere, as well as decorating with some bunting and confetti. You could even choose a theme that suits your child’s name, like matching a garden party to a floral name. Featured Designs: 'Singing Birds Postcard' and 'Rose Bud' Naming ceremonies are a great alternative to traditional christenings. The day can be as formal or as relaxed as you want! And you can choose your own budget, either opting to spend more for some extra help, or arranging the ceremony yourself. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be a memorable day for all.

In our busy digital age, handwriting has become less common as emails and texts provide a quick and easy alternative. It can be easy to forget how special it feels to receive a handwritten message! On 23^rd January, we celebrated National Handwriting Day. So now's the time to send a lovingly handwritten card! “In the age of social media, taking the time to add a personal touch can often be forgotten,” says Lisa Forde, Director of The Card Gallery. “Everything is instant, and we forget sometimes about the real relationships that we have forged. National Handwriting Day is the perfect opportunity to really take the time to tell someone how you feel.” To help you celebrate the written word this week, Lisa has come up with ten ideas to try.

Surprise Notes

We all know how busy mornings can be; we don’t always have time to talk with our family before we have to rush out the door. Leaving a handwritten note in your partner’s bag is a great way to give them a little surprise. It’s sure to leave them smiling for the rest of the day once they read it! The Card Gallery has a great range of notelets perfect for small messages. Featured Design: 'Vintage Flowers - Thank You Notelet'

Keep in Touch

It’s hard to keep in touch with people we don’t see every day. We all have our own schedules, and despite our best efforts to stay in contact, life often gets in the way! So why not send a letter to a friend you haven’t seen for a while? You might write to an old school friend, or a distant relative. It’s a touching way to show you’re thinking about them.

Leave a Gift

People might not always associate letters with gifts, but a carefully handwritten letter makes a wonderful keepsake. It’s unique and personal to the recipient. Try giving a lovingly crafted letter instead of a present – they can read it on the day or save it to read in the future.

Learn to Write

Try mastering a new skill! Calligraphy and stencilling are great fun to learn. You’ll soon be creating your own beautiful letters! This means you can also add a personal touch to your cards on special occasions. Our ready-to-write stationery has room for you to show off your new talent! Featured Design: 'Gingham Thank You Bunting - Ready to Write'

Message in a Bottle

This is an exciting way to share the joy of handwriting! Tucking a letter in a bottle and throwing it in the ocean might be traditional, but we don’t want to encourage littering! So instead, take a photo of a handwritten letter with a point of contact, post it on social media, and see how far it goes! “In a world where some believe we are becoming more disconnected, the more we connect, the closer we feel,” says Lisa. “These ideas for National Handwriting Day promote communication, creativity, and happiness.”

Romantic, soft, delicate – no wonder pastel colours are so popular for weddings. Think baby pink, sky blue and pale lilac. Add in pastel greens and yellows and you have a look that works beautifully across many different styles. The Card Gallery have pulled together some of our favourites to inspire you with invitations for a pastel themed wedding and styling tips to go with them. Watercolour Roses The pink version of this design (it’s also available in orange or purple) features a painted rose in the palest possible shade brought to life with subtle foliage in blues and greens. The translucent look of watercolours is perfect for pastels. Styling Tip: These fab prosecco cocktails are sophisticated enough for the fussiest guest while still retaining their rustic charm. Find the recipe at Lark & Linen Love Tree If your style is more quirky, pastels can still work for you. Love Tree is a contemporary design with heart shaped leaves in delicate pastel shades. Styling Tip: Instead of a guest book, carry the tree theme through with a Wedding Wishes Tree. Provide matching Love Tree favour tags for your guests to write their messages. Lace Butterflies We just love these lace-winged butterflies – so romantic in pastel pinks, blues and lilacs. Butterflies are always a popular wedding theme and matched with lace they make a great combination. Styling Tip: Ask your florist to add a butterfly or two into your bouquet to take the theme right through your wedding. Shabby Chic Polka Dot & Roses Country style floral prints are so popular and this shabby chic design in blues and pinks matched with rustic polka dots really sets the scene. Styling Tip: Create a fabulous afternoon tea style dessert buffet with mismatched vintage china. Use pale pastels colours for cake pops and macarons and finish with a scrumptious tiered cake iced in pale blue and finished with pink ribbon and sugar roses. Birdcage with Lovebirds Go for modern charm with this adorable pair of lovebirds with a vintage birdcage. The birdcage, birds and branch are delicately line drawn and then highlighted with hints of pastel colours. Styling Tip: Carry the birdcage theme through to your reception and use them as centrepieces. Choose a darker colour birdcage and fill with flowers to match your colours (or ask your florist to create them). To match the style of the invitations, keep it really simple with a just a few flowers and a little foliage. Alternatively place a couple of different sized candles inside the cage for a really romantic effect.