2011 – it’s the big year and it’s already here!

Hello lovelies, it's 2011, how on earth did that happen?!

I've finally become used to not having to prefix every greeting with 'Did you have a lovely Christmas?' followed by 'How was your New Year?' and am now excitedly coming to terms with the fact that when people ask about our wedding date, I can say August. That’s right. One word. August. Not next August. But August. This year. Eight months away. Eeek!

It's true what they; once you have set a date then time will fly by. So no sooner was the day in the diary and the venue booked, before we moved onto the next stage… Save The Date cards and how we were going to tell everyone (and they do ask!). There seems to be some debate amongst the brides and grooms of weddings I've been to. Hardly any of these lovestruck lovelies sent out Save The Date cards but if the wedding press is to be believed, you simply can't get married without penning your notes up to a year in advance.

Personally, I love the idea! Especially if you know your theme and colour scheme in advance, so you can use them in full effect to tie your stationery together, complementing each other perfectly. It allows you to build up a grand vision of the wedding and gives your guests an insight into what to expect when the big day arrives. It also ensures the wonderful people you’d like to share your ‘I do’ moment with will know to keep the date free, and to look out for the next instalment; your invitations! (And the practical side of me that likes order and colour coded folders can't help but get excited at not needing to play around too much with table plans at a later time.  Surely if our guests know the date, there's no excuse?!)

However, what I love most about Save the Date cards is that they hark back to the days before the internet, facebook and twitter. We spend so much of our time connecting online that we no longer really connect one to one in the personal way we used to. That's probably why I am a sucker for stories about lost love letters from the war or old couples who still hold hands (and don't get me started on The Notebook!) Now that most of our communication is online, it makes a nice change to receive something in the post that isn't a bill or junk mail.

We're in love with the Octobre range of Le Trousseau Papier… I think the crocus and leaf type is stunning and I adore the rich deep purple. It ties in with our colour scheme perfectly, and I don’t mind telling you it’s a key shade for this wedding season! And if like me you fancy getting a little more creative, why not further adorn yours with LT’s grey heart ribbon tied up in a neat little bow?

All that said, you don't need to worry too much about making sure all your details are sorted out now - you will probably have a vague idea about what you like, so instead of biting your nails over the exact pantone shade you must have, why not look at overarching themes…For example, if you know you want a romantic wedding and have fallen in love with Le Trousseau’s classic perfume bottle (just like I have!), then why not consider spraying a classic scent onto your Save The Date cards, creating an air of the vintage, luxe and tres romantic theme for your big day? A treat for guests in advance of the wedding itself.

Our own Save The Dates have now been posted and we're ready for our next planning meeting at the venue…food tasting - I cannot wait! Our plans are coming along pretty well, although I have yet to find THE dress. I'm hoping a shopping session very soon will change that. It's all getting a bit exciting, and I hope you'll be there to join me, every step of the way.

All my love

Little Miss Luxe xxx