Handmade Wedding Tip: Carry Your Loved Ones With You

Jeweller Amy Keeper has a clever suggestion for keeping your loved ones with you as you walk down the aisle. "Personalise a bridal necklace, brooch or pendant to hang from your bouquet, by having a special photograph of those you hold dear tastefully set into your jewellery," she says. Alternatively, a photograph of the grooms' loved one set in a pair of sterling silver cufflinks makes the perfect groom's gift.

Necklace with pearls by Amy Keeper

Amy's jewellery range includes the use of photographed characters from vintage postcards to make pieces of jewellery with a nostalgic narrative; sometimes setting the images behind stones to include them as precious elements, and sometimes using photo-etching, to create the suggestion of a contemporary cameo.


See more of her work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Get Creative With Table Settings

Instead of numbering tables at the reception, use a theme or a subject that is more personal to the couple. 


Designer Lizzytish suggests, "Think of places you have visited or lived, favourite foods and drinks, favourite movies, personal interests, pastimes or hobbies." Previous commissions have included table settings incorporating road signs and laser-cut images inspired by places the couple have lived.

Wedding Table Setting by Lizzytish

See more of her work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Customise Wedding Attire With Embroidery

Fashion and textile designer Jan Knibbs customises existing garments or accessories, from the actual wedding dress to shoes and bags, with her signature style of embroidery. "This makes it more affordable to have a completely unique bespoke outfit which will make you stand out from the crowd," she enthuses. 

 


Full Bloom by Jan Knibbs. Photo credit: Jack Willingham


See more of Janet's work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Porcelain Imprinted With a Special Pattern

Ceramicist Janet Stahelin Edmondson works in Limoges Porcelain into which she presses lace and embroidery to produce an impressed decoration. The finished vases and vessels are translucent and delicate, but watertight. 

For weddings, she makes commissioned pieces using the bride's own lace or embroidery. "The process does not damage the textile," she explains, "and the end result will be personal to you and your wedding." 

Previous commissions have included presents for mother of the bride or groom and bridesmaids, with one bride giving vintage brooches presented in tiny porcelain bowls decorated with lace from her dress. 

Vases by Janet Stahelin Edmondson

See more of Janet's work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Queen's Diamond Jubilee Hallmark for 2012

This year, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, a special commemorative hallmark for jewellery has been approved. A 2012 wedding can be commemorated with this special hallmark. "The Queen's hallmark, which will sit alongside the traditional UK hallmarks, is only available this year," jeweller Amanda Li Hope notes. (Hallmarks are legally required for products described as containing precious metals.) 

Amanda Li Hope also takes commissions for pieces made in Fairtrade and Fairmined gold, one of the first 20 companies licensed to do so.

engagement and wedding band set in Fairtrade/Fairmined gold by Amanda Li Hope

XX earrings in Fairtrade/Fairmined gold by Amanda Li Hope

See more of her work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Work Directly With a Designer-Maker

The beauty of buying handmade and working with a craftsperson is you can describe and commission exactly what you envisioned. 

Accessories designer A Alicia customises everything from garters to ring pillows to boutonnieres. "If you want something unique and personal to you, just ask! I love making bespoke orders, and I get so many requests from customers who can't find a garter to fit them, or just can't find one to suit their style." 

Garter and ring pillow made with vintage textiles by A Alicia Wedding

See more of her work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Commission Jewellery for the Wedding Party

Bridesmaids can coordinate by wearing matching silver jewellery on the day of the wedding. "This could be in the form of earrings, bracelets or earrings," suggests jeweller Farah Qureshi, who creates a lovely range of silver and gold jewellery, great for the special day. 

A special commissioned piece of jewellery would also make a great gift for the mother of the bride.

Gold necklace with tear drops by Farah Qureshi

Gold ring with pink tourmaline by Farah Qureshi

See more of Farah's work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012